NEWSLETTER ISSUE: 1905 5th April 2019

Phone: 5428 3691 Fax: 5428 4018

Web: www.gisbornesc.vic.edu.au

Email: gisborne.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au

Gisborne Secondary College values respect, diversity, innovation and achievement. Through a wide range of learning opportunities, students develop fulfilling and independent lives.

From the Principal

This week’s Parent Teacher Interviews were busy and well attended, and gave many parents their first opportunity to meet our new teachers and Assistant Principals. I have been incredibly impressed by the passion, commitment and strength of our new staff – classroom teachers and education support – and I know that the school is very well positioned in terms of ‘practice excellence’ for the next few years.

Thank you to the many parents and carers who provided feedback about our proposed Mobile Phone policy. The response was overwhelmingly positive. There is, of course, some perturbation and concern among the students, but we will continue to walk beside them, and support them, through this difficult separation process, as I hope you will too, at home. At the end of the term we will run focus groups to reflect on the ‘Phone Free GSC’ trial and en-gage properly with student voice on the issue. I will also seek your feedback again on what impact the trial has had.

The Mobile Phone Policy is included in this Newsletter and is also available on the website. Note that teachers will not be confiscating phones or handling them in any way. If students breach the policy, they will be instructed to deposit the phone at the General Office, where they will receive a receipt, and a Xuno notification will be made. Phones may then be collected by students at the end of the day.

Congratulations to two of our senior students who have received recognition recently: Shaylyn Year 12 received the Zonta Club of Kyneton Award for Young Women in Public Affairs. And yesterday we learned that Lauryn of Year 11 has achieved a Gisborne & District Community Bank® Branch scholarship to the 2019 Magic Moments Youth Leadership & Business Summit in Sydney. Fantastic work by these young community leaders.

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Not only current students are kicking goals: Madison (Year 12, 2018) has received the AFL Women’s Rising Star Award for 2019, and selection in the All Australian team. Maddy had a brilliant debut season with Carlton this year, and we’re very proud of her.

This week’s RAID Day was a highlight of the month, with African drummers running some thrilling sessions in the morning for our Year 9s, and an Anzac Day theme driving the rest of the day. Humanities teacher Matt West, who was a key participant, writes:

With ANZAC day coming up, the purpose of our last RAID session was to take a look at the meaning of ANZAC day through a number of activities, with a focus on the events of the first world war.

Opened up the ANZAC day activities by discussing the events of the war and looking at some letters from soldiers at the time that described their lives at the front. From this we discussed what family at home may think about this when they receive these sorts of letters. We then discussed efforts at home to boost morale by sending soldiers return letters with things from home, such as food, luxuries, clothing, etc. Following this, Major David spoke to the students about the meaning of ANZAC day, and about the Army’s values of courage, commitment, endurance and mateship and how they relate to the values of the school (and how these values are useful for life as an adult and as a citizen of a democracy) . The students then had an opportunity to ask the Major questions. We then had a session where we looked at some of the dangers soldiers faced in the first world war with the support of reproduction historical objects, and some students were able to interact with helmets, uniform and equipment so that they could get a more hands on understanding. At the end of the day, students were given Anzac biscuits, naturally!’

Finally, let me wish all families a happy Easter and safe, refreshing holiday. We look forward to seeing all our students back next term.

2019 Youth Parliament

We’re in!

YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament is a program designed to give young Victorians between the ages of 16-25 a

chance to be heard at the highest levels of State Government on a wide range of issues relevant to young people’s

lives.

Every year, young people aged 16-25 participate in the YMCA Youth Parliament program. Twenty teams of six par-

ticipants receive training in public speaking and leadership at residential camps, and research issues that they’re

passionate about. From this research they develop a Bill, which they debate in Victorian Parliament over three days

each July.

The program provides a great personal and profession development opportuni-

ty for students, and the Bills, which are handed to the relevant Minister, provide

the government with insight into what issues are important to young

Victorians.

This year, Gisborne Secondary College has been accepted into the Youth Parlia-

ment program, and a team of

enthusiastic students are currently working on a Mobile Phone Management

strategy for Victorian schools. Quite

topical! I know you’ll all join me in wishing the team luck as the embark on this

exciting journey.

Sarah Rose

Assistant Principal

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

PURPOSE

To clarify expectations of Mobile Phone use at school, with the purpose of improving the learning, engagement and

wellbeing of students.

SCOPE

This policy applies to students and staff at Gisborne Secondary College

POLICY

At Gisborne Secondary College, we believe that it is crucial that all students are given the best environment in which

to learn without interruptions and distractions created by mobile phone activity. The College is also committed to

ensuring that classrooms and yard areas are supportive, productive environments and that students feel safe while

they are at school. The use of mobile phones at school can lead to problems such as:

• harassment and bullying

• distraction in class

• social division

• conflicts of interest regarding duty of care within the school

• illicit filming and photographing of staff and students

• mental health issues

Gisborne Secondary College accepts that students may bring a mobile phone to school, particularly if they are

travelling independently to and from school or to extra-curricular activities. It also accepts that staff may bring their

phone to their workplace.

