NEWSLETTER 01

www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754

Term 1, Week 1 February 3, 2017

Y10 Parent InfoTerm 1 Fees DueParent Volunteer Workshop 7:30pmL4L Parent Info Night7:00pmSwim Carnival Y3-6Dedication NightParent Info Night F-76:30pmL4L Werribee WalkSwim Carnival Y7-10Working Bee #1Bridge Inn Swim Y3-6Year 7 Howqua CampL4L Buangor Training Camp

Whittlesea Swimming Y3-6Northcote PoolYear 8 Camp OtwaysY7 Immunization #1 L4L Flinders RangersNMR Swimming Y3-6Northcote Aquatic CentreASV Athletic Carnival Y1-3Working Bee #2Y10 CampScholarship Registration OPENY8 VolleyballY9-10 VolleyballY5 Sovereign HillY7 VolleyballPrimary Young leaders dayEnd Term 1

Term 2 CommencesF-2 Swimming

Thu 2 -Fri 3 -

Tue 7 -

Wed 8 -

Fri 10 - Fri 10 -

Mon 13 -

Thu 16 -Fri 17 -

Sun 19 - Mon 20 -

22-24 -28-3/3 -

Mon 2 -

7-10 -Thu 9 - 15-17 -

Wed 15 -

Thu 16 -Sun 19 -20-24 -

Mon 20 -Mon 20 -Mon 21 -

27-29 -Mon 27 -Mon 27 -Thu 30 -

Tue 18 -18-28 -

April

February

March

Silence Principal's EditorialWhen we look back on 2016 it was a challenging year for our planet: war in Allepo, Syria; terror attacks in Nice France; the Cairo Cathedral bombing; the Berlin Market Truck Crash; the bombing in Istanbul; an Indonesian earthquake; a Colombian plane crash; an earthquake in Italy; the Japanese disabled care home attack; the Orlando nightclub shootings; and the list could go on. When all this is happening one may be ask, “Where is God?”

Recently Hollywood created the movie entitled Silence. It is the story of two Christian missionaries who embark on a journey by boat in search of their missing mentor. It is set in 17th Century Japan - a time when Christianity was illegal and the border closed to all foreigners. Many Christians were tortured and Japan was largely ‘cleansed’ of Christianity with just a few hidden Christians remaining and these often facing the ultimate test of faith.

During some of the most intense suffering one of the lead characters, Sebastião Rodrigues, asks for Divine intervention, but at the same time questions “I pray, but I’m lost … am I just praying to silence?” In the midst of persecution there is that struggle of faith as he tries to explain God’s silence. Have you ever faced difficult times, challenging times and wondered ‘where is God?’ Have you struggled with your faith and tried to explain God’s silence?

During the darkest night in history, we see the same thing. In Matthew 26 we find the story of Jesus praying and the gospel of Mark (Chap 14:33) has the startling phrase ‘deeply distressed and troubled.’ Then in verse 38 He said to them, "My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death." Then in verse 39 Jesus falls to the ground. Luke 22:44 says that he was in agony and his sweat was like drops of blood.

Never has the need been greater. Never has the request been more urgent. And never has Heaven been more silent. The God who owns the cattle on 1000 hills (Ps 50:10) and God who can ‘tell the number of the stars;’ and call them all by name (Ps 147:4); and God who has a beloved Son in whom He is well pleased - what does he do for him?

Sweet nothing!!

It is unanswered prayer, however God’s silence doesn’t mean God’s absence. With a planet in a mess, because evil and sin had descended onto earth, God’s solution was to become one of us! He suffered the ridicule, the injustice and finally an excruciating death.

The good news is that the story doesn’t end there. God promises an earth made new a place without tears, without death (Revelation 21) and prior to all that – there is the promise that Jesus will return (John 14:1-3).

When we look forward to 2017, we have hope it can be an inspiring year because we know that suffering produces endurance; and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, Romans 5:3,4

It’s worth a thought. Mark B VodellPrincipal

www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754

First DayWelcome to our Gilson community for 2017. We hope you have had a wonderful restful holiday with your family. The smiley faces on the first day were an indication how eager students are to start a new year of growth and learning.

Students and teachers stepped into happy and exciting greetings as students anticipate good things and looking forward to a great year filled with learning adventures. We indeed wish our students an exciting and successful Academic year.

