Principal's message

Principal’s Update – April 2025

As we begin Term 2, I wanted to share some highlights from what’s been happening at Castlemaine Secondary College and what we’re focusing on moving forward.

Supporting Student Learning

This year, we’re working hard to make sure every student gets the support they need in the classroom. Teachers are collecting more student feedback to better understand how students feel about their learning, and to help make lessons more engaging and effective. All teachers are required to survey at least 40 students each term, which provides direct feedback on their teaching ability, providing an opportunity to identify strengths and areas requiring improvement. 

In Terms 2-4, all teachers will take part in peer observations— with leaders observing the teaching practices of staff within their review group. Working together the aim is to share ideas and improve our collective teaching capacity. This is part of our ongoing commitment to great teaching and learning across the school.

We’ve also seen lots of interest from staff wanting to sharpen their classroom strategies. Many have started reading Running the Room by Tom Bennett, a practical guide to creating calm and focused learning environments.

Wellbeing and Student Safety

We’re strongly focused on making sure every student feels safe, respected, and supported at school.

In Term 1, all students participated in Year Level Forums on Managing Bullying. These sessions were designed to give students a voice in improving student safety across our college. Students looked at current data trends, and suggested ways to improve data in these areas. The goal is to create a safer, more connected school environment, and we were really pleased with how students engaged in the discussions. Two initial outcomes from the forums were as follows.

1. Students wanted to have a better understanding of how bullying was managed.
2. Students wanted to know what consequences were implemented for those engaging in bullying behaviour. 

Please see the Bullying Prevention section of this newsletter, which provides an overview of our Bullying Prevention Policy. Student Focus Groups will be set-up during Term 2, who will continually aim to enhance our safe and caring environment for all students.  

In Term 2, we’ll run forums focused on school connectedness, helping students feel more included and valued as part of our school community.

We’re also proud of the way students are being recognised for their positive contributions. So far this year, 16,107 achievement points have been awarded through our School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) system. These points are given to students for demonstrating our school values.

Achievement points are more than just rewards—they help reinforce the kind of culture we want to see across the school. When students know that their positive actions are noticed and appreciated, it encourages a more respectful, motivated and supportive learning environment for everyone.

Alignment Review

We recently completed an alignment review to check how we’re tracking and where we can improve. The feedback from this process will help guide our next steps to support both student learning and wellbeing. This will be shared with the school early in Term 2.

Staffing Changes

Please be aware of the following staff changes for Term 2

• Nick Cowan will fulfill the Assistant Principal (Teaching & Learning) role for Term 2, as Martin Mielimaka is on leave. Nick has been an Assistant Principal at Daylesford Secondary College for the past 7 years.
• Paula Jenkins returns from leave, replacing Deb Peart.
• Rosalie Amezquita returns from leave, replacing Deb Peart. 
• Chris Wilson's Humanities classes to be covered by Deb Peart and Nick Cowan.
• Martin Mielimaka's Visual Communication class covered by Deb Peart. 
• Martin Mielimaka's Respectful Relationships classes covered by Nick Cowan. 

Thank you to all our families for your continued support. We’re excited for what’s to come in Term 2!

Warm regards, 

Justin Hird Principal