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Newsletter Mount Eliza Secondary College

Canadian Bay Road Mount Eliza 3930 Tel: 9787 6288 Fax: 9787 9888

Email: info@mesc.vic.edu.au Internet www.mesc.vic.edu.au

Website http://www.mesc.vic.edu.au

Editors: Angela Pollard & Heather Hiam 29 February 2016 Volume 1 - 2016

Dear Parents, Students, Teachers and Members of the Wider School Community

This newsletter is the first for the term but coincides with the end of a significant period of learning for our students. Having commenced their classes in Jumpstart, teachers have just completed an assessment cycle, providing parents with a report on learning behaviours, feedback on task completion and quality via Compass, and direct discussions with parents at student/parent/teacher meetings last week. We were extremely pleased with the very high attendance rate at these meetings, and whilst it made for a busy night, showed the growing sense of shared responsibility for student success between families and the college.

We also had our highest participation rate in some time at the recent swimming sports, and it was fantastic to see our new senior house captains encouraging their

teams and generally leading the fun as well as the competition.

Our focus in classes is on the building of individual student capacity along with the learning behaviours that we know support learning success, and also genuinely prepare students for the world of work. This can be challenging for many students because it requires them to think, plan, self assess and take greater responsibility for their learning. Teacher support, expertise and guidance is of course critical, but this is active rather than passive learning and is a change in expectations for some. We take this route because the old style, 'teacher at the centre' approach does not provide what is needed for the future. It may have been satisfactory in the past, but the world our students are moving into is largely uncertain and the broader their skill base and capacity for independence, the better equipped they will be.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank parents for the support at the commencement of the 2016 school year. The students look fantastic now that they are all in the same uniform and it is very pleasing to see the sense of pride with which the uniform is being worn. To clarify a question asked by some parents, the blazer is a compulsory part of the school uniform and every student should have one. The one off exception is current year 12 students, who have their unique year 12 jacket. In terms one and four when it is very hot, students may come to school in either the dress or shorts and shirt. The blazer remains however, the required outer layer if extra warmth is needed. From the second week of term two the blazer must be worn to school every day with the winter uniform. School Council supports (and expects) the wearing of the blazer.

And finally, I would like to encourage parents to contact me directly if you have any positive feedback or concerns regarding any aspect of your son or daughters experience at Mount Eliza Secondary College. We consult heavily with the students about their time at school and very much welcome broader input to continue to build on our already high quality performance and provision.

Angela Pollard Principal

STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE

Parents are reminded that DET and Mount Eliza Secondary College do not provide personal accident insurance for students. Parents and guardians are responsible for the cost of medical treatment for injured students and transport costs including Ambulance transport in an emergency situation. Student accident insurance policies are available for purchase through a number of insurance companies. Mount Eliza Secondary College is not in a position to recommend an insurance company as this is a personal choice depending on your circumstances. Parents are also reminded that DET and Mount Eliza Secondary College do not provide insurance for personal possessions of any description including motor vehicles, for damage or theft at the College or on the College grounds. If insurance coverage is required we recommend you contact your insurance provider for further information.

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SENIOR VCAL LAOS VOLUNTEER TRIP

As part of meeting the outcomes in Senior VCAL we are planning

a volunteer trip to Laos in September 2016. The focus for our trip

is to service a disadvantaged community. We plan to assist an

underprivileged community, specifically working with the people

in that community. Our trip will include building and

constructing facilities to better the lives of the villagers in Laos

and working with school children to improve English language

skills and safe food practices. We will also be working in an

animal sanctuary to care for and rehabilitate injured wildlife.

In order to make this happen, we need your help! We are aiming to raise the money to travel and volunteer in Laos.

In total, we are hoping to raise $30,000 to make this trip possible.

