Newsletter The Grapevine 5-5-2023 Week 2 Term 2

From the Principal's desk

Welcome to term 2, we are already in May and the second week of the term.  We’ve started the term in a bit of flux, but things are settling. I’m looking forward to sharing many of the positive changes that are underway despite the staffing challenges.  

On behalf of our staff and students I would like to wish Marjie James all the very best as she leaves Robinvale College to begin a new role at Mildura Primary School. Marjie has been a favourite of our primary students.  I personally thank Marjie for stepping into the role of secondary Humanities and English teacher and 7-9 Community Coordinator. She’s been an amazing support in the short time I have known her.  We also farewell Mr Ali who has had to resign for personal reasons.  We welcome back Tim Walsh, who I am learning is a Legend and Bev Thomson our school nurse.  New to our staff are Education Support staff Lueni Kolofale, Yvonne Krake, Sunny Handy, Toni Burke and Sonia Cardin-Haw.  In the front office we welcome Georgia McGinty.  All our new staff are proving to be amazing operators.

Attendance Awards

Congratulations to the students who received a certificate for their excellent attendance last term.  You can see the names of the students who received gold, silver, and bronze awards in this newsletter.  A special congratulations to Isaac Ikafanga who was the only student to achieve a gold certificate for 100% attendance.  41 students got a silver and 33 got a bronze certificate. This is a good start but I’m hoping that I can share bigger numbers with you next term.

Student Achievement Folios

Students were asked to make sure they keep their certificates for their Achievement Portfolios.  From this term onwards students will keep a copy of work samples, certificates, and a record of their work ethic progress in a folio which they will present to parents, carers or a significant other at Student Led Conferences.  Student Led Conferences will be an opportunity for students to share what they are proud of regarding their learning and extracurricular activities.  The next Student Led Conferences will be held at the end of term 3.  Please celebrate student achievements with your child and remind them to keep their work or certificates for their folio.

Mobile Phone and Uniform Policy

The enforcement of the uniform and mobile phone expectations has been good.   A big thank you for your support in making sure students are in full school uniform.  We still have a way to go regarding leggings, school jumpers and hoodies.  Students should layer up underneath their school uniform, but Leggings and hoodies shouldn’t be seen. 

 If financial support is needed to buy new uniform, please contact a staff member you trust, myself or a front office staff member and we will help arrange for new uniform.  Uniform shoes are black, these can be black runners.  Please help the school by replacing nonblack shoes with black ones when it is time to buy new school shoes.

The implementation of mobile phone policy is working very well.  The students have been amazing with their response to how mobile phones need to be managed at school. 

Eligibility for Extra Curricular Activities

In response to the wishes of people from all parts of our school community the expectations of our students have been lifted so that they learn to earn their privileges. To be eligible to participate in college extracurricular activities students need to meet the following criteria each term:

• Students comply and meet the expectations of our College Code of Conduct.
• Students maintain an approved attendance of 80% or higher.
• Students consistently follow the school uniform policy.
• Students have no work owing - there is no work overdue or outstanding.
• Students have not received a suspension in the specified time frame.
• Permission for activity is returned prior to the set due date.
  
  

All students are expected and supported to participate in college representative activities, however, a student may be excluded from participation if they have not met the eligibility criteria as outlined above, within a 5-week period leading up to the time of the activity. Where the activity is one that has an extended lead up of more than five weeks, students will be reminded and given the opportunity to rectify the criterion not being met to stay involved/on the list for that activity/camp etc.

I’m keen to have your feedback about this idea which will be developed into the Representation Policy.  I will be adding this to the list of ideas/policies I would like to get feedback from students.

Lastly, just letting you know that Year 7-10 student choice of electives are being offered starting this term and Brass Band rehearsals have started.  There will be more news on how classes will be restructured in the next newsletter.

ANZAC Day Service

Our School Captains represented the College at this years  Anzac Day  Service. The Brass Band played on the day as well and were enjoyed by all particallay the vistors to the town. On Wednesday the school held an Anzac Service in the piazza area. Suia was on hand to play the last post on the trumpet 

Term 1 Attendance Awards

100% Attendance

Isaac Ikafanga 

90% – 98% Attendance

A-jay Akid; Alessio Tassone; Ameekah Thalasinos; Annabelle Morris; Austin Chittasorn; Austin Smith; Ava Best; Brocky Tran; Callum Togo; Christian Garreffa ; Christina Brigante; Cindy Huynh; Claudia Maynard; Corey Valinoti-Marks; Darcy Jenner; Eli Kirby; Milly Mitchell; Gwen Masila-Liutolo; Hamish Jenner; Hamish Macintosh; Hayley Uebergang; Heston Poh; Isabella Brigante; Jai Akid; Jed Macintosh; Jett Dunrobin-Rowe; Joziah Dunrobin-Rowe; Klara Hatt; Matt Phajongdee; Morgan Valinoti- Marks; Lina Tamaliso; Peyton Wright; Phoebe Smith; Reuben Manu; Riley Jenner; Riley Kupper; River Watson; Sasha Togo; Sze Lei Poh; Sze Qing Poh; Kapo Unufe; 

85%-89% Attendance

Alice Smith; Charlotte Tagicakibau; Christopher Le; Daryl Yavit; Diondre Samupo-Teohaere; Ella Mannix ;Ella Gaiter;Eseta Maumalanga; Fine Akauola; Flynn Milne; Geno Brigante; Grace Uebergang; Harry Pettit; Raaj Muanandy; Henry Nguyen; Isaiah Lamb; Jarrod Johnson; Kira Leslie; Korban Dixon; Leeth Harrison-Terrick; Lewa Damuni; Lisa Mounga; Maryam Alami; Reanne Hatt;Rocco Chirchiglia;Salote Fangatua; Shakya Jones-Kennedy; Siaola Mounga; Stanley Baxter; Talita Heitonga; Phong Nguyen;Valeria Tamaliso; Vilivaka Filimone;

Cross Country

Cross Country was held last Tuesday with lovely wether conditions.

Congratulations to the students who particpated  and to the age champions for 2023.

Playground update

The playground equpiment has arrived and the construction of the playground has commenced. The students are very excited and can't wait untill they are able to play on the new equipment.

Melbourene VCE Careers Expo

 From the 3rd - 5th of May, 24 of our Year 10-12s students were in Melbourne. Students explored 2 Universities including, Swinburne Institute Of Technology (Hawthorne) and Federation University in Ballarat on Friday. They spent some time walking around the Careers Expo, speaking to representatives of different universities from all over Victoria and some interstate uni’s. Throughout the trip they took part in other activities, including making podcasts, shopping, karaoke, and a movie. What a loaded three days. 

By Elizabeth Chirchiglia

The Book Fair

The Book Fair is coming to Robinvale College. It will run from the 24th May - 26th May.We will be in the Robinvale College Library from 8-30am to 4-00pm on theses dates. Eftpos will also be available. Come by and support our school whilst getting your hands on the best new children’s books!