Lilian Bayly Centre Handbook 2025

Lilian Bayly Centre (7 & 8)

Lauriston Girls’ School - Handbook 2025

Welcome to the Lilian Bayly Centre (Years 7 & 8)

Wominjeka!

"Wominjeka" is a Woiwurrung word from the Wurundjeri people, meaning 'welcome and come with purpose.' Since our school is located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Boonwurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, we are honoured to extend this warm greeting to all Year 7 students joining our Senior School community.

Stepping into the Lilian Bayly Centre for the first time is a significant moment for our Year 7 students. It marks the beginning of a journey filled with inspiring learning experiences, new friendships, and personal growth.

The Lilian Bayly Centre is designed to provide Year 7 and 8 students with a dedicated space within Lauriston, fostering a sense of unique identity while encouraging a strong sense of belonging and connectedness. Here, students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally within a supportive network that includes their peers, teachers, Tutors, and Year Level Coordinators.

We look forward to nurturing the unique strengths of each of our students, guiding them toward achieving their personal and academic goals, and celebrating their progress along the way

This handbook aims to provide new students and families with the necessary information to navigate their transition to Senior School.

Kate Gilchrist – Year 7 Coordinator

Sue Traynor – Year 8 Coordinator

Vanessa McDonnell – Head of Senior School

Nat Fanariotis – Deputy Principal - Wellbeing

The Lauriston Ecosystem

At Lauriston, we view our school as a complex ecosystem where different elements interact to create a thriving community. Just as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs describes the conditions for human development, we recognise that for our students to grow into global citizens who make positive contributions to society, their foundational needs must first be met. To support this growth, we focus on scaffolding learning across three levels - enabling learning, activating learning, and connecting learning to the world beyond our school's gates.

The diagram below illustrates the core components of our school ecosystem, showing how they each contribute to and reinforce one another, creating a dynamic and supportive environment for learning and wellbeing

The Lauriston Values

At Lauriston, our School Values drive our attitudes, behaviours, decisions and perspectives, and bring purpose and meaning to the learning experience

Academic Care

Academic Care at our school aims to provide comprehensive support and guidance for students, with a focus on their overall wellbeing, personal growth, and academic success.

Our Academic Care approach integrates learning and wellbeing by acknowledging that cognitive, social, and emotional development are deeply connected. Our Academic Care team consists of teaching professionals, including Tutors, subject matter experts, and professional support staff, allowing us to offer proactive, responsive, and personalised care to every student.

This structure ensures that each student is known, supported, and equipped to succeed throughout their educational journey. Our goal is to help students build a strong foundation that will carry them through school and beyond.

Key Contacts

In our Academic Care structure, the first point of contact for parents and caregivers is our team of Tutors. As the academic year progresses, parents and caregivers will have more opportunities to connect with Tutors and develop a strong relationship. These interactions are key to supporting student success and maintaining open lines of communication.

Our Year Level Coordinators are also available to engage in discussions about student learning, wellbeing, behaviour and development, and/or general school operations and events.

If parents and caregivers wish to discuss a student’s academic progress with individual teachers, they can email them directly. Teacher and Tutor mail addresses can be accessed via Schoolbox

Key Contacts

Contact details

Main Reception 9864 7555

Student Services & Absences 9864 7541seniorschool@lauriston.vic.edu.au

Year 7 Coordinator - Kate Gilchrist 9864 7528

Year 8 Coordinator - Sue Traynor 9864 7537

Head of Senior School – Vanessa McDonnell 9864 7673

Deputy Principal: Wellbeing Nat Fanariotis 9864 7526

Health Centre 9864 7608

IT Service Desk 9864 7511 helpdesk@lauriston.vic.edu.au

The Lilian Bayly Centre A-Z

Absences

Illness

If a student is going to be absent from school because unwell, parents should send an email to seniorschool@lauriston.vic.edu.au or register an absence via the Lauriston Girls' School app before 8.30am.

Appointments

The School encourages students to make appointments during holidays or after school hours If this is not possible or in the event of an emergency appointment, an email should be sent to seniorschool@lauriston.vic.edu.au prior to the appointment. The student must sign out at Student Services before meeting parents at reception.

Leave

To avoid interruption to learning, the School strongly encourages parents to organise holidays during term breaks and grants leave during term time only in exceptional circumstances. Requests for extended leave during term must be made in writing to the Principal principal@lauriston.vic.edu.au at least three weeks in advance.

Clubs

Each year, dependent on student interest there are a number of clubs and interest groups that run over various lunchtimes for students to follow their interest, engage with students in other year levels and make a positive impact. Here are some examples of clubs that have run in the past:

Amnesty

The School has an active and committed Amnesty International student club. Students from all year levels meet to discuss important local and global issues in a safe and welcoming environment, and they raise awareness through fundraising events and benefits. New members are welcome to join the group at any point in the year.

Behind the Scenes

This club is for students who would like to work on sets and props for the Middle School Musical. They meet once a week in Term 1 and 4 to create and make the pieces that the performers use on stage and create the ‘world of the musical’. This is a fantastic way for students to become involved ‘Behind the Scenes’.

Debating and Public Speaking

Students who enjoy public speaking and debating can be involved in a number of these activities in Year 7 and 8. All Year 7 and 8 students take part in public speaking early in the year and poetry performance in Term 3. As well as House Debating (Term 2), students participate in a round-robin competition and interschool events through the Debating Association of Victoria (DAV). Beginners are welcome. DAV competition for Year 7 begins in Term 3. Year 8 students participate in DAV from March until August. Please note, this activity incurs a fee to cover registration.

Greenies and Sustainability

Students can get involved in environmental programs that focus on initiatives including recycling paper and plastics, conserving water, Clean-up Australia campaign, tree planting and reducing plastic bag usage. Greenies also support wildlife conservation projects, working across year levels to educate the School community about caring for the environment.

Model UN

Lauriston supports an active and growing Model United Nations group, also known as Model UN, group. Our goal is to provide a better understanding of the inner workings of the UN as students build skills in diplomacy and compromise. MUNA or MUN, activity in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the role and impact of United Nations on world affairs. Typically, students will discuss and debate important world social, economic or political issues while taking the part of delegates to the United Nations and simulating UN committees. There is the opportunity to participate in external workshops, state, national and even international conferences. Model UN builds confidence and leadership as well as diplomatic skills. As an exercise in research, public speaking, and teamwork, students can develop skills that they will call on time and again after they leave school.

Pride Club

Pride Club is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. We seek to celebrate the broad spectrum of identities that our school community encompasses. Students will work together to bring awareness to issues impacting the queer community through group discussions, community service and providing insights into the queer life for those who are not a part of the LGBTQ+ community.

STEM Club

Y7/8 STEM club is an opportunity for students to get hands on in the Fablab and apply science and engineering in a creative way. From ice pole sticks and hot glue, to soldering and Micro:bits, STEM Club is a space to explore, and learn skills that build on Science and Technology lessons. Laser cutting and 3D printing is available also, both for students to work on personal projects, or put in extra time to enhance ideas for other classes and tutor group.

Library Reviewers’ Group

The library has a fortnightly book club at each year level for Year 7 and Year 8. Led by a teacher librarian, students who love books and reading come together to discuss new library books, what they are currently reading or would like to read. Students in this club have the opportunity to visit a local bookshop to choose books for the library, to shadow judge the shortlist of the CBCA Book of the Year, or to participate in a national quiz based on books and reading. There is also the opportunity to attend the Melbourne Writers Festival Schools’ Programme in May of each year.

Co-Curricular Activities

Art

All Years 7 and 8 students study the visual arts as part of their curriculum. For students wanting to develop their artistic ability, a range of co-curricular art classes are held after school.

Drama

Drama is part of the curriculum in Years 7 and 8, and it can also be enjoyed as a co-curricular activity. Opportunities for involvement include:

• Year 7 & 8 Lunchtime Drama - for further information please see the Co-Curricular Activities Handbook

• The middle school musical – occurs annually

• Students from Year 5-8 are invited to audition for the Middle School Musical. This is a wonderful opportunity to work on their confidence in a supportive environment. The cast rehearses during Term 1 to bring the production to life. This is supported by our Behind-the-Scenes Club made up of students in Year 7 and 8. This group makes sets and props for the show - a wonderful way for our visual artists to get involved. There is also a call for a backstage and Front of House Crew to work on show nights. Creativity, collaboration and critical thinking in action!

• The House Drama Festival - This is a whole school event lead by year 11 and 12 students. The Senior Students write, direct, choreograph and design the plays. Students from Year 7-12 are encouraged to audition for their House. Participation is key and everyone who wants to be involved can be, whether it be on the stage or behind the scenes. The festival concludes on the last day of Term 2 when the Houses show their work on stage and compete for the House Drama Trophy

Music

The School offers lessons in a range of musical instruments including voice and music theory. Students can hire instruments on a yearly basis. All students who have music lessons at the School are expected to participate in a School ensemble. Piano students are expected to participate in a choir and/or as a percussionist in a Lauriston Ensemble.

Full details of the Music program, ensembles and individual lesson are located in the Music section of Schoolbox.

Music Ensembles

There are many exciting opportunities for students to participate in musical activities, whether they learn an instrument at the School or privately. Choral and instrumental ensembles rehearse every week and perform at recitals, concerts, and assemblies. Students in Years 7 and 8 can join the following ensembles:

• Lauriston Voices: A large choir which is open to all students in Years 7 and 8 and an ideal introduction to ensemble music making. No audition is required.

• Laurietta: A small, auditioned choir for students in Years 7 and 8 that provides extra challenge for experienced choristers.

• Percussion Ensemble: There are both junior and senior percussion ensembles available to students, depending on their level of skill. Percussion Ensembles provide

an ensemble opportunity for both percussion students and pianists and include a range of orchestral and contemporary percussion instruments.

