The Grapevine Newsletter Friday 28th March 2025

PRINCIPAL REPORTS

As Term 1 comes to a close, we reflect on an eventful and successful term. Highlights include the Year 12 Leadership Camp, Swimming Carnival, staff swimming qualifications, primary swimming program, enhanced collaboration in planning and professional learning, a smooth transition for Foundation students, SRC leadership training, and Harmony Day celebrations.  

Congratulations to our Rose Rogers,  who has graduated with a master’s degree!  

We also welcome back Elizabeth. She has returned after a week in Canberra at the  National Schools Constitutional Convention. We look forward to hearing  about her  experience in the next newsletter.  

Letters of interest for the Year 7 & 8 camp in Term 2 have been sent out, promising an exciting outdoor adventure at the Bogong Outdoor school  campus in Mount Beauty. Meanwhile, the Foundation to Year 6  will host an Easter Bonnet Parade next Wednesday morning 2nd April , followed by the Easter raffle draw  in the afternoon ($1 per ticket).  

Term 1 ends next Thursday, with a staff Professional Development day on Friday. Wishing everyone a happy and safe two-week break! Term 2 begins on Tuesday, April 22, with classes running Tuesday to Thursday, as Friday is a public holiday for ANZAC Day.

HARMONY DAY

Harmony Day, celebrated in Australia on March 21st, promotes inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for all, embracing the country’s multicultural diversity.

Robinvale College marked the occasion with a traditional dress day, a parade, and a colouring-in competition, with canteen vouchers awarded to the winners. VPC students hosted a sausage sizzle with the help of the "Our Place" staff  , bringing the community together. The primary section concluded the celebrations with an assembly.

2025 SWIMMING PROGRAM

This Term the 2025 Swimming Program splashed off to a great start with lots of happy faces in Primary. The primary students have shown great growth in their abilities and confidence in and around water. A big thank you to Aidan Quinn, Lalueni  Kolofale, Samuel Fangatua, Travis Bussell, Damien Plonsker, Yvonne Krake, Ryan Sedgmen and Mia Doherty who put their hands up to complete their Swim Teacher Licences in order to assist in facilitating our school swimming program. We would also like to give a big thank you to Jack Holyoake and Belgravia Leisure centre Robinvale and Swan Hill who partnered with our school this term, to help facilitate the swimming program and provide valuable professional development opportunities from their experienced swim staff. Reminder that the secondary swim program will commence in week 2 of Term 2 and both the primary and secondary programs will recommence again in Term 4. Parents will be able to read about their students swimming progress and achievements in the semester 2 reports. What an exciting time to be at Robinvale College!

VCE ART MAKING AND EXHIBITING COURSE

As part of the VCE Art Making and Exhibiting course, students must visit two specified exhibition spaces during the year. This term, students had the opportunity to visit the Frida Kahlo exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery. They also explored a smaller gallery, gaining insight into different exhibition styles. It was a valuable experience for their studies.

FLOWERS WITH FOUNDATION

The Foundation Class had a fantastic time planting flowers with Miss Megan! With eager hands and excited smiles, they carefully placed each seed into the soil, learning about the wonders of nature along the way. Being outside in the fresh air, surrounded by the beauty of the natural world, is so important for their growth and well-being. The children couldn’t contain their enthusiasm, chatting about how they can’t wait to see their flowers grow and bloom into a colourful display. This hands-on experience nurtures not just plants but also a love for the environment that will continue to blossom!

YEAR 7 VISIT TO ROBINSWOOD

The Year 7 students visited Robinswood House with Ms. Pretty Munodawafa and Daryl Singh as part of their Humanities studies on Aboriginal history. They learned about Robinvale’s history and its connection to Villers-Bretonneux, France, as twin towns, highlighting the sacrifices of World War I soldiers. The students were inspired by a photo of an Education Support staff member, an ex-student Sonia Cardin-Haw who was  chosen to visit Villers-Bretonneux in 2017. This was the first  College group to attend the Robinswood House excursion.

INDEPENDENT READING

Students in year 9 have been visiting the library each week, borrowing books and practising reading strategies.  Recently, we have looked at Questioning strategies such as asking ‘I wonder…’ questions as we read and asking questions to clarify meaning.  We know that good readers apply a range of strategies as they read to ensure they have a deep understanding of the text.  This week, we are working on Self Monitoring as we read, making sure we go back and re-read if we lose track of what’s happening.  Reading for understanding is such an important life skill and practice is essential to perfect any skill, whether it’s kicking goals in footy, learning the guitar or reading, all skills must be practised.  Students have also been tracking their reading stamina, and challenging themselves to constantly improve. They have reached up to 30 minutes in some sessions, showing themselves that they are able to stick at a task continuously. This is important to be able to do in so many aspects of life, not just reading, so they are developing important life skills.  I feel grateful to work with students like these who are making a visible commitment to their learning and personal growth. We are working together towards their success.                         

Michelle Griffiths. Literacy Specialist and Coach. 

THANK YOU

Thank you to our two  local opportunity shops, The Community Aid Centre Op Shop and The Op shop in Perrin st  have generously donated funds to purchase a community defibrillator, now located at the Robinvale Community Hub Library. A heartfelt thank you to them  both—this essential equipment wouldn't have been possible without their support.