Around the School

Year 12 Chemistry

Year 12 Chemistry students visually demonstrating the two directions of the reaction taking place to establish an Equilibrium.

Karin Blain

Chemistry

Year 11 Geography

In Y11 (unit 1) Geography we study hazards and disasters, coincidentally we focus on bushfires and biological hazards which has provided some terrific local case studies over the past year or so!

A significant part of the Geography course is getting outside and exploring where we live and what happens to our environment. Thankfully, with easing restrictions, last Wednesday May 12 we were able to get beyond the school gates and visit Boronia Fire Station. 

During our visit Lee, Ben, Jaime and Kevin of ‘B platoon’ FRV volunteered their time to teach our students about how they respond to hazard events in our community. The students appreciated the insight to the work life of fire fighters and were surprised to learn about the range of jobs that ‘firey’s’ respond to including a significant number of medical emergencies. The highlight for the students (and staff) however was trying out the different PPE that firefighters use to protect themselves from hazardous materials.

A huge thankyou to Lee, Ben, Jaime and Kevin for sharing their story and offering a brilliant learning opportunity. Thank you too for Ms Karly Horton for helping to make this happen!

Nathan O’Malley

Unit 1 /2 Geography Teacher

Year 10 Business Economics

Year 10 Business Economics students were exploring the business of Lego and using their imagination and creativity to play with Lego. Now they are creating and marketing their own new Lego product.

Clare Rafferty

2021 Victorian High Ability Program

The new Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP) enables high-ability students across Victorian government schools to participate in a 10-week enrichment program. Students are selected by the Department of Education and Training to participate in the program.

The Program focuses students on tasks that stimulate critical thinking, problem solving and creativity – enriching their understanding of English and Mathematics. The program does not focus on accelerating students through core Victorian Curriculum content, instead students are pushed out of their learning comfort zone to become critical thinkers. As part of the program, students complete the following tasks:

• Synchronous Learning

They attend one synchronous online lesson per week with their online teacher.  

• Asynchronous Learning

Outside of class time, students complete further activities, including set tasks and homework. 

In Term 1, Ringwood had 35 Year 8 students successfully complete the High Ability Program, with 26 students completing HAP Maths, and 9 students completing HAP English. 

They were presented with their VHAP Certificates during an assembly early this term.

Some reflections from Year 8 students:

Maths Program:

Bridie Vahrmeyer 8A

The High Ability Program is an opportunity for students across Victoria to expand their ways of thinking. In the program we explored different problems and viewed things in many ways. It was interesting to see the patterns that formed through nature and numbers. Throughout the lessons once a week, you were constantly trying to find out things where there isn’t necessarily one right answer, more just observations. There is no test or any assessment at the end of the program so there is no pressure to just cram as many things into your brain as you can remember, which I have enjoyed. The program is online, which can be a bit of an inconvenience to work sometimes, however that means more people can be involved. The program has helped me look at solving problems in multiple ways now instead of just one. It was something a bit different to do, and I thought it was a worthwhile experience.

Campbell Young 8I

For the past 9 weeks in Term 1, I have been involved in the VHAP program, a series of classes created to excel students in Maths and English. I am lucky enough to be in one of the Maths classes and it’s being a really enjoyable experience. We’ve been looking at advanced mathematical subjects such as the Fibonacci sequence and the 7 bridges of Konigsberg, as well as discovering patterns and algorithms in other series of numbers. Thank you to Miss Niven for organising this amazing opportunity for all the classes.

English Program:

Arielle Humphreys 8H

VHAP English has assisted and provided me with more skills and capabilities, as well as a stronger strive to learn. During lessons, teachers have shown us different skill sets and ways to strengthen our writing and reading comprehension. We have learnt how to give constructive feedback; how Dystopian novels are structured and how to create one. As well as political Ideologies and how to use further aspects in writing such as juxtapositions and motifs. One of my favourite things about VHAP is the collaboration we get to experience with peers. This is because we can all help each other to understand and grow educationally. VHAP allows us to extend in a way that we otherwise would not be able to do. In the past, I have struggled with the idea of a challenge as I did not appreciate them. But VHAP has helped me to realise that a challenge isn’t there to be a problem, but to help you learn. Challenges are designed to help you achieve your best by learning new things. I have experienced challenges in VHAP, which have all helped me to build and deepen my skill sets. VHAP has also equipped me with various strengths such as responsibility, and deeper literal resources that help me to achieve my best. Throughout VHAP we have looked at multiple novels and exerts such as Hive, Divergent and The Hunger Games. I have learnt a lot about warnings and our future as a society. I really enjoyed reading The Hunger Games as a side activity to help me understand dystopian novels better. Currently in VHAP English, we are writing our own Dystopian narratives. It has been really helpful to give and receive feedback on each other’s work so far. I am very grateful that we have VHAP here at Ringwood Secondary College, as I have learnt so much through it.

Annette Niven

High Ability Practice Leader

Year 9 InterGREAT

Personal Project Parent Expo

The InterGREAT Personal Project Parent Expo was a huge success with approximately 250 Year 9 students on hand to showcase their projects to staff, parents and the wider school community. 

Over the course of Term 1 students were required to challenge themselves in developing a new skill. Students needed to display grit, tenacity, perseverance and resilience in order to overcome obstacles and complete their projects. These are qualities that individuals need to thrive.  

The 500s block was transformed into a gallery of RSC talent proudly presenting their work. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to detail the new skills they have developed and describe the planning and effort that went into their finished product. Interacting and engaging with a wide audience was an authentic learning experience for students. 

The response from parents was overwhelming! The rooms were abuzz with chatter and enthusiasm. With many events having been cancelled over the past 12 months, it was fantastic to have the opportunity to reconnect and experience so many in depth conversations between impressed community members and proud students.

Thanks to everyone who participated and made the night such a success! 

Virginia Watson

InterGREAT coordinator