Principal Report

I would like to welcome back all our families for 2018, with a special mention to the new families who are joining our Mooroolbark College community this year.

I always enjoy the beginning of each new year and especially the buzz and enthusiasm, which is always evident on the first day.  It was lovely to welcome our Year 7, 11 and 12 students on Wednesday 31st January and our Year 8, 9 and 10 students on Thursday 1st February.  Friday saw 1172 students settle into classes.

We welcome our new staff for 2018:

                Alex Scott                           English
                Trisha Sliver                       English
                Jiaqi Tan                             LOTE
                Christina Gibson                Director of Curriculum STEAM /Biology
                Sigrid Nilsson                     Literacy Support
                Jana Lant                           Literacy Support
                Alana Briggs                      Home Economics
                Luke Knoll                          PE/Health
                Perie Edmonds                  Home Economics/Science
                Joshua Knott                      Mathematics
                Vanessa Crae                    Curriculum Support
                Joanne Miller                     VCE/VCAL/Pathways Assistant

On Thursday 8th February, Mooroolbark College will hold its annual Year 7 parent/guardian Welcome BBQ commencing at 6.00pm followed by a Compass support session for anyone who would like to attend.   I look forward to meeting as many new Year 7 parents/guardians as possible on Thursday.

On Friday 9th February, our Year 12 VCE students are spending the day at Box Hill TAFE – Lilydale Campus to focus on their study skills and organisational skills for the year ahead.

A reminder that the College newsletter is now published electronically on the first Friday of each month.  An email link is emailed to parents.  Regular information regarding the daily activities of students is accessed via Compass.  Compass is the College’s formal communication channel with parents and students.  If you have misplaced your Compass login please contact the College on 9727 8100.

In addition, the College’s Official Facebook page is used to share what’s happening in our community, showcasing the Colleges culture and providing timely reminders for key events. Parents/ guardians and students can like the page at https://www.facebook.com/Mooroolbarkcollegeofficial . It is always exciting to see the wonderful daily activities our students are undertaking at Mooroolbark College via the Facebook page. Staff and students love the opportunity to share these fantastic events with family and friends.

2018 College Council
The College Council comprises of seventeen members – six parents, five Department of Education and Training (DET) employees, four community members and two student members. Each year half of the membership in the first two categories must present for re-election. Positions in the third category are filled by co-option from the College or wider community when the elected Council meets. The terms of office, membership categories and number of positions in the four categories open for election this year are as follows:
Parent—Three
DET—Two
Community—Four
Student – Two (new for 2018)

Nomination forms for both the parent and DET categories are available from the General Office from Monday 5th February 2018. Members of the College community are invited to nominate for these vacancies. Nomination forms must be lodged at the General Office by 4.00pm on Monday 12th February 2018. If the number of nominations in each category is greater than the number of vacancies, an election by ballot will be held. The names of the nominated candidates will be posted on Wednesday 14th February 2018 outside the General Office for the Parent Category.

If an election is required, ballot papers and voting procedures will be distributed on Monday 19th February 2018 via students and due to the General Office by 4.00 pm on Monday 26th February 2018. The new College Council will meet for the first time on Tuesday 20th March 2018.

The election for the student category will occur later in term one.

Ann Stratford
Principal

PTCA NEWS

Annual General Meeting

The PTCA is holding its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 6th March at 7pm in the “B” Block Staffroom. New Parents/Guardians are encouraged to attend, as it is a great opportunity to socialise with new and current parents. It also gives you the option to represent your family, as part of the College community. The PTCA does a superb job supporting the College through the organisation of events and providing timely and valued advice and feedback about the College as well as some fundraising. We encourage you to think about attending the meeting.

Immediately following the AGM will be our PTCA meeting for the month of March.

Unfortunately, some of our committee members will be leaving our fold as their sons and daughters completed their secondary school education last year. We would like families to consider getting involved with the PTCA so our numbers are strengthened and we can continue our role supporting the school community.

Some of the school activities we have assisted in previous years have been: assisting with the Year 7 BBQ, providing refreshments for the School Open Night / Information Night, School Production Nights, Winter Music Concert, assisting with the pancake breakfast on Ride To School Day, assisting with the Year 11 Debutante Balls and providing finances for the purchase of equipment and facilities around the school such as bench seating and shade sails, art faculty displays, furniture for the House Office waiting zones and bicycle equipment for the Bike Ed. Programs as well as landscaping and school beautification projects. We also sponsor and support the annual School Awards Night and Year 12 Valedictory Dinner.  

