Assistant Principals' Update
Learning and Teaching
Kilbreda Connect
Once again, I would like to extend my gratitude to the College community for completing the online survey regarding 'Kilbreda Connect', our remote learning model. Response was overwhelmingly positive with some great insights into how students have managed the transition to remote learning and becoming more responsible for their individual learning journey.
Student Study Skills Series
In response to feedback from the parent survey, we have engaged the services of Allen Dickson (RethinkPD) to film a series of study skills seminars for students. Allen is an experienced educator and presenter delivering student and teacher workshops around Australia. He has also presented internationally at conferences focused on gifted and talented education. Allen’s unique presentation style will offer Kilbreda students another ‘voice’ in assisting them to plan for their own learning and development of study skills and learning habits.
These 20-30 minute video sessions will be linked to our wellbeing booklets and integrated into Homeroom and pastoral periods over the remainder of Term 2.
Session 1: Skills for Synchronous Learning
Session 2: Skills for Asynchronous Learning
Session 3: Skills for achieving balance of expectations, obligations and personal interests.
Parent Webinar – Elevate Education
We are pleased to continue our partnership with Elevate Education to provide the third installment in a series of FREE webinars for parents.
Elevate Education are Australia’s number one study skills provider and have worked with the College for a number of years to deliver sessions for our girls. We are delighted to have an opportunity to continue to work with Elevate Education to deliver informative webinars during a period of remote learning. Elevate’s study skills seminars are designed to inspire change in students and encourage them to set goals and plan the steps to achieve these goals.
Please note that Kilbreda College acts as a conduit to promote this information to parents in order for you to be able to access the material and attend the webinars from Elevate Education. We are not the event organisers and do not have permission to record the event for distribution to families.
Please see below for the details for a third FREE webinar for parents delivered by Elevate Education.
Date: Thursday May 28
Time: 6.00pm
This webinar will focus on ‘The value of Using a Weekly Planner’
Please register at https://get.elevatecoaching.info/au/webinar-signup-28-may/
Senior Student Updates
Every Friday afternoon during Term 2 all students in Years 10 to 12 have received a ‘Senior Student Update’ from Mrs Melanie Marsh (Senior Pathways Coordinator) and myself. These updates have been designed to encourage the girls in their studies, provide updates on study designs and VCAA announcements, and highlight any areas of concern or actions to take in the week ahead. The email has also included a copy of the afternoon timetable providing students with additional access to VCE and VCAL classes during remote learning.
These updates will continue for the remainder of Term 2, providing updates from VCAA as they are received and general information about VCE and VCAL studies. We hope that students have appreciated these regular updates and have found them helpful in their organisation and planning.
Assuming schools remain open and students continue on-site learning, these weekly communications will cease in Term 3 and be replaced by the regular forms of communication from Mrs Melanie Marsh on an as-needs basis.
Jane Ward
Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching
Wellbeing and Engagement
Each day as I walk past the wrought iron gates of Mentone Parade, I reflect on the colour and laughter that each of our 905 students shares with us each day, that I have missed during the closure of our school campus. Our students are the heartbeat of our school. They are the reason we are here. As social beings, we thrive on positive relationships and interactions. Thus, we are very excited about welcoming our students back in the coming weeks and reconnecting and sharing stories.
As we prepare for a return to face to face teaching, we are aware that returning to the classroom may be challenging for some students and trigger anxiety. Leading clinical psychologist Andrew Fuller recommends 7 priorities that can assist young people make a smooth transition back to school-based learning. These include: establishing a more usual sleep cycle, reaching out and making contact with school friends, creating plans on how to tackle difficult situations, understanding that there will be a period of adjustment to the physical space and structure of school, taking it slow and making it fun and regularly checking-in on progress. These strategies are supported by Peter Hanlon and Dannielle Miller in their article ‘Leaving the Bubble: Helping Anxious Kids Return to The Classroom.’
Online Safety Advice
Concern about the online safety of young people has heightened during this period of remote learning. Remote learning presents many challenges for young people and one area that risks being overlooked is the increased need for vigilance when it comes to ensuring their cybersafety and wellbeing. This week we have been made aware that an anonymous chat forum called Omegle has risen its head again in schools.
Omegle is a free online chat service which pairs random strangers into an online video call or text conversation, without the need to register or create an account. According to Omegle, the service is a great way to meet new friends while staying safe and anonymous, but openly admits on its home page that ‘predators have been known to use Omegle’. Its slogan is ‘Talk to Strangers!’ The National Online Safety Commission in the UK has produced the following guide to help parents and carers understand exactly what Omegle is about and to raise awareness around any potential safety concerns. We encourage parents and carers to read this guide and to continue to build an open trusting relationship around technology use with their children. Parent controls such as Family Zone are available to assist parents and carers to restrict and monitor online activities. Please contact the IT Department at the College regarding Family Zone and the ways that this package can be installed on your child’s laptop.
Omegle Guide
eSafety COVID-19 Global Online Safety Advice For Parents and Carers
https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/covid-19/advice-parents-carers
If you have any concerns about your child, or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Student Wellbeing Team.
We look forward to the soundtrack of youth in our hallways and grounds in the coming week. Go well everybody. Look out for one another. Never forget to be kind to yourself as well.
Stephanie Smyth
Assistant Principal:
Wellbeing and Engagement
Staff
We welcome the following new staff members to our College community:
Chris Shelly
Business Manager
Jenny Fries
VCAL Leader,
Teacher: VCAL, Religious Education and BRIDGES
Annie Javernik
Teacher: Religious Education
Tanya Kolb
Assistant Principal: Staff