Principal's Message

Dear Sunbury College community,

We have entered the final stage of the 2023 school year - a time for reflection, anticipation, and celebration.

As I reflect on the year, I want to share my appreciation of the commitment staff, parents and carers have shown to the growth of our young people throughout 2023. Our aim, as a school, is to support the growth and development of each of our students from year 7 until year 12 in the areas of learning and wellbeing to ultimately enable every student to achieve success in their desired future pathway. Sometimes this growth isn’t always linear, but thanks to this commitment and through positive partnerships between parents, carers, students, and staff, we overcome hurdles and continue to achieve positive outcomes and future ready students.

I want to congratulate our students on how they finished their 2023 classes. Our Year 10, 11 and 12 students have undertaken internal and external VCAA exams, with students regularly accessing their teachers for support and showing great commitment to their studies. Our Year 7, 8 and 9 students concluded their 2023 classes on Friday 17 November and showed their commitment to success and to maintaining a positive learning environment right up to last period.

With much anticipation, the students have begun Headstart, a chance to dive into their 2024 classes. During the two weeks of Headstart, student begin the 2024 curriculum, so when they return at the start of next year, they are entering week 3 of their courses. For the year 9 to 12 students, timetabling and staffing is built around student choice. While we cannot guarantee all students will get all their chosen subjects, I’m proud to say this year, over 90% of our students have.

Headstart is a time for students to develop connections and relationships with new classmates and teachers, and to develop positive learning habits in each of their classes. It also improves school readiness when students return from a long and well-deserved break on Wednesday 31 January 2024. I want to thank parents and carers for strongly encouraging full attendance during this time. The commitment young people show at the end of this year is often a reflection on how they will start next year. From what I can see, 2024 promises to be full of success.

Finally, let’s celebrate the many individual successes every student has achieved throughout the 2023 school year. Each student is on their own learning journey. By taking the time to acknowledge the learning growth of each of our students, we give that young person the confidence to continue to challenge themselves and take risks with their learning.

Once again, I would like to thank all families for being part of and contributing to the Sunbury College community throughout the year. We look forward to your continued commitment in 2024.

Best wishes

Craig O’Bree

Principal