Term 3 Newsletter, 2024

Excursions and Events

There are a number of School Events planned for Term 3. Parents/Carers will be emailed details of each event. Where permission is required, we ask that you provide permission through the Compass Portal as instructed. This will ensure that your response goes directly to the staff member responsible for that event. Students without parent/carer consent 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 that bookings are open.

Key Dates for Term 3 2024

The first day of Term for all students is Tuesday 23rd July 2024.
The last day of Term for all students is Thursday 26th September 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 to 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 the 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 is 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 to 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 that needs 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 to 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 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 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 to 12 College Handbook.

Years 7-10 Parent/Carer, Student & Teacher Interviews

When: Tuesday, 30th July & Thursday, 1st August 2024
Where: Years 7-10 campus

Parent/Carer, Student, and Teacher interviews for Years 7 to 10 will be held at the beginning of Term 3 on Tuesday, 30th July and Thursday, 1st August.

Interviews will be held onsite, providing many parents/carers the opportunity to visit their child’s classroom.

Parents/Carers have already been sent an email advising them of the session times and how to access the booking page on the Compass Portal.

If you miss out on booking one of the scheduled sessions or would prefer a phone or Zoom interview, you can request an interview with your child’s teachers at a mutually convenient time by emailing or phoning the college.

Please contact the school office on 4323 1233 if you require assistance with booking an interview.

Year 7 – 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.

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 consolidation of classwork and after school English tutoring.

Positive Behaviour Management and Rewards

ETASC’s Positive Student Behaviour Reward system includes short-term, medium-term, and long-term rewards. Reward days which occur once each 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 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
• Clip & Climb
• 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 9 Rock & Water Program (PDHPE)

During Term 3, Year 9 students will have the opportunity to learn the principles of Rock and Water through physical exercises and games, many of which have origins in martial arts. The training will be delivered by professional martial artists from Black Belt Martial Arts. Students will participate in 5 sessions across the term.

Students will learn to work with the different Rock & Water principles developing self-confidence and communication skills.

They learn to find balance between empathy and living together with loved ones without losing their own individuality and personal path in life.

This training supports participants on their journey to becoming powerful individuals. Working with these themes teaches them to connect with their body, inner feelings, and strength, and from there, connect with the environment.

The Rock aspect supports young people in believing in their own strength and increasing their self-confidence. The Water aspect provides the tools to translate this newfound strength into communication with others.

HSC Numeracy and Literacy Minimum Standards tests

Year 10 students will be participating in their third round of HSC Numeracy and Literacy Minimum Standards tests. These tests assess the 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 achieve 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 provided multiple opportunities throughout the year to reach a level 3. ETASC students will participate in the third round of testing in Week 10 of Term 3.

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.

VALID testing

Year 10 students will be participating in the Science VALID testing in Term 3. The Validation of Assessment for Learning and Individual Development (VALID) program provides online end-of-stage assessments for the science key learning area. These assessments can be used as a diagnostic tool to assist in improving student outcomes in science and as a tool for program evaluation. The test is linked to the science syllabuses and assesses what students know and can do in science. It also provides useful information about student attitudes towards science. A letter will be sent home with the dates for these online tests. Any questions please contact Kimberley Wheeler 7 -10 Curriculum Coordinator.

Stage 5 DEAR

Years 9 and 10 are still participating 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.

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 Assessment Handbook
• Year 10 Assessment Handbook

Stage 6 Curriculum Update

Term 3 is going to be a busy and very important term for all our students.

Year 12 HSC Elevate Revision Workshops

A variety of revision workshops are planned for

• English 05.08.24
• Business Studies 04.09.24
• PDHPE 05.09.24
• Biology 11.09.24
• Maths Standard 2 12.09.24

These workshops are run by Elevate and are personalised to the subject specific needs of our students. Students will receive a course guide summarising the entire course.

Year 12 Henry Kendall High School Exam Centre Catch up Visit 30th July

Year 12 students will be completing their HSC and Trial HSC examinations at Henry Kendall High School. This excursion is an opportunity for any Year 12 students who missed the excursion last term 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.

HSC Minimum Standards

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 given another opportunity towards the end of Term 3 to sit the HSC Minimum Standards Test. These students are also provided with additional support and intervention to help increase their literacy and numeracy skills.

Reports 

Student reports will be emailed out through our school administration platform Compass. Students will receive comments on their achievements and how to improve their academic progress. Year 11 and 12 students will receive their yearly reports at the end of Term 3.

Year 12 Mentorship Program

Each Year 12 student has been assigned a staff member to be their mentor. 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. These meetings will be crucial in the last term of their schooling.

Year 11 Pathway Plans

Year 11 student Pathway Plans will continue throughout Term 3. These meetings focus on identifying any support the school can provide to help students transition into Year 12 and achieve their study and employment goals.

Year 11 parent/carer meetings with the Student Learning Support Coordinator and Principal will be on a targeted, individual basis. Parents/carers who feel this meeting would be beneficial are encouraged to email Elissa at Elissa.Cosentino@etaustralia.com to discuss booking a meeting.

Stage 6 Student Assessment Handbook

The Stage 6 Student Assessment Handbook is an important document for Stage 6 students to read and 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

If you have any questions regarding the above content, please contact me.
Christina Clark
Stage 6 Curriculum Coordinator

ET Australia Secondary College Term Dates

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