2024 Issue No. 8

Parent Teacher Conferences

Please make sure that you book in a time to chat to your student’s teacher about progress. As part of our ongoing commitment to school improvement, student learning and teacher ‘teaching’ is paramount in growing our college. The cultural and connectedness to a college also emanates from what is happening in the classroom, every lesson, every day. The journey to success and harmony is a collective – all need to be invested, so that we can flourish and grow together. Bookings are now open, via Compass.

Staffing

 You and I both know that we have faced some challenges over the last couple of years, but we are now stabilising our staffing and we are looking forward to having most of our classes covered, with a permanent teacher. To ensure a smooth transition, there has been some shuffling of classes and we very close to offering stability of teaching staff.

Please welcome new staff to our college:

Mrs Sangeeta Varma who will be teaching junior Science and:

Mr Yingbao Liu who will be teaching junior Maths

Mr Liu will be starting next week, and Ms Varma has been with us for the week.

Final weeks for our Year 12 students

The class of 2024 are entering their final few weeks of their secondary schooling. There are still SACs to complete, projects to finalise and competencies that need to be completed. Our wonderful staff are working harder than ever to help our students achieve their personal best – it’s a two way street! Students must realise that they must do ALL the work, and then some, to achieve their aspirant goals.

There are celebrations planned within the College and we expect our cohort to finish their year well, with good humour, friendliness and full of class. It is imperative that there is an understanding that other year levels are yet to complete the year.

Ms Hay, our Head of Senior School and all the senior school team, will finalise details shortly and we will share this information with you as soon as possible.

Into The Aliceverse and Spring Concert

What do you get when you combine a three day extravaganza of Performing Arts? A busy schedule! But…a schedule and celebration of all the talents of our students. Thespians, singers/songwriters, musicians…the talent pool is huge. I hope you had the opportunity to come to one of the nights and watch our students having a great time. Thank you to all the staff involved in building our Performing Arts program to where it is now, and it continues to grow every day – huge thanks especially to Mr Peter McKenzie and Ms Katrina Owen, who make it all happen.

2024 Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey

Thank you to the parents have responded. If you have an invitation to participate, can you please click on the link and do so? This Survey allows us to prepare and support our community in growing our school for all. The Survey is open until the last day of this term.

James

College Principal

Emergency Management Procedure Update

In our ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe and secure learning environment, we are currently updating our emergency management procedures. This comprehensive review aims to address the latest best practices and integrate new safety protocols tailored to our school’s specific needs. This update will include revised evacuation plans, updated emergency contact procedures, and new safety drills to ensure everyone is well-informed and ready to act in any situation.

We recognise the importance of keeping our school community informed and engaged in these changes. Once the updated procedures are finalised, we will provide detailed information and resources to all students, staff, and parents. Our goal is to foster a culture of safety and preparedness, ensuring that everyone at Emerald Secondary College feels confident and secure.

Course Selection and 2025 Timetable

We are pleased to announce that the course selection process for the 2025 academic year has been successfully completed. Our dedicated staff in the Careers Hub and Sub Schools have worked diligently to ensure that each student’s preferences and academic needs are considered. With this critical phase behind us, our focus now shifts to developing a timetable that will best support our students’ learning experiences. This involves careful consideration of subject offerings, teacher availability, and scheduling constraints to create a balanced and enriching academic schedule.

Our team is committed to delivering a timetable that maximises opportunities for student success and aligns with our educational goals. We understand that a well-structured timetable is crucial for students’ academic achievement and overall well-being. We will keep you updated on the progress and provide further information as the new timetable takes shape. Thank you for your continued support and patience during this process.

Academic Excellence and High Expectations

At Emerald Secondary College, our dedication to academic excellence remains a cornerstone of our values. We are leveraging data analysis to gain insights into student performance and identify areas for improvement. This data-driven approach allows us to tailor our teaching methods and provide targeted support to address individual learning needs. By continuously monitoring and analysing academic outcomes, we ensure that our strategies are effective and aligned with our high standards of achievement.

Our commitment to high expectations is reflected in our rigorous curriculum and the personalised support we offer to each student. We believe that by setting ambitious goals and providing a supportive learning environment, we can help all students reach their full potential. Our staff is dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence, and we are excited to see our students thrive as they take on new challenges and opportunities.

SWPBS Update

Our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Matrix is nearly completion, and we are excited to share this with our community in the coming weeks. College Council is providing their in-put from a community and parent perspective. If you would like to contribute your ideas to this framework, please contact Mel Findlay at the College to discuss.

