Derrinallum P-12 College Community Newsletter

www.derrinallump12.vic.edu.au 29th November, 2019 Edition 37 Integrity, Teamwork, Support, Empathy, Respect.

From the Principal

Campbell Street Derrinallum Phone: (03) 55976625, Fax: (03) 55976646 Victoria 3325 Email: derrinallum.p12@edumail.vic.gov.au MGM Txt Only Number: 0427016460

It is not possible to say thank you enough for all the work that was put in at the working bee. I was ecstatic with the turn out on Sunday. We had 27 helpers here, who pruned trees and bushes, carted bark and sand and just generally worked themselves ragged. It was just wonderful to have students, families and community members come along to help us out. There was an absolute power of work done by people who got nothing out of helping the school other than the satisfaction of doing something nice for our students. I was seriously moved by the turn out and the willingness to lend a hand. We slogged away for hours and only worked at the front of the school, but my goodness the yard looks brilliant. I know the students appreciate having full sandpits again. Whilst there is still a little bit more work to be done, the yard looks amazing. Thank you again for all the help!

Year 12 Graduation

I mentioned last week that the graduation was to be held on Friday night. The Year 12s had a lovely night celebrating the end of their schooling with Derrinallum College. They enjoyed a night dressed to the nines and celebrating their efforts over 13 years of schooling. The Year 12s would love to say thank you to Miss Green and her mum Kirsty

who helped us to set up the venue the night before. We would also like to thank Healthsave Pharmacy Camperdown who loaned us various items including the table centre pieces to really make the venue feel special. Thank you to Sarah and Susan and the Commercial Hotel for hosting us for the night and a big thank you also to Tash Swayne and the Camperdown Hospital for allowing us to borrow the chair covers and sashes. Their generosity allowed us to make the night special for the Year 12s and their families but also to keep the cost of the night down.

Structure and Staffing:

More updates on our staffing. As a staff we have identified that we would like to change the structure of our leadership within the school. In 2020 we will have four learning teams - Leadership, Achievement, Engagement and Wellbeing, which will be led by team leaders who are existing staff members. This will be in place of having two Leading Teachers. To help us establish this new school structure we are hoping to attract an Acting Assistant Principal in 2020 and this is currently being externally advertised. We are also advertising for a Maths/PE position for 6 months to relieve Ken Smith whilst he is on Long Service Leave and a Technology: Wood and Metals teacher. A reminder

Swimming lessons for the Primary students start next week. All the information will have gone home with the students. Please feel free to contact the school if you have forgotten any details. I’m hoping it warms up because Mr Stephen has rostered me on to be in the pool teaching. I am a big sook when it comes to cold water and can almost guarantee that will I do more complaining than the Foundation students. Continued……………….

Extended stay and Year 2 Sleepover We hope that the Year 1s and 2s had a great night last night. It was cool to stay back and do some activities and have dinner at school. Whilst I stayed back for a little bit I let Ms Grills and Mrs Johnstone enjoy the overnight part. Farewell year 11s This week the Year 11s have completed their exams and transition into Year 12 and are now on holidays until next year. We hope they have a great time over the break but also hope they start seriously planning and preparing for Year 12. Last week of school activities A letter will have gone home this week about the activities planned for the last week of school. The activities planned are to keep students engaged in meaningful activities as well as reward them for a year of learning and achievement. There will not be normal timetabled classes in this week. The students last day will be Thursday 19th December and they will be dismissed at 2.30pm. School Spectacular You will undoubtedly know that our students participated in the Victorian State School Spectacular back in September. I hear that it will be broadcast on the TV on Saturday December 7th at 7pm on Channel 7. If for any reason you miss it you can see our students perform their act live on stage at the Recognition Evening. Recognition Evening Please mark in your diaries the Recognition Evening at the Town Hall on Tuesday the 17

