Senior School Leadership Commissioning

It was an honour to be part of the Senior School Leadership Commissioning service last week. Together we welcomed Mr Peter Shepard as Deputy Principal and Mr Michael Vandenberg as Head of Booth House.

Our Year 12 school leaders were inducted, as were the Class of 2023 who share the responsibility of being leaders of the school. I am proud of the leadership already shown this year by the Class of 2023. I am confident they will be wonderful role models and ambassadors for the School.

Camps

Now that our students have settled into their return to school, our school camps program is about to commence. Each week during the rest of this term, different year levels will be enjoying their camps.

Year 7 Camp 27 Feb – 1 March

Year 6 Camp 6 – 10 March

Year 8 Camp 14 – 17 March

Year 4 Camp 14 – 15 March

Year 5 Camp 27 – 29 March

Our school camps are an integral part of the school curriculum, offering a unique learning experience and crucial skill development. The camps are all very carefully planned to cover essential Victorian Curriculum standards. They develop knowledge and skills in an age-appropriate and sequential manner.Just like school excursions, school camps are compulsory. The cost of camps is based on the number of students attending and it is an expectation that all students will attend.

Year 8 Camp – Change of Dates

We were very disappointed to learn that our camp provider Outbeyond will cease trading after our Year 7 camp.

We have been lucky to find an alternative camp provider, however, we had to change the dates of the Year 8 camp by one week, bringing the camp forward to 14 – 17 March. Years 7–9 Parent-Teacher interviews are on 15 March. These will go ahead as planned.

Year 8 students will not be able to attend the interviews with their parents and there will be some staff who are unavailable as they are at the Year 8 camp. These staff will be available for interviews the following week.

Year 9 Casey Challenge

I was very pleased to be invited to the Year 9 students’ presentations at the conclusion of their Casey Challenge Enterprise Learning week at Casey Tech. The students showed great initiative, team work and problem-solving skills throughout the week and were very proud to explain the service/products they designed. I was particularly impressed with the students’ creativity as well as their articulate presentation skills.

Childsafe Reminders

If you have not yet done so, please make the time to read our new Childsafe Policies which can be found here https://www.caseygrammar.vic.e...

Over the coming weeks, there are a number of school events parents might choose to attend. Please note the following important childsafe expectations:

• Adults should not enter any of the student toilet areas. Parents, or parents with toddlers who need the toilet, should use the adult toilets in Reception.
• Parents must avoid taking photos or videos which contain other students. If you plan to post photos or videos of your children on social media, please ensure other children are cropped out or seek the permission of their parents before posting the photo/video. If a parent/carer requests that you do not circulate an image of their child to others, please comply with the request.

Traffic Diversions

It was a relief for many when the Narre Warren Road / Thompson Road intersection finally re-opened. However, the roadworks continue, and we have been notified of another detour which may affect some families. Please continue to leave home a little earlier if this road closure affects your journey to school. Please click this link to read the detour notification.

FINAL 20230215 Spirit Boulevard Works Notification

Yondr Pouches

I have been really impressed by the changes in Senior School since introducing the Yondr phone pouches. I applaud the senior students for their cooperation. Many students have told me how happy they are to no longer have their phone annoying them during the school day. They have found the Yondr pouches liberating.

We ask all students to lock their phones away by 8:30 am. Please reinforce this time with your child should they ask you.

Exam Supervisors required

Casey Grammar School currently requires Exam Supervisors for the GAT Exam to be held on 15 June and VCE exams which will held from 24 October to 15 November. The GAT exam runs in two parts across the whole day and VCE exams are 2–3 hours in length. We work on a roster basis with supervisors usually being asked to supervise 5 or 6 exams across the weeks. Flexibility is essential. Supervisors are paid a small amount by VCAA for their time.

Those who wish to submit an Expression of Interest in being an Exam Supervisor must have a current Working with Children (WWC) check or be willing to get one in time for the GAT / Exams. Supervisors are also required to complete the Casey Grammar Childsafe modules which are provided online. This takes approximately one hour to complete. VCAA provide online training in exam supervision which usually takes approximately 2–3 hours.

You must not know or be related to a current VCE student at CGS who will be studying Units 3 & 4 subjects in the same year the applicant is applying to be an exam supervisor.

Supervisors should have great attention to detail, be punctual, with good time keeping skills to make sure the correct start and end times are communicated to the students. You will also need to be aware of exam time adjustments for special provisions.

Supervisors must be observant, without being intrusive and conscientious. Exam supervisors are not able to be on their phone, read, knit, do puzzles etc while supervising an exam.

Previous experience with working with teenagers and young adults is an advantage and an ability to speak publicly as you will need to read the announcements and instructions for the exams.

Supervisors will be required to help set out the exams and assist with the administration of paperwork after the exams. Some record keeping and writing of reports may be required.

If you are interested please email your Expression of Interest to L.Moss@caseygrammar.vic.edu.au

Fiona Williams

Principal