With only a few weeks of Term 1 remaining, there are still many events and activities to experience before the holiday break. This week we celebrate Rosefest - I look forward to seeing what wonderful activities our Year 9 students have in store for us. I attended the Year 7 camp last week - such events provide undoubted benefits for both students and staff. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking to many of the Year 7 students; the ability to engage outside of the school, to get to know a little about your children was terrific - as was my undefeated run at table tennis. Ms Mitic was probably the only person (students, staff and camp staff) that gave me a run for my money 😊.

The photos below show the exceptional teamwork shown by one of the teams Mr Billett and I were working with on camp. Great effort to navigate the initiatives course so successfully!!

Last week I also attended the international student excursion to Puffing Billy. Mr Cogan and I were the designated cooks and we were able to prepare a lovely BBQ for our students. Thank you to Ms Li and Ms Adam for organising such a wonderful day. Many of our international students have not been home to see their families for over two years. Their resilience and strength to navigate these difficult times has been amazing and would not be possible without the support of our caring homestay families and committed school staff.

Staffing continues to be a daily challenge, with many staff away each week due to COVID related issues in addition to the normal absences. Despite these disruptions, I am extremely proud and grateful to our staff who have continued to step up and go above and beyond to cover classes and activities (such as the camp) and provide support to new teachers. Each and every day this term we have had multiple casual relief teachers onsite, this is unheard of for our school in Term 1, so the ability to help casual staff assimilate and understand our processes and expectations is testament to our great systems and support provided by our staff.

Thursday, 7^th April is our student parent teacher conference day. This is a pupil free day, but we ask that where possible, your child attends the sessions with you. This day will be a little different this year and detailed information will be sent late on Tuesday, 29^th March explaining the process and how to book. The day will be split into two sessions.

1. Onsite from 12:00pm – 3:00pm
2. Online from 4:00pm – 7.30pm

If you choose to attend onsite, between (12:00pm – 3:00pm), vaccination evidence will be requested at the gate. No parking will be available on the school grounds. Teaching staff will be in three venues, Library, Gym, and the Year 12 VCE Centre. Each interview will be 6 minutes.

Our Careers team have been exceptionally busy finalising the Year 10 Work Experience documentation. I have signed dozens and dozens of forms in the past few weeks, and it is pleasing to see so many Year 10 students sourcing wonderful placements for this invaluable opportunity. Some of the more unique placements involve students travelling interstate, hospital placements and various engineering and architectural companies.

School building programs have not been immune to delays with supplies and logistics. The inclusive school fund grant (external library reading space) which was due to be completed Term 1 has been delayed, but appears that it will commence shortly. We have also commenced the new locker bay build on the end of B wing which will replace the locker bay adjacent to the stairs that lead up to B wing. The Capital Works project appears to be on track and at the time of writing is still due to commence in May. We are awaiting final approval of costings before we can go out to tender.

This week we welcome Cassandra Lo Giudice who is replacing Rhiannon Smith. We wish Rhiannon all the best as she commences maternity leave and we look forward to working with Cassandra who comes to us with several years’ experience teaching English and working with the Student Representative Council at her previous school.

Finally, I leave you with this famous quote from Winston Churchill. Despite the challenges we face, our attitude and perspective is often a vital cog in how we cope.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

Arthur Soumalias

Principal

Our International students were delighted to visit the picturesque Dandenong Ranges on Wednesday 16th March. They experienced a scenic train ride on the steam train Puffing Billy, and were treated to a delicious, finger licking barbecue at Emerald Lake cooked by our Principal Arthur Soumalias and Assistant Principal Chris Cogan.

It was a lovely way for the students to sit back and enjoy the Australian countryside.

In Term 1, Year 10 students study Civics and Citizenship as a part of their Interdisciplinary Unit. An area this topic incorporates is the three tiers of government, Federal (Commonwealth) Parliament, State Parliament and Local Government.

Monday 28^th February, Mr Bill Shorten (ex-Labour opposition leader, who represents the federal electorate of Maribyrnong), Mr Ben Carroll (State Minister for Public Transport and Minister for Roads and Road Safety at Department of Transport, who represents the seat of Niddrie), and Ms Samantha Byrne (Mayor of the City of Moonee Valley) came to the College to further the Year 10's knowledge about Australia’s democratic society.

