From the Principal's Desk - Swinburne Senior Secondary College
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Swinburne News Issue 1: 22 February 2019
505 Burwood Road, Hawthorn 3122
Phone: 8862 4400 Fax: 9819 6186
swinburne.senior.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au
www.sssc.vic.edu.au
From the Principal’s Desk
The beginning of the school year began very
well with an assembly where we welcomed
440 students to the college. I would like to
extend a special welcome to the 270 new
families who are joining the Swinburne
Senior community.
A range of emotions were evident with the most obvious
being the raw and palpable joy of people as they embarked
on a new phase of their senior education. From all reports
the three day Orientation Program met everyone’s
expectations with students and teachers getting to know
one another. There’s no doubt that one of the highlights
Above: Students enjoying one of their first classes of the
was the traditional first day BBQ on the school lawns. It
year
was heartening to observe new friendships being formed
in this wonderful social setting.
This package is used in the majority of government
secondary colleges so I know that many parents and
This year’s guest speaker was Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg
students will be familiar with it.
whose address provided students with tips to survive their
final year of schooling. Although the temperature in the
There are different levels of access to Compass. Teachers,
Auditorium was around 35 degrees, students were
students and parents each have their own username and
completely engaged and captivated with his message.
password to login to the system. All parents were sent
Hopefully they will use many of his tips throughout the
login information in the first week of the school year and I
year.
would hope that most have already logged on. If not, I
encourage those parents that haven’t had the chance to
do so to find time in the coming days.
I would expect that parents would check Compass a few
times each week to keep up to date with what is happening
with their son or daughter. Using our parent portal you will
be able to:
• View up-to-date class and school attendance
information
• Approve or enter upcoming or past absences for your
son/daughter
• Download, print and approve upcoming excursions
• Access information regarding upcoming events and
news
Above: First assembly for the year • Access your child's progress reports
• Book your Parent/Student/Teacher conferences
With so many new families joining us from such a variety
of schools it is extremely important that our community A majority of parents took the opportunity to meet their
understands how we communicate important child’s Mentor through our Meet the Mentor event on
information. A great deal of this information is provided to Wednesday 13 February. It was pleasing to see so many
parents, students and teachers through the electronic parents showing a real interest in their child’s education
communication package called Compass School Manager. and learning about the way in which we approach these
important final years of schooling.
I would like to welcome our new staff to the school. Nick English Jordan Stewart
Tsipouras (Chemistry/Maths), Lachlan Burgin English Language Sophie-Joy King-
(English/Literature), Julian Lowndes (Philosophy) and Kitty O’Connell
McDonald (Student Support) have already had an impact Food Studies Hannah Fredericks
in their first few weeks and have well and truly embraced French Elizabeth Kormany
our wonderful culture. Further Mathematics Robert Brookes
Global Politics Jordan Stewart
School Council Health & Human Development Jessica Nguyen
It’s that time of year again where I am looking for some History Revolutions Jordan Stewart
parents to join me on school council. This year we have Legal Studies Jordan Stewart
vacancies for three parent representatives. Literature Daniel Bolitho
Mathematical Methods Jessica Nguyen
These three vacancies have a term of office from March Ben Strahan
2019 to March 2021 (2 years). Ash Wollaston
Media Mia Schutz-Beaton
Nominations for the three parent vacancies on School Music Investigation Grace Wheildon
Council will open on Tuesday 26 February and close on Music Performance Willow Metcalf
Tuesday 5 March at 4:00pm. Music Style and Composition Sam Boyd
Philosophy Jordan Stewart
If you are interested in standing for school council and Physics Isabel Stanley
would like to receive a nomination form or would like to Product Design and Technology Mikhala Grubb
know more about the role, responsibilities and meeting Renata Zanini-Sassani
times please contact me on 88624400 or email Aiya Shields
obrien.michael.b@edumail.vic.gov.au Corey Delahunt
Psychology Ben Strahan
VCE Results 2018 Sociology Luke McCracken
