From the Principal's Desk - Swinburne Senior Secondary College
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Swinburne News Issue 1: 22 February 2019 505 Burwood Road, Hawthorn 3122 Phone: 8862 4400 Fax: 9819 6186 swinburne.senior.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au www.sssc.vic.edu.au From the Principal’s Desk The beginning of the school year began very well with an assembly where we welcomed 440 students to the college. I would like to extend a special welcome to the 270 new families who are joining the Swinburne Senior community. A range of emotions were evident with the most obvious being the raw and palpable joy of people as they embarked on a new phase of their senior education. From all reports the three day Orientation Program met everyone’s expectations with students and teachers getting to know one another. There’s no doubt that one of the highlights Above: Students enjoying one of their first classes of the was the traditional first day BBQ on the school lawns. It year was heartening to observe new friendships being formed in this wonderful social setting. This package is used in the majority of government secondary colleges so I know that many parents and This year’s guest speaker was Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg students will be familiar with it. whose address provided students with tips to survive their final year of schooling. Although the temperature in the There are different levels of access to Compass. Teachers, Auditorium was around 35 degrees, students were students and parents each have their own username and completely engaged and captivated with his message. password to login to the system. All parents were sent Hopefully they will use many of his tips throughout the login information in the first week of the school year and I year. would hope that most have already logged on. If not, I encourage those parents that haven’t had the chance to do so to find time in the coming days. I would expect that parents would check Compass a few times each week to keep up to date with what is happening with their son or daughter. Using our parent portal you will be able to: • View up-to-date class and school attendance information • Approve or enter upcoming or past absences for your son/daughter • Download, print and approve upcoming excursions • Access information regarding upcoming events and news Above: First assembly for the year • Access your child's progress reports • Book your Parent/Student/Teacher conferences With so many new families joining us from such a variety of schools it is extremely important that our community A majority of parents took the opportunity to meet their understands how we communicate important child’s Mentor through our Meet the Mentor event on information. A great deal of this information is provided to Wednesday 13 February. It was pleasing to see so many parents, students and teachers through the electronic parents showing a real interest in their child’s education communication package called Compass School Manager. and learning about the way in which we approach these important final years of schooling.
I would like to welcome our new staff to the school. Nick English Jordan Stewart Tsipouras (Chemistry/Maths), Lachlan Burgin English Language Sophie-Joy King- (English/Literature), Julian Lowndes (Philosophy) and Kitty O’Connell McDonald (Student Support) have already had an impact Food Studies Hannah Fredericks in their first few weeks and have well and truly embraced French Elizabeth Kormany our wonderful culture. Further Mathematics Robert Brookes Global Politics Jordan Stewart School Council Health & Human Development Jessica Nguyen It’s that time of year again where I am looking for some History Revolutions Jordan Stewart parents to join me on school council. This year we have Legal Studies Jordan Stewart vacancies for three parent representatives. Literature Daniel Bolitho Mathematical Methods Jessica Nguyen These three vacancies have a term of office from March Ben Strahan 2019 to March 2021 (2 years). Ash Wollaston Media Mia Schutz-Beaton Nominations for the three parent vacancies on School Music Investigation Grace Wheildon Council will open on Tuesday 26 February and close on Music Performance Willow Metcalf Tuesday 5 March at 4:00pm. Music Style and Composition Sam Boyd Philosophy Jordan Stewart If you are interested in standing for school council and Physics Isabel Stanley would like to receive a nomination form or would like to Product Design and Technology Mikhala Grubb know more about the role, responsibilities and meeting Renata Zanini-Sassani times please contact me on 88624400 or email Aiya Shields obrien.michael.b@edumail.vic.gov.au Corey Delahunt Psychology Ben Strahan VCE Results 2018 Sociology Luke McCracken Last year’s VCE results were in line with previous years with Studio Arts Mikhala Grubb 97% of eligible students receiving their certificate. Naomi Mentiplay Annika Cardak