Thursday 17 th May 2018 Newsletter No. 8

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Members of the College Community,

Years 7 and 9 students have been participating in the NAPLAN assessments this week. The results of these will

provide valuable insight into the progress of students from the time. They commence these assessments in Year 3,

through to end of the NAPLAN assessment schedule in Year 9.

We enjoyed a very successful Debutant Ball on Friday 11th May. A full report of the event with stunning photographs

is contained in this newsletter. Congratulations to all the Debutantes and their partners for their commitment to

learning the dances and protocols for this occasion, and to Ms Jodie Cox and Ms Anne-Maree James who supported

them.

I would like to express my appreciation to parents and carers for your support in ensuring that our students dress

correctly in their uniform. Now that winter weather is upon us, this means that essential items include the new

hoodless windcheater and spray jacket. Hoodies were deleted at the end of 2017 after being phased out over a

three-year period. In response to some queries regarding the sport pants (Trackies), these are sports/PE uniform

items only. From time to time students may need an exemption for a day for non-uniform items and must have a

note from home to explain the circumstances; otherwise, students are expected to be in their correct uniform.

Ms Ana Rees-Executive Principal -Kyneton Secondary College

New Attendance Requirements If your child is sick or absent, you are required to

notify the school as soon as possible on the day of the

absence, by phone or Xuno.

Notifying the school of your child’s absence either

prior to, or on the day that they will be away, helps

ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and will

fulfil your legal responsibility. From the end of Term 2

2018, all Victorian government schools are required to

contact parent/carers as soon as practicable on the

same day of an unexplained student absence. If your

child is absent on a particular day and you have not

contacted the school to explain why, the absence will

be marked as unexplained.

This system also promotes daily school attendance.

Going to school every day is the single most important

part of your child’s education, they learn new things

every day – missing school puts them behind.The

Kyneton Secondary College Attendance Policy, which

outlines the school’s processes and procedures for

monitoring, recording and following-up of student

absences, is available at

http://kynsec.vic.edu.au/documents/policies/Stude

ntEngagementPolicies2016.pdf

Our school will text or call you as soon as practicable

on the day if a student is not at school and you have

not notified the school as to why. If you are notified

by the school that your child is away without a reason,

please contact us as soon as possible by phone to let

us know where your child is. If we cannot reach you

because we do not have your correct contact details

(ie message notification fail, disconnected number),

then we will make contact with any emergency

contact/s nominated on your child’s file held by the

school, where possible, on the same day of the

unexplained absence.

Please remember it is your responsibility to contact

us to provide an explanation for your child's

absence from school, and where possible, please

inform us in advance of upcoming absences.

Important Message

Many events are currently taking place within our

school. We would like to wish the year 7s and 9s

good luck for the Naplan, especially the year 9s who

are undertaking their last Naplan assessment.

On the 17th of May it is IDAHOBIT day, the

International Day against Homophobia and

Transphobia. The KSC Pride Crew will be raising the

rainbow flag at the front of the school to show the

schools embracement of diversity and in support of

the LGBTIQ community.

The KSC Interact club alongside the Kyneton Rotary

Club is holding a fundraiser on the 21st of May for the

schools international project, they are raising funds

for needy orphanages in Vietnam. The event will be

held at the Kyneton Bowling Club at 6.00pm. Come

and join the Rotary Club and the students for

Barefoot Bowls, more information is available on

Xuno.

The Year 11 students had their Debutant Ball on the

11th of May, everyone looked amazing and the dance

lessons definitely paid off, we hope everyone who

attended had a good night. Congratulations to Ms

Cox who once again organised this fabulous evening.

