Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the 2019 academic school year. I wish to take this opportunity to warmly welcome all returning and new families and staff who are joining our learning community. I trust you have all had an enjoyable summer break. Our College aim is to provide our students with a varied range of experiences and opportunities that will allow them to discover and develop their interests and talents. I look forward to seeing the contribution of each student throughout the year.

The staggered start to the year has resulted in students settling into routines and their learning. At the same time, our Years 7 to 10 students and their families have had the opportunity of setting themselves up for a targeted commencement to the year through their scheduled Ready to Learn Interviews. Much work has gone into preparing for the launch of the year. I would like to take the opportunity of acknowledging the work of our teaching and support staff in organising the necessary curriculum programs, administrative systems, resources and facilities for our students.

Our newsletter is a major means of communication with parents and families so we encourage you to take the time to read it and familiarise yourself with current events. The newsletter is produced fortnightly and is uploaded to our website and our Parent Portal, COMPASS. Parents are urged to ensure that we have their current preferred email address to receive the link to the newsletter. Please advise the Main Administration Office immediately of any change of residential or email address and phone numbers.

A copy of our Communication Directory has also been included in this newsletter to assist you when contacting the College. Key roles and responsibilities are shared across the College so that matters can be attended to as quickly as possible. The Communication Directory can also be found on our website under the ‘Contact’ tab.

This year sees Mount Ridley College (MRC) having 551 students in the Early Years; 566 students in the Junior Years; 615 students in the Middle Years and 718 students in the Senior Years Mini Schools. As always the College’s operational structures ensure that staff teams can work with designated groups of students in order to cater for their individual learning needs.

In the year ahead we look forward to a number of exciting developments including:

• Our School Review which will provide us with an opportunity to celebrate our achievements as well as build on the future direction of the College for the next 4 years;

• Expansion of our sister school program with reciprocal visits from our Japanese and Chinese partner schools;

• Further development of our student leadership and advocacy program; and

• our College production involving students from a wide cross section of age groups.

This is the first newsletter since the release of the 2018 VCE results and Tertiary entrance offers in which I am able to confirm our students’ achievements. Once again, 99% of our students satisfactorily completed their VCE. Our Dux of the College, James Palma, achieved an ATAR of 95.30 – a great personal achievement. MRC’s median VCE study score exceeded those of neighbouring schools. From a pathways perspective, 94% of students received a first round VTAC offer into University or TAFE, whilst 6% of students have confirmed employment, apprenticeships, traineeships, are seeking employment or taking a gap year. Of particular note, all of our senior VCAL students satisfied the requirements of their program – a 100% success rate. Such achievements would not have been possible without the dedication of our staff and support of parents and families. Collectively, they worked to provide our Year 12 students with the best possible learning outcomes.

Continued next page >

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During the December/January holiday break the following projects were undertaken at the College:

• Completion of the new addition to the Early Years LRC;

• Re-construction of the Early Years soft fall play areas;

• Installation of additional relocatable buildings to cater for the needs of Years 8 and 9 students;

• Steam cleaning of carpeted areas across the College, and

• Replacement of the flooring in our stage/dance area.

In conjunction with these works, both our Maintenance and ICT teams have worked diligently on enhancing a number of physical resources across the College.

In early January, a team of staff from MRC (Linda Blakis, Helen Casey, Marika Convey, Stacey Lawlor, Kellie Muller and Linda Sawyer) travelled to India for the purpose of building closer links with our sister school – Delhi Public School in Noida. The study tour enabled both of our schools to investigate joint programs, including staff professional learning exchanges and student learning opportunities. We look forward to announcing further details as they come to fruition. On behalf of the College community, I would like to thank our staff team for giving up part of their vacation period in order to undertake this important project.

