drouin secondary college news

SECONDARY
COLLEGE

AR 7
PAGE 16 - YE EDITION: 83
ENTS
DATE: FRIDAY 1ST MAY 2020 2021 ENROLM

7G Popstars In Year 7 Drama, students in 7G were given 2 minutes to dress up like a pop-star! This was the
result. Can you see any familiar faces?

Food Studies PAGE 9

We value: Achievement, Respect, Commitment, Community
Principal
Team Report Deb Gentl
e Rob Monk Rebecca Williams Jo Keating Diane Croft

COVID-19 - HOW IT HAS AFFECTED DSC Some of the challenges:

Term 2 2020 begins in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It • Students/staff who don’t have reliable internet or any
is school not as we have ever known it. internet. We are working to provide this. Lots of people
have had to upgrade their service.
We are all adjusting to a different way of living, including
remote/online/flexible learning. For students and parents this • We know we have families who are struggling financially.
has been really challenging. Developing a routine at home that We are adjusting some fees/payment plans. Please
will fit with student’s timetables, parents’ work and family life is contact the Business Manager, Josie O’Connor if you
important in supporting the success of remote learning. would like to discuss possible support.
Planning for this way of teaching and learning has been a huge • Students and teachers who don’t like change are
task for our staff. struggling. Some students are avoiding getting online.
Teachers have been developing learning tasks which can Please talk to your Learning Culture Leader/Teacher for
fulfil the essential learning required, engage students and be assistance.
accessible in the online environment.
• Ensuring the learning tasks are at the right standard for
Many of our education support staff are working remotely and individuals in this environment is tricky. We are trying to
have had to change the way they communicate with and work be realistic about what we expect students to do.
with their teams. Staff who are working onsite are keeping to
social distancing requirements, hand washing and sanitising. • Online classes are very different. For example, it is
Our cleaners are disinfecting surfaces and touch points twice difficult to get that incidental feedback and pose the
per day. quick question to students which tells the teachers where
the misunderstanding / gaps are. A lot of feedback now
Thank you to our DSC families for cooperating with the needs to be 1:1 after the class. We are encouraging
Victorian Premier’s expectation that “Students who can learn at students to contact teachers to ask questions or for
home must work at home.” assistance.
DSC staff will continue to communicate with you and make the
• Teachers are working very hard to adapt to online
learning at home successful for our students.
learning. Many have their own kids at home, demanding
I have summarised below some thoughts about how we are time and assistance with their school work. We all need
progressing in the lock down environment. to be patient.
What is working well in this remote environment: • Not being at school with friends for support can be
• Positive mindset: staff, students, parents are prepared to stressful on top of the usual challenges of life. Our
give online learning a go. Wellbeing Team is available for students.

• DSC’s 1:1 environment means that all students already • Transition of Year 6 to 7 cannot happen as it should. This
have experience of learning online and have access to a has always been a strength for DSC, so we are trying to
reliable device. ensure Primary Schools and families get the information
they need.
• Many students are thriving in the online environment and
are enjoying being more independent in their learning. • There is still a lot of uncertainty for VCE/VCAL students.
We hope to be able to give students more certainty over
• Some students who need support with learning needs are the next week.
finding the adjustment difficult – but teachers, aides and
tutors have been proactive and supportive. Many of these • Practical subjects – it’s really tough to teach the essential
students are now growing in confidence. skills and to keep students engaged. Teachers are being
innovative, but most practical activities will need to wait
• Having time at the end of last term was helpful in until we return.
rewriting curriculum and preparing for online delivery.
• We have been forced to cancel all the fun stuff: camps,
• DSC is providing support to families with advice, onsite sport, work experience, formals. Presentation Ball etc.
supervision, internet access and we are providing food This is really disappointing for us all and can’t really be
packs to families in need. This is from Breakfast Club replaced. We just need to accept this and make other
supplies. If your family would benefit from a food hamper arrangements where we can.
please contact the College.

