Swimming Carnival
Our Secondary Swimming Carnival was held last Tuesday with perfect weather to grace the day. Mighty efforts in the pool were complemented by enthusiastic supporters and strong House spirit. Special thanks to Mrs Steane and Mr Parker for all their organisation prior to the day and our team of House Leaders for facilitating such strong competition between the teams. Mr Salvador provided the live commentary (almost as entertaining as Olive and Mabel videos on YouTube – look them up if you love dogs).
Our Athletics Carnival is next month and we look forward to more healthy competition. We have missed having parents join us for the day due to COVID restrictions, but we hope to invite you back for future carnivals. Please note that students cannot be dropped off or picked up directly from the venue but must travel on the school buses. Students without permission forms submitted on time will be required to remain at school for the day.
Mobile Phone Policy
Thank you to all our parents who have already signed our new mobile phone policy page in the Secondary student diary. We are encouraging our students to switch off and keep their phone in their lockers while at school. This ensures that students don’t have to worry about missing or damaged phones and can concentrate on learning throughout the day without distraction. If you haven’t read the policy yet, please ask to see your child’s diary to keep up to date with our expectations in this area. Please be informed that for the time being, students in Years 7 – 9 are also using their lockers to store their phones as access to the staff aides area is currently restricted due to COVID.
Careers Testing
One of the frequent questions I’m asked by parents is how we support students in Secondary to make subject and pathways decisions as they head towards their latter years in Secondary. Thinking through subject and career choices is not a one-off event – it’s an ongoing conversation all the way through the senior Secondary years.
Through our dedicated Careers classes in Year 10, we develop students’ understanding of the world of work, and foster job-seeking and workplace skills that allow them to approach employment opportunities with confidence. We also support students to undertake work experience in the later secondary years.
Our Year 10 students recently completed their Morrisby Test online. The Morrisby test provides valuable insights into individual strengths and potential and suggests a range of matching careers and pathways. The results provide students, parents and teachers the basis for ongoing conversations about further pathways and potential areas of study and employment.
Our talented Pathways Coordinator, Mrs Vicky Bawden, is qualified to counsel students and families about career paths and further education and training options. As our students approach critical subject and course decisions, Mrs Bawden conducts personal interviews with students and families as they consider options for post-secondary life.
We encourage families to take an active part in the ongoing conversation that is happening at school with your child about their dreams and plans for life post-school. It’s never too early to start!