RSC News SWIMMING SPORTS FOR RINGWOOD
RSC News SWIMMING SPORTS FOR RINGWOOD RSC News SWIMMING SPORTS FOR RINGWOOD
RSC News The Newsletter of Ringwood Secondary College Issue Number 1 Online address: www.ringwoodsc.vic.edu.au/newsletters Feb 9, 2011 SWIMMING SPORTS FOR RINGWOOD ‘WOORKARRIM’ BLUE HOUSE ‘NOOROOK ‘ RED HOUSE ‘KARALLA’ YELLOW HOUSE Phone: 9870 2002 Fax: 9879 5414 Email: ringwood.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au Home Page: www.ringwoodsc.vic.edu.au
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<strong>RSC</strong> <strong>News</strong><br />
The <strong>News</strong>letter of Ringwood Secondary College<br />
Issue Number 1 Online address: www.ringwoodsc.vic.edu.au/newsletters Feb 9, 2011<br />
<strong>SWIMMING</strong> <strong>SPORTS</strong><br />
<strong>FOR</strong> <strong>RINGWOOD</strong><br />
‘WOORKARRIM’<br />
BLUE HOUSE<br />
‘NOOROOK ‘<br />
RED HOUSE<br />
‘KARALLA’<br />
YELLOW<br />
HOUSE<br />
Phone: 9870 2002 Fax: 9879 5414 Email: ringwood.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au Home Page: www.ringwoodsc.vic.edu.au
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
Term 1 - 2011<br />
Quick Calendar<br />
Week 3<br />
Tuesday 15 Feb<br />
Wednesday 16 Feb<br />
Friday 18 Feb<br />
Week 4<br />
Monday 21 Feb<br />
Tuesday 22 Feb<br />
Wednesday 23 Feb<br />
Friday 25 Feb<br />
Week 5<br />
Wednesday 2 March<br />
Thursday 3 March<br />
The Next Meeting:<br />
PCTA<br />
Council<br />
Heritage<br />
Music Association<br />
Ladies Auxiliary<br />
Policy & Education<br />
<br />
Year 7 All Play Night<br />
MCG Year 12 Evening<br />
MEC Year 12 Student<br />
Seminar - Swinburne Uni<br />
Year 7 Transition 7A - 7E<br />
Year 7 Transition 7F - 7I<br />
Prefects Induction<br />
Student Photos<br />
Year 9 Community 2 - Coastal<br />
Fieldtrip<br />
Year 10 Geography Fieldtrip<br />
Year 7 Adventure Park<br />
Tues 22 Feb<br />
Wed 16 March<br />
Mon 21 Feb<br />
Mon 14 Feb<br />
Tues 22 March<br />
Wed 23 March<br />
The next <strong>News</strong>letter will be issued on 4th March<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
From the<br />
Principal ...<br />
This week we have welcomed nearly 1400 students and nearly 150<br />
staff to what promises to be another productive and significant year<br />
in the life of Ringwood Secondary College. We particularly welcome<br />
our 242 Year 7 students and 14 new staff members, as well as nearly<br />
20 new students across other Year Levels.<br />
It is always pleasing when one can commence the year with an<br />
operational timetable that has been fully staffed and classes have<br />
commenced in a positive manner. We have already completed the<br />
college swimming sports, distributed iPads to Year 7 students, commenced<br />
the implementation of the Year 9 laptop program and early<br />
next week will announce the College musical for 2011 and commence<br />
the summer round robin sporting competitions.<br />
The key priorities for 2011 include:<br />
• Improving the standard of learning (academic performance),<br />
particularly in literacy, numeracy and at VCE<br />
• Continuing to build teacher capacity to ensure highly effective<br />
teaching practice across all classes<br />
• Increasing the level of school connectedness and student engagement<br />
in their learning<br />
• Ensuring that innovative practices utilizing the Ultranet and<br />
mobile learning devices are embedded.<br />
These are reflected in the strategies outlined in our College Annual<br />
Implementation Plan for 2011.<br />
VCE Outcomes 2010<br />
The flyer attached to his newsletter provides a summary of key<br />
VCE results for last year. Once again our students performed well<br />
in most study areas and were able to gain excellent tertiary placements,<br />
apprenticeships, traineeships or work.<br />
PSW – Shop Times<br />
Ringwood SC Uniforms will be available from the PSW East<br />
Store<br />
18-20 Railway Ave, Ringwood East 3135<br />
Ph: 9879 5500<br />
Email: ringwood@psw.com.au – Website www.psw.com.au<br />
Shop Hours:<br />
Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm<br />
Saturday – 9.00am – 5.00pm<br />
Further VCE Successes<br />
The VCE Season of Excellence presents works created by VCE students<br />
in design, technology, multimedia and the cinematic, visual<br />
and performing arts through exhibitions, screenings and performances.<br />
Works are created by a representative sample of the most outstanding<br />
VCE students from the previous year, for the benefit of current<br />
VCE students and teachers.<br />
Page 2
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
The annual VCE Season of Excellence comprises twelve concerts<br />
(Top Class and Top Acts), two exhibitions (Top Designs and Top<br />
Arts), and multiple screenings of short films (Top Screen) presented<br />
in Melbourne’s major cultural venues.<br />
This year four of our 2010 Ringwood Secondary College student<br />
group have been selected for the Top Arts and Top Screens<br />
awards –a truly outstanding achievement. They are: Top Designs<br />
-Ryan Blandon (Visual Communication and Design), Estelle Mansfield<br />
(Media), Alycia Rowe (Media) and Top Screen Molly George<br />
(Media)<br />
Student Uniform<br />
Once again this year, I am requesting the support of all families and<br />
parents in ensuring that students wear the correct uniform. This applies<br />
to and from school and whilst at school. The way in which the<br />
school uniform is worn sends an important message to the wider<br />
community.<br />
A few students need to take some action in relation to shoes, tops,<br />
jewellery and hair.<br />
Our uniform supplier PSW has a retail outlet in Railway Parade East<br />
Ringwood and it is open during normal business hours and Saturday<br />
mornings.<br />
Maroondah Australia Day Awards<br />
Maroondah Youth Citizen of the Year:<br />
Beth Purcell was recognised for her strength and determination<br />
to raise more than $26,500 for a friend with autism and severe<br />
epilepsy. At just 16 years of age, Beth organised two sold out rock<br />
concerts that attracted bands and visitors from as far afield as<br />
New South Wales and Queensland.<br />
The events raised enough money for her friend to purchase a Pet<br />
Therapy Dog to assist with everyday tasks and to install life saving<br />
medical equipment around the home.<br />
Halloween Rise-Up- Community Event of the Year:<br />
Maroondah’s 2011 event of the year was a youth music event<br />
organised by students from Croydon, Parkwood and Ringwood<br />
Secondary Colleges, and Aquinas College.It was also supported<br />
by the Maroondah FReeZA group and Audio District.The purpose<br />
of the event, which attracted hundreds of young people, was to<br />
promote the message that young people can have fun without<br />
alcohol and drugs. The event was a component of the MEC No<br />
Regrets Project. Congratulations to all teachers and students involved<br />
with this project.<br />
New Staff<br />
This year we again welcome a number of new staff to Ringwood<br />
Secondary College<br />
Mr James Barut – VCE Leader and English<br />
Ms Rachel Carne – Dance & Visual Art<br />
Mr Lachlan McKay – Music<br />
Mr Michael Kent– Drama, English, Geography & History<br />
Mrs Pauline Templeton – Mathematics<br />
Mr Kervork Krozian- IT & RTO<br />
Ms Sarah May- English<br />
Ms Louise Copeman- Foods and Health<br />
Mr Brendan Ricci- History & Geography<br />
Ms Ann Marie Stellfox- Science & Health<br />
Mr Benn Jamieson- Geography & History<br />
Mr Phil Binnotto- Instrumental Music (Percussion)<br />
Ms Sandy Luong- Accounting, Commerce & Maths<br />
Ms Faith Stepniewski- Chemistry & Science<br />
We trust that your time at Ringwood is professionally rewarding<br />
and look forward to your significant contribution to our team.<br />
Our new staff will be profiled in our term 1 newsletters.<br />
Council Elections<br />
Nominations are now invited from any interested parent who would<br />
like to stand for College Council. Please contact Mrs Julie Sandy in<br />
the administration office for a nomination form.<br />
Nominations will close Wednesday February 23rd.<br />
Our college council plays a vital role in establishing strategic direction<br />
and developing policy around key issues that affect the education<br />
program and broader arrangements at Ringwood.<br />
Community Heads 2011<br />
By now all students would have met their coordination team and<br />
in particular their community head for this year. If a parent has any<br />
matter they would like to discuss that<br />
affects their student , in the first instance it is usually best handled<br />
by the classroom or form tutor and then the community head. Each<br />
