2025 Issue No. 2

Expectations are high at Emerald Secondary College

EVERY student at our college has a right to learn – feeling safe, confident and listened to in our classrooms; this is non- negotiable. Teachers are responsible to set challenging work, differentiating accordingly, or making reasonable adjustments, as needed – this is the vision of our college and everyone in a learning community has the responsibility to make it happen, and to continue to strive for aspirational goals.

There is always support for those students who might find this vision challenging. Growing together and feeling connected is integral in a growth mindset. Our college is focussed on making more improvements in 2025, especially in our learning data – core business.

Well done to most of our students who have started well. I see our senior students really engaged with their studies and this is very encouraging. All other year levels have moved into good habits and making steady progress. The Year 7s have settled into their routine, after a fun filled camp.

Our values are important – it’s not that hard to be nice, to be collegial, to be respectful and understanding. It’s all about our culture and being part of a community.

Welcome to our School Council for 2025

 Thank you to all our parents who nominated for School Council, and we welcome:

Maxine Rawson

Jacinta Woehl

Jacquie Forsythe

Kara Montoneri

Nadia Beardshaw

Kirstin Jackson

And, continuing their tenure:

Raelene Gault

Elizabeth Maciulaitis

Office bearers are yet to elected – I will keep our community updated.

Building Upgrade

The new roof for D block and E block is very close to completion and we look forward to accessing our classrooms again. The painters are moving in on Monday to finish off some painting, and pending final inspection, we get our specialist rooms back.

 James

College Principal

A Fantastic Start to 2025!

The new school year is off to an incredible start, with our Year 12 students hitting the ground running! They have thrown themselves into their studies with focus and determination—you can hear a pin drop in S Block as they engage deeply with their learning. The study space is always buzzing with activity, and we are incredibly proud of their effort and dedication.

Meanwhile, our Years 7 to 10 students have completed their PAT testing, providing valuable insights into their learning progress. As a school, we remain committed to knowing our learners and differentiating our teaching to meet their individual needs. This data allows staff to tailor their approach, ensuring every student is challenged and supported in their learning journey.

As we continue to refine our practice, VTLM 2.0 is at the heart of our teaching. With a strong focus on explicit instruction, we are ensuring that students receive clear, structured, and effective lessons that build their confidence and understanding. This approach allows us to break down complex concepts, provide targeted feedback, and create a learning environment where every student can thrive.

Looking ahead, NAPLAN is just around the corner. This assessment is a crucial tool that gives us a deeper understanding of student growth and achievement. The data we gather will help us refine our teaching strategies, identify areas for further support, and continue providing high-quality education for all.

It’s been an outstanding start to the year, and we can’t wait to see what our students accomplish next!

Privacy Policy

Annual privacy reminder for our school community

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

Please take time to read our school’s collection notice, found on our website Emerald Secondary College Website.

We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use [Microsoft 365] safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using [Microsoft 365] please contact the school.

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. This information is also available in ten community languages:

• Amharic
• Arabic
• Dari
• Gujarati
• Mandarin
• Somali
• Sudanese
• Turkish
• Urdu
• Vietnamese

Student Accident Insurance and Ambulance Cover

The Department of Education does not provide student accident insurance or ambulance coverage. Depending on their health insurance arrangements and other personal considerations, parents may wish to obtain student accident insurance from a commercial insurer and/or ambulance coverage.

Year 7 Camp

The Year 7 Challenge Camp was a resounding success, it helped students build valuable life skills, forge strong peer relationships, and grow in confidence. It provided a safe and supportive environment for personal development while ensuring students had fun and enjoyed the experience. The lessons learned from the camp will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on their academic and personal lives as they continue their journey through secondary school. We are thankful to our college community, staff, students, parents and guardians, for their support, enabling our students the opportunity to truly challenge themselves at The Summit camp.

Melissa Findlay & Tiana Clayworth  

Assistant Principals

Army STEM Engagement Program

A selected group of students had the opportunity to participate in the Army STEM Engagement Program today! They got a unique, hands-on experience, including flying a helicopter and exploring a VR simulator.

Sarah Kennedy

Careers and Pathways Leader

We’ve nearly reached the halfway mark of the term—well done on all the effort you’ve put in so far! This is a great time to reflect on your progress, reset your goals, and stay motivated for the weeks ahead.

