Nhill College Newsletter

Our School Values:

• Respect
• Honesty
• Teamwork
• Confidence
• Excellence
• Endeavour
  

The School Wide Positive Behaviour Support program is designed to bring together school communities to develop positive, safe and supportive learning cultures by helping to foster an environment that assists schools to improve social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes for children.  As part of the SWPBS program, a rewards system has been developed to encourage students to always:

• Be Safe
• Be Respectful
• Be a Learner

All secondary students attended sessions conducted by Elevate on Wednesday.  These sessions are very important in establishing positive approaches to study, homework, time management and achieving an effective balance in our students' busy lives.  The Elevate team spoke to students in three separate sessions (Years 7-8, Years 9-10 & Years 11-12), and students at all levels were able to take something away that will assist them in making a positive start to the new school year.  Thanks to Mrs Cole for her work in co-ordinating this valuable opportunity for our students.  A more detailed outline of what occurred in each of the Elevate study sessions is provided later in this newsletter.

The first session of our Student Mentor Program was held at lunchtime on Thursday with Years 11 & 12 students pairing up with our new Year 7 students as a Mentor.  These Mentors will now establish a positive relationship with their Year 7 'buddies' to help ease their transition into secondary school and provide another friendly face for them around the yard.  The session on Thursday involved a number of activities and games designed to build trust allow the students to get to know each other in a fun environment.  More organised sessions will be conducted in coming weeks, but the Mentors will be available for a friendly chat whenever needed.  Thanks to all those senior students for volunteering to be a part of this important program.

The first of our series of parent information nights was held on Monday with VCE students in Years 10, 11 and 12 - and their parents - receiving great advice from Mrs Hedt, Mrs Coughlan and Mrs Coughlan.  Next Monday they will will speak with Year 11 and 12 VCAL students and their families about what they should expect throughout the year in the VCAL program.  Year 9 students and their parents are invited to attend an information session at 7.00pm on Wednesday 12th February to outline the programs and events they can expect throughout the year - starting with the Canoe Camps that will be conducted in early March.  And finally, on Monday 17th February, we will be holding an information night for all students and parents in Years F-6.  This session will be held at the slightly earlier time of 6.00pm, with a BBQ provided prior to a session in the Wimmera Building.  Classroom teachers will be available to meet informally with families afterwards.  Notes will be sent home soon regarding the F-6 BBQ / information night and parents are asked to indicate if they will be attending for catering purposes.

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 (available on the Nhill College website)

Please take time to remind yourself of the school’s collection statement, found on our website [add link to your school’s collection statement].

For more information about privacy, see: Schools’ Privacy Policy – information for parents. This information also available in nine community languages.

La Trobe University is wishing to conduct a study at the school about Year 7 & 8 students’ perception and knowledge of their post-school further education endeavours on Thursday the 27th of February, 2020. This will require students to participate in a one hour workshop during Periods 6 & 7, in which they will express their opinions on further education.

To participate students are required to have parental consent. Forms have been sent home with Year 7 & 8 students outlining more information about the study and a consent form that allows participation. Students who do not wish to be involved in the study will be supervised by a teacher in another location.

As part of this study, there will also be a workshop that parents, guardians and community members are encouraged to attend, running on the same day at 6.30pm-7.30pm. This will allow you to share your thoughts about your child’s knowledge of their further education options. It is open to all, even if your child does not wish to participate themselves. The note sent home also includes a consent form if you wish to participate.

Please return forms by Wednesday the 12th of February, 2020 if you or your child wishes to participate in the study.

If you have any questions about the study, or would like another copy of the information/consent form, please do not hesitate to contact Miss King or Miss Foulds at the school.

As was communicated extensively towards the end of last year, a new Mobile Phone Policy will be in operation from the commencement of the 2020 school year.  This policy reflects the new directive from the Minister of Education in regards to student use of and access to mobile phones in all government schools.  While this will create major change for some schools, there will not be a significant departure from our previous policy, although there are certainly one or two key differences.  A copy of our new mobile phone policy has been attached to this newsletter and is also available on our website, but the key features that students and parents need to be made aware of are as follows:

• In accordance with the Department's Mobile Phones Policy issued by the Minister for Education, personal mobile phones must not be used at Nhill College during school hours, including lunchtime and recess, unless an exception has been granted.
• Students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours.
• Secondary age students will be required to store their phones in their lockers - using the secure combination locks provided.
• Primary age students will be required to hand their phone to their classroom teacher so it can be stored in a lockable cupboard. 
• When emergencies occur, parents or carers should reach their child by calling the school's office.
• If students need to contact their parents during the day, they are asked to do so by using the phone that is available in the office.
• Students without permission to have mobile phones at school or who misuse devices will be required to relinquish them.   Confiscated phones will be stored at the General Office until they are signed for by a parent/legal guardian.  Mobile phones will not be released to parents/legal guardians until after 3.25pm. 
• There are categories for exceptions to the policy, each requiring documentation and needing to be granted by the principal in accordance with the Department's Mobile Phones Policy.
• Exemptions may be created for some learning-related activities, but this will be expressly communicated to students in advance and the phones will need to be returned to secure storage at the end of the lesson. 
• Students and parents will be advised about items that can and cannot be taken on camps and excursions - including personal mobile phones.