Student\ Teacher Communication

In the Victorian Department of Education setting, it is imperative for all staff working with secondary school students to adhere to Child Safe Standards to ensure a secure and nurturing environment. These standards mandate rigorous background checks for all employees, ongoing child protection training, and the establishment of clear, accessible channels for reporting any concerns or incidents. As educators, it is crucial to integrate these practices into daily operations, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability. By rigorously implementing these requirements, staff help safeguard students from harm and uphold their legal obligations, ensuring a safe educational environment where every student can focus on learning and personal growth.

Communication is an essential part of achieving academic success and engagement. Teachers and students communicate daily during teaching and learning time and in extracurricular activities. When communicating with students, we always uphold professionalism. Online communication can occur only through the Compass portal. Staff can provide feedback by commenting on learning tasks and completing rubrics, all of which are visible forms of communication. Compass chronicles that staff use (general academic chronicles, attendance and green chronicles) are all visible to the student, parent and teacher, ensuring transparency in communication. Students requiring support outside of these hours of 8:50 am – 4:25pm should not contact teaching staff and refer to the services below.

Wellbeing links

Kids Help Line – https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling

E Headspace – https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/connect-with-a-clinician/

Beyond Blue – https://beyondblue.org.au/

Lifeline – https://www.lifeline.org.au

Support numbers for young people

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 – provides 24-hour counselling for young people aged 5 to 25

Kids Helpline webchat: https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling

My Place Youth Centre: 1800 4 Youth (1800 496 884)

Headspace: 1800 367 968

E Headspace : https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/connect-with-a-clinician/

Melissa Findlay & Tiana Clayworth – Assistant Principals

Senior School

This term has brought its share of ups and downs, but our senior school students have shown perseverance and commitment to their studies.

As we head into a well-deserved break, remember to celebrate the small victories and take pride in how far you’ve come. It is important that our VCE students use this time to recharge, reflect, and prepare for the upcoming exam period. Our year 10 and 11’s are encouraged to set new goals for the next term.

We encourage our year 12’s to keep your focus, stay motivated, and continue to support each other. Your hard work is paving the way for your future success, and we have every confidence in your ability to achieve great things.

Enjoy your break, take care of yourselves, and return refreshed and ready to tackle the next chapter. Remember, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

See below some important dates and information for term 4:

Year 12

• Week 1: Monday 7^th October – Wednesday 9^th – Year 12 practice exams. Students’ required attendance is for exams only; however, all students are welcome to work out of the library for study and access their teachers and peers. 

• Thursday 10^th – Thursday 17^th October: classes as per regular timetable. 

• Friday 18^th October – All year 12 students return for celebration morning breakfast and final assembly. Leave school by 11:30am

• Week 3 – 21^st – 25^th October – Master classes. Fulltime attendance each day.

• All VCE VM and unscored students will finish on Friday the 20^{th of} September on the provision that all their required assessment and coursework is completed to a satisfactory standard and attendance is above 90%. They will be required to be signed off by all their teachers and present this to Ms Hay (Senior School Leader). They will return in term 4 if required. Please put in your calendar Friday 18^th October to return as a whole cohort

Year 11:

• Year 11 students completing a year 12 subject are to prioritise the year 12 practice exam and master class around their year 11 schedule. Further clarification will be sent soon. 
• Year 11 exams will be held in week 7
• Year 11 into year 12 kickstart week 8

Year 10:

• Exams: week 8 / 9: Wednesday 27^th November – Tuesday 3^rd December
• Year 10 into 11 kickstart: Wednesday 4^th and Thursday 5^th December

Parents and guardians supporting your child in their studies can make a big difference in their academic success and confidence. Here are some practical ways you can help:

1. Create a Positive Learning Environment: Designate a quiet, well-lit space for studying that’s free from distractions. Ensure they have the necessary supplies and resources.
2. Establish a Routine: Help your child develop a consistent study schedule. Regular study times can help build good habits and make studying a part of their daily routine.
3. Encourage Good Study Habits: Teach them effective study techniques such as breaking tasks into smaller chunks, using flashcards, and summarizing information in their own words.
4. Be Involved: Show interest in their assignments and projects. Ask about what they’re learning and offer help when needed but try to let them do the work independently to build their skills.
5. Communicate with Teachers: Stay in touch with their teachers to understand their progress and any areas where they might need extra support.
6. Provide Encouragement and Praise: Celebrate their efforts and successes, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can boost their motivation and self-esteem.
7. Help with Organisation: Assist them in keeping track of assignments and deadlines. Tools like planners or digital apps can help with time management.
8. Promote Healthy Habits: Ensure they get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and have time for physical activity. Good health supports cognitive function and focus.
9. Encourage Curiosity and Learning: Foster a love of learning by engaging in educational activities together, such as visiting museums or exploring topics of interest.
10. Be Patient and Supportive: Understand that academic challenges can be stressful. Offer emotional support and be patient as they work through difficult subjects.

