Welcome to Bellfield College Senior School

16th October 2020 Assalamu Alaykum Dearest parent/carer, Welcome to Bellfield College Senior School.

Today we commenced our Year 7 Transition and Resilience program involving our current cohort of Year 6 students. Unfortunately due to the circumstances of COVID-19, the limitations around external visitors on campus led to adjustments to our program resulting in 2021 new enrolments involvement through the virtual transition strategies.

The Transition and Resilience program is based on the START program embracing The NSW Framework for Student Support Services designed to assist schools to plan and implement crucial primary prevention strategies to build belonging and promote wellbeing in all students as they reach a stage of potential vulnerability.

Key Principles: • making connections between curriculum and student welfare agendas • promoting strategies for whole school and classroom organisation that contribute to a safe and supportive school environment • providing curriculum materials to strengthen student resilience • exploring approaches to improve family and local community involvement Parent / carer’s received an invite to the ‘Bellfield College 2021 New Enrolments’ WhatsApp broadcast list enabling access to a virtual tour of campus, the Senior School Weekly every Friday afternoon, and student 'How To’ videos.

Parents and family members have will have opportunities to engage in a range of school-related webinars.

To join the following webinars click on to each zoom invitation received via the ‘Bellfield College 2021 New Enrolments’ WhatsApp message: • • •

Senior School Illuminations held Tuesday 3rd November commencing 6.30pm Money Vest Financial Literacy program held Thursday 12th November commencing 9.00am Elevate Study Skills workshop held Friday 13th November commencing 8.40am

The Transition and Resilience Program continues throughout 2021 with a strong focus on the following student and parent/carer initiatives including; •

A day in the life of a senior student classroom setting, participation in senior school assemblies, introduction to senior school teachers, expectations, routines.

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Elevate study skills workshop and Arabic lesson for 2021 streaming, SRC leadership campaign.

2020 Orientation Day - (due to COVID-19) this is virtual. Parent Watts App now set up and we are loading our Bellfield 'How to’ videos Welcome pack sent home via post including important transition information such as payments, events, uniform, booklist and devices. Once a student's enrolment is confirmed, we keep in regular contact with new families through the 'new enrolments' WhatsApp sending our SS Weekly, Bellfield Newsletter.

2021 Parent Information Evening - meet and greet class teachers and school leaders.

2021 BEST START - Literacy and Numeracy skills testing.

2021 Digital Learning Support - CANVAS Bootcamp. All Year 7 students participate in our ‘CANVAS Bootcamp’ early in Term 1. The session helps students connect to the school network and login to CANVAS. KIDS HELPLINE - coping strategies and dealing with the stress of high school (Term 1).

2021 Peer Support Group - The Peer Support Program allocates Year 10 Peer Support Leaders to each Year 7 group. These leaders support students to learn more about the school and give them strategies and skills to manage life at secondary school. The leaders will attend orientation activities, a Year 7 class at least once a week, and organise and participate in regular activities.

2021 Year 7 Camp - Assists students to build strong peer and teacher connections.

2021 Student Services team - including College leadership, IHSAN, and Year Advisors to support the transition of new students

We remain focused on driving whole-school improvement ensuring consistency across our teaching and learning framework through peer coaching and student support programs, including school developed programs developed using evidence based strategies that identify students’ learning needs, develop learning targets and monitor progress.

We are committed to creating an environment that promotes learning and high levels of student engagement, promoting a positive learning culture where students are engaged in school and value their outcomes. Our 2021 academic program is supported by a solid cultural, sporting and co-curricular framework, as students across the College are developed in Illuminations studies, music, drama, sporting activities, visual arts, public speaking, debating, community and environmental committees. We also look forward to strengthened partnerships with local universities for students and parents to help raise expectations about future study.

Once again, welcome to Bellfield College and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Mrs Mouina Ramadan, Head of Senior School Bellfield College.