NOVEMBER

Mon 28th - Mon 19th December Antipodeans Abroad Expedition - Vietnam

Mon 28 Year 10 English and Maths Exams Tues 29 - Thu 1 December Year 10 into 11 - 2017 Commencement

Program

DECEMBER

Frid 2 2nd Hand Book Sale 11am-4.30pm (Uniform Shop)

Tues 6th - Wed 7th Year 6 Orientation Frid 9th LAST DAY OF CLASSES FOR YEARS 7, 8 & 9 - Special Program Mon 12th Year 12 Results Year 7-9 End of Year Activities - Details have been distributed to students. Tues 13th Awards Day - 11am - Costa Hall Wed 14th - Thurs 16th Year 7-9 End of Year Activities - Details have been distributed to students. Frid 16th School Picnic Mon 19th Staff Professional Learning Program

12 Pickett Crescent, Belmont, 3216 Ph: 5243 4444 Fax: 5244 2005 Web: www.oberonhs.vic.edu.au Email: oberon.hs@edumail.vic.gov.au

Program provided for those students in

attendance. Parent/Teacher interviews if

required by appointment.

Tues 20th LAST DAY OF SCHOOL TERM

JANUARY 2017

Frid 27th OFFICE OPEN Mon 30th ALL STAFF RETURN OFFICE OPEN STUDENT FREE DAY Tue 31th STUDENTS IN YEARS 7, 11 & 12

COMMENCE SCHOOL FEBRUARY 2017 Wed 1st STUDENTS IN YEARS 8, 9 & 10

COMMENCE SCHOOL - All students now in attendance Thurs 2nd - Frid 3rd Yr 7 Sleep Over and Beach day

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT Thank you to Mr Andy Hallam and Mrs Janette Bennett who organised this wonderful opportunity for the students involved. Activities week

The school will once again be running an activities week program for students from Monday 12th December till Friday 16th December (which is the school picnic) with the exception of Tuesday 13th December which is our Awards Day. Students will be supervised on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th December if they are in attendance at school. Details of this program have been distributed to students. School Council

The final School Council meeting for the year was held on Wednesday 7th December, 6.30pm.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank all Council members for giving up their time during the year to attend council meetings and contribute to our school community. Your contribution to the life of the school this year has been very much appreciated. DET Scholarships for 2017 Students have the opportunity to apply for a range of DET Scholarships for the 2017 school year which range in value from $350 - $2000 per year. There are a range of scholarships available for students but all have specific criteria associated with them. If you are interested in finding out more about these scholarships, look at the following website www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/scholarships for further information or contact the school with queries. Scholarship applications opened on Monday 14th November 2016. Scholarships are also offered to VCE students who intend to enter a teacher training course after completing their VCE. Return to School Dates 2017

Just to inform Parents/Guardians in advance that the 2017 Academic Year will commence with a student staggered start as follows:

• Friday 27 January - OFFICE REOPENS

• Monday, 30 January - Teachers return to school (Student Free Day)

• Tuesday, 31 January - First day for all new Year 7 students, Year 11 and all 12 students (as well as Year 10 students undertaking a Year 11 subject).

• Wednesday 1 February - First day for all other students. As this is the last newsletter for the 2016 school year, I would like to thank the school community for the continued support of Oberon. I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas vacation spending time with family and friends. Tim McMahon

Absence Hotline ---- 0439 326 767 Issue 19 - Friday 9th December, 2016

Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program We congratulate Year 10 student Alex Brownbridge who has been selected to join the University of Melbourne Kwon Lee Dow Young Scholars Program. Alex was chosen from an excess of 1800 students across the state and adjoining border regions, to participate in the program that will see him take part in events and activities to enhance his studies, inspire, and interact with the University of Melbourne community. Antipodean Expedition Seven students and one staff member flew out to Vietnam on Monday 28th November as part of the Antipodeans Abroad Expedition - Vietnam. The twenty two day trip which includes elements of cultural immersion, a hands on project of improving facilities in a school and some adventure activities. We look forward to hearing of the wonderful cultural experience of the group when they return to Australia on Monday 19th December. Awards Day I encourage all members of the school community to attend the Awards Day at Costa Hall on Tuesday 13th December, beginning at 11 am. This event provides us with the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of the students during the 2016 school year. Students have the option of attending school as usual on this day and will be transported to the venue, or may choose to come to the venue with their parents. Students are expected to be in full school uniform. Maintenance Work I have been working with our architect and the Victorian Schools Building Authority to finalise projects to be undertaken as part of the allocation of the condition maintenance money. The school was allocated $723,000 to be used on the school prior to our relocation to the Armstrong Creek Education precinct. It has been agreed between the school, DET and the State Government that money will be spent on a number of items that will be able to be transferred with the school as part of the relocation. Consequently the school will be refitted out with new lockers across the school, new chairs and tables together with the recarpeting of classrooms within the school. This is great news as it will give the students a better learning environment whilst we remain in our current location. Great Victorian Bike Ride We had six students and two staff members participate in the Great Victorian Bike Ride a 527km nine day ride from Halls Gap to Geelong via Dunkeld, Mortlake, the 12 Apostles, Apollo Bay, Bellbrae and Queenscliff. The ride began on Saturday 26th November and concluded on Sunday 4th December.

