Newsletter 20th May 2011 - Emerald Secondary College

Emerald Secondary College is a Learning Community
Principal- Wayne Burgess
College Council President- Greg Ritchie
Assistant Principals- Andrew Batchelor & Kylie Wenzel
Business Manager- Chris Woodhouse
Term 2: Issue 7
20th May 2011
Term 2: April 27-1 July
Term 3: 18 July - 23 Sept
Term 4: 10 October - 22 Dec
IMPORTANT DATES:
MAY:
Mon 23rd: Yr 10 Deakin Experience
Tue 31st: District Cross Country
“ “ :+ Yr 12 Psychology Lecture
JUNE:
Fri 10th-Fri 17th: Yr 11 Exams
Mon 13th: Queen’s Birthday holiday
STUDENT FREE DAY
Tue 14th-Fri 17th: Yr 10 Exams
Tue 14th-Wed 15th: Yr 12 June
Exams
Thu 16th: GAT
Fri 17th: No Yr 12 Classes today
Mon 20th: REPORT FINISHING
DAY NO STUDENTS AT SCHOOL
Tue 21st: Unit 2 and Unit 4 begin
Mon 27th-Fri 1st July: Yr 10 Work
Experience
Sat 25th -Sun 10th July: Vietnam
Trip
IN THIS ISSUE:
Student Learning- Megan Thompson
and Maddi Southam 07E
Principal’s Comments
Maths Tutoring
Puffing Billy Great Train Race
MUNA participants Ebony Parker
and Zulema Townshend
VCE Theatre Studies
Science Report
Music News
Staff Profile:
- Tanya Ryder-Barnes
- Michael Snow
Mentoring Program
School Uniform
Excursions
Student Learning :
Megan Thompson and Maddi
Southam 07E:
Currently we are undertaking Yr 11
PE with Ms Stephens as our teacher.
All our fellow classmates are really
looking forward to going to PE each
week, because it’s enjoyable in many
different ways. We learn the different
areas of study by practical lessons and
also theory, which is in the form of
learning through the use of Power Point
presentations. When we are doing
theory, Ms Stephens still makes class
interesting by adding smaller practical
activities into the lessons. For example
whilst we were learning about inertia
which is a biomechanical principle,
our class was taken into the corridor
and passed basketballs and medicine
balls to one another. Also, we practiced
arm wrestling with a partner to better
understand gravitational force. We
really enjoy the practical activities which
involve a laboratory part to them. We are
both learning really well in PE and have
both reflected on our learning by getting
good marks in our SACs. We revise
through the class by doing small quizzes
on the topics we are covering and also by
doing practice tests before sitting the real
ones. Overall we both really enjoy doing
PE and recommend it to anyone.
Maddi and Megan bouncing into their
PE studies!
PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS:
Safe Schools Coalition:
My term letter to parents explained the
reason why Emerald Secondary College was
considering joining the Safe School Coalition
as a way of supporting same sex attracted
students. My letter invited parents to contact
me to express their opinion on this matter.
I do understand that some families will have
moral or religious reasons for disagreeing
with this proposal. However, I received
numerous phone calls and emails and the
vast majority expressed strong support for
the plan for Emerald Secondary College
to become an official member of the Safe
Schools Coalition. The consensus was that
every person has the right to be treated with
courtesy and respect and that any form of
discrimination is wrong.
Several of the parents have gay children
currently attending, or have attended,
Emerald Secondary College and said that
they had always found the school supportive
of their children. The majority of parents
who responded, however, did not have same
sex attracted children but felt strongly that it
was the right thing to do.
I outlined the proposal at the Whole School
Assembly on Monday 9 th May. I have spoken
to a number of students since and asked for
their views. Again, all were supportive as
were those who came to see me after the
Assembly.
I forwarded details of parent responses to
School Council. Based on the strong support
of parents, students and staff, School Council
has formally approved Emerald Secondary
College joining the Safe Schools Coalition.