Fundraising is one aspect of our function but it is limited due to our own personal commitments and time. We have promoted the Entertainment Books as a fundraiser and those who subscribe to it know it is money very well spent. We are also fortunate this year to secure a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle Day on Sunday 16th September 2018 and we really would like volunteers to help us to make it a very successful day.

The PTCA performs an important function in the College Community and the College encourages parents and guardians to become involved. The PTCA meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.00pm in the College staffroom.

The aims and objectives of the association are:

• To contribute to the wellbeing of the College community.

• To encourage the participation of parents in the life of the College and the education of their children.

• To provide opportunities for parents of students to discuss the welfare and the general education policy of the College.

• To help in the development of a shared parent view.

• To contribute to proposals on College policy and other educational issues to the College Council.

• To provide opportunities for parents/guardians to get to know each other and to be informed about their child’s school.

• To provide information that enables parents/guardians to extend their understanding of school issues.

• To work in co-operation with the College Council and the Principal.

• To raise funds for the benefit of the College (optional).

Membership
Membership is open to any parent or guardian of a child attending the school or any other interested party.
PTCA Morning Tea for all new parents/guardians in 2018
When: Thursday 22nd February, 2018
Where: CP1
Time: 9am-10am

We invite you to come along for a very informal meet and greet with present PTCA members, other new Parents/Guardians, the Principal or one of the Assistant Principals and also the Year 7 Transition Coordinator.

We look forward to meeting you on the day.

Peter Phillips
PTCA President

School Injuries and Insurance

Parents and guardians are generally responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any transport costs.  Most medical costs will be refundable by Medicare.  If you are a member of an ambulance or health insurance fund, you may also be able to claim transport or other expenses from the fund. 

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

 does not hold accident insurance for school students.

 Is other insurance cover available?

Yes.  The Department is aware of two insurers, JUA Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd and Willis Australia Ltd. that provide accident insurance policies for students.  These policies provide specific benefits for students who are injured in accidents for a reasonably low cost.  Other insurers may also do so.

NB: Mooroolbark College does not endorse any Insurance Companies nor their products.

Supervision of Students

Whilst staff are often on school premises early and late in the day, supervision of students only occurs officially when teachers are on yard duty between the following times.   

Before school  - 8.25  - 8.45am 

After school      

      Bus Area (on East side of Manchester Road) 

                    from 3.00—3.20pm

         Club 3/4 (as scheduled) - 3.00—4.00pm 

Students who arrive at school prior to the commencement of supervision or leave after supervision has ceased please note that they are not under direct supervision from Mooroolbark College staff.

2018 College Photos

College photographs will be taken on MONDAY 12TH FEBRUARY 2018, for all year levels (including College Captains, House Captains and SRC) by our contractors, National Photography. Again in 2018 the photographers will take Home Group photographs and individual portraits for all students. Year 12 students will also have a group photograph. There is an extensive range of options available for purchase.
Please note: All students will be photographed even if they are not ordering photographs. On this day students MUST be in correct College uniform. Students are required to wear plain socks. Socks with logos, stripes, stars etc. are not acceptable. Payment will only be handled by the National Photography staff via their online ordering and payment system. Please see Compass for ordering details

FAMILY PHOTOS: Siblings will have the opportunity to have family photographs. If you wish to take advantage of this service students are to make their way to the library at the beginning of lunchtime on Tuesday 13th February.
Please do not hesitate to contact the College on 9727 8100 if you have any queries.

Calendar Term One 2018

College Office Hours

MONDAY- THURSDAY: 8.15AM- 4.00PM

FRIDAY 8.15AM- 3.30PM

February

5th, VCAL students start
6th, PTCA meeting 7.00pm
8th, Year 7 Parent Welcome BBQ 6pm
9th, Year 12 start up day
12th, COLLEGE PHOTOS
13th, Resources Meeting 7pm
20th, Council meeting 7pm
22nd, PTFA Morning Tea 9am
26th, Catch up day for College Photos
27th, Community Relations meeting 4.30pm

