Newsletter

2-30 Hampton Street, Craigieburn, VIC 3064Tel: (03) 8338 3600 Fax: (03) 8338 3699 www.mountridleycollege.vic.edu.auEmail: mount.ridley.p12@edumail.vic.gov.au

College Principal: Mr Lino Pagano Assistant Principals: Mrs Linda Blakis, Ms Helen Casey, Mrs Kristina Heffernan, Dr Tony Mordini,Mr Con Stamatelatos

MAKING WAVES AT THE SWIM CARNIVAL!

Issue 3. February 23, 2018

Assistant Principal’s Message

Dear Parents and Guardians,On Thursday we conducted our annual Meet and Greet BBQ. We were delighted to have presented this opportunity for families to meet our staff, explore the learning spaces and swap information with your child’s teachers. The BBQ’s in both canteen areas were full of energy and also offered an opportunity for parents to meet each other and establish connections within our larger school community. It was encouraging to see that families took the opportunity to attend the Parent Support Workshops in the areas of Mathematics, English and Languages and utilised the ICT support available relating to Compass. From my observations and feedback provided throughout the afternoon, the conversations were purposeful and the mood was very positive. It was pleasing to see so many of our families use this event to reinforce the partnerships we share in education. A new venue for 2018, Coburg Olympic Swimming Pool, was the scene for the Years 5 to 12 House Swimming Carnival held on Monday 19th February. The house spirit and enthusiasm from all participants went a long way to making the carnival a success. In many ways, the tone of the event was set by our senior students who arrived at the event in various forms of imaginative free-dress. The event was a colourful and engaging feast for all of our students and was matched by the competitive nature of the events within the pool and land-based activities. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the superb organisational effort of our Sports Coordinators, Mr Luke Carroll and Ms Kirstin Schubert for their work both before and during the day; to the Health and Physical Education staff for their professional running of the day as well as pay tribute to our House Captains and extended student leadership team for their efforts, enthusiasm and teamwork.As we embark on another busy year, we are fortunate enough to have a guest speaker from Elevate Education present a workshop to our Year 11 VCE students about how best to organise their year and form an effective study timetable. Established in 2001, Elevate has drawn upon over 15 years of research into the habits of the country’s top students to develop high impact seminars & workshops to help students improve their study techniques, increase motivation, build confidence, and lift exam performance.Additionally, the College is working in partnership with Darren Pereira from Success Integrated. The first workshop Darren presented this year was to the teaching staff with a focus on raising staff expectations of students and students’ expectations of academic excellence. Darren high-lighted how to:• Instil confidence in students so that they believe in their abilities to learn and achieve; • Build a teacher’s self-efficacy so that they don’t inadvertently limit student success;• Reinforce a positive self-image in students so that they expect & achieve their best;• Identify beliefs & language that limit student achievement & turn it around quickly & effectively; and• Use growth mindset methodologies to raise student performance.The second workshop presented was to students in our VCE Year 12 High Achievers Club. The theme of this workshop was ‘Power to Perform’ and provided students with a skill set of motivational, study effectiveness and a tracking tool to maximise their academic achievement. Darren will be presenting a further 3 workshops to the Year 12 High Achievers Club throughout the year. Darren is an inspirational speaker whose programs are interactive and his unique way of engaging staff and students through the use of a DJ playing the latest music, personal stories, word anchors and written material for participants to follow up, makes his programs highly effective & successful. Darren asks all participants to complete a written evaluation of his programs and the feedback we have received to date has been very positive. As a result, we are exploring having Darren present a tailored workshop to parents. This year, Study Hall has been expanded to all students in the Middle and Senior Mini Schools (Years 8 - 12). Wednesday afternoons is for Middle Years students with tutors available in Maths and English. Thursday afternoons are for Senior Years students with tutors also available in accounting, business management, chemistry, english, further mathematics, health & human development, history, legal studies, mathematical methods, physics, psychology and specialist maths. Study Hall is in the Willandra building from 3:30 - 5:00pm. Study Hall is an opportunity for students to catch up on homework, collaborate with peers or work with teachers when they are available for extra assistance. Parents/ guardians please note, these are not timetabled supervision sessions for staff, any extra assistance offered is done in addition to the normal after school requirements for our teachers. I would like to thank staff in advance for their offer of support.At Mount Ridley P-12 College we are committed to improving the quality of communications to parents – especially in relation to student learning. Compass provides parents an opportunity to continuously monitor attendance and learning. Parents are encouraged to maintain regular communication whenever there is a query or concern. Via our Compass portal, parents can send emails directly to teachers requesting clarification of learning progress or related issues. As outlined previously, this year the Grade Point Average (GPA) has been implemented across the College (P-12).

