Nhill College Newsletter

Our School Values:

• Respect
• Honesty
• Teamwork
• Confidence
• Excellence
• Endeavour
  

The School Wide Positive Behaviour Support program is designed to bring together school communities to develop positive, safe and supportive learning cultures by helping to foster an environment that assists schools to improve social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes for children.  As part of the SWPBS program, a rewards system has been developed to encourage students to always:

• Be Safe
• Be Respectful
• Be a Learner

It was very encouraging to be allowed to welcome all students and staff back on-site when restrictions were eased in regional Victoria on Tuesday.  It is remarkable how smoothly the transition in and out of such a short period of lockdown was able to me made.  Our students are again to be commended on the resilience they have demonstrated and for their flexibility in adjusting to their ever-changing learning environments.  And, once more, I would like to acknowledge the amazing efforts of our wonderful staff who have again been able to adapt to the needs of our students in these uncertain times.

Once again, the key points regarding the operating guidelines at school are as follows:

• Stay home when unwell and get tested
• School staff and secondary school students aged 12 or older must always wear a face mask indoors and outdoors at school, unless a lawful exception applies.
• Face masks are mandatory for all students aged 12 or older when travelling to and from school on the school bus.
• Children under 12 years of age and students at primary school are not required to wear face masks at school – but can do so if they wish.
• For communication purposes, teachers and education support staff are not required to wear face masks while teaching, but those who wish to do so, can.
• Parents are requested to only enter the school grounds when essential to do so and to contact the school by phone or email where appropriate instead. 

• Parents/carers are asked to observe physical distancing measures before and after school by not congregating in areas inside or around the school – including the school car park and at the school gate.
• All access to the school must be directed through the Office.
• If permitted to come onsite, any visitors/parents must also observe face mask requirements and use the QR Code check-in facilities provided.  (Anyone unable to use a smartphone will be required to use the Kiosk check-in service available at the office).

Our school is conducting a survey to find out what parents/caregivers/guardians think of our school. The Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education and Training that is conducted amongst a sample of randomly selected parents/caregivers/guardians (previously known as the Parent Opinion Survey). It is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, student engagement and experiences of remote and flexible learning. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. 

All responses to the survey are anonymous. This year, the Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey will be conducted from Friday 30th July to Sunday 22nd August.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the fieldwork period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. 

Each family will receive a message via Compass containing a link to the survey and a specific PIN number that will need to be entered in order to access the survey.  

Please contact the office if you would like more information.

It is that time of year when we all get excited about enrolling our kindergarten students into schools for 2022.
Due to restrictions we are unable to provide Kinder tours or information sessions onsite for our future 2022 enrolments. Nhill College will be holding an online information session on Monday 30th August at 7pm. Further Information will be sent out to kinder families next week. During this information session, families will receive information about the programs Nhill College offers and the enrolment details. Please do not hesitate to ring us on 53912111, if you would like any information about Nhill College. 

Due to the arrival of the navy polo shirts we need to clear some uniform items at fantastic savings.  Feel free to pop into the office during office hours, to check out the heavily discounted children's fleecy line trackpants as well as some gaberdine trousers, at 50% discounted prices.

Fleecy trackpants - $14- (were $28-)

Unisex Gaberdine  trousers - $20- (were $40-)

Vocational Education Training in Schools gives students from Year 10 the opportunity to gain Nationally Recognised certificates in certain trades or fields of work. It usually takes a minimum of two years to complete. Students travel to Horsham or Longerenong College on Wednesdays through the school term to complete their studies.

 What VETiS courses are available?

There are 20 different courses that are available. But courses only run if there are enough numbers to run. If you would like more information https://vet.llen.com.au/courses/

 What do students need to do to apply for VETiS course?

We ask students to first look at the course available and talk to their parents about it. Students will then talk to either Mrs Hedt or Mrs Sampson about completing a VETiS course during their subject selection meeting. Once that is completed, a meeting will be arranged with both the student and parents regarding the commitment of completing a VETiS course. Students will need to complete an online application that is due on the 17th of September 2021. It is not a first in best dressed system. Year 12 students get first preference, then Year 11 students and then Year 10 students.

 Is there a cost for students to complete VETiS?

Yes, the bus costs $9.40 return to Horsham and an extra $3.40 if attending Longerenong. Certain subjects have a material fee that students and family pay. The school pays for the course fees and have the right to withdraw a student if they are not attending or misbehaving.

Our senior students are advised that Deakin University has some webinars coming up on various courses they offer.   If you are considering further study you may wish to look into what they have available. Please check out the following link: https://www.deakin.edu.au/student-life-and-services/events/future-student-events?cid=em|mkt|evnt|dide|na|na|pr|eml&mkt-unique=EEEMEN&mkt_tok=MjA5LUlOUS0zNjcAAAF8ceiMSwRy_1nHe4yU-LsrEl7ymW1VRRXKeskV30shzPBbdGhxzSGzhbgzwm-S8zeNmnQxk9CKxlnR3NzNTYCv11u571Y4-ehppJVh9pKJGISi_w#study

Mrs Natalie Sampson

Anyone interested in studying at La Trobe University should strongly consider applying for the Aspire Early Admissions Program.  Applications opened 19th April, and close 17th September. What can Aspire offer you?  Successful applicants can:

• Be rewarded for your involvement in community, leadership, and volunteering with an early conditional offer at La Trobe.  
• When you apply for Aspire, you’ll be automatically considered for one of 40 available Aspire scholarships.
• Receive an early offer for your course by October and know what your future holds.
• Smash your Year 12 goals with access to hundreds of free VCE and HSC study guides and revision lectures.

Please check out the following link for more information: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/study/aspire?cid=edm%3Aacs%3Anan%3Anan%3Ainf%3Anan%3Anan%3Anan%3Anan%3Anan%3Aall%3Abch%3Anan%3Anan&deliveryName=DM15688

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.

Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students and $225 for eligible secondary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

If you would like to apply for the first time, please contact the school office on 5391 2111 and ask for an application form.

You can also download the form, and find out more about the program and eligibility, on the Department of Education and Training’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund web page.

Check with the school office if you are unsure, and please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible.

It is a Department of Education requirement that each enrolled student who has an action plan updates this each year.  Please see below the forms required, those students who currently have an action plan in place will be sent out a form to be completed by your Doctor or specialist.  If your child has recently been diagnosed with an Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Allergy or new medical condition please advise the general office.