Professional Documents
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WORTH READING
www.wrc.vic.edu.au
2 1 ST F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4
YEAR 12 PREPARATION
Year 12 students took part in a two day learning conference on February 6 and 7. Thursday's event involved an excursion to the Summit, Trafalgar East to participate in a range of challenging and team problem solving activities. Highlights including walking on a bed of nails, handling a snake, swinging in pairs on a 30 metre giant swing, laying on a wire 10 metres off the ground, negotiating through a cave in the dark and working in teams to complete a river challenge and a bush challenge. The over-riding message from the day was setting a "TARGET", "STRETCH BEYOND" and then "SUPER STRETCH" Friday's session was devoted to focussing on improvement. Key note speaker, Hannah Farah spoke at length about being good and getting better. Her focus was
largely on habits creating outcomes, so changing habits will result in changing outcomes. Students were exposed to the Looking After Our Mates program, a VicRoads DrinkDrive initiative. Staff presentations from Mrs. Ridsdale and Mrs. Park focussed on dealing with stress, and managing time, including study, work completion and preparation for exams. Over the next week, students will complete a survey on their thoughts of the program so it may be rened and improved for the future. Eric Bott
pRINCIPAL'S rEPORT
Getting Ready for Year 12 Summit/Fountain Room
It was great to see the Year 12 students challenging themselves and supporting one another through a range of adventure and team building activities at the Summit on Thursday 6th February. The level of encouragement and support for one another was apparent and is a good sign of the way they will respond to the challenges of VCE. Day two at the Fountain Room at the Arts Centre was a little more sedate with a selection of speakers and activities aimed at getting organised and motivated for Year 12 with one eye rmly on next year and the future that beckons beyond school. Thank you to the Year 12 Team and in particular Eric Bott and Graeme Miller for their organisation and home group teachers Robyn Ridsdale, Tavis Longmuir, Jan Park and Tracey Collie for their help over the two days. a powerful speaker and his story of his search for the truth about what happened to 150 of our soldiers in World War One is a compelling story. A big thanks for Tim Whitford and RSL members Ron Blair and Noel Tucker for helping organise the talk.
Guest Speakers
Over the past two weeks the English/Humanities team have organised two wonderful guest speakers for students in Years 8 and 9. In Year 8 the students were given an interactive presentation by the CFA Rapid Response team. Students enjoyed listening about re behaviour and the CFA responses. The timing of the presentation was obviously very important given the recent res throughout our local area. Thank you to Trevor Cox for organising the CFA to speak to our Year 8s. Our second speaker, Tim Whitford, gave a presentation to Year 9 students about the lost diggers of Fromelles. Tim is
User names/Passwords
New students to the college will shortly receive a letter containing a unique user name and password to access this site. We recommend that you change/personalise your password when you rst log on, and also check whether the personal details recorded for you are correct (address, phone numbers, etc.) For parents of existing students feel free to contact the school if you have forgotten your password.
Attendance
We saw a large improvement in our attendance data in 2013 due to the introduction of this policy and the use of our COMPASS attendance package and of course the support from the parent body. We thank you for your ongoing support in this very important aspect of your childs schooling.
