GLEN WAVERLEY SECONDARY
COLLEGE
YEAR 7
INFORMATION HANDBOOK
2015
Year 7 Information 2015
General Information:
Principals
College Principal:
Assistant Principal:
Assistant Principal:
Assistant Principal:
Mr Gerry Schiller
Mrs Sandra Erickson
Mr Vin Penso
Mr Colin Warner
Middle School
Director Middle School Students:
Director of Middle School Learning:
Director of Middle School Programs:
Ms Viv Coad
Ms Amanda Provis
Mr Geoff O’Neill
Address:
Glen Waverley Secondary College
O'Sullivan Road
GLEN WAVERLEY 3150
Contact Information:
Middle School: 8805 6713 (Direct Line)
General Office: 8805 6700
Fax No:
8805 6701
Email:
Website:
Postal Address:
Private Bag 4194
Glen Waverley 3150
or
8805 6760 (Direct Line)
middleschool@gwsc.vic.edu.au
http://www.gwsc.vic.edu.au
Middle School Hours:
Classes commence at 9:00am and conclude at 3:15pm.
STUDENT DATES FOR 2015
Term 1: Friday 30 January 2015
to Friday 27th March 2015
Term 2: Monday 13th April 2015
to Friday 26th June 2015
Term 3: Monday 13th July 20145
to Friday 18th September 2015
Term 4: Monday 5th October 2015
to Friday 18th December 2015
th
MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAM
Viv Coad
VCO
Director of Middle School Students
Amanda Provis
MPR
Director of Learning
Geoff O’Neill
GON
Director of Student Programs
Julia Cafiso
Athena Romanas
JCF
ARM
Alice Rowse
ANI
Kelly Johnston
KJH
Kylie Smith
Catherine Harrison
Bradman House Leader
Elliott House Leader
Fraser House Leader
Goolagong House Leader
KSM
Middle School Secretary
CHI
Middle School Secretary
MIDDLE SCHOOL LEARNING COMMUNITY
Middle School Guiding Principles
The educational vision of Glen Waverley Secondary College encompasses a set of shared values that we
seek to achieve for all members of our community. The statement is provided below.
Glen Waverley Secondary College
VISION and VALUES
Creating and sustaining a
LEARNING COMMUNITY
where everyone continually learns and grows
involve
involve
involve
Valuing Diversity &
Learning to Live Together
Embracing Lifelong
Learning
through
Creating Personal Futures
through
– developing
positive,
caring
relationships
in
a
safe
environment
– working
cooperatively
and
collaboratively
– each person being valued and
respected
– valuing diversity including our
diverse cultural heritages and
diverse ways of knowing and
being
– embracing our responsibilities as
local, national and global citizens
–a
commitment
to
digital
– experiencing the joy of learning
– connecting with and making
sense of the world
– becoming
adaptive,
flexible,
autonomous learners
– pursuing excellence
– being reflective and continually
seeking to improve
– exploring
diverse
ways
of
knowing, thinking and learning
through
– developing
resilience,
selfconfidence and a sense of
personal efficacy and identity
– embracing a healthy lifestyle and
an optimistic and hopeful outlook
– developing emotional intelligence
– accepting
responsibility
for
creating a preferred personal
future (at the local, national and
global level) which includes
environmental sustainability
– developing effective communication
skills
leading to
–
–
–
–
happy, positive, fulfilled individuals
the realisation of individual potential
the development of a moral and ethical foundation
the development of a sustainable futures perspective
Results in
A sense of self-worth and personal growth
for each learner
The achievement of this vision is a major focus of our work.
Middle School Vision Statement
The Middle School will provide a comprehensive program, which will support the College Vision and
Values Statement and equip all students with values, beliefs, knowledge and skills that will foster
lifelong learning.
This involves creating and sustaining a learning community through encouraging our students to
learn to live together, embrace lifelong learning and to value diversity.
Middle School Mission Statement
The Middle School provides students with a positive and caring learning environment. It supports
staff in the management of students and fosters the partnership between students, their families and
the College.
The Middle School curricular and co-curricular programs
will:
 provide quality and engaging teaching and learning
for all students
 deliver programs that develop teaching and learning
for the whole person in a safe and supportive
environment
 promote lifelong, co-operative and autonomous
learning
 encourage participation, leadership and excellence
 foster a sense of connectedness to the College
Educational Purpose
The Middle School at Glen Waverley Secondary College is made up of approximately 900 Year 7, 8
and 9 students. To develop a sense of connectedness and to establish a safe and supportive
environment for all learners, we have created smaller communities within the larger community.
Building a safe learning environment where students have opportunities to develop all of their
capabilities is a focus of our College.
Our fundamental belief underpinning the Middle School Program is that all students have the ability
to learn and to make progress.
We facilitate all students learning by:
 providing a supportive and caring environment which promotes student and teacher
relationships and engenders a positive attitude to learning
 using a variety of teaching strategies which build on and extend students individual learning
styles
 providing students with the skills and strategies they require to be effective autonomous
learners
 providing access to a comprehensive curriculum program.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STRUCTURE
Middle School is structured to enhance student learning and well-being through the creation of small
teams of teachers who work closely within each house.
Each student, on entry to the College, is assigned to a particular House to which they will belong for
the six years they are at the College. A House Leader oversees the learning and wellbeing of the
students within that house. Each House follows the cohort of students, in their House, as they
progress through Middle School ensuring students individual learning needs are consistently
monitored and supported.
Glen Waverley Secondary College Houses are named after four famous Australian athletes.
BRADMAN : after the cricket great, Sir Donald Bradman
ELLIOTT : after Herb Elliott who was Australia’s greatest middle-distance runners, winning gold
medals at the Commonwealth & Olympic Games
FRASER: after Dawn Fraser, winning multiple gold medals in swimming in three successive Olympic
Games
GOOLAGONG: after Evonne Goolagong, an Aboriginal tennis player who won Wimbledon twice.
The Year 7 Living and Learning teachers form a core team of teachers who work with House Leaders
and other class teachers to create small communities within the Middle School. This structure is
designed to provide students with an enhanced sense of belonging by allowing them to get to know,
and identify with, a particular group of students and teachers within the college. Existing successful
programs such as Peer Support (Year 9 students mentoring Year 7 students to aid in transition to
secondary school) further enhance this structure.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM
LIVING AND LEARNING PROGRAM
In guiding the learning process, the College has concentrated on developing students’ ability to think
both critically and creatively, to set goals, to manage and reflect on their learning, to work both
cooperatively and independently and to have sensitivity and awareness about when to apply these
learning skills appropriately. These skills are transferable to all aspects of life; therefore the explicit
teaching of these generic skills and learning dispositions is vital to ensure that concrete understandings
are both initially developed and continue to grow. Living and Learning teachers play a central role in
delivering this program and devote a period a week to help monitor and support student learning and
take responsibility for implementing specific aspects of the program such as students’ learning goals.
Encouraging students to set their own goals for improving their knowledge, skills and behaviours and
planning ways to achieve these goals will assist in equipping them for the challenging world of the
21st century.
YEAR 7 PROGRAM
Students in Years 7 at Glen Waverley Secondary College study a common curriculum which encompasses
the eight Learning Areas:

