Churchill Avenue News

Dear Families,

As the term beings to draw to an end, we can be grateful for all the events and activities our students have had. Camps have continued to provide our young people with a positive experience. Years 7 and 8 have participated in reflection days, sports, House activities and book week, while our VM students have been out on work placement.

Other highlights that have occurred over the past few weeks include some of our Year 7, 8 and 9 students participating in leadership workshops as a part of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation Program. The following were the areas of focus:

• Year 7 group: Goal Setting and growth mindset.
• Year 8 group: Leadership Skill Development
• Year 9 Group: Social Responsibility in our community

Arleigh Ruddick, one of our Year 9 Campus Captains, was a finalist for the Youth Champion of the West Award where she came second. Congratulations Arleigh!

Some of our First Nations students have been participating in the Nallei Jerring program through the Western Bulldogs, providing an opportunity for ATSI secondary school students to connect with one another and learn about their shared culture, whilst developing a range of leadership skill and experiences. The students have thoroughly enjoyed this experience.

We partnered with Marian College to host a parent information session with renowned psychologist Maria Roberto earlier in the month. The focus of the workshop was around building resilience. The session was well attended with everyone taking away some tools and strategies to use when working with their young people. Maria was also recently on the Resilient Project Imperfects podcast. See the link for her episode.

An important reminder to parents and carers of your duty of care to inform the College if you son or daughter is going to be absent. If you plan on taking your child out of school for extended leave, please ensure that you have made contact with their Year Level Coordinator to discuss plans for missed work. It is a College requirement as a part of our registration to ensure unexplained absences are accounted for. This can be done via the parent portal on compass on the day or in advance if you know. See below tutorials.

You can also call reception on 9296 5311 by 9am on the day. Families receive a text message at 10:00am if their child is away. Student Services will then follow up with a phone call following this if we still have unexplained absences for your child. Please support the college with this compliance and inform us of when your child is absent.

Compass Parent Tutorial and guide
Adding a note/approval: Parents are shown the process of adding a note to explain their child’s attendance after their child has been marked NP/U or L/U and also how to add a note in advance for a known upcoming absence.
Video
https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/3477204810537194497

Guide
https://www.compass.education/guide#section-attendance

At the beginning of Term 4, students will be required to be in full summer uniform from day one. This means that our female students can wear the summer dress, winter skirt with long white socks, shorts, or pants with the straight cut blouse. The boys have the option of wearing either shorts or pants with the straight cut shirt. If students choose to wear the straight cut shirt, they do not need to wear the tie. If students are wearing the older tailed shirt with top button, then they should wear the school tie with their shirt tucked in. Students do not need to wear the blazer to and from school but are required to wear if for formal events such as Mass or assemblies. In Term 4 the outer garment is with or without blazer. The red jumper is not an out garment. Thank you for your support with this.

God bless,

Stephanie Banks 
Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing