From the Principal

Welcome to all of our new students who have joined our College this term and their families.

Congratulations to all students who received awards across a range of areas at our annual Mid-year Awards Assembly.  It was a wonderful celebration of our students’ success. We were delighted to welcome Anna Nguyen as our guest speaker.  Anna was our School Captain and Dux in 2009 and is now a lawyer with the Department of Education and Training.  Thank you to the many parents and friends who were able to attend the assembly.

The Wizard of Oz

I was delighted to attend opening night of this year's production of The Wizard of Oz. Our students and staff have worked incredibly hard since late last year and it certainly showed.  The production was superbly lead by Sarah Mortimer.   We also had the production band, led by Laura Baker-Goldsmith, involving staff and students entertaining us prior to the show commencing.  With close to 100 students involved on stage and off stage there was certainly a way for everyone to be involved.  It was highly professional, completely engaging and loads of fun for the audience and all the students involved.  Well done to everyone involved.  

Student Survey Data Feedback and other DET Surveys

We recently received the first part of the results of the 2019 DET Student Survey which was conducted in May.  The data we have been given so far provides the percentage of students who agreed or strongly agreed to the questions – indicating positive perception.  We were very pleased to see a positive trend in most areas including:

• EFFECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICE FOR COGNITIVE ENGAGEMENT which includes questions around Differentiated Learning Challenge, Classroom Behaviour and Stimulated Learning
• TEACHER-STUDENT RELATIONS which includes questions around High Expectations for Success and Effort
• SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT which includes questions around Student Voice and Agency and School Transitions (moving from one year level to the next).

We will be conducting focus groups with students at all year levels and determine our plan of action for further improving our great school.

Currently, a randomly generated sample of over 200 parents will have received the DET Parent Opinion Survey which comes to you electronically.  I would really appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey as the feedback is highly valued.

Our staff are also currently completing the DET Staff Opinion Survey.

Your feedback is always welcome.  It is always great to hear your positive comments and I appreciate receiving this feedback and sharing it with staff and students.  I also greatly value your suggestions and ideas for improvements and for raising any concerns that you have.  It is important to us that we work together to ensure the best outcomes and opportunities for our students.  Please do not hesitate to share your thoughts with me via telephone, a meeting or email.

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. 

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

Course Counselling 2020

Course counselling has begun in earnest for our Year 9 and 10 students. Thank you to those parents who were able to attend the VCE information evening. The process of course counselling will take most of the term. Finalised subject selection sheets should be completed by 9th August. I trust your child has discussed selections with you and together you have discussed a potential 2 or 3 year plan.

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.

Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust

We are pleased to be part of the Community Project Advisory Group for the Caulfield Racecourse.  Please see below details for a Community Issues and Opportunities Workshop being held to hear from the broader community their ideas about the future of the reserve.

Community Issues and Opportunities Workshop

Date: Thursday, 22nd August 2019

Time: Drop in anytime between 4pm – 8pm.

Location: Peter Lawrence Room, Rupert Clark Grandstand, Caulfield Racecourse (Enter via Gate 22)

RSVP: Register to attend by emailing info@crrt.org.au or by visiting www.crrt.org.au

Student Lateness - Learning Begins at 9am

Our staff have raised concerns regarding some students arriving late for school on a fairly regular basis. Unfortunately this is a situation that can have a negative impact on the education of not only those students who are late, but also the other students in the class.

Learning begins at 9am.

Students are expected to be at school no later than 8.50am which is when the bell goes to allow students to go into the building to their lockers. There is a teacher on duty in the yard in front of the main building from 8.30am.  Ideally students should arrive around this time, allowing them to catch up with friends before the school day starts.  Also, the canteen is open for breakfast from 7.30am.

What impact does being late have on the student?

Students who are late miss a lot of instructions and information about what is happening, not to mention important learning activities. This means that they have to catch up somehow. It’s like being late to see a movie and not being able to understand what’s happening because you don’t know who the characters are and what the plot is.

Students can feel unsettled, disorganized and unhappy for the rest of the day and it can take them some time to complete and understand the work that they have missed.

How does it affect the other students in the class?

Students who are late have an unsettling effect on the rest of the class. As not all late students arrive at once, the interruptions go on until the last student is settled. Students who are late often have things that need to be done prior to them joining the class and this causes even more disruption. Sometimes other students have to wait to get the teacher’s attention and important issues can be forgotten.

Consequently students late to period one repeatedly may not be admitted to class until the beginning of period 2.

Why does student lateness cause difficulties for the teacher?

The teacher has a certain amount of material and activities to cover each lesson. Also, organizational issues are usually dealt with at the beginning of the day. Teachers can become increasingly frustrated when late students continually and repeatedly interrupt their planned routines, as they have to stop teaching to deal with the issues involved.

We are all human. Cars can break down and unexpected situations can occur. We know that family morning routines are not always straightforward. If you are experiencing problems, speak to us, as we may be able to offer suggestions to help.

We are happy to accept that students will be late on the odd occasion because of unforeseen circumstances. However, arriving late on a regular basis is not acceptable.

Remember

Being half an hour late to school each day from prep to Year 10 adds up to missing the equivalent of one year and one and a half terms of school.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Year Level Coordinator, Wellbeing staff, Assistant Principals or myself for support in ensuring your son or daughter is on time to school.  We are always happy to help.

Sheereen Kindler

Principal