growth learning relationships...

Growth Learning Relationships Wellbeing

O C T O B E R N E W S L E T T E R S E N I O R C A M P U S

The Year 12 VCAL students have been working very

diligently on building a 3-Dimensional model of the

Earth in Foundation Maths. The project covered

several topics including space, shape, design,

measurement and data and involved a lot of

teamwork and effort as students supported each

other in building the 3D model using sticks, coloured

paper and sticky tape. Students also learnt and

applied a range of valuable skills including reading

maps and using grid references to create scaled

drawings of each of the continents. They also

researched about time zones and used lines of

longitude and latitude to help determine location of

populous cities in each of the continents. To

personalise their globe, the students finally collated

data on the countries of origin of all students in the

Senior Campus and made their mark on the world! It

was amazing to see the multiculturalism of our

student population. Fantastic work Year 12 VCAL

students, you have done an amazing job!

Ms Amy Ngo

Maths Teacher

Sunshine College

Welcome back to the final term of the school year. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday break and are looking forward to another successful and enjoyable 11 week term. We enter this Term with a comprehensive learning program as we prepare Year 12 students for their end of year exams and welcome a new cohort of students into the Senior Campus. Year 12 teachers at the senior campus are very well versed with the heavy load facing Year 12 students. A comprehensive revision and “Exam Slam” program has been designed including Exam Lectures at Melbourne University and externally marked English practice exam. Year 12 teachers are available for individual and group support to all students during the exam periods. I encourage all students to take advantage of the vast experience and support available to them during this time. The Year 12 Graduation Ceremony is one the highlights of the school year. This year’s ceremony will be held on Tuesday evening October 22, 2019 at 7.00pm in the hall at the Senior Campus. Invitations to all students and parents will be sent out and we hope all parents, extended family and friends can attend this memorable event. Year 11 students are also coming towards the end of their Year 11 studies. End of year exams will be held in weeks 5 & 6 (from November 6 to November 11, 2019). This will be followed by a transition pro-gram for 3 weeks where students will commence their Year 12 studies. Year 12 is another step up for students and often many students are ill prepared for this next shift in emphasis and intensity. The transition program will be a vital time for students as they are given the opportunity to make a head start on their Year 12 studies. Students will also be involved in extra curricula activities such as “Fit to Drive” program run by Victoria Police, SRC elections and fun activities.

School Uniform

A key factor in maintaining our safe and supportive school environment is the correct wearing of the Sunshine College Senior Campus as per the school policy. The wearing of the correct school uniform fosters a sense of belonging, pride in our school and develops mutual respect amongst our students. Students are expected to attend and represent our school in correct school uniform every school day.

“The little Shop around the Corner” big open

event

I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to

Ms Alison Mitchinson and Mrs Noeleen Chester, the

VCAL students and all others involved in this

project. It was a great event and one that will be

repeated again late this term on a Saturday to allow

more parents and community members to attend to

experience the great work taking place in our

alternate pathways programs.

I am sure Miss Alison will be giving a full outline of

the evening in her article in this newsletter.

Well done.

Mona Raghdo

Senior Campus Principal 2

Senior Campus Principal Report


3

Year 12 News

Welcome to Term Four. For the first time in many

years, the Year 12 students have opted out of a

Year 12 Formal, with less than half of the students

returning their deposits for the proposed event.

While we are sad that there will not be a Formal this

year, we are hopeful that the students will celebrate

the end of thirteen years of schooling with their

classmates at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

on Wednesday 23rd of October. This should be a

fun day out with a swim at the centre, a picnic lunch

and an open-air movie. The college covers the cost

of the day and students only need to submit their

permission forms.

The Year 12 students have been busily preparing for

their Year 12 exams, with a group of students

attending the ‘Mastering the Exams’ lecture at

Melbourne University on Saturday 14th September.

Since our return from the break, all classes have

been completing revision. As the time draws near to

their first written exam, English and EAL on

Wednesday 30 October at 9.00am, a few words of

advice for parents, guardians and students. All

students should have triple checked their exam

timetable, to avoid any stressful events. A list of

approved materials and equipment is in the student’s

VCE Exams Navigator 2019. Extra copies are

available from the front office. Recommended

advice for all students includes the following:

The night before each exam:

Triple check your exam date and time

Pack your bag for the next day

Do not overstudy the night before. Do not

attempt to learn something new. Instead, use

this time to re-read summaries and review

challenging concepts. Practise difficult

questions (that you have fully worked

solutions for).