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What are our next steps? CHANGES
• With the changes to learning tasks we need to In the current situation I have decided not to go ahead with
redesign our assessment for Years 7 to 10. We have my planned long service leave this term.
a previously planned Student Free Day on Friday
1 May. That will be the theme of this day. Given the current demands on leadership during the
COVID-19 pandemic, I have decided to keep the Principal
• We are still assuming that online learning will be Team as planned for this term.
in place for all of Term 2. Making online learning
Our Principal Team for Term 2 is:
sustainable will be ongoing work.
Ms Deb Gentle (Principal)
Mr Rob Monk (Assistant Principal)
PROGRESS REPORTS
Ms Rebecca Williams (Assistant Principal)
The next Progress Reports will be available by 8 May.
These reports will be a measure of how well students are Ms Jo Keating (Acting Assistant Principal)
engaging with their learning online. Please take time to
Ms Diane Croft (Acting Assistant Principal)
discuss these reports with your children.
We are serious about ensuring the safety of our students
The learning partnership and regular communication
and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue
between parents, students and teachers are even more
to implement strategies recommended by the Department of
important than ever.
Education and Training and the Department of Health and
Human Services.
DOCTORS IN SCHOOLS I hope our community emerges from this pandemic stronger
During Term 2 Dr Marilla from Central Medical Clinic will and more connected. As educators we will learn from this
be available to students for consultation by phone and at experience and develop to further improve the learning of
the clinic. Phone 5622 3377 for an appointment. our students.
Take care,
STAFFING
Deb Gentle, Principal
Welcome to Mr James Belfield and Ms Karen Sandman
(On behalf of the Principal Team)
who are joining our teaching staff for the remainder of
this year. They are both former DSC teachers and we are
“Educating the mind without educating the heart
fortunate to have them back with us.
is no education at all.” Aristotle.

From the General Office...

Dear Parents/Guardians, We will not be crediting any curriculum and material fees
for Term 2 while in lockdown but will be looking at crediting
Thank you for your continued support in these difficult times. some elective fees for Term 2. I will have more information
I wanted to just go over a couple of processes and ways the for you after this has been decided by the Finance
office is operating at present. Committee and School Council.
OFFICE OPEN TIMES: Daily 8.15am to 4.30pm as per FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES: If you have financial
usual. We have the Business Manager and one other in the difficulties at this time due to unemployment and COVID-19,
office. Phone calls are being diverted to the receptionist at please do not hesitate to contact Business Manager, Josie
her home and if she is busy, we will pick it up in the office. O’Connor to discuss options, or if you are already on a
LCC offices are not staffed. All visitors, parents and students payment plan you may wish to suspend this for a time.
are to present at the general office student window before Email is the best contact.
going to IT or other areas of the school.
Thank you and stay safe.
FINANCE: Thank you for your continued payments either
via plans set up with the Business Manager or other. We will
Josie O’Connor, Business Manager
be emailing out statements this week and apologise for the
lateness. We wanted to make sure that all credits in relation [email protected]
to camps, sports and excursions that have been cancelled
are added to family statements so you can see this clearly.

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Outline of Remote and Flexible
Learning Arrangements at DSC
Flexible/Remote learning means that students will attend their classes and complete learning tasks through their Moodle student
portal and an interactive video classroom.
This means students will participate in their timetabled classes from home.
1. Students will need to log into Moodle, Sentral and check their email every day.
2. Timetabled classes

For students in Year 7:

Your LG teacher will email you with a timetable. For most Year 7s it will look like this. APP students’ timetables will be slightly different.
In English, Maths, and Humanities your timetable will be:

Lesson One Lesson Two Lesson Three

Students should Log on to the Video Conferencing Complete online learning tasks on Log on to the Video Conferencing
Platform and participate in a the Moodle progress bar. Platform for tutorial support.
compulsory online class. Ask for support and questions.
Work independently.
Complete online learning on Moodle. Check Moodle progress bars.
(Attendance is compulsory) (Attendance is optional)

Teachers will Run an online Video Conferencing Provide feedback on student Run an online tutorial session to
Platform session for all or part of learning. respond to student questions and
the lesson. Teachers will explain Respond to emails during school provide clarification.
the learning activities students will hours.
complete in that week.

