Principal's Report 

SCHOOL SAVINGS BONUS 2025

You may have seen the recent announcements about the School Saving Bonus, which form part of the Victorian Budget 2024/25.  We are sharing more information about how families will be able to access and use this support. 

This one-off support will include $400 for each eligible student to help families cover the costs of school uniforms and school activities in 2025.

It will be available to parents and carers of every child enrolled in a Victorian government school in 2025. 

Cash will not be paid directly to individuals or families. Instead, families will receive the bonus as credits on their school account that will assist with the costs of your children’s activities and uniforms. 

Existing supports 

The School Saving Bonus support will be in addition to existing and continuing means-tested support for camps, sports, excursions and uniforms. 

The application-based Affordable School Uniform Program, through State Schools’ Relief, will continue to be available to families experiencing financial hardship or other forms of vulnerability and short-term crisis. This program allows schools to make multiple applications for support on parents' behalf throughout the year if needed.

There will be more information and guidance about the School Saving Bonus in Term 3, 2024, ahead of its implementation in 2025.

UPDATING STUDENT DETAILS  

A friendly reminder to all parents to ensure that college records for students and families are kept up to date. This is especially applicable for families with any custody arrangements or families that have recently moved, changed phone numbers etc.  

It is important that accurate family details are recorded at the college, especially with regard to access restrictions, we ask that the current and correct living arrangements are registered with the college. A copy of any relevant court orders should also be provided. 

Although the college respects and complies with all court ordered custody arrangements, the college’s prime concern is, and always will be, the wellbeing of the student.  

If you have any queries regarding this matter, please contact the General Office. 

AUTUMN MUSIC CONCERTS WEDNESDAY 

The VSC Autumn Concert will be held in the Vermont Secondary College Auditorium/Fallon Centre (Morack Road, Vermont) on Wednesday 15th May 2024 and Thursday evening the 16th of May 2024 starting at 6:30pm.  This will be the first of our major concerts for the year and will feature performances by the school Choirs, Rookie Band, Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Three String Orchestras, The Symphonic Band, as well as our Junior and Senior Stage Bands. 

Performing students should arrive at 6pm, gather instruments from the music centre and head to the Auditorium ready for the concert. 

All audience members should line up outside the Auditorium.  

Please note: This event is now sold out. 

VCE SENIOR SOCIAL - FRIDAY 14th JUNE 2024  

The college will again hold its annual VCE Senior Social that commences at 7.00pm and concludes at 11:30pm at San Remo Ball Room 365 Nicholson Street, Carlton North. Parents who are collecting students from the event are requested to arrive well in time for a prompt departure at the conclusion of the evening. 

Your consideration and punctuality would be greatly appreciated taking into account the distance of the venue. Parents must arrange for the collection of students between 11:30 and 12.00pm at the latest.  

Students who are not picked up by 12 midnight may be sent home in a Taxi/Uber at their own expense. 

Students are strongly advised to have a warm coat to wear to and from the social. 

It is to be remembered that many senior students are under the age of 18 and therefore activities such as ‘after parties’ are not endorsed by the college.  

The wellbeing and safety of your child is of paramount importance and my recommendation would be that all students return to the family home following the social to a fully supervised adult environment.  

Students are reminded that all normal school rules apply to this event.  

UPCOMING EVENTS & KEY DATES 

KINGS BIRTHDAY - MONDAY 10th JUNE 2024 

VCE SENIOR SOCIAL - FRIDAY 14th JUNE 2024 (see information above)

SEMESTER TWO BEGINS - MONDAY 17th JUNE 2024 

Reminder to parents/guardians and students that the whole school (Years 7 – 12) will move into the second semester in the last week two weeks of this term commencing on Monday the 17th of June.  

VSC MID-YEAR REPORT WRITING DAY – TUESDAY 18th JUNE 2024 

Parents/guardians are also reminded that Tuesday 18th June is a pupil free day. Vermont Secondary College will be using the day as an Assessment and Report Writing 

Day and students in Years 7 – 10 are not required at school.  

NOTE: All Year 12 students completing a VCE Unit 3 & 4 and all Year 11 students completing a VCE Unit 3 & 4 are required to attend on this day for the GAT – see details below. 

GENERAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST (GAT) – TUESDAY 18 JUNE 2024 

https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/administration/Key-dates/Pages/VCE-exam-timetable.aspx 

For ALL students studying a VCE 

Unit 3 and 4. 

GAT Section A – Literacy 

(reading & writing) and numeracy 

9:00 am – 9:15 am Reading time 

9:15am –11:15 am Writing time 

GAT Section B -

General knowledge and skills 

1:15 pm – 1:30 pm Reading time

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Writing time 

Download HERE: 2024 GAT brochure 

TERM TWO 2:30PM FINISH - FRIDAY 28th JUNE 2024 

A reminder to the school community that on the last day of Term 2, Friday 28th June, we have a 2:30pm finish. Term 3 begins on Monday the 15th of July, ending Friday 20th September. 

TAX DEDUCTIBLE BUILDING AND LIBRARY FUNDS 

As tax time is rapidly approaching, parents/guardians are reminded that donations to Vermont Secondary College’s Library and Building Funds are Tax Deductible and the College welcomes donations of any size.  

Direct deposits to: BSB 033-135; Account No: 56-6475, Account Name: Vermont Secondary College Council Official Account. Please use your child’s student code as the identifier. 

Please remember that all money donated is used toenhance facilities and equipment for your student/s. 

Receipts willbe forwarded to you for taxation purposes.