Stage 2 funding- secured!!

Earlier this month, I received the phone call from our State Government Member for Preston, Mr Robin Scott, that every Principal loves to receive. It was confirmation of funding in the 2022 State Budget for $9 million for Stage 2 of our School Rebuild. This will allow for the complete refurbishment of our Science and Technology Centre.

This followed a call from Federal Government local Member for Cooper, Ms Ged Kearney of a further $50,000 grant for the construction of outdoor learning and social spaces for our students.

It is extremely pleasing to report that the school will now be able to support the exceptional teaching and learning that already occurs, by having it occur in purpose built spaces that are conducive to student learning. Please see the Buildings and Grounds page of this newsletter for a full report on the Building and Grounds upgrades.

New Staff

I am pleased to announce that following a Statewide recruitment process, we have appointed Ms Jodie Purchase as our new Assistant Principal. Jodie is an outstanding educator and previously was our Learning Specialist in Excellence and Innovations.

We are also pleased to announce that Mr James Langer has joined the school as a teacher of Visual Arts. James is vastly experienced in working with young people and a practising artist and has joined us from the start of this term.

Our Well-being Team has also increased as we are joined by our new school Nurse, Natalie Studwick. Natalie is available in the school on Thursday and Fridays.

We have also appointed Ms Katelyn Hazlett to the new role of Koorie Educator. A proud Indigenous woman, Katelyn will be working with our Koorie Students to support their learning, cultural connection and pathways at the school.

Finally, congratulations to Ms Shannon Lazarus who has been successful in the Learning Specialist Role in Innovations and Excellence. This sees Shannon moving into this role, and Ms Lily Popovski moving from the Year 9 Coordinator role into the Year 11 Coordinator role.

School Assembly

After two years of disruption to our routines and practices, it was great to have all of our students and staff back in the Stadium for our Term 2 Whole School Assembly. We heard from our 2022 School Captains, as well as a range of students who spoke about Sport, Community engagement and Leadership opportunities.

Year 11 VCE students begin Tertiary Study

Reservoir High has a long standing partnership with La Trobe University. This term that partnership has been deepened with all Year 11 VCE students beginning their study of a La Trobe University subject; Critical Thinking. This subject will run across Term 2 and 3 and promotes key 21st Century skills of Critical and Creative thinking. The subject will be delivered both on-site at La Trobe University and Reservoir High and occurs on Wednesday afternoons during our new Impact program.

Not only will our students receive the benefits of critical thinking skills to support their studies in the VCE, but credit will be applied for all Aspire Early University applications when the students are in Year 12. It is provided to all Year 11 VCE students and is free of charge- another great Pathways program for our students.

NAPLAN

I would like to thank our students in Years 7 and 9 who completed the NAPLAN earlier this month. At Reservoir High, the NAPLAN is used to help us identify 'where' our students are at in their Literacy and Numeracy growth. It allows us to provide supports at the whole class level, as well as more targeted supports or extension where required. I was very impressed with how our students approached the NAPLAN, and also very pleased there were no issues with the on-line nature of the testing this year.

A very busy Term 2....

As we know, COVID is still impacting on our operations at a school level. Across this term there has been increased absence in both students and staff due to both COVID, as well as other illnesses. We are pleased that we have still been able to offer a full program of learning and extra-curricula activities to our students both in Term 1 and this term. I would like to thank our students and families for their flexibility and understanding as we navigate this new COVID reality, but I would also like to put a big shout out to all of the staff at Reservoir High School. Not only have they covered when their colleagues aren't in due to illness, but they have continued to offer and deliver a complete range of extra and co-curricula programs from our lunch time clubs program, to sport, performing arts and events such as the Medieval Day, Impact program and excursions.

Thank you to everyone in our school community for your support and on-going commitment to achieving at our best during these busy and difficult times. It is much appreciated.

Year 10 and 11 Exams

This week our Year 10 and 11 students will begin their End of Semester Exams period. For many students, this will be their first taste of Exams (Due to COVID in 2020 and 2021, we did not conduct full Exam periods across the school). I wish all of our students the absolute best in these upcoming exams. A reminder that students only need to attend school for their timetabled exams, but must be prompt and ready for the start of each scheduled exam in full school uniform.

Student Free Day

Please be aware that all Victorian Government schools have an additional Student Free Day in Term 2 this year. Our Student free day will be on Friday 17 June. There will be no supervision provided for this day.

Mr. Andrew McNeil

Principal

Reservoir High

Year 12 Formal