The final two weeks of this term will be very busy with exams for Year 9, 10 and 11 students along with the completion of other assessment items and reports. The need to remain focussed through to the end of term is important and every moment at school matters. This can prove difficult after a long term and as the winter chill sets in. It might be timely to remind students of the message that was delivered at the beginning of the school year. It was about appreciating the opportunities we have and making the most of them.
We sometimes need to stop and consider the fact that we live in a country that provides us with so much in the way of freedom, lifestyle and opportunity. We are all guilty at times of taking this for granted. Our school has wonderful facilities and such dedicated teachers. The message at the beginning of the year was “begin the school year in the manner that you intend to continue throughout the year”. As parents, it is important that we develop in our children a real sense of purpose and hope in the lives we lead. Education has always been a means by which people can advance themselves and make a positive contribution to the world. Every moment matters.
In Term 2, our Year 12 students have been given the opportunity to hear from a range of Year 12 subject teachers in a series of before-school seminars entitled “The 40+ Club”. The aim of the seminars has been to encourage students to strive just that bit harder to achieve the best VCE result they are capable of. The program has hopefully provided motivation as well as practical ways that will help students to achieve their full potential. The final session in this program will occur in Term 3, when students from the 2016 and 2017 Year 12 classes will share their insights.
The question of regular attendance at school is thankfully not an issue for most students at MLMC. The vast majority of parents and students understand the importance that regular attendance plays in a successful school experience, both in terms of their academic and social development. Studies show that students who attend school on a regular basis have better health outcomes, better employment prospects and overall greater wellbeing in life. Participation in school learning activities helps develop important life skills not the least of which is persistence. The opposite is true for students who do not attend school on a regular basis. I am not referring to students who have genuine medical reasons for school absence. Indeed, experience shows that students who do experience ongoing health issues are often more determined to attend school. There are some young people who struggle in a mainstream school setting, and it is important that for these children we work closely with the families to maintain some type of engagement. This is where the various support services we have in areas of learning, wellbeing, counselling and careers can be of great help. Referrals can also be made to outside agencies. Once a certain point of disengagement with school occurs, it can prove very difficult to again establish the link. We are fortunate to have a wide range of resources at the school that can help in a situation where a young person has attendance issues but it is vital that early intervention occurs. This is an example of where the school and parent partnership needs to be strong.
