Parent Bulletin 2
12 February 2021
Strathmore Secondary College Celebrates an Excellent Start to the 2021 Academic YearThe achievements of 2020 are a source of inspiration. The VCE results are a credit to the students, their teachers and families. Congratulations to the College Dux of 2020, Jingjing (Betty) Li, who achieved an ATAR of 99.90. This was closely followed by Dionysos Papadopoulos with an ATAR of 99.0.
My message to the school community on the 30th December 2020 highlighted our achievements. "The Strathmore school community is delighted to congratulate the 2020 VCE graduates on their outstanding results and to recognise the time and effort expended by them, their teachers and their families throughout this very difficult year. VCE scores are one measure of a school’s success. We are delighted to be able to report that 2 of our students achieved scores of 99 or above: the top ATAR was 99.90, followed by a score of 99. Furthermore, 11 students achieved ATAR scores over 95; 14% over 90 and 30% over 80. One perfect score of 50 was achieved. Equally noteworthy was the fact that the class of 2020 achieved an average of 30 in their study scores. This year has been particularly challenging but nevertheless rewarding. I thank the Strathmore community for its support and willingness to contribute in many ways to the success of the school and take this opportunity to wish you a relaxing and well-earned break." Assessment and Reporting Update This year, all members of our College are continuing to build our strong learning community through our PRIDE values. For students this looks like: Perseverance in ensuring that, even when things get tough, they do not give up. Respect for all members of the school. Integrity in their interactions with all others. Diversity through the acceptance and support of all members of the community. Excellence in their positive approach to doing their best in every subject. Strathmore Secondary College has high expectations of every student to do and achieve their personal best. These expectations have been supported through the Year 11 Thrive for Success event and the recent Year 10 assembly. *On Monday, the Year 12 Retreat will occur and this is an opportunity for Year 12 students to set their goals for 2021. There will be a Parent VCE Success Evening following this event.* *PLEASE NOTE - The Year 12 Retreat and Parent VCE success evening will not be held on Monday due to the current restrictions. The event will be rescheduled so that Year 12 students have the opportunity to set their goals for 2021. Our assessment and reporting procedures mirror best practice in supporting student growth towards their individual goals. Effective assessment includes a variety of assessment types and assessment options ensuring all feedback is related to student learning goals encouraging students to improve on those goals. As a school we are continuing to reflect on our practice and review our policies and procedures on an ongoing basis. As part of this process, we are evaluating the school’s Year 7 to10 assessment policy. Further information will be provided. Wearing of Face Masks All students are expected to wear face masks indoors at school. Students are to ensure that they bring their own mask to school. Jillian English Principal College Council Elections 2021Strathmore College Council carries ultimate responsibility for setting the direction and ethos of the school. It decides on broad policy issues and oversees the structure of the College’s curriculum.
Success of the College depends very much upon the efforts of a united and effective College Council. Representatives are expected to consult with others so that the views of the College community, rather than those of an individual, are reflected in the decisions of Council. Any parent of a child enrolled at the College is eligible to stand for election as a parent member of Council (so long as the parent is not employed by DET at the College). Click here for the nomination forms and more information on the nomination process. Nominations close 4pm Monday 15th February 2021. Strathmore Swimming SquadWelcome back to the new school year. Students who are competent swimmers are invited to attend our college swim squad training.
Training is held at Oak Park Pool on Wednesday mornings in term 1 from 6.45am – 7.45am. Entry to the pool costs $3.40 for students and must be paid on card. The purpose of the squad is to prepare and select our school swimming team to compete in the Moonee Valley district inter-school swimming carnival on the 9th March. Students who attend these training sessions are only under the supervision of Strathmore staff during the training session. After training students must either be picked up by a parent / carer or must make their own way to Strathmore. Oak Park pool is approximately a 25minute walk from Strathmore Secondary College along Pascoe Vale road. Queries can be directed to Hayley May, Swimming Coach, at the College. Chinese New YearThis week the Library celebrated Chinese new year with displays and new Library bookmarks. Happy new year to our Chinese and Vietnamese friends!
Marian Lees Library Manager
Student Attendance on CompassThe school is required to record attendance for every student and every class, including the reason for each absence.
Parents and guardians must update Compass Attendance in advance if a student will be leaving the school early for appointments, or for any other reason. Students cannot leave the school without parent or guardian approval and must not leave the school grounds without signing out at the General Office, before they leave. Students arriving late to school or returning from appointments, must also sign in at the General Office, before going to class and an explanatory note on Compass is required. If parents and guardians are unable to update Compass due to technical difficulties, they should telephone the Junior School Attendance Officer in the General Office for assistance. For instructions on how to use Compass to enter Attendance Notes, go to: https://ict.strathmore.org.au/compass-absence-help.html Drop & Go Map - Strathmore Secondary CollegeStrathmore Secondary College and Moonee Valley City Council are committed to creating a safe and more sustainable environment for students. Walking and cycling to school is a great way for your child to start the day, as it stimulates the mind and improves overall health.
This map has been created through the Better Moves Around School Program, this program brings Council and schools together to improve safety and encouraging walking, cycling and the use of public transport. Moonee Valley Council has identified Drop and Go locations for Strathmore Secondary College students, each location is within a comfortable walking distance. The map has been designed to encourage more students to walk to and from school at least part of the way to reduce congestion in Pascoe Vale Road. Strathmore Secondary College is very appreciative of the support of Moonee Valley Council and encourage the College community to support this initiative. PLEASE NOTE - Parents are not to enter the Pascoe Vale Road carpark or the rear driveway of the school. Jillian English College Principal 
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Australian Scout Medallion - James Justice and Chelsy-Rose ClendenningThis is the highest award you can achieve in the Scouting Section of youth members aged 11 to 15 years. The Australian Scout Medallion can be earned by Scouts who have achieved their Adventurer Cord, and have demonstrated their Leadership abilities.