The beginning of the year presents a timely opportunity to remind students about pedestrian safety around the College. This includes using all available crossings and obeying the instructions of the crossing supervisors. It is also important to remind parents that staff are rostered on from 8:40 am until 3:30 pm to supervise students in the yard before and after school. To ensure peace of mind, parents should consider these times when dropping off and picking up their children. Student safety remains a priority at all times. Please take care around the College when dropping off and picking up your children. We are all aware of the traffic congestion at the commencement and finish of the school day; however, we ask that common sense prevails and sensible practices are adopted to ensure the safety of all students of our College. It is extremely important to model good road safety behaviour to our children as they learn from our adult behaviours.

Students are required to wear the summer uniform in Term 1. Sports uniform should only be worn on your child’s sport day. A list of sport days for each mentor class is contained within this newsletter. Your child’s timetable is also available on Compass. As per previous newsletter notifications, please note that the new spray jacket introduced in late 2016 is to be worn by all students from the commencement of this year. The phasing out period for the old spray jacket has concluded and no longer forms part of the official College uniform.

Student photographs will be taken for Years 5 - 12 students on Thursday, February 14 and Prep - Year 4 students on Thursday, February 21. Photo envelopes will be handed out to students on Monday, February 4. Information on how to order photographs is contained further in this newsletter and will be posted on Compass as well. Parents are encouraged to order online. All new families to MRC will have received a letter with individual usernames and passwords to access the COMPASS Parent Portal. If you have misplaced your username and password, please contact the Main Administration Office to assist you.

I wish all our students and parents the very best for 2019 and look forward to seeing many of you at various events throughout the year, including our upcoming Meet and Greet BBQ on Wednesday, February 20.

Kind regards,

Lino Pagano College Principal

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Dear Parent/Guardian, RE: Secondary School Vaccine Program The Secondary School Vaccine Program offers free vaccines to help make sure students and communities are protected from diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, human papillomavirus (HPV) and meningococcal A,C,W,Y. Local councils deliver the program and schools distribute the information and consent card booklets. The Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009 authorises secondary schools to provide their local council with student and parent/guardian contact information for any student scheduled to receive a vaccination. This information assists local councils to follow-up parents/guardians of students with incomplete or missing consent cards. What information goes to local council? Schools provide the following basic student and parent/guardian contact information:

• Student name, gender, date of birth, year level, class, language(s) spoken at home • Parent/guardian names, phone numbers, email and postal addresses

Why do schools provide this information?

• To ensure all Year 7 and 10 students are offered the opportunity to access free vaccinations at school.

• To improve communication with parents/guardians regarding their child’s vaccination needs • To reduce the administrative burden on school staff to follow-up consent cards

What do I need to do?

1. Your information will be provided to Hume City Council in March 2019. If you do not wish for your details to be provided, please advise the school in writing before 28 February 2019.

2. Read the information provided in your child’s consent card booklet and complete all sections, regardless of whether or not you consent for your child to be vaccinated as part of the school-based program.

3. Detach Part A of the consent card booklet with all fields completed, and return to school. Every day vaccination saves lives and makes it possible for Victorians to live free from the illness and disability caused by many infectious diseases. All Year 7 and 10 Victorian secondary students can receive these vaccines for free. For further information please go to the following links: Privacy - https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Pages/schoolsprivacypolicy.aspx

• http://www.mountridleycollege.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Schools-Privacy-Operational-Guidelines.pdf

• https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/immunisation-in-secondary- schools

• http://immunehero.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation-info/parents-and-guardians/ • http://immunehero.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation-info/students/

Tony Mordini Assistant Principal – Information Systems/Operations/Student Transitions 8338 3600

Preparation/Locker time 8:50 am - 9:00 amMentor Session 9:00 am - 9:09 amSession 1 9:10 am - 10:10 amSession 2 10:10 am - 11:10 amRecess break 11:10 am - 11:30 amSession 3 11:30 am - 12:30 pmSession 4 12:30 pm - 1:30 pmLunch break 1:30 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch eating time (Prep - Year 4)