English

Mathematics

Science

Humanities

Health and Physical Education

Arts

Technology

Language
The program offered for Years 7 has been designed to meet the diverse educational needs of the
students and to provide them with stimulating and valuable learning experiences.
In Year 7, students will gain experience in a range of studies within each learning area. This will provide
them with a sound basis for their continuing studies.
Most subjects in Years 7 run for an entire year, however, a small number are offered for only one
semester. All students follow the same curriculum program. Detailed information on the curriculum
program is recorded in the following table. Course outlines for all subjects are provided on the College
website (refer next page for details).
Within the Language Program, students are required to choose one of the following languages to
study in Year 7: Chinese, Advanced Chinese, French and Italian.
Selected students are provided access to English as An Additional Language (EAL). These students are
given assistance in small “similar needs” groups to increase their English communication skills and to
assist them with their language based core subjects.
SUMMARY OF YEAR 7 CURRICULUM PROGRAM:
S - subject runs for one semester only
ppw - periods per week
LEARNING AREA
YEAR 7
ENGLISH
ENGLISH/EAL
5 ppw
MATHEMATICS
MATHEMATICS
5 ppw
SCIENCE
SCIENCE
3 ppw
HUMANITIES
HUMANITIES
3 ppw
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
HEALTH/PE
3 ppw
ARTS
ART AND DESIGN
DRAMA
MUSIC
4 ppw-S
3 ppw-S
3 ppw-S
TECHNOLOGY
INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY
4 ppw-S
LANGUAGE
ONE OF CHINESE/FRENCH/ITALIAN/
ADVANCED CHINESE
LIVING and LEARNING
3 ppw
1 ppw
PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS INTO FORM GROUPS
Students are allocated to a Form within a House Group when they start school in Year 7. The
placement of students is the result of many considerations by the Middle School Team. As the
students move from Year 7 on through to Year 9 it is likely they will change form groups and this
provides them with much greater opportunity to develop a sense of connectedness to the whole
year level.
Each year, the Middle School Team puts a lot of thought into the structure of classes and a
balanced approach is used that takes into account the needs of individuals, group dynamics and
College requirements.
Decisions are school based and the process does not necessarily involve direct consultation with
parents. Students will be informed of the process and where appropriate, consulted over
changes.
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
Students and parents can access assessment via Progress on the College Intranet. Detailed feedback
on student work is available in an ongoing manner through Progress.
Reports on students’ academic achievement and learning habits are provided online half yearly.
Interim Reports are issued to all students in Term 1. Additional Interim Reports on a student’s social
and/or academic progress are also available at any time on request to the relevant House Leader.
Parent Teacher Interviews are held twice a year. Additional interviews can be arranged by request.
Middle School Co-Curriculum Program
In addition to the core program outlined above, Middle School students have the opportunity to
participate in a variety of optional co-curriculum activities.
Outdoor Education and Camp Program
Our Year 7 Camp for each form group over 4 days, introduces students to an environment of fun,
challenge and personal achievement and learning in and through the natural environment. The Year
8 Camps which are organised in House Groups introduce students to the concept of sustainability
through a 3 day experience at a highly regarded sheep farming property. Our camps are staffed by
qualified and experienced Outdoor Education teachers, supported by classroom teachers.
Details and dates of the compulsory camp program for all Year 7 students will be provided at the
Orientation Day on Tuesday December 9th 2014.
Instrumental Music
Optional tuition on all orchestral instruments plus guitar and drum kit is available through the
college’s Instrumental Music Program. This involves students in weekly lessons, on a withdrawal
basis, and rehearsals with one of the many college ensembles such as concert band, string group, etc.
Assessment is based on the student’s progress in performance, theory, unprepared performance and
general knowledge. Further information is available in the Music Handbook.
Sport
Sport is an important component of the co-curricular activities at Glen Waverley Secondary College.
Both intra-school and inter-school sport is conducted at all year levels. The College has a House Sport
