As the first term of 2021 draws to a close, I take this time to reflect on all that we achieve in our school each and every day.
Our students have been able to deal with a snap lock down, in some cases move to new VCAL levels with new classroom teams and begin to engage with our new Tutorial support program, which is intended to build their skills in literacy and numeracy and for our Sunshine students settle into our new campus. Certainly, lots going on for our young people. They do continue to amaze me with how resilient they are.
Our staff, for whom I am forever grateful for their professionalism and commitment to our school and our students. They are able to come back each day refreshed and ready to work on individualised programs for each of their students. They really are amazing our staff.
Next term we will begin the process of documenting and collecting a variety of pieces of evidence and adjustments for our students. This will support our application for NCCD funding. Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students. Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal at https://www.nccd.edu.au.
What we want at HHA is happy, connected young people, who are determined to achieve success and look forward to a brighter future. I ask that you watch out for our Parent/Carer survey which will be sent to you soon. Please do take the time to complete our very short survey. We want your feedback to make HHA a better learning environment for all.It’s been delightful getting to know the HHA Prahran community this term as I have settled into my new role as Head of Campus having taken over from Michael Hill. Whilst the VCAL and various VET certificates have been the main educational focus, we have also come together over BBQ lunches, breakfasts, games and exercise routines. We have also greatly enjoyed the affections of Teddy, our therapy dog who visits on Fridays and Mondays. All these events have been highly rewarding for all of us given the difficulties in coming together during the COVID period.
We have learned a great deal together this term having visited the Triennial exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria and engaged in hands-on learning activities at school including utilising our commercial kitchen.
-Dan
Head of Campus, Prahran
It has been a great start to the year here at the City Campus. We have welcomed many new students and have had a great time catching up with all our returning students. This term we have been focused on building and safe, respectful and fun community and getting to know each other and the campus. We are planning many great excursions this year and are excited to explore and utilise all the amazing things the City has to offer. Weekly Creative cooking has also been a big hit with each class taking in turns cooking for the campus.
A highlight so far was the excursion to ACMI attended by our Foundation and Intermediate classrooms. All students and staff in attendance reported they had a great day and look forward to attending again. We are excited to see what the rest of the year brings!
-Jo
Head of Campus, City
Literacy is all about how people communicate and includes speaking, reading, writing. Good literacy levels allow people to communicate effectively with a wide range of people in the community, including friends, family, professionals, employers, and leaders. Numeracy is all about numbers and patterns and being able to problem-solve and make sense of an increasingly technological world. Literacy and Numeracy skills are vital for our young people’s future employability, health, and wellbeing.
Many TAFEs require minimum levels of literacy and numeracy before gaining entry to their courses. Many TAFEs use a computer program called BKSB to assess literacy and numeracy. To prepare students for this, we use BKSB in the tutorial programs for our assessments and inform our teaching. In addition to BKSB the tutorials also include hands-on and engaging learning and explicit instruction.
Feedback from students who have taken part in this program consists of the following statements:
The program involves one hour of literacy and numeracy lessons in small groups. All Foundation, Intermediate, and Senior students take part in this program weekly.
The Tutorial Program is providing tangible benefits now and in the future for our amazing young people.
-Brydie Gleeson
Leader of Individualised Learning, HHA
Quite often in the common area of Prahran Campus there is discussion amongst the Young People (more like passionate debate) about what is the best fast food restaurant. Oracy outcome anyone??
I chimed in on this discussion that most fast food can be made at home cheaper, easier, better quality and better tasting than what you can get at most fast food outlets. The overwhelming response I got was “No way you can make chicken at home as good as KFC!” This obviously then became the campus challenge for the week.
We luckily had received some chicken from food bank, so we encouraged the students to get involved and have a go at making their own KFC in the HEAT kitchen.
Everyone had a great time getting their hands messy in the flour (also chuffed they now know the not so secret 11 herbs and spices) and couldn’t wait to taste test their cooking effort.
When the young people were asked if it was as good as bought KFC and would they would try making it at home, the consensus was that it’s different to KFC but definitely super tasty and worth making at home. A win for Hospitality.
-Alex
Education Support Officer, Prahran
It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that HHA introduces our newest (and furriest) staff member, Teddy. Teddy, who has recently become certified as a therapy dog has been making his way across all campuses to give cuddles, kisses and spend time with all our amazing students. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a psychotherapy treatment based upon building a bond with an animal through interactions and play. Interactions with animals can provide a sense of peace, purpose, companionship, and love. Research also indicates that the bond humans make with an animal can promote self-worth, self-esteem, and trust.
We thank all the staff and students for already making Teddy feel a part of the HHA community. If you see Teddy and Therapy Handler, Evita at your campus please feel free to introduce yourself. Teddy is always up for cuddles and pats!
-Evita L
Teddy's mum & Youth Worker, Prahran
This year to celebrate International Women's Day, the Careers and Pathways Team arranged for guest speakers from ASPL Group to talk to current and past students to reflect on Women in the Workforce. We were lucky enough to have Kris Grant, CEO speak to us, as well as Ash Sharma, Executive Officer to the CEO and Riya Mukherjee, Executive Assistant to the CEO. They engaged us in a conversation about celebrating women's achievement and how we can raise up as a school community to ensure our young women are empowered and we all take responsibility to take action for equality. All 3 women shared their personal journey with us and answered questions we had, before imparting some valuable recruitment tips on what bosses are looking for in 2021.
We are hoping to have the ASPL Group return soon to work with us further on recruitment and other workshops.
If you've got any ideas on workshops you'd like to see or would like to arrange one in collaboration with the Careers and Pathways Team send a TEAMS message to me.
-Sarah Keogh
Alumni, Pathways & Transition Coordinator
The Sunshine Sport and Recreation program has been a very successful means of building our community amongst staff and students. Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday a circuit fitness session is run in the gym and open to all staff and students.
So far students from the Foundation and Senior classes have joined; in addition to improving their fitness and mental health, they have also formed many new friendships during these sessions. The applied learning tasks that our students have been involved in this term have included: building shelves, fitness testing, personal training sessions and running team sports such as basketball, volleyball, cricket and soccer.
-Maritsa
VCAL Educator, Sports & Recreation