We are seeking donations and sponsorship. If you decide to

donate or sponsor our trip, we will be happy to advertise your

business. We are designing team shirts displaying the names and logos of the people and companies that support our

efforts. We can also advertise your business in our school newsletter; this publication is viewed by our entire school

community. For further information, please contact:-

Team Leader: Matt Roper – 0408330882 or ROP0001@mesc.vic.edu.au

Team Leader: Michael Herceg -0423917568 or HER0010@mesc.vic.edu.au

Team Leader: Clancy Newton – 0474118128 or NEW0007@mesc.vic.edu.au

Senior School Leader: Bree Hudson – 0400910791 or bhudson@mesc.vic.edu.au

We hope that you can help us make a difference! Senior VCAL class 2016

SCIENCE NEWS! It has been a busy start to the term with many exciting units studied in science. Our year 7’s have been introduced to the science laboratories where they have learnt about all the different equipment including the most anticipated lighting of the Bunsen burner. Our Year 8’s have been enjoying our rocks and fossils unit where they actually get to eat their experiment! They create sedimentary rocks (Rocky Road), metamorphic rocks (Pancakes) and Fossils made from chocolate. This is understandably one of our most popular units. Who said rocks were boring! Our Year 9’s and 10’s are enjoying the first of the electives being run this year. Students have the choice of the following units: Forensic Science, Neuroscience, Life and Extreme science. The VCE science students have also been very busy settling into the New Year. The Year 12 Chemistry class have just recently visited

Melbourne University to use some of the instrumentation used in Analytical Chemistry. They were introduced to Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography, High Performance Liquid Chromatography and UV-Visible Spectroscopy.

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FIT IN DEUTSCH

PSYCHOLOGY VISIT TO THE MIND EXHIBIT AND THE DAX GALLERY

At the end of last year, the year 11 and 12 Psychology classes went into the city to look at a couple of exhibits to do with our area of study. We started off at the Melbourne Museum looking at The Mind – Enter the Labyrinth exhibition, it was there that we looked at emotions, dreams, fears and all things to do with the conscious experience. After a thorough look at the museum, we proceeded to the DAX gallery in which we looked at the paintings salvaged from an art therapy class from different asylums from the 60’s (or around there). Some of which were very abstract, others more detailed and some of the paintings were accompanied by back stories of the patients and what inspired there art on display. We were then spoken to by a man named Adam who was talking to us about his

experience with psychosis and how his life is now, even after all the adversity he has faced in the past. The message resonated in us all, things get better, and even when things seem the darkest, light can always be found.

By Maddie Branthwaite and Fern Edwards Following the exhibition, Year 11 Psych students did further investigation into a specific mental illness. They created amazing websites to demonstrate knowledge of the mental illness. As a teacher I thought it would be great to get the information out there and celebrate the work these students have done. It is important to reduce stigma and expand knowledge on all mental illnesses in the community. The following are stand-out websites: Ryan Coppard: Anxiety Disorders http://ryansanxietytask.weebly.com/ Lili Williams: Mood Disorders http://mentalhealthandmooddisorders.weebly.com/ Fern Edwards & Maddie Branthwaite: Psychotic disorders http://psychology-psychotic-disorders.weebly.com/

BRAIN BEE 2016 Year 10 Students are invited to participate in a free Neuroscience Competition. Anyone interested in Science, learning more about the brain and how it works or looking for a challenge check out http://www.abbc.edu.au/ and email sbaeffel@mesc.vic.edu.au ASAP.

In November last year Year 9, 10 and 11 German students from MESC sat the Fit in Deutsch I and II exams at the Goethe Institut in Melbourne.

It was a scary experience even though the examiners were nice and we were all well prepared. We were tested in reading, writing, listening and speaking and I’m happy to say that we all passed the exam.

We now have a certificate which is recognised throughout the world and adds an important component to our CV.

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LIBRARY NEWS Welcome to the MESC Library where you can find lots of great books and get help when you need it. The Library is open from 8.00am to 4.00pm every day. We have fiction and non-fiction books, great displays, jigsaw puzzles and chess at lunchtimes, book club on Wednesdays and it’s a great environment to do your homework too. This year we are planning to do the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, get involved in the State Library of Victoria ‘Inky Awards’ and hopefully meet some authors at the Melbourne Writer’s Festival during Children’s Book Week. Please come to the Library for great books to read and maybe some of Mrs Swannell’s famous chocolate brownies if you’re lucky!