th of December

commencing at 6.30pm. It will be great to have our students and their families there to celebrate the successes of 2019. Start of 2020 I know it’s crazy that I’m already discussing next year but there’ll be big things happening and this will include some changes to the way school starts. You will get more information about this but the students will have a different format for their first days next year. School will resume on Wednesday 29 January but not as it normally does. The Year 11s and 12s will be involved in some intense study sessions for the first three days and will be the only students in normal attendance. This will allow staff to set expectations for the students and prepare them for the year to come. All students from Foundation to Year 10 will be involved in scheduled testing and interview sessions with their teachers and parents/careers. This is designed to allow teachers to make a more efficient start to the year for teaching and learning. More information will come out about this before the end of the term allowing you to make plans around the altered starting arrangements. I’d love to finish my bit this week by acknowledging Australian artist Tones and I who spoke beautifully at the ARIA awards on Wednesday night. In her very heart felt speech she said something that I hope resonates with our students and their families. What she said encapsulated four of our school values - Respect, Integrity, Empathy and Support. “…what’s most important is that you have to be a good person and care about others and carry yourself well.” Caitlyn Fitzgerald - Principal

Derrinallum P-12 College Community Newsletter November 29th, 2019

Derrinallum P-12 College Community Newsletter November 29th, 2019

On behalf of Derrinallum P-12 College, we would like to extend our thanks to all our generous school families and our wider

community for their donations towards the St Vincent de Paul Christmas food drive. The donations have been overwhelming

and were received with so much appreciation from the St Vincent de Paul

staff when we delivered the goods, so once again please accept our Thanks.

Art

Students Of The Week

Derrinallum P-12 College Community Newsletter November 29th, 2019

Marshall Howarth for his great

work in subtraction and receiving

his pen licence.

Taylor Monahan for her amazing

poems and extending herself in

Literacy.

Parents/Guardians who are signing out students.

If your child is not travelling home by bus, please inform Gaye in the Library to avoid any

confusion.

All changes to bus travel MUST be recorded.

In the interest of safety for all students who travel on school buses, it is important to remember the following:

Be at the bus stop at least 10 minutes before the bus is due to arrive at your stop. Bus drivers are not required to wait if you are not there.

Provide a note for any change of bus travel. Please contact Gaye in the Library for any unscheduled bus changes.

Behave appropriately when waiting at the bus stop and whilst travelling on the school bus.

Wear your seat belt at all times.

Don’t distract the driver whilst he/she is driving.

Remain seated until the bus comes to a stop.

Never cross the road in front of a school bus. Always wait until the bus moves off before crossing the road. It’s hard to see oncoming traffic that may be obscured by the bus. Gaye Robinson-Marks - Bus Coordinator

School Buses

Tarryn Docherty for

receiving her pen

licence.

Derrinallum P-12 College Community Newsletter November 29th, 2019

Chrissy’s Book Review

Mr Smith’s Maths Question Of The Week

Congratulations to Alex Poole (Yr 7) who gave me the correct answer to last week’s problem. Last week’s problem was: What is the smallest number of marbles greater than 10 that if I put them in groups of 4 it leaves 2 extra marbles and putting them in groups of 9 it leaves 6 extra marbles? ANS: 42 This week’s question is: Alex, Declan and Wilson have $66 altogether. Alex has twice as much as Declan and $4 more than Wilson. How much money does Wilson have?

Title: Cryptosight

Author: Nean Mckenzie

Suitable for: Older readers

Cryptosight is a mysterious tale focusing on 13-year-old

Rafferty Kaminski and his younger sister Zara, following

their quest to find their missing father. Focusing on

themes such as family, trust, superstition and belief, the

story features creatures described in Australian

mythology and appeals to fantasy fans. The plot flows

excellently, capturing the attention of readers with plenty

of twists and revelations. I was absorbed in reading this

book, enjoying every moment right up to the last page.

This is Nean Mckenzie’s first novel, and I would love to

see more of her work appearing in our school library! The

characters feel real; readers are given a very clear view of

Rafferty and Zara’s development, and connect to them

emotionally.

Rating: 5/5

Cryptosight, now available in the school library, was a

great book to end the year of book reviews on! Merry

Christmas, Happy New Year, and I’ll be back in the new

year with more book reviews!

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