As we reach the end of a highly productive and rewarding Term 1, I would like to wish all members of our college community a safe, restful, and happy holiday break. The Term 1 holidays provide an important opportunity for students, staff, and families to recharge after what has been an incredibly busy and successful start to the year.

I acknowledge the outstanding efforts of all staff across the college this term. Our teachers, along with our education support teams, as well as the Principal Class, have shown exceptional dedication in delivering a smooth, positive, and highly successful start to the year.

At the heart of our work is a shared commitment to providing the highest quality learning experiences for every student, while also shaping young people who will contribute positively to society. Our core values of Respect, Initiative, and Learning (RIL) underpin this vision and are consistently reflected in the way our staff engage with students and with one another each day. These values are not only central to life at Rosehill but also serve as important foundations that will support our students well into the future.

I encourage all students, and particularly our VCE students, to use some of this break wisely by setting aside time each day to review and consolidate the learning completed so far. Year 12 is best approached as a long-term journey that requires persistence, discipline, and steady application. Small, consistent efforts across the year will always have a greater impact than leaving large amounts of work until later.

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Parent Teacher Interviews were an especially valuable part of the term, giving families the chance to connect directly with teachers, reflect on student growth, celebrate successes, and discuss strategies that will support ongoing improvement. I was particularly pleased by the overwhelmingly positive feedback shared by parents, especially in relation to our improved facilities and the outstanding work of staff in fostering a learning environment that is supportive, engaging, and appropriately challenging.

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Over the past ten weeks, our college has been filled with a wonderful range of learning opportunities, events, and activities that have enriched the student experience. The extra curricula activities on offer were once again a highlight for many, and I thank our staff for their diligence and commitment to do the hard work to organise these events. The organisation of camps, excursions, guest speakers, carnivals all require significant planning, administration and risk assessments, this is additional work to our core business. They would not be possible without passionate and committed educators who are willing to give up their time to help enrich students’ learning experience.

ATTENDANCE

As we close out the term, I want to acknowledge the strong commitment our students have shown to their learning. A particularly pleasing measure of this has been our attendance data, which currently sits above 92.5% across the college. This is an improvement on previous years and an excellent foundation for the year ahead. Strong attendance is one of the clearest indicators that students feel connected to their school, enjoy their learning, and are benefiting from the opportunities provided. Regular attendance remains essential in supporting both academic growth and student wellbeing. Across the school, GPA data is significantly higher this year compared to the same time last which is a testament to the commitment of students and staff alike.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

I would like to acknowledge outgoing School Council member Trent Danaher who has completed his term and thank him for his commitment and contribution to the College. Congratulations to our elected School Council representatives for 2026: John Spasevski (President), Natalija Homatopoulos, Andrew Barker (Vice President), Claire Frigo, Christopher Burke, John Stavrinidis, Daria Villani (Treasurer), Annette Therik, Natalie FitzGerald, Adam Scanlon, Nethasha Silva, and Alexandra Homatopoulos. I thank you all for your willingness to contribute your time and expertise to our college community and look forward to working together to ensure Rosehill Secondary College continues to provide an outstanding education for all students.

Happy Easter to all who celebrate.

Arthur Soumalias

PRINCIPAL

School Policies have been updated in line with Department of Education and Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority requirements. Parents may review these on the school website https://www.rosehillsc.vic.edu... Minimum Standards Compliance – June 2022.

March 14th is a day that every math enthusiast—and anyone who loves a good slice of pie—looks forward to: National Pi Day! Pi Day celebrates the mathematical constant π (pi), which is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. This fascinating number is approximately 3.14, which is why Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14).

This year, we celebrated Pi Day on Friday 20^th March considering it fell on a weekend. There were some very impressive recitations from 7E with Elsie Cordova-Young reciting 142 digits! Amazing effort Elsie!

Students were thrilled to receive RIL cards and circular shaped treats. Students also enjoyed some Pi activities during the lesson while they continued to test each other.

Well done to all students!

Stephanie Barbaro

ENRICHMENT LEADER

Our unstoppable Year 9 Debating Team is officially on a winning streak! They secured another fantastic victory in Round 2 of the schools competition held on Monday 30th March at St. Bernard’s College.

Competing against Strathmore College, whose team is actually coordinated by a former staff member of ours, our students showed incredible poise and quick thinking. This was only their second ever competitive debate, making their flawless performance all the more impressive.

The individual accolades were just as exciting:

• Jem Howe was awarded Best Speaker for the round for the second time running!

• Alexia Radimisis was named by the adjudicator as a very close runner-up for the title.

Please join us in congratulating our winning team:

• Alexia Radimisis (9A)

• Jem Howe (9E)

• Jordan Shah (9A)

The team is already gearing up for Round 3 on Monday 4th May. Let's keep this amazing momentum going!

Abigail Abuacan

DEBATING COORDINATOR

Measles cases are rising in Victoria and around the world. Returned travellers make up most cases, but local spread has also been detected.

Vaccination is the most safe and effective way to protect yourself and others against measles. People need 2 doses of a measles-containing vaccine to be fully protected.

To help protect against measles, you should check your family’s measles vaccinations today. This is particularly important if you are:

• planning any travel
• were born during or after 1966
• were born overseas.

You can check your measles vaccination records:

• on your Medicare online account through MyGov or by contacting the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809
• on your personal health records, such as your childhood immunisation records
• by speaking to your GP or immunisation provider.