In Science, PE, and Technology:

Lesson One Lesson Two

Students will Log on to the Video Conferencing Platform and Log on to Video Conferencing Platform for tutorial
participate in a compulsory online class (for a part support.
of the lesson). Ask for support and questions.
Complete online learning on Moodle. (Attendance is optional)
(Attendance is compulsory)

Teachers will Run an online Video Conferencing Platform session Run an online tutorial session for part of the lesson to
for part of the lesson. Teachers will explain the respond to student questions and provide clarification.
learning activities students will complete in that week. Provide feedback on student learning. Respond to
emails during school hours.

In Music, Drama, Language, and Art:

Lesson

Students will Log on to Video Conferencing Platform and participate in a compulsory online class (for a part of the
lesson), ask any questions at the end of the session.
Complete online learning on Moodle. (Attendance is compulsory)

Teachers will Run an online Video Conferencing Platform session for part of the lesson. Teachers will explain the
learning activities students will complete in that week. Teachers will answer any questions and provide
support in this session.
Provide feedback on student learning. Respond to emails during school hours.

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If your student is currently completing Cars and Star Reading Intervention – they are expected to complete this learning.
For students in Years 8-12 for each of your timetabled subjects.

Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3

Students Log on to the Video Conferencing Complete online learning tasks on Log on to the Video Conferencing
should Platform and participate in a the Moodle progress bar. Platform for tutorial support.
compulsory online class. Work independently. Ask for support and questions.
Complete online learning on Moodle. Check Moodle progress bars.
(Attendance is compulsory) (Attendance is optional)

Teachers will Run an online Video Conferencing Provide feedback on student Run an online tutorial session to
Platform session for all or part of learning. respond to student questions and
the lesson. Teachers will explain Respond to emails during school provide clarification.
the learning activities students will hours.
complete in that week.

3. Students need to check their progress bars in Moodle for each subject regularly.
They should click on the tasks that need to be done and do them before they turn red. All Tasks that need to be completed
will be shown on the Moodle progress bars.

4. Students should email their teachers at any time if they are unsure of what they need to do.
Teachers will respond to email within 24 hours. They will respond during school hours.

Sample Flexible and Remote Learning Timetable

Lessons with Orange Boxes are video conference lessons. These are compulsory. Students must log in at this time.
Lessons in Maroon are optional video conference lessons. If students need additional assistance at this time they can log in to talk
to their teacher or classmates. These sessions are optional.

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Outline of Remote and Flexible Learning Arrangements continued
VCE/VCAL/VET Students Code of Conduct for Remote Learning
We want to assure senior students that teachers are focused Please read the Responsibilities and High 5 of Online
on continuing your courses so you achieve the best outcomes learning at DSC. This code of conduct has been developed in
possible. We ask that students focus on your learning and trust consultation with staff and students.
that class teachers in collaboration with the senior school will
implement all provisions and changes as set out from the VCAA. Support From The Wellbeing Team:
The Senior team is incredibly proud of how well students have Students can still make a referral to Wellbeing. Please see Page
adapted and persevered with their studies during this time. We 16 for more details or go to the Wellbeing page on Moodle for
encourage all students to continue to progress through their links to wellbeing staff and external resources.
subjects, taking their time to learn and revise each day. Wellbeing Staff Contact:
The following adjustments to the delivery of the VCE, VCAL and [email protected]
VET have been announced:
Cars & Stars - Intervention students
• Unit 1 and 3 timelines have been extended allowing
Students who receive intervention for reading and spelling
for extra time to learn and revise Unit 3 as well as sit
will still do this during the intervention time-slot. This will be
assessments when students return to school. done through the use of various online platforms and via an
• Modification to SAC/SATs have been made in line with interactive video classroom.
the VCAA changes.
Maths support - Intervention
• The GAT test (for Unit 3/4 students) will move from June
to October or November. Students who receive intervention in their Year 7 and 8 Maths
classes will continue to get support. An Intervention tutor will be
• End-of-year exams for Units 3 and 4 will be postponed in the video conference session with the students so they know
until December. the instructions given by the teacher. They will also run a maths
• Universities will delay the start of the 2021 university year. help session for any of the students in the program to come and
get help with their maths work.
• VCAL students will have more time to complete their
competencies and this will be consistent with the revised For further information on intervention contact:
[email protected]
dates for the VCE, some competencies can be carried
forward. The Inclusion Team:
• Work placement has been suspended.
If your child is funded under the Program for Students with
• VET subjects continue through remote delivery from the Disabilities, your child will continue to be supported by the
providers. Adjustments have been made for practical Inclusion team. Support for inclusion students will include:
based components. • Your child will have their learning modified by their
• School Assessed Coursework (SAC) will continue as classroom teacher and that teacher will be making
needed - class teachers and the senior school will notify decisions about their learning based on their Individual
Learning Plan.
students of assessments and their mode of delivery in the
coming week. • Inclusion staff will join the compulsory Video
Conferencing Platform session for students who they
Any student or parent who has any concerns or questions can support.
contact the following people:
• Inclusion staff will provide additional Video Conferencing
• General Senior School / VCE queries Platform sessions through the Inclusion Moodle page
Dr Dunn [email protected] where required.
• Absences • Inclusion staff will make regular contact (at least twice a
Maureen [email protected] week) to support students by email and phone.

