Nhill College Newsletter

May 14th 2021 - Number 14

School Council

Principal: Mark Zimmermann

President: Tarrah Dodds   Vice President:  Karen Shurdington

Parent Reps: Megan Bone, Josh Cramer, Simon Farmers, Simon Dufty, Carlee Kennedy,  Sarah White

Student Reps: Xavier Bone, Brock Stephens

DET Reps: Vivienne Bonnell, Alannah King, Kim Magrath, Lauren McCartney

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

Early Departures

There is currently a significant focus being placed on student attendance by the DET.  You will have noticed regular posts in the newsletter regarding student absences and the need for students to be at school as often as possible.  To help address this, Nhill College has adopted the system of sending automated SMS messages to parents of any child who is absent without approval or explanation.  This SMS is also followed up with a phone call if no response if received by parents.

While this system is effective in helping us to minimise the number of unexplained absences, it might be timely to remind students and parents of the expectations and processes if a student needs to leave school early at the end of the day. 

While it is preferable for students to remain at school until 3.25pm each day, there are times when appointments cannot always be made after school hours.  In such circumstances, parents are required to contact the office to provide notification of the early departure.  Notification can be made by phoning the office, sending a note, or entering details of the planned early departure via Compass.  If parents have not notified the College in advance, they are required to come into the Office to sign their child out if it is necessary for them to leave before the end of the day.  Under no circumstances are students able to sign themselves out and leave school without prior notification.  

Cancellation of May 24 Curriculum Day

In the Welcome Documentation that was sent home to families before the start of the school year in January, it was advertised that we would be holding a student free day on Monday 24th May.  The purpose for this day was to be able to send all staff to a Network Conference in Horsham on that date.  Largely due to Covid-19 restrictions and limits on the number of registrations permitted, we are now unable to send all staff to attend this event.  As a result, it has been decided that we will not be holding a student free day on Monday 24th May, and that classes will run as normal for all Year levels on that day.  An alternative date for a student free day will be set for Term 3 or 4, and notice will be provided to families well in advance so that they have plenty of time to make any necessary arrangements.  Apologies for any inconvenience caused by this change. 

Little Desert Cross Country Results

On Monday the 10th May the Little Desert Cross Country was held at Kaniva. Thank you to all parents and friends who attended to support our students. All students ran well in cold conditions on a new and challenging track. Highlights included:

 

Individual

1st: Isaac Deckert

2nd: Alissa Trenery and Thomas Dart

3rd: Rhiannon Smith-Witheridge

 

Congratulations also goes to Jobe and Chloe who have qualified to go on. The next level is the Greater Western Region event to be held in Warrnambool on Monday 31st May. 

Primary Little Desert & West Wimmera Cross Country Results

On Monday the 10th of May, 17 primary students participated in the Little Desert and West Wimmera cross country event. 

The students represented the school in a great fashion, and were able to walk away as cross country champions of the West Wimmera District. 

An honourable mention to Lenny Shurdington who finished 4th in the Little Desert region, and 1st in West Wimmera for 9/10yr old boys. Also, to Lara Purchase who finished 3rd in Little Desert and 1st in West Wimmera for 12/13 yr old girls. These students have qualified for the Greater Western Region event on the 31st of May. 

Well done to all students! 

Primary and Secondary Cross Country pics

Primary West Wimmera Champions
Lara
Amelia
Lenny
Alyssa
Rhiannon
Isaac
Thomas

Do It For Dolly Day Friday May 14th

Do it For Dolly Day is a day to celebrate kindness and to take a collective stand against bullying. In the lead up to the day students learnt about the story of Dolly Everett who was tragically lost to suicide after prolonged bullying, and the way that her story has inspired many across the country to take a stand against bullying.  

On the Friday students wore blue to show their support and to raise money for programs to prevent bullying. The SRC organised a BBQ and students gathered to create a “Sea of Blue”. Students also decorated blue butterflies (a symbol of Dolly’s Dream) and created several beautiful displays across the school. 

"Do If For Dolly" displays around the school

Students enjoying the BBQ cooked by the SRC

Year 11 Biology Excursion

On Monday May 17th, the year 11 Biology class will be walking down to Nhill Lake to take some samples. We will be leaving at the start of period 2, and returning at recess.

New Uniform Suggestion

The SRC has initiated an investigation into the possibility of updating the Nhill College school shirts for students.  An exploration into possible options has ended in a 'fashion parade' at an F-12 Assembly where SRC members dressed in a proposed new shirt option to give students an idea what it might look like when paired with all other existing uniform combinations.  A picture has been attached of Bronti, Zara and Jobe modelling the new shirt design. 

A survey that was sent out to parents and students on this proposal closed last week.  Thank you to everyone who responded to this survey and provided valuable feedback for our consideration.  The survey results will be shared with students in coming weeks and will be used to assist in any future deliberations.  

