Welcome to the Term 4 Newsletter for 2019
Principal’s News
Welcome to Term 4 2019 from the Principal
In 2019, ET Australia Secondary College has reached its notional enrolment maximum of 165 students. We added an extra 15 student places in Year 7 this year due to unprecedented demand from parents and students who want a place at ETASC. We want our school to remain a small school. A small school model has many benefits. A key feature of our school is our safe and nurturing environment and we believe keeping the school small is a factor in us achieving and maintaining our great school atmosphere.
For 2020, our 30 Year 7 student places are already filled, we have filled Year 9 and there are vacancies for new enrolments in Year 8 and Year 10 so please recommend our College to prospective students who will most benefit from attending ETASC.
Our Year 10 students are rapidly progressing towards the achievement of their RoSA. We have conducted Career Pathway Plans with our Year 10 students and their parents/carers. The individualised Pathway Plans set out plans for work experience placements to occur in Term 4 and also records specific employment and further study plans for each student to ensure the positive momentum achieved by students this year continues on for next year and beyond after graduation.
Our academic focus on literacy and numeracy skills, our school philosophy that is designed to create a safe and nurturing environment, and our focus on fostering each student’s work ethic appears to be a successful combination.
If anyone ever has suggestions about how to improve on our success, we are open to opportunities and suggestions.
I hope that every student enrolled at ETASC fully utilises the opportunities available to them in our school and in the education pathways that are presented.
Tony Mylan
ET Australia Secondary College Principal
Upcoming Events
Excursions and Events
There are a number of School Events planned for Term 4.
Parents/carers will be emailed with details of each event and where permission is required, we ask that you REPLY to the email with your permission, as instructed. This will ensure that your response goes to the staff member who is responsible for that event.
Students without parental/carer’s consent provided cannot be included in the event. Phone calls, handwritten notes and texts are not accepted, unless a prior agreement has been made with the Assistant Principal. Some events will be limited due to transport or other considerations, so getting in early will be important, once you are notified that bookings are open.
Year 9 and 10 Zoosnooz Excursion
When: 21st and 22nd October
Location: Taronga Zoo
In Term 4, Year 9 and 10 students will have the opportunity to participate in an overnight stay at Taronga Zoo in Sydney. This excursion will help to consolidate the content they are studying in Science and English.
Students will be participating in workshops at the zoo related to sustainability and ecosystems which will help them further explore and understand Science and English units. This is a special opportunity to not only learn but celebrate the end of a successful year in Year 9 and 10.
Parents and carers please look out for the permission note for this excursion which will be sent to you via email.
Duke of Edinburgh Hikes
When: 30th and 31st October
Location: Various
The Duke of Edinburgh students completed training hikes in Term 3.
They learnt to navigate in the bush, cook on gas stoves, set up tents, and are now ready to participate in their qualifying hike for their Bronze Award.
The aim is for students to undertake this journey in their groups independently with Adrian and Christina supervising or shadowing them close by. We are looking forward to taking this group of competent students out on the Great North Walk so they can qualify for their Bronze Award.
Year 8 Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park Excursion
When: 25th November
Location: Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park
In Geography this Term, Year 8 students will learn about interconnections and in English they will be studying documentaries about endangered species.
An excursion to the Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park is organised to give students the opportunity to learn about what impacts animals and their habitats. Students will discover what can be done to help protect and care for these animals. Students will spend the morning exploring the park with a ranger who will share valuable information about each of the native animals found inside the park.
Parents and carers please look out for the permission note for this excursion which will be sent to you via email.
Year 8 French Excursion
When: 27th November
Location: L’isle de France Restaurant
The topic of French study for Year 8 students this term is food.
An excursion to L’isle de France restaurant is planned to enable students to experience a little French culture and to apply their acquired French language in a real life setting to order food. They will have the opportunity to try escargot and other French cuisine dishes.
Parents and carers please look out for the permission note for this excursion which will be sent to you via email.
