Term Four Highlights

Term 4 was a short, but busy term!  We had so many highlights it was hard to choose a few but here are some notable things that happened.

• Our students who completed Units 3 and 4 languages (Arabic & Karen) finished their written and spoken exams. We are so proud of them!  

• Victorian Police visited our school to talk about possible careers in Victorian Police. Students left feeling inspired and motivated to explore careers in the police. 

• VM2 Numeracy students visited Metro HQ, they used their numerical skills to analyse how the tunnel was built. 

• We held our very first RNS Careers Expo, where students ran a health clinic, numeracy games and showcased their extensive knowledge from the term. 

• Workplace Skills Certificate I students completed their First Aid and CPR certificates.  

• VET students visited Westgate Park where they joined Scientists from Port Phillip Eco Centre to learn about flora and fauna and a nature walk. Students enjoyed learning about the diversity in the region and the pathway to becoming a scientist. 

• The Senior class organised our first Diversity Dash where students ran different team building games at the park while getting a bit messy! 

• Three students completed the Scarf program where they learnt about working in Hospitality while gaining experience under the guidance of a mentor. 

We finished off the school year with our annual Celebration Day. A day to celebrate our students’ achievements, including our Senior Class who finished their final year with us this year. The day was full of appreciation, gratitude, and a few tears. 

Congratulations to each and every student who walked through our doors this year.  We are so proud of you and everything you have achieved!

A Memorable Camp!

Despite colder and wetter than average temperatures, our RNS 2024 camp was full of joy, with students making new friendships and trying new things.  

On our first day, we did team building games, canoeing and a beautiful nature walk, where lucky students spotted a laughing kookaburra. A new experience for some nervous students, our experienced and understanding Canoeist put everyone at ease. Students were laughing and everyone had a memorable time on the river.  

On our second day, we kept the physical activities going! Students showed off their bravery and many took on their fear of heights by reaching the top of the climbing wall and battling the high ropes. Students revelled in a chance to do archery and tested their balance with low ropes.

The afternoon was more relaxed, we spent at the beach, with students playing in the waves and enjoying the sun. 

The nights were full of laughter, games, movies and late-night snacks. Memorably, our first night was spent around the campfire, making s’mores, toasting marshmallows and saying affirmations about our day. The speakers were eventually brought out, and the night slowly turned into a dance party, with students from various cultures bonding over a shared love of music and dancing.

We also had our famous RNS Talent Show on our final night with staff performing a viral dance to Spice Girls and students showcasing their cultural dances.  

Overall, the camp was once again a memorable and wonderful way to end the school year. Students and staff made life-long memories and learnt new things.  

Student Leader Report

River Nile School’s student leader, Aida shares her reflections on our school community and her experiences as a student.

My name is Aida Mohammadi, I am one of the RNS student leaders. In this report I will be talking about my experience of being a leader in RNS.

As a member of the RNS student leadership team, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new and exciting role. Joining the leadership group was a new experience for me, and I vividly recall the day I walked into the leadership meeting.

The enthusiasm and active participation of so many students already involved in the program inspired me to join. Through my involvement in the leadership program, I acquired numerous skills that have greatly contributed to my personal growth. Effective communication was one of the primary skills I developed.

I learned how to articulate my ideas clearly and concisely, as well as actively listen to others. This skill has been instrumental in conveying my vision, motivating team members, and addressing any concerns or conflicts that arose. Another important skill I honed was confidence.

The leadership program at RNS provided a supportive environment where I could step out of my comfort zone and express myself with assurance. This newfound confidence has not only benefitted me as a leader but also in various other aspects of my life.

Lending support to others was another skill I cultivated during my time in the leadership group. I discovered the power of empathy and understanding, and I embraced the opportunity to help and support my peers.

Whether it was providing guidance, offering a listening ear, or assisting in problem-solving, I learned the importance of being there for others.

In conclusion, my experience as a leader at RNS has been transformative. It provided me with a platform to develop essential skills such as effective communication, confidence, supportiveness, problem-solving, and teamwork. These skills have not only enhanced my leadership abilities but have also had a positive impact on other areas of my life. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the RNS student leadership and contribute to the growth and success of our school community.

Students making waves on ABC

Three students were included as winners in ABCs annual Takeover Melbourne competition.

Takeover Melbourne created a platform for young people to be heard. Winners work with ABC Producers to turn their stories into a piece of media for lay on the ABC.

Their stories are honest and show the incredible young people they are. We are proud of them all for submitting their stories. You can read more about them below.

Read Adiba’s story about how soccer has changed her life. https://www.abc.net.au/takeover/programs/takeover-melbourne/takeover-adiba/103051056

Read Adiba’s story sharing insight into how being part of a team helped them feel part of something. https://www.abc.net.au/takeover/programs/takeover-melbourne/takeover-haidi/103051086

Read Paw Ley’s perspective on the transformative nature of cooking.

https://www.abc.net.au/takeover/programs/takeover-melbourne/takeover-paw-lay/103051116

Reflecting on ten years at River Nile School

A natural part of ending a career, especially one that has been a passion project, is reflecting on the achievements. In ten years we have achieved milestones that were once dreams.

We launched our first Strategic Plan in 2014, refocusing our service on young women solely with a strategic narrative that we need to be ‘a school, run like a business, that feels like a family’.  Successive Boards have embraced this, pursued strategic plan updates and supported growth.

In my early years, Foodbank, Grant funding and Childcare were hugely significant in removing barriers to educational engagement and enabling more students to engage with our school and achieve their education goals.

Agum Maluach was proudly appointed our first River Nile Student Ambassador in 2014. Agum was our first student to Attain the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).

In 2015, we relocated to a larger, for-purpose site on Capel Street, North Melbourne.  Our new home supported student growth and our ability to provide better services to our school community.

Our most transformative achievement was realised on the 7th of December 2016 when the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) granted us regulatory approval to become a school. We officially took the name River Nile School and 2017 was our first year of operation as a registered, specialist, single sex (female only), reengagement, zero contribution (fee free), senior-secondary school – established to meet the needs of young women from Humanitarian refugee backgrounds.

In 2019, we won the Premier’s Sustainability Award in the Education Category, and in 2023, the Victorian Multicultural Excellence Award in the Education / Schools category.

We were an exemplary school for risk management during the COVID-19 pandemic, highly regarded for both our safety and student engagement, so much so that we experienced a 33% growth in student numbers during 2020 and have sustained that higher student level ever since.

We have continued to build our capabilities, bringing VET Program teaching in-house in 2022 and embracing the opportunity to deliver the new VCE Vocational Major (VM) and Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) in 2023.

Our balance sheet has been strengthened from a total equity of $13,000 as at 31/12/2016, the year before we became a school, and as of 31/12/2023 I retire knowing it will be more than $5 Million which gives our school the confidence to make the human and physical investments needed to ensure our school continues to flourish and meet the needs of many more young women in the years to come.

These milestones are not only things to celebrate but demonstrate our commitment to helping young woman become educated, empowered and thrive, no matter what obstacles they face.  This is at the core of every decision we make and will continue to drive our strategic and operational decisions for the next chapter.

Lisa Wilson AO

Foundation Principal