Principal's Message

  Mrs Josie Crisara

National Reconciliation Week

27 May to 3 June is National Reconciliation Week 2023. It’s a time to increase awareness, celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and reflect on significant events that have shaped the journey toward reconciliation. The theme this year is Be a Voice for Generations, reminding us to engage in positive conversations about reconciliation at school, at home and in our communities to create a more just, equitable and reconciled Australia for all. Our First Nations Co-ordinator has arranged activities in which students can engage cultural awareness.

Academic Programs

It is that time of the semester when students should be preparing for assessments and for the senior students, exams. All students should be doing their personal best. This requires goal setting, organisation and commitment. This week we launched our ACE Program to ensure we recognise all those high-ability students who are extended across all subjects.  ACE stands for Aitken College Extension Programs. Just this week, we recognised those students who competed in the Ethics Olympiad and achieved at a very high level. 

Parents and Friends

The Parents and Friends Association ran a very successful Mother's Day stall and breakfast. It was a great opportunity to engage our Hospitality students in serving hot drinks and our parents in being part of our community. Please continue to support the activities of the Parents and Friends.

Budget Blues (Payroll tax on Independent Schools)

The Victorian government’s decision to remove the payroll exemption for independent schools, which are all not-for-profits, is disappointing and short-sighted.  In doing so, they put more burden on parents as the consequence will be either a rise in school fees and/or a cut in programs.  It is an attack on students, teachers and families who choose independent schools because they align with their values. The news came as a surprise, and the impact is likely to be significant as approximately a third of young Victorians attend independent schools. 

This kind of tax has never been imposed on Independent schools – because they are non-profit organisations that contribute to the community by educating young Australians.  Perhaps the mantra of “Victoria the Education State” is no longer important to this government. The major cost in any school is payroll. Many parents make financial sacrifices to find a school that best meets the needs of their children. Adding further to the disappointment is the lack of clarity around this change and lack of consultation.  Parents should raise this issue with their local members, requesting that the decision be justified, reversed or at least some clarity and consultation with impacted schools be discussed.

Local member for Greenvale:  Iwan Walters iwan.walters@parliament.vic.gov.au

Local member for Yuroke:  Ros Spence  ros.spence@parliament.vic.gov.au

Major Road Projects Victoria

Mickleham Road Upgrade - Stage 1 

May 2023 Construction Update