• Concert Band: A large band for woodwind, brass and percussion students of all abilities from Years 5–8.

• Lauriston Collective: A training band for students wishing to explore Jazz and other contemporary music.

• Lilian Bayly Strings: An orchestra for all string players in Years 7 and 8.

• Fusion Ensemble: An ensemble where instruments from across the world perform repertoire from a variety of musical cultures.

• Chamber Ensembles: Available by audition only and different from year to year based on interest and skill level. Auditions are held for these groups late in Term 4 and early Term 1.

Students may also audition for the following Senior Ensembles:

• Lauriston Orchestra: A symphony orchestra for students in Year 10–12. Some places for orchestral players in Years 7 and 8 are available.

• Symphonic Band: A senior wind band for students in Years 10–12. Some places for woodwind, percussion and brass players in Years 7 and 8 are available.

• Senior Jazz: A senior stage band for students in Years 10-12. Some places are available for woodwind, percussion and brass players in Years 7 & 8.

Sport

There are many opportunities for both recreational and competition (House and School) sport and, as outlined below, the sports offered change each term. Details of trials and trainings are published in Sport@Lauriston on Schoolbox, Clipboard and the sports calendar Information is also made available to students via LGS Sport & Rec on MS Teams as well as announcements during morning roll call. There is an expectation that students in Years 7 and 8 will undertake a sport or recreational activity each week, each term.

The School is a member of Girls’ Sport Victoria (GSV) and takes part in Weekly Sports and Carnivals. Students in Year 7 and 8 who select a GSV Weekly sport will train on a Thursday morning and compete on a Thursday afternoon. Teams are taken by bus to external venues and return by approximately 6.00pm. The School aims to run enough teams to give all students who attend training the chance to represent the School.

Term 1

GSV

Diving

Golf (one day event)

Indoor cricket

Softball

Swimming

Tennis

Triathlon

Term

2

GSV

AFL

Athletics - Cross country

Hockey

Netball

House competition Recreational Misc

Cross country

Diving

Swimming

Term 3

GSV

Athletics - Track and Field

Rugby 7’s

Soccer

Volleyball

Badminton

House competition

Athletics – Track and Field

Indoor Soccer

Yoga

Boxercise

Spin Class

Athletics – Run Squad

Strength and Conditioning

Table Tennis

Athletics T&F Rowing

Lauriston Netball Club

Lauriston Basketball Club

Recreational Misc

Athletics - Run Squad

Strength and Conditioning

Swimming

Table tennis

Yoga

Boxercise Spin Class

House competition

Badminton Netball

Term 4

GSV

Basketball

Cricket

Water Polo

House competition

Basketball

Lauriston Netball Club Snowsports

Lauriston Basketball Club

Recreational Misc

Athletics – Run Squad

Diving

Strength and Conditioning

Swimming

Table tennis

Yoga

Boxercise Spin Class

Lauriston Netball Club Rowing

Lauriston Basketball Club

Snowsports

Recreational Misc

Athletics - Run Squad

Diving

Strength and Conditioning

Swimming

Table Tennis

Yoga

Boxercise

Spin Class

Lauriston Netball Club Rowing

Lauriston Basketball Club

Rowing

Lauriston Girls’ School rowing is an exciting sports program designed to challenge our students from Years 8 to 12. The rowing season commences early Term 3 for our Year 8 students, in both land-based and on water training sessions. These sessions aim to build strength, stamina and resilience amongst our students. Our Year 8’sare selected into crews during Term 4, and then compete in 3 regattas prior to the end of the school year.

Snowsports

The School has a strong presence at the Victorian Interschools Snowsports Championships held in Term 3 at Mt Buller, and students from Prep–Year 12 are invited to compete in various disciplines throughout the event. To run successfully this program needs parent support and the School’s Snowsports Association provides many opportunities for families to get involved.

Swimming

Students in all year levels can take part in the School's Swimming program. The focus during Term 4 and Term 1 is on squad competition development training with all Carnivals held during Term 1. Term 2 and Term 3 has a focus on recreational swimming, maintaining fitness and swimming technique.

Lauriston Netball Club

The Lauriston Netball Club enters teams from Years 3-12 in the Waverley Netball Association competition. Teams play matches on Saturday’s and train mid-week. Matches are played at Ashwood Netball Courts. Teams are selected based on ability and graded accordingly.

Lauriston Basketball Club

The Lauriston Basketball Club enters teams from Years 4 to Year 8 in the Waverley District Basketball Association competition. Teams train once a week and play matches on a Saturday. Matches are played at Waverley Basketball Stadium and Oakleigh Rec Centre. Teams are selected based on ability and graded accordingly.

Outdoor Activities Program

The Outdoor Activities Program for Year 7 and 8 students aims to increase confidence in outdoor/recreational activities and strengthen teamwork and friendships between newly formed Tutor groups. It also gives students the chance to try new recreational activities in preparation for the challenges of Howqua. These activities run on weekends across the year.

The program also includes year level camps:

Year 7 Camps

There are two camps: Term 1 and Term 4

• Term 1: 3-day camp with activities focused on challenge, team building and wellbeing

• Term 4: 3-day camp with activities focused on team building, bike riding and walking.

Year 8 Camps

There are two camps: Term 1 and Term 4.

• Term 1 Active-8 Camp 1 includes activities such as, sea kayaking, bike riding, and snorkelling

• Term 4 Active-8 Camp 2 concentrates on bushwalking, camp skills and team building in preparation for Howqua. Activities include stand-up paddle boarding, two 10km day hikes (Flinders to Shoreham and Merricks to Shoreham), cooking damper, bush art, and a night session with an Aboriginal Elder. Students sleep in tents and learn camp craft skills.

Active-8 Orienteering Day is run as part of the preparation for Howqua program

Café

The Cafe provides a variety of healthy food options throughout the week and is open from 7.30am to 2.30pm daily. The Cafe runs a cashless purchasing system, Flexischools. All students are required to have a Flexischools account, which allows them to make purchases using their school ID card. Students can purchase food before and after school and during their break times.

Community Service

Consistent with its values – in particular ‘Relationships’ and ‘Engagement in life’ – the School is committed to service in the wider community on a local, national and international scale. During the year students participate in community service that focuses not just on fundraising but also on the power of donating and collecting goods, consciousness raising, and education.

Health Centre

The Health Centre is open from 8.00am to 4.00.pm and is usually staffed with a registered nurse. On occasions however, a first aider may provide relief cover.

Students who feel unwell at School should present to the Health Centre and be reviewed by the nurse. If after assessing the student the nurse concludes that the student is too unwell to remain at school, parents/guardians will be contacted to collect the child, and possibly referred elsewhere for further medical advice/treatment.

Students must not self-medicate while at school. The Health Centre stocks general pain relief and antihistamine medication. Students requiring medication other than stocked medication during school hours, are to store their medication in the Health Centre. The school nurse (or in some instances a first aider) will administer such medication as per the Medication Authorisation Form completed by parents. Medication must: not have expired; be clearly named with the student’s name; and labelled with the pharmacy label if prescribed medication. (See Medication Policy)

If a student is unwell, they are to remain at home until well. If they have a fever (temperature of 37.5 or greater), diarrhoea or are vomiting, they are to remain at home for 24 hours after their last symptom, which is not to be masked by medication.

If your child has a medical condition that requires a medical action plan (anaphylaxis; asthma or any condition requiring the use of asthma relieving medication such as Ventolin: diabetes; or epilepsy), then it is an annual requirement of the school (and in some cases a legal obligation) to provide an updated action plan. It is expected that your child has an in-date supply of treatment medication available at the school (See: Anaphylaxis policy; Asthma management policy; Diabetes Management policy; Epilepsy and Seizures policy)

Students suspected of a concussion will be required to seek medical review A Concussion

Assessment must be returned to Vice Principal - Head of Junior School or the Head of Senior School regardless of diagnosis.

If diagnosed with concussion the student is required to follow the graded return to sport framework. When they have been symptom free for 14 days, they will need to seek medical clearance before being allowed to return to contact training A Post-Concussion Clearance assessment must be provided to the Head of Junior School or the Head of Senior School. (See Concussion Management and Minor Head Injury Policy)

Return to competition is allowed not before day 21 post-concussion AND must have remained symptoms free for at least 14 days. (See Concussion Management and Minor Head Injury Policy)

Other related policies: Care Arrangements for Ill Students Policy; Armadale Health Centre

Homework and Home Learning

The School refers to ‘home learning’ rather than ‘homework’.

The purpose of home learning is to encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning, and to develop self-discipline and independence in the learning process. In their home learning, students may be expected to:

• Review work completed in class that day.

• Read additional information on the topic being covered

• Read ahead in preparation for lessons to come.

• Learn vocabulary or review grammar and spelling

• Complete small tasks or exercises set by the teacher

• Complete parts of a summative assignment, project or essay that has been set by the teacher and that has a due date for completion.

The following table summarises how much time per week each subject teacher should allocate to home learning.

Home Learning Allocated time per evening

Year 7

Year 8

3 subjects for approx. 20 minutes each 1 hour 4 hours

3 subjects for approx. 30 minutes each 1.5 hours 6 hours

Maths= 20 min

Science= 20 min

French = 20 min

English= 30 min

Humanities = 30 min

Art = 30 min

For Years 7 and 8 students, home learning tasks will be set Monday-Thursday only. Some students complete work during the weekends due to having other activities during weekend days after school.

Students are provided with time to organise their home study plan during SHINE and Tutor sessions. This home study plan should consider out of school hours commitments and should be constructed to ensure that students are able to meet their submission deadlines.

Although there is not an expectation that Year 7 and Year 8 students’ complete tasks on the weekend, this may be occasionally required in order to meet submission dates. Year 7 students will not be set homework during the first 3 weeks of Term 1.

