School Meetings

Aug Thursday 10th Parents Club 10.30 am Aug TBA School Council 7.30 pm

Year 7 Girls SSV Loddon Mallee Regional Netball Champions. They will represent Rochester Secondary

College in Melbourne on the 11th September.

Principal’s Report:

C ongratulations and well done to our Junior Football team and our two representatives in the Murray River Culinary Challenge who have both won through to the next round of

this competition. Wallace Green and Stephanie Crouch performed brilliantly under great pressure to win the Campaspe division of the Culinary Challenge yesterday in Echuca. Their win was a new thing, getting up on a count back but they rep-resented Rochester Secondary College very well and should be con-gratulated for their efforts. Well done and thanks to the Cohuna Campaspe Local Learning & Employment Network who organise this outstanding competition. Well done to the junior boys who battled hard to get the points in the junior football and will join the junior girls football team in Swan Hill on Wednesday. Thanks to coaches Mr Harris and Mr Liam Ringin who oversaw the day. All reports are that our VCE/VET/VCAL evening was very well attended last night, this is great to hear as the decision required by our Year 9’s and 10’s over the coming weeks are very important to their futures. Thanks very much to Mr Huddy who organised the night after a full week in Melbourne last week with our Year 11 Work Experience students. Congratulations go to all our Year 11’s and the staff who attended the Melbourne Work Experience, yet another wonderful experience and opportunity for our students. Thanks to Mrs McCarty and Mr Woodfine who took the responsibil-ity of running the school whilst I have been absent for nearly a week. We are extremely fortunate to have people with such depth of experience and knowledge of the school to move into acting posi-tions. We are also very fortunate to have extra staff who are pre-pared to ‘step up’ to assist when and if required as they always do. Thanks again for your ongoing support. Bernie Altmann, Principal

The Rochester Review

Rochester Secondary College exists to provide quality learning for all in a challenging and nurturing environment.

Volume 600 Issue 1, Thursday 3rd August 2017 www.rochsec.vic.edu.au Phone: 54841 844

Fax 54842 348 rochester.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au

Important Dates

August 2017

9th (Wed) - Girls and Boys Junior Football Swan Hill 9th (Wed) - VTAC Information Night Year 12’s at RSC 18th (Fri) - Boost Your Youth Year 8 Careers/Leadership 23rd (Wed) - Year 10 Information Evening

September 2017

1st (Fri) - Rochester Secondary College - Deb Ball 5th (Tue) - Immunisations Years 10, 11 & 12 11th-12th (Mon-Tue) - Pre Driver Education 14th-15th (Thurs-Fri) - Pre Driver Education 18th-21st (Mon-Thurs) - Pre Driver Education 20th (Wed) - Parent Teacher Interviews 22nd (Fri) - Last Day of Term 3 - 2.30 pm

Around the College

Year 12 VTAC Information

Night - Wednesday 9th

August at RSC

R ochester Secondary College will be holding a VTAC information evening on Wednesday 9th August, running from 7-8 pm in Rooms 29/31 at the College.

This evening will be an explanation of the processes in-volved in applying for courses and scholarships through VTAC. We will also outline how we will support our Year 12 students through this process at Rochester Secondary Col-lege. This is an important night for Year 12 students and par-ents to attend.

Immunisation Cards

T he Shire of Campaspe is offering a free Meningococ-cal W vaccine to all Year 10, 11 and 12 students on 5th September 2017 at the College.

The students were given an immunisation card at the end of term two and they are now overdue. Could you please re-turn these cards as soon as possible, even if you do not want your child immunised. If you have any questions please ring the Shire Immunisation team on 1300 666 535. Rochester Secondary College

Facebook Page

R ochester Secondary College Facebook page is now up and running. We would welcome as many mem-bers of the school community as possible to follow

and like our page. All that is required is to search ‘ Rochester Secondary College’. Attached is the link https://www.facebook.com/RochesterSC/

Google Classroom

A ll parents who are registered as the primary contact person with the school will have received an invita-tion to receive a summary of posts each week from

the Google Classrooms to which their student/s belongs. Google Update: https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/answer/6388136?hl=en

