Acting Principal - James BarutCollege Council President - Heike ReichAssistant Principal - Jonathon RogersAssistant Principal - Janine McMahonBusiness Manager - Jayne Thompson

Emerald Secondary CollegeFortnightly NewsletterEmerald Secondary College is a Learning Community

Term 2 - 2020:12th June 2020 - Issue No. 6Important Dates:Every Thursday: Homework Club - Help is on Your Way 3.20pm - 4.30pm in the Library

JUNEFri 26th: Last day of Term 2 Semester 1 Reports released

JULYMon 13th: First day of Term 3

In this Issue:• Principal’s Report• Assistant Principals’ Report• Senior School News• Welcome Back to all the Junior School

Students• Virtual Cross Country Results• Homework Club• Isolated Young Composers• Middle School News• Humanities Remote Learning• Science Academy - Applications Open

for Year 7s in 2021• 1st Cockatoo Scout Group

Principal’s ReportSCHOOL’S BACK!

‘I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world!’ – ‘Song of Myself ‘– Walt Whitman

Dear Parents/Carers,

This notion of a ‘barbaric yawp’ was felt by all the staff at Emerald Secondary College as the remainder of our year levels came back to on-site learning this week, albeit in a more serene, genial manner.

Fresh uniform, fresh lunches and (some) attempt at repairing iso hairstyles, our corridors and classrooms were filled with banter, laughter, chatter, some nervousness and some apprehension. Ms Deer, our Junior School Leader noted that our Year 7 cohort had spent more days in remote learning than face to face teaching! Astonishing!

The morning began with a Webex for all the year levels and the theme of ‘welcome back’ continued. Students listened to presentations from their Sub School Leaders and from their House Co-ordinators and then moved into an extended session of wellbeing with their Home Group teachers. It was important to process and unpack how they were feeling about being back, what they learnt about themselves as learners whilst they were in remote learning and indeed, what they liked/disliked about the remote landscape. Students were asked to complete a small survey, responding to several questions. For the most part the results read thus:

What we really liked:

i. Detailed lesson plans on Compassii. Use of Microsoft Teamsiii. Asynchronous timetableiv. Having the entire week’s work posted at the start of the weekv. Weekly submission of work

What we really missed:

i. Having my teacher available to ask clarifying questionsii. Class discussion (particularly in VCE)iii. Peer check insiv. My teacher checking in to see if I understood the work

There are no surprises here and the staff have had the opportunity to look at these results and at the same time, a chance for all of us to consider our curriculum delivery to our students. In many ways, you, our parents, have also learnt along the way, specifically on how to use Compass to ‘check in’ without ‘checking’. Remember, your support is highly valued and not be underestimated and most of our young learners have learnt accountability and work ethic.

Some of you may have observed that I have not cited ‘what we didn’t like about remote learning’, so here it is:

What we did not find helpful:

i. Additional videos (not Webex)ii. Feedback published on Compass – Microsoft Teams was okayiii. Sometimes, my family was too noisyiv. Distractions – younger siblings, pets, etc

At the end of the day, our students missed their friends and teachers and they missed the vibe of the classroom. They will continue to enjoy tasks on Compass and teachers will continue to post weekly content.

I would like to acknowledge the work of our Sub School Leaders and Year Level Co-ordinators for their planning and attention to detail in transitioning our students back to school.

We are not out of the woods just yet – we continue to follow health guidelines and regulations and we adhere to social distancing to the best of our ability. Assemblies, sport carnivals, extra visitors on-site, excursions, camps, school tours, on-site parent/teacher conferences are still on the banned list. Washing of hands, hand sanitiser, greetings from afar and continuous cleaning are still very much a part of everyday life – but, we continue to support each other, our students are back (doing what students do) and Emerald Secondary College continues to flourish.

