Assistant Principals

From Mrs Stathatos

Continuous feedback

Students are receiving continuous feedback throughout the year on their progress, and at this stage of the year, there is an opportunity for students to critically evaluate the feedback they receive and implement strategies for improvement. A perfect example of this involved Year 11 Environmental Science students in Mr Jim Norman’s class who presented to their peers and a group of judges- including yours truly- their research investigation on the overarching question; ‘How does rainfall affect the hydrosphere?’ Each group of students:

1. Developed their own research question
2. Developed a hypothesis
3. Developed and modified a method for the investigation
4. Monitored the Mullum Mullum creek over 7 months to observe quantitatively or qualitatively the changes in the creek under different rainfall conditions
5. Analysed the data
6. Created a Scientific Poster and conducted a 5-minute oral presentation

The research questions included:

How does rainfall affect turbidity of Mullum Mullum Creek?

How do turbidity levels change when there is different amounts of rainfall at Mullum Mullum Creek?

Does rainfall increase the population of macroinvertebrates?

Does rainfall increase dissolved oxygen levels?

How rainfall affects the phosphorous levels in Mullum Mullum Creek?

It was wonderful to listen to and to see science students engaged in meaningful and important research and to present their findings. The students appreciated the feedback they received from their peers and judges who learnt a little more about the quality of water in our hydrosphere. Congratulations to all students and their teacher on this authentic learning activity.

Parent Citizen Teacher Association – Year 11 Ball

The last meeting of the PCTA for 2019 will be held later this month to celebrate the committee’s work over the year. The PCTA is looking to increase the number of parents on the committee. If you are interested in joining this parent committee please do not hesitate to send an email to Eleni Stathatos estathatos@ringwoodsc.vic.edu.au with the subject title Expression of Interest in the PCTA 2020 with your name and the name of your child.

Last night we held our information session for the Year 11 Ball in the Junior School building. It was a very well attended night as Kathy Donovan- Year 11 Ball co-ordinator, James Barut – Assistant Principal of the Senior School and Caitlin Doyle-dance instructor informed parents and students of the event. I explained the elements that remain the same and the changes from the Debutante Ball to the Year 11 Ball regarding the new format of presentation of the participants. All students involved in the Year 11 Ball will be celebrated, and as usual with style- there will be a formal dress, dance routines, a three course meal, a sensational band and a fun family atmosphere for all. Preparations for the Year 11 Ball which will be held on the 29th of February in 2020 have begun and a notification on Compass will provide further information to families. 

France 2020- Information night – Wednesday 13th November 6.30-7.30pm

Interest is being sought from the Languages Department for a proposed trip for students of French in Years 8-11 in September next year. The information night will provide families with an itinerary of the trip and answer any questions parents and students may have. Further enquiries about the trip are to be directed to the Head of Languages, Jessica Lundie or the trip organiser Beatrice Dauguet.

Stage 2 Building project- Senior School

It was exciting to take part in the turning of the sod event with the Member for Eastern Metropolitan, Ms Sonja Terpstra MLC, student leaders and representatives from Ringwood Secondary College, Ringwood Training, builders, architects, the Department of Education’s Victorian Building Authority for Stage 2 of the building project which will be a new Senior School centre. Sonja gave an encouraging speech which acknowledged the great work that is being done to undertake the project and then she spoke to our student leaders about politics and how important it is as citizens to become aware of the political process.

Two events over the past fortnight which were highly successful included The Art and Technology Exhibition and Band Tour. Feedback from different communities about our students and their work and effort has been very pleasing. Well done to all. The next fortnight will see our Year 10 and 11 students finalising learning tasks and revising for their examinations.

Eleni Stathatos

Assistant Principal

From Mr Barut

Busy! Busy! Busy! and Mobile Phone Policy anyone?

For all our Year 12s and those Year 11s studying a Year 12 subject, VCAA exams are on in earnest! Last minute revision, new batteries for CAS calculators, sharpened pencils and sharpened minds; it all equates to another learning experience for our students. Many have exited the exam centre looking flushed and relieved and the feedback from students was that they went ‘okay’ and ‘it wasn’t too bad’ – whatever the outcome, we wish them all the best. What a fantastic learning experience for them! It is important to maintain the rigour and positive mindset all the way through until the end of the examination period.

As a community, we look forward to coming together at the Valedictory Evening on Tuesday, 19th of November at Marvel Stadium. Thank you in advance to the Senior School team for all their hard work in salvaging the night, shifting the evening from a sinking venue!!!