If you’re feeling on top of things, keep up the great work! If you’re starting to feel the pressure, now is the time to refocus and seek support if needed. Remember to balance schoolwork with Wellbeing.

Keep pushing forward—you’ve got this! Let’s finish the term strong!

How has the transition into Senior School and VCE/VCE VM been? Do you see your children settling in? Are they setting themselves up for success?

Moving into VCE is an exciting but significant step in one’s schooling journey. The workload increases, expectations rise, and time management becomes more important than ever. It’s a transition that requires greater independence, responsibility, and commitment to studies. Developing strong study habits early, using study periods effectively, and seeking support when needed will help support everyone to stay on top of their workload. Remember, VCE isn’t just about academic achievement—it’s also about maintaining a healthy balance between study, extracurricular activities, and personal wellbeing. By staying organised, setting clear goals, and making the most of the resources available at school, everyone will be well on their way to success in their final years.

SAC Calendar

With assessments kicking off, make sure to check the SAC calendar so you’re aware of upcoming deadlines and SACs occurring. If there are any concerns or need extra support, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Teachers or the Learning and Engagement Leaders—they’re here to help!

Year 12 study periods – Must Remain Onsite

Study periods are a valuable opportunity to get ahead in learning, and staying at school during these times, whilst permitted, can make a real difference in academic success. While it might be tempting to head home or catch up with friends, using this time wisely can help manage workload, reduce stress, and improve results.

The safety and wellbeing of our students is our priority. During school hours, we have a duty of care to ensure all students are accounted for. If they leave the school grounds during a study period, it becomes difficult for us to fulfill this responsibility. Staying on-site means we know where you are in case of an emergency, and that they have access to the support and resources needed to make the most of their study time.

How to Make the Most of Study Periods:

Have a Plan – Set clear goals for what you want to accomplish each session. Prioritise tasks based on deadlines and difficulty.

Minimise Distractions – Put your phone on silent and focus on the task at hand or better yet in your locker.

Use Available Help – If you’re struggling with a subject, use the time to seek guidance from teachers or collaborate with peers.

Stay Consistent – Treat study periods like a scheduled class. Developing a routine will make it easier to stay on top of your studies.

Year 10 work experience

It is important to plan and organise work experience well in advance to ensure a smooth and valuable experience. Start by researching potential workplaces that align with student interests and career goals, then reach out to employers to secure a placement. Preparing early will help make the most of the opportunity, allowing everyone to gain practical skills, build professional connections, and enhance resumes. Don’t leave it until the last minute—take action now!

Attendance reminder

For each Unit (VCE and VM), students must maintain a VCE % Attendance of at least 90%.
At the conclusion of a Unit (VCE, VCE-VM or VPC), if a student has less than 90% attendance for a Unit, then this will lead to an ‘N’ result for that Unit.
Family holidays, part time work, license tests, illnesses without a certificate and other similar causes for absence are not acceptable School Approved absences.

I am so proud of our senior school students who have made a positive start to the year. It’s fantastic to see everyone smiling, full of energy, and ready to take on new challenges. Your enthusiasm and positive attitude set the tone for a great year ahead, and I do not doubt that everyone will achieve amazing things.

Emily Hay

Senior Sub-School Leader

Year 7 Camp

On camp we did the mud run, abseiling, sky bridge, high ropes, bush challenge, cave, leap of faith, night walk, movie night – Space Jam, Lazer tag. The high ropes were probably the best activity in my opinion. I got put in a really good cabin I was happy with that. Miss McLean lost her shoe in the water while doing the sky bridge. All our lollies were gone in the first day which was annoying. The second night of camp was the best because we watched a movie, and we were just talking the whole time. THE END.

Byron Jeans 7D

Camp was awesome! The food was amazing, and the activities we did were the cave, Lazer Tag, abseil, Skye Bridge, leap of faith.

My favourite was the cave because it was pitch black and you had to find the room.

