Principal's Post
From the Principal
Another school year draws to a close and as always there is much to celebrate.
2017 Results
Once again, we can be delighted with the successes of our students and these were heartily celebrated at our presentation evening on Tuesday. The efforts of so many are reflected in these results, reported in this edition of our newsletter. Judging by the varied achievements of our students across curricular and co-curricular fields and student attitudes more broadly, there is a vibrant school spirit growing in tandem with the school culture. I would particularly like to congratulate our VCE Dux Rebecca Hall on her outstanding year.
The class of 2017 has tackled the considerable challenge of the VCE with as much energy, passion and commitment as every other year 12 class during my twenty years as principal. They have been rewarded for their hard work in a variety of ways. Some are disappointed, most are delighted, some are ecstatic. That is how it always is.
At the 2017 VCE examinations, Ringwood Secondary College students have maintained our tradition of academic excellence. Many students attained ATAR scores in the 90s and 80s, but there are equally stories of those who overcame significant challenges including health issues and personal hardship to achieve at high levels. They are equally celebrated.
Current Student Numbers
Currently we have nearly 1600 students enrolled for 2018, including 282 students who will be commencing with us in Year 7.
These students enjoyed a highly successful orientation day using all of our new facilities that will prove to be an excellent learning environment for them all into the future.
Staffing
At this time of year, we traditionally say farewell to a range of staff who are either moving on to opportunities in other schools, concluding replacement contracts, going on extended leave or retiring. This year I particularly would like to thank and acknowledge the contribution to the College of Mr Peter Crawford who arrived as a young teacher at Ringwood at the start of 1981. Some 37 years later he is now moving into retirement and has been a terrific teacher of PE, colleague and friend of so many within our community. Thank-you Peter all for your contributions and I wish you the very best in wherever your next journey takes you.
Others leaving us are Marie Maloney who is also retiring, Jonathon Rogers Assistant Principal at Emerald SC, Shane Asbury Head of Sport at Luther College, Michael Kent Head of Drama at Brighton Grammar, Kate Tanner and Emma Ford, Korowa Anglican Girls School, Paul Taylor Hazelglen College, Lisa Waingarten Monash Children’s Hospital School, Pru Bon and Renee Douglass whose contracts are finishing.
We thank each person for their contribution to Ringwood and wish them well in their future positions.
Other staff on leave in 2018 are Elise Gardiner, Gaynor Borlase, Louise Copeman and Sarah Catton. We look forward to their return in 2019.
We will introduce our new staff at the commencement of term 1 2018.
Start Up Arrangements for 2018
Year 12 commences with a 2 day symposium at Box Hill Institute’s Lilydale Campus on Tuesday January 30. Year 7 and Year 9 also commence on the same day. Students in Years 8,10 and 11 commence on Wednesday January 31, 2018. The College office will be open for business from Monday January 29, 2018 and student ipad training sessions for incoming year 7 students will be conducted from January 22, in the upstairs RT common.
We are building an even better school and the realisation of our revamped library facility and new Junior School facility this year has been the result of much planning and hard work by so many. We are now just awaiting the final sign off for funds to allow for the planning for a new senior school, Science Technology Engineering and Maths centre, student services and canteen. This will be another significant undertaking for our College community, commencing in 2018.
I would like to extend best wishes for Christmas and New Year and a happy summer holiday season to all members of our College community and I look forward to an exciting and productive year in 2018.
Michael Phillips
Principal