Principal’s Message Week 10 Term3 2020

Welcome Geelong High School Community,

This update contains information on the return to on-site learning in Term 4 (Week 2) and a link to a survey regarding our current and new strategic plans. Given that it has not been possible to organise any in-person forums here at school, we would love you to contribute your views via the survey (see link below). We will also endeavour to provide a parent/carer video-conference forum early in Term 4.

Return to On-site learning

As we come up to the end of term, it is nice to know where we stand in terms of remote and flexible learning for Term 4. For those who missed the news, we will continue in RL 2.0 for Week 1 of Term 4. Year 12 students will complete the General Achievement Test (GAT) on Wednesday, 7 October, and any required assessment tasks in Week 1. In Week 2, Year 7, 11 and 12 students (and any Year 10 students doing a VCE class) will return on Monday, 12 October. Year 10 students will only be required to attend their VCE class that day. Years 8, 9 and 10 will return on the Tuesday (13 October). We think this arrangement will enable the senior students and Year 7s to reorient and resume the “normal” school routines (COVID-19 normal) without the pressures of large student numbers on the first day.

School Strategic Plan - pre-review self-evaluation

I have mentioned in various forums that, over the remainder of 2020, we will be developing a new four-year Strategic Plan (2021-2024) that will guide our future work. Prior to developing this plan, it is appropriate that we reflect upon our current plan (2017-2020). In order to do this, we undertake a self-evaluation and review all of our practices, policies and procedures. As mentioned previously, ordinarily we would conduct parent/carer forums, where people could ask questions and make suggestions as to how we might improve. This may not be possible in person so we will likely run a video-conference that parents/carers can join early next term.

If you have a spare ten minutes, we would love your input via a survey.

The link is : https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PJM5CRS

We are a school that feels closely connected to our community, and we strongly desire to be responsive to your thoughts and needs. We encourage you to take the opportunity(s) to express your views.

School Council Vacancies

It is my pleasure to announce that Jenny Tresize has agreed to join the Geelong High School Council as of the November meeting, as a parent representative. Welcome Jenny.

Thank You

I would like to acknowledge and applaud the tremendous efforts of students, parents/carers and staff throughout this term to work through RL 2.0. Term 4 will resume with one more week of RL 2.0 to go. When classes resume in Week 2, a number of hygiene and safety restrictions and protocols will remain in place to keep everyone safe. I encourage you to maintain your caution over the term break and keep safe.

Kind regards,

Glenn Davey

Principal

VCAL students Nick Parrott , Darcy Larkins , Tom O’Keefe and Luke Massey complete works on the stainless steel wire fence around the garden bed between the Kroger and Vague buildings. Great job boys.

We have a number of community projects that the VCAL students are completing remotely at the moment. If you would like to complete some or all of the various challenges that would be great to show support.

Please read the list below and send in photos to the relevant groups or people.

1. Freeze MND: Daniel, James and Darcy - send in a photo to them with you/family in cold water either the beach, pool, dam, ice bucket challenge, river etc. That's it! You can either donate or buy merchandise from the website. I have sent my photo in already and bought 5 pairs of MND socks for my family. Please see attached flyer for this group.

Freeze MND House Challenge Flyer

2. Bikes and Helmets: Tom, Luke and Ronan - Donate bikes, helmets or anything that could go with bikes for their project to fix and donate to kids who don't have them for Christmas. I gave one from hard rubbish and I have 4 helmets to give as well. Mr Langdon thanks for your donation of 2 bikes. You can drop them off at the back school bike shed area for the boys to collect. Contact Tom O’Keefe - tjoke1@schools.vic.edu.au

3. Beanie's for Brain cancer - Seb has had his own personal experience with this and to create awareness you can take a photo of yourself doing an activity with a beanie on. You could also donate to the website and the house with the most photo's will get a free BBQ. Seb OSTROWSKI sost2@schools.vic.edu.au

4. Heart Foundation - Tom, Jamie and Jeremy: complete set kms by walking, running and riding as well as doing set activities of push-ups, sit-ups. Points are awarded. Last week I completed the following; 90 kms of walking, 31kms of running, two yoga sessions, two strength sessions and 2 surfs at the beach. This was incorporated with my family while with the dog or with our kids. Please see attached flyer for this group.

