The Grapevine Newsletter 24-03-2023

From the Principal's Desk

Another eventful fortnight has passed since our last newsletter.  There were several highlights this week.  These started early in the week at the basketball championships where many of our present and past students play in the basketball finals.  Congratulations to all our talented students who played.  Another highlight was watching Lyla Ikafanga and Latai Masila-Liutolo perform the Acknowledgement of Country at a forum that was attended by a room full of professional people.  They did an amazing job! and I was proud of how they represented the College.   And finally, this week was Harmony week.  The 12 VPC/VM students supported by Debbie Ford and collaborating with Talia, our Polynesian Community Liaison and Laura from Our Place ran several culturally influenced activities. It was heart-warming and fun to see the singers and dancers encouraged so vigorously by the crowd during their performances at lunchtime. Including our Education support aide Rose Rogers,   There was also face painting and Our Place and staff provided food and drink inspired by different countries.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent/Carer/Teacher Interviews will be held at the College between 1.20- 4.30 next Wednesday.  I hope you will take this opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with their teachers.  I will also be available for chats.

Please make an appointment through Compass, by emailing teachers or ringing the front office

School Council AGM

It was a pleasure to meet the 2023 College Council this week.  I’d like to thank the following parents, community members and Department of Education representatives for committing to their time to the College.  Thanks Patricia Williams, Fianna McDonald, Toneea Watson and Ebony Urquhart-Singh, our parent representatives, our community members Cindy Hinterholzl  (Our Place), Vicki Boram (former parent) and Paul O’Neill (MVAC).  To Melissa Kupper and Travis Bussell who join me in representing the Department of Education and Klara Hatt who will be one of two student representatives. 

Uniform and Mobile Phone Policies

These policies were raised at College Council this week.  The implementation of both will be reviewed in the coming weeks.  Parent and student as well as staff voice will be sought. 

As I explained in the last newsletter, a part of education is to teach students the habits that will make them successful in the world of work, and as successful and happy citizens.  These habits include dressing, speaking and acting appropriately in different settings. 

Next term, students will be supported by the College to develop these good habits.  We will help students manage phone use.  To help students manage their dependence on phone use they will be asked to hand their phones to the front office at the beginning of the day.  As I’ve explained, the mobile phone policy is out of my control.  I know there are many valid reasons that students bring their mobile phones to school so I ask for your support by arranging bank cards and iPod for students who need their phones for money and to listen to music.Please relay messages to your children through the front office.  Adapting to  no Phone us at school is going to take practice. It will be easier if we work together to change these habits.

As well as preparing our students for the world of work we also want students to wear their uniform with pride.  I spoke to students about this at our last assembly.  We love our school, and we want to share all that is wonderful about us with the broader community.  This begins with how we look, how we speak and how we comport ourselves in public. Wearing our full school uniform with pride will support our  renewed effort to make our College a school of choice. Staff will not be able to enforce these expectations without your support. 

Lastly, College Council approved a Pupil Free Day on April 24.  This is the day before ANZAC Day.  The Leadership team anticipates that many families will extend their holidays to include the ANZAC Day public holiday.  The day will be used for Curriculum development.

Please stay well

Nat Mouvet

Happy Birthday Mrs Merlin

Our champion volunteer, Mrs Merlin, celebrated her 97th birthday at school on Tuesday. Mrs Merlin was doing what she likes best, being with young people and listening to them read. Happy Birthday Mrs Merlin from Robinvale College.

Introducing our new staff

Jawwad Ali

Ali Where are you from?  

I am from Pakistan. I was born there in a small town, Hyderabad, and raised in Ogoja, Nigeria. My father was a teacher, and he got the opportunity to teach there, so he took the whole family to Nigeria. We lived in Nigeria for more than ten years before moving back to Pakistan. I completed my Bachelor of Science from USA and lived there for around five years. I have a Master of Business Administration from Pakistan. I have also travelled to Europe many times and lived in UK for two years before migrating to Australia as a Permanent Resident in May 2012. Mostly, I have lived in Canberra and Melbourne and have visited almost all states and territories of Australia. I am married and our son turned twenty this year. He is studying Mechanical Engineering at RMIT, Melbourne.