One of the benefits of becoming a member
is that the school will have access to a wide
range of resources available from the Safe
Schools Coalition Victoria.
Footpath:
Greg Ritchie, School Council President, has
written to Cardinia Shire Council urging
them to put in a footpath between Emerald
township and the school as a number of
students walk to school. We have received a
reply that Cardinia Shire is in the process
of creating a footpath between the new

Woolworths store and Alexander Avenue.
They are also investigating the number of
pedestrians who travel between the Emerald
Monbulk Road Corner and the School.
Pride in Workmanship Award:
The Emerald and District Rotary Club
sponsor an annual Pride in Workmanship
Award. I took great pleasure in nominating
Krys Krzywokulski, who works in the
General Office. Anyone who has dealt with
Krys either in person or on the phone will
know that she takes pride in her work and is
always cheerful and ready to help.
Krystine with Tina McInerney, Rotary
Club President and the Mayor of
Cardinia Shire - George Blenkhorn
receiving her award
Wot Opera:
Carrie Wallis, Drama Coordinator, and I
recently met with representatives from Opera
Australia about being involved in the Wot
Opera Program. Wot Opera involves four
schools, selected from a range of applicants
to write and perform an original opera. Three
members of Opera Australia work in the
chosen schools for a day per week to help
students understand what is involved in
developing an original opera and performing
it at the Drum Theatre in Dandenong.
What excited us about the ideas was not just
the opportunity to get involved with Opera
Australia but also the fact that it is wonderful
learning experience; a chance to be creative;
and a focus on everyone being a constructive
member of the team. Students will gain
invaluable experience working with Opera
Australia performers as well as one of its
Musical Directors.
The actual performance is scheduled for
sometime in September and I am eagerly
anticipating the actual Opera.
SEAL Testing:
Parents would be aware that Emerald
Secondary College is an approved Select
Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) school.
Students in the SEAL Program complete
Years 7 to 10 in only three years and have
access to an extended VCE Course.
We have conducted two test sessions for
current Year 6 students who are interested
in becoming a Year 7 SEAL student next
year. If you are interested in obtaining more
information or want your son or daughter
assessed for suitability for the SEAL
Program, please contact Martin Toman,
SEAL Coordinator on 5968-5388.
Student Supervision Hours:
I remind parents that staff are on supervision
duties from 8.15am until 4.00pm when Bus
Duty finishes. While there are Staff at school
prior to 8.15am and after 4.00pm please note
that there is no official student supervision.
This means that students who are dropped off
before 8.15am and picked up after 4.00pm are
considered to be under their parent’s care.
Lockers and School Property:
The lockers are school property. Even though
parents pay an annual locker rental fee, the
locker itself remains school property and as
such can be searched if we believe students
have illegal substances or items such as
weapons. We would only request to search
a locker if we had a belief that it contained
dangerous, illegal or stolen items.
Planking:
Planking has received a great deal of media
attntion recently with coverage on TV, the
newspapers, radio and social media. A
number of media personalities have been
photographed planking and the papers have
also shown people involved in dangerous
stunts. Many instances of planking are
completely safe. However, we recognise
that one of the ways that young people try
and draw attention to themselves is to try and
“up the ante” by doing something even more
risky. Given the media attention and the
apparent endorsement at least in the eyes of
many of our students, of medias personalities,
it is not surprising that a number of our
students have been involved in planking,
outside of school and at school. Our concern
is that young people often do not recognise
potential dangers and often what they
perceive as fun can put them at risk. There is
also the element of trying to “outdo” others
which increases the potential risk.
The risks are real as demonstrated by the
person who died in Brisbane last weekend
whilst trying to plank on a balcony. Others
have suffered a range of injuries from stunts
gone wrong. Teachers have a very high
duty of care and as such we cannot condone
planking in any situation. Our Home Group
Teachers have spoken to their Homegroup
about the potential risks. Rather than just
decree that planking is banned and that there
will be a “punishment” we have decided to
explain why it shouldn’t be happening at
school. I request that parents also take the
time to explain to their children that what
can sometimes seem to be harnless fun
can pose a risk and have serious, and even
tragic, consequences. Your support is greatly
appreciated.
