Assistant Principal's Report

Assistant Principal Report - Newsletter 

Dear Parents, Guardians, Carers & Students, 

As the school year comes to an end, we have been provided with opportunities to acknowledge student growth, celebrate student achievement and recognise the need for student support. 

Step Up Program Reflections 

As our current VCE & VCAL Step Up Program comes to a conclusion, I wish to acknowledge the great work of our College community in ensuring that our students are assisted in their preparation for their 2022 studies. This has been a critical time to reflect and respond to the interruptions students have experienced throughout the last 2 years of their learning program.

Throughout the last two weeks, we have attempted to be both reflective and realistic in our expectations for students with the focus on engagement, support and extension. This has also provided students with the opportunity to experience the revised College timetable, complete with their 2022 subjects. It has been wonderful to see many of our students making the decision to elevate their performance and rise to the challenge that their Year 11 or Year 12 classes have presented them. 

Student Leadership Positions for 2022

Following a rigorous selection process, the College has selected our student leaders for 2022. I congratulate all students who went through an extensive application process, where candidates submitted a written application, followed by addressing their peers during a student assembly. I am pleased to announce the successful candidates who will form the new student leadership team for 2022:

2021 Year 12 Graduation 

Our departing Year 12s have left a lasting legacy and leave us with amazing ambitions for the next stage in their journey. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to farewell them during their graduation ceremony, which was live streamed to families throughout the world. We are proud of each of our Graduates, particularly as we consider the impacts of extended lockdown periods and remote learning. 

Our Graduation can still be watched via link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CA6pqFbkSY. To date we have had in excess of 3,600 views.

Whilst their time as students has come to an end, they will always be part of the Tarneit Senior College community, and we look forward to them returning and sharing their journey with us.

2021 Year 10 & 11 Awards Evening 

In recognition of the improvement and academic achievements of our Year 10 & 11 students, the College held its second annual Year 10 & 11 Awards Evening. A highlight of the evening, which was live streamed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnNFzUOqPVQ) to the College community, was the announcement of our Student Leaders and Tarneit Senior College Student Scholarship recipients for 2022. 

Many of our students will know of our firm belief in our College values of Integrity, Innovation and Focus. We believe that students who develop these values will be well equipped to not only succeed as students, but as active contributors to the broader community. The College acknowledges when students display these values in the classroom, yard or community by awarding House Points. The student with the highest number of individual House Points, for their respective House, and year level, then becomes the recipient of the student scholarship. As part of the Student Scholarship, all resource fees, camps, sports and excursions are covered. For our YR11 recipients, this is inclusive of their YR12 jacket, as well as their formal ticket. 

Student Wellbeing & The School Break

Following another incredibly challenging year for our students and broader College community, I hope you all have a restful and happy holiday period. This is a time that we encourage students and their families to use to rest, recharge and reconnect with the extracurricular activities that many of them have foregone over the last 12 months.

Actions that support positive mental health

• Exercise boosts mood and mental health – make it fun!
• Eating healthy to improve mood
• Prioritise sleep to support mental and emotional wellbeing
• Explore relaxation techniques and coping strategies
• Stay in touch and catch up with friends and loved ones
• Make time to do things they enjoy
• Practice positive self-talk – and remember they are not alone
• Seek professional help if needed

Mental health support 

• Your local GP
• headspace Counselling: Victorian Government secondary school students including those who have just finished schooling can access counselling services from headspace. During the holidays, students can self-refer by calling their local headspace centre. Students can self-refer by calling their local headspace centre. 
• eheadspace, online and phone counselling for young people aged 12 to 25 and their families: 1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au/eheadspace
• Kids Helpline, online and phone counselling for young people aged 5 to 25: 1800 551 800 www.kidshelpline.com.au 
• Lifeline, crisis support and suicide prevention for all Australians: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au 
• Beyond Blue, online and phone support service for individuals experiencing depression and anxiety and their families: 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au (including translated resources to help parents and families support young people’s mental health). 

We look forward to welcoming our Year 10 students back to school on Tuesday 1st February and our Year 11 & 12 students on Wednesday 2nd February 2022. 

Stephen Baker

Assistant Principal