From the Principal

Last week members of the leadership team and I attended a webinar delivered by Catholic Education Melbourne (CEM).

The topic was Permission to Diverge, and participants explored what it might mean for students returning to face to face teaching after a prolonged time away from the daily routine of school.

Several studies have already been published into the effects of lockdown on students. The overwhelming finding is that learning from home has been vastly different for each student.

Some who struggled to come to school have enjoyed the safety and security of learning from home. Others have missed the ability to socialise with friends and to ask questions of their teachers face to face.

Our challenge as on-site classes resume is to provide learning that first addresses the wellbeing needs of our students. The wellbeing framework of CEM explains the connection between academic success and student wellbeing.

Teaching is mostly about relationships, built on trust and deep knowledge of students. It will take time to re-establish relationships at school and to reconnect with students who may have enjoyed the freedom of learning from home.

The focus for all staff in Term 4 will be the Recovery Curriculum. This will require a personalised approach to re-engaging students in their learning.

In the media, I have been reading about the need to “catch students up”.

Those in education know that learning is not a factory with a lockstep, linear approach that requires all students to be at a certain point at a given time.

Each year in any given Year 7 class, there is up to 5 years difference in the abilities of students in the class.

The strategic intent of the College is to develop our teachers so they can provide learning to meet the wide-ranging abilities of students. Distance learning has heightened the need for this more personalised approach to teaching.

Looking Ahead

From the Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

This week our Year 7, 11, 12 students, Year 10 VCAL and relevant VET students returned to face-to-face learning with Year 8, 9 and 10 students continuing their distance learning.

Students and teachers arrived enthusiastically yesterday ready to begin the week. A walk through the Year 7 area saw students enjoying being with their peers and teachers, with lively chatter coming from the rooms. A new portable for Year 7 has provided another learning environment and connects to the Clairvaux building.

We will welcome our back Year 8, 9 and 10 students on Monday 26 October. Teachers are focussed on reconnection and will continue to monitor all students’ progress and work with students who may not achieved the standard required on the Learning Continuum.

Many of our students have developed skills in self-management and self-directed learning. Their resilience has also increased and we aim to foster these achievements further.

Teachers are seeking feedback from students about what they enjoyed while learning from home and identifying which teaching practices they can continue using to support the learning.

VCE practice exams

The Unit 3/4 students completed the General Achievement Test (GAT) last Wednesday with excellent attendance. The examination supervisors gave very positive feedback on the way the students responded to the exam conditions and COVID-19 safety requirements.

The supervisors are also overseeing VCE practice exams this week. The English practice exam will be marked externally, and students will receive feedback before the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) English exam on Tuesday 10 November. Our English teachers will continue to work with students on the skills required for their exam.

Our Drama (Solo) Performance students are busy preparing for their VCAA performance exam on 29 October. We wish them well as they master their performance skills.

Reminder for students on site

Students are required to follow safety guidelines to ensure social distancing is maintained and masks are worn while in class.

Teachers will direct students when masks are not required, for example, during group work. Students should remain at home if they are unwell and catch up on their lesson tasks once in good health.

In line with Government educational guidelines, unless a student falls under the immune-compromised category and must remain at home, teachers are unable to provide distance learning if students are expected to be on site. Teachers may provide access to the lesson plan for students to undertake self-directed learning.

With the sound of student voices outside my office, it is wonderful to be part of the College community active and engaged in the return to on-site learning.

From the Deputy Principal Students

School photos cancelled

As a result of Victorian Government COVID-19 restrictions, school photographers are not permitted to enter schools to take student photos.

Therefore, with great disappointment, we’ve had to cancel our scheduled school photo days on 20 October and 5 November for all year levels.

If restrictions are eased, we will endeavour to reorganise dates for the photos to be taken. 

Changes to CSEF in 2020

A number of new and previously announced changes have been approved to the operation of the Camps Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) for 2020 only.

• The final eligibility date for CSEF in 2020 has been extended from 14 April until 5 October 2020.
• Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply. The normal special consideration arrangements continue in addition.
• Payments will be made at 50% of the standard per-student rates for families eligible between 15 April and 5 October 2020.

Any families who have not previously applied for CSEF and have a valid Health Care Card issued after 15 April 2020 and valid on 5 October 2020 can fill out the form below and return it to the College or email it to kpalmer@sfcc.vic.edu.au with a copy of their card. Students aged 16 and over with a health care card can also apply.

Community Notices

Applications are now open for the headspace Melton Youth Advocacy Group (YAG). The YAG is made up of young people aged 16-25 who live, work, study or take part in recreation in Melton and its surrounding areas, who are passionate about young people's mental health and would like to be proactive in health promotion and community engagement.

More information is available below or to apply follow this link headspace Melton YAG application