Information for New Parents - Middle School

Information for Parents Middle School Years 4 to 8

Term dates 2015 Term 1

Monday 2 February Monday 9 March Friday 27 March

Term 2

Monday 6 April Tuesday 14 April Saturday 25 April Monday 8 June Friday 19 June

Term 3

Tuesday 14 July Friday 18 September

Students commence Labour Day Holiday Term ends

Easter Monday Students commence ANZAC Day Queen’s Birthday Holiday Term ends

Students commence Term ends

Term 4

Tuesday 6 October Students commence Monday 2 November Mid-term break Wednesday 9 December Term ends

Vision The Geelong College is an innovative and caring community of learners committed to making a positive difference to an ever changing world.

Mission The Geelong College is a Uniting Church co-educational day and boarding school that creates outstanding opportunities for its community of students, encouraging and inspiring all to be positive contributors to our world.

Welcome Wonder, investigate, reflect, connect and collaborate are words that resonate with the learning experience at the Middle School.

The Geelong College recognises the importance of the relationships that exist between our students, teachers, parents and the community in general. It is our desire to foster positive and productive relationships and promote a sense of community as this provides a strong foundation for the learning journey.

Communication is the key to a healthy and vibrant relationship. If there is a concern or issue that you would like to discuss, you are invited to contact the Homeroom Teacher (Years 4, 5 and 6) or the Learning Mentor (Years 7 and 8) in the first instance, or the relevant subject teacher. Year Level Coordinators can also be contacted.

The Deputy Head of Middle School, Mr Michael Panckridge, and I also welcome your enquiries.

The Middle School staff understand and respect the uniqueness of every child. Our teachers actively seek out the special qualities and attributes of every student and aim to provide the best possible education and learning experience.

On behalf of the Middle School staff, I extend a very warm welcome to you and your child as you embark on a new phase of learning and discovery.

We hope this booklet provides you with the information you need to ensure a happy and smooth start to your child’s school year.

Leanne Russell Head of Middle School

Communication College to Parents Parent Portal: Specific information for current families such as news, events, uniform shop details and much more can be found on the Parent Portal (https://gnet.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au). The portal has a password-protected area that contains specific information for your child.

Bulletin: Each week in term time you will be emailed a link to the weekly bulletin which provides a wrap up of College-wide news and events as well as class specific information; it is important that parents take time to read the bulletin each week.

College website: The College website (www.geelongcollege.vic.edu. au) features general College information, news, photos and videos.

Social media: Like Geelong College on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest news and events. Follow us on Twitter to learn more about educational opinions and insights.

Student Planner: Each student has a Student Planner which serves as a daily diary. The planner must be taken to and from school each day. All school notes and reminders are placed in the Student Planner. We ask parents to check and sign the Student Planner daily. Planners provide a three-way form of communication involving you, your child and the teacher, and we encourage its frequent use.

Reports: Parents will receive reports at the following times of the year: Year 7 and 8 Interim reports End of Term 1 and Term 3 Year 7 and 8 Written Reports End of Term 2 and Term 4 Year 4, 5 and 6 Written Reports End of Term 2 and Term 4 Learning Conferences: Parents are encouraged to arrange times to discuss their child’s progress with their teachers and specialist staff at any stage throughout the school year.

Scheduled times for the sharing of learning are as follows. Details of these dates will be circulated to parents well before the event.

Year 4, 5 and 6 Pastoral Conference with Homeroom teacher Mid Term 1 Year 7 and 8 Learning Conferences – Student, Teachers and Parents End of Term 1 Years 4 to 8 Student Led Conferences Mid Term 3

Parents to College We encourage parents to contact the school with any areas of concern or for advice. The primary contact is the child’s classroom teacher. For matters of urgency, Reception can relay a message to the teacher. The Head of the Middle School, Deputy Head of Middle School, and Year Level Coordinators are available for immediate and urgent matters. Our School Counsellors and College Chaplain are also available to support students and their families.

If you wish to have a longer discussion, we ask that you make an appointment with the teacher concerned.

