Information for Parents - Senior School

Information for Parents Senior School | Years 9 to 12

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CONTENTS

THE GEELONG COLLEGE

Pastoral Care/TripleR............. 4 Beginning at the College....... 5

VISION

Orientation Date of Commencement Welcome Evening Student Absences Medical Matters Special Family Situations Leaving School Premises School Hours Visitors

Communication............................ 6 Key Contacts....................................... 7

Need to Know................................... 8 Academic Program Book List Recycled Textbook Sale Houses........................................................ 9 Laptop Collection Lockers Lunch SSPA SunSmart Uniform

Co-curricular.................................. 10 Travel Information.................... 11 2

The Geelong College is an innovative and caring community of learners committed to making a positive difference to an ever changing world.

MISSION The Geelong College is a Uniting Church co-educational day and boarding school that creates outstanding opportunities for its community of students, encouraging and inspiring all to be positive contributors to our world.

TERM DATES 2016 TERM 1

Monday 1 February Monday 14 March Thursday 24 March

Students commence Labour Day holiday Term ends

Friday 25 March Monday 28 March

Good Friday Easter Monday

TERM 2

Tuesday 12 April Monday 25 April Monday 13 June Friday 17 June

TERM 3

Tuesday 12 July Friday 16 September

TERM 4

Tuesday 4 October Monday 31 October Wednesday 7 December

Students commence ANZAC Day holiday Queen’s Birthday holiday Term ends Students commence Term ends Students commence Mid-term break Term ends

WELCOME Welcome to the Senior School. I hope that this booklet provides you with the information you need to help your sons and daughters in their transition.

The Geelong College endeavours to: • maintain the highest possible academic standards whilst recognising the need to cater for a range of students • ensure a safe and well structured educational setting which is designed to support students in their learning • provide strong pastoral support through the House system • ensure effective communication with parents in order to develop close and cooperative relationships between school and home • encourage students to explore a range of activities for growth through the co-curricular and academic programs, and • encourage good citizenship through sustainable practices and community service.

Nathan Jessup Head of Senior School 3

PASTORAL CARE The House system provides a framework for pastoral care within the Senior School. The underlying belief is that students need to experience a respectful and supportive environment in which they feel valued and respected.

Effectively, each House is its own community and House spirit is encouraged through a range of inter-House competitions, as well as community service. Students meet in House groupings, usually four times a week, in dedicated pastoral time, and each student’s Tutor assists the Head of House in managing the students’ needs.

Furthermore, the College expects every classroom teacher to be responsive to the pastoral needs of students in their classes.

The Geelong College’s wellbeing program, TripleR, stands for resilience, relationships and reflection. Specific initiatives to enhance wellbeing are integrated into the school’s learning programs at all year levels.

Resilience – I Can. Students are supported and challenged to develop an outlook that sees setbacks as an inevitable part of the human experience and to face difficulties knowing that they offer possibilities for personal growth.

Relationships – I Care. Students learn about establishing and maintaining positive relationships which demonstrate care and concern for others as well as themselves.

Reflection – Now I See. Students learn a range of self-managing and self-awareness skills including mindfulness, goal setting, good decision making, impulse control, identifying emotions and expressing them appropriately.

The Senior School TripleR program aims to help students build on their self-management, mindfulness, relationship development and wellbeing skills, and to instil the confidence and empathy students will need to make a positive contribution to the world. Students are encouraged to make smart choices and look out for their friends with regard to issues including nutrition, body image, respectful relationships, safe partying, cyber awareness and emotional health, as well as positive and negative peer influence.

The House system, forums with guest speakers and student outreach and community service programs help to build connectedness which is a vital protective factor in positive mental health.

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BEGINNING AT THE COLLEGE ORIENTATION An Orientation Day will be held at the Senior School on Friday 4 December 2015 for all new students and Middle School students moving up from Year 8. A separate letter outlining arrangements for the day will be emailed to families shortly.

