Welcome to all my students and parents for 2012. I hope that you find this BLOG a useful tool.

Many parents over the past two years have found it a non intrusive tool to find out what is happening in the classroom.

I welcome comments left on this blog, just select the comment link under the title and post your message.

Adding to this I welcome contact through direct email simone.alchin@det.nsw.edu.au I will attempt to get back to you as soon as possible. If you wish to supply your email details for me to use when making contact about your son/daughter please email me.

Now back to this blog…A newsletter is added regularly. I also include homework tasks for each year group, Year 10 study and links that students will find useful for their learning. From time to time I also like to post excellent work samples.

This year I am based in the English Faculty. I am teaching Yr 7 Humanities, Year 8, 9 and 10  English, as well as Yr 7 PIE Blogging.

My classroom is once again E8, upstairs in East Block.

I am continuing to lead the Middle School Literacy Initiatives for our school in 2012. One area includes students READING on a regular basis. It is expected all students have a FICTION novel to read on a daily basis. Reading will take place in Roll Call each morning and in English classes at the start of each period. The Reading Passport is also included in our reward system in the school to encourage reading. All students reading will be monitored/tracked by their English teacher.

Of course reading is encouraged at home as well. Research proves that parents/caregivers are the best role models for their children when it comes to reading. So the message is clear…ensure your children see YOU reading.

Adding to this I am continuing as the Uniform Monitor for 2012. New laws in N.S.W are now enforcing enclosed leather footwear for work places and schools as a means of Occupational Health and Safety.  The Science Labs, Ag Farm, Industrial Arts Workshops, Home Economics Kitchens and Sporting areas enforce correct footwear. Therefore the entire school MUST conform as we cannot have students changing shoes all day as they go into these particular areas. BLACK – LEATHER – LACE UP has become the code for correct footwear. Logos and coloured laces are also not allowed. Keep it all black. For Physical Education please make sure students have correct joggers that support their feet. Canvas shoes offer no support and can do a lot of damage to growing feet when used in sporting areas.

In 2012 I am taking on the new role of Year 7 Advisor/Coordinator along with Mr Moore. I’m looking forward to getting to know as many of this Year 7 group as possible and see them grow over the four years here at BVC.

I am certainly looking forward to 2012. Our school has been through a number of changes in the 8 years I have been here and we certainly plan to improve our community involvement and school performance in the coming year. Whilst the School Certificate is no longer a measure of student performance, NAPLAN results in Year 7 and Year 9 are seeing value added in all literacy areas for our students. The initiatives introduced in 2010-11 will continue in 2012 and therefore we will continue to see improvement in all students outcomes.

I look forward to working with you in 2012.

Mrs A