coordination team is supported by an assistant principal, again in<br />
2011. Details are as follows:<br />
Junior School (Years 7 and 8)<br />
Leader - Mrs Elizabeth Keenan<br />
Year 7, Ms Victoria Wyatt, Ms Sarah Kramer, Mrs Elizabeth Keenan<br />
Year 8 – Ms Elise Chasemore, Mr Matt Tucker, Mr Nathan Hughes<br />
Assistant Principal - Mrs Julie Hughes<br />
Middle School (Year 9 and 10)<br />
Leader – Mr Daryl Stranger<br />
Year 10 – Mr Daryl Stranger, Ms Voula Margellis, Mr Peter Anderson<br />
Year 9 – Ms Jess Lambden, Ms Mel Eversteyn, Mr Andrew Scott<br />
Assistant Principal – Mr Chris Salisbury<br />
Senior School (Year 11 and 12)<br />
Leader – Mr James Barut<br />
Year 12 – Mr James Barut, Mr Jason Tan, Mrs Bianca Maassen (and<br />
VCAL)<br />
Year 11 – Ms Nicole Solomon, Ms Zoe Hattam, Mr Matt Porter<br />
Assistant Principal – Mrs Jennifer Ward<br />
<strong>News</strong>letter 2011<br />
The newsletter is published 3 or 4 times each term on our college<br />
website. The current link is -<br />
www.ringwoodsc.vic.edu.au/newsletter.html<br />
Each term the first edition will always be published in week 2. <strong>News</strong>letter<br />
dates for Term 1 are – February 11 March 4 March 25<br />
Michael Phillips<br />
Principal<br />
Page 3
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
From Mrs Ward ...<br />
VCE – 2011<br />
A welcome to all for 2011 and to the many new staff who are teaching<br />
VCE. Mr James Barut is Head of Senior School with Mr J Tan and<br />
Ms B Maassen assisting as Community Heads. In Year 11 the team of<br />
Ms N Solomon, Ms Z Hattam and Mr M Porter has commenced the<br />
year with positive messages.<br />
We wish all students and staff a successful year and remind parents<br />
too to communicate with the team early in the year.<br />
The VCE/VCAL evening is 24th February in the hall and parents are<br />
urged to attend.<br />
Prefects’ Induction<br />
This will take place on 23rd February at 2pm in the College Hall. We<br />
are pleased that the prefects have started the year with enthusiasm<br />
and the first focus is to assist with Year 7 All Play evening, help with<br />
Tours and co-ordinate the Valentines’ Day flowers.<br />
We thank all families and the team of workers who made this event<br />
harmonious.<br />
The Ladies Auxiliary welcomes new faces and our next meeting is<br />
Tuesday, 22nd March at 7.30pm.<br />
Mrs J. Ward<br />
Assistant Principal<br />
From Mrs Hughes ...<br />
A warm welcome to all students for the 2011 school year. In particular,<br />
welcome to our new cohort of Year 7 students. We are delighted<br />
to have you and your family join our community and trust<br />
you will enjoy your secondary education at the college.<br />
The start of the school year is the ideal time for students to organise<br />
a homework/study timetable to enable them to complete homework<br />
and revision after school. Being organised and focused from<br />
the start of the year assists students to manage their workload and<br />
be prepared for assessment tasks during the year. A set time also<br />
means they can plan for leisure, other activities and family commitments.<br />
MEC – day at Swinburne, Lilydale – 18th February<br />
All students in Year 12 are to go to this day at Swinburne, Lilydale.<br />
Cost is $45 and covers this event, the evening with Michael Carr<br />
Gregg, Wednesday 16th Feb at 7.15 at Deakin, Burwood, plus many<br />
revision sessions, lectures throughout the year.<br />
Parents are reminded of this value – not only in monetary items.<br />
Uniform<br />
All VCE students MUST know the college guidelines as they are in<br />
the diary. Shoes, piercings and clothing MUST comply and failure to<br />
abide by the rules results in suspension. Year 11 and 12 MUST set a<br />
standard and we expect that good communication and respect are<br />
keynote features of a positive relationship.<br />
Heritage<br />
Calling all ex-students (now parents) to be part of this small but<br />
committed band who strive to cherish our history and records.<br />
The first meeting for 2011 is Monday 21st February at 7.30pm in the<br />
Conference Room<br />
We make an appeal to all for samples of student work over the<br />
decades. It is needed for a record of change and learning. You may<br />
find something that would help illustrate the changing nature of<br />
education.<br />
Please help make <strong>RSC</strong> your college.<br />
Debutante Ball – March 19th at The Grand<br />
As I write 49 girls and partners have nominated to be part of this<br />
event. Should some change their mind then I would value knowing<br />
about it prior to the 1st rehearsal on 22nd February at 7pm.<br />
All involved are reminded of payments due to the team on the<br />
night and the commitment to the college for educational needs.<br />
Thanks to the parents who volunteered to assist and to Debbie<br />
Dare and Dominique Hockey for being so supportive.<br />
This year the students will be presented to Mrs Shirley Lahtinen and<br />
Mr Graeme Fox, two distinguished former members of staff.<br />
Secondhand Sale – collection of monies<br />
All refunds from sales must be collected by the end of February. If<br />
not collected these funds will become part of the profits from the<br />
sale.<br />
Change of date for the Year 7 Adventure Park excursion<br />
Please note that arrangements for the excursion to Adventure Park<br />
have been altered and it will now take place on Thursday, 3 March.<br />
The changed date is due to a very large student group attending<br />
from another school on 4 March. Our excursion on the 3rd will<br />
mean we are able to supervise our new students more effectively<br />
and enable them to have greater access to the facilities.<br />
Visitors to the College<br />
Throughout the year there are times when parents/guardians need<br />
to visit the school to discuss a matter with a member of staff and it<br />
is always wise to ring and make an appointment. As outlined in our<br />
Visitors Policy, all parents/visitors attending the college must report<br />
to the Administration Office prior to entering other sections of the<br />
school. A pass will be issued enabling access to other areas. Thank<br />
you for your support.<br />
Mrs J. Hughes<br />
Assistant Principal<br />
From Mr Salisbury ...<br />
Welcome back and I trust you all had a relaxed and refreshing<br />
Christmas period. The start of each school year is an excellent opportunity<br />
for students to start afresh, set goals and form positive<br />
and productive working relationships with both fellow students<br />
and staff. I encourage students to reflect on last year’s efforts and<br />
if appropriate, commit to improvement. Success at school is so important<br />
on so many levels and with the right student attitude and<br />
the support of parents and staff, much can be achieved.<br />
This year, the college is placing a strong emphasis on Pastoral Care.<br />
Each students should feel valued, cared for and connected to our<br />
college community. To this end we have introduced a leading<br />
teacher position, filled by Ms Hall, to oversee the introduction of<br />
several initiatives such as Community Heads and extended form assemblies.<br />
As in previous years, there will also be a key focus on respect; respect<br />
for oneself, for others and respect for the environment. Respect<br />
epitomises our College vision and values, as highlighted in<br />
the following diagram.<br />
Last year I made some key points regarding respect and they are<br />
worth repeating:<br />
Page 4
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
Respect Others<br />
• Treat others as you wish to be treated<br />
• Do not interfere with the learning process<br />
• We all work together as a community<br />
• RADAR-Respect and Diversity at <strong>RSC</strong><br />
Respect Yourself<br />
• Every student is valued at <strong>RSC</strong><br />
• Believe in yourself and strive for personal best<br />
• Make sound decisions that build your future<br />
• Each and every student can make a valuable<br />
contribution to <strong>RSC</strong> and the community<br />
Respect the Environment<br />
• It’s our school<br />
• We’ve all done so much to improve the environment<br />
over recent years(Walkathons, Environmental<br />
Committee, Tree Planting, Working Bees etc.)<br />
• Practise sound Environmental principles<br />
• Our facilities are constantly improving<br />
LEARNING TO THINK<br />
LEARNING TO LIVE TOGETHER<br />
RESPECT<br />
OTHERS<br />
and the<br />
learning process<br />
YOURSELF<br />
OUR SCHOOL<br />
and the<br />
environment<br />
LEARNING TO BE YOURSELF<br />
And here’s some good tips on how to get the best out of your academic<br />
year.<br />