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Continued next page >

Assistant Principal’s Message cont.

The GPA is a reporting mechanism where students’ levels of effort, behaviour and application to their studies are measured. It is hoped that the implementation of GPA will provide a framework whereby teachers, families and students can work together to promote positive learning habits and behaviours. The first cycle of GPA will be available on Compass on Wednesday afternoon, 28th February. Like anything new and unfamiliar, there will be questions which can be directed to your child’s teacher or your relevant Director of Student Learning and Teaching Practice. Once again, this year we have the opportunity to participate in the Coles Sports for Schools Program. Vouchers can be collected from your local Coles supermarket and need to be returned to the school by Friday 11 May. For every $10 spent at Coles, customers will receive one Sports for Schools voucher. Collection boxes are available at each Mini School Office to place your vouchers in. Vouchers earned will go towards purchasing sports equipment for the school.Have a wonderful weekend with your family and friends,

Helen CaseyAssistant Principal: Community Engagement

The LRC in the Main Administration building has extended their opening hours for students wanting to undertake research, complete homework, borrow books and read quietly.Before school: 8:20 am - 8:55 amLunch: 1:40 - 2:05 pmAfter school: 3:10 - 4:30 pm

LRCUPDATE

Above: Zuhrenaz Saygan 8E displaying her artwork from Stretch art. Well done!

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Are you a Year 7 girl at 13 years of age? If you are interested in playing AFL football for Craigieburn.All ages will have a meet & greet training on Sunday 25 Feb at High-gate Oval no.2 (Grand Blvd) at 10.30 am all ages u13 to u15s. If you have a friend that wants to play bring her along too! See you all then!For more information, contact Crai-gieburn Football Club Secretary/Registrar, Margaret Perkins 0402 078 188

CREATEYOURFUTURE

2 0 1 8 m r c a n i m a t i n g p r i n c i p l e

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The College’s Parents and Friends Association is a great way to get involved in your child’s school and to meet the teachers and other parents, whilst making a worthwhile contribution. New members are always welcome!

Each year our PFA run Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls, a Footy Day BBQ, an annual Bunnings BBQ and a Christmas raffle. The PFA also hold a Second Hand Uniform Stall each term and assist College staff with many programs such as Breakfast Club and Student Transition activities at the College. The PFA meets monthly on a Thursday afternoon. You may not have time to come to every meeting — and that’s fine! If you can spare just a few hours once throughout the year at one of the above events, it would be very much appreciated!

If you would like to join the PFA, or would like to join the PFA mailing list, please email our PFA President at: pfa@mountridleycollege.vic.edu.au

PFA Dates Second hand uniform sale: Thursday 1 March from 9:00 - 10:00 in the main gymnasium

AGM: Thursday 8 March at

2:10 pm in the Main

administration building

Meeting: Thursday 15 March at 2:10 pm in the Early Years administration building

Join the College’s

Parents and Friends

Association

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MEET THE 2018 CAPTAINS

Early Years Captains, Lilijana Talevska and Gary Davies, left, and Vice Captains (Mya Jorgensen and Ryan Townsend, right.

Junior Years Captains Sonita Reddy and Shahid Salehi, left, and Vice Captains Isabella Bogoevski and Jugad Puar, right.

Middle Years Captains, Josephine Amrein and Robert Marchi, left, and Vice Captains, Romaan Waseem and Navid Salehi, right.

Senior Years/ College Captains, left, Sanya Aggarwal and Nicholas Baricevic, and Vice Captains, Romaisa Khalid and Tristan Kaman, right.

Arrrr! They’d be a fine crew! 8

Singing/AcTing (inDiviDUAl):MonDAy 26Th MArch

3.30 PM – 5.30 PMTUESDAy 27Th MArch

4.30 PM – 5.30 PMWEDnESDAy 28Th MArch

4.30 PM – 5.30 PMif yoU ArE AUDiTioning for A

Singing/MAin rolE, PlEASE PrEPArE A Song WiTh A bAcking

TrAck or ShEET MUSic. DAncE (groUP):

WEDnESDAy 28Th MArch 3.30 PM – 4.30 PM

rolES AnD MorE ShoW inforMATion cAn bE foUnD onlinE AnD DiSPlAyED on ThE PErforMing

ArTS noTicE boArD.If you have any questions or need

further information, please see Miss Fistric or Miss Savage at the Performing Arts office.

