Secondary News

Year 10 Snow Camp

Snow camp 2022 was a rollercoaster of emotions. Students spent Tuesday up on the mountain getting fitted for skis or snowboards then making their way to The Big D to explore how to manage their snow gear until their lessons that afternoon. Some took to the sport immediately while others did a few more face plants before mastering the activity. While Tuesday was full of fun, Wednesday did not live up to the same standard. Due to poor weather, students were unable to ski or board but instead got to take in the beautiful nature in Harrietville and take the opportunity to use the Feathertop Chalet's facilities. It was a good opportunity to regroup and recover while some of the boys played a footy game on the back oval against Crusoe College from Bendigo. However, on Thursday the year 10s were back on the mountain buzzing with excitement whether they were skiing and snowboarding down the summit, trying blue, green or even black runs, shopping in Hotham central, or making snowmen or snowballs.  They even fit in a movie afternoon at the cinema.

It was a memory all students will treasure.

Shae Zrna. 

Active Life for Girls

Yesterday, the Year 9/10 Active Life for Girls class had the incredible opportunity to attend Sparkes Gym with Kristie Brice to partake in a High Intensity group workout. We started off with a warm up and began doing a circuit throughout three different zones that targeted all muscles in the body. The circuit included sledding, battling ropes, heavy ball slams, air bikes and many more specific muscle targeting exercises. Kristie started by telling us a bit about herself and why she decided to become a Personal Trainer. Kristie is a wealth of knowledge, she has studied various areas of the anatomy, with a particular interest in the female anatomy, not only for physical wellbeing, but mental and emotional ties as well. Kristie was extremely supportive and kept all of us motivated and engaged with her sprightly personality, tunes and vigorous program.  The atmosphere in the gym was full of high energy and excitement, pumping us all up! 

We all want to give a huge thanks to Kristie for such an opportunity and look forward to doing it all again. 

Shae and Kiahni 

Kristie is a member of our Merbein P-10 Community.  If you are interested in finding out about Kristie’s fitness sessions, she is on Facebook and Instagram under Align Fitness.

Kristie Brice

Women’s only group fitness.

Specialising in strength and pre/post-natal.

Child friendly.

Book via link below.

alignfitnessbykristie.ptminder.com

Secondary Athletics

Next Wednesday, 17th August we will be holding the Interhouse Athletics.  These are held at the Athletics track at the Aerodrome ovals.  Please make sure you give permission on Compass by Tuesday 16th August at 11:59pm.

We encourage all students to attend, whether they are competing or not, to support students that are. 

If students can't attend please select decline on Compass so we can confirm numbers.

This is a great day for our students.  Please encourage them to dress up in their House colours.

There will be a sausage sizzle and coffee van available.  

Parents are welcome to attend but please only direct family members.

Secondary English News

This term it is time for some public speaking with our annual Speak Off competition.  Students in each English class will prepare an oral presentation to deliver in class.  Our best public speakers for each Year Level will then compete in the Year Level finals at the end of this term.  Please support and encourage your child with their preparation by asking them to rehearse their speech with you at home as we understand that for some, public speaking can cause some anxiety.  In our English classes we strive to create supportive environments where students feel confident to deliver their speeches as this is such an important skill to develop not only for school, but for life, therefore our expectation is that all students will present their speech in class.

To help start the conversation with your child about their speech, here are the 2022 topics and time expectation for each Year Level:

Year 7: Sell us your new invention. (2-3 mins)

Year 8: Create your own superhero or villain and tell us your backstory. (2-3 mins)

Year 9: The person I would nominate for Australian of the Year is…         (3-4 mins)

Year 10: Adopt a persona, determine an audience and convince them of your point of view on an issue of your choice.  (3-4 mins)

We encourage students to use props, visuals and even costumes to help create an engaging speech for their topic.  We cannot wait to see what our students develop and deliver for their allocated topic.

Finally, please don’t forget that your child should be reading at home at least 2-3 times a week as part of their English homework routine, along with revising and completing any SPaG textbook work.  Further to this, our Year 10s are well underway with their final semester at MP10 before they step onto their next pathway and therefore we encourage you to help your Year 10 to establish a positive homework routine that will enable them to have a successful finish in English.  Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s English teacher via Compass or phone if you wish to check the progress of your child’s learning in English this term.

BYOD Expectations for Secondary Students

Merbein P-10 College is proudly a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) school and as such we utilise technology to complement and add to student learning in all subject areas. 

This term, many students have not been regularly bringing their devices to class and this is impacting on their learning opportunities.

We request that you please support us by ensuring that your child has a working device that is charged and brought to school every day.

If a BYOD requires repair, families need to arrange it themselves. It is important that repairs are undertaken in a timely way, so that students’ learning is not negatively impacted. If the repair will take some time, or if a student does not currently have access to a device, students are encouraged to collect and complete an application form to be a part of the College’s netbook borrowing scheme.  This form is available from the Front Office.

If you have any questions about our BYOD Program, please contact Laura McPhee

Doctors in Schools

Our doctor is back and taking appointments. Please ask at the main office if you would like to make an appointment.

Expressions of Interest - Instrumental Music Lessons

School Uniform

All students of Merbein P-10 College are expected to wear full school uniform that bear the College logo every day. The uniform must be worn to and from school, at lunchtime and recess, and on all school excursions. At all times the manner in which the uniform is worn will reflect pride in the College. This means that, the uniform: 

• will be clean and in a state of good repair,
• worn without non-uniform garments being visible (only plain white or plain black shirts are acceptable to be worn under the school polo top or shirt, not hoodies).
• School shorts and pants, should be completely black however minimal branding (Adidas, Nike etc). Black football shorts are not suitable school uniform.
• Hats and beanies are not to be worn inside.
• Students may wear the official school sports shirt to or from school if they have P.E. session 1 or 5. No other sports clothes may be worn to or from school, or at recess or lunchtime.
• Parents/guardians are expected to inform the College through a written note, email or phone call of any temporary variation to their child’s uniform. The note should contain a reason, date and an expected date of return to full school uniform

School Phone Policy

Students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours in their locker. If students are caught on their phone between 9am-3:17pm the following actions will occur:

1st Offence -phone is confiscated and stored in the main office. Phone will be returned to student at end of the day

2nd Offence- phone is confiscated and stored in the main office. Parent will be required to collect the phone.

3rd Offence- phone is confiscated and stored in the main office. Parent will be required to collect the phone. Student will be required to hand their phone to the front office each morning or leave their phone at home for a period of time determined by the Principal/Assistant Principal

4th Offence- meeting with the Principal and a suspension may be applied

Please contact Mr Morgan if you have any queries regarding the phone policy.

Doctors In Secondary Schools Program

Our Doctors in Secondary Schools program is available for all secondary students to access free (bulk-billed), confidential health care at school. This is a fantastic service which students can access for any of their health care needs including asthma/anaphylaxis plans, catch-up immunisations, mental/emotional health and any other medical concerns no matter how big or small. Students can see the school doctor for any reason that they would see their usual GP.

The rooms will be open every Wednesday during the school term from 9am – 2pm. Students can make appointments by contacting Yvonne in the general office or they can ask a teacher or wellbeing staff member to make the appointment for them – the only details required to make an appointment will be the student’s name and date of birth.

Parents are welcome to attend appointments if the student wishes.

School Wide Positive Behaviour (SWPB)