The Rowville Times

Term 2 Issue 9 

Rowville Secondary College 

The Rowville Times 

Friday, June 14th 2013 

A Rowville Secondary College publication 

Edition Nine 

As you may have heard over the past few weeks, Rowville 

Secondary College School Council has recently been 

considering the educational resources and programs of the 

college across both campuses. Councillors considered 

whether our current organisational structures align with our 

2013 – 2016 School Strategic Plan to support and promote 

the best educational outcomes for all of our students and 

whether these structures have long term viability. 

Council looked closely at the available options and concluded 

Principal’s Page 

Campus Movements... 

that students would benefit if all of the senior students in our 

General Excellence program were based at the one campus. 

For the following reasons we have decided to base all of Year 

10, 11 and 12 General Excellence students at the Western 

Campus from the commencement of 2014: 

Our school structure over the last few years has been based 

around a senior and junior model. Our timetable serves 

students best in this structure. With all senior General 

Continues on Page 2... 

RIA Showcase on the 4th of June saw an amazing array of talent from our students. Turn to pages 2+3 for more! 

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Principal’s Page continues... 

Excellence students located on one campus we can have a 

broader range of elective subjects in Year 10 and subjects that 

had to be scrapped with too few students will be more likely to 

operate given a broader pool of students. 

An extension of this will be Year 10 students having a wider 

choice of VCE acceleration subjects with the whole VCE 

program available for them to choose from rather than just 2 

or 3 subjects which is currently the case at the East. 

Changing campuses one year earlier will also provide a longer 

lead time into Year 12, providing a stronger integration of 

students from the two campuses by the time they are in Year 

12. Transition will still be supported by staff campus swaps to 

ensure that students have familiar faces teaching them or 

people that they know who they can call upon if requiring 

assistance. 

This new structure will also enable the creation of a new senior 

learning neighbourhood for all General Excellence students in 

Years 10 – 12. School Council will soon examine in more detail 

how we might resource improvements to welfare support, 

careers counselling and senior study facilities at the Western 

campus over the next couple of years. 

This will also enable us to make best use of all available physical 

and teaching resources. 

It needs to be emphasised that School Council has no intention or 

desire to move away from offering a Year 7 – 9 General 

Excellence program at the Eastern Campus. We believe it is 

critical to give parents the opportunity to choose the nearest 

campus in their first years of secondary education if that is their 

wish. 

This decision has been made with less lead time than we would 

have liked. To minimise transport issues we will at least during 

2014 provide a free bus service from the Eastern campus to the 

Western campus each school morning. During Term 3 parents 

can register for this service. Priority will be given to 2014 Year 10 

students but in the event that capacity allows, other students 

could also utilise this service. 

Glenn Fankhauser 

Principal



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RIA Showcase 

Laura Gordon 

Communications Officer 

This year’s Semester One Showcase was held in early June with a 

sold out PAC and lots of excitement. The evening began with an 

exhibition of the work that our Visual Arts and Media students 

have worked on over the past few months, demonstrated 

beautifully throughout the foyer and dance studio. The 

centrepieces of the exhibit were enormous hanging puppets of 

varying sea creatures created by our Art students for the 

upcoming school production of Seussical the Musical. 

Playing on the projector within the auditorium to an amused and 

impressed audience were films created by our Media Specialism 

students showing just how diverse and complex their talents truly 

are. 

When 7:00pm arrived the seats were all full and we were greeted 

with the musical styling of Adam Ladell and Lana Raftopoulos on 

the piano in Cocktail Hour. 

Never have two and a half hours flown by as quickly as they did 

on this particular evening with visual and musical talent exceeding 

the years of our young performers. 

Year Twelve Dance Specialism student Cassie Hartwich 

performed a stunning piece to a song from the film Ghost and 

the entire audience was spellbound. 

Shakespeare monologues and dialogues were favourites from 

our Drama Specialism students across Years Seven, Eight, Nine 

and Ten with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Othello and 

Macbeth all on display. 

