Year 6 into Year 7 Transition

Welcome to Hampton Park Secondary College.

We are excited to meet all the new members of our College Community!

Principal’s Welcome

Hampton Park Secondary College is committed to providing education that is both student-centred and focused upon personalised learning experiences. We understand that students become passionately engaged in their education when the pedagogical approach is placed, purposeful, passion-led, and pervasive. At HPSC, we have re-designed our learning programme to enable students to excel through this research-based future-focused model, ensuring all our students benefit from deepened learning and improved educational outcomes. Thus, at HPSC, we enable a tailor-made educational programme that empowers students to take control of their learning.

Learning at Hampton Park Secondary College is categorised into three stages or ‘programmes’: Explore, Enhance, and Excel. These programmes recognise the unique needs of each student and allow students to ‘move through’ their secondary schooling experience in a way that better reflects their passions and abilities rather than their nominal ‘year level’. Hence, whilst many students merely survive their time at high-school, students at HPSC instead thrive in an exceptional learning environment where they are empowered and supported to create an educational pathway that is as individual and unique as they are.

Our vision of learning excellence is underpinned by the values of Respect, Learning, and Working Together. Through living our values, we hope that our students manifest the qualities of understanding the world with a global view, engaging in life-long learning, and always being critical and creative problem solvers. Our world is changing rapidly. We believe that a 21st century approach to learning is needed to engage and improve learning outcomes. At HPSC, we support young people to build important skills for now and for the future.

Captain’s Welcome

Student Orientation

Parent Information Evening

The Parent Information Evening for our 2021 Year 7 students and their families was held virtually on Wednesday November 11th, 2020.

This video presentation covers all the information our new community members will need to know for starting secondary school here at Hampton Park Secondary College.

Explore Program (Year 7)

The first stage of learning at Hampton Park Secondary College is called ‘Explore’.

The Explore Program has been designed to encourage all Year 7 students to do exactly as the name suggests, ‘explore’ the full range of subjects on offer from the eight key learning areas.

Students will study core subjects and six Taster Electives of their choice. We recognise that all students are unique and different, with individual interests, and as such, we want to empower students with the opportunity to individualise their educational program.

Students are encouraged to think carefully about which Taster Electives they choose and should think about their goals for the future, their strengths, aptitudes and interests and seek advice from their Grade 6 teacher and parent/carer. If a student is uncertain about their pathway and learning direction, we encourage students to select Tasters from all learning areas, enabling the opportunity to experience and enjoy a broad range of learning.

The Explore Course Structure is divided into two main areas: Core Subjects and Student Choice Taster Electives.

CORE SUBJECTS

English/EAL (2 Semesters)
Maths (2 Semesters)
Health/Physical Education (2 Semesters)
Humanities (2 Semesters)
Science (1 Semester)
Literacy Intervention (2 Semesters) for students needing additional support, undertaken in place of Humanities

STUDENT CHOICE TASTERS

6 Tasters, each lasting 1 Term
Options are available from the areas of Arts, Humanities, Languages, Science, STEAM, Technology

Celebrating Success

Celebrating student’s success and upholding our values of Respect, Learning and Working Together is highly important within the Explore Program. Explore staff recognise students who are demonstrating these values by awarding them a ‘Values Nomination’ with associated house points. Hard work and effort is recognised by giving student’s a ‘Bluey Award. When students receive five ‘Bluey Awards’ they are presented with a Principals Awards at our much anticipated Values Assemblies.

Hampton Park Secondary College aims to prepare students for lifelong learning and the world of work. There are many paths to achieving each goal, with Explore (Year 7) being an important stepping stone along the way.

Meet the Explore Transitions Team

Mr Wayne Haworth

College Principal

Mr Paul Broecker

Assistant Principal (Year 7)

Mr Jamie Marks

Transition Leader

Ms Fiona Vanstan

Junior Sub School Leader

Ms Nikki Boyd

Student Learning Leader (Year 7)

Ms Madeleine Blake

Student Learning Leader (Year 7)

Student Services

The Hampton Park Secondary College Wellbeing Team works proactively with young people, to empower them in reaching their full potential, by developing skills including resilience and independence.

