'Be The Best They Can Be'

The students of our school are to be congratulated for continually striving to ‘be the best that they can be’. Visitors to our school frequently comment on the calm and structured learning environment that is provided. The students integrate the school values of personal best, cooperation, respect, honesty and happiness into everything that they do each day.

One area of our school that continually showcases the work of our students is the Discovery Centre. A visit to the Discovery Centre at any time will see the students engaged in a wide range of inspirational activities sharing their learning in the central space, performing a science experiment in the wet area, producing a TV show in the film studio, podcasting a program in the radio station….and so on. This space has transformed the possibilities of student learning. Thank you to in particular to Nicola Long who sources the resources, creates the displays and supports students and staff in using this innovative space.

As can be seen in the photos below, the Discovery Centre is resourced to support the learning of the school in our integrated units, in this case the Environment. Some of the activities within this space include:

· searching for hidden bugs, insects and animals discussing and learning about the lifecycles of bees and plants, touching sensory boxes with environmental materials inside such as feathers, fur and leaves

· watching footage on harsh environments, mini beasts and sustainability

· using life like volcano complete with internal diagrams and labelling

· operating a seismograph to measure earth tremors

· interacting with hydroponic labs and mini greenhouses including quick growing sprouts and flowers

Student Support Group (SSG) Meetings

SSG meetings were held across the school last Wednesday. This was an important opportunity for you to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s Student Learning Plan (SLP). We acknowledge that it is not always easy for you to attend these meetings; however we know that the teachers and students were enthusiastic about showing samples of their work and discussing their progress with you. We hope you were pleased with the positive developments that they have made and could celebrate these with your children after the meetings.

2015 Presentation Ball

Preparations for the 2015 Presentation Ball, to be held next Friday evening at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, are proceeding well. The students are very excited and are busy preparing their dresses, suits and everything else that goes into preparing for a grand evening such as this.

This year we will have 22 Year 12 students (6 girls, 16 boys) being presented.

Parking on Nature Strips in Gleeson Drive

Our neighbours on Gleeson Drive, next to the school, have complained that members of our school community are parking on the nature strips outside their houses. This is illegal and it is requested that cars park in car parks opposite the nature strips, at the end of Gleeson Drive and at the back of the school. Thank you for your support in this matter.

New Newsletter Format

I trust that you enjoyed the first edition of our new iNewsletter. The iNewsletter cannot be printed out in hard copy format so those who have elected not to receive the newsletter electronically are still receiving the newsletter in the previous hard copy format. As it is impractical for the school to be creating both electronic and hard copies of the newsletter, and the electronic version is far more effective, it has been determined by the School Council that from Term 4 onwards the school will no longer be sending home hard copies of the Newsletter. This newsletter can be accessed via email and through the school website and facebook page.

Official Concord School Facebook Page

‘LIKE’ Concord School on facebook.

Concord School established an official facebook page, which currently has 600 LIKES, in order to communicate more effectively with the school community. The purpose of this page is for students, families (and ex-students and families) and those with an interest in the school to be provided with immediate access to information through text, photos and video.

Posted content may include

· student, class and section performances

· class excursions

· important school news including photos of the buildings and grounds

To LIKE the page, go to facebook.com/concordschoolvictoria or if you are reading this newsletter electronically, click on the facebook badge on the front page of this newsletter. The school has processes in place to ensure this is a safe online environment. Only school ‘administrators’ are able to post content and the page is constantly monitored for inappropriate posts which are immediately removed. Any person who posts inappropriate content will be ‘banned permanently’ from the page. If they are a current student at the school, they will undergo a cybersafety program and will be dealt with through the schools disciplinary procedures.

Only photos of students who have the appropriate permissions will be uploaded onto the page. The school will use the parental permission relating to the ‘School Website’ on the school enrolment form. That is, if you said you didn’t want your child to be on the school website, then they will not be on the facebook page. Please contact Julie in the school office and advise her if you gave permission for your child to be on the school website but you do not want them to be on the official facebook page.

Principal's Award

The Principal's report goes to Mitchell.

Mitchell has a tremendous ‘have a go attitude’. He always tries his best and feels confident to ask for help when he needs it. Mitchell is well respected by both staff and students.

Well deserved recipient of the Principal's award Mitchell!

"Students striving to be the best they can be"

Jason Coningsby

Principal

President’s Message

A School Council meeting was held on Monday 27th July.

The agenda items that were discussed at the meeting were:

· School Review – Presentation of Self- Evaluation Document

· Leadership Structure

· Front Landscaping

· School Website

· Parent Group

· Use of Gym

· Concord School Policies

“Working together for our children”

Mark Lancaster

School Council President

Community Noticeboard

CarerLinks North

Andy Griffiths

Online Survey