Another GREAT Week-3

Dear all,

welcome to Week 3 of Another GREAT Week,

Calendar Dates for Term 2

College Athletics Carnival Friday 10 May
NAPLAN Tests 14, 15, 16 May
"Wait For It" Dress Rehearsal Tuesday 21 May
Practice GAT Monday 20 May
"Wait For It" College Production Thursday May 23
GAT Wednesday 12 June
Report Writing Day Friday 14 June 
Final day Semester 2 Friday 28 June

Often we see schools judged by perceptions surrounding NAPLAN and VCE results. Whilst on the surface that can appear to many as a logical way to assess school and teacher performance, there are too many variables at play for this to be the case.

Unfortunately this media coverage also can add pressure on to our students. NAPLAN tests are a snapshot of students skills on a particular day. They do not define the type of person they are.

Students should not feel pressure going into them. They should aim to do their best, however they should not be allocating valuable time to preparing for them. Their learning of concepts and skills should continue as per normal, without feeling the need to do practice NAPLAN questions at home. The tests can be a neat way to introduce exam conditions to students and in this way can assist their development of techniques that can hold them in good stead for future years as they enter VCE.

New Graphic Equalizer for Theatre

Due to the fabulous fund raising initiatives of some of our past students, we have been able to purchase a new graphic equalizer for the Theatre. This  has provided an excellent solution to our Theatre PA. thanks to Nick, Sagenta and their team of volunteers at Bunnings, Vermont South for their generosity.

Tribe Assembly

This Monday we held Tribe Assemblies in preparation for our upcoming athletics and cross country events. Students were allocating themselves to their favourite events and working together to ensure their Tribe is well represented in each event.

Year 11 and 12 Rockclimbing  Camp

Our VCE Outdoor Education class went to Mt Arapiles and the Grampians this week. They spent 4 days away and the picture below demonstrates the inspiring classroom they made their own this week. They were pushed and challenged in a remote wilderness environment and i am sure learnt a good deal about themselves and their course content material.

College Cross Country

On Tuesday this week we held our college Cross Country. Age group champions were presented in assembly on Wednesday. The top 10 in each age group are now selected for participation in the Division race held later this term.

Basket Ball Marathon

This Tuesday we held our first planning meeting for the 2013 BBM. Conversations were held around the theme focus and the structure of planning sub committees. The date for the event this year is Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 July.

Anime and Manga Club

Each Tuesday, around 15 students attend an Anime and Manga Club meeting at lunchtime. They watch Japanese animations  and enjoy each others company. For this group of students this is a wonderful way to spend their Tuesday lunchtimes.

College Assembly

This Wednesday we ran our College Assembly on the College value, "Love of Learning."

Following our College Captains Tiegan and Jaime and our Principal, Jenny Cooks message on the love of learning, we presented Impact, Debating and Music and Sport Captains badges. Two Year 7 students played their musical instruments to the assembly. This was a wonderful moment, when it was clear that our student body respect the learning opportunities they have and support those willing to take a risk and put themselves out in the public domain.
Following the whole College assembly, we had year Level Assemblies. The Year 8 and 9 students were given a presentation by Assistant Principal Meagan Cook. The presentation was on making the most of the educational opportunities you have, love of learning and understanding the sacrifices some people in the world need to make to seek an education.

A message to all students following the assembly

As in life, attitude is the most important ingredient for success at school. The right attitude will lead to making the right decisions. You can decide to get organised and stay organised in terms of the work you do. If organisation is a problem, you can decide to let it remain a problem or do something about it. In terms of opportunities, you can take soft options or decide to stretch yourself past what you think you can do, to what you never imagined possible. There are many people in the world who will tell you what you can’t do without joining in the chorus yourself. Taking charge involves having a ‘can do’ and ‘want to do’ attitude towards the many demands that school can place upon you. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that parents or teachers are responsible for your learning. This might make disappointments easier to handle, as failure becomes someone else’s fault, but is not a recipe for success. A passive approach to school will neither bring learning nor good training for handling life after school.

Whatever the year level, if you are capable of taking charge of your learning you are most likely to succeed. You will make the time and have the place for home study. You will ensure that you listen and learn and if you don’t understand it the first time you will be honest and wise enough to ask so that you will understand the second or third time. If you see an opportunity in everything, whether it is in the classrooms or in the wealth of co-curricular activities that abound at the school, you will do well. You will make lasting friendships because of who you are and the way you treat others rather than what you can do. You will look a million dollars in your uniform because you understand why you should rather than because you think you have to. You will see the point in learning new things rather than lament the fact you have to work. Finally, you will enjoy yourself because you will be secretly proud of your hard work and find that you are more capable than you thought you were.

So are you:
• Aiming to coast or aiming to improve?
• Playing it safe or taking risks?
• Doing more of the same or trying something different?
• Being closed minded or open to change?
• Being told what to think or discovering new ideas for yourself?
• Being non-committal or passionate about the world around you?
• Being passive or active?
• Being a receiver of wisdom or wise yourself?
• Walking the easy path or climbing the high one to enjoy the view?

Life at school is a series of opportunities which will come your way, though they very rarely fall right into your lap. Be motivated, wise and brave enough to reach out and grab them rather than spending your days wishing you had.

Year 9 Growth- Community Service and City Experience

Our work with Heatherwood School re commenced this week and planning for the City experience continued in Year 9 Growth classes.

Learning Walks

On Thursday this week the Leading Teachers and Principal Team conducted a learning walk of our classrooms. This is a structured observation of the strategies our teachers use to differentiate the learning experience for our students. We use the data we collect to continue our focus on delivering "best practice" teaching in all of our classrooms and the future professional learning focuses for our staff.

Mentors at Mt Pleasant Rd Primary School

On Wednesday of this week, our first visit to Mt Pleasant Rd Primary School occurred. 15 of our Year 10 students have been selected to mentor Primary students from Mt Pleasant Rd. They traveled over to the school and from what we have heard, equipped themselves very competently. 

Production- "Wait for It"

On Thursday 23 May in the Theatre at 7:30pm, this wonderful soiree will showcase the talents of the 75 students in this years performance. The dress rehearsal is on May 21. Tickets are available for $5 at lunchtimes and on the night at the door. Pictured below are some students in action during rehearsal.

Cybersafety Year 7 & 8

On Friday this week all Year 8 and 9 students watched a presentation on cybersafety. The presentation was in the form of a performance by three actors who were able to engage the audience and provide a clear message on the important issues around peer relations and the internet.
Forest Hill College is linked with the Departments eSmart journey. Being safe online is an ongoing issue that we take very seriously. We work in a 1:1 classroom environment and students need regular assistance with the development and maintenance of safe online activity. We are proud to be an eSmart school.

The Shack, the Library and Homework Club continued to provide options for students at lunch and after school this week with many students taking advantage of these opportunities. We encourage all students to explore the vast array of opportunities for students at lunch time and after school around our College.