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New DC T-Shirts for Purchase from the Front Office
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In this issue:
Upcoming Events
Principal's Report
Student Notification
Year 12 ATAR Scores 2021
Congratulations Student Deputy Michelle Morthorpe
2022 School Board Nominations
Front Office Payments
Enrichment Opportunities
Library News
Indigenous Cultures and Languages Guest Speakers
Textiles and Fashion
Dickson College Dress Standards
2022 School Photos
Parking
E-scooters
Covid-19 vaccine boosters
Aussie Peace Walk Charity Fundraiser
DC T-Shirts and Hoodies
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Upcoming Events:
1 March, Tuesday - Moderation Day (Pupil Free Day)
14 March, Monday - Canberra Day Public Holiday
25, 28 & 29 March, Friday, Monday & Tuesday - STEM Crossline Testing
30 & 31 March, Wednesday & Thursday - Year 12 AST Trials
31 March, Thursday - Year 11 AST Trials
1 April, Friday - DC Moderation & Assessment (Pupil Free Day)
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Principal's Report
Dear students and families,
Welcome to the first DC News of this year. We aim to capture and celebrate the great things in our school community. We always love to hear about student achievement inside or outside of the classroom, so please let us know if you have a student story to tell. We'll look to include it either in our newsletters or on our Facebook page.
As you may be aware, the final ATAR results for Year 12 2021 were published in mid-January. A graphic summarising their achievements is included in this newsletter. Congratulations, Year 12 2021! All the best for the future.
I also want to congratulate students on settling into the College this year. It has been a delight to meet new faces (smiling behind masks), seeing students outside on their breaks on the grass and in the shade, and following our COVID Safety Plan. On 31 January, we welcomed new Year 11 students to the College. Special thanks to our student volunteers in Year 12, who gave their time and their very last day of holidays to help with the Year 11 Orientation Day. It was a great day, and I don't just mean the ice blocks at the end of the day.
Student-led groups and clubs have started with enthusiasm; for those new to DC, keep your eyes open for posters and ears free for announcements. In 2022 active groups are as follows: The Student Leadership Group (SLG); Sustainability, Waste Action Group (SWAG); + Group; and others.
On 17 February, the College ran an online Information session for parents to introduce them to Dickson College and the ACT Senior Secondary System. For those parents who could not make the session, the presentation has been recorded and will be available on our website and via this link: Information Session for Parents
Dickson College's next 5-year Improvement Plan is currently underway. For the 2021 – 2025 Improvement Plan, we have two priorities which are:
Priority 1: Increase students' ability to demonstrate 21st Century skills (Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking & Collaboration)
Priority 2: Improve students' self-management capability
Teachers will be working on strategies with students that improve communication, collaboration, and self-management skills this semester.
To assist the communication of our improvement priorities to students, staff and families, the College developed a Graduate Profile for students during 2021 that we call the 5Cs. Please see the poster developed by Ricky Bray (Year 12), which illustrates the 5Cs nicely. Well done, Ricky.
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If you are new to Dickson College, please be aware that the College has many ways to stay connected and informed about what is happening in our school community.
- DC Community Updates (each fortnight or as required)
- DC News (College Newsletter, weeks 3 & 8 each term)
- Email (please get in touch with us with an updated email address if your details change)
- Facebook (please like us on Facebook)
- and the College Website (currently undergoing a refresh)
Kind regards,
Craig Edwards
Principal
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Student Notification
Please be aware that a member of the Dickson Community has a life threatening anaphylactic reaction to aerosol deodorants. Please ensure aerosols are not bought to school, roll-ons are acceptable if deodorant is needed.
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Congratulations Student Deputy Michelle Morthorpe
Dickson College would like to congratulate Michelle Morthorpe on her permanent appointment as Principal of Narrabundah College. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Michelle for the wonderful contribution she has made to Dickson College over the last 4 years as Student Deputy and to wish her every success with her new appointment.
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2022 School Board Nominations
Are you passionate about the strategic direction of Dickson College? The school’s Board is a formal mechanism for college staff, parents, carers, students, and the community to participate in the college’s decision making.
