Term 2 Newsletter, 2023

Excursions and Events

There are a number of School Events planned for Term 2.

Parents/Carers will be emailed with details of each event. Where permission is required, we ask that you give permission through the Compass Portal as instructed. This will ensure that your response goes directly to the staff member who is responsible for that event.

Students without Parent/Carer consent provided cannot be included in the event. Phone calls, handwritten notes and texts are not acceptable, unless a prior agreement has been made with the Assistant or Deputy Principal. Some events will be limited due to transport or other considerations, so getting in early will be important, once you are notified those bookings are open.

Year 10 History Excursion – Sydney Jewish Museum

When:  Monday 5 June 2023
Where:  Sydney Jewish Museum

As part of the Stage 5 History course, students are expected to participate in field studies. To facilitate this, Year 10 Students are going to visit the Sydney Jewish Museum, Darlinghurst. By attending this excursion students will have the opportunity to experience the displays in the Museum, interact with sources from the Holocaust, and speak with a Holocaust survivor. The focus of this excursion will be on a deeper understanding of the events surrounding the Holocaust, as well as to explore the Holocaust as an important event in the world’s history.

Year 12 – Henry Kendall High School Exam Centre Visit

When: Tuesday 20 June 2023
Where: Henry Kendall High School

Year 12 students will be completing their HSC and Trial HSC examinations at Henry Kendall High School. This excursion is an opportunity for Year 12 students to explore the facilities that they will be using when at Henry Kendall High School. It is also a chance to ensure students know how to locate the appropriate rooms at the school.

Key Dates for Term 2 2023

• The first day of Term for all students is Wednesday 26 April 2023.
• The last day of Term for all students is Friday 30 June 2023*
  *This will be a half day for Years 7-10 students.

Parents and carers are requested to review and update their contact details in Compass. If you need help accessing your Compass account, please contact the school on 4323 1233.

School Starting Times and First Day of Term Arrangements

• Years 7 and 8 students are required to be on campus at 8:55 am for a 9:00 am start time every school day. Students enter our Years 7 to 10 campus via the school reception area located on Level 1, Imperial Shopping Centre, Gosford. Accessing the Imperial Centre via the Erina Street entrance is the most direct entry point for the school. The school hall is open for students and supervised by staff every morning from 8:30 am.
• Years 9 and 10 students are required to be at school at 9:05 am for a 9:10 am start time every school day. Students enter our Years 7 to 10 campus via the school reception area located on Level 1, Imperial Shopping Centre, Gosford. Accessing the Imperial Centre via the Erina Street entrance is the most direct entry point for the school. The school hall is open for students and supervised by staff every morning from 8:30 am.
• Years 11 and 12 students are required to be at school every school day at 8:40 am for an 8:45 am start time. Students enter via the school reception located in the driveway of 125 Donnison Street, Gosford. For those students who arrive before 8:40 am, students are welcome to use the student common area from 8:30 am.
• If a student arrives late to school without a valid reason, they are required to surrender their mobile phone to reception for the day. Failure to do so will result in the student having to surrender their phone to the Assistant Principal or Deputy Principal every day for a period of 10 weeks.

Regular Pattern of School Attendance Required by Students

A reminder to parents/carers that for their child to continue their enrolment at the college, students need to maintain a consistent pattern of attendance. The New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) requires all students to have a minimum attendance percentage of 85% throughout the year. This means the college expects every student to attend school every day unless they are too sick to attend. In the event of absence caused by illness, the college requires an explanation of the absence within 24 hours of the student’s absence. Notification can be provided via the Compass portal, email, or phone call. In the event of three or more consecutive days off, the college can request a medical certificate to support the provided reasons. If you have other reasons for a student being absent for the day (family emergency for example) please provide the college office with an explanation so we can account for the student’s absence.

For more information on school attendance please refer to the College Handbook relevant to you:

• Years 7 to 10 College Handbook
• Years 11 and 12 College Handbook

Reporting Student Absence

It is a government requirement for parents/carers to notify and provide a reason for their child’s absence from school on every occasion. To ensure notifications are always received and recorded by the appropriate staff members, a generic email address can be used for absentee notifications. We request this email address be used rather than emailing individual staff members. This will ensure the notification is received by Reception staff regardless of who is working on the day. Where an explanation has not been received within 7 days from the first day of any period of absence, the school will record this as unexplained on the student’s record.