• Undertake homework and revision on a regular basis<br />
and develop sound work practices that will lay the<br />
foundation for success<br />
• Make every lesson and every day count and the<br />
rewards will follow. Fifteen minutes wasted each lesson<br />
is an hour lost per day!<br />
• Utilise your diary and aim for thorough organization.<br />
Remember the diary provides homework guidelines<br />
for each year level<br />
• Attitude is everything! Doing your best is a highly<br />
commendable attitude and counts far more than<br />
the actual grades you receive<br />
• Seek help from your teachers whenever necessary<br />
and take advantage of their expertise<br />
Some other key points/reminders<br />
School facilities:<br />
We have recently completed many important jobs around the<br />
school to improve our learning environment. Last year’s walkathon<br />
raised money for our soccer field and its development is nearing<br />
LEARNING TO DO<br />
Page 5<br />
completion. Similarly<br />
the oval is continuing<br />
to improve and it the<br />
grassing of the banks<br />
late last year has tremendously<br />
improved<br />
the appearance of the<br />
area. (See accompanying<br />
photos). We are<br />
also thrilled with the<br />
new western fence<br />
which significantly improves<br />
the security of<br />
the site for students.<br />
-Resealing of the gym,<br />
hall, 500s deck and<br />
room 700<br />
-installation of air conditioners<br />
in rooms 300,<br />
301 and 302<br />
-painting of several<br />
areas<br />
-top dressing and<br />
verti-drilling of the<br />
college oval<br />
-soccer field development,<br />
including irrigation,<br />
top-dressing<br />
and sprigging<br />
-laying of turf on oval banks(completed late last year)<br />
-installation of fencing on Western side of the oval (see photos)<br />
Facilities Committee: Meeting Thursday 24th February, 7.30pm:<br />
I am very keen to have some additional parents join this dedicated<br />
and practical group of parents and staff. Involvement is one meeting<br />
per term and provides participants with the opportunity to<br />
have a voice in improving our school facilities. A warm invitation<br />
is extended to all parents for our first meeting on Wednesday 17th<br />
Feb, 7.30pm in the main office administration block. Please contact<br />
me at school if you are interested.<br />
Don’t miss our first twilight Working Bee in 2011:<br />
Friday March 18th-5.00pm- 7.30pm. A range of activities including<br />
basic carpentry, line marking, weeding, pruning, mulching and<br />
planting should provide something for everyone. We roster our<br />
working bees to spread the load and ask parents to attend at least<br />
one for the year. Students from all A and B forms will be provided<br />
with an information page, ie. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, …..12A, 12B over the<br />
next couple of weeks. Please put this date in your diary and come<br />
along to assist with improving the College grounds.<br />
Uniform:<br />
The school uniform code is clearly detailed in the student diary. Students<br />
not wearing full uniform must bring a note to school and obtain<br />
a uniform pass from their respective level coordinators before<br />
the commencement of form assembly. A reminder that T shirts are<br />
not to be worn beneath college polo tops. Non-leather schools are<br />
not acceptable. Students out of uniform will have a note sent home<br />
in the first few days and we ask all parents to
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
PCTA:<br />
Meeting Tuesday 22nd Feb, 7.30pm: This key parent and staff group<br />
organises activities such as the Debutante Ball, Education Forum<br />
and last year played a key role in the College Walkathon. Our first<br />
meeting is on Tuesday 16 Feb, 7.30pm in the main administration<br />
block. Please contact me if you are interested.<br />
Traffic Management:<br />
All students crossing Bedford Rd are expected to use the pedestrian<br />
crossing at the front of the school. The traffic island just East of the<br />
railway often becomes too crowded and is not nearly as safe as the<br />
pedestrian crossing. Parents are reminded of and requested to follow<br />
parking and speed restrictions at the front of the school.<br />
Chewing gum:<br />
Students are not to use chewing gum at school. It is an environmentally<br />
unfriendly product and is unsightly in many areas around<br />
the school.<br />
Ringwood Lake:<br />
We strongly urge parents not to permit their children to walk to or<br />
from school through the Ringwood Lake area. We do not believe it<br />
is a sufficiently safe environment for students.<br />
Mr C. Salisbury<br />
Assistant Principal<br />
New <strong>RSC</strong> Staff<br />
In an unprecedented move, <strong>RSC</strong> welcomed 14 new and beginning<br />
staff and 3 interns for the beginning of the 2011 school year. All our<br />
graduate staff and interns have the support of mentors who work<br />
closely with them to offer support and guidance. Everyone has begun<br />
the year excitedly and we trust that the journey of each new<br />
member is professionally fulfilling and rewarding.<br />
Eleni Stathatos<br />
Teaching and Learning Leader<br />
James Barut<br />
Mr James Barut joins us as Head of Senior College after spending<br />
the last two years as Head of English at<br />
Marcellin College in Bulleen. Before that,<br />
James was a co-ordinator at Yarra Valley<br />
Grammar for nine years.<br />
As an experienced educator, he thrives<br />
on the passion of teaching English and<br />
Literature across all year levels. He is excited<br />
by the prospect of working with all<br />
the VCE students at Ringwood Secondary<br />
College and maintaining the high<br />
standards and expectations that is symptomatic<br />
of the College.<br />
His interests include reading, travelling, family and film, and he<br />
always challenges his students to be film ‘critics’ rather than film<br />
‘watchers’.<br />
Lachlan Mackay<br />
This is Lachlan’s first year as a classroom<br />
teacher having taught the last 5 years as<br />
an instrumental teacher at <strong>RSC</strong> as well as<br />
other schools in the area.<br />
Lachlan has been involved with music<br />
ever since he can remember having<br />
learnt keyboard from an early age and<br />
then trombone and piano in secondary<br />
school. Lachlan continued on to study<br />
Page 6<br />
music at Melbourne University for 4 years and began a Master of<br />
Teaching degree last year. In his spare time, Lachlan plays in a Ska<br />
band, concert band and the odd musical.<br />
He is also a keen composer with works being performed at the Melbourne<br />
Town Hall and Robert Blackwood Hall and later this year<br />
having his first musical performed by a local primary school. He is<br />
very excited about the opportunity to now inspire every student<br />
with his passion for music and performance.<br />
Sandy Luong<br />
I am a 2nd year teacher and my teaching<br />
methods are Business Management<br />
and Accounting. I have travelled to<br />
some parts of Asia and my most recent<br />
trip was to Japan during the Term 2, 2010<br />
holidays. I love the Japanese food and<br />
culture, and I also studied the language<br />
for five years at Monash University. I am<br />
excited to work with everyone at Ringwood<br />
Secondary College this year.<br />
Louise Copeman<br />
Rachel Carne<br />
Hi, my name’s Miss Carne and I now teach<br />
Dance, Art and Media here at <strong>RSC</strong>. I was<br />
born in Melbourne but have spend most<br />
of my life in England. I love travelling,<br />
painting, dancing and music. I’m really<br />
excited about teaching subjects that I<br />
love this year!<br />
It’s a great pleasure to join the student’s<br />
staff and community of <strong>RSC</strong> as a Food<br />
and Technology and Health teacher. I<br />
have spent the past four years working<br />
in the Scottish Education System and<br />
am excited to be back in Australia sharing<br />
with you my experiences and passion<br />
for food, health and wellbeing<br />
Annmarie Stelfox<br />
Hi I am Annmarie Stelfox, I am excited to be teaching Biology, Science,<br />
Health & Music this year. I have been around <strong>RSC</strong> for many<br />
years as a past student, parent and now as a teacher here. I have<br />
been here filling in for a couple of years and prior to that was working<br />
as Nurse & Midwife for many years.<br />
I enjoy the extra curricular side of the<br />
program and you will find me involved<br />
in the Musical and Band Tour etc. I really<br />
look forward to working with all the students<br />
at <strong>RSC</strong> and encouraging them to<br />
reach their full potential.
