Nhill College Newsletter

Our School Values:

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

Welcome to the first edition of our new eNewsletter template.  From this week, the newsletter will be produced in this format which is easier to read online via a smart phone, tablet or PC.  A link will be sent home to all families on Friday afternoons through Compass and it will also be available through our webpage.  You will not need to download the newsletter, nor install Adobe Acrobat to read it.  Any families still wishing to receive a printed copy of the newsletter may request to do so through the office.

Every year Nhill College students from Year 1 to Year 10 are asked to sit PAT online tests in Reading and Mathematics.  These Progressive Achievement Tests are designed to provide objective, norm-referenced information to teachers about their students’ skills and understandings in a range of key areas.  They provide another data source to compare student growth against teacher judgements and the NAPLAN tests which were conducted in May.  Over the past few years, we have acknowledged student performance in these PAT tests by presenting a certificate to each child who achieved more than 12 months learning growth from the tests conducted in the previous year.  In 2017, we presented a total of 81 certificates (45 Maths, 36 English).  This year there will be 139 certificates presented (57 Maths, 82 English).  This is an outstanding achievement and I would like to congratulate all students for their efforts throughout the year. 

We have been talking with students about our school values this week.  Our values – Respect, Honesty, Teamwork, Confidence, Excellence and Endeavour – have been prominently displayed in our new Maths Garden as a constant reminder for students in the yard.  These values are modelled in daily interactions between students and between students and staff.  Importantly, it is also possible for parents to re-inforce these values with their children at home, as well as to role-model these values through their involvement in the local community.  It is disappointing that there has recently been some negativity expressed towards the school through social media – a forum that the school cannot respond to – which is not consistent with the school’s values.  A flyer outlining details on how to be a positive role model by demonstrating respectful and responsible behaviours when communicating with and about your child’s school online is attached to this newsletter.

During the week we had a number of cross-curricular cooking classes in which secondary students assisted a primary group to make some Christmas treats.  On Tuesday we had the Year 9s working with students in Mrs Kerber and Miss Smith’s classes making Rudolf Biscuits.  On Wednesday the Year 8s helped Mr Dahlenburg and Mrs Crouch’s class to make Rudolf Truffle Balls, while on Thursday the Years 7s helped Miss Jones’ class to also prepare Rudolf Truffle Balls.  All primary students involved had a fantastic time learning their way around the kitchen, and our secondary helpers proved to be very able assistants who also enjoyed their roles immensely.  Thanks to Mrs Trenery for her organisation – and inspiration – and for helping to provide such a wonderful opportunity for our students.

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.  For the remainder of this year, parents will also be able to submit an absence notification using the Skoolbag app – but this option will not be available next year.  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.  

Library - End of Year Closing

The Library will be closed for borrowing from Monday 10th Dec, till the end of term, due to stocktake. We will still be open for in house reading & studying. Would all students please return all library books so they can be included in the count. Thank you for your support.

From 2019 Nhill College will no longer be using the SkoolBag app. This means all notifications and absent notes will happen within Compass.  We encourage parents to logon to Compass to approve any absences your child may have, or to lodge an absence in advance if the dates and times are known.  The following is a reminder from the Compass FAQ Sheet that went home with all students earlier in the term.  The FAQ Sheet can also be found on our website. 

How do I submit an absence note?

If using a computer, go to https://nhillcollege-vic.compass.education/ then view the student’s profile, select “Attendance” and then go to “Notes/Approvals”.  Click on “Add Attendance Note” to submit a note via Compass.  If you are using the app, go to the student’s profile, “Approvals” tab, and then click the plus button to add a note.  You can submit notes ahead of time if you know your child will be absent in the future. 

From 2019 parents will be able to complete bus notes on our website at http://www.nhillcollege.vic.edu.au/.  This will not require the app to access.  Alternatively, parents will be able to ring the College or email nhill.co@edumail.vic.gov.au