Welcome to Term 4 2020 from the Principal

In 2020, ET Australia Secondary College has reached its notional enrolment maximum of 170 students. We have added extra student places again this year due to ongoing 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 2021, we have limited vacancies for new enrolments in all year groups so please recommend our College to prospective students who will most benefit from attending ETASC.

Our academic focus on literacy and numeracy skills, our school philosophy designed to create a safe and nurturing environment, and our focus on fostering each student’s work ethic appears to be a successful combination.

Our Year 10 students are progressing towards the time where post-school plans and career ideas need to be formulated. To assist every student, we have conducted Career Pathway Plans with our Year 10 students and their parents/carers. The individualised Pathway Plans create detailed career plans with specific employment and further study plans set for each student. This ensures that the positive momentum achieved by students this year continues next year into Year 11 and 12 studies, to work or vocational training.

ET Australia is introducing Year 11 and Year 12 and relocating to provide our students with two new school campuses, better educational facilities, and an opportunity to have a comprehensive Year 7 to Year 12 school experience. Our new school sites will be ready for the commencement of the 2021 school year.

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

Excursions and Events

Due to NSW Heath Department advice regarding the COVID 19 pandemic, many of our excursions and events for Term 4 have been cancelled or modified to ensure ETASC can comply with our COVID Safe Plan.

If the Health Department restrictions are lifted, some events will proceed, and parents/carers will be emailed with details of each event. Where permission is required, we ask you REPLY to the email with your permission, as instructed. This will ensure 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 will no longer be 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.

Last Day of Term 4

The last day of Term 4 for students in Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 will be on the 11^th December 2020.

Students will spend the morning packing up classrooms before the Celebration Assembly starts at 11:00am.

All students will be dismissed at 11:55am.

Key Dates for Term 1 2021

Year 7 and Year 8 students will commence classes on Monday 1st February 2021.

Year 9 and Year 10 students will commence classes on Tuesday 2nd February 2021.

Year 11 students will commence classes on Wednesday 3rd February 2021.

Term 1 school holidays will start on Thursday 1st April 2021.

Construction has Commenced at our New School Sites for Year 7 to 10 and Year 11 and Year 12

Building works have now commenced at the Year 7 to Year 10 campus located in the Imperial Centre and at the Year 11 and Year 12 campus located at 125 Donnison Street Gosford.

Our new Year 7 to Year 10 campus will be located in the Imperial Centre where Aldi used to be. The new campus is architecturally designed with larger classrooms, more individualised learning spaces, a school library space, a science lab, a computer lab, and a larger student kitchen area. The new campus will give our students and staff a new fit-out that is spacious and more suited to teaching and learning.

The ETASC Year 11 and Year 12 campus will be located at 125 Donnison Street Gosford. ET Australia’s Adult Training College already occupies the ground floor of this building. The first floor of the building will be completely renovated to create a new Year 11 and 12 campus ready for the start of the 2021 school year.

To give our school community a preview of what the two new school campuses will look like we have created a fly-through video, taking you inside our new campuses to get a feel of what students will be experiencing in 2021. The video is available on ET Australia’s website.

2021 Enrolments for Year 11

Current ETASC Year 10 students who are interested in continuing in Year 11 at ETASC in 2021 will need to follow the application process outlined in the ETASC Year 11 and Year 12 College handbook.

More information will be made available to parents/carers and our community as it comes to hand.

Curriculum Update

After a successful first round of HSC Numeracy and Literacy Minimum Standards testing, ETASC will offer a second round of testing for Year 10 students during week 2 of Term 4. Students will be notified if they are required to complete further testing this term.

Final school assessment tasks will be conducted during Assessment Week in week 5 of Term 4. A timetable will be released closer to the week. It is crucial for all students to be at school during this week to complete their assessments for reports, and for Stage 5 to avoid a Non-Determination Award. Please notify the school immediately if your child will be absent during this time.

Year 10 students will receive a note early in Term 4 asking parents/carers to indicate if their child is nominating to receive the Record of School Achievement (RoSA). The RoSA is only issued if your child is permanently leaving the school system. If your child is continuing their education, at ETASC or at another school, they will not need to be nominated for a RoSA.

Any questions please contact ETASC Curriculum Coordinator Kimberley Wheeler 02 4323 1233.

Regular Pattern of School Attendance Required by Students

A reminder to parents/carers that for their child to continue their enrolment here at the college, students need to maintain a consistent pattern of attendance.

