Principal's Report 

"When students feel connected to each other, they are more motivated, engaged, and likely to succeed." – Unknown.

At Beaumaris Secondary College, students and staff BELONG to a community where to learn is to grow. Connection is vital. Every day, in every space, our students' and staff's connections are visible across the college.

On Monday, our Year 11 students enjoyed the first-ever Big Day Out event. The day fostered stronger year level connections, building on the momentum of their Year 11 Formal.  Students went to the Enchanted Adventure Garden in Arthur’s Seat. This week, Year 7 and Year 10 students joined forces in their GOAL sessions, collaborating on problem-solving puzzles. It was great to see the Year 10s stepping up to mentor their younger peers, strengthening connections and encouraging teamwork.

It's equally wonderful to see the connections our students are making with the wider community. From brining joy to the residents of Fairway Aged Care and hosting music workshops for our local primary schools to lending a hand at Beaumaris North's Athletics Carnival, these experiences are truly becoming The Beaumaris Way. They provide our students with important opportunities to learn, grow and provide a service to the community.  This sense of purpose is central to building engagement.

Connections among parents are also important, and it's fantastic to see that over half of the tickets for the BSC Ladies Lunch have already been sold. A big thank you to the amazing organising committee for bringing this event to life once again this year. Thank you also to Kim East, a BSC parent and the talented Graphic Designer behind Cubbyhole Creative, for creating the artwork/invitation. 

Staffing Update

I am delighted to welcome Sean Leith as our Acting Assistant Principal. Sean will add a fresh perspective to our leadership team, and we look forward to the positive impact he will have on our school community.

Our High Achievers

We were delighted to recognise and celebrate the students who have demonstrated excellence in their academic performance. Last week, those who ranked in the top 5% for Semester 1 were invited, along with their parents, to a High Achievers' Breakfast in the MCC Pavilion. We extend our congratulations to the High Achievers listed below. 

We will also be acknowledging and celebrating students who have shown the greatest growth in their learning approach across most learning areas in Semester 1. 'Rising Star' and 'Strive' awards will be presented at assembly on the first day of Term 4. 

P/S/T Conferences, Progress Reports, PBLs, SACs & VCE 3/4 Practice Exams

VCE P/S/T Conferences took place this week, providing a fantastic opportunity for families to support their child's academic journey. Progress Reports were made available to all families on Friday 16 August, allowing students to reflect on their progress and set goals for the remainder of the semester.

In the last few weeks of term, our students are preparing for a range of PBLs and SACs. Students completing a VCE Unit 3/4 subject will be gearing up for their final assessments before practice exams in the school holidays and exams next term. 

NAPLAN Results

Below is an infographic of Victoria's performance in the 2024 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assessments. We continue to ensure that all our students show growth across all areas of NAPLAN.

Year 9 Morrisby Interviews

Morrisby Interviews took place this week to help our Year 9 students discover their passions, strengths and future pathways. The interviews were conducted by an external Morrisby-trained Careers Consultant, and it was wonderful to see many parents attend and support their children during this important process. A big thank you to our Careers Team for organising this valuable opportunity for our students.

House Athletics Carnival

Last week's Athletics Carnival was a vibrant celebration of school spirit and camaraderie. Students eagerly participated in a range of events and activities, with house spirit running high as everyone dressed in their house colours. The Year 12 parade was a great start to the day and is now an important feature of the event. Additionally, our Year 12 VCE VM students ran a successful sausage sizzle, raising funds for the Red Cross. A huge thank you to Mr Plant for organising such a fantastic day!

 Instrumental Music Soiree

The music soirée on Tuesday night was another wonderful showcase of our students’ musical talent. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated instrumental music staff and our talented performers for making the evening such a success.

Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey

The Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education that is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional but we encourage all families to participate. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. 

Staff CPR Refresher

Staff members successfully completed their annual CPR refresher training last week. This important session ensures that our team remains prepared to respond effectively in emergency situations, reinforcing our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our school community.

Daintree Life - Certificate of Appreciation

It was lovely to welcome a representative from Daintree Life to our college on 9 August. During the visit, they presented us with a framed certificate of appreciation for our contribution to increasing habitat in the Greater Daintree Region by planting trees. These trees were planted during the recent Year 9 Reef to Rainforest trip.

Curriculum Day

A whole-school Curriculum Day is scheduled for Monday 26 August. Students are not required to attend school on this day. There will be no scheduled classes or supervision. On this day, staff will be engaged in professional development sessions focused on enhancing teaching practices and improving student outcomes. This dedicated time allows our educators to collaborate, refine their skills and explore new strategies to further support our students' learning and growth.

Reminder for Year 8 - 11 Families

As always, thank you for your continued support and involvement.

Debby Chaves

Principal