Try to get as much sleep as possible.

However, if you do not sleep well, do not be

too anxious as your body will produce enough

adrenalin to get you through the exam. Make

sure you catch up on any missed sleep the

next day, so you keep your concentration

levels at peak performance.

The morning of each exam:

Eat a breakfast, even if it is a light one. Avoid

high sugar foods and energy drinks. High

protein and whole foods are best to give you

sustained energy.

Arrive 15 minutes early, but do not have

conversations along the lines of: ‘Did you

study this? It will be on the exam!’ Such

conversations tend to encourage panic, rather

than encourage students. Instead, spend the

minutes before the exam relaxing, thinking

positively and balancing your excitement with

mindful techniques.

After each exam:

Leave immediately. Again, do not post exam

conversations such as: ‘Did you get this for

question 10?’ tend to be discouraging if your

answers do not agree. Do not let a

less-than-perfect exam experience put you off.

If you struggled with the exam, chances are

the rest of the state did too. If you knew your

work and did your best that is all you can do.

Dwelling on exams once they are

completed is a waste of energy and can

actually discourage you in your remaining

exams.

Once you finish your exams, relax and reward

yourself for your hard work. Remember: Do not

look back. You are not going that way.

Advice from the School for Excellence 2019,

Mastering the Exams.

4


RUOK Day

Ms Clara Tran, Ms Carolyn Papageorge, Ms Mona Raghdo, Ms Yola Gittins, Ms Tam Do, Mr Ben Thomas,

Mr Jasper Wolfe and Ms Maria Maroudas

Thursday 12th September was R U OK? Day. The

day was marked at the Senior Campus with Pastoral

Care activities and by some of the teachers wearing

the R U OK? t-shirt. This year the focus for support

was on the four steps to ask someone if they are

okay. The day reminds us all that although we have

a day,

every day is a good day to ask someone if they are

okay.

The four steps for the conversation are the following,

taken from the R U OK? Website.

1. Ask R U OK?

2. Listen

3. Encourage action

4. Check in

5. A range of materials is available from the R U OK? website to support members of the community in asking someone R U OK?

Mrs Papageorge

Year 12 Student Engagement

and Wellbeing Coordinator

Step-Up Program

Year 11 VCE students are entering an exciting time in their academic career as they prepare for the transition to Year 12. At Sunshine College, to help support students and give them the best chance of academic success, we run the Step-Up Program. This program is designed to start students on their Unit 3 coursework ahead of schedule. This program starts in Week 6 and runs for three weeks.

During this three week transition, students will begin their Year 12 coursework in preparation for next year. They will take away insights to the type, standard and quantity of work required at Year 12. It is also an opportunity to develop a mindset that they are now Year 12 students. Being a Year 12 student comes with it a new sense of maturity, as they focus on working toward their potential and getting the most out of their learning. This gives our students a ‘step-up’ allowing them to get a sense of what will be required over their Year 12 VCE.

Exams

Before VCE students transition they must undertake their Unit 2 VCE exams. These exams are an important indication of student progress and should be taken seriously. Students will need to show adequate knowledge of the content if they wish to progress to year 12. Exams will begin on Wednesday 6

th of November.

In order for students to experience success it is encouraged they begin studying now to maximise their results. Students are encouraged to create a study timetable, focusing their study on coursework they have struggled in. The large proportion of their study should consist in completing a large number and variety of practice questions. Ensure students are working each night in preparation for their exams.

Good Luck in all upcoming exams and transition to Year 12.

5


Mr Jasper Wolfe

Year 11 Student Engagement


Rosie-Star Forsberg

Year 11 Student

Taylor Barker, Caleb Brizzi (Year 12) and Michael

Lourandos (Year 11)

Year 11 News

Year 11 VCAL 1IS students are learning about the

importance of good posture and mindfulness as

part of their Personal Development program. The

sessions, led by qualified yoga teacher Leeann

Jackson, aim to teach students how to access

poses that help with physical alignment as well as

breathing techniques to remain calm during

stressful times.