• Year 12 For further information please contact:

Ms Brooker [email protected] [email protected] (Inclusion Coordinator)

• Year 11 IT Support:
Mr Firth [email protected]
We will continue to supply IT support for students, remotely if
• Year 10 required. Broken netbooks will continue to be repaired for as
Mrs Gunning [email protected] or long as people are allowed to physically visit the school.
Ms Rieschieck [email protected] If you don’t have your own netbook or yours is currently being
• VCAL repaired, contact ICT support ASAP – we can give you a loan
Ms C Daldry [email protected] netbook for the duration of the shutdown.
• VIP Assistance for students with no internet access is available –
Ms H Daldry [email protected] contact ICT Support (Paul Gorton or Teresa Fanning) for details.

• VET
[email protected]
Mr King [email protected] [email protected]
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DROUIN SECONDARY COLLEGE - E-NEWS
 Homework club: Learning Culture Teams
It is still available for all students. It will run through a video The Learning Culture teams from Year 7-12 will continue to
conference session from 3:45-4:45 Tuesday, Wednesday and provide pastoral support for students. If you have concerns
Thursday afternoon. Tutors will be available to help with any about your child’s academic progress or general wellbeing
questions. Login to the Homework Club Moodle page to access concerns please contact your child’s Learning Group teacher
this help. For further information please contact: (Years 7-9) or Level Assistant (Years 10-12).
[email protected] Our Level Leaders who support all students in our three
Learning Culture Areas are:
Year 10 - 12: [email protected]
Year 8 - 9: [email protected]
Year 7: [email protected]

DSC Office
The General Office is open from 8.15am-4.30pm with
minimal staff. All parent inquiries are to be made via email or
telephone. If you do need to come to the school you must call
first to make an appointment time and present at the General
Office to sign in, and out when leaving.
Please do not attend in person if you are ill.
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 03 5625 1002
Business Manager Josie O’Connor
[email protected]

STUDENT RESPONSES TO REMOTE LEARNING

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PROTOCOLS FOR ONLINE LEARNING

My responsibilities as a DSC student when I am The High 5 and Online Learning

learning Online Be in full school uniform
ACHIEVEMENT • You don’t have to be in uniform for online lessons but you
• Be online and on time for my Video Conference session. do need to be appropriately dressed while participating
• Submit all learning tasks. in online lessons.