Lateness

T here has been a disappointing increase in the num-ber of students arriving late to school. Excuses such as, “Slept in,” and “Just late’ are not

acceptable. Making up lost time at recesses and lunchtimes will be the consequence for constant latecomers. Could students please be organised to arrive in class on time and could parents please ensure that a note of explanation is provided for any late arrival to school. Parent Opinion Survey 2017

W E WANT OUR PARENTS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK

Our school is conducting a survey to find out what parents think of our school. The Parent Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education and Training that is conducted amongst a sample of randomly selected parents at each school. It is designed to assist our school in gaining an understanding of parents’ perception of school climate, student engage-ment and relationships with our parent community. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. The survey will be conducted online by ORIMA Research Pty Ltd and only takes 15minutes to complete. The survey can be accessed via desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile at any convenient time within the fieldwork period from Monday 7th August to Sunday 27th August. Approximately thirty percent of parents have been invited to participate in this year's survey. All responses to the sur-vey are anonymous. The survey results will be reported back to our school at the end of September. For further information visit the website link below: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/managment/improvement/Pages/performsurveyparent.aspx

Middle School Tour Update

T he next instalment of $250 is due on Friday 18th Au-gust. The final balance will be due first week of Term 4. Full details and medical forms will be supplied to

students in the near future. Any questions or concerns please contact the Principal, Bernie Altmann.

Lambis Englezos’ Visit - The Lost Diggers of Fromelles

O n Tuesday 1st August, our Year 9 and 10 History students witnessed a very moving and powerful presentation by guest speaker Lambis Englezos, the amateur historian responsible for locating the mass graves of Australian soldiers buried in Pheasant Wood, behind German lines, near the town of Fromelles. On the night of July 19th 1916, the newly

arrived Australian forces were sent into battle and 5533 men were killed, wounded or missing in the single worst day in our military history. Lambis explained to the students how he used photographs, meticulous German documentation, Red Cross and Australian military records to discover the whereabouts of 250 of those soldiers whose bodies had not been accounted for after the war. Although discouraged by officialdom, Lambis persevered for several years and eventually five pits were found in the area where he believed they would be located and the bodies exhumed. The next step was to contact the families of soldiers who were unaccounted for and an on-going program of DNA matching began. He recounted the story of 19 year old Harry Willis from Alberton Shire in Gippsland whose good luck medallion was found and how his relatives, along with other families, were able to see their loved ones buried in a marked grave in the new cemetery created in Pheasant Wood. A poignant note was to learn of how soil from Harry’s family farm and some eucalyptus leaves were buried with him in France. We listened to a letter from Mrs Alice Goulding, the mother of a missing WW1 soldier, wondering about the fate of her be-loved son John. It illustrated the tragedy of war, the deep sadness of her loss and the despair of not knowing. She wrote, “I have been trying to be patient for three years hoping, but just today I thought perhaps you have forgotten but this I know, that the war has just begun for mothers that dearly loved their boys all over the world. God help them to bear it.” Lambis be-lieves that “We have a moral obligation to recover our war dead.” The presentation was in support of the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize, which offers 22 students the opportunity to participate in an overseas study tour to sites where Australians have served in times of war and peacekeeping. Details of the competition have been distributed. Kaye de Petro of the HTAV was on hand to provide the students with tips and explain the judging crite-ria. Students are encouraged to enter and to see Miss Whitworth or myself for assistance. Further details can be found at www.dpc.vic.gov.au/soap. Entries close on October 3rd, 2017. Kaye McFarlane SOSE Domain Area Manager

Around the College

Students win Murray River Culinary Challenge at Echuca

C ongratulations to Wallace Green and Stephanie Crouch who competed in the Murray River Culinary Challenge regional finals yesterday and won. Five pairs of students had to prepare a 3 course dinner for two in the kitchen at Echuca College and then present each

course in a timely manner to be judged. Wallace and Stephanie were commended by the judges for their communication skills and they tasted everything they plated and presented. The scores were very close with an initial tie for 1st place but Rochester Secondary College won on count back. Congratulations to Wallace and Stephanie who will now compete in the Grand Final at Swan Hill in September. The school wishes them all the very best.