The New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) require 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 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 medical 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 can 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 reception and needs to be completed 4 weeks prior to the planned absence from school.

Please contact the college office on 02 4323 1233 if you have any further queries about holidays during school terms.

Reporting Student Absence

It is a government requirement for parents/carers to notify and provide a reason for their child’s absence from school on every occasion. To ensure notifications are always received and recorded by the appropriate staff members, a generic email address has been introduced for absentee notifications. We request this email address is used from now on rather than emailing individual staff members. This will ensure the notification is received by reception regardless of who is working on the day. Methods for notifying the school for absences from now on are:

• Email: attendance@et.makearchive.com.au
• Phone: 02 4323 1233 after 8:30am

In the event, your child is absent from school and we have not been notified, an SMS message will be sent to your mobile informing you of their absence which you are able to reply to.

ET Australia Secondary College – A Non-Smoking High School

ETASC is a non-smoking secondary college for ALL students and staff – this includes the use of vape pens and e-cigarettes.

Students who are caught smoking cigarettes, vape pens or e-cigarettes during school hours will have their cigarettes, vape pens or e-cigarettes confiscated and destroyed. Parents/carers will be contacted to inform them of this behaviour.

Advice from NSW Health clearly outlines it is illegal to sell cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vape pens, or accessories to, or buy these products on the behalf of a person under 18 years of age.

Please visit https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/e-cigarettes.aspx for more information from NSW Health.

Any student smoking during school hours will be in breach of school rules and 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 smoking 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.

Enrolments

2020

Enrolment enquiries are always welcome throughout the school year. Currently, there are no places available in Year 7, Year 8, Year 9 or Year 10. Waiting lists are in place for each year group and parents/carers will be contacted when a place becomes available.

2021

Enrolment interviews for Year 11 in 2021 are currently being conducted and those students interested in attending in 2021 are encouraged to contact the Assistant Principal ASAP. Places are now open to students from across the region and preference will no longer be given to our current Year 10 students.

Limited places are available in Year 7 for 2021 and parents/carers who are interested in sending their child to ETASC next year are encouraged to contact the school office.

School Fees

A reminder to parents/carers that paying school fees is compulsory at ETASC as the contributions made provide 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 issues OPAL Cards and schools are no longer involved in the issue and re-issue of this free service for school children. Parents/carers are now responsible to follow up with errors / 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

Students are prohibited from bringing certain items to school:

• Chewing gum
• Aerosol cans – deodorant etc
• Knives
• Liquid paper
• Permanent markers
• Laser devices
• Metal or opaque drink bottles
• Cigarettes
• e-cigarettes or vape pens
• Cigarette lighters or matches

If students bring these items to school, they will be confiscated.

If students continue to bring these items to school appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the consequences for breaches of the expected behaviours outlined at enrolment and in the College Handbook.

PDHPE

Year 7 and Year 8

During Term 4 students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities that will use specialised and fundamental movement skills.

Year 7 will participate in a range of swimming activities that focus on the different swimming strokes and safety techniques to use when in the water or when assisting someone else from a risky situation.

Year 8 will participate in dance lessons where they will need to choreograph and perform a dance piece with their group.

Year 9 and Year 10

Students will participate in a variety of fitness lessons including boxing, circuit training, interval training, yoga and strength training activities. These activities will relate to the content studied during PDHPE theory lessons which will focus on types of training to improve individual and community health.

These practical lessons will be a fun and challenging way for students to improve their fitness levels and encourage them to participate in lifelong physical activity.

Where a student has a temporary incapacity and requests an exemption, a letter from a parent/carer will suffice for one week, any time beyond one week must be supported by a Doctor’s Certificate. If you need further information, please contact ETASC PDHPE teacher Joshua Wakem on 02 4323 1233.

Free After School Tutoring

Any student who wants help after school in any subject should ask the subject teacher and arrangements will be made to provide free tutoring for most afternoons.

Weekly Timetable

Tuesday:

• Extension Maths (Year 10 students intending to complete the HSC) 2:30pm to 3:30pm
• Literacy tutoring 2:30pm to 3:30pm

Thursday:

• Extension Science (Year 10 students intending to complete the HSC) 2:30pm to 3:30pm
• Numeracy tutoring 2:30pm to 3:30pm
• All extra-curricular or tutoring classes are free.