Parents, students, teachers and friends celebrated our Theatre Studies Mia Pisano students richly deserved results at our Valedictory at the VET Music Industry (Perf.) Mia Pisano Hawthorn Arts Centre on Wednesday 19 December. Visual Communication Design Jay Tomlinson Valedictorian Jordan Stewart Senior VCAL Literacy Alex Smith Personal Development Tina Avgerinos Work Related Skills James Panas Dux Georgie Olczak-Messig Last year, 156 of 212 (73.6%) students made an application for tertiary studies through VTAC. Of these 128 received a tertiary offer. This was result was a little higher than with 2017, 157 of 222 (70.7%) The tertiary destinations of our graduates are: Institution % Offers ACU 2% 3 The award recipients for 2018 are: ACAP 1% 1 VCE 5% Box Hill 7 Ancient History Daniel Bolitho Collarts 2% 3 Art Grace Emery Biology Isabel Carol Stanley Deakin College 1% 1 Business Management Robert Brookes Deakin University 4% 5 Chemistry Jessica Nguyen Elly Lukas Beauty Therapy 1% 1 Drama Mia Schutz-Beaton Federation 2% 2
Holmesglen 1% 1 Throughout the year please make sure to visit our website JMC 1% 1 as it contains all important dates including examinations, 1% assessment weeks and parent-teacher evenings. There’s La Trobe College 1 so much more on the site, so take the time to explore and La Trobe University 9% 11 familiarize yourself with the information that is provided. Melbourne Polytechnic 2% 2 Students are encouraged to make good use of the Monash College 1% 1 materials provided in the Student Resources page. Monash University 12% 15 PSC 1% 1 I wish all our students success for 2019. RMIT 20% 26 1% Robert Lewkowicz SAE 1 Assistant Principal Swinburne University 16% 21 University of Melbourne 10% 13 Tips to Reducing Stress in Year 11 and 12 Victoria University 8% 10 The last two years of your schooling can be an enjoyable William Angliss 1% 1 time, but also a very stressful time. It is extremely TOTAL 100% 128 important that students try to create a balance between their school and personal lives. While we believe that each VCE Season of Excellence-Top Class student must consistently work to improve their skills in Top Class is part of the VCE Season of Excellence managed their studies, their physical and mental health are just as by Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. The important. The following are some tips to reduce stress VCE Season of Excellence comprises twelve concerts (Top throughout 2019. Class and Top Acts), two exhibitions, (Top Arts and Top Designs) and eighteen screenings of short films (Top I encourage all parents/guardians to attend the Parent Screen). All work is produced by outstanding VCE students Seminar scheduled at the College on Tuesday 5 March at who completed technology, design, visual or performing 6:30pm, where you will be able discuss more strategies for arts studies in 2018. Events are presented in Melbourne’s student success. major cultural venues, and a number of associated education programs are offered in conjunction with Managing your stress levels: Season events. 1. Take advantage of the opportunities provided during your school days (study periods and Wednesdays) to I am delighted to inform you that Mia Pisano will perform complete work and chip away at your studies. their work from 2018 in this year’s Top Class Theatre 2. Try to get ahead with your studies by looking at the Studies program as part of the VCE Season of Excellence course outline of what is coming up next. 2019. 3. Complete tasks given to you by your teachers at the soonest possible time after that particular class. Congratulations are extended to Mia on this outstanding achievement. 4. Put in time to look up past examinations for your subjects and test yourself on one question a week. Top Class Theatre Studies has been extremely popular 5. Take regular breaks when you study (approximately this year with some concerts close to selling out. Be sure every hour). to book as soon as possible: 6. Do things that you enjoy and set aside time for https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats- yourself each week. on/2019/theatre/top-class. 7. Go for a walk and/or do some regular exercise (put this into your weekly timetable). Michael O’Brien 8. Get plenty of sleep each night (aim for 8-9 hours per Principal evening). 9. Adopt a well-balanced diet. Assistant Principal’s News 10. Talk to people about any concerns or worries you Welcome back to the 2019 school year - it has been a good have. start to the year and students have settled into the college 11. Set clear goals for yourself each week and reflect on routine well. how you went about achieving them at the end of each week. During the first week, Year 11 and 12 students participated 12. Think positively and view set-backs as opportunities in our Orientation Program. These sessions focused on to learn and improve. exploring learning styles, study and revision habits and evaluating their learning environment at home.
