16Th Augnext Family School Partnership Committee Meeting

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DATES TO REMEMBER

TERM 3

16th AugNext Family School Partnership Committee Meeting

17th AugFree Dress Day–Gold Coin Donation

19th Aug2011 Senior Course Selections Due

25-27 AugSki Camp

27th AugNext DSC Newsletter

Issue No. 15

2nd SeptCollege Production

3rd SeptCollege Production

7th SeptInterim Reports distributed

9th SeptCollege Production

10th SeptCollege Production

14th SeptParent Teacher Interviews 4 – 7 pm

15th SeptSchool Council Meeting – 7 pm

DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Term Dates for 2010

Term 312th July - 17th September

Term 4 4th October - 17th December

Term 1, 2011 Commences:

Term 1 Friday 4th February - 8th April

August@Daylesford Secondary College

August is another busy month here.

We thought you might be interested in some of the activities and events this month. They included:

Music Camp

Canberra Music Tour

Humanities Year 7

Year 7 Mummies

Year 7 Hearing & Screening

Japanese students visit DSC

Helen Robinson – Promotions Coordinator

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

JAPANESE EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Seventeen Japanese exchange students and a tutor attended our College and lived with host families in recent weeks. This has been a highly successful initiative and provided our College community with so many memorable experiences. The Japanese students, without exception, have been extremely respectful and courteous and gained a better understanding of the Australian way of life and the English language. I would like to acknowledge the effort and commitment of Manuela Felicetti and Nikki Carnie in organising the student exchange. I would also like to thank all of the host families for opening up their households and embracing the full potential of the student exchange program. A special mention needs to be made of Peter Fernon who essentially worked as their teacher and helped the students to learn so many things including singing Waltzing Matilda and doing the Hokey-Pokey! To everyone involved in the Japanese visit – arigato.

ULTRANET

The pupil free day on Monday 09 August provided our staff with the opportunity to start receiving professional development on the Ultranet. In lieu of being able to get onto the Ultranet, staff immersed themselves in literacy planning, wikis and blogs. The Ultranet has been designed to unlock the full potential of computer based learning and will be used to help facilitate partnerships between parents, students and teachers. More information can be accessed at the following website: (Please note, the dates provided on the DEECD website for the rollout of the Ultranet for parents and students are likely to change)

INTERIM REPORTS AND

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIES

Term 3 interim reports will be sent home with students on Tuesday 7th September. The parent-teacher interviews will be held on Tuesday 14th September between 4.00pm and 7.00pm. We will be using the online booking system which will be available for parents-guardians by Monday 6th September.

CONCERT BAND FAMILY NIGHT

Our Concert Band played a short concert of their repertoire in the DSC Theatre on Thursday 5 August. The evening was well attended and the audience thoroughly enjoyed the high quality performances. So many people commented on how far the Concert Band has progressed in recent years and l would like to thank everyone who has helped our Concert Band over the years.

DSC WEBSITE

Please visit to view our upgraded and improved website. Your feedback on the website would be appreciated.

Anthony Avotins

Principal

SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS

SENIOR SCHOOL INFORMATION EVENINGS FOR 2011 CLASSES

The Senior Handbook and selection sheets are now available on line on the DSC Web Site front page.

• The 2010 Year 9 information evening for Year 10, 2011, was held on Wednesday 4th August. This date was changed from the original advertised date due to a clash with a Rotary event. I was very pleased with the large number of parents and students that attended.

• The 2010 Year 10 students into Year 11 for 2011 and 2010 Year 11 students into Year 12 for 2011 information evening was held on Thursday 12th August.

• The 1st 2010 VTAC Parents Briefing will be held on Wednesday 18th August.

All sessions will be held in “C” Block breakout area starting at 7.00pm.

Please Note:

Preliminary Course Selection Formsmust be returned to the General Office byThursday 19th August.

IMPORTANT DATES

VTAC Guide will be available in July.

2nd August 2010 VTAC and SEASapplications open.

30th September 2010 VTAC applications close.

8th October 2010 SEAS applications close.

13th December 2010 ATARs released.

13th – 20th December VTAC changeof preference period.

17th January 2011 Round One Offers.

4th February 2010 Round Two Offers.

10 TIPS FOR KEEPING ON TRACK

Take attendance seriously

When you attend school regularly and get to class on time you are able to do better and will be happier at school.

Attend regularly

Have you ever gone into a class and been embarrassed or feel unsettled because you can’t figure out what’s going on? Maybe it is because you missed something important the day before and now it feels like you have lost the plot?Once this cycle starts, it’s hard to stop.

Keep the school and teachers in the loop if you are away

If you are away let the school and teachers know. When the teachers are aware of your situation then they can work with you to set up a plan and they will be more understanding when you get back to school.

Catch up with class teachers

If you have missed some classes make sure you see your teachers to find out how to catch up. They will usuallybe very understanding and may even have some short cuts to make it easier. Teachers are sometimes busy and may not be able to help straight away, just keep trying.

Understand your out-of-school programs—VET, VCAL, work placement, work experience, apprenticeships, traineeships

Don’t fall into the trap of getting a bit slack just because out of school programs seem new and different. These are part of your normal program and have attendance requirements just like school classes.