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
Faith Stepniewski<br />
This is my first year out teaching, and I couldn’t think of a better<br />
place to be than Ringwood Secondary<br />
College. This year I will be teaching<br />
Science, and Year 8 General Science. I<br />
am very passionate about science and<br />
can’t wait to share my enthusiasm with<br />
students. In my spare time I enjoy reading,<br />
drawing and participating in indoor<br />
soccer. I am looking forward to the year<br />
ahead.<br />
Sarah May<br />
Having just returned from a 3 year teaching<br />
post in London, I am excited to now<br />
return to Melbourne and start here at<br />
Ringwood SC as an English teacher. I am<br />
looking forward to the challenges ahead<br />
and working with the community of<br />
Ringwood SC.<br />
Pauline Templeton<br />
Mrs Pauline Templeton joins us from Carrum<br />
Downs Secondary College. She has<br />
over 25 years teaching experience and<br />
is the form tutor of 8E. This year she will<br />
be teaching Mathematics from year 7 to<br />
year 11.<br />
Heather Davies<br />
Hello!<br />
I’m back again for my 16th year at <strong>RSC</strong><br />
after trying another school closer to<br />
home for a year. Whilst it wasn’t all bad,<br />
Ringwood will always be a special place<br />
to me. I particularly missed our refugee<br />
students and am very happy to be<br />
teaching Literacy again in the Bridging<br />
Program, as well as ESL and Literacy Support.<br />
It’s wonderful to reconnect with both staff and students and<br />
be part of this vibrant learning community again. I’m very happy<br />
to be back!<br />
Kevork Krozian<br />
Kevork Krozian has joined us from Forest Hill College where he<br />
taught for 23 years and was IT manager, elearning manager and Cisco<br />
instructor. He is a keen soccer player and has a young family with<br />
his daughter starting school for the first<br />
time this year. He is also a LOTE teacher<br />
and assessor in Armenian in the VCE . He<br />
has authored a number of IT text books<br />
and regularly runs professional learning<br />
for teachers in IT and elearning as short<br />
courses. He is a well known go-to person<br />
with IT teaching and technical issues in<br />
schools. He will be supporting the Ringwood<br />
Trade Training Facility in delivering<br />
training courses in Certificate I, II, III,<br />
IV and Diploma in IT as well as teaching<br />
Cisco and IT in regular classes.<br />
Benn Jamieson<br />
Just recently moved back to Melbourne<br />
after two years teaching interstate and in<br />
New Zealand<br />
Born and raised in New Zealand, I have<br />
an Australian wife with a 2 year old boy<br />
born in Australia and a 5 month old<br />
girl born in New Zealand making up an<br />
ANZAC family.<br />
Michael Kent<br />
This is my first year at Ringwood Secondary College and I am very<br />
excited for the coming year. My teaching<br />
methods are Drama and History, two of<br />
my greatest passions. Outside teaching,<br />
I spend my spare time playing cricket,<br />
playing guitar , painting and spending<br />
time with friends. I love AFL and am a one<br />
eyed Collingwood supporter.<br />
Philip Binotto<br />
I have been teaching for ten years across<br />
Victoria as a Percussion and Drum Kit<br />
teacher. I am also a full time performer<br />
working on shows such as ‘The Lion King’,<br />
‘Dancing With The Stars’ and ‘Hey Hey it’s<br />
Saturday Reunion Show’ amongst other<br />
things.<br />
I am married and have a 3 month son William<br />
and am looking forward to teaching<br />
at Ringwood.<br />
From The Office<br />
Education Maintenance Allowance Information<br />
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is<br />
provided to assist eligible families with the costs associated with<br />
the education of their children.<br />
To be eligible for receipt of the EMA you must:<br />
• be either a parent or guardian of a primary or secondary school<br />
student up to the age of sixteen; and<br />
• be an eligible beneficiary of a Centrelink pension, allowance or<br />
benefit within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004 or be<br />
a Veterans Affairs (TPI) pensioner or be a foster parent.<br />
Consequently parents/guardians are able to access the EMA if they<br />
have a valid Health Care Card or valid Pension Card.<br />
Page 7
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
The eligibility criteria must be met as at the first day of Term 1 (1<br />
February 2011) which is the first day for teaching staff) and Term 3<br />
(18 July 2011).<br />
The EMA application must be submitted to the school by 28 February<br />
2011 for the first instalment and 5 August 2011 for the second<br />
instalment.<br />
The EMA provides an annual amount of $460 for secondary students<br />
and is paid in two instalments. This amount is split evenly<br />
between the parents/guardians and the school. Students turning<br />
16 years in 2011 will be paid on a pro rata basis.<br />
Parents with continuing eligibility, who are paid the first instalment<br />
of 2011 through this school will not be required to complete a new<br />
application for the second instalment. Parents who transfer children<br />
to another school after 28 February 2011 and prior to or on 5<br />
August 2011, must reapply at the new school for the second instalment.<br />
Contact: Linda Wheeler in the Administration Office on 9870 2002<br />
for an application form and further information.<br />
Linda Wheeler<br />
Administration<br />
College Chaplain<br />
Welcome back and hello 2011, along with the old feeling that it<br />
only seems like yesterday that we were gearing up for Christmas<br />
then bam, back to school we go.<br />
I hope a restful holiday was had by all with time found to relax in<br />
the midst of so much devastation in our nation, ranging from the<br />
somewhat trivial loss of the Ashes to England to something as life<br />
changing as floods, hurricanes and even more recently the fires over<br />
in WA. It seems to become ever more complex to live in our times<br />
with so many disasters and financial issues. No wonder people are<br />
over worked and over anxious as they feel like things continue to<br />
plummet out of control.<br />
But one thing that stays strong is the human spirit and camaraderie<br />
in times of need as seen in Queensland’s flood recovery. So never<br />
be afraid to ask someone for a lending hand if you may be finding<br />
things difficult at the moment. People really do care.<br />
Adam Bryant<br />
College Chaplain<br />
Subject Reports<br />
Careers<br />
Melbourne Cricket Club Work Experience Student of the Year<br />
2010<br />
Samantha Hickman of Year 10 was recently awarded the Work<br />
Experience Student of the Year by the<br />
MCC. Samantha worked at the MCG for<br />
one week, doing a variety of jobs from<br />
ticket allocations, turf management,<br />
equipment storage, cloakroom maintenance<br />
plus more. She performed all<br />
tasks to the best of her ability and she<br />
is to be commended for her diligence<br />
and excellent communication with all<br />
staff. Gary Walshe presented her with<br />
an Australian Cricket Team polo shirt,<br />
two caps and a fully signed polo from<br />
Page 8<br />
the Australian Women’s Cricket team. Samantha is a fine ambassador<br />
for Ringwood Secondary College and is to be congratulated for<br />
her award.<br />
Maria Allison and Helen Doherty<br />
Careers Coordinators<br />
Lote<br />
Bitche Homestay 2010-2011<br />
Welcome back to all students and teachers of LOTE and to the<br />
school community. I trust you have all had a long, relaxing holiday<br />
and are now ready for the new year. As you are aware, seven of our<br />
year 10 students headed off to our sister school, Bitche, which is in<br />
France on the 27th December, 2010. It was pleasing to receive news<br />
of their safe arrival and happy start to their Homestay with their<br />
French families. This is an invaluable experience for the girls and<br />
will definitely give them a head start with VCE French. Already they<br />
feel more confidence speaking<br />
the language and picking<br />
up all the up to date<br />
colloquial expressions that<br />
we do not always learn in<br />
the text books or the class<br />
room. We are looking forward<br />
to hearing all about<br />
their experiences over there<br />
and to meeting their host<br />
sisters, when they come<br />
here in August this year.<br />
<strong>RSC</strong> will again organise a group of French students, preference<br />
given to year 10 and 11 students due to limited numbers, in December<br />
2012. If you are a French student and wish to improve your<br />
language, this is the trip of a life time for you. Expenses in general<br />
are the air fare and passports. The host family will care for each child<br />
while they are there. So save your money and aspire to this opportunity<br />
offered by both schools. Continuing a language is not only<br />
fulfilling but also helpful with results at the end of your VCE year.<br />
Going on a trip such as this will give you the opportunity to travel<br />
and to make friends for life in a different country. This is well worth<br />
considering.<br />
Here is an email I received from Verity Boyd on behalf of the girls<br />
when they arrived in France.<br />
“Hi Mrs Devereux,<br />
