Principal's Report 

As we approach the mid-point of the year, it is wonderful to reflect on the many achievements and exciting events that continue to take place at Beaumaris SC. Our extraordinary students demonstrate curiosity, optimism, respect and excellence in all that they do, and I am proud of the commitment shown by them along with our amazing staff.

Year 12 Vocational Major Presentation 

On Thursday, 12 June, our Year 12 Vocational Major students did a wonderful job showcasing their ambitious VCE VM Program projects to the Principal team in the MCC Pavilion. The levels of professionalism, creativity, and dedication demonstrated by the students were outstanding. This valuable experience not only prepared them for their end-of-year portfolio but also supported students in meeting outcomes for Literacy, Work Related Skills, and Personal Development Skills. Well done to all involved!

Student Voice

I had the privilege of accompanying Oskar Edwardes to the South Eastern Victoria Regional All-Staff Forum Education Conference in Warragul last week. Oskar spoke passionately and eloquently about the importance of authentic student voice and agency and of being known, understood and respected. I encourage you to read Oskar’s speech which can be found on our website.

Beauy Big Arvo Tea

I’d like to commend our Year 10 Beyond students for their excellent organisation of the Beauy Big Arvo Tea, held last week as part of the Community Connections Program. The event was a wonderful opportunity for students to develop valuable skills while connecting with our parent guests and staff. It was a fantastic display of teamwork and initiative.

Debating 

Congratulations to our Year 10 debate team — Ruby B, Jamie C, and Gemma H — for their impressive victory over Star of the Sea last week. A special mention to Gemma, who was awarded 'Best Speaker.' A big thank you to Melissa Casley, whose support and commitment have once again been instrumental in this success.

General Achievement Test (GAT)

On Tuesday, 17 June, students studying VCE Unit 3/4 subjects completed the GAT in the gym. We commend our students for their approach to the test and their continued commitment to their academic success. The GAT plays an important role in ensuring the quality of VCE assessments and serves as a valuable resource for students who may need a derived exam score due to unforeseen circumstances. A special thank you to Heath Tregear for ensuring the smooth running of the GAT.

Beauy Bake Off

There were some fantastic entries in our annual Beauy Bake Off, which I had the pleasure of judging alongside our Foundation Principal, Ms Chaves. Thank you to all the wonderful students who submitted entries or purchased treats, raising $550 in honour of Holly and Bianca. 

Regional Cross Country

Well done to our talented athletes who represented the college at the Regional Cross Country yesterday. A huge congratulations to Kiara M, Amelie D, Liv V and Gemma H, who have earned a spot at the State competition. Good luck!

Push-Up Challenge

Well done to the staff and students who committed to the Push-Up Challenge throughout June. Our team completed over 51,000 push-ups and raised over $750 for headspace Bentleigh, supporting mental health in young people. Special shoutout to Yianni S for his super fundraising efforts!

Arts Week

Thank you to our dedicated Create team, whose knowledge and passion for nurturing our students' creativity were highlighted throughout Arts Week. The talent displayed by our students was exceptional. We deeply value creativity in all aspects of student learning, as it fosters well-rounded, innovative thinkers.

Our Ensemble Concert on Tuesday, 17 June, and Music Soiree on Tuesday, 24 June, showcased the remarkable talents of students involved in our Instrumental Music Program and highlighted the outstanding work of our dedicated instrumental music staff.

The Battle of the Bands on Wednesday, 25 May, was a huge success, with many fantastic performances from our talented musicians. The event was not only an exciting competition for the performers but also a fantastic experience for the entire school. 

Please see Our Latest Facebook & Instagram Posts page of this newsletter for all our 'Arts Week' activities.

Parents' Association Meeting

A Parents' Association meeting was held on Tuesday, 24 June. It was great to see the enthusiasm of our new committee members. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Parents' Association for their continued support and dedication to our school community. Their efforts play a vital role in enhancing the experiences of our students and strengthening the bond between school and families.

Year 9 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Week

Next week, our Year 9 students head off on their 'Choose Your Own Adventure' camps, with exciting options including hiking, sailing, urban expeditions and reef-to-rainforest experiences. These camps offer valuable opportunities for personal growth and discovery, and we look forward to hearing about their many adventures.

Year 10 Work Experience 

Our Year 10 students will commence their Work Experience placements next week, offering them a chance to explore potential career pathways and gain practical knowledge in various industries. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the businesses and organisations that have kindly taken on our students. Your support is invaluable in helping them develop real-world skills and gain insight into their future careers.

French & Japanese Exchange

We are excited to once again host students from our sister schools Lycée Georges Duby in France and Ritsumeikan Keisho Junior & Senior High School in Japan. The French students will arrive during the holidays, while the Japanese students will join us at the start of Term 3. Our exchange program fosters cultural understanding and creates lasting friendships through homestays. Our students are also eagerly looking forward to their visits later in the year, further strengthening the global connections and experiences they are gaining through this program.

End of Term Reminders  

• Students will be dismissed at 2:30 pm on Friday, 4 July. The office will close at 3 pm.
• Semester 1 reports will be published on Friday, 4 July. A notification will be sent when reports are available on Compass.
• The Senior Centre will be open from 9am to 3pm on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 July for any VCE students wishing to take advantage of this study environment.
• Term 3 commences on Monday, 21 July. A College Assembly will be held on the first day, so students will need to wear their blazers.

Appreciation & Leadership Transition 

I want to congratulate Stephen Bourbon on his appointment as substantive Principal. I am confident he will do a wonderful job continuing to lead the outstanding work at our school.

I am very humbled to have had the opportunity to serve as Acting Principal at Beaumaris Secondary over the past three terms. I would like to thank and acknowledge my amazing colleagues and our outstanding educational support team—you won’t find better. I would also like to thank our parents for their investment, trust and belief in public education, and, of course, our incredible students who continue to shine and amaze us in so many ways each and every day.

I am privileged to have been part of a team that has built a school where students are at the centre of everything we do—a school where our students feel safe, connected, supported to be their best selves, and where they belong. We have much to be proud of.

Wishing everyone a wonderful break.

Peter Bartlett

Acting Principal