Online Study Skills Handbook

Lauriston Girls’ School holds a subscription to the ELES Online Study Skills Handbook. This provides a comprehensive and interactive online experience for the Lauriston school community (students, parents and teachers) to develop the study skills needed for success in secondary school studies. There are currently 28 interactive main units of work on the site, a number of additional mini-units and lots of extra features. Students can access via Schoolbox, on the school links menu on the lefthand side of Schoolbox.

Houses

Howqua

All students belong to House at Lauriston Girls’ School, deepening their sense of unity and togetherness. Our four houses include Andrews (light blue), Irving (yellow), Kirkhope (red), and Mitchell (white). Houses are led by a House Coordinator and two student House Captains. Students meet weekly in House assemblies and come together to represent and compete for their House in various initiatives related to sport, music, debating and much more.

Year 8 is a fantastic academic and activity-based program in its own right; however, the School is aware that it is during this year that the excitement of the Year 9 Howqua program builds. The School takes intentional steps to prepare students and their families for the year at Howqua. Key activities that support a successful transition include:

• Howqua Open Days

• Year 8 Parent Information Evening

• The Howqua Transition Program:

• Student Q&A Transition Day with Howqua staff and former Howqua students

• Teen Mental Health First Aid Program

• Howqua Ambassador Program in Year 7 and 8

• Interviews with Year 8 students and families to better understand individual strengths and needs

Leadership

There are many opportunities for students in Years 7 and 8 to develop their leadership skills.

In Year 7, after camp, when the students have had a chance to get to know each other, and in Year 8, each Tutor group elects two captains, who for one semester assist with general organisation of their Tutor group and assist with year level activities. Both Year 7 and 8 students also can become a SHINE representative or a member of the Student Representative Council (SRC). These positions are held for two semesters.

Library

The St Leon Library is located on the ground floor of the Science and Resource Centre and operates as follows:

• 8.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Thursday during term time

• 8.00am – 5.00pm Friday during term time

• 10.00am – 4.00pm Monday to Friday during the second week of the Term 3 holidays –for Year 12 students only.

Library staff are committed to helping students become life-long learners who are highly literate. In line with School values, namely ‘Intellectual inquiry’, they aim to support students to become deep thinkers with an understanding of complex world issues.

Study Club

Monday - Thursday afternoons between 3.30pm and 6.00pm, the St Leon Library hosts a homework group called Study Club. Former Lauriston students are employed as tutors and are on hand to help students with their homework or assignment queries across a broad range of subjects.

Library Resources

Students can access a broad range of online resources. These include databases, and fiction and non-fiction eBooks (which can be downloaded to all devices except Kindles). The library subscribes to a variety of subject specific databases such as English, Science and History databases, multi-subject databases which provide access to current newspaper and journal articles and databases focusing on topical issues.

Documentaries, films and other curriculum-related videos are available via the library’s subscription to ClickView. Using their school email address, students can watch these programs at home via a secure connection.

The library also stocks a large collection of non-fiction books that has been carefully selected in response to the Australian Curriculum, and a dynamic and contemporary collection of fiction novels to ensure all students find engagement and interest in reading.

Library Facilities

The library has different spaces for research, private study, collaborative group work, and quiet reading. Teachers bring students to the library for various purposes during lesson time, and students can make use of the library before and after school to complete home learning.

The library printer provides black and white and colour printing, photocopying, and scanning. Costs are charged to student accounts.

Library Loans

Students may borrow up to 10 items for two weeks. They can self-renew their loans via the library catalogue or by contacting library staff in person.

As there are no fines for overdue items, students need to be considerate of others and return items on time to ensure equitable access to library resources. If resources are lost or damaged, students will be asked to pay the cost of a replacement copy.

ID Cards

Students are issued a photo-ID card that allows them to borrow material from the library and to use the photocopiers. Printing credit can be topped up at the IT Help Desk.

Lockers and Valuables

Each student has her own locker, for which the school provides a combination lock. Students should place all belongings in their locker and keep it locked. Items of value are not to be left in lockers overnight and musical instruments should be left in the Music School, where there are special storage shelves. Lockers must be emptied at the end of the school year.

Mobile Phones

Students in Year 7 and 8 must lock their phones in their locker before morning roll call and are not permitted to access them until the end of the day. Urgent calls may be made through Student Services. If parents need to contact their child during the day, they are asked to do so through Student Services.

Students must not use their mobile phones during classes, assemblies or meetings with Tutors unless they are given permission. If a student fails to follow this instruction her phone

will be confiscated, and she will be given a Friday detention. The full School policy on mobile phones is part of this booklet's Student Behaviour Guidelines section.

School Psychologists

School psychologists are an integral part of the team of staff who monitor and support the wellbeing of students across the School. They are available for individual student consultation and work with small groups of students, class groups and, at times, the whole year level. Students may self-refer or they may be referred by another member of staff or by a parent.

School psychologists are also available for parent consultation in relation to their childe’s wellbeing. They can help with issues related to transition, organisational skills, learning assessments, and friendships, as well as social, emotional and family concerns. When required, the School psychologists also communicate and work with external medical and allied health professionals to support and manage students’ needs.

Tutor Groups

Every Year 7 & 8 student is placed in a tutor group. Core lessons are conducted in this grouping. Tutors manage students’ day-to-day care. Each Tutor group has a ‘home room’ –their Tutor room – where most lessons are taught. Nearby are the offices of their Tutors. Each year level has a ‘common space’ that can be used for performances, meetings, and displays of student work. Landscaped outdoor areas link the Lilian Bayly Centre with the Junior School, the Café, and the Irvine Courtyard.

Parent Communications

Schoolbox

Schoolbox is Lauriston Girls' School’s parent communications platform and the hub of information. Via Schoolbox, you will find all the information you need from our community and to support your child’s learning. This includes news, events, practical information regarding fees, services and parent groups, and year level or class information and updates.

You can access Schoolbox via the Parent Portal of our website. For families new to Lauriston, our IT department will provide you with your username and password just prior to your daughter’s commencement.

On your Schoolbox home page, you will find the below navigation tiles:

• News (in the navy navigation bar) is your customised news feed relating to you and your family

• Calendar is your customised calendar and shows Lauriston events that relate to you and your family.

• Directory is where you can find a list of key Lauriston contacts and phone numbers

• My Contacts is where you can access contact details of other families (eg. in your class or year level). Only those who have provided permission to share and publish their contact details appear.

• My Details is where you can update your contact details.

• From your Schoolbox home page, you can easily access:

• Parent Central - a single location for anything related to fees, payments, uniform shop and services, as well as information regarding parent groups. Handbooks and school policies can also be accessed via Parent Central.

• Kindergarten / Junior School / Senior School / Howqua – an overview page for each area which contains relevant news and event information. From these pages you will be able to access class and year level pages and other key information.

• And you can customise your page to show the links you frequently use to the menu at the left of screen (reveal this by clicking on the 3 bars at top left)

Lauriston School News

Families receive an email on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Schoolbox which provides you with a consolidated version of all news and event information that is relevant to

you and your family posted in the most recent days We strongly encourage parents to read these emails. Please note that you will only receive an email if there has been news and event information posted during that period

The Lauriston App

The Lauriston Girls’ School app is available to download via the Apple Store or Google Play. Search for Lauriston Girls’ School. To log into the app please use the same username and password as you do for Schoolbox. Your username will be your ID number followed by the Lauriston domain (e.g. 12345@lauriston.vic.edu.au).

Parent Groups

The Lauriston Parents’ Association (LPA), and its subgroups welcome all parents and encourage them to take part in their activities. These subgroups include the Lauriston Arts Association, The New and International Parents Group (NIPA), the Lauriston Rowing Association, and the Lauriston SnowSports Association. LPA class representatives are available to help parents within their child’s year group and routinely organise coffee mornings and dinners as an opportunity for parents to meet up and enjoy each other's company. The LPA also organises many school activities throughout the year. Details and contact details are found on Schoolbox under Parent Central.

Payment

The Payments for extra-curricular activities and other charges can be made by following the relevant links found on the Parent Central page of Schoolbox (accessible via the Schoolbox home page).

Flexischools

Lauriston uses Flexischools as part of a cashless system for student purchases. For students in the Senior School, Flexischools is available for cashless purchases in the Cafe using their student ID card. Online ordering for the Uniform shop is also available for all students.

Many other school related items and services can only be ordered via Flexischools. If your child does not have a Flexischools account, please create one before the start of the school year. If your child already has a Flexischools account, please remember to update your child’s class prior to the start of the school year.

How to register for Flexischools:

1. If you don’t have a Flexischools account, getting online is easy and only takes a few minutes to register. Simply go to www. flexischools.com.au and click “Register Now”.

2. You will be sent an email with further instructions on how to complete the registration. If you have any questions, Flexischools provide a help desk on 1300 361 769, or you can contact them via their website.

3. There are a variety of payment options supported, including Visa, MasterCard (credit and debit) and Bank Transfer. The system operates via a pre-paid account, so you no longer need to worry about the manual process of sending payments into school, and you can easily budget your students spending and expenses throughout the year. Parents can arrange automatic top ups of accounts which will ensure your child is able to make purchases. You can also view historical transactions online.

You may have already set up a Flexischools account if your child’s previous school used this system. If so, please contact Flexischools and they can transfer your child to Lauriston. Students may also choose to use debit cards instead of FlexiSchools; however, a hard copy card is required as phones are not permitted in Year 7 and 8.

Policies

All school policies can be accessed via the Parent Central page on Schoolbox. A subset of policies including those relating to Child Safe Standards, Enrolments, International Students, Privacy and Concerns can be found on the School’s website.

Student Services

Student Services, located in The LPA Centre near the Huntingtower Road gates (and just behind reception), is open daily from 8.00am to 4.00pm. The phone number is 9864 7541 and email seniorschool@lauriston.vic.edu.au. Students arriving late or leaving early should go to Student Services to sign in or out.

Student Services also manages lost property, general enquiries, items and urgent messages from home, and Transport Concession forms.