Learning Enrichment Opportunities

ETASC offers free tutoring for all students.

For students who are identified as needing extra assistance with:

• Reading
  ETASC offers two reading programs: QuickSmart and MacqLit
• Mathematics
  ETASC offers QuickSmart and consolidation of classwork and after school tutoring
• Writing
  ETASC offers English tutoring and consolidation of classwork

We strongly encourage all students to take advantage of our free tutoring.

Learning Enrichment for Term 4

The Learning Enrichment Literacy Tutoring focus for Term 4 is picture books. Picture books provide an opportunity for students to consider the effect of combining literary devices and visual techniques to tell a story.

Analysing picture books requires the ability to interpret visual images, understand a sequence of events, follow a story’s narrative and make inferences about language choices.

In the production of their picture books, students will learn how to use a range of literary devices to engage and entertain their audience. Students will learn about the components of a narrative and will create their own story. Students will also consider how visual devices can communicate their ideas.

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 locker 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 there.

Medication Taken at School

Alterations have been made to our administration of student medication process.

In conjunction with our First Aid and Medications Policy, parents/carers are now required to complete an Authorisation for Administration of Student Medication form for any medication you would like your child to take at school.

Parents/carers will also be required to provide the medication in its original packaging which has the Doctor’s instructions on the label.

Please contact the school office if you would like any further information or require a form to be sent home.

For more information on medication at ETASC please refer to our College Handbook.

Positive Behaviour Management and Rewards

ETASC’s Positive Student Behaviour Reward system includes short term, medium-term and long-term rewards. Reward days once a semester are the pinnacle reward of this system.

Short Term Rewards – Fortnightly Basis

Short term rewards will occur on a fortnightly basis and be awarded to one student from each class based on their behaviour in the previous two weeks. Teachers will consider the number of positive behaviour reports or in-class points awarded, the student’s attendance during this time and any noticeable changes in a student’s behaviour. Students will be informed of their positive award in a manner that is comfortable to them – during the whole school assembly, stage assembly, class time or on an individual basis.

Short term rewards including but not limited to may be:

• Chocolates
• Free lunch – pizza etc
• Books
• Trinkets, toys, stationery etc.

Medium Term Rewards – Term Basis

The accumulation of positive behaviour reports over a term will earn students medium-term rewards. A schedule of rewards will be provided to the students at the beginning of each term. The accumulation of positive behaviour reports over the term will earn a student rewards.

The number of positive behaviour reports required to achieve specific medium-term rewards include:

# of Positive Behaviour Reports Reward:

25           Qualifies student to attend semester reward day

30           Listen to music during class time for one week

40           5-minute early mark at the end of the school day for one week

50           Free lunch order to the value of $10

Long Term Rewards- Semester Basis

The long-term reward for sustained positive student behaviour is an invitation to attend the reward days held at the end of each semester. Students will be invited to attend our reward day if they have accumulated at least 25 positive behaviour reports during the semester. If a student is invited to a reward day and engages in negative behaviour before the event, their invitation can be revoked. Reward day activities aim to be fun days with activities that students want to participate in.

Our reward days so far have included:

• Go karting
• Jet boats
• Laser tag
• Mini golf

In determining whether students are entitled to attend a reward day the following will be considered:

• The number of positive and negative behaviour reports a student has received
• School attendance – students need to maintain a regular pattern of attendance

Outstanding school fees – A student’s school fees need to be no more than 1 month in arrears to be eligible to attend reward days.

School Contract – if a student has been placed on a school contract, they are deemed ineligible to attend reward days. Exceptions on a case-by-case basis may be considered by the Assistant Principal but this is not negotiable.

If parents/carers have questions regarding the positive behaviour system, we welcome feedback and questions so please contact the Assistant Principal.

Year 7 Immunisation 

Please note the following immunisations for Year 7 students:

• Wednesday 11^th November 2020
  Vaccines to be given HPV/Gardasil

If you need further information about our immunisation program, please contact the college office on 43231233.

Year 7 High Resolves Program

Over the course of 2020, every Year 7 student will have taken part in a new program being delivered at ETASC. The program is designed to support and nurture our learners to become future global citizens and leaders.

ETASC is working in partnership with ‘High Resolves’ to facilitate our young learners explore the concepts that surround topics such as ‘Identity and Purpose’.