Just wanted to give you an update on us girls. Hope you are having<br />
a lovely Christmas break because we have had our first day in<br />
France and so far its been great! I can understand my Host family<br />
with no trouble and I can already feel my French improving and it’s<br />
only the first day here!<br />
Camille, my host sister, says very kindly that I speak French very well<br />
but she’s so good at speaking English. I can’t wait for you to meet<br />
her!<br />
We are going to visit Strasbourg and go shopping in a few days.<br />
The Christmas markets are there and she says that it’s great to buy<br />
things there!<br />
The biggest difference between our two countries is the snow. It’s so<br />
amazing. I love it! It’s so soft and white everywhere !!!!! Can’t wait for<br />
the rest of the month – I’m sure it’ll fly past.<br />
Hope you are well - Verity and the girls”<br />
Mrs. Devereux<br />
LOTE Coordinator
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
International and Exchange Report<br />
The allocation to houses for 2011 is as below.<br />
Miss Kimberley Hall<br />
Student Connections Leader<br />
We have welcomed seven new students to our International and Exchange<br />
Program. They are Naomi Truong from Vietnam, Hengyang<br />
Xin, Erkang Gu, and Yinghan Song from China, Connor Kim from<br />
Korea, George Pfaendner from Germany and Lea Carbonnier as<br />
an exchange student from France for five months. I look forward<br />
to working with these students, learning more about their cultures<br />
and language and hope that they feel at home here at Ringwood in<br />
no time! I also welcome back our other International students who<br />
over the holidays returned home to visit their families.<br />
Thailand Trip - 2011<br />
Our trip to Thailand next June will be leaving on Monday 27th and<br />
returning on Thursday 14th July. We will visit Chiang Mai in the<br />
North of Thailand with students living with homestay families from<br />
Montfort College (our sister school). From there they will explore<br />
and take part in many exciting activities such as Elephant riding,<br />
white water rafting and ancient temples. We will return home via<br />
Singapore and among other activities visit the Zoo where we will<br />
breakfast with the orangutans. Please see the form in this newsletter<br />
for further information.<br />
For those students who have expressed an interest in our trip to<br />
Thailand we will have a meeting on the 22nd February in room 209<br />
at 7.00pm. For students who would like to come and haven’t yet<br />
returned an expression of interest please fill in the form at the back<br />
of the newsletter and return it to the school office as soon as possible.<br />
Lynda Cody<br />
International Coordinator<br />
The <strong>RSC</strong> Student House System<br />
Last year the College introduced a 3 House System. Students have<br />
been allocated to a House based on their tutor group for 2011. The<br />
3 House System enables the students to be grouped in a vertical<br />
community from Year 7 to 12 allowing for increased opportunities<br />
for student participation, mentoring and leadership.<br />
There will be 3 House Captains (Year Level Leaders) at each year<br />
level who will be selected soon. This structure will also allow for<br />
increased teacher involvement and connectedness to students<br />
within their House structure.<br />
A point system will operate for many college activities throughout<br />
the year, including the Swimming and Athletic sports, Crosscountry,<br />
Walkathon, yard duty, inter house year level competitions/<br />
activities and various Performing Arts activities. The winning House<br />
Captains will be awarded the annual House Shield.<br />
In 2010 the House Shield was awarded to Blue (Woorkarrim) House<br />
which consists of GHI forms.<br />
Music<br />
Learning a musical instrument is a wonderful skill for any child but<br />
did you know that research shows how learning music can help<br />
your child in SO MANY OTHER WAYS:<br />
. Improved reasoning capacity and problem solving skills<br />
. Improved maths and language performance<br />
. Better memory<br />
. Greater social and team skills<br />
A series of research in Hungary found that learning and playing<br />
music improved not only academic performance, but also memory,<br />
reasoning, working as part of a group, time management and the<br />
ability to think in the abstract.<br />
In Switzerland, a massive two-year study of 1200 students in 50<br />
classes scientifically showed how playing music improved students’<br />
reading and verbal skills through improving concentration, memory<br />
and self-expression.<br />
Other effects revealed by the study showed that students learned<br />
to like each other more, enjoyed school more and were less stressed<br />
during various tests, indicating they were better able to handle performance<br />
anxiety.<br />
Ongoing research at the University of California demonstrates that<br />
learning and playing music builds and modifies neural pathways<br />
related to spatial reasoning tasks, which are crucial for higher brain<br />
functions such as complex maths, chess and science.<br />
Research shows that playing a musical instrument can make significant<br />
differences to students’ abilities related to learning, memory<br />
and social interactions. Learning music can make a difference for<br />
your child.<br />
With this in mind could you really miss the wonderful opportunity<br />
for your child to join our vibrant instrumental music program<br />
here at <strong>RSC</strong>, especially when having lessons outside school costs<br />
so much more? For example, lessons outside school would cost at<br />
least $4000 per year. At <strong>RSC</strong> you pay a music levy of $ 395 and can<br />
hire an instrument for the year for as little as $225 per year.<br />
Over the next 3 weeks all year 7’s will undergo a music aptitude test,<br />
try out all the instruments on offer and are invited to join our program<br />
at Recruitment night Monday 28 February 7pm in <strong>RSC</strong> Hall.<br />
Please see the attached flyer at the end of the newsletter.<br />
Don’t miss this great opportunity to make a difference to your<br />
child’s learning ability<br />
Janine Pero<br />
Director of Music<br />
Page 9
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
Performing Arts<br />
Ringwood Secondary College is truly “A college which performs”<br />
and there is certainly no better showcase of this than our vibrant<br />
Performing Arts program. Over the years, we have established a<br />
proud tradition of excellence, variety and inclusivity in our work<br />
and we intend to build on this further in 2011.<br />
The start of a new year is always a good time to invite new members<br />
to get on board and take up some of the fantastic opportunities<br />
that are provided in the disciplines of Music, Drama and Dance. In<br />
particular, I would like to welcome all new students to Ringwood –<br />
including our Year 7s – and extend a special invitation to them to<br />
become involved in our activities. It is certainly a great way to build<br />
new relationships with other students and teachers.<br />
Our major focus for this year will be the annual College Production<br />
from August 11. The audition process begins almost immediately<br />
and we will be commencing our rehearsals later in Term 1. The following<br />
dates are of critical importance for all students wishing to be<br />
involved in this year’s show:<br />
Wednesday February 16 – Show announced and launched – College<br />
Hall 1.30pm<br />
Thursday February 17 – Learning of audition material – College Hall,<br />
lunchtime<br />
Friday February 18 – Learning of audition material – College Hall,<br />
lunchtime<br />
Tuesday February 22 – First round auditions – Room 403, after<br />
school<br />
Wednesday February 23 – First round auditions – Room 403, after<br />
school<br />
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our four new<br />
teachers in the Performing Arts family: Mr Phil Binotto will be teaching<br />
percussion two days per week and we have three new graduates<br />
in Mr Michael Kent (Drama), Mr Lachlan Mackay (Music/Performance)<br />
and Miss Rachel Carne (Dance).<br />
I look forward to working with everyone in the Ringwood Secondary<br />
College community throughout 2011 as we continue to promote<br />
creativity, excellence and positive relationships through Performing<br />
Arts.<br />
Ben Moody<br />
Director of Performing Arts<br />
Refugee Student Homework Club<br />
<strong>RSC</strong> currently has 55 students from a Refugee Background studying<br />
at the school, across Yr 7-12. We established a Homework Club Term<br />
3 last year, to assist these students with their work. We desperately<br />
require volunteers, who can talk to the students and assist them<br />
with understanding words, helping to explain what the question is<br />
asking and with test revision and assignments.<br />
Please see the flyer at the end of the newsletter for more infomation.<br />
Cathy Kinnear<br />
Cultural & Linguistic Diversity Programs Coordinator<br />
The Sports Pages<br />
Welcome back to another big year in Ringwood sport.<br />
and Tennis on Monday 14th February. Term 1 also includes Summer<br />
round robins for Year 7, Year 8 and Intermediate students, as well as<br />
the school cross country.<br />
