Principal 

From Mr Phillips

As the end of the 2020 college year draws to a close, I am reminded of just how much we have advanced in face of such unprecedented challenges. I could not be prouder of the character that has been demonstrated by our students and staff, the support that has been shown across the community that is beyond the realm of any academic curriculum and the sense that we truly have all been in this together. THANK- YOU. The resilience and fortitude that have been the hallmarks of 2020 will indeed serve us all well as we move into post COVID normal in 2021. 

In planning for what lies ahead we look forward to the release of 2020 Year 12 results on December 30 and the positive future that lies ahead. It was terrific in recent days to be able to celebrate the Year 12 Valedictory and awards across Year 7 to 10 which were pulled together at noticeably short notice. I am excited that we can recognise our current Year 11 students at their masterclass day on January 29, 2021 too. 

The recent State budget contained lots of good news for our community. In order to help students who, need to catch up in 2021 and extend those who did really well in remote learning, we will be implementing a small group tutoring program across Years 7-12. We have received funding of $417,000 to support the resourcing of the program. It will target 3 year-levels each semester and will target a total of nearly 360 students or 25% of our cohort. The school is currently reviewing available data including teacher judgements to determine which students will be supported in the program that will be conducted within the current timetable structure. Year 8, Year 9, and Year 11 will be the target groups for semester 1. 

It was a pleasure to host in person, the Minister for Education Mr James Melino and the Member for Ringwood Mr Dustin Halse at the recent official opening of the Senior School building. The Minister also confirmed funding for a new STEAM building and related facilities with a whopping grant of $14.74 million. The planning starts in January and we hope to be commencing construction in late 2021 for a completion ready for 2023. It is indeed an exciting time to be a student at Ringwood Secondary College. 

I would like to congratulate the Performing Arts team who persisted to enable the staging of an outdoor concert version of our 2020 school musical production of The Wedding Singer. It was a brilliant achievement in the face of so much adversity and uncertainty. 

At the end of the year, we are saying farewell to a number of staff members. I would like to acknowledge the long-term contributions of three staff members both to our school community and Public Education more broadly. To Mrs Gayne Turcato, Mrs Donna Harris and Mr Eddy D'AlFonso thank you for all you have done over such an extended period. Best wishes to Ms Jess Jemmeson, Ms Jessica Friend and Mr Chris Szeligiewicz who are moving on to appointments at other schools in 2021. 

Finally, I would like to wish all families a relaxing summer holiday as we get to enjoy the great outdoors and so many other recreational and cultural opportunities that our country has to offer. Whilst 2020 has been a year like no other we can now look optimistically to a wonderful year in 2021. 

Michael Phillips, OAM

Principal