We are committed to helping strengthen the supportive learning environment at HPSC, which ensures that all students feel culturally, emotionally and physically safe. Thereby reflecting the school values of Respect, Learning, Working Together.

Student Wellbeing Services at HPSC

For Transition support from our Wellbeing Team contact

Ms Jacqueline Binns, Counsellor

Frequently Asked Transition Questions

Laptop Program

Hampton Park Secondary College has committed to twenty first century learning by undertaking the one to one laptop program for all students. Students in today’s classroom enter a very different world than that of their parents.

The one-to-one laptop program was implemented at the College to take advantage of the massive benefit to learning available through the use of technology. Additionally, in nearly all subjects textbooks are no longer required; therefore the cost of laptops are largely offset by the fact that there are a limited number of text books to be purchased each year.

A computer levy (included in the Essential Student Learning Fees) allows student access to an extensive range of software programs, including the Microsoft Office suite, learning activities in each subject area, and ICT infrastructure including technical support.

The aim of this program is to give students full control and responsibility of their netbook/notebook. Students will have the responsibility to look after their device and to ensure that they keep their data and details secure.

In 2021, we are offering the following device available for purchase from the College.

Lenovo IdeaPad S150 14″ Notebook

Screen Size 14 inches
Processor 1.60 GHz AMD A6
RAM 4 GB SO-DIMM
Memory Speed 2400 MHz
Hard Drive 64 GB eMMC
Graphics Coprocessor AMD Radeon R4 Series
Average Battery Life (in hours) 5 hours
Laptop bag included

Total Upfront Cost $400

A deposit of $200 is due by Friday November 27th.

Payments options include upfront payment or a credit/debit card payment plan.

Payment plans must be finalised by the end of Term 2, 2021.

Compass School Manager

Compass School Manager gives parents and students a wide range of communication and access options between home and school.

Parents/Caregivers can:

Access Compass through an individual login code and password
See their students schedule
Check attendance and approve student absences
Communicate with teachers
View learning tasks
Pay and give permission for excursions
Keep up-to-date with the school News Feed
View GPA and Semester Reports (Click to view the Key to student GPA Reports)
Make Parent-Teacher Interview bookings twice a year

You can access Compass School Manager via this link.

Instructions for the Compass Parent Portal can be found in the Compass Parent Information Booklet 2017

For more information on Compass School Manager and for assistance with access please contact the General Office.

Music

The Music Program at Hampton Park Secondary College is underpinned by the Musical Futures approach to teaching and learning.

This means that our program is based around a belief that music learning is most effective when young people are engaged in the process of making music.

Our program builds on students’ existing passion for music and values their personal musical interests. Our music learning sequences aim to motivate students first and then integrate aural learning, practical music making, improvising and composing.

Music is offered as an elective in Year 7 (as a term “Explore taster”), and in combined classes (Year 8-10) as an “Enhance” subject. VCE Music Performance operates for senior students wishing to maximise their musical potential.

Throughout all year levels, students have the opportunity to play in whole class ensembles, develop skills for solo and small group performance, develop the required knowledge for the elements of music, perform inside and outside the classroom environment, record music and more.

Learning sequences incorporate the use of technology while at the same time building the literacy skills required to be successful in the subject.

Instrumental Music Expression Of Interest Form

Hampton Park Secondary College also offers an extensive instrumental program that caters for almost every instrument group including:

guitar
drums
bass guitar
keyboard
piano
vocals
brass
woodwind

The program supports the classroom music program by operating under the Musical Futures philosophy while at the same time building essential instrumental skills and technique. Individual practice is vital and reinforced through the program. Ensemble opportunities link to this program and include a contemporary/rock band, choir, keyboard and wind ensemble.