Year 7 Art Excursion
When: 29th November
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art
In Term 4, Year 7 students will be going to the Museum of Contemporary Art to learn about how video can be used in art.
Students will attend the exhibition “Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday” where they will have the opportunity to be an audience member of the art gallery. They will have the opportunity to critically respond to artworks and will have time in the art studio to participate in a hands-on workshop using technology.
The Museum of Contemporary Art’s inquiry-based learning programs support students to develop new perspectives and make personal connections to contemporary art.
Parents and carers please look out for the permission note for this excursion which will be sent to you via email.
Celebration Assembly
When: 17th December
Locations: Central Coast Leagues Club
All parents, friends and family are invited to come along and join our students in our end of year celebration assembly.
Awards will be given out for each year along with a showcase of performances that our Year 7 to Year 9 students have worked on this year in class.
A light afternoon tea will be provided after the official ceremony has finished. We look forward to seeing you all there celebrating the school year with us.
Parents please look out for further information being sent to you via email closer to the event.
Future Me Week
When: 18th to 22nd November
Location: ET Australia Secondary College
Year 10 will be participating in Future me in week 6 this term.
Students will be given opportunities to participate in a computer program course, first aid, a legal aid workshop, learn car and cooking skills along with other exciting workshops that will help prepare them for their bright futures.
This is an amazing opportunity for Year 10 in their final week to work on real life skills that will help prepare them for work experience and beyond.
Parents and carers please look out for the permission note for this excursion which will be sent to you via email.
Year 10 Work Experience
When: 25th November to 6th December
Locations: Various
In Term 4, Year 10 students will have the opportunity to participate in a 2 week work experience program starting on the 25th of November and concluding on the 6th December.
Students are encouraged to negotiate a minimum of 25 hours per week unpaid work with the help of parents/carers and Jasmyn, ET Australia Secondary College’s Student Development Coordinator (SDC), in an area of interest to them. Students may stay with the same company in the same work experience trial for the duration of their work placement, however trialling various occupations may be a great opportunity.
During work experience Jasmyn, the SDC, will visit all students to monitor their progress and participation as well as receive feedback from their workplace supervisor. Students are fully covered by ET Australia’s insurance policy for the duration of approved work experience.
If you have any questions please feel free to call Jasmyn, ET Australia Secondary College’s Student Development Coordinator (SDC) via the school office on 43231233.
Whole School News
Synergetic Parent Portal
If parents/carers still do not have access to the parent portal, please contact the college office so your portal access details can be provided.
This portal provide parents/carers the ability to update information, respond to requests and download reports etc.
We are working to deliver all of these functions to all stakeholders, currently the portal has two key functions – changing details (address, phone numbers etc) and parent teacher interview bookings.
As development of the parent portal continues, parents/carers will be emailed when updates are made and new options are available.
Regular Pattern of School Attendance Required by Students
A reminder to parents and carers that in order for their child to continue their enrolment here at the college, students need to maintain a consistent pattern of attendance.
The NSW Education Department requires all students to have a minimum attendance percentage of 85% throughout the year.
This means the college expects every student to attend school every day unless they are too sick to attend. In the event of an absence caused by illness, the college requires an explanation of the absence within 24 hours of the student’s absence. Notification can be provided via text message, email or phone call. In the event of three or more consecutive days off, the college can request a Doctor’s certificate to support the provided reasons. If you have other reasons for a student being absent for the day (family emergency for example) please provide the college office with an explanation so we are able to account for the student’s absence.
For more information on school attendance please refer to our College Handbook.
Request for Student Leave
The Department of Education’s requirement for school attendance also affects opportunities for families to take holidays during school Terms. Some schools are withdrawing the option of families taking students out of school for holidays. ETASC is flexible but the Minister of Education requires us to ensure all student leave during Term time be approved by the college Principal in advance. A student leave request form is available from the college reception and needs to be completed 4 weeks prior to the planned absence from the College.
