Remote and Flexible Learning

This makes it even more important for all students to be accessing their classes via WebEx. I would like to again thank staff and the majority of students for their ongoing participation in student learning across the College.  We are, however, concerned at the number of students, particularly at the higher year levels, who are not turning up to any classes and are in very real danger of not successfully completing their respective year levels.  As has been outlined on numerous occasions, lockdowns are not an excuse for not turning up to classes or attempting set work.  Students who do not complete required work or have not demonstrated the required educational growth may be considered in need of repeating a year level.  I know that the staff are following up with students and parents – but in the end, the responsibility falls onto each student to turn up to their scheduled WebEx classes and attempt the learning and work that is being provided to them.

On Site attendance

There have been some noticeable changes to requests for on-site attendance with the requirement to have an authorised worker form for each parent/caregiver.  These forms are required to be submitted by lunchtime Friday each week for the following week.  The College does have some ability to identify and determine ‘vulnerability’ which we will aim to do in the best interests of everyone.

Parent Teacher Interviews

We will be going ahead with Parent Teacher Interviews on Monday, and they will be conducted via WebEx.  This will be a bit of a different challenge for each of us, but will still require parents to make appointments via Compass to avoid ‘traffic jams’.  Staff will be using their own WebEx rooms and each of these will be published in this newsletter and on Compass Newsfeed.

At the time of your interview, you are asked to log into the room, where you will go straight into a ‘lobby’.  The lobby feature allows the staff member to bring you into the room at the appropriate time, and you do not need to fear ‘gate-crashing’ another interview, or having your interview interrupted by others joining.  We ask that everyone be patient as on a normal day; some interviews may go a minute or so overtime, but we are very confident that this will work well on the day.

If you have any questions or are experiencing any difficulties, please do not hesitate to call the General Office – or maybe try asking your child to step you through the process.  Hopefully all students will be at the interviews with their parents and will be doing this for you anyway.

Year 12 GAT and Student Immunisations

We also learnt on Wednesday that the Year 12 GAT will be conducted on Tuesday October 5, in the first week of next Term.  The Government was clear that they would like to have every Year 12 student with at least their first shot of vaccine prior to the end of this term. How this will be done is not clear at this stage, but if you are able and willing, I would encourage you to make an appointment as soon as possible. East Wimmera Health Services are running vaccination clinics in St. Arnaud.  Please make a booking for your covid immunisation by calling 03 54 776800. There are already a number of students who have begun their vaccination path, as have the vast majority of staff.  As more information comes to light, we will pass it along to parents as soon as is practically possible.

Parent Opinion Survey

It is that time of year again when we, and the Department, seek feedback from parents in the annual Parent Opinion Survey.  27 randomly selected families will have received an invitation to participate in the survey.  We ask that you spend the 10 to 15 minutes completing the survey to provide us with data about what we are doing well and areas for improvement.  If you receive an invitation and do not believe that you can or will complete the survey, please contact the General Office so another family can be allocated.  

Currently we have had 4 families complete the survey for response rate of 13%.  This means there are 23 families that have not yet completed the survey

Tony Hand

Principal

Year 10 Food Muffin Pics
Year 10 Food - Bolognaise and Risotto Pics

Last week at home students made muffins.  This week they had the choice between risotto and bolognaise. The theory during remote and flexible learning has been about the properties of ingredients and how they alter the texture, taste and colour of our food.

Year 12 Food Technology Pics

As part of their course, Charlotte and Tessa have been making and creating sustainable and ethical food dishes.
Sustainable food production is “a method of production using processes and systems that are non-polluting, conserve non-renewable energy and natural resources, are economically efficient, are safe for workers, communities and consumers, and do not compromise the needs of future generations”

Notebook Program - Final payment due NOW!
Food Technology Fee - Due NOW!

Helping families get their kids active

Eligible families can now apply for a voucher that helps subsidise organised sport and recreation activities

Does your child love sport and being active? Does your family have a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card? You may be eligible for up to $200 to put towards the cost of your child’s participation in physical activities. The Get Active Kids Voucher Program helps eligible families get their kids involved in organised sport and active recreation activities. 

Under the program, children may be eligible to receive up to $200 to help with the cost of membership and registration fees, uniforms, and equipment. 

Special consideration also applies for children named on their own Australian Government Health Care Card or residing in care services as well as temporary or provisional visa holders, undocumented migrants or international students. Applications for vouchers in round two of the program close at 5pm Friday 30 July.  For eligibility requirements and to apply, visit the Get Active Victoria website - https://www.getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers/

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund applications

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities. Applications for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) close on Friday 13 August.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. The concession card must have been valid on either of the following dates:

• the first day of Term 1 (Wednesday 27 January 2021)
• the first day of Term 2 (Monday 19 April 2021)
• the first day of Term 3 (Monday 12 July 2021).

Payment amounts this year are $225 for eligible secondary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

If you would like to apply for the first time, please contact the school office on 5495 1811 and ask for an application form. 

Business Manager – Kerrie Swanton

Student Administrator – Debbie Hancock

Office Hours: 8.30 am – 4.30pm

Phone 03 5495 1811

Email: st.arnaud.sc@education.vic.gov.au

On Tuesday afternoon we had an unexpected visitor. An echidna was found making the most of the quiet corridors, while students are off site. Vanessa discovered it near Room 6, heading towards the social staff room. After a bit of excitement, it was carefully taken back to the nearby bush.

• Calvin Taylor: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/taylor.calvin.a 

• Vanessa McCormick: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/mccormick.vanessa.v

• Rosanne Chapman: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/chapman.rosanne.r

• Beau Knight: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/knight.beau.r

• Craig Cornwell: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/cornwell.craig.a

• Tony Hand: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/hand.anthony.a

• Bernie Segger: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/seggar.bernd.g

• Rebecca Reynolds: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/reynolds.rebecca.l

• Sophie Tehan: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/tehan.sophie.s

• India Griffith: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/griffith.india.c

• Trudie Jackson: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/jackson.trudie.g

• Terri Dean: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/dean.terri.e 

• Heather Bourchier: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/bourchier.heather.a

• Russell Marland: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/marland.russell.p

• Bradley Calvert: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/bradley.calvert 

• Casey Bertalli: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/bertalli.casey.i 

• Clinton Lobley: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/lobley.clinton.j