• Check email, Moodle and Sentral everyday. Get to class on time

• Communicate with my teacher regularly via email. • Teachers will coordinate this with their individual classes
– video conferences will be held during the respective
RESPECT timetabled periods.
• Only turn my microphone on when I am asked to speak
or when responding to questions. • Be logged into the class at the appropriate time.
• Make sure that I am dressed appropriately for learning Be fully equipped for learning
(something you would wear for an out of uniform day).
• Have your laptop or computer fully charged and ready,
• Keep my online chat focused on the learning. Ensure chat your microphone working and webcam enabled.
is respectful of all participants.
• Engage fully in online work without any background
• Keep my mobile phone off and away from me whilst I am distractions. Log out of all social media so you are not
learning online. distracted during the lesson.
COMMITMENT • Have pens, paper, textbooks ready if required.
• Complete all online and offline learning tasks.
Follow all staff directions
• Log into additional assistance Video Conference sessions
if I need help. • Have your microphone muted unless you are contributing
to the conversation.
• If I have technical issues I am going to email my teacher
and find out what I missed. • Don’t use mobile phones and/or other devices during
class time.
• Single task focus during online lessons. Don’t be chatting,
gaming or checking social media while doing your work. Complete all learning tasks & homework set
COMMUNITY • Monitor your progress bars on moodle and do the tasks
• Contribute to online discussions. that are set by or before the due date.
• Offer support and assistance to my peers. • Advise your subject teacher if you are finding the work
challenging or you are requiring further support.
• Remember to be patient with my family/carers; they may
be feeling anxious too.
• Join in and contribute to forum style activities.
• Be patient with my teachers as online teaching is new to
them as well.
• Be patient but also alert the teacher to ways things may
be improved.
• There is to be no filming, recording or sharing content
(you must not take screenshots or record staff members
presenting information to you).
• You are to inform all members of your household that you
will be joining a video conference and that they can be
seen (if your camera is on) and heard (if your mic is on).
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DROUIN SECONDARY COLLEGE - E-NEWS
Immunisations Postponed Unfortunately, due to the Your local GP can also do immunisations. If you have any
COVID-19 Pandemic we have concerns regarding the status of your child immunisation
been advised by the Baw Baw history you can check this via the Medicare page of the My
Shire Immunisation Team, that Gov website.
immunisations for Year 7 and
Vaccine consent card booklets were sent home from school
Year 10 students have been
with Year 10 students in Term 1 and Year 7 cards were sent
postponed. Immunisations will
out in November 2019 with the orientation day paperwork.
be rescheduled in the future
Parents / guardians of Year 7 and 10 students need to read
once the Victorian Government
the information, complete and return the card regardless of
gives the all clear for students
whether or not your child is being vaccinated at school.
to return to school.
Copies of the Consent Cards can be downloaded from the
Parents /Carers of Year 7 and 10 students can contact the
Forms section of the College website.
Baw Baw Shire Immunisation Team on 5624 5219 to request
a time and location, when Community Immunisations are
being done.

BAD INTERNET ACCESS AT HOME?

ICT Support has a limited number of SIM cards with data loaded on them to give to students who do not have
adequate access to the internet at home. These were donated by OVO Prepaid Mobile, and we are immensely
grateful.

They are free, they simply need to be activated (instructions in the pack). You will need official ID to do this (drivers'
license or passport, etc.).

You will need to put them in a phone and hotspot – we no longer have any dongles to give out.

They can be picked up from the Office or ICT Support during normal school hours this week.

Please don't come and get one if you DO have adequate internet access - we are trying to ensure that everyone has
access to online education.

Teresa Fanning
Teaching & Learning Leader - ICT & Pedagogy
Student Excellence Program Leader
03 5625 1002

PROTEUS 2019
The 2019 Proteus will be available to collect from the front office
when the College reopens for onsite classes. Copies have been
mailed out to families who paid for delivery in their Trybooking order.

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DROUIN SECONDARY COLLEGE - E-NEWS
When the going gets tough...
the tough get COOKING!
Hello from the Foods Team for Term 2!
Even though we are all currently working remotely from home,
and unable to participate in our much-loved practical cooking
lessons each week, we have been encouraging our students
to keep cooking at home, and lots of them have been which is
fabulous.
By encouraging your child to cook, you can bundle up some
learning while also getting dinner or lunch prepared. Teaching
them to cook healthy food helps them gain knowledge and skills
across a range of subjects simultaneously, including English,
Maths and Science. Involving children and teenagers in food
preparation also helps promote healthy eating habits, including
eating more vegetables and fruit, and trying new foods and
recipes.
We are encouraging our students to send photos of themselves
cooking to their teachers to receive an ARCC award for their
great work.

