Message from the Principal 

The 2023/2024 Brunswick Secondary School Council conducted it's first meeting on March 28. 

School Council meetings are held twice per term and council comprises of school staff members, parent members, community members and student representatives (including School Captains).

This year, School Council was pleased to welcome Tamara Ghazale (Junior School Leader), students Harrison Lalor, Noah Jarvis and Maya Wright,  and parent Oscar Ferreiro. 

Office Bearers for 2023/2024 were nominated and elected at this first meeting, and we thank Shahab Kasmai who is returned to the role of School Council President,  Elise Edwards who is returned to the role of School Council Treasurer,  and Sonia Ingham who assumes the mantle of School Council Vice President. Complete membership of the 2023/2024 School council is outlined below.

I extend thanks to the marvellous volunteers who ran the Parents' Association Second-hand Uniform Sale this term.  

These sales provide a valued service to the school community and Deb Gough and Kyle Moreland were very pleased and grateful to have the help and support of Bronwyn Barwick, Rebecca Callinan, Regi Carmo De Verdon and Ruth Sandy - raising over $1700 on the day! 

The Parents' Association is planning a social Trivia Night for next term, and the team welcomes any support that the community can provide. Most of all, they would like to see as many as possible attend - so grab your friends and book a table as soon as bookings open.  The staff tables will be looking for some keen competition!  

All funds raised will be channelled toward improving the learning environment enjoyed by your children.  This year, the focus is on improving the outdoor spaces at the college - providing new seating and landscaping.

NAPLAN was undertaken in Weeks 7, 8 & 9 of this term, the results of which will return valuable data to the college around student learning.

The efforts of our students in the areas of Reading, Writing, Conventions of Language and Numeracy will be assessed across four proficiency categories: exceeding; strong; developing; and needs additional support. We expect reports and data will be delivered late in Term 2 or early in Term 3.

PTS Conferences conducted in Weeks 8 and 9 of this term were well attended by students, parents and carers.

Conferences provide an opportunity for parents and/or carers, students and teachers to build and maintain a strong, cooperative relationship toward achieving the best possible learning outcomes for each individual student. This cooperation has long been shown to improve students' academic achievement, social competencies and emotional wellbeing. When parents and teachers work in partnership,  children do better in school and at home. For this reason we encourage students, parents and carers to use PTS conferences to their advantage.

The Student Representative Council has been very active this term, and I commend members for showing strong leadership and promoting positive messages around multiculturalism, inclusion, student wellbeing and engagement. 

Harmony Week celebrations and activities were especially well received, with a focus on respect, inclusion and belonging. The student body raised significant funds for those in need, and can be very proud of their effort. Readers can find out more about Harmony Week activities inBrunswick Celebrates.

Our Year 10 students will embark on Work Experience placements in Term 2 (May 15 to May 19) and seek opportunities across a broad range of industries.

The Work Experience program delivers valuable experience and insight for students as they consider their senior learning pathways and career aspirations.

My recent travel to Vietnam was for the purpose of recruiting international students.  

This is the second time I have undertaken such a trip with the department and it was a reminder to me of the esteem in which Australia and Australian education is held by Vietnamese families.  

Vietnam is an established international student market, rebounding from COVID, which is why it was timely for this recruitment trip.  Interestingly,  half the principals travelling with me also went on to Cambodia which is an emerging market with a marked increase of their population joining the middle class and being able to afford to send their children abroad.  

Angie Ho (International Student Coordinator) and I will now work together to keep contact with all the agents I visited with the hope of enrolling some more students from Vietnam.   We currently have 15 international students, 9 of which are from Vietnam.

The Education Fair in Hanoi - where it seemed almost every tertiary institution in Australia was represented as well as Victorian and South Australian government schools.

A typical display board in agents offices featuring 

Australian tertiary institutions

A space  called The Melbourne Hub in Ho Chi Minh City which featured a replica Hosier Lane in their foyer

Challenge Partner for School Review

I have been invited to be a challenge partner for St Helena Secondary College’s school review. The role of challenge partner is to be a critical friend with an objective view of school data and culture. I have spent three days at St Helena with one further day to come.   This is the fifth time I have acted as a challenge partner having previously participated in the reviews of Thornbury High, Kew High, Springside West Secondary College and Mill Park Secondary College.  

Dawson Street Bicycle Lane

Following the 12 month trial, Merri-bek City Council has decided to install permanent bicycle lanes on Dawson Street.

This will require works to be completed during the coming term break.  All works should be completed by April 23 2023.

Please see the attached letter for full details.

Year 7 Camp

Year 7 students have enjoyed their camp this week.  We look forward to bringing you their camp news in the next 

Term Break

I wish all students, families and staff a safe and relaxing term break.