Head of Campus - Adrian Hooper

Welcome to our August Newsletter and it’s another bumper edition celebrating the great work of our student on the Secondary Campus.

In this newsletter, Deputy Principal Diversity and Inclusion Mr David Zhang provides a timely update on the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) submission and the process behind this. I would like to thank Mr Zhang and his DLC team for all their work in this area and the tireless support they provide to our students. Also, Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning Ms Joy Murgatroyd has an update around our 2025 NAPLAN results and when parents can expect this result coming home with their children.

Deputy Principal Yr7/8 Ms Jodie Sippel is continuing with us this term while Mrs Crookes is gradually returning from leave. We continue to be grateful for the wonderful support Ms Sippel has been providing our Year 7s and 8s. Ms Sippel and Mrs Crookes are currently conducting interviews for Year 6 students enrolling at RSC for Year 7 next year and details of how to complete this process are outlined further on.

Further on in the Newsletter, Yr9/10 and timetabling Deputy Principal Ms Ashleigh Batterham will talk about the resounding success that was last Wednesday’s RSC Curriculum & Pathways Expo.

Of course, the Expo signals the public start of our 2026 timetabling process. Current Year 10 students are about to commence their subject selection process for Year 11 in 2026 and all parents/carers of Year 10 students are reminded to book in their Senior Education & Training Plan (SETP) meeting with Mr Crosby. It is essential that all current Year 10s returning for Year 11 in 2026 have a SETP meeting.

Similarly, in coming weeks, Junior Secondary students will commence completing some OneSchool surveys to provide the College with necessary data about what elective subjects students are interested in pursuing in 2026. This will be followed by formal online subject selections through OneSchool in Week 8. We encourage all students to be checking their school emails daily, so they are fully informed when the process commences. Parents will also be emailed, and we will post regular updates on Facebook for those that follow us there.

Deputy Principal of 11/12 Mr Greg Bayldon has provided an update on the Senior School. Can I also take the opportunity to ask for the support of parents of Year 12 students regarding their attendance for the last nine weeks of timetable classes before external exams commence in Term 4 Week 4. As always, I encourage all Year 12s to make the most of their teachers, classes and classmates over the next nine weeks. While it may seem a way off to our students, parents and teachers know the end of school for our graduating class will be here before we know it.

In staffing news, I would like to welcome new ITD and HPE teacher Mr Stuart Price to RSC. Mr Price brings a wealth of experience teaching in both New Zealand and Melbourne. I know our students will benefit from his addition tour expert teaching team. Welcome Mr Price.

Finally, this past week has been Support Staff Week and on behalf of the Secondary leadership team, I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to our talented and hard-working support staff for everything they do.  They are the backbone of our great College and their contribution to the effective running of our school and the work of both teachers, and the leadership team cannot be underestimated.  Thank You!

DP - Teaching & Learning – Joy Murgatroyd

NAPLAN results

Year 7 and Year 9 students have received their 2025 NAPLAN reports this week. If your child sat the tests, they will receive a report showing their performance in Numeracy, Reading, Writing, Spelling and Grammar and Punctuation. Students are placed within bands labelled: Needs additional support, Developing, Strong, and Exceeding so you will see what level your child performed at on the day of the testing. You will also be able to see where your child is placed compared to the national average. The front page of the report outlines “How to read the student report” to assist you in understanding the results.

Student reports were handed out during their form class on Thursday and Friday; if you have any questions about the reports; or if your child has not received one, please email me on jmurg1@eq.edu.au

DP - Senior Schooling - Greg Bayldon

Term Three is a significant milestone for our senior students.

Year 11

Many Year 11 subjects will finish the Year 11 curriculum this term and start Year 12 work in Term 4. The Year 11s will also complete preparations to attend their leadership camp in Term 4.  The leadership camp is a wonderful opportunity for the students to bond with their peers and senior teachers, create lifelong memories, challenge themselves with the variety of tasks on offer and identify themselves as future leaders of our school. Meanwhile they need to maintain their focus on their prime reason for attending senior school at RSC; their academic success and gaining credentials to carry into the next stage of their journey outside of school.

