Developing new Skills with New Technology

During Term 3, whether as a teacher, student or support staff member, we have developed new skills, tools, and knowledge and continued to reimagine some of the long held practices associated with teaching and learning.

“When you put your hand in a flowing stream, you touch the last that has gone before and the first of what is still to come,” ∼ Leonardo DaVinci

Teachers have focused on impacting students during instructional time, creating opportunities for learning. As direct instructional practices have been more limited during remote learning there has been greater attention paid to the impact of learning materials and lesson plans. Throughout this term, teachers have experimented with asynchronous activities which have allowed students to make more decisions about how and when they learn.

This has also meant that all of the adults working with students have needed to make improvements in the use of instructional time. The power of technology has enabled new possibilities for real time connections too so that each student can be seen, heard and known, whilst they have worked from home. It has also involved parents and carers playing more significant roles in supporting and supervising learning. The school and home partnership has been such a critical element in enabling students to continue to move forward with their learning.

I remain incredibly proud and grateful of the efforts of everyone in our Ringwood Secondary College community throughout Remote Learning 2.0. As the numbers of active COVID cases continue their downward spiral we have real hope that a new post COVID normal and return to onsite learning will now be possible for all students in Term 4. Enjoy the opportunity to refresh and recharge during the term break, as there is lots to be done in Term 4. THANKYOU.

End of Term Principal's Message

All of the arrangements are now in place for students in Year 11 and 12 undertaking the GAT on October 7th . Students will shortly receive relevant communications via Compass that provides details of the logistical arrangements for the day. The coming weeks are very important in enabling each VCDE Year 12 student to revise carefully for their examination period in November. The Year 12 team have crafted an excellent revision program and additional resources that will assist our students to make the most of the time. Thank you to the classroom teachers who have made this possible. A priority in Term 4 will also be to ensure VCAL and VET students can complete their work requirements and industry based competencies that enables them to successfully navigate and receive their year 12 qualification at the end of the year.

In term 4 there are some staff changes as we welcome back Mr James Barut in the Principal team following opportunities to act as Principal in some other outer eastern schools throughout 2021.Thankyou to Mr Matt Tucker for his efforts and leadership in the Principal team throughout this time. I would also like to thank Ms Jacinta Hodges for stepping in to support the teaching program and also wish Mrs Elizabeth Nicholls all the best for the birth of her child as she commences family leave. Ms Nicole Perry who has previously taught at Ringwood will be filling her teaching role,

We all know that 2020 has been a year like no other and as we move forward into Term 4, I expect that it too will be a term 4 and end of year like no other, as we continue to do things differently.

Take and stay safe.

Michael Phillips, OAM

Principal

We've Made It!

Congratulations to everyone in the school community; we’ve made it to the end of term and are heading into a well-deserved break for students, staff and families and hopefully a return to on-site learning in Term 4. As Michael Phillips wrote in an earlier edition of RSC Connections, I am replacing Eleni Stathatos, who has taken up an Acting Principal role and I am looking forward to working with students and staff in the Assistant Principal position for the remainder of the year.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank parents and carers who have partnered with us to help support our students, their children. I stress the importance of students and parents/carers taking time out of the day to celebrate the things you enjoy, whatever they may be during this time. Whether that means heading outside for some exercise, connecting with friends and family via Facetime, sitting down to watch a favourite TV show or movie or following the fortunes of your favourite sporting team, it is important to make time for activities you enjoy. My family and I have enjoyed the opportunity to explore the Heathmont and Ringwood East areas including Wombolano Park, Herman Pump Reserve, Uambi Reserve and HE Parker Reserve, although the lack of footpaths in Heathmont and Ringwood East sometimes causes headaches with three children in tow. Thankfully there is far less traffic on the roads at the moment!

In a recent Microsoft Teams meeting with my Year 8 Mathematics class, I started the lesson by asking students to share one thing that had gone well during the week and that they were happy about. I was expecting to hear about new high scores on video games or online chats (which one student did mention), but the vast majority responded that they were happy with how their schoolwork had been going for the week. Whilst it was pleasing that so many were happy with their progress in their subjects, it reminded me that school is such a big part of student’s lives, even more so at the moment, when there are limited opportunities to pursue hobbies and interests. I encouraged them to spend some time doing something else that they really enjoyed and I hope next time I ask the question in a class meeting to hear about some great activities students have undertaken during the holiday break.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you to all families who took the opportunity to meet with teachers during Parent Teacher Interviews last week. The feedback I’ve received from staff was that the day went very well and that really worthwhile conversations were had around the successes and challenges students have faced this term and areas to focus on as we head towards Term 4.

I look forward to connecting with you in Term 4.

Take care of yourselves and your families,

Kyle Simkin

Acting Assistant Principal

RSC Connections

Connecting the Community of Ringwood Secondary College

Issue 21 · 18 Sep 2020

In this issue