James Barut - Acting Principal

Assistant Principals’ ReportWelcome backThis week we welcomed back all students from Year 7 – 10. The energy around the school has increased and we have gone along for the ride. Classes are bubbling along and reflections on remote learning and completed tasks have been had. With reports due soon, there is lots of work to do to reengage with our work. Hopefully we have a more settled term three and can hit the ground running. There is lots of time left for students to learn this year. So a big welcome back to all students.

Student reportsReports for parents will be published on Compass on the last day of term and what a great opportunity for all our young learners to reflect on their own learning habits and practice.

Questions to ask and reflect upon:

• Am I ‘present’ in the classroom?• Did I engage during remote learning?• Am I easily distracted both at home and in class?• Have I listened to teacher instruction?• Am I familiar with the assessment criteria?• Do I heed and act upon feedback?• Have I checked my Learning Tasks on Compass?

These parameters all involve the students being invested in their learning journey – there is no point in our students coming to school watching our teachers work hard without them reciprocating. It is a shared partnership. We are working towards each other’s success.

Winter has hitWith the return of the entire school, we have also had the return of winter and extremely cold weather. Some discussions have been held this week with students out of uniform. Could parents and carers please ensure that the correct uniform is available for students to wear. There are warm options for students to wear, we would appreciate if this common message is endorsed at home as well.

A couple of reminders to consider:

1. Non uniform hooded jumpers will be requested to be removed.2. Non uniform jackets will be requested to be removed.3. Tracksuit pants are not permitted to be worn.

4. Beanies and caps are not permitted to be worn inside.5. Shoes must be plain black.

Stress vs AnxietyThe challenges of attending school for a young person has changed over time. We are seeing an increase in the number of students who are reporting anxiety related concerns. Some of these are accurate and some may be a little misunderstood. Schools are a stressful environment for young people and I am sure that there are parents and carers who are well aware of the impact their stressed out child/ren are having on the home front. Schools have deadlines, tests, CATs, SACs, exams, assignments, uniform and attendance requirements, rules, boundaries and a host of other expectations. These can be very stressful for our young people. I think it is important that we, as a college community, understand the difference in stress and anxiety. I sent out the link below to a website last year, I hope you still find it useful. A reminder that our staff, especially the Wellbeing staff, are here for our young people who are feeling stressed and those suffering from anxiety. I hope you find this resource valuable. During remote learning we were lucky to have a visit from Europa the Therapy Dog. We are always looking at ways to improve the wellbeing of our college community and these types of initiatives will continue to be explored and, where possible, implemented.https://www.psycom.net/stress-vs-anxiety-differenceBuildings and Grounds updateLots of work has been completed during remote learning and we are well placed to continue this work over the term break. Key areas that have been addressed include:

• Replaced both decking areas• Installed new soap and sanitiser dispensers• Replaced carpet in B1 and B2• Installed new split systems in B1 and B2• Engaged with arborist to increase safety around the oval by removing low hanging branches• New lockers for Year 7 students arrived, these will be installed during the term break• Internal stairs in G block resurfaced• Railings on external stairs at G block replacedJonathon Rogers - Assistant PrincipalJanine McMahon - Assistant Principal

Senior School NewsThe Semester break is quickly approaching to what has been an unprecedented term. The Senior Sub-School Team was very aware of the challenges many of our students faced during the remote learning period and in transitioning back to on-site learning. However, it is now time for all students to be caught back up. We are currently collating data on students in Yr 11 and 12 VCE that are currently not meeting course requirements. Letters will be sent home early next week to inform students and their parents/guardians of what subject(s) they are not passing and what may result if they fail to do so. Teachers will be posting Chronicles on Compass that clearly outlines what work the student is required to complete. All work is to be completed and submitted to teachers by 19th June, or earlier if the teacher specifies, so teachers can complete reports. During the last week of term, students that have failed a subject will be informed, along with their parents/guardians, that they have one final opportunity to satisfactorily meet the course requirements during an on-site period in the second week of the school holidays.

In regards to reports, there are a few VCE and VCAL subjects that will not have completed the course by the time reports are released. These subjects will show an ‘I’, meaning ‘in progress’. The subject teachers will update their reports early next term. I will give a specific date at the start of next term informing when all reports are to be finalised.

