December 2006
CHALLENGE CONFERENCE by Tom A Year
9
There was a conference held at Fitzroy in November. It was to plan a challenge
camp for year 8 students next year to attend. The camp would be one involving
Fitzroy, Melbourne Girls, and Princes Hill.
For three weeks before the conference, the Fitzroy High alpine school
group had meetings with other alpine school students at Melbourne Girls
College and Princes Hill Secondary College. We were planning and organising
a conference for the year 7 students of the 3 schools. We went through
a planning process with the help of Pauline Rice and teachers from MGC
and PHSC.
On Wednesday the 15th of November about 40 year 7 students arrived with
their alpine school teams and teachers at Fitzroy. They were all spread
around tables, each with alpine school students to help. First there was
an introduction to the Alpine School, then some ‘getting to know
you’ games.
Then they where informed about the point of the conference. They were
told to imagine participating in a physically and academically challenge
experience. What could this project look like?
The rest of the day was ideas. Alpine School students ran activities for
the year 7’s to get them thinking. After some good food, and some
breaks, the afternoon came. In the afternoon each table came up with a
plan. What would happen on the challenge, when it would happen, how can
it be done? They presented to the entire group.
There were some great ideas and lots of excitement in the possibilities.
In the end, everyone said it was a success. The year 7’s displayed
their thoughts on a graph. Most said they had learnt a lot and had fun.
The future of the challenge looks great…
CHALLENGE CONFERENCE by Millie Year
7
When we had the meeting with Melbourne Girls College and Princes Hill
Secondary College we discussed possibilities about what we could do on
the year 8, 3 week version of the Alpine School.
We discussed things like boot camp, bush camp, Rubik’s cube comps,
amazing races, surfing and projects. Most groups made one week activities
and we all agreed that was a good idea. We filled in a sheet about the
day and most people said next time there should be more vegetarian food.
We had a chart on the board with y axis being how much work got done and
x axis was how much fun it was. Most stickers were off the chart.
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
CHALLENGE CONFERENCE
Elsewhere in this newsletter is a report by students of the conference
held at the school. This involved Year 7 & 9 students and from Fitzroy
High, Princes Hill and Melbourne Girls Secondary Colleges. This was a
vibrant event and we hope will lead to the development of a challenge
program at Year 8 shared by the three schools. Further planning will take
place next year.
SELECT ENTRY SCHOOLS
A common policy idea during the recent state election campaign was the
establishment of more select entry secondary schools and an increase in
the number of select entry accelerated learning (S.E.A.L.) programs within
secondary schools. For a small percentage of students such programs serve
a need and a diverse and comprehensive education system should be able
to meet this need.
At their best these programs enable gifted and talented children to explore
learning in a positive and innovative manner. Each year that students
have been eligible we have sent off a number to Melbourne High and MacRobertson
Girls High schools. I congratulate those students and their families and
those who obtain entry to the VCA, the Royal Ballet School, apprenticeships
and training. Each of these students are moving on from our community
via clearly defined pathways. Remaining at the school are students who
have skills equal to or higher than these students. Their chosen pathway
is to remain with our community. There is no inherent value to either
choice except that it is best for the individual child, something that
we would always encourage.
At their worst accelerated learning programs are used as a marketing
exercise and merely reinforce mediocre teaching and learning opportunities.
I saw too many examples of this when I was working for the centre in a
state wide role last year.
I do not believe that the expansion of such programs will benefit students
in the system.
Fitzroy High School was established to work closely with our community.
By accepting and working positively with the diverse elements that constitute
that community we gain strength. At times this work is hard as the community
seeks to define itself and its members. This is only natural and part
of a cycle of questioning and renewal that all thriving communities have.
When the school was first established we used the following words to
describe what we sought to do:
Fitzroy High will embrace a bold and ambitious dream: striving for excellence
and equity. Through a strategy of small size, we will aim to become a
humane learning community in which teachers use relationships to deepen
their knowledge of students in order to engage all of them in an intellectually
challenging education based on powerful ideas, help them toward social
maturity, and prepare them for a life of meaningful possibilities and
active participation in Australian society.
These words are as relevant today as they were then and will continue
to guide Fitzroy High on our very exciting education journey.
INFORMATION NIGHT
Year 10 2007
All current Year 9 students and parents are encouraged to attend an information
night about the 2007 Year 10 program on December 12th at 7:00 in the Teacher
Development Unit (TDU). Items for discussion will include Year 10 Curriculum,
VCE, VET, an update on the building project, tutorial program and the
structure of the school day. Any enquiries should be directed to Ben Johnstone-McCloud
– Post Compulsory Team Leader (benj@fitzroyhs.vic.edu.au).