Methods for notifying the school of absences are:

Email: attendance@etaustralia.com
Phone: 02 4323 1233 after 8:30am

Via the Compass App.
When your child is absent from school and we have not been notified, an email and push notification via Compass will be sent to inform you of their absence which you are able to reply to.

COVID-19, Plus Any Illness and School Attendance

ET Australia follows NSW Health guidelines to minimise COVID-19 transmission, keeping schools open and the community safe.

NSW Health advice is that if a student is unwell and has any symptoms, they should always test for COVID-19. If the test comes back negative for COVID-19, the student should still not return to school until the student no longer has any symptoms. NSW Health advises that it is important that students do not attend school if they are unwell. Covid-19, other viruses, influenza, common colds, and stomach bugs can all be contagious. Health advice is that students who are sick should always stay home to rest and recover and avoid putting other students and staff at risk of getting sick. Students who present with symptoms at school will be sent home immediately and will not be able to return to school until they no longer have symptoms.

Request for Student Leave

The Department of Education’s requirement for school attendance also affects opportunities for families to take holidays during school terms. Some schools are withdrawing the option of families taking students out of school for holidays. ETASC is flexible, but the Minister for Education requires us to ensure all student leave during term time be approved by the college Principal in advance. A Student Leave Request form is available from reception and needs to be completed 4 weeks prior to the planned absence from school.

Please contact the college office on 02 4323 1233 if you have any further queries about holidays during school terms.

ET Australia Secondary College – A Non-Smoking High School

ETASC is a non-smoking secondary college for ALL students and staff – this includes the use of vape pens and e-cigarettes. Students who are caught smoking cigarettes or using vape pens or e-cigarettes during school hours will have their cigarettes, vape pens or e-cigarettes confiscated and destroyed. Parents/carers will be contacted to inform them of this behaviour. Advice from NSW Health clearly outlines that it is illegal to sell cigarettes, vape pens and e-cigarettes or accessories to, or buy these products on the behalf of a person under 18 years of age.

Please visit https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/e-cigarettes.aspx for more information from NSW Health.

Any student smoking during school hours will be in breach of school rules and will be treated the same way as any other breach of school rules. Repeat offenders will be placed on a school contract that will stipulate the behaviour required to maintain their enrolment at the college. The school contract with the student will include the provision of access to quit smoking programs and access to the college psychologist to develop strategies to use instead of smoking during the school day. Breaching the school contract will result in the student’s expulsion from the college.

Opal Cards

The Department of Transport issues OPAL Cards and schools are not involved in the issue and re-issue of this free service for school children. Parents/carers are now responsible to follow up with errors or lost and stolen cards. Students are advised not to put OPAL cards near phones or other disabled cards.

For more information on OPAL Cards please refer to the College Handbook relevant to you:

• Years 7 to 10 College Handbook
• Years 11 and 12 College Handbook

Contacting Students in Class Time

Please do not phone your child during class time, they will be tempted to answer which is very disruptive to the class. Their phone should be off and out of sight. Parents/Carers who need to contact their child during school hours are asked to do so by calling the college office on 4323 1233 or wait until break times.

Banned items – Reminder

Students are prohibited from bringing certain items to school:

• Chewing gum
• Aerosol cans – deodorant etc.
• Knives
• Liquid paper
• Permanent markers
• Laser devices
• Metal or opaque drink bottles
• Cigarettes
• e-cigarettes or vapes
• Cigarette lighters or matches
• Gel Blaster/Gel Gun

If students bring these items to school, they will be confiscated.

If students continue to bring these items to school appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the consequences for breaches of the expected behaviours outlined at enrolment and in the Years 7 to 10 College Handbook and Years 11 and 12 College Handbook.

The Possession of Gel Blasters and their Presence in Schools

New South Wales Police and the Department of Education have requested ETASC circulate the following important information about the possession of gel blasters and their presence in schools.

Gel Guns or Gel Blasters are lifelike ‘toy’ guns that closely resemble firearms. They fire gel balls and can be very difficult to differentiate from a real firearm. They are classified as air guns under NSW law and gel balls are classified as ammunition.

It is a crime to possess a Gel Gun in NSW unless you have a firearms licence, even if it was purchased online or legally in another state. It is also a crime to bring a Gel Blaster or Gel Gun to school.

There is a potential for injury if a person is struck by gel pellet ammunition and understandably students and staff may become frightened and distressed if they believe a firearm has been brought into a school.

