Term 2 Newsletter, 2024

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 12 – HSC Exam Centre visit

When: Tuesday 18th June 2024
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.

Year 7 – Tenpin Bowling

When: Monday 24th June 2024
Where: Gosford City Bowl

Year 7 students will complete a unit in Mathematics this term on fractions, decimals and percentages. This excursion to Gosford City Tenpin Bowling will enable Year 7 students to apply calculation strategies they have developed in the classroom in a practical setting.

Year 10 Work Experience

When: Monday 1st July to Friday 5th July 2024
Where: Various locations

Year 10 students will be undertaking work experience in Week 10, Term 2. This is part of the pathway plan process that ETASC began with Year 10 students in Term 1. Work experience involves secondary school students in short-term industry placements, which broadens their experience and understanding of the world of work and career opportunities. Placements with parents/carers are not recommended as the student gains more benefit from meeting new challenges in new environments. In general, students will observe different aspects of work within the industry and may assist with tasks allocated by their supervisor.

Parents and carers are required, with assistance from the school, to help find suitable work experience for your child.

If you are in the position to offer work experience to any of our students, please let us know as this would be very welcome.

All students will be visited by an ETASC staff member during their placement.
If your child has not secured work experience, we encourage them to contact businesses during the school holiday period. Once a business has agreed to take your child, please forward details to Jasmyn.DuPlessis@etaustralia.com. The school will facilitate the exchange of documents and forward the relevant insurance certificates.

Key Dates for Term 2 2024

The first day of Term for all students is Tuesday 30th April 2024.
The last day of Term for all students is Friday 5th July 2024*
*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 8:55am for a 9:00am 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 8:30am.
• Years 9 and 10 students are required to be at school at 9:05am for a 9:10am 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 8:30am.
• Years 11 and 12 students are required to be on campus at 8:40am for an 8:45am start time every school day. Students enter via the school reception located in the driveway of 125 Donnison Street, Gosford. For those students who arrive before 8:40am, students are welcome to use the student common area from 8:30am.
• 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 or Deputy Principal every day for a period of 10 weeks.

School Management System – Compass

Compass is our web-based school management system that is accessible on any modern web browser or by using the ‘Compass School Manager’ app available on iOS or Android. To access our Parent/Carer Portal, go to: https://etaustralia-nsw.compass.education

Compass user ID’s and passwords have been sent to all Parents/Carers, if you have any questions about Compass, please contact the College.

From the Compass App, you can:
• Access your child’s semester reports
• Book your Parent/Carer/Student and Teacher conferences
• View up-to-date class and school attendance information
• Approve or enter upcoming or past absences for your child
• Download, print details and provide permission to attend upcoming excursions/events
• Update your registered email and mobile number details
• Access information regarding upcoming events and news

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 a Student’s 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. Parents/Carers can sign into the Compass Portal and enter an attendance note for their child for future and past absences.

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 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.

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.

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 2024:

• Year 7
• Year 11

Places are currently unavailable 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 2024

Students in Years 7 and 8 will have the following lunch order options in 2024:
Monday – McDonald’s
Tuesday – Subway
Wednesday – Sushi
Thursday – Subway
Friday – Hot chips

Years 9, 10, 11, and 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 and 12 students are also permitted to go to Shop 3 Café unsupervised to buy food and drinks 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 will be held during week 4 and week 5 of this term for students in Years 7-10. All students will be completing a separate KLA examination each day. Revision time will be conducted before the examination. Adjustments and support will be available to students who qualify. Anxiety around assessments is normal and we encourage students to reach out to their teachers for support and reassurance during this time. We also encourage students to take home revision notes and to get a good night’s sleep to help them feel prepared and ready for their examinations. If you know you will not be present during this time, please contact Assistant Principal Brooke Gordon. If you have any questions, please contact the Curriculum Coordinator Kimberley Wheeler.

Individual Education Plans

Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings are continuing in Term 2. These meetings are an opportunity to discuss the students individual learning needs and plan for reasonable adjustments that ETASC can make to provide targeted support for your child. An email has been sent inviting you to book via the Compass parent portal by clicking on ‘Parent Student Teacher Conference’.

Please bring to the meeting any diagnostic paperwork or specialist reports that you have not previously provided to the school. The meetings will be with either Jasmyn Du Plessis, ETASC’s Student Learning Support Coordinator, or the Assistant Student Learning Support Coordinator – Olivia Whiting.

If the time slots are not suitable, please email Jasmyn.DuPlessis@etaustralia.com so an alternative time can be arranged.

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 Melanie and Sophie run literacy tutoring for students in Years 7-10 from 2:30pm-3:30pm. Please let the school know if your child needs to leave early for transport.

