The Grapevine Newsletter 9-2-2024
Principal's Newsletter
Hi everyone and welcome to another school year that promises to put student needs first. The college welcomes our new families to the school community and hopes that it won’t be long before they all feel a part of our community.
Our theme in 2024 builds on last year’s theme of ‘New Beginnings’, this year we will ‘Nurture the Seed’. We introduced many new initiatives during 2023, we need to keep giving them attention and care so that they develop into robust embedded practices that will make our college a fun and productive place to be. We will be continuing Student Led Conferences, 7-10 exams, regular maths and reading testing, targeted support in all classes and many other processes that has led our college to being calm and safe.
Staff Update
I’m very happy to share that our students have had a very settled and positive start to the year, despite staff changes. Staff and visitors to the school have commented on how calm the school is and how well our students are behaving and how wonderful it is to see them all in school uniform.
While we wait for our seven teachers to arrive from overseas, (our first is on deck on the 19th), we have many other staff who have started as relief teachers, Education Support Staff, and teachers.
On behalf of the College, we thank Laura McGown, Mark Bonner, Conor McBride, Eimer Brennan and our wonderful Cath Remer for helping us while we navigate this teacher shortage. They have each contributed to the successful start to the year. I am personally grateful.
We welcome the following staff to Robinvale College:
Education Support
Damien Plonsker. Damien will help deliver Food technology classes from Term Two. He will also support the Physical Education and Sports classes.
Mia Doherty. Mia is completing her Master of Teaching at the same time as supporting in the Year 5/6 class.
Alexandra Geroulis. Alexandra has just completed her Year 12 studies and has joined us to support the other 5/6 class.
Sam Mitchell. Sam is our new Chaplain. Sam is already making strong connections with our staff and students.
Chelsea Masila-Liutolo. A very experienced early years educator has joined the Year 1/ 2 team and will be supporting those students
Sam Taiamoni. This Sam comes to us from Sydney. As well being an experienced musician. Sam has a Bachelor of Music and as well as commencing his teacher studies will be supporting in Music elective classes and will be a member of the Student Support Team.
Megan Zaffina. Megan has taken on an administration role. She is helping with the management of the Disabilities and Inclusion and Careers Program.
Teaching staff
Jonathon Michaels. Jonathon has joined our staff as the new HPE Coordinator and 7-10 Health and PE teacher.
Chris Dawes It is with great pleasure that we welcome back Chris. Chris will be starting with us on Monday as the new 5/6 Teacher.
Tanya Louw Tanya has come to us from New Zealand, She has had many years’ experience as an Early Years teacher and is joining us for her first year of primary teaching as our Foundation Teacher.
Sadly, we lost a couple of staff. Congratulations to Sunny Handy for winning a position with Clontarf. Fortunately, Sunny will still be supporting our Aboriginal boys in his new role.
During the holidays Andre McDonald informed me that he and his family decided to make a life change and move to Lavers Hill, we wish him and his family all the very best.
Attendance and Uniform
As I mentioned earlier our students are looking wonderful in their uniforms. Thankyou to our parents and carers for working with the college to ensure that our school pride is visible to all by the way we dress for school. Please remember there are subsidies available. If you require financial support for school unform just contact the front office and something will be arranged. Also, just letting you know that grey pants/bottoms are being phased out. Our new uniform is black bottoms with no logos or stripes. Also, a reminder that shoes can be of any colour but must be fully enclosed.
Save the Dates:
College Photos Wednesday 28/5 (Week 5)
The College Photos will be Wednesday 28th, the photographs Leading Image will send through a access code that you can link in to online to order your photos. No cash or payment is take from the school the payments are to be made online. If you have any concerns please contact the Office.
Parent/Teacher Meet and Greet - Wednesday 28/2 (Week 5)
On Wednesday February 28 we would like to invite all families to come and meet the staff. We will send out more information in the next week or so.
Swimming Carnival - Wednesday 6/3/ (Week 6)
Another important and popular event is the swimming carnival. Our team of teachers are preparing our school for the event which is scheduled for March 6. We home you will join us at the community pool to cheers our swimmers along.
Looking forward to another amazing year of working in partnership with our community to make Robinvale College the best it can be.
Nat Mouvet
Welcome to our New Foundation Students
We are so excited for our new Foundation students. The Students began their first day at school last Wednesday, with lots of smiles and laughter, there was a few tears, though that didn't last long as they started their education years with fun filled activities. The Foundation students will have the following 2 Wednesday as rest days Wednesday 14th and 21st February.
Congratulation Wade Best
Wade has been a student of the Robinvale College since Prep. Wade is a current member of the Robinvale Euston Football Netball Club, and a valued senior member of the Robinvale Clontarf Academy, where he displays great leadership to the younger students. “Wade has taken part in Work Experience this year with the Clontarf Academy, joining the REECE Plumbing team in Melbourne. He also took part in the Robinvale College Year 10 Work Experience program at the local butchers, which has seen him gain after
school and school holiday employment. “Wade also took part this year in a VET (Vocational Education Training) program, which saw him gain a lot of skills including a White Card Ticket and Ag Chemical Course ticket. “Wade is a mature, respectful young man, was always willing to help staff and students around the school, and takes every opportunity that is offered to him.
Anaphylaxis & Asthma
Just a reminder that if your child /children are asthmatic or have an allergy that can cause an anaphylaxis attack., the college requires a medical signed care plan from your doctor.
