The Grapevine Newsletter 15th September 2023

Principal Report

Farewells

It’s a sad time for our staff because we are farewelling two of our teachers.  Paul Brennan and Ciara Geraghty have been with the College since term two.  I will say this repeatedly the contribution of our relief teachers has been immeasurable.  They have provided stability for the students and contributed a sense of good fun to their teaching and the staff room.  Paul will be staying locally to complete VISA labour work requirements.  Ciara will be going to Pinnaroo to work   on behalf of the staff and students I wish then both well in their next endeavours.

Pupil Free Day

On the Pupil Free Day last week, the staff learned and agreed on practices to ensure a safe, orderly learning environment which is a prerequisite to school improvement.  I’m proud to say that although things aren’t perfect, we have successfully begun to change the learning culture here at Robinvale College.  Our next steps are consolidating these changes with consistent practices in every classroom every day. 

We also used the day to fine tune our unit planning templates and begin planning for term 4 and 2024.  The Education Support Staff completed professional learning as well, these wonderful people are developing the confidence to work side by side with our teachers and their students.  We reviewed feedback from the Attitudes to School Survey and decided the best way to move forward with the great and not so great feedback, this includes consulting more with students.  We finished the day completing ‘Working on Within’ training which taught us the best way to defuse escalating situations in a safe way.

Cultural Inclusion and Celebration at Robinvale College

Last week the Tongan students led the school assembly to celebrate Tongan Language week.  Their pride in their culture was also on display at the opening of the Community Garden and through dances and song, was felt by us all.

Our Tongan students were joined by our Aboriginal dancers at the Early Years Family Expo. 

Our Aboriginal Dancers then performed at the Lantern Festival. College participation at the Lantern Festival included our own Robinvale College tent where the SRC promoted the college and made lantern toys for students. Many of our primary students participated in the Lantern Festival lantern competition, congratulations to River Watson, for winning the competition and to Kapo Unufe for coming third.

I’m excited to hear that the Italians also want to highlight our culture. I’m so excited! Thanks, Micaela Davoli, for getting an Italian Day committee together. I’m so proud to be the principal of a school that celebrates cultural diversity/inclusion as it does.

 Student Led Conferences

Thanks to our parents who attended the Student Led Conferences, we had excellent attendance which means that we hope more parents are connected to what their children are learning, how they are learning and are aware of how they can support their children at school. The Year 7-11 students will be completing their Student Led Conferences in week 2 of next term.  In this round students will present to a significant other person employed at the school.  Parents will be invited to attend the Student Led conferences in Term 1 of 2024.

Wishing you all a safe and relaxing  holiday. Looking forward to a excting busy Term 4. 

Nat Mouvett 

Robinvale Euston Lantern Festival

 What a wonderful evening the Robinvale Euston Lantern Festival last Friday. Thanks to all students who represented the College at the Lantern Festival.  
Congratulations to all the kids who entered a Lantern in the competition. A shout out to River for coming first place and Kapo coming third!

TEDDY BEAR HOSPITAL

Last week the F-2 students participated in the Teddy Bear Hospital incursion, run by Monash University medical students.The incursion aims to reduce 'white coat anxiety' by educating young students about some different procedures they might experience when they visit a doctor or hospital. The students learned about surgery, X-rays, blood pressure, healthy eating - and even got to make a plaster cast of their finger! They were also very excited to meet Big Ted and were able to successfully call 000 for help when Big Ted collapsed and needed medical assistance. Well done, F-2s!

CPR COURSE

This Term  14 of our Year 10 students took part in a Nationally Accredited CPR Course, as part of their Health subject. The course was run by Angela Izard from First Aid Services Mildura and fully funded by the local Lions Club. All students expressed their enjoyment of the course on the way back to school and will receive their certificates next week.

Robinvale Euston Early Years Family and Community Expo

COMMUNITY GARDEN OPEN DAY

Our Place would like to thank all involved in the Community Garden Open day on Wednesday 6^th September 15, 2023 What a Day the Community Garden Committee did a wonderful job of getting community to the garden to look at the wonderful space. We hope that this is just the beginning of welcoming community into the garden.

The food was outstanding with cultural dishes from around the world!

Daryl opened the event with an Acknowledgement of Country and some Didgeridoo playing telling us all about the history of the Didgeridoo.

Entertainment was thanks to the talented staff and students of Robinvale College who danced, played and sang.

We had a song from our Irish staff, Pacifica staff and students performed some dances and a song or two. The Brass band as always played a number of music pieces that got us all singing.

The final piece was a collaboration by the Band and Daryl playing the Didgeridoo. What a moving piece and such a reflection of our Community – We are one.

For many years (since 2016) the Community Garden Committee has been raising funds for a Toilet to be installed onsite.

And thanks to all involved we were able to cut the ribbon on our brand new toilet block at the open day.

We would like to acknowledge all of the financial contributors to this project over a number of years

THANK YOU to  the Rotary Club, Advancing Country Towns (Brockhoff Foundation), Euston Club, Colour Dash Fun Run, Batsey’s Development and the Robinvale Euston Workforce Network.

We would also like to thank all those who have been involved over the years in making the garden what it is today and we look forward to seeing it grow into the future.