Lilydale High School Newsletter

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

3 Way Conferences

Thank you to all parents, guardians and students who attended the 3 Way conferencing yesterday.  These interviews are important to make contact with the teachers, see how your child is progressing with their learning and building positive relationships between home and school.

 

We have been very pleased with how our students have responded to the reporting guidelines with increased engagement in class and improved preparation for learning. This approach will hold our students in good stead for their studies throughout high school. I have included the guidelines once again below:

 

Reporting and Assessment Guidelines

 

Every student in every class will receive an overall grade for the whole semester's work. Students will be deemed to have:

 

Completed all that is required in the subject - SATISFACTORY (S)

NOT completed all that is required in the subject - NOT SATISFACTORY (N)

 

It is important to note that the overall grade will be based on EFFORT. The following criteria will apply:

  • Being punctual to class
  • Being prepared with books and equipment
  • Having a positive 'can do' attitude
  • Being persistent, not giving up easily
  • Complete and submit all of the set work
  • Completing assessments
  • Completing and submitting homework

These criteria apply not only to school work but are characteristics for success in the workforce.

 

Students are aware that if they receive more than 2 N grades in a semester, we will be conferencing with the student and parents/guardians to establish the reasons and put a plan and support in place to move forward.

 

Notification will be made if a student is in danger of a 'not satisfactory grade' with plenty of opportunities to rectify the situation.

The Resilience Project

This term the Year 8 and 9 students have engaged with the presenters from The Resilience Project in forums and ongoing activities during Home Group. The aim is to introduce students to the notion of resilience - being able to bounce back from difficult situations. We are also very conscious of the importance of robust emotional and mental health.

 

The Resilience Project's message is that students who are mindful, empathetic and show gratitude have greater levels of resilience. Being able to switch off from social media and enjoy face to face interactions with peers is extremely important too. These are the messages we will continue to send to our students on a daily basis.

Implementation of the Lilydale High School Mobile Phone Policy

 

The Lilydale High School mobile phone policy is designed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students.

 

I have taken statements from the policy to reinforce the need for all students to adhere to the policy.  

 

'The effective protection and supervision of students'

 

When students are at school they are the responsibility of school staff and ultimately myself as Principal. It is imperative that when an emergency arises both in school and on camps/excursions, students inform staff so that the situation can be managed quickly, effectively and safely. I ask all parents/guardians to encourage your child/children to let us know first of any situations that require attention.  We will then inform you.

 

'Preventing disruption to the teaching and learning program'

 

Mobile phones can be a distraction to teaching and learning that occurs in the classroom.  Mobile phones must be locked in lockers and not taken to classes.

 

'To encourage face to face social interactions between students'

 

In this era of electronic communication, we want to encourage our students to spend their time at school engaging in face to face chats and interactions during recess and lunchtime with a view to improving health and wellbeing. Teens appear to be experiencing greater levels of stress and anxiety.

 

With a constant stream of media messages and notifications, their growing brains are bombarded with information and images. The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) has been recognized as a recently emerging psychological disorder brought on by the constant need to be connected.

 

Finding time for relaxing and finding contentment in their present space (being mindful), is important for strong emotional and mental health.

Year 9 City Experience

For the past weeks our Year 9 students were involved in 'The City Experience' where they worked in a team to negotiate the CBD and visit many attractions including; The Shrine, The MCG and Eureka Tower.

 

I would like to congratulate our students on the way in which they took up the challenge of working independently and as a team.

 

I was particularly proud to receive 5 emails from members of the public

 our students on their exemplary behaviour on the train. I have included two of the emails below.

 

Congratulations to staff and students for this great initiative.  Particular thanks to Middle School Coordinator Liz Rundell, who along with Liz Nevins, Michael Bourne, Mark Beatson and John Box organised the entire event.

 

Emails from members of the public:

 

Today I boarded the train at Melbourne Central to a reasonably packed carriage; typical for a peak hour time slot. A group of teenagers were sitting together dressed in Lilydale High School uniform. They were offering seats to passengers including myself.

 

After starting a short conversation with the boys, I came to learn they were taking part in a 'City Experience' activity. The Team of 12 boys were polite and respectful and a good example to represent your school. I just thought you might like some feedback.

 

Email number 2

 

I am very aware that schools often receive complaints about their students’ behaviour outside of school. This is NOT one of those emails!

 

For the past 2 days I have caught a train from Surrey Hills to Flinders St at around 8.30 am and a group of 6 of your students have already been on the train. Both of these days the train has been delayed so has been very full, with no seats available from Surrey Hills.

 

On both days your students have given up their seats, without being asked, for adult passengers and done so cheerfully and with none of the "attitude" we unfortunately see in teens so often these days.

 

These students have also been engaged in the lost art of conversing with each other the entire journey instead of being buried in smart phones and other devices. They have not been loud or disruptive as often groups of school kids are on the train.

 

I would like to congratulate your school for instilling such lovely values in your students and hope there may be some way for this message of thanks to reach your students. I wish there were more teenagers like these around.

Shopping Centre Precinct

Before and After school

I would like to reiterate the importance of our students travelling directly to and from school. 

 

Students are arriving at school late due to spending time over at the local shopping precinct and, at times, arriving at school and then leaving the premises to visit the shopping area.

 

I would appreciate everyone’s cooperation in ensuring that students are safe at school, arriving on time, and not loitering around the shopping area unless in the company of a parent or guardian. 

End of Term 3

As the term draws to a close I'd like to take this opportunity to wish the school community a happy and safe holiday. 

 

Term 4 begins on Monday 3 October.   I look forward to seeing everyone back and ready to learn. 

 

Special mention to our Year 12 students who will be participating in many holiday classes and individual teacher consultations in readiness for their upcoming examinations.  

 

 

Wendy Powson

Principal