From the Principal Class Team

Gym redevelopment

After a number of delays, we were finally able to open our new gym change rooms and toilets for the return of students onsite last week.

As you can see from the photos, the renovation looks great, and it provides much needed additional change room and toilet facilities which we are setting aside for the exclusive use of Year 7 students.

The next stage of this larger project is to develop a passive seating, entertainment and learning area between the gym and Nindethana.

Hopefully, works can commence on this later in the year.

Year 12 Graduation

The Graduation Ceremony for the Year 12 students is scheduled to take place on Monday 2 November. It will commence at 5pm and be held at the College. Due to Covid – 19 restrictions, no parents will be able to attend. We understand how important this evening is to you and your families and to enable you to view the Graduation, the ceremony will be live streamed. There will also be an official photographer to take a photo of all the Graduates in their academic gowns. Further details will be provided closer to the date.

Year 11 and 12 Exams

Year 11 exams commence on Monday 2 November. Students have already been provided with an exam timetable. All exams will be held following the Department of Education’s covid safe plans.

Year 12 VCAA exams commence on Tuesday 10 November. As for the GAT, much planning has gone into ensuring all covid safe requirements are met. If you have any questions about any of the VCE exams, please don’t hesitate to call the Senior Sub School.

Reconnect – Supporting our students.

Supporting students return to school and reconnect effectively with their peers and teachers has been a focus of our work this term and will continue through the coming weeks. The College has developed a detailed plan to support students and staff which includes a range of strategies. These include:

Creating a calm and safe classroom environment. Growing student voice and agency by discussing with students the classroom protocols (including COVID safety) that are needed to make sure everyone feels safe, supported and can learn/teach.
Fostering strong relationships with classes and re-establishing routines.
Taking it slow and spending time in the first weeks checking in one on one with each student.
Focusing on teaching the ‘whole child’ with an emphasis on academic, wellbeing and social outcomes. Fostering student voice by working with each student to develop a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic (rewarding and resourced) and Time-bound) learning goals relating to their work.
Reminding students that mixed feelings are normal and reassuring them of their value and available supports.
Supporting students with reintegration anxiety by creating a classroom environment that privileges wellbeing where we all feel Connected Protected and Respected.
Developing a range of wellbeing and teamwork activities for students.
Collecting data from students to ensure we understand how best to support our students.