Be smart

Learn to use a diary to note important days like assessment days and excursions. Don’t schedule shopping trips, doctor and dentist appointments during the school day.

Develop social skills and a friend’s network

School is a great place to make friends. As part of this process you will develop important social and team-work skills.

Become work ready

Understand that school helps you become work ready. School attendance habits prepare you for work attendance habits.

Access further education and training

Understand that schools help you prepare for further education and training. School work habits prepare you for further education and training.

Special provision

Remember that if you have explained your absences it will be easier to have consideration for disadvantage approved.

Who can you talk to if there is an attendance problem?

You can talk to your Section Teacher, Year Level Coordinator, Student Welfare Coordinator, M.I.P.s Coordinator or Assistant Principal. You can be referred to a guidance officer or a social worker if attendance is a problem for any reason. Talk to the person with whom you feel most comfortable.

2010 END OF YEAR WRITTEN EXAMINATION TIMETABLE

PLEASE REFER TO THE EXAMINATION TIMETABLE FOR 2010 END OF YEAR WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS ATTACHED AT THE END OF THIS NEWSLETTER.

Phil White

Senior School Assistant Principal

JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS

INTERIM REPORTS & PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Interim reports are fast approaching. These provide parents with a snap shot as to how students are progressing. Parent/teacher interviews follow the interim reports and give parents the opportunity to discuss their child’s progress.

YEAR 7 HEARING SCREENING

On Wednesday 11th August the Wimmera Hearing Society Inc. provided the opportunity for all Year 7 students to undertake a five minute hearing-screening test. Results of the screening are mailed home to parents/guardians and are also given to the college. Early detection of hearing loss will enable us to put programs and strategies in place to support students. Thank you to Donna O’Mara for organising the screening.

(Photo on Front Page)

GETTING DIRTY PROGRAM

The Gettin Dirty program iscommencing on Monday 16 August with a team building day and then on Wednesday's for the following four weeks. The project this term is an art project at Daylesford Skate Park.

Carol Gleeson

Junior School Assistant Principal

CASUAL DRESS DAY

In the spirit of Spirit Week we will be supporting the 40-hour Famine Appeal by having a CASUAL DRESS DAY on Tuesday August 17th. Please come along in casual dress and give a gold-coin donation to this worthy cause. The following three days will then be dress-up according to the theme of the day.

STEVE BIDDULP author of Raising Boys and The Road to Manhood will be in Wendouree on September 10th & 18th

Andrew Netherway

School Nurse

SPECIAL BREAKFAST

BACON & EGGS

SPONSORED BY DAYLESFORD ROTARY CLUB

17TH AUGUST, 2010

CAFETERIA

Family School Partnership Committee News - July

Family School Communication SURVEY

Parents have started completing the survey. The committee and school encourage all parents to complete the survey. It is on the Internet at and a paper copy is available from the office -53482367. We are aiming for 200 responses – 23 so far.

Year Level Information Books

The senior handbook is now online and junior in draft form. Thanks for the feedback.

Sun Smart Policy

The Sun Smart Policy is getting closer. Would you like to be involved or have a view? – contact Donna.

NEW – Smoke Free School Policy

The Smoke Free Policy is currently being updated. Would you like to be involved or do you have a view? Please contact me via email or contact Andrew Netherway the school nurse on 5348 2367.

Next Meeting

If you would like to help with the Sun Smart Policy, Smoke Free Policy or have time to be a part of this group please come to our next meeting on 16thAugust- 9:15am in the school’s conference room. For more information, contact Donna O’Mara on

5348 7970 or

Australian Mathematics

Competition

On Thursday 5th August 30 highly motivated students from all year levels participated in the Maths Competition. This competition was a series of challenging problems which were attempted over a two periods. I would like to congratulate these students for extending themselves and we all wait eagerly for the results.

Mathematics Challenge

The participants of the Maths Challenge should see Ms Arndt for their results. These results will be announced at the next whole school assembly.

Eureka Science Spot

• The Big Science Competition

(30 multiple choice questions) will be held again on Wednesday 1st September and places are filling fast. If your name is not already down on the science noticeboard and you would like to take part, let your science teacher know as soon as possible. The subsidised cost will be $3 per student.

• If any of you are expecting Mars to “look as big as a full moon” later this month you will be disappointed. The email being sent around is a hoax. Mars did come the closest to the Earth for many years to come in 2003 – teachers may remember a green Mr Brooker to celebrate the event! This set me thinking why anyone would initiate such a hoax-a conspiracy, a joke, increased sales for telescopes? The science department will award a magnificent prize for what we judge to be the best reason. Submissions must be in 50 words or less or be in cartoon form. Closing date Friday 27th August and a Mars bar for every entrant.

For more information on any of these look on the science notice board or see Ms Woodroofe.

Important Event for the Concert Band

Term 4 – M.S.O. Concert at the IWAKI AUDITORIUM in Southbank on Tuesday, 16th NOVEMBER at 6.30pm.

