We all know and understand the pressures and challenges that the last few years have placed on individuals, groups and organisations. These pressures and challenges have manifested themselves in various ways and include but are not limited to feelings of anger, loss and fatigue. At a school level we continue to work to overcome these pressures and challenges with both our students and broader school community.

There is no doubt that one of our more successful levers in addressing these challenges has been the return to activities that give our students and staff an opportunity to engage together.

Fortunately for our students here at Epping Secondary College we have been able to jump into some significant events for our students this term that have enabled them to celebrate being part of a bigger community, rebuild connections with others and celebrate those events that are key milestones of schooling for students.

This has included our Multicultural Day in Week 1, a Year 9 Camp to Campaspe Downs in Week 2 and on this last Saturday Night a Senior School Formal for our Year 11 and 12 students. On behalf of our students, families and Principal Team I would like to extend a huge thank you to our dedicated staff members who made these events possible over the last few weeks.

These events all provide our students with a sense of hope and optimism for the future and a sense that despite the challenges of COVID and winter illness, good things still happen and that we are on a path to further enhancing school connectedness, school pride and a strong sense of belonging.

Stay tuned for further events later in the term as our Year 8’s head off on camp and our Year 10 students have a Formal towards the end of term.

Student Reporting and Three Way Conferences

Thank you to the many parents and carers of our Year 11 and 12 students for engaging with us this week for our three way conferences. These have been an ideal opportunity for students, parents and teachers to discuss the strengths and areas for development for all our senior students as they strive towards making the most of their learning pathways in Semester 2. I encourage all students to take on board the insights shared by teachers as some key pieces of guidance to support your success over the next 5 months. Whilst these conversations support our students, they do not beat the requirement for some focused and dedicated hard work over the next 5 months.

This means ensuring you have a study space available at home, some dedicated time to complete work/revise work and to study, and the willingness to lean on your teachers for guidance and assistance along the way. We also encourage all of our senior students to balance their school workload with other activities that give them a break and an opportunity to recharge, this might be through a part-time job or sporting / leisure activities that they pursue.

Parents and Carers are reminded that all student reports for Semester 1 are now available through XUNO. If you are yet to have a look at your son or daughter’s report, we encourage you to log on to XUNO and have a look over the weekend ahead.

A reminder to our Year 7-10 students and families, that three way conferences between students/parents and teachers will be held on Thursday 8th September. On this day no classes will be running as students are asked to attend interviews that all teachers across the school will be involved in. Further details, including how to book will be provided to families in August.

Staff Professional Learning and Professional Practice Days – Term 3

The Department of Education & Training have provided schools with the option to hold each teacher’s allocated professional practice day on the same day for all staff. In Term 3, this will be on Friday 26th August. This is to enable the most effective and efficient use of the day – especially given the disruptions caused by the COVID-Flu season in Term 2. Students will not be required on the day.

Please note that the other Student Free Day in Term 3 is on Friday August 5. Students will also not be required on this day as staff engage in professional learning around further enhancing a positive climate for learning around the College.

Student Mobile Phones

We have a significant number of students who bring mobile phones to school each day, for use both before and after school.

While I completely understand why parents would choose to allow their child to have a phone in case of an emergency on their way to and from school, it is both Department and school policy for those phones to be stored securely in lockers throughout the entire school day, this includes recess and lunchtime.

Phones that are seen during the school day, will be confiscated from students and can be collected at the end of the school day. Where this is a first breach of our policy, students may collect the phone.

Subsequent breaches will require the phone to be collected by a parent/carer. All collections will be after the school day ends at 3:06pm.

By adhering to this policy, we can ensure that student phones are kept safe and not misused when at school.

Brad Moyle

College Principal

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