PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to our first Newsletter for 2025. It’s been a fantastic start to the school year and our staff have been extremely grateful to our students for the way they have conducted themselves adapting to being back at school after their summer break.

2025 is already shaping up to be another exciting year of growth and development at SCSC. Our student population is increasing again, our teaching and learning programs continue to evolve and embrace best evidence based practices, our wellbeing and inclusion supports have expanded and there is a palpable air of positivity across the college after the high achieving year we celebrated in 2024.

Joining the almost 200 new students at the college, there are lots of new faces amongst the staff each of whom brings fresh ideas, approaches and leadership. Our College staff are the core of what makes SCSC such a great school environment and I’m proud to be here joining them as Acting Principal for Term 1.

Top Students.

Our 2024 VCE cohort seem to be the group that keeps on giving! In addition to the five 90+ ATARs achieved, the highest VCE English results in the College’s history and our recognition as a College with ongoing high VCE results when compared to other state regional schools, we’ve recently learned of more accolades for some select students.

Cadence W has been selected for publication in the prestigious ‘Top Scribe’, part of the Victorian Curriculum & Assessment Authority’s (VCAA) ‘VCE Season of Excellence’. Cadence’s poem was inspired by Carol Ann Duffy’s poem, ‘Circle’, which she studied as part of VCE literature. She is one of only 22 students selected for publication across the state. In addition to this, Cadence achieved a study score of 47 in VCE English, placing her in the top 2% of the state. We are all extremely proud of Cadence and look forward to reading more of her writing in the future!

In recent days we also found out that our senior band, ‘Jade’, comprising VCE students Toby, Spencer, Jet, Holly and Anabelle were selected for the VCAA’s ‘Top Class’, a showcase of outstanding Performing Arts students across a range of VCE subjects. Many in our school community have had the privileging of watching Jade perform at various college events, local festivals and at last years SCSC awards evening at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre. Top Class presents a series of 10+ concerts and we are excited to head up to Melbourne to see our talented musicians in concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre next month!

Student Opportunities.

At SCSC we understand that school can offer students so much more than just awesome classroom or subject-based teaching and learning. Students at our College also have access to a wide range of clubs and social groups that offer fun and friendship and cater to a diverse range of needs. SCSC clubs and activities include:

• Victorian State School Spectacular (NEW for 2025!)

• Lego Club

• Creative Writing Club

• Technology Club (Minecraft , Cosmo, 3D printing)

• Craft Club

• Board Games,

• Gardening Club

• Trivia

Clubs and activities are open to all students and all year levels. Students can come alone or bring a friend and all will be welcome! For more information students can speak with their Learning Advocate during morning LAT sessions.

In addition to the above, a reminder that the college also offers Arts Academy, Sports Academy (multiple streams) and Surf Academy. Involvement in these academies requires an application and interested students should start their enquiries by finding more information on our website and speaking with their teachers.

There’s lots for students to do at SCSC!

Open Night.

Our open night for prospective families is fast approaching. This year Open Night will be on Monday 24th of February from 6:00pm-8:00pm. There will be information sessions, tours of the College facilities and an opportunity for families to find out what Surf Coast Secondary College can offer their child.

If you know any prospective families (who must live in the 3228 postcode as we can no longer accept ‘out of zone’ enrolments due to increased enrolment pressure), please share this information and encourage them to come along and speak with us.

I hope you enjoy reading the rest of our newsletter. Feel free to contact the college if you have any queries as we start the new school year.

Take care,

Shane Elevato

Acting Principal.