From the Acting Assistant Principal
Senior School
Ella Price
Celebrating a strong start
What a wonderful start to the year! Senior school is buzzing as students experience their new subjects for 2023. We are also excited to have our first IB cohort at Year 11 who have just started their Theory of Knowledge subject as part of their core program.
Well done to most of our Senior School Tutor Groups who have maintained 90%+ approved attendance for the first three weeks of Term 1. With 10D at 95.1% we have a strong competitor for the free lunch that is up for grabs at the end of term. When students are absent we ask senior school families to obtain a medical certificate or statutory declaration to approve their absence. This is preparing them for VCAA and IB requirements where students must satisfy 90% attendance to be successful in their program.
The green DARE posts are also collecting house points in the senior school. Well done to 11D who have been recognised 112 times for demonstrating one of Diversity, Aspiration, Respect and/or Excellence in their lessons and in our school community. It is these positive daily actions that support us to reflect on our behaviours and develop ourselves holistically. I look forward to monitoring more of these posts throughout the term.
Feeling the pinch
Summative assessments known as SACs (VCE and International Baccalaureate (IB)) and CATs (Year 10) have begun. As we end our first teaching phase, students enter a period of revision for these tasks. This can create a sense of urgency and sometimes overwhelm. This is normal as they adjust to their new programs and there is always support.
We encourage students to use our Auburn Learner Quality of communication to speak with their teachers about their progress and what supports they need. If they have been referred to our Homework Centre, students can seek clarity about the tasks they need to complete and advocate for themselves if they need scaffolds. We encourage parents and carers to monitor Compass and discuss key dates (found on Compass) with their child to support forward planning throughout the semester. Opening up a conversation shares any worries and can strengthen the partnership we have as students, parents and teachers.
Study Success Seminar Days
Year 10 and Year 11 students are about to experience their Study Success Seminar Days. They will hear from external speakers from Success Integrated who will support students’ motivation, organisational systems, study habits and resilience required to achieve academic excellence. The day will also include a barbecue lunch as well as protected time for reflection and goal setting, with team building and sport in the afternoon. Payment and consent is now live on Compass. We are looking forward to these days with our students!
Special Provisions in Senior School
A reminder to all families that special arrangements that can be put in place for a student in a Year 10, VCE and IB program. While the school does have records for your child, we understand that circumstances change over the years and that we might not have the most up-to-date information. This can prevent us from supporting your child the best we can with their senior school program.
VCAA and the IB have a Special Provision policy so that students in defined circumstances are provided the opportunity to participate in and complete their secondary level studies. The underlying principle is to ensure that the most appropriate, fair and reasonable options are available for students to demonstrate their capabilities in their learning and assessment programs. We are also modelling this process internally for our Year 10 and Year 11 students.
Categories in which students may be eligible for provisions include:
- Mental Health Condition (disorder or illness that affects thought process, judgement, perception of reality of emotional and social wellbeing)
- Health impairment or physical disability (injury, illness, condition)
- Specific learning disorder (impairment in reading, written expression, mathematics due to cognitive processing deficits)
- Language disorder (reduced vocabulary, limited sentence structure, impairments in discourse)
- Motor coordination disorders (motor skill deficits)
- Deaf and hard of hearing (moderate, severe or profound)
- Vision impairment (moderate or severe)
We encourage you to look at more detailed information on VCAA's website here:
Students studying Units 3 & 4 subjects (Year 12) will need to complete a formal application to VCAA, by Friday 24th March, for their end of year examination. For Year 10, Units 1 & 2 subjects and internal assessments at Year 12, Year Level Leaders will oversee this process and liaise with teachers.
Year Level Leaders will be communicating with families at the moment about these provisions.
Please do not hesitate to contact them if you have any questions:
- Craig McPherson – Year 12
- Luke Dellorso – Year 11
- David Felbel – Year 10
School Photos
Our annual school photos will be held this Monday the 27th February. Classes will be scheduled throughout the day so that students can have their portrait taken. The photos will be used on 2023 student cards, concession cards and Compass profiles. It is important for the students to be impeccably dressed and looking sharp in full school uniform.
Students who are attending Intermediate Sport on Monday (Year 9 and 10 students) are to arrive at the ECA from 7:45am in full school uniform for their photo. They will then get changed into their sport uniform and depart.
Families can order their photos through MSP Photography on Compass. Pease contact them directly with any questions. Due to the lack of interest in the past few years, family photos are not appearing on the photo order forms on Compass. If you would like a sibling photo in 2023 we ask students to please come to the photo area in the ECA at recess or the start of lunch. Parents can then email or call MSP Photography to organise payment of the family photos.