Head of Campus - Adrian Hooper

Welcome to the mid Term 2 newsletter.

Recently on our Secondary campus assembly I took some time to talk with our students and reflect on our attendance data in the secondary school for Term 1.

What can be gleaned from this snapshot of attendance?

• Year 7, 8 and 11 have the highest attendance
• Year 9, 10 and 12 have the lowest
• No year level averaged more than 90% attendance in Term 1 and this is a concern
• Again, our Year 7s have started the year strongly as they commence their secondary schooling and the Year 8s have continued their good attendance from last year
• Attendance and engagement remain a challenge as students enter the “middle-schooling” years, culminating in a dip in Year 9 & 10
• Year 11s, motivated by a renewed focus on their pathway and academic success, like Year 7, have started the year strongly
• Year 12s need to be reminded to not lose sight of the end goal in their final year of schooling
• Year 12 attendance data has again dipped at the beginning of the year, more often than not adversely effected by students forgetting to correctly follow our sign in/our procedures with their newfound freedoms
• All year levels have vast numbers of students attending over 90% (and 95%) as averages in all year levels are brought down by a small minority with very low attendance

We have a renewed focus on attendance and general compliance with the expectations of the senior school for our Year 11 and 12 students who are beyond the compulsory schooling age and now in the non-compulsory participation phase. We currently have our DRAFT RSC Yr11/12 Senior Clearance Policy submitted to the RSC School Council. Mr Bayldon in the A/DP 11/12 position will talk more about how this is changing the behaviours of our Year 11s and 12s in his section below.

Can I also take the opportunity to thank the parents/carers that took the opportunity to attend parent/teacher interviews in week 3. On the back of Term 1 interim report cards, parent/teacher interviews allow the chance for parents/carers to meet their child’s teacher and a provide further opportunity for teachers to give feedback on your child’s progress. We opened our bookings a little earlier this year and as a result our evening was very well attended with many teachers being full booked. A reminder our end of Semester 1 report cards will be out on the last day of this term and Term 3 parent/interviews will be Wednesday 23^rd July, Term 3 Week 2.   May I also take the opportunity to remind you our 2025 RSC Curriculum and Pathways Expo will be held two weeks later, Wednesday 13^th August, Term 3 Week 5.

That’s all from me this edition.  Enjoy reading the other contributions from our wonderful RSC Secondary staff.

DP - Teaching & Learning – Joy Murgatroyd

Curriculum Development

RSC teachers are committed to ensuring the curriculum we deliver is engaging and gives all students the opportunity to demonstrate what they know and can do. Periodically, the curriculum we are required to teach does change, and when it does, RSC prioritises providing our teachers with the resources they need to deliver those changes.

Over the last 2 years, secondary teachers at RSC have been exploring the latest version of the Australian Curriculum (ACv9). Faculty teams have been meeting regularly to ensure each unit of work we teach in Years 7 – 10 delivers the updated curriculum. To date we have planned and implemented the ACv9 for Year 7 and Year 8 and we are currently planning Year 9 units for implementation in 2026. So far in Term 2 we have provided time for our Humanities, Design Technologies, Creative Technologies and Languages faculties to collaborate and develop curriculum. In the senior school, our teachers of Year 11 and 12 Accounting, Business, Biology and General Mathematics are also spending time refining their curriculum to meet the changes to the Senior Syllabus documents. 

DP - Senior Schooling - Greg Bayldon

Term 2 May

We are well into the swing of things at RSC now and all of our senior students have neared completing 50% of their Summative assessment. Students need to keep their eye on the ball and finish the last half of this important year strongly. The Year 12 students only have 18 weeks (90 days) of typical school days to go. There is no reason that any of them (or the Year 11s) should be missing large portions of school at this stage. We have many rewarding extra curricular events coming up in this term and Semester two that will add to the memories of the ‘Best Days of their Lives.’