MoUnT riDlEy collEgE iS ProUD To AnnoUncE ThE 2018 ProDUcTion.

WE WoUlD likE To inviTE yoU To AUDiTion To bE PArT of ThiS ExciTing ShoW. PlEASE Sign UP To A TiME for Singing/AcTing AnD

DAncE AUDiTionS.

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Learning TogetherParent Child English Literacy Program

For information and enrolment contact: Sayanti Bhatta (VICSEG New Futures) - (03)9353 5821

AND

Wednesdays 9:30 am to 12:30pm (School Term)Start date 21st February 2018

Mt. Ridley College Community Hub-Early Years 2-30 Hampton St, Craigieburn VIC 3064

LEARNING TOGETHER offers • English classes for parents

• Early learning and care program for pre-school children

• Playgroup for parents and children after the English class

TOID 21203

VICSEG New Futures trading as New Futures Training TOID: 21203. This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. We encourage people with disabilities to access our training.

FREE!

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Welcome to the Community Hub (Early Years) Our priority at the Community Hub (Early Years) is to help build greater community connectedness and

social cohesion. The Community Hub bridges the gap between families and communityWe are excited to announce our upcoming programs and activities for Term 1, 2018. The programs/activities

are developed to meet the needs of our families, carers and grandparents of the Mount Ridley school community and community members. All of our programs/activities are free to everyone. We welcome all

communities into our Community Hub. The Community Hub hours are between 8 am - 4 pm , Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays.

Please come in and join us, we are here to support you and your family.

Mount Ridley Play Group 0 – 5 years

Come along for a chat and a play

Every Tuesday Afternoon 1 – 3pm

Community Hub

Early YearsContact Mariam Baroudi (Community Hub Leader)for more

information on 8338 3600

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Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Samoan Play Group

Community Hub

9.30 am - 11.30 am

Free English Class Child care provided

Community Hub

9.30 am - 12.30 pm

(English - Arabic ) Learning Together

Bilingual Play Group

Community Hub

9.30 am - 11.30am

Open Play Group

All are welcome

Community Hub 1 pm - 3 pm

Small Talk

1.30 pm - 3.30 pm

Mount Ridley CollegeCommunity Hub Programs

Term 1, 2018

If you have any questions or would like to book your place in any of the programs please contact Mariam Baroudi, Community Hub Leader on (03) 8338 3600

Learning Together Bilingual Playgroup (English - Arabic)

Supported by an Arabic speaking playgroup leader and

an English teacher.• Meet other parents in a

friendly and safe environment• Play and learning activities

for children• Practice speaking English

together with your child.

Learning Together English Classes

Learning Together English Classes provides parents with opportunities to practice speaking and writing in English and also to meet and play

with other children and families in a stimulating and supportive learning

environment. • Free Childcare

• Free early learning and care program for pre-school children

• Playgroup for parents and children after the English class

Play groups

For parents, carers, grandparents with children

from 0 - 5 years of age. Join us for free activities for children to learn and enjoy structured play and to meet

new people.

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Kidz Kick-Boxing Information Session

Our Kidz Kick-Boxing program is designed specifically for primary

school aged kids (5-12years)

The evening will be a hands on session where children will be invited

up to participate and join in parts of the night as well as observing

other parts of a normal class.

Some of the benefits of this program include increased confidence,

higher self-esteem, and sharper focus, but more important the skills

and knowledge needed to defend one’s self.

The evening kicks off promptly at 6pm, but for those interested please

feel free to pop in about 10-15 minutes early to collect an info pack

and for a quick meet and greet. For kids interested in participation,

dress comfy and bring a water bottle. At 7pm we will have a brief

Q&A session for interested parents. At 7.05pm we will invite anyone

13 years and over to trial a senior class, finishing at 8pm.

