From the Principal

Australia will celebrate and thank the teaching profession on World Teachers’ Day on Friday 29 October 2021.

Teachers (with support from parents and guardians) have ensured education continues across the country once again this year, despite major challenges. It’s reinforced the significant role teachers play in the lives of children and students, their families, and communities.

Teachers have quickly learned how to use technology to deliver online lessons, add videos and clips, and use whatever means possible to engage with students.

The continual switch from Distance Learning Mode (DLM) to face-to-face and then back to DLM has been challenging to navigate for our staff. With no ability to see students’ body language and a reluctance of students to participate in online discussions during DLM, it has been incredibly difficult for teachers to deliver effective learning to our students.

Friday 29 October is an opportunity to thank staff for the hard work of the last 18 months.

The 2021 theme is Teachers at the heart of Education Recovery.

This theme highlights the role that teachers will play in helping our young people readjust to face-to-face learning. This will be an easy transition for most as they reconnect with peers and re-establish those vital relationships with their teachers. But for some, a return to school brings on fear and anxiety. It will be our teaching staff who nurture and support students as we transition back to on-site learning.

Thank you to our parents, guardians and community who have sent positive feedback to our staff. Your continued support and messages have helped to sustain us.

For more information on World Teachers day and how you can contribute click here. 

COVID-19 update

At the time of writing today (Tuesday 19 October), the College has three confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 including staff and students.

All those we have identified as primary close contacts have been asked to get tested, isolate and wait to be contacted by the Department of Health. Please keep all these people in your prayers.

As we return on-site, please be vigilant about signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Please do not send your children back to school if they are in any way unwell.

Looking Ahead

* Dates may be subject to change by Victorian Government

From the Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

VCE

We wish our VCE Unit 3 and 4 students well as they prepare for their Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) exams beginning with English on Wednesday 27 October.

Formal classes have ended and students are revising and studying. They have access to their teachers during their normal class time for individual or group help.

Students are reminded not to come on site if they are unwell. They should contact VCE Coordinator Ms Carissa Lock or Year 12 Coordinator Mr David Arthurson if they have any COVID-19 health-related concerns.

To meet COVIDSafe distancing requirements and allow current VET students access to the Trade Training Centre to complete their certificates, we will use a range of venues for the exams. Ms Lock will provide students with details.

Year 7

Up to and including Thursday this week, 60-minute and unstructured lessons will continue for Year 7 students. On Friday, these will end when students return to face-to-face classes.

Year 10

Up to and including Thursday this week, 60-minute lessons will continue for Year 10 students. From Friday (22 October), students will have 75-minute lessons as they return to a blend of face-to-face and online classes.

Year 8 and 9

Up to and including Thursday this week, 60-minute and unstructured lessons will continue. From Monday 25 October, students will have 75-minute lessons as they return to a blend of face-to-face and online classes.

Please note: students in quarantine or isolation will have access to the lessons to continue with self-directed learning.

Year 12

Congratulations to all our Year 12 students who have completed or are about to complete their year! As both Mrs Jorgensen and Mr Arthurson mentioned in their speeches during last Friday night’s graduation mass, the many skills you have developed during distance learning have set you up for your future careers.

Continue to embrace life-long learning and aspire to be the best person you can be in all you endeavour to do. To parents, guardians and families, the support you have provided to your children during these challenging two years has contributed to the amazing young adults they have become. My best wishes to you all.

From the Deputy Principal, Operations, Staffing and Strategic Intent

Students return to on-site learning

On Friday 22 October, our Year 7, 10 and 11 students will return to face-to-face learning with a staggered start for our Year 8 and 9 students the week after.

It has been a challenging lockdown and I know we are all relieved to get back to some form of normality. The College has prepared well to ensure that every member of the school community feels and is safe while on-site.

We have restocked our hand sanitisers, table wipes and spray and purchased ten stand-up hand sanitiser dispensers for high movement locations around the school. The College will also receive air purifiers that can be used in classrooms to keep the air fresh and circulating.

It is very important that students also do their part to keep everyone safe by always wearing masks except when consuming food and drink. We ask that all students follow this guideline and take this responsibility seriously.

It is not the responsibility of the College to provide masks for students. Please make sure your child has a face mask before they return, and if they use a disposable mask, please ensure that it is changed regularly.

From the Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing

We are very excited by the announcement that the date for our students to return to school for on-site learning has been moved forward. During classes this week, our teachers will begin preparing students and I encourage you to assist your child by:

• Preparing their school uniform. Winter or summer uniform can be worn until Friday 29 October. From Wednesday 3 November full summer uniform must be worn. Please refer to the school diary or our website for a full uniform list.

• Organising school bags and equipment for classes.

• Re-establishing the school routine, especially bed and wake times..

• Talking about COVIDSafe practices. Each student must have their own mask and wear it correctly (covering nose and mouth), use good hand hygiene, maintain social distancing, and follow the school protocols for a COVIDSafe environment.

Students will feel a range of emotions about returning to school after learning at home for a prolonged time. It is essential to focus on the positive experiences of seeing friends and teachers again, taking part in the subjects they enjoy and emphasising their strengths.