Student Wellbeing Program

Our wellbeing program is integral to promoting, protecting, and supporting student wellbeing. Integrated into our weekly learning program every Thursday afternoon for

students in Year 7-12, our wellbeing lessons are structured to deliver explicit and engaging learning in wellbeing literacy. Wellbeing literacy is defined as "the vocabulary, knowledge, and skills that can be intentionally utilized to enhance one’s own wellbeing or that of others" (Oades, 2017).

Our program has been carefully curated to ensure a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to student wellbeing. It is tailored to meet the specific needs of our school community and is responsive to the young people participating. Through our wellbeing program, students develop crucial life skills and capabilities such as self-awareness, selfmanagement, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making and problem-solving, and positive coping skills. Furthermore, the program aims to amplify student strengths, cultivate a mindset of care and gratitude, and foster positive community connections.

Technology

The school requires all students in Senior School to have an Apple MacBook or Windows Laptop Computer as their primary technological device for daily use at home and in the classroom. These devices are required to meet the minimum specifications as set out in the Lauriston Student Device Handbook. Lauriston recommends the purchase of either a MacBook Air or Pro or a Windows pen enabled device. The purchasing of new devices may be done at any computer retailer or if preferred through the Lauriston vendor portals. Please refer to the Student Device Handbook for further details.

It is recommended that devices do not exceed 4 years of manufactured life and an example of a typical life cycle would be Years 5, 6, 7, and 8 (one device) - Howqua (school supplied device) - Years 10, 11, 12 (one device).

In line with Lauriston’s environmental commitment to reduce the use of paper in school, students are welcome to use a tablet device in conjunction with a laptop.

Should issues arise with a student device, the IT Helpdesk will provide a basic level support and you will be directed to seek servicing from an authorized repairer should it be required.

Families who purchase a device through the Lauriston Technology Acquisition Program (LTAP) in Year 5 or 6, will continue to have their device managed and supported for the life of the device, as per the LTAP terms.

Both student and parent/guardian, will need to sign a BYOD document outlining the

agreeance to monitoring of the device whilst connected to the school’s network as well as the loading of school software and licensing arrangements. Upon exiting the school, all licences for issued software will be revoked.

IT Helpdesk

If students encounter any issues with their devices, they can visit the IT Service Desk for assistance with both software and hardware problems. The school can provide loan devices (subject to availability) to minimise downtime while repairs are being made. Please note, the school cannot assist with specific warranty, insurance, or service matters for laptops purchased outside of the school’s laptop program.

Using the School Network

The school provides numerous IT related services for the student to use. All students are given a school email address, cloud storage and internet access for school related matters which can be accessed through Wi-Fi access points across the school grounds. Students with home networks must ensure settings for these networks do not interfere with their ability to connect to the school network. If students are unable to connect to the school network they should contact the IT Helpdesk. Students in Years 7 and 8 will undertake sessions in at the beginning of the year in all aspects of using their computer at school. More information about network rules and the appropriate use of technology at school and home can be found within the IT Support section of Schoolbox.

Timetable

Attendance Roll Call

Students in Years 7 and 8 are expected for roll call, held each day at 8.25am, with books and equipment for Period 1. This is also an important time for Tutors to check in with the students

Daily Class Times

Trips and Exchanges

Each year, students can take advantage of various tours and exchanges based on language and culture, sport, and community service. The School generally launches these events together with an information session around one year before the trips are scheduled to take place. Parents who want to know more about what is scheduled for the year should contact the relevant faculty or the Head of Senior School.

Transition

Year 7 Transition

The Tutor group system provides a firm foundation for the care of all Year 7 students. Tutors work closely with the Year Level Coordinator, focusing on students’ wellbeing and academic progress. During the first few weeks of the school year, Tutors contact parents to discuss their child’s transition to Year 7.

The transition program begins in Year 6 for continuing and new students and runs throughout Semester 1 of Year 7. Students and Tutors work together in their Tutor groups to navigate a successful transition.

All Year 7 students are helped in their transition to the Senior School by Year 11 peer support leaders. Small groups of Year 7 students meet throughout the year with two Year 11 students from their House. The Year 11 peer support leaders act as guides and mentors, also organising fun activities. Meetings are less frequent in Term 2 and later in the year; however, the older students continue to keep an eye on their Year 7 students, helping them to become confident members of the Senior School community. Transitioning between year levels at Lauriston is designed to be as smooth as possible. There are several information sessions held throughout the year relating to the student's current year level (Semester 1) and the student's next year level (Semester 2). A number of in-school events also run throughout the year.

Transport School Buses

The school runs the following services:

• Bayside Bus Service - Sandringham Station/Hampton/Brighton/Caulfield

• Waverley Bus Service - Vermont South/Glen Waverley/Wheelers Hill/Mt Waverley/Ashburton

• Williamstown Bus Service - Port Melbourne/Albert Park/Middle Park/West St Kilda

All Bus timetable information is available on the School’s website. All bus tickets can be purchased on Flexischools. For all other bus enquiries please call the Business Office on 9864 7555 or email studentinfo@lauriston.vic.edu.au.

Panorama Coaches operates a Private schools Toorak Service from Eltham - TemplestoweDoncaster - Balwyn - Hawthorn - Malvern - Toorak. For all enquiries regarding this service call 03 9438 3666 or visit www.panoramacoaches.com.au

Trams

There are three tram routes from the city that bring students close to the School:

• No 6 Melbourne University to Glen Iris via St Kilda Road and High Street (the nearest stop is the corner of Huntingtower Road and High Street)

• No 16 Melbourne University to Kew via St Kilda and Glenferrie Roads (nearest stop corner Glenferrie and Malvern Roads).

• No 72 Melbourne University to Camberwell via St Kilda and Malvern Roads (nearest stop corner Malvern and Huntingtower Roads)

Students should check timetables and travel times on the Public Transport Victoria website, http://ptv.vic.gov.au/

Student Concession

Application forms for student concession are available from and can be authorised at, the Student Services Centre.

Uniforms and Supplies

Please find all the uniform guidelines here

Uniform Shop

The School Uniform Shop is located on the main campus. During term time, the Uniform Shop is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9.30am - 4.30pm. Orders can be placed online through Flexischools, and the uniform items will be packaged ready for collection.

Appointments for new students must be made by contacting the Uniform Shop Manager on 9874 7569 or by email uniforms@lauriston.vic.edu.au

We encourage all families to purchase their school uniform needs from the School Uniform Shop. Proceeds from the sale of the uniforms are directed back into school programs.

The LPA operates the Secondhand Uniform Shop which is located next door to the School Uniform Shop. The Secondhand Uniform Shop is open when the Uniform Shop is open Proceeds from the sales are included in the LPA fundraising for the School. There are also pop-up sales during the term, which is advertised on Schoolbox.

Supplies - Textbooks, Stationery, and Art Packs

Lists of textbooks and stationery needed for the school year will be available online via the School’s preferred supplier, JP Books in Yarraville (www.jpbooks.com.au).

Students who order their art pack online through the School’s preferred supplier, Deans Art, will receive their pack during their first art class.

Visitors

For the safety of students, all visitors to the School during the school day should go first to reception on Huntingtower Road. Here they will sign in and receive a visitor’s pass. If a meeting has been arranged with parents, the staff member will come to reception.

Safety Before and After School

As part of its duty of care to students, we request that parents and students are aware of the following:

Beginning of the School Day:

• Please ensure that your child arrives at school from 8.00am in readiness for the School day.

• Staff will be supervising the school grounds from 8.00am.

• Students should not be arriving at school before 8.00am unless they have a sport training or music rehearsal where they will be supervised.

End of the School Day:

• The Senior School Library is open until 6.00pm from Monday to Thursday and closes at 4.30pm on Friday. On some occasions these closing times may change.

• Students who remain in the school grounds after 3.20pm and are not participating in a supervised activity, should go to the Senior School Library.

• From Monday to Thursday, the library staff supervise students in the library.

• Past Lauriston students are available for Homework Club from Monday to Thursday. They can offer individual and small group support with homework and subject area support.

• Unless your child is attending a co-curricular activity, they must go to the Library where homework can be completed or quiet reading.

• There may be occasions when a teacher may offer after school academic help or the opportunity to complete some work for a subject such as visual art. The student/s will be supervised by the teacher and is not allowed to remain in a classroom or Art Studio without teacher supervision.

• All students must leave the school grounds by 6.00pm having been safely collected by a parent.

Before School Sport Training and Music Rehearsals:

• Please ensure that your child arrives at sport training or music rehearsals at the scheduled time where there will be a roll check. For example, if the ensemble rehearsal begins at 7.30am, then your daughter should arrive no more than five minutes prior to the scheduled time.

• Parents are requested to ensure their child is given a clear instruction to go directly to the venue for the sport training or music rehearsal and not to leave the School.

• Parents will be notified by the School should their daughter not attend their scheduled Sport Training or Music Rehearsal.

After School Sport, Music and other Co-curricular activities:

• Your child is expected to arrive at sport, music and co-curricular activities at the scheduled time after school where there will be a roll check.

• Parents are requested to ensure their child is given a clear instruction to go directly to the venue for the sport, music or co-curricular activity and not to leave the school grounds.

• Parents will be notified by the School should their child not attend their scheduled activity.

• Lauriston staff will wait with students until they are collected on their return from GSV Sport or when other co-curricular activities have been completed.

Year 7 & 8 Subject Table

Year 7

LOTE

Visual Arts

French Chinese

Chinese Extension

Latin

Art

Visual Communication Design

Drama Fantastical Fears

Damsels in Distress

Music Broadway, Here I come! Soundtracks

Social Science

Health and PE

English

English as an Additional Language

Other Learning Enhancement

Year 8

French

Chinese

Chinese Extension

Latin

Art

Visual Communication Design

Media

All the World’s a Stage

Centre Stage

A Star is Born Soundtracks

Financing your Future

Mind and Body

English as an Additional Language

Learning Enhancement

Year 7 Subjects

In Year 7, students study a wide range of subjects including both core and elective subjects. Students are required to choose one LOTE (Language other than English) to study for the entire year and can choose two if they wish. Year 7 students who are only studying one Language are able to choose two elective Arts subjects which they will study for a semester each, in addition to their core Arts subjects.