Mrs Allen, Mrs Burns, Mrs McHutchison, Mrs Stevens

and Mr Thorpe

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DROUIN SECONDARY COLLEGE - E-NEWS
Rod McNab, President of the Drouin RSL, delivered his traditional ANZAC Day
address under very different circumstances this year. During his speech, recorded
while sitting underneath the remnant of the Lone Pine tree near Moondah, Mr
McNab, reflected “This will be a very different ANZAC Day. The only other time
in our history that we have not been able to commemorate ANZAC Day publicly
was in 1920 when we were in lock-down because of the Spanish Flu."

To watch Mr McNab’s ANZAC Day address, click here.

UNIFORM SHOP AT DSC

The Buxwear Uniform Shop (including online orders) is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 precautions.
Please contact the Business Manager if you need assistance with uniform.

Second Hand Uniform and Textbook

Trading - Sustainable School Shop
Drouin Secondary College families have the ability to buy and sell their second-hand textbooks, uniforms and other student
resources via the Sustainable School Shop website www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au

The service is very accessible, it preferences our school first and then provides access to buy and sell items with families
attending other schools. Many schools use this service. Access to second-hand textbooks, uniforms, calculators, stationery,
musical equipment, etc is available all year.

Drouin Secondary College is providing this service so there is no cost for families. Each family that registers on the
Sustainable School Shop will be given a subscription, it’s free for families to use.

Click here to view the stocktake report for second-hand uniform currently listed on Sustainable School Shop.

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Sentral Parent Portal
Drouin Secondary College has a Parent-Student portal to provide both parents and students discreet information about each
student's progress in our school.
The Sentral Parent Portal lets you:
• Stay informed with your targeted news feed
• Message your child's teachers
• See what homework your child has due
• Browse school documents and resources
• Track your child's academic progress
• Receive your child's reports electronically
• Book and manage parent / teacher / student meetings
• Be notified of absence, respond to unexplained absences or advise the school in advance of planned absences
If you have not set up access to the portal, please follow the instructions below. You only need to do this once.
• Please log on to the Internet and register for access to our Parent Portal here:
https://sentral.drouinsc.vic.edu.au/portal/register
• You must use a valid email address to create your username.
• Once successfully registered you will be prompted to enter your username
(email address) and the password you created.
• To see information from the school and to link to your enrolled children, you
will need an access key. (If you have not received an email with your access
key, please contact our IT department).
• Please note that the access key is case sensitive so copy it into the box
provided on screen, exactly as it appears.
The URL for continued access to the portal is: https://sentral.drouinsc.vic.edu.
au/portal. Click on the word "Dashboard" and you will see all the information you can access. This includes Timetables,
Activity Participation, Wellbeing Records, Attendance, Academic Reports and School Resources.

If you have any problems accessing the portal, please contact the IT Team at Drouin Secondary College by phone (5625
1002) or by email [email protected].

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Year 7 Reading & Literacy

As a part of the Accelerated Reader Program for Year 7

students, each DSCN celebrates the reading achievement of
students. ebooks & audiobooks
have arrived at DSC
Year 7 students have already read over 18 million words
since the beginning of the year to 27th April. The following
students are our recent quiz takers:
Samantha Hayes (3), Gemma Vassallo (2), Jessica Redcliffe Hop into our Library Catalogue here for borrowing –
(4), Lexie Nicholson (6), Rhianna Hopkins (2), Kailey Bone instructions are on the dashboard. With over 2500
(2), Alyssa Munckhof, Brayden Hovey, Ryan Kruizinga (3), eBooks & Audiobooks to choose from, you’re bound to
Madison Beadle, Frances McNamara, Ayden Turner, Noah find something you’ll enjoy.
O’Farrell, Max Upton, Blake Williams, Belinda Thomson,
Jade Dobson, Reese Lilleyman, Bailey Hamling, Travis Smith Click on "Guest" and put in your laptop username. No
and Chloe Williamson. password is required. Press Enter.

There are many benefits of reading, including academic There is also a permanent link to the library catalogue
achievement, language development, personal development, on Sentral.
empathy and well-being. Family members can help students
succeed by encouraging a reading environment at home
where reading becomes a natural routine.
For the Accelerated Reader Program, the target for each
semester is to read at least three books and successfully
complete quizzes on each. Progress can be tracked at
https://auhosted1.renlearn.com.au/1458054 using the
student’s username and password for Moodle.
Thank you for supporting your child’s reading.