Be sure to read the notice below regarding School Sports Victoria<br />
(SSV). Their website is an excellent source of information regarding<br />
dates and venues for our school competitions and also includes<br />
details about opportunities for students to represent Victoria in National<br />
and International competitions.<br />
Swimming<br />
Preparations will commence shortly for the Division Swimming<br />
competition to be held on Monday 10th of March. Students that<br />
have made the team to represent the school against other Maroondah<br />
Division schools will be notified shortly. Training will run Monday<br />
and Thursday afternoons after school for approximately 45mins<br />
in the lead up to the Division competition. Hopefully we can secure<br />
our 19th consecutive Division championship!<br />
Summer Sport<br />
Interschool competition in Cricket, Tennis, Baseball, Softball and<br />
Volleyball will take place during this term with all levels participating<br />
with the other Maroondah Division schools.<br />
The relevant dates are: Senior (11&12) – February 14th, Intermediate<br />
(9&10) – March 25th, Year 8 – April 6th and Year 7 April 1st<br />
Notices will appear on the student bulletin in the coming weeks<br />
about training times so keep your eyes peeled!<br />
School Sport Prefect<br />
Our sport prefect this year is Liam Oakey. Liam represented the<br />
school last year in the State Relay team, and also played for the<br />
school cricket team. He has also showed a high degree of prowess<br />
on the football field, being selected for the Eastern Ranges U16<br />
squad.<br />
Liam is sure to be a great asset to the sport team this year, and we<br />
look forward to working with him.<br />
Sport Trainee<br />
This year former student Amy Malander joins us as part of the AFL<br />
Sports Ready traineeship program. Amy has been involved in a<br />
wide range of sporting activities including Junior and Senior Athletics,<br />
Swimming and Soccer. Amy was the 2010 recipient of the <strong>RSC</strong><br />
Hazel Hirons Memorial award in recognition of her sporting excellence,<br />
and has achieved outstanding results at numerous Victorian<br />
All Schools sporting meets. We look forward to the wealth of experience<br />
Amy will bring to the sporting teams she assists this year.<br />
The Senior Summer sport round robin is also approaching fast, with<br />
senior students competing in Cricket, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball<br />
Page 10
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
School Sport Victoria (SSV)<br />
School Sport Victoria (SSV) actively promotes<br />
school sport for all Victorian school students,<br />
years 4 to 12, as a means of supporting schools<br />
in developing their students’ health and well<br />
being. SSV operates under the auspices of the<br />
Department of Education and Early Childhood<br />
Development. Membership of School Sport<br />
Victoria is open to all Victorian schools, providing<br />
the opportunities to participate in programs that extends from<br />
grassroots intra and inter school sport, to district, division, region,<br />
conference, state and national levels. Students attending schools<br />
affiliated with SSV are eligible for selection in Victorian Teams to<br />
compete in 2011 School Sport Australia National Championships.<br />
Further information is available from your School’s Sport Coordinator<br />
or on the School Sport Victoria website, www.ssv.vic.edu.au.<br />
Parents and teachers are encouraged to regularly visit the site.<br />
(1), Nastassja Jardine (1), and Ashleigh Shield (1).<br />
Our Age Group champions were:<br />
Girls<br />
Boys<br />
13 Years Sinead Lumsden Khy Blizzard<br />
14 Years Jacqueline Smart Tristan Blizzard<br />
15 Years Courtney Smyth/Erin Danks Aaron Bentall<br />
16 Years Hannah Coward Tyler Oates<br />
17 Years Daniel Haysom<br />
18-20 Years Jordyn Dell<br />
Swimming Sports Carnival<br />
A late start to the school year saw our Swimming carnival at<br />
Ringwood Aquatic Centre held in the first full week of term.<br />
However, despite such an early start there was a fantastic turn<br />
out, with the involvement of the Year 9 students as part of their<br />
InterGREAT program helping to create a great atmosphere<br />
poolside.<br />
At the end of the day, Noorook House (Red) 604.5 points, saw off<br />
a fast finishing Karalla (Yellow) House 543 points, to triumph as<br />
Swimming champions for 2011. After scoring a victory in last years<br />
Swimming carnival Woorkarrim (Blue) finished this year on 390.5<br />
points, and will hope to bounce back in the Cross Country carnival.<br />
The performance of our new Year 7 students was exciting and<br />
we look forward to seeing many of them in action at the District<br />
Carnival.<br />
The final events featured some fiercely contested relays involving<br />
Year 7 and 8 students, with the traditional staff versus student<br />
relay concluding the program. In a big upset, the staff team was<br />
defeated by a student team for the first time in recent memory.<br />
Whilst Mr Scott, Ms Asbury, Ms Sawyer and Dan Haysom left the<br />
pool looking dejected, their defeat bodes well for the student relay<br />
teams in the upcoming Maroondah Division competition.<br />
Many of our swimmers and divers will now represent Ringwood<br />
at the Maroondah Division championships on Thursday March<br />
10th at the Ringwood Pool where our team will be aiming to<br />
win its 19th successive swimming championship. Once the team<br />
is finalised training will commence for our swimming team on<br />
Monday and Thursday nights after school in the lead up to the<br />
District carnival.<br />
A big thank you to the students for their enthusiasm and<br />
participation throughout the day and to the staff who worked<br />
tirelessly in the many jobs required to make the day such a<br />
successful one.<br />
Kyle Simkin<br />
Sports Coordinator<br />
Ringwood students farewelled the Ringwood Aquatic pool, which<br />
will be closing in May for a redevelopment, in style with 6 records<br />
broken on the day. Tristan Blizzard led the charge with 3 record<br />
breaking swims, with Daniel Haysom close behind breaking 2<br />
records. Sinead Lumsden also broke a record, beating the 50m 13<br />
Year Freestyle record that had stood for 8 years.<br />
Winners of events on the day were Tristan Blizzard (7), Hannah<br />
Coward (6), Dan Haysom (6), Khy Blizzard (4), Courtney Smythe<br />
(4), Aaron Bentall (4), Erin Danks (3), Jordyn Dell (3), Tyler Oates<br />
(2), Nathan Cairns (2), Sinead Lumsden (2), Jacqueline Smart (2),<br />
Hongran Yu (1), Scott Mullin (1), Emma George (1), Madelyn Tucker<br />
Page 11
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
First Aid<br />
Welcome back from holidays and welcome to the new families who<br />
have joined our school community. We hope that you have enjoyed<br />
the break and are fit and healthy to start the new school year. Now<br />
a bit of business:<br />
• If your child is sick and needs to come home they need to<br />
come to sick bay/ first aid and we will contact you. This is so we<br />
can account for each and every child and sometimes a rest is<br />
enough and your child can continue for the rest of the day but<br />
if your child is too unwell to stay we will contact you.<br />
• If your child has a headache or stomach pains and needs panadol<br />
we require a permission slip to be signed from you to allow<br />
us to give them this medication. If you have signed a form<br />
in the past it will still be current and attached to your child’s<br />
record’s in First Aid so we do not require another. However, if<br />
you think you have not signed one and would like to have one<br />
on record you will find one attached to the newsletter. Please<br />
fill in and return to the school.<br />
Immunisation.<br />
In accordance with Department of Health guideline, Maroondah<br />
City Council’s Immunisation team will be visiting the school to provide<br />
immunisations to students in years 7 and 10.<br />
Immunisation cards will be distributed VERY shortly to all year 7<br />
and 10 students in form assemblies.<br />
ALL cards must be returned to the college whether your child is being<br />
immunised or not, we MUST a card registering your preference.<br />
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.<br />
Absences<br />
Please contact the school as soon as possible if your child will be<br />
absent for any reason:<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Telephone: 9845 7519 - Direct line to attendance officer<br />
Email: ringwoodsc@edumail.vic.edu.au<br />
Send a note with your child<br />
In person at the General Office,<br />
Be sure to provide your child’s Full Name, Year/Form Group, the<br />
date/s and reason for the absence.<br />
For extended absences of three days or more, parents are requested<br />
to contact their child’s Year Level Coordinator to discuss what<br />
arrangements need to be made in regard to continuity of work and<br />
study. This is particularly important for VCE students who need to<br />
maintain a minimum attendance rate of 80% in all subjects to successfully<br />
complete years 11 & 12.<br />
We thank you for your continued support and assistance with this<br />
matter and please do not hesitate to call myself or other staff members<br />