Our return to on-site learning has been well received by all students, however, one group have particularly enjoyed the return. Our VCAL program offers students more hands-on learning, which proved to be quite difficult in the remote context. Since the return to on-site learning, we have recommenced providing hands-on experiences for these students. The Yr 11 VCAL students have been busy planting bulbs around the school grounds and enjoying the practical component of the Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations). The Senior School Team

Welcome Back to all the Junior School StudentsIt was lovely seeing all the students’ faces along the corridors and in the classrooms once again after our remote learning journeys.

We started the morning off with extended Home Group and a WebEx assembly in our relevant year levels. This was a new experience for the teachers and for the students which went really well. Students also received a care package including a certificate of achievement for all their hard work and efforts during remote learning. Students interacted and reconnected with fellow students and teachers which I’m sure they had missed incredibly. I can speak on behalf of all the Junior School teachers, we missed the students also.

A quote from a student about the first day back at school

“I’m so happy to be back in the class room with all my friends. I missed being at school. I did my best with remote learning but I did find it hard at times. I did learn more about technology and how to use it but I prefer to be back in the classroom” Year 7 student.

I would like to thank all the students and teachers for their efforts during remote learning and we are all grateful we are back in the classrooms with the students. Thank you from Junior School Team

Yr 7 students and their textiles work which was completed during remote learning. The class had to follow the design process to complete a monster soft toy for a client.

Year 9 Outdoor Education students practising their knot tying by making stretchers.

Virtual Cross Country ResultsThank you to all the students who took part in the cross country. Mapping your own course and making the effort to go and run shows great organisation and enthusiasm.

The winning house this year is Geysen – with an amazing effort from 7G that helped contribute to the win.

1st Geysen

2nd O’Neil

3rd Greetham

4th Jeffreys

5th Hobbs

6th Hawley

Girls 12/31ST Miah Beardshaw2nd Katyn Russell3rd Kiana Logiudice

Girls 141st Lily Cochrane2nd Emily Brownbill3rd Cadence Tyrrell

Girls 151st Kiara Flavel2nd Kaylee Logiudice3rd Tahlia Waller

Girls 161st Paige Baguley2nd Natasha Lacsni

Girls 171st Ashlee Bowden2nd Ella Chawkley

Girls 18/201st Sophie Flavel

Boys 12/131st Aaron Silversten2nd Toby Storer3rd Zak Anderson

Boys 141st Yoni Arad2nd Amos Quadling3rd Eric Huecherig

Boys 15 1st Jake Russell2nd Kai Hughes3rd Jarrad Smith

Boys 16NO ENTRY

Boys 17NO ENTRY

Boys 18/202nd Liam Russell

The VSSA is also running a virtual cross country if you would like to get involved all the details can be found here:https://www.ssv.vic.edu.au/Pages/VirtualCrossCountry.aspx

Isolated Young Composers The past few weeks have been a challenge for students around the globe as we were plunged into a kind of house arrest. The situation for music students was exacerbated by the fact that theirs is a predominantly practical subject. Theoretical constructs must necessarily relate to empirical information gathered through the senses particularly through hearing. Year seven music students did focus much of their time on research, theory and musicological aspects but in order to bridge the divide between the written and experiential, we had to resort to the use of online programs. As a teacher, I was surprised at my student’s almost intuitive adeptness at using technology in their music making. I have included some of their compositions below.

Please click on the links to listen to their works

This work is by Miah Beardshaw and is called “Miah’s Spring Time Blues”https://onlinesequencer.net/1483402This is a work by Katyn Russell and her brother Jake Russell http://onlinesequencer.net/1503494This is by Aaron Silversten, another one of our budding composers

https://onlinesequencer.net/1483308Warren Wickremesooriya – Music Teacher

Middle School NewsRemote learning brought about many new challenges and experiences for our Middle School students, but as a Middle School Team we could not be prouder of our students and their achievements during this time - nor happier with the way they have transitioned to onsite-learning. On Tuesday morning excited staff and students gathered to return to on-site learning! After 8 weeks of remote learning and extended holidays we were met with smiles and excitement upon their return to school!