Please contact the College office on 4323 1233 if you have any further queries about holidays during school Term.
ET Australia Secondary College – A Non-Smoking High School
ETASC is a non-smoking secondary college for ALL students and staff.
Students who are caught smoking cigarettes during school hours will have their cigarettes confiscated and destroyed. Parents/carers will be contacted to inform them of this behaviour.
Any student smoking during school hours will be in breach of school rules. Any student smoking will be treated the same way as any other breach of school rules. Repeat offenders will be placed on a school contract that will stipulate the behaviour required to maintain their enrolment at the college. The school contract with the student will include the provision of access to quit programs and access to the college psychologist to develop strategies to use instead of smoking during the school day. Breaching the school contract will result in the student’s expulsion from the college.
Term 4 Assessments
Term 4 is a busy time of year with students all working hard towards their final assessments.
This Term there will be a two week assessment period for students to complete their work and for Year 10 to complete the final work towards their RoSA.
Assessment week for Year 7 and 8 will start in week 4 (Monday the 4th of November) and Year 9 and 10 in week 5 (Monday the 11th of November).
Year 10 students will all have access to the Student Assessment Handbook which is located on the ET Australia website. This handbook has information on all the requirements for the RoSA, grade descriptors and their assessment schedules.
Wednesday 18th December 2019 – Last Day of Term 4
The last day of Term 4 is Wednesday 18th December, which is a half day for all students. Students will be dismissed at 11:55am.
Enrolments – 2020
ETASC still has a Year 8 and Year 10 places in the school for 2020.
Our Year 7 and Year 9 cohort for 2020 is now full. We are now taking a names on a waiting list for Year 7 and Year 9 in 2020.
Thank you to those parents, carers and students who are recommending our school to prospective students who will value and enjoy what ETASC provides.
If you or anyone you know are interested in a place for Year 8 or Year 10 in 2020 you are urged to act now. Please call the College office on 4323 1233 so we can send you an information pack in the mail.
Removal of Friday Afternoon Catch Up Classes in 2020
Friday afternoon lessons will be compulsory for all students in 2020. The start and finish times for our school days will be the same Monday to Friday. Year 7 and Year 8 students will attend all day on Fridays and have normal classes as per our current school timetable. That is, nothing is changing for Year 7 and Year 8.
Year 9 and Year 10 students will attend all day on Fridays to participate in a series of curricular and extra-curricular programs that will be delivered on Friday afternoons. The programs will be different to normal classes and will improve academic outcomes and focus on career building skills. We may also expand our physical activities programs like Duke of Edinburgh and mountain bike riding for selected students to attend during this time.
Parents and carers should note this change to the structure of our Friday school days for 2020 and avoid scheduling appointments, and/or other activities for students during this time. Consistent absence for appointments or truancy during this time will reduce a student’s overall attendance. Failure to meet the NSW Government’s attendance requirements will lead to a student’s enrolment being withdrawn.
More information regarding these programs will be provided in the Term One college newsletter in 2020.
School Fees
A reminder to parents and carers that ETASC school fees are due to be paid on time as requested. Paying college fees provides opportunities for students to participate in a variety of different learning experiences.
It is a requirement of a student’s enrolment that school fees are paid by parents/carers and failure to pay fees will result in the student’s enrolment being withdrawn.
Scholarships are available to families who are suffering financial hardship and we encourage all parents/carers to apply for scholarships if they are struggling to pay school fees.
Information regarding school fees, payment plans and scholarships are available on the college website.
For more information on ETASC school fees please refer to our College Handbook.
OPAL Cards
The Department of Transport’s introduction of OPAL Cards is designed to reduce schools’ involvement in the issue and re-issue of this free service for school children. Parents and carers are now responsible to follow up with errors or lost and stolen cards. Students are advised not to put OPAL cards near phones or other disabled cards.
