Principal’s Message
Principal Ray Squires in front of the school library’s Bunjil Mural
I am very proud to announce that Mehdi Ahmadi has been named the recipient of the Harold Bould award for 2016.
David Telford with prize winner Mehdi Ahmadi
This is an award that is made available to schools in the local area. Mehdi is a Year 10 student who had to undertake a rigorous selection process before he was named the successful candidate. Consequently, he has won a trip to the Kokoda trail during the Term 3 holidays next year. This is a fantastic result for both Mehdi and his family.
YEAR 12 Students
I would like to take this opportunity to publicly congratulate our Year 12 students on the manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the year. Their work ethic and commitment to their schooling has been a credit to them. They have now finished their exams and we look forward to seeing the results later in the year. It was a pleasure to attend their Valedictory Dinner, which was held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Friday, November 18. It provided the College with the opportunity to formally farewell the students and recognises their achievements with family and friends.
Exiting Students
I would like to urge parents to contact the school as soon as possible once they know their child is not returning to Pakenham Secondary College in 2017. This significantly helps in our planning of staff and budgets for next year.
End of Year Arrangement
Our students will begin the 2017 academic year on Monday, 28th November. This will involve classes running for the ensuing two weeks covering work that is part of the 2017 curriculum. It is important that students attend at this time. Students who are undertaking Year 12 next year will finish classes on Friday, 2nd December.
The week beginning Monday, 12th December will be used to run a variety of alternative activities for all students in attendance. These will be faculty based.
The final day for all students will be Tuesday, 20th December whereby they will be dismissed at 1.30pm.
Arrangements for the Start of 2017
Parents should note that for the start of 2017, teachers will resume on Monday, 30th January while the first day for students will be Wednesday, 1st February.
Ray Squires
Principal
Senior School Update
Class of 2016
Term 4 has been a very busy time for everyone involved in Senior School. All Year 12 students celebrated their final day of schooling on 24thOctober with a breakfast of bacon and eggs with the staff in the Senior Centre followed by a whole school assembly. Tyler Jamieson spoke on behalf of the students and delivered a memorable speech that won much praise from students and staff alike. After a quick change there was a short bus trip to a local park where the students completed a digital treasure hunt for prizes that consisted of movie vouchers. Although the winners assured the group of fair play, the scoring system left something to the imagination, particularly for a Mathematics teacher. A game of cricket, where the fine athletic skills of the Year 12s were on display, ended a great day for staff and students alike.
Pakenham Bowls interviewing panel, Boardmember David Laird (left) and President Terry McRedmond (right) with VCAL teacher Laura Henderson.
The year 12 VCAL students presented their Personal Development Skills portfolios to two members of the Pakenham Bowling Club and Ms Henderson. They displayed a level of maturity and personal growth that impressed all panel members. Year 12 VCE students began their VCE exams on 26th October . In the following three weeks, the students completed the final requirements for their 2016 subjects. Results for these students come out on Monday 12th December and the entire school wishes them well.
Re-using: donated uniforms, a welcome helping hand.
Senior School is embracing new ideas and traditions which pay back to the school community of which they have been a part. This year the Year 12s took a first step. Students were asked to collect up any school uniform they might have at home and donate it to the Wellbeing Department at the College. Yvette Sangster the College Wellbeing Coordinator has been thrilled with the response with baskets full of school uniforms brought in, so that students next year have the school clothing that they may need, but not be able to afford. A thank you to all those that have participated in this initiative. It is certainly a program that will be continued in 2017.
2016 Valedictory Dinner – Pakenham Secondary College From left to right: Brian Paynter, School Council President, Jasmine Vermeer, Most Outstanding Academic Excellence Award (tied), Chloe SInclair, Most Outstanding VCAL Excellence Award, Kelsey Claudius, Most Outstanding Attitude and Effort Award, Mikayla Cole, Most Oustanding Acadamic Excellence Award (tied), Jo-Anne Duggan, Senior School Co-ordinator, Mick Haber, Year 12 Team Leader.
On the 18th November the final event for all year 12 students, the College Valedictory dinner, was held at the Pakenham Cultural Centre. Students arrived in their finest, accompanied by friends and family, who had supported them on their educational journey. Over 270 guests present enjoyed an evening of celebration. Despite scepticism from many of the staff and students in Senior School, I was able to deliver my farewell speech to those present without crying. An achievement as saying good-bye to the group, was bitter-sweet. For most of the group I was their Year Seven Coordinator in 2011 and strong ties have developed over the past six years. It has been a privilege to see them finish their high school years and I wish them all the best for their future pathways, whatever that may be.
While the end of school occurred for the Year 12 students, the students in Year 11 have been very busy and hard at work ensuring that they had completed all tasks required to gain the credits so important in gaining the state-wide certificates of either VCAL or VCE. Many students had exams to complete and portfolios to present. While most students have successfully met all requirements several students are currently discussing options for 2017. All parents and students need to keep in mind that the certificates at Senior School are State Certificates with set requirements. Attendance of 90% is the minimum requirement. Students need to demonstrate required outcomes to gain credits towards both Certificates.
