DSC Newsletter – 18th November 2024 – Drouin Secondary College

DSC Newsletter 18th November 2024

Edition 115

Principal Team Report

High Expectations for Learning

Our return to Term 4 has been a celebration of the success of the resetting of the High Expectations for student learning.

Our college is committed to ensuring that all students have a safe and purposeful learning environment which encourages and supports all students to be able to achieve their best results. Thank you to all the parents, students and staff for your commitment to supporting this initiative.

The core message embedded in this expectation is for all students to:

Attend school in uniform
Be punctual to all classes
Ensure that all students bring their charged laptop, books and stationery to all classes
Follow the directions of staff
Complete all work

Over the first weeks of term the college has seen a significant reduction of High 5 compass posts and an increase in the average progress scores across the college. Student forum feedback has supported the reset and the core reflections by students reinforce how this orderly environment has contributed to them all able to access their work and to feel comfortable in this calmer setting.

During this time, we have also celebrated with weekly focuses and prizes for students who have consistently followed the key High 5 expectations. Congratulations to all students. This focus on the High 5 will remain as a consistent expectation whilst more emphasis will be on the celebration of success for all students.

Student Leaders

In the past few weeks, we have begun farewells to our Year 12 cohort, for many students, the farewell marks the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new one. Some may be excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, whether that’s further education, entering the workforce, or pursuing other paths. We have also congratulated and thanked our 2024 College Captains for their leadership during 2024.

Lilly-Rae McDonald
Cody Miller
Savanah Staunton
Deane Thexton

We also thank our College Council representatives for their insight and contribution as they represented the students’ voice as part of College Council.

Riley Delaney
Charlotte Hoareau

Term 4 is equally focussed on finishing the year well and on preparing for 2025. Student Leadership applications were finalised, and I would like to congratulate our successful students who have been selected to represent our community for 2025.

Our 2025 College Captains are:

Talise Berryman
Bianca Wilson
Chloe Dignan and
Kadence Sciberras.

Additionally, our 2025 Student Representative Council Leader is Rhianna Hopkins.

Exams & Step Up

During the next few weeks, students at Years 10 and 11 will complete their exams for the 2024 school year. I encourage all students to prepare for each exam thoroughly using the revision strategies provided by the teachers for each subject. Year 7-9 students will complete final tests for the subjects being studied in semester two.

The Step-up period will commence on 18^th November and conclude on Friday 29^th November. All year levels will begin their classes for 2025. These two weeks introduce the subjects being studied in 2025 and are an opportunity to access the core work included in these subjects and the homework required over the holiday break. I encourage all students to ensure that they are prepared to complete these classes by ensuring that they have the necessary items for classes. This includes:

Workbooks for all subjects
Stationery items including all pens, pencils etc
A charged computer

Remembrance Day

Monday 11 November 2024 was Remembrance Day – a day for us to remember those who have served, died or suffered in all wars and peacekeeping operations. The annual observance also acknowledges the service of Australian Defence Force members on active deployment.

Remembrance Day marks the date in 1918 when the First World War came to an end. It is officially observed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

To mark Remembrance Day, the college paused at 11am for a minute’s silence, to remember people’s service and sacrifice.

The finalisation for staffing for 2025 is still underway and we have successfully appointed several new staff to positions vacant for commencement in 2025. We are committed to continuing to support all student learning by seeking to fill all positions.

As we approach the end of the 2024, I ask that all students remain focussed on their class work as we look forward to a successful 2025 school year.

Liz Godwin, Principal

Step Up 2025

On Monday 18th November, we began our 2025 academic year with all students moving up a year level and beginning their new timetable.

Please come with your 2025 materials, particularly new work books for a fresh start.

The timetable was synced on Compass with the 2025 timetable on Friday morning.

There is not an expectation for families to have purchased text books by next Monday, book lists are out now and we advise VCE students check the booklist carefully before purchasing a second hand text as there are numerous new study designs.

We look forward to Step Up and a positive finish to the year for all students.

2025 Booklist and Uniform Information

2025 BOOKLIST ORDERS ONLINE

Booklist orders are to be placed online with Campion Education at www.campion.com.au. You will need the Resource List Code 3W2C to access the 2025 booklists.

