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Newsletter Edition 5 – Friday 28 July 2023

28th July 2023

In this Issue:

College Principal’s Report
Senior Years Campus – Principal’s Message
Middle Years Campus – Principal’s Message
Wellbeing
Physical Education/Health
STEM
Language
Visual and Performing Arts
Careers
Community Noticeboard

Upcoming Events

Year 12 Formal

Nov 22 all-day

College Principal’s Report

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Dear students and families,

I would like to begin by acknowledging the students and families of our current Year 9 and Year 10 students who attended last week’s Senior Campus Information evening. It was great to see a high level of engagement with the wide range of options which these students have open to them during 2024. The step from the Middle Years Campus to the Senior Campus is a significant one and it is important that all students are actively planning for their pathways as they progress through the year levels. There is a large amount of work being undertaken by our Careers team, Year Level Coordinators and subject teachers to assist them to make informed choices, and I would like to add my own piece of advice to students as they consider their course: It is important to consider any pre-requisite requirements for any courses you are intending to undertake after completing school. If you are unsure of your pathway, choose subjects that you enjoy and where you have strengths, but also make sure that you challenge yourself – this will ensure that your options are open in later years.

Our Year 7 and Year 9 families will receive NAPLAN results this week via the post. This year’s results have been displayed in a different format and we hope that this is easier for students and families to interpret. We have been very impressed by the way that our students undertook the testing, and we will be reviewing the data at a school level to identify students who may benefit from additional support and extension. All of our students have a range of strengths and areas for development, so I encourage you to look at the NAPLAN report like any other assessment results: As an indication of where you are at a specific point in time – not a fixed statement about abilities in Literacy and Numeracy that will never change. By taking a growth mindset, students will be able to focus on their next steps and we can work on supporting them to make progress, whatever level they are at.

Reflecting on learning is important and all families will shortly receive an invitation through Compass to book interviews at our Student Agency Conferences on Monday 7 August. I encourage all of our families to make bookings with teachers. By providing students with an opportunity to actively reflect on their progress, to set goal and actions for focus in the second half of the year we will ensure that we maximise their learning. I believe that this is important for students at all year levels: The conversations will be different, but it is only by working in partnership that we can give our young people the best possible chance of success.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the amazing talents of our students involved in Production, and the dedication of our staff who have helped make the show a reality. As I write I am yet to see Rock Of Ages, however I am very excited to be in the audience for the final show this Friday evening. I know that there will be more to say about this event at a later date, but well done to everyone involved and best of luck for the performances.

Senior Years Campus – Principal’s Message

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For this term, Year 12 students are fully focussed on their school work as there are only about 8 weeks of new learning left before students start preparing for their final exams. For students in Year 10 and 11, the focus at the moment, as well as continuing their learning, is subject selection for next year. Information has been given to students at assemblies as well as in Pastoral lessons and a Senior campus Pathways Expo and information night was held last Wednesday 19 July.

Senior Campus Pathways Expo & Information Evening

The Senior Campus Pathways Expo & Information session was well attended with almost 200 people in the first information session followed by more than 50 in the second session. Students and their parents then went down to the Gym to see the exhibits and talk to staff and were also able to get their webcodes so they can start selecting their subjects. It was great to see so many students and parents interested in finding out more information about pathways and the subjects need to achieve their chosen pathway. A copy of the slides from the night is on the Mill Park Secondary College website as well as the Senior Campus Handbook and a link to the Northern Melbourne VET Cluster (NMVT) handbook.

The next step, which will mostly occur in pastoral at school and at home with parents/guardians, is for students to choose their subjects.

Important Dates for current Year 9’s

Monday Week 3: VET early start applications due (MYC general office)

Monday Week 4: VCE early start applications due (SC general office)

Wednesday Week 4: Year 9 pathways visit to Senior Campus (all Year 9 students – (guardian permission required on Compass)

Weeks 3-4: subject selection focus in Pastoral

Week 4: practice subject selection form due (Pastoral)

Week 5: final subject selection form due

Important Dates for current Year 10’s

Week 1-4 Career conversations with the Careers team, especially if considering VCE – VM

Weeks 3 & 4 Subject selection focus in Pastoral

Week 3 VET applications due Wednesday 26 July to Carissa

Week 4 Practice Subject selection form due (Pastoral)

Week 5 Final subject selection form due Friday 11 August.

