The Grapevine 02-09-2022

Principal's Message

Happy Father’s Day to all of our fathers, grandfathers, carers and special people. We hope you enjoyed a lovely day on Sunday 4th. Please join me in welcoming Rose Rogers to Robinvale College. Rose joins us in the role of Classroom Education Support and will work  across the Foundation to Year 8 classes.

I have received an update from the Victorian School Building Authority to advise us that the installation of the new playground and basketball courts will have a delayed start date of Term 4, 2022 and at this stage, is due for completion in April 2023.

You may have noticed the temporary fencing outside of the administration building. We are excited to announce that we will be having some new play facilities installed over the September school holidays, in this space. Thanks to Active School- Extracurricular funding, we will be installing a scooter track made of artificial turf in this space and will be purchasing a set of scooters and helmets so that students can borrow this equipment to use at recess and lunchtimes. More information will be available early Term 4, once the track is built.

Annie Evans and I were lucky enough to be the judges for the Book Week Costume Parade with the primary students recently. It was wonderful to see so many students and staff who took the time to get dressed up as their favourite book character. Thank you to all of our parents/carers who attended on the day and also put in so much effort to support their child/ren being in costume.

A reminder that this Thursday is a pupil free day, where teachers will use this professional practice time to catch up on other duties related to their roles and responsiblities. No students are required at school on this day.

Welcome Melanie Jamieson

My name is Melanie Jamieson.

I am the new school nurse for Robinvale College. I am at the College on Mondays and Wednesday.

I am part of the Health and Wellbeing Team here to support the students with many different areas of health and wellbeing from medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes to sexual health, support with healthy relationships, drug and alcohol and mental and emotional health. Almost anything related to being a teenager is an option.

I have been a nurse for 20 years mostly working with GPs in  Doctors clinics and am qualified in sexual health, nurse asthma educator and nurse immuniser so I have lots of experience that relates to the school nurse role.

I am really looking forward to meeting more students and getting to know them better and helping to support them to be the best versions of themselves.

Students can book in with me through reception, parents and teachers can also refer students to Health &Wellbeing  or just come and find me and say ‘hi’.

Attendance

The Department of Education and Training (DET) requires we address non-attendance. If you have recently received a letter asking you to explain your child’s absence, this may be why.

In general, it is expected that principals would excuse absences for:

• Illness. Where parents provides medical certificate or written explanation
• medical and dental appointments
• bereavement
• school refusal, when attendance plan in place
• cultural observance
• family holidays, where Student Absence Learning Plan agreed by the school, student and parent in Advance.

In general, principals would not be expected to excuse absences, where:

• approval had not been sought in advance
• the student was absent due to participating in leisure or social activities without approval
• the parent has provided no explanation for the absences.

Should you wish to clarify parent/carer responsibilities to provide explanations for student absences, please contact the College on 5026 3704 and ask to speak with your child’s Community Coordinator.

Link to Attendance policy:

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Mobile phone policy

Students must keep phones switched off and securely stored in a locked locker during school hours (8:45-3:05pm).

Students will not be allowed to access their phones during the school day.

Students can not use phone to pay for items at the canteen.

Students bringing any mobile phone to school do so on the understanding that breaches of this policy may result in the phone being taken off the student and placed in secure storage.

Parents or carers can reach their child by calling the school’s office on (03) 5026 3704.

Link to Mobile phone policy:

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Can we please ask all parents/carers to support us in enforcing these state-wide regulations. 

Emergency Services Visit

Students in F-4 were lucky enough to have the Local Emergency Services visit the school. Students were able to go around in groups to each of the services and learn what they do for our community. Students received a show bag with goodies from all the services that attended. Thank you to the SES Robinvale Unit, Robinvale Fire Brigade, and the local Ambulance & Police services for visiting today.

Year 9-10 Summit Camp

23 students alond with Miss Ford, Mr Jensen, and Mr Funaki headed down to the Summit Camp site in Traflager in West Gippsland. The campers took part in bush challenges, the flying fox, rock climbing, giant swing, inflatable challenges and climbing a 18 metre tower. Eveyone had a great time.

Inter-School Athletics

Congratulations to those students who travelled to Ouyen  to compete in the Inter-school athletics carnival. Kolosaini Taimani won Age Champion for the 12-13 year boys. Matt Phajongdee, Sasha Togo and Frank Zaffina all came third for age champion in their year levels. Well done everyone!

Musica Viva Wyniss Tour

Presented by Musica Viva and in conjunction with NAISDA Dance College, students participated in a one-hour concert by Wyniss (a musical ensemble from the Torres Strait). By comparing their own childhood games to those from the Torres Strait, students came to understand the importance of traditions, and to be thankful to those who teach them. This workshop was thoroughly enjoyed by students and teachers.

