Welcome to Term 4, 2022 from the Principal

ET Australia is a safe and nurturing learning environment. To stay safe, we abide by laws and follow all relevant guidelines. From 14 October 2022, it will no longer be mandatory to self-isolate at home if you test positive to Covid-19. More information will come from NSW Health, and we must all follow the guidelines. NSW Health strongly recommends people who are sick or have tested positive to Covid-19 stay home until their symptoms have gone. Restrictions will still apply for high-risk settings such as healthcare and aged care facilities. At ETASC we will continue to ask parents/carers not to send students to school who are sick. We have observed over the last two years especially that when people who are sick remain at home, then Covid-19 and other viruses are not as readily transmitted among our students and staff. If we all stay home when we are sick, our community will be healthier.

ET Australia Secondary College currently has 250 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 2023, we have limited vacancies for new enrolments in Year 7 and Year 11 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 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.

Our Year 10 and Year 11 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 and Year 11 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 and onto further studies, to work and/or vocational training.

Our first-ever Year 12 students are commencing their HSC exams on the 12th of October. We wished them all the best for their futures at their fantastic Year 12 Graduation on the 23rd of September. They are a wonderful group of young people and they have set a high standard for behaviour and academic progress for all our students to aspire to achieve.

If anyone ever has ideas 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

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 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 the College Handbook relevant to you:

• Years 7 to 10 College Handbook
• Years 11 and 12 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 Years 7 to 10 College Handbook and Years 11 and 12 College Handbook.

Medication Taken at School

Alterations have been made to our administration of the 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 taken at school please refer to the College Handbook relevant to you:

• Years 7 to 10 College Handbook
• Years 11 and 12 College Handbook

Buddy Update

Buddy, our school support and wellbeing dog, is working in classrooms at both campuses on a flexible timetable so she can attend different classes and all-year groups. The Dogs Connect program is a whole-school wellbeing program that provides ongoing training and framework for Buddy in our community. Our school support and wellbeing dog is a much loved and important member of our community. We encourage anyone who would like to know more about this program to look through the website link: https://dogsconnect.net.au

Our team of staff who lead this program are all trained. We assure the community that this program will not involve anyone who does not wish to be involved. Buddy is having a positive impact on many people in our school, and we plan and arrange her time so the connection with Buddy will be offered on a wide variety of levels.

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 always locked, even when empty. We are keen to prevent unauthorised access to your locker and/or to have other people placing objects in lockers that do not belong there.

Staff Changes

At the end of last term Darcy Jury, Melissa Stimson and Kimberly Smith have decided to leave ETASC.

Darcy started at the college as a Teacher Assistant in 2013, gaining experience while completing his university qualifications. In 2015 he commenced working at the college as a casual teacher and gained full time employment in 2016 when the school expanded to include Years 7 & 8. Darcy has made a positive and lasting contribution to our college and to the success of many students since 2013 and we wish him all the best as he moves into the next phase of his career.

Melissa Stimson joined us as a Teacher Assistant in 2016 and has done a fantastic job supporting staff and students in that time. We wish Melissa the best as she moves on to the next phase in her career.

Kimberly joined us as a Teacher Assistant in 2020 and has done a fantastic job supporting staff and students in that time. We wish Kimberly all the best as she moves on to the next phase in her career.

Terese Geraghty will be joining us for Term 4, teaching Year 7 Orange Mathematics, Science, Technology and PDHPE until the end of the year.

Contact details for all members of school staff are in the College Handbook relevant to you:

• Years 7 to 10 College Handbook
• Years 11 and 12 College Handbook

Book Week

This year, ETASC participated in Book week for the first time. It was wonderful seeing the students all dressed up as their favourite book characters and to hear the wonderful conversations had about the importance of reading. Congratulations to the costume winners:

Year 7 – James Jackson – English
Year 8 – Elisha Crouch
Year 9 – Jemma Willie, Bree Walker, and Tyler L
Year 10 – Sol B

Also, congratulations to the participants of the writing competition- winners will be announced in term 4.

Assessment Week 

Assessment Week will be held during Week 5 for all year groups. Students in Years 9 and 10 will be completing a separate KLA examination each day with revision time in class. Years 7 and 8 will be in their timetable classes completing their assessment tasks. Adjustments and support will be available to students who qualify. If you know you will not be present during this time, please contact Assistant Principal Lachlan Scott. If you have any questions, please contact the Curriculum Coordinator Kimberley Wheeler.