Chelsy and James attended the Australian Scout Jamboree in 2019 in South Australia with many other scouts for 14 days and they both have held leadership roles during their Scouting Career and First Aid Courses and Leadership Courses. They both have completed many hikes, camps and adventurous outdoor activities. James Justice also attended the New Zealand Jamboree held in Dec 2019 to Jan 2020 and represented our country and his troop well. Chelsea and James always show great qualities in achieving their goals and helping, guiding and teaching others skills they have learnt and pass on their knowledge to the younger members coming up through the organisation. If you are interested in joining the 1st Strathmore Scouts, contact Jacqui - gl.1ststrathmore@scoutsvictoria.com.au https://scoutsvictoria.com.au/location/1ST-STRATHMORE/scouts 
Chelsy and James with their District Leader
School Sport Victoria & Team VicSchool Sport Victoria will once again be offering the opportunity for students with emerging sporting talent from Strathmore Secondary College to register to trial for School Sport Victoria Team Vic State Teams in 2021.
Registrations to trial open on different dates throughout the year depending on the sport and age group. For information about the sports and trial dates visit https://www.ssv.vic.edu.au/team-vic/Pages/Team-Vic.aspx Trails are not Come ‘n’ Try opportunities. They are a process for selecting a Team Vic State Team to represent the state at School Sport Australia Championships. If selected, the student will be given the opportunity to represent Victoria at a national championship. Many students from Strathmore have been selected for various sports in previous years. If you are successful at being selected into team Vic, please let us know at Strathmore so that we can recognise and celebrate your success. For further information visit www.ssv.vic.edu.au/team-vic Year 9 Peer Support TrainingThe peer support program runs throughout the year where Year 9 peer mentors run sessions with the year sevens in their team. This program provides small tips, fun activities and interesting conversations that help the Year 7s create new friendships and become more confident inside the school grounds.
For the Year 9s to be able to be a mentor they had to do a training session which ran for a whole day. During this training session they were able to learn lots of different leadership skills which they will be able to obtain for the rest of their life. They learnt about teamwork and working with each other to make the sessions with the Year 7s a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. They also did lots of fun and collaborative activities with each other and learnt new skills. The skills were how to communicate with other people and also respecting people’s privacy and keeping it confidential but knowing when to speak to a higher authority if that is needed. Being a peer support leader is also about understanding the other person and helping them to cope with difficult situations and being approachable. Making sure that everyone feels safe can result in successful groups. Everyone has different values and opinions that make up our world. Communication is extremely essential. It is really nice to be able to understand others from their expressions and body language. The transition from Year 6 to Year 7 can be described as a long bridge. The Year 9 mentors are trained on how to make sure that the Year 7s have settled in the school grounds well. A supportive environment will benefit the students in speaking up for themselves, asking questions or help and knowing what’s right and wrong. The confidentiality between the peer support leaders and the year sevens will positively impact on the school environment. However, the peer support leaders will not be able to solve serious issues/problems and might need to reach up to an adult for assistance and advice. Overall the training session was a great day in which the Year 9 leaders were able to learn a bunch of new skills and hopefully the Year 7s will enjoy the program. Velvet and Hayley – 9S3 Burnet BulletinYear 7 Welcome
Well that’s another week down! It has been super busy, but we’ve all survived the first few weeks and the Burnet office, corridor and the wider college are starting to feel a bit more familiar. Welcome to all of our new Burnet families, your students have settled in well, are finding their way around and getting to meet lots more students, their new teachers and other members of the Strathmore community. Well done to all of our Year 7 students on the mature way you have transitioned, navigated your way around the campus and been patient with us organising lockers, email and Compass info, and ensuring you’re in the right place at the right time. Our next event to look forward to is the Year 7 Orientation Camp in Anglesea. Our camp will run from the 24th to 26th of February and the due date for payment is the 15th of February. All relevant camp info and payment/consent details can be found on the Compass parent portal, however it is important that all students are reminded to bring their own personal bed lined and ensure they have their own water bottle. Following the camp, we are beginning to organise a Yr 7 Parent Meet & Greet on the 5th of March to reflect and celebrate on the transition into secondary college and introduce ourselves in a more casual setting. Year 9 Peer Support We have a fantastic group of Year 9 students who have signed on to be our Peer Support and Mentoring team for 2021. They will be working with our Year 7 students throughout the year to assist in organisation, building relationships, setting goals and a range of other skills and strategies vital for happiness and success in secondary college. On the 10th of February our wellbeing team guided the Yr 9 Peer Support leaders through their training. Our first session will be taking place next week and our Year 9 students are keen to meet the Yr 7s. Thanks to Jenn and the wellbeing team for your organisation and training. Year 10 Work Experience The Year 10 work experience program occurs early in term two, however it is expected that all students by now have organised a placement and begun to process the necessary paperwork for school/parents/employers. New students to the team will need to join the Work Experience Google Classroom page for important info. Keep an eye on Compass and see Ms Vincent in the Careers office (in the library) for any queries. Year 10 iVET Well done to our VET students taking part in their vocational training on Wednesdays. We hope you enjoy the experience and are sure the skills you develop will be beneficial to your education. Form Assembly A reminder to all Year 9 & 10 students and parents that the daily timetable has been slightly amended this year for form assembly. Yr 9s will attend every Mon, Wed & Fri, Year 10s will attend on Tues & Thurs each week. Form assembly is important for roll marking and is a place for us to include some pastoral care activities, delivery of important announcements and be a hub for including a better student voice representation in school structures. Mr Matt Roberts, Ms Erica Trahar & Ms Teagan Fraser Burnet Junior Team 
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