HEAD OF SCHOOL UPDATE
Jonathan Brayshaw
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been an exciting start to the year in Secondary School! In just four weeks of term, students have embraced numerous opportunities for learning and personal growth. Some highlights have included the Dedication Assembly, Year 7 Orientation and the Swimming Carnival. We look forward to further occasions for students to engage in meaningful educational and community activities.
Secondary Information Evening I would like to extend my gratitude to the many parents and carers who generously gave up their time to attend the Secondary School Information Evening. Your presence and engagement made the evening truly special. It was an invaluable opportunity for Year Coordinators, Homeroom Teachers and myself to share our College’s vision, culture and other important matters. The connections forged between staff, parents and carers during this event contribute greatly to our College community’s strength. We look forward to meeting with you at the next parent evening for Secondary School.
Student Planners One of the things I addressed at the Secondary School Information Evening was the implementation of Student Planners for all Secondary students this year. The purpose behind this is to improve:
Organisational skills
Personal responsibility and accountability
Teacher to student communication
Teacher to parent communication
Students are expected to keep their Planner neat and orderly (without graffiti of any kind), use the Planner every day and record daily activities.
As a means of working in partnership with families, we ask parents and carers to:
Use the Planner as a form of communicating with the Homeroom teacher.
Sign the Planner at the end of each week and read any comments by College Staff.
Planners are reviewed by Homeroom teachers every Monday. Students who do not bring their Planner to school, or who have not had their Planner signed by a parent or carer, will be issued with a lunch detention. It has been encouraging to see the way in which students have embraced the adoption of Planners.
Arriving at School On Time Establishing consistent routines is crucial for nurturing discipline and responsibility in our students. Arriving at school by 8.30 am ensures students are present for Homeroom and Year Meetings. This is where students are able to check-in with teachers and peers, hear important announcements and be involved in discussions and daily activities. This part of the day helps shape a students' sense of belonging.
Communication Channels As we move forward, please know that our lines of communication are always open:
If you need to contact your child’s teacher, the first point of contact should be with the Homeroom Teacher.
For matters about student welfare or information about Year level programs, it is best to reach out to your child’s Year Coordinator.
It is a privilege to be partnering with you in the education of your child.
SECONDARY SWIMMING CARNIVAL Bec Mewjork
The Secondary Swimming Carnival last week was an outstanding display of sportsmanship, camaraderie, talent and House spirit. The event featured a series of thrilling races, exciting relays and spirited House war cries.
Students from Years 7 to 12 participated in a variety of races, demonstrating both determination and enthusiasm. Throughout the day, there was an incredible sense of encouragement and positivity, with students cheering on their peers and celebrating each other's achievements.
The final House points were as follows:
Eagles: 145
Rams: 227
Brumbies: 223
Lions: 289
Congratulations to the Lions, who secured the most points through outstanding participation and exceptional skill!
The much anticipated teachers versus students races saw the teachers claim victory in two out of three events. Meanwhile, the Year 12 floaty race was a fantastic highlight, showcasing the senior students' enthusiasm and participation in their final swimming carnival.
A huge thank you to all the student helpers who assisted with the logistical running of the event—your support was invaluable. It was a fantastic day of competition and teamwork. Congratulations to all swimmers for their efforts and contributions to their Houses!
DRAMA ACROSS SECONDARY SCHOOL Liam Tomalaris
Drama has started off strong this year with some excursions and incursions to assist our Year 11 and 12 students undertake the challenge of the HSC Drama course. We had the great opportunity to attend NESA's OnStage, a showcase of some of the best HSC Drama major works from 2024 across the state. This excursion highlighted the different approaches students could take to the HSC major works required for their senior year, and helped to inspire students to consider how they might approach this themselves.
Year 9 Drama has started looking at the elements of Drama and exploring key principles of improvisation. Our class is energetic, enthusiastic and already forming strong bonds as they work as an ensemble.
Year 10 Drama has grown substantially this year, with a class of 22 students! We are similarly going through the elements of Drama, and focusing on how these elements can be manipulated and communicated specifically through movement and physicality as they begin their studies on Physical Theatre for this term.
Year 11 have begun their Preliminary course, going back through history and mapping out the progression and development of theatrical styles throughout time. Starting with the ancient Greeks, and finishing with Brechtian political theatre and absurdism. They are exploring how these styles were a direct response to the culture and period they were developed in, and how their beliefs and values shaped their approached theatre.
Year 12 are continuing with their HSC course, beginning work exploring Verbatim Theatre, which is a style of theatre that is produced directly from the spoken word and experiences of real people. It involves a process of interviewing and editing transcripts to construct a piece of theatre that focuses on communicating these real experiences utilising direct quotes from their subjects. This topic delves into questions about the portrayal of truth, the complexity of varying perspectives and accounts, as well as the unique opportunities and restrictions inherent in theatre to communicate these stories.
It’s a big year for Drama students, with classes running across both Stages 5 and 6 for the first time at ACC. We have a great collection of students who are exceptionally talented in the Arts, and we can’t wait to share their work with our wider community.
PDHPE ACROSS SECONDARY SCHOOL Bec Mewjork
In Personal Development, Health, and Physical Education (PDHPE), students in Years 7, 9 and 10 have been participating in a practical unit on fitness. In New South Wales, one of the most common forms of physical activity among adults is regular fitness and gym-related activities. This unit encourages students to explore and develop their own fitness and gym-related interests.
The PDHPE fitness unit aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to maintain lifelong physical activity. Engaging in regular exercise provides numerous benefits, including improved concentration, enhanced well-being, and better overall health.
Throughout the unit, students have participated in fitness testing, such as the beep test, and explored various forms of exercise, including High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and yoga. They have also learned fundamental movement techniques to ensure they perform exercises like lunges, squats, sit-ups, and push-ups safely and effectively.
Over the past three weeks, students have been actively engaged in the unit, showing enthusiasm and determination in every session. Many have set personal goals, particularly in activities such as the beep test, where they have been striving to beat their personal best scores. One of the standout performances came from a Year 10 student, who achieved an impressive score of 10.5.