Secondary 11-12
Important Notice re MYKI and Proof of Concession
The Secondary School (YR11/ 12) programs require students to use public transport on a regular basis. This promotes independence and enables them to explore and connect with their community. All Secondary School (YR11/ 12) students (aged 16, 17 or 18) must have their own concession Myki and proof of concession.
Recently, the YR11/ 12 staff have become aware that a number of students are coming to school on excursion days with no credit on their Myki or, in some circumstances, no Myki. Please remember that, regardless of the circumstances, students will be fined if they are using Public Transport without a valid Myki (“touched on” and with sufficient credit) and proof of concession.
We ask for your support in ensuring that a Myki is provided and that money is deposited regularly onto the card (minimum of $10) so that your son/ daughter can participate in all YR 11/12 programs.
Post Skills Program & Work Skills
SDR has commenced the year with our year 11 students experiencing new programs.
Our class is currently visiting Araluen in Diamond Creek where we participate in Post School programs. We travel by public transport on this day. We also have begun our Work Skills program by attending Australian Community Logistic and Boots for All on a Thursday. We have an elective program that the students are enjoying twice a week and we are also completing focus areas in Literacy and Numeracy.
Our class enjoys each other’s company and have quickly cemented new friendships within the group. They work co-operatively and also enjoy interacting with other students in our area.
VCAL City Program
City Program has been progressing well with some enthusiastic students taking advantage of our warm weather. For example, playing ball in a park at morning tea time, walking around the Queen Victoria Market doing their quiz and exploring the Carlton Gardens and surrounding buildings. Students are beginning to use maps, recognise directions, symbols and orientate the maps. This involved Numeracy and Literacy skills and will help our students find their way around Melbourne city. We have toured the MCG, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Fitzroy Gardens, NGV and the Market. After finding and buying fruit and vegetables at the market that they did not know, students did taste-testing and created a stir fry, which they also ate.
Environmental Studies
The Environmental Studies students have been focusing on the water cycle this term.
The students have been able to go on excursions throughout this program. One of their favourite excursions was heading to Latrobe Wildlife Sanctuary.
Students did an two hour guided tour through the Sanctuary. They learnt about what was needed to have a healthy wetland and how to call for frogs when near a creek.
The students then jumped into their waders and headed into the lake. Students collected buckets of water from the wetlands which they took back to the Latrobe classroom to have a look through the microscope at all the small insects and bugs they could see.
VET Furnishing Course
This week a group of VCAL students began their furniture making course at
Parade College. The school campus is beautiful and they have a huge woodwork
room with modern tools and equipment.
It was an exciting day and we all learnt some new information and skills. We learnt all about using a hand plain, we also learnt to take it apart and put it back together and adjust the blades to the right angles. We started plaining our first project. It was hard work and we were all very hot and sweaty by the end of the day, but we felt really proud of the work we did.
Warren Gaff
Secondary 11/12 Team Leader