However, during school hours, (i.e., between the start of Mentor Assembly and the final bell at 3.15pm) students’

mobile phones must be:

• kept securely in the student’s locker, or

• deposited at the General Office

Students are not permitted to access their mobile phones during class time, lunchtime and recess.

Students with special needs that require the use of a mobile phone will be provided with a specific phone pass.

Mobile phones must never be used to:

• send inappropriate, harassing or threatening messages or phone calls

• engage in inappropriate social media use including cyber bullying

• capture video or images of people, including students, teachers and members of the school community

without their permission

• capture video or images of violence, anti-social behaviour, behaviour that violates school rules or policies or

any act that could damage an individual’s or the College’s reputation.

Students who engage in such behaviour will be subject to strong consequences consistent with GSC’s Student

Management and Wellbeing Policy.

Any student who is feeling unwell at school and needs to go home must arrange this through Sick Bay. Under no circumstances may students use a mobile phone to contact home and make arrangements to leave except through the General Office. Should students need to contact someone via phone, they are to go to the General Office.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

Students who are seen with a mobile phone during school hours will be instructed to deposit the phone at the

General Office. The phone will be receipted, the infringement noted on Xuno and parents informed. Students may

collect their phones at the end of the day. Repeat offences or non-compliance will be reported to Year Level

Coordinators and entail consequences consistent with our school’s Student Management and Wellbeing Policy.

Staff may use their phones in offices, staffrooms, in the classroom for marking rolls, and while on yard duty for school

business. Otherwise, staff are expected to model behaviour consistent with this policy.

INSURANCE

Students are responsible for their mobile phone. Please note that Gisborne Secondary College does not have

accident insurance for accidental property damage. Students and their parents/carers are encouraged to obtain

appropriate insurance for valuable items, including mobile phones that may be brought to school. Students are

responsible for items brought to school. It is expected that students ensure that their lockers are capable of

securely storing their phones.

CAMPS AND EXCURSIONS

Students may be allowed to bring their mobile phones on overnight school camps or excursions. Gisborne Secondary College will provide students and their parents and carers with information about items that can be brought to special activities and events, including mobile phones.

REVIEW PERIOD

This policy was last updated on 28th March 2019 and is scheduled for review on the 24th June 2019.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

Qkr!

Additional information can be found http://www.gisbornesc.vic.edu.au/payments-books-

stationery/

IMPORTANT DATES

22nd April Easter Monday ( Public Holiday )

23rd April Term 2 Commences

Anzac Day General Assembly

Athletics Youth Clinic

25th April Anzac Day ( Public Holiday )

1st May Youth Clinic

2nd May Caulfield Careers Expo Year 11

3rd May House Cross Country Race

7th May Tertiary Information Service Excursion Year 12

14th –17th May Naplan Tests Years 7-9

Youth Clinic

22nd May School Council AGM and Awards

29th May Dance Showcase Years 9—12

GSC will be running the following Math's competitions this year:

Maths Olympiad (Years 7 & 8) – This runs in terms 2 & 3 and is open to Year 7 & 8 students only. Students participate as part of a team in 5 separate Olympiads. Each Olympiad consists of 5 problems which students attempt individually under test conditions. Individual results are combined to get a team result. Cost: $10.00.

The Australian Mathematics Competition (Years 7 to 12)- This is our annual competition where students compete with students from around the country. The questions are directed at the student’s year level. It is under test conditions, for approximately 1 ½ hours. This will run on the Thursday 9th of August. Cost: $6.50

Notices have been emailed to all families. If you would like your child to enter please respond to this notice by Tuesday 30th April.

MATHS NEWS

The Chaplaincy Committee meets regularly to support our Chaplain, Barb Davis, in her valuable work providing

pastoral care for students, staff, parents and families in the school and the wider community.

New members are always welcome. Year 7 parents are encouraged to join. This is a great way to be involved in

the school that your child attends as well as meet other parents and members of the local community.

The committee holds various fundraisers during the year and assistance at any event is always appreciated. This

can be as simple as: helping at one of our sausage sizzles, helping out at our Deb Dress Expo or helping to cater

for our movie night.

If you would like to join us for any event, please phone Helen Doherty

on 0407 686 708 or simply turn up to our next meeting.

Diary Dates:

Bunnings Sausage Sizzle - Sunday 26th May – Helpers desperately needed-

If anyone can offer an hour or two we would be most grateful.

Our next meeting - Monday 27th May - 7.30pm- GSC Library

Community Breakfast – Sat 14th Sept -House of Rock

CHAPLAINCY COMMITTEE

Disclaimer Gisborne Secondary College does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of claims made or information contained in the advertisements appearing in this publication, these advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by the College.

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