Head of Campus

Blackhall Kalimna

Natalie Jensen

Head of Campus

Welcome to Term 2

Term began with a great deal of joy and wonderment. We welcomed 10 new students to the Secondary School and it's always exciting to see new faces and share their  enthusiasm  as they join the Preshil community.

We have already had a busy beginning with MYP Personal Projects well on their way, Diploma subject choices being finalised ready for the DP subject expo as well as getting ready for the VCE and Careers Expo next week.

NAPLAN

The government mandated National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is scheduled to be administered at Preshil on 9, 10 and 11 May for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN tests assess some aspects of student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy.

It is compulsory for all schools to administer the tests and the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) encourages all parents to support this program. Parents are entitled to have this feedback on their child’s performance. However, parents also have the right to decide to withdraw their son or daughter from this program or sections of it if they so desire and Preshil supports this right. This is a matter for consideration by parents and carers.

If you decide to withdraw your child/children from all or parts of the NAPLAN tests you must do so in writing. Please indicate if this is your intention by emailing a request to withdraw your Years 7 or 9 child to jan.pietsch@preshil.vic.edu.au by Monday, 1 May. An individualised Student Withdrawal form will then be generated, to be signed and returned to Preshil.

Your signed authority to withdraw a child from the test program needs to be returned to the school by Friday 5 May. We must retain these written requests/authorities for withdrawal so that the School may fulfil its accountability responsibilities to the state and federal government authorities. All children are expected to attend school on the test days.

If you have any queries I am available to give you further information or you may contact the Year Level Coordinators. The ACARA website has information regarding the NAPLAN.

For more information about NAPLAN please visit the VCAA website at www.vcaa.vic.edu.au or the NAPLAN website at www.nap.edu.au

Arriving on Time to School

While it is tempting to sleep in on colder days, it is very important that students attend Home Group on time each morning. If a late arrival is unavoidable please leave a message on either the Absence Line or Compass and ensure that your child signs in at the front office on arrival.

Introducing Greg McCarthy

We welcome a new staff member, Greg McCarthy, who will be heading the all important Facilities team. Greg comes to Preshil with a wealth of experience and expertise and will be working across both campuses. Please say hello and make him feel welcome. 

Great Holiday Fun

You may be interested to know that during the first week of the recent autumn break we ran a very successful School Holiday Program here at the Secondary School. We had a full house most days and offered children, both from within and outside Preshil, the opportunity to try such interesting activities as ceramics, baking, Shibori textiles, rocket science, Arduino and programming games.

The program was expertly put together and run by Bronte Howell and kept the children from Grades 3-7 totally engaged throughout the week.

Later in the term, look out for our promotion of the Winter School Holiday Program.