COAST

Meet the 2023 College Captains

Captain - Mila Willersdorf

I aspired to be a part of our College Student Leadership team because I want to be able to make positive impactful changes to our school community. 

This year as a student representative, I am aiming to aid all student voices and ideas, as well as helping to make these ideas come to life. I am also very excited to be working with the rest of the team to create an even larger sense of community at Surf Coast!

I love being a student at Surf Coast because of the people we get to spend every day with. The teachers at this school are so dedicated to making our education exciting, and the staff help to support us in everything we need. 

Captain - Billy Clarke

My name is Billy Clarke and I am part of this year's leadership team and I am honoured to represent Surf Coast Secondary as a school captain. 

One of the many reasons I aspired to be on the leadership team was to be able to help promote student voice, as I believe student voice is something to be celebrated. I also aspire to push for positive change within our school.  Throughout the year I hope to encourage more unity within, and across, our school’s year levels. One way I hope to achieve this is by increasing participation in school events such as athletics and swimming days. 

I love the college values of Strive, Unit, Reflect and Flourish that are represented across the college. I look forward to helping to enhance the S.U.R.F values, creating an awesome environment in which we can all learn.  I can not wait to see what this year brings!

Vice Captain - Tamsyn Riddle

I aspired to be part of Surf Coast's leadership team because I noticed numerous things that could be changed and/or improved at our school, to help draw attention to those and make changes for the better for current and future students.

As a student representative at Surf Coast Secondary College, I hope to draw more attention to our school community on mental health and positive self-esteem, whether it be working alongside organisations such as Headspace or Beyond Blue, or working closely with our wonderful wellbeing staff here at Surf Coast, alongside holding events which have been missed over the past few years to help unite our school community closer than ever and making positive changes to the school environment.

As a student at Surf Coast Secondary College, from beginning at the college in year 7 to year 9 and having the opportunity to take part in the FUSE program which the school offers, and working across an open-plan learning environment with incredible students and staff, has had a positive effect across my learning and development as a student.

Vice Captain -  Peri Broadhead

I wanted to be apart of the Surf Coast community in a way were I could voice my opinions and create positive change. I think Surf Coast is a such a great school so being a part of the student voice and leadership team seem is an amazing opportunity in my opinion. 

One of my biggest goals as a leader is to unite the year levels and be a positive role model around the school. As a leader I want to be known as someone who is approachable and here to help. I also want to improve on the sports days and year level team spirit.

I love how inclusive and open the Surf Coast community is, as I student I feel accepted and included in all aspects of my schooling. Another thing that I love about Surf Coast is the teachers and staff. All staff members are supportive and dedicated to their job and will help any student to strive to achieve their best.

First Day for Year 7's & Year 12's for 2023

STRIVE: It was a wonderful day at SCSC today, welcoming students back to the College for 2023.

Our new Year 7 students enjoyed beginning their secondary school journey by getting to know their peers and teachers. Both our Year 12 and Year 7 students also enjoyed a BBQ lunch, with a special appearance of the Shire’s therapy dog Larry (see more about Larry in the Wellbeing section of this edition).

Such a fantastic start to the year, and loved seeing all the students fresh and ready for a great new year!

Year 7 Welcome Picnic

UNITE: Our Year 7 Families enjoyed a picnic on Wednesday night, getting to know peers and staff. Year 12 Students enjoyed a three-day camp, exploring Melbourne with exciting activities, from university tours and study guidance seminars to ice skating, NGV Tours and bowling.

And to end the week, our Friday Trivia kicked off with a bang, and the Year 11 Viscom Students enjoyed creating their observational drawings.

Year 7 - 9 Writer's Notebook

STRIVE: This year students in year 7-9 have begun building a writer’s notebook that aims to increase the quality, quantity and opportunities for students to complete low stakes writing across all of their subjects. 

This morning, Year 8 students were in a state of shock when they discovered their chairs had gone on strike. Ms Wood and Ms Sheens sided with the chairs as students read an assertive (and slightly aggressive) letter from the chairs expressing their concerns. In response, students had to write a persuasive piece in their writer’s notebooks to plea for their chairs back. Ms. Campbell modelled her own attacking response, advocating for the students on the whiteboard, while they had 15 minutes write a convincing letter to convince the chairs to come back. 

Year 9 Girl In Charge Program

UNITE: Some of our Year 9 Girls began a wonderful program facilitated by Vic Police and Netball Victoria. 

The girls will complete Netball Umpiring Qualifications and participate in many other interesting activities. 

It was a great start to the program for our Year 9 girls.