2:10 pm - 1:40 pm

Session 5 2:10 pm - 3:10 pmDismissal time: 3:10 pm

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Class Days Class Days Class DaysPrep A T, F 5/6A M, Th 8A M, WPrep B T, F 5/6B M, W 8B W, FPrep C T, F 5/6C M, W 8C W, ThPrep D T, F 5/6D M, W 8D T, FPrep E Th, F 5/6E M, Th 8E M, ThPrep F Th, F 5/6F T, F 8F M, W

5/6G T, Th 8G M, W2/1A W, Th 5/6H T, F 8H T, W2/1B W, Th 5/6I T, Th 8I M, F2/1C W, Th 5/6J M, Th 8J T, W2/1D W, Th 5/6K M, Th 8K M, W2/1E W, Th 8L M, F2/1F W, Th 7A Th, F 8S1 T, Th2/1G W, Th 7B Th, F2/1H W, Th 7C T, W 9A M, F2/1I M, F 7D M, F 9B M, Th2/1J M, F 7E M, F 9C T, W

7F Th, F 9D T, W3/4A M, F 7G W, F 9E M, Th3/4B M, F 7H W, F 9F M, W3/4C M, W 7I T, F 9G W, F3/4D M, W 7J T, F 9H T, F3/4E T, F 7K T, F 9I T, Th3/4F T, Th 7L M, W 9J T, Th3/4G M, T 7M M, W 9K T, F3/4H M, T 9L M, F3/4I T, Th 9S1 M, Th3/4J T, Th

Years 10 - 12 days are dependent on the individual student's elective timetable

2019 Physical Education Uniform Days

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42 Greenaway Street, Bulleen VIC 3105 | | info@advancedlifevic.com.au | |

2019 Photo Day Envelope and Order Instructions

Dear Parents and Students,

Mount Ridley P-12 College (Early Years Prep-4) PHOTO DAY IS 21-02-2019 School photo order envelopes have been or will be distributed to every student. It is important that the order instructions (below) are followed.

ONLINE ORDERING Your child’s school photos are now available for secure online purchase. If you are ordering online, you do not need to return an envelope to the school.

4 EASY STEPS TO ONLINE SCHOOL PHOTO ORDERING

Step 1: CLICK HERE: EASY ACCESS LINK - Click on this link if you are using a supported device.

- OR - Go to www.advancedlife.com.au before photo day and enter your school code [R3B QME 8NG]

Step 2: Enter your student’s details

Step 3: Choose the package that best suits your needs (all orders will be returned to the school for collection)

Step 4: Pay for the photos via the shopping cart (upper right corner of the page)

** Online Orders will attract a $1 service fee

Please Note: Late fees will apply once orders are closed (5 days after photo day)

ORDERING USING AN ENVELOPE ENVELOPES WILL BE HANDED TO EACH CHILD, PLEASE SEE THE SCHOOL OFFICE IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE

Step 1: Student Details: Complete the student details section on the front of the order envelope. Please use black or blue pen.

Step 2: Purchase Details: Complete the purchase details on the front of the envelope.

Step 3: Payment Method: Select your payment method.

Credit Card – Online Only at www.advancedlife.com.au

Cash – Please enclose correct money – no change is given under any circumstances

Cheque – Make payable to Advancedlife Photography with your name & address on the back of cheque

Please allow 60 days for your cheque to be finalised - a $25 fee will apply to any dishonored cheque payments

Please Note: A portrait photograph will be taken of every student at the school, regardless of purchase. Photographs of your children taken as part of a class group are only permitted to be distributed within their own class. Your child’s name will appear on the class group photo. If you Do Not wish your child to be photographed, please contact your school office with your instructions prior to Photo Day.

Please feel free to contact us via email or phone should you have any queries in regards to your child’s school photo order.

info@advancedlifevic.com.au or 03 9852 1133

Advancedlife Team

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42 Greenaway Street, Bulleen VIC 3105 | | info@advancedlifevic.com.au | |

2019 Photo Day Envelope and Order Instructions

Dear Parents and Students,

Mount Ridley P-12 College (Junior,Middle& Senior) PHOTO DAY IS 14-02-2019 School photo order envelopes have been or will be distributed to every student. It is important that the order instructions (below) are followed.

