Assistant Principals

From Mrs Stathatos

Welcome to a new decade - 2020!

Students and teachers have returned with a positive attitude, ready to take on the challenges of the year ahead. This term is short but it is packed with learning activities and opportunities to sign up for co-curricular events. We encourage all students to make the most of their time to be active, interested and passionate about school.

Today, the House Swimming Carnival kicks off the House Competitions with students participating in events and cheering their peers who are in the pool. Sentiment for one’s House begins to build, led by our prefects who do a magnificent job in rousing student passion. The friendly competitive spirit is well and truly alive today. Congratulations to all participants and to the winning House.

Year 12 students participated in a study day at Box Hill Tafe in Lilydale last week and I addressed the students about how we can help stimulate their interest in a heavily driven content based curriculum. Their responses will be shared with staff and students alike.

Our Year 7 students transition to high school has begun smoothly and it is wonderful to see the newest members of our student population finding their place at recess and lunchtime to relax and talk or play with their peers. The mobile phone ban has had a noticeable effect in the yard – more face to face communication, more movement and less rubbish on the ground. Students from different year levels have told us that they can concentrate better in class without disruptions. This is welcome news.

With Parent Teacher Student Interviews occurring next month, Thursday 26th of March, students have been informed about displaying behaviours that will support their efforts to be effective learners through the Positive Learning Behaviours model. We encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and parents will hear of their child’s progress and ask questions about their progress at the interviews.

Rehearsals for the Year 11 Ball have begun. Students are eagerly learning their dance moves and welcoming the changes we have made to modernise the event. The Year 11 Ball will be held at the Grand Wantirna on Saturday 29th February.

Eleni Stathatos

Assistant Principal

From Mr Tucker

Welcome to all of our students and families to the beginning of the 2020 school year.  A special mention to those students beginning Year 7, and also to all the new students and families joining the College this year.

At the beginning of every school year, students share a range of emotions, but one thing all students seem to thoroughly enjoy is the opportunity to reconnect with their friends (and sometimes teachers).  If last Thursday and Friday were anything to go by, this definitely brought lots of joy and excitement to so many of our students!

It has been an extremely busy, but an exciting start to the year as students begin to settle into their classes and teachers start to connect with their students. It is very important that continue to build momentum from this excellent start, which can start to transfer across into student learning and their classwork.

All of our Sub School Teams have a number of different faces this year, but all have been working collectively to ensure a smooth transition from 2019 and into 2020 for the students.  The Sub School Leaders, House Coordinators and I are focused on providing the best possible support for all of our students and we ask for your ongoing support in building this partnership.  The Sub School team members will be introduced further in this edition of the newsletter.

Congratulations to the Junior School team for the successful beginning to the year for our new Year 7 students.  The students began last week and received lots of important information, in addition to navigating their way around the school and participating in the many activities organised for them across the first few days. It is great to see so many students beginning to build friendships with many of their peers.

I would like to also thank the Senior School team for organising a successful start to the Year 12 year for students with their ‘Masterclass’ day at Box Hill TAFE in Lilydale.  It was a great way to start the year with a day that included Positive Education and study skill sessions, along with a fantastic guest speaker (Mike Rolls) who shared his story, and the importance of resilience.

I will take this opportunity to inform people that College photos are fast approaching.  They are scheduled for Thursday 20th of February.  On this day, all students will need to be wearing the correct summer uniform. All students will be required to have their photo taken, and it is worth noting that if a student has PE on this day, they will require to change into the usual summer uniform for their College photo.

Looking forward to an exciting 2020!

Matt Tucker

Acting Assistant Principal

From Mrs Allison

Welcome back to school for 2020. It looks to be another year full of great opportunities, experiences, achievements and challenges supported with positive teaching and learning.

It is a privilege to be working alongside innovative and energetic Leading Teachers, Luke Day-Smith (Positive Education and Pathways Leader), Roi Boutsikakis (Director of Sport), Karly Horton (Director of Houses and Community Engagement) and Karl McNamara (Director of Performing Arts) plus Learning Specialist Kati Recinos (Teacher Practice-Positive Education). Their expertise and energy will no doubt provide improved access to many co-curricular programs for our students that will further strengthen our College community.

Ringwood Secondary College (RSC) has always provided an enriched learning environment with involvement in leadership, performing arts, sport and debating. Students and their families are encouraged to become actively involved, encouraged to meet new people and fully embrace what the RSC community has to offer. Through out the year, the House system will be further embedded across student management and positive education themes will expand through the explicit ‘Bounce’ lessons. Improved relationships and interactions are desired for all RSC staff and students, developed through the use of positive language to foster rapport, kindness and compassion.

Congratulations are extended to the many successful students who applied for leadership positions. These positions are very diverse and include a large number of portfolios across all year levels. Within the next few weeks both the Prefects Induction and Leadership training will showcase student strengths and team diversity.

I look forward to what will be a very busy and exciting year.

Mrs Maria Allison

Assistant Principal