Welcome to edition 1 of Term 1

Welcome to 2025!

What a busy return to school!

I’d like to run you through some staffing changes that have taken place on our return:

Emily Dillon made the decision to stop working in Education and to concentrate on her young family. We wish Emily all the best!

Nicole Mauna has returned from Family Leave, whilst Vernon Spokes has taken Long Service Leave across Term 1. We hope he has a relaxing break, and we look forward to seeing him in Term 2.

We also look forward to welcoming our new foods teacher Trish Rambaldo next week. Trish comes to us with a great deal of experience in Foods in both junior and VCE teaching. Welcome to the team Trish!

Thank you to those teachers who experienced a very last-minute change to their timetable and planned teaching.

Teaching & Learning

Whilst we had some real growth in our data last year, the department have identified us as a school that would benefit from some additional support.

As such, it has been decided that we will undertake an additional out-of-cycle review.

The reviewer will be here for 5 days later in Term 1 and at the culmination will write recommendations for action. 

DET have then undertaken to walk alongside us as we enact the recommendations for the next 2 years.

In the meantime,

Xianjun Chen has recreated the dynamic data wall for this year’s cohort 7-10 and Adrienne Baucke has kicked off the Tutor Mentoring Program.

There are already green dots on the dynamic data wall which is very exciting.

All tutoring sessions will be showing on your child’s Compass timetable and they will attend sessions until they are able to demonstrate skill acquisition in the identified area. This could mean 1 session or 3.

Kim Froelich and Allison Savige have commenced working with cohorts of students regarding their data, with our first round of data conversations taking place with Year 9 this week.

Below is a example of the data that will be utilized to inform our conversations with students.

 

Our Year 7s have started well.

Their data shows that they are very capable group of young people and our teachers are excited to be working alongside them in their learning journey.

They look wonderful in their new uniform.

If you have feedback concerning the quality of the new uniform, please let us know.

Bob Stewart are very receptive to feedback and we want to ensure our uniform is of high quality. 

NAPLAN

NAPLAN will commence for Years 7 & 9 next week.

Please encourage your child to do their best.

Whatever the media may say of the testing,  the information we receive is very useful in identifying areas of need for our young people.

It is very important that the data we receive is accurate so we can plan your child’s learning accordingly. 

VASS/VET/VSV Discussions

Nicole Mauna has hit the ground running with VASS, VET, VSV and eligibility conversations with year 12 students.

We will be holding regular conversations w ith each year 12 student concerning their outcomes so please encourage your child to ask if they have any concerns.

Student Leadership

We have launched our new student leadership model.

We again have a full cohort of students and held our first Student Leadership Day last week.

The students learned what it means to be a leader and considered areas for focus across 2025.

They have also begun planning our Primary Student Leadership summit.

If you have a sibling attending a feeder primary school who has leadership potential, look out for their invitation to attend. 

Facilities

The building work is now in full swing. 

I have requested architect’s drawings for the community and will advertise these as soon as we have them.

The buildings have been gutted, and the builders assure me they are on track for completion on schedule.

Newton Manor have been very responsive and organized.

Kennedy’s are completing our Fire Hydrant service replacement works.

Again, it has been very smooth, and I expect them to be completed in the next 2 -3 weeks.

In the past 4 weeks the school has undertaken a review of all OHS and Emergency Management processes.

Students are currently undertaking walkthroughs of the process in preparation for practice in week 7.

Thank you for your patience regarding access to the school in recent weeks.

The new gate is now fully operational so please use the designated drop off and pick up areas outside of the school gates each day. 

Annual privacy reminder for our school community

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy (www.fhc.vic.edu.au) describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students.

The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.

Nicky Buckingham

Principal (Acting)

Student Leadership Day

Last week our Student Leaders participated in a Student Leadership Day.

Students explored the meaning of ‘leadership’ and how to be effective leaders.

Our School Captains worked with the students to identify what they wanted to achieve this year and how they would go about it.

Students broke into groups to work on targeted areas of interest.

The student leaders are currently planning our first Free Dress Day, Year 11 Formal, introducing new clubs, revamping our Tribes and our big focus for term 1 is running a Leadership Summit for our local Primary Schools.

Our students are looking forward to mentoring junior leaders and helping them to solve a problem they have encountered in their primary school.

We have an exciting group of young leaders who are excited by the challenges ahead.

Adrienne Baucke

Leading Teacher

Student Leadership

Swimming Carnival

 

Our College Swimming Carnival was held in Week 4, and we were so pleased to see everyone in their tribe colours having a good time, competing in both competitive and fun aspects.

It was wonderful to see all students, specifically our new Year 7 students, give most events a go with their peers, even if they were nervous at first!

Moreover, it was great to see students building their social connections and interacting with students from other year levels!

For those students who achieved exceptional times in their races, they have successfully qualified for the Division Swimming, which is scheduled to take place later this term.

Congratulations to everyone who participated, and good luck to those advancing to the next round!

Bridget Mimmo

Sport Coordinator

Health & Physical Education Learning Area Leader

Library News – The Benefits of Reading For Pleasure

This year we are focusing on the benefits of reading for pleasure with our students.

There has been many studies on the benefits of recreational reading – from reducing stress, increasing empathy, helping improve academic performance, and many more.

One of the best ways for our students to be encouraged to read for pleasure is for them to see significant adults in their lives doing this.

The benefits mentioned in the graphic below apply to everyone, not just young people.

So do you read for pleasure? Is this something you don’t, but would like to try?

Feel free to approach our library staff about this, we are more than happy to chat, give advice, or suggest books for you to try reading.

Contact us on library@fhc.vic.edu.au or via Instagram @fhclibrary or by ringing the school during school hours and asking for the library.

 

Helen Farch

College Library