Wayne Burgess Principal
Maths Tutoring:
Any parents/guardians looking for some extra
Maths tutoring for their child can contact
Lexie Stecher. Lexie can tutor any student
undertaking Years 7 – 11 Mathematics or Yr
12 Further Maths. Please contact her on 5968
6118 for further information.
Puffing Billy Great Train Race Car
Parking:
On Sunday 1st May Emerald Secondary
College opened our car park to the
community for the annual Puffing Billy Great
Train Race. This was a great opportunity to
support this wonderful event and at the same
time raise some money for the college.
I am thrilled to report we raised over $810
for Emerald Secondary College.Four students
helped on the day and were all sensational
in ensuring everything ran smoothly. The
students gave up their time and were up
bright and early to assist. They were: Mathew
Harmer 06E, James Hulbert 06E, Austin
Pond 07C and Justin Sargent 07C.
Andrew Batchelor Assistant Principal
Model United Nations Assembly:
Zulema and I were chosen to participate in
the Model United Nations Assembly hosted
by the Rotary Club, at Parliament House.
MUNA involves participants being given a
country; ours was Pakistsan and you debate
with other delegates from different countries
on resolutions such as the death penalty,
media censorship, small arms control,
refugees and international peacekeeping
treaties.
We were extremely nervous and had a few
mini mental breakdowns while we were
preparing our speeches as we had no idea
what to expect. When we got to Parliament
House in Melbourne, everybody there
was already dressed up in their countries
costumes.
We registered our country - Pakistan and
found that everyone was really friendly and
had experience in this before.
We all sat in country blocks in the legislative
Assembly and each stood up and debated
issues that reflected on our country.
At first everyone was quite shy but by the
end of it everyone was really into it.
It was really interesting finding out about
what is happening in the world that
we don’t even think about. It was great being
around people that were also passionate about
the world around us.
On top of all this there was a huge buffet
prepared by chefs for lunch each day.
It was an amazing opportunity and I would
recommend it to anyone.
Ebony Parker and Zulema Townshend
Ebony and Zulema enjoying
refreshments during a break!

VCE THEATRE STUDIES
PRESENTS
Tom Stoppard’s DOGG’S
HAMLET and CAHOOT’S
MACBETH
Thursday 9 th of June
Friday 10 th June
7pm at ESC
Emerald Secondary College’s
VCETheatre Studies class is
currentlyworking on a production of
Tom Stoppard’s Dogg’s Hamlet
and Cahoot’s Macbeth.
Consider this scene; a man is building a
wall with the help of his friend. The man
SCIENCE REPORT:
Term 2 continues to be a busy time in
the Science department with a range of
activities being planned and undertaken.
Some of these activities include:
Science Excursions: Yr 9 Emerald City
Experience is coming up and students
will be participating in a five day
program which will involve a scientific
focus with a visit to the Melbourne
Museum.
Yr 11 Biology students are going to
Healesville Sanctuary on 18 th May
to explore the different reproduction
strategies of Australian mammals. They
will also get a chance to learn about the
Sanctuary’s breeding and conservation
programs designed to help endangered
or threatened species.
Music News:
Beginning on Monday 23 rd May for three weeks we will
be running a a competition called ‘So You Think You Can
Practise’, which encourages students to get into good practise
habits and continue to develop their skills as they reflect on
and log their weekly practise. They will submit their log to
their instrumental teacher to tally.
We encourage new students to aim for at least 15 minutes of
practice per day, and students who have been learning for a
number of years should aim much higher. Students enrolled
in the Instrumental Music Program will be enrolled by default.
Students who are taking lessons outside of school and would
like to participate are most welcome. Please see Ms Winter in
the Music Office.