Students who took part in the first session on

Wednesday 16th October said the experience was

something they would recommend to others.

“It’s a good way to relax your muscles and helps

with your breathing,” said Joseph Laukau.

Irem Eryilmaz also found the gentle poses and

exercises were good for her body and mind.

“After I did it, my body feels better than before,

more relaxed and calm,” she said.

Trey Nguyen, who works part-time, said the

morning incursion gave him a much needed

energy boost.

“I’m stressed out because I’m working three days.

When I come to school, I am so tired. When I did

it, it gave me more energy for the rest of the day.”

Students will be attending a second session on

Wednesday October 23

6

Year 11 VCAL Breathing, Posture, and Relaxation Techniques


Ms Clara Tran

Year 11 VCAL Teacher


VCAL News

Thank you to all the wonderful members of the school community who came to celebrate the closing of the VCAL Retail Shop – The Little Shop around the Corner, last Monday night. All the students from 2GS worked extremely diligently to serve and assist the customers.

Thank you also to Ms Chester's class who stayed back to help with the night. All parents enjoyed the barista made coffee and nibbles whilst roaming around searching for bargains. The hampers were very popular displaying all the students’ talent of making jams, preserves, cordials and chocolates. The first VCAL shop was located in the front foyer of the Senior Campus hall. Unfortunately, there was little lighting and no heating in that area but we made the best of it all the same. Every Monday we carried the shelving, which resembled a jigsaw puzzle, and the stock across to the hall foyer. The students worked during their lunchtime serving students and teachers who came by to visit. Afterwards they dismantled everything – ready for the following week. The students decided to burn scented candles, which was a great idea. Not only did the foyer smell lovely but the reality was it provided more lighting! Over the years, the shop has grown in size and Ms Raghdo kindly found the VCAL shop a permanent home. And yes with natural light and heating.

I believe the VCAL shop has been a great learning experience for the VCAL students. Every student has grown personally as well as strengthened their employability skills. A few examples are:

Developing their self-confidence

Improve their financial literacy

Self-planning and organising

Reading and working to a roster

Customer services

To all the 2GS students of 2019, I am extremely proud of you for hosting Monday night’s event on your own. You displayed all the skills you have learnt over these two years. You said you would follow through with your duties and you did. Well done everyone.

Oh yes, and thank you to 2GS for being such a wonderful group to help close down our shop. I will always have such fond memories of you all.

7

Junior Wongchiu and Feofaaki Teu

Year 12 VCAL Intermediate

Jean Guzma and Sebastian Manriquez

Year 11 Foundation

Ms Alison Mitchinson

VCAL Student Engagement



Important Upcoming Dates

Child Safety Our community values of Growth, Relationships, Learning and Wellbeing are underpinned by an understanding that Child Safety is a paramount responsibility of the school community. Sunshine College has a number of guiding policies regarding Child Safety on our web site located at www.sunshine.vic.edu.au Please take some time to make yourself aware of these and contact the school should you have any concerns regarding Child Safety.

Sunshine College Senior Campus

Graham St, Sunshine Victoria, 3020

http://www.sunshine.vic.edu.au/

(03) 8311 5200

Reminder to Parents

Please drive safely when dropping off and picking up your children

Date Event

Tuesday October 22, 2019 Year 12 Graduation 7:00PM

Wednesday October 23, 2019 Year 12 End of Year Celebration

Wednesday October 30, 2019 Year 12 VCE Exams Begin—English

Friday November 1, 2019 Year 11 End of Year Exams SWOT VAC

Wednesday October 6, 2019 Year 11 End of Year Exams Begin

Leadership Team

Campus Principal Ms Mona Raghdo

Assistant Principal Mr Peter Gittins

VCAL Student Manager Ms Alison Mitchinson

Year 11 Student Manager Mr Jasper Wolfe

Year 12 Student Manager Ms Carolyn Papageorge

Student Wellbeing Ms Anna Gatto-Turcarolo

Office Manager Ms Sandra Moore and Ms Yola Gittins

8

http://www.sunshine.vic.edu.au

growth learning relationships...

Documents