March

1st, Tassie Tour Information Night – T Block 7-8pm
2nd, NEWSLETTER
5th, House Swimming Carnival (Croydon Pool)
Year 7 CAMP (till 7th)
6th, PTCA AGM 7pm
8th, Year 11 OES Coastal Camp (till 9th)
12th, LABOUR DAY
16th, Year 7 immunisations
Reports available to parents
19th, Central Camp Info Night 7pm T Block
20th, Council meeting 7pm
21st, Year 12 OES BELLARINE COASTAL CAMP (till 23rd)
22nd, Parent Teacher Interviews
25th, TASSIE CAMP GROUP A & B (till 29th)
29th Last day of term school finishes 2.30pm
30th, GOOD FRIDAY

Community Circle

Mooroolbark College is committed to supporting our local community, below are notices from our community:

MOOROOLBARK JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB REGISTRATION DAY 2018
ANGLICARE: STRENGTHENING PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM - HEALESVILLE
Mooroolbark Soccer Club
Tennis for Life 
Kilsyth Football Club
Kilsyth East Netball Club
Croydon Cricket Club
Entertainment Memberships
Chirnside Park Auskick 
Curves Gym Offer
Danielle Sargent Photography
Anglicare Victoria

MOOROOLBARK JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB REGISTRATION DAY 2018

DATE: Wednesday 7th February
TIME: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
VENUE: MFC – Kiloran Park Reserve
All registration information is available on our website
www.mooroolbarkfc.com.au

Click for more information 

ANGLICARE: STRENGTHENING PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM - HEALESVILLE

PEER SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS & CARERS OF CHILDREN
AGE 0-18 WITH A DISABILITY OR DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY

4th Tuesday of every month
(except school holidays) - Feb 27th,
March 27th, April 24th, May 22nd
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Kalinda Wellbeing Centre,
31 Maroondah Hwy (parking in rearvia Henry St), Healesville
FREE OF CHARGE
Bookings are essential.

Grace Miano on 9735 6146 or
strengtheningparentsupport@anglicarevic.org.au

Click for more information 

Mooroolbark Soccer Club

Mooroolbark Soccer Club is a great family and community club.  All Junior coaches are volunteers.  In 2017 our senior men's and women's team played in State League 1 and unlike other teams at this level all players play for no payment.
On Sunday February 10th we are having our early bird registration day from 10.00am til 2.00pm to enrol players for the 2018 season.

Click for more information 

Tennis for Life 

Manchester Heights Tennis Coaching

Click for more information 

Kilsyth Football Club 

Each year we are looking for new family’s to come and join our Family Friendly Football Club

Click for details 

Kilsyth East Netball Club

Are you or your child keen to join a netball club that is focused on FUN and TEAMWORK with low player fees!?   Then Kilsyth East Netball Club is for you!

We are looking for players aged 6 (prior to end of year) all the way through to Open age group. We welcome players of all ages and abilities who are keen to make new friends and enjoy a team sport at a great family orientated club.  We train and play at Pinks Reserve in Kilsyth. 

All players are welcome to come down to a training session to have a trial and see if they would like to join!  We are also keen for coaches, umpires and volunteers to help out. 

Please call President Sara Barber on 0408 997 228 or Secretary Kirra Charlton on 0439 851 921 for more information or email us at kilsytheastnetballclub@gmail.com

Click for details 

Croydon Football Club

Each year we are looking for new family’s to come and join our Family Friendly Football Club so come along with their child to have a look.

 Click for details 

Entertainment Memberships

Support our fundraising by buying the 2018 Entertainment Membership. With Christmas coming soon, it’s a perfect time to buy your Entertainment Membership or as a great gift idea.

Entertainment Memberships are filled with hundreds of valuable offers for everything you love to do, and you'll be helping our fundraising at the same time!

Buy from us NOW!

Click for details 

Chirnside Park Auskick 

Are you interested in Auskick for 2018? 

Click for details 

Curves Gym Offer

Offering ladies a $1 joining fee, giving ladies a great opportunity to come and see what our facilities are.

Click for details 

Danielle Sargent Photography

Looking for a photographer to capture special memories of the family, newborn, glamour, portfoilio or event?  Contact Danielle Sargent 

Click for details

Anglicare Victoria

Due to circumstances beyond their control, some children can no longer live with their birth family. Their experiences have left them frustrated and confused about where they belong. The children need to feel part of a family that can provide them with love, encouragement and support. Can you help them?

Click for details