Riverine Herald Education Week 2022

At Leitchville PS our mission is to provide a high level of academic and social learning within an environment that supports the individual, their place in the community and the provision of lifelong learning. Choosing the right primary school for your child is very important. We suggest all

to provide a large array of extra-

gardens that feed into our kitchen garden cooking program.

Leitchville Primary School provides a warm and caring learning environment centred on developing the whole child.

and discover what our school has

Leitchville Primary School is located at the southern end of the Leitchville township, with district, travelling a route from Cohuna each morning.

With a focus on literacy and numeracy, we also endeavour

learning for each student. This approach ensures our students achieve high academic results and

Students have access to a range of technologies and we use these to support learning across the curriculum.

She Who Dares, Leads

Former Bright schoolgirl, Flynn O’Brien has spent the past two years travelling through Europe, enduring lockdowns in France, and undertaking her first year of a Double Degree in Politics, Philosophy, Economics, and Languages at ANU in Canberra.

A former boarding and scholarship student at St Catherine’s School in Melbourne’s inner south-east, Flynn believes her four years at the school made the unpredictability and challenges of the past two years easier to manage, “St Catherine’s Boarding Program really fosters independence. My four years of boarding taught me how to take care of myself and how to manage my time,” Flynn shares.

“Living in the Boarding House helped me immensely moving into the Residential Hall at ANU, I found it quite seamless. My work ethic and motivation to learn was really fostered at St Catherine’s too, which has made the transition into the university style of learning a lot easier. There is not that much of a change between the Boarding House and my university campus, so I have not been overwhelmed by university life,” says Flynn.

These experiences assisted Flynn when she found herself spending two and a half months in lockdown in Paris, where she had been working as an Au Pair when the COVID pandemic hit. “I cannot stress enough how the resilience and life skills Flynn developed at St Catherine’s helped her in France and travelling through Europe last year during COVID lockdowns,” Flynn’s mother, Toni O’Brien shares.

SHE WHO DARES, ACHIEVES

Along with the independence provided through its boarding program, St Catherine’s has also adapted its educational model to hand greater responsibility to students for their learning, which has seen the School achieve outstanding academic results in 2021.

Ranked as the number one girls school in Victoria, the School has established several new academic and wellbeing programs in recognition of the importance of student wellbeing for academic success.

Director for Teaching and Learning, Mrs Ceri Lloyd says, “throughout the COVID pandemic in 2020 we knew the future of teaching and learning would never be the same, particularly in the senior years of school and moving into tertiary study, where student agency in their

learning directly equates to academic success.”

The result was the Senior Years Learning Model for Years 10 to 12, which empowers students in their learning through a hybrid learning model involving face to face classes as well as the online delivery of Masterclass lectures and tutorials.

“Through providing each student the opportunity to navigate their learning at a pace and medium that best suits their individual needs, we created a culture of thinking and community of learners motivated, enthused and passionate about their education,” Lloyd explains.

Along with the Senior Years Learning Model, St Catherine’s has also established a Teaching and Learning Framework that integrates the school’s wellbeing program within its academic programs. “Students learn best when their wellbeing is optimised,” says Lloyd.

“A key academic priority for St Catherine’s is to teach for knowledge and ensure every student is provided with the strongest foundation possible to reach her unique aspirations in learning and life. Our Thinking Classroom approach builds the competencies of our students to successfully contribute to the world around them as intellectually and emotionally agile young women, fully prepared to navigate their futures.”

2021 graduate and boarder, Gabrielle Fellows (’21) says the culture of learning at the school, along with the academic care shown by her teachers helped her reach her goal of studying a double degree of Business/Marketing at Monash University.

“St Catherine’s encouraged me to strive for academic excellence and provided me with so many opportunities to develop my leadership skills. My teachers provided me with constant support and their willingness to invest so much of their time and energy into my education cannot be understated, I am incredibly grateful for this,” shares Gabrielle.

SHE WHO DARES, THRIVES

Along with the School’s outstanding academic reputation it boasts an impressive record of accomplishment in sport, including its recent back-toback wins at the prestigious Head of the Schoolgirls (HOSG) Rowing Regatta and winning Rowing Australia’s National Championships in 2022.

“Schools have a unique opportunity, not just to deliver physical education and school sport well, but to also create a culture in which being active is the norm,” explains Michelle Carroll, Principal.

“We know if girls are physically active, they will be healthier, happier, have higher self-esteem and body confidence. At St Catherine’s, we aim to ‘change the game’ for our girls by lifting the sporting landscape, enabling a positive experience, and engaging all our girls in sport.”

While research shows families are the most powerful influence on a child’s activity levels, schools are seen as the most important sites for change. This is often associated with the staff that engage and enthuse girls to ‘stay in the game.’

