Like our Facebook page to stay up to date!

We post regular news from the school as well as notices and reminders on our Facebook page.

'Like' to stay up to date - www.facebook.com/DimboolaMemorialSecondaryCollege

Principal's Report - Thursday 21st November 2019

Year 11 Exams

Yesterday, our exams for Year 11 students commenced. Students should be commended on the way they have approached their exams and these will conclude on Friday. Next week will be a full week of Year 12 orientation for these students and it is compulsory for them to attend. The final day for Year 11s is Friday November 30. Please refer to the Important Dates document at the end of the newsletter for all key dates for each year level.

Year 12 Graduation – Friday November 22nd

Tomorrow night, we will celebrate the end of secondary schooling for our Year 12s. I would like to congratulate this year’s cohort on their collective efforts throughout not only this year, but all the years they have been with us at DMSC. I sincerely hope that they have enjoyed their time with us and I am confident that we have prepared them well to take on the next challenges in life. Thank you to Helen Polack, Donna Baldock, Peter Hayes, the Hands on Learning team, Luke Werner, Marianne Tellbach and Josh Cook for their work in setting up for the dinner. We will publish photos from tomorrow night’s celebration in next week’s Hilltop.

Bon Voyage Macey!

Today, Macey Laverty headed off for her 10 week exchange program to Germany! She will be leaving 40 degree heat and bracing for a white Christmas. We wish Macey all the best for her travels and we can’t wait to hear how she is getting on once she arrives.

Mobile Phone Policy

From 2020, DMSC will be implementing the State wide ban on mobile phones in schools. Students will be permitted to bring their phones to school, however they must remain locked away for the entire day – including recess and lunchtime. We are currently exploring the best way of storing the phones at school so that they are safe and secure at all times.

There may be rare occasions when students are asked to use their phones for educational purposes, however this will be communicated to both students and parents ahead of time. And, it will only be for the specific task – with the phones returned to secure storage at the end of the class.

It is worth considering the emerging research on the impact of mobile phones that is now being released. Susan Greenfield, an esteemed neuroscientist, has been studying the effect of mobile phones and electronic devices on children and teenagers.

It has been established that high mobile phone use has a measurable negative impact on attention and learning. In schools in the UK where a phone ban has been implemented, there has already been a 6.4% increase in student performance.

From a physical perspective, there has been a reported significant increase in eye problems, head and neck issues and a very worrying concern is the ever-increasing levels of anxiety. The fact that phones can easily facilitate cyberbullying has been long known and this continues to be a problem that all schools contend with. The World Health Organisation has identified “Internet Gaming Disorder” as a recognised medical condition and researchers have likened gaming addiction to substance addiction.

So – what can we all do to help support our students when the ban comes into place?

• Encourage your child to leave their phone at home – if no one has their phone – they will fit in! This is our preferred option.
• Support the school’s position by explaining to your child why the ban is appropriate (and we will be doing that too!)
• Use the general office to communicate important messages to your child.
• Model positive technology use at home. Limit screen time. It is worth noting that the average teenager admits to spending between five and six hours on their phone every school night! This is VERY concerning.
• Remember that it will be difficult for all when the ban comes into place, but we need to persevere.

Step-Up Programs

At the end of each year, we run a comprehensive step-up program, preparing students for the following year. Information provided in these classes and the work set, is assessed and is essential learning for the subject for the year ahead. It is an expectation that ALL students complete the step-up program for the allocated time.

Student Profiles

This week, we are featuring Year 7 students, Angus Barry and Ethan Angel-Hands. I hope you are enjoying reading about some of our DMSC family each week.

You can download the newsletter to read these profiles at this link.

Anne Gawith

Click here for this week's full newsletter.

Respectful Relationships DMSC would like to congratulate ex- DMSC student, Simone O’Brien on her tireless efforts as an ambassador for the White Ribbon & Family Violence prevention. This has increased the awareness of family violence within Dimboola, Nationally and globally. DMSC continues to promote respectful relationships and educate our students and community members regarding positive behaviour. Unfortunately, adversity may affect our community and we would like to support anyone experiencing any issues in relation to family violence. We have created a ‘Disclosure Pathways and Crisis contacts’ list for anyone in immediate need or those questioning who to seek help from in our area.
This is available here on our website under the 'Resources' tab above and at this link: Disclosure Pathways and Crisis Contacts

Bushfire At Risk Register

Our school is on the Bushfire At Risk Register (BARR).

Schools on the BARR must close on a determined Code Red day in their weather district. No staff will remain on site and all out-of-school care programs (including vacation, before and after school programs) will not operate on such days.

As a bus co-ordinating school all bus routes will be cancelled.

Click here for more information.

Click here for fire danger ratings on the CFA website.

Calendar

Click here to download
2019 End of Year Dates

Facebook Page

Like our Facebook page to stay up to date!

Koorie Connections

Read about our Koorie engagement projects by clicking here.

eSmart

Click here for
eSmart resources

Sun Smart

We are a Sun Smart school.

A reminder that all students must wear a DMSC wide-brimmed hat in Terms One and Four. Only DMSC hats are acceptable, no caps can be worn.

Hats can be purchased from the office.

UV Index