Another GREAT Week 10

Dear all, welcome to week 10 of Term 3. Our final week of the term was a busy one as you would expect

We have had an amazing third term. It has gone so quickly, and we have done and achieved so much. The school has been buzzing all term and we wish everyone a safe and relaxing break. To our students studying Unit 4 courses, now is the time to ramp up your efforts. The next 2 weeks can set up your results. Put the time in now as we have discussed with you. Establish a study plan and commit it to writing, then implement it.  Aim to do at least 8 hours study each day for the 2 weeks, and come back really prepared for your practice exams.
To everyone else, it is a time to re energise and we look forward to seeing you all back for the start of Term 4 on Monday 8 October.

Some key dates for all parents to be aware of for the start of Term 4

First Day term 4 Monday 8 October

Last Day Year 12 classes Wednesday 24 October

Final Year 12 Assembly ( Whole College) Thursday 25 October

Year 12 Formal Thursday 25 October

College Captain Interviews

As part of our process to elect next years College Captains, our Student Leadership Leader Ms Carson and the principal Team interviewed all applicants. This is the second stage of a very demanding process. We had previously received written applications from all candidates and the next element is a speech to be delivered to the entire College early term 4. Announcements of the appointments will be made at the final Year 12 assembly in week 4.

Year 9 Growth Celebrations

Our Growth Program celebrations continued this week with 20 Year 9 students being awarded level 0 coaching and refereeing certificates from Basketball Victoria, following their wonderful work with students from Heatherwood School. Our students had participated in a program to boost the confidence and skills of the  students from Heatherwood and following the presentations, they all enjoyed a BBQ in our courtyards to celebrate the highly successful completion of the 8 week program. We have enjoyed watching our students thrive in the environment of "community service". Whilst it is fantastic to give back to the community, the benefits in terms of personal growth are massive, and are now a key element of the Year 9 Growth Program.

On that matter, check out the link below of the photo of our student's seat ( as reported last week) on the Beyond Blue facebook page and "like" it.

http://www.facebook.com/Forest Hill College Beyond Blue Growth Seat

Year 7 Growth Tree Planting

 Throughout Term 3 many students have been working on our courtyard garden beds. You may have seen the award our VCAL students won, written up  in our local newspaper "The Whitehorse Leader" last week. This week our Year 7 Growth classes planted over 100 plants around the magnificent logo Steven in Year 9 had made recently. The students then mulched the beds and are watering their plants daily. Well done to all involved, I am sure all of us are enjoying these beautiful gardens.

VCE Orientation Program 

This week a number of our staff began preparations for our best ever VCE Orientation program. We have extended the program to be a week long event that genuinely immerses the students in the rigours of VCE and actually commences all courses this year. The program will begin with a presentation on strategies for achieving your own personal best and leads straight into a week of VCE classes. The VCE rules sessions will also be held during this week. Presentation night rehearsals for Years 10-11 2012 students will take place this week also.

AUSLAN Practice Exam

This week, all of our VCE Auslan students participated in a practice exam at Kangan TAFE, Richmond to help prepare them for the demands of their VCAA exam next term. Hopefully they all did well and this assists them achieve their own personal best when the "real stuff" comes around.

Yr 12 Wellbeing Session

On Tuesday our Wellbeing Team continued their work with our Year 12 students. Following the safe schoolies focus delivered by the Red Frogs team last week, our focus this session was

For parents or students interested in following up on the safe schoolies presentation, here is a link to the Red Frogs site. Keeping our young people safe during this time is important to all of us.

Year-12 Safe Schoolies Program

Bunnings Parents Association Sausage Sizzle

It was great to see many faces at Bunnings in Vermont South on Sunday 16 September to support our Parents Association, who support us so well. It appears that a profit of over $1000 was banked this week. Thanks to all those who organised the event and helped out on the day as well as those who also made the trip to Bunnings to buy a sausage.

Year 7 2013 Literacy and Numeracy testing

On Saturday morning last week we  conducted our Literacy and Numeracy testing for our Year 7 2013 cohort. We also conducted  2 elearning presentations during the week,  to help induct our new parents into the digital world our students learn in. Thanks to all the staff who supported this and contributed to the smooth running of both.

Curriculum Day

On Monday our Curriculum day was a wonderful success. Staff continued our journey towards finishing our online curriculum. They planned together using our common planning tool and continued developing courses that truly differentiate the learning experience. By the start of 2013, all courses will be online, with assessment schedules and curriculum content to support that so all our parents can access their students learning 24/7.

                         

Year 4 Primary School Transition Visits

This week students in Year 4 from Laburnum, Mt Pleasant Rd, Burwood Heights and Burwood East Primary Schools participated in a transition visit to FHC. We had over 250 students visit our school and learn about Forest Hill College. Thanks to our Transition team for making this happen. Thanks also to 9D and Year 10 Sports Leaders for their contribution as leaders.

Message to 2012 Year 9 Parents about laptops

A letter to all Year 9 students will be coming home soon indicating how their laptops will be replaced. Students will have an option to sell good quality machines to the school. All students in Year 9, 2013, will be provided with a netbook for years 10-12. The only cost for parents of Year 10 students in 2013 will be a $100 bond.

Message to Year 7 2013 Parents about Laptops

We have been able to secure a reduction in price of the new model Acer netbook for Year 7 families for 2013. This will amount to a reduction of approximately $80 off the price of the new model ( B113). As a result, we have removed the option of purchasing the run-out model from our website. The price of the new model has been negotiated down to equal the price of the run-out model. The ordering process is now open, and the expected delivery date is sometime in January, ready for the commencement of the 2013 school year.

Presentation Night 2012

Presentation Night this year will be split into 2 events.One of the main reasons is we have not been satisfied with the venue we have been using and have been unable to locate a venue we have been suitably impressed with. We have such a wonderful Theatre, we decided to use it. The main limitation for us is it only holds 440 people. That is why we have split it into 2 nights. Tickets will be available soon, and we are looking forward to 2 wonderful celebrations of our student's success in 2012.

Some key dates for all parents to be aware of for the remainder of the Year

First Day term 4 Monday 8 October
Last Day Year 12 classes Wednesday 24 October
Final Year 12 Assembly ( Whole College) Thursday 25 October
Year 12 Formal Thursday 25 October
VCAA Exams Commence Thursday 1 November
Year 10 and 11 Exams  12-16 November
Final Day Year 10 2012 Classes Friday 23 November
2013 VCE Orientation Program 26-30 November ( All Year 10 2012 students )
Presentation Night Years 10-12 Thursday 29 November
College Assembly Friday 7 December
Orientation Day ( Year 7 2013) Tuesday 11 December
Presentation Night Years 7-9 Tuesday 11 December