For more information on OPAL Cards please refer to our College Handbook.
Contacting Students in Class Time
Please do not phone your child during class time, they will be tempted to answer which is very disruptive to the class. Their phone should be off and out of sight. Parents/carers who need to contact their child during school hours are asked to do so by calling the college office on 4323 1233 or wait until break times.
Banned items – Reminder
A reminder to all parents and carers that the following items are banned at the college:
- Chewing gum
- Aerosol Cans- deodorant etc
- Permanent Markers
- Laser devices
- Metal of opaque drink bottles
- Cigarettes or e-cigarettes
- Cigarette lighters or matches
If students bring these items to school they will be confiscated.
2020 Year 7 Orientation Days – Tuesday 22nd October 2019 and Tuesday 26th November 2019
Each year in Term 4, ET Australia Secondary College holds orientation days for new Year 7 and Year 8 students commencing their enrolment the following year.
These days have been designed to provide new students the opportunity to meet their teachers and fellow class mates for 2020.
Activities have been planned for the students on Tuesday 22nd October 2019 and refreshments will be provided on this day.
On Tuesday 26th of November new students will participate in literacy and numeracy testing that will enable the teaching staff to prepare differentiated work for all new students from the beginning of 2020. The testing will be done on a one to one basis with a member of the college teaching staff and will take around an hour to complete. In order to make this process as efficient as possible, parents/carers will be provided a specific time between 9:00am and 2:30pm for their child to complete the testing.
An email will be sent to all new parents and carers at the beginning of November to advise times as well as any other requirements for the day.
If you have any questions regarding the orientation days please contact the College office on 02 4323 1233.
PDHPE
This term in PDHPE students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities that develop athletic skills and aim to build friendships and develop team work skills which are important attributes for being successful in a workplace environment.
Students will develop, implement and evaluate movement concepts and strategies to work towards achieving a team goal. Students will also transfer an understanding from previous movement experiences to create solutions to movement challenges. Through the learning activities provided, students will also analyse how body control and awareness influences movement skills.
Year 7 students will participate in a swim safety course at Gosford pool. This will teach them about stroke technique and how to remain safe in water environments. Year 8 students will participate in a range of fitness lessons which will allow them to understand how the body moves and will engage students in a range of activities to promote lifelong physical activity.
Year 9 and 10 students will participate in a range of activities from different small-sided tactical games to fitness-based activities such as utilising Snap Fitness gym in Gosford.
Please note if your child cannot participate in practical lessons due to injury or illness they need to provide a note which will cover that lesson for the week. If it is an ongoing injury or illness then a medical certificate will need to be provided. If you would like any further information about PDHPE please contact Joshua via the school office on 4323 1233.
Free After School Tutoring
Any student who wants help after school (on any subject) should ask the subject teacher and arrangements will be made to provide free tutoring for most afternoons.
Weekly Timetable
Tuesday:
Extension Maths (Y10 students intending to complete the HSC) 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Literacy tutoring 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Thursday:
Extension Science (Y10 students intending to complete the HSC) 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Numeracy tutoring 2:30pm to 3:30pm
All extracurricular and tutoring classes are free.
School Lockers
Lockers are provided at no cost for students to store their school bags to improve security and work, health and safety. Students are asked to clean out their lockers at the end of every Term. Items left in lockers at the end of each Term will be discarded. If you value the contents of your locker, please take it with you.
Students are encouraged to keep lockers locked at all times, even when empty. We are keen to prevent unauthorised access to your locker and/or to have other people placing objects in lockers which do not belong to them.
Medication Taken at School
Parent and carers are reminded that students must not bring medication to school without advising the school in writing (this includes non-prescription medication). Medication which needs to be taken during school hours must be held and administered by College staff, not the student.
For more information on medication taken at ETASC please refer to our College Handbook.
