We are at the midpoint of this eleven-week term, and I’d like to acknowledge and congratulate all our students for their terrific work and commitment to their studies.

Middle School Assembly

This week I attended the Year 9 and 10 sub school assembly, and I was suitably impressed with our students and their attentive nature throughout. Thank you to Mr Vincent and the middle school team for their work in running such an effective assembly.

Mid-Year Exams

Year 9, 10 and 11 students will soon be sitting mid-year exams. This is an opportunity to showcase one’s learning and use this time to revise and help consolidate the learning across the semester. It is also a terrific opportunity to experience exam style conditions in preparation for the final year of schooling in the years to come.

Work Experience

At the end of this exam period, our Year 10 students will undertake two weeks of work experience. We wish all our Year 10 students the best of luck with this real-world experience, and we certainly find that many develop a greater sense of direction and appreciation of possible career paths. A tremendous effort from the Careers team, and to the parents/guardians, and students for taking the time to organise such wonderful placements.

PLC Presentations

Throughout Term 1 and 2, staff have been working in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). On Thursday we held our celebration session whereby all staff were able to share and showcase their learning during this process. I was very impressed and proud to see the tremendous passion and commitment to continuous improvement by our staff. There were a variety of PLC foci, but the overwhelming element seen across most teams was the strong focus on our Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) strategies. I have previously mentioned our consistent predictable routines (CPR) but on this occasion many staff incorporated key learnings from Day 2 training, in particular… building strong relationships with students, providing explicit feedback and praise on process, and using micro-moments to build rapport. Thank you to Ms Chapman for overseeing our PLC program and keeping us on task throughout this cycle.

PIVOT Data

Each year students complete an in-class survey specific for their classes. These surveys provide direct feedback to the classroom teacher, and, in addition, whole school feedback. We use this data to help track our progress in areas identified on our School Strategic Plan (SSP) and Annual Implementation Plan (AIP). The whole school data has identified these key areas of significant strength.

• I know how I am supposed to behave in this class.
• This teacher knows a lot about the topics in this class.
• This teacher respects me for who I am.
• A couple of areas that we need to continue to improve on are.
• This teacher gives me choices about the work I do.
• This teacher connects their teaching to my life.

Performing Arts

Congratulations to Zoe Brown who has once again secured a role as a Principal Dancer at this year’s State School Spectacular. She is a terrific ambassador for our school and the performing arts program. We wish her all the best in her preparation for this production and look forward to seeing her on TV later in the year.

Building Update

The upgrade to A Block is well underway with the new roof raised and installed. External cladding is now finished, and the external windows have been repaired and painted. Electrical rough in is almost complete and is now ready for plastering. We are excited and look forward to moving in sooner rather than later.

Additional work is scheduled in the new Auditorium in the coming weeks to finalise items such as stage curtains, additional painting, and adjustment of the auditorium seating.

Disability Access – a new ramp will be constructed from the administration building to B wing in the coming weeks. This will better enable wheelchair access between these two areas.

In the coming weeks, some bright new shade sails will be installed in the area on the south side of B wing behind the science rooms. We are looking forward to having a new passive recreational space for students to utilise.

Annual General Meeting

The next School Council on Monday 27^th May 2024 will be our Annual General Meeting where I will be presenting our 2023 Annual Report. The meeting will commence at 5:15pm. Please contact the Business Manager, Judith Wright, if you are planning to attend.

Arthur Soumalias

PRINCIPAL

School Policies have been updated in line with Department of Education and Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority requirements. Parents may review these on the school websitehttps://www.rosehillsc.vic.edu.au/under Our School > Policies > Minimum Standards Compliance – June 2022.

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

If you have a current Health Care Card or Pension Card, you may be eligible for the Camps/Sport/Excursions Fund (CSEF) payment. This funding can be used towards excursions, camps and sporting activities that run throughout the year at Rosehill.

If you applied for CSEF in 2023, and are a current student, you do not need to complete an application form unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

You will only need to submit a new application form in 2024 if any of the following changes occurred:

• New student enrolments
• Change in family circumstances.

Schools can accept and process applications up until the end of term two each year. CSEF payments are made to schools from March onwards.

Application forms are available via the department’s website, at the College Reception, or click on tab to access. Please complete and return this form to us along with a copy of your valid concession card.

Applications for 2024 will close in June 2024.

Levena Hayes

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

As an extension to our Consumer Literacy study, the Year 7 ‘Money and Markets’ class ventured to Keilor Road Niddrie, to investigate and observe the various marketing methods used by retailers to encourage consumers to purchase goods and services.

In particular, students noted the methods used at Woolworths supermarket, including persuasive language and signage, product placement, specials tickets, multi buys and special in store promotions to name a few.

With the overarching learning goal ‘to understand that consumers have legal rights, but with that comes consumer responsibilities’, upon their return to School, students considered the steps they can take to be responsible consumers in order to avoid spending more than planned.

Thank you to Mr Matthew Chiodo for joining the group for the excursion.

Nellie Harbourd

HUMANITIES KLA LEADER

As part of Year 10 Systems Technology studies, students are exposed to a wide range of mechanical and electrical concepts. Their studies culminate with the assembly and coding of an Arduino controlled vehicle (Arbot… which looks a bit like WALL*E). The key skills students develop through this activity includes:

• Understanding how logic controllers via software can transform electrical energy into mechanical energy (movement).
• How to modify functions via software (easier and more flexible).
• Working in teams to solve problems (each student has their own arbot, and they are encouraged to assist each to solve problems that students may have encountered).
• Impact of technology and automation on future employment.