Year 10 English

FLOURISH: At the end of last year in 2022, we had some amazing Year 10's in Ms. Ross' English class who created awesome picture story books for their final CAT.

Kirra N, Ava T and Asabi C wrote and illustrated their books titled 'Different Dorothy', 'Ellie Experiences Inequality' and 'Eggs' that explore the themes of diversity and discrimination in a child-friendly way.

New Year 12 Jumpers for 2023

UNITE: An exciting morning here at the College, as our Year 12 Students received their jumpers for 2023. This is a privilege for all students in their final year at Surf Coast Secondary, and is always highly anticipated.

A wonderful way to end the first week back at school, and great weather to receive a new jumper too!

Footlight Fantastic

One of wonderfully talented sub-school leaders Hayley Wood performed at the Sacred Heart Performing Arts Centre during the summer holidays in the inspiring musical 'Fiddler on the Roof' 

~ Articles courtesy of Surf Coast Times & Geelong Advertiser

Welcome to our New Staff Members for 2023

We warmly welcome our new additions to our teaching crew.  Here are a few introductions from our new stars;   

Jasmine Hoare

"I am new to the Wellbeing Team and will be facilitating Wellbeing Programs both at

 school and at the Torquay Community House as well as Breakfast Club on Friday mornings.

Previously, I was a Children’s Nurse and worked for Wild Rumpus Disability Services. 

I have come to Surf Coast Secondary after four years at Armstrong Creek School.

I am looking forward to meeting all the students, broadening my skills, and assisting students with their journey through school. Come introduce yourself to me in the Wellbeing office and have a chat. Bonus points if you want to chat footy, fishing & camping or gym things."

John Cutter

"A little about myself.  This is my 33rd year of teaching, before teaching I worked in a windsurfing / snow skiing shop (a long time ago).  Alongside my teaching for the last 10 years I have been a staff developer with AVID Australia providing Professional development to maths teachers across Australia and the USA.

I teach maths/ science and materials technology.  I am currently teaching Year 9 FUSE and Year 7 materials technology this year at SCSC.

I look forward to contributing to the local community and helping our young people become productive global citizens."

Judy McLaren

"I teach Year 8 Music, Units 1 & 2 VET Music and Year 7 Instrumental Music.

Previously, I worked as a dental nurse (for a week) and in hospitality as a waitress.   I was an instrumental teacher for a long time before I went to Uni and got a teaching qualification.  I’ve performed a lot as a soloist and in duos and bands and released an independent CD of original material.  Singing and guitar are my main instruments and I enjoy the blues/roots genre.

I’m really looking forward to working with the great staff here and getting to know the community and working with all the musos.  I’m also looking forward to learning new ways of doing things, networking with other schools on the Surf Cost delivering VET Music and going to the Barwon Club with the VET students for their performances."

 Emma Boschetti

"I am currently teaching in the Senior English team.

I graduated from Monash University as a Dietician and worked in community health for a short time before moving into teaching.  I have also worked facilitating young adult retreats and as a youth worker in juvenile detention in the Northern Territory.

I am excited to collaborate and learn from all the expertise within the staff at SCSC, who have already made me feel beyond welcome."

Jack Sellers

“I am currently teaching Science and Maths. 

Prior to teaching, I worked overseas in the environmental science projects and agriculture projects.  Mainly in Malawi, Africa, and Timor-Leste (East Timor).  When in Melbourne I worked in hospitality at several different restaurants and cafes in Melbourne.

I'm really looking forward to becoming a bigger and better part of the Torquay community and watching students grow into better human beings."

Jordan Vlahos

"I am currently teaching PE and FUSE (Maths/Science).

Prior to teaching, I studied at university and worked as a barista.

I'm looking forward to working with the students and a group of enthusiastic and passionate staff."

Anna Hamilton

"I am teaching Maths and Science in Year 8 FUSE.  

Previously, I used to work in Scientific research.

I'm most looking forward to getting to know all the staff and students."

Hannah Studd

"I will be teaching in the VCE VM team.  My specialty areas are Health, Physical Education, Outdoor Education and Biology / Science.  

Before teaching I taught surfing, snowboarding, Outdoor Education and fitness classes. 

I am most looking forward to the amazing projects we have planned for the VCE VM students and all of the great opportunities to teach real world life skills and hands on applied learning activities.  I look forward to getting out in the community with students and helping out where we can."

Tahlia D'Amore

"I teach FUSE (English and Humanities) and Art.

I worked as Education Support in special education, studied at Uni and did a lot of travelling.

I am most looking forward to working with other staff to make class enjoyable for the students!"