13. Accept the fact that you will have to do some things things ever. We were cheered on by friends, family and that you won’t necessarily “enjoy”. even some familiar faces from Swinny! There was no fear 14. Be flexible and adapt to sudden changes in your of judgement from the outside world as this was our day routine. to celebrate love and diversity, as we do everyday at Swinny. 15. Make sure you take time to laugh. Although the weather was hot, we persevered all the way Joel Guye to the end were the celebrations were only just beginning. School Improvement Manager There was a beautiful Welcome to Country spoken, as well as a traditional dance. Dancing, swimming and (a lot of) From the Year 12 Managers’ Office eating was happening and it was hard not to join in on the We are now completing four weeks of Term 1 and many fun. Overall, it was a truly magical and colourful day for students will be starting to have their first SACs in the everyone to not be afraid of the way they are or the people coming weeks. The first interim report will also be they love. published in 10 days time which will be followed by Parent Teacher interviews in March. Swinburne’s participation in this event couldn’t have happened if it were not for the support of the Swinburne I am sure that all students are now well settled in their Year community, the hard work of the students and the 12 subjects and programmes and have started completing amazing organisation from the teachers, especially those coursework on a daily basis. Some students have who attended; Meiki, Sam, Elizabeth, Ed and Kass. timetabled study periods in Period 3/4 across the week in the Library and I strongly suggest that students use that Archie McDonald time productively to complete coursework/folio work and Year 12 prepare for the upcoming SACs. The attendance in the study periods will be monitored by Mentors and feature in Anxiety the Mentor reports at the end of the Semester. Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. If you need help, come and see us and we will link you up with Study Support in the Library for planning and On average, 1 in 4 people will experience anxiety. organisation tips. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2008). National Survey of Big Tip: Success in Year 12 is about consistently chipping Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 2007. away on coursework and revision- you cannot "pull the rabbit out of the hat" in the last minute! One in fourteen young Australians (6.9%) aged 4-17 experienced an anxiety disorder in 2015. This is Year 12 Management Team (Gita, Marcus, Nick) equivalent to approximately 278,000 young people. www.youthbeyondblue.com Pride March 2019 Swinburne Senior Secondary College arrived at Pride 2019 Anxiety is a feeling that we all experience from time to in our rainbow flags, colourful clothes and positive time. The “fight or flight” response is our body’s way of attitude. We got face painted with our respective flags and preparing us to manage difficult situations and can often met up with friends before the march. There were many help us perform better by making us feel alert and drag queens and kings, dressed-up groups and schools who motivated. For most people anxious feelings come and go, we marched along with. but for some they can be persistent and affect our day to day lives. When this happens, it important to get some help to manage the feelings. Common signs and symptoms of anxiety. Physical changes: A racing heart. Faster breathing. Feeling tense or having aches (especially neck, shoulders and back) Sweating or feeling dizzy. We all collectively agreed that walking down Fitzroy Street Shaking. in our pride colours was one of the most fun and liberating Butterflies’ or feeling sick in the stomach
Thought changes: how to manage the thoughts differently and learn new Worrying about things a lot of the time. ways to cope. Being unable to control the worries. Having trouble Be aware of avoidance concentrating and Avoiding things that make you feel anxious will not be paying attention. beneficial in the long term. Learning skills to cope with the Worries that anxious feelings, promote positive self-talk and enhance seem bigger than relaxation, will help to gradually face the fearful things. In they actually are. a supportive environment managing anxious situations helps confidence and motivates you to keep practicing the Behaviour skills to manage the anxiety. changes: Being unable to relax. Try breathing strategies Avoiding people or places that may cause anxious Many symptoms of anxiety involve a cycle of stimulation. feelings. The body cannot be in a state of arousal & relaxation at the Withdrawing from friends and family. same time. Working on controlling your breathing