Weekly Wrap
Week 8 – Term 3
Welcome to week 9. This Thursday the College marked RUOK day in a number of ways.
We ensured our students engaged in checking in on their mates across the day. The bake sale proved very popular and raised almost $500 for Kids Helpline. Activities and promotions across the day meant that all of our students were aware of asking each other, RUOK?
We planted a Wattle Tree at the front of the General Office to commemorate the story of William Barack. William Barak was born into the Wurundjeri clan of the Woi wurung people in 1823, in the area now known as Croydon, in Melbourne. He campaigned to protect Coranderrk, worked to improve cross-cultural understanding and created many unique artworks and artefacts, leaving a rich cultural legacy for future generation He played a major role in advocating for Aboriginal rights and protecting his people’s culture. The value of Barak’s efforts to build understanding between two vastly different worlds can never be underestimated. He used his position to defend his people’s connection to their traditional land. We have planted this wattle tree to align with RUOK Day, in recognition of the importance of unifying people and making sure our friends and families are “ok”.
A plaque is being prepared to be placed at the foot of the wattle tree.
We received our NAPLAN data this week and we are very pleased with the continuing trend around growth.
In Year 7 writing, as an example, in 2017, 35% of students were showing low relative growth. In 2019, that figure is down to 20%. In Year 9 Writing and Numeracy, across the State there is a trend downwards in high relative growth. In both elements Forest Hill College is out performing the other Whitehorse schools and the State.
We are very confident in the learning culture at our school. We believe very strongly that we have excellent teachers. We are proud of these results, but even more proud of the effort our students and staff put into the teaching and learning at the College. These results are a good indication that we are getting it right in our classrooms. However, they are not the only data that defines our success. Students are performing in all learning areas and we are very proud of this.
Our Musical was of an excellent standard, Student Parliament is inspiring, our Art show was the best we have ever had, our student/ athletes are doing great work, our LOTE classes are vibrant and I could go on.
Keep up the good work everyone and have a great weekend!
David Rogers
RUOK Day
Having conversations and truly connecting with others enable us to see the signs that someone we care about is not OK. It is often when we are sitting and chatting over coffee, tea of hot chocolate that a deep and open conversation occurs. So in light of this social activity, the wellbeing team offered free hot chocolate to students at lunchtime symbolising sitting with a friend and chatting over a cuppa.
The free hot chocolate went well with the goodies that were purchased from the Leo Club Bake sale. The chatting, giggling and connecting demonstrated the great community vibe we have here at FHC.
We want our community to care for each other; to stop and ask R U Ok?
-Marianne McEwen
Wellness Leader
Leo Club News
In the spirit of R U Okay day, the Forest Hill Leo Club held a bake sale at lunchtime. After the baking close to 300 items on Wednesday after school, the club was able to donate a total of $479.15 to Kids HelpLine. An excellent effort from our student members.
-Alex Bellizia
Teacher