SCHOOL NEWS 

MEET OUR SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Please meet out School Captains and Vice Captains for 2018.

EASTERN CAMPUS

Captains

• Curtis Karajic Powell
• Chloe Leow

Vice Captains

• Brent Bredin
• Leah Santomaggio
• Kamryn Morrison

WESTERN CAMPUS

Captains

• Bethany Miller
• Victoria Gilbert

Vice Captains

• Millie Reed
• Marisa Capello

Here's what our School Captains and Vice Captains have to say about being a school leader, life at Rowville Secondary College and key changes they would like to see implemented. 

"I love the passion that the school has for the students to improve and do their best. I loved it when the school introduced having a growth mindset. It has really helped me in times when I feel lots of pressure at school when it comes to study and results."

"I am most excited about meeting new people, learning new ways to lead the school as well as making a difference in any way I can. I am also excited to build more of a community within the school and between both campuses."

"I love the environment of learning and people within. Students, well most of them, are so nice and friendly. You can never feel out of place because there will always be students and teachers looking out for you."

"I would like to implement more study sessions / revision classes either before or after school to help consolidate schooling."

"I would like specific rooms for year levels to hang around and have lunch."

"Learning mentor groups are essential in creating relationships between year levels and create a positive mindset before class." 

"I would like to emphasis the importance of respect. With genuine respect, students can learn better, their equipment at school will be kept in better condition and this helps both the students and teachers."

"Some possible changes that I think would be great in the school would be to create a larger connection between the 2 campuses and the 4 different programs. Even though it is all technically "separate", we are still one great school!"

OUR NEW HOUSE SYSTEM 

House system philosophy  

• We believe that curious and power learners need resilience and a growth mindset.
• We believe in a strong partnership between students, teachers and families helps students thrive.
• We believe strong relationships matter. Students learn best from teachers they love and respect.

About the house system 

• Every student has been placed in a 'Learning Mentor Group' which is alligned to a House and a Dean.
• Learning Mentor Groups combine students from different programs.
• We have four houses - red, blue, yellow and green.
• Students attend a Learning Mentor sessions every morning and we have themes; Mindful Monday, Tackle it Tuesday, Wonder-full Wednesday, Thoughtful Thursday and Friendship Friday.

"I really feel that Learning Mentor groups and house system structure has really given students a sense of belonging. For instance, I think new students are more at ease in coming to school knowing that he/she has a group of friends already.  Plus it allows students to mingle with students in different age groups and friendship groups."  Chlow Leow, School Captain - East.

"After experiencing the house system for a few weeks, I love it! I really enjoy meeting every morning with students from different year levels and talking to them. I hope that this helps the young students to feel comfortable around the older students. This has helped me to speak to people I properly would not have spoken to if we had not been put into a class together.  I love that we have a learning mentor that we can talk to and is supportive of each and every one in their class." Victoria Gilbert, School Captain - West .

OPEN NIGHTS A SUCCESS

Last week we held our Open Nights at both our East and West campus and we were inundated with new families checking out the school - and had an amazing 700 people visit us.

A big thank you to all the teachers, staff and fabulous students for making the night such a huge success.  Here are some pics from the night below.

Eastern campus 

Western campus

YEAR 7 CAMP

ACES-HI camp was an unforgettable experience for Year 7’s and a fantastic way to launch into secondary school life.  Year 7 students had the chance to experience many fun activities such as horse-riding, the Giant Swing and Flying Fox and Rock Climbing. Friendships were quickly forged between students from both campuses and a supportive spirit reigned in the camp during activities where anyone who felt nervous was supported and encouraged.

Comments and feedback from students indicated that the horse-riding was fun - but a bit scary when the horses got distracted, archery was a lot harder than it looked and  many people overcame their fear of heights on the Giant Swing and even discovered that it was really exciting.

"Camp has been fabulous. Hanging with my friends and doing activities is awesome. The giant swing is my favourite."  Year 7 student. 

