All In This Together

BACK TO SCHOOL!

This week has seen the school yard come alive, as Year 7, 11 and 12 students returned to site and a far cry from the sounds of the noisy Indian Myna birds of the previous weeks! 

There was lots of animated conversation and excitement on display throughout the week as individuals and classes reconnected. The levels of fatigue later in the day were also noticeable. Congratulations to all students and staff who have managed such a smooth transition and we look forward to having everyone back in the very near future.

This will be the last edition of RSC Connections as we revert to a more conventional but reimagined RSC News. The remaining publication dates for the newsletter in Term 4 will be October 30th , November 14th and 28th  and December 11th.

The changed circumstances in which we find ourselves at the moment has meant the need for a number of adjustments. Two of these are again worth highlighting:

Mask wearing- A fitted mask is required to be worn unless an exemption is in place. The question has come up about whether students have to wear masks at lunchtime when engaged in active play. The answer can be found on the DHHS site at:https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-masks-vic-covid-19#lawful-excuses-or-exceptions-for-not-wearing-a-face-mask

A face mask is not required in some circumstances including: when you are doing any exercise or physical activity where you are out of breath or puffing.  Examples include jogging or running, but not walking.  You must carry a face mask on you and wear it when you finish exercising.

Our students are doing a good job in ensuring that this rule is followed and mask breaks are possible too when eating and drinking but do need to be worn in normal classroom circumstances.

Social Distancing- In a school environment it is not always possible to enforce the 1.5 metre rule for students but the advice is that it should be implemented to the extent possible indoors and the yard. We have tried to implement learning zones for timetabling this term which means that specific groups of students are likely to be undertaking classes in the same area of the college , except for those that require specialist spaces.

I was further reminded this week that the end of year is fast approaching for Year 12. Students completed their performance exams in Dance, Drama and Music.  Students also enjoyed a couple of themed dress up days including, what do I want to be when I grow up?,  an op shop spectacular and next week a back to primary school affair. It was terrific to see the students embrace this opportunity to do something that could be celebrated together. Teachers of Year 12 are now finalizing assessments and applying the guidelines for Consideration of Educational Disadvantage, that is available for every student in 2020.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions we continue to adapt and update our Term 4 Calendar. Changes are often out of our immediate control, however, it is our responsibility to follow the DET guidelines and the advice of the Chief Medical Officer. Please regularly check the calendar in Compass, which will provide you with important key dates especially as they relate to assessments, planning for 2021, year level events and College activities. Whilst the release date is not yet announced there are two whole school events on the horizon in the near future. They are the Gala Music Concert and the Art and Technology Exhibition which will both be available to view online in 2020.

Michael Phillips, OAM

College Principal