Core Subjects

Drama

Welcome to The Drama Menu! This unit introduces students to Senior School Drama at Lauriston. Various workshops allow students to improvise, role play, create characters and bring scripts to life. It culminates in the development of a performance set in a restaurant. Here the elements of theatre composition - contrast and rhythm, along with mime are utilised to show what happens on the restaurant floor as compared to the busy kitchen.

We also study Commedia Dell’ Arte - an Italian theatre style that was at its peak in the 16th century. Students explore the conventions of the style. Most of the action was improvised and often featured exaggerated movement, comic business, slapstick, visual gags and gibberish. Students design Masks and costumes that are true to the Commedia Dell’ Arte Style.

Assessment

• Group presentations

• Design tasks

English

• Practical workshops

• Reflection tasks

In Year 7 English students engage with a variety of texts for enjoyment. These include various types of media texts including newspapers, magazines and digital texts, early adolescent novels, non-fiction, poetry and dramatic performances. Students develop their understanding of how texts, including media texts, are influenced by context, purpose and audience. Students also read a range of literary texts within real-world and fictional settings and represent a range of perspectives.

They create a range of imaginative, informative and persuasive texts and develop their oral skills, spelling, vocabulary and grammar. A wide reading program is incorporated into the English course, and students are expected to share and reflect upon their reading.

Assessment

• Text responses

• Creative writing

Health & Physical Education

• Speaking and listening

• Spelling, grammar and vocabulary

Year 7 Health and Physical Education provides students with the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills that contribute to a healthy lifestyle in personal, social and movement contexts. Students learn how to take positive action to enhance their health, safety and wellbeing by applying problem-solving and effective communication skills, and through a range of preventive health practices.

Students continue to develop, refine and transfer movement skills and focus on developing tactical thinking skills in a range of physical activities.

Assessment

• Practical performance and participation

• Reflection, analysis and goal setting

Humanities and Civics

• Research assignments

This course deepens students’ discipline-specific knowledge, understandings and skills of Civics and Citizenship, Geography and History. Students study a range of topics encompassing ancient societies, water usage, the liveability of places and the values and principles that underpin the institutions and processes in Australia’s political and legal systems. They develop their skills in critical independent thinking and writing.

Assessment

• Tests

• Extended Essay

• Oral Mathematics

• Inquiry tasks

• Source analysis

The Year 7 maths course emphasises the development of logical thinking, accurate systematic methods of working, and the application of acquired knowledge and techniques

in the solution of challenging problems. Students engage in a range of approaches to learning and doing mathematics that develop their understanding of and fluency with concepts, procedures and processes by making connections, reasoning, problem-solving and practice. Proficiency in mathematics enables students to respond to familiar and unfamiliar situations by employing mathematical strategies to make informed decisions and solve problems efficiently. Students study Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics and Probability. Mathematical inquiry is an integral part of the course and is assessed using extended problem-solving tasks or investigations. When appropriate, students use calculators and computers for computation and to help them understand key concepts. Students are provided with opportunities to be extended in their normal timetabled classes.

An extension group operates during some mathematics periods for those students who show outstanding ability in mathematics. There are also opportunities for students to get additional teacher support if they find mathematics challenging.

Assessment

• Topic tests

• Mathematical inquiry tasks

Music

• Homework assignments

• End of semester tests

The Year 7 Core Music curriculum introduces the concept of viewpoints by exploring a number of genres of Australian Music, including Indigenous Music, Folk, Protest, Classical and Contemporary. As well as discussing the musical elements as applied to these genres we will consider the role music has played in developing/ reflecting and integrating with cultural identity. This encourages the students to consider the role of music in their own lives and that of the groups to which they belong. Students will develop their music literacy skills through performance and composition. They will be introduced to computer software notation.

Assessment

• Research and analysis tasks

• Performances

Science

• Composition

• Reflections

The Year 7 science course aligns with the Australian Curriculum and has been designed to develop students’ understanding of the basic scientific concepts in the biological, chemical, earth and physical sciences. It promotes an interest in the subject of science and aims to

give students the confidence to carry out practical investigations through the development of inquiry skills in a laboratory setting. Science is considered as a process of human endeavour. The course introduces students to the scientific method and critical thinking in order to develop scientifically literate individuals. Over the year students study Classification and Interactions between Organisms, Earth & Space Science, Forces and Separating Chemicals.

Assessment

• Assignments

• Scientific reports

• Experimental design tasks

Technology: Fail Fast, Fail Forward

• Unit reflections

• Topic tests

•

Nobody likes to make mistakes, but they are inevitable as we extend our creative minds. All great inventors use failures to propel their designs forward. In this subject, students will use rapid prototyping to move through the engineering design process to plan, create and improve on their design using the technology in the Fabrication Lab.

• Laser Cutting (and Adobe Illustrator)

• 3D printing (and TinkerCad)

• Basic electronics and wiring systems

• Sustainable and recycled construction materials

The Lauriston Technologies curriculum ensures that all students have an opportunity to explore and utilise the traditional and emerging technologies that shape the world in which we live. This unit provides students with an introduction to rapid prototyping, learning from mistakes, and exploring the capabilities of the Fabrication Laboratory. Students will engage with design thinking processes to respond to create functional products. Documenting their process, they evaluate their work for sustainability and innovation, developing an understanding of design constraints and considerations.

Assessment

• Laser cut lamp

• Research task

- Sustainability in Industry

• 3D printed product

• Design, build and refine project (process journal)

• Industrial design and sustainability quiz

Visual Arts

Core Art encourages the development of students’ natural creativity whilst extending their understanding and application of art skills. Students explore two-dimensional and threedimensional art and design forms, such as painting, drawing, mixed media and ceramics. Students will respond to the artmaking practices of both historical and contemporary artists to create imaginative and personal artistic responses. The research of artists, their process and technique development will be documented in a Visual Arts journal to assist in building skills in reviewing, reflecting on, and evaluating their artmaking practice.

Assessment

• Visual Arts journal

Elective subjects

LOTE

• Folio

Lauriston students have a long history of undertaking a Language other than English (referred to as LOTE) in their academic program and we require all students to study a LOTE until the end of Year 9. In Year 10, we strongly recommend students to continue with their LOTE and it is compulsory for any students wishing to study the International Baccalaureate Diploma in Year 11 and 12. Whilst not compulsory in the VCE, LOTE studies are highly regarded and attract a considerable scaling benefit in the calculation of the ATAR.

We ask you to consider carefully the LOTE that you choose in Year 7 as it is quite possible that you will be studying that LOTE for all of your secondary education. Students may also choose to study two of Chinese, French and Latin in Year 7. Please note that you may only continue with a language you have studied in the previous year; it is not possible to ‘pick up’ a language in Year 8 if you have not studied it in Year 7.

Please refer to our Chinese language study guide on page 46 for an overview of Chinese language offerings and pathways. If you have any queries regarding your LOTE choice you are welcome to contact our Languages Curriculum Leader, Ms Fiona Curnow at ( Curnowfi@lauriston.vic.edu.au.

Chinese (Mandarin) Course will be over two semesters.

Year 7 provides a general introduction to all aspects of study of the language and culture. It

focuses on written Chinese (characters) and spoken Chinese, and includes extensive work on tones, intonation, and phonetic pronunciation. Students are introduced to around 200 characters and a range of extension vocabulary.

Students also learn the writing of Pinyin (Romanised Chinese) and use the textbook Easy Steps to Chinese 1 to explore topics such as Dates, Family, Jobs, Pets and Clothing. Teachers group students according to their experience of the language, and those with a background in it are provided extension work as appropriate. There is also an introduction to aspects of Chinese society and culture, and an opportunity for all students to try Chinese calligraphy. In this way, students get a taste of all aspects of the subject that are explored in later years.

Assessment

• Listening comprehension tasks

• Reading comprehension tasks

• Oral tasks

French Course will be over two semesters

• Writing tasks

• Cultural projects

• Written quizzes and tests

The Year 7 course allows students to develop skills in the five key areas of listening, reading, speaking, writing and viewing. Students use the textbook Quoi de Neuf 1 and explore topics such as greetings, family, home life, pets, festivals, and leisure activities. They are also introduced to key grammatical structures such as articles, regular and irregular verbs, and adjectives.

Progressively, students increase their range of vocabulary and idiomatic expression. Technology is integrated into the course.

Students may also participate in the Alliance Française Berthe Mouchette Poetry competition.

Assessment

Listening comprehension tasks

Reading comprehension tasks

Oral tasks

Writing tasks

Written quizzes and tests

Latin Course will be over two semesters.

The Year 7 Latin course allows students to acquire skills in the key areas of reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening. Students use vocabulary, grammar and textual cues to understand and interpret Latin texts, and convey information and ideas about the daily life and attitudes of the Romans, in oral, written or digital forms. They learn accidence and syntax, focusing on the basis of the systems that structure the Latin language (grammar, vocabulary, sounds, the written alphabet) and systematically build a vocabulary and grammatical base that allows them to access a variety of Latin texts. They are encouraged to compare the features and relative merits of different translations of Latin texts to determine the features of a successful translation and explore the influence of Latin on English vocabulary.

Students are required to commit to Latin for a minimum of one year.