• Our ensembles continue to grow and improve, and
we are thrilled to have a group of highly qualified and
enthusiastic instrumental teachers to direct them.
• The ESC Show band is just getting off the ground under
the direction of Mr Luke James.
• The Concert Band is heating up as they prepare for the
Melbourne Schools Bands Festival in August under the
direction of Ms Evonne Neal.
calls ‘brick!’ and the second man throws
a brick to him. Now the man calls ‘slab!’
and another shaped block is thrown to
him.
The assumption would be that ‘brick’
means brick, and ‘slab’ means slab; but
what if in this language, ‘brick’ meant
‘next’ and ‘slab’ meant ‘okay’? This
is Dogg’s language. Dogg’s Hamlet
explores this idea within the context of
a primary school as four kids prepare
the stage for their school production of
HAMLET.
Cahoot’s Macbeth is the second play
on the bill. Set in the 1970’s under
communist rule, an intimidating
inspector arrives at a small apartment
Rio Tinto Big Science Competition:
On 1 st June, 48 students from Yr 7
to 10 will be participating in the Rio
Tinto Big Science Competition. Two
students from each Junior and Middle
year science class were nominated by
their science teacher. They will be
sitting a 30 question critical thinking
and problem solving test. The questions
are multiple choice answers and are
written by the Australian Council for
Educational Research.
Mid-year Science Exams:
From the 10 th June to 16 th June, Science
students in Yrs 10, 11 & 12 will be
sitting exams in VCE Chemistry,
Biology, Physics, Psychology as well
as Yr 10 subjects: Core Science, Genes
and Biotechnology and Psychology. The
Science faculty wishes students the best
suspected of staging an illegal
production of MACBETH. The play is
thrown into further turmoil when the
delivery bloke from the first play arrives,
having caught the language of Dogg and
proceeds to spread the infectious tongue
amongst the thespians. Havoc reigns.
This means that by the end of the night
you, the audience, will have heard
three different versions of English. We
hope that by the end of the night, you
won’t have caught the language DOGG
yourself otherwise you may end up
swearing bicycles too!
Come and see the show, you won’t be
disappointed!! Cassidy Leucke
of luck for this exam period and will
be helping students with revision and
examination techniques.
Overall it’s going to be a busy and
rewarding term which we are looking
forward to as a faculty.
Rebecca Frith Science Coordinator
Mr Herath’s Year 7 Science class
experiment with dry ice
• Various flute ensembles are preparing for the Victorian
Flute Guild Ensemble Competition.
• The Taiko Drum group is growing in numbers and skills
as they rehearse on Thursday afternoons.
• The newly formed Choir is getting off the ground on
Tuesday mornings under the direction of Ms Sally
McKenzie.
We are looking forward to seeing them all perform soon.
All students who began learning a woodwind, brass or
percussion instrument are invited to the Junior Band, which
began rehearsals this week. Regular rehearsals will take place
every Wednesday lunchtime in the music room.
We currently have vacancies for students interested in learning
a brass instrument (trumpet/trombone) Please contact Ms
Winter for more information
Originally we had planned for Mid Year Music Concert
for Wednesday 1 st June, however please be aware that this
has been postponed to early Term 3, to coincide with the
opening of the Performing Arts Centre. Stay tuned for more
information.
Kerry Winter Music Coordinator

STAFF PROFILE:
Tanya Ryder-Barnes:
Tanya has started at ESC this year and is
teaching Drama and Media. She is also
undertaking the important role of Year
11 Co-ordinator.
Previously Tanya trained and taught
in the UK. Her work career has been
varied including working at the BBC,
running a drama school called “Theatre
Box” for students in Grades 1 – 6, and
being a director of theatre. Tanya has her
Masters degree in Theatre.
Tanya’s interests include her two
wonderful boys, Harry – 10 years
old and Kai – 6 years old, theatre,
basketball, rugby, running, camping and
travel. Tanya has completed a number
of half marathons and triathlons. She
has also completed “Round the Bay”
ride and the 120km King Lake bike ride
numerous times. Tanya is about to start
directing the next musical at Gemco.