Campion offers free delivery to your home (or other nominated address) when you place your booklist order online. Order by Monday 16^th December for delivery in January.

Alternatively, you can go to the Campion Education store and pick your books off the shelf and pay at the shop.

Please note the Campion store has moved to Hallam (Unit 5, 151-155 Princes Highway). The Berwick and Dandenong South stores have closed.

Please check your allocated classes carefully to ensure you order the correct books and materials for your year level. If students are early accessing a subject above their year level, you will need to investigate the booklist for that subject’s level.

If purchasing second hand books, please ensure the edition is exactly as specified on the booklist. The best way to do this is to check the ISBN on the book’s barcode.

Click on the links below for a copy of the 2025 Booklists with ISBNs.

If you would like a paper copy of the booklist, they are available at the General Office. Booklist orders cannot be handed into the College, orders must be placed directly with Campion Education.

SECOND HAND UNIFORM AND BOOKS TRADING VIA SUSTAINABLE SCHOOL SHOP

Drouin Secondary College families have the ability to buy and sell their second-hand textbooks, uniforms and other student resources via the Sustainable School Shop website www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au.

The service is very accessible, it preferences our school first and then provides access to buy and sell items with families attending other schools. Many schools use this service. Access to second-hand textbooks, uniforms, calculators, stationery, musical equipment, etc is available all year.

Drouin Secondary College is providing this service so there is no cost for families. Each family that registers on the Sustainable School Shop will be given a subscription, it’s free for families to use. For an information flyer, click here.

As more families start to use this service the stocktake list will grow. You can list books / uniforms now and write an availability date in the comments of your ad.

To view the Stocktake Report For Second-Hand Uniform currently listed on Sustainable School Shop go to: https://www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au/stocktake/drouin-secondary-college .
For DSC’s Second-Hand Textbook Stocktake Report go to: https://www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au/booklist/drouin-secondary-college

NOONE UNIFORM SHOP

The Noone Uniform Shop (formerly known as Belgravia\Buxwear Uniform Shop) is located at the front of the College’s Lyn Kelly Stadium (the gym). Information about the College uniform requirements can be found on the DSC website (http://www.drouinsc.vic.edu.au) under Menu > Life at DSC > Uniform. Here you will also find the 2024-25 Uniform Price List and a calendar of Additional Trading Hours for November, December & January.

2024 Immunisation Program

The Baw Baw Shire Council has visited your child’s school this year to immunise the Year 7 and Year 10 students. If your child missed the opportunity of the FREE vaccinations, it is not too late. Click the following link to book an appointment at any of our immunisation sessions throughout the year: https://portal.cirv.vic.gov.au/communityprivacycollection/

Sounds of Summer

Drouin Secondary College, Baw Baw Shire, Baw Baw Youth Group and West Gippsland Arts Centre have joined together to put on a live music event for the community.

Bring a chair, a picnic, or purchase food on the night and enjoy an evening of great music.

Sounds of Summer, Friday 6^th of December 4:30-8pm, Sound Shell, Drouin Civic Park.

2024 PROTEUS YEARBOOK

The 2024 Proteus yearbook can now be ordered on Trybooking for $27 per copy. Orders close on Friday 13^th December 2024 and the Proteus will be available for collection from the General Office in February 2025. Scan the QR code or go to: https://www.trybooking.com/CXBRS

VET Hospitality

The Last Supper

The final Food 4 Thought dinner of 2024 certainly set the standard for next year’s chefs. The team prepared a ‘Feed Me’ menu, which included tasty Thai prawn lettuce cups, chicken satay skewers and mushroom dumplings. Along with a selection of Ethiopian style curries Daro Wot, Red lentil and an earthy fish curry, served with fried rice and flat bread. The meal was finished off with a selection of tasty bite sized desserts.

Master Chef Pantry Challenge

At the end of Term 3, the VET Hospitality class completed a Master Chef Pantry Challenge. They could only use what was onsite and produce from fridges and pantry. All on a timeline of one and half hours. The results were fantastic!

School Saving Bonus

Parent and Carer School Saving Bonus code distribution 

The Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus – a one-off $400 support for government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025.

