ISSUE ONE

Deputy Principal's report

Andrew Fuller, Psychologist

PARENT INFORMATION NIGHTS

The college held two successful parent information nights this month.  In an altered program, the year levels attended separate evenings with a varied focus for each evening. 

 

Tutor leaders and home group teachers hosted the Year 11 evening. Parents reviewed various areas including attendance, assessment, homework, the Parent Access Module (PAM) and Community Involvement.  VCAL parents also covered the area relating to Structured Workplace Learning.  A summary of the information presented was provided along with passwords for PAM.  Families who did not attend this meeting should have received this information in the mail.

 

The focus of the Year 12 information evening surrounded the Adolescent brain and how through an understanding of Adolescence, we are able to maximise student achievement.  Andrew Fuller, Psychologist, specialising in wellbeing of young people, was the guest presenter for this evening and provided families with entertaining strategies for assisting students in their final year of senior education.   Again, a summary of the information was provided and this will receive this information in the mail.

Brian Ross, parent and current president of the Parents and Friends Association was also in attendance at each of the evenings.  The Parents and Friends will be hosting their first meeting on 16th of March 2017.  We invite all new parents to become members of the Association and participate in developing the link between our school and the parent community. For further information, please contact info@crcsydenham.net

UNIFORM

The College and the Federation of schools place great importance upon the requirement and wearing of a school uniform. 

 

With the commencement of the school year, we do require that all students wear the College uniform with pride and variations to the uniform policy will not be accepted.  The uniform policy and its requirements can be located on the college website.   

 

In order to uphold the appropriate presentation of the College uniform, a uniform duty will be allocated in the mornings, to ensure that all students are in the correct uniform on their arrival at school. For uniform variations that can be altered, students will be required to complete a lunchtime “Yard Beautification” program.  For incorrect uniforms, student will have the options of contacting home to obtain the correct uniform or alternatively will receive a suspension. 

 

If there is a legitimate reason for any item of the uniform not being able to be worn, a note from a parent or guardian is required.   The note must be given to and signed by the cluster coordinator who will allow a formal exemption to be provided for the time required to meet the uniform requirements. 

 

We ask that parents continue to support the College in maintain a high standard of presentation for the students of our schools.

 

During Term 1 and 4 students are to be in their Summer Uniform as described below.

Boys

  • Blazer: CRC Blazer Trousers Navy Blue with CRC monogram.
  • Shorts: Navy Blue with CRC monogram. Worn with navy blue socks.
  • Summer Only Shirt: White short-sleeve shirt with CRC monogram.
  • Jumper: CRC Jumper can only be worn to and from the College if under the Blazer.
  • Tie: Optional, if worn the tie is to be done up to the shirt collar and worn correctly.
  • Shoes: Black leather lace up school shoes. No street shoes or black runners.
  • Socks: Navy Blue.
  • Cap: Plain Navy Blue

Girls

  • Blazer: CRC Blazer Dress
  • CRC Summer Dress: Length - On the knee
  • Jumper: CRC Jumper can only be worn to and from the College if under the Blazer.
  • Shoes: Black leather lace up school shoes. No slip on, ballet or T-Bar style shoes.
  • Socks: White short or long socks
  • Cap: Plain Navy Blue

Jewellery

  • Earrings are restricted to one small plain stud or sleeper in each ear lobe.
  • No facial piercing jewellery may be worn. (This includes no clear caps in existing facial piercings)
  • No necklaces, rings, bracelets or bangles other than a medical emergency bracelet or a discreet necklace with a cross/Crucifix.

Appearance

  • No extreme hairstyles (This includes extremes of length, style or colour (only natural shades) as deemed by the Principal.)
  • No tails.
  • Hair accessories should be navy. No bandannas to be worn.
  • No tattoos are to be visible whilst students are in college uniform
  • Any make up is to be discreet. Eye make up or nail polish should be natural shadings only.

CARE MONKEY

Catholic Regional College Sydenham have commenced using the program Care Monkey.  This program is our online program used to collect and maintain medical information, emergency contacts and permission forms for excursions.

 

Parents/guardians should have created a profile using the App or the Website: https://www.caremonkey.com/sign-up/

 

It is imperative that parents/guardians make or share their child’s profile.  Without these profiles, students will not be permitted to attend excursions or College events.

ATTENDANCE, ACHIEVEMENT AND PROMOTION AT CATHOLIC REGIONAL COLLEGE SYDENHAM

For students to learn most effectively and achieve their potential in Year 11 and 12 they need to attend classes.  Attendance is monitored at each lesson to ensure that students meet the minimum attendance as required by the College and the VCAA. As outlined in the College Attendance, Achievement and Promotion Policy, students must not have more than 250 minutes of Unapproved Absence per semester in any subject. Students who exceed this limit will receive an N (Not Satisfactory) result in that unit or units of study.  An absence can be approved for a number of reasons. For an absence to be approved due to illness a Medical Certificate should be provided. However, a Statutory Declaration made out by parents will also be accepted for an absence on a single day if it is made on the day of the absence and provided to the College within three days of the absence occurring. A range of school approved activities will also be automatically approved absences, including camps and excursions. Meetings with a College Counselor will also be approved. If a student is experiencing difficulty at home, this should be communicated to the relevant Cluster Coordinator who may also approve certain absences.

 

It should be noted that VCE and VCAL students are also required to actually be in attendance for a minimum of 70% of classes within a semester to eligible to receive an S result for that unit. This means that student’s absences, even approved absences, must not exceed 30% for a student to remain eligible to pass the unit.

 

Parents are advised to delay any extended holidays or travel during the final years of secondary education.  If the absence is significant students may need to consider deferring their study, extending their VCE over three years, or enrolling in Distance Education.  If an extended absence/ holiday is being considered parents are required to notify the College Principal in writing.

 

In order for both VCE and VCAL students to be promoted to the next year level, the student must receive a Satisfactory (S) overall result in at least 75% of VCE, VCAL or VET units undertaken in a calendar year. Students who do not achieve this may risk their ability to graduate or be promoted to Year 12.    

 

The full policy is available on the College website under the Current Students tab – student policies. These expectations exist to enable students to achieve to their full potential within their studies. Parents are encouraged to contact the College if they require clarification about this policy and the accompanying procedures.

Es-ATAR BASED ON ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS IN YEAR 11

Current Year 12 VCE students will soon be provided with an Estimated ATAR score (Es –ATAR) that is based on the results that they gained for assessment and exams during Year 11. We consider this data to be a good predictor of student performance in Year 12.

 

During pastoral sessions students will be taken though this data and the processes that occur to calculate study scores, the aggregate score and the resultant ATAR. Students are then encouraged to devise a pathway plan. Within this plan they are asked to set target study scores for each subject that they are enrolled in, calculate an aggregate score and convert this to an ATAR. This target ATAR can then be used as a guide in determining appropriate tertiary programs to investigate. 

 

We encourage parents to discuss this process with their son/daughter at home and to seek the guidance of teachers on this issue at the upcoming Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews on Thursday March 30.