The Bentonian March 2024


Principal's Report March 2024

Principal's Report March 2024 Principals Report March

College Tours

run at various times throughout the week. TERM 2&3 2024 now LIVE.

Check in and book via the following link:
Bentleigh Secondary College Tour Bookings

Gifted and Talented Program 2025

Students gain entry into our Gifted and Talented Program through a selection process. A selection test is held for students in Year 6 each year. The selection process will also consider recent school performance reports and the Year 5 NAPLAN results.
Applications close at midnight Friday, 9 August 2024. Please use the following link to complete the application process and payment required to register your child  https://aus.edutest.com.au/Parent/Landing?s=KoKTrnTvgrnraPz87RcIdA%3d%3d

Selection Test Date The Bentleigh Secondary College Gifted and Talented Entrance test will be onsite Wednesday, 14 August 2024 at 9.00am – 12.00pm in the Year 7 Precinct.

Digital Thumbprint

On Tuesday, 27 February our Middle school students participated in a Digital Discernment workshop facilitated by Digital Thumbprint. Digital Thumbprint delivered such an insightful session to our middle school students, emphasizing the importance of positive interactions and safety on social media. Encouraging responsible and kind behavior online is crucial in today's digital age, and sessions like these play a significant role in educating students about the impact of their online actions. Kudos to Digital Thumbprint for their valuable contribution to promoting a safer and more enjoyable social media experience for everyone!

Year 11 OES Phillip Island Camp

This 3-day experience in the Phillip Island Region of South East Victoria covers Key Knowledge points from Unit 3 Area of Study 1 and 2. Topics covered practically include flora & fauna adaptation and Indigenous and European settler history of the area. We also look at indicators and the importance of healthy outdoor environments and threatening processes including introduced species and climate change. These Key Knowledge and Key Skills from the OES Study Design will be taught through activities including Surfing, Desalination Plant tour, Penguin Parade, Hiking local indigenous activities.

Year 11 OES

International Women's Day

The Marie Curie STEAM Party recognises the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize. In our annual Marie Curie STEAM Party event, over 500 local primary students attend a day where they participate in a variety of activities that showcase STEAM.
We had the pleasure of hosting students from local primary schools Bentleigh West Primary School, Murrumbeena Primary School, and Coatsville Primary School for our International Women's Day Marie Curie Day Event at Bentleigh Secondary College.
The theme focussed on both exploring scientific concepts and fostering a sense of togetherness and acceptance among participants. It's a wonderful concept that can inspire curiosity, collaboration, and mutual respect.
There were: 
Interactive Science Exhibits: Interactive displays showcasing various scientific principles, experiments, and discoveries.
Hands-On Workshops: Workshops where participants engaged in hands-on science experiments, which encouraged teamwork and collaboration among participants, regardless of their backgrounds or interests.
Diverse Speakers and Presenters: Invite speakers from diverse backgrounds to talk about their experiences in the scientific community. Emphasize the importance of inclusivity and representation in STEM fields.
Interactive Games and Challenges: Organised science-themed games and challenges that promoted teamwork and problem-solving. This created opportunities for people to work together and learn from each other's perspectives.
The Joy of Discovery: The excitement of scientific discovery throughout the event was the highlight of the day, which encouraged participants to embrace curiosity and explore new ideas together.

Year 8 Wood Technology

Congratulations to the Year 8 Wood Technology class on completing their first project, the Naughts & Crosses Board! 

It's fantastic to see their enthusiasm and hard work paying off. A special shoutout to Mr. Nic for guiding them through the process. We hope the students are enjoying some epic Naughts & Crosses games at home with their newly crafted boards!



Textiles

Woolly friends

How wonderful! Our Textile students had an enriching experience with the visit from the woolly friends from Tarndwarncoort Homestead. Learning firsthand about sourcing materials and exploring the various possibilities they offer must have been both educational and inspiring. It's fantastic to see such engaging opportunities being provided for students to deepen their understanding of the textile journey. Here's to more fun and learning ahead!



Art Making and Exhibiting

What an inspiring journey for the VCE Art Making and Exhibiting students!