ONLINE ORDERING Your child’s school photos are now available for secure online purchase. If you are ordering online, you do not need to return an envelope to the school.

4 EASY STEPS TO ONLINE SCHOOL PHOTO ORDERING

Step 1: CLICK HERE: EASY ACCESS LINK - Click on this link if you are using a supported device.

- OR - Go to www.advancedlife.com.au before photo day and enter your school code [R3B QME 8NG]

Step 2: Enter your student’s details

Step 3: Choose the package that best suits your needs (all orders will be returned to the school for collection)

Step 4: Pay for the photos via the shopping cart (upper right corner of the page)

** Online Orders will attract a $1 service fee

Please Note: Late fees will apply once orders are closed (5 days after photo day)

ORDERING USING AN ENVELOPE ENVELOPES WILL BE HANDED TO EACH CHILD, PLEASE SEE THE SCHOOL OFFICE IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE

Step 1: Student Details: Complete the student details section on the front of the order envelope. Please use black or blue pen.

Step 2: Purchase Details: Complete the purchase details on the front of the envelope.

Step 3: Payment Method: Select your payment method.

Credit Card – Online Only at www.advancedlife.com.au

Cash – Please enclose correct money – no change is given under any circumstances

Cheque – Make payable to Advancedlife Photography with your name & address on the back of cheque

Please allow 60 days for your cheque to be finalised - a $25 fee will apply to any dishonored cheque payments

Please Note: A portrait photograph will be taken of every student at the school, regardless of purchase. Photographs of your children taken as part of a class group are only permitted to be distributed within their own class. Your child’s name will appear on the class group photo. If you Do Not wish your child to be photographed, please contact your school office with your instructions prior to Photo Day.

Please feel free to contact us via email or phone should you have any queries in regards to your child’s school photo order.

info@advancedlifevic.com.au or 03 9852 1133

Advancedlife Team

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COMMUNICATION DIRECTORY

The following information provides you with an outline of key personnel who are able to assist you.

The College has four Mini Schools. Early Years Mini School (Prep to Year 4) Junior Years Mini School (Years 5 – 7) Middle Years Mini School (Years 8 and 9) Senior Years Mini School (Years 10 – 12)

Roles and responsibilities are shared across the College so that matters can be attended to as quickly as possible. Please take the time to acquaint yourself with this document.

Mentor Teachers are the initial contact for classroom curriculum and student wellbeing matters.