Remember, every child is different, so it might take some time to find what works best for your child. Your involvement and support can make a big difference in their academic journey.

Have a restful break. Looking forward to a busy term 4 with our Senior School Students.

Emily Hay- Head of Senior School

Year 11 Geography

Our Year 11 Geography students attended a Geospatial Technologies incursion presented by former ESC student, Adric Smith. Adric’s presentation focused on what geospatial technologies are, their applications, and the wide range of jobs fields it can lead into. Adric also highlighted the types of data that the students could use for the upcoming fieldtrip to Puffing Billy. 

Fiona Minorgan

Year 9 Science

Student from 9D performing the Acid/Base PH Indicator Experiment. This test is used by scientists in real life to safely tell if a liquid is an acid or a base.

Heart dissection

Student performed a heart dissection. The students have been exploring various body systems this term. Heart dissections are conducted to explore the function of a heart by examining the internal and external structures.

Rube Goldberg Machine

Student in SEAL were brainstorming ideas for their upcoming Rube Goldberg Machine.  A Rube Goldberg machine is a contraption that uses a chain reaction to carry out a simple task. It performs a very basic job in a complicated way.

 Carlos Saliba

Year 7 Basketball

A great day was had by the 50 year 7 students who played basketball this week. So good to see so many students wanting to try a sport they do not normally play. Emerald had some impressive wins, and all students conducted themselves in the true sprit of the game. 

District Athletics 

Almost 60 students represented the school at District athletics last week.

With some very impressive results 18 ESC students will move on to Regional Athletics in October

Yvonne Mauger

VM Give Back Day

Within Personal Development Skills, the Year 12s planned, facilitated and implemented a ‘VM Give Back Day’ to raise money and awareness in collaboration with the RSPCA for animals in need.

Students prepared different stalls such as, bake sale (with cupcakes of course), a sausage sizzle and live music, and of course the main attraction a car wash! Students raised approximately $500 for the RSPCA which is admirable of their hard work and efforts. We thank staff of ESC for their help, time and money spent to support the cause, and of course the Emerald community for their continued support. We look forward to implementing this as part of theYear 12 curriculum in the future to raise awareness for new causes!

MasterChef Class

The Year 11 class have been working on building relationships within the community with their ‘MasterChef Class’ and put their aprons on to prepare some delicious food to teachers. WIth a special invite to nominated teachers, Year 11s made sure to plan their meals and a professional voting was conducted on the most delicious food item. The brownies were phenomenal!

Year 11 Work Related Skills

This week our year 11 Work Related Skills class dabbled in the cosmetics and beauty industry, in a workshop led by our resident beautician Chelsea Mainnie. Under her expert guidance, the class developed their eyeshadow skills, which eventually progressed into face painting. There was impressive commitment and open-mindedness in the class, and some of the boys may have found a new calling! We ended with a good 15 minutes of panic when some colours didn’t remove so easily, but overall everyone had a fun and colourful time.

Grace Sleit and Eythan Sendeckyj

Middle Years Photography 

In World Through The Lens this term, students have been exploring the fundamentals of the craft, building their knowledge of subject matter, composition and art elements. Last week, students went on an excursion to Emerald Lake Park to complete an ‘Everyday Beauty’ shoot inspired by the work of William Eggleston. The class enjoyed some early-spring weather and the challenge of capturing our local environment in interesting and evocative ways. The class will continue their study of ‘Everyday Beauty’ with an excursion to Belgrave in the coming weeks. 

          Elizabeth Gault                                                                                  Aidan Bailey                                                                                  Clay Richard                                                                          

Tony Taylor

‘Into The Aliceverse’

Massive congratulations and thanks to all those involved in this years’ production!!!  The performances on Tuesday and Wednesday night were absolutely fantastic and it was wonderful to see the students enjoying their time on the stage and working brilliantly together.

