Emerald Secondary College Newsletter

Assistant Principals' Reports

Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you to the families that booked and attended the recent parent teacher interviews. We hope that the conversation around your child’s achievement and learning growth was productive and that goals and strategies for further learning are able be put into practice to support each student in their continued learning.

For families who were unable to make a booking due to other commitments, here is a reminder of our positive learning behaviours that we use at Emerald Secondary College during class time.  You may wish to discuss with your child how they demonstrate these learning behaviours during class time.

Please keep an eye on the Compass newsfeed, as we will be seeking feedback from our school families regarding the recent parent teacher conferences.  We would like information on the booking process and format of the conferences.

Spring Music Concert

The music teachers and Instrumental music staff have been hard at work with their students this term.  Of particular focus over the past two terms has been the forming of ensemble groups and bands, as this was particularly difficult during times of Lock down and Remote learning.  I am happy to report that the College has many bands, Ensembles and choir that have been meeting and practicing their skills together regularly.

To share with the school community, the Instrumental music department will be showcasing a Spring Concert in our Performing Arts Centre next Thursday evening. Entry for the audience will be a donation of $5, which will be used by the music department for the purchasing of new instruments.

 

Year 7 Scholarships closing soon.

Year 7 scholarships for 2023 are closing this week.

Scholarship applications have been open since Friday 12th August.

Emerald Secondary College offers the opportunity for students to apply for scholarships (generally 5) who are enrolled at Year 7 level for 2023. The scholarships will recognize excellence in academic achievement and other areas which the College has been identified as priorities for 2023:

  • General Academic Excellence 
  • SEAL
  • Art
  • Performing Art
  • Sport. 

The General Academic Excellence, SEAL, Art, Performing Art and Sport Scholarships will contribute to the educational costs for the successful students first year of Secondary school. Each Scholarship will cover the essential student learning item fees for Year 7 in 2023.

 

We look forward to meeting with our shortlisted applicants for an interview early in term four.

 

Ancient History Excursion

We currently have ancient history classes running in Year 9 (The Mysterious Ancient Past), Year 10 (Disasters of the Ancient Past), Year 11 (Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt), and Year 12 (Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome).

This term students were lucky enough to visit the NGV for 'The Ancient World' exhibition as well as the 'Open Horizons' exhibit at Melbourne Museum. On this day, the years 10-12 Ancient History classes were able to explore a variety of interesting and intriguing artefacts allowing students to extend their knowledge of Ancient Civilizations! 

Thank you to Ms Clayworth for organising this experience for our students.

Janine McMahon - Assistant Principal

 

Dear Parents, Carers, Families and Students,

I hope you are all well. Term 3 has so far been another busy term for the College. 

It is an honour to re-engage with Emerald Secondary College and to re-join this extraordinary school community. I can assure you that I share in this school community’s commitment to caring for your children each and every day while providing them with a successful learning environment.

I look forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential. We recognise that in order to be successful in school, our children need support from both the home and school. We know a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child’s education. As partners, we share the responsibility for our children’s success and want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities. We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she: 

1) Attends school daily and arrives on time, ready for the day’s learning experience 

2) Completes all lesson plans, activities and learning tasks given by teachers 

3) Shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her school life 

4) Informs you if he/she needs additional support in any area or subject 

To strengthen our partnership and allow each student at Emerald Secondary College to ‘Access Excellence’ high expectations are necessary, but are fruitless without great support. Each student’s journey is for them to chart and individual growth requires community support. 

Our school policies are all available on our College website and regular communication is posted on our Compass newsfeed regarding uniform, attendance and engagement so that you and your child can review them together. If you have any questions about the College policies and expectations, please feel free to contact me or to discuss them with your child’s teacher. It is very important that you and your child are fully informed regarding standards related to appropriate uniform, attendance, and behaviour for a safe and productive College. 

As a College, we are mindful of the most recent weather forecasts rain, low temperatures and the potential of high winds.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind all our families about uniform expectations:

  • It makes sense that all our students should dress appropriately for the weather in Emerald. A warm jumper or something similar, under the rugby top or shell jacket would be a priority. Sometimes, this is confused with the wearing of a hoodie, and just to reiterate, hoodies are NOT on the uniform list
  • Non ESC track suit pants are also not part of our school uniform - PSW offer ESC branded track suit pants that are uniform compliant, or blue uniform pants 
  • The College will also support our students by offering warm meeting places at recess and lunchtime, away from the inclement weather
  • If your son/daughter requires a uniform pass, this is available from the relevant Sub School before the start of the school day

 

Emerald Secondary College is a uniform school. A school uniform allows connectedness, equality and creates school pride. We want all our interactions with our students to remain positive however there will be follow up for students who continue to make poor choices.

To match our high expectations with high support we have had a uniform delivery to Emerald Secondary College. If you have outgrown your school uniform or need to buy more uniform but can’t get to Officer please place an order by 4pm on September 2nd.

We have been working closely with our uniform suppliers and we are happy to announce we have organised a delivery of uniform to Emerald SC on Monday 5th September.

Lastly our Middle school students celebrated an awards assembly where students were recognised for Endeavor achievement in their classes. Students received a certificate and celebrated their achievements with their peers and teachers. Congratulations to the students for showing Endeavour in their learning.

 

We look forward to the upcoming celebration assemblies to finish off the term as we create long lastly memories for our students at Emerald Secondary College.

 

Many thanks again for your ongoing support of the College. 

Jarrad Donders - Acting Assistant Principal