School Attendance: Every Day Counts

Research shows that the academic and social development of students is affected each day they are absent, and that going to school every day is the single most important part of your child's education.  Following the potential disruptions to the social and academic progress of students caused due to COVID-19 last year, it is more important than ever for children to be at school. 

If your child is unwell or absolutely cannot attend school for some reason, it is important to let the school know of their absence and the reason why prior to the day if planned or at the start of the day if the absence is not planned.  The easiest way to do this is via Compass.  Alternatively, you can contact the office at school on 5391 2111.

If your child is absent and we have not been notified, you will receive a text message asking you to contact the school with an explanation.  If we do not receive a reply to our text message, we will be following up with a phone call.

For any questions regarding attendance, please contact Kim Magrath on 5391 2111.

Canteen Fortnightly Special

Warm Beef & Salad tortilla pocket - $4.50

School Attendance

Position Vacancy: Mental Health Practitioner

Nhill College will receive funding from 2021 to appoint a suitably qualified person to work as a Mental Health Practitioner at our school.   To be eligible for this position, applicants must hold a Bachelor qualification or specialist/post graduate qualification in one of the following:

  • Social Work
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Nursing with a mental health specialisation
  • Psychology

The Mental Health Practitioner will form part of the school's workforce as a member of the wellbeing team.  Roles will include:

  • providing direct counselling support and other early intervention services for individual students 
  • providing direct counselling support and other early intervention services for small groups
  • coordinating supports for students with critical needs
  • enhancing mental health promotion and prevention activities in the school by contributing to whole school health and wellbeing plans, building the capability of teaching staff and school leadership to manage student health and wellbeing, and helping to embed mental health promotion and prevention programs and strategies in the school.

Anyone interested in applying for this part-time (0.2), ongoing position should contact Mark Zimmermann at the school on 5391 2111.  A new advertisement will be posted on Recruitment Online soon. 

Coming Events

  • Wednesday 19th May:  National Simultaneous Storytime
  • CANCELLED:  Student Free Day - Monday 24th May
  • School Photo Day:  Tuesday 25th May
  • Federation University Visit Thursday 27th May
  • Year 5/6 Melbourne Camp: 31st May-2nd June
  • Year 3-12 Cross Country 31st May-Warrnambool
  • Year 4-6 Winter Lightning Premiership-Tuesday June 8th 
  • Year 11 Fit to Drive-Friday 11th June 
  • Secondary Production:  July 30-31
  • Presentation Ball:  Friday 20th August

From The Assistant Principal: Kim Magrath

Year 1/2 Smith Mother's day Celebrations

Primary Assembly

The primary assembly hosts for this week were Mia and Nina 

The Respectful Relationship Value focus for last week was Courage. The weekly winners were – F Kerber - Cailean, 1/2 Smith – Htoo, 2/3 Dahlenburg - Liam, 4/5 Jones - Eh Chrit and 5/6 Crouch - Miles.

Congratulations to all students who were nominated.    

At the assembly, our MacPherson School Captain Zara presented Charlie with a $5 canteen voiucher for guessing the teacher photo competition. Well done Charlie.         

Mia and Nina
Courage Awards
Charlie - Photo Competition Award

School Wide Positive Behaviours Program

Nhill College reward system called ROARWARDS has continued this year, with already numerous students receiving ROARWARDS this term. Students receive ROARWARDS by demonstrating Being Respectful, Being a Learner or Being Safe. At both primary and secondary assemblies, all the students that have received a ROARWARD in the past week, were placed in a draw to win a milkshake voucher. Students are randomly drawn by using an electronic spinning wheel. The winner for week 3 in the primary section was Hugo D for a milkshake voucher and Thee Thee, Jordan and Zahra for a gotcha prize.  

Well done everyone. Keep up the great work and continue to show those positive behaviours in and out of the classrooms.

        

Jordan, Zahra and Thee Thee

Reading Awards

   

Students in Mrs Kerber’s Foundation class were recognised for their excellent progress in reading this week. Students have started to recognise and read the Magic Coloured Words. The various colours come from the 100 most used word list, which make up around 50% of words read in any given text. Congratulations to Pitsanu and Tilly for their great progress in reading.           

Pitsanu and Tilly

Nhill College Breakfast & Social Club

A reminder that with the beginning of another term the Nhill College Breakfast and Social Club is up and running again on Monday and Thursday mornings from 8.30am.  Toast is the number 1 choice of most students and we give a big shout out to Nhill Supa IGA for donating the bread each week for the students to enjoy.  Cereal, fruit, milk, and fruit cups are also on offer each week.  It is wonderful to see the students interacting with each other while having something to eat or sitting and chatting.

Providing both a social and nutritious start to the school day is great. Breakfast and Social Club is a welcoming space for students when they arrive at school.

