Assistant Principals

From Mrs Stathatos

Learning Reflections

As we approach the middle of Term 3 we have an opportunity to reflect on our achievements and to make plans for further empowerment through teaching and learning. This applies equally to students and teachers- through sharing a vision of the optimum conditions of learning and through the relationships we form in our community, we support one another to achieve our best. The opportunity for reflections and discussions on further improvement takes place on August 29th at the Parent Teacher Student Interviews at the college. On this occasion, parents will have their child’s Progress Report and will discuss their child’s academic results with the teachers. We encourage students to be present during this time to contribute to the discussions. The online portal to book interviews will open on Monday 20th August.

Leadership Conference

I attended the recent Victorian Association of Secondary School Principal’s Conference and learnt a lot about the current thinking around Big and Small Data by Pasi Sahlberg, Finnish educator and researcher. His argument is that to improve school performance, schools should do a number of things he defines as Small Data including: increasing their formative and other school- based assessments; involving students in assessing and reflecting on their own learning; giving teachers autonomy from bureaucracy and investing in collaborative teams in schools. Pasi’s presentation resonated with me. Collecting data from students to check the status of their learning is a practice that I believe in.

Here is a sample of student responses to the question: ‘What do you do when things become difficult in French?’

Go onto quizlet or linguascope to help me relearn things and deepen my knowledge.

Refer back to my exercise book to look over information

Ask my peers and if needed, teacher.

Use the internet for more help.

Look back at my previous work, then ask for help

I look over the previous information and try to piece together the words I know and don’t know. I’ll ask for help from my classmates or teacher.

I look at my notes or make an ‘educated’ guess judging by what I already know.

What this data tells me is that students are using effective strategies to face the challenging periods in their learning and that it is vitally important that the notes they take and the resources they consult support their knowledge and understanding.

Co curricular

The school council attended the opening night of The Addams Family and it was spectacular display of talent from students, staff and parents. Congratulations to all involved in a most exciting performance. Student talent is particularly notable in many areas including dance and voice and in the orchestra and technical department.

Parent Citizens Teachers Association- Debutante Ball 2019

The Year 11 Debutante Ball has been booked for March 2nd 2019 at The Grand, Cathies Lane, Wantirna. Current Year 10 students will be informed of a Parent/Student Information night which will take place in October of this year via Compass later this term.

Eleni Stathatos

From Mr Barut

Ringwood Secondary College continues to thrive as a learning community. All our students are involved in their learning, their friendships, their whole school engagement and all the extracurricular programs that the College has to offer. Students from Year 8 upwards will be entering their subject selections over the next couple of weeks that will assist with college planning for 2019!

The Year 12 cohort are busy! busy! busy! – The final weeks of a secondary education are nigh and this time is so, so important in setting up study notes, working out what’s best for each individual student as a study routine and completing old VCAA exam papers. The best way forward here is that there should be a three step method in exam prep:

Attempt an old paper, untimed, open book. Check answers for accuracy and clarity with the VCAA examiners’ report at the same time.
Complete the same exam, closed book and untimed – this one goes to the teacher for a quick turnaround and feedback.
Complete exam paper under timed conditions, closed book, as per the same conditions that will be stipulated in November – submit for raw score feedback.

This is not Barut’s ground breaking study tip – this method has data and educational merit to support success in exams. Thousands of highly successful VCE students were surveyed and the two main defining factors to success was the above exam prep and teacher relationship/feedback. Please share this information with your son/daughter.

Please remember that the College always welcomes parents to communicate with the co-ordinators and teaching staff to best support the students in their learning. The list of Heads of Sub School and the House Co – ordinators is set out below:

Year 7/8 – Junior School Sub Leader – Anna Urbano

Frazer House – Marissa Lee

Freeman House – Jessica Friend

Mabo House – Kim Watson

Jackman House – Faith Stepniewski

Year 9/10 – Middle School Sub School Leader – Matthew Tucker

Frazer House – Krissi Friedli

Freeman House – Benn Jamieson

Mabo House – Jackie Godfrey

Jackman House – Peter Vlahos

Year 11/12 – Senior School Sub School Leader – Cathy Menz

Frazer House – Caitlin May

Freeman House – Emma Lim

Mabo House – Matthew Saunders

Jackman House – Lucy Moore

Please be mindful that the College is working in a climate of positive psychology and respectful relationships. As such, we expect interactions between co-ordinators, staff and parents to be professional, respectful and solution/action focussed.

And finally, congratulations to all the students and staff involved in the latest RSC Production of ‘The Addams Family’ – the show is amazing and we have so many talented students here at the College.

James Barut

From Mrs Allison

2019 Leadership positions

Students in years 7-11 are encouraged to apply for the 2019 leaderships positions that will be advertised in the next few weeks.

The Addams Family

Congratulations to all students and staff involved in The Addams Family

musical production. It is another high-quality Ringwood Secondary College production that showcases the wonderful talent of our hardworking students. I am looking forward to the Junior production later this year and the World Tour Performances in 2019.

Wellbeing Focus for this week…Sleep and Rest

Wellbeing Element: Exercise and Health

Character Strength: Love

Wellbeing Fitness Challenge: Strengths Spotting

Sleep deprivation is a massive issue amongst 21st century adolescents and it has a profound effect on their wellbeing. Expecting them to concentrate well and be engaged in class is unrealistic because it’s almost humanly impossible to do so when lacking sleep.

Their 24/7 addiction of being electronically connected to their peer groups and having their phones on throughout the night communicating with others, makes deep sleep more than difficult. Interestingly, studies have revealed that some 60% of adolescents are unhappy with and exhausted from being 24/7 connected and also understand the consequences of a lack of sleep and rest. Yet in spite of this, the reason they continue to stay connected is FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out.

Insisting of no mobile or computer use after 9.00 pm is the answer. It may lead to defiance, but to improve their health and wellbeing it is well worth weathering the storm. At least nine hours deep sleep and rest are non-negotiable essentials for the healthy all-round development of young people because they provide timeout for their eyes and vital organs and essential growth hormones are released and learnt material is stored in their long-term memory during REM sleep, Rapid Eye Movement.

Exercise can help students to fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly—as long as it's done at the right time. Exercise stimulates the body to secrete the stress hormone cortisol, which helps activate the alerting mechanism in the brain. This is fine, unless you're trying to fall asleep so aim to finish exercising at least three hours before bed or work out earlier in the day.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Maria Allison