Estelle Winkelmann and Tiarna Sleightholm

Kyneton Secondary College Captains

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 2018

Tuesday 22nd Interschool Football/Netball Exc

Wednesday 23rd Year 10 Immunisations

Year 12 GAT Assembly

Thursday 24th Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed Exc

Friday 25th Year 9 REACH P.3&4

Monday 28th Division Athletics

Wednesday 30th Year 12 Practice GAT

Thursday 31st Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed Exc

June 2018

Wednesday 6th Y7 Football/Soccer/Netball Exc

Monday 11th QUEENS BIRTHDAY

Tuesday 12th Year 8 Live 4 Life

Year 11 Exams

Wednesday 13th Year 12 GAT Exams

Thursday 14th Yr8 Football/Soccer/Netball Exc

Thurs 14th & Fri 15th Year 10 & 11 Exams

Mon 18th- Wed 20th Year 9 Camp

Mon 18th - Tues 19th Year 11 Mental Health First Aid

Tues 19th – Fri 22nd Year 10 Work Experience

School Captain’s Report

Extended Learning at KSC

The students of Kyneton Secondary College enjoy a

wide range of activities in their classes.

This week’s edition of the newsletter includes articles

from just a few of the interesting curricular activities

that we offer.

Successful pathways at KSC

In 2017, 94% of our Year 12 VCE students received a first round offer, with

74% attaining their first preference. One such example is Tegan Grierson, a

KSC 2017 Graduate. Here are a few of her thoughts on her experience;

“Before graduating Kyneton Secondary College, I knew I only had one

ambition, to become a writer and poet. I looked around at available courses

in creative writing and found I was only interested in applying at RMIT, but I

also applied for La Trobe and Deakin just in case. Thankfully, RMIT offered

me the course, my first and really, only preference.

Since starting, I have been evolving as a writer every week, learning new ways to use my craft, and trying new forms and styles of writing. It’s been so fulfilling to be surrounded by likeminded students and teachers all with different knowledge for me to lap up and to finally feel like I’m focusing on my passion.”

Tegan Grierson

KSC Jiu Jitsu Champions! At the recent Tasmanian State Jiu Jitsu Championships on 7th

April, two KSC students, Thomas Van Orsouw of Yr 8 and Kobi

Dynon of Yr 11 representing the local Kyneton- Marcos

Maroccolo team, celebrated some terrific success as result of

their determined training and efforts.

Tom competed in 2 ‘rolls’ (fights) that lasted 5 min each. He was

in the aged 15 age group. He won both fights by submission,

culminating in the award of gold medal. Tom said “It was very

nerve racking, but a fantastic experience!”.

Tom has been training for two years and has competed a number of times. Recently at the Victorian State

Championships, Tom competed in 2 fights, again at 5 min each in the aged 14 age group. He won first fight by

submission. In the final he won the silver medal, losing by 2 points due to some heavy handed tactics from the other

opponent.

Kobi has been training 2 years with Marcos Maroccolo team. At the February UAEJJF National Pro in Melbourne, he

won the gold medals by points in the Juvenile Division to become national champion. In the recent trip to Tasmania

he had 5 fights at 5 minutes each. He lost 3 in close fights and won 2 in 3 different Juvenile and Open Weight

divisions. This culminated in Kobi winning 3 silvers in Tasmania by beating 2 opponents in 2 different divisions but

losing for the golds. Overall he said “It was an incredible experience and I am looking forward to many more to

come.” Thomas Van Orsouw Yr 8 & Kobi Dynon Yr 11

Last Thursday a group of year 9 & 10 girls travelled to

Sunbury oval to play football, they played 3 games and

unfortunately lost each of them but they showed some

amazing playing skills throughout the day. A special shout

out to Mackenzie Cameron for scoring the only goal of the

day, a special thankyou to Miss Bell for taking us and

thanks to Cole, Owen and Isaac for helping out. Well done

girls! Taryn C

Students Success!

Girls Intermediate Football

This space is dedicated to all things science. If you have any ideas or interesting science items to contribute to this

space, please let Ms Carter or Ms Bradford know. We hope to share your science views in the fortnightly school

newsletter.

We look forward to seeing/reading all of your exciting science stuff

Year 7 Core Science – Famous Scientists

The year 7 Science students have been learning about scientists and the work they do.