The development of the above skills lays a solid foundation for students to undertake VCE Systems Engineering next year as well as giving them skills that they can apply in a work setting.

Larry DeCata

TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS

This year the VCE Art Making and Exhibiting students got to attend the 2024 NGV Triennial Exhibition.

This exhibition only happens every three years at the National Gallery of Victoria and is a special showcase of unique, ground breaking and often polarising artworks from around the world.

Year 11 and 12 students not only explored the extensive collection of contemporary artworks, but also met one of the gallery curators responsible for presenting this exhibition.

During the curator ‘floor talk,’ students were able to learn about the variety of considerations galleries have to make when presenting artworks - particularly of such high value.

Students took particular interest in Maurizio Cattalan’s controversial artwork, ‘Comedian,’ which features a simple banana taped to a wall. This artwork is hugely divisive, and prompted our students to carefully consider, ‘What is Art?’ The artwork was first presented in 2019. As a work of conceptual art, it consists of a certificate of authenticity with detailed diagrams and instructions for its proper display. Two editions of the piece sold for US$120,000 each. Some would say that the banana on the wall is a commentary on the commodification of art. In today's world, art is often seen as a luxury item, something that is only accessible to the wealthy. The banana on the wall attempts to challenge this notion by making art accessible to everyone but is then contradicted by the astronomical sale price.

‘Heterobata,’ by Agnieszka Pilat, was a firm favourite, an artwork featuring three AI controlled robotic dogs. The ‘robot dogs’ inhabit a specially designed enclosure - allowing them to walk around freely, interact with the public, even completing tasks - like drawing! The ‘dogs’ were originally designed for military purposes. The artist wanted to address the fear we have with AI technology and attempts to change the narrative. She asks, ‘Would you welcome one of these dogs into your home?’ The student responses to this were mixed!

In several instances, the VCE students were encouraged to interact with and contribute to artworks. Yoko Ono’s ‘I Love My Mommy’ is a unique artwork - which encourages the public to write a message to their mother, then tape the message to a wall. The artist provides paper, pencils and a large space. Our students relished the opportunity to contribute to an artwork, thoughtfully writing messages and then adding them to the thousands of others. Yoko Ono is best known for her marriage to Beatles legend, John Lennon. However, she is also now known for her incredible performance and conceptual Art career.

Heather Davies

ART KLA LEADER

On the vibrant day of May 9th, our international student community embarked on an enthralling journey through the heart of Melbourne. Led by our dedicated team of international students, 28 eager participants, comprising both international and English as an Additional Language (EAL) students, delved into an unforgettable adventure at the Aquarium.

The purpose of this carefully curated excursion extended beyond mere sightseeing; it was crafted to provide our students with a holistic cultural and educational experience. As they navigated through the depths of the Aquarium's exhibits, they immersed themselves in the diverse marine life while simultaneously embracing the multicultural essence of our city.

At its core, this excursion aimed to foster cross-cultural understanding among our students. By bringing together individuals from various corners of the globe, we aimed to create a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue. Through shared experiences and interactions, students had the opportunity to learn from one another, celebrating the richness of diversity that defines our community.

Moreover, this excursion served as a gateway for our students to deepen their understanding of Australia's history, culture, and lifestyle. As they explored the wonders of the Aquarium, they gained valuable insights into the country's unique marine ecosystems and conservation efforts. Additionally, by venturing into the bustling streets of Melbourne, they were able to witness firsthand the dynamic blend of heritage and modernity that characterizes our city.

As we reflect on this enriching experience, we are reminded of the transformative power of education beyond the confines of the classroom. Through initiatives such as the Term 2 Aquarium Excursion, we remain committed to providing our students with opportunities to broaden their horizons, foster meaningful connections, and embark on journeys of discovery that transcend borders.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the organizing team, whose unwavering dedication and enthusiasm made this excursion possible. To our students, thank you for embracing this adventure with open minds and adventurous spirits. May this excursion serve as a stepping stone towards a lifetime of exploration, learning, and cultural appreciation.

Nan Li

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAM MANAGER

On Thursday the 9th of May, five female Rosehill students from years 10-12 went to William Angliss Institute, in the city of Melbourne to attend a breakfast for girls all over Melbourne who are interested in physics and are doing physics.

The girls that were there all aspire to be something in the physics field and we were very lucky to get the chance to get a speech from Susan Coppersmith, who is a theoretical condensed matter physicist who has made contributions to the understanding of a broad range of subjects, including glasses, biominerals, granular materials, and quantum computers.

Professor Coppersmith is currently serving as Head of the School of Physics at UNSW Sydney. In the past, she has served as Chair of the Condensed Matter and Materials Research Committee of the National Research Council of the US, as Chair of the Division of Condensed Matter Physics and of the Topical Group for Statistical and Nonlinear Physics of the American Physical Society, as Chair of the Section on Physics of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Gordon Research Conferences.

She gave us a very meaningful talk about how she got to where she is, who was involved in her journey and how we can become like her too. We got to learn a lot from her along with meeting new people and having conversations with girls similar to us over a nice breakfast. Overall, it was a great experience.

Allison Lamb

YEAR 10 STUDENT

Are you struggling to find the time and space to complete your homework?

Would you benefit from the help of a teacher or fellow students?

Rosehill's After-School Tuition Program is running every Monday afternoon from 3.30pm to 4.30pm in the Rosehill Library.

Come along on your own or with a study group to receive help from teachers and senior students, or simply to find a quiet place to complete your homework.

Please contact Ms Beechey for more information. See you there!