Assistant Principals 

Third term has so far seen semester one reports published, production rehearsals in their final stage, the Science building levelled and a new principal! This term is often the one where the actions to improve happen so it is an exciting term for us all.

In the build-up to the Parent-Student-Teacher interviews in late August, it is useful for students to use the semester reports to genuinely observe what went well and identify one key aspect to focus for improvement. The positive learning behaviours are valuable references here because they are not just about academic success but about character building. As observed in the Parent Connect meeting in May, when we take time to witness and acknowledge all the things we can do, we build our pride, confidence and resilience. Building Resilience Together is the key concept we will explore with the community at the Parent Connect evening this term. Details will be provided shortly via  Compass. 

Subject selection for next year has begun with exciting offerings for our students ably supported by the coordinators and careers advisers. Again, careful reflection on the reports should be one part of the process where students can identify areas to pursue and questions to ask. It is also important to remember that students are not expected to know what their future is, but they are asked to think about their talents and interests when selecting subjects for future study. As always, classroom teachers, the Middle and Senior school co-ordinators and the Careers team are poised to help answer questions and support students in making these decisions.

The next pupil free day will be on Friday 29th July where staff will be working in teams to make our classrooms more active spaces where students are challenged to build their learning confidence through supported struggle. This is often the hardest thing to do as a teacher: to urge students to persist with work and to search for their own approaches to success without providing a quick answer to solve their challenges. When we do this, students’ learning grows quite quickly but it’s really quite tough. Staff will be working on how to better support their students during the ‘battle’ and stand along side students without providing the answers. 

Over the holidays the sign for Wurundjeri name for our Senior School was installed and it looks wonderful. Yanna Mudjirr (stepping stones) reminds us that challenges that may seem insurmountable, can be overcome by persistence and with the support of others. The sign has symbols of the many sizes of rocks and stones and this reflects all of us and our different challenges. This sign symbolises RSC as a diverse, connected and supportive community.

As we head into the middle of the term and what many are saying, is the peak of this covid variant, here is a gentle reminder about covid safe practices at school. Please use the information and application of RATS, face masks, hand hygiene, vaccination to your advantage to protect your health and the health of others. It is vital that when students are ill, they do not come to school and follow the process of informing the department of positive results. At school, every room has the following safety precautions to minimise the spread of viruses: hand sanitiser, air purifier, open windows and doors for air flow, while students are encouraged to wear face masks indoors where they cannot socially distance. 

From the Assistant Principals 

Agatha Fedrizzi, Eleni Stathatos and Maria Allison