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) 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
• Literacy tutoring 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Thursday:

• Extension Science (Year 10 students intending to complete the HSC) 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
• 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 the MacqLit reading program
• Mathematics – ETASC offers the QuickSmart program. We also offer 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.

Literacy Tutoring is offered on a Tuesday afternoon from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. Melanie McDonald, a Learning Enrichment Teacher and SPELD NSW-endorsed literacy tutor, is facilitating Literacy Tutoring this year. The Term 2, 3 and 4 Literacy Tutoring will be based on a Direct Instruction program called Expressive Writing.

Expressive Writing focuses on developing the following subskills:

1. Writing clearly (using pronouns with clear referents and including details that are necessary for clarity).
2. Writing with a variety of sentences (sentences that begin with a dependent clause, sentences that contain a series and some compound sentences).
3. Writing what people say and appropriately paragraphing their conversations; and
4. Editing for clarity, punctuation, paragraphs, and sentence forms.

Each Literacy Tutoring session includes the following: a skill development component that includes three to five exercises designed to teach specific subskills and editing skills that students will need to write passages and a passage writing exercise in which students apply these subskills. Students will also be provided with opportunities to apply these skills to writing passages for their English and HSIE classwork.

Gifted and Talented Program 2022

In Term 4, students will continue to have opportunities to enter competitions.

The importance of entering challenging competitions for gifted students is well researched. The following are some of the benefits-:

Problem solving and analysis:
By using their imagination and flexing their creative muscle to come up with plots, alternative solutions, and organise their thoughts and ideas, kids are learning to think beyond the square and actively seek fresh ways of identifying, assessing, and tackling problems.

Self-confidence:
Children can be full of doubt about their ideas and abilities. Creative writing offers a safe and supportive environment for them to find and express their voices.

Discipline and Persistence:
It takes time to organise your thoughts, create characters, dramatic plots, and interesting settings, and then put them into a cohesive sequence.

Inquisitiveness and Research Skills:
Students, by nature, are naturally curious. Researching allows them to take it one step further by igniting a desire to learn more about a topic that they find stimulating. I have seen many students become mini experts in their field of interest – whether it’s dinosaurs, trains, the atmosphere on Mars, or how to keep a balloon afloat!

Two of the competition that we are entering in Term 4 are Canal to Creek Art Competition and Little Stories, Big Ideas.

When students in the GATS program are not being extended by competitions, they continue to receive extension work based on the class programs. For instance, both Stage 4 and 5 in Art are looking at Pop Art including artwork produced by Andy Warhol and Marjorie Strider. STEM class is researching and creating a harmonica and a lava lamp.

When not competing our GAT students are given the opportunity of the following:

-self-directed projects
-STEM lessons
-critical and creative thinking application
-in-depth topic development
-real-world problem application

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 include, but are not limited to:

• 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 student rewards.

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

# 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 rewards day and engages in negative behaviour before the event, their invitation can be revoked. Reward day activities are intended 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.

Years 7 and 8 High Resolves Program

Over the course of 2022, every Year 7 and Year 8 student will take part in the High Resolves program. The program is designed to support and nurture our learners to become future global citizens and leaders, as well as giving them the opportunity to make a difference in their local community.

ETASC is working in partnership with ‘High Resolves’ to facilitate our students’ ability to explore concepts that surround the topics ‘Identity and Purpose’ and ‘Just Society’.

This exciting approach will see Year 7 and Year 8 students experience an immersive ‘Peak Experience’ as well as regular lessons and group discussions throughout the year – which will be delivered across the curriculum.

Lunch Orders – Lunch Options for 2022

Students in Year 7 and Year 8 have the following lunch order options in 2022:

• Monday – McDonald’s
• Tuesday – no option available due to PDHPE practical lessons
• Wednesday – Sushi
• Thursday – Subway
• Friday – Hot chips

Years 9 to 12 students have permission to buy food from the food court in the Imperial Centre for the first 15 minutes of each break every day. The school staff provide student supervision in the food court during breaks.

As soon as students have received their food and drinks, they must make their way directly to Kibble Park. During breaks in Kibble Park, students are always supervised by school staff.

Students are only permitted to enter the food court if they are purchasing food or drinks. If students go to the food court and do not purchase food or drinks, they will be banned from accessing this privilege.