Welcome to ESC Tanya!
Tanya has settled in at ESC... No drama!
STAFF PROFILE:
Michael Snow:
Michael began at ESC this year and
is teaching Wood work to students
and creating a pathway for students to
perhaps becoming a carpenter or at least
considering a trade as a future option.
He is also undertaking the valued role of
home group teacher of Year 7 – 11E.
Before joining us Michael worked
at Pakenham Secondary College.
He has also worked in a number of
different jobs but particularly enjoyed
working in Theatre for 5 years at the
Victorian Arts Centre as a set builder.
Michael completed his apprenticeship
in carpentry at age 28 and worked as
a carpenter until 6 years ago when he
became a teacher.
Michael’s interests include a love of
rugby which he played as a junior and
coming from Wales it is in his blood. He
also enjoys watching movies, spending
time with his girlfriend Helen and
spoiling his daughter Caitlin. Welcome.
Welcome Michael. As a ‘Chippy’ teacher he can
certainly put the pieces together!
SCHOOL UNIFORM:
It certainly feels like winter has hit us with the recent cold
snap and uniform has once again become a major concern
with students turning up to school in a variety of non uniform
items.
Hoodies, in particular are making a regular appearance
underneath the school jumper or in place of. Students have all
been told in assembly last week that hoodies are not part of the
uniform and students will be asked to take them off and pick
them up from the year level office at the end of the day.
It is not acceptable just to tuck them into their jumper.
All the classrooms are heated during winter and rooms will be
made available to students on wet weather days at lunchtime
and recess. Students are able to wear other clothing items
underneath their uniform that cannot be seen and the uniform
includes a coat that keeps out the cold wind.
Students are also able to wear a plain black or navy beanie to
school which MUST be removed during class.
We ask that parents support the school with the uniform policy
so we can spend less time on uniform infringements and more
time on educating our students as is our primary focus.
MENTORING PROGRAM:
The mentoring program is in full swing and
all year 12 students have now been allocated
a mentor of their choosing. Many students
and teachers have already found some time
to meet and informally chat about some of
the difficulties that they are facing or may
face and be able to work out some SMART
goals to help deal with the many challenges
that year 12 may bring.
Dream Rangers:
The Dream Rangers program is also off to
a wonderful start with students embracing
the fantastic opportunity offered to them.
Last term our students met with students
from 4 other local government schools in
our network and spent time getting to know
like-minded students. Many have already
established an on-line communication
page where they can chat to the other high
achieving students in our area with a view to
sharing ideas, notes, resources and ultimately
working towards achieving their absolute
best.
In the coming weeks students will meet
again to further develop their study skills
and exam technique while promoting the
communication of resources and ideas.
During the term we hope to meet as a smaller
group at lunchtimes to listen to various
motivational speakers who will inspire the
students and continue to encourage them to
DARE TO DREAM!!
Finally, I encourage all VCE students who
are ambitious and are striving for excellence
to come and talk to me about getting
involved in the Dream Rangers program.
Carrie Wallis
EXCURSIONS:
Part of a rich education is to experience the wider world
beyond the hills and this is made available to our students on a
regular basis through excursions and camps and also through
incursions where the wider world comes to the students in the
form of performers/presenters coming into the school. These
experiences are invaluable to our students, however, teachers
are finding that they are spending valuable time chasing
up students and parents to pay for their particular activity/
excursion.
When a letter is sent home in regard to an excursion, payment
is requested by a due date. Then monies can be processed and
payment made in time to the relevant organisation/company.
Payment received after the due date WILL NOT be processed
and the student WILL NOT be able to participate in the
excursion.
We ask that you support the school and your child by making
payments on time. If there are financial reasons why payment
cannot be made in time, please contact the Wellbeing
Department and an appropriate arrangement can be made.
Kylie Wenzel Assistant Principal