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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 21^st 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

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Intermediate Concert Band

Our Year 8 Intermediate Concert Band participated in a music workshop and concert with Northern Bay music students on Wednesday November 2nd. 

A combined band of 50 musicians performed for the students at the Peacock Street Campus.

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Year 8 Werribee Zoo Excursion

On Tuesday 1st November, all year 8 students made a trip to Werribee Zoo to enjoy a great self-paced and directed exploration journey throughout the enclosures as well the safari. 

Students saw a great variety of animals up close and personal while learning about their habitats and mannerisms. All students represented our school in a great manner and should be proud of how they conducted themselves.

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Year 8 MCG Excursion

On Monday 7th November,  all year 8's were provided the opportunity to go tour and explore the world-renowned stadium that is in our own backyard - the MCG! 

This was in relation to our term 3 sport of AFL and our Term 4 sport of cricket. All students were given the opportunity to have a guided tour through the MCG, including front row seats, meeting rooms, corporate boxes, and the long room. 

Following this, students were offered the opportunity to engage in their own exploration through the Australian sports museum. All before finishing off the day by trying to beat previous high scores in the interactive games section of the museum.

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Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed Camp

On the Wednesday 26th of October, year 9/10 Outdoor Ed headed out to the Brisbane Ranges for our 3 day hike. 

We had been preparing for over 10 weeks and the students tackled the tough terrain exceptionally well. 

Throughout the three days, students and staff had to endure the 40km+ trek with everything on or in their packs. This included their clothing, food and camping equipment while navigating their way though tough terrain with rocky and muddy hills and valleys with the additional river crossings due to the recent floods. 

Overall the camp was a huge success and one that students will remember well after their schooling. Big thanks for all involved including Mr Relouw, Ms Hill and Mr Goward for running such a dynamic camp.

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2023 Education Assistance Program

Uniting Care Education Assistance Program for 2022-2023 (Oct 2022 to June 30^th 2023) is about to open to those families and students who are most vulnerable and need assistance in regard to Uniforms, Books, digital book fees.

Interviews at the Grovedale location will commence on the 18^th October 2022 morning only.  Interviews will then continue every Tuesday and Thursday Morning up until 15^th December 2022.

 Please telephone the Education Assistance Team on 42101100 and make an appointment time with our interviewers to see what assistance we can provide.

The office is open Monday to Friday mornings 9.30am to 12.30pm.

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Head Lice

There have been some isolated cases of head lice that have been reported to our school, so now is a good time to check your students head for any sign of them.

About Head Lice

Head lice have been around for many thousands of years. Anyone can get head lice and given the chance head lice move from head to head without discrimination.

• Head lice are small, wingless, blood sucking insects.
• Their colour varies from whitish-brown to reddish-brown.
• People get head lice from direct hair to hair contact with another person who has head lice.
• Head lice do not have wings or jumping legs so they cannot fly or jump from head to head. They can only crawl.

Finding Head Lice

Lice can crawl and hide. The easiest and most effective way to find them is to follow these steps:

Step 1. Comb any type of hair conditioner on to dry, brushed (detangled) hair. This stuns the lice and makes it difficult for them to grip the hair or crawl around.

Step 2. Now comb sections of the hair with a fine tooth, head lice comb.

Step 3. Wipe the conditioner from the comb onto a paper towel or tissue.

Step 4. Look on the tissue and on the comb for lice and eggs.

Step 5. Repeat the combing for every part of the head at least 4 or 5 times
If lice or eggs are found, the child's hair should be treated.
Head lice eggs are small (the size of a pinhead) and oval. A live egg will 'pop' when squashed between fingernails.

Life Cycle of Head Lice

1. Egg is laid on hair shaft. Egg is called a nit.
2. Louse emerges after six to seven days.
3. First moult two days after hatching.
4. Second moult 5 days after hatching.
5. Third moult 10 days after hatching.
6. Emerging from their third moult as adult lice, the female and slightly similar male begin to reproduce.
7. Female lays first egg one or two days after mating.
8. Female can lay approximately three to eight eggs per day for the next 16 days.
9. Having lived 32 to 35 days the louse dies.
   
   

Treating Head Lice

• Concentrate on the head - there is no evidence that you need to clean the house or classroom.
• No treatment kills all of the eggs so treatment must involve two applications seven days apart.
• If you are using lotions, apply the product to dry hair.
• There is no need to treat the whole family, unless they also have head lice.
• Only the pillowcase requires specific laundering; either wash it in hot water (at least 60 degrees centigrade) or dry it using a clothes dryer on the hot or warm setting.
• There is no product available that prevents head lice. Using the conditioner and comb method once a week will help you detect any head lice early and minimise the problem. Tying back long hair can help prevent the spread of head lice.
• Combs with long, rounded stainless steel teeth positioned very close together have been shown to be the most effective, however, any head lice comb can be use.