DSC English, SURFF and Library Staff

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Careers News...
For more Careers information
visit the DSC Careers website
drouinsccareers.com

Torrens University Virtual Careers • Accounting

Expo - 7th and 8th May • History Revolutions
• subject selection advice for Year 10 students
The Virtual Careers Expo is an innovative and interactive
collaboration between Australia’s major tertiary education • gap year options
providers, designed to showcase the wide range of options Careers have emailed the log-in details to senior students
available to students as they prepare for life after school. and parents.
• Explore the Virtual Careers Expo Hall
Year 13 Virtual Careers Expo
• Visit more than 50 stands hosted by exhibitors from
across the country During National Careers Week, Year13 will turn into a
careers exhibition like no other.
• Talk to staff and student ambassadors through text or
video chat From May 18-22, you’ll be able to explore exhibits from a
• Head to the Webcast Hub for live and on-demand host of different universities, TAFEs, colleges, employers and
video presentations gap year providers. But you’ll also get the opportunity to
hear from some amazing career folk who are nailing it in
• Meet other students in our virtual social lounge
their industry. Through a series of live chats, webinars and
• Explore the virtual campus online ‘booths’, the Year13 Expo will help you figure out
• Attend from the comfort of your own home (or school) what it is you’re passionate about and what you need to do
• Learn more about how COVID-19 will affect your in order to get there.
school year Check out this website for more information https://year13.
There are many universities/institutions participating in the com.au/
event and it will be a great alternative to the VCE Expo.
iCanMed - Are you considering a
Go to this website to register https://www.torrens.edu.au/
about/virtual-careers-expo pathway into Medicine or Dentistry?
iCanMed offer free online workshops for Year 10 and 11
VCE and Careers Expo parents and students. You can find further details on their
Whilst we are all extremely disappointed that the ‘live’ VCE website https://www.icanmed.com.au/workshop-dates
and Careers Expo will not take place, we are happy to Free Student Webinar (Year 11 & 10): The Steps, Obstacles
inform you that many of the presenters who were scheduled and Formula for Gaining Acceptance!
to contribute to the high quality seminar program that is a
feature of the Expo have agreed to support our students by Sunday, May 3, 2020, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
presenting their seminars via video, accessed via the VCE
and Careers Expo website with a login and password. This

HEAD START
is a valuable opportunity for students to access information
via online video seminars that they would have had access
to by attending the live seminars at the Expo!
The seminars will be available to our students, on-demand,
for about 4 weeks. There is no cost to access these online
seminar presentations. The online seminar program will Congratulations to
be updated daily as more video seminar presentations are Matthew McCormick on
submitted by presenters. commencing his school
Seminars on VCE subjects and topics including: based apprenticeship.
Matt will be undertaking
• English the Cert III Light Vehicle
• Business Management Mechanical Technology
• Psychology Automotive apprenticeship
• Mathematics (Further and Methods) at Drouin Auto Care. Matt
is currently in Year 10
• Chemistry and undertaking the VIP
• Biology program. The Careers and
• Health and Human Development Headstart teams would like
• Legal Studies to wish Matt the best in his
apprenticeship.
• Economics

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From the School Nurse...
From the School Nurse
WeWeallallneed
need toto practice
practice self-care
self-care especially
especially when
when we are we are
experiencing experiencing
challenging times likechallenging times like
these and thinking
positively
these and isthinking
a great place to start. is a great place to start.
positively

What can I say to Myself?

INSTEAD OF ….. TRY THINKING….

I’m not good at this What am I missing?

I’m awesome at this I’m on the right track

I give up I’ll use some of the strategies we’ve

learned

This is too hard This may take some time and effort

I can’t make this any better I can always improve, so I’ll keep
trying

I just can’t do maths I’m going to train my brain in

maths
I’ll never get this I don’t get it yet, I’ll talk to the
teacher again

I made a mistake Mistakes help me to learn better

She’s so smart. I will never be that I’m going to figure out how she does
smart. it, so I can try it.