A further Orientation Session will be held closer to the commencement of Term 1 for all new students and Middle School students moving up from Year 8. Further information will be sent at a later date.

DATE OF COMMENCEMENT The academic year for 2016 will commence on Monday 1 February. Senior School students should assemble in their House Rooms by 8.45am.

WELCOME EVENING A Welcome Evening for parents of Senior School students will be held on Tuesday 2 February 2016. An invitation will be sent at a later date.

STUDENT ABSENCES If a student is absent, parents/guardians should notify the school by phoning 5226 3113 before 9.30am or emailing SSAbsentee@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au on the day of the absence as well as any subsequent absences. Requests for permission to be absent from school for an extended period, for reasons other than illness, should be sought at least two weeks in advance by letter or email, addressed to the Head of Senior School.

Late arrivals to school should be supported by a signed note from a parent, preferably in the Student Planner. Late arrivals should also report to Student Administration to sign in.

MEDICAL MATTERS All students entering the school must present a completed “The Geelong College Medical History Form� at the time of entry. The school must be advised of any subsequent changes to that information. A medical form will be forwarded to parents to update each year.

If any student has been suffering from an infectious illness, Health Department regulations must be observed and the school must be notified. Children suffering from obviously infectious flu symptoms should be kept at home.

SPECIAL FAMILY SITUATIONS We appreciate being informed of any changes to home situations, such as illness in the family, separation of parents, parents travelling etc. This assists our pastoral care staff as well as the specialist subject teachers.

LEAVING THE SCHOOL PREMISES Students who need to leave the school grounds during the day must have a note of explanation in their Student Planner signed by a parent/guardian and their Tutor, before reporting to the Student Administration Office when it is time to sign out for their appointment. Students must report back in at the Student Administration Office if they return to school that day.

SCHOOL HOURS The school day starts at 8.40am and finishes at 3.30pm.

VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL We ask any visitors to the school to sign in at Reception and collect a visitor badge. This badge should be worn at all times while on the school grounds.

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COMMUNICATION COLLEGE TO PARENTS Parent Portal: Specific information for current families such as news, events, uniform shop details and more can be found on the Parent Portal (https://gnet.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au). The portal is a password-protected area that also contains specific information on your child.

Bulletin: Parents will be emailed a link to the College Bulletin each week during term time. The bulletin provides a wrap of College-wide news and events, as well as class-specific information. It is important that parents take time to read the bulletin each week.

College website: The College website (www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au) features general College information, news, photos and videos.

Social media: “Like” The Geelong College on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest news and events. Follow us on Twitter to learn more about educational opinions and insights.

Special publications: The College publishes its community magazine Ad Astra twice a year. Ad Astra contains articles on school learning programs and events, as well as content about Old Collegians. The College also releases a yearbook, Pegasus, at the end of each school year.

Student Planner: Each student has a Student Planner, which serves as a daily diary. The planner must be taken to and from school each day. All school notes and reminders are placed in the planner. We ask parents to check and sign the Student Planner daily. Planners provide a threeway form of communication between parents, their child and the teacher – and we encourage its frequent use.

Reports: Parents will receive reports at the following times of the year: Years 9, 10 and 11 Interim Reports End of Terms 1 and 3 Full Reports End of Terms 2 and 4 Year 12 Semester 1 Report Term 2

Interim Assessments (incl Term 3 SAC results) Term 3 Learning Conferences: Learning Conferences are scheduled sessions to share your child’s learning. For students in Years 9 to 11, Learning Conferences are held during Terms 2 and 4. For students in Year 12, Learning Conferences are held mid-Term 1 and towards the end of Term 3.

Details will be made available closer to the date.

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PARENTS TO COLLEGE We encourage parents to contact the school with any areas of concern or for advice. The primary contact is the student’s Head of House, particularly in regards to pastoral care. The Head of Senior School, VCE Coordinator, Careers Educator, School Counsellors and Chaplain are also available for urgent matters, or to provide support to students and their families.

