FAQ's

What are the College rules?

At Maribyrnong College we expect everyone to work together with co-operation, respect and care for others.  Students are expected to work hard, improve their skills and knowledge and do as much as they can to be the best they can be.

To Assist students to meet these expectations, we have a few clear rules:

Behaviour

  • Students must follow reasonable instructions given to them by staff
  • Students must not physically or verbally abuse other people
  • Students should treat others with consideration and respect
  • Students should respect the rights of others to learn
  • Students should treat the property of others with respect
  • Students should not chew gum inside the school buildings
  • Students must bring the correct materials to class
  • Students should come dressed in the correct college uniform
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Attendance and Punctuality

  • Students should be on time to all classes and leave only if they have teacher permission
  • Students who arrive late to school must report to the Attendance Co-ordinator
  • Students who have to leave school early must bring a note signed by a parent or guardian and give it to their year level co-ordinator
  • Students should not leave the College grounds during the day without permission.
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Safety at School

  • Students must not be involved in bullying or harassment
  • Students must not use illicit drugs, alcohol or other harmful substances
  • Students should not smoke at school or in the vicinity of the school.
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Property and Environment

  • Students must be careful with College property and not damage furniture, books, lockers, computers and other College resources
  • Students must not use mobile phones, MP3 Players or i-Pods in class
  • Students driving to school must drive sensibly in the school grounds
  • Students should use the bins provided for their litter
  • Students should pay for library books that are more than 4 weeks overdue
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What time does school start and finish?

Classes start promptly at 9.00am.  students should arrive at school no later than 8.50am in order to have time to organise their books and materials for period one.  School finished at 3.00pm.  The day is divided into 6 x 45minute lessons, plus 20 minutes of Sustained Silent Reading each day.  There is a 25 minute morning recess and a 45minute lunch break each day. [ Top ]

What is Sustained Silent Reading (SSR)?

It is a well known fact that a person’s reading comprehension improves with practice so immediately after morning recess, students go to their home group room to read silently for 20 minutes, with their home group teacher.  Every staff member and every student must have a book –either a novel or a non-fiction text – to read.  Books can be borrowed from the school library.

Occasionally, a home group teacher will use the 20 minutes for other tasks, or your year level co-ordinator might call a year level assembly instead of SSR.  You will be informed of changes via the daily bulletin. [ Top ]

How much homework will I get?

Regular homework is important as it teaches you to be organised and enables you to practice new skills.

  • Years 7 and 8 should spend at least 45 minutes after school each day on homework
  • Years 9 and 10 should spend at least 60minutes after school each day on homework
  • VCE students should spend between 1.5 and 3 hours each day on homework.

 

If your teachers have not set specific homework tasks, you should revise your work, read through the current chapter of your text books, or read newspapers or novels. [ Top ]

What if I am sick?

Students who are unwell should remain at home until they feel better. If you begin to fee ill at school, see your year level co-ordinator who will phone your parent and ask them to collect you.  If a parent is unable to collect you, the co-ordinator will arrange for you to attend sick bay.

Students who have been absent must bring an explanatory note from their parent to the attendance officer the day they return to school.  Otherwise, parents may phone the school to let us know that you are unwell.

If you are going to be absent for more than three days, we ask that your parent contacts the school to let us know.[ Top ]

What if I am late to school?

Class rolls are marked every period.  If you are late to school you must report to the attendance officer before going to class to have your name marked off and be given a late pass that will enable you to go to your class.

Students who are repeatedly late will face consequences such as detentions.
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Can I leave the school grounds during the school day?

Students are generally not permitted to leave the school property during the day, including lunchtime and recess.  If you do have to leave the school during the day for urgent medical appointments or other reasons, you should bring a note from your parent and give it to your co-ordinator on the morning of your appointment.
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What if I am out of uniform?

Generally we expect every student to have sufficient uniform items so that they can be in full uniform each day.

If for some reason you are unable to be in full uniform, you must see your year level co-ordinator before period 1. Students may be sent home to change into correct uniform, or may be given a pass for the day if there is a legitimate reason. Students who breach the uniform rules without an acceptable reason will face consequences.

Note, as well as wearing full school uniform, students must abide by the following guidelines:-

  • Facial peircings are not allowed
  • Extreme hairstyles are not allowed
  • Jewellery and make up must be kept to a minimum
  • Trousers must be fully hemmed without slits
  • Non uniform items must not be visible ( eg tee shirt under school shirt)
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Can I bring my mobile phone and MP3 player to school?

The College cannot be responsible for looking after or replacing lost or stolen electronic equipment. You may bring such items to school if you need to, but you must take full responsibility for them.  Each student is given a locker and this is the safest place to keep valuables of any sort.

Students must not use these items in class and if you have them in your pocket they must be switched off.  Teachers are expected to confiscate these items if you use them in class or, in the case of a mobile phone, if it rings during class.
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What if I lose something?

Lost property generally finds its way to the Co-ordinators office, so ask your co-ordinator if it has been handed in.[ Top ]

What can I do if I am having problems at school or at home?

The College has a Student Welfare Co-ordinator (SWC) who is available to speak to students who are having problems. Discussions are held in private and will be kept confidential if necessary. The SWC may refer students to other services such as an educational psychologist, a social worker or a speech pathologist.

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