The Newsletter Friday 26th July 2024

PRINCIPAL REPORT

Dear parents and carers, 

We would like to welcome everyone back for the term. I am delighted to return as your Acting Principal; and look forward to continuing with the positive work and partnerships with our families and the community. Welcome back Lucy Hope as the 5/6 Teacher who has returned this Term. Catching up with many of our students I know they enjoyed some great activities and family events over their holiday break.

Naidoc Week

This week has been a sensational celebration of our Indigenous culture and joining together to acknowledge our past, present and future. I had the pleasure of attending the annual Clontarf and community football netball evening on Wednesday. I really enjoyed being able to chat and relax with students and get to meet community members. Thank you to Auntie Sherry for providing damper and a camp oven stew for everyone. It was absolutely delicious! Thank you to Sharon and the Naidoc Committee

Congratulations

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate Siua on his award at Rotary on Tuesday Night. Our school and the Robinvale community are so fortunate to have Siua and thank him for his time, passion, and commitment to our families.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Our Parent Teacher Interview Day yesterday provided a smooth start to the term, and it was great to see so many families taking the opportunity to meet with teacher to discuss their student’s learning and ensure continued connections.

Thank you to families for taking the time to attend these interviews. If you were unable to attend your child’s interview, please contact their teacher to make an alternative time to meet.

Curriculum Day

Our Curriculum Day on the first day of term had a Professional Learning focus on one of our school priorities: Calm and Orderly Classrooms. This work will continue as we develop consistent expectations across all classrooms with student and parents being part of the process. We know that for students to learn they need strong relationships with staff, consistent classroom structures and high parent expectations. Together we can all support our students to do well and achieve their best at school.

ESafety for Parents

Let us learn how to use parent controls to support and maximise online safety for your children at home.

Parental controls are software tools that allow you to monitor and limit what your child sees and does online. 

They can be set up to do things like: 

• Block your child from accessing specific websites, apps or functions (like using a device’s camera, or the ability to buy things). 
• Filter various kinds of content — such as ‘adult’ or sexual content, social media pages and pages with content that may promote self-harm, eating disorders, violence, drugs, gambling, racism, and terrorism. 
• Limit who can communicate with your child and manage the apps they can use to communicate with others.
• Allow you to monitor your child’s use of connected devices, with reports on the sites they visit and the apps they use, how often and for how long.
• Set time limits, blocking access after a set time. 

More Information can be found at: ESafety-Parents Issues

If you need more support with setting up controls please contact us here at school.

Lyn Coulter Acting Principal

VCE, VCE VM and VPC INFORMATION NIGHT

Monday 5^th August  5.30pm – 6.30pm  in the 9- 12 Building

This night is for all Year 10 Parents and Year 9 Parents whose child is interested in studying an early entry.  All pathways will be discussed on the night,  VCE, VCE VM and VPC, come along and be informed of what pathways are available for your child moving into Years 11 and 12.  We will also have a representative from HeadStart (Apprenticeships and Traineeships) available to speak to on the night.

EVERY DAY COUNTS & EVERY MINUTE MATTERS - SO, IT'S NOT OK TO BE AWAY

We understand that at times it may be necessary for your child to leave school early or arrive late. We do ask that appointments are made outside of school hours wherever possible to minimise the interruption to student learning and maximise their time at school. 

DOCTOR IN SECONDARY SCHOOL

Doctor at school on Wednesdays 10am to 3pm. To book appointment text or ring: 0408940799 or email: helen.harris@mvac.org.au or drop in to Clinic

Is at the College again this year. We frequently have spare appointments. These appointments can be used to have a health check. Students are welcome to come for a health check and screening for chronic diseases such as Diabetes Type 2, High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease and advice on how to avoid these diseases.

Appointments can be made by texting your name, Date of Birth and Medicare number (if you know it, not essential) to 0408 940 799. A time for the appointment will be text back. Or email helen.harris@mvac.org.au and she will send an appointment time.

LIVING THINGS

The Foundation students have been learning about the needs of living things with Miss Hill and Miss Nonga . The students planted their own seeds and have been keeping a seed journal of their predictions and observations as their plant begins to grow. The students were very excited to learn that their plant will grow into something they can eat! What could it be?

