from the Principal ...

Dear Parents/Caregivers/Students/Staff

Mobile Phone Policy update from the Department of Education and Training

Mobile Phone Policy update from the Department of Education and Training

August 6, 2019

Students will be required to switch off and store their mobile phones for the duration of the school day.

On Wednesday 26 June 2019 the Minister for Education, the Hon James Merlino MP, announced a new schools Mobile Phone Policy which will come into effect from Term 1, 2020. The new policy will require all students at Victorian state primary and secondary schools to switch off their mobile phones and store them securely from the start of the school day until the final bell.

Schools will be supported by the Department of Education and Training to engage their communities in conversations about the new policy, and how to best implement it within their school.

Further information will be provided during term 4 2019.

Year 9 into 10 Subject Selection Information

All Year 9 students will attend a presentation next Monday the 12th of August to help them understand the process of subject selection - deciding on subjects, completing the paperwork correctly, and other relevant information.

Individual Course Counselling will take place in the following weeks to further support students in establishing their best pathway going forward.  If have any questions please contact Ms Michelle Lynch, Leading of Leading Year 9 on 9555 5955 or email cheltenham.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au

Year 10 Career Action Plan  

All Year 10 students should be completing their Career Action Plan in preparation for Course Counselling, which can be found via this link: https://careertools.com.au/student/login/cheltenhamsccareers.com

Wellbeing Survey

A WELLBEING survey  will be taking place next week

14th August  Period 2  with Years 7 and 8 and in Period 4 with Years 10 and 11.

‘About You’ Survey!

What is ‘About You’?

‘About You’ is a survey of Victoria’s young people, conducted by Colmar Brunton on behalf of the Department of Education and Training. The About You survey takes place in Victorian schools and collects essential information on the health, wellbeing, learning and safety of young people aged 12 to 17.

Government schools with students in year 7, 8, 10 and 11 are being invited to participate in the survey in 2019. The information collected will assist in the development of programs, resources and services aimed at meeting the needs of young Victorians. 

More details on the process will be posted closer to the date.  If you have any questions or need further information please contact Ms Lorraine East, our Wellbeing Leader at the college. 

The Importance of Full Time Attendance

Schooling is compulsory for children and young people aged from 6-17 years unless an exemption from attendance or enrolment has been granted.

Daily school attendance is important for all children and young people to succeed in education and to ensure they don't fall behind both socially and developmentally. Children and young people who regularly attend school and complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification have better health outcomes, better employment outcomes, and higher incomes across their lives. It is important that children develop habits of regular attendance at an early age.

School participation is important as it maximises life opportunities for children and young people by providing them with education and support networks. School helps people to develop important skills, knowledge and values which set them up for further learning and participation in their community.

Conversely, limited school participation is associated with a greater chance of dropping out of school, disruptive and delinquent behaviour and may lead to a cycle of rebellion against authority. These outcomes have later implications for employment, a range of health risk behaviours (drug and alcohol abuse), homelessness, poverty, welfare dependence, and involvement in the justice system. 

Students are expected to attend the school in which they are enrolled, during normal school hours every day of each term, unless:

  • there is an approved exemption from school attendance for the student, or
  • the student is registered for home schooling and has only a partial enrolment in a school for particular activities.

Karl Russell

Principal