From the Office 

Reminder Regarding Start of 2021 Arrangements for Students

Year 7 & Year 12 resume on Friday January 29.

Years 8 - 11 resume on Monday February 1.

January 27 & 28 are pupil free days for staff planning and professional development.

Merry Christmas from the College Council!

On behalf of the College Council members and myself, I would like to wish a very safe and restful Christmas to all within our Ringwood Secondary College community. To the staff, students, families, and volunteers, we thank you all for surviving and thriving during what has been an unprecedented and challenging 2020. 

Council have continued to meet (on Zoom) throughout the year but thankfully, we were able to finally meet ‘in person’ in the Library for our final meeting for 2020. 

Michael Phillips and council members took the opportunity that evening to officially thank and farewell our outgoing council members, Michael Crump, Andrew Amos and President Sharon Rogers. Michael and Andrew were both on council for over 9 years, and Sharon was on council for 5 years and was President for 2 of those years. We warmly thank all three of these outstanding people for their contribution, hard work, commitment, enthusiasm, skill, experience and passion that they brought to council over these many years. 

Council has continued to be active and have made many plans for 2021 and onward that we will continue to develop and implement next year, as we move forward for the college from now and into the future. One of these plans is our “Future Directions” paper, which is still being developed. I can say that it will bring more improvements, benefits and enhancements to both the college’s physical and learning environments, both inside and outside! Watch this space in 2021!

We were so delighted and grateful last week when the Minister for Education, James Merlino, and Member for Ringwood, Dustin Halse, visited the college to open our beautiful new Senior Building. Then there was even more excitement in the air, as on that day the Minister confirmed that the College would be receiving over 14 million in funding for stage 3 of our Master Plan, which will be for our much-needed STEAM building and for part of a new Sports Facility!      

I’d like to acknowledge and congratulate Michael Phillips, all members of the College Council both past and present, and college staff for their many years of hard work, persistence, advocacy and partnerships with government, municipal and community groups in working toward the common goals in our master plan for the college. This further funding will enable RSC to realise continuing significant improvements to the College's physical learning environment, which will hugely benefit all of our staff and students both now and into the future

Many warm and celebratory wishes to all in the College Community, and we look forward to meeting again for a fresh, new, exciting 2021!

Teresa Lodge

College Council President

Heritage and Alumni Group

Good news for VCE students!

You may have thought you had missed the opportunity to apply for our RSC Heritage Perpetual Scholarships offered to students starting Year 11 or continuing Year 12 to complete their studies at Ringwood Secondary College.

We understand the difficulties that have occurred during this school year.  We also know that our normal lines of communication were not so well defined, due to required staff reductions in the lockdown period, so we are extending the closing date for applications until Friday 29th January 2021, which is the end of the first school week of 2021, giving you more time to apply.

Parents of VCE students in Years 11 and 12, who are finding it difficult to continue their student’s studies at school can apply for one of the two $500 scholarships which can go towards payment of fees, services, materials and equipment required for their student’s chosen VCE course.

Application forms are available from the college by calling 9870 2002 and requesting a RSC Heritage Perpetual Scholarships application form.

After applications are received interviews will be conducted to determine eligibility with teachers and experienced members of this committee and the successful applicants will be notified soon after.

This scholarship has been funded by ‘old students’ of RHS and supportive community members to assist the new students of RSC.  We know complete schooling is important and our goal is to help more RSC students achieve their goals.

This committee wishes you all a happy festive season now that you can re-join with your loved ones and friends for the holiday period.

Cheers and best wishes for 2021.

Barry Ring – Convenor

RSC Heritage and Alumni Group.

From the Chaplain

I don't think I have ever anticipated the end of the year as much as this year? 

As I write this article I try and avoid using all the catch phrases that we have heard at the latest graduations, assemblies, professional developments etc about the challenge 2020 has been for many of us. It will be forever remembered for me by rolling out of bed in my pjs for work and arguing with children about getting off Youtube to do their school work but something that I have noticed is my deep desire to connect and laugh with my family and friends. 

Never have I realised before the importance of a good belly chuckle or an uncontrolled snort and giggle. Something you don't always get to do with those you share a home with.   When catching up with people at recent Christmas parties this laugh and giggle has assisted me in mending some of the big emotions I have felt post lockdown.

Post lockdown for me has been a sea of emotions that came after the restrictions were eased and took me off guard. The support of some good friends and realigning my compass to what is important in life has assisted me in getting control of my thoughts again. Now I look forward to some more good laughs with family and friends this Christmas.  I suspect this Christmas will be a little different for a lot of us this year given all the time we have had to reflect and miss those we wish to spend it with.

 I hope in this season you will find the Joy, Love and Peace that comes with Christmas and can find some new meaning for this season when shared with those close to you.

Adam Bryant

Chaplain

Understanding reporting information provided on COMPASS

The world of assessment and reporting may seem to many parents as a series of codes and clues: this guide is designed to help all parents understand the information provided to them via Compass Learning Tasks. 

Sincere thanks to all the Heads of Learning and in particular to School Council parent representatives, Ian Roadnight and Sarah Szubanski, for their feedback that has culminated in this guide.

Agatha Fedrizzi

Teaching and Learning Leader: Curriculum Reporting and Assessment