Secondary School News

Assistant Principals Secondary

Dear Collingwood College Community,

As we bid farewell to 2025, it's time to reflect on a year filled with remarkable moments, achievements, and unforgettable experiences. Let’s celebrate the highlights that made this year truly special.

2025 was a standout year for our students, with many achieving exceptional VCE results. Not only did we see success at our Senior campus, but years 7 - 10 also had several wins across the year, including strong NAPLAN growth, enrolment in the Victorian High Abilities Program, Interschool sport involvement, including winning a trophy and not to mention the successful camps program across each year level. It is with great pleasure that we can share these achievements with you, but we also have the opportunity to thank our wonderful staff for providing students with the skills and capabilities to thrive in these instances.

Our annual trip to Funfields was a success, with students enjoying a day filled with thrills and, most importantly, FUN. This event not only provided a platform for students to develop relationships outside of their classroom context, but also to develop their social and communication skills.

This year, we introduced French as a new language offering in our curriculum. Students have eagerly embraced the challenge, and it’s wonderful to see their enthusiasm for learning about different cultures and languages. We are excited to see our language program develop, continuing to offer two languages in 2026.

2025 marked the second year of our Middle Years Programme (MYP) implementation. The transition has been met with enthusiasm and positivity, with students engaging in inquiry-based learning that promotes critical thinking and global perspectives. The growth we’ve seen is inspiring!

Our wonderful and vibrant parent community also thrived this year, supporting events that brought people together and welcomed people into our unique and special Collingwood Community that we know and love. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered over the past year.

As we embrace the new year, we are excited about the introduction of the Collingwood Learner Model, which will further enhance our educational approach for all students. We are thrilled to welcome Angela back and to have Chris continue with us, providing strong leadership for our students. Our continued partnership across all campuses allows for a collaborative spirit that fosters high expectations and achievements for every learner.

We would like to wish you all a safe and relaxing break, and look forward to reconnecting in 2026.

Lori Michael & Rachel Wood

Kind regards,

Lori Michael

Acting Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

Rachel Wood

Acting Assistant Principal Secondary

Year 7 Forest Edge Camp

Last week the Year 7 students from both programs went on camp together. They participated in a variety of exciting activities and challenges in the beautiful setting of the La Trobe River valley. The weather was perfect, and the students had a wonderful time! Thank you to Simon, Cameron, Anna, Ollie and Rebecca for supporting the students on camp.

Anna Ephraim

Class 7 Steiner Teacher

Learning Hub (formerly known as Homework Club!)

I would like to remind secondary families that Learning Hub is and excellent support available to families.

Lori Michael

Acting Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

Head Start Program

Get a Head Start with a School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs)

Did you know that students enrolled in VCE can do an apprenticeship or traineeship and get credit toward their senior studies? It’s a great way to get into a career while completing Year 12. SBATs earn a wage, receive specialised training and complete their schooling all at the same time. The Head Start program is here to help. Speak to Nicola Smith, in the careers office Rm 320 to see if this is for you!

Adam Hutterer

Head Start Program

The Learner Profile

Below are a range of ways that you can promote the Learner Profile attributes at home within the family.

A simple approach is to model and recognise. Enjoy 🙂

The Learner Profile

Inquirers	We nurture our curiosity. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and value a love of life-long learning.	Encourage your child’s interests by visiting places such as the Local/State Library, Museum, NGV… Model being an inquirer: admit when you don’t know the answers to a problem or a question and seek out answers with your child Use the internet as a tool for inquiry and have conversations around reputable sites Discuss the role of inquiry in your personal and professional life
Open-Minded	We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, and those of other people. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.	Encourage your child to try new things - food, games, places, activities… Expose your child to different festivals, celebrations and traditions Encourage your child to listen for understanding Discuss issues and consider opposing points of view and reasons
Thinkers	We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.	Encourage your child to independently think of different solutions to problems Pose different real-life problems/questions to your child Ask your child questions when they are working on a problem: Do you have any ideas about how you will begin? Tell me about your thinking How could you do it differently? What do you notice and wonder?
Caring	We show empathy, compassion and respect. We act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.	Role-model the kind of behaviour you want to see in your child: helping others without being asked, being an active listener, acting in ways to show that you care… Reflect on the actions of characters in texts (prin/audio/film) Were they kind or caring? Recognise this quality in people’s actions
Knowledgeable	We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global decisions.	Encourage your child to make self/text/world connections with what they read/view. Include first language books/films. Ask your child what they are learning at school and engage in conversations about it: Why do you think that is an important thing to know about? Encourage your child to become familiar with current local/national/global events and issues
Principled	We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.	Discuss the importance of honesty/truth Talk about global issues and fairness/social justice Encourage your child to engage in team and independent sports/games Discuss the idea of norms Talk about the importance of effort over winning and being a gracious loser
Balanced	We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives - intellectual, physical and emotional - to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognise our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.	Encourage your child to participate in a wide variety of structured activities as a balance between school and leisure Discuss what you are eating with your child - is it a balanced diet? Emphasise that boredom is okay too - good for us! Put devices away Encourage your child to take timeout and go for a walk, engage with nature or read a book (Brain Breaks)
Communicators	We express ourselves confidently and creatively in different languages. We collaborate effectively, actively listening to the perspectives of other individuals or groups.	Encourage your child to stay in contact with relatives in other parts of Australia or different countries Encourage your child to explain their thinking orally or by drawing a picture Talk about what effective communication can look/sound/feel like Have family dinner-table conversations Play a game that requires a specific communication skill. e.g. Charades
Reflective	We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experiences. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.	Review your child’s report with them; talk about successes and opportunities for improvement Reflect on sport outcomes Talk about recent events/actions and what you have learned, or adjustments you would make Set goals with your child Talk about a growth mindset
Risk-takers	We approach uncertaining with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change. We see making mistakes as a natural part of the learning process.	Encourage your child to attempt new things and then reflect on it - whether they liked it and how it made them feel Discuss the difference between being a risk-taker and dangerous behaviour Recognise the learning gains that result from risk-taking and making mistakes Talk about comfort zones and the benefits of goal-setting Share your own growth stories from taking risks

Lori Michael - MYP Coordinator

INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE (updated 4 May) - Contact Person - Marguerite Boland

Please click on the attachment below to see a list of Stringed instruments for sale. If you have an instrument for sale please email Margeurite at: marguerite.boland@education.vic.gov.au

List of instruments for sale - 4 May 2025.pdf

COLLINGWOOD COLLEGE ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM

Collingwood College is online! Feel free to follow us on:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/collingwood.college/ and like us on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/collingwood.vic.edu.au/ to keep up to date with everything that our school has to offer our students and the community.