Principal's Reflection

The beginning of the 2026 school year brings exciting news for the Borinya community. We are delighted to announce that Borinya has been awarded $1.4 million through the 2025 Australian Government Capital Grant Program, made available through the Victorian Catholic Education Authority to extend our current Year 7–10 Learning Centre. This significant investment will allow for the addition of two new general-purpose classrooms, two smaller learning rooms, and a flexible gathering space capable of accommodating up to 80 people. 

We are deeply grateful to Catholic Education Sandhurst for their guidance and support throughout what was a rigorous and detailed application process. 

Term One has also seen the introduction of several important changes to our staffing and learning programs at Borinya Wangaratta Community Partnership. We warmly welcome three new classroom teachers to our team. Miss Darby Griffin joins us from Rutherglen High School and will be teaching Mathematics, Science, and Health Development. Mr Joshua Naish comes to us from Our Lady’s Primary School Wangaratta and is teaching English, Mathematics, and VPC Work Related Skills. Mr Trent Cremin, formerly of Benalla Flexible Learning Centre, joins our staff to teach English and Physical Education. 

We congratulate Mrs Alison Adamo on her appointment to the role of Senior Leader – Learning Programs and Interventions, and we look forward to the leadership and expertise she will bring to this important position within our school. 

We also welcome Mr Greg Dutschke to our Educational Support Team. Greg joins us from Cathedral College Wangaratta. Additionally, we are pleased to introduce Mrs Michelle Wayenberg as our new Social Worker. With extensive experience at Upper Murray Family Care, Michelle brings valuable expertise and insight to support our school community. 

Borinya now offers four new subjects across Years 7–12. Students in Years 7–10 can now participate in Science and Health Development as key components of their learning program. These subjects strengthen our STEM offerings and complement our established VEX Robotics and Sustainability programs. 

At the VPC level (Years 11–12), we are now delivering two new electives: Food Studies and Art Design. Both subjects provide students with opportunities to develop their creativity while building on skills gained through our Borinya VPC Café Program, as well as drawing on their individual passions and interests. 

We continue to work in partnership with Wangaratta Landcare to improve and maintain the Mullinmur Billabong. Our Sustainability class is currently assisting with the propagation and planting of native water grasses, helping to enhance habitats for native fish species and improve biodiversity and water health. 

Semester Two will be bring an exciting opportunity for our students and staff to with the Wangaratta Tech School. This will see students and staff having access to a variety of program options related to science and sustainability whereby the great work already being carried out at Borinya will be value added by the expertise of Wangaratta Tech School. 

On Friday 27 February we were privileged to have Senator David Pocock visit the school. David was in NE Victoria visiting various organisations and community groups focussing on his passions of affordable housing, issues impacting young people and environmental advocacy. Commencing his visit with a Welcome to Country from Uncle Dozer, David was taken on a tour of the Mullinmur Billabong where he was shown the work we have been doing with aquatic plant re-vegetation. He then joined in on a very important Borinya tradition, a game of In the Bin! David left our community feeling inspired by the courage and honesty of the Borinya student's explanations as to what the school means to them and the impact it is having on the education and life.  

This term, our Borinya WALK focus is on being Courageous. We are committed to providing students with opportunities to step outside their comfort zones and grow as confident learners. We look forward to a successful term of learning, growth, and achievement for all of our young people. 

Eamonn Buckley 

PRINCIPAL