Assessment

• Listening comprehension tasks

• Reading comprehension tasks

• Oral tasks

Arts electives

Broadway Here I Come! (Music)

• Writing tasks

• Cultural projects

• Translations

In a journey from Showboat to Hamilton, students will investigate the world of Music Theatre. They will learn about the history of the Musical and explore the ways that this genre has been adapted and changed to suit popular styles. Music theory and literacy skills will be developed as students learn to read and compose songs for and from Musicals. Students will develop skills in areas such as singing, dancing, directing and choreography, culminating in a performance excerpt from a chosen Musical.

Assessment

• Lyrics task

• Song analysis

• Music performances

• Reflection and design journal

Soundtracks (Music)

Music and sound effects are an integral part of everything we watch, from block buster movies to video gaming. In the Soundtracks Elective students will use a variety of Apps to explore how a composer can combine and manipulate sounds to convey emotions, tell stories and provide sound effects. They will use this knowledge to develop their own soundtrack compositions for film and video gaming. Students will use GarageBand as their composing tool and will learn to use music software instruments, loop and automation functions as well as mixing and sampling to create their own soundtracks which will be set to various pieces of film.

• This unit can be taken in Year 7 or Year 8, but not both.

Assessment

• Multi-sampling and Sound Design

• Original composition and production techniques

Damsels in Distress (Drama)

• Theme Analysis and Composition

• Movie Soundtrack Composition

Welcome to the “over-the-top”, always exciting, and highly emotional world of Melodramatic Theatre! Where heroes and villains clash, damsels in distress are saved and, in the end, the hero always wins.

In this unit students will create dramatic works where the plot, which is typically sensational and designed to appeal strongly to the emotions, takes precedence over detailed characterization. There will also be a glimpse into the past as we meet ‘Cecily’ and ‘Gwendolyn’ from Comedy of Manners. Links to modern day soap operas will be workshopped and explored.

A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of acting skills and the use of the elements of theatre composition to create performances.

Assessment for all units in Years 7 & 8

Performance presentations

Design tasks

Fantastical Fears (Drama)

Practical workshops

Reflection tasks

This unit allows students to explore the Production Roles of sound and lighting to create atmosphere and mood. They will create role plays incorporating fantasy charactersfairies, witches, wizards, dragons and explore the magical world of theatre. This work will

be inspired by poems and students own imaginative storylines as their confidence grows. Creativity and collaboration are the key learning tools utilised in this unit of work enabling students to be able to bring their fantasy worlds to life.

Assessment

for all units in Years 7 & 8

• Group presentations

• Design tasks

Art (Visual Arts)

• Practical workshops

• Reflection tasks

This unit offers students the opportunity to explore drawing, painting and sculpture based on the study of selected artists to create imaginative and personal artistic responses. Students will explore various acrylic painting techniques and create a final painting on canvas. Students will also explore making three dimensional forms such as sculpture, using modelling materials The research of artists, their process and technique development will be documented in a Visual Arts journal to assist in building skills in reviewing, reflecting on, and evaluating their artmaking practice.

Assessment for all units in Years 7 & 8

• Visual Arts journal

• Folio

Visual Communication Design (Visual Arts)

This unit allows students to explore creative and technical applications associated with the field of design. Student are introduced to historical and contemporary design practices, taking inspiration from designers past, present, international and first nations. Students explore a range of manual and digital methods to produce final presentations such as interior spaces, three dimensional objects and printed communication designs. Design skills and technique development will be documented in a design journal, engaging with convergent and divergent thinking.

Assessment for all units in Years 7 & 8

• Digital folio

• Manual folio

• Design journal

These following elective subjects are by recommendation and will replace the Arts Electives.

Learning Enhancement

The purpose of this course is to provide students with additional instruction to assist them to access the Year 7 Curriculum. Students will be provided with formal instruction in Literacy, Mathematics and organisational skills. Students will be provided with ongoing practical advice in how to take notes in class, develop positive study techniques and how to manage their time effectively. Students will receive ongoing assistance with daily organisational requirements. This will include the creation of study plans, homework schedules and advice on how to revise for assessments. In addition, students will complete a phonics- based touchtyping program. The course is delivered in a small group setting and is designed for students who require additional support to complete the Year 7 Curriculum. Students are required to meet the LGS requirements for admission to Learning Enhancement.

English as an Additional Language

The Year 7 EAL course aims to enhance students' English language proficiency across the ‘modes’ of reading and viewing, writing, and listening and speaking. Skills are concurrently taught but one key skill is given prominence each term. Within each language mode, the content descriptions are grouped into strands according to the VCAA

F-10 EAL Curriculum:

Communication, cultural and plurilingual awareness and language structures and features. The course also aims to support EAL students extensively in their mainstream domain studies, in particular English and Humanities where academic English and language demands increase.

Assessment for all units in Years 7 & 8

• Listening comprehension tasks

• Reading comprehension tasks

• Regular quizzes and short answer tests

• Interactive oral task

• Written comprehension task

Year 8 Subjects

In Year 8, students study a wide range of subjects including both core and elective subjects. Students are required to continue with their chosen LOTE (Language other than English) which they will study for the entire year.

Year 8 students are able to choose semester electives. Students who study one LOTE can choose 4 semester length elective subjects. Students who choose to study two LOTEs can choose two semester length electives. Students must choose at least one Arts subject in their elective selection.

Core subjects

English

The Year 8 English course builds on skills developed in Year 7 and aims to foster an appreciation of literature and language. Students study a range of fiction and non-fiction texts, exploring themes, style, structure, and language. They develop their analytical and creative writing skills through a range of activities including the study of poetry, newspapers, and non-print texts. Teachers encourage them to experiment with the written form, with students gaining a greater sense of audience and purpose as well as developing their personal voices.

There are many informal and formal opportunities for students to develop their oral skills. A wide reading program is incorporated into the English course, and students are expected to share and reflect upon their reading.

Assessment

• Text responses

• Creative writing

Civics and Citizenship

• Spelling, grammar and vocabulary

• Speaking and listening

The unit provides students the opportunity to investigate the responsibilities and freedoms of citizens and how Australians can actively participate in their democracy. Students consider how laws are made, and the types of laws used in Australia. Students also examine what it means to be Australian by identifying the reasons for and influences that shape national identity.

Geography

There are two units of study in the Year 8 curriculum for Geography: ‘Landforms and landscapes’ and ‘Changing nations’. ‘Landforms and landscapes’ examines the processes that shape individual landforms, the values and meanings placed on landforms and landscapes by diverse cultures, hazards associated with landscapes, and management of landscapes.

‘Changing nations’ investigates the changing human geography of countries, as revealed by shifts in population distribution. Topics covered include natural hazards, oceans and coasts, tourism, and the ‘restless Earth’.

Assessment

Inquiry tasks

Data analysis

History

Tests

Semester exam

The study of history is an important experience for students as it allows for the development of knowledge of the past and focuses on important research and analytical skills. The period 650CE to 1750 forms the base of study. Students complete a range of in-depth studies including Medieval Europe and the Renaissance, Shogunate Japan, and the Spanish Conquest of the Americas.

Assessment

• Essays

• Source analyses

Mathematics

• Inquiry tasks

• Tests

As in Year 7, Year 8 maths emphasises the development of logical thinking, accurate systematic methods of working, and the application of acquired knowledge and techniques in the solution of challenging problems. Teachers encourage students to build on their learning in previous years and to develop independence in their thinking. Students engage in a range of approaches to learning and doing mathematics that develop their understanding of and fluency with concepts, procedures and processes by making connections, reasoning, problem-solving and practice. Proficiency in mathematics enables students to respond to familiar and unfamiliar situations by employing mathematical strategies to make informed decisions and solve problems efficiently. Mathematical inquiry continues to be an essential aspect of learning and is assessed using extended problem-solving tasks and investigation.

Students build on their study of the following topics taught in Year 7: Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics and Probability. When appropriate, students use calculators and computers for computation and to help them understand key concepts.

Students are provided with opportunities to be extended in their normal timetabled classes. An extension group operates during mathematics periods for those students who show outstanding ability in mathematics. There are also opportunities for students to get additional teacher support if they find mathematics challenging.

Assessment

• Topic tests

• Mathematical inquiry tasks

Science

• Homework assignments

• End of semester exam

As in Year 7, the aim in Year 8 is to promote an interest in the subject of science and to foster confidence in carrying out practical investigations. The course aligns with the Australian curriculum and has been designed to build upon already established skills and student understanding of the basic scientific concepts in the biological, chemical, earth and physical sciences. The curriculum supports students to develop the scientific knowledge, understandings and skills to make informed decisions about local, national and global issues and to participate, if they wish to, in science-related careers. Over the year students study Cells, Electricity, Energy, Light & Sound, Organisms and Systems, and Physical & Chemical change.

Assessment

• Assignments

• Scientific reports

• Experimental design tasks

Technology: Make the Machines

• Unit reflections

• Topic tests

When robots take over the word, we need to be in a position to take over the robots. In this course students will learn the basics of using sensors and coding to make machines react to their environment. Students will work collaboratively with Micro: bits, simple robotic mechanisms and motors, and develop electronic skills to create functional solutions to set design challenges.

• Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

• Video editing, AI applications for voice, music and art creation

• Micro:bit coding

• Following the design cycle to create an interactive game

• Basic elements of website design and digital communications

The Lauriston Technologies curriculum ensures that all students have an opportunity to explore and utilise the traditional and emerging technologies that shape the world in which we live. Coding skills are applied to automate tasks, combining ICT with a physical product, and the ethics of robotics. Students will engage with design thinking processes to respond to, and innovate, how technology can be used to assist somebody or something in the wider community.

Assessment

• Video response

• Quizzes

• Building and evaluating a product

Elective subjects

LOTE

• Website design

• Process journal

Lauriston students have a long history of undertaking a Language other than English (referred to as LOTE) in their academic program and we require all students to study a LOTE until the end of Year 9. In Year 10, we strongly recommend students to continue with their LOTE and it is compulsory for any students wishing to study the International Baccalaureate Diploma in Year 11 and 12. Whilst not compulsory in the VCE, LOTE studies are highly regarded and attract a considerable scaling benefit in the calculation of the ATAR.