is a good Feeling annoyed, irritated, angry and, or restless. way to try to interrupt that cycle & move your body & mind Changes in sleep quality & patterns. Difficulty getting into relaxation mode. to sleep or waking up a lot throughout during the night. If you are feeling that anxiety is a problem for you, or could be in the future then NOW is the time to act! If you would like some help or reassurance then please talk to anyone in Wellbeing or your Mentor. Here are some free apps that are useful in managing anxious thoughts, feelings & behaviours: MindShift This app can help you learn how to relax, develop more useful ways of thinking, and identify active steps that will help you take charge of your anxiety. It includes strategies to deal with everyday anxiety, as well as specific tools to tackle: Sleep disturbances Dealing with Intense Emotions Managing Anxiety Exam Anxiety Perfectionism behaviors Care for yourself Social Anxiety Dealing with anxiety begins with looking after yourself – Performance Anxiety “self-care”. Worry Panic Make small changes to eat well, get enough regular sleep, Conflict go walking & keep physically active to help your overall mental health and wellbeing. Limit the use of alcohol & other drugs as they will not be helpful long term. Talk about it It’s a good idea to talk about how you’re feeling – whether it’s with your family, friends, a teacher or a professional. They can help you stick to your self-care goals, understand Breathe what’s going on and get extra help if needed. This helps reduce the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety by slowing down your breathing and your heart Notice your thinking patterns rate. Consciously slowing your heart rate can increase What thoughts are influencing your anxious feelings? feelings of calmness in your body. Breathe teaches how to Being aware of these can help you understand what control your breath to actively address the onset of contributes to & triggers your anxiety. Then you can learn physical stress symptoms such as shortness of breath, increased heart rate and a tightening of the chest.
Worry Time WorryTime interrupts the repetitive thinking by setting aside worries until designated later time. This encourages people to get on with their day and deal with worries once a day, rather than carrying them around 24/7. Key features help: 1. Decide on a time, place and length of time to deal with worries each day. 2. When you notice yourself worrying, add it to WorryTime and get on with your day. 3. Use WorryTime to review the worries you've added and ditch the ones that no longer matter. Fiona Keech Adolescent Health Nurse Secondary School Nursing Program Department of Education and Training Change of Personal Details We are currently working through the process of updating our database with personal details. If you have changed any information please forward the changes to our General Office staff, Florence, Gail or Judy. Students have also been teaching each other and Gail, Florence and Judy presenting modules of work and trying their hand at being General Office an exam assessor through worked examples in the Year 12 Business Management class as “teaching is the best form Experiential Learning of learning” they say. Business Management classes at both year levels have begun with experiential learning through excursions and Gita Menon incursions. Business Management Teacher Visits to Thank You Group, visit by StartSmart trainers to Student Wellbeing Workshops workshop enterprise skills and upcoming sessions with March is all about M …. entrepreneurs Sheryl Thai of Cupcake Central and Amanda Maintain focus, Maximise potential, Manage time & Walker of Lord of the Fries will bring business into the Motivate yourself. classroom. Now school is back if you want some help to either stay on track, get back on top of things or a total goal setting reboot then this is for you! Kate Wilde from The Workshop will be running 3 workshops with different strategies to help you keep on top of things & get the best out of school. All sessions will before lunch from 12.10pm – 1.10pm. You are welcome to book into one, two or all three - Whatever you need. Students who attend will receive an “approved absence”