system. House competitions include swimming, athletics, cross country and a number of various
other activities. The College also has many teams competing in inter-school sport in both team
sports and individual sports.
Glen Waverley Secondary College is
part of the Eastern Metropolitan
Region – School Sport Victoria;
Students are given the opportunity,
at all year levels, to represent the
college in sporting teams.
Leadership Opportunities
There is a wide range of leadership positions in the Middle School.
Middle School Captains have a very responsible role. They are elected by students to provide
leadership to the Middle School as well as representing it both within and outside the College.
Each year students are given the opportunity to be elected by their peers into the position of Form
Captain. Students elected as Form Captains then become members of the Middle School Council
for a year. The Middle School Council has a number of roles including: representing the students,
organising events and fundraising.
Selected Year 9 students are also trained as Peer Support Leaders and they play an important role in
making the transition to secondary school a smooth one for new Year 7 students.
Sports Captains and Arts Council are selected to help organise sporting and cultural activities.
Some students are also provided with the opportunity to represent their peers on the Principal’s
Advisory Group.
OTHER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
A range of other activities are offered which are also designed to enhance each student’s opportunity
for personal development and enrichment. They include:
 competitions e.g. in Maths, Science and Computers
 debating and public speaking
 college musical
 organised lunchtime activities
 after school Study Hall
 Chess Club
 Book Club
MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION SERVICES
Intranet
Our intranet environment provides access to a wide range of subject-based resources, information
about the College, a sophisticated messaging system, an individual email address, discussion boards
and an on-going record of each student’s progress in each subject as well as attendance information
and reports. The intranet can also be accessed securely from home. The intranet is continually
evolving with new enhancements being regularly added. Each student has their own individual home
page which they can customise and which is the starting point for their exploration of the intranet.
Students are provided with an induction program on use of the GWSC intranet and computer
network
Parents may also access the College intranet from home securely over the world wide web using a
PIN code. The PIN code along with a letter explaining how to access the intranet will be mailed to
your home early in the school year. Enquiries regarding the PIN code may only be made in person for
security reasons.
Network
The College provides extensive network resources with access to computers, printers, internet filtering,
network drives, virus protection, scanners and all manner of digital and electronic authoring devices and
software. All students are required to complete an online Acceptable Usage Policy Consent Form when
they first log on to the intranet. The Responsible Usage Policy provides the terms and conditions under
which students’ access the network resources provided by the College. Any student who breaks this
agreement may have their rights to use the computer network withdrawn for an appropriate period of
time.
Print usage varies greatly from student to student and the $20 levy included in the school contributions
represents typical usage for one year.
MIDDLE SCHOOL IPAD PROGRAM
All Middle School students in 2015 will be participating in an exciting and innovative enhancement to
our curriculum: the iPad Program. Students will be using the iPad actively and creatively in their
learning program, through the plethora of quality educational apps, to enhance their learning
outcomes. The iPad will be used in classrooms as a companion device in conjunction with our existing
computer technology. It will not replace computers but rather enhance student technological
opportunities.
All students will be required to purchase an iPad (preferably an iPad Air 32GB WiFi).
The iPad programme also sees the use of eTextbooks in core subjects. Digital textbooks for Maths,
Science and Humanities will be booklisted and sold through Campion Booksellers at a significant
savings to parents in comparison to hard copy textbooks. The English novels are to be purchased via
iBooks. If parents want to purchase a hard copy on any of the required textbooks Campion
Booksellers will provide these at an additional cost.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THEIR IPAD:







