We have had significant illness in the last couple of weeks impacting both staff and students. COVID-19 transmission in the community is still high and this has been compounded by other illnesses which are circulating widely. We have had several confirmed influenza infections at the school, as well as gastro and the common cold. These certainly are circulating within our community and student body at present.
We have air purifiers in every classroom, but without compulsory masks- there are few mitigation strategies available that aren’t already being used.
I would expect that the various strains of influenza: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm, common cold and COVID will continue circulating through the winter months.
We ask families to continue take precautions around illness. If your child is openly displaying cold and flu symptoms they should not attend school – even if they have tested negative for COVID.
Our NAPLAN participation and completion rate was exceptional this year. Matt Williamson and Alex Mangione did a great job in organizing the program and ensured that every student had the opportunity to sit the tests. After factoring in students who were withdrawn from the tests due to parent choice, we had 100% completion rates in years 7 and 9 (A pass rate for schools in terms of participation is 80%).
I do have some concerns regarding the online nature of NAPLAN. In our experience, online multiple choice tests often lead to students skipping through questions and generally not taking the tests as seriously as if it was on paper. Also, our Year 9s had not completed NAPLAN since grade 5. Many reported to us that they had been taught in primary school that it didn’t matter and they didn’t have to try. This is concerning from a school perspective and perhaps indicative of a community attitude we will need to change over time.
Our Year 10 programs are very close to being completed. On the 1st of June from 6.30-7.30pm we will be holding a Senior School Information Night for our current year 9 cohort and their families, to talk them through our outline for year 11 and 12 and details for year 10.
As many of you know, Homework Club runs in the library for two afternoons a week and will be supported by teaching staff. Any student can attend Homework Club to complete homework, catchup on learning or complete some extra study.
There is now an option for parents to sign their child up to attend Homework Club. If you wish to sign your child up for Homework Club in any given week, please complete this brief form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesJWLcY7xMGZwhxHBi1zq6RR1Y2mBndCYpXmtmyUALX4sF3w/viewform?usp=sf_link
The aim of the form is to let our staff know which students are likely to be attending on any given night. You will still need to tell your child that you have signed them up and expect them to attend.
We have had hundreds of prospective families attend our Information events across terms 1 and 2. Our after school tours just wrapped up last week. It was great to talk to so many families about our school and their aspirations and ambitions for their children.
An additional tour has been added to the schedule for families that missed out. It will run on June the 16th and tickets can be booked on our website: https://compasstix.com/e/51eof3k0g7
Enrolment applications are beginning to arrive. I would hope we have an update at the next Council meeting.
Some of you might have seen that we were the winner of the Australian Financial Review Best Places to Work (Education, Not for Profit and Government category). This is a massive achievement for our school and is testament to the amazing hard work that our staff do each and every day here at Elevation. For context, this annual competition usually receives over 4000 entries from all over Australia and New Zealand.
Our staff love working here and educating our community.
Our Stage 2 building works are continuing on-track, despite supply chain interruptions and COVID related issues. We are hoping that by term 3, our new hardcourts are completed which will add some welcome extra playing space for students. Depending on the weather conditions in early Spring, we are also hoping that our oval is ready for students at some stage in term 4.
At present our buildings are on track for practical completion in December, meaning we can prepare over summer and be ready for 2023.
Term 2 is off to a flying start, with learning tasks submitted and results available now on Compass.
As we continue to grow as a school, Compass will continue to grow in importance. It is crucial that every parent/carer has secure access to Compass in order to monitor their child/ren’s progress, communicate with school staff, enter absences and see the aspire points your children are earning. Please keep your password secure from your child/ren.
The library’s fiction collection has been moved onto our brand new library shelving and the books are now organised into genre sections. This is becoming best practice in school libraries as students are more likely to browse by genre, rather than knowing a specific author to seek out in a general fiction collection. It is hoped that this will make the collection more accessible and books more easily discoverable to all students.
It has been wonderful to see our students wearing school blazers, especially as we move into the colder months of the year. This is the only jacket students are allowed to wear on their way to school, at school and going home from school. If you are experiencing financial difficulties preventing you from accessing a blazer, please speak with the front office.
With the coldest months coming up, it is important to remember how to keep warm while still wearing the appropriate school uniform. Thick stockings can be worn with the school dress or skirt instead of socks, long sleeve school shirts can be worn instead of the short sleeve, trousers can be worn instead of shorts, dress or skirt, blazers can be worn over the jumpers. Thermal underwear is very useful as long it it cannot be seen (eg. students cannot wear a long sleeve thermal under the dress where the sleeves come past the dress sleeves). Hoodies are not allowed. Plain Black or gray scarves and gloves are a great addition for those chilly mornings.
Keeping your black academic leather shoes in good condition makes them last longer. Purchase shoe shine from a supermarket or similar and shine up your shoes at least once a week. This protects them longer from wear and tear and makes them look great.
On the 17th of May, it was International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), this provided our staff and students with an opportunity to celebrate LGBTQIA+ people, and raises awareness for the work still needed to combat discrimination. During Personal Development students discussed important topics such as diversity, respect, tolerance and acceptance.
