As Term 3 draws to a close, we wish our students a well-deserved break from their screens for the term break. COVID-19, lockdowns, remote learning have brought challenges and new experiences for all. Lessons have continued during Term 3 in an online capacity, students have adapted swiftly to the different technologies and platforms used, and engaged in their Webex video instructions and Teams reflection tasks at the end of each lesson.

We have discovered that some students thrive in the remote learning environment, others endure it and eagerly await to return onsite, others appear to be missing in action.

We look forward to Term 4 as a fresh start for all.

We await the big announcement on Sunday from our Premier with a road map for our State, which hopefully will include a plan for the return to onsite learning. Whatever this plan entails, and whatever the timeline will be – we will be ready for anything.

Progress Reports

This afternoon (Friday) our Progress reports will be published to the school community. Just a reminder that the progress reports are an indication of a student’s progress and demonstration of the College Positive Learning Behaviours:

Respects learning environment
Shows perseverance and resilience
Uses technology to deepen knowledge and understanding
Uses feedback effectively
Asks question for clarity
Works collaboratively
Demonstrates critical and/or creative thinking

NAPLAN results

Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN reports, along with the Year 9 certificates of achievement were recently posted home. There is a great deal of data that a school can analyse from NAPLAN results. Not only in student achievement scores, but also in learning growth. I would like to share two areas that we are particularly proud of our students in their improved learning growth. The recent NAPLAN results have indicated our students are continuing to increase in high learning growth (and also decrease in low learning growth) from Years 7 to 9 in the areas of Reading and Numeracy, as indicated in the graphs below.

What a tremendous achievement for our students, in the face of the many challenges that the last two years have brought them.

Janine McMahon - Assistant Principal

It has been wonderful to see students as they continue to engage with their onsite lessons over the past few weeks. A big thank you to the parent community for their continued support. We know that this has not been easy and really appreciate the efforts in maintaining a learning space for our students.

Senior students will be starting their exam preparation soon. I hope the below helps with this preparation.

On the holidays attempt an old exam paper, untimed, open book. Check answers for accuracy and clarity with the VCAA examiners’ report.

Complete the same exam, closed book and untimed – receive some feedback either from your teacher or discuss the answers with a friend or study group (based off VCAA answers).

Complete exam paper under timed conditions, closed book, as per the conditions that you will face in November.

Attend holiday sessions, be prepared but also enjoy some time doing something you want to do whether it be watching a movie or playing guitar. Rest is vitally important so balance these demands with some down time.

R U OK Day

It seems that this day coincided with the heightened stress levels of our community. The difficulties surrounding Covid-19 have had, and continue to have, an impact on society. The catch phrase of R U OK day this year was ‘Are you REALLY OK’ and I think this is very important. Continue to reach out to friends and family, use the supports available both at school and from outside agencies and most importantly do things that give you joy. I hope that you are all travelling well.

Buildings Grounds and OHS

A reminder that Emerald Secondary College is a BARR school. This means that we are sitting in an area that has a heightened risk of bush fire. The Department has once again given us some much needed funding to help reduce/remove fuel in and around the school grounds. As such, our fire mitigation works have started.

We have engaged with City Living and the VSBA about some maintenance work on our shelter in place. This will be completed prior to the bushfire season.

In the holidays we will replace the whiteboards and display boards in G Block. This is much needed and will help improve the ability to teach our students and display their work and key concepts in each space.

Recently we also received quotes to update the flooring in G Block. We will be proceeding with this work over the summer break. With the new boards being installed, this will vastly improve this space.

Jonathon Rogers - Assistant Principal

Dates to Remember