College Connection
“Growing together as adaptable, confident, successful learners and citizens” Junior Campus 5174 8733 Senior Campus 5176 2240
P O Box 1790 Traralgon Vic 3844
Web www.traralsc.vic.edu.au Email traralgon.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au
Issue 14
Thursday 17th October 2013
JUNIOR CAMPUS PRINCIPAL’S REPORT Welcome back to Term 4. This is always a busy term and we have started with lots of new things happening at the Junior Campus together with some annual activities. Inquiry Learning at TC Junior Campus In 2014 all students at the Junior Campus are experiencing learning through inquiry based learning tasks. This means that students can construct their own understandings, and with teacher support ask curious questions and use evidence and research to support them in their learning. “Inquiry” means to literally seek knowledge and our Year 8 and 9 students (Year 7 students are embarking on their project in a couple of weeks) have been doing just that! Our students have been responding to questions such as “How do our connections with Asia influence life in Australia?” and “How do my choices affect my life?” Depending upon the students’ focus, activities have included Asian food tasting, songs, films and documentaries, trivia games, PE activities, team competitions, short language lessons and art activities using recycled materials. There have also been excursions to see where our waste ends up and what happens to it, finding out about dairy farming and research, coastal management at Phillip Island, Op Shops and recycling in the CBD, together with forestry and plantation management. Student responses have been very positive. As one student said “It’s completely changed how I look at farming” and another said “It’s really made me think about not dropping rubbish”. Year 8 Camp This week many Year 8 students have been overseas . . . on their camp to Tasmania! This is a wonderful learning opportunity to find out more about our history and for students to experience travel by sea and air. Many thanks to the staff who were happy to get up in the early hours to join students on this adventure. We look forward to hearing about their experiences when they return. Year 7 Camp This camp is going ahead in Week 4 this term after being rescheduled from Term 1. Students will travel to Licola Wilderness Village and participate in team building and problem solving challenges. This is a supportive environment for students to widen their friendship groups and also for staff to build relationships with students outside of the classroom. Student Leadership I was at a meeting last week with our current student leaders and I asked them “What have you learnt about being a leader?” They responded with “You need to . . . listen to others, be prepared to make suggestions, be organised, work together, communicate well with the team and communicate outwards”. They also agreed that you can’t lead by yourself and it was about being able to work with a wide range of people not just your friends. I believe this group of students has demonstrated that they are active citizen and all have the potential to be effective leaders in our community. It has been a pleasure to see their growth in leadership skills this year. The nomination process for the 2014 Campus Captains and SRC will be beginning shortly at the Junior Campus. Could you please encourage your child to step up and get involved as this is a fantastic personal development opportunity. School Captain elections are under way at the Senior Campus.
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IMPORTANT DATES Tuesday 22nd October
Year 9 Screening of Romeo & Juliet
Friday 25th October
Year 12 Celebration Day, morning tea with staff at 10am
Tuesday 29th October
Year 9 Boys and Year 7 Immunisations
30th October - 1st November
Year 7 Camp
30th October - 21st November
Year 12 VCE Exams
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