Foodbank, a not-for-profit organisation in partnership with the Victorian Government provides a variety of healthy, Victorian grown or manufactured breakfast foods for free. As mentioned above we are also fortunate enough to have Nhill Supa IGA provide all the bread each week free of charge.

Having breakfast has been shown to have a positive impact on factors such as physical and mental health, social skills, concentration, behaviour, attendance and academic outcomes.

Remember, free Breakfast and Social Club will be held each Monday and Thursday morning from 8.30am on school days.  All Nhill College students are invited to meet at the BBQ area behind the staffroom to eat breakfast and / or socialise together.

MATES4MATES

Funky Sock Friday!

Just a quick reminder that every student from Foundation to Year 12 are invited to wear their funkiest socks on all Fridays! Whether you have pairs of socks with wacky patterns, palm trees on them or brightly coloured designs, so long as it is funky then feel free to wear them on Friday. Students are also requested to bring with them a silver or gold coin which will be donated to the organisation Mates4Mates. They are one of Australia’s leading charities actively changing the lives of current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members, and their families, impacted by service. Australian Defence Force Veterans have already given so much back to us so it’s time we gave back to them.

POSITIVE PARENTING

HEADSPACE CHAT SESSIONS

VSSEC Radio Telescope is a world first for school students!

WORK EXPERIENCE WITH THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE (ADF):

If you are interested in applying for work experience through the ADF please check out this link for more information. 

Defence Work Experience Program website - www.defence.gov.au/workexperience

Applications are to be made online.  There are several different opportunities available, all at set dates, determined by the ADF.  There will be different due dates for applications, depending on what experience you are applying for.  Please do not delay, places fill very quickly.

Before applying, please check with Mrs Sampson and your Year Level co-ordinator, to make sure it is suitable for you to be missing from school for the date allocated. 

 

Please see Mrs Sampson for more information.

YEAR 10 AND 11 WORK EXPERIENCE IN 2021

Year 10 and 11 students and parents are reminded that Work Experience will be running again in 2021.

Our Year 11 students will be participating in Work Experience during the first week of Term 3 this year, which is from the 12th to 16th July. We have a small group who will be attending our annual Year 11 Work Experience Melbourne Trip, which will be departing Nhill on Sunday 11th July. All other Year 11 students not attending this trip will be participating in their work experience placements elsewhere. Please keep active in your planning if you are not already organised.

Our Year 10 students will be involved in their Work Experience program the final week of Term 3, being the 13th to 17th September. I have been chatting with our Year 10s about their ideas, and strongly encourage students to get onto securing a placement as soon as possible. We do not want people missing out on their desired placements because they have left planning too late.

If you have any questions regarding the Work Experience program please do not hesitate to contact me at school for further details, or to chat about your options. If students are having trouble obtaining a placement they should come and see me as soon as possible and I will offer any assistance I can.

Mrs Sampson

Work Experience co-ordinator

Victorian Law Week May 17-23 2021

Victorian Law Week

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Alternative University Selection Information here

DEAKIN UNIVERSITY COURSE INFORMATION WEBINARS:

Our senior students are advised that Deakin University has some webinars coming up on various courses they offer.   If you are considering further study you may wish to look into what they have available. Please check out the following link: https://www.deakin.edu.au/student-life-and-services/events/future-student-events?cid=em|mkt|evnt|dide|na|na|pr|eml&mkt-unique=EEEMEN&mkt_tok=MjA5LUlOUS0zNjcAAAF8ceiMSwRy_1nHe4yU-LsrEl7ymW1VRRXKeskV30shzPBbdGhxzSGzhbgzwm-S8zeNmnQxk9CKxlnR3NzNTYCv11u571Y4-ehppJVh9pKJGISi_w#study

Mrs Natalie Sampson

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY ASPIRE EARLY ADMISSIONS PROGRAM:

Anyone interested in studying at La Trobe University should strongly consider applying for the Aspire Early Admissions Program.  Applications opened 19th April, and close 17th September. What can Aspire offer you?  Successful applicants can:

  • Be rewarded for your involvement in community, leadership, and volunteering with an early conditional offer at La Trobe.  
  • When you apply for Aspire, you’ll be automatically considered for one of 40 available Aspire scholarships.
  • Receive an early offer for your course by October and know what your future holds.
  • Smash your Year 12 goals with access to hundreds of free VCE and HSC study guides and revision lectures.

Please check out the following link for more information: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/study/aspire?cid=edm%3Aacs%3Anan%3Anan%3Ainf%3Anan%3Anan%3Anan%3Anan%3Anan%3Aall%3Abch%3Anan%3Anan&deliveryName=DM15688

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) Applications

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.

Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students and $225 for eligible secondary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

If you would like to apply for the first time, please contact the school office on 5391 2111 and ask for an application form.