This year there are three vacancies opening for the School Board:
- 1 student member position (24-month term)
- 1 parent position (24-month term)
- 2 staff member position (1 x 12-month term & 1 x 24-month term)
Nominations will open 11am on Monday 7 February 2022 and close at 11:00am Monday 21 February 2022. If you would like to be on the School Board, please complete the nomination form and email to alex.tibbetts@ed.act.edu.au.
School Board Nomination Form
In the event of an election, a short biography of each nominee would assist with the voting process. You are therefore invited to attach a biography when submitting your nominee form.
Voting will occur (if required) from 9:00am Monday 28 February 2022 until 11am Monday 7 March 2022.
Information about nominees will be available at the school and on the Dickson College website.
For more information, contact the Assistant Returning Officer, Alex Tibbetts on 02 6142 0140 or alex.tibbetts@ed.act.edu.au
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Dickson College’s front office reception is going cashless
As part of the college’s COVID-19 Assurance Plan, please note that as of Monday 7th February 2022, the school’s reception has become cash free.
The front office is accepting payments by card in person, or alternatively a secure credit/debit card payment can be made via the college’s website through Westpac’s online payment system known as QuickWeb.
Please note the front office is available to take payments Monday to Thursday 8:30am-2:30pm and Friday 8:30am-1:30pm.
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Enrichment Opportunities
There are a variety of Maths and Science competitions run at Dickson. Please follow the link to the form 2022 Competitions Entry Form.
Maths enrichment is on Friday lunch times in S35. The Pi competition will be on Thursday 10 March in the library at 2:35pm – for Dickson students only. If you have friends or siblings at other schools who want to enter, they will have to coerce a teacher from their own school to listen to them and send the information to Caroline. Dickson students who want to recite less than 50 digits can recite to their Maths teacher, if they don’t want to come to the library. Prizes for 10 digits and above.
Community of Dickson Excellence (CODE) google classroom code is o2w4ygo. CODE will share other enrichment activities as they arise throughout the year.
Caroline Evers - Maths Teacher
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Library News
Welcome to all the new students to Dickson College! Welcome back our new Year 12, and a big welcome to our new Teacher Librarian, Karinne Campbell!
Students are encouraged to use the library space for study, reading, and research. Year 11 students have been learning about all the services and resources the library has available during their Transitions lessons, including how to make use of the library’s collection catalogue, website, and Google classroom. The teacher librarians are available for support with assessment planning, source locating and evaluation, draft proof-reading, and referencing and bibliography writing.
Information Technology Officer Sam Bennett is available to help students with IT issues. Students can find Sam in the library/IT office. New students have now been issued with their Chromebook computers so all Year 11 and 12 students should have a computer. Library staff can assist with password resets. Only one logon is needed to access computers, the internet and Wi-Fi. The college has a good Wi-Fi network and guides for connecting personal devices to Wi-Fi are available at the library circulation desk.
Year 11 student ID cards have been available at the library front desk, and there are still some waiting to be collected. Please come in and collect as soon as you can.
Our Big Bewitching Book Bazaar has been very successful with over $300 being raised for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and will continue through to the end of Term 1. So please, have a look at what is left. Gold coin donations welcomed!
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Melinda Jenkins and Karinne Campbell - Teacher Librarians
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Indigenous Cultures and Languages Guest Speakers
As part of our Indigenous Cultures and Languages course here at DC, we are lucky enough to have some amazing First Nations speakers come and yarn to our students. This opportunity is open to all DC staff and students that are interested, but it is part of the core curriculum for students completing a minor or major in Indigenous Cultures and Languages T/A/M in which they are learning about the diversity of Aboriginal Australia and individual story.
This week our students heard from traditional custodian, Ngunawal man, Uncle Wally Bell. As a Ngunawal Elder Uncle Wally spoke to the students about his life’s work in Cultural heritage and land management; on Country practice and consultation; language revitalisation; and community engagement.