Jeremy Holmes 7D

For camp I went to the Summit, and it was so fun I was super excited but also nervous. I woke up on Monday morning at about seven fifteen in the morning, I got ready for the day, and said goodbye to my dad, brother and dog since they were not dropping me off. I put my school bag and my suitcase in the car and headed off to school, I got to school and said goodbye to my mum and went to go to hang out with my friends. We had a talk about what we should have and set off for the bus.

The bus trip was an hour and a half, so we had to stop at Warragul and have some lunch. After our little break we headed off again for another half an hour until we got to the Summit, so we were all super excited. When we got there we put our bags out of the bus and listen to see who we had in our cabin. I had twenty-two people in my cabin!!!!! We went to our cabins and got settled and made our beds.

The first activity I did was a bush challenge. This was fun but the wrong day to do it was too hot, humid and dusty for the bush challenge, but it was still pretty good. We had to find hidden puzzle pieces as we went, we first climbed up a mountain of dust with a rope you climb up on, then we had to try and lift every one out of a foam pit up a huge wall, it was super hard, then we had to do a thing called Wible wobble that you had to push against your partner to keep balanced, once we finished we needed to complete the puzzle with the pieces we found on the way we completed it and went back for afternoon tea, we got a piece of fruit of our choice and a choc chip cookie.

The second day I did the leap of faith. I was so terrified we had to climb a ladder to a little plank and jump onto the bar. When it was my turn, I felt I was not going to make it, but I did!!! Then the leader told me to hang upside down, I did that too, then I straightened my legs and flew down, it was so fun.

The last day I did high wire, I had to go on a high tree and go up onto a wire, the other people in my group were controlling how tight the rope that was connected to me was. I made it to the middle and went upside down, it was so fun. Then we had to go home, which was very sad but exciting. I got home, and I was happy

That was my super fun trip at the Summit camp for 2025.

India Smith 7D

PAT assessment

The year 7 SEAL sat their PAT assessment, a test which is used to identify the skills students have attained, to recognise specific areas where students require support in their learning and to determine how much they have grown from last year.

7 SEAL Science

The entire class of 7 SEAL Science was able to obtain their Bunsen Burner Licence by completing a theory and practical test. The group demonstrated the ability to set up, light up, and use a Bunsen burner.  The Bunsen burner is a piece of laboratory equipment that makes a single open flame using gas. It is regularly used at our college to heat substances and chemicals during scientific experiments.

Carlos Saliba

What’s going on in Year 8?

In a whirlwind it is already Week 6! We started off our term with a new locker bay, new elective subjects (all of a sudden we are expected to cook and code??!) as well as an informative expectations assembly filled with reminders and policies from the Year Level Learning Engagement Leaders.

The theme within Year 8 in 2025 is regulating and knowing our emotions. In B.E.S.T class, there has been many tasks and discussions around how to tie this in with our school values of Harmony, Excellence, Resilience and Respect. Outside the classroom we have observed many students shine with their swimming talents at the Swimming Carnival as well as some very supportive cheer squads on the side of the pool. 

Although there have been some challenges, we have had many conversations with students and feel like the message is resonating. The support from families has been very much appreciated and we send thanks for the communications that are coming through.

On Friday the 28^th of February, we attended the first of four Year 8 Days Out at Gravity Zone in Seaford. We won’t say much as the pictures speak for themselves. 

Looking forward to a successful year!

Steven McRae and Grace Sleit

Year 8 Learning Engagement Leaders 

Resource Centre

Our heart is full of love for reading and books! It was so fantastic to see staff and students share their adoration to help us create this wonderful display!

March is about celebrating Harmony Day, and International Women’s Day. Set yourself some reading goals and aim to read an excellent text written by a woman this month. There are some great recommendations below. Our year 10s are currently studying the film text “Sweet As”, which just so happens to be directed by the incredible Jub Clerc – this film is available to watch through both the Library catalogue and SBS OnDemand – and it’s a great conversation starter for the ideas behind Harmony Day and International Women’s Day.

Reading Recommendations

Orbital, by Samantha Harvey – Winner of the Booker Prize, 2024

A team of astronauts in the International Space Station collect meteorological data, conduct scientific experiments and test the limits of the human body. But mostly they observe. Together they watch their silent blue planet, circling it sixteen times, spinning past continents and cycling through seasons, taking in glaciers and deserts, the peaks of mountains and the swells of oceans. Endless shows of spectacular beauty witnessed in a single day.

