VSC Updates and Information

School Photos 

School photos should be delivered to the school next week. Junior School students will have their photos distributed in their classes. Senior School students will need to collect their photos from the Senior Study Centre. 

Subject Selection Expo

Early notice - Year 9 and Year 10 Students will have a Subject Selection and Careers Exhibition on Wednesday July 19th. Parents are welcome to attend, so please mark this afternoon in your calendars. More details will be published closer to the date.

PARENT / CAREGIVER / GUARDIAN INFORMATION AND CONSENT LETTER 

2023 Student Attitudes to School Survey 

Dear Parent / Caregiver / Guardian, 

This letter is to inform you about the 2023 Student Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS), that your child is invited to participate in.   

About the survey 

We value student voice as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality instruction and are conducting a survey to find out what your child thinks of their school.  

The AtoSS is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education to assist schools to gain an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Students will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer relationships, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general.  

This year, the AtoSS will be conducted at your school from Thursday 25/05/23.  

What are the benefits? 

Young people enjoy having a say! This survey has been running for nearly 20 years and is invaluable in helping schools understand student views to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience. The survey responses also help the Department of Education understand how student’s learning experiences can be improved. 

What are the risks? 

While we do not anticipate many risks of participation, some students may find some of the survey questions personal and sensitive in nature. Should you agree for your child to participate, they are still free to skip questions or to withdraw at any stage if the survey makes them upset or uncomfortable. A teacher will be present during the survey to support students. 

The questions are selected from validated survey instruments used in Australia and around the world, are strength-based, and tailored for each year level group. 

What will my child be asked to do? 

Your child will be invited to complete the survey online during class time using a purpose built secure online survey tool. It is important to note that we are not in any way “testing” your child. Please note: 

Student participation in the survey is voluntary and students may withdraw at any time. 

The survey will take around 20-45 minutes to complete. 

How is my child’s confidentiality protected? 

Your child will be provided with a unique login to complete the survey from their teacher. The student login is an assigned identifier that may be used to link data for statistical and research purposes only. Personally identifiable data will not be recorded in the survey response file to ensure the confidentiality of your child’s responses is protected at all times. 

How will results be reported? 

The survey results will be reported back to the school in aggregate form throughout the survey period. All survey data that is made available in reports are for groups of students only so that no individual student can be identified. Data suppression rules are used for schools with low student numbers per year level. 

Your school may share the results of the survey with parents, in documents such as the School Annual Report. 

Options for participation 

Participation in this survey is voluntary. If you do not wish for your child to do the survey, please opt out via email to your school: khutchinson@vermontsc.vic.edu.au Please do so before Monday 22/05/23 stating that you wish to opt out of your child’s participation, along with their name and year level. 

If your school does not receive a Refusal of Consent email from yourself before the survey commencement date mentioned within this letter, it means that you give your consent for your child to participate in the 2023 Attitudes to School Survey. 

A copy of the survey that we are asking your child to complete is available from your child’s school. Please contact the administration office if you would like to see the survey before making your decision about whether you would like your child to participate.  

If you would like more information, please speak to your child’s teacher, or contact the department at school.surveys@education.vic.gov.au. 

Yours sincerely, 

Department of Education, Victoria 

Melbourne Water Traffic disruptions

RAMADAN MUBARAK 

Students and staff celebrated the month of Ramadan with displays made by our Cultural Diversity Leadership Team around the college and in the library. 

Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is considered one of the holiest months for Muslims and is marked by a period of fasting ( a pillar of Islam). This year, Ramadan started on the 22nd of March and finished on the 21st of April. After Ramadan, the first day of the new month is marked by Eid al-Fitr, translating as the festival of the breaking of the fast.

On the day of Eid, many Muslims will attend Eid prayers at their mosque and is typically celebrated during the first three days of the 10th month - Shawwāl. 

Traditionally, it is a period where friends and family greet one another. It is a time to celebrate the wonderful strength and endurance that Allah (god) has given us. It is a month to rejoice and become charitable. Often presented in the form of Eidi, given to children, family members and friends.

So to all our Muslim friends, students and staff, we hope you had an amazing Ramadan this year and an excellent Eid celebration. Eid-ul fitr Mubarak!

-Maithili and Arwa

Ramadan is my favourite time of year! My family and I all look forward to the opportunity to intentionally practice our religion and spend more time together. Despite fasting during work and school, we all look forward to breaking our fast with a meal together at the end of the day, praying together and taking the time to be more connected to our religion. Eid is the most fun to end the month of Ramadan and is celebrated with traditional foods, gifts, a visit to the mosque for prayer and visiting family and friends. It is such a special time.  

-Ms Muhtaseb 

Ramadan is one of my favourite times of the year! My family and friends all look forward to it just as I. It is a time to reconnect with my religion in a deeper way. Despite it being pretty exhausting, there is always a sense of joy going to Mosque everyday for 30 days including Eid morning. Further, ending Ramadan with Eid is the best time to get together with everyone, my friends and other extended family. For me, celebrating Eid here is the best time of the year and always fills me with the happiest memories to always look back on.  

-Arwa