Member of the Head of Schoolgirls, and National Champion Rowing Crew, Year 12 student Sarah Marriott, credits her teachers as being most influential in her sports participation, “I would not have been able to stay motivated without the help of St Catherine’s Sports staff. They motivated me to manage my time to exercise and work hard in my academic studies.”

Having worked in girls’ education for 30 years, Carroll says she has seen firsthand that not all girls enthusiastically get involved in sport, “for a range of reasons, we know that girls drop out of sport.”

“Tapping into the sporting enthusiasm of adolescent girls can be tricky. It requires offering a range of sports, a range of clothing, a balance between highly competitive activities and just playing for fun, and importantly, facilities they feel comfortable in. Our aim, as a school, is to ensure all our girls graduate with a pursuit of an active adult life,” Carroll says.

This year, St Catherine’s will further enhance its Sports Program with the development of a contemporary indoor sports court, a dedicated High-Performance Training Studio, and St Catherine’s Sports Development Academy. A platform for aspiring female athletes to further develop their sporting abilities through individualised sport specific training programs and a suite of athlete education services.

To find out more please contact Registrar Ms Jeanette Boehm at (03) 9828 3917, email admissions@stcatherines.net.au or visit www.stcatherines.net.au for further information.

Sarah Marriott Celebrating Recent Success at Nationals

Students finding their voice with our Senior Years Learning Model

Boarding Brilliance

Assumption College has facilities providing boutique accommodation for male and female boarders from Years 7 to 12. Each house has a dedicated kitchen, dining room, recreation area – all with WiFi access! Enjoy your own bedroom which is bright with king-single beds, desks, generous wardrobes, and storage.

All boarders are involved in all aspects of College life. After hours can include sports training, music rehearsals, debate practice, a round of golf or a challenge on the mountainbike track.

Your child can choose to return home at weekends, as there is an academic five-day boarding program or seven days. Students can take advantage of additional academic support, tutoring and study support. Healthy and nutritious meals are prepared on-site by a chef.

Assumption College has replaced the traditional four-year experience across

Years 7 to 10 with a ground-breaking ‘myMAP’ program. This is aimed to foster Mastery, Autonomy and Purpose to enable a culture of connection, ownership, and engagement with learning.

“Assumption College have rethought the way we deliver our curriculum to benefit all our students and assist in their growth and help them flourish, said Principal, Kate Fogarty.

“Students have access to multiple experiences and hundreds of different learning pathways. “This program allows students to set learning to their pace, targets, and itinerary.

Start your journey with us. Enrolments at Assumption College for Year 7 2024 close in August. Boarding applications for 2023 and 2024 are now open. Visit assumption.vic.edu.au.

“At Moama Public School,

Every Student Matters! Every Moment Counts!”

QUALITY EDUCATION IN MODERN FACILITIES

Moama Public School provides quality education in a modern learning environment and promotes active and responsible citizenship.

MOAMA PUBLIC SCHOOL OFFERS:

• Meaningful and engaging learning experiences.

• Success for students in academic endeavours.

• Outstanding sporting, cultural and technological opportunities.

• A supportive and welcoming school community.

The school has classes from preschool to Year 6, with a four-year-old preschool operating on site Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The accredited preschool program is centred on a play-based curriculum and the ‘Being, Belonging, Becoming’ philosophy.

Moama Public School students are introduced to the concept of questioning from preschool, which provides students with the tools to think more deeply about the information presented.

Moama Public School focuses on working with the community to teach students in a way that creates ethical citizens who can be productive members of society.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is taught throughout the school to reinforce the school’s values of Respect, Responsibility and Achievement.

Literacy and Numeracy are the building blocks of learning and the most effective way for students to improve is through quality teaching at a student’s individual level.

All teachers teach both writing and reading in an explicit manner using the workshop model. The school has implemented uninterrupted learning time each morning to assist with this.

Moama Public School teachers work hard to improve student outcomes by providing quality instruction for all students.

Teachers are constantly updating their skills through professional development within the NSW Department of Education and beyond.

Increasingly, technology is seen as a way to connect to a global audience.

It is essential students are provided with support to make sure they have the ability to use information sourced from the internet in a productive way.

All students have technology lessons in the fully-equipped computer room and cyber safety is a key component of these lessons.

Please contact the school office to arrange a personal tour of the wonderful facilities with the principal. The school looks forward to welcoming you to Moama Public School.

Principal: Scott McKenzie

Address: Moama Public School, Simms St, Moama, NSW, 2731.

Phone: 5482 1564

Education Week 2022

Boarding school fosters learning and friendship

Hailing from Geelong, Georgina Samargis always knew she wanted to complete her final two years of schooling in a supportive and academic environment.

