GILMORE COLLEGE FOR GIRLS

NEWSLETTER Issue No. 12 Date: 16 August 2016

Address: 298 Barkly Street, Footscray 3011 Telephone (03)9689 4788 Facsimile (03)9687 3867

School Website: www.gilmorecollegeforgirls.vic.edu.au

FUTURE COLLEGE EVENTS

DATE EVENT DATE EVENT 19 August 2016 Year 10 to 11 Subject Selection 9 September 2016 Year 12 Formal 23 August 2016 VTAC Information Night 14 September 2016 Parent Teacher Interviews 1 September Whole School Assembly 16 September 2016 End of Term

MESSAGE FROM THE

ACTING PRINCIPAL

Hello All,

Ms Prange is currently on sick leave

so I will keep you updated with the

college news.

School Zone VicRoads held an event last September to announce a new

40km/h school speed zone on Geelong Road.

The new 40km/h zone is now in effect and will operate from

8-9.30am and 2.30-4pm on school days and revert to 60km/h

outside of these times. For the safety of all students please

observe the speed limits.

Marsha Thomson MP switched on the new signs last week.

International Baccalaureate Learner Profile: The focus for this newsletter is: Inquirers. Students develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the

skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show

independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and

this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

The IB MYP approach to learning is based on inquiry

questions to encourage deeper thinking around each

topic. We want to encourage students to question

information and to think about their learning and

especially, learning how to learn.

Pre-service teachers Our Victoria University pre-service teachers commenced

their final teaching round last week. We have a number of

pre-service teachers working with Gilmore College for Girls

staff members, mentoring them for their future careers in

teaching.

Footscray Learning Precinct The Department of Education is focused on the provision of

education for the Footscray area. The following schools are

involved in the discussion; Footscray City PS, Footscray City

SC and Gilmore College for Girls. College Council has

discussed what the provision of education might look like for

the students of the local are for 2020 and beyond.

University Open Days Many of the university hold their Open Days during August.

Whilst it is important for all year 12 students to attend and

learn more about prospective courses it is also a great

opportunity for all students to go along and see the tertiary

environment, collect brochures and participate in the many

activities on offer. There may be something that sparks their

interest as a future career.

An Afternoon to Remember

On Sunday 6th August, Ms Prange, Ms Mueller and I

were fortunate to attend a very special musical event

hosted by The Zonta Club of Melbourne’s West.

Entitled “Maggie’s Musical Mayhem” the program

started at 12noon and concluded at 3pm with proceeds

going towards the The Evelyn de Bonnaire Gilmore

College for Girls Scholarship.

The program featured the wonderful talents of the

Ukulele Dolls and Willin Wimmin Chior. However the

highlight came from our very own school council

president, Margaret Haggart. Margaret is a sensational

soprano who has the ability to sing just about anything

without any effort at all. Her warm and bubbly

personality engaged the audience from the start. This

was a delight and explains why she has performed more

than 500 times to great acclaim worldwide.

Parent Opinion Survey To encourage families to return the Parent Opinion Survey

your name went into a draw for movie tickets.The winner

this year is Felicity Tatnell 8B.

Paul Nucci Acting Principal

EDUCATION QUOTE: Education is the most powerful weapon

which you can use to change the world. - Nelson Mandela

JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS We are now five weeks into third term. Staff and

students have probably had enough of winter as last few

weeks have been rather cold and grey. The issue of the

weather often causes confusion regarding what is

appropriate to wear in terms of school uniform. The

college policy on uniform is quite clear. During second

and third term students must wear the winter uniform.

The guidelines for uniform are clearly set out in the

student diary. If parents have any concerns regarding

what their daughter’s should wear they should contact

the school for clarification. There is a clear expectation

that students must wear either the school blazer or the

blue and white sports jacket when travelling to and

from school.

On Monday, this week, the Year 7, 8 and 9 students

were entertained with a performance to start the

beginning of book week. Throughout the week a range

of activities will be held at lunchtime culminating in a

casual clothes day on Friday. Students are encouraged

to come to school dressed as their favourite book

character.

