Information for New Parents - Senior School

Information for New Parents Senior School Years 9 to 12

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

Welcome Welcome to the Senior School. I hope that this booklet provides you with the information you need to help your sons and daughters in their transition.

The Geelong College endeavours to: • maintain the highest possible academic standards whilst recognising the need to cater for a range of students • ensure a safe and well structured educational setting which is designed to support students in their learning • provide strong pastoral support through the House system • ensure effective communication with parents in order to develop close and cooperative relationships between school and home • encourage students to explore a range of activities for growth through the co-curricular and academic programs, and • encourage good citizenship through sustainable practices and community service.

Kirsten Van Cleef Acting Head of Senior School

Pastoral Care The House system provides a framework for pastoral care within the Senior School. The underlying belief is that students need to experience a positive and supportive environment in which they feel valued and respected.

Effectively, each House is its own community and House spirit is encouraged through a range of inter-House competitions as well as community service. Students meet in House groupings, usually four times each week, in dedicated pastoral time, and each student’s Tutor assists the Heads of House in managing the needs of the students.

The key pastoral staff at the Senior School are: • Head and Deputy Head of Senior School • Heads of House • House Tutors • School Counsellors (Psychologist and Social Worker) • School Chaplain • Spiritual and Community Outreach Coordinator In addition, the College expects every classroom teacher to be responsive to the pastoral needs of students in their classes.

Academic Program Key personnel for the Academic Program at the Senior School are: • • • • •

Head of Curriculum and Development Initiatives Head of Teaching and Learning Studies Coordinator VCE Coordinator Heads of Department

Parents who would like to discuss any aspect of the academic program should initially contact the Head of Curriculum and Development Initiatives. Matters concerning subject selection are managed by the Studies Coordinator and all administration of the VCE is managed by the VCE Coordinator.

Heads of Department can provide detailed information about specific courses and assessment.

Reports For students in Years 9 to 11, parents will receive a full report at the end of Semester 1 and 2, and Interim Reports at the end of Terms 1 and 3.

For students in Year 12, parents will receive a Semester 1 Report during Term 2 and Interim Assessments, including Unit 3 SAC Results, early in Term 3.

Learning Conferences For students in Years 9 to 11, Learning Conferences are held during Term 2 and Term 4.

For students in Year 12, Learning Conferences are held mid Term 1 and towards the end of Term 3.

Communication College to Parents The College has a number of ways to communicate with parents.

The College website (www.geelongcollege.vic. edu.au) features general College information and a vibrant news page.

The College Bulletin is a weekly online publication with news and information from all three schools of the College, including upcoming important dates to remember. Parents are emailed a link to the Bulletin towards the end of the school week.

Parents are also encouraged to connect to the College through its Facebook and Twitter sites.

Facebook is being used to convey news and upcoming events, while Twitter is being used largely to share education articles, opinions and insights, as well as to promote upcoming education events.

The Parent Portal (https://gnet.geelongcollege.vic. edu.au/portal/home/parent) contains more specific information for current families, but is also open to the public. It features co-curricular information as well as the weekly Bulletin. My Account is a password protected area that contains specific information regarding your child.

When appropriate, the school also communicates to parents via email.

Parents to College We encourage parents to contact the school with any areas of concern or for advice. The primary contact is with the student’s Head of House, particularly in regards to pastoral care.

Other key contacts are: VCE Coordinator (for VCE matters) Head of Senior School Careers Coordinator For matters of urgency, Reception can relay a message to the classroom teacher.

Student Planner Each student has a Student Planner which serves as a daily diary. It must be taken to each class and parents are required to sign them each week. Any communication from the school to parents is placed in the Student Planner.

Student Planners are a three-way form of communication between you, your son/daughter and the teacher and we encourage parents to use it frequently.

Orientation An Orientation Day will be held at the Senior School on Friday 5 December 2014 for all new students and Middle School students moving up from Year 8. A separate letter outlining arrangements for the day will be emailed to families shortly.

A further Orientation Session will be held closer to the commencement of Term 1 2015 for all new students and Middle School students moving up from Year 8. Further information will be sent at a later date.

Date of Commencement The academic year for 2015 will commence on Monday 2 February. Senior School students should assemble in their House Rooms by 8.45am.

Welcome Evening A Welcome Evening for parents of Senior School students will be held on Tuesday 3 February 2015. An invitation will be sent at a later date.

Student Absences If a student is absent, parents/guardians should notify the school by phoning 5226 3113 before 9.30am or emailing SSAbsentee@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au on the day of the absence as well as any subsequent absences. Requests for permission to be absent from school for an extended period, for reasons other than illness, should be sought at least two weeks in advance by letter or email, addressed to the Head of Senior School.

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 our pastoral care staff as well as the specialist subject teachers.

Sun Protection Policy The College will assist students to gain an understanding of appropriate behaviours related to protection against the harmful effects of the sun. Students are actively encouraged to use sunscreen when they are involved in outdoor activities throughout Terms 1 and 4. During this time, they will be required to wear hats/caps for Physical Education classes, sports training and matches in the summer season.

Lockers, Keys/Combination Padlocks for Day Houses Heads of Day Houses allocate lockers for books and sports clothes at the commencement of each year. All students must use the combination lock that is supplied by the College, either brought with them from the Middle School or a new lock purchased from the Senior School. The cost of a new lock is $15 and will be added to the student’s account.

Book List and Bookroom Books are to be ordered online at www.hedleysebc.com.au by Wednesday 10 December 2014.

Your requirements will be pre-packed for collection from the Senior School Campus on the following dates: • Thursday 29 January 2015 - 9am to 5pm • Friday 30 January 2015 - 9am to 5pm Pick-up from: Room G1 - enter via gates in Noble Street, adjacent to Davey House Business Administration Office The Bookroom, at The Geelong College Uniform Shop adjacent to Davey House, is operated by Hedleys Educational Book Centre and is open for collection of books at lunchtimes, Tuesday to Thursday, during term time.

Recycled Text Book 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

Year 12 Friday 21 November 2014 10am to 2pm

Bring in books to sell

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. Please check availability with Hedleys.

Laptop Collection The laptop collection date will be advised through the Parent Portal. A separate letter outlining arrangements for each Year level will be sent to families.

Lunch Lunch is available for purchase from the Tuck Shop/Canteen, located on the first floor of the Rolland Centre, each day during recess and lunchtime. The menu is published on the Student Portal.

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

Uniform The College Uniform Shop is the only official authorised supplier of the school uniform. For more information please refer to the document “Uniform Guidelines 2015” or the “Uniform” tab in the Parent Portal’s “Information for Parents” section.

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 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 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 Travel 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, www.education.vic.gov.au 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 also be obtained from the Bus Coordinator in the 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 3111 PO Box 5 Geelong Victoria 3220 info@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au geelongcollege.vic.edu.au

S H A P I NG T H E F U T U R E