Bemin Secondary College

Principal's Report

nshThere is no doubt this has been a huge term for all members of the school community. As you read through the Term 2 'Bumper' newsletter you begin to get a sense of both student and staff accomplishments across the semester. Sometimes we need to stop and take a breath and recognise what has been achieved in the last 18 months. 

 

Stage 2 Funding

The State Budget news of the College receiving at least $37 million to hopefully complete the Senior campus building structure was very exciting. This secures the build of the educational facilities for all future students and the community. The College will soon be contacted by the Victorian School Building authority about the construction timeline. For the short term to medium term the Department of Education – Strategic and Provisional planning team have requested current numbers and future projected numbers to begin planning both classroom spaces and sanitary requirements for students and staff ready for the 2026 school year. I did receive a direct phone call from the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan - and there is no doubt I was thrilled to receive this news for the school community.

 

Enrolments and Staffing

The College population is estimated for 2026 to fall somewhere between 1300 – 1400 students. The estimates were calculated by considering the pattern of students joining the College at different year levels and different points in the year both last year and so far this year; along with the current enrolments that have now begun to come in from neighbouring schools  for both Year 7 and Year 10 2026. This translates to the College requiring to recruit approximately 40 - 50 leadership and teaching staff as well as further Education support staff to meet the needs of such rapid growth. I think we. may now be the fastest growing school in Melbourne, maybe even Victoria.

 

We continue to employ further teaching staff to meet the current needs of our students. Next term we also welcome to the Senior Campus:

 

Wenbin Yu– Maths 

Vishakha Gautam - Maths & Science   

Christopher Campagna – Digital Media

Ravindeep Chand – Sciences 

Renee Dowling – Mental Health Practitioner

Ash Stafford – PE/Health teacher 

Virginia Kisiero – English/Literature Teacher

 

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 included:

  • 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 has now been completed; the school review report is finished and the four year Strategic Plan which will guide the teaching and learning development at the College has been approved. 

 

The Executive Summary from the review provided a strong summation of the College's first year:

 

The college leadership team had successfully navigated the complex task of establishing a dual-campus college with simultaneous year 7 and 10 intakes. This has entailed the recruitment of a foundation professional team, outfitting new facilities and planning and delivery of a comprehensive curriculum for two different year levels across each of its first 3 years. Building the foundation staff team and capacity as the college continued to expand will remain a priority. 

In its two years of operation the college has:

  • designed and delivery a comprehensive curriculum aligned to the Victorian Curriculum 2.0
  • designed and embedded an instructional model and key teaching and learning practices
  • deployed measures for students needing support to meet expected proficiency levels
  • initiated programs to support student wellbeing and engagement

The effective leadership required to successfully development of a new school was identified by the community as a highlight of its foundational years.   

The college has also built strong connections with other schools and local community agencies to support the successful transition of students into and across the college. 

 

This affirming feedback has provided clear strategic guidance for continuing the progress of the College over the coming 4 years.

 

Student Excellence

GAT students

I was so proud of our Year 11 students who attended Tarneit Senior College to attend the GAT (General Achievement Test). The GAT plays an important role in the quality assurance of VCE assessments and also provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate they meet the Victorian Literacy and Numeracy Standards expected at a senior secondary level. Our Year 11 students who have participated in the Early VCE program and are about to begin Unit 4 in their specific subjects were outstanding and mature role models on the day. They made all of us very proud.

 

 

Wynspeak Competition 

Congratulations to Chenul Henasinghe and Ishmay Jewana for representing our school at Wynspeak, a youth public speaking competition for secondary school students in the Western suburbs of Melbourne. Read more about their success in the Teaching and Learning section of the newsletter.

 

International Champion - Eleanor Saunders - Year 11

Earlier this term Eleanor travelled to New Calendonia to compete in the Oceania Karate Championship. In her weight division, Junior Female Kumite  she made it to the final and came second, and was presented with the silver medal. Eleanor also competed in the Junior Female Kumite Open weight division, winning her first fight, but losing in her second. Eleanor is a deserving champion and a student who also works hard to maintain her studies during her training commitments. Well done!

 

 

 

P-9 College Community of Practice

 

Lat week the P-9 schools, Bemin Secondary College and Tarneit Senior College met for the first time at Doherty’s Creek P-9 college.  The group spend some time working through the purpose of the CoP and what they want to achieve from their work together. There will be a focus to strengthen the transition processes and links between P-9 and the secondary schools as well as share what is working well at each school and support schools on their problem of practice.  This was complimented by a visit from two key Doherty’s P-9 College staff to collect feedback from members of the Senior School team and Principal class on how to better support the Year 9 students who begin Year 10 at Bemin. The discussion centred on both teaching and learning practices as well as wellbeing/engagement. Twelve ex Doherty P-9 College students also participated in providing direct feedback to the two staff members. 

 

Farewell and Thank you

 

Finally, I would like to farewell and thank one of our foundation teaching staff, Louisa Xia for all her work and care taken with our students over the last 17 months.  We wish her well as we know she will continue to teach students in the Maths and Science areas. We also congratulate and farewell Chris Tirris who has completed her Teach Today Tomorrow VU Program with us. We wish her well as she embarks on the next stage of her career.  We also farewell Farha Saleem one of our Inclusive education support staff. We acknowledge the care she has provided many of our students across both campuses.  I would like to congratulate one of our Everton Campus front office administrators, Jodie George on being provisionally appointed to a promotional position at Truganina P-9 College. We are proud of Jodie but she will be around a little longer in Term 3 before she leaves us.

 

Enjoy reading this bumper newsletter! It really communicates the many learning opportunities that have been provided to students in Term 2 and throughout semester 1. I thank the staff at Bemin Secondary College for their ongoing work and wish everyone a great holiday break.

 

Joanne Camozzato

College Principal