Alba News

Senior School Report  

Term 2 is one of the longest terms with lots going on at the Senior Sub School.

 

We finished in Term 1 with our traditional ‘Senior School Soccer Challenge’ where the Year 11 team with their colour being blue and their name ‘Anarchy’ played against the Year 12 team, whose colour was red and name was ‘Vendetta’.  Students from VCAL and VCE classes contributed to the afternoon, with posters and banners being made and put around the court, cheer squads dressed in their team colours chanting their team song throughout the afternoon.  It was a nail-biting match up to the last couple of minutes or so, where the Year 11s managed to beat the Year 12s, the score being 8 - 6.   It was so exciting for everyone to watch and as always, both the winning team and the defeated team, congratulated each other in true sporting style, and made us all proud. 

 

On Friday 20 April, the Senior Sub School organised a day filled with exciting, inclusive and challenging activities for all Year 11 students. They spent the day Lady Northcote Recreation Camp.  Students were given the opportunity to participate in various activities as a cohort. This program was designed to empower young people with important life skills. The activities assisted with personal growth, teamwork and building connections with students and teachers.  

There were experienced staff running the activities and ensuring that every activity was delivered in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment. The emphasis for the day was on fun and building relationships.   Our students participated in all the activities with enthusiasm. 

 

On Monday 23 April and Tuesday 24 April we conducting our Senior School Forums.  Students from VCAL and VCE were randomly selected and together with the School captains, SRC and House captains responded to and gave feedback on the areas of  ‘Teaching and Learning’, ‘Engagement and Wellbeing’ and ‘Careers and Pathways’. The Senior Sub School will continue to work with the Senior School representative on the responses and feedback provided to them.

 

On Thursday 3 May our Year 11 VCE students attended the VCE and Careers Expo at the Caulfield Racecourse.  Students visited and spoke to a range of exhibitors.  There were representatives from different universities, TAFEs, RADF, Sports institutions, studying overseas; this is just naming a few.  Students thoroughly enjoyed the day and we as a staff were so proud of them.  There were at least 3000 students walking in and out of the exhibitions and the building was very crowded. This did not deter our students from making the most of the day and speaking to experts in the field they were interested in.  Congratulations to all the Year 11 students who attended.

 

Our VCAL students attended the Brimbank Careers Expo on Wednesday 9 May. There were also representatives from different universities, TAFEs, traineeship and apprenticeship exhibitors for students to visit and ask questions about career opportunities and pathways.

 

Teachers will be completing the Term 2 Progress reports to during Week 5.  The Sub School will continue to monitor and consider the ways in which students can be supported to achieve their maximum potential in consultation with parents. Students at risk have been identified and coordinators are working hard to make sure all parents are aware where there might be an issue with student progress. 

The After School Study Group (ASSG) is a place where students are coming to the library to complete work, or to meet with their teacher for some extra help.  Many students are taking up this valuable opportunity to get help with their homework, and the numbers present are continuing to grow. All students are welcome to attend this group.  

 

We would like to thank parents who came to our Parent Teacher interviews at the end of Term 1. This is an integral part of our school and its community working together to improve student results.

 

All VCE students have homework, so please keep an eye on how they are coping with this at home. Once we get into May, the Year 12 VCE students will need your support at home more than ever, as they really feel the pressure of Year 12 at that time of year. 

 

Year 11 exams for Unit 1 subjects start on Thursday 31 May and finish on Friday 8 June. Students received their exam timetable with the exam procedures and expectations during the Year 11 Assembly on Monday 14 May. It is vital that all students revise, study and are prepared for their exams. The exam results are one of the indicators about a student’s readiness for a Unit 3/4 study.

 

The GAT (General Achievement Test) is on Wednesday 13 June.  Any student who is doing a Unit 3/4 subject is required to do the GAT.  This will be held in the school gymnasium.

 

On Friday 15 June, all Year 12 VCE students will be doing their first ‘Practice Exam’ for English/EAL. It is compulsory that all students who are doing external exams to attend.  There will also be ‘Mid-Year’ exams running for Year 12 students during the Term 2 holiday period.  They will be from Thursday 5 July to Tuesday 10 July.

 

Towards the end of Term 2, once the Year 11 students have settled into their Unit 2 subjects we will host our special Year 11 Assembly to celebrate “100 days of VCE/VCAL success”. This is always an exciting event, with speakers including our alumni students providing helpful advice sharing their successes.

 

VCAL Report

A very busy start to term two for all our VCAL students with a number of programs and projects starting at both levels.

 

Community Health Advancement and student Education (CHASE)

CHASE is a community initiative working to improve health through education.

Their goal is to see young people empowered to take control of their own health, to then engage with their local communities to improve health awareness and outcomes. Year 11 VCAL students were given the first of six health education sessions and met their tertiary student mentors on Monday 16th April. They will continue to have these education sessions during term 2 and then continue with mentors and partnerships with local community organisations and health professionals to improve community health.

 

The program is be run by a group of students primarily from the University of Melbourne, who will be assigned to the VCAL class for the duration of the year. These volunteers will act as mentors to the students, providing a positive role models and facilitating the following two phases:

 

Education Phase – Term 1/2

The Education Phase consists of six workshops that form a diverse health curriculum centred on the social determinants of health.

The sessions will be based around the following topics:

• Nutrition

• Physical Activity

• Sexual Health

• Drugs & Alcohol

• Mental Health

• Action Phase preparation

 

Action Phase – Term 3/4

The Action Phase consists of six workshops that aim to teach students the skills required to implement a community-based project that addresses their chosen topic of interest from the Education Phase. The sessions will be based around the following topics:

• Action Phase Introduction

• Project Planning & Risk Assessment

• Teamwork, Communication and Conflict Resolution

• Time Management

• Leadership & Teamwork

• Follow-up & Project Showcase

 

Financial Literacy

As part of their Numeracy course Year 11 students will start their Financial Literacy work on Friday, 8 May.

The Smith Family has taken selected activities from the MoneyMinded resource and developed our Financial Literacy Course consisting of five 2 hour sessions. Completion of all 6 elements of this course allows you to gain the qualification of FNS10110 Certificate I in Financial Services.

This Course will show students how to:

  • Set financial goals
  • Create a budget
  • Look at Needs vs Wants
  • Develop a savings plan
  • Recognise scams
  • Better understand credit, debt and debt traps
  • Find assistance if you are in too much debt
  • Understand taxation
  • Understand the basics about superannuation
  • Understand the role of regulators such as the ACCC and ASIC and how they can help you.

 

A facilitator with nationally accredited training qualifications will deliver the course.

Community Projects

Year 12 students are working diligently on their Complex Community projects this term with groups concentrating on building community partnerships and developing employability skills.

Some projects include:

  • Melbourne Zoo Orangutan project and endangered species excursion
  • Immigration Museum excursion to highlight cultural diversity
  • Western Health Community Partnership
  • Trivia competition and team building exercises between Yr 11and Yr 12 VCAL students
  • Lunchtime activities for Junior students
  • Volunteering at the local aged care Facility
  • Fitness, strength and agility sessions with VCAL students to raise awareness between mental health and exercise
  • Athletics Day
  • Beacon breakfast Key speakers

ANZAC Day Commemorative service

Our annual ANZAC day Commemorative service was organised by 4 Yr 12 VCAL students, Jimmy Nguyen, Alex Phan, Vincent Truong and David Tr