There will be several performance nights across the year in all subjects, but the most important dates to get into your Workshop 1 – Thursday March 7th calendar right now are for the school play! STUDY STRATEGIES & MANAGING AVOIDANCE If you’re leaving things until the last minute this might be Mark Bailey will be working with the Theatre Studies a good opportunity to think about one or two changes you students on 'Away' by Michael Gow, and it will run from can make to get things done earlier so you can actually the 22 - 25 May at 7:30pm. Tickets will be released at the relax later, as well as learn some study habits that might beginning of Term 2, so keep an eye out! suit your style or learning. Nick Taylor Workshop 2 – Thursday March 14th Professional Improvement Team Leader-Performing Arts STRESS MANAGEMENT & ALOCHOL & OTHER DRUGS Lots of people will tell you Year 11 and 12 are the hardest Morning Song ever, no wonder you might be feeling stressed! You also want to have fun and enjoy being young right? This Rolling over to awful sound workshop suggests a range of practical ways to avoid stress Feelings unlawful and profound and also manage any drug/alcohol use so it doesn’t lead to The table holds last night’s dinner, more stress! A mouldy midnight snack. Workshop 3 – Thursday March 21st LIFE BALANCE & EMOTIONAL REGULATION / ANGER Light leaps through the window MANAGEMENT The dawn whip cracks It’s easy to lose balance when trying to keep on top of Through thick curtains onto the floor. study and this can lead to feelings of frustration and even There’s no time left to dream tonight anger. Sometimes we take our stress out on the people who care for us most, or just struggle to deal with other Maybe there’s a little more. people in times of pressure. This workshop will look at strategies to stay balanced, as well as ways to cope that don’t involve include taking it out on little brothers or Morning Song family pets …. Climbing through the window ALL WORKSHOPS WILL BE ON THURSDAYS before lunch - And cuts acting like shadows 12:10pm – 1:10pm Beer bottles on the floor Places are limited so register NOW ! Spray paint on the toilet walls And just as I do all day His voice is a morning song I keep needing to reply. Lightning and blonde hair I looked down and he was there The sky was alight Fiona Keech But nowhere near as bright as his eyes Adolescent Health Nurse And it was him and always him Secondary School Nursing Program Department of Education and Training From the first night A morning song lasting till the endgame Performing Arts 2019 has started well with high enrolments across all The last fight classes and students starting in-class performances and The morning song I hear auditions across Music, Drama, and Theatre Studies. We're And beg he was in my sight excited to have enough numbers in Music Style and Composition to form two classes this year, as well our highest numbers yet enrolled across the Instrumental Morning Song Music and Ensemble programs. As it warbles I wake,
As sleep dies I dread For those that can’t attend the Opening event, the The day ahead. exhibition will run between: That morning song Wednesday 13 March to Sunday 7 April Fills me with hatred For everything. Town Hall Gallery - Opening Hours: Tues → Fri, 10am – 5pm It keeps on ignoring my pain, Sat & Sun 11am – 4pm. As it cons from me The gallery is closed Mondays and public holidays. My waking dream. https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/events/individu alism Year 12 Literature Students The Arts Report Stephanie Cross We are very excited to finally announce our upcoming Arts Teacher & Learning Specialist Arts Exhibition titled “Individualism”, to be exhibited On behalf of the Arts & Design Team at the Hawthorn Arts Centre, on the corner of Glenferrie and Burwood roads. This exhibition was accepted through an application process for community exhibition proposals completed in 2018, and was for the purpose of showcasing a range of artworks produced during VCE Art and VCE Studio Arts studies. Students involved from the alumni of 2018, include those who have chosen a pathway in 2019 of tertiary study in both visual and fine arts, and those selected for exhibition by the curatorial team at the gallery. It is an important occasion, which for most will mark the first public exhibition that their artwork has been showcased within, kick starting their artistic careers. This select group exhibition celebrates the creativity of Swinburne Senior Secondary College’s Year 12 students of 2018. Across a huge range of mediums including photography, painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture and textiles, these artworks showcase the young artists’ reflection and realisation across a range of topics and themes. From feminism to humanity, unconscious and conscious experiences and childhood memories, Individualism takes the viewer on a journey through emerging art practice and the culmination of a year of artistic development and creation. We hope that you can please join us for the official exhibition launch: Saturday 16 March, 2:00 to 4:00pm We request that you please RSVP your attendance and book online at: www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/arts
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