This new and exciting approach provides Year 7 students with a simulated ‘Peak Experience’ as well as providing weekly lessons and group discussions which are delivered across the curriculum.

At the end of the year, each student will be given the opportunity to volunteer and become citizens and leaders in their own context and community.

Year 10 Graduation – Cancelled

The 2020 Year 10 Graduation has been cancelled.

2020 was going to be the last year ETASC held a Year 10 Graduation with students in 2021 having the option to continue into Year 11 from 2021. Given the restrictions on events such as graduations due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the decision has been made to cancel the event this year.

ETASC will be holding a Year 10 Graduation Assembly at school to recognise students’ achievements. The assembly will provide ETASC with the opportunity to present a number of student awards, such as academic achievement awards and the 2020 Principal’s Award.

ETASC’s COVID 19 Safety plan prevents parents/carers from attending the assembly but it will be available to watch via live stream online. We are currently working on a suitable platform and more information will be made available to parents/carers closer to the date.

Year 10 – End of Year Arrangements

The last day Year 10 students are required to attend school is Friday 20th November 2020.

If students can arrange work experience, they will have the opportunity to complete work experience from the 23rd November 2020 until the 4^th of December 2020.

Students are encouraged to start contacting possible employers now to ensure they have work experience lined up for this time.

The 4^th of December 2020 will be the last day of school for all Year 10 students.

Changes to Year 9 and 10 in 2021

With the introduction of Year 11 at ETASC in 2021, a change in the way Year 9 and Year 10 operates will occur in 2021. Until now, at ETASC Year 9 and Year 10 have been taught as a Stage 5 cohort rather than in individual year groups. This has been achieved by delivering the Stage 5 syllabus in English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography and PDHPE in a 2-year cycle, rather than in Year 9 and Year 10 groups and classes.

In 2021 ETASC will introduce separate year groups for Year 9 and Year 10 classes. This will provide students improved capacity to learn skills in Year 10 that will flow into topics taught in Year 11. Our Stage 5 students will be broken up into two Year 9 and two Year 10 classes rather than the four Stage 5 classes we have delivered until now.

Students will be placed in classes based on their academic ability in Mathematics to ensure they’re completing the most suitable course matched to their proven competency. Movement between the classes will continue throughout every term based on Teachers’ recommendations and student progress. A move in class occurs to ensure students are placed in a class group where they can progress in the Mathematics course, they are best suited to. Class allocations will continue to be based on a student’s learning needs and friendships will not be used to determine a student’s class. All Year 9 and Year 10 students will be allocated to classes on their return in 2021.

SYNC – Skills You Need Consolidating

This year ETASC has introduced a new course called SYNC for Year 9 and Year 10 students that focuses on various skills which will help them consolidate the learning they are doing in class. SYNC provides students with skills and knowledge that will be useful in life after school.

Each lesson aims to help students establish and practice the fundamental skills necessary for further education and work. Numeracy tasks are included in the 9-week program to showcase how numeracy is universal and used in a wide range of situations.

Classes include:

• Nutrition – properly reading food labels, budgeting, planning, food wastage and cooking skills
• Computer Skills – using Microsoft Office and typing
• Careers – resume writing, cover letters, how to research jobs, skill selection, numeracy unit reviewing fundamental skills
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) project

These units will help to round out the students’ employability skills.

Year 10 Student Assessment Handbook

The Year 10 Student Assessment Handbook is available on the school website and is an important document for Year 10 students to read to be informed about their Record of School Achievement (RoSA) requirements.

Within the handbook there is information on how to successfully complete Year 10, the grading scale for each subject, what an ‘N’ Determination Award (N Award) is and how to avoid one, study skills and who to talk to if you need help.

We encourage all Year 10 students and parents/carers to read this document thoroughly to ensure they are informed of the expectations for Year 10.

Click here to read the handbook.

ET Australia Secondary College Term Dates

Year	Term	Year	Start Date	Finish Date
2020	Term 4	All	Tuesday 13th of October	Wed 16th of December
2021	Term 1	7 and 8	Monday 1st of February	Thursday 1st of April
2021	Term 1	9 and 10	Tuesday 2nd of February	Thursday 1st of April
2021	Term 1	11	Wednesday 3rd of February	Thursday 1st of April

ET Australia Secondary College Handbook

ET Australia Training College Upcoming Courses

View the latest ET Australia Magazine

Check out the ET Australia Blog