Attendance is Essential

Countless studies have shown that attendance is a major criterion in student achievement. Even without scientific studies it is logical to assume that students spending the maximum time possible in the learning environment will learn more effectively. It was explained to the senior cohort recently that Year 7 and Year 11 have the best attendance rates. Unfortunately, as our Year 11 students transition from the formative phase to the summative, they appear to let their attendance slide. In fact, Year 12 is their most important year where every point counts on their final outcomes of ATARS, QCEs, Certificates and Traineeships. Attendance should be a priority for our senior students; however, our data shows otherwise for Year 12. Monitoring of attendance is being increased and consequences will be enforced to help our students help themselves. Parents you can assist by alerting the school through the correct channels when your child is absent from a partial or full school day for a justified reason.

Clearance Policy

The senior cohorts have maturely accepted the introduction of the RSC Clearance Policy. This policy holds senior students to account for their attendance, punctuality, behaviour and academic participation in the compulsory aspects of senior school at RSC. Students have to meet the essential expectations if they are to participate in any of the myriad of extra-curricular privileges that the school offers to enrich their time at RSC. Students are able to self manage their clearance by checking against the database which is updated each Sunday and if they have slipped off ‘Clearance’ can independently set out to rectify the situation within a space of 2 weeks to regain their Clearance. This is not intended as a punishment strategy, rather we hope to enforce the basic tenets of successful school students, (attendance, punctuality and completion of school work and assessment) upon our senior cohorts enabling them all to achieve their best.

Senior Social

As mentioned above the school regularly provides opportunities for our students to enjoy extra-curricular activities which do not impact their academic progress but do make the journey a lot more enjoyable. Miss Roads (A/ HOD Humanities and Year 12 Dean) and Pam Dean (Superwoman) have organised a senior social for the end of this term. It will involve refreshments, dancing and socialising and Mr Hooper suggested that he might bring his cardboard and break out some of his electric boogaloo moves from his younger years that would surely elevate him past ‘Raygunn.’ It has been developed as a fun night for the senior students to celebrate another tough term and to let their hair down and enjoy each other’s company. It will be on school grounds and as such strict rules will be enforced regarding permission, attendance and contraband items otherwise it will be lovely to watch our students be teenagers and having fun. I thank staff like Miss Roads and Miss Dean for their wholehearted enthusiasm to seek out and organise such rich and rewarding opportunities for our students.

Standing item – Students and driving

Learning to drive and earning that freedom is a rite of passage of all senior students across Australia. That independence is empowering for students and a great relief for parents but with that power comes a great responsibility. It is part of their maturation that they accept such responsibility and understand their part within society. For our part we enforce a mandatory registration of driving to school upon all RSC students for our and their peace of mind.

When any student starts driving to RSC we require them to complete a Registration form (available from the student window) that identifies they have their licence, their car and rego and most importantly any authorised passengers. The temptation to give fellow students lifts or to duck off from school and grab some food or even just go for a joy ride are great; however, they are also fraught with many dangers. The school requires this information and parental authorisation if we are to accept students driving to our school and carrying passengers. It is vital that if your student is giving lifts to non-family members that they have the permission of that student’s parents. We are relying upon parents to support us on this necessary procedure to enable us to protect our students the best we can.

Assessment

Senior assessment! It is vital and core to what students do. It will have a major impact upon what opportunities the students have post-secondary school. While we encourage all students to plan ahead and prepare for their upcoming assessment to get their best results it is also essential that they look ahead using the assessment calendar and communicate with their family, so no family commitments impinge upon their ability to complete the mandatory assessment in Year 11 and 12. QCAA has a very strict ‘no tolerance’ attitude towards students missing assessment for most reasons. There are very few accepted excuses, and the safest option is to ensure that students are available for all assessment. Students have access to a One School calendar with all their assessment. Additionally, students can check in with all of their teachers, personally or by email, about upcoming assessment if they foresee any potential issues with the timing of their assessment.

