PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

SCSC Instructional Model 

Staff at SCSC have begun to implement a new Instructional Model for learning and teaching that provides a shared approach, language and way for our staff to reflect on our practice and seek to improve collectively and as individuals.

Previously, SCSC developed what we called a ‘Vision of Practice’ in 2015 and this has been an anchor for a lot of our shared work and understanding of effective teaching and learning since its inception.  We were proud that our Vision of Practice was published as an exemplar on the DET website and considered to be a model for best practice in staff collaboration around instruction.

We determined that the Vision of Practice did not clearly detail enough about the ‘how’ of a learning, it was more focused on the ‘what’.  Our Instructional Model focuses more on the how and practical strategies that teachers will use to engage students in learning during lessons, as well as outlining what we call the preconditions of an effective lesson and what should also occur post and effective lesson.

Staff are excited to continue to explore the SCSC Instructional Model. We will also introduce this explicitly to students over time so that they are aware of the parts of a lesson, specific strategies teachers are using and why and can have predictability to the lesson experience.

The SCSC Instructional Model is an interactive online tool, with layers to it, but the main concepts are outlined in this main image below.

Attendance

We thank parents who have been responding to the SMS or emails being sent about students arriving late to school or unexplained absences.  We realise that flu season is well and truly upon us and that many students have been ill lately.  Please ensure that you are entering reasons for your child’s absence at any time onto Compass and responding to messages that the College sends requesting information.  This is helping us form a clear picture of the students that may be in need of support to be attending school more frequently.  If your child is not attending regularly, you will be contacted by the Learning Community Leader to participate in making an Attendance Support Plan for your child. Please also contact your child’s LCL at any time if you need support with your child’s attendance.

We have this year been able to get back to having some whole school and year level-based events that promote students’ connectedness to school and their peers and teachers. These have included our Swimming and Athletics Carnivals and also Year Level Wellbeing Days.  At times, student attendance can be lower on days of these events which is not ideal.  When we ask students, they often comment that they do not enjoy sports, or cannot run well, and have been permitted to stay at home.

These College events offer our students such an important opportunity to connect to others, celebrate House Spirit, cheer on their peers, participate in alternative activities such as face painting etc.  These are often days that create memories that last for young people.  Wellbeing Days also provide students with important opportunities to learn and develop their social and emotional learning, as well as explore pathways information and options.  Please support your young people and the College by ensuring that your child attends our upcoming College events.

Canteen Changes

Recently your child/ren may have been commenting at home that there have been some changes to the canteen at the College. Whilst the contract for the canteen operations at the school has not changed, the staffing has had a change due to unforeseen circumstances and there have also been some changes to the provision of the food by my request.

It is my responsibility as Principal to ensure that the following is in place for our College:

Victorian government schools including primary, secondary, special and language schools, should support a healthy eating culture by developing a healthy school food services and promoting healthy eating principles.  Schools should ensure healthy food choices are the major option made available to the school community by their school, and should never supply high sugar content drinks or confectionery.

More information can be accessed here: 

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/canteens-and-healthy-eating/policy

Whilst overall our canteen was operating mostly within the above guidelines and policies, there were aspects that were not. Menu changes have been made to ensure that there is a larger range of healthy choices for our students and also to eliminate some of the drink options that were being sold that were a higher sugar content than allowed.

Whilst this change is a positive one for health reasons, we understand that any change takes time to adjust to. We plan to also enact some student voice soon to seek from our students some ‘requests’ for things that they would like to be able to eat/drink from the canteen as long as within the healthy eating guidelines. 

I complete two canteen yard duties myself and have not noted a reduction in the amount of students purchasing from the canteen.  Please encourage your child/ren to be open to making healthy choices from the options that are on offer at our Canteen.  Please check our canteen page in this newsletter to view the updated menu.