The St Arnaud Secondary College

Weekly Newsletter 11th May, 2018

The St Arnaud Secondary College is a child safe school.

Street Art

Melbourne See inside for details

Principal’s Report

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NAPLAN Next week, along with all schools across the state, we will be conducting the annual NAPLAN Testing. NAPLAN – the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy – is a nation-wide testing system that can be used as a measure of performance and/or growth for individuals, clas-ses, schools and even States. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 undertake the tests each year. While the results can be and are used in a variety of ways, it is important to remember that these tests are only a snapshot in time and may not give a totally accurate picture of student achievement, espe-cially for those students for whom the “test environment” is not their preference. All we ask and encourage students to do, is their best. School Review The first full day of our review – the Validation Day – is next Tuesday 15 May. The panel of 11 people will study and analyse our Self-Evaluation, will visit classrooms and will talk to students and staff, both inside and outside of classrooms. By the end of the day we will have identified some areas for further investigation which will be the focus of the Fieldwork Days at the College later in May. Alpine School Year 9 students were provided with information this week in regard to the Alpine School and the process for applying. We have been very fortunate to have received 4 places – 2 male and 2 fe-male – for Term 4 this year at Dinner Plain. The Alpine School is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop leadership skills in an unfamiliar environment. In my experience, every stu-dent who has attended the School For Student Leadership in my previous schools has said it was a life changing experience. I would encourage all Year 9 students to apply. Wizard of Oz In the second week of next term we are planning on running an excursion to Melbourne to see the theatre production of The Wizard of Oz. We are very pleased to have been invited to join with the Primary School in this following their very successful trip to Aladdin last year and hopefully we can make this a regular event. As a school we receive a discounted ticket price and more infor-mation will follow in next week’s newsletter. Places will be limited (approximately 50 tickets for our College) and will be filled on first-in-best-dressed basis. Bus Travellers A reminder to all bus travellers that notes should be provided, or phone calls to the College made, if students are not travelling on the bus. Currently we have a number of students who are not on the bus and have not notified anyone, which is holding up the departure of the buses. It is a re-quirement that daily bus rolls are accurate – which is vital in the case of an emergency. Your help with this is appreciated. The Resilience Project The Year 7 and 8 students have begun working through their Resilience Project Workbooks. The first activity that the students have started is to look at their character strengths. All students and some staff have completed a character survey which identifies their most common, or preferred characteristics. They have then been able to compare these with other students and staff, compar-ing and identifying whole group strengths and areas for growth. If anyone is interested in doing the survey themselves it can be accessed at https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register. It takes about 15 minutes to complete and you can download your full report for free. Tony Hand Principal

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Year 11 & Year 12 Studio Arts Excursion

Early on Wednesday the 2nd of May, the Year 11 and 12 Studio Arts students travelled down to Mel-

bourne to visit the National Gallery of Victoria to view the Top Arts exhibition. After arriving in the

city, we viewed the exhibition of the best folios from the 2017 Studio Art student work. We saw a

diverse collection of ideas and took away lots of inspiration for our final artworks. We then viewed

the latest street art compositions in Hosier Lane and saw an artist at work while we were there. After

lunch, we viewed the Unit 3 and Unit 4 folios that accompanied the finished artworks that were on ex-

hibition and we were also joined by some very big personalities from a metropolitan school. Despite the

hurried nature of the viewings, the experience really emphasised to us the competitive nature of the

subject area that we are undertaking this year and what is required in order to do well. The trip was a

very worthwhile experience.

Pics on front cover

Year 8 Teamwork Exercise

Mr Marland took the Year 8 Home Group session last week outside in the court yard to do a team

building exercise. The teams consisted of 3-4 students and the teams were to listen for the word

"JUMP" and all members of the group were to jump towards a hoop on the ground, keeping their feet

together, further down the path. The first group to "JUMP" all members of their team into the hoop

wins. There were lots of laughs and giggles at first but after a few teams being repeatedly returned

to the start, the competition and listening skills kicked in. It was a fun way to start the day.

Year 8 Technology Wood Studies

Gerrard Bussem-Jorgensen has completed his toy truck with great

success. This task is a section of curriculum in Year 8 Technology

Wood studies. Activities that the students completed in their

workbooks were client-centred research, visualisations (thumbnail

sketches) and working drawings (with measurements), cutting list,

processes and production methods and evaluation criteria. This

truck is on currently on display in the front foyer of the school.