Role models of RSC

To this end I must congratulate the senior cohorts of Yr 11 and 12 for their attitude and participation in education at RSC, the students have demonstrated a consistent application to their studies while respecting the school procedures enabling us to work together smoothly in pursuit of them achieving their best outcomes. Further to this I have had the pleasure of thanking senior students for their maturity and social responsibility on many occasions. Our seniors have stepped in and provided guidance and assistance for younger students on many occasions already this year and I have been impressed by their calm authority. They are wearing our uniform well and meeting our expectations and I believe this will filter down through our junior years.

DP - Middle Secondary (9/10) - Ashleigh Batterham

Year 10 Pathways Day

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming Year 10 Pathways Day, an important event designed to help our Year 10 students explore the many career options available to them. Set to take place on Thursday 5^th June (Week 7), this event is an excellent opportunity for students to start thinking about their future and the steps they can take to achieve their goals.

Throughout the day, Year 10 students will participate in a variety of engaging activities, including career workshops and guest speaker sessions from external agencies such as TAFE, JCU, CQU, BusySchools, Defence Force, MAS Apprenticeships and Construction Skills QLD. Students will also have the chance to ask questions and gain firsthand knowledge about different fields of work.

The Pathways Day is designed to support students as they begin making decisions about their future, whether they are considering further education, apprenticeships, or entering the workforce. We encourage all Year 10 students to participate fully in this exciting event and make the most of this invaluable opportunity!

Behaviour

At Redlynch State College, respectful and responsible behaviour is key to creating a safe and supportive learning environment. When students follow school expectations, they help build a community where everyone can achieve success, be valued and feel safe. Positive behaviour at school is also important for general life skills such as cooperation, self-control, and respect for others. We encourage all students to take pride in their conduct and make choices that support their learning and the wellbeing of those around them.

DP - Junior Secondary (7/8) - Jodie Sippel

My name is Mrs Jodie Sippel, and I’m excited to join the team as the Deputy Principal for the Year 7 and Year 8 cohorts for the remainder of Term 2, while Mrs Crookes recovers from her surgery. I’m looking forward to working with and supporting our students, staff, and families during this time, and ensuring meaningful and connected learning is taking place.

I would like to thank staff and students for the warm welcome that has been afforded to me since my arrival at Redlynch State College. I arrive at Redlynch State College with leadership experience as Acting Principal and Head of Department - Curriculum. I am looking forward to learning all about and experiencing the local area during my time in Far North Queensland.

With a strong commitment to student wellbeing and engagement, I’m here to help foster a positive and inclusive environment where our young learners can thrive. Redlynch State College students are expected to meet our school’s expectations of Respect, Safety and Commitment to Learning. This includes acting on instructions first time every time, being safe and responsible while actively learning. At any time, should you wish to contact me, please do so via email – jsipp0@eq.edu.au or arrange a meeting time with the school administration staff. Thank you for the warm welcome, and I look forward to working with you all.

To finish off, I wish to give a big shout-out to our Year 7 students who recently attended camp. They had an amazing adventure, demonstrated teamwork, and made lifelong memories! Our Year 7 students had an unforgettable time at Wildside Adventure Centre embracing challenges, building friendships, and having a whole lot of fun along the way!

DP - Diverse Learning - David Zhang

Originally from Beijing, China, I have had the opportunity to work in various regions across Queensland, including Hervey Bay, North Lakes, Brisbane, and Cairns within Education Queensland schools. With a deep passion for inclusive education, I commenced serving as the Deputy Principal of the Diverse Learning Centre at Redlynch State College in Term 2. In this role, I am dedicated to lead the team to ensuring students with disabilities receive the tailored support they need to thrive in both the school curriculum and the wider community.

Drawing on a wealth of experience in educational leadership and a strong commitment to public education, I am determined to create a learning environment where every student is empowered to achieve their potential. I will lead a team of educators who provide individualised support, helping students with diverse learning needs succeed academically and socially.

Outside of my professional life, I am an avid enthusiast of fishing, boating, motorbiking, and woodworking. I am happily married and a proud parent of four children.

I am passionate about creating educational opportunities where diversity is celebrated, and students of all abilities can flourish.

The Secondary Campus Leadership Team