Positive Behaviour Management and Rewards
ETASC reviewed and refreshed our positive behaviour reward system in Term 1 to include short term, medium term and long term rewards for students who accumulated positive behaviour reports during this time.
110 students, who had had been awarded 25 positives by staff during the semester, were invited to the reward day at the end of Term 2. Students were treated to a day of laser tag, ten pin bowling and pizza in recognition of their positive behaviour during semester one.
This focus on positive behaviour is an ongoing feature of our college and will continue in semester two. Planning has started on the Stage 4 and Stage 5 reward days that will take place during Term 4.
4157 positive behaviour reports were awarded to students in Term 3, taking the total number of positive behaviour reports given to students by staff to 11781 for the year to date. These figures are proof the majority of our 165 students are displaying positive behaviour at school. Students who are accumulating positives will be rewarded further in Term 4 when the semester two reward days will be held. Information about the events planned is below.
Year 7 and 8 Big Night In Rewards Day
When: 12th and 13th December
Location: ET Australia Secondary College
In order to make this night as special and surprising as possible, information regarding the activities will be released closer to the event.
An invitation email will be sent to parents and carers in November.
Year 9 Tree Tops Rewards Day
When: 29th November
Location: Tree Tops Adventure Park
For this excursion, Year 9 and students will enjoy the fresh air and challenge themselves in a fun and safe environment at Tree Tops Adventure Park.
The excursion will help students build self-confidence, help each other and push personal limits. They will have access to the Tree Tops adventure park and the Tree Tops crazy rider.
Parents and carers please look out for the permission note for this excursion which will be sent to you via email.
Year 7 & 8 News
Year 7 Immunisation
Please note the following immunisations for Year 7 students:
- 13th November 2019
Vaccines to be given – HPV/Gardasil. This is a second round to ensure those student who missed out in Term 2 receive the immunisation.
If you need further information about our immunisation program please contact the college office on 4323 1233.
Year 8 Transition Into Year 9
When: From 6th December
Location: ET Australia Secondary College
All Year 8 students will be transitioning to Year 9 from the 6th December 2019.
This will provide students the opportunity to get to know their teachers and fellow class mates for 2020.
Year 9 & 10 News
Year 10 Graduation
When: 13th December
Location: Mingara Recreation Club
Family and friends have already received a formal invitation to the 2019 Year 10 Graduation Ceremony where we all celebrate and recognise the achievements of our Year 10 graduates. This event is a chance for family and friends to see students being recognised for their academic and personal achievements. It is an opportunity for extended families to witness this milestone in their child’s education.
A $120 payment for this event secures 3 tickets at a subsidised price. These tickets are for the graduate and two guests, additional tickets can be purchased for $80 each. There is a three course meal and soft drinks. This is an alcohol and smoke free event.
Tickets will be available for sale from the college office from the 15th October 2019.
Please note – where school fees are outstanding, all funds received for the purpose of graduation tickets will be allocated to the outstanding school fees before tickets will be provided to students/families. In order to purchase and attend the graduation, all school fees must be paid beforehand.
Year 10 Assessment Handbook
Year 10 students all have access to the Student Assessment Handbook located on the ET Australia website.
This handbook has information on all the requirements for the RoSA, grade descriptors and their assessment schedules.
Quick Links
ET Australia Secondary College Term Dates
| Year | Term | Year | Start Date | Finish Date |
| 2020 | Term 1 | 7 and 8 | Thursday 30th of January | Thursday 9th of April |
| 2020 | Term 1 | 9 and 10 | Friday 31st of January | Thursday 9th of April |
| 2020 | Term 2 | All | Wednesday 29th of April | Friday 3rd of July |
| 2020 | Term 3 | All | Tuesday 21st of July | Thursday 24th of September |
| 2020 | Term 4 | 7, 8, 9 | Tuesday 13th of October | Wednesday 16th of December |
| 2020 | Term 4 | 10 | Tuesday 13th of October | Friday 4th of December |
