Principal's Report

Dear Homestead Community,

As we reach the end of Term 2, I find myself reflecting on what has been a genuinely positive and productive term for our college.

Across classrooms, co-curricular programs, sport, and student leadership, there has been a great deal to celebrate. What continues to impress me most is not necessarily the one-off achievements or events, but the culture that sits beneath them. Every day, our students continue to demonstrate commitment, resilience, and a willingness to embrace the opportunities available to them at Homestead.

One highlight to mention is the completion of Semester 1 examinations. I fully appreciate these are not what students look forward to; however, I hope they all take a moment to feel proud of what they have achieved. Exams are not simply about results, they are an opportunity to challenge yourself, demonstrate growth, and learn more about how you perform under pressure. Remember, they too are formative assessments. You learn from them just as much as you learn from each lesson throughout the semester.

What has been particularly pleasing is the exceptional attendance of our Year 10 and Year 11 students throughout the examination period. Attending is the first step towards success, and our students should be commended for the mature and professional manner in which they approached their exams. More broadly, our whole-school attendance continues to be among the strongest in the state, reflecting the value our students and families place on education and the culture we have built together.

We are also incredibly proud of our STEM Racing team, who have achieved the remarkable feat of qualifying for the World Finals in Singapore. This is an extraordinary

 accomplishment that reflects countless hours of dedication, innovation, problem-solving and teamwork. To compete on the world stage is something our entire community can celebrate. As the team prepares for this exciting opportunity, we encourage members of our community to support their journey through their fundraising efforts that were previously promoted.

GoFundMe Page for Team Typhoon

Another exciting development this term has been the continued evolution of our student café. What began as a small initiative has grown significantly, creating more opportunities for students and a broader range of offerings for our community. As part of this growth, the traditional canteen model has now concluded, with the café becoming the central hub at Homestead. We look forward to continuing to expand the opportunities available through this unique and highly valued space.

As we prepare for Term 3, I would also like to highlight several technology expectations that will continue to shape learning at Homestead. These changes align with updated government expectations and reflect a growing body of evidence around student attention, engagement and learning.

At Homestead, our priority has always been to create classrooms where students can think deeply, engage with their teachers and minimise distractions. As a result, students do and can continue to expect the following:

• Mobile phones are to remain secured in lockers throughout the school day and are not to be carried in pockets.
• AI-enabled glasses are not permitted for use at school
• Headphones remain an important tool for independent study and designated learning activities but are not to be worn during classes or while moving around the school grounds. They are not an accessory.
• Our classrooms will continue to place greater emphasis on handwriting, note-taking and learning with pen and paper where appropriate.

There is certainly a place for technology in education, and we will continue to use it purposefully when it enhances learning. Equally, there is a growing recognition that students also need opportunities to disconnect from screens, strengthen their concentration and engage more deeply with their thinking.

Simply put, more pencil and less screen is increasingly promoted as good practice for learning, and Homestead will continue to support our students in developing the habits that best prepare them for success.

The performing arts have also reached an important milestone this year with Homestead's very first school production in early Term 3. Students and staff have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring Clue: High School Edition to life. Productions create opportunities for students to build confidence, develop new skills, and showcase talents that may not always be visible in the classroom. We encourage all members of our community to come along and support this exciting event on July 31 and August 1.

Purchase Tickets Here

As always, none of these successes happen by accident. They are the result of the collective efforts of our students, staff, families and wider community. Thank you for your continued support of our college and for the role each of you plays in helping make Homestead such a positive place to learn and work.

Staffing Update

We are pleased to welcome Amy Carpenter back to Homestead following her period of family leave. Amy's expertise and passion are an asset to Homestead, and we are delighted to have her return to the college. We also thank Elise Garro for stepping into the Learning Specialist role with fidelity and excellence during Amy's absence.

We also welcome back David Orr and look forward to the contribution he will continue to make to our school community.

A warm welcome is also extended to Michelle Dye, who has joined the Homestead team and will be working within our expanding café program. We are excited to have Michelle on board and wish her every success in her new role.

As we move into the term break, I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to rest, recharge, and spend time with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming students and staff back for another exciting term of learning, growth and opportunity.

Kind regards

Danijel

Principal