With big ambitions of becoming an obstetrician, this year Georgina took the leap and moved to Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC) Boarding School to start Year 11.

“I really want to achieve the best results I possibly can throughout VCE, and my family and I have always known PLC as a highly academic school. So far, it has been a perfect fit,” Georgina said. With all her family remaining in Geelong, Georgina was initially anxious about the move but has settled in nicely with the supportive environment PLC’s Boarding School provides – a home away from home.

“I was a little worried at first as I had never moved schools before, let alone lived out of home,” she said.

“But all the girls and staff are so welcoming, and PLC now feels like a second home with one big family I can lean on for support.

“Ms Munro is amazing. Always willing to support. I couldn’t have imagined I would settle into such a big change so quickly.

“I moved from a co-education school in Geelong.

The environment at PLC is very different from what I am used to – but allows me to be more focused with everyone working towards a common goal.

“I have made friends in and outside the boarding house – and going out on the weekends with my peers has been an amazing way to become part of the school community.”

Georgina’s favourite thing about boarding at PLC is the ease of access to learning resources and her peers.

“Living on campus means the library is only a step away and teachers are never far for a quick check-in,” she said.

“I also have the additional support from my friends as we often study together and always help each other out with our work.

“Being a PLC boarder also means I am a part of an invaluable network of smart and strong women who I know will be life-long connections.”

Georgina is currently studying English, Chemistry, French, General Maths, Maths Methods and undertaking a Year 12 unit in Biology.

While she is currently focusing heavily on her studies, Georgina has plans to become more involved with extra-curricular activities.

Years of Public Education

St Mary’s Primary School is a faith community focusing on learning and developing positive relationships and nurturing confident, happy students. St Mary’s prides itself on high expectations, community connection and student ownership; we thought what better way to share who we are, what we value and what we do than hearing from the bright, articulate, and proud students of St Mary’s. Here is a letter that was written by a Year Six 2022, student, Elisha Fonseka.

A faith community, learning together, spreading the Good News of Jesus through positive relationships, trust and love.

All teachers at St Mary’s are phenomenal but the teacher that I have loved and never will forget is Mrs Threlfall, she was my first teacher at St Mary’s and she also taught me in year four. She helped me to adapt and whenever I needed help, and she’d always be there for me, she was extra special and touched my heart. St Mary’s provides adequate facilities, admirable learning resources and remarkable teachers. The school was always trying to be more ecofriendly and was constantly concocting new ways to make learning more intriguing and lively. The school also has many desirable opportunities and programs to be used to the fullest. St Mary’s provides a holistic education in countless ways, like in sport where we get physical and social and emotional, where we learn about strategies to maintain our emotions. Our school has a well-being monitor and is showered with teaching aids so if children have any concerns they can have some guidance and some advice.

St Mary’s Primary School to me is my second home, I have been at St Mary’s for my entire seven years of primary school, and I can guarantee that this school prospers in multiple ways. This school is a school that has kids both are well educated academically and in co-curricular pursuits, all the way from Prep to year 6.

I simply love St Mary’s because no matter what everyone is comfortable and feels like they’re in a safe atmosphere from day one. Also, St Mary’s is a multicultural school and it is welcoming to all people from different backgrounds. St Mary’s has a vision for all students to be able to Respect, have Courage, Include, Achieve, Serve and to Celebrate.

In this modern world, education is essential for a better lifestyle and St Mary’s provides superb education helping them gain the knowledge prior to development and when a St Mary’s child is at high school and they are completing a complex task they will know the basics so it will ease a bit. Also, what we are learning ties in with everyday life and situations.

I believe the significance of St Mary’s being a Catholic school is that it informs us about Jesus and the message throughout each scripture. It also enables us to be better people following Jesus’s footsteps.

St Mary’s has been a dream come true for me, and I highly recommend this school for families near Echuca/Moama.

Elisha Fonseka

St Mary’s is proud to be the only Catholic primary school currently in the Echuca, Moama area.

We strive to ensure our students are safe, happy, and aspiring to be the best versions of themselves.

St Mary’s continues to be a leading school in the Sandhurst Diocese, we are committed to ongoing

learning, success, and school improvement to ensure we are educating our students for the future that awaits them.

Our students are the greatest advocates for our school, and we welcome anyone in our community to visit our website to register interest or request a tour.

Supporting students to succeed

Bendigo TAFE’s Echuca campus is here to support you by offering a broad range of courses you can study locally. With flexible learning options combined with our passionate teachers, strong community, and industry partnerships, we are beside you every step of the way. Add in access to our Learning Support, Reconnect team and Skills and Jobs Centre, to ensure you are on the right path.

PASSIONATE TEACHERS

Our highly qualified educators like Matt Rolfe and Heather Jeffreys, bring a wealth of knowledge and commitment to seeing their students succeed.

