As we reach the end of Term 2, I take this opportunity to thank you, our school community, for your support throughout the term and to acknowledge the work of our students and staff.
Our students have enjoyed a full range of academic and extracurricular activities throughout the term, ranging from camps, excursions, academic competitions, lunchtime clubs, chess competitions, leadership activities and sporting events, to name just a few. Next term, our performing arts students will be part of our wonderful school production, The Pink Room, which I am looking forward to very much.
With the publication of Semester 1 reports, I urge families to review their young person’s learning achievements, work habits and progress to date. We learn by doing, sometimes failing and then trying again. Reflecting and acting upon considered feedback from teachers helps us grow and improve as learners. Students, please take time to read over your teachers’ comments and consider what will come next for you after what I hope is a relaxing and fun holiday.
To our Year 12 students, you will have a break from daily classes, and I hope this provides time for you to draw breath and spend some time doing what you love in amongst your study commitments. It is a pivotal time of year for you as you review your learning and commit to plans for the final phase of your secondary school studies. You have a dedicated support team both at home and here at school, who all want the best for you, so keep that front of mind and do your best. I wish you well in your practice exams.
School Performance and Progress
In recent weeks our School Improvement Team, comprising senior leaders on staff, has been reviewing our performance and progress for the year to date by completing the Annual Implementation Plan mid-year monitoring. I am pleased to report that our school is tracking very well in terms of the data we review on an annual basis, including NAPLAN, PIVOT, and Attitudes to School Data, and that we continue to show growth as a school in key areas relating to learning and wellbeing. This happens from a considered approach, hard work and commitment, and I thank our leaders and staff for all they do to make Rosehill a successful school.
Victorian Global Learning Awards
Warm congratulations to Dac Thanh Dat LUONG and Tu Uyen HA for their success at the Department of Education’s Victorian Global Learning Awards. The awards, announced at the RACV City Club last Friday, celebrate the academic excellence and outstanding extracurricular achievements of Victoria’s international school students. Dac Thanh Dat was presented with the Innovation Award, while Tu Uyen received the Arts Achievement (Visual Arts) Commendation Award.
Cyber-Safety
Thank you to the parents and carers who attended our recent Cyber-Safety evening with Susan McLean. Susan spoke authoritatively about the positive and negative aspects of young people’s online activities and shared stories, data and tips for parents to keep their children safe. Susan also presented to our Year 7 and 10 cohorts during the day.
A few of the standout messages to parents for me were:
- Your experience on a given platform will not be the same as your child’s experience on the same platform. Your child will be presented with very different pop-ups and advertisements than what you see. As adults, we need to be aware of what they are seeing.
- Statistically, 69% of 12-year-olds have sent or received a sexually explicit message or image (SEXT).
- For this reason alone, do not allow your child to have devices in bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Cyberbullying is a criminal offence. If a victim, screenshot, report and then block.
Education Support Staff Day
Teaching and principal staff had the opportunity to recognise and celebrate our wonderful Education Support Staff at a special morning team last week. Our school simply would not function without their commitment and expertise – in the administration office, the classroom, the library, the science lab, the food technology kitchen, the careers room, the gymnasium and on the grounds – they do so much, and we are very grateful to work beside this team of good people. Fittingly, our Business Manager, Judith Wright, won the ES Fun Facts quiz which is a testament to her knowledge of her team. Well done to all involved!
Work Experience
Congratulations to all Year 10s as they complete their two weeks of Work Experience placements. An enormous amount of effort (and paperwork) goes into making this program run and I thank our Careers Team and Year 10 Coordinators for all their work. From these placements, students learn about themselves and possibilities that may lie ahead. Some come away with offers of part-time work or traineeships. All return to school with increased maturity and understanding of the school-work-life connection. Thank you to all staff members who took time to visit students at their places of work over the fortnight.
Kogakkan High School Sister School Visit
We are looking forward to hosting students and staff from our sister school, Kogakkan High School early next term and have had an excellent response to our request for host families. Thank you to Alexandra Kavanagh and Ann Anderson for their work in developing the program of events for the visit, which includes excursions to Puffing Billy and the Melbourne Zoo, a primary school visit, EAL activities and a welcome assembly. Coinciding with Kogakkan’s visit, our Year 11 students will be running a multicultural day on Friday 8th August to celebrate the diversity of cultures within our school community.
Moonee Valley City Council
We have received the following notice from Moonee Valley City Council relating to driver behaviour near our school. Please take note and ensure that you are following the road rules in place.
Council have recently received a complaint relating to parents that are making illegal right hand turns coming out of Sapphire Street turning into Rosehill Road.
Council is committed to increasing safety around schools; therefore, we are requesting if the school can please add some communication to parents in your next school newsletter that this action is prohibited at this location and creates a safety issue for all road users in the immediate area.
Please also note that Victoria Police have also been notified of the illegal behaviour occurring at this location and may visit the location.
Staffing Update
Principal Mr Arthur Soumalias will return to Rosehill at the beginning of Term 3 after a term as interim principal at University High School.
Ms Katelyn Stephen, Ms Erin Quinn and Ms Cassandra Imbriano will commence family leave in Term 3.
Ms Leesa Wilson and Ms Emily Fazzari will take up the positions of Year 12 Coordinator and Year 12 Assistant Coordinator respectively from Term 3.
Ms Stephanie Orso is congratulated on her appointment as Mental Health Practitioner.
Ms Elizabeth Lonergan has resigned from her position due to personal commitments.
Ms Virginia Singleton will be returning from leave at the beginning of Term 3.
Facilities Update
A number of works will take place over the term break, including carpet installation in the library and interior painting of all portable classrooms.
Course Counselling and Subject Selection
Families are reminded that Term 3 is a very important time for students as they make course selections for the 2026 academic year. Course counselling interviews will take place in week 4 of term for students in Years 9, 10 and 11. Information about the process and key dates will be published on Compass soon.
Term 3 Dates
Please note that Monday 21st July 2025 is a pupil-free Curriculum Day.
Students return on Tuesday 22nd July. The last day of Term 3 is Friday 19th September.
Finally, I wish to acknowledge and thank the principal class team for their work, expertise and dedication this term: Julian Connors, Lena Hudson, Bradley Ross and Ann Anderson. On behalf of the school community, I thank you for your commitment and hard work.
Frances Snow
ACTING PRINCIPAL