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Jigsaw Puzzle Competition

Over the last two weeks, the Library has been buzzing with activity as small teams race to

complete their jigsaw puzzles in a 'First-to-Finish' Jigsaw Puzzle Competition. It all

started when two Year 8 students, Justin Tillig and Dylan Johnstone, asked if the Library

could run a jigsaw puzzle competition. After many hours of discussion and planning, the

jigsaw puzzle competition was up and running with a generous gift hamper as first prize.

Teams had to register in the library, were only allowed three members and had to select a

500 piece puzzle (newly purchased for this competition).

We had seven teams registered to compete in this hotly contested competition. In the

end, there were only 7 minutes difference between Kawaii Squad (Berenice Walsh, Skye

and Josie Wilson) and Hodge (Dylan Johnstone, Zack Weir and Jack Hodges) with the

Kawaii Squad taking out the grand prize. It has been an epic effort between all groups.

Our next competition will take place on the chess battlefield. ~ Miss Evans

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Take Three Girls by C. Crowley, F. Wood and S. Howell

Kate, a quiet boarder, making some risky choices to pursue the experimental music she loves.

Clem, shrugging off her old swim-team persona, exploring her first sexual relationship, and trying

to keep her annoying twin, Iris, at arm's length. Ady, grappling with a chaotic family, and

wondering who her real friends are; she's not the confident A-lister she appears to be. When St

Hilda's establishes a Year 10 Wellness Program in response to the era of cyber-bullying, the three

girls are thrown together and an unlikely friendship is sparked. One thing they have in common:

each is targeted by PSST, a site devoted to gossip and slander that must have a source within St

Hilda's. Who can you trust when rumour is the new truth?

Akarnae by Lynette Noni

Dreading her first day at a new school, Alex is stunned when she walks through a doorway and finds

herself stranded in Medora, a fantasy world full of impossibilities. Desperate to return home, she

learns that only a man named Professor Marselle can help her... but he's missing. While waiting for

him to reappear, Alex attends Akarnae Academy, Medora's boarding school for teenagers with

extraordinary gifts. She soon starts to enjoy her bizarre new world and the friends who embrace

her as one of their own, but strange things are happening at Akarnae, and Alex can't ignore her fear

that something unexpected...something sinister... is looming.

Small Spaces by Sarah Epstein

We don’t pick and choose what to be afraid of. Our fears pick us.

Tash Carmody has been traumatised since childhood, when she witnessed her gruesome imaginary

friend Sparrow lure young Mallory Fisher away from a carnival. At the time nobody believed Tash,

and she has since come to accept that Sparrow wasn’t real. Now fifteen and mute, Mallory’s never

spoken about the week she went missing. As disturbing memories resurface, Tash starts to see

Sparrow again. And she realises Mallory is the key to unlocking the truth about a dark secret

connecting them. Does Sparrow exist after all? Or is Tash more dangerous to others than she thinks?

Mallee Boys by Charlie Archbold

Sandy Douglas knows that life at fifteen is hard, but it's even harder when your mother died a year

ago and nothing's gone right since. Sandy's brother Red, on the other hand, is eighteen now and

working the farm. He's amped up on rage and always looking for a fight. And then there's their dad

Tom. He does his best, but - really - he doesn't have a clue. As Sandy and Red deal with girls, dirt

biking, footy and friendship, both boys have to work out who they want to be, without their mum

around. The Mallee, where they live, may seem like the middle of nowhere, but it turns out this is

going to be one hell of a year.

Sam and Ilsa's Last Hurrah by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Girlhood by Cat Clarke

With Malice by Eileen Cook

Lifeblood by Gena Showalter

Tempests and Slaughter by

Tamora Pierce

Jigsaw Puzzle Competition

Over the last two weeks, the Library has been buzzing with activity as small teams race to

complete their jigsaw puzzles in a 'First-to-Finish' Jigsaw Puzzle Competition. It all

started when two Year 8 students, Justin Tillig and Dylan Johnstone, asked if the Library

could run a jigsaw puzzle competition. After many hours of discussion and planning, the

jigsaw puzzle competition was up and running with a generous gift hamper as first prize.

Teams had to register in the library, were only allowed three members and had to select a

500 piece puzzle (newly purchased for this competition).

We had seven teams registered to compete in this hotly contested competition. In the

end, there were only 7 minutes difference between Kawaii Squad (Berenice Walsh, Skye

and Josie Wilson) and Hodge (Dylan Johnstone, Zack Weir and Jack Hodges) with the

Kawaii Squad taking out the grand prize. It has been an epic effort between all groups.

Our next competition will take place on the chess battlefield. ~ Miss Evans

YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE - please note the date!!!

