Nhill College Newsletter

December 13th, 2019 - Number 40

School Council

Principal: Mark Zimmermann

President: Michelle Marshall, Vice President: Peta Foster

Parent Reps: Tarrah Dodds, Emily Donnell, Simon Dufty, Carlee Kennedy, Bree Lowe, Megan Nossack

Student Reps: Solly Marshall, Ellie Murden

DET Reps: Amanda Cole, Felix Cunningham, Alannah King, Kim Magrath

Nhill College is a Child Safe School

Our School Values:

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

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Program

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

From The Principal: Mark Zimmermann

Presentation Night - Tuesday 17th December, 7.30pm

Another very busy year is quickly drawing to a close.  All students and parents are reminded that the secondary Presentation Night will be held in the Lowan Sports Centre on Tuesday 17th December, starting at 7.30pm.  All students are required to attend this night to help celebrate the many academic, sporting and artistic awards that are awarded each year.  Students are also reminded that they are required to attend in full uniform.  I look forward to seeing everyone on the night to help put the finishing touches on what has been a very eventful year for our school.  

VCE Results...

The VCAA have been able to release VCE results earlier this year than ever before, making them available to students and schools yesterday.  Some schools have chosen to release these results to local media outlets in time for publications today or on Monday.  We have decided to withhold  our results and publicly announce our Highest ATAR and Dux recipients - along with a host of other awards - at our Presentation Night next Tuesday.  As always, we are very proud of the achievements of all of our VCE and VCAL students, and would like to celebrate the announcement of these and other prestigious awards with them on Tuesday.  Please come along and share the moment with our school community.

Year 7 2020

"Welcome to our new Year 7 students who have been spending the week learning about everything high school has to offer!"

Reminder ~ Age Group Champions Medallions for Presentation Night

Just a reminder to all secondary students to please remember to wear your age group champion medallions for athletics, swimming and cross country for presentation evening next Tuesday.

Parent Access to Compass

In preparation for the electronic distribution of reports next week, we have had a look through Compass to see if any parent account passwords have expired. These expire every 12 months, unless they are updated. Therefore, some parents may have found relatively recently that they cannot access Compass. If this is the case, there are two places you can attempt to reset your password. On the sign in screen for the app there is a Forgot Password link at the bottom. Alternatively, if you go to https://nhillcollege-vic.compass.education/ in a web browser, there is a “Can’t access your account?” link in grey under the sign in screen. Please remember that your Compass username is different to your student’s username. If you have difficulty resetting your password or gaining access to Compass, please don’t hesitate to contact the front office and we will try some options from our end.

If you hear of other parents having difficulty accessing Compass, please encourage them to also try resetting their passwords. However, if their email address is not saved within Compass, or if they have any difficulties, then please encourage them to email Mr Shrive (shrive.joshua.w@edumail.vic.gov.au) or Mrs Zimmermann (zimmermann.wendy.l@edumail.vic.gov.au) - or contact the front office directly - so we can do a reset.

A Parent FAQ sheet for Compass is also attached in case you have any further questions; however, you are also welcome to email Mr Shrive if you would like to follow up with anything Compass related.

Download

2019 School Year - Important Dates


  • Activties Week commences: Monday 16th December
  • Presentation Night: Tuesday 17th December (7.30pm)
  • Last day of Activities: Thursday 19th December
  • Clean Up at School: Friday 20th December (1.00pm Dismissal)

2020 Dates

Students in Years 7-12 return to school next year on Wednesday 29th January.  This includes all VCAL students who do not usually attend on Wednesdays, as a special program is being devised for them so they can be present at all the assemblies that will need to take place on that day.  Students in Years F-6 will not start their regular classes until Friday 31st January.  Primary staff will be conducting individual assessments with students on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th January.  Details regarding individual assessment dates and times will be made available soon.

Caleb Zanker - 2020 Athletics Tour to Canada

In October this year, Caleb Zanker competed at the State Athletics in Melbourne where he came second in the Shot Put.  Following this successful performance, Caleb has been offered a spot on the 2020 Track and Field Athletics Tour to Canada through Sports Travel Australia.  The tour will take place from July 1-19 2020, and it offers the opportunity for Caleb to travel and compete internationally against athletes of a similar age and standard.  As well as attending competitions on tour, there will also be days of training with qualified coaches as well as sightseeing opportunities - including Disneyland and Universal Studios in California.  This is a fantastic achievement and Caleb should be extremely proud to be offered a place on this trip.  If Caleb chooses to go on this trip next year, we may look to assist him by conducting some fundraising events early next year to help make this once in a lifetime opportunity possible for him.

