The Pelican Newsletter of Western Port Secondary College

No 5 August 2014

215 High Street, Hastings, 3915 PH: 5979 1577, Fax: 5979 3734 . Absence Line: 5979 3511 Email: western.port.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au Web: www.westernportsc.vic.edu.au Join us on Facebook and TIQBIZ

BELL TIMES 2014

Form Assembly 8.45 am - 8.55 am Period 1 8.58 am - 9.55 am Period 2 9.58 am - 10.55 am Recess Period 3 11.19 am - 12.16 am Period 4 12.19 am - 1.16 pm Lunch Period 5 2.03 pm - 3.00 pm

Important Dates: 7th August— Senior School Parent Info Night - Year 8 Sport 13th August—Year 7 Sport 14th August—Japanese students arrive 15th to 17th August—40 Hour Famine 15th August—Year 10 Holocaust Museum 20th August—Japanese students depart 22nd August—Year 9 Shrine of Remembrance 29th August—Year 12 Parent Teacher Interviews 8th to 12th September—Rubicon Camp 19th September—Term 3 Ends

SKI CAMP!

The Principal

Principal’s Report It is a great privilege for me to have been appointed Principal of Western Port Secondary College! I am looking forward to working with the College Council, staff, students, parents and the wider College Community to continue to build on the successes of the school and improve the outcomes for the students and College in general. During the next few weeks we will begin the process of course counselling for Senior students. This is an important time for all students to carefully consider the wide variety of subjects and courses on offer and choose the best

pathway that will lead to the best and most appropriate outcome for them. Please feel free to contact any of the senior team with any questions or concerns in relation to this. Towards the end of last term we had the opening of the Coffee and Conversations Café at the College. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by many staff and students and it was a great occasion with lots of past and present students, staff, parents and guests. This is now open to the general public so please come in and pay the trainees a visit! School Strategic Plan 2015-2018 Work on the plan is continuing and the report from the reviewer is now expected to be tabled at school council later in the term. We are currently undertaking an in depth analysis of College data and reviewing a number of programs and curriculum offerings across the school. National Gonski Week You may have read in the media lately or in the past, about a report on Education for the Federal Government that was prepared by Professor David Gonski. It recommended a number of reforms that would see some great positive changes for our school. Whilst Victoria signed on to a six year deal to see these reforms come to fruition the new Federal Government has only committed to four years of funding. This will significant adversely affect our school and it is important that our parents and the College community understand what that impact will be. As a part of National Gonski Week, I have included some further information regarding this elsewhere in this newsletter. Please contact me if you would like clarification in any area. Trade Training Centre I am very pleased to advise that the tender process for our centre has commenced. This will see an extension to the current Automotive facility and provide training in engineering and diesel mechanics. Uniform Students are required to wear full school uniform at all times. As winter approaches a reminder that hoodies and beanies are strictly prohibited. Also a reminder that student’s hair can ONLY BE DYED IN A NATURAL HAIR COLOUR – any other colour is banned. Detailed information about uniform and in particular shoes deemed appropriate as school shoes can be found at: http://www.westernportsc.vic.edu.au/parent-information/uniform/ The supplier of College uniform is Beleza, who have a store at: Shop 8, 13 Eramosa Rd West, Somerville (near Safeway), 5977-5277 Website Just a reminder about the College web site – a great way to keep in touch and informed! Please visit: www.westernportsc.vic.edu.au TiqBiz During the remainder of 2014 we will be phasing out printed newsletters and the newsletter will be sent via TiqBiz. This is a far more economical and environmentally friendly way to communicate news with the school community and it can also be used to communicate other information at various times. Please see attached flyer. Facebook The College does have a Facebook site – please join this for College updates via social media. Michael Devine Acting Principal

Assistant Principal

CENTREPAY

WPSC would like to announce that we now offer Centrepay as another means of payment. This is a system

to assist families with automatic deductions from their Centrelink payments that can go towards College

charges. There are no fees associated with this arrangement and the General Office is happy to assist with

registration

In the last week of term and the first week of the holidays Helen Smith and I will be travelling to Kuala Lumpur to visit our sister school in Malaysia. We applied for and were successful in getting a grant from School Council to do this. We will be working with students from the Environmental Team at SMK Aminuddin Baki to develop a film about their environmental initiatives. Prior to this we will be visiting a National Research forest called FRIM (see www.frim.gov.au). We visited FRIM with the student leaders who worked on the sister school project earlier in the year and the visit was a highlight of their stay in KL. This forest is a base for scientific research and an important envionmental asset. The visit to FRIM is part of setting the context of the project at our sister school by looking at places of environmental value close to Kuala Lumpur.