Students completed a “wanted” poster about a famous scientist that explained who the scientist was and what

contribution they had made to society. Students then viewed all of the posters and considered which person they

thought was the most “wanted”/most important scientist. Here are some of the student responses:

“J.J.Thompson – he discovered the electron.” Tess

“Gustav Ludwig – [he discovered] “an atom can absorb energy.” Tom

“Ada Lovelace - Even though being a female scientist back then was hard she managed to invent so many things.” Marta “Benjamin Franklin – he found electricity that is important for operations, life support, etc.” Carlos

“Alexander Bell – These days everyone has and relies on a phone and we wouldn’t be able to talk directly with family

and friends without Alexander Bell’s most famous invention – the telephone.” Monica

“Bindi Irwin – She is a zoologist and I like zoologists and she had a really famous father (Steve Irwin).” Cody

“Thomas Edison – he invented an electric light and camera.” Beattie

Rotary Supporting Science & Engineering Challenge - Central Victoria - 20th July, 2018

Thank-you! A huge thanks to Kyneton Rotary for supporting Year 9 and 10 students from KSC to attend this year’s Science & Engineering Challenge.

What? The Science and Engineering Challenge involves eight different schools competing against each other on each

Challenge day.

The school teams are split into 8 colour-coded groups of 2-4 students. Continued:

Science Space

Here is a link if you want to find out more about the Science & Engineering Challenge:

https://www.newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/governance-and-leadership/faculties-and-schools/faculty-of-engineering-

and-built-environment/science-and-engineering-challenge/about-us

Where? Bendigo – Girton Grammar School Stadium, 22 Vine St, Bendigo When? Friday, 20th July Why? The Science and Engineering Challenge aims to engage year 9 & 10 students to work cooperatively and creatively to design and model solutions during a range of interesting activities. Students are awarded points for each activity and the school with the most cumulative points at the end of the day is declared the winner. Who? To express interest in taking part or to ask more questions about the Science and Engineering Challenge, please contact Ms Julie Carter or Ms Cindy Bradford bradford.cindy.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

On behalf of the staff and students, we would like to thank Kyneton Rotary again for giving our students the

opportunity to take part in this event!

Cindy Bradford-Science Learning Area Leader

KSC Parent Focus Group-Parent Invitation

KSC is committed to welcoming and engaging parents to continue to be part of their child’s schooling as they move

through their high school years.

This parent group is beginning to look at how we can support the school to improve our child’s environment, school

experience and opportunities. As such, we are inviting parents to attend a series of forums where you can give

feedback on issues such as uniform, the canteen, mobile phones etc.

Please RSVP to Amanda Summers summers.amanda.a@edumail.vic.gov.au and let us know if you are interested in

attending any of our forums. We look forward to meeting you and hearing your opinion about your children’s

schooling.

Amanda Summers-Welfare Services

On Tuesday the 8th of May, Year 12 VCE and VCAL students attended the annual TIS event. TIS stands for Tertiary

Information Service and was held across the road at Sacred Heart.

The Tertiary Information Service (TIS) is a collective of universities, TAFEs and Independent Tertiary Colleges who

run free information sessions for Year 12 students across Victoria. TIS sessions are an essential “first step” for picking

up information and advice to help our students plan for their future after Year 12. In August, institutions hold “Open

Days” which allow students to attend campuses and further develop their future Study / Training options.

The TIS event begun with a panel of experts outlining the VTAC application process and giving students tips on;

choosing a course, accommodation, scholarships, special admissions schemes, fees and finances, and attending Open

Days.

Then students got to browse the expo, chat to Uni and TAFE reps and collect guides and other information. We hope

that this inspired our Year 12s to get thinking about what lies ahead! We look forward to working with them as they

weigh up their options.

Elizabeth Trembath-Yr 11/12 Coordinator

Parent Invitation

Year 12 TIS Event

The KSC Interact Club is at it again!

This year the KSC Interact Club are continuing

our international project focus by raising funds

and awareness for the plight of needy

orphanages in Vietnam. Please support our

students in this great initiative!