Thriving at school
What are some of the main issues that children face at school, which parents may not be aware of or consider? I think we forget just how social and emotional school is. Children are placed in age-cages, where one day can determine which 'year' you are in, who you mix with and what you will learn. Children need to mix and feel connected. This isn't always going to be a smooth and happy journey. Learning can be difcult learning social skills and emotional intelligence means there can be upset. But they are just as important in the development of kids as learning the traditional 3Rs Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithmetic. These new 3Rs Respect, Responsibility and Relationships - are important for our kids' futures. In classes, parents sometimes forget that their kids are being cared for by adults who are neither family nor close friends and these people are professionals. Sometimes we forget just how much experience of children our quality teachers have they have a history of hundreds of children. Where parents see the world of their child, teachers see the world of 'their' children. I also feel that parents are much more focused on 'success', which can be based on how my kid is doing against other kids in the same class. You hear some parents say "he has to catch up, he is slipping behind". This makes learning out to be a race. But it isn't. A plant that grows quicker doesn't have a better ower. What are the personal qualities that can help a child succeed at school? This is really entering into the world of emotional intelligence the personal growth and development of
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\The College has implementing a new attendance policy last year called:
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a good and happy learner. These qualities are not just for school they are for life; after all that is what we are really trying to develop in school. This is the domain of social emotional well-being. We nd that the real qualities are the new 3Rs: Respect - Everyone has the right to be respected. Respect comes from appreciating something for what it is not what it can do for us. Respect means having regard for others by accepting that other people are different but just as important as you are. Respecting yourself means that you stand up for yourself and don't let yourself be talked into doing things that you know are wrong or make you feel uncomfortable. Responsibilities - We must take responsibility for our actions - for our learning, for possessions, for following rules, and for being kind. We become responsible by gaining satisfaction in knowing that what we do is appreciated. Parents must respect that schools have to assert rules to ensure all kids act responsibly. Relationships - Once respect and responsibilities are understood, good relationships follow easily. This is probably the most important element for happiness in a life. The most important relationship we should strengthen is the one with ourselves. How we relate to 'us' is fundamental for social and emotional well-being. For it is this relationship that offers us the greatest platform on which to build success, to increase our condence, to tackle change.
Excerpts taken from Thriving at School: A practical guide to help your child enjoy the crucial school years (2nd Edn), by Dr John Irvine and John Stewart.
Uniform
The College has a strict uniform policy in place and it is expected that all students follow this policy. I seek parent support in this issue to ensure that your son/daughter wears the appropriate uniform to and from school. In the future students who continually attend school out of uniform may be sent home to change into the correct uniform. We have had a very good start to the year in terms of uniform compliance and we thank the parent body for their support in this area. The main issue with uniform at this time is the number of students who continue to wear incorrect footwear to school. The school dress code and uniform policy states that black leather school shoes or boots (girls shoes must be of T-Bar design at the very least) must be worn. Could we please ask all parents to insist that the correct shoes are worn to school? If you are having nancial difculty we can offer you support through the secondary schools relief fund. Please contact our Chaplain Mrs Donna Hunter to organise this support. Les Ponton Assistant Principal
Push Over
is a fully supervised festival coming to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Monday 10th March 2014. This festival is for all ages, and proudly a drug, alcohol and smoke-free event! It is not for prot and aims to highlight emerging Australian talent. It has been running for 22 years and is managed by youth music organisation The Push. Most importantly, it provides a safe festival alternative over the boisterous Labour Day Weekend.
WHO: Allday, Bam Bam, Buried in Verona, Chance Waters, Citizen Kay, Cub Sport, Deez Nuts, Dream On Dreamer, In Hearts Wake, Johnny Third, Lucianblomkamp, Make Them Suffer, Outright, PEZ, Remi, Luca Brasi, Saviour, Sierra, The Bennies, The Smith Street Band WHEN: Labour Day Public Holiday,
Monday 10th March 2014
TIME: Midday 8.00pm VENUE: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne TICKETS: $45 +bf via Ticketmaster
www.ticketmaster.com.au
WORK EXPERIENCE/ WORK PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE BAW BAW SHIRE
If you are interested in undertaking work experience with the Baw Baw Shire this year you will need to meet a number of guidelines. This year the Baw Baw Shire has introduced cut-off dates for applications to assist in streamlining of the process. Students should access the Baw Baw Shire website (details below) to see what opportunities might be available at council. If you identify a placement opportunity that interests you, please contact one of the Careers staff who will assist you in completing the application requirements outlined below
How to Apply
All requests for work experience placements require a minimum of one month notice and applications close as follows: Placement between March- June: applications must be received by the 15 March. Placement between July Feb, including summer vacation period: applications must be received by 15th August.
http://www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/Your_Council/ Work_Experience
The West Gippsland Arts Centre team has already agreed to host one student from each school in the district on the dates provided by the Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN. One Structured Workplace learning (SWL) Placement Yr 11/12- 1 day per week for 10 weeks is also available at the West Gippsland Arts centre Students with an interest in the Arts/Theatre production(backstage)/ Business Admin/marketing are encouraged to apply. Please encourage your students to apply asap following the process on the Website. Other departments across council are currently considering what placement opportunities may be available.
