Assistant Principals 

Term 1, 2022 marked an interesting milestone as it was the first uninterrupted term since Term 4, 2019! As in all situations post lockdown, the re-adjustment to ‘normal’ school rhythms has been challenging at times and it is important to note how well Ringwood Secondary community has managed this return, and some of this felt strangely new. Classroom teachers, sub-school co-ordinators and wellbeing counsellors have worked hard in helping student re-integrate to school life, in particular, in re-establishing classroom routines and enforcing uniform regulations. Parents are encouraged to support students in wearing the appropriate uniform proudly. 

Late last term students’ learning growth was the focus of the progress reports and parent / student / teacher interviews. If there is one positive which has emerged from the lockdowns, it is probably these interviews which run more seamlessly on-line than face-to-face at Bedford Road, where parking and moving around the campus to attend the meetings has often meant delays or missed opportunities to discuss student progress. There were 2,937 appointments made and in the first half hour alone, there were 634 conversations! The community clearly values these conversations, but it is important to note that parents and students have regular, rich information provided on the Compass platform through Learning Task feedback and Chronical Posts. These posts have the status of official communications and when students are struggling to keep up to date with key assessments, yellow and red chronical posts provide crucial details to help students re-engage with the required work more successfully. Green posts are also useful in identifying students’ strengths that are often the key to addressing their challenges. Families are strongly encouraged to look at this information together to help continue the important conversations about building learning growth in each subject each term. As always, if you were unable to attend or to make an appointment, emailing teachers is the most effective way of communicating. 

Wednesday saw the ANZAC Day commemoration service which was also the first time all students and staff could finally gather for an assembly this year. As always, Ringwood students listened respectfully as our student leaders presented a series of readings and poems which reminded us that those soldiers in the trenches were just a few years older than our students and that their terrible experiences irrevocably changed them. Ringwood Secondary’s musicians crafted an evocative atmosphere enabling quiet reflection on the costs of war. With wars raging in Ukraine and Syria, these stories are not just historical echoes, they continue to remind us of the importance of community connection and underscore how very lucky we are in Australia today.  

Coming up in this busy albeit short 9-week term, are a number of key events: Open Night, NAPLAN, Education Week, Athletics Carnival, mid-year exams for Years 10 and 11, and work experience. Many of these present families with opportunities to be part of our rich learning opportunities.  

Our first Parent Connect session will be held during Education Week on May 25th where we invite you to meet and chat. Please send your name and email contact to Sue Sullivan at ssullivan@ringwoodsc.vic.edu.au by Monday 23rd of May. 

Agatha Fedrizzi  

On behalf of the Assistant Principals