Plan A didn’t work Good thing the alphabet has 25 more

letters

I can’t work this out I can’t do it yet, I’ll get more info.

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 DO YOU WANT TO CHAT TO A
MEMBER OF THE WELLBEING TEAM?
While you are learning from home If you have not seen a Wellbeing staff member this year
and would like some support you can:
you may want to talk with one of our
Wellbeing staff or continue "seeing" • Email Anne and she will organise one of the
Wellbeing team members to email, webex or
your current Wellbeing staff member. phone you within 2-3 school days
Our Wellbeing staff are: • Email your LG teacher & ask them to refer you to
the Wellbeing Team. Anne will then organise a
• Anne Wilson (available school hours Mon-Fri)
Wellbeing team member to get in touch with you in
[email protected]
2-3 school days.
• Tori McKay (available school hours Mon-Wed)
If it is out of school hours, or your concern needs
[email protected]
immediate assistance we suggest you use one of these
• Casey Kamphuis (available school hours Thu- links - all are 24 hr online services:
Fri) [email protected]
https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace
• Lynda Lewis (available school hours Mon, Wed,
https://au.reachout.com
Thurs) [email protected]
https://kidshelpline.com.au
• Kaz Thurgood - School Nurse (available work
hours Wed & Fri) [email protected]. Check out the Wellbeing section of Moodle for
gov.au some great ideas on looking after your health
in these different times.
If you have seen a Wellbeing staff member this year and
would like ongoing contact, email them directly (include
your phone number if you want them to ring you rather
than email).

SHANARA'S WEEKLY PE CHALLENGE

Stay fit and healthy during remote learning
with DSC’s Sport Trainee Shanara’s Weekly
PE Challenges. Each week Shanara will post
challenges and work outs on the Moodle
Dashboard for you to do at home.

Can you do better than Shanara? Do it and

submit a video via Moodle.

The winner each week will get a prize. All

entries get an ARCC award.

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 YEAR 7 2021 ENROLMENTS
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic situation, we have The College will also be conducting small group tours,
cancelled the Year 7 2021 Information Day for Grade but these will not commence until social distancing
6 students and Parent Information Evening. Instead the restrictions are lifted.
Year 7 team will host online parent information sessions
Updates, including the link to the Online Parent
on Thursday 7th May 7pm-8pm and Tuesday 12th May
Information Sessions, will be posted on the
10am-11am, to help prospective 2021 students and
Enrolments page as well as our Facebook page.
their families learn more about the College and what
we have to offer. We have also created an Enrolments
page on the College website. The Enrolments page is a
hub of information for prospective families with links to
the College Prospectus, Curriculum and Pathways, the
Accelerated Pathways Program, Enrolment Processes and
Contacts, Virtual Tours and other useful resources.
We hope the page will assist families in making informed
decisions about their choice of secondary school
and showcase the learning culture and educational
opportunities that Drouin Secondary College has to offer.

YEAR 7 2021 ONLINE PARENT INFORMATION SESSIONS

Thursday 7th May 7pm - 8pm | Tuesday 12th May 10am -11am

ACCELERATED PATHWAYS PROGRAM 2021

Open to prospective Year 7 students in 2021
Drouin Secondary College’s Accelerated Pathway Program For more information about the program, key dates and
(APP) offers students in Year 7 challenging work that is more the application process, download the 2021 Accelerated
closely aligned with their abilities. The program emphasises Pathway Program Brochure and the APP Information Night
higher-level thinking skills, problem solving and academic Presentation.
achievement.
Applications for the 2021 Accelerated Pathways Program
The program is designed to offer a cohesive program close on Friday 15th May 2020.
for learners who have been identified as very capable, Apply online here.
committed, enthusiastic students with academic skills at least
six months ahead of their expected level. The APP provides
a complete and flexible pathway for selected students
beginning in Year 7. After a student has completed the Year
7 APP, they will have a managed individual pathway with
access to acceleration in their individual areas of strength
from Year 8 to Year 12.
All prospective Year 7 students are welcome to apply for the
APP program. Selection is via application, test, NAPLAN,
reports and an interview.

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