With the Term 1 holidays upon us, I take this opportunity to wish you all a safe, happy, and healthy term break. I would also like to remind students and particularly senior VCE students to spend some time each day during the next few weeks, reviewing and revising the work undertaken thus far in 2022. Year 12 is a marathon, so a little bit each day and week makes a big difference at the end of the year.
It has been a tremendously busy ten weeks with a great number of wonderful activities and events throughout the term. Yesterday, Parent-Student-Teacher interviews provided an opportunity to see, meet and chat with parents both onsite and online. It was a wonderful occasion for parents and students to speak with their teacher and to take a moment to reflect on what has worked well and to perhaps, put some strategies or structures in place to ensure continued improvement. As the lead learner of our school, I too am constantly reflecting and learning and enjoy listening and considering new possibilities. Many of my conversations with parents were overwhelmingly positive, in particular dialogue concerning our College and the work of our staff in providing a supportive, engaging and challenging learning environment.
There has been a great deal of interschool sport towards the end of this term, and it has been terrific to see our students compete and perform well across a range of team sports - well done, to all for participating and getting active!
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our newly elected School Council representatives. The members of School Council for 2022 are:
Parent Representatives - Mark Heintz, Natalija Homatopouls, Christina Kotsafaras (Vice President), Mike Llyod, Michelle Prosenica, John Spasevski (President).
Staff Representatives: Natalie Fitzgerald, Danielle Murray, Will Stubbings, Daria Villani.
Student Representatives: Tori Foster, Nathan Roberts.
I look forward to working with School Council during this year, as we have a number of very big-ticket items that should come to fruition, such as the new building works, the outdoor reading area adjacent to the library and a school review, in addition to the usual work that is necessary to keep the school operating within expected governance requirements. Rosehill continues to be an excellent educational college for our community.
With over six years on School Council and three as President, it is with much sadness but great appreciation that we acknowledge the contribution of our outgoing President Gwenda Griggs. She has been exceptionally supportive of our College during her time on School Council and leaves the school in a better position than when she started. Thank you, Gwenda.
I take this opportunity to remind parents that Term 2 starts on Tuesday 26th April 2022. First week back next term we also have our annual Open Day (Thursday 28th April) and remind parents that this is a pupil free day (except for Year 12 who will attend the VCE Careers Show). In week two Term 2, we have our Open Night, this day will be an early finish for our students in order to prepare our school for the evening tours and presentations.
This week we also received communication from DET that RAT testing will continue for the first four weeks of Term 2. Thank you to families that continue to test and keep our school community safe. There have certainly been many disruptions to learning throughout Term 1 due to COVID, so if we can mitigate the spread it will be of benefit to us all.
Pleasingly we had a visit this week from two members of the East Keilor Rotary Club. The President Yvonne Osborn was here to contribute and donate to the wonderful work of Stephnie Perera Gunawardane in 9E. Along with her peers Omer, Phillip, Eleanor and Olivia organised outside sponsorships for our FOODBANK drive. What a great initiative and fantastic cause.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the terrific work of all the staff at Rosehill Secondary College throughout this term. Our teachers, our support staff (Administration, Laboratory, Library, Integration, Food Technology, IT, and Maintenance) and the Principal Class have worked tirelessly this term to ensure a very smooth, calm, and successful term one.
Our moral purpose as educators is not only to provide the best learning opportunities for all the students at our College but to also improve our society by raising well-rounded individuals. Our values of Respect, Initiative and Learning (RIL) are central to this belief and underpin our daily work. I trust that these values will hold your child in good stead throughout life. I look forward to continuing our learning journey next term.
Have a relaxing term break.
Arthur Soumalias
PRINCIPAL