Our Music Specialism students impressed time and again with 

beautiful renditions of Waiting on the World to Change 

performed by Year Nine & Ten Music Specialism with Adam 

Ladell on vocals, Still Into You with the amazing Ebony Lawrence 

on vocals, accompanied by Vasilios Papadopoulos, Jake Ryan 

and Brad Garbett-Tazare. Another musical standout saw James 

Tha and Samith De Alwis displaying their captivating guitar skills 

in River Flows in You. 

The evening had something for everyone and gave our students 

the opportunity to perform and display their work, one of the 

most fundamental aspects of both performing and visual arts. 

Well done to the staff and students involved!



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Elyse Manson 

VCE Legal Studies Teacher 


Unit 2 Legal Studies Police Visit 

On Thursday 13 th June, Constable McIntyre 

from Rowville Police Station visited two Unit 2 

Legal Studies classes to discuss police powers 

and individual rights. Students had previously 

developed their knowledge of the powers that 

police have when dealing with members of the 

community, as well as the responsibilities that 

individuals have when dealing with police, in 

Unit 1 Legal Studies. 

The visit from an actual member of the police 

force helped to bring this textbook information 

‘to life’ for many students. Constable 

McIntyre imparted relevant information to 

students about learner- and probationarydriving, 

weapons offences, as well as 

underage drinking and smoking. She was also 

very helpful in responding to the many 

questions that students had about their rights 

as young people when dealing with police, as 

well as the life of a police officer more 

generally. After the visit, many students 

commented that they might like to become 

involved with Victoria Police in the future – as 

members of the force, not as offenders 

caught by the police!



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Maths Corner 

Tom Fay 

Maths Coordinator 

fay.tomas.m@edumail.vic.gov.au 

I’ve had a couple of student teachers 

pass through this year. They have all 

been a bit different to each other and 

offered different strengths and ideas. 

It has made me think about a range of 

issues. One of those issues is 

automatic progression, students who 

don’t meet the standard expected, 

who go through to the next year level. 

There are pros and cons to this set up, 

but it made me think about my own 

childhood. 

I have an Irish background. I won’t go 

stereotypical on a whole nation, but 

at the very least my family is made up 

of very poor swimmers, I have been 

described as a “graceful rhino” in the 

water. The only highlight of swimming 

in my family was one time during a 

lesson when you had to retrieve a 

weight at the bottom of the pool, my 

brother jumped in and caught the 

weight before it hit the water. We 

actually still talk about it. This 

weekend my sister talked about her 

experience at a swimming carnival 

where she came last and was 

consoled by her twin sister, who then 

proceeded to come last in the next 

race. 

My mum realised our lack of 

swimming ability and all of us were 

put into swimming lessons very early 

in life. Back then you had to pass a 

level to move ahead. So after some 

time my oldest brother was two years 

older than the rest of the class. 

Unfortunately for me, I was in the 

same class, a year and a half older 

than my brother, so yes, very, very old 

for that class. If you have ever been to 

the snow as an amateur and seen kids 

a metre tall look extremely 

professional as you struggle to keep 

upstanding you have some idea of my 

circumstance. 

To further my problems out of the six 

kids in my family, my oldest brother 

is clearly the best swimmer, with the 

rest of us equal last. So I was much 

older than anyone in the class, my 

brother was a lot better than me but 

still not at a great level compared to 

the rest. Not the happiest time ever, I 

never actually passed the first level. 

No one’s fault but my own (I mostly 

blame genetics). 

So anyway I have no answers, just 

questions. What is a better situation, 

the old way of being kept back, and 

then learning with kids much younger 

than you, or what seems to be the 

new way, moving ahead with 

everyone but being completely out of 

your depth, pun intended. For my 

swimming there was no good answer. 

I can swim well enough to have a bit 

of fun in the pool, get out of trouble 

if it happens, but have never swum a 

complete lap in my life. I am also well 

aware of my limitations and very, 

very rarely push the boundaries with 

no swimming incidents to speak of, 

just the occasional half story. 

So if there are people in Maths class 

(or any classes really) who are 

struggling what can be done? The 

problem with swimming (or many 

other activities) compared to Maths 

is that you can just give up a lot of 

the other activities at any stage. One 

part of the answer I would relate to 

my daughter’s experience. After 

swimming lessons she was a much 

better swimmer, happy to jump in 

the pool, go under water and so on. 

She went from doing it for someone 

else, to doing it for herself. 

It is a difficult thing for all teachers to 

achieve with all students but when 

people want to get better, they are a 

good chance to do so. A friend of my 

daughter had a lot of trouble early on 

with his swimming. He didn’t go under 

water, cried a lot, and generally 

seemed very unhappy to be in the 

class. Then after the summer holidays 

he came back as the best swimmer in 

the class. His dad told me they had 

gone on holidays with older cousins 

and not wanting to be left out he did 

everything his cousins did in the pool. 

His attitude completely changed and 

he got better and better. He is now a 

level above my daughter. 

Maths can be compared to general 

education with one overall statement, 

it gives options, especially those at 

higher education. I can avoid a pool all 

day every day, Maths is harder to do, 

especially for students at school. There 

have been some changes to life that 

have made it easier for those with 

Maths difficulties. Calculators 

obviously. In supermarkets now they 

use a per 100g marking on food so 

prices can be compared easier than the 

past. A lot of money is now transferred 

electronically. 

At the end of the day it is all about 

learning about you. What is a strength, 

what is a weakness? If Maths is a 

struggle what is being done to 

counteract that? Thankfully you don’t 

have to be able to swim well to live in 

my case. But as long as there is money, 

or measurements, or time, or anything 

with a unit, there will be Maths and it 

will be important. I like to think I got 

my swimming to a level where I was 

happy and it helped my life. Is your 

level of Maths on that path for you?



6 


Tennis 

By Jeff van de Steenoven 


Sports News 

This is the School Sports Australia National 

19 & Under Tennis Team Championships 

known as the Pizzey Cup. Team Vic did very 

well to be awarded the silver medal, and 

pushed NSW all the way in the deciding 

match. 

Alex van de Steenoven was undefeated in 

the singles, and won 7 of his 10 matches in 

both singles and doubles while Nathan 

Ponton won 6 of 7 and was undefeated in 

the doubles. 

Rowville Secondary College had 2 

representatives for the 2 nd year in a row with 

both these Year 12 students being selected 

and performing so well. 

Cross Country 

By Matt Krawczyk 

Our cross country participants performed 

exceptionally well and East medallists were: 

U/14 Boys: Brady Quinn (1 st ), 

U/14 Girls: Hayley Richmond (1 st ), 

Nicola Cross (3 rd ) 

U/15 Boys: Jarrod Marshall (1 st ), Brayden 

Wright (2 nd )



7 


Hockey 

By Michelle Aumann 


Sports News 

In May the year 12 VCE VET Sport and Recreation classes participated in a Hockey community 

coaching accreditation. Hockey Victoria’s Jesse Workman came out to Rowville to run the 

sessions. The students were very impressed by his skills and were also taught a range of 

different hockey skills, such as the Indian dribble. The students are now confident and able to 

run hockey session for children in community based settings. It is a great certificate for our 

sports students. 

Hayden Crozier 

Ex Rowville 

student and AFL 

superstar Hayden 

Crozier returned 

to RSC last week 

to visit his old 

school and 

teachers. Hayden 

finished Year 12 in 

2011 and has 

played for 

Fremantle over 

the last two years.



Night at the Museum 


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Dear parents and Guardians, 

Where: RSC East Library 

When: Wednesday19th June 

from 6.00pm to 7.00pm 

2013 

The year 7 and 8 students at Rowville Secondary 

College (East), wish to invite you to ... 

Come along and see what our talented and creative 

students have been learning about this 

semester in history! 

Featuring displays, activities, games, performances, models and 

reenactments, as well as a chance for you to get involved in making 

history come alive too! 

Siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and 

neighbours welcome too!




9 


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10 


Wednesday 31st July - 7:00pm 

Thursday 1st August - 7:00pm 

Friday 2nd August - 7:00pm 

Saturday 3rd August - 5:00pm 

Tickets available at 

www.trybooking.com/CZYE 

TM 

Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty 

Co-conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Eric Idle 

Based on the works of Dr. Seuss 

By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd Exclusive 

agent for Music Theatre International (NY)




11 


“I’m obviously looking forward to the 

performing, that’s my favourite part!” 

Do you own or run a local business? Seussical the Musical is currently on the 

look out for sponsors within the local area. If you would like to help out then 

please contact Laura Gordon on 9755-4528.




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Education Maintenance Allowance - information for parents currently receiving EMA 

Changes to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for 2013: 

The EMA continues to help families on lower incomes with financial assistance to cover the cost of educational expenses inclu ding 

textbooks, stationery, uniforms and excursions for their child up until the age of 16. 

From 2013, the Victorian Government is restructuring the EMA to better target financial support to families on lower incomes. 

Payments made direct to parents will be increased for eligible recipients at all year levels up to age 16, with an additional increase 

for parents with students in Years Prep and 7 in recognition of the additional costs at these transition points. 

In 2013 the annual EMA payment for families with children in primary school (years 1-6) will receive a payment of $150. Families 

with children in secondary school (Year 8 up until the age of 16) will receive an annual payment of $250. 

The School Start Bonus which was previously received by EMA families has been discontinued as a separate payment from 2013. 

However, additional funding has been incorporated into the EMA meaning that parents of children in Prep and Year 7 will recei ve 

boosted EMA payments of $200 and $300 respectively in those years. 

From 2013, the EMA will no longer be paid 50/50 between the parent and the school. The 50% school portion of the EMA will no 

longer be paid to schools on behalf of parents. However, $62 million over four years will be redirected to the State’s most n eedy 

schools to assist families on lower incomes. These funds will form part of the school Student Resource Packages to be allocat ed 

at the local level. 

New EMA payment option… From 2013, on the EMA application form you can choose to have your EMA payment; 

Paid by direct deposit (Electronic Funds Transfer) into your nominated bank account or 

Paid by cheque which will be posted to the school for collection or 

Paid to the school to be held as credit which you can use towards education expenses 

The introduction of the new payment option to have the EMA payment directed to the school provides parents with extra flexibi lity 

to assist with budgeting towards education expenses. 

Eligibility… To be eligible for the EMA in 2013, you must: 

be either a parent or guardian of a primary or secondary school student up to the age of sixteen; and 

be an eligible beneficiary of a Centrelink pension, allowance or benefit within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004* 

or be a Veterans Affairs (TPI) pensioner or be a temporary foster parent. 

* i.e – the parent/guardian must be the holder of a valid Health Care Card or valid Pension Card. 

The eligibility criteria must be met as at 29 January 2013 (Instalment One) and 15 July 2013 (Instalment Two). 

Payment Amounts - 2013… 

Prep Years 1 - 6 Year 7 Year 8 – Age 16 

Instalment One $140 $105 $210 $175 

Instalment Two $60 $45 $90 $75 

Annual Total $200 $150 $300 $250 

*Student year level (or age for ungraded and special school students) will determine the amount payable. Parents of students t urning 16 years in 

2013 are paid on a pro rata basis. 

Contact: School Office for an EMA application form and to lodge your application. 

The closing date for EMA application forms to be submitted to the school is 

28 February 2013 - Instalment One / 2 August 2013 - Instalment Two




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Think you are good enough? 

Celebrity Quiz 

Competition will be in Term 3 

Prizes to be won!! 