Dedication NightDedication night is an important event for the College and whilst we appreciate families are busy, we hope to see all of our College community attend. It is a privilege to begin the academic year dedicating the school year into God’s care and favour for 2017. Students will be participating in items and are required at the College at by 6:45pm in full academic uniform for a 7:00pm start.

Parent Information NightMonday 13 February. On this evening Primary F-6 and Secondary (Year 7 and any new parents) parents will be given their child’s timetable, their routines will be explained and expectations outlined. The class teachers will explain homework routines and homework will be sent home after this Information Session.

The BirdcageWelcome back one and all. Earlier in the week a few staff asked me for some details on how the senior school is progressing and so I thought I’d give just a little update on the ‘birdcage’.

At the end of last year and also over the year-end we had a significant amount of exploratory work undertaken. We are still having a steady stream of tradies who are coming in and assessing and tendering for various components of the project.

From next Thursday 8th February the team (architect, project manager, consultants, school representatives) will commence fortnightly site meetings. Works are planned to commence on site during the week of 20th February therefore this next meeting (8th Feb) will be the final design meeting before construction commences.

I know that it has been a long haul for us all, however it finally is reaching the exciting stage of noise, inconvenience and construction!

www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754

Swimming TrialsOn Wednesday our Year 3 to 10 students completed their swimming trails event at Watermark in Greensborough. They had a great day of swimming and racing.

Primary students that have been selected for the next carnival on Friday 10th February shall receive letters this coming Monday. Those secondary students who have been selected will be representing Gilson at the districts event on Friday the 17th.

Students performed very well on the day with some achieving new personal bests; there was a lot of fun all around.

If any parents would like to assist on either of these days, could they please let the office know.

Parent VolunteersTo support parent volunteers in understanding how to deliver the best for students, we ask that you attend the Parent Volunteer Workshop on Tuesday 7 February, at 7:00pm in the Acacia Room.

The policy at Gilson College is for all parent volunteers to participate in this course, before they can assist in any capacity here at school. (i.e: listening to reading in the classroom; assisting on a class excursion; assisting in the Canteen)

Please register your name at the office.

If you are unable to attend this workshop please contact Kathy Oemcke through the office.

Sport DaysPrimary

Foundation: Wednesday and Friday Years 1-6: Tuesday and Thursday

Secondary

Bring uniform to school. Year 7-10: Tuesday

Wear uniform to school. Year 7-8: Friday Year 9-10: Wednesday

Please ensure that All items of uniform are clearly labelled with your child’s name. The Uniform Shop is open every Tuesday afternoon from 2:00-4:00pm.

Library DaysPrimary library day is Friday

Secondary library during DEAR time and Thursday and Friday lunchtimes.

Parents and Friends The Parents and Friends Committee is seeking parents who would like to become involved in planning and running various events throughout the year. Please register your interest at the Office. A meeting will be called in the next few weeks.

Canteen HelpersCanteen is open each Tuesday and Thursday this year. We are seeking parents who are willing to assist in the Canteen on these days.

This is a great way to work your PEP hours, two Canteen Duties per term will complete your PEP hours for the year.

Commencing at 9:00am and running through until 1:30pm. Please see the Office to register your interest.

School FeesYour School Fee account must be finalised with the Bursar before the end of this term. Discount is no longer available on Term 1 fees. Direct payment can be made as follows: BSB: 033349 Account Number: 450224 State your ‘FAMILY CODE’ in the reference line (the five letter code stated on your Fee Statement)

www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754

What Lateness MeansFor some students lateness is about lack of organisation, for some it’s about traffic, for some a late night, but a persistent latecomer possibly doesn’t understand what lateness really means both in terms of the educational impact on the rest of the class, and professionally in their future lives.

As a College we will endeavour to reach a deeper understanding of the habits and the impact lateness forms. Encouraging students to plan for school the night before is a start. Lateness is arriving to school after 8:45am. Please remember, that gates will be closed in the Primary school at 8.45am and after this time students are required to fill in a late pass at reception. Similarly secondary students also need to pay attention to starting times as they too are required to get a pass from reception if they arrive at school after 8:45am. Our teachers start lessons promptly and endeavour to make lessons with real pace and right from the start fun and engaging. The begining of the day is unmissable! This is worth a thought.

Secondary Text Book UseAs you will be aware students pay a textbook hire fee each year in the secondary school. The texts are assessed by the class teacher at the end of the year using a letter grade where a new book is ‘A’ grade to one that is no longer repairable as an ‘E’ grade.

Each year the book is able to go down a maximum of one grade for reasonable wear without cost to the hirer.