Year 12

The Year 12 students are gearing up for their gala night at the Formal where they will celebrate their final year at RSC and their emergence as young adults of the future. We all await the fabulous fashion and swagger the students bring to our red carpet, and some of us can’t wait to see the array of magnificent vehicles delivering our students. It will be a welcome release valve for the students after their second last term of school completing their final internal assessments and preparing for the rigorous round of final external assessments, completing certificates and traineeships amongst other deadlines. The Year 12s still need to retain their focus on the big prise in their scopes as they finish the remaining 45 days of scheduled classes along with 4 weeks of crucial exams.

The seniors have lots of hurdles and rewards ahead but they must be disciplined and remember why they chose to complete the optional senior years of school and ensure that their focus is always on achieving success in those areas.

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

Curriculum and Pathways Expo 

The Curriculum and Pathways Expo held on Wednesday 13^th August was a resounding success. Designed to let students and parents/carers explore the different opportunities and pathways available to students both at and beyond Redlynch State College, the event featured subject displays, food and live entertainment, career insights and breakout information sessions. This event also served as the first step in our Year 10 students selecting their subjects for senior schooling. 

Year 10 SET Planning 

This expo was instrumental in guiding students toward their Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan meetings, where Year 10 students and their parents/carers will meet with Mr. Crosby, Head of Senior Schooling, to select their senior subjects. These SET Plan meetings enable students to align their subject choices with their career aspirations, ensuring a tailored approach to their Year 11 and 12 studies. All year 10 students will be required to complete a SET Plan meeting. 

To book a SET Plan meeting for your child, follow the link in the email Mr. Crosby sent earlier this week to Year 10 Parent/Carers. If your child is not planning to return to Redlynch State College in Year 11, it is still advised to book a SET Plan meeting. 

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

All Year 8 students will complete the Student School Opinion Survey on Friday, Week 5. Year 8 students have received an email inviting them to participate in the survey. The School Opinion Survey is designed to obtain the views of students on what their school does well and how they can improve. Opinions about the school on a range of topics are sought from state school students in Years 5, 6, 8 and 11.The 2025 School Opinion Surveys will be open between 28 July and 22 August 2025. Additional information about the School Opinion Survey is located on the Department of Education’s website.

As a reward for our new Positive Behaviour for Learning pilot in the junior school, the Year 7 & 8 team have introduced incentives to allow the top ten Ready to Learn earners from each grade to take an early lunch break during Week 10. Students will also be rewarded with foody treats of popcorn, lollies and icy poles. A maximum of 20 students will be given 20 - 30 minutes extra lunch time. Supervision will be provided in a designated area either by a Dean, Head of Department or Deputy Principal. The Year 7 & 8 team is also having discussions about hosting a disco for our juniors. Mr Buttenshaw came up with a great idea to make it a Halloween theme, and holding it during the week of Halloween, which is Week 5, Term 4. We will keep you posted with any updates. Please encourage your students to support and participate in these wonderful initiatives!

We will try to accommodate reasonable requests from parents and caregivers to provide work for Year 7 – 10 students taking holidays during the school term. In most cases, teachers will direct students to existing resources e.g. OneNotes, subject specific online platforms or textbook chapters. Teachers are not required to provide individually tailored lessons for students on holidays, and decisions about learning and assessment will be made on a case by case basis.

DP - Diverse Learning - David Zhang

Term 3 has seen strong progress across the Diverse Learning Centre. I extend my appreciation to our staff, students, and families for their ongoing support, commitment, and collaboration.

A key focus this term has been the successful completion of the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) submission. This process plays a vital role in ensuring students with disability receive the adjustments and resourcing they require. I acknowledge the work of our classroom teachers, case managers, and support staff who have worked diligently to ensure accurate, evidence-based documentation. I also thank our families for their contributions throughout this process.

Staff capability has remained a priority. Targeted support has been provided to new staff and teacher aides, particularly in the areas of behaviour support and the use of information technologies. These efforts are strengthening our collective capacity to meet the diverse learning needs of students.

Our support structures continue to evolve in response to student need. The Check-In/Check-Out program has been refined to support certain students requiring regular feedback and positive reinforcement. Re-entry meetings following suspensions are now more clearly structured, focusing on goal setting and reintegration planning. Intervention in literacy and numeracy has also continued, with a focus on early identification and targeted teaching.

As we look to the remainder of the term, our focus remains on ensuring every student is supported to thrive. Thank you again to our dedicated staff and engaged families who continue to make this work possible.

The Secondary Campus Leadership Team