by Rosina Fotia, Principal

Learning Focus

Year 7 and 9 students have just completed their NAPLAN testing for this school year. This year NAPLAN was completed online. Although there were some minor hiccups on day one, the system worked efficiently and all testing was completed smoothly. Students did complete some preparatory work in the lead up to this week of national testing. Year 9 students also embarked on a careers and occupations journey. This culminated in them presenting a careers and occupations showcase to Years 7 and 8 students. During this period, Year 10 undertook their work experience.

Staff and Timetable Changes

Mr Bryce Denny will be on Long Service Leave for the remainder of this term. We wish him a restful break. His absence has necessitated some timetable adjustments beginning next week. Students and parents are reminded to check Compass for updates. Ms Emma Steeper will take on the Junior School Learning Leader role for the remainder of this term. Please direct Junior School queries to her. Ms Ashley Roberts will cover a combination of Mr Denny’s and Ms Steeper’s classes and Ms Scobie will lead the Year 11 English classes throughout the term. Please be assured that there will be no impact on the teaching and learning program for students impacted by timetable adjustments at this time.

Curriculum Day

Friday May 24 was a scheduled curriculum day. Teachers used the time to focus on providing effective feedback on student learning through Compass Learning Tasks. This included a particular focus on feedback on student learning demonstrated through Common Assessment Tasks (CATs) in Years 7-10, and School Assessed Coursework tasks (SACs) in VCE. Similarly, VCAL teachers worked on effective feedback on their students’ progress towards VCAL Learning Outcomes. Staff also undertook CUST training on this day. This Department of Education initiative will equip staff with strategies to support students from Indigenous backgrounds.

Attitudes to School Survey

We value student voice as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing, and quality instruction, and are conducting a survey to find out what your child thinks of our school. The Attitudes to School Survey is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education and Training to assist schools in gaining an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Our school will use the survey results to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience. The survey results will be reported back to the school before the end of Term 2.

It’s Not OK To Be Away!

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day. Attending and participating in school will help your child develop:

• important skills and knowledge to help them learn
• social and emotional skills such as good communication, resilience and team work

Children who attend school every day and complete Year 12 have:

• better health
• better job opportunities
• higher income across their lives

There is no safe number of days for missing school. Each day a student misses puts them behind.

Uniform Supplier Update: PSW

A reminder that the College has changed uniform supplier. From July 2nd. PSW will provide students with their uniform. Their retail store is open five days per week and is located at 51 Lusher Road, Croydon.

The current uniform shop continues to sell items at reduced prices until the end of term.

Please note that some uniform items have been updated but purchase of new stock is not compulsory.

VCAL Award

Congratulations to the 2018 VCAL class who were recipients of the VCAL Community Project Team Achievement Award at the recent OELLEN AGM. Their community work which culminated in the refurbishment of community facilities at Redwood Community Centre was a highlight of the event. Congratulations to all students and staff involved in the initiative.

Mother’s Day Café

Congratulations to the Café Culture class for their Mother’s Day high teas held earlier this month. The sessions were attended by many members of the community. Guests were served platters of food, including savouries and sweets, as well the best fresh made teas and coffees. Well done to the Café Culture team and many thanks to those who supported the event.

College Athletics Carnival

Perfect weather greeted students and staff at the annual College Athletics Carnival this month. Student participation rates were at an all-time high and the sunny weather meant that many records were challenged and broken. Congratulations to all who participated and a special mention to Yarra House for their clean sweep of all carnival events this year.