Assistant Principals' Report 

Welcome back for another year at Reservoir High School. For those families who do not know me, my name is Lea Volpe, and I am one of the Assistant Principals at Reservoir High School, in fact this is my tenth year at the school. It seems like a long time but the time has passed by very quickly as I have really enjoyed working at Reservoir High. The diversity of the school is a real asset of the school and the students are very enthusiastic and respectful. I have gotten to know quite a few families, so I really feel part of the community and I am looking forward to working with all new families.

This year I am working with the Middle School and the Year 12 student cohort. Year 12 can be the most stressful year for students but also the most enjoyable. It is a year that all students remember fondly, and they leave us as responsible young adults. During the year we will be supporting the students through Academic Coaching, mentoring and running special programs to assist the students to make decisions about their future. It is a year where teacher/student relationships are very strong, and all their teachers will try to get the best from each of their students. 

In the Middle School the Year 9 students have transitioned well and have settled down quickly. With the Year 10s they have matured over the summer break as they have returned as young 

adults, most of them are undertaking a VCE subject so they are taking their studies seriously. In the Middle School we will be  running programs such as Study Skills, Respectful Relationships, Health Immersion Days, Careers Days and also work with Latrobe University to introduce students to tertiary life.

Working with the students is my most enjoyable role at the school but I also have many other roles. I work with staff to continually improve student outcomes. I lead the Digital Technology Implementation Team, I am the Child safety Officer and I work closely with the Student Wellbeing Team; these are just to name a few. My days are busy but very productive and I feel as though I make a difference, however I could not do it without our hardworking leadership team and staff.

I look forward to another year at Reservoir High and hopefully no more lockdowns.

                                                                                                                                                       Lea Volpe

                                                                                                                                    Assistant Principal 

I am very pleased to make my first contribution to the Reservoir Newsletter and formally introduce myself to the school community. I have been an educator for over 20 years in  very different public secondary schools. While I see myself as a teacher of students first and foremost, I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to experience a range of leadership positions over the years, in student wellbeing, student services, integration and learning and teaching. More recently, I have been working in the Department of Education supporting schools to design and deliver effective literacy and numeracy programs. I am excited to be back in a school community, particularly the RHS school community. 

What I have observed and learnt so far about the staff, students and parents/careers at Reservoir has made my first weeks both memorable and positive. From my initial observations and first impressions, we certainly live by our mantra of Safe, Kind and Fair. 

• Students conduct themselves in a safe and careful manner as they move around the school, to and from class and during breaks. Even when the weather has been inclement and when students have to navigate around the building constructions, they have responded with maturity and resilience.

• Staff maintain high expectation of themselves and their students. Classrooms are productive places where students are engaged, and teachers know their students as learners and young people. 

• The school is a vibrant place of learning with many additional learning opportunities available to students on and off campus. No matter what interest students have, there is a program or opportunity to pursue their passions and many learning extension opportunities.

• Respect for self and others is very evident in the way student’s obverse classroom routines - lining up, greeting teachers, and waiting to be seated. There is an order and predictability that comes from such routines. Students turn up to school ready to learn and wearing the school uniform and this makes a big difference, as it enables teachers to focus on the important business of learning and teaching.

• There is great care taken to provide individualised support to our students from a passionate and dedicated staff. Students who require wellbeing support or additional learning assistance, can do so without the stigma that is sometimes evidence in secondary schools.

• Our senior students continue to show their gratitude and respect for the new Senior School wing by treating it as it is intended to be, a place of great learning and a social hub. The students are always purposefully engaged in their lessons or study, which can only lead to positive outcomes.

As I move around the school, I am greeted with smiles and willing conversation. Students and staff are genuinely interested in how I am going. My positive experiences have made me feel very welcome and connected already. 

Thank-you 

Natalie Manser

Assistant Principal