From the Principal

We are very pleased that the capital works project is completed.  Staff and students are really enjoying the wonderful new and refurbished learning spaces. The college will continue to do the ‘finishing touches’, the major project being the landscaping which will include recreational and outdoor learning areas.  We have our master plans and are currently seeking quotes for phase 1 – the area directly in front of food technology. This area will include an outdoor stage as our students do love to perform!  We have also applied for a grant to landscape a large section of the rear of the school adjacent to the food technology and wellbeing areas.  One of the challenges has been to find companies that are able to quote on the works which includes concreting for phase 1.  If you are aware of any suitable people please pass their details on to me.

Open Day / Night

We were again delighted with our Open Days and Night. The contribution by our students in every single area of the college was outstanding.  It will come as no surprise to you that the feedback from our visitors in regards to our students was glowing. It was a wonderful team effort - our staff, students and parents were passionate and committed in showing the community what a wonderful school we have here at Glen Eira College.  Our Languages tour the day before, allowed parents particularly interested in our Language programs an opportunity to see these classes in action. 

On Open Day we ran three incredibly well attended tours during the day and had a packed PAC in the evening.  Special thanks to Year 7 students Olivia Colletta and Zac Palatsides and school captains Ashley Szmerling and Morgan Edwards who spoke so beautifully at the formal presentation.  Subject areas really were on show with lots of opportunities for our visitors to participate in a wide range of learning activities – our staff worked incredibly hard to ensure parents were well informed and that there were plenty of activities for the primary students to get involved in.  I am very proud of the vast number of students who participated in the evening, talking to prospective parents and students – fantastic ambassadors each and every one.  Our parents were on hand all over the college to share their experiences with prospective families. 

In the afternoon we held our annual ‘Share Our Success’ event, where Year 7 students invited a teacher from their primary school to show them around the college and to share in their success.   

Thank you to all staff, students and parents for being a part of these events – greatly appreciated.

New Attendance Requirements from the Department of Education & Training

If your child is sick or absent, you are required to notify the school as soon as possible on the day of absence, by calling the student absence line on 9571 4178, calling the college on 9571 7838 or emailing glen.eira.co@edumail.vic.gov.au

Notifying the school of your child’s absence either prior to, or on the day that they will be away, helps ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and will fulfil your legal responsibility.

It is a requirement that all Victorian government schools contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same day of an unexplained student absence. If your child is absent on a particular day and you have not contacted the school to explain why, the absence will be marked as unexplained.

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education, they learn new things every day – missing school puts them behind.

The Glen Eira College Attendance Policy which outlines the school’s processes and procedures for monitoring, recording and following-up of student absences is available on the college website: www.gec.vic.edu.au         

Finally

This year the Department of Education and Training have included a Student Representative category to School Council.  We are excited by this as for several years we have included students on School Council. 

All students have been emailed a letter regarding this through their school gmail.  Information is also on the student bulletin and students will be reminded in team and year level assemblies.

Nomination forms may be obtained from the General Office and must be lodged at the General Office by 4.00pm on Friday 11th May 2018.

Information relevant to parents regarding student nominations has been sent via XUNO.

The ANZAC Day Commemorations at Glen Eira College were truly fitting. You will read a report in this newsletter.  Thank you to John Tserkezidis and Aaron Petersen for coordinating the assembly.

Rehearsals are well underway for this year’s production, Little Shop of Horrors.  Over 100 students are involved on stage and back stage / off stage, ensuring there is a role for everyone who wants to take part.  Make sure you save the dates – performances are on the 24th, 25th and 26th July 2018.      

Sheereen Kindler

Principal