should you wish to discuss any issues related to your child’s<br />
attendance.<br />
Welfare<br />
Kay Priestly<br />
Attendance Officer<br />
Finally we will still be experiencing some hot weather and it is important<br />
for the students to remember to be sunsmart. It is important<br />
to put sunscreen on and remember to wear hats when out in<br />
the sun especially at recess and lunchtime.<br />
Attendance<br />
Shirley McInnes and Nancy Davies<br />
Important Information on School Attendance<br />
Regular attendance at school is important for your child’s educational,<br />
social and emotional wellbeing. Students who regularly attend<br />
school find it easier to maintain relationships both with their<br />
fellow students and their teachers as well as keeping up to date on<br />
important happenings and events at school.<br />
Late Arrival<br />
This year we are aiming to reduce the disruption caused by students<br />
arriving late to school and ask for your support in encouraging your<br />
child to arrive on time or to bring a note when circumstances prevent<br />
this. Students who are regularly or exceptionally late to school<br />
without a note or valid reason may be required to attend a College<br />
Detention.<br />
Early Departure<br />
To maintain accurate records, which are particularly important in<br />
the case of emergency, it is vital that we are aware of students who<br />
leave school early. Please provide your child with a note requesting<br />
an early leavers pass, which they will need to bring to the school<br />
office to obtain their pass or if your child becomes unwell during<br />
the day they should report to the Sick Bay and the school nurse will<br />
arrange for a pass if necessary.<br />
Feeling a bit out of the loop?<br />
Looking for some support?<br />
Want to meet other young people<br />
or look at new possibilities?<br />
footholds is a program for young people aged<br />
17 to 25 providing a supportive environment, an<br />
opportunity to connect with others and explore<br />
options for the future.<br />
footholds is a youth and family team program at<br />
each social and community health.<br />
Term 1<br />
Contact<br />
program (Drumbeat) will be<br />
held on Wednesdays February<br />
16th to April 6th from 4:30pm<br />
to 6pm (venue TBC)<br />
Jacqui Cousins for referrals or<br />
more information on<br />
9871 2638 or 0400 118 275.<br />
Drumbeat: building resilience<br />
through rhythm<br />
Page 12
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
<br />
<br />
Employment Focus and<br />
the Australian Apprenticeships Access<br />
Program<br />
<br />
Pathway to<br />
Home & Community Care (HACC)<br />
Selected units from<br />
CHC30308 : Certificate III in Home and<br />
Community Care<br />
14 th February 2011 in Box Hill and Ringwood<br />
<br />
Supported, flexible training for 5 weeks 9.30am<br />
to 2.30pm<br />
Offering 5 accredited modules<br />
Job search training/Employer visits/Interviews<br />
Commence your traineeship<br />
<br />
Contact Louise at Employment Focus on<br />
<br />
(03) 9450 5700<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Australian Apprenticeships Access Program is funded by the<br />
Australian Government.<br />
Employment Focus is the Registered Business Name of the Heidelberg<br />
Training & Resource Centre Inc. (Reg. No A0011660X) (TOID 3854)<br />
<strong>RSC</strong><br />
RECRUITMENT<br />
NIGHT<br />
For Year 7’s<br />
MONDAY, 28 th FEBRUARY<br />
7.00 pm – <strong>RSC</strong> Hall<br />
‘Performance and Demonstration’<br />
7.30 pm – 500 Block<br />
Try Outs, advice/discussion<br />
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to<br />
learn an instrument and join the music<br />
program.<br />
See you there!<br />
<strong>RSC</strong> Recruitment Night flyer 2011<br />
An election is to be conducted for members of the School Council of<br />
Ringwood Secondary College<br />
Sharlene Agnew<br />
Student Welfare Coordinator<br />
Nomination forms may be obtained from the school and must be lodged by 4.00 pm on<br />
22 / 02 / 2011 (insert date and year).<br />
The ballot will close at 4.00 pm on<br />
08 / 03 / 2011 (insert date and year)<br />
Following the closing of nominations a list of the nominations received will be posted at the school. The terms of office,<br />
membership categories and number of positions in each membership category open for election are as follows:<br />
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY TERM OF OFFICE NUMBER OF POSITIONS<br />
Parent member<br />
From the day after the date of the<br />
3<br />
declaration of the poll in 20 11<br />
to and inclusive of the date of the<br />
declaration of the poll in 20 13<br />
DEECD employee member<br />
From the day after the date of the<br />
2<br />
declaration of the poll in 20 11<br />
to and inclusive of the date of the<br />
declaration of the poll in 20 13<br />
If the number of nominations is less than the number of vacancies, a notice to that effect and calling for further<br />
nominations will be posted in a prominent position at the school.<br />
Michael Phillips<br />
Principal<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We require volunteers for our Homework Club (established<br />
2010), to assist students with understanding English words<br />
and helping them with their assignments! No prior<br />
experience necessary!<br />
When:<br />
Time:<br />
Place:<br />
Thursday (we may expand if we have enough<br />
volunteer interest)<br />
3:30pm-5pm during school terms<br />
Ringwood Secondary College, Bedford Rd<br />
Ringwood.<br />
Interested? Please contact Cathy Kinnear via email<br />
ckinnear@ringwoodsc.vic.edu.au or call on 9870 2002 (BH)<br />
Training Session for Volunteers<br />
We will hold a short training/information session for volunteers.<br />
Exact date/time to be confirmed.<br />
Page 13
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
Page 14
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
Dear Parents,<br />
Ringwood Secondary College Visit to Thailand<br />
2011<br />
You are most likely aware of the previous most successful tours to Thailand, and it is<br />
now time to move quickly to prepare for this year’s visit to our sister school, Montfort<br />
College, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.<br />
This tour has been a most valuable learning experience for our students in the past and<br />
exposure to another culture is recognised as an important part of the general education<br />
process at this College. Elephant riding, white water rafting, shopping in the markets,<br />
visiting temples are amongst many activities on offer.<br />
The tour will take place in June leaving on Monday 27 th June and returning on<br />
Thursday 14 th July. Students will stay in a homestay provided by Montfort College<br />
and tour the North of Thailand. We will have a stopover in Singapore on the way home<br />
where we will have breakfast with the Orang-outangs in the famous Zoo and explore the<br />
city sights.<br />
Tour costs are not finalised (depends on numbers) but it is anticipated that approximately<br />
$2,250 will be required to cover the cost of airfares, transfers, taxes, insurance and hotel<br />
(Singapore).<br />
There will be a meeting on Tuesday 22 nd February in room 209 at 7.00pm. A deposit<br />
will be needed to secure your place for this exciting trip, this will be required by the<br />
25 th February.<br />
If you are interested in coming to the meeting can you please complete the attached form<br />
and return to Mrs L Cody (International Office next door to Middle School Coordinators)<br />
or to the General Office, as soon as possible, but no later than Monday 21 st February.<br />
Look forward to seeing you there!<br />
Mrs Lynda Cody<br />
International Coordinator<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Return to: Ringwood Secondary College – Mrs L Cody<br />
I am interested in the trip in the trip to Thailand in June/July, 2011<br />
Student’s Name :<br />
Form:<br />
Parent Signature:<br />
Page 15
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
Page 16
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
Ringwood Secondary College<br />
Congratulations to the Class of 2010<br />
Outstanding Year 12 Results<br />
Dux<br />
Julie Ta 99.15<br />
Students who achieved 95+<br />
Andrew Amos 96.65, Kyle Kohinga 96.05, Jack Lu 95.95, Julia Matthews 95.00,<br />
Hannah Monson 95.70, Cheng Xi 98.75<br />
Students who achieved 90+<br />
Kristen Byrne 93.05, Amber Craig 90.85, Jennifer Guy 92.45,Katelyn Hodgson 93.35,<br />
Belinda Hutchings 93.45, Phillip Kolar 92.80, Mikaela Kos 90.65, Mairead O’Brien 93.20,<br />
Connor Palmer 94.10, Jacob Palmer 94.15, Timothy Simpson-Williams 94.45, Meliza<br />
Thomas 92.70, Bronte Wright 94.5<br />
98% students satisfied their VCE/VCAL<br />
11% achieved ATAR scores above 90<br />
31% achieved ATAR scores above 80<br />
52% achieved ATAR scores above 70<br />
74% achieved ATAR scores above 60<br />
88% achieved ATAR scores above 50<br />
Median ATAR score: 71.10<br />
9% of students with study scores above 40<br />
Perfect Study Scores of 50<br />
Julie Ta (Business Management), Julie Ta (Design and Technology-Textiles), Kyle Kohinga (English Literature)<br />
Scholarship-Belinda Hutchings (Dean Scholarship in Education-Swinburne University)<br />
Congratulations to the following students folios being selected for VCAA Top Designs -Ryan Blandon<br />
