Welcome to the first newsletter of the 2023 school year. It was great to welcome back all our returning students and greet our wonderful new Year 7’s. After a well-deserved break the staff have returned with a spring in their step, ready for the year ahead.

As always, the first few weeks back can be a challenge for our students, adjusting to a new routine, making new friends, and finding their place. However, our new Year 7’s seem to be coping really well with the transition, settling into their new classes and finding their way around with ease. It was great to see so many parents at the Year 7 BBQ and Principal Welcome. I received some really great feedback from a number of parents which was much appreciated.

Our departing Year 12 cohort did the College proud and achieving some great results in their WACE. Our median ATAR reached its highest at 75.95, with an increase in students performing in the high and mid Triciles. We also saw an increase in the percentage of students achieving Certificate III qualification, accreditation increasing from 35% to 42%. Our strong OLNA results saw 97% of our WACE eligible cohort achieve the minimum standard in both literacy and numeracy.

Elevate Education revision seminars have taken place for our senior school students, supported with an after-school seminar for parents. These sessions have focused on getting good study habits in place early and forming a sustainable routine assisting students in being successful in the future.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our new staff to the college, Adele Walker (Science), Katherine Robinson (Home Ec), Connor Moldrich and Ella Sobey (Phys Ed), Alister Humphreys (Maths), Oksana Knysh-Kolomiyets (English) and Isabella Batka (Science). We also have some staff taking up new roles, Claire Green appointed AEP Coordinator and Janita O'Shea appointed as Literacy Intervention Coordinator.

We have some upcoming events which I encourage you to attend, these include:

• Parent/Teacher interviews - Wednesday 15 March for Year 7, 11 and 12
• Open Day Tours and Student Course Tasters for Years 4, 5 and 6 - Wednesday 29 March
• Enrolment Info Night - Wednesday 29 March
• Specialist Cricket Program - Trials Day for 2024 – Thursday 30 March

This term also sees our annual Belsurf event take place, I would like to thank our HPE team in advance for their efforts in the planning and preparation for such a huge event.  NAPLAN and OLNA are also scheduled this term (NAPLAN moved to March instead of May). At time of writing, we are ready to celebrate our Year 12 Ball at Frasers in Kings Park. I look forward to seeing our wonderful Year 12 students shine and can not wait to share the event with you in our next newsletter

If you need to reach out and contact the college, please see Talking with your College document that can be found on the college website to guide your enquiry. Other useful tools include the Parent/Student Handbook and the Connected learning plan that can be found HERE

If you have a child enrolling with us next year or know someone who is, please encourage them to complete enrolment paperwork by July 1, 2023 and register early for our enrolment events/student course tasters. It is so important that we have a clear idea of student numbers as this allows to plan and prepare early and get the best possible resources in place for each and every child.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Sharon Lyon
Principal 

Welcome to the 2023 school year and a special welcome to any new families joining the Belridge community. The beginning of the year has been a very busy one as all students have settled into their new classes. The Year 7 students are beginning to find their way around and based on feedback at the Year 7 BBQ are enjoying Belridge! I am excited at the number events coming up this term for students - our annual Belsurf beach carnival, which you will have already received details for and the Ice Cream Reward Truck in Week 6 for all those students with Good Standing. These are both opportunities to celebrate the talents and fantastic students we have here.

Year 7 Welcome BBQ 

It was great to meet many of our parents and carers at the Year 7 BBQ. Thank you for taking the time to come along. Hopefully you found the information useful and got to meet some of your child’s teachers. We look forward to seeing you at other events throughout the year.

Year 7 Immunisations 

For those who have returned consent forms to the school, Year 7 immunisations will be held on Monday 13 March. The health department have advised us that from 6 February 2023, Year 7 students will only require one HPV vaccine to be fully vaccinated. You may have already provided consent for 2 doses of HPV vaccine, however, once your child receives one dose, they will not need any further doses.

Year 7 & Year 9 NAPLAN

From 2023 NAPLAN will be run in Term one between: Wednesday15 March to Monday 27 March 2023. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national standards and over time. Our teachers will ensure students are familiar with the types of questions in the tests and will provide appropriate support and guidance. In school students will also complete some practice tests as this is useful to help students understand and be comfortable with the format of the tests. You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best.

NAPLAN supports inclusive testing, so all students have the opportunity to participate in the national assessment program. Adjustments are available for students with disability who have diverse functional abilities and needs. If you would like to discuss adjustments further, please contact Mikaela Shirley our Inclusive Education Coordinator at the school.