Around the College

Year 11 Work Experience

L ast week we took 49 Year 11 students to Melbourne for work experience and a number of other Year 11 students also completed a local placement. The Melbourne Camp took off on Sunday and gave students the chance to use public transport to find their workplace before heading out the door Monday morning. Students completed placements in a

range of areas including landscaping, building, maintenance, mechanics, legal firms, media production, real estate, hospitality, AFL football clubs (North Melbourne and St Kilda), marketing, graphic design, primary schools, science research, child care, Save the Children (charity), retail and more. The week went very well, with very positive feedback from the workplaces. Em-ployers genuinely regard our students highly for their attitude, enthusiasm and use of initiative. Thanks also to Mr Callaway for running the camp and Mrs Gray, Ms Nichol, Mrs Pellegrino, Ms Westaway and Mrs Bolitho for all their efforts on camp. A very worthwhile and productive week! Colin Huddy – Year 11 Work Experience Coordinator Last week, I was privileged enough to catch a momentous and rather insightful glimpse into the daily life of a barrister. I completed my work experience at Joan Rossanove Chambers with personal injury barrister John Valiotis. During my week in the city I attended various dispute settlement conferences, court hearings and even an investi-gative viewing. I also saw a murder trial unfold at the Supreme Court, as an expert wit-ness gave chilling evidence! I enjoyed the fast paced nature associated with city life and eventually figured out how to use public transport. I believe that my work experi-ence in the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct happened to be a rather valuable and educational experience. I would definitely recommend this camp to future year eleven students, as it gives students a taste of the city and working life. I feel that my work experience has clarified my career options and that is why I believe this camp is so im-portant! My week following solicitors and barristers around Melbourne has been edu-cational, fun and most importantly worthwhile. Olivia Dimovski I was given the opportunity to do my work experience for a week in Melbourne at a Greencross Vet, situated in South Caul-field. The staff were lovely, and the environment warm and joyful with plenty of room for joking and being yourself, while still receiving the practical experience and informative observation time during surgeries. It’s a professional yet fun loving clinic wanting to give you the best possible placement they can. The more you prove yourself capable to them, the more they allow you to do; it’s a rewarding experience and anyone looking to do their placement at a vet in Melbourne should consider this. Sarah Harris Work experience for me was amazing! I worked at Kosdown Printing for a week and the experience was awesome, while the people I worked with were really nice friendly and easy to get along with. Although it was a very hectic time for me to be there, I found the business a better experience and I was able to lend a helping hand. My favourite part was definitely creating a T’shirt, notepads and some other cool things in pre face. Overall I enjoyed it and would love to go back if given the chance. Gemma Fitzgerald On Year 11 Work Experience Camp down in Melbourne I was lucky enough to be allowed the pleasure to work with the peo-ple who run Arts Access Victoria. I got to interact with all different kinds of people. Art Access Victoria aim is to bring Art to Adults with disabilities or mental illness. I got to help work on some of their projects such as Bandmates. The week was the best thing and I would like to thank the teachers who put into their hard work to make this possible. Lucy McKenzie

Around the College

Callan and Emily pictured during their Work Experience in Melbourne last week.

Year 11 Work Experience

I did my Year 11 Work Experience at the North Melbourne Football Club. I really en-joyed this experience as everyone in the whole organisation was welcoming and car-ing.

During my time at the club, I had to measure every players RPE (rating of perceived exer-tion) to see where their activity levels of intensity were at. I also used their technology called Kangatech, which is used to reduce the risk of injury for the players and it provides an insight into the injury causes. I was fortunate enough to be able to use their facilities includ-ing the gym for weights, the oval for running and kicking, and their ice baths and spas for recovery every day. The club also had a cafeteria and served lunch and breakfast every day, so I got to eat with the players. On Thursday, I was allowed to join their meeting about their game against Mel-bourne for the weekend in the theatre. It was interesting seeing them go over the opposi-tion players and their tactics. I met and chatted to nearly every player and the coach and all of them were really kind and friendly. This week was an amazing experience. Jacob Atley

Rochester Secondary College Deb Ball

T he Rochester Secondary College is very honoured and excited to be organising the annual Rochester Debutante Ball that will be held on the 1st September. Our debs and partners no longer tread on each other's feet, to Leon's great relief. The boys have been measured for their suits and most girls now have their shoes to practise in.

