From the Principal Team
By Phil Honeywell
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Student Free Day
Last Thursday 3rd November was a student free day for staff development.
Staff commenced the day with a thought provoking performance from the Nobody’s Fool program followed by an activity related to our comprehension of the Positive Futures Framework (PFF).
Following this we revisited our work in support of STEM related pathways to 21st century study and work realities and finished off with a hands-on visit to the Tech School in Geelong.
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Ready To Learn - Use of Restrooms during class time
As part of being 'Ready to Learn', it is important that students attend each class prepared for uninterrupted learning. Being 'Ready to Learn' involves students attending class on time, bringing all their learning materials with them, having a positive learning attitude and having eaten food and been to the toilet prior to class starting. Leaving the class, and thus interrupting a student’s learning for whatever reason, should be avoided.
Further to this, we are currently experiencing an increase of damage and antisocial behaviour in the school restroom spaces, in particular the M block and B block toilets. In-line with our 'Ready to Learn' expectation and this recent increase in damage to the restrooms, the M-Block and C-Block toilets will be closed during timetabled class times.
The M-Block and C-Block restrooms will be reopened at recess and lunch times for student use in preparation for their following timetabled classes. We recommend that students establish a habit of using the restrooms during the break times before school, recess and lunch to avoid needing to use the restrooms during class.
If students do however need to use a restroom during class time they are able to use the toilets in C- Block next to C4 following permission by the teacher. These restrooms will be closely monitored to ensure that there is no damage or loitering in the facilities.
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Examinations
We’re now in our third week of Year 12 Exams. With the majority of the most populated exams complete, many Year 12s have said their farewells to the school and we won’t see them again until Graduation. The Year 12s, and accelerating Year 11s have shown great persistence throughout some gruelling exams of up to 3 hours and those undertaking Music or Maths subjects had to complete multiple exams for those subjects. Thus far, their efforts to complete every exam have been admirable and many work up to the instruction to down pens.
This week also sees the commencement of our Year 11 Exams. The Year 11 VCE students have an exam for each of their subjects under the same conditions as those in Year 12, despite these exams not contributing to the ATAR or study scores. We often think of exams as a final assessment of learning, and whilst they are that, in this instance they are also the learning itself. By practicing their exam technique and building their writing stamina the Year 11s are preparing for their 2023 final exams already!
Phil Honeywell, Principal
Scott McLeod, Assistant Principal
James Murphy, Assistant Principal
