After a difficult start to the term, it is great to see the College coming back to life. In what has been a time of uncertainty and change, our staff and students have adapted very well to the new norm. With further restrictions being lifted this term, many of our events and extra-curricular activities have been able to resume, bringing positivity to the air.

This term, the College Leadership Team have been strongly focused on the strategic planning and the vision for Belridge SC moving forward. The development of a new Business Plan 2020-2022 sets the scene for the future of the college, with 4 key focus areas:

1. Successful Students
2. Excellence in Teaching and Learning
3. Building Capacity, Wellbeing and Leadership; and
4. Community Engagement and Partnerships.

The college is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment that challenges students to achieve personal excellence and encourages them to become active citizens in the community.  Our new Business Plan and 2019 Annual Report are both available to view on our website.

An indicator of change that shows our intentions for success, include the establishment of two new Academic Enrichment Programs – STEM Program and Humanities Program. These programs are designed to develop the knowledge, skills and core competences that will provide our students with the best possible foundations to access the careers of the future. Expression of interest for Year 7 students commencing in 2021 close at the end of Term 2, Friday 3 July. Please see our school website for further details.

In addition, the College welcomes Michelle Austin – Science and Maths Engagement Coordinator from ECU to the College Board. Michelle will bring a wealth of experience and provide many connections to the college in the areas of Science and Maths providing further opportunities for our students.  Find out more about your Board and its members here.

I would also like to extend my thanks to Robert Pierce, Jan Norberger and Andrew Doran for their service on the school board over the past few years, who have recently tendered their resignation due to personal commitments. Their contributions, time and knowledge brought to the school and Board have been greatly appreciated.

In recent weeks our students have been involved in a number of activities supporting both each other and our younger year groups. One of which was our Inclusive Education Morning Tea. This event provided the opportunity to bring together our students with diverse learning needs and celebrate their successes. A selection of our Year 10 students also took part in the Peer Support Program. Within this program, our Year 10 students ran a number of activities and sessions with our Year 7 cohort to support their transition into the college. The involvement in this program also developed the interpersonal skills and leadership skills of our Year 10 students, really putting some of them to the test!

The next few weeks are going to be busy ones, with a number of events coming up. This includes our subject selection process across year groups 9 to 12 (2021), and for the first time, our new Year 9 selection process. In addition, there is also Semester 1 reporting across all year groups and early next term a Parent Teacher Interview evening on Thursday 23 July.  Please note due to COVID guidelines we request that only one parent to attend this event. 

Cricket trials are also being held this Thursday 25 June. With a number of events coming up, please see our events for quick links to online bookings and the school calendar to start organising your time to meet any of the deadlines that may apply to your child.

Just a reminder, Monday 3 August is our scheduled open board meeting. This meeting is open to all of our parent, staff and community members. If you would like to attend this meeting to find out about the future plans of the college or have any questions you would like answering, please RSVP to Nicola Harris on 9408 8002 or by email nicola.harris@education.wa.edu.au  Alternatively you can register your attendance via our booking link HERE.   Tea/coffee and light bites will be available prior to the start of the meeting. (See article further on in newsletter).

With my position here at the College confirmed to the end of the year, I thank you all for your ongoing support and look forward to an exciting Term 3.

Sharon Lyon
Principal

Listen to the latest report from our School Board Chair, Scott Amy.  

Coming soon ...

Course Selection Process - Key Dates

Course Counselling

School Calendar - Quick Tip! 

The school calendar can be found via our website under NEWS & EVENTS and has a handy feature to enable you to filter events by year group or school events.  Just tick the appropriate box.  For example 'Year 7' and events that only relate to Year 7 and so on ... 

Save this link to your favourites!  
https://belridgesc.schoolzineplus.com/calendar

Semester 2 Classes and Timetables

All students will be given their Semester 2 timetables at a special Form Class at the start of the day on Monday 20 July. Timetables for all Year 7, 8 and 9 students will change based on the rotation of elective classes.  There may also be some adjustments to MESH classes (Mathematics, English, Science and Humanities) for students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 based on their Semester 1 academic performance. Parents will be notified of these changes by the respective Head of Learning Area before the end of Semester 1.

Year 11 and 12 timetables will also reflect course changes which have been made in consultation with Mr Strickland.