About measles

Measles is a viral infection. It spreads easily from airborne droplets, such as from coughing or sneezing, and nose and throat secretions.

Symptoms may include:

• fever
• feeling tired or unwell
• cough or runny nose
• sore and red eyes (conjunctivitis)
• diarrhoea – especially in infants.

This is usually followed by a red, blotchy, non-itchy rash that often starts on the face before spreading down the body.

Measles can cause serious illness and be life-threatening. People who are not fully immunised or have not had a previous measles infection are at increased risk.

Pregnant women, children aged under 5 years and those with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of severe illness and complications.

If your child develops measles symptoms, you should:

• keep your child home from school and seek medical care and testing
• call the health service and wear a face mask when travelling to and attending the health service
• let our school know if your child has measles, or is being tested for measles
• keep your child at home until well and advised by a health professional.

Free measles vaccines

Anyone who does not have 2 doses of measles vaccine, or is unsure, can get a measles vaccine.

Free vaccines are available for:

• infants aged 12 months to 18 months
• children and teenagers aged under 20 years
• adult refugees and humanitarian entrants.

Free vaccines are also available for anyone with or without a Medicare card if they are:

• born during or after 1966 who have not received 2 doses or are unsure, including people born overseas
• infants from 6 months and before 11 months of age before overseas travel.

Vaccination is widely available at your GP, local pharmacist, local council or Aboriginal Health Service. Call ahead to see if you are eligible for a free vaccine.

Find out more

For more information, refer to:

• the Better Health Channel web page How to find your immunisation records
• the Department of Health for translated resources about measles and measles immunisations
• your GP, local pharmacist, local council or Aboriginal Health Service.

Recently, our Year 11 VM students undertook a vital First Aid course, equipping them with essential, life-saving skills.

The course covered a broad range of topics, including:

• Basic wound care
• Bandaging techniques
• Fracture stabilisation
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Asthma management
• Choking response
• Heart attacks and cardiac arrest
• Anaphylaxis

This training aims to provide students with the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively in emergency situations—whether in the community, at home, or in the workplace. With these skills, students are better prepared to assist others until professional help arrives, potentially saving lives and reducing the severity of injuries.

First Aid training is a requirement across many industries and significantly enhances employability in fields such as sport and recreation, childcare, education, trades, and the medical sector.

By developing these essential skills, we not only empower students to act in emergencies but also foster a strong sense of responsibility and care for others—qualities that extend well beyond the classroom.

Vicki Handris

VM LEADER

On Monday 30^th March, our Year 12 Sociology class visited the First Peoples Gallery at Melbourne Museum. The excursion offered students a meaningful opportunity to explore Koorie material culture and deepen their understanding of Bunjil the Creator, alongside the principles of sustainable land management.

Through engaging displays and hands-on learning, students discovered traditional practices such as crafting possum skin cloaks, constructing bark canoes, and caring for Country. The experience highlighted the depth of knowledge passed down through generations and encouraged thoughtful reflection on the importance of reconciliation, truth-telling and treaty in contemporary Australia.

Lena Hudson

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Rosefest this year was a massive success.

Students, parents, and local organisations supported our Year 9 ID classes in raising money for Melbourne City Mission and Yooralla Disability Services and goods for Foodbank Victoria!

All stalls combined, students raised a massive $3182.15.

Thank you to all staff, students, parents, and organisations that contributed to such a successful day raising money and goods for those in need!

Jerome Love

9ID COORDINATOR

Here is a summary of a student’s experience from Rosefest 2026:

“Rosefest is an annual fundraiser for local charities and organisations that is held in a marketplace style and run by Year 9 students.

This year it was my year to host, and it was a blast, aside from the nitty-gritty stuff like the budgeting and planning, it was really fun.

My group made and sold cakes for Rosefest, and the four of us really enjoyed it.

We decided to make it together at one of our houses so we could all share the workload and make the production more fun.

Whilst making the food, we played music and just talked about everything, which I thought was really great, we got to build relationships together while making food we could share within our community.

Rosefest was a great project to take part in; it helped me learn leadership, teamwork, and collaboration, as well as how to market, sell, and produce goods for purchase. Look forward to seeing what the students do next year!”

Audrey Stubbs

9E STUDENT

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our students who were invited to attend the Western Chances Scholarship Ceremony on Wednesday 25th March at The Edge, Federation Square.

Representing our school and the wider communities of Melbourne’s west and Geelong, these students were recognised for their dedication, talent, and potential as they received their scholarship certificates and began their Western Chances journey. It was a memorable evening that highlighted not only their achievements, but also the bright futures ahead of them.

This recognition is a testament to their hard work and resilience, and we are delighted to see them supported in reaching their goals. We congratulate our students on this outstanding achievement and look forward to following their continued success.

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

If you have a current Health Care Card or Pension Card, you may be eligible for the Camps/Sport/Excursions Fund (CSEF) payment. This funding can be used towards excursions, camps and sporting activities that run throughout the year at Rosehill.

If you applied for CSEF in 2025, and are a current student, you do not need to complete an application form unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

You will only need to submit a new application form in 2026 if any of the following changes occurred:

• New student enrolments
• Change in family circumstances.

Schools can accept and process applications up until the end of term two each year. CSEF payments are made to schools from March onwards.

Application forms are available via the department’s website, at the general office or below. Please complete and return this form to us along with a copy of your valid concession card.

Applications for 2026 will close on 26 June 2026.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE TEAM