18 Jun
DSC Newsletter – 18th June 2024
Edition 113
Principal Team Report
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- Elizabeth Godwin
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- Marc Fleming
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- Natasha Glaister
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- Leokardia Lilikakis
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- Carlie Case
As we approach the conclusion of Term 2, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the numerous positive achievements accomplished during this busy period. Over the next three weeks, our college will transition into semester two, with students being able to adapt to their new subjects and classes.
Professional Practice Day
On Friday June 7th, all staff engaged in the Term 2 Professional Practice Day. This valuable opportunity for professional learning aligns with the Victorian Government School Agreement. Staff members utilised this day for planning, preparation, assessment of student learning, collaboration, curriculum development, and relevant professional development.
Staffing
Throughout semester one, the college has experienced staff shortages and our current staff in conjunction with casual staff have endeavoured to cover all required gaps. The college has predominately had teachers from the same learning area take classes and a huge thank you to the many staff who have supported students through lesson planning, correcting and providing feedback for students. The staff shortages experienced at our college are a concern across many schools and we are focused on employing staff to fill all vacant positions. Currently we are advertising both in Australia and internationally. Over the past weeks we have welcomed Jess Fordham and next term Megan Miller.
Year 10 & 11 Exams
The students in Years 10 and 11 have recently completed their year level exams, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey. These exams provide a valuable opportunity to gauge student learning and assess the effectiveness of our teaching methods. Exams are a crucial component of a student’s academic experience, allowing us to evaluate their knowledge, comprehension, and skills.
This assessment process not only measures students’ progress but also identifies areas for improvement, helping them to enhance their understanding and abilities. Furthermore, exams foster essential skills such as time management and critical thinking, which are invaluable for future academic and professional pursuits.
I extend a huge congratulations to all students for their diligent approach and dedicated preparation during this exam period. Your commitment to your studies is commendable, and I am confident that it will contribute to your continued success in your educational endeavours.
Interschool Sport
In recent weeks, we’ve proudly entered numerous teams into the School Sport Victoria competitions, a vital component of our holistic program. These competitions offer students more than just a chance to excel in their chosen sports; they provide invaluable opportunities for teamwork and social interaction, complementing our academic pathways. Congratulations to all students who participated in these competitions.
As the Term 2 holidays draw near, I extend my best wishes to all members of our community for a safe and rejuvenating break. Remember to stay safe, and we eagerly anticipate the start of Term 3 on July 15th.
Liz Godwin, Principal
Table of Contents
Victorian High Abilities Program (VHAP)
VHAP – the Victorian High Abilities Program – involves selected students at Years 7 and 8 participating in an engaging and challenging online course. Students gather once a week in the library to extend their skills and knowledge in literacy.
This group has engaged in the theme of ‘Dystopia’, as students examine a range of texts to discover the ingredients of successful creative writing and film making. It’s fantastic to see DSC students continuing to explore new realms in literacy.
Teen Mental Health First Aid Training
This term, our Year 11 and Year 9 students have successfully completed the Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) training. This program equips our students with the skills to provide initial peer-to-peer support to friends or classmates experiencing mental health issues or crises, ensuring they can assist until professional help is available or the situation improves.
The tMHFA course educates students about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adolescents. It empowers them to recognise and respond to emerging mental health issues in their peers. Through a practical, evidence-based action plan, students learn to approach a concerned peer, initiate a supportive conversation, and offer initial assistance and information. They are also taught to encourage seeking professional help and to know when to involve a trusted adult.
Congratulations to our year 11 and year 9 students for completing the training.
Year 8s and 10s will commence their training in Term 3.
30 Year Anniversary
DSC’s Blackwood Bratauloong Program is holding it’s 30 Year Celebration and Open Day on Friday 11th October 2024. Past, present and prospective members of the school community invited to join us to celebrate 30 years of education at our Hallora campus.
Instrumental Music
DSC’s Instrumental Music students will be performing in the Auditorium on Wednesday 26th June 6pm to 8pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their talents to our school community.
From the School Nurse
Preventing the spread of Colds and Influenza (Flu) in Winter
Coughs, colds, and the flu are caused by viruses. When a person with a cold or flu coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets spread through the air. Watch this short slow motion video of a sneeze to see how these droplets spread; youtube.com/watch?v=qKiQA5e-fPg
A virus can also be spread by contact through hands or even on contaminated surfaces or objects. In winter people spend more time indoors together which increases the chances of infection.
It can be difficult to tell the difference between a cold, the flu and Covid-19. Here is a comparison table accessed via COVID-19 symptoms | healthdirect
If you suspect you have the Flu or Covid-19 its best to be tested.
