Welcome to the week 6 edition of our e-newsletter

Year 9 Academic Data Conversations

This week our Leading Teachers and Learning Area Leaders have been conducting year 9 academic data conversations with each year 9 student. 

The goal is for students to see and understand their current achievement data and to use that data to make learning gains across all subject areas.

Using longitudinal data, including teacher judgements, PAT Testing results and Year 7 NAPLAN data students have been committing to working with their teachers to close any learning gaps they have identified.

Details of the conversation had will be sent to individual students and their families in the coming days.

Year 12 Academic data conversations will be taking place next week and, as a follow up to their VM interviews completed in November of last year, our Vocational Major students will also be spending some time recommitting to their learning journey in the next few weeks.

Learning

As these conversations take place it seems timely to remind all our students of three simple methods to ensure their meet their learning goals;

• Come to class ready to learn
• Seek feedback from your teacher
• Seek support from your tutor mentor

Parent Teacher Student Interviews

Parent Teacher Student Interviews are fast approaching.

These interviews are vital elements of the academic program for the year.

It is critical that all parents and guardians make full use of these.

The feedback we can provide now is timely, and can be acted upon.

It enables students and parents a good opportunity to hear about the good habits that need to be continued and any areas that need to be adjusted, in order for your child to make the progress we expect this year.

College Council Update

At the conclusion of the period of nominations for College Council for the Parent category, we had received one nomination, and as such will not be needing to hold an election.

On Wednesday last week we held our February Council meeting.

This was the final meeting for long standing Council member, Bronwyn Baker.

Bronwyn has been an outstanding College Council member, contributing to our Strategic directions and governance, supporting and guiding curriculum development and always ensuring fair, transparent whole school decisions are made.

We thank Bronwyn for her tireless contribution and wish her and her family the best in the years to come.

Council also discussed the concept of raising our expectations of our students as they enter the College each day.

Our expectation is the College provides the best quality teaching and learning and curriculum.

We also expect our students arrive to College ready to learn.

This means they are dressed proudly in full College uniform, with all of their equipment, ready to participate enthusiastically in each class.

We understand our students come from a diverse range of backgrounds, with a wide range of skills.

This message is part of a push to raise students expectations of what they are capable of and to enable them to flourish in a world beyond our College gates.

Sub School Communications

Recently the College appointed Kim Froelich to take on the Later Years Head of School role, replacing Nicole Mauna who is on maternity leave.

This is a timely reminder that the points of contact for you as families are the following email addresses:

middleyears@fhc.vic.edu.au and lateryears@fhc.vic.edu.au

Should you wish to make a phone call, Adrienne Baucke is your point of contact for year 7 to 9 students and Kim is for years 10-12 students

Parents Association

The Parents Association is a group of parents and guardians who work to support student initiatives at the College.

They volunteer at the Basketball Marathon, Production and at BBQ events held at the school to raise funds for students.

We are eagerly looking for people who are interested, and have some time, to be a part of this group.

There is no need to attend any meetings or take on any organisational roles.

What we are keen to provides is an opportunity to connect with other families, build relationships with teachers and assist our students in their endeavours.

If you have time to do some sport coaching, some gardening, help at a BBQ or take on a volunteer role supporting the Production or Basketball Marathon, please send an email outlining your interest to PA@fhc.vic.edu.au.

Swimming Carnival

In Week 4 we were grateful for the beautiful weather at our FHC Swimming Carnival where students were excelling in a different environment!

It was fantastic to see a large showing of participation across all year levels in both competitive and novelty events.

Moreover, it was wonderful to see all students giving their best efforts, even if they were out of their comfort zone as well as making new connections with different peers and teachers.

For students who completed their events with exceptional times, they have qualified for Division Swimming which will be held later this week.

Congratulations to all students for a great event and good luck to those advancing in the next round!

Community News

Dave Rogers & Nicky Buckingham

College Co-Principals