YEAR 11 WORK EXPERIENCE 2024

The Year 11 student participated in the work experience program. We had 5 students go to Melbourne for their work experience while others completed the program in Robinvale and Mildura. Thank you to the Employers of Robinvale Mildura and Melbourne for  their continued support with the Work experience program. 

Stephanie Baker Jason Grech ~ Fashion Designer North Melbourne 

Elizabeth Chirchiglia ~ Fair Work Commission Melbourne

Kalim Fanua  ~Robinvale Appliances and Furniture Zone Robinvale

Ana Filimone ~ Robinvale College Robinvale

Nazareth Filimone  ~Henderson College Irymple

Joel George ~ Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Parkville

Tyler Griffiths  ~Select Harvests Wemen

Kaili Hafoka ~ St Paul's Primary School Mildura

Cooper Jenner  ~Frank Davoli Electrical Robinvale

Mia Johnson ~ Museums Victoria Melbourne

Samiuela Mafi ~ Select Harvests Wemen

Jacob Pulvermueller ~ Alby Farms Robinvale

loan Togo  ~Robinvale College Robinvale

Peyton Wright  ~Museums Victoria Melbourne

KGA WORKSHOP

Last Term, our KGA girls had the opportunity to attend Djirra’s Young Luv workshop, where the focus was on promoting healthy relationships among our young indigenous girls. It was incredible to see them engage with the speakers and really connect with the importance messages shared. These workshops are so valuable in empowering our girls and equipping them with the skills to navigate relationships with confidence and respect. We are so proud of their enthusiasm and openness during this enriching experience.

HERO DAY

Last term the School had a Superhero day. Students and Staff dressed up as super hero's for the day and enjoyed activities at lunchtime and a food stall.

All money raised was donated to the Heart Kids, the only national non-profit organization solely focused on supporting and advocating for people impacted by childhood heart disease. This condition is one of the largest causes of infant death in Australia. Heart Kids aims to give every child, teenager, and adult in Australia with childhood-onset heart disease a fighting chance to live a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.

YEAR 7-12 HOODIES HAVE ARRIVED

The New School Hoodie jumpers for Students in Years 7 to 12, have arrived. We do have a limited amount available, which can be purchased from the front office for $55.00

SIUA TAUMOEFOLAU RECIEVES AWARD

The Rotary Club of  Robinvale Euston awarded Siua with the  The highest award in Rotary is the Paul Harris Award. It is given to a Rotarian or a member of the community that has made an outstanding contribution to the community.

Congratulation Suia.

Siua arrived from Tonga in 1989 after being part of ‘The Tongan Military Brass Band’. In 2001 Siua joined the staff at Robinvale Secondary College as an Instrumental Brass Instructor and Polynesian Assistant. He taught brass with the aim of creating a Brass Band.

The Band became a reality in February 2002, when Jack Larkins formed a committee to support the Brass Band. The band commenced with 20 students and 7 instruments. The band’s first performance was at School Assembly in November 2002 and their first community performance was at the Community Carols in Caix Square December 2002.

The Band began playing for ANZAC Services in 2003, and have continued playing for ANZAC services every year, eventually leading the march at Robinvale and Euston.

The band now has 52 instruments and Siua has trained over 200 young people to play brass. During Covid there were no lessons, so past members returned to support Siua and the band to play for ANZAC Day in 2022 and 2023.

The band became the main stay of the Robinvale College Multicultural Roadshow from 2005. The band went to Sydney in 2006 for the Australian International Music Festival where they achieved a Silver Award and played at the Opera House.

The band has performed at many Schools, Festivals and Communities across Victoria. The band has created a positive and lasting attitude to cultural diversity.

Siua and the band impacts and benefits Robinvale and the wider community. The band has continued for 23 years thanks to Siua, his musical skills, and commitment to the band.

Siua is an example of an immigrant with striking gifts enhancing the Australian way of life. He volunteers endless hours to keep the band playing at its peak and available for community functions.

NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS

The College has celebrated NAIDOC week, this week with activities. The week began with the  NAIDOC Assembly to celebrate NAIDOC Week. It was  held on the grassed area at the front of the school. Ending the week with an out of uniform day on Friday