What can you do to reduce your chances of coughs, colds and the flu?
- Ensure good hygiene by regularly washing hands thoroughly.
- Not sharing drink bottles, cups or cutlery.
- Coughing or sneezing into your elbow.
- Using tissues instead of hankies and throwing tissues into the bin as soon as they have been used followed by hand washing.
- Keeping your immune system strong with regular exercise, a balanced diet and getting enough sleep.
- Keep influenza and Coronavirus vaccinations up to date.
Back to top
Remember, if your young person has a cough, cold or the flu keep them home from school until they are well again.
Here are some useful websites for further information.
Kids Health Information : Influenza (the flu) (rch.org.au)
Colds and flu (safercare.vic.gov.au)
Colds in kids & teens: how to treat them | Raising Children Network
Influenza (flu) vaccine | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
School Nurse
From the General Office
Please take note of the following details for payment of current accounts and other office procedures.
Compass Parent Contributions
As Term 2 is fast coming to a close, we would like to invite families to check their Compass accounts and finalise payments unless you have arranged a payment plan. Please see the Compass article, School Fees & Contributions Parent Guide.
Please also note that recently we emailed statements from CASES21, the Department of Education school student management system. If you received one, these statements show your CSEF balance, along with various other charges.
2024 CSEF Forms
Most families who are eligible have applied and received CSEF (Camps, sports and excursions funding). All applications are required to be in by 26th June.
If you hold a current Healthcare / Concession Card you can apply for government funding assistance by completing an application for CSEF – Camps, Sports & Excursion Funding. This funding can only be used for camps, sports, excursions and the sport uniform.
You have the option of printing the CSEF form from the DSC website or collecting the form from the General Office. Please complete details, sign and return with a copy of your Concession Card. If you chose to return the form by email, please take a clear photo or scan your completed application and your Healthcare / Concession Card and send via email to drouin.sc@education.vic.gov.au.
Sustainable School Shop
The Sustainable School Shop is available for parents to source second hand uniform and books. This subscription is funded by DSC and is available via this link https://www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au/
2024 Building Fund
If you wish to make a contribution to our Building Fund you will find a contribution amount on your Compass account. The amount of $60 is only a suggestion and any amount would be appreciated. Thankyou to those families who have already contributed. These contributions go towards upkeep of buildings eg painting, new security fencing, signage and other items that are not funded by the state government funding.
Enrolment Detail Check
Over the next few weeks you will receive an email from the College with a copy of your child’s enrolment details. We need to complete this audit to ensure we have correct details, including correct up to date contact details.
Please make sure you follow up this email and provide us with any change of details.
Year 10 Presentation Balls
It has once again been that time of year, where we get to see our Year 10 students go from being left-footed ducklings, to beautiful swans. Drouin Secondary College’s 2024 Presentation Ball was on the 24th and 25th of May, with boys looking striking in their suits, and girls dazzling in their white dresses.
Starting in March, students attended after-school dance lessons, learning a range of formal and fun dances. With the help of Marshere Dance, the students went from stepping on each other’s toes, and not knowing which way was left, to dancing beautifully around the room. For many this was the first time they had ever tried partnered dances, but their hard work paid off.
Over the two nights, the students were presented to members of college council and local parliament, before showing off their new found dancing prowess. The night ended with them dancing the night away with their families and friends.
All students that participated should be very proud. Their hard work and efforts really did pay off.
Thank you to all staff, family members and members of the community that helped us to pull off this event. We look forward to doing it all again next year.
Reanna Webster-Lawson and
Casey Azzopardi
Languages News
Japanese Language Assistants
This semester, we welcomed two Japanese language assistants from Japan. In Term 1, Mao joined our Japanese classes for three weeks, followed by Chio, who stayed for six weeks in Term 2. Their presence provided a great experience for our students, especially those studying VCE Japanese, by improving their speaking skills and deepening their understanding of Japanese culture. Students greatly enjoyed interacting with both assistants in class and loved the Japanese lollies they brought from Japan! I hope this experience boosts our students’ motivation to learn Japanese!
French Incursion “The Francophonie in Africa”
Year 7 French students had a fantastic time during the African drumming and dance incursion organised by Melbourne Djembe. They discovered the extent of Francophonie across the African continent and learnt about the spread and transformation of French languages. The students experienced the joy of playing African drums and learning traditional dances while gaining insights into the history and cultural context of these musical traditions. They also learnt some French words related to dance and drumming, making the experience both educational and enjoyable!