Most importantly, we make music FUN at Hampton Park Secondary College!

Explore Camp

This camp is aimed at assisting students in their transition into secondary school. A major focus is on building students’ relationships with their peers and teachers. Students get to enjoy a wide range of adventure and recreation activities that promote fun, engagement and connectedness.

Welcome BBQ

All Year 7 students and their families are invited to the Explore Welcome BBQ.

The Year 7 Team look forward to meeting the families of our Explore Cohort to celebrate the beginning of their Secondary Schooling.

An RSVP slip will be distributed to families in early 2021.

Explore Curriculum

Take a look at our video gallery below to find out more information on the range of subject options our different Learning Domains offer to students.

The Arts

Health & Physical Education

Languages

Science

English & EAL

Humanities

Maths

Technology & STEAM

Subject Handbook

Click on the image below to view the Explore Subject Handbook

Subject Selection

Ready to complete the Subject Selection process? Follow the steps in this helpful video to submit your Subject Selection.

Change of Subject

If you have concerns about the taster subjects that your child has been allocated, please download the Subject Change Request Form, which is available below. Once you have completed the form, you can email it to Fiona Vanstan, or drop a printed copy to the front office of the college. Please note that while HPSC aims to provide students with their preferred subjects, changes will only be made subject to availability.

Subject Change Request Form 2021

College Uniform

State Schools Relief – Uniform Assistance

State Schools’ Relief (SSR) is a not-for-profit organisation that works closely with government schools across Victoria. Each year SSR provides assistance with uniforms and footwear, to families experiencing financial disadvantage, for more information see: State School Relief Uniform Year 6-7 Information for Families 2021.

Year 7 students for 2021 that are recipients of the Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF) automatically qualify for the uniform package. To find out more about CSEF go to: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/csef.aspx.

Cost to families

SSR provides uniform items directly to schools, where this is not possible, you will receive a voucher that SUBSIDISES the cost of the uniform items.

The voucher can be redeemed at PSW Uniform Shop – for their trading hours and locations, see their website: https://www.psw.com.au/schools/hampton-park-secondary-college.html.

Families receiving vouchers may be required to make a co-contribution payment towards the cost of the uniform items. The amount required to cover the gap will depend on the retail purchase price and the SSR subsidy. The voucher provided by State Schools’ Relief lists each approved item, and the maximum value that SSR will cover. The vouchers do have an expiry date and must be redeemed before the expiry date.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms Jacqueline Binns at Hampton Park Secondary College on 8795 9400.

SSR Application Form

What’s in the package?

The 2021 package contains the following items:

1 x Polo Top OR Shirt
1 x Trousers OR Shorts OR Summer Dress
1 x Pair of Shoes

PE items are NOT included as part of this package.

How do I apply for the CSEF Uniform Package?

Eligible families will receive a text message from the college prompting them to complete the application form (button above).

This form has been developed by HPSC to assist with recording individual student uniform requirements. Please complete the form once per child in the 2021 Explore program. We strongly recommend that families use the SSR shoe size chart, to measure their children’s feet, and allow for growth when requesting their shoe size.

Once the application has been approved by SSR, and uniform/vouchers sent to the college, HPSC staff will contact families to collect their items from the college.

If the items need to be returned – for e.g. due to incorrect sizing, please return them to the college and complete the returns form to request the correct sized item. The college will then notify you when the correct items are ready for collection.

Resources

The following resources have been compiled by the Wellbeing Team, as they provide valuable information that families may find helpful, while transitioning from Primary to Secondary School.

Websites:

Factsheets and Handbooks:

Ardoch – School Costs Guide Victoria 2020
Student Wellbeing Hub – Understanding key transition points during childhood and adolescence
Emerging Minds – Helping your child when they are changing schools
Be You – Transition from primary to secondary school
Good Grief – Adapting after lockdown
Good Grief – Supporting your child’s social and emotional wellbeing