Join some of our students and Kyneton Rotary

Club for Barefoot Bowls, Monday 21 May,

6.00pm at Kyneton Bowling Club.

All funds raised will go to the Interact Club’s Alternative Schoolies community service project for works at the Tu Bong Orphanage, Vietnam. Yet again this year, some of our year 12 students will take funds raised to the orphanage to assist in the development of ongoing works.

Cost: $20 adult, $10 student, $40 family. Price includes bowling and a BBQ dinner.

Please bring your friends and family along and help make this a successful fundraiser.

RSVP to Graham on 0419884630

Benjamin R Hill-Leading Teacher- School Culture

Year 10 Work Experience Program – Monday 18th to Friday 22nd June 2018

A reminder that all Year 10 students are expected to participate in the Work Experience Program as part of their

Year 10 Careers subject.

Work Experience is a wonderful opportunity for students to attend short-term industry placements that broaden

their experience and general understanding of a work environment. Students are to find their own work experience

placements. This involves either telephoning or visiting a business that they may be interested in, and asking the

employer to consider taking them on as a work experience student. Students should not be placed with a relative or

friend of the family where possible. It is important that parents/caregivers provide as much support as possible in

undertaking this task, as it can be challenging for some students. Careers teachers have been assisting students with

the organisation and preparation for their work experience placement.

To be eligible to undertake work experience students must have:

a safe@work certificate signed by the Principal an industry specific safe@work certificate signed by the Principal filled out all parts of the work experience arrangement form

Many students are in the process of finalising their work experience arrangements, which is absolutely fantastic. All

work experience arrangement forms are to be handed into the College as soon as possible. If parents/caregivers

have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your student’s Careers Teacher on 5421 1100.

Many thanks

Annette Brown-Senior Years Program

Interact Club Giving a Helping Hand

Year 10 Work Experience

YEAR 12 VCAL Sailing Leadership Written by Jessica Kriewaldt

Wednesday- I started the day at the caravan park in Geelong with my outdoor Ed class, it was their last day of camp

so we all had to pack our bags and get onto the bus to the sailing school. When we got there it was too windy to sail

but we worked on our assignments for the majority of the morning.

Around lunchtime the year 12 VCAL class showed up in the bus, they got off and the other class got on and left soon

after so they could make it back to school on time. That afternoon we went back to the cabins and sorted out which

we would be in and who we had to share with. I was with Olivia and Ash, which I was very happy with. Although we

brought all of our own food, a group of us walked up to Coles to buy some extra that we needed for dinner, sharing

the cost. We cooked together and ate sausages, potato salad and coleslaw for dinner around the dining table as a

happy family.

Thursday- I woke up and started getting ready for the day, for breakfast I had vegemite on toast. To make sure we

weren’t late to the sailing school today we left just before 9am. We arrived and got straight into groups to sail.

Whilst waiting for the first set of groups to finish up we all played table tennis and hung around on the second floor

of the school. My group consisting of Ash, Michael, Jamie, Coxy and myself put on our lifejackets and followed our

instructor, Keith to the dock.

We hopped in the boat and made sure we were away from the other boats before we started sailing. We all had a go

at the three jobs in the boat, skipper, crew #1 and crew #2. The skipper sat at the back of the boat on the side that

the wind was coming from and steered the boat using the tiller.

Continued

Crew #1 held onto the main sheet and had control of the mainsail,

which determines the speed of the boat. Crew #2 holds onto the jib

sheet, which controls the sail at the front of the boat, called the jib

sail. When turning the boat we all had to work together as a team

to make sure the boat never tips. The skipper switches to the side

that the wind is coming from. Crew #1 passes the mainsheet to

crew #2 and takes control of the jib sheet, switching jobs with crew

#1. We successfully learnt how to sail that day.

Afterwards back at the caravan park, we negotiated whether we

would go to Kmart or not, we decided to go just to get a few things.

I bought a deck of cards to share and play with everyone. That night

I had carbonara for dinner whereas my cabin mates cooked up

spaghetti bolognese.

