Parents Info
PARENTS ASSOCIATION
The next meeting is on Monday September 1st at 7.30pm. New members are always welcome.
School Times
Monday to Friday – 8.50am to 3.15pm
Lunchtime – 12.47pm to 1.32pm
Uniform
The College is a uniform school. Students are expected to be dressed in the appropriate College uniform at all times. The College jumper, windcheater and Senior School tops are purchased through the College and are available from the Uniform Shop, which is run by the Parents’ Association. The shop also has some second hand uniform items for sale. It is open each Tuesday from 12.30 to 1.30pm.
If students are unable to wear part of their uniform on a certain day, they must provide an explanatory note signed by a parent/guardian and obtain a uniform pass from their Co-ordinator. Any students with financial difficulties in providing uniform should see the Student Wellbeing Co-ordinator.
The College Diary
The diary is given to all students in the college and must be taken to all classes. College rules and procedures as well as a map are placed at the front of the diary. Students who wish to leave class are required to have a note written and signed in their diary. Most importantly, the college diary is a key component of a student’s organisational skills. It is to be used to record all homework and information about school activities.
Diaries are not to be decorated with pictures, graffiti or irrelevant personal information. Pictures of hunks, babes, Australian Idol candidates, Home and Away stars, etc., etc., are not appropriate.
Parents are welcome to use the diary to communicate with teachers and teachers may choose to do the same.
If parents note that their child’s diary has very little homework recorded in it, they should follow up the matter with the student’s level coordinator.
Homework and Study Requirements
The work done at home by each student is a vital and necessary extension of the class lessons to enable the students to consolidate and reinforce work covered during the day. The Homework Policy is clearly set out in the College diary.
When no formal homework is set, students are expected to read or revise class notes. Too many students leave assignments and the like to tackle the night before they are due. Plan to finish work well before due dates so any necessary help can be obtained before it is too late.
HOMEWORK POLICY
Aims/Philosophy
Homework:
Helps students by complementing and reinforcing classroom learning, fostering good lifelong learning and study habits.
Provides students with an opportunity to be responsible for their own learning.
Provides an opportunity for parents to become more involved in their child’s education.
Helps develop time management skills and self discipline.
Encourages students to research and use resources outside the school.
Fosters better communication between parents and school.
D.E.E.C.D. Suggested Times
Year 7 45 minutes a day Year 9 60 minutes a day
Year 8 60 minutes a day Year 10 90 minutes a day
VCE will range from 1 hour to 3 hours per day and up to 6 hours on weekends during peak times.
Failure To Complete Major Homework
Parents will be informed and resubmission expected in most cases.
Assessment of unapproved late homework can only be S or N.
Extension requests for homework should be made in advance or upon receipt of an approved absence note.
Persistent failure to complete homework should result in study skills education and/or counselling through Sub-school Co-ordinator or YLC.
The school is also open after school until 6pm for those who prefer to do their study and homework at the College.
Please note that the College operates a Homework Club each Tuesday after school from 3.30 – 4.45pm where students are supervised and a suitable study environment is provided.
Keeping parents informed
College Council, the Swamp Network, Parents Association, Parent Tutors, the Uniform Shop and the Canteen all provide opportunities for parent participation. Annual College activities such as the Debutante Ball, Camps, Musical, the reading assistance program and instrumental bands welcome the support and participation of parents.
Parents and Guardians are kept informed of College activities through the College Newsletter which is distributed regularly after College Council meetings and also several times a year by mail. The Newsletter is designed to inform students, parents and the community of events on the school calendar, to relate important educational issues, to describe events which have occurred and to pass on other general information.
The best time to visit
Parents and guardians are always welcome to contact the college for information or to discuss concerns. If you want to come in person, please note the following:
Staff meetings are held each morning between 8.30 and 8.50 and on Wednesday afternoons between 3.30 and 4.30. Staff will not be available at these times unless it is an emergency.
It is always best to make an appointment time in advance, if possible.
PROVING SUPPORT
Student Wellbeing
The Student Wellbeing Services Centre is able to provide a variety of support to students and their families throughout the year, eg. counselling and emotional support, information and contacts, mediation between students by Yr. 11 students who have been trained as Peer Mediators, etc. Support staff include a Guidance Officer, Social Worker and Adolescent Health Nurse. The College also utilises the services of Cardinia Shire Youth Services, the Vibes Youth Bus from City of Casey and other outside agencies.
Some second hand books are still available for purchase through Student Wellbeing.
Don’t hesitate to contact me at the College regarding any wellbeing matters about which you are concerned.
Mrs Sue Hermans, Student Wellbeing Coordinator
BELL TIMES
Time
Bell
8.56am
Locker Bell
9.01am
Form Assembly
9.06 am
Period 1
9.55 am
Period 2
10.44-11.04am
Recess
11.04am
Locker Bell
11.09 am
Period 3
11.58 am
Period 4
11.04am
Locker Bell
11.09 am
Period 3
11.58 am
Period 4
12.47-1.32pm
Lunch
1.12pm
Yard Duty Bell
1.32pm
Locker Bell
1.37 pm
Period 5
2.26 pm
Period 6
3.15pm
Finish
IMPORTANT YEARLY FUNCTION
February
Year 12 and 7 camps
House Swimming Sports
Year 12 Investiture Night
College Photo
March
Year 11 Seminar Day
Parent Teacher Interview
April
House Athletics Sports
Senior Formal
Grade 6 Information Night
May
National Testing Yrs 7 and 9
Music Festival
Year 10 & 11 Exams
June
Year 12 Exams
Year 10 Work Experience
Deb Ball
Reports posted
July
Subject Information Nights
August
Student interviews for subjects
Japanese students visit
September
Musical
Japan Tour
Year 10/11 Camp
Parent/Teacher Night
October
Year 12 exams start
November
Year 10, 11 and 12 Exams
Year 12 Dinner Dance
December
Orientation Day
Presentation Night
Reports posted
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
REPORTING TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS
Reports are issued 4 times a year:
Term 1: one page interim report per student
Term 2: formal mid year report, one page per subject
Term 3: one page interim report per student
Term 4: formal mid year report, one page per subject
Note: Year 12 students do not receive a report in term 4. All assessment is provided via VCAA
PARENT TEACHER DAYS/NIGHTS are held to accompany the distribution of interim reports.