From the Principal Class Team

Car Park – A request to all parents

Could all parents please note that they should not be entering the school car park in the mornings to drop off their children.  The car park is reserved for staff parking.

There are several problems with dropping off your child in the car park:

Children getting out of car in the car park are at risk from other traffic in the car park.

When the parent’s car exits the car park, it does so through the gate which students regularly cross. This places more students at risk.

Parents should use the drop off parking bays out the front of the school and then students can use the safe pedestrian walkway provided by the school.

Parent cooperation in following these guidelines would be greatly appreciated by the school.

Facilities Upgrade at St Albans Secondary College

Over the Christmas break a lot has happened to improve the facilities of St Albans Secondary College. The growth in our student numbers prompted a number of developments. 

Both the Junior & Senior Sub Schools had new offices built to improve their service to students, the IT Team was relocated to a larger room so they could cater for increased demands for technical support, a new classroom was developed in the D-wing to cater for extra classes and new portable buildings were set up on the school oval.

We have installed 6 new locker bays for students and are in the process of redeveloping the school oval and finishing the garden beds in the new car park. New brick edging and artificial grass are being installed near our tennis courts to continue our work on the front of school area, and our canteen has been enlarged and modernised. The library has installed some new furniture with more to come and the staffroom has had new teacher desks installed.

It has been a very busy but rewarding time and we are well placed to continue to provide a safe, supportive environment in which our students can excel. We would like to thank the facilities team and all staff involved in these developments for their support and patience.

Parents – Helping your child adjust to Secondary School

Secondary Colleges are quite different to the Primary School your child has become used to over the; last six years and we want to work with you, as the parent, to make them feel safe and  supported as they begin this new experience. You can assist us with this by making sure that your child checks that they have all they need before leaving for school. Do they have their lunch, their locker keys, their digital device and any change of clothes they may need (eg. PE uniform) to participate in the school day.

Whilst you may do this check yourself at first, it is a good practice to encourage your child to check these things themselves as this develops independence in them and reduces the likelihood of you having to bring items up to school during the day. We expect our students to develop their organisational skills and learn to be responsible for their own equipment so this is a great way to start that process. 

If your child buys lunch at school, our canteen offers a lunch order system which reduces the time students have to wait to buy their lunch and ensures they are not carrying money around until lunchtime.

Lunches can be ordered at the canteen before school each day. They can pick up their lunch from the canteen very quickly at the start of lunchtime.

Community Service – The houses Buttrose, Freeman, Rosewall & Irwin raise money for charity

On Monday 8 February, the House Captains ran a charity event to raise money for their chosen charities. Sydney band Far Away Stables and American guitarist Gabe Kubanda performed before an enthusiastic crowd and the sausage sizzle was kept busy supplying the food. It was a fantastic lunchtime treat for the school and at the end of the day the houses had raised $280.00 for their charities. Congratulations to the House Captains for their enterprise in starting this program.

Whilst on houses, it is timely to reminding parents that the House Swimming Sports are coming up on Monday the 29 February. All students in Years 7 to 9 are involved and will be competing in their houses for the Swimming Shield. If you child hasn’t bought the new house coloured polo yet, they can purchase one from our uniform shop. A special feature of this year’s carnival will be the house Chanting Teams Competition, Ms Panteli & Mr Vo are calling for students to join the House Captains in forming chanting teams to support competitors on the day. Students who are interested in participating should look at the House noticeboard to find out times and venues for the rehearsals.

A complete schedule of House events for Semester One will be published in our next newsletter.

2016 Japanese Trip - Refund Form

Students who were unable to participate in the upcoming 2016 Japan Trip must ensure that they have returned their refund forms to the general office to reclaim their deposit. If you have lost your form, please see Ms Caroline Tran or the general office to receive another copy.

Student medical and loss of personal property

Parents/guardians of students, who do not have student accident insurance, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs; and

parents/guardians can purchase insurance policies from commercial insurers

Principals should remind parents/guardians and staff that the Department does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and it has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property

Parents/guardians and staff should be reminded about the accident/ambulance policy and personal property situation in your school as soon as possible.

And finally.....  

We greatly appreciate the support we receive from parents to make sure that your child attends school regularly & punctually, is in full uniform, and is well prepared for all classes with books and equipment.