From the Principal Team

I am delighted with the progress of our students during the term. You will all soon have access to your end of semester reports. This will be a great opportunity to consider the goals already achieved and to prepare for second semester.

An update to the Child Safe Standards will come in on 1st July. We are currently updating these and related policies. In the last newsletter I provided the Bullying Prevention Policy. You will find the updated Child Safety Code of Conduct, Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedures, and the Complaints and Concerns Policy on our website: https://gec.vic.edu.au/about-us/policies/. If you have any feedback or questions re these policies please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss.

Term 2 Professional Practice Day - Tuesday 21st June

The Department of Education has requested all staff in a school have their Professional Practice day on the same day in term 2.

School Council approved Tuesday 21st June as the day.

Students are not to attend school on Tuesday 21st June and are expected to work remotely.

Staff will ensure students have access to work for the day via Google classroom.

Parent Education Sessions

As part of GEC's commitment to supporting our students through their learning, we recognise the important role that families can play to ensure that support continues at home. I hope you were able to attend the recent sessions: Managing Anxiety & Other Big feelings for Tweens and Supporting Students with Maths Learning Difficulties and Dyscalculia.

We have 2 further opportunities next semester.

18 August: Reduce Chaos & Increase Calm
17 November: Tackling Tricky Conversations

Capital Works

The project team are continuing to work in the design phase of the project which is to provide 10 additional classroom spaces to accommodate an increased student capacity. The increase in cost of materials has provided some challenges that the project team are working through.

Bike Racks – Additional bike racks have been purchased and installed. All racks are now located on the gym side of Booran Road. Students are reminded that bikes and scooters should be securely locked.

If you have any wonderings, concerns or feedback, please do not hesitate to call me at the school to talk or arrange a time to meet.

Finally

We farewell Tara Fang, our International Student Coordinator who has taken a position much closer to home. We thank Tara for her wonderful contribution to GEC and wish her all the best.

George Song will take on the role of International Student Coordinator.

Alicia Davey, Lilly Francis and Don McRae are all taking leave for second semester.

I am delighted to welcome Natasha Sharma (Science) and to welcome back Julia Pound, French).

I will be on Long Service Leave from week 3 until the end of term. Nick Hamer-Smith will be Acting Principal and Loveena Narayanen will be the Acting Assistant Principal.

Melanie Mattsson has taken on the role of Learning Specialist, Staff Development for second semester.

If you have any wonderings, concerns or feedback, please do not hesitate to call me at the school to talk or arrange a time to meet.

Wishing our GEC community all the very best for the break. Stay safe and warm.

Sheereen Kindler

Principal

Pride month

Did you spot the latest addition to our flag poles? Thanks to the leadership of our Rainbow Retreat, Inclusion Leaders and College Captains, GEC will be flying the Progress Pride Flag until the end of the term as part of Pride Month. Every June, Australia celebrates Pride Month, which is one of many ways that we can promote dignity, equality, self-affirmation and acceptance for all people.

Registrations for the Year 7 2023 SEAL Program Entrance Test are now open

Our SEAL Program offers gifted and high-potential students, who are motivated and academically advanced, the opportunity to be involved in a program that enriches their learning experience whilst also enhancing their intellectual potential and development. Our Select Entry Accelerated Learning Program (SEAL) is accredited with The Academy of Accredited SEAL Schools (TAASS).

If you have a child who is currently in Grade 6 that would be a suitable candidate for our SEAL program, please use the link below to register them for the test.

Students will complete the test in person at GEC on Friday 12 August 2022. Applications close on Friday 5 August 2022. Click here to register.

The application process has four stages:

Application for enrolment in Year 7 2023 at Glen Eira College.
Entry test – registration and testing.
Submission of forms, reports and NAPLAN results
Interview

Commencing in 2022, government schools may only test or interview students who have been offered placement at their school. Subsequently, testing of Year 6 students cannot occur prior to the state-wide release of Year 7 placement offers on Wednesday 20 July 2022.

Only students with a confirmed place at the school will be eligible to sit the test. Please ensure your child meets the eligibility criteria BEFORE applying.

Javelin Champion

Last week Haddi El Shorbagy (12B) travelled to Mackay, QLD where he joined 25 Olympians and 16 Paralympians on the Aussie squad as he attempted to win the U20 Javelin Throw.

Incredibly, he launched the javelin 67.00m to become the new U20 Oceania Athletics Champion. Not only did Haddi win the competition, but his throw was also a new championship record and personal best. Haddi’s win comes whilst he is also completing his final year of VCE and follow on his success at the recent national championships.

Double Gymnastics Gold for Oskar!

Following his win at the Victorian Level 7 Men's Artistic Gymnastics Finals, Oskar De Bruin (10B) was selected to represent Victoria at the recent Australian Gymnastics Championship. Oskar went on to win individual gold in Level 7 high bar and won team gold as part of the Victorian Men's Artistic Team. Having sacrificed so much for his sport (including persevering through several years of gymnastics via Zoom) Oskar’s success is richly deserved.

Aaron Petersen

Assistant Principal