Inspiring Health Camp 2024
First day of the Inspiring Careers in Health Camp was a packed day and night for our six DSC students at Federation University Gippsland Campus. It was an opportunity to explore careers in nursing, medicine, midwifery, allied health such as OT, Physio and Speech Pathology. Students also got to mingle with a broad range of health professionals at the Inspiring Young People Health Dinner.
Day Two of the Camp was another packed day at TAFE Gippsland Morwell Campus. Students experienced a range of rotations across Nursing, Allied Health, Aged Care and Sports Science and Technology at the Gippsland Tech School. They enjoyed a barbecue lunch supplied by the Gippsland Skills and Jobs Centre.
A massive thank you to the Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN, Federation University, Churchill and TAFE Gippsland for putting together another successful camp. Thanks also to all of the camp sponsors who supported our students to attend this camp.
Gippsland Region Cross Country
Drouin Secondary College students showcased their exceptional athleticism and determination at the recent SSV Gippsland Cross Country event. Competing against many schools from across the region, our students delivered great performances. Particularly notable were our 17–20 Year old boys who dominated their category, securing first place making them the Gippsland Regional Champions for this year. This achievement is a testament to their hard work and dedication. In addition to the success of our senior students, participants from all age groups did exceptionally well, contributing to Drouin Secondary College’s strong overall presence for the competition. Each student who competed should be proud of their personal accomplishments and the sportsmanship they exhibited throughout the day. Congratulations to all our athletes for their impressive performances and for representing Drouin Secondary with excellence.
Community
Encouraging School Participation – Webinar for Parents
Anglicare Victoria are offering a free webinar for parents and guardians who would like some advice to support their children who are experiencing school refusal and/or separation anxiety.
This event will run online via Zoom on 21/6/24, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
Please follow the link below for more information and to sign up.
https://www.anglicarevic.org.au/events/encouraging-school-participation-online/
Dates to Remember
Term 2
Week 10 |
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Wednesday, 19 June 2024 |
VET Sport & Rec St Ita’s Primary School Excursion |
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Friday, 21 June 2024 |
Aged Care Musical Tour 2 |
Week 11 |
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Monday, 24 June 2024 |
Year 10 Work Experience |
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Tuesday, 25 June 2024 |
Girls in Trade |
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Wednesday, 26 June 2024 |
Instrumental Music Concert 6pm- 8pm in the Auditorium |
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Thursday, 27 June 2024 |
Year 10 Work Experience |
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Friday, 28 June 2024 |
Year 10 Work Experience LAST DAY OF TERM 2 |
Term 3
Week 1 |
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Monday, 15 July 2024 |
FIRST DAY OF TERM 3 |
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Tuesday, 16 July 2024 |
Year 10 Science Bio Eyes Incursion |
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Wednesday, 17 July 2024 |
Year 8 Celebration Day |
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Thursday, 18 July 2024 |
Year 10 Science Bio Eyes Incursion |
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Friday, 19 July 2024 |
Girls in Trade |
Week 2 |
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Monday, 22 July 2024 |
Adolescent Building Connections (ABC) |
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Tuesday, 23 July 2024 |
Year 11 Time Management Period 2 incursion |
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Wednesday, 24 July 2024 |
2025 Course Selection Information and Pathways Evening |
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Friday, 26 July 2024 |
Engineering Ahead 10AVP Program |
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Sunday, 28 July 2024 |
VCE Japanese Online Seminar |
Week 3 |
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Monday, 29 July 2024 |
VCE VTAC Information Evening Parents/Students |
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Tuesday, 30 July 2024 |
7APP Potential to Performance Workshop |
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Wednesday, 31 July 2024 |
VET Sport & Rec St Ita’s Primary School Excursion |
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Thursday, 1 August 2024 |
2025 Year 12 Course Selection Interviews – No Year 11 Classes |
Week 4 |
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Monday, 5 August 2024 |
Maths SAC 3 3.30-4.30pm |
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Tuesday, 6 August 2024 |
2025 Year 10 Course Selection Interviews – No Year 9 Classes |
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Wednesday, 7 August 2024 |
11VCE Melbourne Crime Tour |
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Thursday, 8 August 2024 |
SSVG Senior Boys Netball |
Week 5 |
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Thursday, 15 August 2024 |
Parent, Teacher, Student Conferences 4.00pm – 8.00pm |
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Friday, 16 August 2024 |
Parent, Teacher, Student Conferences 9.30am – 12.30pm |
Week 6 |
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Wednesday, 21 August 2024 |
Grade 6 into 7 2025 Enrolment Night 5pm |
