The Newsletter 14th March 2025

PRINCIPAL REPORT

As we wrap up Week 6, it’s been fantastic to see how well our students are settling into the year. Classes are running smoothly, and there’s plenty of activities and excursions happening as well.

This week, our SRC has kicked off with Jess Kei from SHRCC  Youth Support Officer and Megan working with the members to build a planner for the year with a focus on building leadership skills and invigorating the school spirit.  What makes me especially proud is that our SRC team includes students from all year levels, who are committed to collaborating to improve our school for everyone.

Looking ahead, the last day of Term April 4^th will be a pupil-free day, as all our staff come together for a professional development event—one that we are proud to be hosting! Every member of our staff including teachers, classroom support, office staff, administration and IT will be participating in CUST training. Community Understanding and Safety Training (CUST) is professional learning for school staff to increase their understanding of Koorie culture, history and experiences. The purpose of the training is to ensure a strong foundation for culturally inclusive schools and practices, which can have a positive impact on Koorie students’ health and wellbeing. The training will be delivered by Koorie Engagement Support Officers.

Last week Julie Souter led the Intensive School Review at school. During her time here she observed classes, spoke to students, staff, parents, school council and members of the public to develop a report to bring back to the school community.  The report and its recommendations will support us to improve education at Robinvale for every student.

NAPLAN

The annual Naplan tests commenced on Wednesday for our Year 3, 5 ,7 and Year 9 students. It’s important to remember that NAPLAN is just one snapshot of student learning—it doesn’t define a student’s abilities or potential. Instead, we use the results to help shape our curriculum and support student growth.

School Council

Please be advised that due to the number of parent member nominations received being equal to the number of parent member vacancies, a ballot is not required and will not be held.

The Annual General Meeting of School Council will be held next Tuesday the 18^th at the Robinvale Library. The School Annual Report will be presented by me to council. Families and members of the community are welcome to attend the meeting which commences at 6:00pm.

Attendance

We all want our students to get a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school every day. If students miss school regularly, they miss out on learning the fundamental skills that will set them up for success. There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind and can affect their educational outcomes. Each missed day is associated with progressively lower achievement in numeracy, writing and reading. If your child averages one day’s absence per week over their 13 years of schooling that’s over 2.6 years of learning! Two days a week and that’s 5 years less school than children who attend every day. Give your child the chance to be successful-send them to school every day possible.

If you would like support in helping your child, get to school, please contact us there are lots of ways we can help support you and your child.

CONGRATULATIONS FROM DR ANNE WEBSTER MP

Our College Captains received a card each from Dr Anne Webster MP congratulating them on their appointment of College Captains.

BRASS BAND PERFORMANCE

At this week's Australian  citizenship presentation, the college  brass band delivered an impressive performance, playing the Australian national anthem and We Are One. Their music captivated  Mayor Cr Stuart King, Jade Benham MP ,and guests, leaving a lasting impression. Thank you also to Pat and Jamie from Zaffina Bus Lines for transporting the Band to the venue. This is and always greatly appreciated. 

SWIMMING CARNIVAL RESULTS

Congratulations to ALL of our students for their fantastic efforts at the 2025 Swimming Carnival this Term.

1st Place - Green House2nd Place - Blue House3rd Place - Gold House

Congratulations also go to the following students who were crowned the 'Age Champions' for 2025:

10 & Under Girls - Lisa Mounga10 & Under Boys - Vincent Mafi

11 Years Girls - Gwendoline Masila-Liutolo 11 Years Boys - Darcy Jenner

12 Years Girls - Anne Ale 12 Years Boys - Lewis Baxter-Smith

13 Years Girls - Alilia Campbell and Latai Masila-Liutolo 13 Years Boys - Harry Pettit

14 Years Girls - Lisita Talasinga 14 Years Boys - Dylan Costa

15 Years Girls - Klara Hatt 15 Years Boys - Matt Phajongdee

16 Years Girls - Lilah Best 16 Years Boys - Hamish Jenner

17 & Over Girls - Ana Filimone 17 & Over Boys - Cooper Jenner

 Mary Gaides Award - Anne Ale

SUNRAYSIA PRIMARY SWIMMING

Congratulation to our three junior student who competed in the Sunraysia Primary Swimming Carnival on Tuesday4th March in Mildura. They all did well in their races with them all receiving ribbons on the day  Shakya-50m Freestyle 3rd, Gwen-50m Backstroke 2nd and Darcy-50m Freestyle and Back Stroke both 2nd.

LODDON MALLEE SECONDARY SWIMMING

Congratulation Matt Phajongdee, Matt participated in this week's  Loddon Mallee Secondary Swimming Carnival in Swan Hill, He   came 3rd in 50m Breaststroke, and 4th in 50m Freestyle with a new PB of 28:88.                                   Well done Matt 👏 🎉!!!

HOMEWORK CLASSES

The Homework Club is underway and takes place every Thursday from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM, for students from year 5 to Year 12  providing academic support with teacher guidance. Light refreshments are available for students. Those requiring transportation must submit a signed consent letter. Attendance in Week 5 included 12 students and 3 staff members, while Week 6 saw 10 students and 4 staff members. We look forward to a productive term ahead!

PAT TESTING

Secondary students participated in PAT testing this past week. This provides teachers with valuable information about what they know and can do, so we can plan work that meets students’ needs.  These are some year 9 students focussing on their Reading test. 

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY

Clean Up Australia Day is an important event that encourages communities to take action in caring for the environment. It highlights the impact of waste and the importance of keeping our surroundings clean and sustainable for future generations.

At our school, Foundation to Year 3 students, along with VM and VCP students, took part by planting shrubs along the park fence at the front of the school, helping to beautify the area and support local biodiversity. In the afternoon, all students participated in an EMU bob, working together to clean up the school grounds.

Everyone showed great enthusiasm and enjoyed playing their part in keeping Australia clean. It was a fantastic effort by all!

Secondary students helped to clean up the ovals and around the Clontarf building. Year 8s collected as much rubbish as they could find. It was great to see that there really wasn’t all that much rubbish around, showing that students have been taking care and showing respect for their school grounds. We are lucky to have such lovely grounds to enjoy, taken care of by a hard working team. 

MS GRIFFITHS' MUSINGS

These students from Year 8  have been choosing great texts at the Library and practising their reading skills