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

During the holidays a staged return to school was announced by the Premier.  On Monday we welcomed back students in Years F-2 and Year 12 as they began the term on-site.  All other students were required to resume at home under the same remote learning arrangements that were in place at end of Term 3.  The new staged return to school saw Year 11 students resume on Wednesday, while Year 7 students will also be able to return to school full time as of Monday 11th October.  Over the next two weeks, students in Years 3-6 and Years 8-10 will attend school on a staggered timetable.  Years 3-4 and Years 8-9 students will attend school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Years 5-6 and Year 10 students will attend school on Thursdays and Fridays.  During this staged return, our primary students will simply return to their regular classrooms.  A modified timetable has been created for the next fortnight to enable Years 8-10 students to experience an even spread of their classes over the two days they will be on-site each week.  A copy of this timetable was sent home via Compass earlier in the week and has also been attached below.

It is hoped that all students will resume on-site learning full time from Tuesday 26th October, subject to public health advice.  Until this time, remote and flexible learning will continue to be delivered to students on the days they are not onsite.

When students return to school, they are reminded to bring with them any laptops/devices that may have been loaned to them by the school to allow them to complete their learning from home.  Devices will need to be taken home again each night to ensure that their learning can continue both at school and from home.

Due to the school’s sunsmart policy, all students are required to bring a hat to wear in the yard at all times during recess and lunch.

As windows may be opened in some classes to achieve improved ventilation, students may be encouraged to bring a warm jacket while the weather is still reasonably cool.

Other operating guidelines relating to COVID-19 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 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 it is now recommended that they do so.
  
• 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).

A limited supply of face masks is available from the Office.

Also a reminder that on-site supervision is available on those days when students are not required at school for students experiencing vulnerability and children of authorised workers.  Please see the Compass post sent home earlier in the week for eligibility details and to access the online application form.

I look forward to seeing students back at school throughout this staged return over the next two weeks. and am excited by the prospect of having all levels back on-site together from Tuesday 26th October. 

With the recent updates to our school website, parents are now able to submit Bus Notes in two ways:

• via Compass under the Star (School Favourites) icon - Bus Notes
• via the Nhill College website (https://www.nhillcollege.vic.edu.au/), under Parent Info - Bus Notes

Both options will direct parents to an online template that will inform the school of any changes to regular bus travel arrangements.  Please ensure that any Bus requests are submitted before 3.00pm.

During this staged return to school, the PE department will continue to encourage staff, students and their families to get outside for some exercise by challenging them to share their exploits with Lockdown Larry.

Larry can visit anyone in the Nhill College Community, students and staff. He will come bearing a positive message. If you get him you can write your own uplifting message or joke and run/walk/ride (not drive - except you farmers!) Larry to someone else's house. Make sure you leave Larry in an obvious spot like the mailbox, driveway, porch etc… Make sure you take a selfie with Larry and email it in to the school so we can see all of Larry’s adventures and share them in the newsletter.  Larry has been so busy over the recent holidays that we have not been able to keep track of all of his adventures.  In fact, we now need your help...

Lockdown Larry Holiday Adventures?

Where's Larry?  Did he manage to knotch up more exercise during the holidays?  Please send in your pictures so we can keep the school community up to date.  Don't forget to circulate Larry to as many people as possible so we can share more photos next week.  Happy exercising. 

The Year 5/6 class has studied Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks 

Students have completed a diorama representing an aspect of the book.  

VCE Unit 3/4 Information….

For all VCE and VCAL students (and teachers) it is currently a very busy time undertaking assessments, submitting tertiary applications and of course preparing for the end of year exams! Year 12 students will have just three weeks of school left at the start of Term 4!! This busy time will continue during the term break with many students taking up the opportunity to complete practice exams and engage in exam revision lectures.

This morning all Year 12 VCE students have sat a practice English exam for 3 hours. We thank the students for their efforts and thank Mrs. Clark for organising this and coming into school on her day off to supervise!

All Unit 3/4 VCE students have also been given a Care Bag to acknowledge their efforts during this term and to help prepare them for what is to come. The College would like to thank the Nhill Pharmacy for their discount on the hand sanitiser and also thank our local small businesses for helping us to organise vouchers – Nhill Dine Inn, Wimmera Bakery and Mr. Le. These Care Bags will also contain practice exams for students to complete during Week 1 of the term break.

We encourage students to keep working hard – the rewards will come!

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-) Mainly Size 4 left.

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.

The Foundation makes available annual awards to Year 12 students who gain entry to courses at Victorian universities/TAFE institutes.

The scheme aims to assist young people who have had to struggle to overcome adversity, who have shown commitment to their goals and those of the community, and who, with some help, have had the opportunity to succeed in their studies and future life.

Under the scheme each award-winner receives about $5000 each year to the cost of his/her course, as well as support from mentors.

The application for this scholarship is made using a secure online process. To apply, please copy the following link into your browser http://equitytrustees.smartygrants.com.au/Burgess

Applications are now open and will close on 30th October, 2021. Further details on the criteria and process for applying can all be found on the SmartyGrants website.

If students need assist with the application please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Cole or Mrs. Hedt.

Cricket season is fast approaching, and the West Wimmera Warriors are seeking new junior players.

The club is aiming to have junior sides for -12s, -14s and -16s this season.

This means there will be teams for kids to play in for ages 8-16.

If you are interested, or after more information, please feel free to contact either Mitch Dahlenburg, Tarrah Dodds or Ash Dickinson. 

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.