COMMUNITY TUTORS
During 2007 a small group of Year 11 students will be studying subjects
by correspondence. It would be fantastic if we could have some community
tutors who are able to give up some time to work with these students and
support their studies.
We are currently looking for people who are interested in the following
areas and can give up some time either on a Wednesday from 1:30 or a Tuesday
morning 8:45 to 9:45.
Accounting
Business Management
Politics
Legal Studies
If you are interested please contact either to Ben Johnstone-McCloud or
Pauline Rice.
October 2006
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Welcome back to Term Four in which a large number of activities are planned.
Design team
We have appointed the firm of McBride Charles Ryan to develop the master
plan for
the school. They are an award winning architectural group and you can
see examples
of their work at http://www.mcbridecharlesryan.com.au/core.html.
The intent is to have the master plan completed in November and further
developmental work will take place after that. The following students
have been appointed to the advisory panel for the design process and will
be visiting some projects next Monday to gain a sense of what is possible:
Millie Atkins, Esther Williams, Bryn Cullen, Tom Adolph, Callum Lindsay
Field.
The architects will be attending a meeting of the Built and Natural Environment
Committee .
Camps
The Year Eight camp takes place in late November and the surf camp in
December.
Cabaret. The cabaret is will take place on Thursday and Friday of next
week and I am sure you are all eager to attend. Tickets are available
from the general office. Students and staff have been working hard to
refine their performances and I look forward to seeing the variety of
material that will be presented.
AIM test Year 7
The results of the Year 7 AIM test have been received at school and will
be mailed to
parents next week.
Staff
Welcome back to Chris Millard who has returned from his six month cricket
trip to
England. Chris will be replacing Larry for the first four weeks of term
and will stay in the Jet team for most of the term after that. Marisa
will be absent for the rest of the year
and George is covering many of her classes.
Ride to work day
Students who rode their bike to work on Wednesday 4th October received
a complimentary piece of fruit and fruit juice on arrival. Seventy-five
students participated in the breakfast, but not all of these made themselves
available for our group photo
We conducted a survey about how students travelled to school on the day
and found that (based on a sample of 70% of our students):
• 31% – rode a bike to school
• 26% – walked to school
• 20% – came to school by public transport
• 23% – came to school by car
Storage of bikes at school
In recent times the school has had some concerns regarding the security
of student bikes at school. To ensure bikes are secure the school has
created a caged area at the rear of the school which is locked between
9.00am and 3.00pm from Monday to Friday. However there have been instances
where students have had their bikes taken either before 9.00am or after
3.00pm and as a result the school is instigating a policy that all bikes
stored at school must also be locked. We are in the process of installing
rails in the enclosure until this is complete students are asked to lock
their bikes to the surrounding fence or a friend’s bike.
The school will not accept responsibility for the loss of any bikes stored
at school in the future. If parents have any concerns please contact John
Ross on 9488 1900.
40 hour famine
Over twenty students participated in the 40 hour famine this year. 40
hour famine books and payments are now due. Please hand in to the general
office.
Careers Counsellor’s Report
Parents/Carers and Careers
Thanks to the many parents who have made contact with me over the last
few months. Recent research has reviewed the strong influence the “family
system” has on
career development. Parents and carers play a pivotal role in supporting
learning strategies that promote career readiness, eg. providing opportunities
to instil confidence and making informal contacts for exploration of occupational
choices. Feel free to contact me if you have any queries relating to careers.
I am available Monday, Tuesday or Thursday and can be contacted by phoning
the school, or email mariaf@fitzroyhs.vic.edu.au
Career events
A range of career related events are being held during Term 4. Interested
students, please see Maria, Careers Counsellor. Events include:
‘Go Girl Go For IT’
Deakin University (Burwood campus) is holding an interactive IT career
showcase on Tuesday 24th October and Wednesday 25th October encouraging
girls to explore careers in IT. The event is open to all girls in Years
9 and 10. Students will hear from a range of speakers working in IT and
the opportunities a career in IT can bring. Year 9 and 10 girls interested
in attending, please see Maria.
Trial a Trade Days
An opportunity to experience a day of hands on activities and learn about
pathway options for various industries. Open to students in Year 9 and
10.
October 13 - Cookery and Hospitality
October 12 - Automotive Mechanical
October 12 - Automotive Electrical
October 12 - Engineering
October 12 - Sport and Recreation
October 12 - Massage
October 12 - Alternative Therapies
October 12 - Multimedia
October 12 - Clothing
October 12 - Business
October 12 - Community Services
|
Indigo