The heart foundation house challenge

5. Fire pits and furniture – Heath, Blake and Max have been making fire pits and refurbishing furniture and selling them via Facebook market place and gumtree. Current bid for the attached photo is $90 dollars. If you would like to bid, send your offer to Heath htmac1@schools.vic.edu.au All proceeds going to men’s shed supporting mental health. If you would like to donate furniture or other useable items that could be auctioned please also contact the boys. Blake bjtho1@schools.vic.edu.au or Max madon5@schools.vic.edu.au

Thanks for your support and some great initiatives by the class, please share with your home groups as well. These have been posted on Compass. Hope everyone is well at this time and feel free to email any correspondence to the students in each group.

Regards Luke.

Luke Collins – VCAL Co-Ordinator
Geelong High School
Ph 03 5225 4100 | Fax 03 5229 6702

luke.collins@education.vic.gov.au

On Wednesday, 9^th September, the GHS GPEP Class, as well as other voluntary students and staff, took part in our annual sleep-out. We usually use this event to raise funds for organisations that support those experiencing homelessness, but this year we chose to have meaningful conversations on the issue and raise awareness of homelessness in Australia. We had an incredible 55 people take part; this included a video call to discuss some causes of homelessness and to express gratitude for the things we are especially thankful for in our homes, and ditching our comfy beds for a night of swags, tents, couches or living room floors. It was important to reflect, the following day, about how tired everyone was and how hard it would be to maintain school and work if that was every night. Well done to all who took part.

Miss Yee

The Sleep-Out

This sleep-out that GPEP organised was a really good experience, and showed that it’s not easy to be homeless and it’s a terrible issue around the world. Normally we would’ve set up cardboard at school, and the whole class would attend, but this year has been very unusual so the teachers had to think of something to still spread awareness of those experiencing homelessness. The GPEP class asked the whole school to see if they would want to participate and they did, with over 55 staff and students joining. I decided to use a thin blanket with a sleeping bag on tiles. I couldn’t get to sleep so around 2am I changed where I was sleeping. I went onto the couch, still a little uncomfortable, but I’m glad I had the opportunity to join my fellow classmates in spreading awareness of those experiencing homelessness. The next morning, I was super tired and kind of couldn’t be bothered doing any work. I could not do that every day, especially going from the lucky life I have now.

Oscar P (9CA)

Stunning spring photos from our very talented Year 9 Media students.

Junior Secondary Debating Program

The Debaters Association of Victoria (DAV) commenced their Junior Secondary Program (JSP) this term, involving training and a short series of three debates for students in Years 7 and 8. As with the rest of the DAV’s programs, this year’s JSP has moved online due to the state’s physical distancing measures and lockdowns.

Instead of in-person workshops, the training sessions have been presented as videos and the debates are taking place using videoconferencing software.

In Round 1, Monday 31 August, the GHS JSP team of four Year 7 novice debaters argued for the affirmative on the topic, ‘That schools should enforce consequences for students who participate in strikes during school hours.’

We were up against a more experienced team of Year 8s from Melbourne’s Strathcona Baptist Girls’ Grammar School (SBGGS) Team 1. Our three speakers braved their first debate, offering reasoned arguments.

Our speakers in order of appearance were Keira Allison (7CA), Micah Thomas (7BB) and Jerimiah Mayhew (7MA) and were assisted in preparation by Amelia Giles (7CA). The team received valuable feedback from the adjudicator and learned from the seasoned performance of their opposition. Our debaters were gracious in defeat, offering kind congratulations to the victors.

