Vale Class of 2019

These final weeks for our Year 12 students have been a reflective and emotional time as they completed their final assessments, finalised course and pathways selections and prepared for final exams. I know Greensborough College has laid the foundations for the Graduating Class of 2019 to be thoughtful, caring, compassionate people who will be positive contributors to society. On behalf of the school community, On behalf of the school community I wish all of our graduates the very best in everything they set out to do. At our farewell assembly this week the words of American Poet and Civil Right Activist, Maya Angelou, resonated when she had cause to reflect on her life.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

We wish all of our students the very best during the exam period and we look forward to the final event that marks the Class of 2019’s transition from school to broader horizons, the Valedictory Dinner, on Friday 22nd November.

2020 College Leaders

The Student Leadership interviews were held this week and were, once again, a great opportunity for us to meet with prospective student leaders and to hear from them what their thoughts and ideas are about our school. Choosing the School Captains was difficult. All of the students presented their views articulately and maturely. The panel chose Elyssa Rees and Ryan Melville as the School Captains and Olivia Papaleo and Jeremiah Semaan as Vice-Captains. Included on the selection panel were current student leaders.

I thought I would share some of the feedback from the students.

We need to bridge the divide between year levels by having more cross age activities such as productions, state school spectacular, lunchtime activities and clubs
The ADP is a fantastic program and we need more programs like this that will make students want to come to school.
Conduct more student focus groups to get student feedback on a broad range of things in the school including teaching and learning, and different ways of learning.
Promote the college values more and acknowledge positive behaviours more on COMPASS and in other ways
Teacher-student relationships are the most important part of school. When there is mutual respect, positive relationships and when the teacher knows the students, then students want to come to school and work ethic improves.
Promote school pride with the students – have more bins around the school, places to sit. This will promote a positive attitude.
Enable students to have more control over their learning..

These were some of the key themes that were initiated and discussed by the students. Overall, every student who presented, has been awarded a leadership role. I think this group of students is going to be an outstanding student leadership team in 2020.

Gabby Newton

Congratulations to Gabby Newton, who was selected as the Number 1 Draft Pick in the AFLW draft this week. Gabby has been an outstanding student, role model and young person at Greensborough College for six years. She has represented the College in the highest manner as the School Captain this year. On behalf of the School Council and the entire school community, I wish Gabby all the very best in her future endeavours, particularly as she begins her professional football journey.

Spotlight on Staff

Some of our teachers will be participating in professional learning over the next few weeks, developing their own skills, contributing to the profession and representing the College in the Education State System.

Heath Hay – Health and

Physical Education Leader

Heath will be presenting at the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) Victoria State Conference in November. His workshop will explore warm-up activities for teachers to use in their classes that are inclusive, engaging and modifiable. Heath is highly regarded in the field and regularly sought after for his knowledge and expertise in Health and PE teaching and leadership.

Youssef Tadros – Physics

and Mathematics Teacher

Youssef will be marking VCE Physics exams this year as an Assessor for the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). Last year, Youssef was an assessor for Specialist Mathematics, which he is teaching this year. He is changing it up this year by switching to Physics, which shows his depth of knowledge and understanding in this demanding learning area. Next year we will continue to run Specialist Mathematics at the College for Years 11 and 12 students.

Meegan Triance – Arts Leader

Meegan has been appointed to the Visual Communication Design Panel to select work for the Top Designs 2020 exhibition.

Top Designs is an annual exhibition at Melbourne Museum presenting work created by students who completed VCE Media, Product Design and Technology, Systems Engineering, Visual Communication Design, Theatre Studies Design, as well as a range of VCE VET studies including Furnishing, Creative and Digital Media, Integrated Technologies, Music Industry (Sound Production) and Engineering. Top Designs is a major component of the VCE Season of Excellence and will be launched on Friday 20 March 2020 at Melbourne Museum.

Meegan is also an exam assessor for Visual Communication and Design. Her knowledge, expertise and professionalism has been recognised, once again, by the Department of Education and Training (DET).

2019 NAPLAN Results

Families should have received the 2019 NAPLAN results for students in Years 7 and 9 in the mail recently. The Department of Education and Training (DET) will use the Year 9 results to identify students who need extra support at school in literacy and numeracy. The College will continue to receive funding in 2020 for a literacy and numeracy teacher to deliver an intensive program to students so that they can attain higher standards. This funding is part of the DET’s Middle Years Literacy and Numeracy Strategy (MYLNS), which was introduced this year. At Greensborough College students in Year 10 have been receiving extra tuition in literacy and numeracy and this will continue for the identified Year 10 students next year.

Head Start Program