Last year’s VCE results were in line with previous years with Studio Arts Mikhala Grubb
97% of eligible students receiving their certificate. Naomi Mentiplay
Annika Cardak
Parents, students, teachers and friends celebrated our Theatre Studies Mia Pisano
students richly deserved results at our Valedictory at the VET Music Industry (Perf.) Mia Pisano
Hawthorn Arts Centre on Wednesday 19 December. Visual Communication Design Jay Tomlinson
Valedictorian Jordan Stewart
Senior VCAL
Literacy Alex Smith
Personal Development Tina Avgerinos
Work Related Skills James Panas
Dux Georgie Olczak-Messig
Last year, 156 of 212 (73.6%) students made an application
for tertiary studies through VTAC. Of these 128 received a
tertiary offer. This was result was a little higher than with
2017, 157 of 222 (70.7%)
The tertiary destinations of our graduates are:
Institution % Offers
ACU 2% 3
The award recipients for 2018 are: ACAP 1% 1
VCE 5%
Box Hill 7
Ancient History Daniel Bolitho
Collarts 2% 3
Art Grace Emery
Biology Isabel Carol Stanley Deakin College 1% 1
Business Management Robert Brookes Deakin University 4% 5
Chemistry Jessica Nguyen Elly Lukas Beauty Therapy 1% 1
Drama Mia Schutz-Beaton Federation 2% 2
Holmesglen 1% 1 Throughout the year please make sure to visit our website
JMC 1% 1 as it contains all important dates including examinations,
1% assessment weeks and parent-teacher evenings. There’s
La Trobe College 1
so much more on the site, so take the time to explore and
La Trobe University 9% 11
familiarize yourself with the information that is provided.
Melbourne Polytechnic 2% 2 Students are encouraged to make good use of the
Monash College 1% 1 materials provided in the Student Resources page.
Monash University 12% 15
PSC 1% 1 I wish all our students success for 2019.
RMIT 20% 26
1% Robert Lewkowicz
SAE 1
Assistant Principal
Swinburne University 16% 21
University of Melbourne 10% 13 Tips to Reducing Stress in Year 11 and 12
Victoria University 8% 10 The last two years of your schooling can be an enjoyable
William Angliss 1% 1 time, but also a very stressful time. It is extremely
TOTAL 100% 128 important that students try to create a balance between
their school and personal lives. While we believe that each
VCE Season of Excellence-Top Class student must consistently work to improve their skills in
Top Class is part of the VCE Season of Excellence managed their studies, their physical and mental health are just as
by Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. The important. The following are some tips to reduce stress
VCE Season of Excellence comprises twelve concerts (Top throughout 2019.
Class and Top Acts), two exhibitions, (Top Arts and Top
Designs) and eighteen screenings of short films (Top I encourage all parents/guardians to attend the Parent
Screen). All work is produced by outstanding VCE students Seminar scheduled at the College on Tuesday 5 March at
who completed technology, design, visual or performing 6:30pm, where you will be able discuss more strategies for
arts studies in 2018. Events are presented in Melbourne’s student success.
major cultural venues, and a number of associated
education programs are offered in conjunction with Managing your stress levels:
Season events. 1. Take advantage of the opportunities provided during
your school days (study periods and Wednesdays) to
I am delighted to inform you that Mia Pisano will perform complete work and chip away at your studies.
their work from 2018 in this year’s Top Class Theatre 2. Try to get ahead with your studies by looking at the
Studies program as part of the VCE Season of Excellence course outline of what is coming up next.
2019.
3. Complete tasks given to you by your teachers at the
soonest possible time after that particular class.
Congratulations are extended to Mia on this outstanding
achievement. 4. Put in time to look up past examinations for your
subjects and test yourself on one question a week.
Top Class Theatre Studies has been extremely popular 5. Take regular breaks when you study (approximately
this year with some concerts close to selling out. Be sure every hour).
to book as soon as possible: 6. Do things that you enjoy and set aside time for
https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats- yourself each week.
on/2019/theatre/top-class. 7. Go for a walk and/or do some regular exercise (put
this into your weekly timetable).
Michael O’Brien 8. Get plenty of sleep each night (aim for 8-9 hours per
Principal evening).
9. Adopt a well-balanced diet.
Assistant Principal’s News 10. Talk to people about any concerns or worries you
Welcome back to the 2019 school year - it has been a good have.
start to the year and students have settled into the college 11. Set clear goals for yourself each week and reflect on
routine well. how you went about achieving them at the end of
each week.
