From the Principal Class Team
Creating vibrant classrooms
Creating vibrant, dynamic displays of student work in classrooms is an excellent way to motivate students, to recognise their effort, and to provide models of exemplar pieces of work.
And after a school wide competition for Best Subject and Best Key Learning Area, fabulous displays of student work began to appear in many classrooms across the school. Congratulations to the following winners in what was a tough field to judge:
Best Homeroom – awarded to the students and teachers of 7H
Best Key Learning Area - Science
Best subject – Integrated Studies Years 7 & 8
Special mentions – to the students and teachers of 7A and also to Ms Amy Lee and her students.
Have a look at some of the excellent displays.
ANZAC Ceremony
The College held an ANZAC day service on 23 April this year. Led by our VCAL students, the College heard from former and current members of the armed services Mr Bill Tewson, Mr John Naidu and Mr Laurence Gatt. They addressed staff and representatives from every year level regarding what the ANZAC spirit means for us today acknowledging the supreme sacrifice of all solders who have died in battle. The College has also set up a permanent ANZAC memorial as legacy for the school community. Finally, the College would also like to thank former student Mr David Wilson for playing the last post and Mr Ian Crocker, retired Assistant Principal, for his ongoing work supporting students to organise this event.
Resilient Mindsets
Building our capacity to support each other and the young people at St Albans Secondary College is a continuing priority. At our recent Curriculum Day, all staff attended a full day of training with Clinical Psychologist and resilience expert Andrew Fuller. They day was focused on learning how the resilient brain functions and the strategies we can use as teachers and as a College to support young people develop a strong resilient mindset. The first session of many in this area in order to build a strong connected and supportive school culture.
Year 7 Expo
The annual Year 7 Expo was held on Wednesday, 24 April. It was wonderful welcome the families of our Year 7 students to meet their core teachers, and to participate in activities which highlighted the learning that is occurring in the classrooms. It was a great turnout, and a very positive experience for all. Thanks to the Junior Sub School, Year 7 core teachers and student leaders who together made this a very successful event.
Grade 6 Taster Days
The College recently hosted Grade 6 students from our major feeder primary schools to get a ‘taste’ of secondary school life. Students participated in a range of classes, such as Science, Integrated Studies, Maths, LOTE etc, as well as listened to musical performances and enjoyed a barbeque lunch. This is an important part of our successful transition program. Thanks to Ms Marlene Cassar and her team of support staff and students for the excellent organisation of this event.
Year 7 Zoo and Year 8 Arts and Culture Day
As part of their Science course Year 7 students recently visited the Royal Melbourne Zoo, while Year 8 students visited the National Gallery of Victoria and ACMI at Federation Square. This excursion was an integrated event, incorporating Art, English and LOTE. Students of both year levels participated in very worthwhile activities, and represented the College in a really positive way. Thank you to Ms Wendy Mair and the Science team for organising the Zoo excursion. Also thanks to Mr Nick D’Aglas and his team for organising the Arts and Cultural Day.
Careers Fast Track
All Year 10 students recently completed the Careers Fast Track program. This program supports students in their career planning through structured activities, culminating in a one on one interview with an external careers practitioner. Students will use the information gathered to help inform their course selection for Year 11 during Term 3. Thanks to Ms Cathy Armstrong and the MIPs team for their organisation and running of this program.