Welcome to all students and families - returning and new. It has been a great start to the year for students and staff. Our wonderful Parents & Friends association organised our annual second hand uniform sale just prior to school commencing. Many families were able to take advantage of the opportunity. Thank you to the team of hard working parents who were on hand to help and to all those who donated items.

Our staff spent the first 2 days of the year engaged in professional learning. With so many new staff we took time to:

review our 2018 staff, student and parent survey data and VCE results data
ensure a common understanding of our Behaviour for Learning Process and our SABRE instructional model
complete training in regards to Anaphylaxis and Mandatory Reporting
develop our individual performance management plans
provide Learning Areas with an opportunity to work together.

We commenced work on our 2019 - 2022 Strategic Plan. Our focus is to continue to improve outcomes for each of our students, providing them with a challenging and supportive learning environment with a range of opportunities to develop their skills and talents. Improving our practices in relation to Differentiated Teaching Practice and Student Voice and Agency are major foci for 2019.

It has been wonderful to have already had two whole school assemblies in Weeks 1 and 2. The second assembly was to congratulate all of our students who have taken on formal leadership responsibilities across the College.

Parent Information Session with Andrew Fuller: From Stressed to Strong - Wednesday 27th March. See the Wellbeing News section for details and how to book your place.

https://www.trybooking.com/471051

The Glen Eira 5

‘The Glen Eira 5’ is a document that articulates the practices behind the promises we make as a staff.

5 promises teachers make to our students;

maintain a safe learning environment.
know how you learn and what direction your learning should take.
make classes engaging.
listen, encourage and support.
involve the wider community in your learning.

5 promises staff make to one another;

share resources.
support one another.
work collaboratively to improve student learning.
be consistent in applying policies.
learn from one another.

5 characteristics you will see in our teaching;

differentiate teaching and learning to support and challenge the full range of abilities.
structure lessons according to SABRE.
be innovative and reflective.
be enthusiastic.
be accountable for improving student outcomes.

5 things you will see from our students;

be enthusiastic and motivated.
communicate and be respectful.
seize opportunities to participate and learn.
work together, acting responsibly and creatively.
direct their own learning through questioning and exploring.

5 things you will see from our parents, carers and guardians;

be involved and contribute to the broader educational program.
play an active role in the child’s learning.
support their children in achieving their learning goals.
promote the school values.
maintain open lines of communication with the school.

Being involved at GEC

We are always looking for ways to involve our parents in our community. Please contact me if you have ideas of how you would like to be involved.

Our Parents and Friends group is an excellent way to meet other families and I encourage you to join.
Nominations for School Council are due Wednesday 20th February. This is a great way to get involved in the College. If you are interested in nominating, you can collect a nomination form from the General Office.

VCE Results

We were very pleased with the wonderful results achieved by our Year 12 students. Congratulations to Morgan Edwards, our Dux, with an ATAR of 99.25.

We had a 100% pass rate
Our students’ mean ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) score was 66.85
6.6% of study scores were 40 or above
15% of our students scored ATARs greater than 90, 28% of our students scored ATARs greater than 80
Our students’ mean study score was 29.68 rising annually
94% of students received 1st round tertiary placement offers

Professional Practice Days for Teachers

As part of the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2017, teachers will receive one day per term when they are out of the classroom to focus on the improved delivery of high quality teaching and learning. These are not student free days. Casual Replacement Teachers (CRTs) will be employed to cover classes. We are scheduling the days ahead of time and have planned the day so that there is minimal impact.

Some staff will take their term 1 day on the day of the Swimming Carnival. The remaining staff will take their day in the week 4th – 8th March 2019 (Year 7 Camp Week). Teachers will ensure planned work is provided for students. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science - Monday 11th February

This week we promoted the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Here is a quote from the United Nations: ‘Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science. Unfortunately, women and girls continued to be excluded from participating fully in science. According to a study conducted in 14 countries, the probability for female students of graduating with a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and Doctor’s degree in science-related field are 18%, 8% and 2% respectively, while the percentages of male students are 37%, 18% and 6%.

In order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/70/212 declaring 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.’

We contributed to an article in the Leader Newspaper with some of our Year 12 female science students being photographed. The library had a display and the day was promoted via the Student Hub. Science teachers did a range of quizzes and activities in classes. Other activities included creating posters on female scientists from around the world and an interesting activity ‘Draw your idea of a female scientist’.

Finally…

Schools have been advised by the Department that it is not compulsory for schools to offer a whole-of-school insurance policy, and to remind families that any insurance needs to be taken up on an individual user pays basis.

Parents/Guardians are also reminded that the Department does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents and guardians of students, who do not have student accident insurance/ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance / transport and any other transport costs. Parents/guardians can purchase insurance policies from commercial insurers if they wish to insure their child.

Mobile Phone Policy - I congratulate our students on how they have embraced the new Mobile Phone Policy and thank parents for their support.

Communication at and with GEC - our staff endeavour to respond to your email and telephone calls in a timely manner and within 48 hours. Many staff teach 250 students (or more!) and can be overwhelmed with correspondence. If you are having difficulty getting responses, please contact me directly.

We have many wonderful events planned for 2019, including Cultural Diversity Week in March which will be a highlight for term 1. Lunchtime and afterschool activities have begun – see the website for a full list.

Sheereen Kindler

Principal