When: Thursday 1st March 2018, 6-7pm

Where: Craigieburn Primary School

Grand Boulevard Craigieburn (Gymnasium)

For more info contact Paul Weatherly 0412 868 792

Find us Facebook… Blizzard Martial Arts

Our Kidz Kick-Boxing program is designed specifically for primary school aged

kids (5-12years)

The evening will be a hands on session where children will be invited up to

participate and join in parts of the night as well as observing other parts of a

normal class. Some of the benefits of this program include increased confidence,

higher self-esteem, and sharper focus, but more important the skills and

knowledge needed to defend one’s self.

The evening kicks off promptly at 6pm, but for those interested please feel

free to pop in about 10-15 minutes early to collect an info pack and for a

quick meet and greet. For kids interested in participation, dress comfy and

bring a water bottle. At 7pm we will have a brief Q&A session for

interested parents. At 7.05pm we will invite anyone 13 years and over to

trial a senior class, finishing at 8pm.

W

hen: Thursday 1st March 2018, 6-7pm

Where: Craigieburn Primary School

G

rand Boulevard Craigieburn (Gymnasium)

For more info contact Paul Weatherly 0412 868 792

Find us Facebook… Blizzard Martial Arts

kiDz kick-boxing

inforMATion SESSion

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To start the year off with good stead, The Elite sports Program held their second annual Orientation Camp, at Lake Dewar Lodge, Myrniong. 70 students embarked on the camp in the early hours of Thursday morning of the first day of school. The camp was a great opportunity for new and current students in the program to interact, build relationships and be exposed to a variety of challenging team activities. Students participated in a variety of ‘get to know you’ activities with their relevant stream members and coach to set a foundation for the year ahead. Each stream took part in a vigorous training session comprising of fitness conditioning as well as tactical and skill development activities with their coaches. Once the sports specific training was completed students were challenged with an Amazing race which took place over two days. They were required to work together as a team, build trust and work to their team’s strength with

the intention to win the title of Amazing Race winners. Some activities required some to face up to their fears of heights, scaling at extreme high heights on the flying fox, or work together to direct team’s members who were blind folded, downstream in their canoe without falling out. The morning fitness challenge was another activity that put some serious physical strain on the groups. The challenge involved completing a 2 km warm-up run, followed by a further 2 km of navigating their way through steep and rocky terrain plus water obstacles all whilst carrying various tyres, planks of wood and concrete blocks. Students and staff had to dig deep and call upon their mental strength to keep pushing through. A huge thank you to all staff and parents for supporting the ESP Orientation Camp for 2018.

ESP ORIENTATION CAMP 2018

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March 1 Second Hand Uniform Sale, 9 am

March 8 PFA Annual General Meeting

March 9 Years Prep - 4 Athletics Day

March 9Early Years Assembly. Early Years Gym, 2:10 pm - 3:10 pm Parents welcome

March 12 Labour Day Public Holiday

March 13 Years 5 - 12 Athletics Carnival

March 28 P - 12 weShare Parent, Teacher, Student Interviews, 1 pm - 8 pm

March 29 Last day of Term 1. Students will be dismissed at 2:30 pm

& Upcoming events

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If you are interested in Learning to play AFL and having fun in an easy friendly atmosphere. Learning a range of skills and helping develop general motor skills.

Improving physical activity while learning to interact with other children. Developing new friends and for parents spending quality time with your child.

NAB AFL Auskick is for you. WHERE

Highgate Rec Reserve (Oval 2) 229 Grand Blvd, Craigieburn, VIC 3064

STARTS

Saturday 28th April 2018 From 9.00am to 10.30am

PRICE $96.00 includes breakup party and trophy

and 10 weeks of 90 minute sessions

CONTACT Shane Ryan - Auskick Coordinator

Mob: 0417265227 Email: auskickcragieburn@gmail.com

For more information on what Auskick can do for you look at play.afl/auskick

To receive ongoing email updates send your contact details to auskickcragieburn@gmail.com

Boys & Girls Welcome

Prep to Grade 6

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MRC CHOIR

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The Year 10 LINCS students have been busy planning the annual World’s Greatest Shave Event.

On Thursday 15 March staff and students will volunteer to have their locks shaved off in the hope of

raising money for the leukaemia foundation. Please talk to your child if this is something that they would

be interested in doing. If you would like to donate to this fantastic cause please

follow the link below. We need your support to achieve our goal of $1000 donated. More importantly, funds raised will

support the many Australians who have a blood cancer like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/darylnayler