Assistant Principals
From Mrs Stathatos
‘Lateline’ on the ABC on Thursday night presented a segment on education focusing on the world students entering kindergarten next year will encounter in 2030. The discussion around knowledge, skills, behaviours and jobs was outlined by Mark Scott, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education and it was an eye opening segment, especially in light of how schools are preparing students and the role of artificial intelligence. Reflections and discussions about our practices as a system are always worthwhile to have.
As part of our Internationalising program, and following from the successful Indonesian tour this year for our Indonesian language learners, the Language Department is offering a tour to New Caledonia to our French language learners in September of next year. This tour will be open to Year 9 -12 2018 students and a Parent and Student information night will be held on Tuesday 21st of November at 7pm with the tour representatives. Further information will be provided about the information night on Compass.
A momentous occasion will occur in the next week which will see a new beginning for learning spaces at Ringwood Secondary College. The opening of the new Junior School has been much anticipated and it is with tremendous pride that we move our students and staff into learning spaces that maximise the quality of teaching and learning. It is a credit to all involved that the building and transition process has run so smoothly.
From Mr Barut
For all our Year 12s and those Year 11s doing a Unit 3 and 4 subject, VCAA exams are on in earnest! Last minute revision, new batteries for CAS calculators, sharpened pencils and sharpened minds; it all equates to another learning experience for our students. Many have exited the exam centre looking flushed and relieved and the feedback from students was that they went ‘okay’ and ‘it wasn’t too bad’ – whatever the outcome, we wish them all the best. What a fantastic learning experience for them!
For the Year 12 families, do not forget our Valedictory Evening on Friday, 24th of November. Please check with the General Office if you still want to buy a ticket for this gala event, or go onto trybooking.com and follow the appropriate links.
We look forward to a fantastic evening!
Let’s not forget the Year 12 class of 2018, as they are about embark on their final year of secondary schooling. They have to navigate the examination period and transition week to prepare for next year. Transition classes will be very important for our students, as there will be an outcome set for holiday homework.
In the other Sub Schools, classes continue, learning tasks continue, assessment continues – it is business as usual.
A massive thank you to Ms Pritchard, Ms Margelis, Mr Rogers, Ms Watson and all our Year 7 ambassadors who are visiting our local primary feeder schools to visit our new Year 7 students in 2018…these students will be the first ones in the new Junior School building and after walking through the facility today, it is absolutely magnificent! But, students bring buildings alive and it will be so exciting for the newest members of our college community.
A reminder to all our students and parents that Ringwood Secondary College is a uniform school and the correct school uniform must be worn every day. Students, please visit your relevant House Co-ordinator to get a uniform pass, if you are out of school uniform.
On another note, if you ride your bike to school, please, please, please, lock your bike to the bike rack that has been provided.
From Mrs Allison
Art and Technology Exhibition
A big thank you to the Visual Arts and Technology students and staff for putting on our annual Art and Technology Exhibition, that showcased student’s skills and talents from a wide range of the Arts and Technology subjects such as: Art, Studio Arts, Visual Communication, Media, Photography, Textiles, Wood, Food Technology, Materials, CAD and Digitech. It is always a great collaborative event.
Student Leadership
Leadership applications have been received from all year levels and the applications will be finalised within the next few weeks. It is always inspiring to have so many students applying for leadership positions, willing to make a difference in their lives and the lives of people around them.
Wellbeing focus for this week…
Wellbeing Builder: Positive Feedback
Wellbeing Element: Meaning and Purpose
Character Strength: Spirituality
Wellbeing Fitness Challenge: Brain Stretch
During adolescence, students’ capacities to stay focused on the job at hand and ignore distractions are often tested. Focusing on the strengths leadership, bravery, self-regulation and perspective will connect them with the moment, enabling them to do the right thing and do the thing right. It’s about developing grit = passion + long term persistence.
Many students need to learn the difference between activity and action which is:
• activity – having little meaning and purpose for what they do and allowing their minds to be hijacked by their emotions;
• action – having meaning and purpose for what they do and following through on what they say they will do;
• leaders know that difference and show it in their every thought, word and action.
Several of the key ingredients which make up leadership are believing that others matter; having a higher purpose in life; using a combination of their own and others’ strengths to achieve what the group sets out to do; understanding that the right thing to do is nearly always the hard thing to do and then being prepared to do it; and welcoming challenges and overcome them by using growth mindsets to learn new approaches to build their brain’s abilities.
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” Helen Keller