A lot of organisational work is going on behind the scenes too. A very important reminder for debs and partners: if you have

not yet supplied a prep photo, you need to do this ASAP! Tickets will be available for pur-chase very soon and we are looking forward to a fantastic night

CAS

O n Monday our junior CAS students were involved in a training session conducted by two personal trainers from Shepparton – Sean Reidy who has developed the Performance Project and Meg Taylor (a former Rochester Secondary College stu-

dent). The aim was to emphasise the importance of having and maintaining a correct running technique. This will reduce the likelihood of injury and improve performance. Shaun and Meg will continue to work with our junior members and Arj Perera (Human Mechanics Ben-digo) will train the Year 9 CAS students this term.

Strive For Progress, Not Perfection

Around the College

SSV Loddon Mallee Regional

Netball Championship

O n Thursday 27th July, the Rochester Secondary Col-lege Year 7 netball team travelled to Echuca to com-pete in the SSV Loddon Mallee Regional Netball

Championship. Our team played against four different schools, who had also won their respective Zone Championship. The team had close wins against MacKillop College, Swan Hill and Catholic College Bendigo, before drawing with St Josephs College, Mildura. The team then had a comfortable win against Maryborough Education Centre, which meant they won the competition. They will now progressed to the State School Championship to be played in Melbourne on 11th Septem-ber. The netball team consisted of: Emily Jones, Tanzin Myers, Cayde Hayes, Tegan Williams, Ali Howlett, Olivia Stone, Teal Hocking, Charlee Roulston, Stephanie Moon and Chelsea Jones, and was coached by Sarah Whitworth and Katrina Trewin. Well done girls and all the very best next month.

SSV Loddon Mallee Senior

Basketball

O n Thursday 27th July Rochester’s senior basketball teams travelled to Echuca to contest the regional finals. In typically strong competition, against bigger

towns and schools, Rochester played generally quite well. Results: Senior Girls Rochester 23 lost to Mildura SSC 38 Rochester 13 lost to Bendigo SSC 49 Rochester 22 lost to Kerang 24 Senior Boys Rochester 6 lost to Mildura SSC 34 Rochester 20 lost to Catholic College Bendigo 36 Rochester 25 drew with Maryborough 25 Well done to all teams. Thank you to Miss Wendy McLeod for helping coach the teams and to the parents who trav-elled to Echuca to support their students and assist with scoring.

Around the College Junior Boys Football at

Nathalia

O n Wednesday 2nd August, our Junior Boys Football team travelled to Nathalia to compete against the other schools in our district.

The boys played well all day and despite some challenges in the middle games, managed to come through undefeated, clinching a spot in the LMR finals in Swan Hill next Wednes-day. Thank you to Mr. L Ringin and Mr. Harris for coaching on the day. Good luck to the boys who will accompany our Junior Girls Football team to Swan Hill next week. RESULTS: RSC 9.2.56 defeated Kyabram SC 1.6.12 Goals: H. “Falcon” Hamilton 8 Matt Blow 1 Best: H. Hamilton, B. Evans, C. “The Better Hamilton” Hamil-ton RSC 6.7.43 defeated Echuca College 0.0.2 Goals: H. Hamilton 3 B. Evans 2 M. Blow 1 Best: C. Hamilton, H. Hamilton, M. Blow, B. Evans RSC 9.10.64 defeated St. Augustine’s 0.0.0 Goals: H. Hamilton 4 M. Blow 4 C. Thompson 1 Best: M. Blow, H. Hamilton, B. Evans RSC 4.6.30 defeated St. Mary’s 1.0.6 Goals: H. Hamilton 2 B. Evans 1 C. Thompson 1 Best: B. Evans, H. Hamilton, C. Hamilton RSC 4.5.29 defeated St. Joseph’s 2.0.12 Goals: H. “Step Ladder” Hamilton 2 O. McMinn 1 Best: C. Hamilton, O. McMinn, Z. Oaff RSC 7.3.45 defeated Nathalia 3.1.19 Goals: H. Hamilton 5 C. Honey 1 D. Barkby 1 Best: Z. Oaff, D. Barkby, C. Honey, H. Hamilton

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