VCAL REMINDER

As has been communicated via Compass and letters sent home, ALL VCAL students are required at school on the first day for students Term 1 2020 - Wednesday 29th January.

 Amanda Cole

Year 12 Coordinator/VCAL Coordinator

Nhill College

New Mobile Phone Policy

As part of the Headstart program this week, we have been implementing the new Mobile Phone Policy that 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 existing policy, although there are certainly one or two key differences.  A copy of our new mobile phone policy has been attached to this newsletter, 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.
  • Students without permission to have mobile phones at school or who misuse devices would 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. 

Mobile Phone Policy

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END-OF-YEAR MUSIC CONCERT

Last night, a large number of families, friends and staff gathered to watch the annual end-of-year music concert. (Students pictured below).  It was a fantastic evening, giving student of all ages and ability levels the chance to perform solos, duets and some ensemble items to a supportive audience.  There were several highlights, from students often too shy to perform playing their pieces with great aplomb, to great shows of technical mastery and musicality.  This was followed by the VCE Music Unit 2 recital, in which Brady Jarred and Beth Miller demonstrated their musical prowess in a 15 minute performance each.  Huge thanks and congratulations to all who performed at either event.  You should be proud of yourselves.  Thank-you to all the families and staff  who not only came along last night, but who are so supportive of the music program we run at Nhill College.  Finally, thank-you to Akeyo Matsumoto, our wonderful violin teacher.  I am so grateful to her for coming on board this year.

 


Music concert pictures

Amelia
Eliza
Rachel
Miss Bates & Charlotte
Mu
Georgia
Lucy
Corey
Caleb
Front row: Lucy,Bailee,Brady & Eliza

HIRED INSTRUMENT RETURN

Instruments hired from the school are due back by the end of Presentation Evening on Tuesday 17th December.  This is so they can be serviced over the holidays, ready for another year of music in 2020.

CONGRATULATIONS

Recently, Brady Jarred completed his Grade 3 AMEB Theory exam, for which he passed with Honours.  Well done and congratulations on your achievement, Brady!

End of Year Dates - By Year Level

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From Assistant Principal: Mrs Magrath

End-Of-Year Music Concert

Last night, Miss Bates and her music students presented their spectacular End of Year Concert. Students from Year One to Year Eleven, performed solos and duets, as well as the String Ensemble and a combined Junior and Senior Band  performance. It was such a great showcase of our fantastic Music Program. Well done to Miss Bates and her students.

I look forward to our students next performance at the Nhill Christmas Carols on Saturday night at Jaypex park. See you all there!!

It’s Cool To Be In School

Attendance is an important aspect of schooling at Nhill College. If you are not attending school it makes it difficult to learn. Class attendance will be celebrated each week, with classes being recognised for the best attendance in both primary and secondary classes. During the nineth week of Term 4, the classes with the most attendance in the primary section was 3 McDonald. The class winner for the Term was drawn. The winning class was 3 McDonald. They will celebrate a pizza lunch yesterday on Tuesday the 17th December.

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) ROARWARDS

Nhill College has implemented a new reward system called ROARWARDS. Students receive ROARWARDS by demonstrating Being Respectful, Being a Learner or Being Safe. At each assembly, all the students that have received a ROARWARD in the past week, will be placed in a draw to win a milkshake voucher in the secondary side and a prize in the primary side.  Students are randomly drawn by using an electronic spinning wheel. The winners for the nineth week of Term 4 were:   

Primary Section: Zali D, Corey, Lulu, and Tilli.

Primary Assembly

Primary assembly hosts this week were Aaron and Corey.

There will be no more assemblies this year. We look forward to seeing everyone back on the 3rd February for the first Primary assembly for 2020.           

Respectful Relationship Awards

The Respectful Relationship Value focus last week was Trustworthiness. The weekly winners of this value were – F/1 Kerber – Zali, 1/2 Smith – Amy, 3 McDonald – Saskia, 4/5/6 Jones – Lucy B and 4/5/6 Crouch – Bronti. Congratulations to all students who were nominated.        

Musical Item

At the end of the primary assembly, students and staff were treated to a performance from AJ on his electric bass guitar. Aj played a piece called "Private Eye." Well done Aj, another amazing student from Miss Bates music program.                


