RSC Connections

 

 

 

 

All In This Together

Maintaining Connections

 

As we reach the half way mark for term 3, it is an opportune time to draw upon the messages from many of the communications and resources that have been published throughout the course of the periods of remote learning in 2020. They are all about maintaining connections.

 

  • Create a routine and plan your day around your routine.
  • Do things that make you feel safe; connect to people who are helpful to your wellbeing.
  • Do things you’ve done in the past to help manage challenge and stress; reflect on your own coping strategies and write them down, put them in a place you can access daily.
  • Engage in activities that promote a sense of calm and feeling grounded; mindfulness, meditation or breathing exercises.
  • Ensure you are getting enough sleep (7-9 hours), eating a good variety of healthy foods each day, plenty of water and aiming for at least 30 – 60 minutes of exercise a day.
  • Find ways to relax, spend 10 minutes a day breathing slowly and calmly or use one of the breathing apps.
  • Learn something new or get creative; check YouTube for more ideas. Watch or read something uplifting.
  • Limit exposure to information from social media and the news. Source positive news pages and uplifting stories instead.
  • Listen to music, choose something that makes you feel good and make a playlist.
  • Make a list of activities that you can do at home with your family, with siblings or by yourself.
  • Practice gratitude and write a list and draw 10 good things in your life and the world. Or you could start a journal and write down 3 things you are grateful each day.
  • Talk with a trusted adult if it all feels a bit much.

There is so much to still be optimistic about and in a short video compiled by Callum and Kate we know that our Year 12 students are pushing forward and offer inspiration and hope to all students in our college community.

 

Optimism Video 

 

 

We know that music and the development of a playlist can be a personal tool that one can use to target emotions and find balance in times such as now.  Joseph C  from Year 7 is our first recipient of an award for his Top 5 COVID-19 playlist. I have included it here to check out on your favourite music app or video stream:

  1. God’s Plan - Drake (E)
  2. Lovely - Billie Eilish ft Khalid
  3. My Oh My - Camila Cabello ft DaBaby
  4. Goosebumps - Travis Scott (E)
  5. Believe - Meek Mill ft Justin Timberlake.
  6. (E = Explicit Song)

Thanks and well done Joseph. I look forward to receiving many more in the coming week. There is also a prize for the one that most closely matches my top 5, with a closing date of August 27th. Your playlist can be emailed to mphillips@ringwoodsc.vic.edu.au .

 

Please stay connected and engaged. We are all learning about what it means to be a learner in these unprecedented times.

 

Michael Phillips OAM

Principal

In Adversity celebrate the Achievements

A recent professional learning session I attend outlined experiences from Rachael Robertson’s story of leadership through adversity during her time as an Antarctic Expedition Leader. She shared, that in times of adversity, it is important to celebrate achievements and recognise milestones as they occur - and that is what we should be doing now as we navigate our way through COVID-19 and the current restrictions in place during this phase of remote and flexible learning. 

 

The end of this week brings a mini milestone, as we reached the half-way stage of Term 3. This point in Term 3 can be exciting for many students across the College, as finalising subject preferences for 2021 is about to take place. As for our Year 12 students, many subjects begin their final Area of Study, with the final term of secondary schooling fast approaching for these students!

 

Recently many students across the College have received academic excellence awards along with a number of students being recognised for the resilience shown throughout the semester one. Many students were not only recognised but will now have received their student resilience award via mail. I’d like to congratulate all of these students and also encourage them to keep doing their best over the second half of this term. It’s important to find ways to continue to motivate ourselves to continue in learning and completing tasks to the best of our abilities. The continual development of the character strengths of grit and perseverance will greatly support and assist students as we embark over the next few weeks!

 

Something we learned from the last remote learning period was the need for students to have opportunities to catch-up on classwork and tasks they may not have completed. With this feedback, a catch-up afternoon has been scheduled for this coming Tuesday - 18th August.  Students will not have their usual lessons during periods 4 and 5 schedule. During this time, students should finalise work not yet completed and also contact their teachers for any clarification and assistance as needed. This afternoon catch-up time also provides an opportunity for teachers to contact students and support them in their classwork and learning.

 

 

I would like to remind all of the parents/guardians and families supporting students to continue communicating with teachers and House Coordinator as needed. Our staff are working hard to support all students in their learning and wellbeing over these times. For those not aware of who your child’s House Coordinator is, please refer the information below and reach of if important information needs to be communicated to the College, or greater assistance is necessary to best support your child.

 

 

Matt Tucker

Acting Assistant Principal