News Bentleigh Secondary College

Bentleigh Secondary College
News
PO Box 186, East Bentleigh 3165
Telephone: 9579 1044
Facsimile: 9579 2720
email: [email protected]
CRICOS Provider Code:
00861K
Issue: 4 - 21 March, 2014
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
MRS KAREN WADE
Principals’ Conference
Mr Marc Koenig, Mr Andrew Batchelor and I attended the
Inner Sub Region Principals’ Conference in Creswick from
Wednesday 5 March until Friday 7 March. The theme of the
conference was ‘Beyond the Horizon’ - what lies ahead in the
provision of world class education. The three days were full
of thought provoking presentations from Mark McCrindle,
Michael McQueen, Tom Barrett and Andrew Fuller. The
topics covered included:
 Current Realities, Emerging Trends: The Megatrends
Transforming Society, Students and Schools
 Navigating the Generational Maze
 The Shape of Things to Come in Education
 21st Century Teaching and Learning
 Designing Great Learning
The conference was a great opportunity to network with
fellow Principals and Assistant Principals and we came away
feeling validated about the way we are transforming learning
at Bentleigh Secondary College.
Bentleigh Secondary College Alive With the Sound of
Music!
This year Bentleigh SC has an amazing 180 students
participating in the music program. They are committed to a
gruelling training schedule which results in these students
showcasing their incredible talents in the Year 7 Band,
Intermediate Concert Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble,
Senior, Intermediate and Junior Jazz Bands, Improvisation
Combo, Rock Band, Vocal Group, Saxophone Ensemble, Brass
Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Clarinet and Percussion
Ensembles.
Last Wednesday our Year 7 students rehearsed most of the
day before performing in the ‘5 Note Concert’. To see these
students playing for the first time in an ensemble is an
absolute joy and there were many proud parents,
grandparents, family and staff members in the audience.
Our learning community looks forward to attending and
enjoying many performances provided by these students
throughout the year. This fantastic music program is a
tribute to the hard work and talent of our dedicated
instrumental and music teachers.
INK Magazine 2013
INK is the Bentleigh Secondary College literary
magazine, produced to record and celebrate
some of the writing and visual art achievements
of our students in 2013. The 2013 edition is new
online and can be accessed via the college’s
website: www.bentleighsc.vic.edu.au .
Congratulations to the many hard working and
talented students who allowed their works to be published
and the English and Visual Arts teachers who supported the
magazine by contributing pieces of work. Special thanks to
Ms Jude Makray for compiling this magazine. I know that
you will enjoy reading this publication and will be amazed at
the literary talents of our students.
VASSP SGM
Last Friday 14 March, Mr Andrew
Batchelor, Mr Marc Koenig and I
attended the VASSP (Victorian
Association of State Secondary
Principals) State General Meeting
which was held at Flemington
Racecourse.
I had the honour of
presenting a short session at the
meeting about our Sustainability Program and Meditation and
Indigenous Cultural Centre. The session was well received
and other Principals expressed interest in visiting our college
to see the great work we are doing in the area of
sustainability.
Bentleigh Secondary College is certainly
making itself known in the educational community.
Gifted and Talented Information Evening
Last Wednesday night we held an information session about
our Gifted and Talented program. The session was extremely
well attended with families from a wide range of primary
schools very interested to hear what our college can offer
their children. The Gifted and Talented Selection Test will
take place on Saturday 10 May at 9.00am - 12noon. For
further information please contact Mr Andrew Batchelor or
Mrs Yvonne Sirianos at the college.
Parent Teacher Interviews
The focus for our students at Bentleigh Secondary College is
to achieve their very best and to continually improve their
learning. An important part of this focus is the partnership
between school and home, between teacher and parents/
guardian and student. Parent teacher interviews play a key
role in this partnership where all three parties meet to discuss
the student’s achievements, progress and strategies for
improvement. Students will be dismissed at the start of
lunchtime on this day allowing them to attend interviews with
their parents. The first parent teacher interviews for 2014
will be held on Thursday 3 April from 2.00-4.30pm and
5.00-7.30pm in the Learning Centre.
‘BEING THE BEST YOU CAN BE’
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
MR ANDREW BATCHELOR
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
MR MARC KOENIG
Collecting Students from School
Whenever students need to be collected from the college by
parents/guardians, the process is for the student to present a signed
note to their Head of Year Level at the start of the day, which will
then be signed and returned to the student to show their classroom
teacher at the time of leaving. The student will then need to follow
normal sign out procedures, that is, presenting the signed note to
the Attendance Officer at the General Office.