What are your areas of work at the school and previously before Robinvale? 

I have been teaching in Australia since 2019 after completing my Master of Teaching Practice in 2018. Apart from teaching in Australia, I had taught in UK (advance diploma, O’ Levels and A’ Levels), and in Pakistan (master’s and Undergraduate students). I have a passion for teaching Mathematics and had worked as a private tutor for students aspiring to take the Selective Schools’ Entrance Tests. It had been my desire that I contribute to the learning and development of students in remote / rural setting, and that is why, I am here, 461 kms away from my family. Actually, with my new family of Robinvale.

Your impressions of Robinvale and the area?

The people at Robinvale College had created a very strong (if not, everlasting) positive impression for the profession and the surroundings. It is a great place to be in as Robinvale is the junction of three states, plus the Murray River and vast areas of farms. It is indeed a honour to be here. I think the people are the most welcoming here and that makes a great difference. Also, it is the opportunity to interact within the local community that I cherish every day. Thank you all, for being the nice people you all are.

Jo Biggins

Jo Where are you from? And what is your education, and work experience background

Im from Adelaide, but I grew up on the Murray River in the Riverland. My background is Health Science. I have previously worked with headspace, a youth mental health service for young people aged 12 to 25.

What areas of work do you do  at the school, subjects, year level.

I am teaching Year 7-10 Health, Health, and Human Development Units 3 and 4

Your impressions of Robinvale and the community

 I love the diversity and resilience of the students at Robinvale College and was particularly impressed to see so many students helping each other out as a team, both in and outside of class.  

 Kate Zimmer

My hometown is  Melbourne my education background ~ Undergrad Performing Arts (Monash University), Graduate Diploma of teaching P-12 (La Trobe University) Masters of teaching P-12 (La Trobe University). I ran my own yoga business for 7 years and was a yoga teacher for 11 years! Then I restudied to become a teacher 😊 I have worked in various areas of education such as high school, TAFE and a Independent Flexible Education Institute that supported at risk youth.

At Robinvale College I am a  Leading Teacher, Wellbeing, School Wide Positive Behaviour, Yr 9 English and Victorian Pathways Certificate Literacy

My first impressions of  Robinvale is honestly a very unique place. I have lived lots of different places in Australia (Melbourne, Wollongong, Mount Hotham, Wodonga, Hayman Island, Airley beach, Port Douglas etc) however I am not sure I have seen such a mix of cultures living together with acceptance and a true sense of community. It makes me so happy to see. The river is gorgeous, the sunrises and sunsets are magic and I love the relaxed atmosphere of the town and surrounds.  Everyone has been so welcoming and inviting, I am very grateful and really enjoy coming to work each day 😊

Ryan Sedgmen

Im a local boy from Merbein attending school at  Merbein Secondary College & Mildura Senior College. My past jobs over my time have been Landscaper, Police Custody Officer and a Drug and Alcohol Support worker.  I work am one of the Clontarf Director at the College. I am enjoying the great start here at the school and looking forward to building some great relationships with students, staff and the Robinvale community.

STRUCTURED WORK PLACEMENTS

Our students, once again are out and about in the Community every Thursday taking part in their structured work placements as part of their VM and VPC Certificates.  The Robinvale Community and Businesses play an  extremely important role in supporting our students in the workplace.  Students gain a real insight into the world of work and it gives them a chance to experience different career opportunities over the course of the year.

If you are interested in hosting a student for placement please give Julie Kelly at the Robinvale College a call on 5026 3704.

NMLLEN / SMGT visit

Dale Harvey from NLLEN and Danica Taliloa from SMGT visited the College and spoke to the students in the years 11 -12  about readiness of job, structed workplacements and preparing for the workforce.  

VCE Art Gallery Excursion

Ms Ford along with students from the Years 11 & 12 attended the Swan Hill Art Gallery for the a day of research and inspiration for their VCE  Art Portfolios for 2023