Key Contacts 2016 Peter Miller, Principal Roger Smith, Deputy Principal Nathan Jessup, Head of Senior School Kirsten Van Cleef, Deputy Head of Senior School Greg Smith, VCE Coordinator Matthew Taylor, Studies Coordinator Adrian Blades, Careers Educator Heads of House Calvert: Ros Palmer Coles: Paul Conway Keith: Gareth Gilby McArthur: Phil Taylor McLean: Melissa Barnes Morrison: Kevin Flanagan Shannon: Elizabeth Smith Wettenhall: Sarah Hallows Cathie Thornton and Kate Sculley, School Counsellors Rev Tim Edwards, College Chaplain

5226 3107 5226 3111 5226 3113 5226 3113 5226 3180 5226 3175 5226 3127 5226 3197 5226 3139 5226 3145 5226 3142 5226 3121 5226 3144 5226 3141 5226 3146 5226 3186 5226 3140

Contact details: It is important to keep the school updated about any new or changed family phone numbers, addresses or email contacts. These changes can be made by contacting Community Relations at communityrelations@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au or 5226 3156, or by logging into the My Account section of the Parent Portal.

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NEED TO KNOW ACADEMIC PROGRAM Key personnel for the Academic Program at the Senior School are the Deputy Principal; Head of Teaching and Learning; Studies Coordinator; VCE Coordinator and the Heads of Department.

Parents who would like to discuss any aspect of the academic program should initially contact the Head of Teaching and Learning. Matters concerning subject selection are managed by the Studies Coordinator and all administration of the VCE is managed by the VCE Coordinator. Heads of Department can provide detailed information about specific courses and assessment.

BOOK LIST Our book list supplier is Campion Education (Aust) Pty Ltd, located at 36 Little Myers Street, Geelong. Book lists will be available online at www.campion.com.au – Click “ORDER NOW”, locate The Geelong College (under “T” not “G”), click “Get Resource List” and use the code 5XDA. The final date for submission of book list orders to Campion Education is: • Friday 6 November for Years 11 and 12 • Friday 4 December for Years 9 and 10 You may also collect a paper copy of the relevant book list at the Student Administration Office at Senior School (for Years 9-11) if you wish.

Ordered books will be available for collection at the Senior School in Classrooms G1 and G2 (next to the Davey House Business Office, Noble Street) on: • Thursday 28 January 2016, 9am to 4.30pm • Friday 29 January 2016, 9am to 4.30pm Please note that late orders may be lodged at the Campion store in Little Myers Street or via their Home Delivery Service, but this will involve an additional cost. Similarly, uncollected packages will be returned to the Campion store in Little Myers Street for individual pickup.

RECYCLED TEXTBOOK SALE There will be a recycled textbook sale run by the Senior School Parents’ Association in the Senior School Aerobics Room (above the Gymnasium) as follows: Year 12 Years 7 to 11 Friday 20 November 2015: Tuesday 1 December 2015: 9am to 12.30pm – Bring in books to sell 8am to 2pm – Bring in books to sell 1.30pm to 4pm – Sales to Year 11s Wednesday 2 December 2015: 8am to 2pm – Book sales (cash only) 3pm to 4.30pm – Collect money and unsold books 8

HOUSES The Senior School consists of eight Houses. The Houses provide a structure for pastoral care, and they also compete in intra-school sports and music competitions throughout the year.

The Houses are: Calvert (maroon) – named after Stanley B Hamilton-Calvert, an Old Collegian and former Council member.

Coles (pale blue) – named after Sir Arthur Coles, co-founder of the Coles company, Old Collegian and past Council Chairman.

Keith (sage green) – named after Bertram Robert Keith, an Old Collegian and staff member from 1927-1971. Keith co-wrote the 1961 Geelong College Centenary History.