Similarly we are producing a film about Western Port Secondary College’s environmental projects and achievements. We are setting the context for this by also filming places of environmental and historical significance around the school. These places include the Hastings jetty and Western Port Bay, Jack’s Beach and Warringine Park. The students from the Environment Team are developing the scripts and working with me to produce the film. So far they have interviewed the Ranger from Warringine Park, Samantha Ackland and Councillor David Garnot for the film. They have spoken about our achievements and the relationship we have developed with the Shire around sustainability, particularly in the area of waste. Students from other key groups in the school are also involved in the film. Yesterday I filmed the Conservation and Land Management students working in our bush block and learning about weed control. They talked about land management and the need to have a fire break between the bush and housing in Olivia Way and the value of preserving habitat for endangered species such as the powerful owl that lives in the bushland behind the school. The work that the students are doing in preparing the film utilises a repertoire of literacy skills, both written, oral and social. The purpose of the two films is to showcase our status as a lead, mentor school in terms of environmental education and to highlight the interactive relationship we have with our sister school. Two of the key ‘cross cultural priorities’ of the Australian Curriculum / AUSVELS are Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia and Sustainability. This project covers both these priorities and our aim is to lift the profile of the work we are doing as a school. We can clearly demonstrate that we are the cutting edge in terms of the work we are doing in these areas. There are so many pathways for students that link to these priorities and the educational work we are doing related to this. The Student Leaders who went to Malaysia earlier in the year met with a representative from The Bays yesterday to plan a program for the aged residents as part of their Sister School project. This is another thread in the rich tapestry of the work our students are doing to build relationships with their community and to extend their own capabilities. Research shows that the 21st Century skills that students need to thrive in the work place and community are those that sit outside the mainstream curriculm, skills such as collaborative problem solving, team work and creativity. Projects such as these, give students the opportunity to develop these 21st century skills and prepare them for the ‘real world’ a world very different to the one we grew up in.

Hannah Lewis Assistant Principal

Cycling Victoria is excited to invite you to the 2014 Victorian Schools Cycling Championships (VSCC)!

The VSCC is the biggest School cycling event in Australia and this year it is back and bigger than ever. Run between July and September, the VSCC is series of school cycling events across three disciplines: Road, BMX and Mountain Bike. Both licensed (racing) and un-licensed (novice) riders can participate in cycling races on fun and safe courses across the state. Students from every corner of Victoria have the chance to represent their school and become the state champion for respective categories. The events are co-hosted by Cycling Victoria and local cycling clubs, thereby providing a pathway for students who would like to continue participating in the sport.

Additional, there are many great prizes for students to win just by participating. This includes $100 Amart Sports vouchers, 2 years free bike servicing at Goldcross Cycles and a GT BMX Bike.

Check out: www.vic.cycling.org.au/Get-Involved/Victorian-Schools-Cycling-Championships for more details about the competition and the

details.

ADF STUDENT NEWS On Tuesday 22nd July I had the pleasure of taking six of our ADF students to Gravity Zone in Seaford for an excursion. Whilst it was a quiet conversation travelling to the venue, the energy and interactions between the students when they got going was friendly and relaxed. In fact as one student commented, “ It was great to do something with other Defence students. I wish we could do it every day. They get me!” After 2 hours of bouncing, games, chatter, fun and laughter the return trip back to WPSC was quiet. All energy exhausted. A fun day was had by all! Donna Nairn,

ADF Transition Mentor

Coffee and Conversation Grand Opening Over 100 guests attended the grand opening of the café with industry representatives, parents, staff and students all there to celebrate the wonderful achievement. The Café has become a hive of community involvement. Hastings Primary School, the Hastings Walking Club, Community House groups and local residence now all visit the site regularly. The student run café can cater for meetings, private functions and groups with a few days notice. All enquiries can go to coffeeandconversation@gmail.com