Students were greeted warmly as they entered their locker bays, with extra special welcomes stuck to their lockers!After an extended home group filled with chatter, laughter, and care packages, students were able to settle back into their normal routine of challenging and engaging classes, social times at recess and lunch and general collegiality!

Congratulations to students who were awarded Certificates of Recognition for their efforts during remote learning. We are looking forward to finishing Term 2 as strongly as we started Term 1. Middle School Team

Humanities Remote LearningDuring remote learning Year 8 SEAL in Humanities studied the Black Death, a pandemic that caused 50 million deaths over Europe. We studied the strange and whacky treatments that were used and how doctors dressed for protection. After this we looked at the terrible conditions of workers in the Industrial Revolution and next week, we will be focusing on child labour and how the young were exploited for profits. A discussion will be held on whether or not the world learnt from these events.

What was The Black Death? By Lena Dellaert 8G◦ The Black Death was a plague that spread through parts of Asia, Africa and Europe between the early 1330s and 1350s. ◦ It is estimated that The Black Death killed a third of the population of Europe.◦ The Black Death was a mix of all three types of plague bubonic (in the lymph nodes), pneumonic (in the lungs) and septicaemic (in the bloodstream).◦ The Black Death killed its victims within 2-7 days with 50-70 percent of those who caught it being killed.

Medicine at the Time of the Black Death by Mitchell O’Brien• People considered bad smells to cause diseases so the people would carry flowers and satchels filled with fragrant herbs, spices, or flowers. Green wood was burnt for a fragrant smoke and people were told to not sleep on their backs as the bad smells could easily go in through their nostrils.• There were Uni trained doctors but their services were too expensive for the common folk so they mainly relied on bloodletting where the barber would let all the ‘dirty’ blood out.

This year Ancient History as an elective at Year 9 was often called The Mysterious Past. Students loved researching many mysteries of the Ancient World. Mysteries such as Stonehenge, El Dorado, Easter Island, Angkor Wat, Atlantis, King Tut’s tomb curse and many more. Their CAT was to choose from many mysteries and research it in great detail and then present their point of view on what happened. Feedback from students is that they loved this subject and I certainly loved my own research in setting up the curriculum.

Construction and location of StonehengeThe Stonehenge is located on Salisbury plain, Wiltshire England. The construction of the Stonehenge started in 3000 BC and is believed to have been the work of the Celtic high priests known as the druids and was predicted to take around 1500 years to finish.

Theories The Stonehenge stones were built together like a sort of giant Lego! Stonehenge is believed to have been used for many reasons, including these three theories’… a burial ground, a place for religious ceremonies and a monument to the dead.

Stonehenge meaningThe term henge is an old English word for hang. Henge is popular in scientific literature to refer to megalithic monuments of the Neolithic and bronze ages. So, the Stonehenge is really called stonehang!By Holly Taylor Jen Rees - Domain Leader

Science Academy - Applications Open for Yr 7’s in 2021Emerald Secondary College Science Academy is now open for applications for Year Sevens in 2021.

Students who are accepted into the Science Academy experience a program where they will have the chance to explore in-depth topics and indulge their curiosity. This will be done by exploring the depths of subjects like Science and Mathematics in greater detail. Students will also have access to special incursion and excursion programs with the aim of enriching their experiences within Science and Mathematics.

The program is aimed at students with an enthusiasm for the sciences and a joy of learning. As a result, greater emphasis is placed on the references and communications during the testing.

Applications to the program are due to Emerald Secondary College office by the 3rd August. Alternatively, you can email co-ordinator Brad Gibbs at gibbs.bradley.b@edumail.vic.gov.au

Any enquiries can also be addressed to the same email, or by contacting Emerald Secondary College on 5968 5388.

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