Please note that you may only continue with a language you have studied in the previous year; it is not possible to ‘pick up’ a language in Year 9 if you have not studied it in Year 8. Please refer to our Chinese language study guide on page 46 for an overview of Chinese language offerings and pathways. If you have any queries regarding your LOTE choice you are welcome to contact our Languages Curriculum Leader, Ms Fiona Curnow at Curnowfi@lauriston.vic.edu.au.

Chinese (Mandarin) Course will be over two semesters.

The aim of the subject at this level is to consolidate and enhance students’ ability to acquire vocabulary, pronounce words, use tones, and speak with correct accent and intonation. As they become familiar with a broader range of vocabulary and sentence patterns, students move from working with short sentences to extended and complex passages. They are encouraged to become confident in reading and writing characters, and to explore both

cultural and linguistic topics that may include countries and languages, weather and seasons, hobbies, food, sickness and making phone calls.

Assessment

• Listening comprehension tasks

• Reading comprehension tasks

• Oral tasks

• Writing tasks

French

Course will be over two semesters.

• Cultural projects

• Written quizzes

• Semester test

The Year 8 course allows students to further develop skills in the five key areas of listening, reading, speaking, writing and viewing. Students use the textbook Quoi de Neuf 2 and explore topics such as housing, school life, leisure activities, directions and travels. They are also introduced to key grammatical structures such as irregular verbs ALLER, FAIRE and regular -RE and -IR verbs in the Present tense and the Immediate Future tense, the Imperative mood.

They are introduced to French culture and everyday life, with cultural elements integrated into the course. Students may also participate in the Alliance Française Berthe Mouchette Poetry competition.

Assessment

• Listening comprehension tasks

• Reading comprehension tasks

• Oral tasks

Latin Course will be over two semesters

• Writing projects

• Written quizzes

• Projects

The Year 8 Latin course allows students to read, comprehend and discuss Latin texts that reveal the Roman's language use and social and cultural practices. They use vocabulary, grammar and textual cues to understand and interpret Latin texts and convey information and ideas about the daily life and attitudes of the Romans, in oral, written or digital forms, using Latin as appropriate. They translate Latin texts into Standard English, applying their knowledge of vocabulary, accidence and syntax, linguistic cues and culture. They compare the features and relative merits of different translations of Latin texts to determine the features of a successful translation. Learners develop their knowledge of the systems that structure the Latin language (grammar, vocabulary, sounds, the written alphabet) and systematically build a vocabulary and deepen their grammatical skills that allows them to

access a variety of Latin texts. They discuss the ancient origins of modern customs, religion, literature and architecture, reflecting on the enduring influence of the Roman world on the modern world.

Assessment

• Listening comprehension tasks

• Reading comprehension tasks

• Oral tasks

Semester Electives

Financing your Future (Social Sciences)

• Writing projects

• Cultural projects

• Translations

This unit highlights the importance of financial literacy and understanding of relevant laws and consumer behaviour when making personal consumption, savings and financing decisions. Students explore a range of topics relevant to individual decision-making when faced with the reality of having to manage money in order to achieve goals.

The major task within the course and your challenge; SURVIVING IN THE CITY SCENARIO

After a challenging year 12 in 2027, where you have worked to the “max”, you have decided to give yourself a break from study and defer your university course for 12 months. During this time, you want to experience an independent lifestyle, with the trials and tribulations of living away from home. However, your parents wisely decide that you need to learn about managing money if you want an independent lifestyle and they do not give you money. You have to get a job to earn the money and learn to budget.

Will you survive? Will you prosper? Will you return back to your parent’s home during the year with your tail between your legs because you have mis-managed money?

The aims of this task are to:

• Increase your level of understanding of some of the major financial issues that will confront you when you begin working, especially if you must leave home at the same time.

• Make you more aware of the wide range of factors to be considered when making decisions about earning, spending and saving money.

• Improve your knowledge of Melbourne, with the many resources available to its residents; and make you aware of some of the challenges of an independent lifestyle.

• Allow you the opportunity to work in teams.

Assessment

• The completion of a yearly budget using a spreadsheet

Mind and Body (Health & PE)

• A 600 word written report evaluating whether money management goals have been achieved and a reflection on how to improve the management of money

Exercise is great for our body, but what about our mind? Can we make our brain fitter and healthier?

This elective highlights the connection between mind and body and introduces students to a variety of different skills and practical exercises that will challenge and help enhance the brain and body connection. The ‘mind’ component of this course highlights the importance of looking after the mind and develops understanding of positive psychology, sleep, stress and anxiety relief techniques and mindful learning experiences to promote resilient thinking and a positive mindset. Students will investigate what it means to be a responsible digital citizen and identify connections between social media, mental health and performance. The ‘body’ component of this course enables students to participate in a variety of practical activities and explore how these activities can benefit learning, performance and overall wellbeing.

Assessment

• Inquiry tasks

• Written reflection

A Star is Born – Through Song (Music)

• Project: resource creation

How does a tiny musical idea become a musical hit? Catchy melodies, harmonic progressions and structure are the secret ‘tools of the trade’. This unit will explore the world of song! Using your voice, music technology, keyboard and ukulele you will learn about these elements and use them to create and perform songs and mashups. You will build your musicianship, particularly knowledge of chord structure and harmonic progressions. Learning to play the ukulele is a key component of this unit as you not only de velop the technical skills to play the instrument but discover how to manipulate just a few chords to play lots of well-known songs.

Assessment

• Ukulele mash up performance

• Listening and analysis task

Soundtracks (Music)

• Composition and mixing task

• Musicianship task

Music and sound effects are an integral part of everything we watch, from block buster movies to video gaming. In the Soundtracks Elective students will use a variety of Apps to explore how a composer can combine and manipulate sounds to convey emotions, tell stories and provide sound effects. They will use this knowledge to develop their own soundtrack compositions for film and video gaming. Students will use GarageBand as their composing tool and will learn to use music software instruments, loop and automation functions as well as mixing and sampling to create their own soundtracks which will be set to various pieces of film.

This unit can be taken in Year 7 or Year 8, but not both.

Assessment

• Listening map

• Video game composition

All the World’s a Stage (Drama)

• Mood music composition and analysis

• Movie soundtrack composition

This is a production unit where the students and teacher work together to bring a play to life from a script as well as self-devised work. The theatre styles of Elizabethan and Poor Theatre are explored through workshops and games. The production process begins with reading the script, then auditions, designing, rehearsing and finally the big performance. The Production Roles of acting, directing and the design of lighting, sound, set, costume, set and props are all explored. Collaboration, creativity and confidence are all key skills that will be developed as ‘The Cast and Production Team’ bring their show to the stage.

Assessment for all units in Years 7 & 8

• Group presentations

• Design tasks

Centre Stage (Drama)

• Practical workshops

• Reflection tasks

We all remember a moment when we have been transported to another time, place or world through the magical power of theatre. In this unit, students will have the opportunity to experiment with story ideas, the inclusion of a moral and be able to determine a happily ever after for their characters. They will look at stories from their own lives, fairytales and from

around the world. Acting skills will be utilised to portray characters that come from other lands, cultures and times. Participants will learn about and incorporate the conventions of the Theatre Styles - Children’s Theatre and Fantasy Drama both through script and group devised work. There will also be a strong focus on the inclusion of Production Elements - set, lighting, sound and costume to bring these stories to life. These skills will all be drawn together when groups of students carefully choose a story and perform it to an audience from our Lauriston Junior School.

Assessment

• Group presentations

• Design tasks

Art (Visual Arts)

• Practical workshops

• Reflection tasks

This unit offers students the opportunity to explore a range of two-dimensional and threedimensional art forms such as drawing, painting and printmaking. Students will respond to the artmaking practices of both historical and contemporary artists to create imaginative and personal artistic responses. They learn how art elements and art principles are used to create aesthetic qualities in artworks The research of artists and technique development will be documented throughout the process in a Visual Arts journal to assist in building skills in reviewing, reflecting on, and evaluating their artmaking practice.

Assessment

• Visual Arts journal

• Folio

Visual Communication Design (Visual Arts)

In this elective, students will engage with a range of tools and processes used to design environments and messages. Students explore visualisation and presentation drawing with digital media such as Adobe Illustrator, and manual methods like two-point perspective. Investigating contemporary trends in architecture and communication design, students complete design folios inspired by their research. The use of the double diamond design process is introduced, with students using a design journal to record and reflect on their convergent and divergent design thinking.

Assessment

• Manual drawing folio

• Digital rendering folio

• Identity design process

• Design journal

Media (Visual Arts)

In this course students will explore the ways we document our lives in contemporary culture, looking at a variety of examples throughout history and in contemporary settings. Through photography, they will design and construct different representations, applying art elements and principles to produce their own folio of images.

Students will learn how to operate a Digital SLR (DSLR) camera, camera shot types, compositional techniques, in addition to art elements and principles. Adobe Photoshop will also be used to enhance and manipulate digital images.

Students will also learn to plan, produce, and edit a video project understanding the production process – development, preproduction, production and postproduction to create an instructional montage inspired by modern filmmakers. They will learn to edit their film using Adobe Premiere Pro.

• Photography folio

• Video folio

These following elective subjects are by recommendation and will replace the Arts Electives.

Learning Enhancement

The purpose of this course is to provide students with additional instruction to assist them to access the Year 8 Curriculum. Students will be provided with formal instruction in Literacy, Mathematics and organisational skills. Students will be provided with ongoing practical advice in how to take notes in class, develop positive study techniques and how to manage their time effectively. Students will receive ongoing assistance with daily organisational requirements. This will include the creation of study plans, homework schedules and advice on how to revise for assessments. In addition, students will complete a phonics- based touch typing program.

The course is delivered in a small group setting and is designed for students who require additional support to complete the Year 8 Curriculum.