You can also download the form, and find out more about the program and eligibility, on the Department of Education and Training’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund web page.

Check with the school office if you are unsure, and please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible.

CSEF - Camps, Sports & Excursion Funding

Please find below information relating to the CSEF eligibility on how to apply.
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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

Tertiary Access Payment $5,000 Support for Regional 2021 Commencing Students

As part of the Australian Government Job-ready Graduate Package, the Tertiary Access Payment – (TAP) aims to encourage, assist and support students relocating or are living remotely to access tertiary education despite financial and/or geographic barriers.  Students who are eligible for the payment will receive $5000 to help make the transition to tertiary education more comfortable and stress-free. The TAP can be used to cover costs associated with study, such as accommodation, technology upgrades, stationary or textbooks. You are eligible for the TAP if you are:

  • From an outer regional, remote or very remote area [hyperlink].
  • Relocating to study at an institution at least 90 minutes by public transport away from home.
  • Enrolling in a Certificate IV or higher qualification with a duration of 12 months
  • Enrolled in full-time study load (75% minimum) over the 12 months
  • Looking to access TAP immediately after completing year 12 or equivalent

To express interest in being considered for the Tertiary Access Payment, students are asked to complete Expression of Interest to receive notifications from us when the application process is open.   Submit Expression of Interest

Discover Deakin Course Information Webinars

Horsham Regional Art Gallery. What’s on in Term 2?

BODY LANGUAGE Exhibition

An exhibition for all the family (kids art activities included), Body Language explores the identity of Australia’s diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, through the iconography of language expressed in art. On until 16 May. Body Language is a National Gallery of Australia exhibition.  Open Daily 10am - 4pm.

Term 2 Activities

Artists and Art techniques

After school art making opportunities

Check out our After school Art Club for six weeks -  4 May 2021 -10 June 2021.

Each week our Art Educator Lorin West will led students through activities which offers the opportunity to grow in experience and learn techniques the Body Language exhibition artists have used.

Students will explore an art element such as colour or shape through making relief prints, jewellery, etching, portraits, abstract art and multi-media artworks.

Tuesdays KIDS 7-11years, 4 to 5.30pm at the Gallery

Wednesdays TEENS 12-16 years, 4 to 5.30pm at the Gallery

Thursdays ONLINE 10-16 years,  5-6pm via a Zoom link

Places are limited. Bookings essential. Check out our website for more details.

Go to our website  www.horshamtownhall.com.au

Horsham Regional Art Gallery, 80 Wilson street, Horsham  T. 5382 9575 

Lorin West

Gallery Reception Officer

MyAusCovid-19 PHONE APP IS AVAILABLE IN 25 LANGUAGES

Wimmera COVID-19 Support Contacts

2021 BYOD News: Edunet Specifications Sheet for Parents

The shift to remote learning last year led to significant changes to our traditional methods of providing students who don't have BYODs with access to school laptops.  These arrangements will stay in place for this year, which is fantastic for all those families who do not have a BYOD, as we are committed to ensuring that that this provision will be available in 2021.  However, there will be one major change to the borrowing arrangements this year.  Those students who do not have a BYOD, will not be permitted to take their school allocated laptop home with them each night and will be required to return them to the charging station in the library at the end of the day.  This will help us to avoid any damage in transit between school and home, as well as acting as an incentive for families to consider a BYOD that can be used at home as well as at school.  

To assist those families interested in exploring BYOD options, we have new and updated models for our BYOD program through Edunet.  Please open the attachment below for details about the devices.  Mr Shrive is happy to take questions from parents or students if they are looking at purchasing a BYOD.

The online ordering portal is accessible via http://nhillcollege.technologyportal.com.au  The Access Code you will need to access the portal is NC2021

A video explaining the benefits of using Edunet can also be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bWjEs_iA58    

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Welcome to Facebook

Last year we successfully trialled a Nhill College Facebook page to help us promote school events and activities with the wider community.  We will continue to use Compass, our web page and the weekly newsletter to keep families associated with the school up to date with all of the events and activities that occur in and around the school each week.  However, our Facebook page has allowed us to broaden exposure to the school and reach a number of people who may not have otherwise had access to our formal communication channels.  Our Facebook page will continue to be purely for promotion, publicity and to inform everyone of the upcoming events and happenings within the College.  All notes, questions, concerns or communication to staff regarding students still need to be directed to the College via Compass or on (03) 5391 2111.  To find our Facebook page, simply follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/nhillcollege/ or type Nhill College in the search function on Facebook. (Please be aware there is also an unofficial Nhill College facebook page that does not show the Nhill College logo).

Please like/follow the page and then you will be kept up-to-date with all of our posts.  

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!

Canteen Menu Term 2

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Compass Parent Fact Sheet and FAQs

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