RSC News

Acting Principal  

“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. We are made to live together because of the interrelated structure of reality.” — Martin Luther King Jr

 

Ash Buchanan (2021) talks about benefit mindset, being that we are not separate individuals going it alone and that we are interdependent beings who belong to an ecosystem where every one of us has a role to play in creating positive and healthy conditions no matter our interests, passions or expertise. Using the knowledge of a growth mindset where we believe that we can grow, it is important that we all take responsibility for transforming how we come to understand our place in the world and realise our potential in a way that affirms life and supports others with doing the same. 

 

Relating this benefit mindset to Ringwood Secondary College, I remind you that we part of community of multi-talented people. This ‘community of life’ as Buchanan describes can be further fostered through developing an awareness of our surrounds and nurturing existing relationships.

 

The last few weeks have been challenging and despite these challenges and adversity we have all learnt to become more adaptable and flexible, yet personal circumstances such as the recent storm have left many of our families without power, food, warmth, water and housing have rocked the foundations of many of our RSC families. If you can extend a warm hello or pay it forward to support those around, you it will hopefully benefit everyone.

 

A snapshot of the past few weeks…

  • All students were finalising their mid-year assessments. Their resilience, personal growth and increased determination to responsibly engage in their studies despite adversity has been very encouraging and I am very proud of their progress. 
  • New COVID restrictions impacted on many events and specialised programs such as The Central Australia Tour, Work Experience and musical performances which have been delayed and or rescheduled.
  • The STEM building project is steadily moving ahead with Clark Hopkins Clarke further developing the schematic designs. 
  • Jade Cheung, Year 8, recently participated in the Quebec International Music Competition. She played on piano ‘lento con gran espressione’ by Chopin and was awarded a Gold Medal. Congratulations to Jade for the wonderful result reflecting her hard work, determination and perseverance!

Schools COVID-19 update and QR Codes 

The Victorian Government has announced new arrangements for schools in Victoria from and including Friday 18 June. From 11.59pm last night, schools in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria will now operate under the same settings. 

 

Key changes:

  • Secondary school students aged 12 or older across Victoria must wear face masks indoors at school and on public transport, and masks are recommended outdoors at school where physical distancing of 1.5m cannot be maintained.
  • Visitors to school grounds must also observe face mask requirements.
  • Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) and work experience placements can recommence on-site throughout Victoria. 
  • Camps and overnight stays can take place within Victoria, with no travel restrictions. Multiple schools can attend camps providing school groups remain separated and do not share common facilities at the same time.
  • Excursions and incursions are permitted throughout Victoria. 
  • Indoor and outdoor interschool sport can proceed throughout Victoria, and outdoor and indoor contact and non-contact physical activity is permitted.

 

QR Codes

The use of Service Victoria QR codes for electronic record keeping is mandatory for all workplaces to enable the effective contact tracing of any COVID-19 cases. 

 

This now includes all education sector workplaces, including schools. 

 

QR codes will be required to be used by:

  • all parents who enter buildings when on the school site
  • all visitors, including contractors, external Department staff and building and maintenance staff

 

QR code check ins will not be required for staff or students.

 

All building entry and exit points will now display QR code posters. 

 

If you are required to enter buildings on school grounds, for whatever purpose, you are now required to use the provided QR code check-in.

 

If you are not able to check in using a smartphone or tablet, a Compass Kiosk check-in service is available.

 

Using the QR code system does not replace the existing requirement to also sign in at reception (for a specific purpose). 

Thank you for your support and understanding of this important health direction.

Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or contact the school if you have any concerns. 

 

Finally, as my role as Acting Principal comes to an end this term, I would like to extend my gratitude to both the Principal and Leadership teams for their great support and respected consultation. To all staff, I wish you a well-earned restful holiday and thank you for your hard work, resilience, determination and perseverance. RSC students are very fortunate to have such professional teachers and support staff that care, nurture and support you. 

 

 

Maria Allison

Acting Principal