Middle Years Campus – Principal’s Message

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We have had a busy and positive start to Term 3 at Middle Years Campus. In Week 1 we had a special Year 9 Assembly to begin the exciting process of transitioning our students into their Senior Years next year, through explaining the subject selection process for Year 10. Our pathways information evening took place on Wednesday 19 July at Senior Campus, which provided families with an amazing opportunity to seek further guidance and advice regarding this process. We will also have a careers practitioner at the Middle Years Campus each Thursday to support students with questions regarding future pathways and subject selections.

Our student agency conferences are coming up on Monday 7 August. We encourage all families to book in with your child’s teachers to ensure the partnership between school and home is working to its fullest potential. Please keep your eye on Compass for more information.

We were very pleased to return to school this term and see that the first stage of our classroom refurbishment here at Middle Years Campus is underway. Upper B block has been completely repainted and new carpet has been laid. New classroom furniture will be arriving next week to complement these spaces. During the Term 3 holidays we will continue with the refurbishment of our classrooms at the Middle Years Campus. Our brand-new Engagement Hub is also now complete, and this term we will begin working on a new student regulation zone next to this space, as well as refurbishing our student wellbeing space.

Term 3 ended with Year level assemblies at Year 7, 8 and 9, celebrating the remarkable achievements of our young people through several student awards that were presented. Our Year 7 award winners were particularly happy to be able to choose an additional prize as part of winning their award. These assemblies were very well led by our student leaders who work hard alongside their Engagement team to put together these events.

We are very much looking forward to another productive and positive term with our students at the Middle Years Campus. It is hard to believe we are in the second half of the year already, but it has been so lovely to watch our young people grow (both literally and in relation to their academic achievement and general maturity) as the year has continued to progress.

Wellbeing

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International Friendship Day

International Friendship Day represents that idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures, and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. Events, activities, and initiatives are aimed to promote a culture of peace, including respect for all human rights and equality between genders.

During Week 4 Wellbeing Wednesday at Middle Years Campus, students will have the opportunity to make friendship bracelets and a friendship day celebration at Senior Campus at wellbeing space with food, music, giant games, and friendship bracelets. There will also be a FRIENDS acrostic poem competition for students to participate in and winner will be selected by our student wellbeing ambassadors. Winners will receive a free lunch provided by wellbeing team.

Information for Students and Parents/Carers

ASK Erin! – Alcohol and other drug (AOD) drop-in service at Senior Campus

Erin will be hosting an activity on Thursday 27 July in the wellbeing space at lunchtime where students can learn more about alcohol and other drugs (including vaping), where snacks and treats are available too.

Youth Projects, the Youth Northern Outreach Team (YNOT) is equipped to provide an Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) drop-in service for students. This service aims to assist in making informed decisions regarding drug and alcohol usage and ultimately minimize potential harm. The drop-in space offers an informal environment for students to ask any questions they may have, away from the classroom. The YNOT team provides support and guidance to those struggling with their substance use, as well as those who may have concerns about friends or family. Furthermore, the team is available to provide education and information about the effects and impact of various substances, including vaping, which is a growing concern among young people. The YNOT team continually researches up-to-date information about the risks and harms associated with substance use and can provide relevant education to those seeking assistance.

What’s On in the Community

Physical Education/Health

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Senior Basketball and Table Tennis Tournament

On Tuesday 18 July students attended Diamond Valley Sports Centre to complete in Basketball and Table Tennis Tournaments. The Senior Girls Basketball team won their first game but then lost the next two (both by only one point!!). The Senior Boys Basketball team played in finals and ended up 6^th in the competition.

The Table Tennis team were defeated, despite their hard effort and competitiveness.

All students showed amazing effort and sportsmanship and represented Mill Park Secondary College exceptionally well.

Thanks to Ms Tassone, Mr Patterson and Mr Davatzis for training and coaching the students.

Senior Boys Soccer

After making it to the Regional Finals, the Mill Park Senior Boys Soccer team went down to Gladstone Park 0:1 and drew with Eltham 3:3.

It was tough competition but the boys did really well to get to this level, beating Mernda, Hazel Glen, Epping and The Lakes in the last round.

Thanks to Mr Beagles for coaching the team.

Senior and Middle Years Outdoor Table Tennis Tables

The College has recently purchased and installed two outdoor table tennis tables designed to promote physical activity and engagement during recess and lunchtime. Students can borrow bats and balls from either the Student Engagement Hub at Middle Years Campus or from Block 13 office at the Senior Campus. Students are encouraged to bring their own bats and balls if they wish to do so also. The table tennis tables look great with their customized artwork. We would love to see lots of students getting involved in the activity and making use of the new resource.