From Tuesday 26 November 2024, you will receive an email from the Department of Education with your unique $400 School Saving Bonus code.

The School Saving Bonus will help families cover the cost of uniforms, textbooks, excursions, activities and more.

If you have multiple children enrolled in Victorian government schools for 2025, you will receive one School Saving Bonus code email per child. These emails might arrive on different days. Please make sure to check your spam/junk email folder.

Parents and carers can use the School Saving Bonus code in store at school-nominated suppliers. Parents and carers can also choose to access the School Saving Bonus online system, where they can allocate part or all the $400 bonus to use at school nominated-online suppliers or for school activities. 

To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, visit School Saving Bonus | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au). A step-by-step user guide will be available on the webpage on 26 November.  

If you have not received your School Saving Bonus code via email by Friday 29 November, please contact the Department of Education by emailing school.saving.bonus@education.vic.gov.au

From the General Office

Please take note of the following details for payment of current accounts and other office procedures.

Compass Parent Contributions

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.

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.

Does your Child need to Leave the School Early During the Day?

A reminder that if your child needs to leave during class time or any other time during the school day, they are required to bring a signed note which is to be presented at their LCC office. When it is time to leave, students must sign out at their LCC office before meeting their parent or carer at the Front Office.

For students in Years 7 and 8:

In accordance with Department of Education guidelines, no student can leave school during the day unless a parent/carer presents to the Front Office. Students will need to wait at their LCC until a parent/carer has arrived. This means students cannot be given permission to walk home during the school day or meet parents in the bus loop or carpark.

For students in Years 9 to 12:

With the written knowledge and permission of a parent/guardian, a student in Years 9 – 12 is permitted to leave the school grounds with a valid reason.

To give your student in Years 9-12 permission to leave before the end of the school day, the following information must be provided in writing via note or email:

Student Name
Time permitted to leave
Reason for leaving
Destination (e.g home)
Method of travel

For all students:

Please also note that we require parent permission for students to be collected by someone other than their parents/carers, as listed on our records. Persons listed as emergency contacts also require permission from parents/carers to collect students.

Please call ahead if you have an unscheduled appointment in plenty of time, this enables staff to locate the child and make sure they are ready when you come to collect them.

If a student feels unwell, they need to go to their LCC / Sickbay where they can be cared for. Please remind your child of this process. The College will call you if they need to be collected.

Year 12 Celebration Day

The Year 12 Celebration Day truly was a celebration of the Class of 2024. An amazing assortment of costumed Year 12s greeted students and staff on the final official day of school for Year 12s before the study days leading up to VCE exams. The day kicked off with the customary breakfast in the Canteen before a whole school assembly with the Class of 2024’s final roll call.

Netbooks

Year 7 & Year 10 Netbook Program for 2025

The Department of Education’s revised parent payment policy has led to changes to the College’s Netbook Program. Drouin Secondary College will be transitioning to a Managed BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program.

As previously communicated to families, students commencing Year 7 and Year 10 in 2025 will be required to purchase a portable computer device, through the College’s nominated provider, Learning With Technology, to utilise within and beyond the classroom to complete their coursework.

Drouin Secondary College will no longer collect money for devices. LWT offers flexible payment options, including lay-by and finance payment plans, to help families pay the device off in instalments.

LWT recommends placing your order as early as possible to avoid possible delays. Orders can be placed on the LWT Parent Portal: https://drouinsc.orderportal.com.au/

Students with DSC Loan Devices: Students with a long-term DSC loan device need to return this college-owned device to the IT department at the conclusion of the 2024 school year. Please take advantage of LWT’s flexible payment options and order a BYO device as early as possible.

More information on the Netbook Program for 2025 is attached or visit our website https://www.drouinsc.vic.edu.au/learning/netbooks/. Questions about the Netbook program should be made to Justin Stone, ICT Manager.

Process For Reimaging of Netbooks in 2024

Please be advised that starting the week of 2nd December 2024, the IT office will be requiring all students to reimage their devices in preparation for the 2025 school year.

Any students that do not reimage their computers prior to the start of the school year next year will lose access to the school wireless network, as well as their laptops.

