Welcome to Term 2

Welcome to our April newsletter. This year feels like it is going so quickly, as we move back in to a more normal routine following the COVID impacted 2020. With COVID restrictions hopefully behind us, we are back into the full swing of excursions and school based activities. It is great to be able to offer all of our programs to our students again.

The term started well with the handover of our Stage 1 building works now complete. The Year 12 locker bay near the new senior school building and the new undercover walkway are now complete and the grass seed planted in our brand-new open area. Over the term break our Stage 2 of building works began with the announcement of Brand Architects as the architects for the next stage of our redevelopment. Stage 2 of our redevelopment will see brand-new food technology spaces as well as new visual art learning spaces for our school. The design work for this will start soon and we are keen to involve our students, families and wider community in the design process for this new space. More detail on community feedback and input as the project develops. Please see the building and grounds page of this newsletter for further details including images of the school following the work completed over the holidays.

Open Night

It was a pleasure to be able to welcome potential students and their families back onto the school site for our Open Day and Open Evening. Our open sessions, as well as our twice weekly school tours, have been heavily subscribed. A reminder to all families considering the future school of their children, that it is best to see a school in action. We invite all potential students and families to come in and see our classes in action, to hear from our fantastic students and se how we operate as a school. Tours can be booked for Wednesday or Friday mornings, or by private appointment by contacting the school on 94660900.

Parents and visitors on-site

A reminder to all parents and visitors, that even with the relaxing of the COVID restrictions, it is both school and Department of Education policy that all parents and visitors report to the General Office on arrival at the school. As a Child Safe School, all visitors to the school must be inducted onto the school site, present Working With Children Cards and be badged while on the school site. Parents and families must sign in at the Office if visiting the school to speak to a member of staff. Parents and carers are not required to sign in if making payments or general enquiries at the Office.

Policies

A reminder to our whole community that all Reservoir High School Policies are available to all students and parents/carers through Compass, and also available on our school webpage for everybody in our community. To access the policies from our web page, please go to http://reservoirhs.vic.edu.au/policies/

All policies at Reservoir High School are reviewed as per the Department of Education review guidelines, use the DET templates and require School Council approval. Please do not hesitate to contact the school with any queries regarding any school policies.

Congratulations Kaleb: State Champion

Over the holidays, Kaleb Shaw of Year 10 participated in the Victorian Under 18 Lawn Bowls Championships held in Bendigo. Kaleb is a member of the Kingsbury Bowls club and playing the sport for the past 7 years. Kaleb participated in the Pairs competition, of which he and his partner were Semi finalist, and he also competed in the Triples competition. Kaleb and and his team won the Victorian title. Well Done Kaleb; a great result for your hard work.

Darebin Youth Forum

On Wednesday 28 April, Reservoir High was proud to host the inuaugral Darebin Youth Forum. This forum involved student leaders from over 15 local Primary and Secondary schools, both Government and private.

The forum was about student voice, and ensuring that our young people from Darebin come together to share ideas on a range of issues, explore future directions for our community and ensure that student voice is a catalyst for change in our local area.

Darebin Council (like other local government councils) are currently writing up a 4 year strategic plan and a 20 year 'vision' plan for our community. They do have to seek input and ideas from the community, and they were keen to hear the voice and ideas of our young people.

A big thank you to Katia Rotar and Danny Diesendorf for their organisation and facilitation and to Darebin Mayor, Cr Lina Messina, CEO of Darebin Sue Wilkinson and all of the Councillors who came to Reservoir High to listen to our young people.

ANZAC Ceremony

Prior to ANZAC Day, we hosted a joint Reservoir High, Kingsbury Primary School and 2/14 Battalion Association ANZAC ceremony. A big thank you to the Eboney and Yoedzher who spoke on behalf of Reservoir High School, the fantastic student leaders from Kingsbury Primary and Craig Iskov, President of the 2/14 Battalion Association. Our school’s connection with the 2/14 Battalion supports us to keep the memory and legacy of those who gave so much in service in all wars, conflicts and peace keeping operations. Thank you also to the Darebin RSL for involvement and support for our ceremony.

Eboney's reading at the ceremony focused on Private Harry Saunders, an Indigenous student from the 2/14 Battalion who gave his life in 1942 in Papua New Guinea. Yoedzher spoke about the role of women and families during times of war and how conflict impacts upon the whole society. This year was the first that a WWII veteran was unable to attend the ceremony, but we continue to thank the 2/14 for their continued support of the school.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

Andrew McNeil

Principal

Buildings and Grounds update

What has changed in the school for 2021?

Stage 1 Complete