ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT

Paul Dawson, Bradley Headlam and

 Julie Andrews

Assistant Principals

Remote Learning Week beginning 31 May 

Due to the current lockdown we will resume remote teaching and learning from next Monday, 31 May. Please check the following for information and guidance:

• Compass news feed for regular updates
• Check emails from class teachers and Year Level Coordinators
• Students will follow their regular timetabled classes and teachers will use both Google Meets and Google Classroom to provide the teaching and learning program.

Please contact the school if you have concerns or questions about the remote teaching and learning expectations.

Performance Averages and Progress Reports

Parents, please ensure that you check the Progress Reports that are due to be released on Tuesday, 1 June.  It is important that you discuss these results with your child and please feel free to contact your child’s teacher if  you require further feedback on their progress and how they can improve. Performance Averages below 2.5 place the student on a Year Level Coordinators' “at risk” list.  These students will be closely monitored by the Student Management Team. Scores that are consistently below 2.0 may see the student repeat the Year in 2022.

End of Semester Exams, GAT for Unit 3/4 Subjects

In weeks 8 and 9 of this term, the end of semester exams will be conducted. Timetables will be published soon. 

Included in the exam period is the Unit 3/4 GAT. This is a compulsory General Achievement Test for all students studying a Unit 3/4 VCE study. 

In a recent School Newsletter, we reminded families about strategies for exam preparation. 

Students can prepare for the exams by allocating study time at home, which is separate to the regular homework tasks. Study can include reading over class notes, reading the relevant texts or chapters from the semester’s work, practising (many times) essays and maths questions, creating mind maps and other useful diagrams and annotations to support learning and memorising the work for the classes. 

The school also provides homework club opportunities during the week; there is a specific EAL student homework club on two nights, the library offers after school time and space for after school study.

At this time of the year, it should be clear to all that the items on the NGSC booklists are essential materials for each subject’s requirements. Students should have the required novels, texts, calculators and enough writing books and stationery for their learning programs. The Wellbeing Team can offer support if required.

Student Attitude to School Survey

The Student Attitude to School survey was held two weeks ago. This is done in conjunction with the Parent and Staff surveys. This information is used extensively to inform the school on what is working well and areas for development. The information is shared across the school community. Different teams throughout the school utilise this information in the development of initiatives, both current and new, to further improve the school.  

Be Bold BE HEARD

Middle Years Girl’s Forum

Tuesday, 25 May, 2021

Girls in Years 8 to 11 from Geelong High School, Western Heights Secondary College, Lara Secondary College and North Geelong Secondary College all took part in an initiative to explore Student Voice, Agency and Engagement in their School and wider community. Entitled the “Be Bold BE HEARD” Forum, it took place at GMHBA Stadium's Captains' Rooms. 

The Forum included a discussion about the power of Voice and Agency, building connections activities, self-defence, guest speakers and facilitated discussion and goal setting. The objective being to empower girls to speak up and identify changes that they would like to make in their classroom, College and community.

The day was a fantastic success as the students connected enthusiastically with girls from other schools. Their work was complimented by guest speakers and facilitators which included, police officers, WNBL stars, Media personalities, teachers and business owners who all demonstrated the power of using voice in situations of challenge. 

The next step for our network of schools is to build actions for the goals set to continue the momentum of success. There is definitely a sense that the students are now driving this as we head into student lead meetings and presentations to staff and the network of Principals. We hope to have at least one more Forum later this year and we are thrilled to be a part of it.

INTRODUCTION SESSION: Presentation by Julianna Garcia (GHS Assistant Principal) on Student Voice and Agency

BUILDING CONNECTIONS –Students participated in activities lead by Tessa Kirk (GHS Teacher) to start forming connections between students from different schools.

SELF DEFENCE: Students explored self defence techniques, including assertive voice, with Amelia, Dave and Gabby Zarb from Art Of Defence Australia.

EMPOWERMENT: Jana Badr and Nivetha Ranjithkumar of North Geelong Secondary College feeling empowered by the self defence.

GUEST SPEAKERS discussed their challenge with using voice to overcome their individual challenges in their profession and lives (From left to right).

SCHOOL ACTION: North Geelong Secondary College students start planning their actions to be taken back to school.

ALL INVOLVED: Participants from all schools with their staff and Principals involved on the day.