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Eli Archer - Indigenous Cultures and Languages Teacher
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Textiles and Fashion
Students are settling into class and working concurrently on three tasks. They are working on wool4school designs for a ‘hero’ and making improvements to old jeans through print, applique and embroidery. It has been a very busy start to the year, it is great to see students working together and having good work habits.
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Paige working on upcycling pants Aimee’s first print on jeans
Jill Pettifer - Textiles and Fashion Teacher
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Dickson College Dress Standards
Dickson College is a workplace for both students and staff. Dickson College has a diverse community and our dress code has been developed to provide an inclusive and respectful learning environment. Clothing should be comfortable, practical and allow students and staff to participate fully in the range of activities required for their learning needs.
Dress standards guidelines
- Wear comfortable clothing of your own choice.
- Wear clothing that is appropriate for a workplace environment.
- Avoid wearing clothing that may cause offence to our community.
- Clothing should not have offensive or inappropriate designs or logos.
- Dress safely including appropriate footwear for classes - thongs are not permitted. Sandals and open shoes are discouraged for students engaged in practical subject areas.
- Health and safety standards require protective clothing and solid footwear in some subjects, and students are expected to comply with teacher instructions in these subjects (note students will be inducted at the beginning of each unit in subjects where there are specific requirements).
- Students are encouraged to wear sun protective clothing.
Note: students may purchase DC branded t-shirts and hoodies from the front office. Students experiencing financial hardship may discuss options with their Engagement Advisor or Case Manager.
Intervention strategies
Where there is a breach of the dress code, and depending on the severity of that breach, one or more of the following consequences can be applied:
- Caution by a staff member
- Restorative conversation
- Alternative clothing provided
- Counselling
- Contact with parents
Exemptions and modifications
Modification and exemptions may be granted by the principal when the dress code causes personal disadvantage outlined in anti-discrimination and human rights legislation, has implications for the student’s health, or ability to comply with requirements relating to their ethno-religious background.
Feedback
Any concerns about the dress code or the application of the dress code should be raised with:
Related documents
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (ACT)
- Human Rights Act 2004 (ACT)
- Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT)
Dress Standards and Uniforms in Canberra Public Schools Policy
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2022 School Photos...final reminder!
Orders need to be placed by Wednesday 23 February. A $10 postage charge will apply after that date.
Please go online at www.schoolhousepics.com.au and press order photos where you will see all available packages. There is a code to get onto the site which is DIC21SON.
For any further information please contact Schoolhouse Pics on 1300 794 741. |
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- Please drive responsibility when entering and leaving the college carpark.
- Park in designated spots only.
- Be mindful of pedestrians and other drivers.
Note - Licence Plate Recognition (or electronic chalking) vans are now actively monitoring schools. Penalties range from $114 upwards to $600. Details at www.act.gov.au/accessCBR |
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If utilising the Canberra E-scooters to arrive on the college grounds please park away from entrances and walkways.
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COVID-19 vaccine boosters for people 16 to 17 years of age
People aged 16 to 17 years of age, who have had their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine three months ago, can now book to get their booster. A booster dose will give even more protection against falling seriously ill from COVID-19. Bookings are available at:
- ACT Government COVID-19 vaccination clinics (AIS Arena, Canberra Airport or Access and Sensory clinics) by calling the ACT COVID-19 vaccination booking line on 02 5124 7700, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm daily, or go online to MyDHR
- participating GPs or pharmacies using the vaccine clinic finder.
There are lots of bookings available, so there’s no reason to wait! Booster doses are recommended for people who have had COVID-19 in the past. The vaccination can be given any time after recovery from COVID and release from isolation. Talk to a GP or health care provider after you have recovered from COVID-19 for advice on the best timing for vaccination. For more information go to COVID-19 vaccine booster doses and third doses.
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DC Hoodies and T-Shirts for sale!
Please visit the front office.
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We have two new designs on our T-Shirts.
They are $20 each or one of each design for $35.
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The old-style T-Shirts will be sold for $5 - very limited stock remaining.
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The amazingly warm DC Hoodies are $60 and are ideal for the cooler Canberra days.
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