If your child feels overwhelmed, there are things you can do to support them.

• Suggest they manage how they feel with deep breaths, exercise, or by talking to their friends. They could also use an app such as Smiling Mind to assist with mindful meditation to help manage stress.

• Try to link in with their support network. This may include family, teachers, their Homeroom teacher, school counsellor or school psychologist.

• Resources such as headspace or Be You offer lots of advice and ways to seek help if your child needs more support. On Thursday (21 October) headspace will run a free webinar for parents and guardians on accessing mental health support services. To register or find out more click on this link. headspace Accessing Mental Health Support Webinar 2021

Canteen Reopens

The College canteen will be open for breakfast, recess and lunch from this Friday 22 October.

Pre-orders are strongly encouraged and can be submitted via the Ultimate Schools website. To set up an account visit www.ultimateschools.com.au and follow the prompts.

Pre-orders can also be submitted direct to the canteen by the end of recess.

Re-enrolment 2022

A reminder that families are required to email enrolments@sfcc.vic.edu.au if their child/children will not return to the College in 2022. 

Exit paperwork will be emailed to families by the end of October. Students will not be formally exited from the college until all relevant paperwork is returned.

Farewelling our Year 12 students

Our Year 12 students completed their final classes at the College last week.

We are so proud of the cohort, who were excited but still maintained their mature and dedicated approach to their studies until the very end.

A big thank you to Year 12 Coordinator Mr David Arthurson and his team for the Graduation Mass, which was pre-recorded and streamed online to families on Friday evening. Below is Mr Arthurson's final address to his Year 12 students.

Australian Maths Competition Results Are In!

The Australian Maths Competition is an annual event during which students from all over Australia can demonstrate their skills and knowledge.

The competition features 30 problems that become increasingly more difficult as a student progresses.

This year, we arranged for 153 of our students from Year 7-10 Core Plus and Year 11 and 12 Mathematical Methods to take part in the competition. Unfortunately, lockdowns started on the day of the scheduled test and most students were unable to participate.

However, of those who did, 28 achieved a Credit while 7 obtained a Distinction. Well done to the following students and a special mention to Jordan Nidras, who won the Best in School Award.

Year 7

Distinction:  Sneha Sharma (Top 17%)

Credit: Samantha De Guzman, Rhai Bihong, Ayuen Majok, Luke Boog, Mariel Saquiton, Nobuhle Masuku and Max Barton.

Year 8

Distinction: Jordan Nidras (Top 7%)

Credit: Lucy Thompson, Lucas Hurst, Jhett Ramsey, Findlay Donachie and Mia Grainger.

Year 9

Distinction: William Anthony (Top 17%)

Credit: Jayden Maher, Jackson Wright, Ryan Dreaver, Diamond Phan and Stephanie Jenks.

Year 10

Distinction: James Micallef (Top 16%), Jedi Anyayahan (Top 20%) and David Balila (Top 20%).

Credit: Justin Spiteri, Ella Gallagher, Gerlene Cacao, Alannah King, Isabella Gray, Caitlin Mai, Theo Sacco, Georgina Bertsias, Joshua Dije-Spiteri and Khallea Vanguardia.

Year 12

Distinction: Solomon Miesen (Top 18%)

Credit: Nemitha Wimalasuriya.

A big congratulations to all students who participated.

VET Music and VCE Drama Performance Exams

Congratulations to our VET Music Performance students who completed their exams last week. Their performances were outstanding, each capturing their target audience through stage lighting and images projected onto the back of the stage. Students showed their exceptional voice, piano, drum, and guitar skills to the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) assessors.

Congratulations also to the VCE Drama students who presented their solo performances last Friday. Students travelled to Footscray for their VCAA assessment, and each student finished their performance feeling exhilarated and relieved.

VET Music Performance teacher Mr Dan Askew and VCE Drama teacher Miss Ashlee Hughes worked tirelessly throughout lockdown to ensure their students continued to work hard on their skills and be well prepared for their final exam.

Guiding students through a performance without access to school facilities and face-to-face feedback was stressful and difficult but the dedication and skill of these teachers showed our students that anything is possible when you work hard.

VCE Music

VCE Drama

Elevate Education Webinars

Parents and guardians have exclusive free access to Elevate Education’s Parent Webinar Series for Term 4, 2021.

Elevate works with our students, delivering high impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series, you will learn how to support your children and reinforce the skills they learn at school.

The webinars take place across Term 4, beginning tomorrow, Wednesday 20 October at 7pm. Registration is essential and free for parents and guardians of CRC Melton.

Topics for Term 4 are:

Time Management – 20 October

Stress and Wellbeing – 27 October

Exam Preparation Part 1 – 10 November

Exam Room Skills – 24 November

You can register by clicking here.

The webinar will run online from 7pm to 8pm. Elevate’s presenters will share key research and skills and conduct a live question and answer session.

Should you have questions or would like to contact Elevate directly, their details are listed below.

Elevate Education

Phone: 1300 667 945

Email: auscoaching@elevateeducation.com

Website: https://au.elevateeducation.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElevateEd/

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