The Grapevine 15-10-2021
From the Principal's desk
Welcome to Term Four.
This term starts with a staggered return to onsite classes with different year levels attending at different times. This is part of the Victorian Roadmap out of lockdown and into COVID Safe settings.
The College is continuing to follow all advice from the Chief Health Officer, and this is especially relevant this week with the increased number of cases close by. I will continue to communicate with you, using COMPASS, any information that is directly impacting the College.
The goal for the next 5 weeks is to re-engage all students with regular learning. Over the coming weeks this will be a combination of onsite, Webex and hard copy work. Learning Coaches are checking in with students when they attend onsite, logging on to Webex classes and calling home when no contact has been made.
We need to hear what is and isn’t working to ensure all our students have access to learning.
Webex sessions will continue to be offered for the days students are not required to be onsite. Hard copy packs are available if Webex is not possible. To organise this please contact the class teacher.
I have heard from Miss Sara Broster following her surgery and all went well. We anticipate Sara to be back on deck late November.
The Canteen is currently closed, though lunch orders can still be made thanks to the team at Loft 13. Jussy and the team continue to do an awesome job supporting our school ensuring staff and students are well catered for. Orders can be placed at the College Administration Office, no later than 9.30am or at Loft 13, indicating whether it is for recess or lunch delivery. EFTOPS facilities are available.
The swimming program for our primary classes started this week. The swimming schedule is available on Facebook and students are reminded to bring along their swimwear.
The next student free day is scheduled for Monday, 1st November, the day before the Melbourne Cup holiday.
Finally, I would like to say thank you and share my appreciation for the support and welcome I have received so far this term. I am enjoying my time here at Robinvale and look forward to working with you.
Mr. Nathan Black
Acting Principal
Welcome to New Staff
Celeste Hill
I am from the Western Suburbs of Melbourne. I grew up in Ardeer and have lived and worked in Sunshine, West Sunshine, Southbank, Altona Meadows and Point Cook. I have worked in several areas of education, including after-school care as a Team Leader and Assistant Programs Manager for 2 years and an integration aide for 6 years. I have been a teacher since 2018, initially as a CRT where I gained experience across all year levels. For the past 3 years I have been a Prep classroom teacher at Altona Green Primary School. I will be in the F-4 area teaching a range of subjects from Humanities,PE,Science and Technology. I have enjoyed my first week here 🙂
Romany Adcock
I am from Robinvale and done my primary and secondary schooling here. I have completed a Diploma in Management and I am currently studying a Diploma in Community Services. I have spent the past 12 years working in Local Government as well as working in State and Federal Government agency services. I am in the front office in Education Support – Administration. My first impressions of Robinvale College is that the daily processes are very well run and organised and everyone is very friendly.
Nathan Black
Born and raised on a fruit block on the edge of Red Cliffs, the Robinvale community feels a lot like home. I was heavily involved in competitive swimming growing up and would frequently compete across Sunraysia, including Robinvale.
I have been teaching now for more than twenty years and spent most of my time with the Department of Education (DET) in school leadership roles. Ultima Primary School (near Swan Hill) was my first substantive Principal position before moving back home and leading Sunnycliffs Primary School. For the last few years, I have worked for the DET Mallee Area team in a number of roles directly supporting schools, including Acting Principal of Red Cliffs College.
I am enjoying my time at Robinvale College, as you have a dedicated team of professionals, happy students and well-kept and inviting facilities. I look forward to meeting more of you.
College Council Members
Vicki Boram
Hi, My name is Vicki Boram and I am the Vice President/Parent Rep of the College Council. I am now in my 2nd year as part of the College Council, during my 1st year I was able to just absorb all the information and try to learn and understand how the school operates. I have found it a great way to really get to know the principal, staff, parents and community members that all contribute to make our school great. We aim to provide a school that encourages learning in all students and is a safe place for all staff and students.
I am originally from Woolsthorpe in South West Vic and in 2001 I met my husband in Boundary Bend when he tipped me out of my canoe on a church camp and the rest is history. We have been married for 19 years this November. ( I think I can finally be called a local). We have 2 boys that have attended Robinvale College, Shane aged 17 and Toby aged 15. Shane left year 11 at the end of Term 2 this year to enter a full time apprenticeship with Pioneer Ford. Toby is in year 9 and was privileged to attend the School for Student Leadership - Alpine Campus for his Term 2 this year. We have a citrus and pistachio farm and transport company out in Boundary Bend and are looking forward to our 1st harvest of pistachios in Feb/Mar next year (they take 5-7 years to bear nuts, and our 1st patch was planted in 2015)
I have a Diploma in Children's Services and have worked as an assistant at the Robinvale Preschool for a few years, I was also the teacher at Tooleybuc Preschool, and did my work placement at MVAC Childcare Centre back in 2002. I have been on the committee for the Robinvale District Cricket Association until recently, I am the secretary for the Boundary Bend Progress Association too.