All students as of 2025 will lose access to their @drouinsc.vic.edu.au email addresses. Please ensure that any services that are currently linked to your @drouinsc.vic.edu.au email address are migrated to a personal, private, email address prior to January 2025. Some examples are YouTube, Discord etc.

If you wish to have your device reimaged prior to the outlined dates above, please bring your laptop to the IT office at your earliest convenience.

Year 12 2024 Students: Current Year 12 students will be able to keep their netbooks at the end of 2024, however, they will need to have the device reimaged and any of the College’s software removed prior to being taken home.

Please ensure that you have backed up any data that you wish to keep prior to returning the device to IT.

Exiting Students: Students in Years 7 to 11 who have a College-owned Netbook and who are not returning to Drouin Secondary College next year will need to return the netbook, charger and bag by Thursday 5th December or you may be asked to pay the full replacement cost of $620.

You will need to organise to backup the data you wish to keep BEFORE handing your Netbooks in to be reimaged as computers will be completely wiped in the reimaging process. If you need assistance with this, you can get help from the IT team or from your teachers any time before handing back the Netbook.

If you have any questions about this process, please do not hesitate to contact the IT Team.

Youth Expressions Fest 2024

Some of our amazing DSC students took part in the Youth Expressions Fest at the Warragul Arts Centre last Thursday.

Over 200+ attendees came to support our local young creatives as they presented their art, music, poetry and dance as part of Vic Health’s Future Reset: Young People, Arts and Mental Wellbeing initiative.

Mrs Backman came to support our DSC students and was blown away by the talent.

Well done to all of our stellar students!

Lachlan Trowbridge (7A) showcased his amazing art works.
Harry Clark (9I) sang a selection of original songs and covers and played the guitar
Alyssa Munckhof (11E) sang a selection of original songs and covers with her Guitar
Sapphire Keane (11D) sang a selection of songs with her Guitar
Charlotte Dawson (11B) was part of the behind the scenes crew and participated in organising of the entire event.

Languages Learnings

Hanami (Flower Viewing) Excursion

Year 10 and 11 Japanese students visited a Japanese restaurant where they ordered obento boxes and enjoyed an authentic Japanese lunch while viewing the flowers at Flagstaff Gardens. They also tried purikura (a Japanese photo booth) and captured memorable photos with their classmates in the city.

Okonomiyaki Workshop

Year 9 Japanese students took part in an Okonomiyaki workshop in the city, where they learned to make Japanese dishes including Okonomiyaki (savory pancake), Yakisoba (stir-fried noodles), and Yakimeshi (fried rice) in teppanyaki style. They had a great time preparing their own Okonomiyaki, and the results were delicious!

Virtual Cultural Exchange with Miki-Kita High School

Year 9 Japanese students had Zoom calls with Miki-Kita High School, our sister school in Japan, for language exchange sessions once each term this year. It was fantastic to see students of the same age connecting, discussing their hobbies and interests in both Japanese and English. Some even shared their favourite anime, manga, and Aussie slangs!

Scholarships to Support Students

Scholarships are available for students who complete Grade 4 to Year 11 in 2024, and for students enrolled in Year 12 in 2024 who plan to do tertiary studies in 2025.

The Department of Education administers a number of scholarships available to eligible students who are enrolled in Grade 4 to Year 12 in 2024.

Applicants for these scholarships will be evaluated on their:

participation in school activities
community involvement
academic achievement.

Scholarships are either one-off payments or cover the duration of the student’s course or annual study.

Many of these scholarships have specific eligibility criteria, so please refer to individual applications for more information. Applications are now open, and close on Saturday 1 February 2025.

For information on how to apply, refer to Student scholarships.

State Athletics

Three of our amazing DSC students represented us at State Athletics on Monday 21^st October at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park.

Charlotte Cunnigham, Year 10 in 800m, Chloe Dennis, Year 9 in Discuss and Rhylee Stewart, Year 10 in 800m. Chloe came 5^th overall in her age category and Rhylee placed 3^rd in the 800m in a time of 2:03. Amazing Effort to podium at a state level.

Well done superstars!

Rhylee excels on the track

Year 10 student, Rhylee Stewart, has been excelling at athletics and cross country running and is in his fourth season under coach Craig Huffer of the Gippsland Track Club. He has represented Drouin Secondary College, Wellington Athletics Club, Gippsland Track Club, Moe Little Athletics and Victoria.

