Assistant Principals' Update
2020 Planning
Planning is currently well underway for the upcoming 2020 Subject Selection process. Curriculum handbooks will be circulated to students before the end of this term, allowing families to spend time looking at options over the holidays.
The Year 10 Future Week runs during the last week of Term 2 and Ms Wallace, the Year 10 Level Leader, has put together a fantastic program that provides plenty of opportunity for reflection and pathway planning, as well as some activities that get the students out exploring in the community!
Year 10 into 11 Interviews will take place from Wednesday 24 July- Friday 26 July. Students will be scheduled a 10-minute appointment to run through their program of study for VCE/ VCAL with a staff member, prior to entering their subject selections into the portal.
Current Year 8 students will receive information about Year 9 electives during an in-school presentation, early in Term 3.
Pathways Expo
Current Year 9 and 10 students are strongly encouraged to attend the Pathways Expo, on Tuesday 23 July in the Mary Dalton Hall. This is an opportunity to speak with staff about Year 10 Electives, VCE and VCAL courses, prior to selecting for 2020.
There will also be universities and other training organisations on hand to provide information about courses and programs beyond school.
The expo opens at 5.30pm and closes at 8.00pm. In addition, we ask that families book into one of the information sessions held in the Auditorium, to hear more about course requirements.
Please refer to the flyer for further details and booking information.
Recognising growth and achievement
This semester, teachers of Years 7-11 will select students from each of their classes to receive awards. Students will receive certificates during year level assemblies in the last week of term. Teachers can nominate two students for academic achievement and two students for academic endeavour, based on the following criteria:
Academic Achievement
- Achieves highest scores/ grades
- Seeks and acts upon feedback
- Has excellent work habits
Academic Endeavour
- Demonstrates persistence and growth in academic learning
- Seeks and acts upon feedback
- Has excellent work habits
Academic Honours Evening
Later this year, selected students and their families will be invited to attend the inaugural Academic Honours Evening, on Wednesday 11 December 2019. Our highest achieving students will be recognised for academic excellence in their studies across the year, based on grades achieved for assessed tasks.
Sleep and Rest
As we head into exams, students are often working late and may not be getting adequate sleep. It is recommended that teenagers have between 8- 10 hours of sleep each night.
There is valuable information about sleep, rest and the importance of routines on this website.
https://raisingchildren.net.au/teens/healthy-lifestyle/sleep/sleep-teens
Catherine Johnston
Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching
Strengthening Family Connections – Parent Seminar Series
The College is in the process of developing its parenting seminar program for 2019 and beyond. We are seeking feedback from parents/carers in regards to seminars they wish to see included in the series. Attached is a handout that outlines potential parent seminar presentations. Could you please read this handout and then complete the following form so that we can develop a program that suits the needs of our community.
Potential Parent Seminar Presentations Handout:
Parent Seminar Series Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMR9ClmM1FsZk6QAiBAUegvr-b6R_jgFNVM1MQUb4Jdy3RyQ/viewform
Child Safety – Your Legal Obligation to Report
As a parent, you are often privy to information not only about your child but other children. Information may come to you from your child, or through your observations and interactions with the friends of your child. It may also occur through conversations and interactions with other parents. You may also be aware of concerning situations or emotions of young people through your roles in community – sporting clubs, church, youth groups etc.
Did you know that if you have reasonable belief about a sexual assault committed against a child under the age of 16 you are mandated to report it?
Reporting child sexual abuse is a community-wide responsibility. Accordingly, a criminal offence was created in Victoria that imposes a clear legal duty upon all adults to report information about child sexual abuse to police. The offence came into force on 27 October 2014. Any adult who forms a reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed by an adult against a child under 16 has an obligation to report that information to the Police. Failure to disclose the information to Police is a criminal offence.
What is a ‘reasonable belief’?
A ‘reasonable belief’ is not the same as having proof. A ‘reasonable belief’ is formed if a reasonable person in the same position would have formed the belief on the same grounds. For example, a ‘reasonable belief’ might be formed when:
- A child states that they have been sexually abused.
- A child states that they know someone who has been sexually abused (sometimes the child may be talking about themselves).
- Someone who knows a child states that the child has been sexually abused.
- Observations of the child’s behaviour or development leads you to form a belief that the child has been sexually abused.
What are signs of sexual abuse in young people?
The physical signs of sexual abuse include:
- Injuries to private areas
- Discomfort when going to the toilet
- Inflammation and infection of the genital areas
- Frequent urinary tract infections/bowel problems
- Getting a sexually transmitted infection
The likelihood that abuse is happening increases if there is more than one sign. Other signs of sexual abuse include:
- Acting out sexual behaviour with dolls, toys, siblings and other children
- Explicit sexual behaviour and knowledge that is not age-appropriate
- Sleep disturbances or night terrors
- Abnormal wetting and soiling problems
- Loss of appetite
- Hurting themselves
- Obsessive and compulsive washing
- Out of character behaviours
- Increased anxiety
- Aggression, withdrawal or crying.
When a young person discloses abuse and assault to an adult, the victim may request confidentiality. This can be a challenge. It is useful to consider that this legal offence respects the position of a victim who does not want the offending disclosed and who is sufficiently mature to make that judgement. The obligation to report therefore does not apply where the information comes from a person aged 16 or over and this person requests that the offence not be reported. The law recognises that a child under 16 is not able to make this kind of decision and sometimes lacks the capacity to fully understand the effects of abuse. A person will still be required to disclose information to the Police, regardless of age, if:
- The victim who requested confidentiality has an intellectual disability, and
- The victim does not have the capacity to make an informed decision about a disclosure, and
- The person who received the information is aware or should be reasonably aware of those facts.
How will I be protected if I make a disclosure to Police?
Often a fear of adults in reporting is that the offender or the victim will know their identity. Your identity will remain confidential unless:
- You disclose it yourself or you consent in writing to your identity being disclosed.
- A court or tribunal decides that it is necessary in the interests of justice for your identity to be disclosed.
If you need to report, it is recommended that you contact your local police station (https://www.police.vic.gov.au/location) who can assist you and the Department of Health and Human Services (https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/child-protection-contacts).
Please know that our College Counsellors are available to chat to you about your concerns. It is always our goal to be able to support young people with whatever they may be going through.
Stephanie Smyth
Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Engagement