 Elevate your writing prowess this term! Join our Term 2 Literacy Tutoring Program for a transformative dive into the art of sentences. Explore the magic of simple, compound, and complex sentence structures, unlocking the keys to clear and concise writing. Melanie and Sophie will guide you through interactive sessions, providing personalised support to enhance your academic excellence. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to boost your writing skills.

Numeracy Tutoring:
Every Thursday Matt & Suzanne run numeracy tutoring for students in Years 7-10 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.

During maths tutoring we will be working on a diverse range of basic skills stemming from Numeracy Ninjas and a multiplication focus which will lend itself to Division and repeated Addition.

We start each session with 5 minutes of mental maths, then move on to our tutoring booklets. These booklets are made up with a variety of different maths skills eg; division, BIDMAS, time, how to read a bus/train time- table, and worded numerical problems. Each booklet is tailored to each student’s needs.

If students want help with class topics, we encourage the students to bring their class booklets, so we can help go through topics they require support with.

We end each tutoring session with a quick maths game as a group.

Gifted and Talented Program 2024

This year at ET Australia Secondary College the Gifted and Talented (GAT) program will continue to offer critical and creative learning opportunities for our students. Our aim is to provide educational opportunities that enrich and extend gifted and talented students, fostering a lifelong love of learning. Our curriculum for gifted students is specifically designed to challenge advanced learners and provide experiences that require critical thinking, problem-solving, independent study skills, communication, and persistence in the face of challenges. When engaged in high quality gifted services, students will develop their unique abilities and maintain their passion for learning. These activities provide opportunities for the student to engage in tasks that require higher order thinking.

Typically, students that fall into the category of gifted and talented following assessment, teacher recommendation and observation at the school are presented with the opportunity to extend their thinking beyond regular classes. As well as GATs withdrawal lessons, competitions including Maths Olympiad, The Big Science Competition, CSIRO computational thinking, creative writing and art competitions are offered at ET Secondary College to extend our students academically. These competitions provide access to enrichment opportunities, particularly in the student’s area of strength and interest.

ETASC’s GAT Program does not substitute or replace the excellent classroom instruction and enrichment already provided in class. Instead, it provides options compatible with the needs, abilities, and interests of gifted learners.

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 students’ 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 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.

Year 7 Immunisations

Wednesday 15th May 2024

The Central Coast Health School Immunisation Team will be visiting ET Australia Secondary College to administer free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV) for our Year 7 students. Details will be emailed separately.

Stage 4 Spelling and DEAR

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

Year 8 will be participating in DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) twice a week. Students will read a text of their choice and we encourage students to bring in appropriate reading material to read during this time. We also have an abundance of books in the Knowledge Hub that students can borrow.

HSC Numeracy and Literacy Minimum Standard Online Test

Year 10 will be participating in their second opportunity of HSC Numeracy and Literacy Minimum Standards tests. These tests are used to show the level of numeracy and literacy achievements of students 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 standard 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 second round of testing in Week 7. 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 Curriculum Coordinator Kimberley Wheeler.

Stage 5 DEAR

Years 9 and 10 will be participating in DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) twice a week. Students will read a text of their choice and we encourage students to bring in appropriate reading material to read during this time. We also have an abundance of books in the Knowledge Hub that students can borrow.

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.

• Year 9 Student Assessment Handbook
• Year 10 Student Assessment Handbook

Stage 6 Curriculum Update

Year 11 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 received a progress report to give parents an indication of students work habits and knowledge of subject content. Year 12 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 the due date. Many tasks require students to research and write responses outside of class time. Remember to take advantage of the after-school session from 3-4pm 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.

HSC Minimum Standards-Intervention

In order to receive the HSC, all students need to receive a level 3 in the HSC Minimum Standards Test. There are three tests, reading, writing and numeracy. Last term students were given the chance to complete these tests. Any students who did not receive a level 3 will be taken from class and given access to intervention in small groups. The aim is to help these students practise and develop the skills needed to gain a level 3. Students will be given another opportunity towards the end of Term 2 to sit the HSC Minimum Standards Test again.

Year 12 Practice Trial HSC-Week 9 & 10

To help Year 12 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 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 will be sent a detailed email. Parents will be required to complete an online form to finalise the subjects their child selects to study for the HSC. Parents 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 Interviews 25th and 26th June

Parent interviews will be happening after school on the 25th and 26th 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 18th June 2024

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 11 Student Incursion 19th June Time Management Elevate Workshop

To help students to develop routines to balance study and lifestyle, a time management seminar has been organised. Students will be shown how to work smarter by completing high value work.  They will also be shown how to utilise study groups to leverage time and learn techniques for overcoming procrastination.

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 skill tips 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.

Stage 6 Assessment Handbook

ET Australia Secondary College Term Dates

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