NewsLetter-17th May 2021


From the Principal-17th May 2021

As we move into week 5 of the term it is timely that I remind all of the importance of attendance.  While our school is designed to cater for each student and their individual educational and wellbeing needs, we really do need to ensure that each and every student comes to campus as much as they possibly can.  Attendance to our VETiS and Tutorial Program is essential.  A VCAL student cannot complete the Senior School certificate without their VETiS hours.  The tutorial program is an important component of our school timetable, it is used to enhance student’s literacy and numeracy skills.  All essential elements for successful transitions to work and further education after HHA.

The new HHA End of Semester Report using the Sentral SMS – Student Management System is ready for Semester 1 reporting. This is the first time that we have used Sentral for end of semester reporting. I hope that you like our format and appreciate the work and feedback that our staff provide in these.  Watch out in later June for the release of our semester 1 reports.

Our 1:1 Computer program has been rolled out this term.  We have a number of students who have met the 75% attendance expectation.  Each of these students will complete the new ICT/ Digital Citizenship - Code of Conduct through an online curriculum designed by our Leader Online Learning and Wellbeing.  Students who attend class and complete the Code of Conduct are able to take their computer home with them to use for educational purposes.

SDQ – Strength Difficulties Questionnaire:  we have begun this set of data collection with our students and their parents/carers.  Students began undertaking assessment in Week 2 of this term. Next steps will be to develop classroom, campus and all school wellbeing interventions based on the results gathered.

Our first ever parent carer survey has concluded.  Thank you to those who completed the survey.  We will be working to analyse these, address any issues and to try to increase engagement with our parent/carers further during term two.  One way we intend on doing this is by having an end of term two community event on each campus.  I look forward to meeting you all this term. Watch out for further details of these events from each of our campuses.

Important Dates for your diary:

  • Tuesday 18th May Student Free Day: Staff Professional Learning
  • Friday 11th June Student Free Day: Report Writing Day
  • Tuesday 15th June (4-7PM)City Campus Community Event
  • Thursday 17th June (4-7PM) Sunshine Campus Community Event
  • Wednesday 23rd June (4-7PM) Prahran Campus Community Event 
  • Friday 25th June Last day of Term 2: Classes finish at lunchtime

Sally Lasslett

Principal – the Hester Hornbrook Academy

2021 Mother's Day

Its all about honoring and celebrating the mothers and motherly figures in our life. Here at Sunshine campus, we celebrated Mother's Day with the entire campus. The young mothers from our Young Parents' class planned the entire event and our HEAT class provided all the yummy goodies. The young mums along with their little ones had a mini stall of handmade goodies on sale. It was surely a festive vibe.

         

Short Course Day



Launch of Living Learning Program

28th of April at our new Hester Hornbrook Academy in Sunshine we officially launched Living Learning, a ground-breaking program that provides education and support for young people aged 15 to 21 who are disengaged from employment, education and training and who have a mental health condition.

Following our new school’s successful student opening in February, Melbourne City Mission - MCM CEO, Vicki Sutton, and HHA Principal Sally Lasslett together with Natalie Suleyman MP, State Member for St Albans, hosted a launch ceremony at the new campus to officially mark the commencement of Living Learning. Our very own Jazzy Gee from senior class and Raj Verghese from foundation class were there to represent our HHA student association.

                      

Living Learning is supported by the Victorian Government and by five of Australia’s leading philanthropic organisations who have collectively invested $4 million to the Living Learning program – Gandel Philanthropy, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust, Paul Ramsy Foundation, Helen Macpherson Smith Foundation and RE Ross Trust.

We are excited to work alongside the Victorian Government and our investors at The Hester Hornbrook Academy to give our students a chance to graduate.


Winter in Hester

The Prahran Campus has been buzzing with good vibes and energy throughout term 2. Alex has been working with students to cook up delicious lunches with the food we receive from Oz Harvest. Everyone seems to enjoy the walk across to the HEAT kitchen to eat, chat, and share a laugh as a community.



This term in the Young Parents Program we are focusing on healthy eating on a budget. We started with three different types of vegetable soups that the young parents prepared and then served to students and staff across the campus at lunch. Potato and leek seemed to be the crowd favourite!  The young parents were each given a stick blender to take home so they could continue practicing their newly founded soup making skills. What is winter if not some yummy comfy soup!!