McArthur (black) – named after Dr A Norman McArthur, an Old Collegian who served on the College Council from 1908 to 1947.

McLean (red) – named after Rev Ewan Charles McLean, a staff member from 1940-1978 and the College’s first Chaplain.

Morrison (brown) – named after Dr George Morrison, the College’s founding Principal.

Shannon (dark blue) – named after Charles Shannon, Council member and chairman 1908-1921.

Wettenhall (gold) – named after long-serving Council member Dr Roland Wettenhall and his family.

LAPTOP COLLECTION The laptop collection date will be advised through the Parent Portal. A separate letter outlining arrangements for each Year Level will be sent to families.

LOCKERS, LOCKS/COMBINATION PADLOCKS (for day houses) Heads of Day Houses allocate lockers for books and sports clothes at the start of each year. All students must use the combination lock supplied by the College, either brought with them from the Middle School or purchased from the Senior School. The cost of a new lock is $17 and will be added to the student’s account.

LUNCH Lunch can be purchased from the Tuck Shop/Canteen on the first floor of the Rolland Centre, each day during recess and lunchtime. The menu is published on the Student Portal.

SENIOR SCHOOL PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION The Senior School Parents’ Association helps facilitate active parent involvement in the school community. The SSPA hosts a number of events throughout the school year, providing a chance for parents to meet and socialise in the College environment. Parent Support Groups also exist for music, drama and various sports – these groups help raise funds, host social events and support students and teachers. We encourage all parents to contribute to College life.

SUNSMART The College will assist students to gain an understanding of appropriate behaviours related to protection against the harmful effects of the sun. Students are actively encouraged to use sunscreen when they are involved in outdoor activities in Terms 1 and 4. During this time, they will be required to wear hats/caps for Physical Education classes, sports training and matches in the summer season.

UNIFORM The College Uniform Shop is the only official authorised supplier of the school uniform. For more information please refer to the “Uniform Guidelines 2016” booklet or the “Uniform” tab in the Parent Portal’s “Information for Parents” section.

School Bags: The Geelong College backpack can be bought from the College Uniform Shop.

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CO-CURRICULAR MUSIC Our Senior School classroom music program is extensive and creative. Music is an elective subject from Year 9, offering the opportunity to study the historical, theoretical and technological aspects of music, as well as composition and performance. VCE and VET Music are offered for solo artists and groups across an extraordinary variety of instruments and styles.

Many students take private instrumental, vocal and music theory tuition at College. Lessons are offered within the school day and out of hours, allowing music to become an important part of a student’s journey at the College. Students perform in large ensembles (Concert Band, String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Stage Band, Choir) and classical and jazz chamber ensembles. For more information about tuition, please contact Instrumental Music Tuition Coordinator at Janice.Boyce@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au Regular performances are a key feature of the music program, with opportunities for individuals and groups to play at Music Evenings, informal soirées, lunchtime concerts, festivals, services and shows. The highlight for the Stage Band is their participation in the annual Generations in Jazz festival at Mt Gambier. The Foundation Concert, held annually in Costa Hall, Deakin University, is the College’s major musical performance and provides a showcase for the excellent musical achievements of our ensembles from across the school.

PERFORMING/ VISUAL ARTS Classroom Drama, an elective from Year 9, allows students the opportunity to explore dramatic skills and understand a range of performance and scripting styles. Similarly, classroom Dance teaches students to express themselves through a range of styles and choreography tasks. Drama and Dance students have the chance to showcase their talents in plays, musicals, performance evenings and assemblies. Annual year-level productions are held for students studying Drama and Dance in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12. The highlight of the year is the Major Production, involving many Senior School students.

From Year 9, students can engage in electives including Art, Product Design and Technology, Studio Arts (textiles), Visual Communication Design and Photography, with VET Interactive Digital Media added for Year 10 and the VCE years. Students learn practical skills and applications responding to creative challenges and questions of design and product use. Visual Arts students design and deliver incredible work using a broad variety of media and have the opportunity to showcase their work in both College and external exhibitions.

