by Rosina Fotia, Principal

The term has started smoothly and students have settled quickly into the learning routine. Welcome to Kerry Barrett and Kerry Hall who have returned from leave.

Learning Focus

Literacy priorities remain a focus for staff and the use of Curriculum Design will be rolled out in Professional Learning Teams. During SELF students will reflect on their semester one results and will be asked to identify personal areas of strength and areas for improvement. This will culminate in them identifying new areas of focus in their Career Action Plans for this semester.

Parent Opinion Survey

The school is conducting a survey to find out what parents think of our school. The Parent Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education and Training that is conducted amongst a sample of randomly selected parents. It is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of parents’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour and student engagement. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.

Approximately 137 parents have been invited to participate in this year’s survey. All responses to the survey are anonymous. This year the Parent Opinion Survey will be conducted from Monday 23rd July to Sunday 26th August.

Thank you to those parents who have been nominated and have completed the survey.

Importance of Attendance at School

Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways you can prepare your child for success—both in school and in life. When families make school attendance a priority, children get better learning outcomes, develop healthy life habits, avoid dangerous behavior and have a better chance of completing secondary school.

When students are absent for fewer days, their reading skills often improve—even among those students who are struggling in school. Students who attend school regularly also feel more connected to their community, develop important social skills and friendships, and are significantly more likely to complete secondary school, setting them up for a strong future.

If you have any concerns regarding your child’s attendance or progress at school, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant learning leader at the College.

Independent Reading

The Independent Reading program is an integral part of the Literacy program here at the College. For 20 minutes every day, students and teachers from Years 7- 10 read independently in class. The choice of reading material is up to each individual. The benefits of reading are far reaching and include:

• Improvement of literacy skills
• Mindfulness
• Increased understanding of self and others

You can support your child’s reading by discussing reading with your child and ensuring they have access to appropriate reading material in the home.

Music Camp

49 students participated in three days of focused rehearsal in preparation for the Melbourne School Bands Festival. Students rehearsed in their large ensembles but also in small groups. Students have reported that camp allowed for intense rehearsals that allowed them to improve at a far greater rate than in weekly rehearsals.

Congratulations to Chris Ferre and the Instrumental Music staff on a successful camp.