In Round 2, Monday 14 September, we shuffled our speakers into the following order: Amelia, Micah and Keira with Jerimiah assisting. This time, we were up against SBGGS Team 2. Again, formidable opponents, but we were better prepared and much improved.

The topic for the debate was ‘That we regret the use of participation awards’, and GHS was again arguing for the affirmative. While still learning the ropes, GHS managed to come within two points of the more experienced opposition who took the prize.

The third and final round is scheduled for Term 4 on Monday 19 October and we are planning another reshuffle to enable each debater to experience the different role requirements each speaking position has.We look forward to debating Eltham College, another well-healed private school from Melbourne, this time arguing for the negative on the topic, ‘That we should incentivise people to relocate to the country.’

Ubaldino Mantelli
Debating & Public Speaking Coordinator

JSP Debating Team (L-R): Keira Allison (7CA), Jerimiah Mayhew (7MA) and Amelia Giles (7CA)

Micah Thomas (7BB No photo)

Hannah Poulton has recently been awarded a position in the Community Achiever Program for ACU. This program recognises leadership and volunteering hours and Hannah will receive an early conditional offer to ACU.

Lachlan Davis has recently received a position in the La Trobe ASPIRE Early Admissions Program. The ASPIRE program rewards VCE students for their leadership skills and community spirit with an early conditional offer to La Trobe University.

Clare Adams has recently been accepted into the La Trobe University ASPIRE program recognising her leadership and community spirit. She has received a conditional offer to La Trobe.

All three students are very worthy candidates of these Scholarships and GHS staff are incredibly proud of their efforts.

Congratulations also to Kelly Veenstra who has been selected as a VCE Assessor for 2020 for Studio Art. We are proud of your commitment to your VCE students Kelly and your Professional Development.

Trudy Cameron

Senior Curriculum Leader

Careers, VET & SBAT Co-ordinator

GCTA Secretary
Ph 03 5225 4321
cameron.trudy.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

Performing Arts Industry Session

Year 11 and 12 Theatre Studies students, along with some select Year 10 Drama students were invited to join a performing arts industry session on Thursday 10^th September via WebEx.

We were lucky to have four guest speakers talk to us about their work and experiences within the performing arts industry. These speakers included:

Robert Tripolino

Robert most recently played Jesus in the Regents Park Open Air production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Barbican Centre, London.

​He graduated from the Victorian College of Arts in 2011 with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre (2011) after training at the Sandra Clack Ballet Centre, Geelong.

James O’Connell

James is in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Michael Cassel Group), which is playing exclusively at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre to rave reviews. He also has a supporting role in director Jeffrey Walker’s Lambs of God, for Foxtel.

Sarah Morrison

Sarah is known for originating the lead role of Lisa Miles in Ladies in Black and has just finished the highly anticipated return of Mamma Mia! in the beloved role of Sophie Sheridan. See her now in Come From Away at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne.

Broden Kelly

Broden is a member of the comedy trio Aunty Donna. In 2019 Aunty Donna released their biggest web series to date, Glennridge Secondary College. A 16-part series which has garnered over 500K+ views on YouTube and went on to be nominated for an AACTA Award in the Best Online Drama or Comedy category.

Some of the things we discussed with these speakers included:

• How they go about creating and developing a character role.
• How they learn lines.
• Blunders on stage and how they managed them.
• Favourite roles.
• What it is like being part of a film set.
• What it is like working on a professional musical.
• Challenges within the industry.
• Challenges with COVID

The feedback from students was extremely positive, many saying they are now aware of different performance pathways and opportunities available to them.

A big thank you to all of our speakers for volunteering their time and sharing their experiences with us so openly and generously.

Tessa Kirk

Performing Arts Teacher

WCN 9 September 2020

Free VCE Exam Preperation Workshops

All students completing a Year 12 VCE scored subject have the opportunity to participate in Free Exam Preparation Workshops. The workshops are running over each weekend and into the school holidays. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in these events. Please note all workshops are recorded so you can watch a past presentation

Accessing Lectures Rural VCE Support Program