from the principal's desk - · pdf filefrom the principal's desk ... vce and university exams....
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From the Principal's DeskJim Laussen
On Saturday night, the 30 Year Gala Ball was held at Lakeside Receptions. 400 current and former members of our
community joined together for a wonderful evening of celebration and reminiscing. It was lovely to catch up with
some old friends, as well as to join together with newer members of our community.
It was a delight to have a foundation parent, Rosa Stephenson, foundation student and new Keilor Campus parent,
Sarah Wilkinson (nee Stephenson) and Sarahs son Matthew, a current Prep student, cut the birthday cake to
commence the evenings activities. This was a special moment for the Stephenson family and a lovely moment for
those at the Ball too, as we shared with a parent who helped form the College, a parent who is in the College today
and a student who is the future of our College.
Additionally, we were entertained by three old collegians: Saskia Johnson, Mary Lascaris and Daniel Hernandez,
who performed the song 'Beautiful City' followed by a wonderful rendition of the 'Blessing Song', with many in the
crowd joining in.
Delicious food and drink, lots of merriment and a dance floor that was not empty for the whole night from the first
chords of the first Bjorn Again song, all combined for a truly lovely evening and a great memory for all of those who
attended.
I am extremely grateful to the organising committee: Gary Bonello, Josie Klarin, Loretta Konjarski, Eleni Savva,
Shirley Seit, Jane Sneddon, Tanya Sutton, Dilhara Thomas, Sue West and Deb Woolley, for all of their planning
and organisation.
Our students will celebrate the birthday of the College in a formal sense at our Founder's Day services at St Pauls
Cathedral on Thursday 29th June, and at our Presentation Night on Wednesday 11th October, when all students
from Years 5-12 will join together at the Plenary.
Master Plan
Law Architects continue to work closely with College staff and the College Board in the development of exciting
new master plans for both campuses. Navigating the challenges of airport restrictions as well as traffic
management are not insignificant issues for our plans. However, the exciting possibilities for learning spaces that
our architects are bringing to meetings will set a wonderful new direction and future for the children of this College.
We are hopeful of sharing our new master plans with the entire community by the end of Term 3.
College Shop Changes
I am pleased to announce that, from the beginning of Term 3, Noone Imagewear will take over the management of
the College Shop. After an extensive tender process, Noone Imagewear stood out in terms of their quality of
clothing, reputation, pricing and service to customers.
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mailto:[email protected]
In coming weeks, all families will receive an email with the specifics of the new operation, which will include new
operating hours, new on-line ordering procedures and the ability for the full Overnewton uniform to be purchased
from the Noone Imagewear Niddrie store on Keilor Road, as well as from our own College Shop. We are certain
that these new arrangements will be a welcome support for our families.
I would like to publicly thank Miranda Turner and Amanda Markey for the management of the College Shop over
many years. Clothing 2100 students each year is an important job and one that they have performed with passion.
Exams
Currently, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is undertaking research around the
increasing numbers of students seeking special arrangements for VCE exams due to anxiety. VCAA is concerned
that anxiety is now the major reason for seeking additional exam support. A certain level of exam anxiety is normal;
when it affects a students mental health is when it becomes a concern.
This week, all students in Years 8 and 9 have undertaken exams in some of their core subjects. Our Senior School
students completed their exams last week. Exams are a fact of life for student assessment both in NAPLAN and,
far more importantly, VCE. Therefore, it is imperative that we continue to provide students with exam condition
experiences in their early years in the College so that we might help them all to be more resilient when it comes to
VCE and university exams. These experiences come from formal exam times, as well as regular classroom tests.
Success in exams comes from a combination of knowing the material to be examined, knowing how to apply
learning to new situations expressed in exam questions, as well as knowing good exam technique. Good exam
technique relates to understanding how to interpret a question, knowing what certain questioning words mean,
knowing how much information is required in a response based on the number of marks assigned to the question,
knowing how to use exam time efficiently, knowing how to use reading time wisely, and working in completely silent
exam conditions to know what to expect in a formal exam situation. All of these aspects are practised at
Overnewton.
In the early years of their exams, the balance of learning exam technique over the testing of learning is the greater
priority for our students. It is not until Senior School that the balance is tipped so that the exams become far more
important as a tool of learning assessment, and are included as part of their total mark in each subject.
As adults, it is important that we try and reduce exam anxiety as much as possible for our students by ensuring that
we encourage students to study hard for their exams but, especially in the earlier years, by not pressuring our
students if they do not perform as well as we think they should. Always, it is a delicate balance. Naturally, any of
our Heads of Schools or teaching and counselling staff are only too willing and happy to talk with parents about
how best to support students in relation to exams so that we can keep their anxiety to a healthy level.
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College Bulletin Board
College Bulletin Board
This page includes important College notes/dates/events including details of College dates, Principal's morning
teas, registration matters and other relevant administrative notices.
College Dates
Thursday 22nd JuneOut of the Blue performance, 7.30pm
Saturday 24th JuneWorking Bees, both campuses
Thursday 29th JuneFounder's Day
Friday 30th JuneLast day of Term 2
For 2017 College term dates please click here or visit the College website for the Events Calendar.
Parents Afternoon Tea with the Principal
Mr Laussen will be holding an informal opportunity for parents to meet with him over a cup of tea. Please feel free
to call in should you wish to have a chat, ask a question, or share a good news story about your child.
Term 2, 2017
Keilor Campus, in the Principal's OfficeThursday 22nd June, 2.30pm-3.30pm
Term 3, 2017
Keilor Campus, in the Principal's OfficeTuesday 25th July, 2.30pm-3.30pm
Taylors Lakes Campus, in the Principal's OfficeFriday 8th September, 2.30pm-3.30pm
Please contact the Principal's Assistant, Josie Klarin on 9334 0149 or email if you are planning to attend an
Whispers v31/19 21 JUNE 2017
http://www.overnewton.vic.edu.au/our-college/term-dates.htmlhttp://www.overnewton.vic.edu.au/our-college/term-dates.htmlhttp://www.overnewton.vic.edu.au/index.phphttp://www.overnewton.vic.edu.au/our-college/events-calendar.phpmailto:[email protected]
afternoon tea.
Assistance with your Tuition FeesCamps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) 2017CSEF will be provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families with the costs of school trips, camps
and sporting activities.
If you are an eligible beneficiary within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004, that is, you are a holder
of Veterans Affairs Gold Card, a Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC), a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) or you
are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF.
The allowance will be paid to the school and will be credited against your school fee account.
The annual CSEF amount per student is:
$125 for a primary student
$225 for a secondary student
Forms are available from the administration offices at both Keilor Campus and Taylors Lakes Campus.
For all enquiries, please contact Kim Prestage via email or call 9334 0121.
Application forms must be returned to Kim Prestage at the Keilor Campus by Friday 23rd June, 2017.
Gary Bonello
Business Manager
Big Childcare Holiday Program at OvernewtonBig Childcare partners with the College to provide a fantastic Holiday Program to
families who require this service. The Big Childcare team is professional, experienced
and committed to providing a supportive and engaging environment for children over
the school holiday period.
Families using the holiday program can expect a caring and safe environment for children with educators who love
working with kids. The educators focus on the needs and interests of the children by offering exciting excursions to
venues around Melbourne, as well as themed incursion days that include craft, cooking, sports activities,
indoor/outdoor play and much more. The team at Big Childcare is committed to ensuring that children in their care
have the best fun, whilst reaching their full potential!
Big Childcare op