Well done, and now we can start thinking about the next one…

Peter Mckenzie

Into the Aliceverse

Seated up the back of EPAC, the tension of opening night was palpable. The hushed tones of excited friends and family only added to the atmosphere of expectation. So began the first notes of a fabulous cover of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” and we were whisked away, “Into the Aliceverse”.

I’m new to the college and was yet to really experience any of Peter McKenzie’s outrageous, absurdist humour before Tuesday night. If you were to ask, Pete would no doubt humbly reply that he’s only as good as the students allow him to be, and while there is absolute truth to this (the students were AMAZING), we should count our lucky stars to have someone like Pete at the reins.

“Into the Aliceverse” was beyond funny, I was having to withhold cackles for the full hour, and despite a few first-night nerves and hiccoughs along the way, the students performed well above expectations (to use the parlance of the college). I was delightfully captivated by the three Alice’s (Alice, Alyss and Ali$$) as they guided us on an adventure through the multiverse/s. Witty dialogue, impeccable characterisation and comedic timing; if you didn’t take the opportunity to see the show, you missed out. 

3/3 Mad Hatters, what an epic display of (mad) talent and effort.

Warm regards,
Melody Jumpponen

Grace Sleit

Teacher of Psychology and Vocational Major

AFL Club: Carlton 

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Growing up, I knew I always wanted to help people. For a while I thought the best way to do this was to become a psychologist and support society this way. It came to me after I finished my bachelor degree that my true ‘give back’ to society was to offer my teaching to the young people of the world. It was instant to me the fulfilment I received by allowing students to reach their full potential (whatever that might be), and giving them the opportunity to access education. This is now my way of ‘helping people’. 

How many languages do you speak?

I am fluent in English (thankfully) and I also have grown up speaking the wonderful language of Lebanese Arabic.

What would you sing at karaoke night?

I have a core rooted love for anything Britney Spears. But 3AM by Matchbox Twenty is an easy go to and a great sing-along!

Spring Concert 

Thank you to the Emerald Secondary College community for supporting our Spring Concert. It was wonderful to see so many of our talented musicians in the spotlight. 

Taiko ensemble lead by Daisuke Kawakami opened the evening with an animated performance of ‘Benkei’. Bradley Walker and Jayden De Chalain May provided masterclasses on technical proficiency across the drum kit. 

Miah Beardshaw’s reimagined solo piano version of ‘House of the Rising Sun’ brought new life into the classic. 

Ralph Amoguis hit the high notes and performed a beautiful rendition of ‘Dadalhin’ alongside Keilah Dewar, Bradley Walker and Tim Watson. Keilah Dewar brought soulful funk with Vulfpeck’s Animal Spirits. One-man band Jacob Hennig weaved a medley of classics together with guitar, cajon, percussion and vocals. 

The guitar ensemble lead by Eddie Cole featuring Annie Glasson, Azieza Noor, Cody Burns, Ethan Weinberg, Jude Penketh Mark Livingston, Matthew Doherty and Riley Korsten performed a stunning rendition of the Beatles’ classic ‘Eleanor Rigby’.

Will Grenness, Zara Griffin, Mars Gage and Ollie Midson performed the Chappell Roan hit ‘Good Luck, Babe!’. 

Declan Angus crafted a soundscape of guitar loops in his original piece ‘Mountain View’, followed by another original piece from band Reverend Green featuring Addison Cutting, Caelan O’Connor, Ziggy Ryan and Declan Angus. 

The audience was treated to new rising piano talents Alyssa Ling and Janna Rodriguez. Isy Pittard and Lachy Mackenzie delivered a delicate piano and vocal ballad ‘Marsha’. Ricky Sommer-Payet and Max Vogrinec showcased their solo VCE Music performance exam repertoire and Ella McRae, Levi Corbett and Jayden De Chalain May closed out the evening with two heavier hits, Geek U.S.A by The Smashing Pumpkins and Tinderbox by Violent Soho with guest vocals from Katrina Owen. Lastly, Zara Clearihan captured the mood of each piece through tasteful lighting and haze. 

Thank you to everyone behind the scenes who made this night possible.

Katrina Owen.

Kokoda Fundraising Event

Students at Emerald Secondary College with dedicated families spent  a Saturday at the Cockatoo Market selling sausages as a part of the Kokoda Fundraising efforts. These funds will help pay for transport to the airport and long term parking. Thanks go out to the local community groups in Cockatoo for supplying bread and sausages at the BBQ. Without their support this would not have been possible.

Students head off in less than 1 weeks and are busy walking with heavy packs and will be running a stall. Thanks go out to everyone supporting the team of 13 students.

Marion Donders