Use of E Scooters
A reminder that E scooters are illegal for young people under the age of 16. Any student 16 or above riding one should follow the road rules and wear a helmet.
As a school we will enforce these laws for the safety of everyone.
Year 6 Taster Day
Last week we were visited by 250 Grade 6 students from various feeder primary schools. The purpose of the visit was to support the transition of these students to secondary school.
It was a very successful day. Thank you to Mr Ron Brown and Mr Billy Rowland for their leadership, and to the staff and students who supported the Grade 6 students.
Morrisby Program
As part of our Careers Program, all Year 9 students are participating in the Morrisby Program. Through a series of tests and one-on-one interviews, students gain an understanding of their aptitude and possible career options going forward. This will help support their choices into Year 10 and beyond. Thank you to Ms Cathy Armstrong and her team for facilitating this program.
The Importance of Attendance
We have been working with all our students to reinforce the importance of Attendance. Research tells us that high levels of attendance at school are closely linked with successful student achievement. Ensuring your child attends school every day is one of the best ways you can help your child’s future. Our Attendance Policy requires that all students maintain an attendance level of 90% over the year in order to successfully pass each subject. Students who do not meet this requirement are at risk of not being promoted to the next year level. Even at this level (90%), students miss one day a fortnight. This adds up to four weeks a year – a significant amount of learning. You can access your child’s attendance rate via the Parent Portal on Compass. We also send an email out to families twice a term to give you updates on your child’s attendance. If you need support regarding attendance, please talk to your Coordinator.
Athletics Carnival
Our annual Athletics Carnival held during the first week of Term 2 was a wonderful celebration of participation, teamwork, and school spirit. It was fantastic to see students enthusiastically involved throughout the day, whether competing in events, supporting their peers, or proudly representing their houses. The positive attitude and sportsmanship displayed by all students were a credit to our school community.
Congratulations to all students who participated and achieved personal success throughout the carnival. A sincere thank you also goes to our staff, student leaders, VCE-VM team for their hard work in ensuring the day ran smoothly. Special thanks to the PE Department and the House Team for organising such an enjoyable and successful event for everyone involved.
Progress Reports
Next week staff will be finalising their student progress reports. These will be available for you to access through compass the following week. It is an important time of the year as these progress reports give a more updated indication of student progress. With exams on the horizon for Years 9, 10 and 11, it is a final opportunity to reflect on progress and to make some positive changes. It is also a time to hopefully celebrate any academic successes. Once the report data becomes available our year level coordinators will work with you to identify where any supports are needed.
We Are Better Together Week
We have just celebrated ‘We Are Better Together Week’ which culminated in a Multicultural day celebration on Friday. On this day students showcased the many cultural backgrounds we have in our school community. The week had the theme ‘Unity in Diversity’ which is our CPR theme for the year. The cultural dress looked spectacular, as did the Lion Dance performance that took place during lunchtime.
The message for the week is: no matter your culture, your religion, your race, your gender, your sexuality, your ability, your language, your differences – you matter and SASC supports you!
It was wonderful to see the pride students showed in their heritage and to see so many students and staff take part in the many activities across the week, mainly focused on student performances and dance which was also aligned to International Dance Day on Wednesday 29 April.
Anzac Day Service
As 25 April fell on a Saturday this year we are observed Anzac Day with a commemorative service run by our VCE VM Students on Monday 27 April.
It was a moving service that provided an opportunity for our school community to stop and reflect on the sacrifice and dedication of all our veteran and service community, and the families who support them.
ANZAC Day as we know it was first observed on 25 April 1916, as people came together to commemorate the landing of Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli, Türkiye, on 25 April 1915. The service we held included the well-known poem ‘For the Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon as well as the Last Post, and The Rouse during which the flags were raised.
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
As a school, it is important that we understand the true meaning of Anzac Day. We do not celebrate war. Instead, we recognise the cost of it, and we honour those who worked or work to protect the freedoms we enjoy today.
The service not only honours those who served in Gallipoli but also all those who have served in conflicts and peacekeeping missions around the world since then. We acknowledge the sacrifices made, not only by those who served, but also by their families and loved ones who supported them. Their stories remind us that service comes in many forms, and that sacrifice is often shared.
Lest we forget.