Students Driving to School
During the year your child may be turning 18 years of age, and after
successfully obtaining his or her driver’s licence, will be able to drive
to school. As part of our pastoral concern about our students’ safety
and wellbeing, Bentleigh Secondary College has strict guidelines
regarding students’ use of vehicles while travelling to and from
school. The Head of Year 12 Ms Kylie Read has a consent form
available to students, which provides parents with the opportunity to
give consent to their child driving to and from school.
Students are not allowed to transport other students as passengers
when travelling to and from school without the written consent of
the other students’ parent(s). This includes travelling to any outside
destinations during the school day. Students are not to park in the
college car parks. I thank you for your assistance in ensuring your
child’s safety as a responsible Probationary driver. If you have any
further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me during college
hours.
Transition
It is pleasing to know that the vast majority of our students in Years
8 and 9 have made smooth transitions into 2014 and are making
good progress with their learning and development. Our Year 7
students have had the added difficulty of making the transition from
a primary school setting to a larger secondary one. I am pleased
that all of our Year 7 students are settling in well and are feeling
welcomed by the Bentleigh community. As part of ensuring these
students make a sound transition, I have made visits to our local
primary schools with our Transition Co-ordinator, Ms Rebecca
Gemmola, our Head of Junior School, Mrs Amy Ogdin, our Junior
School Captains, Deputy Captains and students who once attended
these primary schools. These visits have been a great opportunity
and I thank Ms Gemmola, Mrs Ogdin, our student representatives,
and the primary schools for being so welcoming of us into their
community.
Attendance
Except in cases of illness, family emergency or other good reasons,
students are required to attend school every day. This includes
sporting carnivals, excursions and school activities.
Any student absent from school needs to provide parent approval
for them being away from their learning program. We request
parents/guardians to call the General Office by 9:30am to inform us
of any student absence. Students must also bring a note on their
return explaining their absence and hand this to their Head of Year
Level who will follow-up and approve those absences. Students must
also be at school and arrive to all classes including homegroup on
time every day.
Champion Debaters
Ms Emily Johnson - Head of English/Literacy
On Wednesday 26 February, three members of 9.4 represented the
school in debating at Brighton Grammar School. The team consisted
of Joshua North, Julia Gorelik and Cindy Luo and we were against
Firbank Girls’ Grammar School. The topic they had to debate
was “That we should ban gender-specific advertising of toys“ and
we were the affirmative team. The team had met beforehand to
discuss the team’s arguments and do some research. The scoring
was very close and Bentleigh won by one point, with 226. Cindy
Luo was also the best speaker on the
night.
The team will meet again soon to plan for
their next debate against Kostka Hall on
Wednesday 26 March. The topic is “That
we should punish sporting teams for their
fans’ violent behaviour” we are the
negative team.
Parent Access to Compass
Mr Adam Powell - Head of eLearning
All the letters have now been issued for parents to access our new
online portal Compass. This system will be used by the school to
distribute information to parents, track attendance and maintain a
holistic view of each of our students. It will also be used to book
Parent Teacher Interviews, which are coming up soon. Letters have
been distributed in Home Groups to students over the past weeks. If
you are yet to receive your letter, or the letter has been lost, please
contact me at [email protected]
Year 11 & 12 Literature - Shakespeare Under the
Stars: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Jacinta Harding and Grace Ilsley of Year 11
On Thursday 27 February the Year 11 and
12 Literature students were invited to
experience Shakespeare’s masterpiece
play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
performed by The Australian Shakespeare
Company in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
What was expected was a traditional
rendition of Shakespeare with fluid speech
and enthralling costumes, peppered with subtle-and maybe not so
subtle-humour.
And while we were treated to all of that, we also got a night of
astounding acrobatics, audience interaction and a modernistic twist
on the timeless tale of forbidden love and fairy mischief.
The portrayals of the well known and loved characters such as
Lysander, Peter Quince, Titania and Puck were absolutely spot on,
each with their own spin on their traditional Shakespearean
behaviour; Francis Flute, while playing Thisbe, sang Beyoncé’s
“Single Ladies”; Puck flirted and literally flipped his way through his
dialogue; and need the abundance of anatomy related jokes about
Nick Bottom be mentioned?
The Year 11’s and 12’s left with an excited buzz at the end of the
night, as they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Many thanks to Ms Watt and Ms Boukouras for organising and
chaperoning the excursion and to the cast and crew of The
Australian Shakespeare Company for such an amazing night.