More information can be found at: https://www.nap.edu.au/home

Peer Support

As part of our transition program all Year 7 students take part in peer support from Week 4 to 10 for 1 hour per week. The sessions will be run by our Year 10 Peer support leaders, and it is a fantastic opportunity to help build new friendships, introduce students to key student services staff and take part in some fun activities!

Louise Hall
Deputy Principal Middle School
Years 7, 8 and 9

I wish to welcome all the new students and their parents/caregivers to the Belridge Secondary College community.  Predominately most of the new students are in the Year 7 cohort but we have had many new students through Years 8 to 12 also join the school community transferring from other schools, interstate and overseas.  Welcome all!

Active parent/caregiver involvement is paramount to the educational achievement and success of the student.  I look forward to establishing and maintaining strong and productive working relationships with all our new families to help achieve positive and rewarding outcomes for their children. 

School Dress Code

Walking around the College campus, it is fantastic to see students adhering to the school dress code.  I was impressed and proud on how smart all the students looked in their school uniforms.  Belridge SC has a policy “If you are not in school dress, you are not in the classroom”.  I encourage all students to maintain this high level of appearance and to take pride in themselves and their school. 

Student Course Changes

Course changes for senior school students should now be finalised.  Any further changes will only be considered under exceptional circumstances.  Late changes place the student at risk of not meeting course requirements and undue pressure on the teacher to try and get the student up to speed with the course.

Year 9 and 10 elective changes are also finalised. Students should be settled in their selected electives.  Changes will only be considered under exceptional circumstances.

Year 11 and 12 ATAR

Students on an ATAR pathway are required to attend the ATAR study period every Wednesday Lunch & part of period 5.  Mrs Hall monitors the Year 11 ATAR students and I monitor the Year 12 ATAR students. 

The Year 11 students have enjoyed two presentations (Study Sensei & Time Management) from Elevate Education.  These presentations are designed to allow students to self-assess where they are at and how to plan positive changes to improve their study culture.  The presenters are young successful university students who have left the schooling system a few years previously.  A parent session also took place during Week 4.

To assist the Year 12 ATAR students in selecting university courses for 2024, guest speakers from all the tertiary institutions are also invited into the college. The speakers cover everything from minimum ATAR required, courses available, early offers and university life.

Mario Pisano
Vice Principal Senior School
Years 10, 11 and 12

NAPLAN 2023

NAPLAN has been moved from May to March this year. All Year 7 and 9 students will undertake the four NAPLAN tests of Reading, Writing, Conventions of Language and Numeracy between Wednesday 15th March and Friday 24th March. All students are expected to sit the assessments unless a request to withdraw a student is received at the administration by Wednesday 8 March.

The Arts 

Year 11 General Art

Works in progress – students drawing self-portrait from observation (mirrors), rendering form using properties of line to imply depth and relief.

Ms Noelene Hales
Art Teacher

Belridge Dance Company Starting Strong

Hip-hop Masterclass with Matthew Holliday (Industry Professional) 

Science Learning Area

English Learning Area

The 2022 Belridge Spelling Bee Competition was fiercely contested by students from Years 7 to 9.  All had clearly done their homework and practised the words on the lists provided to them from the Scripps 2022 Spelling Bee list.

Aansh Patel - Year 9
Spelling Bee Champion for 2022

Year 7 Welcome BBQ

Mrs Zarrop
Teacher of English and Year 7 Coordinator 

Library Resources 

Our subscription to Comics Plus is available to Students. To log in, students need to use their school email address.

VET and Workplace Learning - Years 11 and 12 

This event is tailored for parents of Year 11 and 12 students who are new to VET and Workplace Learning this year.  We encourage parents to attend and learn more about this important part of the WACE program. 

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE
Event code - cnww3

Parent/Teacher Interviews - Years 7, 11 and 12
Wednesday 15 March   |   3:30pm to 6:30pm

For parents new to the College - Belridge SC uses an online teacher and parent booking system to enable parents to book interview times with your child's subject teacher, at a time that suits them.  Booking instructions will be emailed soon, together with your unique event code. 

Parents who do not have access to the internet can contact the school office for assistance in booking places on 9408 8000.

You can return to the website at any time to amend or cancel interviews, until bookings close.  Please note that timeslots are limited and interviews strictly set at 7 minutes. If you require more time please contact the teacher direct to make alternative arrangements. 

If you have a child commencing high school in 2024, or know of someone who is, please spread the word of the following enrolment events will be of benefit. Bookings essential

Do you want to be the next Cooper Connolly? 

Belridge SC Cricket Graduate - Cooper Connolly - wowed Perth at the recent Big Bash League finals this year.

Spread the word to all cricket enthusiasts that they can study cricket at high school. Register now for our specialist cricket program trials being held on Thursday 30 March 2023 at Murdoch University Playing Fields for 2024 academic year. 