Students will be responsible for the care and maintenance of their iPad. The College takes no
responsibility for any damage or loss of a student’s iPad. Parents are advised to take an
extended Apple warranty for their iPad and to ensure the iPad is covered under their home
insurance.
Students are to ensure their iPad is fully charged prior to the start of each school day.
The iPad must be carried in a protective cover at all times and stored safely in the student
locker when not in class use.
Travelling to and from school the iPad must be in the student’s school bag.
The iPad is to only be used for educational purposes while at school.
Students are not permitted to play games at any time while at school. Sanctions will apply if a
student is found to be using their iPad inappropriately at school.
Students are to ensure that non educational material (eg. music, movies, games) stored on
their iPad does not limit the capacity of their iPad to store school related material.





Individual students are responsible for their own iPads and should ensure that they take care
of it at all times. iPads should not be left unsecured where other students can gain access to
them.
Students must be respectful of other students’ property and privacy at all times. They must
not share user names or password with anyone or interfere with another student’s iPad.
When using their iPads, students must at all times abide by the College Digital Citizenship
Policy and Responsible Usage Policy for the Use of Computer Hardware and Software
Including the Internet’. Any breaches of these policies will incur disciplinary action.
On days of sporting competition or excursions, students should leave their iPads at home.
For further information regarding the iPad program, refer to the GWSC website.
THE LIBRARY
The library provides a friendly and stimulating environment for student research and recreational
reading. The wide range of electronic, audio visual and print resources includes comprehensive
reference collections, broad nonfiction and current fiction collections.
Students are supported to
become competent and
enthusiastic users of a wide
range of media. Special
emphasis is placed on the
development of a lifelong love of
reading through literature
programs based on a multi-level,
current, exciting and diverse
fiction collection.
New students are given orientation in the use of all aspects of the library.
More details about the library can be found in the Student Organiser.
COMMUNICATION
Parent Communication
Parent communication is always welcome and regarded as vital for each student’s social and
academic progress. Parents contacting the college should ask for the relevant Middle School Director
or House Leader. Contact can be made either by phone or email. For a personal meeting it is
necessary to make an appointment. Parent Teacher Interviews are arranged twice a year. Please
ensure that all correspondence with the College (absence, late and early leave notes, change of
personal details etc) includes the student’s ID code.
Compass
Glen Waverley Secondary College uses Compass, an external provider, to support many of our
administrative functions. Compass is also used as a main source of communication between families
and the College. Families will use Compass to monitor their child’s attendance, make payments and
provide permission forms for events and activities, to make Parent Teacher Night bookings and view
Student Reports.
Student Planners
Student Planners (Diaries) are viewed as an important initial form of communication between
parents and the college. They should have homework and important dates entered by students.
Parents are expected to sign these organisers weekly as they contain important information and
should be carefully read by student and parents.
Newsfeed
On each student’s home page, there is up to date information about events in the
college through Newsfeed.
Parent Newsletters
Parent Newsletters are available through our internet site http://www.gwsc.vic.edu.au Copies are
also available from the General Office by request. Parent Newsletters are a regular means of
communication between the College and the home.
STUDENT WELLBEING
Health Centre
The College is fortunate to have the services of a full time trained
nurse, Mrs Carolyn Dickinson who is located in the Health Centre.
Students need a signed note from the class teacher before attending
the Health Centre in class time.
The procedure if students are unwell is to go to the Nurse (or Middle
School if the Nurse is unavailable) who will contact the students
parent if necessary.
Students should not be contacting parents by mobile phone to come to the school to collect them if
they are feeling unwell.
More details about the Health Centre can be found in the Student Planner.
