From the Office

RSC Work Futures EXPO 2019 

During this publication’s past six issues you were introduced to the latest project by the RSC Heritage and Alumni Group to bring this Work Futures Expo 2019 to students and their parents.  One of many projects undertaken since this group was formed back in 1991, after arson destroyed school buildings, many records and documents.  Fortunately, the college was re-built, not pulled down as feared.

It was Gerry Robinson, AP, with his great love of college history, who gathered a small committee of six past students to launch a Fire Appeal to raise funds to help re-build.  Just a couple of years later this group prepared for the 40th Anniversary celebrations of the college in 1994. To mark the occasion, significant features were designed by Gerry and his team.  A Green Historical Book carries personal reflections of RHS: a Recipe Book recognised staff contributions and a time capsule marked features of education at the college.

This committee became the Heritage Group which met regularly to prepare for the College’s 50th Anniversary in 2004.  Also, Gerry’s idea for the Halls became reality:  Sport in 1998, Arts in 1999; Science in 2011.  An archive group of Year 10 students was formed in 1998.  Gerry Robinson, a tireless worker, also exhibited great creativity.  He retired in 2002 leaving a legacy of activities and a recorded history of students who were achievers and laid down the framework for the current Heritage committee.

In 2003, his work was continued by Mrs Jenny Ward, AP who convened regular meetings leading up to the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary – a significant event in College history.   School records, achievements and photographs were collated into a bound publication, “Ringwood Recalls”.  Sub-groups formed to locate as many past students as they could.  Many original students were ‘found’ and attended the Dinner Dance and other celebration activities.  The archives gained more photographs and memorabilia of school history from students who offered personal items to be copied or given to the college. Terry Kane, as college archivist, was instrumental in this process. Several quilts attest to a pictorial record of engagement over the decades.

Following those celebrations some of the ‘original’ students, joined the Heritage Group bringing a wide variety of skills to assist the college.  A Heritage hall was created to recognise community and educational endeavour. The committee set up mock interviews for students about to leave college, talks to Year 10 students discussing transitions from school to first jobs, and in 2015 a scholarship fund was set up, with donations from college members.  These scholarships were to allow some students who achieved good results to continue to VCE at the college.

With the 60th _ Diamond Anniversary of the college looming, Jenny Ward wanted to commemorate this milestone by suggesting something more visible to everyone at the college - a permanent display.  Her idea was for bollards, which we believe to be unique, becoming reality in 2014 at the commencement of the 60th Anniversary celebrations, where politicians and local community members attended their unveiling.

A name change recently to “RSC Heritage and Alumni Group” shows inclusiveness to all former students and college others over those sixty-plus years.  This Work Expo project is supported by the current committee which includes ex-teachers, who bring their knowledge to make this Work Futures Expo a success in 2019.

For further details contact the school or the convenor, Barry Ring, at barry.ring@bigpond.com

Brentford Squares Soccer Club

Brentford Squares Soccer Club are currently seeing players to tryout for the 2019 season.

We are a men’s team that plays Sunday mornings in the MCSA league from February to September 2019. We will be holding practise games over the summer. Please contact Shannon for involvement and further details on 0433048040.

Attendance

As we come to the end of another busy school year, I would like to thank those parents and guardians who have utilised Compass to check and manage their child / children’s attendance in a timely and efficient manner throughout the year.

Attendance management is a partnership between parents and the school and works best when both parties are invested in the wellbeing of students and are willing to work together to achieve the best outcomes for the school community in general, and the students in particular.

Remember that the attendance line – 9845 7519 operates 24/7 so a message related to any attendance matters can be left at any time. 

Please ensure that you leave -  all the details in relation to the absence

Government Guidelines         

For your information I have included below the Government Policy on Attendance which I hope will give parents and guardians are better understanding of what the requirements are in relation to reporting absences.

Students are expected to attend normal school hours every day of each term. An exemption should be sought if the attendance expectation is reduced for a particular child. A principal or regional director (depending on the circumstances) authorise an exemption and provide written approval for student attendance to be exempt or reduced to less than full time.

For absences where there is no exemption in place, the parent/guardian should provide an explanation on each occasion and the school will determine if the explanation provided is a reasonable excuse for the purposes of the parent meeting their responsibilities under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.

MERRY CHRISTMAS  AND A HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEAR

Kay Priestly

Attendance