(Visual Communication and Design), Estelle Mansfield (Media), Alycia Rowe (Media)<br />
and Top Screen Molly George (Media)<br />
Page 17
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
Destinations and Offers<br />
90% of students gained tertiary placements<br />
62% of students gained University places<br />
26% of students gained TAFE places<br />
12% of students undertaking Apprenticeships or Preapprenticeships or Traineeships or<br />
Working/Travelling<br />
Vic Uni<br />
Uni of Melb<br />
Swinburne<br />
RMIT<br />
Monash Uni<br />
La Trobe Uni<br />
Deakin Uni<br />
Box Hill Institute<br />
Aust Cath Uni<br />
0 5 10 15 20 25 30<br />
Categories of tertiary study<br />
Agriculture, Animal Studies and Natural Resources: 6<br />
Architecture, Building and Planning: 5<br />
Creative Arts: 33<br />
Education: 15<br />
Engineering and related technologies: 5<br />
Food, Hospitality and Personal Services: 1<br />
Health: 27<br />
Information Technology: 5<br />
Management and Commerce: 24<br />
Natural and Physical Sciences: 14<br />
Society and Culture: 51<br />
Ringwood Secondary College<br />
‘the college that performs’<br />
Page 18
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
<br />
<br />
In 2011 the MEC is continuing to work collaboratively<br />
to improve the educational outcomes for all coalition<br />
students. The following schools form the Maroondah<br />
Education Coalition (MEC): Croydon SC, Croydon<br />
Community School, Heathmont College, Maroondah<br />
SC, Norwood SC, Parkwood SC and Ringwood SC.<br />
<br />
Term 1 Activities<br />
MEC Curriculum Day – February 2<br />
<br />
<br />
Approximately <br />
450 delegates participated in the MEC<br />
Curriculum Day at the Karralyka Centre for keynote<br />
presentations, <br />
followed by afternoon workshops at our<br />
coalition schools.<br />
<br />
David Eddy, a noted educational leader and currently<br />
Governance Facilitator of the new Ormiston Senior<br />
College<br />
<br />
(Auckland), and Jim Davies, president of the<br />
South Australian Secondary Principals Association<br />
and<br />
<br />
the former principal of the Australian Science and<br />
Mathematics School, were our keynote speakers.<br />
<br />
Key ideas from David Eddy:<br />
<br />
Lasting change involves mobilizing people to tackle tough<br />
problems and innovate. Innovation requires both learning<br />
and unlearning to be effective.<br />
Relational trust allows and sustains improvement – with<br />
interactions more important than actions.<br />
Tough school cultures with high expectations get results.<br />
Building connections between research and practice is a<br />
powerful lever for improving student outcomes.<br />
<br />
Increasing public confidence and reducing inequities is the<br />
critical work.<br />
<br />
Setting clear and agreed improvement goals based on<br />
evidence is essential for success.<br />
Maroondah Education Coalition<br />
<br />
MEC Day Teacher Workshops:<br />
Twenty-three different workshops were offered to<br />
curriculum day participants, the majority of which were<br />
presented by coalition teachers. On behalf of the MEC<br />
Curriculum Leaders Team I would like to acknowledge<br />
and thank all presenters for their generosity and<br />
leadership.<br />
Session 4 presenters:<br />
Croydon Community School: Norwood SC<br />
Gina Carroll<br />
Rosemary Homersham<br />
Joanne Roughan<br />
Croydon SC<br />
Louise Rynia<br />
Cameron Bell<br />
Brett Groves<br />
Ringwood SC<br />
Andrew McNeil<br />
Karin Blain<br />
Nick Mammoliti<br />
Jackie Quenette<br />
Jim Ringin (Numeracy Coach) Elise Gill<br />
Zoe Hattam<br />
Maroondah SC<br />
Andrew Hansen<br />
Mark Dewar<br />
Graham Harris<br />
Michael Douglas<br />
Kimberley Hall<br />
Chris Hunter<br />
Simone Hobbs<br />
Cheryl Lawson<br />
Amanda Milkeraitis<br />
David Lees<br />
Clare Rafferty<br />
Barry Williams<br />
Eleni Stathatos<br />
Parkwood SC<br />
Sally Morgan<br />
DEECD – Learning Division<br />
Gary Shaw<br />
Foundation House<br />
Sharrin Murphy<br />
EMR<br />
Madeleine Parker<br />
Kaye Hoorn<br />
(EMR Options)<br />
Trudy Brentnall<br />
(Maroondah Network<br />
Ultranet Coach)<br />
2010 No Regrets–Student Led Social Action Project<br />
Major Project Event - ‘Halloween Uprising’<br />
Awarded ‘Best Community Event’ by Maroondah City<br />
Council at the Australia Day Celebrations, Ringwood.<br />
The ‘Halloween Uprising’ event was the culmination of a 10 -<br />
month project, with students working with their peers, as well as<br />
linking to the broader community, to facilitate the project key<br />
messages via a music event for young people in the local area.<br />
Key ideas from Jim Davies:<br />
Personalising learning enables students to become<br />
increasingly<br />
<br />
internally driven learners.<br />
The teacher’s role becomes less directive and the studentteacher<br />
relationship is focused around the personal learning<br />
needs of the student.<br />
Feedback about learning, through a range of assessment<br />
practices is essential, providing rich data and information to<br />
students about the quality and extent of their learning.<br />
Assessment practices can become increasingly personalised<br />
leading to a position where assessment is primarily focused<br />
on improving learning, rather than an examination of what<br />
has been learned.<br />
Lyn McGoldrick – MEC Lead Learner<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Page 19
<strong>News</strong>letter Number 1 Feb 9, 2011<br />
Community Announcements<br />
The Department of Education and Ringwood Secondary College do not endorse the<br />
products or services of any private advertiser. No responsibility is accepted by the<br />
Department of Education and Ringwood Secondary College for the accuracy of information<br />
contained in advertisements or claims made by them.<br />
NORWOOD<br />
Junior Football Club<br />
Come and Play<br />
Football in 2011<br />
Come Play<br />
Table Tennis<br />
Starts Friday 4 th February<br />
Every Friday night during school terms, we<br />
conduct 2 sessions of Junior Pennant.<br />
Beginners are placed into the earlier session. All players will<br />
be able to play 2 singles matches and a doubles match.<br />
Session 1: 6.00pm-7.45pm Session 2: 8.00pm-9.45pm<br />
Players will be placed into a team of two players, based on playing ability, at the start of a<br />
season, where you will get to play against other similar standard players over a season. This is<br />
available for anyone under 21 years of age.<br />
(Please contact us even if you have missed the start date)<br />
For any further information, please contact:<br />
Greg Bristowe on 0411 237 351<br />
Season Starts<br />
April 3, 2011<br />
U8 to U16<br />
All welcome<br />
KILSYTH INTERNATIONAL TABLE TENNIS STADIUM<br />
Kilsyth Sports Centre<br />
Liverpool Road, Kilsyth, 3137<br />
[Melways Ref. Map 51-H7]<br />
Email: croydon.pennants@gmail.com<br />
Website: www.insports.com.au/ttv/cdtta<br />
Contact Andrew Panayi<br />
Director - Football Operations<br />
0400 686 867<br />
Or visit our web site<br />
http://football.norwood.org.au<br />
<br />
<br />
When:<br />
Cost:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
4:30pm to 6:30pm (Under 8’s, 9’s and 10’s)<br />
7:00pm to 8:30pm (Under 11’s, 12’s, 13’s, 14’s, 15’s &<br />
16’s)<br />
$130 for 1 st child registered<br />
$90 for 2 nd and subsequent children from same family<br />
registered<br />
(payment via EFTPOS or Credit Card will be available)<br />
What’s<br />
Required: Completed registration forms (please download from our<br />
website) including Permission, Medical, Player and<br />
Parent Codes of Conduct, together with a copy of your<br />
child’s birth certificate (if registering for the 1 st time) and/or<br />
a transfer form if transferring from another club.<br />
COME & PLAY NETBALL<br />
Boronia Uniting Netball Club<br />
Is looking for NEW PLAYERS<br />
2011 Winter Season<br />
COMMENCING<br />
SATURDAY 18th March 2011<br />
• Ages 8 upwards<br />
• Beginners and all standards welcome<br />
• Training Tuesdays at Chandler Park Netball Courts<br />
(Behind K-Mart Boronia)<br />
• Play Saturday mornings<br />
Knox Regional Netball Centre (FTG)<br />
• No games on School Holidays or Long Weekends<br />
FREE GIFT<br />
<strong>FOR</strong> ALL NEW PLAYERS ON<br />
REGISTRATION 7 th , 15 th and 22 nd of February<br />
Please Contact:<br />
ALLISON KENINS<br />
Mob: 0405 818 951<br />
Page 20<br />
• For those families who paid their child/children’s registration<br />
fees by 25 December 2010, please bring a copy of your direct<br />
debit receipt, together with your child’s completed registration<br />
forms on 9 February and hand them the appropriate Team<br />
Manager/Coach<br />
• Mouthguards will be available to order on the night at a cost of<br />
$90 (you can claim them through your Private Health Insurance<br />
Fund) and Club merchandise will also be available for purchase<br />
Please contact Stephanie Paterson, if you have any queries<br />
regarding registration on 0411-237-452.<br />
Mooroolbark Junior Soccer Club Registration Day<br />
Date: Sunday February 13<br />
Time: 10am to 3pm<br />
Venue: Esther Park, Esther Crescent, Mooroolbark<br />
All age groups welcome from 5 year olds to Under 18s<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
• <br />
• <br />
• <br />
• <br />
<br />
<br />
3 th