Important Dates To Remember
Tuesday 18th March / College Photo Day.
Wednesday 19th March / Ride 2 School Day.
Monday 24th March / Harmony Day Celebrations.
Tuesday 25th March / Parent Teacher Interviews – students dismissed at 1.00 pm
Friday 4th April / Last Day of Term 1 – Dismissed at 2.10 pm.
Monday 21st April / Easter Monday – Public Holiday
Tuesday 22nd April / First Day of Term 2
Friday 25th April / ANZAC Day – Public Holiday
Friday 9th May / College Fete –NEW DATE

NEW VISION FOR LAVERTON COLLEGE:

At the February School Council meeting for Laverton College our new College Vision was unanimously endorsed. This document includes a new Purpose Statement for the College, our new College Values and our seven part Vision Statement. This is an important step for our College as we will be embarking on a new four year Strategic Plan later in 2014. The new Vision Statement will underpin the development of the new Strategic Plan. The components of the new Vision Statement will be incorporated into many aspects of the College. The central element of our new Vision Statement is the importance of ‘success for all.’ Our notion of success clearly relates to students and their learning, however, we also see is relating to teachers and the success they have in their work. We also want our parents and community members to feel that success applies to them as well, in supporting their children and our college.

Laverton College Purpose Statement:

‘Striving for Success: Now and for the Future.’

Laverton College Values Statement:

The three core values for Laverton College are: Belonging- Learning – Succeeding.’

Linked to our of our College Values are our descriptions of how each of these Values will be demonstrated:

Belonging means

  • Being part of a team and the community,
  • Having a say and being heard,
  • Being accepted, supported and included,
  • Feeling valued and cared for,
  • Being respected and respectful,
  • Showing gratitude.

Learning means

  • Setting goals and having high expectations,
  • Acquiring new skills,
  • Being challenged and resilient,
  • Being cooperative and collaborative,
  • Taking responsibility,
  • Showing optimism and zest,
  • Displaying an inquiring mind and problem solving,
  • Striving for personal best.

Succeeding means

  • Showing perseverance,
  • Self-regulating behaviour,
  • Achieving potential,
  • Being proud of achievements,
  • Making good choices,
  • Leading by example,
  • Being a contributing citizen.

Laverton P – 12 College Vision Statement is made up of seven important components:

  • Enabling all students to maximise their potential by delivering best practice in teaching, learning and evolving technologies.
  • Developing responsible and contributing citizens, strongly connected to their community.
  • Delivering positive educational experiences that increase student’s capacity to think, manage, achieve and lead.
  • Building character strengths for life long success, such as curiosity, creativity, perseverance and resilience.
  • Honouring individual needs and developing strengths through a culture of collaboration and care.
  • Engaging students in understanding and contributing to sustainability.
  • Delivering opportunities for diverse pathways.

HARMONY DAY CONCERT: ALL WELCOME

This week is known as Harmony Week. Laverton P – 12 College will be celebrating Harmony Week with a range of activities focusing on the multi-cultural diversity which is evident in our College. The highlight for us will be our Harmony Day Concert at school which will be held next Monday 24th March at 1.30 pm. We are planning to have a wide range of performers participating in our concert. Weather permitting the concert will be held at our outdoor amphitheatre between 1.30 pm and 3.00 pm. We would like to see as many family members as possible come along to school and join in our Harmony Day Concert. Everyone is welcome.

COLLEGE FETE POSTPONED TO TERM 2:

Due to the planning and preparation requirements for our Harmony Week celebrations we have decided to postpone our College Fete until Term2. The new date for the College Fete is now Friday 9th May. More details in upcoming Newsletters.

RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOUR / RESPECTFUL LANGUAGE:

Once again it is important and necessary to remind all students and families of our College focus in 2014on ‘Respectful Behaviour / Respectful Language in each Learning Community. We expect all staff show respect to all students and community members and in return we expect the same in return.