With parent/teacher interviews on Wednesday the 14th

of September students in the Junior School have four

weeks to make sure they are up to date with all their

work.

Ian Reilly Junior School Leader

SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS What a bumper two weeks it has been in the senior

school. Students in Year 10 and Year 11 have attended

a number of extra- curricular activities to develop their

confidence, communication and leadership skills.

Year 10 students and their families attended the

traditional Year 10 Information Night on Tuesday 2nd

August, where an introduction to the VCE was

provided along with key dates and the programs for

next year.

If parents missed this session they can contact me

through my email voidis.helen.h@edumail.vic.gov.au

for an appointment to access the missed information.

Students have also been issued with their final subject

selection sheet and this needs to be completed and

handed in to Ms Mueller by the end of next week at the

very latest to enable subjects to be finalized for Year 11

in 2017.

Six middle school students - Bethany Chand, Sukran

and Dilara Erbas, Alexis Jones, Muskaan Pathan and

Jade Tang along with myself attended the annual

Educational Breakfast for Young Women in Secondary

Schools held at the NAB Building, Docklands last

Monday 8th of August. Apart from enjoying a delicious

breakfast we listened to three amazing women who

have excelled in both their careers and personal lives.

They were: Yasmin Abdel-Magied, a not -for profit co-

founder, motor sport maniac oil rig engineer, and

activists, Dr. Jess Murphy an entrepreneur and thought

leader and Tanya Ha an award winning Australian

environmentalist. It was very worthwhile and mentors

were provided on each table to also speak to the girls

about their career paths and future aspirations.

A group of Year 10 students also attended the Annual

All Girls’ State School Conference held last Friday 12th

August. It had the theme of ‘Like a Girl’ exploring a

range of gender issues. The guest speaker was the

newly appointed Equal Opportunity Commission

Kristen Hilton who spoke very eloquently about her life

as a lawyer and determination to reduce gender

inequalities. We congratulate Helen Nguyen, Victoria

Puyat and Alice Nhan of Year 10 who were on the

planning committee for their efforts and contribution to

a highly successful day.

Ten Year 11 students attended the first of three Focus

Girls in Leadership sessions exploring the theme of

what makes a good leader and looking at female role

models. The next session is this Thursday 19th August.

Year 12 students have begun their preparations in

earnest for next year lodging their VTAC applications

during MIPS classes and completing all necessary

documentation for their SEAS and Scholarship

applications. There will also be lunchtime sessions to

help our students with all the different online forms.

Parents and guardians are invited to a VTAC

information evening on Tuesday 26th August at

6.00p.m. sharp and letters have been sent home with the

students.

We congratulate

Julianna Guerrero

Avellaneda of Year

12 who was invited

to attend the Zonta

International

District 23 dinner

last Tuesday 9th

August held at the

Williamstown RSL.

Both Ms. Mueller

and I attended the

dinner to hear

Julianna speak

about her life in

Columbia and then

for the last two

years in Australia. She spoke exceptionally well as this

year’s recipient of the Evelyn De Bonnaire Scholarship.

Finally the usual reminders that students need to be in

the correct school winter uniform and on time each day

to school to avoid detentions. It is imperative that we

have the most up to date personal information of our

students and their parents,’ especially mobile phones

and email addresses to keep in regular contact through

Compass. Finally if senior school parents have any

queries or concerns please contact me through my email

or by phone on the College phone number 9689 4788.

Helen Voidis Senior School Leader

HEALTH CHAT Throughout the year all students have been introduced

to mindfulness. Incorporating mindfulness in to our

everyday lives will have a positive effect on our

mindset and we will see an improvement in our coping

strategies. The important thing is to practice!

Mindfulness is about training yourself to pay attention

in a specific way. When a person is mindful, they are:

› Focused on the present moment

› Not worrying about anything that went on in the past

or that might be coming up in future

› Purposefully concentrating on what’s happening

around them and to them

We spend so much time thinking over stuff that

happens, or worrying about things that may be

happening in future, that often we actually forget to

appreciate or enjoy the moment. Mindfulness is a way

of bringing us back to experience life as it happens.