HOTmaths
Dr Wendy Taylor - Head of Mathematics/Numeracy
HOTmaths is an online learning tool that we use to support students’
learning in Mathematics. While students will be using it in class, we
strongly encourage students to use it out of class as well. Some
students will complete their homework through the program, while
others will use it to support their learning by completing online
lessons, worksheets and interactive investigations. More information
can be found at the link: http://tinyurl.com/HOTMathsAtHome
To log in to HOTmaths students are required to have a login,
password, textbook code and validation code. Your child’s teacher
distributes the login and password and the textbook code is in the
front page of the textbook. If your child has a new textbook the
validation code would have been written on a black card originally
positioned in the front page of the textbook. If your child has a
secondhand textbook a separate validation code may need to be
purchased. The “Digital Cambridge HOTmaths Renewal (Access
Code)” is $18 and can be purchased through the school’s booklist
at: www.campion.com.au or alternatively, you can access it through
the website: http://tinyurl.com/HotmathsValidationCode
Bentleigh Student Shines
Blade Baxter attended Bentleigh SC from
2005-2010 inclusive. Upon completion of
his VCE studies Blade went on to an
apprenticeship in carpentry at HIA
Apprentices, a qualification that he will
complete in this month. Throughout his
secondary schooling Blade displayed a
natural aptitude for sports, and also
possessed an unparalleled competitive
spirit and willpower, which over the years
has driven his skill development in his chosen sport of cricket.
Blade’s prowess on the field has won him both national and
international attention. In November 2013 Blade secured himself a
coveted place in an international cricket exchange program. This
program will allow Blade to go to England on a six-month
scholarship to play county cricket for the Broseley Cricket Club in
Shropshire in the Midlands of England. He will also use this
opportunity to practise his carpentry skills overseas, learning new
skills and techniques. Blade will leave for his European adventure in
early April and we wish him all the best.
CAREERS NEWS
Ms Kirstin Conway - Careers and Pathways Coordinator
National Youth Science Forum (NYSF)
Current Year 11 students, with a passion for science, are reminded
that the National Youth Science Forum is the only program in
Australia that offers students the chance to test-drive a wide range
of universities and careers in the sciences. Applications are already
open and close on 31 May 2014. For more information about the
National Youth Science Forum and the application process visit:
http://www.nysf.edu.au/
Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Keeper for a Day Program April 8, 10 & 14
Are you thinking of a career that involves working with animals?
Come and join us for a day and participate in a range of hands on
experiences designed to provide you with an insight into the role of
a Zoo Keeper.
Ages: 13-18 years. (Years 7-12)
Cost: $103.00; $92.70 zoo members Bookings: 9285 9406
Healesville Sanctuary’s Vet for a Day Program April 9, 10, 16 & 17
Come and work alongside our vets in a unique program on real life
cases involving Healesville Sanctuary’s animal collection as well as
injured wildlife brought to the hospital.
Ages: 15-18 years. (Years 9-12).
Cost: $125; $112.50 zoo members Bookings: 9285 9406
www.zoo.org.au/healesville/whats-on/healesville-sanctuary-vet-for-a
-day
Healesville Sanctuary’s Keeper for a Day Program April 8, 9, 15 & 16
Come and work as a Keeper at Healesville Sanctuary these school
holidays and get up close to some of our most precious and
endangered animals.
Ages: 13-18 years. (Years 7-12)
Cost: $103.00; $92.70 zoo members Bookings: 9285 9406
www.zoo.org.au/healesville/whats-on/keeper-for-a-day
Experience La Trobe University
Experience La Trobe is designed especially for Year 10, 11 and 12
students and their parents to get a taste of what it is like to be a
university student for a day and get the inside scoop on what really
happens after high school.
Experience La Trobe is a free event - with lunch and
entertainment provided.
Date:
Friday 11 April 2014
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Venue: Melbourne Campus, north-eastern suburb of Bundoora, at
the intersection of Plenty Road and Kingsbury Drive.
To register visit:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/experience/events/experience
-la-trobe-events/melbourne-program,
or email [email protected] for more information.
MUSIC NOTES
Mr Andrew Albanis - Head of Music Program
Incursions and Performances
The Symphonic Wind Incursion will be held on the
Tuesday 25 March. This will be an all day event starting at 8.00am
with a performance open to friends and family starting at 5.00pm.
On Monday 31 March we will be having our Senior & Intermediate
Jazz Incursion. This day will start at 8.00am, there will be a
performance at the end of the day starting at 5.00pm.