If it goes down two grades there is a cost of 25% of the value of the book, three grades 50% and so on. Should the book be lost it will be the pro-rata value of the book remaining. This excess wear is recorded as an amount on the de-registration form at the end of the year and will be added to the fee account for payment. It should be pointed out that some students care for their book so that it may not go down at all, allowing the book to be used for an extra year. Where a CD Rom is included in a text book, this must also be returned in good order.

Learning 4 LifeYear 9 Learning4Life Information Night will be held on Wednesday 8 February at 7:00pm. All Year 9 students and parents are required to attend.

Year 9 Learning4Life Werribee Walk will be on Thursday 9 February. Leaving the College at 9:00am

Whittlesea MusicIf you would like your child to take music lessons during the day at school, please fill out the Whittlesea Music Application form available in the Office. Remember that you must re-apply each year if you wish your child to continue their music lessons.

2016 YearbookThere are still some families who have not picked up their 2016 Yearbook. Please come to the Office and sign for your copy.

Conveyance AllowanceYou are eligible for government travel assistance if you live more than 4.8 kilometres from the College. Pick up a form the office, complete it and hand it to the Bursar to process.

Please Note There are minor alteration to term dates.

Term 1 finishes on Thursday 29 June. Term 4 commences on Monday 9 October.

Camp DatesYear 5: Sovereign Hill 27-29 March Year 6: Canberra Trip 18-22 September Year 7: Camp Howqua 22-24 February Year 8: Otway Ranges 7-10 March Year 9: Year long Learning4Life Program Year 10: Various Locations 20-24 March

Happy HandsHappy Hands is operating each Tuesday morning, we are seeking parents who are willing to assist the team.

Please register your interest through the office.

ICAS Assessment TestingIf you would like your Year 3-6 child to sit the University of NSW ICAS Assessments please complete the form available in the Office before next Friday 10 February.

www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754

What are the standards?

The child safe standards require schools to consider all aspects of child safety and put measures in place to protect children from all forms of abuse, including:

• Sexual or grooming offences

• Physical violence

• Serious emotional or psychological harm

• Serious neglect.

Below are the seven child safe standards. The Minister for Education has set out in Ministerial Order No. 870 and what specific actions schools need to take to meet the child safe standards.

Standard Number

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

All.

What is required in each School?

Strategies to embed an organisational culture of child safety.

A child safety policy or statement of commitment to child safety.

A child safety code of conduct.

School staff selection, supervision and management practices for a child-safe environment.

Procedures for responding to and reporting allegations of suspected child abuse.

Strategies to identify and reduce or remove risks of child abuse.

Strategies to promote child empowerment and participation.

School governing authorities must take account of the diversity of all children, including (but not limited to) the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities and children who are vulnerable (schools only).

Safety at your child's school

Children have the right to be safe and protected, including at school. It is important that you feel confident that your child is safe and well in the care of their school. Schools are responsible for keeping children safe.

Schools have to meet legal requirements for the care, safety and welfare of students. From 1 August 2016, they also need to meet child safe standards to achieve a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse.

This information sheet provides information for parents about the child safe standards and how your school must protect children from child abuse.

What information should your school provide to you?

From 1 August 2016, schools must inform the school community about the following:

• Strategies to embed a culture of child safety at the school, and roles and responsibilities within the school for achieving these strategies

• The school’s child safety policy or statement of commitment to child safety.

You can ask to see these things. You could also ask to see the school’s:

• Code of conduct outlining clear expectations for appropriate behaviour by school staff with children (this must be publicly available)

• Strategies to promote child empowerment and participation, e.g. delivering appropriate education about standards of behaviour for students attending the school, healthy and respectful relationships (including sexuality), resilience and child abuse awareness and prevention

• Procedures for reporting suspected child abuse (this must be publicly available).

If you believe the school could take a stronger approach to child safety, whether for all children or to meet your child’s specific needs, speak to the principal or someone in a leadership role at the school.

If you wish to make a formal complaint that the school is not meeting the child safe standards, you will first need to make a complaint directly to the school. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint to the school, you can make a formal complaint.

More information about making a complaint is available at www.vrqa.vic.gov.au.

Victoria’s child safe standards

In 2013, the Victorian Parliament held an Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Non-Government Organisations, resulting in the Betrayal of Trust Report.

The report found that more could be done to strengthen existing approaches to child safety. In response, the Victorian Government is phasing in child safe standards for organisations that work with children, including schools.