PREP A Amy Bennett

PREP B Brett Harvey

PREP C Kate Kilkenny

Prep D Nena Ishow

PREP E Romina Fazzolari

PREP F Natasha Naidu

YEAR 2/1A Helen Pongas

YEAR 2/1B Bianca Mills

YEAR 2/1C Madeleine James

YEAR 2/1D Ashlee Koeleman

YEAR 2/1E Joanna Naim

YEAR 2/1F Aaron Bickers

YEAR 2/1G Ashleigh Cosgriff

YEAR 2/1H Debra Carroll

YEAR 2/1I Matthew Kennedy

YEAR 2/1J Nancy Hauth/Rebecca Ramondetta

YEAR 3/4A Deana Paidi

YEAR 3/4B Tiana Turcu

YEAR 3/4C Lauren Bisiach

YEAR 3/4D Naomi Toman

YEAR 3/4E Rebecca Cobolli/Gennetta Arthrell

YEAR 3/4F Nicole Cromie

YEAR 3/4G Kirsty Lyon

YEAR 3/4H Natalia Janevska

YEAR 3/4I Sarah Volpe

YEAR 3/4J Leanne Dimovska

YEAR 5/6A Amy Lord

YEAR 5/6B Alysha Bourne

YEAR 5/6C Nichole Wates

YEAR 5/6D Richelle Strachan

YEAR 5/6E Anthony Wadwell

YEAR 5/6F Daniel Glasson

YEAR 5/6G Kayla Russell

YEAR 5/6H Maye Saad

YEAR 5/6I Pamela Vasiliadis

YEAR 5/6J Aymee Hobbs

YEAR 5/6K Julie Schier

YEAR 7A Trevor Spaliaris

YEAR 7B Michael Marusich

ACED 7C Melinda Gibbons

YEAR 7D Jacki Maling

YEAR 7E Luisa Tuitupou

YEAR 7F Bradley Hall

YEAR 7G Rose Dona

YEAR 7H Kelly Sidhu

YEAR 7I Kasandra Bogdanoska

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YEAR 7J Laura Nash

YEAR 7K Jessica Hill

YEAR 7L Leigh Giroud

YEAR 7M Thin Naing

YEAR 8A Cameron Johnson

YEAR 8B Hannah Williams

ACED 8C Bronwyn Hill

YEAR 8D Josh Porter

YEAR 8E Nicholas Davern

YEAR 8F Mark Koutroubas

YEAR 8G Briana Italiano

YEAR 8H Christopher Norwood

YEAR 8I Danielle Corban

YEAR 8J Ashlee Mynott

YEAR 8K Lauren Borck

YEAR 8L Jonathan Eng

ESP 8S1 Charlotte Dillon

YEAR 9A Kalisha Ratnayake

YEAR 9B Rebecca Bediaga

ACED 9C Lorena Folino

YEAR 9D Elanur Akgoz

YEAR 9E Jade Cassar

YEAR 9F Kasandra El-Sheikh

YEAR 9G Grace Piazza

YEAR 9H Eriol Backa

YEAR 9I TBC

YEAR 9J Jason Thomson

YEAR 9K Alexandra Kavanagh

YEAR 9L Chloe Heffernan

ESP 9S1 Jordan Geary

PRECAL 10A Vici Petrovski

YEAR 10B Sibi Issac

YEAR 10C Reena Jayanthraj

YEAR 10D TBC

YEAR 10E Stephanie Carey

YEAR 10F Mahesh Sarup

YEAR 10G Daryl Croke

YEAR 10H Caitlin Butler

YEAR 10I Tracey Phillips

YEAR 10J Karim Ghattas

ESP 0S1 John Wood

VCAL 11A Vanessa Davies

VCAL 11B Ryan McKinnon

YEAR 11C Carlo Cosner

YEAR 11D Aaron Neal

YEAR 11E Rachael Harrington

YEAR 11F Arthur Elias

YEAR 11G Kirstie Wilson

YEAR 11H Soumaya Mahdy

YEAR 11I Amar Porcic

YEAR 11J Georgia Zikos

YEAR 11K Jennifer McCaskill

ESP 1S1 Kaycee Morsello

VCAL 12A Lisa Macheras

VCAL 12B Mara Andonovski

YEAR 12C Mark Addison

YEAR 12D Riley Davies

YEAR 12E Andrew Jay

YEAR 12F Patricia Fulgione

YEAR 12G Carly Patullo

YEAR 12H Natalie Conboy

ESP 2S1 Hamish Pear

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Learning Specialists assume responsibility for the implementation of teaching and learning practices for their learning area.

Art/Design Technology (Prep – Year 12) Kellie Muller

English (Years 7 – 12) Nicole Kerr

Humanities (Years 7 – 12) Jessica Hill

Languages (Prep – Year 12) Amelia Hawkins

Literacy (Prep – Year 6) Joanna Naim

Numeracy (Prep – Year 6) Anthony Wadwell

Performing Arts (Prep – Year 12) Jasinta Savage

Physical/Health Education (Prep – Year 12) Riley Davies

Science Cressida Byrne

The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) Manager (Jo Daniele) provides a range of teaching and learning resources for staff and student use.

Team Leaders are assigned to each Mini School and have overall day to day responsibility for student wellbeing and management in relation to their assigned student cohort.

