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 From the principal's desk |
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STUDENT ATTITUDES TO WORK AND STUDY. One simple message I offer our VCE and VCAL students at this time of the year, as we ramp up for the final few weeks of schooling, is a quite simple one. If you are not in class, you cannot participate in the learning that goes on there, nor build upon your knowledge base. If you are not listening to your teacher when you are in class, then not only will you not learn from the wisdom of your teachers, but you equally will stop others from gaining maximum benefit from their participation in the class as well. In all cases of this nature, the one certainty is that you cannot benefit from the vast experience and knowledge of your teachers. Many VCE students have found that there are times that they have felt under intense pressure to achieve. It is hoped that these students will quite quickly come to understand that effective organization and the efficient use of study time (both at school and at home) is only achieved through consistent application on their part. Some students indeed have significant areas of concern in their progress to-date, which can only be addressed through personal discussion with individual teachers. The time for this discussion is now. It is unfortunate, therefore, that many more students and parents did not take the opportunity of holding these discussion during parent teacher evening held on Tuesday last. Clearly, students should be acting on the advice available from their teachers as the first step in improving their individual performance. It is only through acting upon the advice of teachers that improvement can be gained and sustained, in the lead up to the final examinations. In reality, serious Year 11 and 12 students will spend approximately 18 to 20 hours per week in class. It is perhaps a good time to remind parents and students that senior students who aim to perform to their maximum will be averaging at least 20 hours study time outside of class time per week in addition to their classroom learning, will attend all scheduled classes and be on time to all classes. Other than in instances of family emergency, all absences should be supported with a medical certificate. We expect only that each student achieves to the best of their ability and maximizes their application to their studies throughout this important time. ARE YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN SERIOUS ABOUT THEIR STUDIES? It is our expectation at Hampton Park Secondary College that all students are to be in class prepared for learning at all times. On occasions, some students engage in non-productive behaviour that prevents both their learning and that of others. It is our intention to eliminate such behaviours, in order to ensure all students have the opportunity to maximize what they are able to achieve in their final years of schooling. In order to try to maximize the time students are in class, and to minimize the number of students who become disengaged from their learning, I have again requested Year Level Co-Ordinators and Form teachers ensure that all student lateness and all absences are followed up. Parents can expect to have a phone call from the College, where students are absent. It is our expectation that students will be in class for every period every day, unless there is a legitimate medical reason for them to remain at home. We seek your help in working with us to ensure the maximum benefit for your children in attending this College, indeed, I am requesting the absolute co-operation of all parents in this regard, as I am sure you share my aspirations for your children. The time for writing a note to unnecessarily excuse your child’s absence is past. It is their learning that suffers when this occurs. Together, we can work to ensure that each and every student of the College is able to maximize what they are able to achieve in their learning and in their studies. To support their absence from the College unnecessarily, is not doing them any favour. David Finnerty
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5th - VTAC
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