Note: It is not always possible to place all students who request a placement due to the number of requests, the work load of departments, the availability of a staff member to supervise the student, or the availability of work space.Council endeavours to place as many students as it can. Applicants wanting to apply for work experience are required to complete aWork Experience Request Form and return with a resume to the Learning and Development Advisor. Applications will then be referred to relevant departments and the applicant will be advised if a placement opportunity is available. If a position is available, applicants are required to attend an interview with the relevant supervisor.
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GOAL NO: 1
Dene Expectations ~ what do our College Values (Community, Achievement, Respect, Effort) really mean? What do those values mean or look like in different settings?
School-wide discipline systems Non-classroom based management systems Classroom management systems Systems for individual students engaging in chronic problem behaviours
Additionally, working with Anne Outhred (Educational Consultant), we have conducted a SET (School-wide Evaluation Tool) survey of both teaching and non-teaching staff and students at all year levels, which is designed to:
GOAL NO: 2
Teach expectations explicitly ~ introducing, modelling and reinforcing positive social behaviour is an important step of a students educational experience.
GOAL NO: 3
Recognise and acknowledge ~ positive social behaviour is the key to our success.
Assess features that are in place Determine annual goals for SWPBS Evaluate ongoing efforts toward school-wide behaviour support Design and revise procedures as needed Compare annual efforts toward school-wide effective behaviour support
GOAL NO: 4
Correct inappropriate social behaviour in a positive manner through the re-teaching of the appropriate behaviour.
PLEASE REMEMBER
When a student cant spell........we teach When a student cant read.........we teach When a student cant count........we teach When a student cant behave......we dont punish..we TEACH
Iain Luck Assistant Principal ~ Student Services
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What Next?
An information session for parents and educators of young people with disabilities or learning difficulties in secondary school
Door Prize
pathway planning post school funding tertiary education apprenticeships employment volunteering day programs
What is the sessions structure? From 5.00pm: Finger food and sausage sizzle provided on arrival 5:30pm: Welcome & Brief presentation providing an overview of the services and support offered by Futures for Young Adults and Centre Link followed by a panel discussion with information on how and when to connect to the wide range of supports available. 6:00pm: Individual transition story a perspective on a young persons transition journey. 6.15pm: Time for individual questions with Exhibitors Representatives from employment agencies, apprenticeship centres, further education, funding providers, day programs and others will be in attendance. 6.30pm Door Prize drawn
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www.wrc.vic.edu.au
55 Burke Street Warragul 3820 | Ph: 13 (03) 5623 9900 | Fax: (03) 5623 4473
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Diary Dates
Mon Wed Wed Fri Tues Wed Fri 24-26 Feb 26-28 26 Feb 28 Feb 4 Mar 5 Mar 7 Mar Year 7_1, 2 & 4 Camp Year 7_3, 5 & 6 Camp Chaplaincy Meeting @ 5:30pm Yr 8 Inter Cricket Knock Out Competition Swimming Sports Carnival E Learning Training Wellbeing Meeting @ 5:30pm ACE Information: Evening 7pm Senior Cricket Knock Out (Gipps) Fri Wed 21 Mar 26 Mar RR Tennis/Volleyball/Softball/Baseball Chaplaincy Meeting @5:30pm Yr 7 Cricket Knock Out Competition Mon Wed Tues 10 Mar 12 Mar 18 Mar Public Holiday - Labour Day Swimming (Gipps) Compass Parent Information Night @ 7:30pm School Council & Finance Meeting @ 6:30pm
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