The Grapevine Newsletter 04-08-2023
Principal's Report
It’s the end of Week 4 which means 6 weeks of term 3 to go. Time is flying by too quickly. Thankfully staffing is almost complete and is stable for now. Since the last newsletter we have farewelled Rohan Schloithe and welcomed Adam Mutimer who will step in as the Technology Support Officer with Jack Davidson. Sarah Hamence has commenced as our school nurse and will be helping until Bev Thomson returns from leave.
NAIDOC Week
This week we celebrated our Indigenous Elders. This year we acknowledge that Indigenous Elders across every generation. Elders have played, and continue to play a vital role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. A huge thank you to Travis Bussell and the Koorie Engagement Team made up of Ryan Sedgeman, Rex Handy, La Tarnya Birkinshaw, Janelle Ricker, Sharon Urquhart, Stacey Ingram, Toni Burke, Sunny and Molly Handy who organised several fun activities for our school community.
The week started with a Staff vs Student basketball game followed by a special NAIDOC Ceremony. The Assembly was well attended by students, parents, MVAC staff and Elders from our local community. The large crowd was entertained by Daryl Singh and his son Amos on the digeridoo and Mahino Paola on the clap sticks, thanks to Daryl for stepping in again to help promote Aboriginal culture with our boys. The assembly ended with a wonderful dance performance by our Koorie Girls. Thanks to Billie Brims who helped choreograph the dance. Another highlight was the performance at the community theatre by Dion Drummond. The students loved his performance. You can see photos on our page on Facebook and below in the newsletter. On Wednesday, another huge crowd gathered for the annual Clontarf vs Community football game. The Clontarf footy team had an 8-point win over the Robinvale Community Team. The week ended with NAIDOC themed activities. A fantastic week that truly acknowledged our Aboriginal Elders.
Go Fund Me efforts for the Lingwoodock family
As you know the family home of the Lingwoodock family was burnt down last week. The Year 12s are in the process of collecting money amongst themselves and contributing to this page for the Lingwoodock. If you would like to contribute, please follow this link.
100 Days Celebration
Congratulations to our Foundation students for achieving their first milestone 100 days of education. This year they were joined by the Year 1 and 2 students in their celebration activities. Thanks to Ms Hill, Nonga Unufe, Sonia Cardin- Haw, Mr Holyoake, Rose Rogers, Ms Purcell, Yvonne Krake and Molly Handy for helping our students with all their activities.
See Saw
Parents, especially of primary aged students are curious about what their children are doing at school. To address this the Primary Team have introduced See Saw as a communication tool. Parents have been sent emails, text messages and a letter home with all the information they need to register for See Saw. Once we are set up, we will use the App to not only share photos but to also keep parents informed and updated. Please contact Rikki Johnson at the College if you need assistance.
Athletic Sports
Our Ath sports will be in Week 7 on Tuesday 22nd August. Our Athletic committee led by Mr Walsh have been busy organising for the day, while the students have being practising their skill during sport for the ath sports Parents, caregivers, and families are welcome to attend the day. There will a BBQ lunch on the day, with the canteen also open. Many thanks to Joe Gervasi for the cleanup of the long jump sand pits, in prepration for the day We look forward to seeing you all there on the day.
Kindest Regards
Nat Mouvet Principal
VET TRADIES – ENGINEERING UNIT
The VET Tradies students are back in the shed on Fridays taking part in their Engineering unit this Term. Students are measuring up their projects and folding them on our two new machines that are a new addition to our Engineering Shed.
DEFENCE FORCE VISIT ROBINVALE COLLEGE
On Tuesday 25th July Defence Personal from the Army, Navy and Airforce came to the Robinvale College and gave an informative talk on all that the Armed Forces have to offer in Career pathways. Students from Year 9 -12 were engaged by all three presenters and hearing their own personal pathways into their careers. The Defence Force offers careers in all areas from Infantry, Engineering, Nursing, Cyber Intelligence, Mechanics and everything in between.
We always appreciate the Armed Services taking the time to come out to the Robinvale College and speak to students whilst on their regional tour.
100 Days of School
Students in F-2 celebrated 100 Days of School! They participated in a range of activities, including craft, numeracy games and STEM challenges. They also created a self-portrait of what they might look like if they were 100 years old. Photos what they might look like in the future were taken of the students.
Courntney Wakeflield Footy Star Academy
The Footy Star Academy is Australia’s first all year-round skill based footy program. The programs are taught by qualified and professional footy coaches. It is for girls aged 5-18 years old to learn in a girls only environment.They have the oppurtinity to learn how to kick and handball the football – Fundamental motor skills – Overall footy skills – Game-sense acquisition.
