Better Together Alliance

Newsletter

There have been some amazing events occurring in August and it is pleasing to report on these great things happening in Greater Shepparton for our students.

School’s Regional Constitutional Convention

The Schools Regional Constitutional Convention “Should we recognise Indigenous Australians in the Commonwealth Constitution?” was held at Shepparton High School on the 19th August.

Students were presented with a traditional dance performance to open the day followed by a panel discussion on the Constitution. Students were engaged in the panel and asked some well thought out questions of the panel. Students then split into groups to discuss different items on the agenda, including Invasion Day vs Australia Day, which I attended.

This group was led by Sharman Stone, who talked students through the history and students formed opinions about the 26th January from these discussions. Students then returned to the whole group and gave feedback about what they had learnt.

The event was well received by the students. Watching the learning and

understanding of Indigenous Australians being recognized in the Commonwealth Constitution by the students was fantastic. Students from the BTA schools now have the opportunity, through Principal recommendations, to attend the Schools Regional Convention in Canberra.

Congratulations to the team, Zarina Fleming, Cam Reid, Amanda Neilson, Leonel Cruz and Linda Miller at Shepparton High school for their work in organising and running this very successful event.

Future Voices

A targeted community based approach to build young peoples skills, aspirations and connection to the community. The programs of Future Voices are based on an independent learning model further developing the following skills: Cognitive skills, Metacognitive skills and Affective.

Participants attend workshops locally and interstate during the year long program. These create a sense of self-worth and inspiration as participants see and hear first hand what is possible for them.

Schools have been provided with the application forms and are working with students who would like to apply.

BTA Student Council

On Tuesday 9th  August the first BTA Student Council meeting was held with students from each of the 4 schools at Mooroopna Secondary College. The students from Shepparton High, McGuire

College and Wanganui Park SC arrived together to meet with the students from Mooroopna SC.

Students discussed the Better Together Alliance and how, as students, activities and events could be organised across the four schools.

Students presented enthusiastic ideas which they developed into plans of action around joint socials, school festivals, dance galas, sport days, social justice groups and fundraising for Greater Shepparton.

The BTA Student Council will meet once a term and then return to school in their own Student Councils to carry out tasks for successful outcomes. Thank you to all students for their keen and willing input into this new Council and wanting to work together for the benefit all of students in all schools in Greater Shepparton.

Network Meetings

On Monday 8th August the BTA Network Meetings were held at La Trobe University, where teachers had the opportunity to experience what La Trobe Shepparton Campus has to offer.

After the Learning Area meetings, staff were provided with an afternoon tea and Sue Nalder (Head of Campus) addressed staff about the great collaboration between each other, and La Trobe and the BTA.  Staff completed a feedback sheet during the meeting to further improve our Network Meetings. Thank you to staff for attendance and to La Trobe for the use of their facilities.

Celebrating Success

Outreach Program (LaTrobe University) – For National Science Week, the Better Together Alliance worked with La Trobe University to hold the first Science Outreach Program in Shepparton for middle school and VCE revision.

Shepparton High School provided the excellent facilities for the two day event and students from the other BTA Schools came across to attend workshops. Students were offered a range of workshops in Science, Maths and ICT including Cool Nanoscience, Get into Genes, Create your own App, Graph Colouring and Curiosity Bots.  

Students at Shepparton High School attended two sessions on Wednesday 17th August and the buzz during the workshops was exciting, students learning with expert lecturers from La Trobe University.

Thank you to Shepparton High School for their facilities and staff for their assistance to help make the event a very successful one.

Teach the Teacher Program – on Friday August 5th Shepparton High School hosted the Teach the Teacher Program.

Teach the Teacheris a student-led professional learning program for teachers, where everyone has a voice. The students involved in the session were provided with training to be confident in running a constructive and judgement free PD with the teachers at their schools to create a positive learning community for all.

Students were engaged in the process and were keen to follow through with the program. Thankyou to SHS for the organisation of the program and use of facilities,  a great morning was had by all.

Year 7 Mentoring Program – the Lighthouse Project Mentoring Program began at McGuire College in August. Mentor Training was conducted with the twenty mentors under the guidance of Hamish Fletcher. On Friday 12th August the mentors and the mentees (students) met for the first time at McGuire College.

The mentors and mentees enthusiastically engaged with one another for the whole morning and then enjoyed a nice lunch together. The following Monday, parents/guardians met with Lighthouse Executive Officer, Lisa McKenzie, to answer any questions about the program.

The Program will be reviewed and reflected upon throughout the pilot. It is so fabulous to have a group of twenty  dedicated and skilled community members volunteering to assist our young people.

Thank you to Lighthouse Project for the brilliant partnership to get this program underway, to all of the volunteers for their commitment, to McGuire College for their support and involvement in the program, Susan Kerwin (Transition and Pathways Leader) for all of her work with the students, and the students for being willing to be involved in the program.

Opportunities Ahead

Out There (Australian Ballet) – Beginning on the 6th September the Out There Program with the Australian Ballet will be here to work with the four BTA schools for two weeks. Students will be involved in workshops (total of ten hours) over the two weeks culminating in a Showcase of

performances on Friday 16th September.

Thank you to the schools for your enthusiastic interest in this program.

Sandy Gunn

Executive Officer