DETAILS HERE

Elite Netball Academy 2024 - Trials 

Calling junior netball club players - applications are now open for male and female students in Years 6 to 10 to apply for 2024 entry into the Elite Netball Program. Trials will take place on Friday 5 May 2023 at Belridge SC.  Full details of this program and how to register can be found HERE

Endorsed as a Netball WA Tier 2 Specialist Program

Is your Gifted & Talented Child commencing Year 7 in 2024?

Students accepted into our AEP Program in STEM and Humanities will learn with like-minded peers and follow an enriched curriculum matched to their needs. Submit your application by Friday 5 May or call 08 9408 8000 for more information. 

AEP Testing Day - scheduled for Tuesday 16 May 2023

https://belridgecollege.wa.edu.au/future-students/forms-downloads-and-useful-links/

The Arts

Are you creative and have an eye for detail? If you answered yes, then why not apply for our sought-after Specialist Fashion Design program. Work your artistic flair in a specialist studio designing and making wearable art, creating your own fabrics, learning the latest technologies and using tools of the trade.  This program is an endorsed Specialist Program by the Department of Education. 

Closing date for Fashion Design applications - Friday 5 May - DETAILS HERE

Applications for our Year 7 Elite Dance Program 2024 are open! Do you have a love for dance and want to challenge yourself through performances, showcases and competitions? Do you want to develop your technical ability, confidence and composition skills in the surroundings of our new state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre? If so, the Belridge Elite Dance program is for you!

Closing date for Elite Dance applications - Friday 5 May - DETAILS HERE

Mason Walczak (Year 9) has been racing go-karts for five years starting in Cadet 9 and has progressed to KA3 class now driving a senior kart.  Last weekend Mason was thrilled to come first in Round one of the 2023 WA Karting Series held in Albany. With great driving and kart setup, good weather and competition, supportive race friends and a well-run race meet, it couldn’t have gone any better!  Mason will be defending his position in Round two to be held in Geraldton in March. In April, Mason will also be racing against some of the best in Australia when the Australian Kart Championship comes to Wanneroo for the first time in April.  

We wish you the best of luck, Mason!

If you would like to share and celebrate your outstanding achievements with the Belridge SC community, whether you are a past or present student, please contact us at belridge.sc@education.wa.edu

Staff Development Days 2023

Monday 20 March

Friday 2 June

Friday 11 August

Friday 15 December

School Events 

The school calendar can be accessed via our online platform Schoolzine or go to www.belridgecollege.wa.edu.au NEWS & EVENTS > Calendar

Handy Tip!  Tick your child's year group at the top of calendar to filter out events/activities ony relevant to your child. 

Applications for Secondary Assistance close Thursday 6 April 2023

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 - we are here to help. 

Payments can be made by cash or EFTPOS at the front office or Direct Deposit to our new bank details of Comm Bank.

BSB: 066 040
Account: 19906002

Please ensure you quote as your reference STUDENT NAME and YEAR GROUP (ie. JOHN SMITH Y10)

Thank you

Kerrie Ward
Manager Corporate Services

School Fees

Would you like to win a JB Hi-Fi voucher valued up to $650?  By paying your school fees in full by 6 April 2023, five lucky families will go into the prize draw with a chance to win. 

YEAR GROUP PRIZES

Year 7 - $500
Year 8 _ $500
Year 9 - $500
Year 10 - $500
Year 11 - $650
Year12 - $650

Grandcarers Support Scheme

Are you a full-time carer for your grandchildren?

If so, you may be elibible to apply for an annual payment of $1000 for each eligible grandchild in your full-time care.  

Who can apply?

• You must be an informal grandparent carer
• You must be a full-time, primary carer
• You must permanently reside in WA 
• You must be a grandparent

For further information please contact the Grandcare Team by emailing

E: gss@wanslea.org.au or calling 1800 794 909

The Parent/Student handbook for 2023 is now available to download from the website, located under OUR COLLEGE. 

This useful booklet contains everything from contact information, term dates, daily timetable, uniform expectations and school procedures. 

Download your copy HERE

Become a Host

By hosting an ECU student through Australian Homestay Network, you will help a student secure somewhere to live. You will get the opportunity to learn about a new culture and even make lifetime friends, all while earning extra money to help with the ever-increasing bills!  Australian Homestay Network will take care of everything for you, from matching a student, undertaking background checks and arranging payments. All you need to do is welcome an ECU student into your home. 

For more information go to www.homestaynetwork.org/edith-cowan-university-hosts/ or call 1300 024 628 or email info@homestaynetwork.org