Sexuality Education at Mill Park Secondary College

Sexuality Education programs are currently being delivered throughout Term 3 across all Years 7 – 9 at the College. Although this can be a very sensitive and difficult conversation for adults to have with young people it is an important topic that is required to be addressed as part of the Victorian Curriculum. The topics covered over the various year levels include:

Year 7: The physical, social and emotional changes experienced during puberty, female/male anatomy, conception/stages of prenatal development, positive/negative/media perceptions associated with body image and healthy and respectful relationships.

Year 8: Gender/Gender stereotypes, language and labelling, sex and the law, consent, perceptions of sex and social media, online safety and how to access healthcare resources.

Year 9: Consent, healthy and respectful relationships, intimate relationships, roles and responsibilities in intimate relationships, contraception/pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Rationale and aims of an effective Sexuality Education program:

Why do we need Sexuality Education?

The latest national research has revealed that most young people learn about sex and sexual health (93 per cent) from school-based sexuality education programs.
Family members were also found to be a significant source of information at 61 per cent.
Students reported low levels of confidence to discuss sexuality or contraception with parents.
Research tells us that school children are turning to schools and their families for reliable information.
Research tells us that many young people are sexually active in some way, and this has increased over the last decade
There are numerous competing messages about sexuality in the world.
Comprehensive, whole-school sexuality education, that provides consistent and accurate information to all young Victorians from an early age and is respectful of diversity, can contribute to positive behaviour change.
Young people can make good decisions about their sexual health if education policies, programs and services are available to help them.
A shared partnership approach between schools, parents and the local community will ensure sound, evidence-based and responsible sexuality education is readily available for all Victorian young people.

Educational goal of Sexuality Education:

The primary goal of the school-based sexuality education program is to build on knowledge, skills, and behaviours, thus enabling young people to make responsible and safe choices.
Sexuality education aims to prepare students for a sexually healthy adulthood. Assessment of student achievement is reported against the learning standards within the health and physical education domain of the Victorian essential learning standards.

Questions and Answers on Sexuality Education

STEM

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How can I help build my child’s numeracy at home.

Numeracy is necessary for everyday living. From daily activities like telling the time, cooking and setting the table to more difficult tasks such as understanding mobile phone plans, planning a trip, reading a map and understanding timetables.

As parents you play a significant role in your child’s learning by setting expectations, nurturing curiosity, and encouraging a love of learning.

You can help build your child’s numeracy through doing the following:

be positive about their numeracy experiences and praise effort and perseverance.
let your child know that everyone can be successful
seize everyday opportunities to capitalise on numeracy development
involve your child in numeracy-related activities

Helping children to become numerate does not need a high level of mathematics. It means:

encouraging children to try, then keep trying and encouraging children to think (reason)
supporting children while they do homework (which means encouraging them and taking an interest, but not doing the thinking for them)
modelling numeracy with children (including interpreting data, charts and diagrams)
encouraging children to help with
- cooking (especially measuring out ingredients)
- paying bills
- scheduling events in the day
- reading maps and giving directions
- shopping
- measuring –– and thanking them for their support
do not say “Maths is hard” or “I was never good at maths”.

Numeracy capability is not inherited but attitudes are contagious.

Year 12 Environmental Studies Excursion

Our Year 12 Environmental Science Students travelled to Ecolinc in Bacchus Marsh with Dr Eeles and Miss Dean on Thursday 20 July. The excursion was related to Unit 4, AoS 1 – Conquering Climate Change.

Students discovered how CO₂ in the atmosphere interacts with solar radiation to produce the greenhouse effect, and its contribution to climate change. They also investigated how the interaction of the atmosphere with the hydrosphere leads to ocean acidification. And they now understand the potential for macroalgae to remove large quantities of excess CO₂ from the oceans.

They got to use thermal imaging cameras to measure how CO₂ interacts with infrared radiation. They were also able to perform experiments to explore the chemistry of CO₂ and water. Discovering how effectively algae can sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and thus aid in mitigating climate change, was a highlight. They were able to investigate the spectral absorbance of the pigments in algae that makes it particularly effective in photosynthesising.

Students from Years 7 to 9 have made a positive return to Maths in Term 3. All students are working hard on their Numeracy work by learning about fractions. Fractions are present in all areas of Maths, so it is important that all students have a deep understanding of fractions.

