Library News
ePlatform Audiobooks
We’re excited to introduce you to ePlatform, a valuable addition to Elevation’s educational resources. Our subscription to ePlatform provides access to a consortium of audiobooks, with titles selected based on loan data from schools similar to Elevation.
ePlatform also provides access to decodable readers and a phonics program, both of which have been put to use in our literacy program. Literacy Officer, Chris Anderson:
“Students use the decodables to practise reading skills like segmenting and blending words in line with the phonics program. Then, they can use the readers to access texts at an appropriate reading level to reinforce their skills. Lots of Year 7 and 8 students have already impressed their families and carers by practising their out-loud reading at home.”
After the initial roll-out to students enrolled in the literacy program, ePlatform sign-ups are now open to everyone. Spaces are limited, so we encourage interested students to secure their spot promptly. ePlatform is accessible across devices, providing students with convenient and flexible opportunities to listen to audiobooks.
We believe ePlatform will not only support literacy development but provide another option for students to encounter stories and develop a love of literature.
To apply for access, please fill out this form.
Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge
The Premier’s Reading Challenge is well underway at Elevation. We currently have students from Years 7 to 10 participating. It is great to see more students reading in the library during break times and introducing favourite books to their friends. A couple of students have already met their initial goal and others are well on their way to doing so.
There will be prizes awarded for Most Books Read (Junior), Most Books Read (Senior), Biggest Variety of Genres and Most Books Read Overall as well as participation prizes. Aspire points will also be awarded for each book read. Students can still join the Challenge at any time by seeing Kate in the library.
Kate Richardson, Collections and Reader Services Librarian.
David Williamson Writing Competition
The draft submission deadline for the DWWC is fast approaching on June 3. Students who are looking for an extra kick of inspiration, or just want to continue their creative explorations, can borrow from our growing collection of plays, poetry and short stories.
Recommended titles:
Plays
The Great Divide by David Williamson. The latest play from the mostly-retired patron of the DWWC was first produced by Ensemble Theatre in March of this year. It’s a developer-versus-underdog comedy providing scathing insights into greed and wealth inequality.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller. This play from one of the great American playwrights tells the story of puritanical hysteria run amok in 17th Century Salem, Massachusetts.
You Can’t Tell Anyone by Joanna Richards. First produced by the Canberra Youth Theatre, this play uses the teenage experience, centered on an end-of-school party, as a means to grapple with age-old philosophical problems.
Frankenstein adapted by Christine Davey, based on the novel by Mary Shelley. This adaptation, first produced by Skin of our Teeth Productions in Geelong, presented an all-female cast in a recalibration of the modern Prometheus from a 21st century perspective.
Poetry
Love Looks Pretty on You by Lang Leav. The sixth poetry title from Australian poet and novelist Lang Leav ruminates on love in all its forms.
A Book of Luminous Things (An International Anthology of Poetry) edited by Czelaw Milosz. A personal selection of Nobel laureate Czelaw Milosz’s favourite poems, written by poets both living and historic and organised into themes like ‘People Among People’, ‘Epiphany’ and ‘The Secret of a Thing’.
How to Grow Your Own Poem by Kate Clanchy. From writer, teacher and journalist Kate Clanchy, this is a practical and approachable how-to guide to poetry, from getting started to building your process to the final product.
Short Stories
New Australian Fiction 2023 edited by Suzy Garcia. The fifth annual collection of short fiction from Australian literary magazine Kill Your Darlings.
Black Light: 10 Years of First Nations Storytelling edited by Hannah Donnelly. A collection of works developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers as part of author Michael Mohammed Ahmad’s Sweatshop Literacy Movement.
Voiceworks Magazine, Express Media. Any one of the multiple issues of Voiceworks available in the ESC Library gives students access to exciting new writing by young Australians. Voiceworks, published by Express Media, is a national literary journal featuring fiction, nonfiction, poetry and comics by Australians under the age of 25.
SRC Update
Hello to the community!
SRC have been meeting and discussing the development of clubs at the college. There have been some fantastic input from the student-leaders and have included ideas such as;
- Robotics Club
- Photography club
- Film club
- Games club
- Book Club
- Sport Club
- Coding Club
Each of these concepts have been forwarded onto other areas of the college for further exploration. However, as with all new ideas, one thing to consider is how we implement, fund and support these endeavours. So although we may not be engaging in a widespread selection of clubs as of yet, it means we are looking at ways to ensure that there are limitations, issues and teacher-input to be considered before offering something that will provide opportunities for our student population.
Our student leaders will be working on Mental Health awareness in preparation for Men’s Mental Health Week. We will consider what students will want to discuss/explore during PDM for that day that will help bring awareness to not only men’s, but all people’s mental health awareness.
As we move forward, there are more and more discussions about how SRC will be more engaged in the school and how we can increase opportunities for student-voice. As time progresses, we hope to have more discussions with non-SRC over the coming weeks to enquire as to what it looks like for students to pass on their ideas and opinions for us to discuss as a leadership body and ensure that all members of our learning community are heard.
Early Leaving Policy
School attendance is very important.
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.
Process:
- 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 to the office to be picked up.
School staff will not be collecting students from classes during timetabled periods.
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.
Recess and Lunch Times
Recess – 10:56 – 11:24am
Lunch – 1:20 – 2:02pm