The Senior School Team is looking forward to the start of the 2017 academic year on Monday 28th November. All students need to come equipped with pen and paper for each subject. Teachers will provide any additional resources required. During these classes students will be given tasks that they will be required to complete over the Christmas break. It is a requirement of Year 11 and 12 that this work is completed before the start of school in 2017, to ensure students place themselves in the best position for success.
Any parent or student with concerns or questions regarding Senior School programs for 2017, are welcome to contact the College and speak to a member of the 2017 Senior School team: Emmanuel Merambeliotis, Jo-Anne Duggan, Dean Blight or Nicole Green.
Jo-Anne Duggan
Senior School Co-ordinator
Careers and Pathways
YEAR 12 RESULTS AND VTAC APPLICATIONS
Develop a good habit of scanning the employment section of your local newspaper
Year 12 students, and in particular VCE students, will receive their results on the 14th December. Those who have submitted a VTAC application will have until 20th December (12 noon) to submit a change of preference.
Students can make better-informed decisions once they receive their ATAR. We would encourage students to come into the Careers and Pathways office so that we can help them with this.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Recently we have received several job opportunities, of which some have been filled. Presently (at the time of this report) we have two positions lodged:
- Apprentice Shopfitter (Pakenham) – White card – some building and construction experience through VET – no licence needed – full-time
- Apprentice Carpenters (Casey/Cardinia areas) – licenced or close to getting a licence – full-time
- Car wash attendants Pakenham – no licence needed – casual
If you know any student, or ex-student who may be interested, please ask them to call our office. If you are seeking a young person (over the age of 15) to fill a position, please let us know.
Club News
Our chess superstars and teacher-mentors
Our Chess Superstars competing at the National Finals
The chess team will be competing in the 2017 National Chess Finals on the 28th and 29th of November at Queen’s College , Melbourne University.
The top players from our combined Girls and Middle Years are Vicky Hendric, Tibesso Abduro Witago, Cameron Higgins, Rose Sollis, Esther Abduro Witago, Danien Kho, Yven Cole, Hayden King, Bret Handley and Krystal Whalley.
Our team has the most number of home grown talents that started with the RANKING OF ZERO. When I had a discussion with some of the coaches from top teams and parents, they told me that their players have private tutors in chess and enrol at their school with a significantly higher ranking of over 900.
This makes our star players’ success even greater. We are so proud of you and we wish you all the best for the event!
For information on school clubs available, click here.
Wellbeing Team
The Clothesline Project
Pakenham Secondary College supports the Department of Education Respectful Relationships Program. It teaches young people about gender equality and relationships and helps prevent family violence.
The Clothesline Project
A group of students from Year 11 Foundation VCAL has joined with other groups in Cardinia in participating in the Clothesline Project. The Clothesline Project is a community-based initiative that displays t-shirts decorated with messages supporting respectful relationships.
The project links with White Ribbon Day events running this week. Look out for displays of t-shirts in the local area.
Display in the library
The display can be found in the library.
Christian Ampongan
Christian Ampongan
Maths Teacher
Chess Co-ordinator
What is something people don’t know about you?
I am a vegan and I use night creme before I go to sleep. I coach a junior Taekwondo Team that competes in state and national tournaments. I listen to a wide range of music ranging from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Cyprus Hill to Tupac Shakur to name a few.
What is your favourite school memory?
I was the team captain of my University Taekwondo Team and we won back to back championships with an undefeated record for two years. I loved breakdancing when I was in high school.
My favourite subject at school was?
Sports Science where you integrate Maths and Science in analysing how to improve human performance. I also loved recess and lunch if that counts.
Hobbies?
I do Brazilian jiujitsu 2-3x a week, hiking and surfing during summer.
If you were a contestant on the show Survivor, what two things would you take with you?
A toothbrush to make sure my teeth are in good shape and a machete because it is a very versatile tool which can be used for cooking, crafting tools and constructing shelter.
Which footy team do you follow?
St Kilda
Cats or Dogs?
I prefer dogs, they are more proactive and more fun to be with. You can also teach dogs a lot of skills and you can exercise with them.
Sergio De Lima
Sergio De Lima
EAL and Languages Teacher
Chess Co-ordinator
What is something people don’t know about you?
I had never studied English until I turned 14
What is your favourite school memory?
Spending 1 year as an exchange student in Latvia.
My favourite subject at school was?
Philosophy
Hobbies?
Bikram Yoga
If you were a contestant on the show Survivor, what two things would you take with you?
I’ve never watched the show, but I suppose a Swiss pocket knife would be helpful
Which footy team do you follow?
I’m a Carlton supporter
Cats or Dogs?
Both!