Aitken College Newsletter

Principal's Message

                                                       Mrs Josie Crisara

Welcome Back

Welcome back to Term 4.  Spring is upon us as is the excitement of a new term and new opportunities.  The days for our Year 12 students are quickly passing as they prepare either for their VCE exams or complete their outcomes for VCAL.  It is an exciting time, possibly a stressful time and maybe a time for reminiscing. However, we have a community around them that should help them feel supported.

Mental Health Week

This week is Mental Health Week and a number of additional wellbeing activities have been provided for students and staff.  It is a timely reminder that we all need to consider our personal and family wellbeing. Michael Gross, an author and promoter of parenting ideas, provides lots of material about wellbeing for children and adolescents and advice for parents. He promotes the idea that “ Kids with good mental health feel better, learn better and are better equipped to handle life’s curve balls”.

 

He talks about the important things parents can do to promote wellbeing in children. This includes:

  1. Modelling good mental health habits – regular exercise, plenty of sleep and learning relaxation techniques.
  2. Encouraging creative outlets – these allow for energising and immersion in things that trigger positive endorphins.
  3. Provide quiet spaces and down time – do not fill every moment of every day. Let young people come up with their own things to do (but limit screen options).
  4. Encourage children to talk about their problems and feelings.
  5. Help children relax. Practice some mindfulness activities; there are many simple apps you could use.
  6. Foster volunteering and service participation. This helps with connectedness to community.
  7. Fun and Play is a reminder to enjoy life. Do things together such as picnics, simple hikes in our beautiful parks, sit by the beach.

Successful Athletics Students

A number of students have been successful in reaching State Level Finals in the following athletics events:

  • Liam M (Year 12) - 18-20 Years Boys Triple Jump
  • Taya O (Year 12) - 18-20 Years Girls 200m Sprint
  • Teia K (Year 10) - 16 Years Girls Triple Jump
  • Jack W (Year 10) - 15 Years Boys High Jump
  • David A (Year 9) - 15 Years Boys Triple Jump

2019 College Play

The College play Tartuffe opens next week and I encourage secondary students and parents to support the students and enjoy an evening of performance.

Open Evening

Open Evening will soon be upon us, combined with this evening is the Visual Arts and Design Exhibition. This event is a great way of seeing the wonderful work of our students.  

Building Works and Traffic

The VCE stairlink will be opened up next week and the Administration building extension is taking shape and hopefully completed in the next couple of weeks. The temporary traffic arrangement on Mickleham Road has caused some issues, but thank you to parents and the community for their patience. However, it is a timely reminder to again contact the various authorities (listed below) to remind them about the need for duplication of the road and signalisation of the intersection. This week I met with the leader of the opposition, Mr Michael O’Brien, to discuss the importance and need for duplication. If you have not done so already, please sign the E-petition available at

https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/petitions/electronic-petitions/view-e-petitions/details/12/129 or the paper petitions at Reception. 

 

Ros Spence - State Member for Yuroke

ros.spence@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

Jaala Pulford - Minister for Roads and Roads Safety

jaala.pulford@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

Hume Leader Newspaper

hume@leadernewspapers.com.au

 

VicRoads

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/contact-us/feedback-and-enquiries

Grandparents and Special Friend Activity

It was great to see the large number of Grandparents and friends visit the Fairview children on Thursday 10 October. The saying that 'it takes a village to raise a child' is important, so for young people to know there are trusted adults; be that a grandparent, an aunt or uncle or family friend is important.

Staffing

Welcome back to Mrs Vlahopoulos and Ms Neophytou returning from Long Service Leave.  We welcome the following new staff:

Ms De Lacy (Year 5)

Mr Barker (Music)

Ms Wang (Visual Arts)

 

Farewell to Mr Thorneycroft who has worked for us in the Theatre since 2013. We thank him for his contributions and wish him well as he completes his studies.