Discussions have already been held with students regarding these changes to the Mobile Phones Policy in an effort to prepare them for the new conditions.  Parents can help to support the school in the implementation of this new policy by encouraging their child to leave their phone at home.  If it is necessary for children to have access to their phone after school, please reinforce that the phone is for after school use only, and that the new rules are to apply during the school day. 

This year we will continue to focus on the importance of attending school.  Research shows that the academic and social development of students is affected each day they are absent.  It is now a Department requirement that parents notify the school with a reason why a student is absent each day they are away from school.  Parents can contact the school by phone on 53 912 111, or send a message through Compass to provide an explanation for any student absences.  If parents are unable to contact the school with an explanation, an automated SMS message will be sent at 9.45am each day a child is not marked on the roll.  Any parents who receive this message are asked to respond to the school as soon as possible to provide the explanation that the Department requires.  Office staff will follow up with a phone call at approximately 10.45am if there is no reply to the earlier SMS.  Please support the school by encouraging your child to attend every day, and by contacting the school promptly each day that they are away. 

Parents are reminded that the Education Department does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students.  Parents and guardians of students, who do not have student accident insurance/ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs.  It should also be noted that the Department does not hold insurance for personal property brought to school and it has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property.  

On Tuesday the 4th of Feb, the primary students welcomed ‘The Music Show’ into the Wimmera building for an hour of singing, body percussion and sound story making.

Michelle and Michael, with the help of ‘special guests’ played songs and told stories to the student and made us all laugh. There were lots of chances for students to join in too. Making slurping noises in a song about smoothies, singing we will rock you (a crowd favourite), guessing theme songs from popular children’s shows (and singing along) and using body percussion to tell a story.

Students also learnt about different instruments, including some history in regards to the didgeridoo.

A great time was had by all. 

This week we have kicked off the year with workshops to assist students with key study and time management skills. Feedback from students has suggested that these are the key areas that they find difficult to manage when they get to Year 11 and 12. We also know that is not a good idea to wait until Year 11 or 12 before starting to get a handle on these skills – it really should start in Year 7 and then be developed each subsequent year.

Our presenter for these workshops was from Elevate Education – a research-based organisation who use young, charismatic presenters who have recently achieved their own success in secondary education. Elevate have researched what the top students are doing and have developed simple, effective and practical skills based on this research.

Year 7&8 students attended the Study Skills Kick Start session which introduces students to the basic skills that they need to be starting to use. The Year 9&10 session addressed the question “What is study?” and helped students to recognise what they should be doing across the year and how best to do it. Our Year 11&12 group also participated in the Study Sensei session and the workshop on Time Management.

The student feedback on these workshops was very positive, with the majority of students having taken away at least one new thing they had learnt. Our Elevate Education presenter also congratulated the College on the amazing students we have – they engaged positively during the sessions, with some even staying during their lunch break to speak with him further.

At each session, students used a workbook to take notes – we encourage students to refer back to this during the year, and we encourage parents to ask their child to show them what they did. Follow up sessions during lunchtimes and with teachers in class will also be available to students. Study skill sessions are not something you should just listen to once and then forget – the skills need to be practiced, reinforced and developed to find what works best for each individual student.

Students also have access to the Elevate student portal – elevateeducation.com.au

This provides further tips, practice questions as well as a copy of Elevate’s study guide “The Science of Student Success”. Students will need to use the password that was provided (rondo).

As a teacher (and parent) I would like to thank the College for providing the funding for these workshops – it was an excellent opportunity for our students to be able to have this high quality program available in our own school.

Amanda Cole

Welcome back to a new school year! The first scholastic book club brochure was handed out this week and is due back on Monday, Feb. 10th. Orders can be processed on line through the loop or money and order sent to the office.

Our first Bookfair is being held in March, 13th - 20th. More information on that in the coming weeks.

Library staff

The Secondary School Vaccine Program offers free vaccines to Year 7 and 10 students. These vaccines provide protection against:

• Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) – one dose for year 7 students

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – two doses for year 7 students
Meningococcal A,C,W,Y – one dose for year 10 students
Parents/guardians of year 7 and 10 students should look out for the vaccine consent card booklet coming home from school with your child. You need to read the information, complete and return the card regardless of whether your child is being vaccinated at school.
To learn more about the Secondary School Vaccine Program, the vaccines, the diseases they protect against, or how you can prepare your child for vaccination, go to betterhealth.vic.gov.au




The 1st Vaccination date will be on Monday the 24th February.