Jocelyn Loukes and Kiana Shillington- 2016 Library Captains ‘‘Between Covers Book Club” Starting from Wednesday 2nd March ‘Between Covers Book Club’ will be held in the Library Learning Hub at lunchtime. Please come along if you enjoy reading, like books, or just want to meet a few people who are as crazy about the Hunger Games/Wattpad/Harry Potter as you are! All year levels (and staff) are welcome and throughout the year we have the opportunity to go on library excursions. Come every week or just when you feel like it!

Lucaya Rich and Violetta Minzenmay- 2016 Library Monitors

‘Blind Date with a Book’ During February we celebrate ‘Library Lover’s Day’ and this year the Library Monitors have been very busy wrapping up some of their favourite books to share with students (and staff) as a ‘Blind Date with a Book’ activity and display. Books are selected based on the ‘clues’ written on the wrapping and after ‘getting to know’ their ‘date’ borrowers are asked to completed a short review. Once returned these reviews will be attached to the books and put on display for others to borrow. It has been lots of fun putting this together and Ms Montinaro’s 8A English class had a great time choosing their ‘dates’ for the next 2 weeks!

MESC Library Website Don’t forget to check out our MESC Library website (accessed via Compass or MESC web) where you will find lots of info about the Library, access to research and study tips, newspapers, book reviews, and our online eBooks for more great titles. Thank you to the following students who are part of our team this year – Library Captains – Jocelyn Loukes and Kiana Shillington

Library Monitors – Lucaya Rich, Violetta Minzenmay, Jamey McMillan, Sophie McQuie, Eliza Kidder, Ben Worrall, Corey Bucher, Nathan Delcampo (Year 9) and Isabella York, Poppy Baldwin, Marcus Xipolitos, Callum Mann

Mrs Lynn Swannell, Librarian

Year 9 Library Monitors

Year 7 Library

Monitors

8A English

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“You can now follow us on Twitter and Facebook to find out about upcoming events at the College”

http://twitter.com/mtelizasc http://on.fb.me/zWNp06

Monday 29 February Year 7 Immunisations

Tuesday 1 March Intermediate Sport

Thursday 3 March Southern Peninsula District Swimming

Monday 7 March MESC College Production Rehearsals Commence

Tuesday 8 March “Clean up MESC”

Monday 21 March Reports Published

Thursday 24 March End of Term 1

Monday 11 April All students return Term 2 commences

IMPORTANT DATES 2016

PUBLIC TRANSPORT CONCESSION PASS 2016-PROOF OF CONCESSION ENTITLEMENT All students aged 17 years and over, or those requiring a half yearly or yearly Student Pass (regardless of age), are required to obtain a 2016 Victorian Public Transport (VPT) Student Concession Card as proof of their concession entitlement. Application details can be obtained from:-

Metropolitan premium train stations

PTV Hubs (Southern Cross Station, Docklands, Geelong & Bendigo)

V/Line staffed stations and ticket agents

PTV Call Centre by calling 1800 800 007

Online at ptv.vic.gov.au.

It is important to note that school issued student identification cards are not accepted as entitlement to concession travel on public transport.

COLLEGE LEVIES Please be reminded that College Levies were due in full before the commencement of 2016 unless prior arrangement has been made. The majority of families have paid in full or have arranged an approved payment plan, a big thank you to those families. I remind the remainder of families that it is an expectation that Essential Educational Items are paid to support the provision of quality materials and items. Students chose subjects and families approved the choice of electives in 2015, therefore subjects have been planned and costed according to the commitments made by families. Please contact the General Office asap if you have not already done so. CHANGE OF CONTACT DETAILS Almost all information is forwarded to families by email. It is important to keep the College updated of any changes to email addresses, as well as other changes such as address and telephone numbers. Notification of changes can be made via Compass when you log in or by completing the Change of Details Form on the MESC website.

TERM DATES 2016

Term 1

28 January 2016 -24 March 2016

Term 2

11 April 2016-24 June 2016

Term 3

11 July 2016-16 September 2016

Term 4

3 October 2016- 20 December 2016

DOBSONS UNIFORM SHOP TRADING HOURS

Monday: 12.30 pm - 4.00 pm

Wednesdays: 8.30am – 11.30am

1st Saturday of each month

9.00am—12.00 Noon

Telephone 9708 8566

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