RSC News

Assistant Principals

From Mr Barut

Across the Sub Schools:

 

‘The only reason I’m here is for everybody’s success….’

 

Year 9 had a fantastic time on their camp at Phillip Island and there have been a few weary students this week! But, to their credit, they have soldiered on and come back to school, buzzing with enthusiasm about the camp and glad to be back in their normal classes. A huge thank you to all the staff that attended the camp – the staff discretionary effort affords all our students the best possible opportunities and experiences. Thank you to Mr Matthew Tucker, our Head of Middle School for all his organisation in ensuring the smooth running of the camp.

 

All our students are busy with Assessment Tasks, SACs, tests, assignments, etc etc. It benefits the entire student cohort if you, the parent or carer, can check in with your son/daughter to ascertain what work is due, what work is coming up and checking in on their Positive Learning Behaviours - in summary:

  • Works co-operatively
  • Asks questions
  • Uses feedback
  • Uses IT to deepen knowledge
  • Is responsible for own learning
  • Shows perseverance and resilience
  • Shows respect
  • Justifies thinking and reasoning

 

This partnership as a combined learning community, influences and heavily impacts on student outcomes. Moreover, a recent study from the UK found that safe, disciplined, orderly study environments also assist in student learning – we are fortunate at RSC to have dedicated staff who care about what goes on in their classroom.

 

School Tours:

With the assistance of my fellow Assistant Principals and Mrs Leah Pritchard, our Marketing, Admissions and International Student Director, the College has been running school tours for interested families for enrolment into 2020 and beyond. The highlight for me has been the incredible, welcoming Senior School prefects and Junior School ambassadors. Their confidence and voice has really been fostered and developed by Ms Karly Horton, our Student Connections Leader.

 

Parent Teacher Interviews:

Please make an appointment to speak to your child’s teachers at next week’s parent/teacher interviews. This is a great opportunity to catch up and discuss the learning, transition and events that have occurred in this very busy term.

Staff look forward to your appointment with them.

 

MSP Photos:

Proofing of photos is now complete – that means, the ordering that has taken place, will be processed in due course. Photos that are on order will be delivered to the College early next term.  If you have any questions about the photos, please contact MSP directly.

 

James Barut

Assistant Principal

From Mrs Allison

The term has certainly flown by and with the holidays fast approaching I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe, wonderful Easter holiday with family and friends.

 

Mental Health Day-April 2nd

Our Wellbeing team in collaboration with Maroondah City Council Youth Services and other health providers, organise’ a ‘Mental Health Day’ for the College community. This year, it will be another day full of activities and fun, that will provide a great opportunity for creation of a positive environment in which the emotional health of young people could grow and flourish.  Many students, staff and parents work towards tirelessly with this event over a long period of time, displaying perseverance and commitment in doing so.

 

Please ask your son or daughter about the event and use this interaction to encourage positive emotion and communication. In daily interactions, you could ask your son or daughter ‘What went well today’ and be surprised by their candid responses, focus on listening to their story, and enjoy their enthusiasm behind the ‘telling of the story’.

 

Technology and Cyber Bullying

The importance of adopting safe practices for young people and technology is essential practice. Most phones and laptops have cameras and video capabilities, and parents need to closely monitor the use of technology by their children. It is not uncommon for students to be texting and phoning each other well into the night, a practice that inadvertently disturbs their sleep patterns.

 

Cyber bullying is bullying that is carried out through the internet or mobile phones. Cyber bullying is bullying that is done through the use of technology. For example, using the Internet, a mobile phone or a camera to hurt or embarrass someone is considered cyber bullying. It can be shared widely with a lot of people quickly, which is why it is so dangerous and hurtful.

 

Being safe from bullies online

  • Do not share your private information like passwords, name and address, phone numbers with people, you don’t know. This can also include sharing of photos of yourself, your friends and your family
  • Don’t respond to messages when you are angry or hurt; to strangers or to people you know. This will often encourage them to continue or increase their harassment of you
  • Log out and stop messaging if you feel you are being harassed
  • Remember you have the option to block, delete and report anyone who is harassing you online and on your mobile
  • Find out how to report bullying and harassment on each of the different social networks that you use
  • Keep a record of calls, messages, posts and emails that may be hurtful or harmful to you
  • Remember to set up the privacy options on your social networking sites like Facebook in a way you are comfortable

 

http://au.reachout.com/cyberbullying

http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/teens/how%20do%20i%20deal%20with/cyberbullying.aspx

 

What is on the calendar for Term 2?

Upcoming surveys for our students: The Wellbeing Profiler and Attitudes to School Survey

 

Wellbeing Profiler Survey

Ringwood Secondary College, along with many local schools will participate in The University of Melbourne’s Wellbeing Profiler survey, via Maroondah City Council Youth Services. The data we have received in the past, from the survey, was incredibly insightful and has been used to develop future interventions in our school through our ‘Bounce’ classes and level assemblies, addressing a range of important issues. This year we were offered the opportunity to re survey our students, an opportunity we enthusiastically accepted. The reason we are surveying our students is so that we can measure change in our students over time, as well as to identify areas for improvement and areas of strength.

 

The Wellbeing Survey will be completed online in class by each participating student. The collated data will be later compiled into a comprehensive report outlining each year level’s results within six domains of Wellbeing:

 

Psychological Well-being: Young people’s beliefs and attitudes about their own value, their outlook on life, and their engagement with life.


Cognitive Well-being: Young people’s perception of their quality of life, competence and accomplishments and their capacity to be mindful in the present moment.

Emotional Well-being and Strengths: Young people’s perceived ability to manage their emotions and their ability to use their strengths in their daily lives.


Social Well-being: Young people’s perceived quality of relationships with their parents, teachers, peers and community. This domain also taps into the presence of bullying, loneliness and pro-social behaviours.

Physical Well-being: Young people’s perception of their general physical health, their physical appearance and their quality of sleep.


Economic Well-being: Young people’s perception of economic stability in their home environment.

These reports will provide data that can be used to provide knowledge for redefinition of our ‘Bounce’ program and also to develop customised wellbeing programs. Please note: that individual student’s data is de-identified (no student’s individual responses are identifiable).

 

Attitudes to School Survey

The survey will be conducted online for all students in years 4 to 12 from 29 April to 14 June. ​ It gathers data, students' perceptions and experience of school, to support student wellbeing, engagement, school improvement and planning in schools. Our school will use the survey results to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience.

 

Mrs Maria Allison 

Assistant Principal