Helping students gain better outcomes is the real driver in why Matt loves teaching Learning Support and Preparation for Study. Matt’s passion for students being given the opportunity to develop their confidence and succeed in life, clearly shows.

‘They might be older people who haven’t been at school in a long time, or early school leavers who need help with their literacy and numeracy

skills. I love seeing them slowly developing more confidence and making friends.’

‘We work with local services including Reconnect and the Skills and Jobs Centre to support our students to take the next step to find meaningful work that they love’.

Echuca local, Heather has been teaching VCAL at the campus since 2009. ‘Every year the students who come into our VCAL classes are very different. They are wonderful students who have struggled in the school system, then come across to our VCAL program and have just thrived. The parents are amazed, and the students love it.’

‘Our small class sizes mean that our students get the help that they need. We can see if a student is having a bit of trouble, and we can go and offer help. Then they get used to asking for help and develop their confidence to ask us for help.’

PREPARING FOR YOUR FUTURE

We understand that everyone learns differently and at Bendigo TAFE we provide courses that not only give you the skills and knowledge you

Our preparation for study course (Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways –FSK20119) is a good example of this. It may have been a little while since you studied, or you feel like you need to refresh your reading, writing and computer skills. This course can help give you the boost you need with classes starting in July.

Undertaking VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) is a great option to complete your high school qualification. When you choose VCAL, you don’t have major exams, there is no prescribed homework, there are smaller classes, learning is personalised to suit your needs and there is more hands-on learning. With the added benefit of rolling enrolments means you can start whenever you are ready.

Preparing to enter the police force can be daunting but enrolling in the Police Entrance Exam Preparation course could be what you need to progress to becoming a police officer.

Revising your skills and knowledge whilst understanding the various sections of the exam and applying strategies to help get you through, our teachers will help you get exam ready.

Commencing in July, September and October, courses can be completed within 5 weeks.

Traineeships and Apprenticeships are also available across many industries and are a great way to “earn while you learn”. Dental assisting, trades and commercial cookery are just a few examples of training available.

For many other options across health, community, business and more, including Free TAFE and JobTrainer* initiatives, we have the right course for you.

Our Heroes are Made at Bendigo TAFE. For more information, call 1300 976 977 or visit bendigotafe.edu.au/Echuca

*Free TAFE & JobTrainer on selected courses only. Eligibility criteria apply. Other fees and charges may apply. Find out more at freetafe.vic.gov.au | skills.vic.gov.au

need but also the confidence to set you up for your future.

Every Child

Education is a basic right for every child, but every child needs the right education. At River City Christian College, we endeavor, through relational teaching, to help each student identify their God-given potential and purpose.

Tucked away on the banks of the Campaspe River, our beautifully manicured and expansive grounds lead up to modern well-equipped buildings and classrooms. Throughout the day, guided by their teachers, students learn, grow, and explore. We offer a robust Victorian curriculum and extend students through a variety of additional programs and electives, all designed to assist your child to grow in confidence and ability all while developing a personal Christian worldview.

Underpinned by our values of Wisdom, Integrity and Compassion we hold onto the truth that ‘every child matters’. Students matter enough to be heard and understood, they matter enough to be held accountable, they matter enough to be extended emotionally, academically, and spiritually.

Supporting students to

The Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School provides education for children aged 5 to 18 years with intellectual and associated disabilities. It services the Campaspe and Murray shires.

Delivering a practical curriculum based on individual needs and abilities, the school follows the Victorian curriculum but makes adjustments to ensure all students achieve. It is designed to be motivating, challenging and flexible with a significant focus on gaining skills for life and work-ability programs. Students enjoy a variety of activities, with camps and excursions providing highlights throughout the year. Family connections are vital, and families’ continued support is greatly valued. Student welfare is a high priority and contact with most families on a daily basis provides holistic support to students, parents and caregivers. Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist families come from a diverse background spread over a large geographical area.

The school provides prams for students with high paramedical needs. Access to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and psychologist services is also provided as required. Specialised therapy and augmented communication equipment is available to support these programs.

The school prides itself on having an open and welcoming environment that encourages parent and community participation. Links with the community are encouraged. The school plays host to students on work experience or community service programs as well as providing on-site training for staff from local universities.

The school co-located with Twin Rivers Primary School at the end of 2020. The new education precinct is an exciting and invaluable resource for Echuca and surrounds. While remaining two separate schools, the staff, students and community work together for the best outcomes for all students.

The classrooms and school grounds are specifically designed to meet the diverse learning needs of the students.

Currently the VCAL students run a café in the Twin Rivers administration building. The coffee shop is open to the public with treats and lunches also available.

Feel free to make contact with the school’s friendly staff to learn more about how Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School support its students to achieve.