The girls from years 7/8 are fortunate to have past student and AFLW Richmond player Courtney Wakefield every Monday for Term 3 for the program.
Many thanks to Mallee Dhelk Dja who have funded the program and Nicole Lihou from Department of Families, Fairness & Housing in organising the programto come to Robinvale College. The program is a great opportunity for the youth girls to come together and learn basic AFL skills, along with listening, assisting, and offering each other encouragement in a different environment. They can see and experience other opportunities with professional mentoring from AFLW Player Courtney Wakefield.
NAIDOC WEEK
The College held their NAIDOC Assembly to celebrate NAIDOC Week. It was a beautiful ceremony held on the grassed area at the front of the school. A smoking ceremony was held as the students staff and visitors listened and watched the KGA dancers and the didgeridoo played by Daryl Singh and his son Amos with Mahino on the clap sticks. Thank you to all involved.
KGA DANCERS
The KGA girls performed at the NAIDOC assembly this week. They were taught traditional dances by past student Billy Brims. Billy was very honoured to be asked to come perform and teach the girls the dances.
INDIGENOUS PERFORMANCE
Continuing on with our NAIDOC Week celebrations, our students were lucky enough to visit the Robinvale Arts Centre to see Dion Drummond perform.
CLONTARF VS COMMUNITY ANNUAL FOOTY MATCH
Congratulations to the Robinvale Clontarf Academy, for defeating the Community team in the annual Clontarf Vs Community Football Match. Clontarf 8 9 57 def Community 7 7 49. The game is played annually in conjunction with the College's NAIDOC celebration. The spectators were treated a wonderful night of footy and a BBQ tea prepared by Clontarf team and staff from the College. A huge thank you to Leon Johnson for helping with the night and the logistic of the night and to the Robinvale Euston Football club for the use of the facilities.
STRUCTURED WORK PLACEMENTS
Each Thursday our VCE VM and VPC students head out on Structured Work, this is a component of them gaining their certificates. It is also great for students to experience what life is really like in the workplace and to explore different career pathways, whilst gaining vital employability skills. At times structured work placements have led to part time employment, apprenticeships and traineeships and even fulltime employment. We are very fortunate here in Robinvale that local Industry and Businesses support our local school and students.
This week we caught up with 3 students whilst out on placement Alani Ale (Select Harvest), Ainsley Mannix (RDHS Aged Care) and Michael Borg (Ritchies IGA). These visits are essential in gaining feedback from the employers as to how the student is going and to speak with students whilst at the workplace.
If you are interested in hosting a student for a structured work placement, please contact Julie Kelly (Careers Counsellor) at the school on 5026 3704.
WELLBEING SPACE
Many of our students have been seeking and gaining the support of the professional mental health workers at HeadSpace. This service has been a game changer for our school with little to no wait times to gain an appointment. Please reach out to Kate Zimmer (Assistant Principal-wellbeing), Travis Bussell (wellbeing support staff 7-12) to make an appointment or for further information
Counselling services for our primary aged students is also available through Mallee Family Care and some other services we are currently linking in with. Again, please reach out to Kate Zimmer (Assistant Principal-wellbeing F-12) and Krystl Brown (wellbeing support staff F-6) to make an appointment or for further information.
We are offering Mental Health Education Workshops ran by HeadSpace throughout the remainder of the year. These workshops focus on areas such as;
- Let’s Talk About It: Mental Health
- Looking out for your friends: Notice, Ask, Connect
- Standing Strong: Bullying & Mental Health
- Transitions: Primary to Secondary
- Transitions: Leaving School
- Self-care: looking after your mental health
- Naming & understanding our emotions
- What Next: Life after a Natural Disaster
Headspace Digital Services
Young people can also get support for mental health by creating a headspace account. You don’t need to face things alone. Create a free headspace account today to join a supportive online community and access tools and resources to help you manage your mental health. It’s simple, free and safe.
With a headspace account, you’ll get instant 24/7 access to a great range of tools and support for mental health. Build connections in a community of like-minded young people, join group chats, create your own personalised space, and get professional 1-on-1 support — all online and free.
- https://headspace.org.au
- Create an account
- Explore a wealth of services including:
Creating your own personal mental health toolkit
Online forums, where you can connect with others, get insights into how people deal with similar situations and ask questions within peer support chats
- headspace, chat online or via phone (1800 650 890) with a clinician
Another great online counselling service is Kids Helpline (available 24/7)
- Phone: 1800 55 1800
- Webchat: https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling/
Doctors in schools
We are so fortunate at Robinvale College to have our Doctors in Schools services. The doctor can assist with all medical needs including health checks, mental health care plans, advice and more.
