Acting Principal
The only constant in life is change. Change occurs when ripples occur, and this stirring up of the waters is messy. Messiness creates change. You can create change through developing your curiosity to broaden and build your experiences and develop a love and appreciation of beauty and excellence. Within the current climate of messiness, the vibrancy of RSC is returning, which is such a positive sign, with students and staff now full of energy and numerous co curricula events to participate in, complementing the academic program.
I would like to focus on leadership in this article to emphasise for all college community members, the importance of showing up, being yourself and using values to drive vision.
Past student achievements are often celebrated, and this week Thomas King (Year 12, 2014) was a focus of the The Age Good Weekend article ‘What’s Eating Thomas King’. Thomas is founder and CEO of Food Frontier, an entrepreneur, and advocate for social and environmental rights.
His message is one I would like to share:
‘I have always been guided by my vision and values, but it’s the people around me, those who have supported, taught and inspired me who have shaped the person I am today’.
Thomas was a former college Head Prefect and Young Australian of the Year.
Next Thursday afternoon, March 10th is the Year 12 Prefects Induction, an important event to celebrate the pinnacle of our student leadership program. We are looking forward to listening to our guest, former Head Prefect, Keith Wolahan, speak about his professional and successful career in law and the Australian Army.
Student leaders from Years 7-11 attended their leadership training in the Ringwood Training (RT). The training commenced with a collaborative event for all Year 7 students facilitated by Maroondah City Council and the Year 12 Prefects led their portfolio teams to develop ideas for the future. The highlight of the day was the team building activities, well led by our College Prefects, who co facilitated these exercises later in the afternoon. The focus on building our students leadership capacity will hopefully result in effective, influential teams in years to come. I extend my gratitude to all staff and students involved, especially Ms Karly Horton (Director of House and Community Engagement), who coordinated the leadership training.
The Music Recruitment evening held on Monday was a very well-attended evening with our Year 7 students signing up to learn an instrument. The music program for this year will be very busy and exciting, so ensure that you attend our scheduled musical performances throughout the year, including the NEVR Concert on July 18th.
Our Wellbeing Team in collaboration with Maroondah City Council Early Childhood and Youth Services together with other health providers have organised a ‘Mental Health Day’ for the College community next Tuesday, March 8th.
This year, it will be another day full of activities and fun that will provide many opportunities for enjoyment within a positive environment to aid the health and wellbeing of our young people so they can flourish. Our students and staff have worked tirelessly to plan and organise a fun filled day, 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 to develop their capabilities of attentive listening and communication. In your daily interactions, you could ask your son or daughter ‘What Went Well’ and be surprised by their candid responses. So, focus on listening to their story, and enjoy their enthusiasm behind the ‘telling of the story’. Flourishing students help create flourishing families and flourishing schools!
A School Council student election will be held soon, due to the increased number of nominations, which is a very positive sign that student voice and agency is alive and well at RSC. However, not all students can be elected but they can still be leaders without holding a formal leadership position. There are many diverse opportunities to explore in our college to become a valuable partner in driving a vision.
We can all be leaders in our own way, standing tall, being a role model, standing up for a cause and in doing so being empathic, developing a vision whilst maintaining strong values.
As King stated: ‘there are leaders who frame change as something to be feared and fought, and those who seek to understand, shape and embrace it’.
Maria Allison
Acting Principal