Wellbeing News
Mr Wayne Davis - Head of Wellbeing on behalf of the Bentleigh SC
Respect Committee
Same Sex Formal 2014
The Same Sex formal is a night of incredible entertainment, food
and a place to be yourself. The event is organised and run entirely
by young people. The Same Sex Formal is proudly supported by
Minus18, Safe Schools Coalition Victoria, City of Port Phillip, and the
Victorian Government and will be held on Saturday 5 April at St Kilda
Town Hall. For further information please visit:
https://www.chuffed.org/project/samesex/
SPORTS NEWS
Ms Sally Hudson - Sport Carnivals Coordinator
Senior Round Robin – Senior girls basketball
Senior Round Robin Summer sport
edition was played on Thursday 13
March. The girls Basketball team
consisted of the fabulous and talented
Emily Aitken, Emily Marshall, Laura
Hulley, Alex Impaginatiello, Stephanie
Fiflis-Kalamaras, Ellen Parry, Millie Tobin
and Jaimee Meaklim. The girls were very
competitive in all games, and finished the day with 2 inspirational
wins. The girls came 4th overall – a very good effort. Standout player
of the day was the lovely Ellen Parry! Well done girls!
Kingston Division Swimming carnival
Friday 7 March was a beautiful day down at Carnegie Swimming Pool
for the annual Kingston Division Swimming carnival. Bentleigh SC
took a small but strong squad of 30 swimmers and divers. All
students competed admirably and should be
extremely proud of their efforts, I
know I am! Our standout performers
on the day were George Galiatsatos
(Yr10), Sam Hosie (Yr 10), Kelly
Fong (Yr 10) and Lia Curcio (Yr 7).
These swimmers and divers will go
on to compete in the Southern
Metro Finals on 27 March 27. We
wish them the best of luck!
Senior Round Robin Girls Futsal
Marie Sanosias - Year 11
On Thursday 13 March the Bentleigh
Girls Futsal team travelled to GESAC
to compete in the Senior Round
Robin tournament. The team
consisted of: Sivan Zohar, Tori
Osmand, Elise Martini, Marie
Sanosias, Leyya Erasmus and
Gemma Grek. We fought hard and
played brilliantly against McKinnon’s
team of 12, especially as we were
only a team of 6! We held them to a nil score in the first match
with 3 impressive goals scored by us. Bentleigh continued our
victory by winning the 2nd match 3-1 and we became the “Senior
Girls Futsal Champions”, proudly bringing back to school the
Southern Metropolitan Region sports pennant! Congratulations to all
players and goal scorers (Sivan, Elise and Marie). We would like to
extend a big thank you to Adem Balic for refereeing the games and
to Ms O’Keefe for all her support. Well Done Girls!
IMPORTANT DATES
TERM 1 2014
Tuesday 28 January - Friday 4 April
MARCH
Monday 24
- Indonesian Consulate Visit
Tuesday 25
- Symphonic Wind Incursion
Battery Recycling
The Green Machine has started a battery recycling
initiative to help prevent batteries going into landfill. You
can help too by bringing your domestic batteries and
placing them in the special recycling containers located at the front
office and in the entrance to the Learning Centre/Library.
Your help is appreciated.
- 8.00am - 5.30pm
Wednesday 26 - Casual Clothes Day
- Pink Stumps Day
- Top Screen Excursion
Monday 31
- Jazz Incursion
- 8.00am - 5.30pm
APRIL
Thursday 3
- Parent Teacher Interviews 2.00 - 4.30pm and
5.00 - 7.30pm
Friday 4
- Last day of Term 1
Tuesday 22
- Term 2 starts
Friday 25
- ANZAC Day
Tuesday 29
- 2014 COLLEGE OPEN NIGHT - 7.00pm
TERM 2 2014
Tuesday 22 April - Friday 27 June
Recycle Uniform Shop
The Recycle Uniform Shop is open the last Friday of each month
from 8.15 - 9.00am, in the Performing Arts Centre Foyer. Cash
purchases only.
Final Term 1 date is:
Friday 28 March.
J&T House Of Beauty
60 Portman St
Oakleigh 3166
Ph:90776576
9579 1878
Discount of 10% off all beauty
treatments & services (no
conditions apply) to all Staff,
Students & Parents that attend
Bentleigh Secondary College.
Find us on Facebook to keep up
to date with our specials.
Maths Tutor (ex Bentleigh SC Student)
Currently studying at Melbourne University
Able to tutor Maths 7-12
Fees are negotiable
Ring Aurelius on 0468 946 029.