Settling in – Fire and Lock Down Drills
It is nice to be into the second week of term and have everyone starting to settle into a routine. The new students (mainly year 7s) are quickly finding their way around and all appear happy to be here which is great. During the first two week we have conducted a Fire Drill and a Lock-down drill as we have to do each term. We were able to assemble and account for the whole school in less than 5 minutes for the Fire Drill which is a great achievement – but something I think we can improve on. The Lock-down was not quite as successful with a number of students not taking the drill very seriously. We have spoken to the Year 7-10 students as a whole about this and would hope to see a significant improvement next time. As explained to the students – during a Lock-down it is vital to make the school look and feel deserted.
Year 11 and 12 Information evening
Next Wednesday night we will be conducting our annual Year 11 and 12 Information Night. It is essential that all students and a parent/guardian attend the evening where vital information will be provided on the whole year ahead and an outline of each individual subject. Due to our class sizes, we will be able to observe social distancing as we spread out across rooms. Parents, like students, are asked to wear face masks while indoors at the school.
Debbie Hancock
After almost 20 years, Debbie Hancock has informed us that she will be moving to a school in Geelong. On behalf of the College I would like to extend our thanks to Deb for all of her service to the College in her variety of roles, with the main one that we all see and interact with being the front of house. We wish Deb all the very best in her new role and her move to the coast. In true Deb style, she did not want any fuss made and was able to just walk out the door on Friday.
COVID update - Face Masks and RA Tests
Throughout this whole pandemic we have been very fortunate to have very few if any positive cases at school. Having spoken to a number of Principals this past week, this is not the case at many other schools. We have, however, had our first positive case of a person attending school. As per the guidelines, all students and staff in the same class were notified and RA tests supplied where necessary. If, but more likely when, we have further cases, parents of contacts will be notified. Our first case underlines the importance of face masks, which should be provided from home. We are also expecting our next arrival of RA tests which will be available some-time next week.
Rural Youth Ambassador
I have spoken to the Year 11 students about the opportunity to become a Rural Youth Ambassador. This very successful program is run through the Country Education Project and gives rural students a voice with the highest decision makers in the state. We have a proud tradition of having students selected for the program with Josie Wilson our ambassador for 2021. I encourage all year 11 students to consider the opportunity and put forward an application.
Increasing student numbers
For the first time in many years our student numbers are on the rise which is really positive, but also creates some issues with too many students for one class at Year 8. We are in the process of reorganising some classes to ensure that class sizes are optimal and that all students receive the support they require.
Hats Outside
A reminder that all students are required to be wearing a broad brimmed (or legionnaires) hat when they are outside.
Helmets
Any students riding bikes to school must be wearing a helmet. This is a legal requirement, that is strongly supported by the College.
Upcoming dates
Wednesday 16 February – Year 11 and 12 Info night – all students expected to attend.
Friday 25 February – School Leader’s Ceremony – 2pm at the Town Hall.
Tony Hand
Principal
Year 11 Chemistry students investigated the characteristics of physical and chemical change.
Mrs. Mel Watts prepared Agar plates for next week's Year 11 Biology practical experiments. Students in Year 11 Biology are looking at the characteristics of living things and next week are investigating the characteristics of yeast. What makes yeast a living organism?
Students this week learnt and practiced how to light a Bunsen Burner and follow safety rules. They also boiled water and used other equipment such as thermometers and stop watches to collect data on the temperature and time it took to boil 250ml of water.
To our fellow students: Valentine’s Day is approaching quickly and the year 12s want to celebrate with you!
So, on Monday the 14th of February we are going to celebrate.
We encourage all students to dress in red, pink and white. This means you can ditch the school uniform for the day or add just a touch of colour to your uniform. Any items that are not red, pink or white, should be school uniform: this is not simply a free dress day. Students out of uniform will require a uniform pass. As with all dress up days, this will require a gold coin donation. These donations will be given to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to support their research.
On the day, we will also have an activity we like to call “Cupid Capture”. We will have very small cupids hidden around the school that you, as students, will be able to collect and ‘cash in’ for a prize. There are not many to find, so you will need to keep your eyes out. Captured cupids can be brought to the window of the year 12 room for a small prize.
We look forward to seeing you wearing pink, red and white on Monday and having some fun.
Thank you,
Year 12’s
Parent Payment Policy Arrangements in 2022
The Department of Education and Training has sought to clarify the Parent Payments Policy for 2022. Schools can request contributions from parents under three categories.
School Council has approved the 2022 Parent Payment Policy and Parent Payment Fees. The fees are located on the school webpage, or please contact the office to have fees sent.
Webpage: https://www.starnaudsc.vic.edu.au/page/229/2022-Parent-Payment-Policy
DET Parent Payment Policy: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/parent-payment/policy
BYOD LWT Portal: https://sasc.orderportal.com.au/
Parent Payment Arrangements and Options:
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:
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