Student Wellbeing Coordinator
The Student Wellbeing Coordinator, Nancy Badr is also located in the Health Centre.
The Student Wellbeing Coordinator works closely with the Sub-schools to support
students’ transition into the College and ensure their ongoing wellbeing needs are
met. Parents are able to access the services of the Student Wellbeing Coordinator by
contacting their child’s House Leader or ringing the Health Centre on 8805 6700.
College Chaplain
The College is also fortunate to have the services of a part time chaplain, Mr Chris
Douglas, who is also located in the Health Centre. He works closely with Nancy
and facilitates the mentoring programs at the College.
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROCEDURES
Road Safety
In the interests of safety, students must use the school crossings on O’Sullivan Road and cross at the
lights on the corner of Kingsway and Railway Parade when coming from the station. Students must
also cross with the lights at High Street Road.
Students, by law, must wear a bike helmet when riding a bike. Failure to do so will result in a ban on
riding a bike to and from school. As a safety precaution bikes must not to be ridden in the school
grounds.
Uniform
Students are expected to maintain high standards in grooming and to wear the uniform correctly.
The uniform requirements are set out in the Student Planner. It is important that all members of the
school community are familiar with these requirements.
Absences
Students must bring an absence note after returning from an absence. Notes are to be placed in the
absence note box located at Middle School Office. Notes explaining all absences should be addressed
to the relevant House Leader, and handed in on the day of return. The college should be informed
where an absence is expected to exceed two days. A note will be required when your child returns to
school. Absences are checked each morning and a text message is sent informing parents of any
unexplained absence.
Compass Attendance
Using the Compass system, parents are able to review their child’s attendance at any time. Families
are encouraged to access Compass at least once a week to review attendance and other school
activities. Families will receive a Compass username and password in late January 2015.
Lateness
An important aim of the lateness policy is to instil in students the value of punctuality as an
important social skill. Students who are late to school should bring a note from home explaining the
reason for the lateness. Students should arrive at school by 8.45am so that they are ready with all the
necessary equipment for the first class.
What to do if students are late to school/class:
 The student must print out the pass from the Kiosk at the Middle School Office and if the student
has a note, it needs to be handed to the Secretary, Mrs Harrison.
 If the student doesn’t have a note for their lateness, a lunchtime detention is the consequence.
Early Departure
Students must bring a note signed by a parent/guardian requesting early departure and obtain an
Early Departure pass from Middle School Office at the time of departure. Under no circumstances
are students to leave the school grounds during the school day without an Early Departure Pass.
The note should be shown to the class teacher during class time but kept by the student to be given
to the Middle School Office.
Homework/Study
Homework/study is an integral part of the learning process. Homework/study helps students by
complementing and reinforcing classroom learning, fostering good lifelong learning and study habits,
and providing an opportunity for students to be responsible for their own learning.
Students should record all homework in the Student Planner. Parents are asked to check and sign
the organiser weekly to ensure that homework is being completed.
If you have any concerns about homework you are encouraged to contact the relevant House Leader.
An average of 45-60 minutes careful work per night should be adequate for students in Years 7.
Students will need to learn to organise their time to complete a variety of different homework/study
tasks. Teachers don’t necessarily set tasks to be completed each night however students should
begin to develop regular study habits. Besides completing set tasks regular study time can be used
for reading, revision and preparation for the following day.
A copy of the college’s Homework/Study Policy can be found in the Student Planner.
Water Bottles
Clear water bottles are allowed to be taken to class. A named Glen Waverley Secondary College
bottle is available for $6 from the General Office.
The Middle School Team welcome you and your student/s to
Glen Waverley Secondary College and look forward to having you as part of our
school community.