Another GREAT Week-4

Calendar dates 

Semester 2

Year 11 Course Counselling 12 & 13 August

Performing Arts Carnival 14 August
Student Early Finish ( Staff Anaphylaxis training session) 27 August 

Year 10 Course Counselling 19, 20, 21 & 22 August

Year 9 Course Counselling 26, 27, 28 & 29 August

Parent Teacher Interviews 5 September

College Assembly 10 September
Staff Professional Learning Day ( Student Free) 16 September

Last Day term 3 20 September

Presentation Night Years 10-12 28 November

Presentation Night Years 7-9 16 December

Some useful links
FHC Website
Compass Parent Portal
FHC Moodle- Student Learning Portal

Dear all,

welcome to week 4 of Another GREAT Week

Better Schools Funding Agreement

This week we received a message Richard Bolt (DEECD Secretary) about the agreement on school funding reached between the Sate and Federal Governments. 

An additional $12.2 billion dollars will be injected into Victorian schools from next year to 2019. It allows for funding to grow at an average of 4 per cent per student each year.

This agreement should provide our school with extra resources to implement our improvement strategies. The intent of the additional funds is to improve student learning.

At this stage we are seeking information on how much funding will be directed towards Forest Hill College and in what specific areas it will be targeted for. We have been told that the current funding models will be used to allocate funds for 2014, with a healthy growth in per-student rates.

I am sure there are many of you with a raft of questions around how much funding will Forest Hill College be receiving, in what areas will the funding be targeted and when will we get the funding. Whilst this does not answer in specifics,your Principal team met with our local member, Neil Angus on Wednesday this week, to position our school as best as possible and to ensure we get the best deal possible. We will keep you all informed.

Winter Concert

On Tuesday of this week our percussion ensemble performed at briefing to promote the Winter Concert among our staff. The concert was held on Tuesday night in the Theatre and was a huge success. Following much planning and rehearsal we saw some wonderful performances from the array of talent we have developed under the tutelage of our great IM staff. Some standout performances were April R's version of "heaven" by Bryan Adams and Ben T's piano solo rendition of  Mozart's "Rondo Alla Rurca." The Brass ensemble and Edward's "Air" by Henry Purcell were also fabulous. The finale of the joint Forest Hill College and John Monash Science School Stage Band's performance of "Sax to the Max", "Bellaviva" and "Hit the Tropics" showed what some collaboration, talent and commitment between schools can produce. They will also be combining for the Royal South Street Competition in September.

Percussion ensemble performing for staff

Ms Morrow conducting the Concert Band

Year 9 and 10 Course Information Evening

Mr Grant during his presentation to a packed audience

On Wednesday of this week we held our Year 9 and 10 Course Information Evening. Parents were led through what the VCE is, how to select a course and an exhibition of each Domain was held for parents and students to better understand what each Domain offers through the Later Years at FHC.

The link below takes you to the course selection website, where a wealth of information about FHC Later Years offerings is stored .
The night was very well attended. Despite atrocious weather conditions, our families came out in strong numbers to learn from our expert staff about course offerings through the Later Years. the enthusiasm of staff and students for these courses was great to see. The feedback we have had from many parents about the quality of the night has been extremely positive.

FHC Course Selection Website

Year 7 and 8 Strategic Planning and Reflection with the Principals

This Wednesday during period 4, our Year 7 & 8 students had the opportunity to meet with the principal Team and provide feedback to them on their school. We are always keen to hear what our students think of their school. The areas we asked for feedback on was the type of use they require ICT for,how often Moodle is used, what feedback is given from staff to students that progresses their learning and the level of challenge their work is pitched at. We will use this information to inform our planning with our staff to deliver the best possible education for your children.  In a blog in the coming weeks once we have collated that information, we will make the results public for all to see.

English Incursions

On Tuesday this week, Barry Heard came to speak to our Year 12 students. Barry is a Vietnam veteran who has written about his experiences in his text, 'Well Done, Those Men'. He has written a number of other texts which have won numerous awards. His visit complements our study of 'Encountering Conflict' (writing outcome) and our text, 'Dear America - Letters Home from Vietnam'. Students were attentive, respectful and greatly affected by his story.

On Wednesday this week we had our Year 7 students had writing workshops today (Wed 7th) with author Oliver Phommavanh. He has written a number of humorous novels for young people, including Thai-rrific!

Through his enthusiasm and instruction, students were able to complete their own written pieces.

Year 10 Physical Education

This week for PE, our Year 10 students went out to 3 different venues to try their hand at some different sports. We had students doing Muy Thai, 10 Pin Bowling and Rockclimbing.