If a student is found to have a Gel Gun at school, the firearm will be confiscated, and the Police contacted immediately. The student could be arrested and charged with possession of a firearm. Parents/Carers may also be held liable as per section 82 of the Firearms Act.

Medication Taken at School

In accordance with our First Aid and Medications Policy, parents/carers are required to complete an Authorisation for Administration of Student Medication form for any medication which is required to be dispensed during school hours.

Parents/Carers will also be required to provide the medication in its original packaging which has the Doctor’s instructions on the label.

Please contact the school office if you would like any further information or require a form to be sent home.

For more information on medication taken at school please refer to the College Handbook relevant to you:

• Years 7 to 10 College Handbook
• Years 11 and 12 College Handbook

School Lockers

Lockers are provided at no cost for students to store their school bags to improve security, and work, health and safety. Students are asked to clean out their lockers at the end of every term. Items left in lockers at the end of each term will be discarded. If you value the contents of your locker, please take it with you.

Students are encouraged to keep lockers always locked, even when empty. We are keen to prevent unauthorised access to lockers and/or to have other people placing objects in lockers that do not belong there.

Enrolments

Enrolment places are still available for the current year groups in 2023:

• Year 7
• Year 11
• Year 12

Places are not available in our other year groups, and a waiting list is in place.

Please contact the school office if you would like to make an enrolment enquiry or would like more information.

Lunch Orders – Lunch Options for 2023

Students in Year 7 and Year 8 will have the following lunch order options in 2023:

• Monday – McDonald’s
• Tuesday – Subway
• Wednesday – Sushi
• Thursday – Subway
• Friday – Chips and gravy

Noodles are no longer available for purchase from the school during break times.

Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, and Year 12 students have permission to buy food from the food court in the Imperial Centre for the first 15 minutes of each break every day. The school staff provide student supervision in the food court during breaks.

As soon as students have received their food and drinks, they must make their way directly to Kibble Park. During breaks in Kibble Park, students are always supervised by school staff.

Students will only be permitted to enter the food court if they are purchasing food or drinks. If students go to the food court and do not purchase food or drinks, they will be banned from accessing this privilege.

Years 11 & 12 students are also permitted to go to Shop 3 Café unsupervised to buy food and drink during breaks. As soon as students have received their food and drinks, they must make their way directly to Kibble Park. During breaks in Kibble Park, students are always supervised by school staff.

Teaching Staff

Contact details for all members of school staff are in the College Handbook relevant to you:

• Years 7 to 10 College Handbook
• Years 11 and 12 College Handbook

Assessment Week

Assessment Week for Years 7-10 students will be held during the period 17th May – 26th May,2023. (Weeks 4 and 5 of Term 2.) Students will be completing a separate KLA examination each day with revision time in class. A timetable will be released closer to the date. Adjustments and support will be available to students who qualify. If you know that your child will not be present during this time, please contact Assistant Principal Brooke Gordon. If you have any questions, please contact the Years 7 to 10 Curriculum Coordinator Kimberley Wheeler.

HSC Literacy & Numeracy Minimum Standards Testing

Year 10 students will be provided their second opportunity of HSC Literacy and Numeracy Minimum Standards testing. These tests are used to show the level of literacy and numeracy achievement that students reach before they exit the school system, whether it be in Year 10, Year 11 or Year 12. Students who acquire a level 3 in each of the standards tests have reached the state level of achievement and do not need to continue the testing process. Students are given multiple opportunities throughout the year to acquire a level 3. ETASC students will be participating in the first round of testing on 5th, 6th & 7th June 2023. (Week 7 of Term 2.) For more information please see the website: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/hsc-minimum-standard.

Any questions please contact the Years 7 to 10 Curriculum Coordinator Kimberley Wheeler.

Free After School Tutoring

Any student who wants help after school in any subject should ask the subject teacher and arrangements will be made to provide free tutoring on most afternoons. All extra-curricular or tutoring classes are free of charge. 

Literacy Tutoring:

Every Tuesday we run literacy tutoring for students in Years 7-10 students from 2.30pm-3.30pm. Please let the school know if your child needs to leave early for transport.

During Term 2 literacy tutoring will predominantly focus on:

• Revision of sentence-level strategies to improve student writing. This will include sentence combining using conjunctions, and sentence expansion using adjectives and appositives. We will work towards reading comprehension through notetaking and summarisation.

Numeracy Tutoring:

Every Thursday we run numeracy tutoring for students in Years 7-10 students from 2.30pm-3.30pm. Please let the school know if your child needs to leave early for transport. We focus on basic skills, but allow the opportunity and time to discuss classwork if required. It is a fun, safe learning space where students can ask questions and work independently or within a small group with a teacher.

