Welcome Back

I trust that our students had a relaxing break and found quality time to spend with family and friends. It is always difficult in these winter holidays to find the balance between getting out and about and keeping warm. I enjoyed spending time with my children (Bailey 8 and Amelie 2) however it was great to come back to school last Monday to catch up with the staff and students. Concord School provides a dynamic educational environment in which there are always exciting challenges for our students. We are constantly improving on what we do and are looking forward to a productive term 3.

New Newsletter Format

This is the first school newsletter that has been published through iNewsletter and this will ensure a more informative and interactive experience. The features include being able to click on and enlarge photos, view videos and use an index to move automatically to your page of choice. It will format perfectly on a computer, iPad and mobile phone.

We are attempting to get as many families as possible to receive the Newsletter electronically instead of hard copy for the following reasons:

- ensuring the Newsletter gets to you even when your child is absent or on holidays

- being able to send it to both parents via email who can then then ‘forward’ it to other relatives and friends

- viewing the content in colour

- being able to read it anytime/anywhere through a computer, phone or iPad

- saving the school the time and costs of printing and distributing the Newsletter

If you are one of the few families who are still receiving the Newsletter by hard copy, we would appreciate if you advise Julie, in the office, of your e-mail address if you decide to receive it electronically.

Staffing News

As written in our previous Newsletter, we farewelled Chris Cunneen (after 19 years of service!), Kaleigh Hughey and Vanessa Murray at the end of last term.

Emma Lorenzin (Speech Pathologist) has returned to our Upper Primary after a year travelling overseas.

Rachel Hammond, Occupational Therapist in the Lower Primary area, will be commencing on the 3rd August.

Footy Day

The school Footy Day was held on Wednesday 24th June at our Bundoora Campus. Our students are always enthusiastic participants as they are involved in a variety of activities including a footy clinic, parade in team colours and footy matches in the afternoon. Thanks to Jess Fitzsimons and Justin Hall for organising this event.

Thanks to Simon White, Kristian Jaksch and Cameron Giles from the Carlton Football Club who conducted the footy clinics and spent time with our students.

The footy parade is always an exciting event with the ‘big’ clubs Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon and Hawthorn well represented as usual. I joined a number of staff in my Melbourne Storm colours and Colin Simpson our Assistant Principal paraded solo in his Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union jersey.

Secondary Spectacular

The Secondary Spectacular, ‘Hairspray’ was held on Thursday 18th June to a gymnasium full of family members, teachers and students.

It was an extremely well choreographed and produced show that demonstrated once again the high level at which our students are capable of performing. A feature of the show was the costuming and props that were meticulously made. All students were given the opportunity to perform and ‘be the best that they can be’. Special mention must be made of the performers in the lead roles, particularly Tenesha and Jayden, who were outstanding.

Thanks to Christine, the Secondary staff, Specialist staff, families and most of all, our students, who made this wonderful performance possible.

2015 Presentation Ball

Preparations for the 2015 Presentation Ball to be held on Friday 14th August at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre are proceeding well. The students are very excited and are busy preparing their dresses, suits and everything else that goes into preparing for a grand evening such as this.

This year we will have 22 Year 12 students (6 girls, 14 boys) being presented.

EPiCC Night

All parents play a significant role in their children’s lives, but this is more significant for a young person with a disability. Involvement of families is very important in the decision making and career planning process of young adults but of even greater significance in the case of young people with a disability where quite often families play a strong advocacy role. In view of this Concord School will be offering the families of our year 9, 10 and 11 students an opportunity to participate in an Engaging Parents in Career Conversations (EPiCC) evening in late August. Attending this night will assist families in helping their son or daughter in their career development journey to build their preferred future. I strongly encourage all of our year 9, 10 and 11 families to participate in this initiative. Further information on the EPiCC night will be mailed home soon.

Students' Lunches

As it is the beginning of a new term (and the winter months), teachers have asked me to remind parents/carers not to send food/drink that requires heating up at school. This is a policy of the school as it is a safety risk to both staff and students.

Important Note to Parent/Carers re Buses

There have been issues as the same parents/carers are often late to bring their child to the bus stop in the morning or pick them up in the afternoon. You are reminded that you have an obligation to be at the designated bus stop on time. If you are not, it is unfair to those other students and families who are kept waiting at further bus stops.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with a Disability 'Collection Notice'

All schools in Australia including Independent and Catholic schools, will participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with a Disability this year.

The Data Collection is an annual count of the number of students with disability receiving educational adjustments to support their participation in education on the same basis as students without disability.

All education agencies are now required under the Australian Education Regulation 2013 to provide information on a student’s level of education, disability and level of adjustment to the Australian Government Department of Education and Training.* Data will continue to be de-identified prior to its transfer to the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. No student identity will be provided to the Australian Government Department of Education and Training.

The collection of this information from states and territories will inform future policy and program planning in relation to students with disability.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Victorian Department of Education and Training Data Collection Hotline on (03) 9651 3621. For questions after the 7th August 2015 please call the Australian Government Department of Education and Training on 1300 566 046.

Principal's Award

The Principal's Award goes to Lakishia.

Lakishia is a friendly and active member of Secondary 7-8 section, she is demonstrating her maturity on the yard and in the classroom making good choices and being fair. Lakishia loves all sports and plays football and basketball during break times. Lakishia works really hard during class times and always tries her best. Lakishia’s favourite books are the joke books in the classroom where she tries to trick all her classmates.

Well deserved recipient of the Principal's award Lakishia!

"Students striving to be the best they can be"

Jason Coningsby

Principal

Presidents Message

A School Council meeting was held on Monday 16th June.

The agenda items that were discussed at the meeting were:

- IBAC Investigation and Financial Reporting

- School Review – Community Forum Feedback

- Communication

- Concord School Policies

“Working together for our children”

Mark Lancaster

School Council President

Community Noticeboard

Autism Spectrum Australia

Nillumbik Health

Free NDIS Forum

Whittlesea YMCA

Whittlesea YMCA