Principal's Post

From the Principal

Welcome back!

Classes commenced last week and it has been a busy and productive start of the year for all year levels. Our College assembly this week highlighted our student leaders and the directions, major events and opportunities at the College for this year. A special welcome is extended to our 292 Year 7 students and their families.

I have been delighted to catch up with so many students and staff after the long holiday, and I hope you’ve had a fruitful and an enjoyable summer. Everyone appears rested and ready to launch into the school year again.

This year I hope our students increase their levels of agency for their own learning. Active learning and taking initiative are the keys to learning wisely. If you have a good cause, if you can see beyond test scores and find the spark and the joy innate to the act of learning, then learning will become much more interesting and much easier.

Outside the classroom, get to know what’s happening around you, at both Ringwood and more broadly in the community. Read extensively, watch the news, download useful apps that can help you. Be curious. Broaden your horizons by actively seeking better knowledge. No matter what your interests are, be it sustainability, music, performing, sport, philosophy, or dance, there is so much on offer. There are so many extra-curricular activities you can participate in and different things you can do — academic or non-academic, competitions, community services, sports, music, visual art, performing arts, cultural activities, and the list goes on.

Engage in different activities. Develop your interests. Explore your talents. Unearth your potentials. Stretch your limits. Do something, so that you won’t regret not having tried and grown, when you look back on your year in 2019.

Our College Production for 2019, “Spamalot” has been announced and auditions will commence shortly. By the time that you have read this newsletter we will also have concluded The House Swimming Carnival at Ringwood’s Aquanation too.

Staffing in 2019

As is always the case at the beginning of a new school year there are a number of new and returning teachers and we particularly welcome them:

Ms Vanessa Phan – Maths and Science
Ms Sophia Rovira - Maths
Mr Chris Taylor - Maths and Science
Mr Josh Mitchell- PE and Health
Mr Shaun Butson - Maths and PE
Ms Tessa Henley – Foods and Science
Mrs Sarah Catton- English, Ms Elise Gardiner – PE and Health and Ms Gaynor Borlase - Dance and Performing Arts, are all returning from leave in 2019

There are also changes in our structure for 2019 with each weekday being broken into 5 teaching periods of 60 minutes. There are no changes to the start and finish times with classes commencing each morning at 8.50am and the end of the day being at 3.15pm.

Building Works

Planning for the next stage of our building program is progressing well with the Senior School centre design plans now really taking shape. We are on track to be ready for tender by the commencement of term 2 and a construction start around the end of term 2 this year.

Student travel to and from Ringwood Secondary College

I request that all students ensure respectful and appropriate behaviour especially when travelling on public transport.

There are always concerns about student safety and I ask all students to cross busy roads at appropriate locations. There are two supervised crossings on Bedford Road as well as a signalised intersection at Great Ryrie Street that should be utilised. In addition, travelling in small groups is often a good idea and areas like Ringwood Lake are best avoided when travelling alone. In addition, students riding to and from school must wear their safety helmets.

Parents who drive students should be aware of the speed and parking restrictions near the school, as these are regularly enforced. Often it is easier to drop students nearby and allow them to walk a few hundred metres – its good exercise too! The car park at the front of the library should not be used as a drop off point at any time immediately before or after school.

Student safety matter

Students must not bring drinks in glass bottles to the College. If there is an accident they potentially can cause serious injury and broken glass makes areas in the yard unsafe. There are lots of suitable alternatives that can be utilised. Your cooperation is appreciated.

College Council Elections 2019

Nominations are now open for three parent vacancies on our college council. If you are an enthusiastic parent interested in getting more involved and having a say in what our college is doing, or know someone who is, we would love to hear from you. We are looking for people who are committed to improving the educational outcomes for all our students.

Effective councils have a broad range of experience, skills and expertise. Face-to-face and online training is also available to help councillors develop the skills and knowledge for the job. Parents find their involvement satisfying and may also find that their children feel a greater sense of belonging.

If you would like to find out more information, please give me a call at the College. Nominations will close on Thursday February 21, 2019 and forms are available from school reception or via email from Karen Carden. kcarden@ringwoodsc.vic.edu.au

Michael Phillips

Principal