Friday- when we woke up we had to pack our bags and clean up everything in our cabin because it was our last day

of camp. We got out before 10am and headed to the sailing school, half of us used the small envy boats and the

other half were in the bigger dolphin boats.

Chess Club

We had a huge turnout for Chess Club last Friday, partly due to the cold and wet weather, and the students taking

part had a great time. Apart from Chess on Tuesdays and Fridays, we have a lot of other games for wet days,

together with colouring-in and puzzles. When students choose to start a puzzle, we keep it on a board so that it is

easy to move around, and often we take progress photos for our Instagram account!

More New Books

We have had another delivery of new books this week including the following great titles:

Whisper For two years, six months, fourteen days, eleven hours and sixteen minutes… Subject Six-

Eight-Four, ‘Jane Doe’, has been locked away and experimented on, without uttering a single

word.

Life at Lengard follows a strict, torturous routine that has never changed. Until now.

When Jane is assigned a new-and unexpectedly kind-evaluator, her resolve begins to crack, despite her best efforts. As she uncovers the truth about Lengard’s mysterious ‘program’, Jane discovers that her own

secret is at the heart of a sinister plot …. and one wrong move, one wrong word, could change

Library News!

Stone Girl

A heartbreaking novel of raw survival and hope, and the children society likes to forget. A

stunning and unforgettable, debut YA.

An unspeakable event changes everything for twelve-year-old Sophie. No more Mum, school

or bed of her own. She is made a ward of the state and grows up in a volatile world where

kids make their own rules, adults don’t count and the only constant is change. Until one day,

she meets Gwen, Matty and Spiral. Spiral is the most furious, beautiful boy Sophie has ever

known.

As their bond tightens, she finally begins to confront what happened in her past. I am at the

police station. There’s blood splattered across my face and clothes. In this tiny room with walls the colour of winter

sky I hug a black backpack full of treasures. Only one thing is certain … no one can ever forgive me for what I’ve

done.

Amelia Westlake

From Ampersand Prize-winning author Erin Gough comes this ferociously funny romp through

an elite private school, and a brilliant feminist hoax that could change - or ruin - everything.

Harriet Price has the perfect life: she is a prefect at Rosemead Grammar, she lives in a

mansion, and her gorgeous girlfriend is a future prime minister. So when she decides to risk it

all by helping bad-girl Will Everhart expose the school’s many ongoing issues, Harriet tells

herself it’s because she too is seeking justice and definitely not because she finds Will oddly

fascinating.

Will Everhart can’t stand posh people like Harriet, but even she has to admit Harriet’s ideas

are good - and they’ll keep Will from being expelled. That’s why she teams up with Harriet to

create Amelia Westlake, a fake student who can take the credit for a series of provocative pranks at their school. But

the further Will and Harriet’s hoax goes, the harder it is for the girls to remember they’re sworn enemies - and to

keep Amelia Westlake’s true identity hidden. As tensions burn throughout the school, how far will they go to keep

Amelia Westlake - and their feelings for each other - a secret? Perfect for fans of David Levithan and Becky Albertalli,

this triumphant queer YA rom-com explores politics, privilege and power, and has a gloriously uplifting teen romance

at its heart.

Outwalkers

No one can get into Scotland, just like no one can cross the channel… England is under the

control of an authoritarian regime. They can track anyone, anywhere, by a chip that is

implanted in their skin.

But Jake, who breaks out of the Academy dorm he’s been housed in, has decided to escape. To

go off-grid…to join a small group of independent spirits determined to keep out of the

governments prying eyes called “The Outwalkers”. Its only together with them that he will be

able to reach Scotland and safety.

Book Review Team

Our Book Review Team will be meeting again this week to look at our new books, and to have a sweet treat to eat.

Please encourage your child to join us if they would like to help promote the wonderful books in our Library.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

All students in Years 7 & 8 should now have their username and password for the Premier’s Reading Challenge. This

is a personal challenge to read fifteen books before September. Students log their novels onto the Reading Challenge

website, and if they meet the Challenge, they will receive a certificate from the Premier. It is a great way to

encourage reading which is an important part of the school’s curriculum.