Years 11 & 12 students are also permitted to go to Shop 3 Café unsupervised to buy food and drink during breaks. As soon as students have received their food and drinks, they must make their way directly to Kibble Park. During breaks in Kibble Park, students are always supervised by school staff.

Class of 2022 Year 12 Graduation

On the 23rd of September, ET Australia Secondary College celebrated the accomplishments of the Year 12 Class of 2022 completing their schooling career. Parents/Carers and staff attended the Year 12 Graduation Dinner with Year 12s at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal. Individual student achievements were recognized with academic awards and the Principal’s award. ET Australia Secondary College wishes Year 12 the best in all their future endeavors.

2022 Award recipients:

• First Place in Year 12 English Standard HSC Course – Kayla Lush
• First Place in Year 12 Mathematics Standard 2 HSC Course – Kayla Lush
• First Place in Year 12 Biology HSC Course – Kayla Lush
• First Place in Year 12 Business Studies HSC Course – Calli Weavers
• First Place in Year 12 Modern History HSC Course – Calli Weavers
• First Place in Year 12 PDHPE HSC Course – Kayla Lush
• Bradbury Award – Fletcher Randall (First Place in Year 12 Mathematics Standard 1 HSC Course)
• Highest attendance – Alexander Morten
• ETASC Dux – Kayla Lush
• Principal’s Award – Claire Shannon

Stage 6 Curriculum Update

Our current Year 12’s are sitting their HSC exams and we wish them all the best. ETASC teachers are available to support and answer questions whilst students are revising for each subject.

Year 11 transition into Year 12

Year 11 will be moving into the Year 12 classroom as they commence their HSC courses.  They will either study their selected 5 or 6 subjects this term. When students are not in class, they will be able to use the time to study and complete work under the supervision of a teacher. It is important that students use this time productively. The three top tips for improving achievement in the HSC which can be done during this time is to;

1. Write summary notes for the subject.
2. Memorise the syllabus.
3. Complete practice HSC questions.

It is best to do these things regularly, not waiting to the end of the HSC course to begin.

Students will be given their HSC textbooks and codes to access electronic versions. They will also continue to have access to Google Classroom, Edrolo and Education Perfect to assist them in their learning.

Year 12 Mentorship Program

Year 12 students will be assigned a staff member to be their mentor. Students will receive a booklet to record their academic goals for the term and meet with their mentor to plan steps to help them achieve it. Mentors will meet with the students to encourage them to keep working on those steps.  They will also help students to reflect on what strategies are helping them and what things need to change to ensure they meet their academic goals.

Special Provisions

ETASC is very good at providing support and assistance to students. This support is not automatically provided in the HSC exams and assessments. There is an application process that all students in NSW must follow to ensure uniformity across the state. If your child needs special provisions for the HSC, please speak to Elissa Cosentino Elissa.Cosentino@et.makearchive.com.au, as she will be submitting applications in Term 4.

Intervention

Intervention will continue this term with a focus not only on literacy but also numeracy. In these sessions, selected students are given the opportunity to improve their sentence structure and ability to develop cohesive pieces of writing. The numeracy sessions will be tailored to the needs of the individual.

Assessments

Please refer to the Student Assessment Handbook for an outline of when tasks are due throughout the term. Many tasks require students to research and write responses outside of class time. Remember to take advantage of the after-school session from 3-4 pm where teachers are available to answer questions. These tasks require students to work on them throughout the term and are not designed to be done in one night. If a student is absent on the day an assessment task is due, please ensure the illness misadventure form is completed, with documentary evidence, and emailed to Christina.Clark@et.makearchive.com.au within 24 hours.

Year 12 Student Assessment Handbook

The Year 12 Student Assessment Handbook is an important document for Year 12 students to read to be informed about the HSC course requirements.

Within the handbook, there is information on how to successfully complete Year 12, what an ‘N’ Determination Award (N Award) is and how to avoid one, study skills and who to talk to if you need help. The illness/misadventure form is found at the end of the handbook.

We encourage all Year 12 students and parents/carers to read this document thoroughly to ensure they are informed of the expectations for Year 12.

Click here to read the handbook

ET Australia Secondary College Term Dates

ET Australia Secondary College Years 7 to 10 Handbook

ET Australia Secondary College Years 11 and 12 Handbook

ET Australia Training College Upcoming Courses