1. A reminder that instrumental lesson and hire forms are available at the school office.  Students who wish to continue lessons from 2019 are requested to submit their forms by Friday 14th, or their place in the program may be lost.  For students wishing to commence lessons in 2020, please get your forms in ASAP.  There has been a waiting list for lessons every year for the past three years, and it may well be the same again this year, and the sooner these forms are submitted, the greater the chance of getting a spot.
   

YEAR 11 WORK EXPERIENCE AND MELBOURNE TRIP

Our Year 11 students will be participating in Work Experience during the first week of Term 3 this year, which is from the 13th to 17th July.  All our Year 11 students are required to participate in work experience.  It is a fantastic opportunity for students to get an insight into possible career interests for the future.  Even if students are very unsure of where their interests lie, work experience allows them to experience how different the world of work is compared to school.

As part of our Year 11 Work Experience program, we offer the Year 11 Melbourne Trip.  Whilst this trip is not compulsory, we do highly recommend it.  Students develop a great deal of independence, confidence and communication skills throughout this week.  They learn to navigate around Melbourne, experience large organisations and enjoy the diverse culture of Melbourne.  Students on the Melbourne Trip will depart Nhill early Sunday morning, on the 12th July, and return home on Friday 17th July at approximately 11pm.  A letter has been posted on Compass, and has gone home to those students who expressed an interest.  A $100 deposit and permission slip is due on the 10th March. This deposit is a commitment to the trip, with the expectation that students attending will have a placement organised by this date.

If you have any questions regarding Year 11 Work Experience please contact me at school to discuss.

 YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE

Our Year 10 students are advised that their Work Experience week is scheduled for the final week of Term 3, from the 14th to 18th September.  All Year 10s are required to participate in this program.  I will be speaking with all students about this in coming weeks, but encourage any students with questions or ideas to come and see me at school to chat about it.

 Mrs Sampson

Work Experience co-ordinator

It is a Department of Education requirement that each enrolled student who has an action plan updates this each year.  Please see below the forms required, those students who currently have an action plan in place will be sent out a form to be completed by your Doctor or specialist.  If your child has recently been diagnosed with an Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Allergy or new medical condition please advise the general office.

The College is looking for donations of any old smartphones, tablets or iPads which are still in working condition, as we need these devices to help run our new robotics gadgets. We do not require SIM cards as the devices use Bluetooth to communicate. Please send any smartphones or tablets to the front office if you are able to donate, including chargers if you have them.

Nhill College has signed on with Edunet to help give more variety and cost effectiveness to our BYOD program, including delivery and finance. Parents/guardians are still welcome to purchase a BYOD from Bi-Rite or elsewhere if you would prefer – however, there may be a preference for using the streamlined Edunet portal. By using Edunet, families can have their BYODs delivered directly to the school and arrange accessories, finance and insurance if required. However, before paying extra for insurance we strongly recommend checking if your own home and contents insurance may already have you covered. The Edunet portal can also be used to log warranty jobs or an insurance claim if (if purchased). Brochures for Bi-Rite and Edunet will continue to appear on our website and on Compass.

We encourage students from Years 4 through to 12 to take up the BYOD program for class use. This allows students to install Microsoft Office and Adobe products on their own device to take home, as well as access the school’s internet, server and printing while at the college. Students can also access Compass as required, as well as other online programs when directed by staff.

When students receive their new device, they will need to set it up as per the BYOD instructions found on Compass and on our website. College staff are not involved in the initial setup, but they will help students troubleshoot their device if they run into issues.

Please view the attached PDF for full instructions and device specifications for the portal. To access the portal parents/guardians need to visit https://nhillcollege.technologyportal.com.au and use the code NC2020.

If you have questions about the college’s BYOD program, or if you would like to talk about suitable devices, Mr Shrive can be emailed any time at shrive.joshua.w@edumail.vic.gov.au

Regular attendance at school is extremely important to the social and academic development of all children.  It is a Department requirement that parents contact the school each day their child is absent.  Any unauthorised absences currently trigger an SMS via Compass at 9.45am each morning to notify parents that their child is not at school.  If a parent receives such an SMS, it is requested that they contact the school as soon as possible to provide a reason for their child’s absence.  This can be done by entering an explanation directly onto Compass via the app installed on your phone, or by calling the College on 53912111.  (Please note that the Skoolbag app is no longer being used by the school to communicate messages.)  In an effort to further reduce the rate of unauthorised absences being recorded at Nhill College, office staff will follow up with a phone call if a response to the SMS has not been received by 10.45am on the day of each absence.