Assistant Principals

Middle School

Welcome back to what promises to be an exciting term. As Assistant Principal working with Middle school for this term, I’m looking forward to what should be a very productive period for our Year 9 and 10 students, across a number of areas of the college. There was certainly a lot of energy at the Year 10 assembly I attended last week, led by Mr Michael Kent, and I’d like to say a big thank you to the warm welcome I received from the Year 10 students.

Within health classes at Year 10, students have been investigating the risks associated with driving, particularly those most relevant to inexperienced drivers, as well as examining the campaigns which have been used to try and reduce car accidents and fatalities. As part of this program, a large number of our Year 10 students will venture to the Melbourne Eastern Traffic Education Centre next week, where they will be involved in a day long program that will include driver training in a controlled environment.

During Week 8, Year 10 students will sit their mid-year exams, in a very similar format to those experienced by our VCE students at the end of the year. This should provide students with valuable experience in completing assessments under VCAA examination conditions and will hopefully act as a great foundation as they begin to consider their options in Year 11 and beyond. More details, including the timetable and location of these exams, will be forwarded to students in the coming weeks.

Year 9 students have started the term very positively and next week are fortunate to be hearing from Boori Monty Pryor, a multi-talented Aboriginal performer and storyteller, during an English incursion. Having heard Boori Monty Pryor speak previously, I’m confident that the students will gain a great insight into aspects of his life and enjoy his many humorous stories.

In Week 5, students have the opportunity to compete in the Winter Sport round robin, representing the college in Netball, Football, Soccer and Badminton. The following week, from May 10th to 12th, Year 9 students will undertake the NAPLAN tests, which enable students and the school to identify the improvements students have made in their learning over the previous two years.

Heritage Committee

The Heritage Committee meets twice a term and spends numerous hours working on projects that benefit the college. Their most recent major project, the bollards located near the hall, are a highlight of the space adjacent to the Hub/Quadrangle area and show many significant events, families and individuals that have connected with Ringwood over the decades.

Currently the committee is keen to identify students that are the 2nd or 3rd generation from their family to attend the college. To this end, all families will receive an email in the coming weeks asking if any family members have attended the college in the years gone by.

The Heritage Committee is currently looking at a number of new initiatives and, as always, new members are welcome. Please contact the college if you are interested in assisting them with their work.

I look forward to working with our Middle school students, parents and coordination team during the term ahead.

Kyle Simkin

Acting Assistant Principal

Junior School

Welcome back! 

Term 2 is an important time of the year for students. They need to consolidate their learning in order to move forward and focus in a positive way. By improving time management and organizational skills, they can work towards building their strengths, reflecting on their performance and planning for improvements.

Year Level Leaders

Congratulations to Abbey Hepworth and Nicholas Day who were recently appointed as our Year 7 Level Leaders for 2016. They were actively involved in our ANZAC Day assembly that paid homage to our fallen heroes.

Parent Teacher Afternoon/Evening

It was great to see so many parents and students discussing their Term 1 progress with teachers. It is always beneficial to reflect on academic progress and to look towards future improvements. If you could not attend this evening and you wish to discuss your son/daughters progress do not hesitate to contact the relevant staff via email.

Open Night April 27th 

Open Night 2016, for incoming Year 7 students for 2017, is a whole College event and will be held next Wednesday evening. The first session commences at 7.00pm sharp followed by a repeat session at 8.00pm. Tours will be held on the evening led by staff, junior school ambassadors and Year 12 prefects.

Technology and Cyber Bullying

As the term progresses it is timely to think about the importance of adopting safe practices regarding young people and technology. Most phones and laptops have cameras and video capabilities and parents need to closely monitor the use of technology by their children. It is not uncommon for students to be texting and phoning each other well into the night disturbing sleep patterns. 

Cyber bullying is bullying that is carried out through the Internet or mobile phones. Cyber bullying is bullying that is done through the use of technology. For example, using the Internet, a mobile phone or a camera to hurt or embarrass someone 

is considered cyber bullying. It can be shared widely with a lot of people quickly, which is why it is so dangerous and hurtful.

Being safe from bullies online:

•    Do not share your private information like passwords, name and address, phone numbers 

with people you don’t know. This can also include sharing of photos of yourself, your friends and your family

•    Don’t respond to messages when you are angry or hurt; to strangers or to people you know. This will often encourage them to continue or increase their harassment of you.

•    Log out and stop messaging if you feel you are being harassed.

•    Remember you have the option to block, delete and report anyone who is harassing you online and on your mobile.

•    Find out how to report bullying and harassment on each of the different social networks that you use.

•    Keep a record of calls, messages, posts and emails that may be hurtful or harmful to you.

•    Remember to set up the privacy options on your social networking sites like Facebook in a way you are comfortable. 

http://au.reachout.com/cyberbullying 

http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/teens/how%20do%20i%20deal%20with/cyberbullying.aspx

Other news

Congratulations to energetic and talented students who participated in the State Swimming Schools Championships, a fantastic effort from all participants with our junior girls relay teams finishing third.

Maria Allison

Assistant Principal

From Mrs Stathatos

The term has begun well and while it is a long term there is much to keep us occupied.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy ( NAPLAN)

NAPLAN will be conducted from Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th May for Year 7 and 9 students. The timetable is as follows:

Tuesday, 10th May   Literacy (Language Conventions and Writing

Wednesday, 11th May  Literacy (Reading)

Thursday, 12th  May  Numeracy

Further information will be forwarded to students and parents in the coming weeks.

Education week

Get involved, be intrigued and inspired by technology during Education Week from 15th to 21st May

Plans for a special round of activities in Education Week are firming and we are looking forward to celebrating the week with students and staff.

The Victorian Curriculum

A number of meetings have taken place over the past fortnight to discuss the changes schools in the state have to make to implement the new Victorian Curriculum in 2017. It is an interesting time in education, particularly when the Australian Curriculum has been adopted by Victorian schools and now the transition to the Victorian Curriculum must be adopted. A curriculum audit is currently taking place as the first step towards the goal of implementing a comprehensive teaching and learning program next year.

PCTA

A number of new parents have expressed interest in joining the Parent Citizen Teacher Association. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 3rd May. Please contact Eleni Stathatos via email – estathatos@ringwoodsc.vic.edu.au if you are able to join us.

Eleni Stathatos

Assistant Principal

Senior School

Welcome back to all our students and parents. Hopefully, for all our VCE students, they have had an opportunity to recharge the batteries for the long term ahead. As studies continue, SACs and SATs occur, folios start coming together and homework becomes the norm, the Senior School team and I ask our students to use the study centre to complete homework after school. There is a real benefit to students if they use after school time for an hour or so to reflect, revise and prepare. Also, working in learning groups can also lift retention rates of knowledge and understanding of subject matter.

On another note, Sonya Karras visited our College during the week to present to all our VCE students. All embraced her presentation on ‘Safe Partying’ as Sonya weaved humorous anecdotes in her delivery that underpinned the importance of all our students being alert and taking care of each other when going out.

THE TEAM

You will remember that in our last newsletter, we farewelled Mr Porter and wished him all the best at his new school. As such, there have been some changes to the staffing in leadership positions in the Senior School. Mrs Cathy Menz has been appointed the new Acting Head of Senior School for the remainder of the year and Mr Jason Tan has joined the team as a Year 11 co-ordinator, with Mr Matthew Saunders moving into the Year 12 role.

Congratulations to all.

James Barut

Assistant Principal