Year 10 Extension Classes:

Tuesday:
Extension Mathematics (Year 10 students intending to complete the HSC) 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Learning Enrichment Opportunities

ETASC offers free tutoring for all students.

For students who are identified as needing extra assistance with:

• Reading – ETASC offers the MacqLit reading program
• Mathematics – ETASC offers the QuickSmart program. We also offer consolidation of classwork and after school tutoring.
• Writing – ETASC offers English tutoring and consolidation of classwork.

Years 7 to 10 Meditation and Mindful Colouring

Once a week, students will be given the choice to participate in meditation or mindful colouring to give them the opportunity to slow down and be present before tackling their busy schoolwork.

Positive Behaviour Management and Rewards

ETASC’s Positive Student Behaviour Reward system includes short-term, medium-term, and long-term rewards. Reward days once a semester are the pinnacle reward of this system.

Short Term Rewards – Fortnightly Basis

Short-term rewards will occur on a fortnightly basis and be awarded to one student from each class based on their behaviour in the previous two weeks. Teachers will consider the number of positive behaviour reports or in-class points awarded, the student’s attendance during this time and any noticeable changes in a student’s behaviour. Students will be informed of their positive award in a manner that is comfortable to them – during the whole school assembly, stage assembly, class time or on an individual basis.

Short-term rewards include, but are not limited to:

• Chocolates
• Free lunch – pizza etc.
• Books
• Trinkets, toys, stationery etc.

Medium Term Rewards – Term Basis

The accumulation of positive behaviour reports over a term will earn students medium-term rewards. A schedule of rewards will be provided to the students at the beginning of each term. The accumulation of positive behaviour reports over the term will earn student rewards.

The number of positive behaviour reports required to achieve specific medium-term rewards includes:

# Of Positive Behaviour Reports Reward:

• 25 – Qualifies student to attend the semester reward day
• 30 – Listen to music during class time for one week
• 40 – 5-minute early mark at the end of the school day for one week
• 50 – Free lunch order to the value of $10

Long Term Rewards – Semester Basis

The long-term reward for sustained positive student behaviour is an invitation to attend the reward days held at the end of each semester. Students will be invited to attend our reward day if they have accumulated at least 25 positive behaviour reports during the semester. If a student is invited to a rewards day and engages in negative behaviour before the event, their invitation can be revoked. Reward day activities are intended to be fun days with activities that students want to participate in.

Our reward days so far have included:

• Go-Karting
• Jet boats
• Laser tag
• Mini Golf

In determining whether students are entitled to attend a reward day the following will be considered:

• The number of positive and negative behaviour reports a student has received.
• School attendance – students need to maintain a regular pattern of attendance.
• Outstanding school fees – A student’s school fees need to be no more than 1 month in arrears to be eligible to attend reward days.
• School Contract – if a student has been placed on a school contract, they are deemed ineligible to attend reward days. Exceptions on a case-by-case basis may be considered by the Assistant Principal but this is not negotiable.

If parents/carers have questions regarding the positive behaviour system, we welcome feedback and questions so please contact the Assistant Principal.

Stage 4 Spelling and Ninja Mathematics

Year 7 students will be participating in a spelling program reviewing the fundamental spelling rules and words.

Year 8 students will be participating in ninja mathematics reviewing timetables and practising mental mathematics skills.

Years 9 & 10 Student Assessment Handbooks

Student Assessment Handbooks are available on the school website and are important documents for Years 9 & 10 students to read to be informed about their Record of School Achievement (RoSA) requirements.

Within the handbook there is information on how to successfully complete Year 10, the grading scale for each subject, what an ‘N’ Determination Award (N Award) is and how to avoid one, study skills and who to talk to if you need help.

We encourage all Years 9 & 10 students and parents/carers to read these documents thoroughly to ensure they are informed of the expectations for Years 9 & 10 students.

Click here to read the Year 9 Assessment Handbook
Click here to read the Year 10 Assessment Handbook

Years 9 & 10 DEAR

Years 9 & 10 students participate in DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) twice a week, reading topical new articles selected by the teachers to encourage them to read mindfully and to be engaged in current issues.

Stage 6 Curriculum Update

Year 11 students have completed their first term of senior school implementing helpful revision strategies, completing homework and adjusting to the greater workload. Year 12 students are now halfway through their HSC course and finished the term experiencing practise HSC examinations to help them develop useful strategies to prepare for their HSC.