When you’re mindful, it:

› Gives you a clear head

› Slows down your thoughts

› Lets you relax

› Helps you cope with stress

› Helps you be more aware of yourself, your body and

the environment

People who are mindful:

› Have decreased anxiety and depression

› Are less angry or moody

› Have a better memory

› Are able to learn more easily

› Are able to solve problems easily

› Are happier and more emotionally stable

› Have better immunity

› Sleep better and are better able to cope with pain

› Have a better sense of who they are

And that’s just to name a few!

Try and take 5 minutes out of your day to sit, and focus

on the present moment. You can focus on your

breathing, the feeling from your head to your toes, or

you can do some colouring in. Whatever you choose, be

present, and take in the experience. Thoughts will come

in to your head, but just acknowledge them and let them

go.

As most of us know, it’s not too easy, but if we start off

small and practice, I promise, you will be rewarded.

Mindfulness has so many positive outcomes, it’s worth

giving it a go.

For references, resources and more information visit

ReachOut.com beyondblue.com.au and

SmilingMind.com.au (They have a great free app to

help get your mindfulness practice started).

Ms Scales Health Promotion Nurse

Welcome Morning Tea for our new students.

Our new students are always welcomed with a morning

tea so that they get to know some key staff contacts and

to see other students who are new and may be feeling

the same way. It was lovely to see our current students

attend to make sure the girls feel

welcome.

___________________________________________

Science Week

The Gene Technology Access Centre

(GTAC) hosts a free event for National

Science Week for ages 10 -13 year and their families…

Magnificent Microscopy: Life Under a Lens

Investigate with scientists by zooming in on their scientific specimens using research grade microscopes, and discover how their research is being used to overcome global problems.

· Use microscopes. Use light microscopes, powerful electron microscopes, and advanced fluorescent microscopes to discover how technology is used in cutting edge research.

· Activities: Guided by scientist mentors, carry out exciting activities to investigate how cells become the building blocks of living things. And observe how strange aquatic life forms create ecosystems.

· Become a scientist: Discover what hidden beauty lies in your own backyard. Use GTAC microscopes to analyse specimens you bring in from home.

Where:Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC)

77 Story Street, Parkville, Melbourne.

When: Sunday 21st August 2016

This is a free public event, registration is essential. Book Now to guarantee your place!

To register or for more information please go to http://www.gtac.edu.au/?p=9949 or visit http://www.scienceweek.net.au/

Register for one session: Session A:

9.30am—11.00am or Session B:

12.00pm—1.30pm

___________________________________

Breakfast Club for 2016

Breakfast Club is off and

running at the new time of

8:15am Tuesday mornings!

Last week the courtyard was a

happy meeting place as girls

enjoyed wraps, fruit and

cereal in the morning. We hope to have a new group of

students step up, to cook and serve Breakfast each

week. So don’t forget to come and eat together on

Tuesdays. If you could help on the team … please

speak to me.

Ms DeBarros

________________________________________________

For Sale

1 x ‘as new’ school blazer and spray jacket for $110 –

Size 8.

Phone the office for more information: 9689 4788

_

________________________________________

Homework Club

We have homework Club in the

library each Tuesday, Wednesday

and Thursday after school. There

is a Homework Club coordinator

and tutors available to support

your daughters with their

homework.

On Tuesday and Thursday Homework Club

operates until 6.00 and on Wednesdays it is 5.00.

Students sign in and sign out of Homework Club and

they must be there to study.

GILMORE COLLEGE FOR GIRLS

NEWSLETTER Issue No. 12 Date: 23 August 2011

Address: 298 Barkly Street, Footscray 3011 Telephone (03)9689 4788 Facsimile (03)9687 3867

School Website: www.gilmoregirls.vic.edu.au

FUTURE COLLEGE EVENTS

DATE EVENT DATE EVENT Wednesday Year 11 2012 parent meeting. Friday 26 August Book Week Performance Years 7 & 8

Thursday 18 August VCAL Information Evening Friday 2 September Official Opening of Science Centre Friday 23 September End of Term 3