During the first week, Year 11 and 12 students participated 12. Think positively and view set-backs as opportunities
in our Orientation Program. These sessions focused on
to learn and improve.
exploring learning styles, study and revision habits and
evaluating their learning environment at home.
13. Accept the fact that you will have to do some things things ever. We were cheered on by friends, family and
that you won’t necessarily “enjoy”. even some familiar faces from Swinny! There was no fear
14. Be flexible and adapt to sudden changes in your of judgement from the outside world as this was our day
routine. to celebrate love and diversity, as we do everyday at
Swinny.
15. Make sure you take time to laugh.
Although the weather was hot, we persevered all the way
Joel Guye
to the end were the celebrations were only just beginning.
School Improvement Manager
There was a beautiful Welcome to Country spoken, as well
as a traditional dance. Dancing, swimming and (a lot of)
From the Year 12 Managers’ Office eating was happening and it was hard not to join in on the
We are now completing four weeks of Term 1 and many fun. Overall, it was a truly magical and colourful day for
students will be starting to have their first SACs in the everyone to not be afraid of the way they are or the people
coming weeks. The first interim report will also be they love.
published in 10 days time which will be followed by Parent
Teacher interviews in March. Swinburne’s participation in this event couldn’t have
happened if it were not for the support of the Swinburne
I am sure that all students are now well settled in their Year community, the hard work of the students and the
12 subjects and programmes and have started completing amazing organisation from the teachers, especially those
coursework on a daily basis. Some students have who attended; Meiki, Sam, Elizabeth, Ed and Kass.
timetabled study periods in Period 3/4 across the week in
the Library and I strongly suggest that students use that Archie McDonald
time productively to complete coursework/folio work and Year 12
prepare for the upcoming SACs. The attendance in the
study periods will be monitored by Mentors and feature in
Anxiety
the Mentor reports at the end of the Semester.
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in
Australia.
If you need help, come and see us and we will link you up
with Study Support in the Library for planning and
On average, 1 in 4 people will experience anxiety.
organisation tips.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2008). National Survey of
Big Tip: Success in Year 12 is about consistently chipping
Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 2007.
away on coursework and revision- you cannot "pull the
rabbit out of the hat" in the last minute! One in fourteen young Australians (6.9%) aged 4-17
experienced an anxiety disorder in 2015. This is
Year 12 Management Team (Gita, Marcus, Nick) equivalent to approximately 278,000 young people.
www.youthbeyondblue.com
Pride March 2019
Swinburne Senior Secondary College arrived at Pride 2019 Anxiety is a feeling that we all experience from time to
in our rainbow flags, colourful clothes and positive time. The “fight or flight” response is our body’s way of
attitude. We got face painted with our respective flags and preparing us to manage difficult situations and can often
met up with friends before the march. There were many help us perform better by making us feel alert and
drag queens and kings, dressed-up groups and schools who motivated. For most people anxious feelings come and go,
we marched along with. but for some they can be persistent and affect our day to
day lives.
When this happens, it important to get some help to
manage the feelings.
Common signs and symptoms of anxiety.
Physical changes:
A racing heart.
Faster breathing.
Feeling tense or having aches (especially neck,
shoulders and back)
Sweating or feeling dizzy.
We all collectively agreed that walking down Fitzroy Street Shaking.
in our pride colours was one of the most fun and liberating Butterflies’ or feeling sick in the stomach
Thought changes: how to manage the thoughts differently and learn new
Worrying about things a lot of the time. ways to cope.
Being unable to control the worries.
Having trouble Be aware of avoidance
concentrating and Avoiding things that make you feel anxious will not be
paying attention. beneficial in the long term. Learning skills to cope with the
Worries that anxious feelings, promote positive self-talk and enhance
seem bigger than relaxation, will help to gradually face the fearful things. In
they actually are. a supportive environment managing anxious situations
helps confidence and motivates you to keep practicing the
Behaviour skills to manage the anxiety.
changes:
Being unable to relax. Try breathing strategies
Avoiding people or places that may cause anxious Many symptoms of anxiety involve a cycle of stimulation.
feelings. The body cannot be in a state of arousal & relaxation at the
Withdrawing from friends and family. same time. Working on controlling your breathing is a good
Feeling annoyed, irritated, angry and, or restless. way to try to interrupt that cycle & move your body & mind
Changes in sleep quality & patterns. Difficulty getting into relaxation mode.
to sleep or waking up a lot throughout during the
night.
