Firstly, a huge congratulations to all our Year 12 Graduates in 2023. Whilst it has been pleasing to see so many students achieving strong ATAR’s and proceeding into tertiary pathways, it has also been great to see so many of our VM students graduating into apprenticeships, further training and employment. It worth remembering as well at this time that your ATAR does not define you and there are lots of other opportunities in life ahead of you. Well done to all of you for your efforts across your secondary schooling and we wish you all the best in the future.

Model United Nations

We are very pleased to announce that we have again been chosen to host the Government Schools Model United Nations Conference in Geelong in 2024. Next year it will be in Term 2, so keep an eye out for sign up in Term 1. To find out more about Model United Nations access this link: https://www.un.org/en/mun . Closely linked with the real United Nations, the program offers a fantastic opportunity to develop leadership, negotiation, rhetorical communication, global citizenry skills and reasoning. Speak to Mr Houghton to get involved, a huge thank you to him for establishing the program at GHS.

2024 Timetable and Bell Times

In 2024 the school timetable will have some changes that families should note. The new bell times are:

2024 Bell Times

These bell times will be in the diary.

Independent Learning Skills

In 2024 we will continue our focus on making meaningful homework more routine and a key part of the student experience at Geelong High School. Our focus next year will be on developing an Independent Learning Program that supports the Positive Education Learning that students will be doing in Homegroup. In 2023 we saw the reintroduction of a school diary, a new Homework Policy (available on our website) and the implementation of the Year 7 and 8 Homework Support Group. In 2024 we look forward to further developing our provisions and making sure that students develop the skills to independently organise, motivate and drive themselves forward whether in tertiary pathways or the workplace.

School Review

In Term 3 of 2024 the school will undergo a school review with the Department of Education. Parents, students and staff will be asked their views as to how we have progressed towards the goals we set ourselves in 2019, our last review. The review will look primarily at Teaching and Learning, Student Voice and Agency and Student Wellbeing. In his new acting role as Assistant Principal, Mr Envall will be leading the review process under the guidance of the Principal. School evaluation and reflection is an important part of the way we address the needs of all our students and we look forward to a robust process and the development of some new goals for the next phase of our development.

Professional Development

In 2024 we are also excited to announce that we will be working with Bronwyn Ryrie-Jones, an educational consultant, teacher and researcher with Melbourne University. Alongside Bronwyn, teaching staff will be developing their practice through Professional Learning Communities focused on Formative Assessment and Responsive Teaching. These foci have developed from our school Instructional Model and were chosen for the way in which they empower students to take ownership of their own learning, help teachers adjust direct instruction to challenge students and for the body of research suggesting the powerful impact formative assessment has on student learning.

Mathematics in 2024

We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new Head of Maths, Ms Pacitto as our 2023 Maths Leader moves into a new role next year – a big thanks to Ms Chapman for all her drive in this area. The Maths team have been busily preparing for 2024 with some great opportunities that were offered this year being available again next year. There will be a range of incursions and excursions to support, extend and engage students in applying mathematics in real world contexts so students should look for signups early next year.

Reading in 2024

This year Ms Shipp, the Head of English, and the English team have been planning key improvements to our Reading Program with Year 7 classes all increasing their engagement with our state-of-the-art library space and focusing on their reading skills each week. Next year we are taking this further with all students from 7-9 taking part in Reading Conferences regularly and expected to be reading regularly as part of their program. Students who read have a much wider vocabulary, perform higher in their schooling and develop deeper, more critically informed understandings of the world. The holidays are a great time to visit a bookshop or local library to allow students to find the types of books that work for them.

Mobile Phones and Screen Time

Whilst mobile phones and screens have become seemingly ubiquitous in modern society, there is a growing body of research that suggests they can have a negative impact on the development of the teenage brain impacting upon key skills such as studying, concentration, reading and in some cases setting students significantly back in terms of their wellbeing and relationships. The start of a new school year is a great time to reset the ways in which students engage with social media and their devices by establishing healthy practises in the home. Here are three suggestions commonly used by families hoping to encourage healthy use of devices:

• The whole family leaves mobile phones at the door, in a safe place where they can’t impact study or home life.
• 7:30pm equals no devices time – many families have learned that by setting a clear time where devices need to be away, communication, study, sleep and mental health all improve. Have a designated place where the phones go right out of sight.
• Discussing with young people the apps that target them and how susceptible they are to misuse and negative influence, is a good way to keep communication open and set some boundaries around which platforms should not be installed

Accelerated Learning: Acceleration and the ALP

2024 also marks the start of Geelong High Schools Year 7-9 Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) which will be led by Leading Teacher, Ms Kirk. A huge congratulations to those students who applied and were successful – you should be congratulated for challenging yourself and looking for extension. Students in the program will be extended in Maths, English, Humanities and Science.

Whilst the 7-9 ALP program is new next year, all students are able to accelerate from Year 9 at Geelong High School depending on their subjects of personal strength and we have a long tradition of academic extension and challenge for all students. Including 2023, over the last few years our top performing students have often accelerated in one or more subjects, helping to support their very strong outcomes and secure them a place in their chosen tertiary course. It has been fantastic to see so many students pursuing that extra challenge with some even completing a university subject whilst in Year 12. We will also continue to offer the Victorian High Ability Program from Years 7-9; Mr Batters will be emailing families of qualifying students with more information early next year.

For prospective families with a student starting Grade 6 next year who might be interested in our ALP in 2025, please visit our website: https://www.geelonghigh.vic.edu.au/learning/accelerated-learning-program or contact the front office.