17THto 21ST September - last week of term 3

All Year 10’s are expected to organise their own work

experience during this week. If it is not possible during

this week then work experience could be organised

during the following two weeks of the holiday period.

We encourage students to search for a much wider experience than their regular

workplace and hope this opportunity allows them to experience a workplace

that a student may otherwise not have the opportunity to experience. Dream

big!

For further details please contact:

Mrs Jackson or Mr Macgowan

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NAPLAN

Students in Year 7 and Year 9 will be sitting the National Assessment Program – Literacy and

Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests during the week beginning 14th May. Please encourage your

children to do their very best, as always, on this program. Language Conventions and

Writing will be held on Tuesday 15th May, Reading on Wednesday 16th May and Numeracy

on Thursday 17th May. Please ensure your child attends school during this time.

Students who miss any tests will be expected to catch up on Friday 18th May or in the

afternoon session of Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

More information on the NAPLAN tests can be found on the website: www.nap.edu.au

If you have any questions regarding NAPLAN you are most welcome to contact Mrs Trudie

Jackson or Mr Clinton Lobley at the College.

Students who attend the Cluster Centre on Wednesdays, will attend

there as usual, and catch up on the READING assessment on

Thursday or Friday of next week.

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-Strive High, Then Higher

Smiles all round – Class of ‘07 return. A beautiful afternoon was had for the Class of 2007, and their wonderful reunion together. It has been

eleven years since graduating from St Arnaud Secondary College and the diverse adventures they have

had; they gave thanks for the knowledge they gained from the school and the huge love and

appreciation for the dedicated teachers they had during their time at the school. Together they shared

similar beliefs that finishing Year 12 at St Arnaud Secondary College was a vital stepping stone into their

now successful careers. They would strongly suggest to all students currently attending the school to

give it their best, throw away any doubt, and really reflect on the school moto ‘Strive High, then

Higher’.

Smiles were had as they toured around the school, fond memories and good times shared as they

stood inside their old classrooms. It was an emotional time with high appraisal going to the well-kept

gardens and school facilities. Although many things have changed over the years for the ex-students

the love for the school was still incredibly strong and wonderful to see. A quote from one of the 2007

School Captains Emily Erwin, “The moment I walked onto the school grounds I could not stop but smile,

I think I smiled the entire tour. I miss going to school, and all the learning that has made me who I am

today. If only I could go back to sitting in one of those rooms, and just truly appreciate learning”. The

School Vice-Captain Trenton Fithall also remarked, “In year ten there was a turning point where I

thought ‘you know what I can actually do this’. That change in my perception of myself motivated me

to make some changes to my work ethic and give year 11 and 12 a go, and then continue on to

university”.

Back Row: Laurie Mcloughlin, Hannah Jennings, Emily Erwin (school captain), Tamara Supple, Paul

McIntyre

Front Row: Trenton Fithall (vice school captain), Russell Marland (school captain), Narelle Bannan

Term 2 2018 Semester 1

May Mon 14 House Cross Country (pm)

MIPS Appointments

Tues-Thurs 15-17 NAPLAN

Wed 16 School Council

Thurs 17 Year 11/12 PD&T Top Designs Excursion—Melbourne

Fri 18 NAPLAN catch up

Mon

Mon&Tues

21

21&22

Yr 11 Biology Ecolinc Excursion

Yrs 11/12 VCAL Excursion Melbourne

Wed 23 MIPS Appointments

Fri 25 NCD Cross Country

Tues 29 ICAS Science Competition

Thurs 31 MIPS Appointments

June Mon 4 MIPS Appointments

Tues 5 LMR Cross Country

Monday 11 Queen’s Birthday Holiday

Tues-Fri

Wed

12-15

13

Year 9-11 Exams

GAT

Thurs 14 VSSS

Fri 15 Year 8 Excursion 3D Modelling

Year 7 Excursion—Robo Cup

Wed 20 School Council

Thurs 21 MIPS Appointments

Wed & Thurs 27 & 28 Year 10 Pre Driver Ed

Mon,Tues,

Thurs,Fri

25,26,28

& 29

Environmental Week

Yr 9 Students will still be attending NCTTC on June 27th

Fri 29 End of Term—2.30pm dismissal

Term 3 2018 Semester 2

July Mon 16 School Resumes

Thurs 19 State Cross Country

23 Yr 12 TIS Charlton

Tues 24 Year 12 Biology Ecolinc Excursion

1pm Wizard of Oz

August Tues 31-3rd Year 9/10 Snow Camp

English Competition

Fri 3 Yr 7—Tickle my Droid Excursion

Thurs 9 VSSS Rehearsal

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