From the Principal

Label FrancEducation Accrediation

We are delighted to have received a further period of accreditation from the French Government for our outstanding French Immersion Program through the Label FrancEducation SEAL. This network is now composed of 395 schools in 59 countries and provides a bilingual education to 142,000 students.

Growing Up Online - Susan McLean Presentation To Parents & Carers - Not To Be Missed

Tuesday 8th October 6:30pm in our PAC

Book tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/BEZEB

Susan McLean is Australia’s foremost expert in the area of Cybersafety and young people. She is a mother of three and was the first Victorian Police Officer appointed to a position involving Cybersafety and young people. She took her first report of cyberbullying in 1994 and since then she has conducted extensive research and has completed advanced training in this area in both the USA and UK and is a sought after presenter and advisor to schools, elite sporting bodies such as the AFL, GP’s, and both State and Federal Governments. She is a member of the National Centre Against Bullying (NCAB)Cybersafety Committee and is afforded ‘expert’ status on the Safer Internet Programme Data Base. She is also a member of the Australian Government's Cybersafety working group and a published author. Her book 'Sext's Texts & Selfies', is the definitive parents' guide to helping their children stay safe online.

Growing up Online: An informative and entertaining session for parents and carers is delivered with Susan's famous 'no nonsense' approach & will cover the positive benefits of technology as well as what parents need to be aware of:-

What are kids doing online – the popular social networking sites and apps. What they are, what are the legal ages to use them & why these rules should be obeyed. The difference between an 'online friend' and a 'stranger'.
Online Grooming – what is it and when/how does it occur? What are the warning signs & what to do if you suspect this is happening to your child.
Cyberbullying - what it is, where it happens, what it looks like, how to prevent and what to do if it occurs. Also the legal consequences and the possible criminal charges.
‘Sexting’ – the taking and sending of explicit images...what are the REAL consequences. (Primary school kids too).
Potential dangers and safety tips – how to assist the children in your care to stay safe online via parental controls and restriction passcodes.
Learn the lingo…….be able to converse with your children in the language of cyberspace.
Be confident in setting rules and boundaries around internet use in the home. It's OK to say NO!
The session will conclude with time for Q's. Susan also provides a range of useful handouts and information about where to go to access further up to date information.

The Victorian State Schools Spectacular 2019 – Made Of Stars

Saturday 14th September 1pm & 6.30pm at Hisense Arena

We are really excited that our school has again been accepted to participate in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular. This program, managed by the Department of Education and Training, helps to develop each student’s performance skills, discipline, perseverance, cooperation and confidence under the training of industry professionals.

I am very grateful to Laura Baker-Goldsmith and Zamarah Morley for the all the work and extra hours, including their weekend, to ensure students have access to these wonderful extra-curricular activities.

Congratulations to the fourteen students have been selected to sing in the 1200 voice Mass Choir.

Year 7: Odelia Ashkar, Nina Gibbs, Alma-Mia Marret, Ananya Sreejith Chandroth, Ola Aftanas and Patrick Cruden

Year 8: Lihee Ashkar, Orleanna Murray de Brossard, Harriet Rowsell, Rudi Hudson, Diksha Padmakumar

Year 10: Alannah De Jesus, Gauri Gupta, Lottie Hudson

Congratulations to Ben Matthews and Yvette Lipovetsky who successfully auditioned for the Spectacular Performing Arts Special Choir.

I am very proud of all students involved and appreciative of the work of our performing arts and instrumental music teachers. I am looking forward to the production.

To purchase tickets, visit www.ticketek.com.au/spectacular or phone Ticketek on 132 849

Oval Redevelopment

We are currently in the process of developing plans to redevelop our oval, which is very exciting. We have employed an experienced project manager who has met with Nick, myself and all of the PE staff regarding the redevelopment.

The scope of works would include the oval and surrounding green area adjacent to Neerim and Booran Roads which requires landscaping. In broad terms we are considering:

a synthetic turf to the main playing area including drainage, line marking for sports, goals, goal nets and possible running track. The size could be enlarged, reshaping the embankment on the south side
construction of an amphitheatre type facility on the embankment
landscaping the area to the south of the playing field including resurfacing, soft landscaping and improving the current structures in the area

The first step will be for a land surveyor to do a full survey of the area. This allows plenty of time for consultation with staff and students. The PE staff will be able to explain the project to their students and gather feedback directly. If you would like to provide any feedback or suggest places that may be useful for us to visit please let me know by contacting the general office by telephone or email.

Mobile Phone Policy

Below is an extract from our Mobile Phone Policy – the full policy is on the school website. Parents and carers are asked to support the college in the implementation of the policy.

Glen Eira College understands that students may bring a mobile phone to school, particularly if they are travelling independently to and from school or to extra-curricular activities.

While at school, in the buildings or outside on the grounds, at anytime prior to the end of the school day phones must be:

switched off and locked securely in the student’s locker.

After the end of the school day (after 3.07pm) students may access their phones as long as they are not in the school building.

Mobile phones must not be used:

while at school, in the buildings or outside on the grounds, at anytime prior to the end of the school day
to send inappropriate, harassing or threatening messages or phone calls
to engage in inappropriate social media use including cyber bullying
to capture video or images of people, including students, teachers and members of the school community without their permission
to capture video or images in the school toilets, changing rooms and gym

Students who use their mobile phone in breach of this policy will have their phone confiscated and stored securely at the General Office.

Parents and students needing to communicate with each other during the day can do so through the General Office.

Sheereen Kindler

Principal