Students are expected to respect themselves, fellow students, the staff of the college, community members and the college environment. Respect for self means taking pride in your appearance, being on time for school and setting goals to achieve and making a genuine effort to achieve those goals. Laverton P – 12 College has an expectation that all students will attend school neatly presented in school uniform each day and that they are on time for

school. This means that students are at school ready for class before the bell at nine o’clock in the morning. Students not on time for school can miss out on important information that interrupts their day. Students arriving late also disrupt the class. All families are asked to support the college by ensuring their children are ‘on time’ each day.

NEW GYMNASIUM PROGRESSING WELL:

Visitors to our College will have seen our new College Gymnasium taking shape. Building works are on track for the completion of the new gym at the end of Term 2. Adjacent to the new gym will be a multi-purpose sports field. The other buildings which are currently under construction are for the new Jennings Street Autism School. This is completely separate to Laverton P-12 College. The selection process is currently underway for the principal for the new Autism school.

Have a great week

Neil Sproal

College Principal

Reminders:

  1. No dogs are permitted in the school grounds at any time.
  2. Laverton College carparks are designated for staff parking only.
  3. Parents and visitors to the school are requested to avoid smoking in the vicinity of the school. Smoking is not permitted in the school grounds.
  4. All visitors are asked to report to the main college office before proceeding to a Learning Community.
  5. Students are not permitted to use mobile phones whilst at school. Phones will be confiscated. Families wishing to make contact with their son or daughter during the day should phone the college office for assistance.

Neil Sproal

College Principal

ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS:

When crossing BladinStreet when the school crossing is unmanned, please do so carefully. Over the previous few weeks it has been brought to the schools attention that some students have NOT been crossing the road carefully. Please ensure that there is no traffic on the road before stepping onto the road.

RIDE TO SCHOOL DAY:

Ride 2 School day will be held on Wednesday 19th March, 2014. Students can walk, ride, scoot or skate to school. Activities will be running before school on this day.

HARMONY WEEK CELEBRATIONS:

From the 17th to 24th of March we will be celebrating harmony week at the school.

The VCAL groups will be organising different activities during the week. The idea of the week is to promote harmony between different cultures. On the Monday 24th March there will be several stalls during lunch time selling food and drinks and then followed by a concert.

By Senior VCAL boysEh Nay, Hla, WahNax, Lah Sru.

HOSPITALITY:

Year 12 hospitality class had their first assessment of the year. Their task was to provide 5 salads and an accompaniment (quiche) to the teachers of the 5 - 8 LC on 19th February. In return the teachers completed a small survey for the students to help them with their outcome.

Our 9-12 teachers enjoying a buffet afternoon tea provided by the Year 12 hospitality students.

Joy Spiteri – Hospitality Teacher

LAVERTON COLLEGE BLOOD DRIVE:

Once again staff and students at our school generously donated their time and blood in order to help save numerous lives in 2013.

The next lot of bookings have been made at Werribee Donor Centre for Wednesday 26th March 2014. There will be 2 groups of 7 (6 students and 1 staff) leaving at 10:00am and 11:00am and returning to 12:00pm and 1:00pm respectively.

If you are aged 16-17 you must observe the following changes to the youth donation policy as implemented by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service:

“To help our youth donors maintain their haemoglobin and iron stores, the Blood Service will be implementing a change to how frequently you can donate.

From 12 January 2014 donors aged 16 & 17 years will be limited to one donation every 12 months.

The policy will be implemented retrospectively. This means that from 12 January 2014 you will not be able to make another donation for 12 months from your last donation date or until your 18th birthday.”

If you are interested in donating blood and you satisfy the above criteria please see Young Blood Ambassador Tristan Lee, Holly Davies, Natalie Smith, Bianca Kozole or Mrs. Di Mieri for details.

Alternatively all students over the age of 16 are able to donate at their own convenience at any of the Donor centres in Melbourne.

