From Mrs Stathatos

Curriculum Day- August 11

It is often noted that any workplace relies on the co-operation and collaboration of motivated, independent and dedicated staff to achieve their goals. Accordingly, our Curriculum Day was very productive with staff awareness of the General Capabilities improving and their application of the capabilities as outlined by the Victorian Curriculum into the Teaching and Learning programs clarified. The capabilities, which are a set of discrete knowledge and skills that can be taught explicitly in and through the Learning Areas are: Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical, Intercultural, Personal and Social. Identifying the set of capabilities that every student in Year 7-10 is to have has been documented.

Some staff feedback on the day:

It has been delightful to have time to consider what we are doing and why we are doing it.

Everyone is productive and happy to be in each other’s company.

It’s been a reminder that we are working with great people.

It’s a great team- we got a lot done.

Parent Student Teacher Interviews- August 30

Parent Student Teacher Interviews will take place on Wednesday 30th of August 12pm-8pm in the College Library and the 5oos. It is a terrific opportunity to meet with teachers about student progress at this stage of the year and especially for directions about revision and study before the VCE examinations for Year 12 students.

Booking interviews online has opened in Conference Booking in Compass and will remain open until Tuesday 29th of August.

Languages Opens Doors- National Languages Competition

There are many benefits to learning another language and in recognition of this, SBS is holding a National Languages Competition which is open to all students studying a language other than English. Language teachers are promoting the competition to students. For more information please click on the link below.

http://www.sbs.com.au/radio/article/2017/05/09/sbs-radios-national-languages-competition-2017

Alex Lyne Award- Geography award for Benn Jamieson

Congratulations to one of our teachers, Benn Jamieson for being recognised by the Geography Teacher’s Association, as an educator who has provided a highly rigorous and engaging program for his students. Below is the letter Benn received notifying him of his award:

Dear Benn

Thank you for your entry to the 2017 Alex Lyne Fieldwork Award.

The judging panel were very impressed with the quality of the submissions and we are pleased to inform you that your entry has been awarded “Honourable Mention Alex Lyne Award – Senior Category”.

Your entry provided appropriate and challenging activities and reflected all that is “Best Practice” for Geography teaching. The range of data collection and recording techniques used by the students was outstanding.

We look forward to publishing a photo of Benn in our next newsletter upon receipt of his award on the 27th of August.

Eleni Stathatos

Assistant Principal

From Mr Barut

Ringwood Secondary College continues to thrive as a learning community. All our students are involved in their learning, their friendships, their whole school engagement and all the extracurricular programs that the College has to offer. Students from Year 8 upwards will be entering their subject selections over the next couple of weeks that will assist with college planning for 2018!

Please remember that the College always welcomes parents to communicate with the co-ordinators and teaching staff to best support the students in their learning. The list of Heads of Sub School and the House Co – ordinators is set out below:

Year 7/8 –

Junior School Sub Leader – Jonathon Rogers

Frazer House – Sam Asbury

Freeman House – Jessica Friend

Mabo House – Kim Watson

Jackman House – Faith Stepniewski

Year 9/10 –

Middle School Sub School Leader – Matthew Tucker

Frazer House – Shane Asbury

Freeman House – Benn Jamieson

Mabo House – Alyce Bailey

Jackman House – Michael Kent

Year 11/12 –

Senior School Sub School Leader – Cathy Menz

Frazer House – Jason Tan

Freeman House – Emma Lim

Mabo House – Sarah Catton

Jackman House – Fiona Pourgoutzidis

Please be mindful that the College is working in a climate of positive psychology and respectful relationships. As such, we expect interactions between co-ordinators, staff and parents to be professional, respectful and solution/action focussed.

On another note, congratulations to all the students involved in the latest RSC Production of ‘Chicago’ – the show is amazing and we have so many talented students here at the College.

James Barut

Assistant Principal

From Mrs Allison

2018 Leadership positions

Students in years 7-11 are encouraged to apply for the 2018 leaderships positions that will be advertised in the next few weeks.

Chicago

Congratulations to all students and staff involved in the Chicago musical production. It is a high-quality show that displays the wonderful talent of our hardworking students. Looking forward to the junior production later this year!

Heritage and Alumni Perpetual Scholarship

The Heritage and Alumni group is offering a perpetual scholarship to all current and potential VCE students. The aim of the scholarship is to support the selected student who faces some form of hardship, to undertake the VCE (Years 11 & 12). The scholarship will assist the student with study requisites, recognise persistence and effort, credit resilience and endeavour and encourage learning and opportunity. The closing date is October 30 with interviews in mid-November. Contact Mrs M Allison (AP) for details.

Wellbeing Focus for this week…

Wellbeing Builder: Sleep and Rest

Wellbeing Element: Exercise and Health

Character Strength: Love

Wellbeing Fitness Challenge: Strengths Spotting

Sleep deprivation is a massive issue amongst 21st century adolescents and it has a profound effect on their wellbeing. Expecting them to concentrate well and be engaged in class is unrealistic because it’s almost humanly impossible to do so when lacking sleep.

Their 24/7 addiction of being electronically connected to their peer groups and having their phones on throughout the night communicating with others, makes deep sleep more than difficult. Interestingly, studies have revealed that some 60% of adolescents are unhappy with and exhausted from being 24/7 connected and also understand the consequences of a lack of sleep and rest. Yet in spite of this, the reason they continue to stay connected is FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out.

Insisting of no mobile or computer use after 9.00 pm is the answer. It may lead to defiance, but to improve their health and wellbeing it is well worth weathering the storm. At least nine hours deep sleep and rest are non-negotiable essentials for the healthy all-round development of young people because they provide timeout for their eyes and vital organs and essential growth hormones are released and learnt material is stored in their long-term memory during REM sleep, Rapid Eye Movement.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Exercise can help students to fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly—as long as it's done at the right time. Exercise stimulates the body to secrete the stress hormone cortisol, which helps activate the alerting mechanism in the brain. This is fine, unless you're trying to fall asleep so aim to finish exercising at least three hours before bed or work out earlier in the day.

Maria Allison

Assistant Principal

Community

Blackburn Cycling Club