College Update
Louise Mellington
Acting Assistant Principal, 7-12 Learning Community
What a busy and exciting time it has been at Kyabram P-12 College over the past two weeks. As a College we feel proud that we can offer our students at P-12 so many opportunities.
Year 12 Physics excursion
Year 12 Physics students travelled to Melbourne to visit the Australian Synchrotron, this being one of Australia’s most significant pieces of scientific infrastructure. Owned by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) they partner with scientists and engineers and apply new technologies to provide real-world benefits. Their work improves human health, saves lives, builds our industries and protects the environment.
Leading up to the excursion students completed four practical tasks where they used state of the art equipment to experiment with light and its properties, and a tour of the synchrotron. The synchrotron creates electrons that almost reach the speed of light. Its uses range from solving criminal investigations to medical advancements. These include solving cold cases like the case of the horse, Phar Lap and curing people with specific cancers with a success rate of nine in ten. We loved the comment made from one student – “who needs Maccas when we are full of knowledge.”
Year 1 and 2 Discovery Centre excursion
The Year 1 and 2 students recently visited the Bendigo Discovery Science and Technology Centre. This excursion was part of their inquiry unit on ‘Let’s Make Things Move.’ There were many fun activities for the students with the marble run making and the vertical slide were a real highlight.
Year 11 Melbourne Camp
Our Year 11 students travelled to Melbourne for a trip that exposed them to different pathway opportunities. Students visited Monash University, ACU and RMIT. They also were fortunate to go onto a construction site to see how a multi storey building is constructed from the ground up. Kangan Institute was very interesting, as was the Defence Force Academy. The Academy of Interactive Entertainment was a highlight. Students also participated in some fun activities such as the Old Melbourne Gaol, ARTVO and ice skating. We are sure that this camp has the students thinking about the opportunities they have once they complete their Year 12 studies.
Attendance and what it can mean for your child’s educational journey
As a college we stress the importance of our students attending school regularly. Evidence shows that the more days a student is away from school, the more the impact on their academic progress and their social connections. The table below highlights this:
What does your attendance really mean? The cumulative effect of days missed.
| |||
| If a student misses... | That equals... | Which is... | And over 13 years of schooling that is... |
| 1 day per fortnight | 20 days per year | 4 weeks per year | Almost 1.5 years |
| 1 day per week | 40 days per year | 8 weeks per year | Over 2.5 years |
| 2 days per week | 80 days per year | 16 weeks per year | Over 5 years |
| 3 days per week | 120 days per year | 24 weeks per year | Almost 8 years |
Understanding the link between regular school attendance, connections and achievement
| |||
| Attendance rate | Missed school | Achievement | Social emotional impacts |
| Attendance rate 98% and above | These students have missed 4 days in a school year
| High chance of achieving to the best of their ability | Positive relationships in and with school |
Attendance rate 95-97% | These students have missed 5-10 days in a school year
| More likely to be achieving well at school | Find it fairly easy to catch up with the learning program after absences
|
Attendance rate 90-94% | These students have missed 11-20 days in a school year
| Find it challenging to keep in touch with the learning program | At somewhat risk, should aim to improve their student attendance to keep up with school work and have connections at school
|
Attendance rate 80-89% | These students have missed 21-40 days in a school year
| Hard to catch up on missed work up to 1 day every week, which equates to 2.5 years schooling missed by Year 12
| Very difficult to keep up with school work and to maintain social connections
|
| Attendance rate below 80% | These students have missed more than 40 days in a school year
| Have regularly missed more than 1 day per week which is over 2.5 years of schooling missed by the end of Year 12 | At high risk of disconnect from school. They are almost certain to experience academic and social difficulties |
Father’s/ Special Male in Your Lives Day Stall
This is an exciting day for our students who have the opportunity to buy a gift for the special male in their lives. To make this day a success we need parent helpers. If able to assist you can register at the main office by Friday 17 August.
Athletics Days
This week, we saw our Year 3-6 Waranga Athletics Carnival on Thursday. Despite the morning rain, our students were super excited. Along with students from surrounding schools - Lancaster Primary School, Merrigum Primary School, St Augustine's College Kyabram, St Joseph's Rochester, St Patrick's Tongala, Stanhope Primary School and Tongala Primary School - everyone participated with lots of enthusiasm and gusto.
A very well prepared and run event allowing our students to interact with others whilst exerting energy and demonstrating skills they have developed over time.
On Monday 14 August our Years 7-12 students have their athletics carnival. Both are a great opportunity for our community to come along and watch. Participation is the key. These days are exciting for the students who come to showcase their sporting talents but also for those who get into the spirit of the day by dressing up and participating to the best of their ability.
Kindergarten Site
Many of you will have noticed that the building site for the new kindergarten has been established. There is much activity occurring for what is quite exciting for our community. We greatly appreciate the patience of our students, particularly our Year 5 and 6 cohorts, with the restricted yard and playgrounds. This has now been opened up again for use.
Please be mindful of trucks and cars entering and exiting this site and follow any directive signs that may be in place.
Year 7 Coordinator
It is with great regret to inform our Year 7 families that Mr Anthony Exton has moved to work at another school. For the remainder of this year, Mrs Fiona Wallace and Mrs Marina Walsh will oversee the Year 7 students. We encourage parents/ carers and students to please speak with Mrs Wallace or Mrs Walsh for any school-related matters concerning Year 7.