Some students even got the chance to help groom a horse and were surprised by the amount of dirt which came out during the process. For others, the scariest experience was having to partner up with a member of the opposite sex during the heel and toe polka and dance with them during our bush dance night.

Everyone agreed that the camp was a lot of fun despite its challenges and a great time was had by all.

Written by year 7 students Kya Prentice & Makayla Turner & teacher, Joanna Altinidis.

BREEDING ZEBRAFISH

Year 10 MSA had the exciting opportunity of working with Monash University and their staff in breeding and monitoring the growth of Zebrafish embryos. The fish and all equipment and materials were provided by Monash University as part of the genetic program where students dive deeper into their study of how character traits are inherited by offspring. As the embryos developed, students were able to watch under the microscope as the embryos grew and developed features that were characteristic of either their mother or father. This is possible as zebrafish embryos’ are transparent. It was a very successful program with the zebrafish safely returned to Monash University.

Zebrafish have a lot to offer for our own medical research as they have the ability to regenerate their own spinal cord. For this very reason there currently is significant research into how this special ability can be used to assist those who have recently suffered a spinal injury.

Written by Mr. Braedan Johnstone.

CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE CYCLE AT A TIME. 

On Thursday 15th March, 25 student volunteers from Rowville West, greatly assisted in the success of the Knox City Council Bike It Program at Stud Park Reserve. 60 Primary School students from Monash, Casey and Knox were in participation, these schools were Dandenong Valley Special School, Boronia West, Upper Ferntree Gully and Clayton South.

Our students were amazing leaders who ran various stations, assisted in set up and pack up and the general success of the day. Our students took time to get to know the primary students and encouraged them to be their best in all activities. They led various stations which aimed to improve Bike riding and Bike education in general as well as a sustainable lifestyle.

Many teachers from the surrounding primary schools commented on the quality of our students and the way in which they helped and supported the primary school students in the various activities. Our students were brilliant in the way they stepped up to motivate, encourage, lead and explain the activities. The police in attendance were very positive in commenting on our students as was the Mayor who made it a point of acknowledging us in front of the large group. Knox City and in particular Program Director Winchell were extremely appreciative of our students and the leadership they displayed.  It was a pleasure to see our students shine in this capacity and become local leaders with a personal caring touch.

Written by Haje Halabi, Wayne Judge and JP Kruger.

Our students were:  Kyle Phillips, Josh Moylan, Lucas Rosa, Nicole Gondidas, Keeley Bristowe, Josh Kilvington, Brianna Collins, Sam Watson, Tahlia Caravidas, Emily Jenkins George Margaritis, Cain Williams, James Ydreos, Will Dear, Caitlin Evans, Tiana Massin, Hayley Foote, Zakky Mohamed, Cooper Dale, Laura Salter, Joel Wyatt Smith Michael Chhourn, Aaron Bu, Storm Addison and Darcy Earp

VISUAL ARTS STUDENTS VISIT NGV EXHIBITION

This term our year 11/12 Visual Arts Specialism class attended an exhibition by the 2 time Archibald Prize winner, Del Kathryn Barton and the Triennial exhibition of over 100 contemporary artists’ works at the National Gallery of Victoria. The students were exposed to various artworks which included installation, interaction, sound, light, video, sculpture, textile, photography as well as drawing and painting.

MEET OUR SCHOOL STAFF

Visit our website to meet some of our wonderful and talented staff at the college. We have been adding a new person each week.

COLES SPORTS FOR SCHOOL PROGRAM

Reminder - the last day to earn vouchers is Tuesday 3rd April.  Please ensure you drop the vouchers off at our East or West reception. If you use Coles online please make sure you select us as your school of choice. Thank you for your support. *Double vouchers until Sunday 1st April.

ANZAC DAY ART EXHIBITION

From Monday 16th April to Friday 27th April we will be having an ANZAC day art exhibition at Stud Park Shopping Centre (near Just Jeans). The artwork will reflect the deep symbolism of the Remembrance Poppy and will be created  by our Year 9/10 Media Specialism students.  Please pop down to check it out.