Key Contacts: Andrew Barr, Principal Leanne Russell, Head of Middle School Michael Panckridge, Deputy Head of Middle School Coral Turner, Year 8 Coordinator Kristina Zeravica, Year 7 Coordinator Doug Wade, Year 4 - 6 Coordinator Mandy Weeks, Middle School Receptionist Zlatica Kovac, PA to Head of Middle School

5226 3107 5226 8444 5226 8456 5226 8436 5226 8436 5226 8441 5226 8444 5226 8422

Contact Details: It is important to keep the school updated about any new or changed phone numbers, addresses or email contacts. These changes can be made by contacting the Community Relations Office (communityrelations@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au).

Date of Commencement The academic year for 2015 will commence on Monday 2 February. The school day commences at 8.50am and finishes at 3.25pm.

Orientation Day An Orientation Day will be held at the Middle School from 9.00am to 3.00pm on Friday 5 December 2014 for all new students. The aim of this day is to introduce the children to their class members, Homeroom Teachers and Learning Mentors. Both current and new students should wear casual clothes for this special day.

A separate letter outlining arrangements for each year level has been mailed to families.

Medical Matters All children entering the school must present a completed “The Geelong College Medical History Form� for their child at the time of entry. The school must be advised subsequently of any variation to the information recorded on it. Each year a medical form will be forwarded to parents for updating.

If any child has been suffering from an infectious illness, Health Department regulations must be observed and the school notified. Children suffering from obviously infectious cold symptoms should be kept at home.

Welcome Evening A Welcome Evening for parents of Middle School students will be held on Tuesday 10 February 2015. Further details will be circulated later.

Student Absences If a student is absent, parents should contact the Middle School Office on 5226 8444 or send an email to Mandy Weeks at mandy.weeks@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au by 8.45am on the day of the absence. For long-term absences, a letter indicating the circumstances of the absence should be addressed to the Head of Middle School, Leanne Russell, and delivered to the Middle School Office.

Special Family Situations We appreciate being informed of any changes to home situations, such as illness in the family, separation of parents, parents travelling, etc. This assists the Homeroom Teacher and/or Learning Mentor as well as the specialist subject teachers. Heads of School and, as appropriate, Community Relations should be made aware of these changes.

Visitors to the School We ask any visitors to the school to sign in at Reception and collect a visitor badge which is to be worn whilst on the school grounds.

Book Lists The College will contact parents regarding the book list via email as soon as the information is made available.

Recycled Textbook Sale There will be a recycled textbook sale held in the Senior School Aerobics Room (above the Gymnasium) as follows: Years 7 to 11: Tuesday 2 December 2014

8am to 2pm

Bring in books to sell

Wednesday 3 December 2014

8am to 2pm 3pm to 4.30pm

Book sales (cash only) Collect money and unsold books

In addition, recycled textbooks will also be available in December through: Second Hand Schools Supplies 31 Little Ryrie Street, Geelong Phone 03 5229 7766 or fax 03 5222 6680 There will only be a limited number of these titles available.

Lunch Lunches can be purchased at the Middle School Canteen at recess and lunchtime. The lunch order menu is available on the Parent Portal.

Lockers – Combination Padlocks Years 6 to 8 Students Only The Deputy Head of Middle School will allocate lockers for books and sports clothes at the commencement of each year. All students must use the Stewarts or Abus Combination padlocks supplied from the Middle School Office. Please note that an amount of $15 will be added to the student’s account to cover the cost of the padlock.

Laptop Collection Years 7 and 8 Students Only The laptop collection date, prior to the commencement of the school year, will be advised through the Parent Portal. A separate letter outlining arrangements for each year level will be sent to families.

Uniform The Geelong College Uniform Shop is the only official authorised supplier of the school uniform.

For more information please refer to “Uniform Guidelines 2015” on the Parent Portal.

School bags: The regulation Geelong College backpack is available for purchase from The Geelong College Uniform Shop.

Excursions During the year the children will participate in excursions that relate to their classroom studies. An Excursion Approval Form will be sent home at the beginning of the year to be signed by parents.

Excursion Information Forms will be sent home prior to each excursion to advise you of the arrangements.

