2050
From the Principal
The Premier’s much anticipated road map out of COVID announced last Sunday left school communities feeling disappointed. We hoped all students would return to on-campus learning next term but right now, we still have no clear idea when all students will be back on campus. I can confirm VCE students will sit the GAT at school on Wednesday 7 October. Next week we will send VCE students and families the new protocols for sitting the GAT. This year, the GAT will play a significant role in the moderation of student’s final results and we have encouraged Year 12 students to complete past GAT papers in preparation.
I will correspond with all families next week once we have more clarity regarding the return to school for other students and staff.
The Premier’s announcement means our scheduled school photo day needs to be moved again. We have tentatively booked Monday 12 October for photos of Prep-Year 2 and Year 11 and 12 students. On Thursday 5 November photos of Year 3 – Year 10 and sibling photos will be taken.
During the remote learning period, we have become accustomed to communicating with each other through live streaming or pre-recorded messages. I would like to thank all the students and staff who have been involved in creating beautiful video messages this year. Thank you to Mr Simon Hall and Ms Jess Burns for their editing of Junior School videos, Mrs Melissa Roberton for creating Junior School on-line Assemblies and Mrs Monique Riviere-Pendle for Senior School Assemblies and the beautiful Father's Day video. Their work has helped us feel a little more connected during Stage 4 restrictions.
Despite the restrictions, our students have enjoyed a range of co-curricular opportunities this term. The SIS Debating competition was held using live stream, interested Senior School students are making films to enter into the Young Filmmakers Festival (with thanks to Miss Natalie Burns), over the past fortnight we have enjoyed Science Week and then Maths Week (with thanks to the Science and Maths departments), Genes for Jeans day and Wear it Purple day were celebrated and a wonderful collaboration between staff and students saw the creation of a memorable wellbeing and mental health video (with thanks to Mrs Riviere Pendle). Congratulations to all involved.
Remote learning has pushed our children even further into the virtual world of the internet. Monitoring of our children’s use of the internet has become more important than ever. This week we were reminded of this when some young people were exposed to a disturbing video which appeared on various social media platforms. It is important that all parents are aware of strategies for keeping their children safe online. ISV is offering a webinar for parents Virtual Childhoods - Keeping our kids safe online on Monday 15 September from Midday – 1pm. The webinar is free but bookings are essential. Use the link below to book.
For parents who are struggling to find ways to talk with their teenage son, I recommend Maggie Dent’s new book From Boys to Men. The extract below should whet your appetite;
Yesterday was RUOK Day. In 2020, asking this question has become more important than ever. The RUOK website has a range of useful resources to help you ask the question.
https://www.ruok.org.au/join-r-u-ok-day
ARE YOU OK?
All hours support lines;
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue 1300224636
- Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service 1800 512 348
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
- MensLine 1300 789 99 78
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Stay safe, stay well.
Mrs Fiona Williams
Principal
