Vice Principal's Report
As we continue to adapt to the remote learning environment for term two, I thank all parents for their patience, support and compassion during this time with all staff and your children. As we now begin to find some rhythm within this learning environment, we continue to adapt our ways to ensure that we can best support the students. We are looking at time spent delivering content versus time available for students to complete the necessary work. Finding the balance is hard but that does not stop us from trying.
We now enter the next phase of remote learning and that is developing assessment tasks, SACS and tests that can be completed online, ensuring a level playing field for all. Our staff are collaborating across all subjects and for most subjects across the classes to ensure that this is paramount in our planning and grading.
Despite TAFE’s and universities teaching remotely at the moment, there are currently many virtual open days occurring. This may be a great opportunity for students to see what is on offer at tertiary institutions around the state without having to travel. More information on these opportunities can be found on the Padua Careers page in this newsletter or on the Padua Careers website. There are also some larger ‘expo’ style virtual careers resources which have been advertised to students, which allow them to interact with over 50 different providers in the one space.
Regarding our own career expo, ECaT, we are going virtual this year! More information will be released closer to the date, but a range of resources and information will be provided to families later this term to assist with preparing for subject selection as well as education opportunities post-secondary school.
Although we are still not 100% sure what the end of the year will look like, VTAC (the organisation who calculate the ATAR and manage Year 12 tertiary applications) has assured us they will have more information on how and when to apply for tertiary courses by August.
Finally, any Year 11 or 12 student who would like to check in with a careers advisor is more than welcome to do so. Students may contact the advisor which supports their House directly and they will set up a Google Meet to discuss any queries or concerns you may have (see Careers page for contacts).
The specific year level assemblies that were held last week were well received by the students and these can be watched by accessing the link sent to your child via email. These assemblies will continue to be part of the new environment we are in as they are crucial in providing information and also for building connection to Padua College.
Remote learning has certainly presented some difficulties for our Applied Learning subjects, but the overwhelming feedback is that our ALP and VCAL students have embraced the challenges – flexing their problem-solving muscles at the same time. Most impressive has been watching students in Google Meet engage their teamwork, leadership, communication and employability skills to teach each other how to use and trouble-shoot remote learning technologies. Students have also been active designing and completing self-directed practical tasks in and around their homes, giving families a chance to see their initiative and persistence in practise. Unfortunately, Work Placement and Work Experience will not recommence in term two, but arrangements are being investigated to accommodate block-placements later in the year.
As always, I encourage all parents to continue to be active member of the Padua community, engaging in conversation about what topics are being studied in class, keeping abreast of upcoming events and making contact with subject teachers as needed.
Curtis Stone
Vice Principal
Head of 10-12 Campus, Mornington
Creative Arts Exhibition
Every year a limited number of works are selected for Catholic Education Melbourne's Creative Arts Exhibition. The exhibition provides an opportunity to support the flourishing of every person through expression of self and identity in unique and creative ways. This year the exhibition is not open to the public due to Covid-19. However, a digital version of the exhibition is available (via this link), which featues the following students’ work:
Lucy Hutchins - Year 11 2019, ‘Reflections’
Campbell Steedman - Year 12 2019, ‘Motion’
Congratulations to these students and to Sarah Jones, Year 12 2019, who won the Film Excellence Award for her work, titled ‘Grilled Cheese Sandwich’, which you can view by clicking on this link here.
Year 11 VCD Project
The Year 11 VCD Unit 1 VCE Students have been working on an area of study which focuses on design elements and principles. The Design Brief was to create the surface graphics for a baggage tag that represents an endangered animal. During term two the students have been learning how to use Adobe Illustrator to create their digital artwork. These vibrant images show the students ‘work in progress’ as they generate ideas and develop concepts for their final designs. Well done Year 11s, these designs look amazing!
Bernie Devlin
Mornington Textiles & Arts Teacher
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) counts the number of students who receive additional adjustments or “help” at school because of a disability. The NCCD helps governments plan for the needs of students with disability and schools are required to submit this annually.
For more information, please click on the link below to see the NCCD Information Sheet for Parents, Carers and Guardians.
