Principal's Report
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled”
Plutarch
Our CORE value of curiosity is the kindling for the minds of our students. We introduce them to new and different perspectives of the world using the knowledge, skills and content of the various learning areas. The continuity of learning, care and connections across the year has supported our students and staff through the various modes of learning in lockdown. We now look to the future and incorporate what we know works well and meets the needs our students’ growth and development. This next phase of our school’s academic development is the introduction of the BE program.
The Inaugural “BE” Program starting November 30th, is designed as supportive transition and preparation for the 2021 school year. It means that:
Year 7s will “BE” 2020 Year 8
Year 8s will “BE” 2020 Year 9
Year 9s will “BE” Year 10
This provides students with transition time into their new year level with new groups and teachers. The Year 9s who will “BE” Year 10 students will begin their VCE studies. Year 7s who will “BE” Year 8s will know their new learning teams based on language choice. The Year 8s who will “BE” Year 9 will begin their new specialisms. It is a very exciting new phase for the college and we look forward to starting 2021 with this transition.
Our Year 9 and 10 curriculum provides students with comprehensive individual pathways that are linked to the Victorian Curriculum and Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority VCE Study Designs. The curriculum sets out what every student should learn during their years of schooling.
At Years 9 and 10, Communicate and Relate and Mathematics run as year level specific specialisms. All other learning areas provide curriculum that is a continuum across two years. This allows us to run combined learning teams of Year 9 and Year 10 students. In 2021, Languages will also run as a year level specific specialism.
Our offerings provide our students with a broad range of specialisms across all other learning areas. The Year 9 and 10 specialisms program prepares students for a rigorous academic senior pathway.
The learning continues until Friday December 11th following our Presentation Evening in whatever form it takes in this unusual year.
The last week of December 14 to 18 is Microcredentials Week with no timetabled sessions. We will provide further detail in the coming weeks.
Transition of Year 6 to 7 2021
At this stage, Orientation Day is scheduled for Tuesday 8 December and is planned to proceed in line with health and safety advice at the time.
On-site Orientation Day will require the 2020 Year 8 and 9 students to learn from home so that we can accommodate the numbers that are part of our 2021 Year 7 group. Our 2020 Year 7 students will be learning at school.
Remembrance Day
We commemorated Remembrance Day at school and also with the Beaumaris community on Wednesday. The students observed 2 minutes of silence and laying a wreath at the flags in front of the college. Our school leaders and I attended the ceremony in Beaumaris, photo below.
School Production This Week
Poster design by Santiago Sassman.
This year's College play "The Internet is Distract- OH LOOK A KITTEN' by Ian McWethy is being performed this Thursday and Friday nights. We are so proud of our the talented students who rehearsed and filmed their performances remotely through lockdown. Check out the Production News page for more details.