Early Years Mini School Junior Years Mini School Prep – Natasha Naidu Years 2/1 – Debra Carroll Years 3/4 – Deana Paidi

Years 5/6 – Daniel Glasson and Natalie Ognenis Year 7 – Laura Nash and Trevor Spaliaris

Middle Years Mini School Senior Years Mini School Year 8 – Jonathan Eng and Kristy Carroll Year 9 – Brendan Creaven and Jordan Geary

Year 10 – Karim Ghattas and Stephanie Carey Year 11 – Nuwi Rodrigo and Kirstie Wilson Year 12 – Nicole Corsetti and Carly Patullo

Our Student Managers oversee student management practices in their respective Mini School.

Early Years Mini School Junior Years Mini School Middle Years Mini School Senior Years Mini School

Romina Fazzolari Luisa Tuitupou Madalyn Galea Aneil Eishoei

Our Directors of Student Engagement Strategies have a focus on leading and supporting the development of student wellbeing and management practices in their assigned Mini School. The College has four Directors of Student Engagement and Wellbeing.

Early Years Mini School Junior Years Mini School Middle Years Mini School Senior Years Mini School

Casey Sperling Belinda Tirant Cassandra Caruana Sarah Relf

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Our Student Services team is responsible for providing support and counselling to students with emotional and social needs. Natalie Conboy is the Director of Student Services and is responsible for leading the team consisting of:

Katrina Tsoutsoulis Psychologist Rebecca Cosentino Speech Therapist Anna Beall Social Worker Kate O’Connell Youth Worker Megan Chapman Student Support and PSD Manager Melissa Parkinson Administration Officer

This team also refers families to external support personnel and agencies when required.

The Directors of Teaching Practice and Curriculum Programs have responsibility for leading and supporting the development of teaching and learning practices in their respective portfolios. The College has six Directors of Teaching Practice and Curriculum Programs.

Prep – Year 6 Years 8 - 12 Vocational and Applied Learning

EAL and Pathways

(P – 12)

eLearning (P – 12)

Mathematics (7-12)

Belinda Perera

Gurjit Singh Stacey Lawlor Marika Convey Mary-Anne Lilikakis

Tammy Knippel

Our Pathways Support Team is responsible for creating and maintaining links with educational providers, managing student pathways, case management and careers counselling. The team is led by Marika Convey, who is ably assisted by Nadia Teran our Careers and Pathways Counsellor and Sarah Blenkiron, Careers Administration Officer.

Our Mini School Administration Officers are responsible for the administration, attendance and general enquiries associated with their respective Mini School. The College has six Mini School Officers.

Early Years Mini School Junior Years Mini School Middle Years Mini School Senior Years Mini School

Robyn Coghlan and Lynelle Spinks

Jodi Stanley Janine Power

Claire O’Neill and Natasha Sajkic

Our Accounts Manager (Nancy Wain) is responsible for all family accounts at the College including BPAY, Centrepay and CSEF applications.

Assistant Principals have responsibility for specific operational functions across the College as follows:

Linda Blakis Curriculum/Professional Practice

Helen Casey Community Engagement

Kristina Heffernan Student Engagement/Wellbeing

Tony Mordini College Information Systems/Student Transition

Con Stamatelatos Accountability/Student Pathways

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Our Business Manager (Linda Sawyer) has the role of overseeing the Administrative, Financial, Human and Physical resources of the College.

The College Principal’s Executive Officer (Kerry Saccuzzo) is responsible for providing executive assistance to the College Principal, as well as working closely with the College and wider community.

College Principal - My role involves working with the Department of Education and Training, North-Western Victoria Region, Local Government and the College community to ensure accountability and that resources (staff and physical) are provided to create the best learning opportunities for our students.

Regards,

Lino Pagano College Principal

Updated 25/01/2019

7th February PFA meeting, 2:10 pm – Early Years Office

8th February Early Years assembly – Early Years Gym, 2:10 pm - Parents Welcome

14th February Years 5 - 12 College Photos

19th February Swimming Carnival

20th February Meet and Greet BBQ

21st February Prep - Year 4 College Photos

22nd February Early Years assembly – Early Years Gym, 2:10 pm - Parents Welcome

28th February Second Hand Uniform Sale – Main Gym, 9 am - 10 am

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