LANGUAGES NEWS

YEAR 8 MELBOURNE ZOO TRIP On the 3rd of November, the Year 8 German and Indonesian students went on an excursion to the Melbourne zoo. We had a lovely day with beautiful weather and quite active animals. The Indonesian students walked through the ‘Trail Of The Elephants’ where they not only saw the Gajah (elephant), but the Harimau (Tiger) and the Orang utans as well. The German students completed an interesting ‘Feathers, Fur or Fins’ task which took them all over the zoo. Our Year 8 students represented Oberon High School exceptionally well and did a great job working to complete the language tasks asked of them. Using language learnt in the classroom in a real world environment is a fantastic way to consolidate student learning, and we hope that the students really enjoyed their Zoo day.

GERMAN NIKOLAUS CELEBRATION

This was held on Thursday 8th December at the German Club in Norlane. (St Nikolaus Day should be celebrated on 6th December.) Thirteen Oberon students were amongst the 80 students who attended. Traditional German craft activities were on the program, as well as singing, eating German food and Advent goodies as well as a visit from Nikolaus (for the good children!) and Knecht Ruprecht (for the naughty children!). Luckily all Oberon students received a gift from Nikolaus!

YEAR 7’S INTERCULTURAL DAY AT FAIRY PARK

On Thursday 7th December all Year 7 students travelled to Fairy Park at Anakie. The weather was magnificent and students immersed themselves in the traditional Grimm Brothers’ German fairy tales. First up was a treasure hunt around the park which was followed by some script writing, acting and filming. Highlights of the day were the brilliant fairy tales and plays written and acted out by the students, their movies and of course the Camelot playground!

All students and parents are invited to attend this special occasion which we regard as one of the most important events on the School’s Calendar. This ceremony celebrates the achievements of students with awards for Outstanding Academic Achievement and Outstanding Effort or for Citizenship/School Service throughout the year. Top students in Year 12 subjects, all students who achieve over 90% in the VCE score (ATAR) and our Year 12 Dux are also presented. Students will be notified if they are to receive an award at the ceremony and, clearly, there is an expectation they will attend. All students attending and those receiving awards must be wearing correct school uniform. Awardees will not be presented on stage with their award if they are not in correct school uniform. Please note this ceremony will take place at 11.00 am on Tuesday 13th December at Costa Hall.

OBERON AWARDS DAY

Former Oberon High School student Phoebe Mitchell continues to inspire with her example of what can be achieved with hard work, dedication and determination. Please take the time to watch this video of Phoebe on you tube - https://www.youtube.com/embed/stxMeWKDcUY?rel=0 and witness for yourself

FORMER OBERON STUDENT PHOEBE CONTINUES TO SHINE

YEAR 12 VALEDICTORY DINNER

A wonderful celebration was held recently at the Pier for our Year 12 students and their families

Thank you for the memories Year 12 class of 2016!

GIRLS FOOTBALL 2017

AFL Barwon has confirmed that there will be 3 age levels competing in Girls Football for 2017.

These age levels are U12, U15 and U19 and South Barwon would love to field one or more sides in each age level! Games will be scheduled on Sundays so girls can still commit to their midweek and Saturday

engagements. If you or any girls you know would like to play football for the Swans in any of these age levels please email Junior Football Coordinator, Kath

GIRLS ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PLAYING FOOTY?

Girls between the ages of 12 to 19 in 2017 come and play footy for Barwon Heads Seagulls!

Phone or message the team manager Kim on 0402300819

to put your name down. Information night will be organised

early next year and pre-season training.

GO THE SEAGAL'S........Fitness.....Footy.....Fun!

OBERON CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Our wonderful students in L7A would like to thank the Oberon Community for your generous support in helping to make Christmas a

bit brighter for children in need through Uniting Care Concern who work tirelessly with our school.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER - PLEASE NOTE IN YOUR DIARY

YEAR 12 Monday 12th December

Year 12 Results

YEAR 6, 7, 8 & 9

Friday 9th December

Monday 12th, Wednesday 14th, Thursday 15th

Friday 16th December

Last day of classes for Year 7, 8 & 9 students

End of Year Activities for Years 7 - 9 - details haven been distributed to students

School Picnic

ALL YEAR LEVELS Tuesday 13th December

Monday 19th December

Tuesday 20th December

Oberon Awards Day - Costa Hall 11.00 a.m. All students are expected to attend

Staff Professional Learning Program

Parent/Teacher interviews as required by appointment.

Program provided for those students in attendance

END OF TERM

COMMENCEMENT DATES FOR EARLY 2017

Friday 27th January

Monday 30th January

Tuesday 31st January

Wednesday 1st February

Monday 13th February

Wednesday 15th February

Thursday 23rd February

Thursday 16th March

Wednesday 22nd March - Friday 24th March

School Office open

All staff return

Students in Years 7, 11 & 12 commence school

Students in Years 8, 9 & 10 commence school. All students now in attendance.

Swimming Sports - Kardinia Pool

School Photos

School Photos Catch Up

School Athletics - Landy Field

Year 7 Camp

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF)

BE QUICK APPLICATIONS DUE AT SCHOOL BY 3RD MARCH 2017

To be eligible for the funding, a Parent or Legal Guardian of a student attending a registered Government or non-Government Victorian Primary or Secondary School must: On the first day of Term One, or; On the first day of Term Two: A) Be an eligible beneficiary within the meaning of the State

Concessions Act 2004, that is, be the holder of a Veterans Affairs Gold Card or be an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC) or Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holder, OR

B) Be a temporary foster parent, and C) Submit an application to the school by the due date. Application forms should be completed and lodged with schools by 3rd March, 2017 as payments are made from march. A photocopy of your Health Care or Concession Card is required with your application. However schools will be able to accept and process applications up until the end of Term 2.

Parents please note that payment plans for 2017 school fees can be arranged at the General Office. Please contact Lea Gilliland (Business Manager) if you wish to arrange this.

PAYMENT PLANS