From the Principal Class Team
Year 10 Work Experience
Year 10 students have recently completed a week's work in experience as part of the College's comprehensive Managed Individual Pathways program. Students attended a range of work placements, including health, retail, education and business.
This program allows students to experience a different type of environment, and to gain a better understanding of the workforce before they make important subject selections for Year 11 and 12. If you have any questions about the MIPs program at the College please contact Ms Cathy Armstrong.
100 Days of VCE success
On Wednesday, 27 June the Year 11 cohort celebrated 100 days of success. This was marked with an awards ceremony and celebrations for all of the Year 11 cohort during the afternoon. Students and staff enjoyed celebrating the particular success some students had achieved in individual subjects and a mesmerising performance was given by an illusionist. Each of the VCE/VET Music groups performed a set to the delight of all those present. Congratulations to all our Year 11 students on reaching this milestone in the final part of their secondary school journey. We wish them well for the next eighteen months as they complete their final years at school.
Years 7-11 Reports
On the last day of term, Friday 29 June, all Year 7-11 reports will be issued. Year 12 Unit 3 VCE and VCAL reports will be available after the break at the end of the second week of Term 3, July 27. This is to enable assessments for the first Unit to be completed and also so examination results for the Unit 3 VCE subjects can be included on the report.
Please take the time to read your son or daughter’s report. The report provides valuable information on the student’s progress and achievement for the first semester of this year. A focus of a discussion with your son or daughter about the report could be focused on developing strategies and work habits to assist with implementation of the recommended areas for improvement that are included for each subject.
Year 12 Mid Year Exams
As previously reported, this year we have reintroduced mid year exams for all Unit 3-4 VCE subjects. The exams provide students with practice of examination style questions completed under exam conditions and will enable staff to provide targeted feedback to students about their understanding and progress to date in each of their subjects.
The exams will be held at the school in the first week of the mid year break, from Thursday, 5 July to Tuesday, 10 July and will be overseen by VCE exam supervisors.
Please note that all students are required to attend the exams, unless they have a medical certificate.
Supporting Mental Health
Supporting the mental health of all students and families at our College is a significant priority for us. In support of this priority the Wellbeing Team delivered a seminar to parents on the ways they can support their children in relation to depression, anxiety and support them grow. They will continue to deliver more parent seminars next term. Building everyone’s capacity to be their best self is an important aspect of our work and we aim to model it to our students every day. We also will continue to work with experienced Clinical Psychologist Andrew Fuller to grow the knowledge of our students and staff to develop each other’s resilience. Over the next six months, we aim to grow the ways our students feel connected, protected and respected at our school. If you need to discuss how to support a young person with their mental health, please contact your local GP or a member of our mental health team.
Proactive Program
Recently all Year 10 students were engaged in a significant proactive programs week. During this week students explored a range of important topics that help them to grow into healthy young adults. Respectful relationships, drugs and alcohol and consent information was explored in age appropriate ways to help build student capacity. Students also explored self-care, how to relax and manage stress as well as engaging in some fantastic physical exercises together. They played African drums, attended Zumba and Yoga classes and spent some much needed time recharging their batteries. The week was a credit to the leadership of the Middle School and Wellbeing Teams at the College.
Refugee Week
Last week at the College we acknowledged Refugee Week, an important day in our College calendar. The theme for this year’s refugee week was With Refugees. The Refugee Council of Australia says that, “today, more than ever, we need a global movement to demand the safety and rights of refugees are protected. In Australia, it is the responsibility of our Government, and each one of us to ensure people forced to flee from their homes can live with dignity and with hope.” At St Albans Secondary College we welcome and support all people to our school. We welcome our refugee students and families and we want you to know that today and every day we are with you!
And finally...
We thank our staff for their hard work and their commitment to the students and families throughout the semester; and our students for their dedication to their learning.
We wish everyone a happy relaxing and safe break over the holidays and look forward to seeing you on 16 July for the start of Term 3.
Principal - Ms Kerrie Dowsley
Assistant Principal - Mr Craig Jennings
Assistant Principal - Mr John Coulson
Assistant Principal - Ms Tracey D'Elton