The two Members of Parliament and the Mayor spoke about how it’s important to understand in what way youth can play an active part in democracy, in addition to the roles the members of parliament and council perform to represent the community.

Once information was disseminated by guest speakers, there was a question and answer session for the students. At this point pupils actively raised many relevant issues regarding today’s contemporary topics. Some examples included women in politics, renewable energy, and COVID-19 issues. All of which were very important.

At the conclusion, many of the Year 10 students, highlighted that interacting with Bill Shorten, Ben Carrol and Samantha Byrne was quite an extraordinary experience. We thanked them for coming, and hoped they could return next year and offer the new batch of Year 10 students the same experience.

Claudia Bradilovich

Year 10 Student

Students from the Year 12 Environmental Science Class braved the wilderness of the Brisbane Ranges National Park, camping in tents and conducting biodiversity surveys. Students completed vegetation quadrats to evaluate the effectiveness of the management plans of different protected areas.

They assisted researchers at Mt Rothwell conservation reserve to trap a range of endangered mammals to monitor their ongoing health. Students caught Eastern Quolls (extinct in the wild on mainland Australia), Bettongs (see photo), and a cheeky Brush-Tailed Possum who refused to get out of the trap. On a spotlighting tour through the 480 hectare conservation area, students spotted Potoroos, Eastern Barred Bandicoots, Bettongs, and the critically endangered Southern Brush-Tailed Wallaby (fuzzy photo) (only 150 individuals remaining on the planet).

Daniel Leaver

Science

The Year 11 Outdoor Environmental Study Class visited Werribee Gorge State Park for a day hike.

The students had a very enjoyable time and valuable learnings from this experience.

As part of the Year 9 Program at Rosehill Secondary College, students participate in an Interdisciplinary Studies subject. This term students have been investigating the concept of ’My Community’. As part of their assessment, the students will organise a gold coin donation for the out of uniform, food drives, food and activity stalls (Rosefest) which will be held on Wednesday 30^th March at lunchtime. We will also have live entertainment from the Music Department.

The proceeds from this event will be donated to Foodbank Victoria and Yooralla Victoria. We would greatly appreciate your support by donating goods to the College by Monday 4^th April. The following is a guide of goods that can be donated to Foodbank Victoria:

Thanking you in advance for your support.

Maria Viglione

Language Teacher/ 9 Interdisciplinary Studies Leader

NAPLAN Online in 2022

In the last fortnight, Year 7 and 9 students have completed two practice sessions using the NAPLAN online test platform.

This is part of our transition to the now mandatory online NAPLAN testing from the paper-based testing previously conducted and is designed to familiarise students, teachers and schools with the online platform.

The nation-wide NAPLAN tests will be conducted in Term 2. Rosehill students will complete the tests on the following dates:

Tuesday 10^th May - Reading Test

Year 9 - Period 1

Year 7 - Period 3

Wednesday 11^th May – Writing Test

Year 9 - Period 1

Year 7 - Period 3

Thursday 12^th May – Conventions of Language Test

Year 9 - Period 1

Year 7 - Period 3

Friday 13^th May – Numeracy Test

Year 9 - Period 1

Year 7 - Period 3

To complete the tests, all Year 7 and 9 students require their own laptop and a pair of headphones (ear buds may be used). We ask parents and guardians to ensure their child(ren) have both of these items in working condition in preparation for NAPLAN.

To support students and their families understand the online format, a public demonstration site has been set up to model sample tests. I encourage our Year 7 and 9 students and families to explore this site at https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

Further information regarding NAPLAN testing will be sent home with students before the end of this term.

Frances Snow

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

The 2023 STEP Information Evening will take place at Rosehill Secondary College on Tuesday 29th March 2022 from 6:30pm-7:30pm.

Bookings are essential. Please contact the College on 9337 2488 or email rosehill.sc@education.vic.gov.au

Families holding a valid means-tested concession card can apply for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists. For further information on eligibility please see www.education.vic.gov.au.

Please note: Students who commenced throughout the school year in 2021 will need to submit a new application with Rosehill Secondary College. To obtain a CSEF Application Form please contact the Administration Office or simply refer to the above website.

If you are unsure if your application has been submitted or endorsed, please contact the Administration Office on 9337-2488.

Jacinta Catoggio

Accounts Receivable