Senior School News 

Senior School Welcome

It has been a busy start to the year for the Senior School, just as it has been for Middle and Junior School. We began the year with a start up program tailored at welcoming the students back focusing on stress management, the importance of sleep and the College’s Learning Disposition focus of Resilience, Critical Thinking, Collaboration and Resourcefulness. We believe that the skills focused on in this program will support students to find success in their year 11 and 12 studies. In week 2 of the term the Excel students began their studies and completed a readiness tasks in all of their subjects. These readiness tasks were tasks set by their teachers to gauge how prepared students are in each of their subjects and to provide insight into ways the teachers and sub-schools can support the Excel students in their learning. This allowed us to identify students who might need extending in their subjects as well as students who may require additional support. This has and will continue to allow us to tailor support and modify teaching strategies at the earliest possible time to support student learning. The Senior Sub-School Team has been very impressed with the student’s abilities to take on the challenge and also show dedication to their learning.

On the 9th of February the Senior VCAL students had the opportunity to attend an excursion day at the Summit in Trafalgar. It was a great opportunity for the students to work together, demonstrating collaboration skills, resilience and resourcefulness. The tasks of the day challenged students both physically and mentally whilst engaging in friendly competition with each other. A highlight of the day was the mud run challenge where students and staff worked together to complete a tough-mudder style obstacle course. This involved swimming across nets in lakes, walking through mud and even army crawling under barbed wire in mud pits. Luckily enough the students had the opportunity to use the waterslide and swim in the lake to wash this off before the bus ride home. We are very proud of how the students committed themselves to these activities and worked together to overcome the challenges of the day.

We would like to take this opportunity again to recognise that the Senior School Students are all leaders of our College and are role models for younger students. It is with this, that we expect high standards of all our students and in particular the Senior School Students. Our College has expectations regarding uniform and as such it is all students must wear the correct College Uniform. We understand there are times where this may not be possible. If a student arrives to school without the correct uniform they are expected to bring a note outlining reasons for not wearing the uniform item and when the uniform will become available. As always, if there are any concerns about uniform or difficulties in getting uniform please contact a member of the Senior School Team.

For various reasons a number of VCAL students have not begun Structured Workplace Learning this year. As a college we recognise that students who are not undertaking Structured Workplace Learning are missing out on opportunities that can help them achieve success in their VCAL program. Students need a certain number of credits for subjects to achieve a VCAL certificate and structured Workplace Learning contributes to this. To support this, additional classes have been created for a Wednesday and/or Friday for these students to complete work in the subject of Work Related Skills. If students are required to attend this subject on Wednesday or Friday it will appear on their Compass schedule. 

In other senior school news, due to the Circuit Breaker Lock-Down we have had to postpone the Big Day In. This will be rescheduled and more information on new dates will be sent out shortly. We also know that the senior school years can be challenging academically and mentally and we would like to support students and their families through this.  As such, please keep an eye out for information on our upcoming Later Years Information Night where we will invite you for an evening at the College to learn more about the Excel program. The focus of the night will include information on how students can achieve success in year 11 & 12 and how families can support students in achieving success.

The Summit Trip by Faye Taunuu

On Tuesday the 9th of February, VCAL students alongside peer support leaders & our outdoor ed class went on a trip to the Summit Camp. It contained multiple team building activities such as the giant swing, flying fox, rock climbing, mysterious cave and there was also a huge obstacle course that we all participated in. It had mini activities we had to face as a group, in order to move to the next obstacle. Personally, I think this day out really allowed students to step out of their comfort zones with their peers. It encouraged us all to help one another, when one was falling behind. 

Resilience was one of the biggest attributes shown throughout the day, as many students had moments where they did not feel comfortable doing some of the activities, but with the help and support from our HP team, we managed to cross that line together. There were many times where many individuals displayed our school values; as soon as we stepped foot on the campsite, all students were respecting instructors when instructions were given and treating the place with respect, as well as learning how to cope with people that work in a different pace as others, and working together with students we have never worked with, which made the whole trip worth it. 

On the bus ride back home, although we all smelt the absolute worst, we were able to create friendships we never had, with smiles from the front of the bus leading all the way to the back. It was not all about winning this time round, it was about encouraging, motivating, leading and finishing victoriously with our team and that is what we did.  

Welcome to 2021 at HP by Parneet Kaur

Welcome to 2021 at Hampton Park Secondary! Albeit the welcome is a bit later than expected - but hopefully we can put the previous unprecedented times behind us, and strap in for a better year.  

I personally never thought too much about making it to Year 12. It was more of a gradual realization that this is my last year here, and that it's the last year in government schooling for those not interested in university. It's been a long ride, but immensely memorable and engaging - and I'm glad I could make it to here.  

School is for more than just education. It's more of a level-playing field, where you can connect and collaborate with new people, your friends, teachers, assistive staff every single day. Armed with preparation for the real world, and catered to suit every career-choice or aspiration, time at Hampton Park Secondary College isn't meant to be a quick sprint to be over and done with. It's more of a marathon, and before you know it - you'll be at the end of your secondary schooling. Whether you're venturing into VCAL, VCE, VET, or other options - every student here belongs, and is part of a bigger picture.  

For everyone new to the school, Year 7 or not, hopefully you find what you love and stick with it too. Year 7's, it may seem like a huge change from what you're used to, but you'll soon realise that it's a good change.  

 Transitioning into a new year, whether it's Year 8, 10, or 12 - is always nerve-wracking, but it's important to remember that every year will be memorable, and you can make the best of it if you want to.  

I hope everyone stays safe during these times, and fingers crossed that this year is your best. Good luck!  

Senior School Team