Our Year 7 cohort is also engaging in a Rich Learning Task this week. Rich Learning Tasks develop student’s problem-solving skills. In this Rich Learning Task, students need to find all the possible side measurements of a rectangle that has a perimeter of 20 centimetres. They are encouraged to use different ways to solve this problem, including using diagrams and manipulatives.

The Australian Maths Competition (AMC) is running next week for our students who have signed up. The AMC is the longest running Australian mathematics competition, and contains unique problems designed each year to challenge and extend student’s problem- solving skills. Good luck to all students participating!

In our continued partnership with Whittlesea Tech, our Numeracy and Literacy for Life elective students are heading to Whittlesea Tech for an excursion. On this day, students will be looking at different types of technology, such as Adobe Photoshop, to begin creating their own products.

There are lots of exciting things happening in Science this term at the Middle Years campus! Our Year 7 cohort has begun learning all about space by looking at different models of the Solar System. The Year 8’s has been working on their Active Earth unit. Students have created models to represent the different layers of the Earth.

The Year 9 cohort has started learning about different systems. They have learnt all about the nervous system and will be undertaking dissections in the coming weeks.

Science Week is also happening this term! The theme for Science Week is 2023 is ‘Innovation’. To celebrate Science Week, we will be running lunchtime activities throughout Week 6. If you’d like to participate in Science Week at home, visit https://www.scienceweek.net.au/ for ideas and events, running from the 12- 20 of August.

Language

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Italian Poetry Competition

On Friday 21 July, five students attended the Italian Poetry finals at the University of Melbourne. These students have done exceptionally well to get to this level and all felt that they performed well with their poem. With hundreds of students from 42 schools competing, there is strong competition but this did not deter them. We will have to wait for the results.

Thanks to Katia and Giulia for all of their preparatory work with the students.

Visual and Performing Arts

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College Production – ROCK OF AGES July 2023

We are very excited that our Rock of Ages production will be performed this term from Wednesday 26 July until Friday 28 July. A huge thank you to the staff and students for their dedication and commitment to this show. Tickets are still available. We encourage all our families to come along and see this wonderful student production.

Two evening performances only. Book your Tickets now!

Careers

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Term three is an important time as students in Years 8 to 11 select their subjects for 2024. This is particularly significant for our Year 9 students as they prepare for their transition to the Senior Campus, and Year 10 students as they decide on the appropriate Senior Secondary pathway for them.

It was fantastic to see such a high turnout from our school community at the Senior Campus Information Night which highlighted all of the key details of the senior pathways. The slides from this presentation can now be accessed here.

There are a number of resources and supports available to help students and families understand the Year 10 and 11 programs, including:

The 2024 Senior Campus and VET handbooks (available here)
Assemblies and a focus on subject selection through the Pastoral program
Year 9 Transition visit to senior campus in Week 4 (guardian permission required on Compass)
Individual appointments with the Careers team (appointments through Compass)

We strongly encourage students to speak to their families about these decisions, so expect lots of questions from your child or children over the coming weeks!

Anybody can attend Open Day, and it’s important to remember that you don’t have to wait until Year 12 to go along. You might be just beginning to consider university in the future – this is a great time to get a head start on finding out more about higher education and the study options available.

University/TAFE also have other information sessions online and on campus – please ensure that you register with your Uni/TAFE of interest to be informed about upcoming events.

Hints and tips to make the most of Open Days:

See what’s on PLAN YOUR DAY. Get on to the website and use the online planner to ensure that you attend vital information sessions about the course/s you are interested in.
Tour the campus and facilities – explore the campus by yourself or join a guided tour. Check out if this University is for you.
Don’t just talk to university staff: make sure you chat with some current students of the institution. They are experts on what it’s like to study there and have recently gone through the process of selecting and getting into their course.
Explore your study and placements options. Where can you go for placements, internships and work based learning opportunities?
Check out the stands of student clubs and societies that look interesting. Joining these can be an exciting addition to your university experience. They cover a huge range of interests, and usually offer lots of social opportunities and freebies.
Bring someone along with you. Parents/ guardians are a great option as they may have information they want to find out too. A friend or other family member can also be helpful and make you feel comfortable making your first trip onto a campus.

Things you should ask

Different pathways into the courses in which you’re interested?
Any prerequisite subjects or tasks for the courses you’re considering?
The time commitment of the course you’re considering (how many years it takes to complete the course, how many hours per week will you need to attend lectures and tutorials, and do extra reading and studying (uni doesn’t have set hours like school)?
What jobs does your course lead to? Where are previous graduates of this course working now?

This is your chance to find out everything you need to know about your course – make the most of the day – and enjoy!