BREAKFAST CLUB:

The Year 9 – 12 Learning Community, provide breakfast for all students each morning from 8.00 am – 8.30 am.

YEAR 9 - 12 STUDY GROUP:

Need help with class or homework?

Want to finish work after school?

Then come to the Study Group!

A Math/Science and English/Humanities teacher will be available to help you.

When: Every Thursday at 3.15 – 4.15 pm

Where: 9 – 12 Learning Community in A13 & A14.

SAILING PROGRAM:

The above picture was in the Star newspaper, the Williamstown, Altona and Laverton Tuesday 11th March, 2014 edition.

YEAR 12 CHEMISTRY - AUSTRALIAN VINYLS PLANT TOUR:

Laverton P-12 Colleges Year 12 chemistry students were invited to undertake a tour of Australian Vinyls chemical plant. The plant is located on Leaks road and is the leading manufacturer of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) in Australia; making some 140,000 tons annually. Our students were able to meet with staff (engineers, chemists, plant operators) and see first-hand the applications of the theory they learn back in the classroom. This excursion and associated opportunities for our students highlights the strong partnership between the College and local industry.

Mr C Chandler Chemistry Teacher

YEAR 7 & 8 VOLLEYBALL:

On Wednesday 5th March, 2014 a boys and girls Years 7 and 8 team participated in Inter-school Volleyball. The boys played at Altona P-9 College and enjoyed a set win in the finals against Bayside College. The girls played at Bayside College (Paisley Campus) and were very excited to win a set against Williamstown High School in their Pool C final.

Huge congratulations to both teams for showing enthusiasm, fantastic teamwork and encouragement throughout the tournament. Thank you also to Mr Crebbin and MsDalgleish for their support on the day.

By Miss. Mickayla Ward

LEADERSHIP HOMEGROUP AMBASSADORS:

In the 5-8 Learning Community the development of student leadership skills is seen as a high priority. To this end, each home group selects a Home Group Ambassador (HGA). Our HGAs perform many important tasks in our Community such as; organising special events, discussing student issues and concerns with their home groups, providing advice to the 5 - 8 Leadership Team and being good role models in our community. We are very pleased to formally announce our HGAs for 2014.

Logan Faafuata (7A) and RayaneElmir (7A)

Ryan Hollingsworth (7B) and Paige Matthews (7B)

Christine Dao (7/8A) and Zandria Solomon (7/8A)

Brendan Hollingsworth ((8B) and Aurelia Futi (8B)

Jessica Lamont (5/6A) and Hallie Randle (5/6A)

Amit Tedewala (5/6B)and Leilani George (5/6B)

Tamara Teao (5/6C) and Migell Agnew 5/6C)

Our last 5- 8 Learning Community assembly was organised by the Home Group Ambassadors and it was a very successful event. We are looking forward to making our assemblies even better in the future.

By Jessica Lamont (5/6A) and Leilani George (5/6B)

USING THE 5 SENSES TO DESCRIBE SETTINGS FROM PHOTOS:

Can you VISUALISE the settings?

Sher -5/6 B

As soon as I stepped into the forest, I felt a chill inside of me. I ran as fast as I could. I heard footsteps behind me, but as soon as I looked back, I saw nothing. I could smell the cool breeze from the trees. It’s like I can almost taste it.

Keren-5/6 C

I feel the soft sand crunching beneath my feet. I hear the wind blowing through my hair like a fan. I see the Dolphins splashing in the water having heaps of fun with each other. I can smell the aroma of fresh salty water. I can taste the fresh coconut on my taste buds. I see the beautiful sun shining brighter then bright. I feel the burning sand all over my body. It feels like I’m in fire burning.