HEALTH & WELLBEING GIRLS WELLBEING On Friday 1 August, the Girl’s Wellbeing Program will commenced. This is a lunchtime programme aiming to engage girls through physical fitness, healthy eating and the establishment of positive relationships. All girls at the College are welcome to attend the weekly program, run each Friday. Each week will see a different activity, from circuit training, to dance, boxing and yoga. This will be followed by a shared healthy lunch and provide a good opportunity for social chat and interaction with other girls. Parents, Grandparents, Carers - Do you have a skill or wellbeing interest you think you could share in our girl’s wellbeing program? I would love to hear from people who are fitness instructors, beauty therapists, hair dressers, nutritionists or physiotherapists, who may be interested in giving up an hour of your time on a Friday

at lunchtime. Please contact me at Western Port Secondary College on 5979 1577. SEXUALITY EDUCATION This term, Year 7 and 8 students will commence sexuality education in their Footprints Class. Sexuality is an integral part of being human and relating to others. It has the potential to be a positive force in the lives of all young people but if not understood, it can contribute to poor life choices and health risks. Sexuality education is one means of providing children and young people with the skills and knowledge to manage their sexual wellbeing and can provide the fundamental tools to enable people to enjoy healthy, responsible and satisfying sexual lives. Research shows that school based sexuality education improves the sexual health outcomes of young people. In Victoria, sexuality education is a compulsory part of the school curriculum and parents are encouraged to contact their child’s school if they want more information about the school’s program. This is a great opportunity for parents to engage in ‘the talk’ with their young person. For further information go to http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Sex_education_talking_to_teenagers Monique DeRoche Adolescent Health Nurse

National Tree Planting Day National Schools Tree Planting Day Friday 25th July Students from the Environment group enjoyed planting a selection of native shrubs and grasses.

Moonlit Sanctuary & Warrangine Excursion

On Wednesday 12th June a group of students from the Environment group and PSD went to the Moonlit Sanctuary at Pearcedale. We learnt about bush tucker plants that we can put in our bush tucker garden that we are going to make. I enjoyed feeding wallabies and I got to pat a snake. Moonlit Sanctuary was bigger than I expected and there were a lot of different animals. After we left there we went to Warrangine Reserve where we met the ranger and then we went on a walk around there and then had to walk all the way back to school. Sab Howroyd 9A

Western Port Secondary College is now a TIQBIZ school! Download the FREE app from you’re App store/ Play store or onto your PC to receive information from us.

You can select what you want to receive by a simple tick! (See flyer for more information and how to guide)

I can’t catch my breath. It’s hard to breathe.

My breathing may sound funny, it may be a bit noisy (wheezing) or it may sound like a whistle. Sometimes it may feel like someone is squeezing my chest really tightly.

I may cough a lot. Sometimes more at night or after sport. My throat may feel itchy.

My Blue puffer. This is also called a reliever. The medicine in my reliever quickly makes it easier for me to

breathe.

I use my puffer with a Spacer. It helps to get more medicine into my lungs.

Kids with

Asthma

Tips for staying active this winter! Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA) is a common trigger for asthma. However, it does not need to be a barrier to Students par-

ticipating in sports and physical activities.

Here are some tips to help prevent EIA in students:

Before Exercise take reliever medication 5-20 minutes before warming up. Warm Up before exercise as normal.

During Exercise watch for asthma symptoms and administer reliever medication if they should occur. Only return to exer-cise if symptoms are relieved. If symptoms appear again, administer medication again, until they are relieved. It is not rec-

ommended that the Student should return to the sporting activity after a second occurrence of asthma symptoms.

After Exercise cool down as usual. Note that asthma symptoms can present up to a half an hour after exercise has stopped. Ensure reliever medication is still easily accessible should it be required.

Other things to remember: Ensure all students have current Asthma Action/Care Plans

If possible make activities that are scheduled for the night indoors as the drop in air temperature makes air colder to

inhale and acts as a greater trigger. Encourage students with asthma to participate fully!

Somerville

8/13 Eramosa Rd

Somerville 3912

Phone: (03) 5977 5277

Monday - Friday: 9:00am to

5:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am to 1:00pm

BASKETBALLER WANTED! Keen student looking to join or

start a girls 16-18 years basketball team. If interested contact Mrs Hall or Madison

Watson - Bell

Tina’s Glass & Glazing

For all your glazing needs including: Replacement windows, Safety Glass,

Domestic Glazing and Mirrors

Call:

Tina Connor 0423 946 150

tinaglassglazing@hotmail.com.au

Police Check and Working with Children Check

TRADE qualified