Deputy Principal's Report

Transition and Orientation: End of 2018 Beginning of 2019 – VCE and VCAL

Over the end of November and the beginning of December we welcome our Year 12 students for 2019 during our Transition program and Year 11 students during our Orientation program. These programs are designed to immerse students into life at Catholic Regional College Sydenham. Students commence their course of study and are given homework to complete over the Christmas break. Students should be completing the set homework tasks as well as revising the work completed. Texts for English, English Language and Literature should be also read during this time. Year 11 students are expected to complete 2-3 hours of home study each night in 2019. Year 12 students are expected to complete 3-4 hours of home study per night. A study timetable is recommended for all students to set out their home study program.

The Transition Program is an integral component to the successful commencement of Year 12. The College is determined to provide the best possible start for our students in this vital final year of their secondary education. As such, it was compulsory for all current Year 11 students who are returning to study at the College to attend all classes during this program. The program took place from Monday 19 November to Friday 30 November. During this time teachers commenced the delivery of learning programs as part of Year 12 studies in VCAL, VCE and VET. Students experienced a robust introduction to the course content in each of their units of study. All staff commenced teaching the Year 12 course material for their subject areas. Homework was set and checked in the follow-up session within the transition period. Specific study and work requirements to be completed upon return to the 2019 academic year was also set.

The Orientation Program is a welcome and introduction to the CRC Sydenham family for our incoming year 11 students. Students will learn the values and expectations of our community and undergo orientation into our online learning platform, SEQTA. Our specially trained Federation Friends will be on hand to answer questions, welcome students and start the process of learning what it means to be a CRC Sydenham student.

The Orientation Program is compulsory for all new Year 11 students who are joining the College and all classes and activities must be attended during this program. The program takes place from Monday 3 December to Friday 7 December. During this time teachers will commence the delivery of learning programs as part of Year 11 studies in VCAL, VCE and VET. Students will experience an introduction to the course content in each of their units of study. All staff will commence teaching the Year 11 course material for their subject areas. Homework will be set and checked.

It is important that all families at the College in 2019 are familiar with the Student Attendance, Achievement and Promotion Policy. One aspect of this policy is that students must attend all classes at the College, with unapproved absences not exceeding more than four classes for each specific subject within a semester of study. Students exceeding this amount of unapproved absence within a given subject will receive an N result for the specific unit due to not fulfilling the attendance requirements. As we commence semester one studies at the College during the transition period, any absences accrued during this time will count towards absence totals in semester one in 2019. As such, students who are absent during this period must contact the College and provide a medical certificate for the absence to be approved. As these students will have fallen behind their fellow students, they are responsible for collecting any work they have missed and for the completion of the holiday homework.

Next year the 2019 School Year commences with a full day of classes for all students on Friday February 1. All VET programs that are delivered at the College will commence on the following week on Tuesday February 5, Wednesday February 6 and Thursday February 7. These programs include: Sport and Recreation, Food Processing (Baking), Hospitality, Signage, Beauty Services, Dance, Business, Tech Production, Music and IT.

Please do not hesitate to contact the College if you would like any additional information about the Transition and Orientation Programs.

Michael Flaherty

College Deputy Principal