If you are feeling that anxiety is a problem for you, or
could be in the future then NOW is the time to act!
If you would like some help or reassurance then please
talk to anyone in Wellbeing or your Mentor.
Here are some free apps that are useful in managing
anxious thoughts, feelings & behaviours:
MindShift
This app can help you learn how to relax, develop more
useful ways of thinking, and identify active steps that will
help you take charge of your anxiety. It includes strategies
to deal with everyday anxiety, as well as specific tools to
tackle:
Sleep disturbances
Dealing with Intense Emotions
Managing Anxiety Exam Anxiety
Perfectionism behaviors
Care for yourself Social Anxiety
Dealing with anxiety begins with looking after yourself – Performance Anxiety
“self-care”. Worry
Panic
Make small changes to eat well, get enough regular sleep, Conflict
go walking & keep physically active to help your overall
mental health and wellbeing. Limit the use of alcohol &
other drugs as they will not be helpful long term.
Talk about it
It’s a good idea to talk about how you’re feeling – whether
it’s with your family, friends, a teacher or a professional.
They can help you stick to your self-care goals, understand Breathe
what’s going on and get extra help if needed. This helps reduce the physical symptoms of stress and
anxiety by slowing down your breathing and your heart
Notice your thinking patterns rate. Consciously slowing your heart rate can increase
What thoughts are influencing your anxious feelings? feelings of calmness in your body. Breathe teaches how to
Being aware of these can help you understand what control your breath to actively address the onset of
contributes to & triggers your anxiety. Then you can learn physical stress symptoms such as shortness of breath,
increased heart rate and a tightening of the chest.
Worry Time
WorryTime interrupts the repetitive thinking by setting
aside worries until designated later time. This encourages
people to get on with their day and deal with worries once
a day, rather than carrying them around 24/7.
Key features help:
1. Decide on a time, place and length of time to deal with
worries each day.
2. When you notice yourself worrying, add it to
WorryTime and get on with your day.
3. Use WorryTime to review the worries you've added
and ditch the ones that no longer matter.
Fiona Keech
Adolescent Health Nurse
Secondary School Nursing Program
Department of Education and Training
Change of Personal Details
We are currently working through the process of updating
our database with personal details. If you have changed
any information please forward the changes to our
General Office staff, Florence, Gail or Judy.
Students have also been teaching each other and
Gail, Florence and Judy presenting modules of work and trying their hand at being
General Office an exam assessor through worked examples in the Year 12
Business Management class as “teaching is the best form
Experiential Learning of learning” they say.
Business Management classes at both year levels have
begun with experiential learning through excursions and Gita Menon
incursions. Business Management Teacher
Visits to Thank You Group, visit by StartSmart trainers to Student Wellbeing Workshops
workshop enterprise skills and upcoming sessions with March is all about M ….
entrepreneurs Sheryl Thai of Cupcake Central and Amanda Maintain focus, Maximise potential, Manage time &
Walker of Lord of the Fries will bring business into the Motivate yourself.
classroom.
Now school is back if you want some help to either stay on
track, get back on top of things or a total goal setting
reboot then this is for you! Kate Wilde from The Workshop
will be running 3 workshops with different strategies to
help you keep on top of things & get the best out of school.
All sessions will before lunch from 12.10pm – 1.10pm.
You are welcome to book into one, two or all three -
Whatever you need.
Students who attend will receive an “approved absence”
There will be several performance nights across the year in
all subjects, but the most important dates to get into your
Workshop 1 – Thursday March 7th calendar right now are for the school play!
STUDY STRATEGIES & MANAGING AVOIDANCE
If you’re leaving things until the last minute this might be Mark Bailey will be working with the Theatre Studies
a good opportunity to think about one or two changes you students on 'Away' by Michael Gow, and it will run from
can make to get things done earlier so you can actually the 22 - 25 May at 7:30pm. Tickets will be released at the
relax later, as well as learn some study habits that might beginning of Term 2, so keep an eye out!
suit your style or learning.