Most recently he represented DSC at state and national levels in U17 Boys Cross Country, 400m, 800m, 1500m and 3000m.

Rhylee placed 2nd at SSV State Cross Country at Yarra Valley racecourse and 11th out of 115 athletes at the All Schools State Championships Bundoora running 6km in a time of 20:22, securing him a place on the national team.

The Australian Cross Country Championships were held on 31st August at the Symmons Plains Raceway, Launceston Tasmania. In extremely challenging conditions – 3 degrees, rain, mud and 60km winds – Rhylee placed 31st which was mid field, an incredible achievement given the conditions.

Rhylee returned home just in time to play football in the EDFL U16 grand final where his team Ellinbank came out 2024 Premiers.

With very little time for a break, training ramped up for the coming track season. The first competition was SSV State Athletics where he had qualified for 400m, 800m and 1500m. Rhylee placed 3rd in the 800m in a time of 2:03. He only raced the 800m under his coach’s instruction to preserve his legs for the coming weekend competition.

The following weekend Rhylee raced the 1500m at the All Schools State Championships placing 7th in a time of 4:08.59 and on Saturday he was back to Lakeside Stadium Albert Park to compete in the 3000m also placing 7th with an impressive 8 second PB in a time of 9:05.44.

Rhylee has some big and exciting goals for the season hoping to secure National Qualifying times in more than one middle distance event. His results are an absolute credit to him for the discipline and dedication he puts into his training 6 days a week all while juggling school and a part time job.

Rhylee will race 3000m at Milers Club at Lakeside Stadium in the coming weeks with hope of further improving his time in aim of national selection.

Congratulations Rhylee on your outstanding achievements.

Year 10 Outdoor Education Trip to Inverloch

Year 10 OES students enjoyed a day trip to Inverloch Surf Beach. The weather was warm and sunny, making it a perfect day for surfing! All students had a chance to ride the waves, and some managed to stand on the surfboard for quite a while after several attempts. They had fun cooking their own lunch on Trangias, although a couple of students struggled with the meat patties and accidentally burnt them. The day concluded with a coastal walk to observe erosion and management strategies for their case study.

Year 9 Celebration Day

On Thursday 7^th November, the top Year 9 progress scorers got to attend a celebratory excursion to Kemizo Entertainment Centre in Pakenham. Here we rollerbladed and skated, rock climbed, played laser tag and arcade games, ate food and just had a great time socialising with one another. Students were in excellent spirits and represented the school so well! Staff loved having wholesome fun with all students. Well Done to all that attended!

Community

Dates to Remember

Term 4

Week 7
Monday, 18 November 2024	Step Up begins
Tuesday, 19 November 2024	Year 9 LG The Restoration Program Incursion
Wednesday, 20 November 2024	Year 12 exams finish Construction Induction Card Training
Thursday, 21 November 2024	Year 12 Valedictory Dinner
Friday, 22 November 2024	SSV Junior Girls Cricket -State Quarter Finals
Week 8
Wednesday, 27 November 2024	2025 VET Orientation Day (1st Years)
Friday, 29 November 2024	Step Up concludes 2025 VET Orientation Day (1st Years) CCG Fri classes only
Week 9
Monday, 2 December 2024	Activity Week One commences for Years 7 to 10 Gumbuya World Excursion
Thursday, 5 December 2024	Presentation Night
Friday, 6 December 2024	Sounds of Summer Concert
Week 10
Monday, 9 December 2024	Activity Week Two Years 7 to 9
Tuesday, 10 December 2024	STATEWIDE TRANSITION DAY (6 into 7)
Week 11
Monday, 16 December 2024	Environmental days
Tuesday, 17 December 2024	Environmental days
Wednesday, 18 December 2024	Last day of scheduled acitivites for students
Friday, 20 December 2024	Last Day Term 4

2025 Return to School

Wednesday 29th January 2025 – First Day Year 12

Thursday 30th January – First day Year 7 and Year 11

Friday 31st January – First day Years 8, 9 and 10

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DSC Newsletter – 18th November 2024