To know how to become an effective ally or advocate, support each other, to become more educated or just to find out more head to https://www.idahobit.org.au/
On the 26th of May is National Sorry day, which was recognised by the Koorie Group creating and presenting information to the different year levels during Personal Development. Thank you to the Koorie group for creating the presentations for the school to learn and recognise the significance of National Sorry Day.
Year level assemblies have taken place for all students this term and have covered a variety of topics for students and celebrate successes that students have achieved. Students have taken on responsibilities to present alongside the teachers on a variety of topics to their year levels and have shown great leadership in doing so.
Year 9 students have begun their Morrisby testing, which will continue over the next few personal development sessions. This is a series of questions related to literacy, numeracy, abstract thinking and what the students are interested in. From this, students will receive suggestions for careers that suit their personality, interests and strengths, which will be helpful as they consider future pathways. Click the link for a better understanding about Morrisby testing: https://www.morrisby.com/parents
As the days become colder, students have been taking advantage of our lunchtime clubs and activities. The lunchtime clubs provide students with the opportunity to participate in an activity that interests them as well as connect and form relationships with students outside of their mentor group and/or year level. If students haven’t tried out one of the activities or clubs, now is the time! Below you will find the lunchtime club roster.
Homework club is running on Monday and Thursday afternoons after-school in the library. This is an opportunity for students to work with our tutors on any homework they have, or to simply work quietly and independently. Our tutors have particular expertise in mathematics, but homework club is a place students can receive help for any subject.
Four year nine students were lucky enough to attend a ten day Leadership camp run by The Outdoor Education Group. They attended with students from eight other schools and had the opportunity to meet other young leaders, build relationships and learn more about their community and natural environment. Read below what one year nine, Mya David, had to say about the experience:
During my camp experience I learnt so much about myself and others. I learnt self discipline through the freezing nights. I learnt to look up to the beautiful world we have been blessed with; the glossy wet trees dancing in the wind with wild bushes sprouting with flowers. I also learnt that you can build such a close community in such a short time of 10 days. I have no regrets and am proud of going on one of the best experiences of my high school time; this camp.
Mya David Yr9
As the school has grown, so has been the Student Wellbeing Team at Elevation Secondary College and we are very excited to share with you the changes that have been made this year.
In term one we introduced Jasper, who has a background in social work and working in Secondary School settings. He has hit the ground running and has loved getting to know welcoming students that we have at Elevation. This has meant that we now have a student wellbeing coordinator/mental health practitioner, speech pathologists, a social worker and a part time school nurse who are available to work with your children on a range of wellbeing issues. Some of thing things that we might speak to your child about are:
If you would like to link your child in with one of our wellbeing staff, please contact your child’s mentor group teacher or a year level coordinator to discuss and arrange an appointment. If you would like to speak to a wellbeing member about any concerns that you have for your child, please call the school.
Please download the attached note from our school Nurse, Lauren Turnbull, for our Parent/Guardians regarding the use of Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)
Our Showcase Evening may be over but we are still running one last school tour on the 16th of June from 4pm-5pm. If you know any prospective parent or students who would may be interested in attend, tickets are still available. Bookings can be made through the following link or on the home page of our school’s website: https://compasstix.com/e/51eof3k0g7
A brief reminder to students to check their emails for overdue notices and to return their overdue Library books.
Thank you
With the influx of Expression of Interests over the last few weeks, Greenvale United SC has decided to add a couple more teams to the mix.
We require specific positional players in a couple of junior teams as listed below.
U13 Goalkeeper (Born 2008 or 2009)
U16 Striker (Born 2006 or 2007)
U16 GIRLS Goalkeeper and Striker (Born 2006 or 2007) – GIRLS PLAY FREE THIS YEAR
Please contact GUSC @ mailto:football@greenvaleunited.com.au
Please fill out an Expression of Interest via the link to become a Panther today:
https://www.greenvaleunited.com.au/2021/09/13/player-pression-of-interest-2022/
Improvements are coming to bus networks in Craigieburn and Mickleham. Upgrades started in April and include new bus stops and additional services to improve accessibility and frequency. Thanks to The Hon. Ros Spence MP for making this project possible.
Find out more details: http://hume.vic.gov.au/bus-improvements
Any Parents/Guardians who are looking to buy or sell their second-hand uniforms or text books please visit the Sustainable Schools website to list or purchase items: http://www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au
So far the results have been very good and we encourage families to take advantage of this method of buying and selling second-hand items.
Here is a how to guide to get you started:
Curriculum Day – Friday 10th June
Queen’s Birthday – Monday 13th June
Curriculum Day – Tuesday 10th August
Whole School – Friday 25th June
Year 7 – Wednesday 28th July
Year 8 – Wednesday 4th August
Wednesday 25th August – Bookings via Compass
Monday 16th August
Term 2 – Tuesday 26th April – Friday 24th June (finish 1.18pm)
Term 3 – Monday 11th July – Tuesday 13th September (finish 1.18pm)
Term 4 – Monday 3rd October – Tuesday 20th December