Peta Elliott
My name is Peta Elliott, I have a daughter in year 9 at Robinvale College. I am currently studying Health and Community Services, my favourite book is 'The Lorax', by Dr Seuss. I am one of the Parent representatives on School Council, which I am finding more and more interesting, as I learn of how the State Education system is run. I look forward to continuing to contribute in any way that I can, and getting to know the processes further. I actually embrace diversity, no matter how much I may disagree with it, and I have no patience for incompetence. I have found Miss Broster, Ms Shanahan, Admin, fellow Parents and DET representatives welcoming and supportive during School Council, and extremely competent and capable in their roles during our meetings. It's been a joy.
Multicultural Day
Multicultural day was held last week. The day was organised by the VCAL students, who have been looking at cultural diversities. The students baked and decorated cupcakes with flags from around the world, for all on site. Students dressed up in their cultural costumes. Activities were held in the piazza area for all to enjoy with a free sausage sizzle.
Swimming Program Term 4
Our Term 4 Swimming Program has commenced this week. The Swimming Program will be undertaken under the guidance of Miss Bonnie McKenzie with assistance from the classroom teachers. Miss McKenzie will be conducting the lessons until the return of Miss Sophie Westland.
Please ensure your child brings along their bathers, towel and goggles on the scheduled day of their swimming lesson.
Please Note: Your child will be swimming for one period each week, as detailed below…
Foundation – Friday - Period 5
Grade 1 – Friday - Period 4
Grade 2 – Friday - Period 3
Grade 3/4A – Wednesday - Period 5
Grade 3/4B – Tuesday - Period 5
Grade 5/6A – Friday - Period 1
Grade 5/6B – Friday - Period 2
If you have any questions/queries relating to our Term 4 Swimming Program, please do not hesitate to contact the College.
5-8 Learning Community
Welcome back to all of our Year 5, 6, 7 and 8 students! Great to see so many students back onsite and participating well in all the activities this week! All the staff are looking forward to everyone being onsite together again! Mr Ritches and the Year 7s enjoyed a walk to the river on Monday.
The 'Health and Wellbeing Walk' for the Year 7 students was a way to enable them to revise what was learnt throughout 'Water in the World' in Humanities earlier in the year. It also provided an opportunity for students to reconnect after a long period of remote learning, assisting their health and wellbeing for future learning.
5 – 8 Community.
Round 3 of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program
The Victorian Government’s Get Active Kids Voucher Program supports eligible families to get their kids involved in organised sport and active recreation activities by reimbursing the cost of membership and registration fees, uniforms, and equipment. Eligible children may be able to receive up to $200 each per round! Round 3 is open until 30 November. For more information and eligibility visit the Get Active website.
Children must be aged 0 to 18 and named on a valid and issued Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and Medicare card to be eligible. To find out more please visit,
https://www.getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers/
PTV Permission to Travel
To meet updated PTV (Public Transport Victoria ) requirements, Bus forms must be completed and returned to school before students are authorised to travel on Victorian school buses from the start of the new year 2022.
This process is a requirement each year, for the following year.
PTV Travel forms can be collected from the front office. If you have not recieved one.
Completed forms need to be returned by Friday 22nd October 2021.
If any details change during the year, please contact Robinvale College with updated information as soon as possible.
Please contact Mr Graeme Smyth at Robinvale College on 03 50263 704 if you have any questions or would like further information.
Riding your Bike to School
Does your child ride a bike or scotter to school?
Cyclists in Victoria are required to wear a helmet when riding on roads, bike paths or shared walkways. The helmet must be securely fitted and fastened and must display the mark of compliance with the Australian standard and the symbol of an accredited company.
Navigating Tricky Issues for Teens
At this stage we are still planning to hold the event but bookings are essential as places are limited. Please call or text Laura Masasso our Wellbeing Coordinator on 0437 559 330 to express your interest. In the event it needs to be cancelled or postponed we will post this on our school Facebook page.
Our Place News
Due to the ongoing COVID 19 Regional restrictions our staff are still working from home. Please do not hesitate to contact us via email (Monday- Fridays 8:30am – 4:30pm