Please keep this date free and encourage your child in their daily practice

SPIRIT WEEK UPDATE

Boost your spirits with

Spirit Week –

August 16th to August 20th

For those of you who are new to the school, Spirit Week is about boosting our spirits and having some fun.

There will be

• Section quizzes to get our brains functioning right from the start
• A special breakfast
• Dress up days
• Lunch time activities
• Prizes

Start organising!!

DRESS-UP DAYS WILL BE:

Wednesday 18th – Colours/Sports Teams

Thursday 19th – Characters

Friday 20th – Time Warp

Daylesford

Secondary College

Presents

“High School Spoof-ical”

By Tim Bain & Adrian Szondy

Synopsis

“Welcome to Sweet Valley High, a perfect world of perfect teens. It’s an all-American school full of every clique imaginable – jocks, cheerleaders, eggheads, emos, homies and even redneck yokels.

Meet Zak Teflon and Vanessa Huggins, two spotless little angels who are planning to unleash their extraordinary talents upon the high school musical. But when a redheaded exchange student named Rufus arrives on campus, things suddenly become terribly undisneyfied. With an upcoming visit from the American President, can egghead Scarlett save the day and recapture the Disney spirit? It’s a musical phenomenon filled with romance, magic and plain-awful singing! It’s High School Spoofical!”

Produced with the permission of

Maverick Musicals,89 Bergann Road,Maleny,

Qld. 4552, AUSTRALIA

Dates:

Thursday, 2nd September

Friday, 3rdSeptember

Thursday, 9th September

Friday, 10th September

Time: 7.30 pm

Venue:

Community Complex Theatre

Tickets

Adults: $15.00

Concession: $10.00

Family: $35.00

Tickets Will Be Available at the General Office

HIGH SCHOOLSPOOF-ICAL

It’s only five weeks till our next fabulous production. As usual it’s a major undertaking – over 100 students and several staff are involved. And as usual we would welcome any donations of make-up you might have lying around. This year we would also enjoy any donations of accessories – we think this production needs a lot of bling! Any donations can be left at the office.
Many thanks.

STRUGGLING WITH YOUR MATHS?

The Maths teachers at DSC recognise that some students struggle to complete their class work or homework. Please contact a teacher if you need help. There are some copies of “Maths Fix” still available from the general office. This is a handbook prepared by a teacher to assist parents and students with the basics. A visit to also may be helpful. We would also like to inform you that the following teachers are available to assist students after school:

Ms Arndt and Mrs Olver on Wednesdays

Mrs Barlow, Mr Pethica, Mr Geddes and

Mr Nettleton on Thursdays

Music Lesson's Available

Daylesford Secondary College offers private lessons on site for students interested in learning the drum kit, guitar, bass guitar and singing. Permission forms are available outside the General Office. All lessons are $25.00 per lesson to be paid in advance.

STANLEY HAMMOND

AWARD WINNERS

The following student was awarded a Stanley Hammond Award for volunteering to clean the canteen area.

Jay Torrance

The following student was awarded a Stanley Hammond Award for showing initiative and helping to clean up split soup.

Kieran Frost

The following students were awarded a Stanley Hammond Award for helping a teacher with a difficult lock.

Jimmy NevillLewis Bruton

Ballarat High School & Mount Clear College Presents

Alcohol - apart of our lives

Parents:

You may have missed him, last time – now you have another chance.

All Ballarat School communities are invited to: Come to an evening with Paul Dillon – Alcohol and drug researcher and educator.

Listen to him

• Give facts
• Dispel myths,
• Provide strategies for parents and

young people.

• When should teens be exposed to

alcohol.

• Affects of alcohol on teen brain

development

• Secondary supply –

where do theyget it

from.

Where: Ballarat High School

Robinson Centre.

When: Monday August 23rd, 2010.

Time: 7.00pm

In association with –

Ballarat City Council and Strengthening Generations – Ssmart answers

Andrew Netherway

Secondary School Nurse

Ballarat SC & Daylesford SC

MIPS & Careers Update

Edition 14

Website of the Fortnight….Want to find out about wages? Wondering if the career that interests you offers good employment prospects? How many people work in this occupation? Find out at: .

Reminders….

• Wed 18 Aug – 7 pm Information evening for year 12 students and parents: Applying for university and TAFE courses. Students are strongly encouraged to attend.
• Sat 21 Aug - Advertising Day Seminar at RMIT
• Sat 4 Sept – Public Relations Day Seminar at RMIT; Details for each:

Location: 239 Bourke St, Melbourne; Cost: $55; Register:

OPEN DAYS STILL TO COME: Year 10, 11 & 12 students

• Sun 15 Aug – Australian Catholic Uni (ACU) (Melbourne); Deakin Uni (Warrnambool); La Trobe Uni (Bendigo); Swinburne Uni & TAFE; Melbourne Uni; Sunraysia TAFE (Swan Hill)
• Sat 21 Aug – HolmesglenTAFE
• Sun 22 Aug – Box HillTAFE; DeakinUni (Melbourne); La Trobe Uni (Albury/Wodonga)
• Sun 29 Aug - ACU (Ballarat); Ballarat Uni; La TrobeUni (Bundoora)

Open Days