Middle School Semester 1 Reports

Year 7, 8 and 9 reports will be emailed to parents/caregivers on Monday 29 June and Year 10 reports will be emailed on Thursday 2 July. The Parent/Teacher evening is scheduled for Thursday 23 July from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. Teachers may have requested parent interviews in some cases.  Instructions, together with event code, on how to make your bookings will be emailed before the end of this term. 

I also encourage parents and students to analyse the reports together and assess their performance. This is a great opportunity to set firm and realistic goals of achievement or improvement for Semester 2. In many cases student performance is directly related to student attendance. An attendance rate below 90% places student performance in jeopardy. Students should only be absent from school if they are sick or have medical appointments. Far too often, students are absent from school for invalid reasons. I ask parents to support the school and their child in ensuring 90% attendance as a minimum is achieved.

Enrolments 2021

Belridge SC is currently taking Year 7 enrolments for 2021. Enrolment packages have been distributed to our partner primary schools. Enrolment packages are also available from reception. We require enrolment applications returned as soon as possible to allow sufficient planning time for 2021. Returned enrolment applications should also contain all necessary documentation. This includes a copy of the full birth certificate, two proofs of address (current rates notice or current lease agreement and a utilities bill or drivers licence), immunisation records and any applicable Family Court Orders. Should you have any concerns on the enrolment process please contact reception.

Year 7 AEP, 2021 – Applications now open

The Year 7 Academic Enrichment Program 2021 has been revamped with the inclusion of a STEM program.

Prospective students can apply for the STEM Program or Humanities Program, or both. These programs provide the platform for students to develop the knowledge, skills and core competencies required for the careers of the future. With a focus on the development of higher order skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, communication, team work and entrepreneurship. Students will develop personal attributes and employable skills putting them at the forefront of our future workforce. Students can enrol in both programs if they meet the criteria.  

Further information regarding this Academic Enrichment Program can be found below or the College’s website under SPECIALIST PROGRAMS.

Arrangements and Key Dates:

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Year 7, 2021

The College has now received updated information and pricing for the BYOD 2021 program. The school's preferred supplier of devices is CDM Australia, however, parents/caregivers can source a suitable machine from other suppliers as long as machines meet the minimum specifications. See prices and required specifications via flyer below.

School sickness procedures

I reminded parents/caregivers in the previous newsletter of the school protocols should a child fall ill during the day. During the class time, the class teacher will make an assessment and send the child to the Nurse or Student Services. If the child feels ill during a break time they are to make their own way to the Nurse or Student Services. The school will then contact the parent/caregiver if required. Students are not to contact their parents/caregivers directly to be picked up because they are not feeling well.

Finally, I wish you all a happy, relaxing and safe holiday break.

Mario Pisano
Vice Principal - Middle School 

It's Course Selection Time

We are coming to that time of the year when Year 10 and 11 students have to make important selections regarding their courses for 2022. Year 10 students have already been given a helping hand in Humanities & Social Science (HASS) classes to clarify their future directions. For most students in Year 11, they will simply be following the pathways they chose for 2021.

All students should keep in mind that they should not make selections based on what their friends are doing or what is easy. Parents play an important role at this time of year to help students make responsible decisions. Guidelines will be provided at the parent information night (details below). The school will generate a timetable based on the needs and decisions made by the students. Once the timetable is set, there should be minimal course changes and only the most valid reasons will be accepted.

Selection Forms must be handed in by:  
Year 11 (going into Year 12, 2022) Thursday 29 July 
Year 10 (going into Year 11, 2022) Tuesday 3 August

Please also note that high cost courses must be paid in full (100%) in advance, as highlighted in red in the booklets. We are unable to accept selections forms without payment or a copy of your direct deposit receipt.  Thank you.

Year 10 Parent Information Night (Year 11, 2022)

This parent information evening unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the snap lockdown.  Information has been emailed to parents and placed on website

Exams are over!

Year 10 students will have completed their first set of exams.  We hope that for Year 10 students this experience provides another piece of information to help inform them of their course decisions for 2022. 

Year 11 and 12 students should use the exam experience to refine their study program for the rest of the year.,  Now is the time to get organised and 'study smart'. Students should discuss with their teachers how to best study in their particular subject. Students who need extra fact sheets, treasure your mistakes sheets or study plan documents should collect these from my office. 

We also hope that those students returning from work placement will have extra incentive to work hard and achieve their best results. 

Finally I wish all our students a successful and rewarding finish to the semester and a safe and enjoyable term break. 