SPORT

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In addition to an extensive classroom Physical Education program in Years 9 and 10, the College holds inter-house competitions and other activities for students. All students are involved in the Associated Public Schools of Victoria (APS) school sport program. As an APS member, students can take part in a wide range of sports, including: APS summer sports: Badminton, Cricket, Diving, Rowing, Softball, Swimming and Tennis APS winter sports: Basketball, Football, Hockey, Netball and Soccer APS spring sports: Athletics and Water Polo Also offered: Equestrian, Fencing, Golf, Shooting, Snow Sports, Surf Lifesaving, Surfing The College arranges student travel and encourages families to come along and show their support.

TRAVEL INFORMATION For enquiries about transport to and from school, please contact the College’s Bus Travel Coordinator, BusCoordinator@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au The following details are set down for the general information of parents and to assist in matters related to transport to and from the College.

LOCAL BUSES Geelong Transit System (GTS) operates a Newtown service which runs between the city, the Middle School and the Senior School. GTS also operates special school buses directly to the Newtown area from Highton, North Geelong and Norlane. Specific details should be obtained directly from the relevant GTS operator (either Benders on 5278 5955 or McHarry’s on 5223 2111). Services are operated from other urban areas to the city where the connection with the GTS service is possible.

GTS (GEELONG TRANSIT SYSTEM) The Geelong Transit Card (either half-yearly or yearly) is purchased from V/Line at major railway stations. Application forms are available from the the Bus Coordinator in Davey House in January.

The forms must be completed and verified by the Bus Travel Coordinator before V/Line will issue a pass. Please note two passport photos are required with the form. These passes allow unlimited travel within the GTS urban area which extends to Leopold, Grovedale and Lara.

BELLARINE PENINSULA AND SURF COAST PUBLIC TRANSPORT McHarry’s Buslines operates services from the following towns located on the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast – Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale, Portarlington, St Leonards, Clifton Springs, Leopold, Drysdale, Breamlea and Torquay. Details of particular services, times and routes should be obtained from McHarry’s Buslines on 5223 2111.

If you live on the coastal side of Bawtree Road, Leopold, or the coastal side of Mount Duneed Road, Mount Duneed, you will be required to purchase a Vic Student Pass. Application forms are available from the Bus Coordinator in Davey House in January. The forms must be completed and verified by the Bus Coordinator before V/Line will issue a pass, please note two passport photos are required with the form.

You may be eligible to claim a Conveyance Allowance to reimburse the cost of the bus pass if you meet the means test criteria and live more than 4.8km radial distance from the school. To see if you are eligible visit the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development website, www.education.vic.gov.au. These forms are also available from the Bus Coordinator in Davey House.

RURAL/OTHER AREAS – APPLICATION TO TRAVEL FORM The Education Department operates bus services from Lorne, Anglesea, Deans Marsh, Winchelsea, Cressy, Meredith, Bannockburn/Lethbridge, Aireys Inlet, Paraparap and Anakie. If you wish to make use of any of these services, please contact the School Contract Bus Coordinator at Matthew Flinders Girls’ Secondary College on 5221 8834. An Application for Travel form (blue form) can also be obtained from the Bus Coordinator in Davey House.

PRIVATE BUS TRAVEL As an alternative to the public school bus service, the College operates buses that pick up students from designated stops in the morning and drops them at the same place in the afternoons. The cost of fares will be advised each year and charged via the school fees. A green conveyance form must be completed (available from Davey House).

Routes included are: Colac/Birregurra/Winchelsea/Moriac Torquay Anglesea/Jan Juc/Freshwater Creek Sanctuary Lakes/Werribee Ocean Grove/Barwon Heads 11

SHAPING THE FUTURE 12

www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au +61 3 5226 3111 CRICOS: 00142G