Around the School

Study Group - Semester 2

The study group is running again Sem 2 and will be commencing on Wed 24 Jul. The Study Group sessions are designed to help Students from year 7 to 10 to receive extra assistance to help with organization and study skills and to develop productive work habits.  

The session times will be held after school on each Wednesday between 3:15 and 4:15 from 24 July until 13 Nov.

An application form is attached for your convenience.

The 15 sessions will cost $100

Eddie D'Alfonso

Study Group co-ordinator

RSC Work Futures EXPO 2019 

Our first Work Futures Expo was a very successful event, despite Melbourne’s chilly winter evening.  Those people and families who attended were able to listen to, and talk with, managers, directors, owners and senior staff members of local businesses and companies who were willing to share their information and answer any questions.  Most organisations provided information handouts.  Among the presenters representing their organisations were students from earlier years of Ringwood Secondary College, which was pleasing to see and I hope will inspire other students to further education.  One of the Keynote Speakers, Thomas King, was also a student from RSC.

Many people attended to hear the speeches given by our two Keynote speakers who each gave accounts of their lives, how they developed to their current work. They spoke on how they were driven by causes that took them forward and how that aligned with current students finding similar opportunities for future employment.  They were very impressive, interesting and topical and we thank them for being key parts of our expo event.

I also take this opportunity to thank all those who helped from within the college, the Jazz Combo and their teacher for the music in the hall, the Middle and Senior School Leaders, School Council and the PCTA members.  Also to the Media teachers and the staff who prepared flyers and other media related items to assist with the promotion of this event and the parents who shared their time to assist this committee during the expo.  A special thank you to the Student Leaders and Prefects who took on responsible roles during the evening ranging from welcoming our guests, ushering in the hall, handing our programmes and working on the Help Desk.  All of these functions I consider to be “front line” tasks and I was pleased to see students in those roles.  Thank you one and all for that help.

Feedback from presenters and student families was very encouraging, along with some thoughtful suggestions which this committee will consider for future events.

Barry Ring

Convenor, Heritage and Alumni Group

Yr 8 Commerce Unit

The last 2 weeks of Term 2 saw all year 8 students participate in an integrated Commerce unit. The unit, which consisted of three modules, examined key curriculum requirements under the Victorian Curriculum including: Work and work futures, Government and democracy and Laws and citizens.

It was exciting to see students consider the changing nature of our world and identify the key skills needed to prepare for an increasingly complex work environment. Students were able to complete a personality test, identifying their core strengths and career opportunities. Feel free to ask them what skills they identified and how many different careers they are likely to have over their working lives.

Many students were unaware that Australia is a Constitutional democracy and that Australians rejected the proposal to become a republic in a referendum held in 1999. These concepts were explored in the Government and democracy module. Whilst unpacking the Australian Constitution was challenging at the end of a long term, teachers were impressed with students’ ability to grapple with what it means to live in a democratic society and the rules which govern our system of government.

The Laws and citizens module provided students with an opportunity to understand how values influence our laws and the ways in which individuals can influence changes in our criminal and civil laws. The parliamentary role play, which enabled students to debate the merits of banning homework and vote for or against this proposed ‘law’ was enthusiastically embraced by students.

Congratulations to 8D for winning the finale class challenge by demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of key information covered over the two weeks.

Thank you to all year 8 teachers who delivered the Commerce Unit and a special thank you to my colleagues from the Commerce team – Gemma Bishop, Anthony Del Sureto and Helen Doherty who helped me create the unit.

Deb Wilkins

Head of Commerce, Civics and Citizenship

Year 8 Commerce Unit

A review of our Commerce Unit

The Year 8 Commerce Unit focused on the changing of jobs and professions over time, benefits of work, why we work, what jobs would best suit us, how the Government works, why we have laws and the Australian constitution. We looked at these topics during our core subjects over the span of two weeks at the end of term 2.

During the Commerce Unit we did such activities as a role play, where we re-enacted the passing of a parliamentary bill, made brochures that explained the changing of jobs overtime and how technology affects jobs, creating posters about democracy, discussing work conditions overseas as well as discussing the steps taken to pass a bill to become a law, what a republic is and how our country is run.

This unit was beneficial to us, as well as enjoyable because it gave us, the students, the opportunity to look forward, understand and prepare for what life could possibly look like in different fields of work. It also allowed us to see what electives we would desire to choose next year to work towards a goal that complements our talents and interests. 

Over the two weeks we were able to broaden our knowledge of the economy, government and politics, which will allow us to use our votes in elections and referendums wisely, as well as understand how our work can impact our country, lives and future.

Overall, the Commerce Unit was very informative and beneficial for the futures of the year 8 students. We had a great time and found the information we received was quite interesting and very well presented. Thank you to all the teachers who had a part in organising this for us.

By Clancy Cooke 8J

Zoe Lanyon 8J

And Ruby-Rose Davies 8J

VET Taster Courses at Ranger TEC Aug 6.

Careers News

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