Robert Strickland
Vice Principal
Senior School

Online Literacy & Numeracy Assessment 2020

Year 9

Due to COVID restrictions, NAPLAN was cancelled this year. As a result, the School Curriculum Standards Authority (SCSA) will this year, for the first time, provide Year 9 students the opportunity to sit the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessments, scheduled to take place from Monday 10 to Friday 28 August, scheduled as follows:

Students will attend scheduled assessments with their English and/or Maths class group and regular class teachers. Any parent who does not wish their Year 9 child sit the OLNA are asked to contact the college and leave a message with reception.

Years 10-12

We are continuing Wednesday afternoon Period 5 (1:20pm to 2:20pm) OLNA support classes for any Year 11 and 12 students who are yet to achieve category 3 in any OLNA component.

Students have been provided with a code that enables them to register an account on olna.com.au and work on Skill Builders in preparation for the September round of OLNA. We encourage all OLNA students in Years 10-12 to register for FREE (saving $50) by using the school code and instructions available in the college library.

VET News

All students have resumed attendance and are working through units of competency to ensure completion by the dates listed below.

Year 12 students are reminded that all VET work must be completed by Friday 25 September (Term 3 Week 10), as we need to provide results to each RTO for verification prior to uploading results to SCSA. Year 11 students will continue working on their Units of Competence until 2 November.

Any Year 11 and 12 students who are falling behind, and deemed by their teacher to be ‘at-risk’ of not completing certificate requirements, are required to attend the college library from 1:30pm-2:30pm Wednesday afternoons. At risk students are notified by the Associate Principal and are given a reminder slip on Wednesday morning. Students choosing not to stay will be marked absent for half a day which will in turn impact on their good standing status.

Workplace Learning

During Weeks 5 and 6 (25 May to 5 June) around 120 VET students were scheduled to join a variety of employers in the community to complete a two-week block ADWPL (workplace learning) placement. Unfortunately, again due to COVID restrictions, at the time, health department advice led to the cancellation or rescheduling of the majority, with the only exceptions being students enrolled in pre-apprenticeship in schools programs.

ADWPL provides a great opportunity for students to try out various occupations, apply skills in a workplace setting and gain valuable feedback about their performance in a workplace. Please remember that in order to gain credit for a placement, students need to log a minimum of 55 hours and complete logbook and skills journal requirements.  Logbooks must be handed in to Mrs Fuhrmann.

Year 10 Students
Obtain your USI before selecting Year 11 courses

About the USI and training

What is a USI?  www.usi.gov.au

The USI initiative commenced on 1 January 2015 and is a reference number made up of ten numbers and letters that is free and easy to create and stays with you for life.

If you are a new or continuing student undertaking nationally recognised training, you will need a USI in order to receive your qualification or statement of attainment. This includes nationally recognised training delivered by secondary schools.

The USI will give you access to an online record of your nationally recognised training in the form of a USI Transcript. This can be used when applying for a job, seeking a credit transfer or demonstrating pre-requisites when undertaking further training.

Under the Student Identifiers Act 2014 and Student Identifiers (Exemptions) Instrument 2014, training organisations are not allowed to issue a qualification or statement of attainment unless the student has a USI or the student or the training is exempt from the USI initiative.

Carlos Notarpietro
Associate Principal

Year 12 ATAR Modern History

In preparation for their recent exam, the Year 12 Modern History students participated in a Socratic Seminar. This was an opportunity to use and develop the STEM skills of critical analysis, collaboration and communication. The students were given one statement at a time, put into groups to take opposing viewpoints on the topic, and then asked to discuss and debate. They were able to put forward their thinking and question others in a safe environment. Each side would work together to try to justify their stance, even though they didn’t necessarily agree with it.

This analytical thinking is imperative to the Modern History course and developing their historiography skills, as students need to be able to analyse and evaluate ideas and perspectives. By working together in this forum, students are able to utilise and progress their skills, which can then be applied to their writing.

It was great to see the students getting involved, drawing on their content knowledge and using quotes and statistics to back up their argument. One of the statements they had to respond to was ‘Stalin’s rule over Russia was better than that of the Tsar’. Students were asked to debate this by drawing on information they have learnt from the whole unit of study. This got quite loud as students were arguing their points! It was wonderful to see such passion and enthusiasm from the class.

Rebecca Edmonds
HASS Teacher

Science News

The young forensic investigators within Integrated Science's Forensic Investigations Unit have spent the last couple of weeks completing forensic facial reconstructions from the skulls of a number of victims. The work involves rebuilding the structure of the face based on the specific placement of underlying facial muscles and a variety of measurements regarding the thickness of muscles and flesh.

