Welcome back to Term 2 which has commenced with positive news of recent student successes and the recommencement of overnight camps. The first whole school assembly for 2022 was held on the College quadrangle for our ANZAC remembrance ceremony and the departure of our long-awaited Year 11 Central Australia Tour and the Duke of Edinburgh camp heralded normality for our students.

ANZAC Day is an important commemorative anniversary to acknowledge, pay our respects, and contemplate the sacrifice made by those who have served and fallen, who left the safety and security of their homes, families, friends, and jobs to secure a peaceful future for us all. The courage and sacrifice of the ANZACs contributed to shaping the spirit of our nation, and in the face of adversity they developed resilience, ignited our learning, broadened many horizons, and generated a breadth of opportunities for future generations.

In my address to the students and staff I reflected on our school motto, "Culture and Service" which echoes values and ideals embodied in the ANZAC tradition. Our ANZACs were loyal, selfless, courageous, and provided an exemplary service to our nation. I would hope for all RSC students and staff to develop and nurture a caring, compassionate culture that also embodies DET values of integrity and respect. I shared this personal story about an ANZAC.

‘I would like to tell you a story about Private Frederick Smith, a member of the Australian Imperial Force 55th Battalion, composed of young men, not much older than you, who fought in the First World War.

Fred, a humble store worker, enlisted in September 2015, as a bright eyed young 21-year-old man eager to see the world. He departed Sydney in December on board the steamship SS HMAT Suevic. After arriving on French shores in June 1916, the 55th Battalion entered the frontline trenches in July and fought its first major battle against the Germans at Fromelles (Fleurbaix) a week later. The battle was a disaster, resulting in heavy casualties across the division with 5,533 Australian soldiers killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. Despite its grievous losses the 55th Battalion continued to man the front in the Fromelles sector for a further two months.

Missing in action during this time, Fred was later found suffering from critical injuries after being bayonetted. Captured at Fromelles (Fleurbaix) in France in July 2016 he was later taken as a prisoner of war then transferred to Senne, in Germany in September 1916, then released several years later and repatriated in England till 2018.

Fred finally returned to Australia in 1919 and led a humble family life in Bondi, Sydney where he married and was father to two children. After a life of hard work, he died relatively young from complications of his war injuries in 1948.

Fred served his country well, he was loyal, he survived severe trauma, he was a survivor, he was a proud ANZAC, he was my grandfather.

Let us never forget our Australian Defence Force men and women who have and continue to provide extraordinary, selfless, and compassionate service to our country, who protect our nation and vulnerable people worldwide, and safeguard our independence and freedom. Reflect and remember the service and sacrifice of our fallen heroes’.

Senior School Reform-State Premiers Visit

The State Premier Daniel Andrews, Deputy Premier James Merlino and our local Labor member Dustin Halse visited Ringwood Secondary College’s Ringwood Training yesterday for an important announcement relating to the Victorian Budget 2022/23. The government stated they will invest $277.5 million in the biggest reform to the senior secondary system since the VCE’s inception, recognising the increased demand for careers in trades and services.

The new VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate will replace VCAL, offering students more choices, a higher-quality curriculum and better workplace experiences to prepare students for further study, training at TAFE or employment post school.

The investment of $120.2 million will help schools implement the new certificates and provide every student access to a core offering of 12 different Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways. Ringwood Training provides viable pathways for students in Engineering, Automotive and Information Technology. The reforms will save many Victorian families up to $1000 by cutting out-of-pocket costs, with students no longer having to pay for essential learning materials for VET studies.

As information is provided by VCAA this year our senior students will be counselled by our careers practitioners about the VCE senior secondary pathways, including the numerous Vocational Education Training (VET) studies. Information sessions will be organised early in Term 3 for students, parents, and carers.

In the interim period, you may wish to read the press release A Great School Pathway for Every Victorian Student and visit the Ringwood Training website for more details relating to vocational pathways http://www.rt.vic.edu.au/

The Premiers Spirit of ANZAC Prize

Congratulations to Ankita Patel who was recently awarded the 2021 Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize at the Shrine of Remembrance. Ankita received a $2,500 scholarship for her thoughtful poem.

A Symbol of ANZAC

Every ANZAC Day we march

For those who are kept in heart.

We are indebted to those soldiers,

Who spend their lives on borders.

Come bow down and salute them,

Under whose watch we sleep.

The brown slouch hat,

With a side turned up

A symbol- the unique kind

Worn by every soldier as a symbol of pride

A legacy they left behind.

These soldiers’ sacrifices are in millions of hearts every day.

We mourn their deaths as the red poppies sway.

A symbol of remembrance,

A symbol of the brave,

A red poppy lays,

On every soldier’s grave.

A minute of silence,

To keep them in heart and mind.

A minute of silence,

In which we shall find,

respect and value for the soldiers who died.

We shall not cry tears of pity

We shall not cry tears of pain

As the soldiers died as heroes,

Their deaths did not go in vain

That’s why we celebrate ANZAC Day

To remember these heroes who could never decay.

For these soldiers made a creation,

They made us a nation,

Lest we forget,

These soldiers who put in their blood and sweat.

Lest we forget.

Deakin Community Awards

The Deakin Community Awards seek to celebrate volunteers who give their time, skills, and energy to community organisations, helping to make our Deakin a better place to live. The awards provide an opportunity to nominate an individual or community group that deserve recognition and our thanks for their significant contributions. Two Ringwood Secondary College students, Jackson Smith, and Alyssa Solidaga, were presented with the Youth Award by Michael Sukkar MP, reflecting their hard work and community spirit. They have worked with the Maroondah Early Childhood and Youth Services Student Wellbeing Action Team (SWAT) to improve relationships for our youth and to encourage student voice and agency.

Upcoming college events include Ringwood Secondary College’s Information and Open Night that will be held next Tuesday, May 3rd to showcase our academic and co-curricular programs. The evening will also highlight our future learning environments and STEM building project. Please visit the College website for further details about tours and the evening’s schedule. Other events in May include Year 9 InterGREAT students showcasing their personal projects on May 5th and Education Week.

Maria Allison

Acting Principal

Michael Phillips Retirement Celebration