Assistant Principals
From Mrs Stathatos
The Year 11 Ball
The PCTA has brought the Ball into the 21st century!
What a magnificent display of dancing, propriety and occasion. If nothing else, a Ball such as this reminds us that we will attend special occasions where we are on our best behaviour and we will be present with an appreciation of occasion no matter what the celebration is.
It is true that without student interest in the Ball, we would not offer it, and it is also true that Ringwood Secondary College’s PCTA has heard the voices calling for a change to modernity and has offered the best of both worlds- an event steeped in old world charm but modernised to reflect the wishes of our participants and of our times.
Thank you to everyone who was involved. I am especially proud of the way our Year 11 students have conducted themselves. From the very first rehearsal we could feel that they were keen to do their best and to look after one another. They have always been polite and respectful and communicated effectively with the team of staff who were guiding them in the rehearsals. They continued to enjoy this occasion and danced the night away.
To our parents, guardians and extended families, thank you for supporting your child in this experience. We hope the dancing, the photos and the sense of community created lovely memories that you will treasure for a long time.
Thank you to Larissa Hill and her team for photographing the Ball. The photographs you see in this edition of the newsletter are from our very own staff member, Leah Pritchard, while the official photos will be available for parents and students to view within a few weeks.
The band, The Incredible Cucumbers, enticed guests out of their seats and onto the dance floor and it was wonderful to see Year 11 students dancing to some of the biggest hits of past decades with their parents and grandparents.
Staff of Ringwood Secondary College who were present on the night enjoyed the occasion while Kate Hine and Callum Rigg, our Head Prefects, were fantastic MCs for this event. We are grateful to Caitlin and Tim Doyle for guiding the students through their various routines and ensuring that they looked both graceful and elegant on the night. Finally, a huge thank you to Vicki Pleydell and organiser Kathy Donovan. Their hard work, communication to parents and students and dedication in ensuring that everything ran smoothly is appreciated every year.
Parent Citizen Teacher Association- PCTA
We have had great interest in this group with a number of parents attending our first meeting. The PCTA fundraises for the college but also offers a forum where parent voice is heard and valued. If parents would like to join the PCTA, they can email estathatos@ringwoodsc.vic.edu.au with their expression of interest. The meeting dates are as follows: Tuesday 21st April, Tuesday 9th June, Tuesday 4th August, Tuesday 27th October, Tuesday 1st December from 7.30pm- 8.30pm
Year 7 Parent Information night
This week the Junior school team invited parents to hear of the academic and wellbeing programs and initiatives for Year 7 students. Parents were also informed of how the Positive Learning Behaviours and the GANAG Instructional model assists their children in supporting their learning. For teaching related matters, parents are asked to contact their child’s teachers as their first port of call. Of course, the impending Parent Student Teacher Interviews on Thursday March 26th provide an opportunity to discuss student learning behaviours and their academic progress early on in the year. Progress reports for Term 1 will be available on March 13th and the portal to book interviews will be opened later that day.
International Women’s Day
Maroondah Council hosted this event at the Karralyka Theatre with the biggest crowd attendance in its history. No doubt the speaker Hilde Hinton had something to do with this. Hilde is the big sister of Connie and Samuel Johnson and hearing her tell her story with pathos, integrity and humour captured us all. Hilde’s message about the power of a minute resonated with everyone in the room.
Eleni Stathatos
Assistant Principal
From Mr Tucker
Students and staff now appear to have settled into the busyness of Term 1. With only three weeks remaining, it is important for students to on top of their workload and ensure timely submission of assessment tasks within their classes. Parents can also assist in this area, by regularly checking Compass Learning Tasks, submission of work and viewing feedback given by teachers.
The Year 11 Ball took place on Saturday 29th February. It was a fantastic evening where 29 couples participated in the event, in front of family, friends and members of Ringwood Secondary College. I would like to acknowledge the parents from the PCTA who were involved in the organisation and running of this major event. Without their dedication and efforts, the students would not have had this enjoyable experience.
It was great to see so many Year 7 parents attend the Information Evening held this week. Parent had the opportunity to hear from the Sub School Leader and House Coordinators from Junior School, as well as familiarise themselves with many aspects of various College programs and life here at Ringwood Secondary College.
The students at Ringwood Secondary College are very fortunate to have so many committed school leaders, teachers and support staff it is great to see students develop and grow both academically and socially over their time at the College. As a school community, we will continue to work together, with students and parents to ensure the best possible outcomes for all.
College photos have occurred over the past couple of weeks and are available for order through Compass. At this stage, we expect the delivery of photos to be early in Term 2. As we receive updates, we will keep parents and students informed via Compass.
I wish everybody well as we move into the final weeks of Term 1!
Matt Tucker
Acting Assistant Principal
From Mrs Allison
The weeks are flying by and with numerous events coming up soon it is a timely reminder for all students to focus on their organisational skills to help improve time management and seek assistance when necessary.
Student Leadership
Student leaders from Years 7-8 attended their leadership training at EV’s, Croydon. The morning training commenced with a collaborative event for Year 7 and 8 students, facilitated with Maroondah City Council, Heathmont College, Norwood Secondary College and Ringwood Secondary College.
Later in the day, back at Ringwood SC, students from Years 7-11 were led through an inspiring leadership training session by Karly Horton and the Maroondah Youth Services team. The highlight of the day was the team building activities, well led by our College Prefects, who co facilitated these exercises later in the afternoon. The focus on building our students leadership capacity will hopefully result in effective, influential teams in years to come.
I do extend my gratitude to all staff and students involved, especially to Ms Karly Horton (Director of House and Community Engagement), who coordinated the event.
Achieve 2B
Achieve 2B is a cultural exchange program for young people with disabilities facilitating international exchanges.
They are in need of host families in Melbourne. Please refer to the website for more details.
Music Recruitment evening
The recently held Music Recruitment evening was a very well-attended evening with a large number of students signing up for an instrument. The Music Association has several new members, and always keen for extra parent helpers, so if you have time please contact the College. The year ahead looks busy but very exciting, so ensure you attend our upcoming Jazz Night and other scheduled performances throughout the year.
Positive Education focus
Wellbeing Element: Exercise and Health
Character Strength: Hope
Wellbeing Fitness Challenge: Adventure
Wellbeing Reflection Activity: Out and About
A balanced student lifestyle places an equal emphasis on all of their elements of wellbeing; they work together, like their signature and top supporting strengths as a family, to build the student’s wellbeing. To ignore any of these, adversely affects the others. If the skills and achievement element is pushed too hard and the exercise and health element is not also focused on.
Active and positive people are more likely to achieve what they set out to do and are healthier. Recommendation are that each students’ personal timetables should include:
- an hour of lifting exercise every day
- quality outdoor leisure activities with friends and family which are light and bright
- frequent opportunities to have fun and laugh with others to experience positive emotions
- plenty of timeout from electronic pursuits; try brain leisure activities such as reading, chess, board games cards, or Sudoku.
Exercise and Leisure activities will enable you to:
• lift your heart rate to burn excess kilos
• enjoy uplifting spirals of positive emotions
• be in charge of your breathing
• provide relationship building time with others
• clear your mind with private me time.
Some quality ones include:
• a brisk walk, run, swim, bike ride, yoga, playing a sport, aerobics, pilates, gym workout, tai chi, zumba, dancing, gymnastics, resistance training, surfing, skateboarding or bushwalking.
Happy students enjoy and flourish on their school and life journey.
“The three words to consider for self-improvement and success – Care, share and dare.”
Maria Allison
Assistant Principal