Nick Taylor
Workshop 2 – Thursday March 14th Professional Improvement Team Leader-Performing Arts
STRESS MANAGEMENT & ALOCHOL & OTHER DRUGS
Lots of people will tell you Year 11 and 12 are the hardest Morning Song
ever, no wonder you might be feeling stressed! You also
want to have fun and enjoy being young right? This Rolling over to awful sound
workshop suggests a range of practical ways to avoid stress Feelings unlawful and profound
and also manage any drug/alcohol use so it doesn’t lead to The table holds last night’s dinner,
more stress! A mouldy midnight snack.
Workshop 3 – Thursday March 21st
LIFE BALANCE & EMOTIONAL REGULATION / ANGER Light leaps through the window
MANAGEMENT The dawn whip cracks
It’s easy to lose balance when trying to keep on top of Through thick curtains onto the floor.
study and this can lead to feelings of frustration and even There’s no time left to dream tonight
anger. Sometimes we take our stress out on the people
who care for us most, or just struggle to deal with other
Maybe there’s a little more.
people in times of pressure. This workshop will look at
strategies to stay balanced, as well as ways to cope that
don’t involve include taking it out on little brothers or Morning Song
family pets ….
Climbing through the window
ALL WORKSHOPS WILL BE ON THURSDAYS before lunch - And cuts acting like shadows
12:10pm – 1:10pm Beer bottles on the floor
Places are limited so register NOW !
Spray paint on the toilet walls
And just as I do all day
His voice is a morning song
I keep needing to reply.
Lightning and blonde hair
I looked down and he was there
The sky was alight
Fiona Keech
But nowhere near as bright as his eyes
Adolescent Health Nurse
And it was him and always him
Secondary School Nursing Program
Department of Education and Training From the first night
A morning song lasting till the endgame
Performing Arts
2019 has started well with high enrolments across all The last fight
classes and students starting in-class performances and The morning song I hear
auditions across Music, Drama, and Theatre Studies. We're
And beg he was in my sight
excited to have enough numbers in Music Style and
Composition to form two classes this year, as well our
highest numbers yet enrolled across the Instrumental Morning Song
Music and Ensemble programs.
As it warbles I wake,
As sleep dies I dread For those that can’t attend the Opening event, the
The day ahead. exhibition will run between:
That morning song Wednesday 13 March to Sunday 7 April
Fills me with hatred
For everything. Town Hall Gallery - Opening Hours:
Tues → Fri, 10am – 5pm
It keeps on ignoring my pain, Sat & Sun 11am – 4pm.
As it cons from me
The gallery is closed Mondays and public holidays.
My waking dream.
https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/events/individu
alism
Year 12 Literature Students
The Arts Report Stephanie Cross
We are very excited to finally announce our upcoming Arts Teacher & Learning Specialist
Arts Exhibition titled “Individualism”, to be exhibited On behalf of the Arts & Design Team
at the Hawthorn Arts Centre, on the corner of
Glenferrie and Burwood roads. This exhibition was
accepted through an application process for
community exhibition proposals completed in 2018,
and was for the purpose of showcasing a range of
artworks produced during VCE Art and VCE Studio
Arts studies. Students involved from the alumni of
2018, include those who have chosen a pathway in
2019 of tertiary study in both visual and fine arts, and
those selected for exhibition by the curatorial team at
the gallery. It is an important occasion, which for most
will mark the first public exhibition that their artwork
has been showcased within, kick starting their artistic
careers.
This select group exhibition celebrates the creativity
of Swinburne Senior Secondary College’s Year 12
students of 2018. Across a huge range of mediums
including photography, painting, drawing, mixed
media, sculpture and textiles, these artworks
showcase the young artists’ reflection and realisation
across a range of topics and themes. From feminism
to humanity, unconscious and conscious experiences
and childhood memories, Individualism takes the
viewer on a journey through emerging art practice
and the culmination of a year of artistic development
and creation.
We hope that you can please join us for the official
exhibition launch:
Saturday 16 March, 2:00 to 4:00pm
We request that you please RSVP your attendance
and book online at:
www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/arts
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