Ms Francesca Teniswood-Librarian

This term Year 7 & 8 students have been participating in the AquaAware Swimming Program at Kyneton Toyota

Sports & Aquatic Centre, as part of their P.E session.

Stroke assessment and development is covered in the six week program along with survival scenarios with life

jackets, clothed survival swims and rescue techniques.

Swim teachers at the centre are very impressed with the participation of Year 7 students who in the past have

attended the same program in their primary school years. Their enthusiasm and eagerness has seen great progress

in their stroke development and those not able to swim on the day have completed the written task sheets

thoroughly.

Year 8 students will increase their rescue skill knowledge with contact tow rescues, rescuing their buddies in the

water and towing them for 25m, then placing them into the recovery position on pool deck. Their last challenge will

see them swim fully clothed, treading and floating for over 5 minutes in a survival sequence. They will acquire and

practise these skills as a team and will feel confident in knowing they are equipped to deal with life’s unexpected

emergencies.

Marie Noonan, (AquaAware Facilitator, K.T.S.A.C) said the staff at the centre would like to congratulate all students

who have participated in the wet and dry components of the program and hope to see you return for more aquatic

fun and lap sessions.

Photos of Ms Cox’s year 7 class doing life saving activities

Student Led Conferences – Year 7 & 8 Thursday 28th June

Our students in year 7 & 8 will showcase their work and reflect on their learning for semester 1.

Please note the date: information will be emailed with booking times at the beginning of June.

Students will be organised into groups of 4 or 5 to present in the same room during a 40 minute session. The aim is

to have a class teacher and parents of the group in the room for the presentations of each student in the group. We

run this each semester to give students the opportunity to talk positively about their work across the different

subjects. Students learn when they observe the other presentations. They improve considerably in knowing how to

prepare for it and gain confidence in presenting to an audience.

Normal classes will run and students will leave class for their presentation session. Parents will only attend for their

child’s scheduled session time. We will continue the session times through until 8.15pm. Students will be required to

come with their parents for times beyond the usual school hours.

Pam Macdonald Junior Years Principal

School newsletters

May 2018

Show them they matter: nominate a school crossing supervisor now!

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is encouraging students, parents, teachers and community members to

nominate their local school crossing supervisor for the 2018 Victorian School Crossing Supervisor of the

Year Award.

Council employs 31 supervisors who ensure the safety of all users at 19 crossings across the shire come

rain, hail or shine.

The School Crossing Supervisor of the Year Award was established in 2010 by School Crossings Victoria

to acknowledge the contribution and spirit of the work undertaken by school crossing supervisors

throughout Victoria.

Nominations close Friday 25th May.

For more information about the awards, or to complete a nomination form, visit

schoolcrossingsvictoria.com.au/supervisor-year-awards

Student Led Conferences

Community News

The Gisborne Singers will perform the Australian

premiere of the deeply moving work Cantata

Memoria – For the Children, by Welsh composer Karl

Jenkins. The work was commissioned to

commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1966

mining tragedy in Aberfan, Wales.

In the disaster, a coal spoil tip descended on the

village, burying the primary school and surrounding

houses; killing 116 children and 28 adults. It was not

only the disaster itself, but also the following

insensitive bungling by authorities, which has cast this

tragedy deep within the Welsh psyche.

Sensitively and beautifully written, 22 of the choir

performed this music at Carnegie Hall, New York in

2017. The choir will combine with professional

orchestra; violin, harp and euphonium soloists; local

children’s choir; and soloists Rosie Cocklin and

Manfred Pohlenz. Rosie is returning for her first solo

performance with the choir. Concert dates are

20th May at Gisborne Church of Christ and

27th May at Kyneton’s Our Lady of the Rosary

Catholic Church (both 3pm). Tickets $40/35/20/<12

free.

Enquiries Robert Blair 5428 7033. For bookings please go to www.gisbornesingers.org.au