GECPA News
GECPA Term 2
Happy winter holidays!
“Communication is the lifeline of any relationship”. Elizabeth Bourgeret.
Two months ago, we asked parents and carers what they thought about the Xuno Parent Portal. The College and Xuno are eager to hear about your experiences with the Portal.
We here at your Parents Association also wanted to make sure that the Xuno Parent Portal was meeting your needs. We had 81 parents and carers respond to the survey. What a success!
Here are some of the high-level suggestions for improvements to the Xuno Parent Portal from our College community:
- Provide up-to-date homework and assignment information.
- Improve navigation functionalities to make the site more intuitive and user-friendly.
- Improve messaging features – parents and carers want to message teachers for assignment feedback or other targeted messages to ensure that we’re supporting their child’s learning.
We’re working collaboratively with the College and Xuno to determine what changes are possible and what could be done to improve the Xuno Parent Portal experience. Watch this space: Survey results and next steps to be shared in Term 3.
Next GECPA meetings
July 13, August 16 - contact us at: gecpa@gec.vic.edu.au
Nicole Bishop
Convenor, Glen Eira College Parents Association
GEC Neurodiverse Kids Parents Group - Sunday 26 June Noon
Next café catch-up at Fig Jam Café, 128 Koornang Road Carnegie – in the back courtyard How can we support parents, students and advocate constructively to the school for students with learning difficulties and other neurodiversity?
Contact Cathy 0412 119 807
Maths Learning Difficulties including Dyscalculia Session
The Maths Learning Difficulties including Dyscalculia – information session in May was really well attended (online) by parents and staff – especially pleasing so many maths teachers attended after school hours. Dr Judi Humberstone from Melbourne University explained maths learning difficulties including Dyscalculia, how they are diagnosed and how students can be supported. Thanks to parent Alicia and GEC Principal Sheereen Kindler for organising Judi to speak. Slides from the presentation are available, please contact Tanya Tsiakos in the GEC Office for a copy.
Maths Learning Difficulties and Dyscalculia Service (unimelb.edu.au)
Second-hand Uniform Stall: Thursday 23 June 3-4pm
The next stall will be held on Thursday, 23 June, at 3pm, outside the library. Cash preferred, for ease of transaction, but credit cards also accepted. Prices range from $10 for polo tops and shirts and $20 for grey pants and track pants to $35 for jackets. Donations are welcome and can be dropped off the office. Please email us if you can help for a couple of hours on the day.
GEC Working Bee
Next GEC Working Bee is on Sunday 17th July 3pm-5pm – helpers needed to sweep leaves, collect litter, mulch gardens and add some more plants to recent garden plantings.
Weekly walk and talk
We have a social walking group which meets Tuesday after dinner for a 1-hour walk (under shop verandas is a good winter option). So that we can keep in contact, we have set up a messaging group on Whatsapp. To join the group, just email us your name and phone number.
GEC Alumni
The Glen Eira College Alumni Program is a student-centric program that connects past students with current students. This program aims to bring alumni back to inform and inspire students about different post-school pathways and career opportunities, motivate students and enrich the GEC community. Join their Facebook page for updates.
Entertainment Books
Support the college by purchasing Entertainment Books, with 20% going directly to GEC. You’re automatically a fundraising super-star!
Year 12 Tips and Tricks
Motivation and enjoy!
- Know yourself. Play to your strengths.
- Get organised. Time management and project management skills will stand you in good stead all through your life.
- Reward yourself so you can stay committed.
- Get help if you need it. Do it sooner rather than later.
And…. enjoy!
Community And Sustainability Events:
Glen Eira Teen school holiday program ages 12-18 28 June – July 7
Program includes creating comics, ten pin blowing, ice-skating, rock-climbing, minecraft inspired cooking and more
Teen School Holiday Program | Glen Eira City Council
Sustainability Advisory Committee Glen Eira Council – nominations open
Glen Eira Council is seeking people to advise council on climate and a more sustainable Glen Eira. The Committee, made up of community members and Councillors, meets at least four times each year on weekday evenings.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 24 June.
Glen Eira Storytelling Festival Saturday 18 June to Saturday 2 July
This year’s Festival will continue to embrace storytelling in all its forms for all ages, interests and budgets from exhibitions to concerts, theatre, comedy and film, to live discussion, talks, poetry and book readings.
Many events will be live-streamed to you to enjoy from home.
Glen Eira Storytelling Festival | Glen Eira Storytelling Festival
This is the canon: decolonise your bookshelf in 50 books - Thursday, 30 June 7-8pm
What’s on your bookshelf? A powerful trio of literary academics has curated a reading list that disrupts the all-too-often white-dominated ‘required reading’ collections and taps into ongoing discussions around race and identity.
Online, free, bookings essential.
Professor Joan Anim-Addo and Dr Deirdre Osborne founded the world-first MA in Black British Literature, and Kadija Sesay Hon FRSL has edited several anthologies by writers of African and Asian descent. Join the co-authors in an online conversation, moderated by Australian novelist Dr Inga Simpson, for a lyrical and inspiring talk aimed at anyone who wants to redress the imbalance of their education and rethink which books are considered the ‘classics’ of literature.
decolonise your bookshelf | Glen Eira City Council
It takes a village: Understanding bullying Thursday 30 June 7-8pm
Skills for Stronger Families parenting workshop, City of Stonnington
Bullying can happen anywhere and it can be physical, verbal and emotional. But no matter what form bullying takes, the results can cause severe distress and pain for the person being bullied.
This session will provide you with evidence-based information on bullying, the different types of bullying, and its impact on young people. Participants are taught a variety of strategies to help them assess and respond to bullying situations, whilst also identifying and understanding the role of bystanders.
Free event, bookings essential.
Bookings It takes a village: Understanding bullying City of Stonnington
Cathy McNaughton, Editor, GECPA Newsletter
Contributors: Tessa Spanneberg, Nicole Bishop