Margaret Roc- Visiting Author

On Wednesday, students in the Primary section welcomed a Visiting Author Margaret Roc. Margaret started her career as a teacher and then her love of books saw her become a librarian. She is currently here in Nhill doing research about a refugee girl who is going to be in one of her stories. Margaret spoke to students about how all books have structure, whether it be a short picture story book or a long novel. She emphasised on the importance that all stories need a problem and then a resolution.  

Margaret gets her idea for her stories from her own childhood, her children, pets/animals, other teachers/students and her housework. She encouraged students to have a journal and to write down any ideas that come to mind as you never know when you might need them. Students and staff enjoyed the sessions with Margaret and has made them think about their own writing. Thanks Margaret.

Some more information about Margaret Roc

Background

I was born in Scotland and I spent my early years there before immigrating to Australia with my family. I now live in Sydney, Australia with my husband, John. I have a son and a daughter.

Teaching

I was a primary school teacher and later a Special Needs teacher for a number of years before becoming a Teacher-Librarian which I particularly loved. I enjoyed imparting the joy and love of books and exciting the students in reading as well as developing their critical research and ITL skills and strategies. I have taught in a number of Sydney schools and in Guildford, England during my husband’s sabbatical at Surrey University.

Writing

I began writing books for children when my own children were born and I have continued writing in my spare time ever since. Now I am the author, co-author and editor of more than 50 books for children and teachers including picture books, early readers and non-fiction books.

I love teaching young children and writing books for them to enjoy and to help them to find out about themselves and the world around them. Most of my picture books are written in a light-hearted and amusing way but deal with important themes like loneliness, friendship, family and belonging. I love writing about animals and many of my non-fiction books are about animals and the environment.

 Jellybean Goes to School (Tamarind Books, Random House, 2013) is my latest picture book and I wrote it after many years of teaching children in their first week of school and asking them what they felt, what they wanted to learn and what they thought school was all about.

Over the years I have had an ongoing collaboration with my friend, author and editor, Kathleen Hawke and we have written many books together. Our books Australia's Critically Endangered Animals and Australia's Deadly and Dangerous Animals and Plants (Heinemann) and my picture book Jellybean Goes to School are on the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge, a literacy initiative designed to promote reading to children.

Professional Associations: I am a member of The Australian Society of Authors, The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, The Children’s Book Council of Australia and The NSW Writers’ Centre.

Qualifications: MA(Syd); MA(UWS); BA(Syd); DipEd(Syd); GradDipInf(UTS)

Activities Week

Please update your student's Action Plan Annually

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.

Anaphylaxis Action Plan

Asthma Action Plan

2020 HeadStart Lectures

2020 Year 11 and 12 students……HeadStart lectures

Information has been arriving into the school from a number of commercial organisations who run Head Start VCE lectures during the summer holidays in readiness for the 2020 academic year.

 

There are various dates, locations and costs involved in these programs. We do encourage students and parents to consider these programs if possible. They would be an ideal follow on from the Unit 1 and 3 Head Start programs conducted here at the College.

 

Students who have attended such programs in past years agree that these lectures resulted in a more concrete understanding of course materials, decreased workloads and stress levels at school and increased their confidence and motivation.

 

There are specific lectures for a variety of subjects that our students will be undertaking in 2020 and also general study/success programs.

 

Flyers for these programs have been handed out in Year 10 and 11 form assembly, copies placed in the Careers Resource Area or please speak to your Year Level Co-ordinator to get more information. Three of the most reputable organisations are TSFX, TSSM and Access Education. This year TSFX are also offering an online option – students receive the notes and unlimited access to the recorded lectures until 30 June.

 

Past VCE Students Regrets – TSFX Exam/Study Tip

 

As well as conducting VCE subject lectures, TSFX offer fantastic FREE resources when students sign up to their website. They then email out regular study/exam tips. The most recent Tip was looking at previous VCE students regrets. The number one biggest regret (as we discussed with students last week) was not taking advantage of school holidays to get ahead. Students will find they have reduced stress levels and the work will be easier to understand if they invest some of their holiday time in completing the homework that has been assigned by their subject teachers and also to start to get ahead on their first topics. “Short term pain for long term gain!” Please go to the TSFX website in order to access the full article.

 

We look forward to seeing our Year 11 and 12 students rested, recharged and ready to be rewarded for their hard work at the start of the 2020 school year.

NHILL COLLEGE 2020 TRIP TO INDONESIA

We are excited to be offering a trip to Indonesia next year for students who are continuing with their Indonesian language studies in Year 9 and above. The trip will take place from around March 26th to April 5th, 2020 (dates to be confirmed according to airfare prices and availability). These dates include the last two or three days of Term One and the first week of the first-term holidays. 