Students are required to meet the LGS requirements for admission to Learning Enhancement. Assessment

EAL

The Year 8 EAL course aims to enhance students' English language proficiency across the ‘modes’ of reading and viewing, writing and listening and speaking. Skills are concurrently taught but one key skill is given prominence each term.

Within each language mode, the content descriptions are grouped into strands according to the VCAA F-10 EAL Curriculum: Communication, cultural and plurilingual awareness and language structures and features.

The course also aims to support EAL students extensively in their mainstream domain studies, in particular English and Humanities where academic English and language demands increase.

Assessment

• Listening comprehension tasks

• Reading comprehension tasks

• Regular quizzes and short answer tests

City Cite

• Oral presentations and role plays

• A range of writing tasks

During Term 2, all students in Year 8 spend the week based in the city at City Cite – a full immersion, inquiry-based program that aims to encourage independence, self-confidence and autonomy through learning in the ‘real world’. The program focuses on aspects of student learning not covered as discrete subjects within the Year 8 curriculum; these include equity, women and gender diverse people, safety and crime, homelessness, addictions, environmental sustainability, art, and First Nation’s culture.

A typical day may include a visit to the Magistrate’s Court, listening to a guest speaker, and conducting interviews and other research for the group task students present to their parents at an information evening. Through all these activities, students get to know important Melbourne institutions and to understand the diverse cultures and religions that make up the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedules

What times does school finish?

- School finishes at 3.05pm on Mondays and Thursdays and 3.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Day to day

How do I use my locker padlock?

- Your Tutor will help you with this when they distribute them.

How much homework is expected in Year 7 and in Year 8?

- Please refer to the section “Homework and Home Learning” in this handbook for guidelines.

- Year 7: approx. 4 hours per week

- Year 8: approx. 6 hours per week

What do I do if I’m absent from school?

- Your parent or guardian must contact Student Services via seniorschool@lauriston.vic.edu.au 9864 7541 or the Lauriston Girls’ School app before 8.30am

What do I do if I am late to school?

- Sign in at Student Services with a note or email from your parent or guardian.

What do I do if I need to leave campus for an appointment?

- Sign out at Student Services with a note or email from your parent or guardian.

Guidelines

Where do I find the rules about wearing the correct uniform?

- Uniform rules and expectations are explained in the Student Planner.

Can we come to/leave school with our PE uniform on?

- Year 7 and 8 students may wear their PE uniform to and from school if they are participating in GSV sports (every Thursday). Students who have PE in Periods 1 or 2 may wear their PE uniform to school but must change into academic uniform after their PE class. Students who have PE after Period 2 must wear their academic uniform to school in the morning and change into PE uniform for that class. Full school uniform must be worn home. Time to get changed will be provided by the PE teachers at the end of the PE lesson.

What jewellery can I wear?

- Students are permitted to wear a wristwatch and one pair of small silver or gold studs, or small pearl earrings. Studs may be worn on any part of the ear. Drop-down earrings, hoops or large sleepers are not permitted.

Can I use my mobile phone at school?

- Students in Years 7 and 8 may NOT use their mobile phone during school hours, including at recess and lunchtime. Please refer to the Acceptable Use of Mobile Phones by Students Policy printed in the Student Planner.

Can I keep my mobile phone with me during the school day?

- No mobile phones are permitted for students in Year 7 or 8. Phones must be locked in lockers until the end of the School day.

Health and first aid

Will my child’s Tutor store her Ventolin and spacer in the homeroom?

- No, your child is encouraged to keep her personal Ventolin and spacer on her person. This could be in her pocket, pencil case/laptop case or school bag.

Where will my child’s school EpiPen be kept?

- Senior School Students, who have supplied the school with a personal EpiPen, as per their ASCIA Anaphylaxis Action Plan, will have their EpiPen stored in the Health Centre, which is within the LPA building.

Can my child self-manage and or self-administer any medication she may require in school hours?

- No, all medication required during school hours must be handed to the school nurse for safe keeping and nurse directed administration at the required time. Medications must be accompanied with a Medication Authorisation Form to enable the School Nurse to administer said medication. The Medication Authorisation Form can be accessed on Schoolbox or in person in the Health Centre.

How long must I keep my child home from school when she is unwell?

- Regarding fever and gastro symptoms, students must be kept at home until they are fever free (under 38c) for 24 hours and free of any gastro symptoms for 24-48 hours (such as vomiting and/or diarrhoea). Other illnesses may have different school exclusion periods and will be managed by the school nurse on a case-bycase scenario.

The Learning Partnership

At Lauriston, learning partnerships between teachers, students and parents are central to every student achieving their potential, both academically and in her personal and social development. The mutual responsibility of all partners is framed by the School values:

1. Relationships

2. Courage

3. Creative reflection

4. Intellectual inquiry for understanding

5. Engagement in life

What parents and students can expect from the School:

• A learning environment in which curriculum and teaching methods are designed to provide students with skills, knowledge and understanding relevant to their future.

• A calm, focused learning environment

• Mutual respect based on the value of fostering positive relationships.

• A safe and supportive environment in which students of all abilities can thrive a high level of engagement with, and communication between, the School and parents

• A culture of excellence.

What the School expects from students and parents:

• Support of the School values, which place positive relationships at the centre of all we do.

• Regular and timely student attendance including minimal absences in term time for activities that may be scheduled during school holiday periods

• Students who are prepared to be active participants in their own learning

• High standards of presentation

• Regular reference to the School’s information sources including the newsletter, Learning Parent Portal and Learning Management System (Schoolbox)

• Appropriate communication standards, especially in the use of electronic and social media including email, the intranet, and the internet

• Timely communication of any concerns about (or for) a student’s learning or personal and social development

• Attendance at performances and celebrations relevant to the year level

• Knowledge of and adherence to the Student Behaviour Guidelines (see below).

Parents can assist their child at home by:

• Establishing good communications with the child’s teachers, Tutor, Year Level Coordinator and House Coordinator.

• Accessing her academic progress via the Learning Communication Portal and regularly discussing it with her.

• Encouraging her successes and help her to see that mistakes are valuable learning experiences.

• Expecting high but realistic standards based on a good understanding of her strengths and weaknesses.

• Taking an interest in her learning and allowing her to explain key aspects of her learning in her own words.

• Encouraging her to read widely and regularly.

• Using information and social media as a learning tool – podcasts and online media as well as TV news and current affairs broadcasts.

• Monitoring her access to and use of social media at home (the School strongly recommends that smart phones, iPads and other internet-connected devices are not kept in bedrooms overnight).

• Using digital resources together.

• Creating a well-lit and ventilated study space away from major distractions.

• Monitoring her health and wellbeing and sharing concerns with the School – her Tutor or Coordinator, or the School Psychologists.

Student Behavioural Guidelines

In all interactions with students the School’s objective is to provide an environment in which each student feels safe, nurtured, recognised and affirmed – supported as she develops to her full potential and experiences a sense of connectedness with the School community. A fundamental aim is for students to learn how to respect their rights, responsibilities and worth and to respect the rights, responsibilities and worth of others. The Student Behaviour Guidelines support the School values, in particular the value of relationships, since the ability to develop respectful relationships – irrespective of status, race or culture – is an important life skill. The behaviour each student demonstrates towards peers and teachers will affect her ability to establish long-lasting relationships.

The School seeks for students to:

• Take ownership of and responsibility for their behaviour

• Respect the rights of others and acknowledge their responsibilities towards others

• Support positive relationships within the School community

• Support the teaching and learning process together.

To this end students and parents should familiarise themselves with the following School policies by visiting the Parent Portal (Schoolbox).

• Respectful relationships

• Social media by students

• Acceptable use of mobile telephones

• Acceptable use of information technologies

• Privacy

• Child protection – mandatory reporting

Attendance at School and Punctuality

Students must attend school every day (including School and House activities) unless they are ill or affected by significant personal circumstances. School camps are part of the curriculum, and all students are expected to attend.

A student arriving late to school must sign-in at Student Services before attending class.

The School will grant permission for a student to leave during the day or before the end of the school day for important appointments that could not be scheduled outside lesson times provided the parent has emailed Student Services. Students must sign out at Student Services before leaving the School and sign in on returning.

Attendance in Class and Punctuality

Students must be in designated classrooms at all times and must obtain teacher permission before leaving the classroom.

Truancy from class is considered a serious matter and time missed from lessons will be made up after school on a Friday afternoon. Truancy may result in a Saturday detention.

Drugs, Alcohol, and Smoking

The possession or consumption of any non-medicinal or non-prescribed drug on School grounds or while in school uniform is unacceptable. Any student who is seen smoking or consuming alcohol, or who is involved in non-prescribed drug use or supply, will be the subject of a serious disciplinary process.

Excursions

Excursions are part of the curriculum and the School expects students to attend all educational class trips.

Student must adhere to the Student Behaviour Guidelines, including uniform dress code, while representing the School on excursion.

Students must make up missed classwork and complete any homework.

Mobile Phones

• If brought to school, mobile phones remain the responsibility of the student.

• Students may not take photographs, videos or recordings without the permission of the individual being photographed or recorded and then only for school purposes.

• If students are instructed by teachers to use the device as a learning tool, they are expected to follow the guidelines set down by the teacher.

• Students in Years 7 and 8 must keep their mobile telephones locked in their locker during the school day unless they are instructed to bring their phone to class by the teacher.

• Students in Years 7 and 8 must not use their mobile telephones during recess and lunch.

School Property and Property of Others

• Students are expected to respect and care for school property and belongings –including school lockers, classrooms and grounds – at all times.

• Students are expected to respect and care for the property of others.

• Students are expected to dispose of rubbish appropriately.

• Students are to leave classrooms and locker areas in a tidy state.

• Students are to keep their lockers locked at all times.

Uniform and General Appearance

Please find all the uniform guidelines here.