Campus Principal Report

Richard Hastings

Acacia Campus Principal

I would normally like to give you an update on excursions, incursions and things that happened around the campus, however we have been in a very different situation.

The Campus was so quiet, the beating heart and soul disappears when we go into remote learning, the campus takes on a ghostly aura for those of us onsite. We transitioned into remote learning in the blink of an eye. Rosters organised, and staff quickly transitioned to online lessons using the knowledge and skills developed last year. Whilst it was quiet onsite, the school was buzzing online. I cannot thank the students and parents enough for the mature and thoughtful way they morphed into remote learning yet again.

In the background, with regard to campus activities and events, work and planning then begins for the next few weeks. In this environment multiple scenarios and contingencies needed to be covered no matter what the government decision is. The ‘what if?’ questions needed to be posed. ‘What if’ we return as planned? How does that affect exams, SACs, reporting, excursions, sport not to mention normal classes. Then we consider ‘what if’ it is extended a week? Plan B! Two weeks? Plan C! Or until the end of term? Plan D! All possibilities and alternatives had to be considered and planned for. However, as always the staff and students took the actual move in their stride, to quote the parliamentarians they were ‘flexible and agile’. Thankfully it only got extended by one week for the 7 to 10s. This allowed exams to run for year 11, be delayed by a week for the year 10’s but unfortunately for the junior year levels the formal exam period needed to be cancelled. Whilst this was not ideal it was necessary under the time frame for reporting and assessment. The exams which had already been prepared will be used during normal class time in term 3 as a classroom task to prepare students for exams as they move forward.

Whilst students and staff were offsite we took the advantage to upgrade a few areas. Year 7 had new pin boards added to their walls and the senior school has had a new TV surround done with pin board as well. A new meeting room was completed and is being used for staff and parents when they attend the school for meetings. As we move into the next holidays there will be a little construction going ahead to finish off work started in the last holidays, this being the landscaping and seating for the students in the courtyard area. We are looking forward to the development of the music area in the next part of the regeneration plan, the ‘master plan’ as it is known.

I would like to again thank everybody for their efforts this term. I encourage you to view our online ‘Red Assembly’ where we celebrate students achievements in displaying the RED values (Respect, Excellence and Diversity). You may also notice as the awards are announced that the 5P’s student learning framework is starting to become part of the College language and culture. The 5P’s are the learning behaviours of students that they should aspire to.

The five 5’s are: Present, Productive, Prepared, Persistent and Proactive.

BEING Present MEANS: We listen actively. We answer questions and encourage involvement in others. We are mindful —we take action to complete what we need to do right now, we donʼt put things off for later.

BEING Productive MEANS: We use time at home and in class to complete work. We avoid distractions. We stay focused and concentrate.

BEING Prepared MEANS: We have the correct resources and are in class on time ready to learn. We complete homework and revise concepts regularly. We stay organised by keeping reminder checklists.

BEING Persistent MEANS: We learn from our mistakes. We set goals that challenge ourselves to be the best we can be. We believe in ourselves, we donʼt give up, and we try more than once.

BEING Proactive MEANS: We accept responsibility for our own learning. We ask for help. We make decisions, take the lead, speak up and contribute to lessons.

I believe that these behaviours will give you the greatest opportunity to be the best you that you can be!

Have a great holiday. Be kind, considerate, compassionate and enjoy your time with your family and friends.

Patrick Boyd

Banksia Campus Principal

Year 7 students managed to enjoy their first Investigate excursion with a journey to the Melbourne Museum, Imax Theatre and Chinatown – just before lockdown, literally the day before!
The tutor program continues to provide in-need students with critical support in their main curriculum areas with the tutors building valuable relationships with both teachers and students
An incursion organised to promote STEM studies with associate primary schools in our area proved to be very successful, blending a range of activities involving environmental science, learning to program drone flight and experimenting with chemical drought control

Year 8

Amazing attendance for remote learning in Year 8. Students have been fantastic and very proactive.
Medieval Day is on 24 June where students get to show-case their medieval models and participate in activities that will enrich their understanding of medieval times. It will be campus-based with COVID-safe protocols.
Year 8 students created amazing photo displays recently with photos from school activities and excursions. We thank them for their enthusiasm, the year 8 area looks fantastic as a result.

Year 9

Year 9 NAPLAN was very successful with a very high completion rate and students taking the tests very seriously. Staff were very impressed with their behaviour and attitude during the process.
Year 9 students have again adapted well to the remote learning, highlighting that they are a very resilient group of students who have gone through this before and student attendance and positive attitude shown throughout this current period of remote learning has been very pleasing.
Year 9s are beginning to prepare for the City Experience, we are hopeful this will be able to go ahead in some form, despite the latest Covid outbreak. More details to follow shortly.

Year 10

During the lockdown, the Year 10’s have been striving hard to stay focused during their time in remote learning. With the nature of the Year 10 course being mainly elective based, students have delved deep into revision activities for the upcoming Year 10 Exams during weeks 9 and 10.
The Year 10 cohort have recently ramped up preparations for the Work Experience week from July 19th – 23rd. All students have worked through their 2 online certificates required before completing a work experience placement: Safe@Work General and Safe@Work Industry. Students have also started meeting with our Careers coordinator Kerrie Marriott in one on one meetings.
The Year 9 and 10 boys recently represented the College in Netball at the District level. The boys put in an admirable effort prior to the day by continually turning up to training in the month leading up to the match. Well, it paid off with the 9/10 boys being crowned District CHAMPIONS.

Year 11

With the completion of Unit 1 imminent, the Year 11 students have been busy preparing for the upcoming exam period.
The accelerated VCE students have been taking part in focus group sessions designed to support their academic development and wellbeing.
The Intermediate VCAL students have begun implementing their school based social issue projects, designed to educate the school community on a chosen social issue. Including a Big sister program which will be launched with year 9.

Year 12

Year 12’s took part in this year’s trial GAT recently, which included ALL year 12 students and students doing a unit ¾ subject together with Yr 11 and 12 VCA students.
2021 4C’s has commenced practising for their forthcoming competition/exhibition, led and choreographed by Hannah Naitoko, Jenney Sor and Mikara Roi of year 12. 4C’s cultural performances will be held on Monday 6th September at Bunjil Place-Casey.