Assistant Principals
I would like to thank and acknowledge all the effort and dedication that people have shown over recent weeks during both the remote learning and return to school. These efforts from all staff members, students and families should be recognised, as the continual pivot in and out of remote learning and lockdown should not be underestimated! The recent lockdown period has seen all members of our College community faced with their unique challenges, but together we still manage to support one another and provide continuity of learning for all students.
Our Year 11 student cohort had the opportunity for the first time to undertake formal exams at the college. Having missed all their exam periods last year, this opportunity provided students with valuable insights of working under examination conditions, while also supporting students to identify best study practice and strategies during their preparation. This will be a valuable learning experience before their end of year exams this year and provide great experience as they move in to Year 12 in 2022.
Year 10 students also gained their first experience of formal exams in their modified exam period this week. We hope that all students prepared and performed at their very best and look forward to receiving pleasing results. Thanks to both the Senior and Middle School Teams for all their ongoing work in coordinating these (ever changing!) exam periods for our students.
The close of Term 2 will see the Tutor Learning Initiative (TLI) come to an end for students in Years 8, 9 & 11 who were involved in the program. We hope that participation in the program has been a positive and supportive experience, which has helped to set-up the remainder of 2021 for learning success.
In Term 3, this TLI program will move to support identified students from Years 7, 10 & 12. Identification of these students is currently underway. Communication with these students and families will occur at the beginning of Term 3. Thanks for all the efforts our Tutor Teachers have made in working with students and staff throughout this Semester.
Finally, a massive thank-you to students who have been vigilant in consistently wearing face masks at all necessary times and practicing good hygiene habits. Please continue to keep up your efforts, for the health and safety of not only yourself, but our wider school community. As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease (hopefully!) we can all enjoy a well-deserved break over the holiday period and return for Term 3 feeling energised and recharged.
21st Century Learning – Acknowledging student success beyond ATAR
Ringwood Secondary College is a part of a national discussion called New Metrics for Success. Together with 35 other Australian schools and the University of Melbourne, we are exploring how education can better fit the needs of Australian students and celebrate their learning. This exiting project is looking at how schools can better acknowledge, value and see the development of students’ abilities to collaborate, communicate, connect, reflect, create and think. Our most important challenge is to help our education system move from what Professor Michael Fullan described as a “bloodless system” to a more “human system”: one that fuses together wellbeing and learning. This type of education is one that will better prepare all young people for our 21st century world where collaboration and connection are key. Currently we are looking at how to create digital learner profiles that would be accredited across the country and showcase not only academic skills but personal passions and abilities.
From the Assistant Principals
Agatha Fedrizzi, Matt Tucker and Annette Niven