Let’s not forget the Year 12 class of 2020, as they are about embark on their final year of secondary schooling. They have to navigate the examination period and transition week to prepare for next year. Transition classes will be very important for our students, as there will be a task outcome set for holiday homework.

In the other Sub Schools, classes continue, learning tasks continue, assessment continues – it is business as usual.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY 2020

Further to my Compass post to families and students early this week, a new mobile phone policy will operate in all Victorian schools from next year. This is a Ministerial Order and cannot be ignored, thus, the College is working with all the community to facilitate a clear, respectful, harmonious implementation. The draft policy will be posted on the College website late November, coming into full effect from Day 1, 2020.

Please peruse the Department of Education and Training website for further information on this new policy. Alternatively, you can email the College directly if you seek further clarification.

COLLEGE EXITS FOR 2020

Can parents/carers please notify the College as soon as possible if your son/daughter does NOT intend returning to the College next year. Please contact Mrs Karen Carden in the General Office on 9870 2002. This important information helps with planning and major organisational matters.

Thanks in advance,

 James Barut

Assistant Principal

From Mrs Allison

Co curricula programs at Ringwood Secondary well and truly are having a positive impact on our College community!

Art and Technology Exhibition

The Visual Arts and Technology students and staff created a wonderful display for our annual Art and Technology Exhibition, that showcased student’s skills and talents from a wide range of the Arts and Technology subjects such as: Art, Studio Arts, Visual Communication, Media, Photography, Textiles, Wood, Food Technology, Materials, CAD and Digitech. It is always a great collaborative event well attended by the College community.

Band Tour

Last week’s Band Tour travelled through Western Victoria, entertaining a variety of schools with their enthusiastic musical talent. This event is a huge undertaking and I extend a heartfelt thank you to all people involved, the staff and students for their enthusiastic participation and dedication, to make this another successful tour, one that enables students to flourish and to contribute positively to other school communities. The home coming concert held on Wednesday evening was a celebratory event again showcasing the talents and improvement of the band.

Sport

It is always exciting to hear about, and see our students doing their personal best within our sporting teams and/or individual events. Congratulations to participating students and the energetic staff who give up their time in lunchtimes or after school, to coach and guide them. This week, both the Year 7 and 8 Cricket teams played fantastic games, striving to do their very best. They were as always great ambassadors for our College and despite not winning the blue flag we are very proud of their achievement.

Positive Education and Pathways

What is happening with Positive Education, pathways and wellbeing at RSC?

• RSC staff, Alyce Bailey and Karly Horton, completed their Certificate in Positive Education facilitated by The University of Melbourne.
• The Year 7-12 ‘Bounce’ Scope and Sequence has been revised to incorporate careers and health education that will complement the existing program, as well as help build the House system.
• Coming up on December 18th all staff will participate in a wellbeing professional learning session focussing on relationships, facilitated by Berry Street Education, followed by elective wellbeing sessions in the afternoon.
• The Wellbeing House is currently being refurbished to provide extra counselling rooms which is a necessary and welcome change for our team.

Student Leadership

It is inspiring to see so many students applying for leadership positions expressing their willingness to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of people in their wider community. Leadership applications are due soon with positions being finalised within the next few weeks. Upcoming events include the 2020 Prefects leadership camp, and early in 2020 the Years 7-11 collaborative Maroondah Schools Network leadership training event. These events are a means for connecting like-minded leaders who may dream about what the future can be.

Wellbeing focus for this week…

Wellbeing Builder: Positive Feedback

Wellbeing Element: Meaning and Purpose

Character Strength: Spirituality

Wellbeing Fitness Challenge: Brain Stretch

During adolescence, students’ capacities to stay focused on the job at hand and ignore distractions are often tested. Focusing on the strengths leadership, bravery, self-regulation and perspective will connect them with the moment, enabling them to do the right thing and do the thing right. It’s about developing grit = passion + long term persistence.

Many students need to learn the difference between activity and action which is:

• activity – having little meaning and purpose for what they do and allowing their minds to be hijacked by their emotions;

• action – having meaning and purpose for what they do and following through on what they say they will do;


• leaders know that difference and show it in their every thought, word and action.

Several of the key ingredients which make up leadership are believing that others matter; having a higher purpose in life; using a combination of their own and others’ strengths to achieve what the group sets out to do; understanding that the right thing to do is nearly always the hard thing to do and then being prepared to do it; and welcoming challenges and overcome them by using growth mindsets to learn new approaches to build their brain’s abilities.

Bringing your whole self to school, to work, to home.

Being present.

Being vulnerable and open to change.

Maria Allison

Assistant Principal