Principal's Report
With our recent return to onsite learning for all students the term is now disappearing at a great rate of knots. The rhythm and routine that we all created over an extended period of remote learning is now being adjusted and refined as we work towards building our new normal in a COVID safe environment. As we continue to work towards building our new normal, don’t forget that it took us all time to adjust to remote learning and lockdown requirements and it will take a similar amount of time to create and embed our new normal. If we consider our school as an ecosystem, we know that it is going to take time to recreate the balance, just as it does for our ecosystems after natural disasters such as fire and flood. As students and staff work together to co-create what the return to onsite schooling means, we as a school will focus on 3 key areas for the remainder of Term 4:
Student attendance and engagement
Our teacher and Year Level Leaders will be keeping a close eye on the attendance rates of all students and following up with those that may have missed some school since we have returned onsite. We know regular school attendance helps build routine for our students, supports their learning and equally as important, allows them to further develop and practice those invaluable human and interpersonal skills that they require for success both through and beyond school.
Our teachers are focusing on building students learning stamina, through a range of learning tasks and activities that allow students to build their knowledge, demonstrate their understanding and open their curiosity.
Student Wellbeing and social connection
Our students have resumed onsite learning in a really positive manner in these first weeks back. As students become more comfortable with being back at school and the term progresses they will start to get tired and start to test those around them. In efforts to combat this usual experience of returning to a cooperative, collaborative and social setting, our teachers are building in learning experiences that foster connection between students, for example small group tasks, pair activities and the regular sharing of learning with others. We also lean heavily on our school values of Commitment, Respect, Honesty, Fairness and Perseverance to help guide our students in their interactions with others and their own personal conduct.
Remember that we have a fantastic wrap around service for our students and their wellbeing. This starts with our classroom teachers and Year Level Leaders and includes our Wellbeing Team. If you son or daughter is struggling this term, please seek assistance where needed and we can explore the range of supports available for your son or daughter.
Providing opportunities for students to re-experience the joy of learning and a sense of purpose
We all know students connect to learning better when they can see purpose in their work and experience joy in the process. Student voice and agency can really support us to identify the needs of students and then build this into the learning we deliver. Our teachers are using a number of tools, activities and experiences to allow our students to see real life connections and purpose to their learning. Teachers are also seeking feedback from students on the learning they are experiencing, in order to explore ways in which we can better meet the needs of our learners.
We all know and recognise that we have had students learning remotely for a significant proportion of the year, so as we finish off the school year, let’s make every day count and finish strong.
Remembrance Day
This morning we took the opportunity like many others in our broader community to commemorate Remembrance Day and pay our respects to all those men and women who have served their country in times of war.
Year 10 students Julia and Michael read the following speech to our school community before one minutes silence and the laying of a wreath at our flagpoles to signify the importance of this day to our school, local community and country.
"The end of World War I is commemorated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th moth, We observe a minutes silence where we can reflect on the enormous sacrifices our ancestors made for our great land the lifestyle we now enjoy today.
For many of us, who have not had the direct experience of war, Remembrance Day on the surface, may feel like any other day; walking the dog, playing with friends, going to school and enjoying the freedom of living in a lucky country.
So, as I stand here and reflect on these things, I can clearly appreciate my blessed life in a safe town, in a safe nation. Why? Our ancestors fought for the freedom we enjoy today. Some of us have great grandparents who fought and died under the Australian flag.
I cannot imagine what it would be like to send a father, uncle, grandparent or a brother to war, knowing they may never come home. War is terrible and cruel. It destroys countries, families and individuals.
As young Australians, we should never take our prosperity or our freedom for granted. We thank our forebears, the service men and women, for their sacrifices. Let us remember them.
This is the fourth stanza from Laurence Binyon’s poem “For the Fallen” which is also referred to as the Ode of Remembrance:
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
We will now observe one minute of silence in remembrance."
Mobile Phones and contacting students during school hours.
The Mobile Phone policy in schools is a Ministerial policy formally issued by the Minister for Education under section 5.2.1(2)(b) of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic).
The policy clearly states that, “students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours.”
At Epping Secondary College students are required to lock their phones in their locker from the first bell at 8:53am and can turn them back on again after the last bell at 3:06pm. Students should not have their mobile phone with them during the day unless an exemption has been agreed to.
I am therefore seeking the assistance of parents/carers in helping us to enforce this policy and support our students to concentrate on their learning while at school, by not contacting your child on their mobile phone during the day. If you need to contact your child, please contact the office to assist you.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
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Support for your kids to get active
Does your child love sport and being active? Does your family have a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card? You may be eligible for up to $200 to put towards the cost of your child’s participation in physical activities.
As children return to sport over the coming months, the Get Active Kids Voucher Program helps eligible families get their kids involved in organised sport and active recreation activities.
Under the program, children may be eligible to receive up to $200 to help with the cost of membership and registration fees, uniforms, and equipment.
The program also provides a special consideration stream to support children residing in care services as well as temporary or provisional visa holders, undocumented migrants or international students.
Applications for vouchers in round three of the program close at 5pm Tuesday 30 November.
For eligibility requirements and to apply, visit the Get Active Victoria website.
Brad Moyle
Principal