We have received a proposed itinerary from Amansar Tours, and it looks amazing. Students will explore the ‘cultural capital’ of Indonesia, Yogyakarta, on the island of Java, with a few days in Bali. In Yogyakarta, a highlight will be going to a local school, along with language lessons at Wisma Bahasa. We will also visit the world-famous Borobudur Temple and the chicken church before being welcomed at a traditional village. The itinerary includes planting rice in a rice field and mingling with local people as well as a visit to an orphanage. There are also opportunities to learn to play gamelan and make batik under the tutelage of experts.

These are just a few of the activities and experiences. Anyone who is interested is welcome to come and find out more at 5.30 on Wednesday 13th November. This meeting will give more details about the tour and arrangements, along with information about the next steps to take. At this stage, the trip will be around $3000. Again, this is dependent upon airfares. 

Top of the list for a smooth process is to ensure that everyone has a passport. For those who are committed to participating, the application can be completed online or forms are available from the Post Office. It is important that you do this as soon as possible as airlines need this information before they can generate the official ticket.  Any concerns, please contact Bu Kube.

 

Insulated First Aid Bags

Students may currently use a number of products to carry their medication, pencil cases, lunch boxes, unlabelled containers! These school bags are clearly identifiable as a medical bag and help to streamline storage of life-saving medication in centres and schools. We also have these bags in green and yellow, which some schools use for general medication or students with diabetes.

The school will be ordering  several of these bags so students epipens will be clearly labelled and protected.  If any parents would like to submit an order for their child to use at school or home please contact the office on 53912111 before the end of November.

Phones And Tablets Wanted

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.

BYOD Program Update

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.

Should you wish to order a new BYOD via Edunet before Christmas, the cut-off date for guaranteed arrival is Wednesday,  30th of October. To guarantee you receive your device before the start of Term 1 2020 the cut-off date is Wednesday, 4th of December. Please note that devices can be ordered via the portal at any time; these are simply the dates which must be met if you would like to receive your device before Christmas or Term 1. 

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

2019-2020 Edunet BYOD Parent Spec Sheet

Open the attachment below for details about Edunet and the range of devices and services they offer as part of the Nhill College BYOD program.
Download

MONASH UNIVERSITY – Monash Guarantee is an entry scheme that guarantees students a place in a Monash degree at a lower ATAR. To apply, students put their preferred Monash University course in their preferences and then submit through VTAC SEAS. There are also numerous scholarship opportunities available. Our school is considered an under-represented school at Monash University. For further information check the brochure in the Pathways Room or go to the University website.

NEW for 2020 - Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (Advanced Honours) Scholars Program

Monash University have announced a new pharmaceutical science course offering for very high-achieving students - the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (Advanced Honours) Scholars Program. This program follows the structure of the four-year Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (Advanced Honours) course, and includes exclusive invitations to the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences seminar series, and a Dean's function. Domestic students are also eligible for a $6,000 per year scholarship.

The indicative ATAR for the course for 2020 is 98.

Find out more about the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science go to: www.monash.edu/pharm/future/courses/pharmaceutical-science

Applications for the 2020 Charles Hawker Scholarships open on Monday December 9th and close on January 8th 2020. An application form and further information about C.A.S. Hawker and the scholarship are available from www.hawkerscholarship.org or by contacting the secretary to the Trustees in Adelaide on 08 8127 1654.Hawker Scholarships are valued at up to $60,000.00 over three years and are amongst the most generous, privately funded, residential scholarships available to Australian undergraduate and postgraduate students. Joint Australian of the Year Dr. Richard Harris SC OAM recently presented 2019 C.A.S. Hawker Scholarships to four recipients at a function at St Mark's College in Adelaide.

There are a number of scholarships awarded each year. The Trustees offer them to capable students of principle and character who have demonstrated a commitment to the wider community. Selection is based on personal qualities as well as academic ability

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Scholarship ~ download the information below

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Scholarship

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Job Opportunities

Access to Nhill College Newsletter

If you are reading this, you obviously have access to the school newsletter.  However, some families have asked how grandparents or community members can stay in touch with the school when they don't have access to Compass.  The answer is that anyone can access the school's newsletter through the College website: www.nhillcollege.vic.edu.au.  Please advise any family, friends or interested members of the wider community, that the newsletter is the main source of information from the school and that it is available to anyone who would like to read it.  Spread the word!

Student Absences

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. 

Canteen Menu Term 4 2019

CANTEEN MENU TERM 4

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Compass Parent Fact Sheet and FAQs

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Community News and Events