Birthday Invitations and Parties We are happy to distribute birthday invitations at school if the whole class has been invited. If not, we ask that you send invitations by mail for the sake of discretion. Classroom teachers will gladly acknowledge a child’s special day but will politely decline invitations to parties or any other parent requests for involvement or assistance with organisational matters.

Instrumental and Vocal Tuition Tuition

Instrumental tuition is provided at Middle School on all orchestral string, woodwind and brass instruments. Voice, guitar and percussion tuition is available from Year 6. Music theory tuition is available from Year 5 once a suitable level of proficiency has been achieved on their instrument (approximately Grade 3).

Enrolment

Enrolment in instrumental tuition is for one school year, and is continuous throughout the year unless advised in writing prior to the end of term. The standard lesson is a 30-minute individual lesson and, where possible, within a rotating timetable operating during school hours.

Lesson times before or after school hours can only be offered when available.

Communication

Instrumental teachers communicate expectations of practice, feedback on the previous week’s practice and feedback on the lesson via the Music Record book. Parents are asked to read this each week and discuss the comments with their child. Parents and students may provide the teacher with feedback via the Music Record book. Students must take their Student Planner to their instrumental lesson each week for their teacher to sign.

Timetables

Lesson timetables are communicated to families in the first few weeks of Term 1 by the instrumental music teacher. Timetables are displayed on the Music Noticeboards and the Music page of the Portal. Students in Year 7 and above can access their timetables through the Portal.

Absences

Notification of intended absences should be given in advance, whenever possible, to facilitate the rescheduling of lesson times. If a student is ill, students or parents are asked to ring the teacher on a pre-arranged contact number prior to 8.30am on the day of the lesson. If contact cannot be made with the teacher, then please ring the Instrumental Music Tuition Coordinator on 5226 3126.

Ensemble Participation

All students participating in the vocal and instrumental tuition program are expected to be involved in College music ensembles after an appropriate standard has been reached. This includes involvement in the choirs for singers. Instrumental ensembles cater for a variety of skill levels. Choirs are non-auditioned. Rehearsal days for Middle School ensembles are as follows: Concert Band and string orchestras Wednesdays after school Primary choirs (Years 4 – 6) Tuesdays after school Secondary choirs (Years 7 – 8) Fridays before school

Further Information

More information about instrumental tuition is available on the Music page of the Portal (https:// gnet.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au/portal/home/music).

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the instrumental tuition program, please contact Mrs Janice Boyce, Instrumental Music Tuition Coordinator (5226 3126 or Janice.Boyce@ geelongcollege.vic.edu.au).

If you would like to discuss any other aspects of the College’s music program, please contact Mr Mark Irwin, Director of Music (5226 3187 or Mark.Irwin@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au).

Out of School Hours Care Helen Mackie Library The Middle School Library is open before school from 8.30am. The library is also open after school until 4.30pm from Monday to Thursday and 4.00pm on Fridays. Students are required to sign in on arrival and parents are asked to sign them out. Any student not collected by the time the library closes will be sent to the Out of School Hours Care program at the Junior School.

Out of School Hours Care The Out of School Hours Care program based at the Junior School offers care from Monday to Friday from 3.25pm to 6pm (school days only).

Full supervision is provided and your child will participate in activities that are safe and enjoyable.

The program includes craft and cooking, as well as indoor and outdoor games. There is also an opportunity for older children to complete their homework.

The program provides a snack for the children. This typically consists of water or cordial, sandwiches and fruit. The children have their snack on arrival, before they commence their activities.

Bookings: Families are encouraged to book children in early. Bookings can be made by calling 5226 8444. Out of School Hours Care can be contacted after school on 5226 8470.

Regular bookings can be made on a term-by-term basis and should be arranged as soon as possible after the commencement of Term 1, and reconfirmed or altered before the beginning of subsequent school terms.

Casual bookings are made through the Middle School Office at any time prior to 10am on the day. Parents are requested to advise the office staff of the approximate collection time from Out of School Hours Care.

Cancellation notices must be given prior to 10am on the day of care. Bookings which are cancelled after 10am will be charged.

Fees for 2015 will be announced at the start of the year. This charge will be included on the College term fee account.