Unhallowed Halls, by Lili Wilkinson

After a deadly incident at her old school, Page enrols in Agathion College, an exclusive boarding school, only to find that it’s built over centuries of secrets – including an ancient society potentially linked to demonic magic.

Donations

We are still looking for donations of pre-loved board games, card games and puzzles to build our collection. If you have any games or puzzles that might be appropriate, there is a tub located in Admin that they can be dropped into. Please add a note to say who is donating – we’d love to be able to personally thank our donors!!

We appreciate your contribution! (Please make sure that all the pieces are included, the box is in good condition and that the game is aimed at 10-16 year old players.)

Thank You!!

 We would love to thank the following people for their generous donations to the ESC Library:

• Kylie Haberl
• Maxine Rawson

Prue Bon

Teacher Librarian

2025 SWIM SPORTS

The annual ESC swimming sports was held last Friday at Doveton pool. It was a big day, and the sun was shining.

Not having the play pool and waterslide this year made for a slightly different day; however, having the addition of the free play in the big pool and the land-based novelty events, there was something for everyone.

Those students who attended had a great day, there was music and dancing and many sausages eaten. 35 students will go on to represent ESC at Divisional level on March 19^th at Croydon pool.

The winning house for the day was GEYSEN with 199 points, followed by Jeffreys on 172 points.

12/13 Champions

Rainger Koelewyn

Lillie Millward

14 Champions

Xavier Collard

Alyssa Ling

15 Champions

Karl Sommer-Payet

Alana Bach

16 Champions

Daniel Beardshaw

Claire Aspinall

17 Champions

Miah Beardshaw

We also had 2 records were broken on the day.

17 Girls Freestyle – Miah Beardshaw in a time of 30.31

17 Boys Freestyle Relay – O’NEIL in a time of 2.29.00

State Athletics Championships 

Nate (year 9) competed at the State championships last weekend

2nd – 16 100M Hurdles 14.09

2nd – 16 Triple Jump 12.44m

2nd – 16 High Jump 1.82m

1st – 16 200M Hurdles 26.83

Well done Nate an amazing effort!

Intermediate Volleyball

Great day at Dandenong for Intermediate Volleyball, all teams had some wins and the Girls B team won C grade going undefeated.

Yvonne Mauger

Sport Co-ordinator 

Middle Years Light & Studio

As part of Middle Years Light & Studio, students have been experimenting with the manual settings of the camera to capture high-speed motion, as well as using extended exposure to ‘paint with light’. Following this they have been using the skills developed to use exposure and studio lighting techniques to create dynamic portrait photos.

Dale Fyfe

BREAKFAST CLUB

New days for Breakfast Club

Wednesday and Friday 8.15am – 8.55am

Come along to Breakfast Club – EPAC foyer – FREE – All welcome

Cereal, toast, fruit, toasties, baked beams, spaghetti, hot Milo

A huge thanks for Rotary Club of Emerald for donating their time to assist with running Breakfast Club

HARMONY WEEK PHOTO COMPETITION

Take a photo that represents “HARMONY”

Join us to celebrate Australia’s diversity this Harmony Week.  MARCH 17^TH – 21^ST –  Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.  It’s a time to reflect on the importance of respecting our differences.   Our shared Australian values of respect, equality and freedom go beyond our different cultures, and are what makes Australia such a great place to live.

You can take a picture of ANYTHING that represents harmony, diversity, equality, everyone belonging

Print the photo and take to L block or email the photo to [email protected]

Photos due by Friday 14^th March (but the earlier the better)

WORLDS GREATEST SHAVE

Worlds Greatest Shave is back again

Its time again for ESC to play their part in the Worlds Greatest Shave. – End of term 1

The World’s Greatest Shave is an annual event organised by the Leukaemia Foundation, aimed at raising funds to support families facing life with blood cancer. This year, our school is getting behind this incredible cause, and we invite each and every one of you to be part of this meaningful journey.

Would you like to SHAVE, CUT OR COLOUR your hair for a wonderful cause.

Please see Felicity in wellbeing for more details

A new hair do before the school holidays.

Felicity Wooden

Wellbeing Co-ordinator