A massive welcome to all Year 7 students, and other students new to the school. This year we have grown to over 700 students, and nearly 100 staff. Welcome back to all returning families.
School Traffic
With our school size increasing by more than 200 students this year, we encourage families to find alternative ways to get your child to school rather than driving. Suggestions might include riding a bike, walking, taking the bus or car pooling. Not only are these more environmentally friendly options, but also help increase safety in our area by reducing car traffic, as well as increasing student independence and responsibility in getting to and from school. A reminder to families, especially for students in Year 7 and 10 that the gate on Carmichael Rd. (next to the bike shed) is open before school from 8:20 am, and open after school until 3:15 pm. Use of both gates will reduce congestion.
Esafety – Parent knowledge is parent empowerment!
This year we are pleased to announce the official start of the Elevation Safety Hub Website! Created in conjunction with ysafe, this is a one stop shop for families being internet safe. Everything from social media questions answered, setting up parental controls, and short easy to understand app and game information guides with risks outlined.
The safety hub can be found at https://elevationsc.onlinesafetyhub.com.au/, and is regularly updated. We highly recommend that parents/guardians start with the online safety quiz
Below is an example of what you can find on the site (these are the known risk rating for TikTok)
Attendance and Early Leaving
School attendance is very important.
A reminder that students should be at school at 8:35am in the morning, so that they can go to their lockers and be lined up for Mentor Group at 8:50am.
Students are required to attend school for the entire day. If there is an unavoidable reason for a student to leave school early on a particular day (such as for a medical appointment) a signed note from home must be provided.
Pickup times should coincide with recess and lunch.
- Student brings a note from home explaining the absence and the intended departure time (recess or lunch). The note must be signed and dated by a parent/guardian
- Student presents the note from home to the Mini School Admin Office before Mentor Group.
- Student receives a signed Early Leaver note from the mini school.
- At recess or lunch – the student brings the early Leaver note to the Administration Office and signs out.
- Student is picked up
If a pickup time can only be during a timetabled period, the student must show their signed Early Leaver note to their classroom teacher at the designated time and then present it to the office to be picked up.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they arrive at the office for pickup at the designated time.
Learning is extremely important at Elevation Secondary College. Please note that staff cannot collect your child or put an announcement over speakers during class time.
Setting routines for your child
A reminder that setting routines is very important. It encourages organisation, predictability and can foster a sense of responsibility.
Families can think about what routines their child has around mornings, homework and the night before school.
The importance of family engagement on student engagement in Education
When schools, families and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer and like school more.
Research shows that students with involved parents, no matter what their income or background, are more likely to:
- Earn higher grades and test scores.
These students also more often enrol in higher level programmes.
- Be involved and pass their classes.
Students are more likely to succeed at school, pass their classes and develop self confidence.
- Attend school regularly.
High levels of absenteeism has a detrimental effect on student achievement. When families are involved in encouraging and motivating their children, attendance rates go up.
- Have better social skills, show improved behaviour and adapt well to school.
Students who have good social skills are able to engage better with their peers and teachers and hence feel a sense of inclusion and acceptance—this impacts on their emotional state and learning.
- Graduate and go on to post-secondary education.
This impacts their career and future success.
By Angela Lane, Sonia Loudon, Kyle Schutz & Andrew Stock