Bemin Secondary College

Principal's Report

Start to the Year

 

Although, Bemin Secondary College is in it's second year we are still very much in the establishment and high growth stage of school development. Term one is nearly completed and it seems a lifetime away when the teaching and education support staff worked extensively across the three curriculum days in late January to plan and prepare for the school year.  The first three weeks of the school year were very focussed on inducted all staff in College processes; planning curriculum; assessment and learning expectations while supporting our students to transition to their new year levels.

 

Introducing both Year 8 and Year 11 takes the College to having set up 4 levels out of the 6 year levels in the second year. This is a tremendous achievement and there has been no recent example of a new dual campus secondary College achieving this across Victoria. Our Year 11 students have formally begun the College's VCE/VM program. The leadership team is proud of how focussed the students have returned after the holidays. They are prepared to learn, and are trying to be on time. The College has a large number of VCE/VM student engaging in VET courses across the network. Teaching staff have been helping students to understand the VCE/VM process so they can be successful in their chosen pathway. 

 

Our Junior campus Year 8 Foundation students have now adjusted to welcoming the new Year 7 students and accomodating them on the campus that was only theirs for a whole year. The Principal and Leadership team have begun to plan for the 2026 Year 9 Program and for the delivery of Year 12. 

 

I would like to thank all families and carers for supporting the students by providing them with the uniform and equipment they need to successfully study both at school and at home. I encourage you all to reach out by ringing our front receptions at both campuses if you need support with uniforms, ebooks or devices. It is very important that all our students have access to what they need for learning and we are here to help.

 

Enrolments and Staffing

We have finished the term with 878 students - 329 students at the Junior Campus and 549 students at the Senior Campus.  In 2024 in July we were at 350 students. For the 2025 academic year the College employs 79 teaching staff (includes Principal class) and 35 Education support staff.  We have been short of teaching staff this term due to not all our international or interstate teachers being able to start because of a range of administration. We will be in a better staffing position in Term 2. We have been pleased over the last three weeks to welcome the following teachers:

Shobna Massey (Junior campus)

Elizabeth Garidzanayi (Junior Campus)

Beatrice Jepkoech (Cross campus)

 

Next term we also welcome to the Senior Campus:

Gorica Legetich (senior campus)

Inuja Dilshani (Senior campus)

Arshnie Reddy (Junior campus)

 

 

International Women's Day Event

 

In celebration of International Women's Day, the College was approached by the Local Member of Parliament, Sarah Connelly to host a celebratory event for representatives of both staff and student leaders from government schools in the electorate. The event was also attended by the Minister for Mental Health; Ageing and Multicultural Affairs, Ingrid Stitt and the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts. All three politicians spoke in an engaging manner encouraging all students in the room to strive for their personal best while discussing current issues which included employment, study, opportunities and health. The event was attended by schools in the electorate: Wareen Primary, Truganina South Primary, Truganina P-9 College, and Laverton P-12 College.

 

School Review

All schools must undergo a School review every 4 years. The school review informs the development of the school’s 4-year School Strategic Plan.The school reviewer also assesses compliance with the Curriculum and Student Learning Minimum Standard.

The school review is facilitated by the reviewer and includes the principal, senior education improvement leader (SEIL), school council president and challenge partners. Our review panel members include:

  • Jeremy Ludowyke (Reviewer - external appointee)
  • Sandra Eglezos (Senior Engagement and Improvement Leader from Department of Education)
  • Amanda Williams (Principal of Truganina P-9 College)
  • Nick Adamou (Principal of Copperfield College).

In preparation for the three day review, the College prepared a self evaluation of our progress measured against Department of Education initiatives; school assessment data; attendance data and collected survey data (parent and student data). The review panel have spoken with a selection of parents, students, staff; observed classes and examined current processes. The school review process will end next term with a completed four year Strategic Plan which will guide the teaching and learning development at the College.

 

Cultural Diversity Week

I always look forward to Cultural Diversity week as our students embrace celebrating their cultures with great enthusiasm. As I have stated at many assemblies and information evenings we are from many cultures, this is our strength and when at school we are one school culture. I had the privilege of enjoying celebratory performances across both campuses. Our students proudly represent their culture and celebrated similarities and differences. Thank you to all the students who performed for others or helped to run activities across the week.

 

 

Farewell and Thank you

 

Finally, I would like to farewell and thank one of our foundation Education support staff, Darryn Cutting for all his work with our students over the last 15 months. Darryn will be leaving the College to work at a newly opened special school. He has been a very committed and enthusiastic staff member. We will miss him but we wish him well as we know he will go onto help other young people.

 

Enjoy reading this bumper newsletter! It really communicates the many learning opportunities that have been provided to students in Term 1. I thank the staff at Bemin Secondary College for their ongoing work and wish everyone a great holiday break.

 

Joanne Camozzato

College Principal