Reports

Student reports were emailed out through the school administration platform (Compass) at the end of Term 1. Year 11 students received a progress report to give parents an indication of student work habits and knowledge of subject content. Year 12 students received their Semester 1 report with comments on their achievements and how to improve their academic progress.

Assessments

At the start of the term a message will be sent through Compass with an outline of each assessment task and due date. Many tasks require students to research and write responses outside of class time. Remember to take advantage of the after-school study session from 3:00pm to 4:00pm where teachers are available to answer questions. These tasks require students to work on them throughout the term and are not designed to be done in one night. If a student is absent on the day an assessment task is due, please ensure the illness misadventure form is completed, with documentary evidence and emailed to Chrisitna.Clark@etaustralia.com within 24 hours.

Year 12 Mentorship Program

Each Year 12 student has been assigned a staff member to be their mentor. Last term they met to reflect on strategies that worked to achieve the student’s goals. This mentorship program will continue into Term 2. Students receive a booklet to record their academic goals for the term and meet with their mentor to plan steps to help them achieve it. Mentors meet with the students to encourage them to keep working on those steps.  They also help students to reflect on what strategies are helping them and what things need to change to ensure they meet their academic goals.

Year 12 Practice Trial HSC-Week 9 & 10

To help Year 12 students prepare for their Trial HSC exams in Term 3. Students will have the opportunity to sit practise Trial HSC examinations at the end of Term 2. They will be able to use their summary notes and get feedback. This is a will give students a taste of what the HSC exams will be like in a way that builds confidence in achieving them.

Subject Selection

In Term 2, Year 11 students will be informed about the process of subject selection and parents/carers will be sent a detailed email. Parents/carers will be required to complete an online form to finalise the subjects their child selects to study for the HSC. Parents/carers are encouraged to attend Year 11 parent interviews at the end of Term 2 to discuss with teachers their child’s capabilities in subjects which will be helpful in the decision-making process.

Parent/Carer Interviews 20th and 21st June

Parents interviews will be happening after school on the 20th and 21st of June. Teachers of each subject will be available to discuss your child’s progress and to offer strategies to help your child to improve. It is a great opportunity to raise any concerns and discuss ways to best support your child. It will also be useful for parents of Year 11 students to discuss subject selection options with teachers.

Year 12 Henry Kendall High School Exam Centre Visit 20th June

Year 12 students will be completing their HSC and Trial HSC examinations at Henry Kendall High School. This excursion is an opportunity for Year 12 students to explore the facilities that they will be using when at Henry Kendall High School. It is also a chance to ensure students know how to locate the appropriate rooms at the school.

Year 12 Student Incursion 21st June Finishing Line Elevate Workshop

To help Year 12 students in the lead up to their Trial HSC, a workshop with Elevate has been organized for Wednesday 21 June. The purpose is to assist students to identify weakness in their understanding of content or application of skills and equip them with tools to overcome this. They will look at the role of exam study groups, along with creating study routines especially for the school holidays. Techniques to manage stress levels and maintain well-being will also be taught.

Years 11 & 12 Business Studies Excursion to Borg, Somersby 5th May

Year 11 and Year 12 Business Studies students will visit Borg’s manufacturing facilities in Somersby. This visit will help students see the real-life application of the operation theory taught in class. Students will observe the production process, especially the use of technology and automation. They will also learn about how Borg manages waste and subscribes to local government environmental initiatives.

Year 12 Pathway Plans

Year 12 parents/carers will be invited to attend their child’s pathway plan meeting with the Student Development Coordinator and Principal. This meeting will focus on identifying any support the school can provide to help students transition and achieve their study and employment goals after they complete Year 12.

Stage 6 Student Assessment Handbook

The Stage 6 Student Assessment Handbook is an important document for Stage 6 students to read to be informed about the HSC course requirements.

Within the handbook, there is information on how to successfully complete Stage 6, what an ‘N’ Determination Award (N Award) is and how to avoid one, study skills and who to talk to if you need help.

We encourage all Stage 6 students and parents/carers to read this document thoroughly to ensure they are informed of the expectations for Stage 6.

Click here to read the handbook. 

ET Australia Secondary College Term Dates

ET Australia Secondary College Years 7 to 10 Handbook
ET Australia Secondary College Years 11 and 12 Handbook
ET Australia Training College Upcoming Courses