Welcome back to term 2. It was fantastic to see our Year 11s and 12s return from school holidays refreshed and ready to go. I hope the parent/teacher/student conferences at the end of term 1 provided useful feedback and information moving forward.
At the end of term 1 I spoke to each year level about the importance of not giving up, and how sometimes before we experience success, we need to fail. I reminded them that many well known people had experienced failures or setbacks, but it was their perseverance and resilience that enabled them to experience success. I think this quote from Albert Einstein sums it up nicely, “If you’ve never failed you’ve never tried anything new.”
ANZAC Day
On Wednesday 25 April, VCE students attended an ANZAC Assembly to remember the service men and women who have made sacrifices for our country. Jacky Q, a Year 12 Prefect and Cadet, did a wonderful job of sharing his learnings following an interview with a Vietnam Veteran. We also heard from Mr John Haward, President of the Box Hill RSL, who shared his experience of being in the Army, and the importance of mateship.
Georgia K and Maddie D our College Captains, did a great job hosting the assembly and we were also lucky enough to have Mr Joseph Yu (one of our instrumental teachers) play the Last Post and Rouse on an actual bugle.
Summer/Winter Uniform Transition
This week was the last week that students could wear summer uniform. The expectation is from now on that students are in full winter uniform, including ties. If a student is unable to be in full uniform they should bring a note from home, report to the VCE Office and obtain a uniform pass.
Year 11 Careers Expo
On Thursday 2 May, the Year 11 students and teachers will attend the Careers Expo at The Melbourne Exhibition Centre. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to gather information from a wide variety of tertiary institutions, attend VCE Seminars and learn about the different options available to them post secondary school.
Every day counts
Did you know:
- Patterns of late arrival at school or missing classes are early warning signs of disengagement?
- Missing one day of school each week adds up to two months per year?
- Each day of absence has an impact on skill development and important social connections
- Poor attendance may be associated with future unemployment, criminal activity, substance abuse, and poorer health and life expectancy?
Top tips:
- We want to work in partnership with parents – act early if you have any concerns by contacting your child’s school and asking for advice and support
- Remember that every day counts
- There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes and their social connectedness
- Talk positively about school and the importance of attending every day
- Open and prompt communication with the school about all absences is a good idea
- Avoid making routine medical and dental appointments during the school day or planning family holidays during the term
- Seek help from the school if you are concerned about your child’s attendance and wellbeing. We want to work in partnership with parents to support student attendance and wellbeing
Ms Lauren Kelly
Acting Campus Principal – Senior School