Andrew Blakeney
Science Teacher

Bonjour à tous

It is with great pleasure to announce the result of the 2020 Education Perfect World Wide competition in Languages. Education Perfect offers a worldwide languages championships each year which gives students the opportunity to compete with other students around the world in various languages. This year from 14 to 21 May, students at Belridge competed against 181,000 students in Languages (French, Spanish and Arabic). Students answered a total of 11,096 questions.

I am delighted to announce that two of our students finished in the Top 5% of 181,000 competitors: 

Top 5%

Christel Din 8.01

William Hyder 8.06

Another student also finished in the Top 20% 

Nelson Browne 8.06

This year has been our first time competing in this competition and I wish to congratulate and thank our students for their participation. We are looking forward to participating in 2021!

Bravo Belridge!

Stephanie Westphal
Languages – French Teacher

Peer Support Program

Over the course of Terms 1 and 2 our fully trained Year 10 Peer Support Leaders engaged with our Year 7 cohort for 1 period a week over 8 weeks delivering the PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM. The program is aimed at placing students at the centre of their learning and empowering them with practical skills and strategies to positively navigate life and relationships. Outcomes of the program include:

• better connectedness
• improved resilience
• a greater sense of possibility
• reduction in bullying behaviours
• a more developed sense of self; and
• an increased responsibility for self and others

The Peer Support Program achieves this by helping students develop and sustain positive relationships. Belridge SC is grateful to our Year 10’s Leaders who have given up a lot of time and effort into making this program successful.

Inclusive Learning Lead Team – Student Lunch

On Monday of Week 7, the Inclusive Learning Lead Team invited students with diverse learning needs and differences to a pizza lunch. It was an amazing turnout and we had more than ten students enjoying Dominoes and happily engaging with each other and staff. Students who attended are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, generalised Anxiety and physical disability.

The Inclusive Learning Lead Team values student voice and this was an insightful opportunity to understand how our students learn and what our teachers are doing to support students’ needs. During this time, we spoke to the students about how teachers supported their learning needs in the classroom, how they learned the best and what they would do if they were Principal for a day!

Some of the positive feedback from the students regarding teacher support they find helpful included; “using computers or whiteboards, videos to learn, working independently, doing Kahoots and group activities”.

Students commented that peer support in the classroom plays an important role in their learning, such as, “having someone to compare work with to check if I am on track and my peers being present for support if needed”.

When asked what students would do if they were Principal for a day, they responded with; “break down assessments, give rewards more often, check-in after instructions, meditation and having something (like a cushion) to hold for comfort during lessons”.

The Inclusive Learning Lead Team will continue with the student lunch to foster a sense of belonging and safety for our students with diverse learning needs within our school environment.

Please sponsor our 'Write a Book in a Day' Teams

On Friday 24 July, two teams of Belridge students will take part in the 12-hour Write a Book in a Day national competition run by The Kids’ Cancer Project national charity. We are running a Year 11 and Year 12 team this year, both with members who have been involved in the past and are keen to take part once again.

Over 12 consecutive hours, each team will write, illustrate and submit a children’s story book based on parameters provided on the morning. The final book not only goes in to a national competition, but is then donated and distributed to children undergoing cancer treatment in hospitals around Australia.

This is the fifth year that Belridge students will be taking part in the challenge, and students are excited to once again take part, have fun and give back to the wider community. This year, due to social distancing restrictions, students will have to create an e-book, instead of a physical copy like in past years and are looking forward to finding creative ways to create the final product in this new form!

Last year the Write a Book in a Day challenge involved 440 schools around the country and raised $475,000 for childhood cancer research. If you would like to support our teams and fundraising initiative, you can donate directly via the following sponsorship pages for either or both teams:

Year 11 Team via
https://writeabookinaday.com/teams/?id=11 
or
Year 12 Team via
https://writeabookinaday.com/teams/?id=10

We look forward to providing an update following this amazing event and worthwhile cause.

Lisa de Ponte
English/Literature Teacher

Fashion Design

Year 7 to 10 students will once again be competing in the Wool4School national competition 2020 by applying innovative thinking and putting their creative designer talents to the test.  The Wool4School competition invites students to design an outfit using a minimum of 70% wool.  Pictured here is a taster of our Year 7 and 8 student entries.  This year's brief for entries is 'Avant-Garde designs inspired by flora and fauna'.  Winners will be announced at the end of August 2020 and we wish all our students' the very best of luck!