With Mrs. George 

Every Thursday 

Lunchtime Week 2 

Room 18 

Eastern Campus




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SECOND HAND BOOK & 

UNIFORM SHOP 

Important changes to Second Hand 

Book & Uniform Shop Trading Hours… 

From Term Three onwards the day will change 

to EVERY FIRST THURSDAY of the month. 

This means that the first date for Term Three 

will be Thursday the 8th of August from 

3:00pm to 4:00pm. 

Run by parent volunteers at the Western Campus 

(Next to room 20). 

When shopping at Ritchies and by using your community 

benefit card or tag linked to Rowville Secondary College, 

Ritchies will donate money back to us. These cards and 

tags can be used at ANY Ritchies store throughout Vic, 

NSW and Qld by staff, students and their families, 

grandparents, neighbours and so on. Use the card/tag 

every time you shop, even if you only purchase a couple 

of items, it all adds up. This is an easy way to raise funds 

for our school with no costs involved! 

So if you would like to support Rowville Secondary 

College then get a community benefit card at the 

registers next time you are at ANY Ritchies store. All you 

do is nominate Rowville Secondary College, it’s that easy! 

Please also note that the New Uniform Shop 

is Run by PSW at the 

Western Campus on 

Wednesdays 8.30am – 

11.30am, and Fridays 

12.45pm – 1.30pm 

PSW Pty Ltd – 9809 5477 

Unit 2, 10-12 South Link, 

Dandenong South 

So far our College has 

received over $23,700 from 

Ritchies by customers 

shopping at Ritchies and by 

using a CB card linked to us. 

Go on shop at Ritchies so that 


can continue to benefit!




15 


Career News 

Kindly provided by the Careers Advisor Ms Jenny 

Evans-Hayes. 

Visit http://www.rowvillesc.vic.edu.au/whats-on/ 

newsletter for the latest edition... 

Victoria’s Most Awarded 

Office 

The Good Guys Bayswater Supports 

Our School 

Rowville Secondary College is pleased to support 

“Bayswater Bucks”, The Good Guys Bayswater’s exciting 

community program. 

With every $25 spent you will be presented with a $1 

Bayswater Bucks voucher that can be passed onto the 

school. The school can use Bayswater Bucks to purchase 

school equipment or products for upcoming school raffles. 

To take advantage of this offer you need to mention 

our school before any payment is made and you will 

receive your Bayswater Bucks vouchers. For example, if 

you purchase a Coffee Maker for $139 you will receive 

$5 Bayswater Bucks vouchers. 

Three easy steps to follow: 

1. Visit The Good Guys Bayswater, located at 

224-234 Canterbury Road and make any purchase 

greater than $25. 

2. Mention RSC before making your payment 

3. Receive Bayswater Bucks vouchers and return 

them to the school. 

Rowville Secondary College would 

like to thank Barry Plant, Rowville 

for their support as our major 

sponsor since 2007. 

For further information regarding this program please 

contact Michael Clarke at 

The Good Guys Bayswater on 8727-9400




16 

Friday, June 14th 2013




17 


The advertisements featured within The Rowville Times, or any other College publications do not necessarily reflect the views 

of the College. For more information please contact the College on 9755-4555.




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School Council 

There is currently a vacant position on School Council for an interested member of the parent 

community. There are also several positions available on our four Sub-Committees for any parents 

interested in gaining further insight into the inner workings of the College. 

Please contact Laura Gordon on 9755-4528 for more information. 

Important Dates 

Seussical the Musical Rehearsals - Mondays & Thursdays 

Wednesday, 19th June - Rowville East, A Night at the Museum 

Friday, 28th June - Next Edition of Rowville Times 

Friday, 28th June - Last Day of Term Two, 3:15pm finish 

Monday, 15th July - First Day of Term Three, 9:00am start 

Wednesday, 31st July - Saturday, 3rd August - Seussical the Musical 

REMEMBER… Return your Woolworths Earn & Learn stickers and sheets to 

school before the end of term!!

The Rowville Times

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