1 Birthdays Jesse Stevens—6th September Kahli Migotto-Brown—6th September Rose Llewellyn—7th September Rowan Broome—9th September From your Principal “I am a part of everything that I have read.” Theodore Roosevelt You have a very lucky and fortunate principal. One of the privileges in teaching and education is that I find myself in a wonderful place to live with a fantastic community. And I am entrusted with your children and are with them from their Prep to Year 12. I indeed feel privileged. I was reminded, going back through my communication diary, when last week I witnessed the whole Primary Sector out Huffing and Puffing with Jump Rope. I sat with three of my Year 12’s role playing as to how to get more time in the Gym. (I wonder how they went). The outstanding Springwood Thank You Night with our Ambassadors engaging with a community presentation. And, oh boy, was I proud of the way they spoke and presented. I was challenged by my passionate Secondary Staff around VCE Selections for 2014 – I wish I could grant all wishes! But the Budget can be the bottom line. The inclusion of VET Music into our Later Years Program next year reflects strong demand from students and community. With our Department there are still many unknowns under the new changes and the ever changing role and accountabilities of school principals. But, as I opened with, I feel very privileged to Dates to remember Sept 5th—SRC AGM Sept 7th—Deb Ball Sept 10th—Immunisations Sept 11th—Interschool Table Tennis Sept 18th—School Council Meeting Sept 19th—Regional Athletics Sept 20th—Term 3 finishes at 2.30pm be here and will give my students my very best. And please remember my door is open. Father’s Day Last Sunday – What did you do? If we look at the most famous father today it would be Prince William who is typical of many modern dads. “I’m a hands-on dad” was the message beamed around the world. Good on him. Gone are the days when the only relationship many men had with their children was through their wives. Men, increasingly, recognise that their effectiveness is dependent on first-hand interactions with their kids. That means their presence is needed far more than any presents they may provide for their kids. For some dads first -hand interactions with children are easier said than done. Family separation, work circumstances and busy lifestyles are all factors affecting their capacity to become involved in their children’s lives. In these circumstances it’s important that men maintain an emotional 2 attachment to their kids; do their best to know what’s going on in their children’s lives; and respond appropriately to the developmental imperatives of their children. Building up frequent father points Good fathering matters. It matters to mothers as a supportive father makes a mother’s life easier. It matters to girls. Good fathering has been linked to higher confidence levels in girls, particularly during the tricky adolescent years. The notion of a father who is present, available and attentive affords a sense of security to a girl, which is necessary for healthy development. Dads are also the first introduction to the world of men for girls so it’s important that fathers treat their daughters with gentleness and respect, but also encourage them to be assertive. In a sense, fathers teach their daughters how they should expect to be treated by males as they get older. Good fathering matters to boys. They learn their first lessons of manhood from their dads. Early primary-aged boys usually want to spend a great deal of time with their dads. Steve Biddulph, author of Raising Boys, describes this phenomenon as ‘father-hunger’ and suggests that dads need to be around their sons in the primary school years so they can ‘download the software’ of how to be male. The father-son relationship during adolescence can be problematic. While teen boys seem to be hard-wired to challenge their fathers, most desperately want their dads to be proud of them. Teen boys need a dad who can be firm when needed as they don’t always make great decisions. They need a dad who remembers the awkwardness and insecurity of being a teenage boy. Health scales state a healthy relationship with their children is a predictor of good health and longevity for men, as well as of life satisfaction levels. I suspect there is something relaxing and de-stressing for a man to get into a child’s space and time. There is a big kid in most men just busting to get out. Parental wellbeing would be the last thing on Prince William’s mind as he attends to his young son’s needs. It is through these early forays into parenting that Prince William, like countless other men, will find his feet as a dad, and also discover his place in the life of his son. Here are five pretty useful tips:M 1. Go on dates with your daughters. 2. Have adventures with your sons. 3. Support your partner’s parenting. 4. Change as your child changes. 5. Discipline with firmness and compassion. I might see you at the Debutante Ball on Saturday Night. Tim Computer Sale – Absolute BARGAINS!! In working order. $20. That’s right, folks, this is not a misprint! Includes monitor, keyboard and mouse. Walk in Walk out with a bargain. No recalls - No Servicing Visit the Book Exchange which is now open on Monday afternoons from 2.30pm – 3.25pm. 3 Thank you very much to Luke from Fisheries (Mallacoota) Victoria for an illuminating and exciting careers presentation. From the Office Change of details Parents are reminded that if there are any changes to conta ct or reside ntial details, it is imperative that the college office is notified. Pictures: Students recently took part in the Questacon Failure to update details could reflect on financial assistance or other DEECD initiatives. NASA Astronautica Challenge Our Debutante ball is on this Saturday, 7th September from 6pm at the Main hall. 10 Deb’s and their partners will be presenting at this event. They are:      Meg Allan & Larz van der Sant Alanna Bryan & Marc Sammut Jess Van Polen & Patrick Boyle Jasmyn Litherland & James Bryan Amy Preston & Tom Reichelt      Chloe Scott & James Wethereld Leanna Severs & Robbie Bridle Alessia Landi & Arrow Embleton Luci Warren & Jaidyn Marsden Jacqualine Petterson & Patrick Chevers. Over the past two months these students have been very busy learning their dance steps (very entertaining) under the guidance of Dot & Robert De Geus from Genoa. We are extremely appreciative of the efforts that Dot & Robert have shown to our students in preparation for this huge event. The program: 5.50 - 6pm: Guests arrive at the Main hall 6.15pm: Deb’s and partners arrive and are formally introduced. Presentation and dancing follows. Family photographs taken, followed by the evening meal. For tickets… contact Mallacoota Real Estate on 51580600. WEEK 8 September 2 VCE OE Snow Trip September 3 VCE OE Snow Trip September 4 VCE OE Snow Trip September 5 September 6 SRC Annual General Meeting College Deb Ball – Saturday 7th Sept September 12 September 13 September 18 September 19 September 20 P12 Assembly (P 4) Regional Aths Sports 2.30 Finish School Council Reports posted to Parents Aths Bairnsdale- 710 P12 Assembly (P 3) Combined Band Prac. WEEK 9 September 9 September 10 Immunisations eSmart meeting September 11 Interschool Table Tennis Combined Band Prac. WEEK 10 September 16 September 17 Combined Band Prac. Change It Up, East Gippsland! Are you a young person with a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you know a teen with a big heart and an even bigger imagination? Would you like to see your community get connected and work together to create positive change? On the 26th and 27h of September the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) and The Shire of East Gippsland are going to Change It Up - and they are looking for 20 young people to join them. Change It Up is seeking young people aged 14 to 19 who live in and around the East Gippsland region and have an interest in sparking change within their local communities. During two full days of workshops and community events, Change It Up will empower young people to make a difference in their local community. At the end of the workshops, participants who have an idea for change will be given the chance to pitch for a $1,000 seeding grant to kick-start their project idea. “Change It Up has definitely changed the way I see myself and my community,” said Rhys, 17, a previous Change It Up participant. “I am more confident and I have the tools and networks to talk about my issues. “Change It Up helped me develop a slogan, introduced me to influential members of the community, taught me how to speak in public and helped me to meet other young people who are equally as passionate about change as I am.” Visit www.fya.org.au/changeitup for more information or contact Amelie at the East Gippsland Shire Council to request an application form. Applications close Friday 6 September. Footy Colours Day 6th September Don’t forget your Gold Coin Donation Helps raise funds for young kids with cancer