Book Club

Do you love reading? Would you like to see the latest books the library has to offer in your favourite genre? Is there a series you're reading that you'd like the library to purchase? Come along to book club every Tuesday recess in Area 2 of the library where we discuss a new genre each week and talk about our favourite books. Each week Dr Lambert also gives a brief overview of the classic texts in the genre, as well as an introduction to the new books the library has to offer - all bookworms welcome!

What - Book Club
Where - Library Area 2
When - Tuesdays at recess
Who - Dr Lambert and Bookworms
Why - For the love of reading 

Dr Lambert
English Teacher 

‘Distancing’ Digital Literacy Learning

Professional Learning took on a whole new look at Belridge during the COVID distancing measures in recent times. Usually, we all congregate in a collegiate manner to learn about ways that we can improve the literacy of our students at Belridge. On the student-free day at the end of May, we simultaneously took part in professional learning in our own offices.

Staff learned how to create digital Word Walls – one of our whole school literacy strategies – through Padlet. Each staff member contributed subject-specific vocabulary to this digital Word Wall. Not only is it educative, highlighting the enormity and importance of vocabulary development for literacy in our high school context, it looks great too.  See our whole school Word Wall here: https://belridge.padlet.org/aliciaholliday/39khsjzgdmpcqtv9

Additionally, staff took part in type-racing challenges through the online website typeracer.com 

This platform assists our students to increase their timed writing speeds, whilst also reinforcing sentence level grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Check out our Physical Education staff battling each other (whilst social-distancing) for typing supremacy!

Alicia Holliday
English Teacher and
Literacy Lead Team Coordinator

Now is the time to apply to enrol your child in a public school for 2021 if they are starting Year 7 (first year of secondary school) or changing schools.  

Belridge Secondary College is proud of its specialist and elite programs available to students. Read on to see what’s on offer or contact the college for closing dates for applications or more information.

Contact us for an enrolment pack on 9408 8000.

Don't miss out - places are filling fast!  Submit your expression of interest for any of the following programs:

Challenge enquiring minds ...

No matter what you want to do in the future, you will need STEM skills!

STEM skills - like problem solving, critical thinking, and working in a team, are critical for jobs of the future. They can help you to design and use new technologies, solve important problems, help people, make a difference to society and protect our environment.

The Take 2 STEM campaign is about educating the community on the importance of STEM skills to ensure that all Western Australians are well-placed to take up new and emerging jobs.

Follow the links above for some great STEM stories and for some useful links that will give you all the information you need to get your son or daughter started in STEM.

https://www.take2stem.wa.gov.au/parents.html

Free Webinars

Inspire in 5 is a series of free Zoom webinars for high school students and registrations are now open! Join us to hear several short presentations from women working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths fields. Connect from home with your family and friends for the opportunity to learn how rewarding a career in STEM can be! There are 5 webinars to choose from throughout June-August. 

This is a great opportunity for students to learn about STEM careers and be inspired by industry professionals. Visit the website to learn more and register your place at www.innovatorsteaparty.org

Be the first to know about what's happening at our College.

Like and follow the College's official Facebook page

@BelridgeSC

! BEWARE !
There are some copycat and closed group pages floating around. 

If you have any queries and want the correct information
please approach us directly - thank you 

https://www.facebook.com/BelridgeSC

School Payments

Payments for student charges and contributions are welcome at any time.  Please note that Upper School subject charges ARE COMPULSORY.

To set up a payment plan please contact our Administration office on 9408 8000.

Payments can be made by cash or EFTPOS at the front office or Direct Deposit to ANZ Bank.

BSB: 016-494
Account: 102744334

Please ensure you quote as your reference STUDENT NAME and YEAR.  Thank you.

Administration office hours are between 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Secondary Assistance Scheme
Applications extended till end of Term 2

For parents of Years 7-12 students, who may have been financially impacted/affected by COVID 19 or to assist low-income families - the Secondary Assistance Scheme has been extended by the government till the end of Term 2.  Applications can be made by attending in person at the front office and close Friday 3 July 2020.

Keep the kids active during the winter holiday break 

The City of Joondalup will be running events and workshops as part of the Youth Event Series during the July school break.  Registrations open Monday 29 June.

Exam Preparation and Revision Programs