The planned visits for the Year 12 and Year 11 Art Making and Exhibiting classes to various exhibition spaces in Melbourne CBD are incredibly enriching and educational. Here's a breakdown of what the students will be experienced, particularly at the NGV:

  1. Top Arts 2024 @ The Ian Potter Centre (NGV Australia): This exhibition showcases exceptional works by VCE students, offering insights into contemporary art practices and techniques.  This year featuring one of very own Alumni.

  2. Buxton Contemporary: A visit to this contemporary art museum  exposed students to cutting-edge works by both established and emerging artists, fostering an appreciation for avant-garde artistic expressions.

  3. Flinders Lane Gallery: This gallery provided a glimpse into the local art scene, allowing students to engage with a variety of artworks and artistic styles.

  4. Triennial @ The NGV: The NGV Triennial is a major international exhibition featuring contemporary art from around the world. Students had the opportunity to delve into the curatorial considerations, exhibition design, and conservation methods involved in preparing and presenting such a large-scale event.

During their time at the NGV, students engaged in activities such as:

  • Analyzing and discussing curatorial considerations, exhibition design, and conservation methods involved in preparing and presenting the NGV Triennial 2023.
  • Exploring exhibition characteristics, themes, and strategies used to connect practitioners from all around the world.
  • Analyzing and discussing the presentation of artworks.
  • Investigating, identifying, and evaluating the methods used and considerations involved in the presentation, conservation, and care of specific artworks.

Overall, these experiences provide students with invaluable insights into the art world, enhancing their understanding of artistic practices, exhibition management, and the broader cultural context in which art operates. It's a fantastic opportunity for them to deepen their appreciation for art and develop critical thinking skills in the process.

 
 
 
 
 



Top Arts 2024

HARRISON LUCAS

One of our 2023 Year 12 students, is featured in the TOP ARTS 2024 exhibition currently on at the NGV: Ian Potter Centre (in Fed Square). The exhibition is running until July 14th and is open 10am to 5pm daily.

This is a huge accomplishment as around 1500 students applied and Harry was one of the 49 students from across Victoria to be selected. If you have some time during the holidays, please go check out his work in person as it’s the scale of the work that is really impressive.
More information is available at this link - https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/top-arts-2024/

Harrison Lucas, Dreaded imaginary expectations, 2023, Coloured fibre-tipped pen on illustration board, Installation 203.2 x 256.0 cm, Bentleigh Secondary College, Bentleigh East, Boonwurrung Country
© Harrison Lucas

Art Making and Exhibiting
Bentleigh Secondary College, Bentleigh East

 




Sporting Success

Congratulations to the swim team for their outstanding performances at both the Kingston Swimming Carnival and the Southern Metro Region Swimming Championships!

Special commendations to Annabel Jorgensen for her remarkable achievements, winning multiple individual events and contributing to the relay team's success. The 16-year girls' relay team also deserves praise for their gold medal win at the Kingston Swimming Carnival and their third-place finish at the Southern Metro Region championships.

Additionally, well done to all the students who achieved top-three placings in their events and contributed to the team's success.

It's also fantastic to hear about the round robin victories in various Kingston Term 1 competitions, showcasing the talent and dedication of the students across different sports. Kudos to all the coaches and athletes involved!




Senior Boys Basketball

Kingston Division Round Robin, held on Thursday, 14 March 2024 at the Frankston & District Basketball Association. Congratulations to the senior basketball team on being crowned champions in the round robin! It's clear that their hard work, teamwork, and dedication have paid off tremendously. It's also great to see there was amazing competition on the court with all teams involved. A big well done to everyone who participated!

Senior Boys Cricket

Congratulations to our Senior Boys Cricket team (coached by the wonderful Dylan Hayes), winning the Southern Metro Region quarter final match against Frankston High School

This awsome squad will play a semi-final against Cheltenham on Thursday 7 March in the Southern Metro Region Finals.
Some highlights of the quarter final :

  1. Max A took a hat trick
  2. Ollie D started the run chase with a classy 38 runs
  3. Eden C hit the winning runs.


Green Machine

We are thrilled to announce that the Bentleigh Secondary College Green Machine (Sustainability Club) is setting sail on a unique and eco-friendly adventure - the Recycle Regatta!