Deanne-5/6 C

I see a scrumptious cake, sharp chocolate shards sticking up, ready to strike. I smell the moist sticky batter of the cake, ready to be devoured by an enormous famished child. I feel the powdery sugar running down my hands like the desert sands. I hear loud stomps coming from upstairs. The ground shakes as a swarm of kids come running down. I taste the last drop of batter. Closing my eyes and cherishing the very first and last taste.

Jessica-5/6 B

As I stepped into the city, I stopped and looked around. I could smell the hotdog stand; it smelt so delicious I could just taste the mustard! I could see the stop lights changing as I stared. I heard the car horns beeping and the people talking. I felt the rocky footpath beneath me.

Imogen-5/6 B

I’m on my surfboard riding the waves. I feel the splashes of water going all over my body. I can smell the salty water all around me. I hear the waves crashing around me. I see a huge wave and I go for it, CRASH! I fall into the sea and get water in my mouth. It tastes disgusting.

Allyanne-5/6B

As I look at the view from the top of the ship, I can see the waves coming towards, then I started to hear the ship moving. As it moves I can smell the fresh water of the ocean. I feel the breeze of the air and start to taste the salty seaweed. Then for the first time I see a whale with my own eyes.

Noor-5/6 C

I can see the colourful colours on the beautiful flowers. I can hear the buzzing bee’s around them. I can smell the pollen up my nose. I feel the wonderful soft petals on them. I can taste the pollen that the bees are taking.

Tamara

As I floated on the smooth surface I could feel the cold water splashing on me. I smelt the salt in the water as I read. I heard little kids splashing around. I tasted the fresh air and sometimes the water would drop in my mouth “Yuck!” I kept my eye on my book not getting distracted of anything. I saw people splashing on the side of my eye but I kept concentrating.

Shirly-Ann

I could feel the warmth against my cold skin. I could see the different colours, red, orange and yellow fluttering about in the fire-place. I smelt the burning wood turning into ashes and breaking apart into tiny pieces of dust. I heard the flames dancing around like there was a party. I could taste the marshmallows I was going to toast in the fire.

“WIND” IN THE 5-8 COMMUNITY:

“What is that strange, elephant-like sound?” you might ask as you wander through the Performing Arts Centre on a Friday morning. Or “Why do I frequently hear loud squawks interrupting my Maths lesson?” And “What do those students think they’re doing bringing such oddly-shaped, suspicious looking cases into school every Monday?”

Never fear! There is a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of these things.

This year the Music department has begun a new Wind Program. No, it’s nothing to do with flatulence – (at least, that’s only distantly related) – actually, it’s called the “wind” program because wind, or air, is used to make sound on these particular instruments. Fourteen Year 6 and 7 students have started learning the flute, clarinet, trumpet and trombone. Each week they have a lesson in pairs on their instrument, as well as an after-school rehearsal when they all play together as a group.

So far the students are making great progress, and it looks like they’re having lots of fun too!

Watch out for details of a concert towards the end of Term 2.

Ms Bethany Austin – Music Teacher

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS:

Parent teacher interviews will be held on Tuesday 25thMarch in the Years 9-12 Learning Community building starting at 2.00p.m. Students will be dismissed at 1.00 pm.

Please return the blue interview time form to your learning community if you wish to book an appointment and do not have computer facilities. Bookings close on Friday 21st March at 3.10 p.m.

Mr. Renton will be unavailable for the interviews but appointments will be made in term two for those who wish to see him.

HARMONY DAY:

The Harmony Day concert will take place on Monday 24th March. Attached is a list of the stalls that will be happening on the day.

Please send along money if you wish for your child to purchase anything.

GRADES 3/ 4 MCG EXCURSION:

On Wednesday the grade 3’s and 4’s went to the MCG for their healthy body and mind unit. We took the train to Jolimont Station. When we arrived we had a tour of the stadium and got to go onto the ground. After the tour we went to ‘Game On’ where we were able to play interactive games like cycling, cricket, soccer and football. We then went for a walk through the National Sports Museum. It was a fantastic day and we all had a great time.