Collection/Departure of Children When collecting your child from Out of School Hours Care, please contact one of the coordinators and sign the departure form. If a child is to be taken home by a person other than those listed on the official form, a signed authority from the child’s parent must be obtained. The coordinators should be informed of such changes prior to the child being collected.

All children are required to be collected by 6pm. If there is an emergency and a child has not been collected by 6pm, the staff will endeavour to contact parents, then the emergency contact person (as advised by parents) and finally the Head of Middle School or Head of Junior School.

A late fee of 50c a minute will be charged after 6pm, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Families using the program may be eligible for the Commonwealth Childcare Cash Rebate.

Vacation Care Program The Geelong College offers a Vacation Care program for part of each of the school holidays and each Monday before term commences. For dates and availability please phone 5226 8444.

It is open to current students and, depending on numbers, will be divided into age-appropriate activities.

Please note the program is aimed at children from 3 years old to approximately 12 years and involves a range of activities including: Art/Craft, cooking, construction and games.

Please note that the program must meet the licence requirements of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. In most cases a separate program is run in the Early Learning Centre, while primary aged children are catered for in the Multi-Purpose Centre. The Geelong College Integrated Licence permits us to combine programs where necessary.

2015 Travel Information For enquiries about transport to and from school, please contact the College’s Bus Travel Coordinator, BusCoordinator@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au.

The following details are set down for the general information of parents and to assist in matters related to transport to and from the College.

Local Buses Geelong Transit System (GTS) operates a Newtown service which runs between the city, the Middle School, the Junior School and the Senior School.

GTS also operates special school buses directly to the Newtown area from Highton, North Geelong and Norlane. Specific details should be obtained directly from the relevant GTS operator (either Benders on 5278 5955 or McHarry’s on 5223 2111). Services are operated from other urban areas to the city where the connection with the GTS service is possible.

GTS (Geelong Transit System) The Geelong Transit Card (either half-yearly or yearly) is purchased from V/Line at major railway stations. Application forms are available from the Bus Coordinator in the Community Relations Office in January. The forms must be completed and verified by the Bus Travel Coordinator before V/Line will issue a pass. Please note two passport photos are required with the form.

These passes allow unlimited travel within the GTS urban area which extends to Leopold, Grovedale and Lara.

Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast Public Transport McHarry’s Buslines operates services from the following towns located on the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast – Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale, Portarlington, St Leonards, Clifton Springs, Leopold, Drysdale, Breamlea and Torquay. Details of particular services, times and routes should be obtained from McHarry’s Buslines on 5223 2111.

If you live on the coastal side of Bawtree Road, Leopold or the coastal side of Mount Duneed Road, Mount Duneed, you will be required to purchase a Vic Student Pass. Application forms are available from the Bus Coordinator in the Community Relations Office in January. The forms must be completed and verified by the Bus Coordinator before V/Line will issue a pass, please note two passport photos are required with the form.

You may be eligible to claim a Conveyance Allowance to reimburse the cost of the bus pass if you meet the means test criteria and live more than 4.8km radial distance from the school. To see if you are eligible visit the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development website.

These forms are also available from the Bus Coordinator in the Community Relations Office.

Rural/Other Areas – Application to Travel Form The Education Department operates bus services from Lorne, Anglesea, Deans Marsh, Winchelsea, Cressy, Meredith, Bannockburn/Lethbridge, Aireys Inlet, Paraparap and Anakie.

If you wish to make use of any of these services, please contact the School Contract Bus Coordinator at Matthew Flinders Girls’ Secondary College on 5221 8834. An Application for Travel form (blue form) can be obtained from the Bus Coordinator at The Geelong College’s Community Relations Office.

Private Bus Travel As an alternative to the public school bus service, the College operates three buses that pick up students from designated stops in the morning and drops them at the same place in the afternoons. The cost of fares will be advised each year and charged via the school fees. A green conveyance form must be completed (available from the Community Relations Office).

Routes included are: • Colac/Birregurra/Winchelsea/Moriac • Torquay/Jan Juc • Sanctuary Lakes/Werribee • Ocean Grove/Barwon Heads

Telephone 03 5226 8444 PO Box 5 Geelong Victoria 3220 info@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au geelongcollege.vic.edu.au