message from the principal
Karen Harris
Principal
We have enjoyed the most positive start to the year and a very productive Term 1 to date.
Congratulations to all students who have started the year so well - setting up their frameworks for success by developing an effective study routine and by making the most of the excellent teaching on offer at our school.
Having F block in full operation (the last of our buildings to be renovated) has resulted in a calm and settled year to date. The new rooms throughout our whole school are being enjoyed by students and staff. There will be an event early in Term 2 when the school community will be invited to tour the new buildings. This will also be an opportunity to thank the main contributors to the success of the building works.
Developing intercultural understanding
The Department of Education &Training (DET) places great value on students developing intercultural understanding.
“Students develop intercultural understanding
as they learn to value their own cultures, languages and beliefs,
and those of others”.
They come to understand how personal, group and national identities are shaped, and the variable and changing nature of culture. Intercultural understanding involves students learning about and engaging with diverse cultures in ways that recognise commonalities and differences, create connections with others and cultivate mutual respect. Intercultural understanding is an essential part of living with others in the diverse world of the twenty-first century. It assists young people to become responsible local and global citizens, equipped through their education for living and working together in an interconnected world.” Victorian Curriculum
Brunswick Secondary College also places great value on developing cultural understanding. The following events demonstrate this commitment.
Victorian Young Leaders to China
On Saturday afternoon, ten Year 9 students departed for Beijing where they start their six week program as part of the Victorian Young Leaders to China. Students will be supported by Jennie Easson and Tayler Roberts as they are immersed in an extensive language program and then as they explore the sights and sounds of China. Brunswick Secondary College has been a strong supporter of this program over many years now and it continues to be a highly sought after opportunity for Year 9 students.
International Education
I recently spent eight days in Vietnam promoting Victoria as a destination for international students. Along with nine other Victorian school representatives, I met with eleven agents who recruit international students. We also attended two expos where prospective students and their families gained information about Victorian schools and more specifically, about the schools we were representing.
The expos in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City were not for Victorian secondary schools alone; South Australian Government schools were also represented as well as most Australian tertiary institutions. It was quite extraordinary to visit agents offices in Vietnam and walk past posters for LaTrobe University, Deakin University and many others.
The International Student Program at Brunswick Secondary College has a cap of thirty students and we are hoping that this trip will result in some interest for places in 2020. International students are valuable contributors to our school and the program offers an opportunity for local students to learn more about other cultures.
Brunswick Secondary College also recently hosted some visiting educators from the Hong Kong Education Department. These international visitors were interested in speaking to our staff about the teaching of languages to second language learners and how we integrate opportunities for intercultural understanding in our curriculum. The visitors found their conversations with Anne Siciliano (Italian and EAL Teacher), Georgi Pryor (International student coordinator), Wanling Zhong and Jiwei Xu (Chinese language teachers) enlightening.
Tuning in to Teens
The Tuning in to Teens program, presented by Dr Christiane Kehoe from The University of Melbourne, has been highly successful.
Christiane has presented three sessions to teachers, presented two of three sessions to parents and conducted the training for Year 8 and 9 Home Group teachers so that the student program can be presented in Home Group sessions. We hope that through teacher and parent involvement in this evidence-based program we may improve our connections with teens and through student involvement in the program we may improve teens emotional intelligence.
Recognising service to School Council
The 2019 School Council will commence at the next School Council meeting in April. There are four outgoing parent representatives from the 2018 School Council that I would like to recognise: Jan De Gier, Paul Longfield, Helen Thornton and Adam Ramage. These parents have have all contributed greatly, always advocating for the school and overseeing a number of key improvements for the school, most notably the major building works.
In addition, Helen and Adam have held the Office Bearer positions of Treasurer and President respectively more many years. Both have worked tirelessly, devoting countless hours of service to the school. They will be missed on School Council but leave a strong legacy with our buildings and grounds as well as with the schools increasingly positive reputation among our local community.