Our enthusiastic members will be constructing a boat entirely from recycled materials and competing at the Brighton Yacht Club. This exciting endeavour serves a dual purpose - promoting the importance of recycling while raising funds for teen mental health first aid programs within schools.
 
How Can You Get Involved?
 
1. Donate Recyclable Materials: Help us make waves by contributing recyclable materials to our project. We need thick cardboard, like moving boxes, or 2 L recyclable plastic containers with lids. Simply drop off your donations at Mrs. Darks' desk by next week Wednesday, 13th March.
 
2. Join our team: Help us build or race the boat. If you are interested in building or racing the boat, come to Green Machine next week Tuesday 12th March in DV01 at lunch time.
 
3. Make a Monetary Contribution: Support our cause by donating to our fundraising page. Every contribution counts! Visit Recycle Regatta Donation Page to make your donation. The funds raised will be dedicated to Teen Mental Health Training within secondary schools.
 
Your involvement is crucial in steering our ship towards success, both in promoting sustainability and fostering mental health awareness among teenagers.
 
Donation Link: Recycle Regatta Fundraising Page
 
We appreciate your support in helping us make a positive impact on the environment and contributing to the mental well-being of our secondary school students.
Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey!

Best regards,
Nicholas R and Darcy C
STEAM/SUSTAINABILITY Captains



Green Machine Win

Congratulations to our students for their impressive achievement at the Brighton Yacht Club Recycle Regatta!

On March 17, Bentleigh Secondary Green Machine SustainaShiphad a fantastic race filled with creativity, community spirit, and support for a vital cause:
providing the Teen Mental Health First Aid Program in local secondary schools.

Many cheered on Team Bentleigh, joining in the fun, support, and community spirit, whilst enjoying the excitement of the race.

NB: Don't forget to contribute to the this worthy cause by donating through the provided link: Donate now.
Let's come together to make waves for mental health awareness!

Team Bentleigh navigated Middle Brighton Harbour in their creatively crafted boat, and placed third with the 'Green Machine' boat,
 a fantastic accomplishment, especially considering the creativity and sustainability behind the design.

It's wonderful to see our team not only excelled in the race but also contributed to a worthy cause by being named the:
Highest Fundraising Team.
Kudos to Ms. Dark, Mr. Rakers, and all involved for their support and guidance throughout the project. What a memorable and impactful experience for everyone involved!
Also big Kudos to all the kind Sponsors!



Recycle Regatta



Annual Privacy

Reminder for our school community.

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice.
Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.
 
We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Microsoft 365 safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. We also have the Digital Technology Policy located on the ICT page of our website. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Microsoft 365 please contact the school.
 
For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. This information is also available in ten community languages:

  • Amharic
  • Arabic
  • Dari
  • Gujarati
  • Mandarin
  • Somali
  • Sudanese
  • Turkish
  • Urdu
  • Vietnamese


Attendance

All Victorian government schools are required to contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same day of an unexplained student absence.

If your child is absent on a particular day and you have not contacted the school to explain why, the absence will be marked as unexplained. Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day. Attending and participating in school will help your child develop:
  • important skills and knowledge to help them learn
  • social and emotional skills such as good communication, resilience and team work.

 Children who attend school every day and complete Year 12 have:

  • better health
  • better job opportunities
  • higher income across their lives.
There is no safe number of days for being late or missing school. Each day/lesson a student misses puts them behind.

If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance, we encourage you to reach out to the school for support and strategies.

Hence in line with the departmental requirements, Parents/Carers receive a text message if their child is absent or late for Home Group,  Period 1 or any prior scheduled class (i.e: Academy/Music/Period 0) without prior parental consent through Compass. 

If a message is received, please check Compass Attendance, via Compass Portal Compass Login:.

A reminder to parents to address all lateness and absences through Compass ASAP, in order to reduce the automated SMS message you may receive alerting you to this scenario
NB: Please do not phone or message your child as their phones should be in their locker. If you do need to contact them, please call the office or send them an email.