2022 Science Fair

We celebrated Science Fair at the College recently. Students from Years 7-10 & VCE conducted an independent science project following a scientific method to test a hypothesis and created information posters to display their work. Posters have been on display in the Science building and on Friday students from F-9 were able to visit and view the student's work. There were science demonstrations throughout the day by Mrs Mulada and Miss Edwards. Well done to all students who participated in this year's science fair.

College Basketball Teams

Mr McDonald has recently started a new basketball team within Robinvale College. The teams have been practicing together to enhance their skills and hope to play in competitions against other schools in the near future. So far, their is a junior mixed team and a high school all boys team. Hopefully there will be a high school girls team soon - please see Mr McDonald if you are interested.

Book Week Parade

Students in F-4  enjoyed a week of activites for book week, which was followed up with a dress up parade at our F-4 Assembly. 

Brass Band at the Beat

Congratulations to those members of the Brass Band who participated  in The Beat performance at the Mildura Arts Centre. Special mention to Austin Smith of Year 3, playing on the drums in his first performance. You all did an outstanding job!

Breakdance Workshop

The F-4 students participated in a Breakdance Workshop. This workshop was delivered by School Sport Victoria in partnership with the State Schools Spectacular. Presented by qualified and experienced breakdance teachers, these workshops have a social, fun, interactive focus aimed at encouraging more children to be active as well as promoting diversity, inclusivity and enjoyment through physical activity. The students had a brilliant time in the workshop, having fun and learning  some new skills!

Camp Quality Big Walk for Little Kids

Evie, Lyla and I are walking everyday in the month of September to raise much needed funds for kids with Cancer.

This is a cause very close to our hearts.

We completed our first walk yesterday. We would love others to join us on our walks, so please let me know 😊

Evie was already asking me this morning about our walk this arvo.

The link below is to our fundraising page if anyone would like to help us make a difference.

Camp Quality - Rikki Johnson

Good Luck

Good Luck to the Robinvale Euston Football Netball Under 16 Footballer, under 13 Div 2 Netballers and B Grade Netballers playing in this weekend's Sunraysia Football Netball League Grand Finals. 

Boils and Skin Care

A boil is a painful, pus-filled bump that forms under your skin when bacteria infect and inflame one or more of your hair follicles. A carbuncle is a cluster of boils that form a connected area of infection under the skin.

Boils usually start as reddish or purplish, tender bumps. The bumps quickly fill with pus, growing larger and more painful until they rupture and drain. Areas most likely to be affected are the face, back of the neck, armpits, thighs and buttocks. You can usually care for a single boil at home. But don't attempt to prick or squeeze it — that may spread the infection.

Symptoms

Boils can occur anywhere on your skin, but appear mainly on the face, back of the neck, armpits, thighs and buttocks — hair-bearing areas where you're most likely to sweat or experience friction. Signs and symptoms of a boil usually include:

• A painful, red bump that starts out small and can enlarge to more than 2 inches (5 centimeters)
• Reddish or purplish, swollen skin around the bump
• An increase in the size of the bump over a few days as it fills with pus
• Development of a yellow-white tip that eventually ruptures and allows the pus to drain out

Carbuncles cause a deeper and more severe infection and are more likely to leave a scar. People who have a carbuncle often feel unwell in general and may experience a fever and chills and can become very unwell needing medication.

When to see a doctor

You usually can care for a single, small boil yourself. But see your doctor if you have more than one boil at a time or if a boil:

• Occurs on your face or affects your vision
• Worsens rapidly or is extremely painful
• Causes a fever
• Gets bigger despite self-care
• Hasn't healed in two weeks
• Recurs

Complications

Rarely, bacteria from a boil or carbuncle can enter your bloodstream and travel to other parts of your body. The spreading infection, commonly known as blood poisoning (sepsis), can lead to infections deep within your body, such as your heart (endocarditis) and bone (osteomyelitis).

Prevention

It's not always possible to prevent boils, especially if you have a weakened immune system. But the following measures may help you avoid staph infections:

• Wash your hands regularly with mild soap. Or use an alcohol-based hand rub often. Careful hand-washing is your best defence against germs.
• Wash your body. Use a gentle cleanser that does not contain alcohol. Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips or facecloth to apply cleanser. Resist the temptation to scrub your skin because scrubbing irritates the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
• Avoid sharing personal items. Don't share towels, sheets, razors, clothing, athletic equipment and other personal items. Staph infections can spread via objects, as well as from person to person. If you have a cut or sore, wash your towels and linens using detergent and hot water with added bleach, and dry them in a hot dryer.
• Keep wounds covered. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with sterile, dry dressing until they heal.

Students can still attend school with a boil, it just needs to be covered with a dressing.

Boils and carbuncles - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic