“All passion becomes strength when it has an outlet.”

George Eliot

We have had a strong and positive start to the 2021 school year. We have welcomed a new group of Year 7 students into the college and our student numbers are a strong 723. The Year 7 students have settled into secondary schooling with confidence and commitment. It is a school filled with students who are curious and optimistic. They show respect for each other and demonstrate excellence in all that they do. They are able to find an outlet for their passion in the curriculum or through co-curricular offerings that are available. Each student has the opportunity to turn their passion into a strength that is celebrated and valued. Our students will flourish in this learning environment.

The previous year was very different for all of us. The recovery from 2020 requires a clear way forward that responds to the needs of our students. Therefore, the DET priorities for 2021 are:

Healthy, happy and active kids
Learning, catch up and extension
Connected communities

We have developed a range of approaches and strategies that will ensure that these priorities are visible at Beaumaris Secondary College. Each newsletter will have updates on how we are meeting these priorities.

Our first priority of healthy, happy and active kids links directly to student voice and agency which is why student leadership is so important. Please encourage your children to read about the leadership roles and apply for one that they are interested in. Students have numerous options and we encourage them to have a voice and apply. Student Leadership applications are due by this Thursday February 11th at 9.00pm via the following Microsoft form:

2021 Student Leadership Application

Students will require their Beaumaris SC Microsoft credentials to login.

School Council Elections 2021

This year we will be holding School Council Elections for 3 parent representatives, 2 DET employees and 2 student representatives.

We will call for nominations from February 10, 2021 and nominations will close at 4pm on February 17, 2021. Please see full timeline below:

Welcome New Staff Members

Our school continues to grow with each year level which in turn leads to a growing staff team. We also have an increased number of staff in roles leading initiatives across the college.

Guillaume Degraeve- Technology and Innovate/Tutor Program
Joseph O’Farrell- Mathematics
Salaam Al Marashli- Japanese
Pavani Katugampola- Create Visual
Catherine Reinhardt- Mathematics/Healthy Lifestyles
Kate Ferraro- Tutor Program
Monika Lowe- Create Visual and Technology
Carly Doyle- BEST
Travis De Valle- Communicate and Relate
Amanda Jacobs- BEST/ Head of House
Stephanie Douglas- Mathematics
Ryan Hubbard- Communicate and Relate/Our World
Harrison Whelan- Mathematics
Estelle Avgerinos- Communicate and Relate
Aimee Shattock- Communicate and Relate
Melissa Casley- Our World
Aleisha Kinross- Timetabler
Jody McCarthy- Reception

We farewelled 2 staff at the end of 2020:

Monique Chisholm
Jackson Semple

We also have a number of roles that we would like to introduce to our school community.

Heads of Houses

The college is committed to sustaining a positive climate for learning as we embed our students’ wellbeing based on the shared values and vision. The Heads of Houses includes leadership in the development of a robust House based system that ensures that students be known throughout their school journey. This can be achieved through active student voice, agency and leadership as well as building relationships with students, families and the college. The proactive support is designed to ensure students grow, thrive and excel.

Beckett House- Stefan Andnovski Southern House- Amanda Jacobs

Ricketts House- Lena Bartle-Smith Waratah House- Liam Walsh

Some key responsibilities of the Heads of House are:

Lead the school mission of Belong. Believe. Become. which promotes a strong school culture of engagement and wellbeing in all year levels.
Lead a comprehensive implementation of the School Wide Positive Behaviour Expectations, Behaviour Support Continuum and Learning Space Expectations.
Gather and use data to lead and support colleagues to implement the School Wide Positive Behaviour Expectations.
Co-ordinate the role of the GOAL Mentors to ensure a consistent approach to College policies including absences, uniform, student learning and organisation and the GOAL program.
To develop a process to provide parents with student growth feedback that is based on the whole person.

Careers/Pathways Coordinator

We would also like to introduce our Careers Coordinator, Steph Martin. Steph is developing a modern and evidence based approach to careers and pathway planning. She will be developing and promoting links with businesses, organisations and groups to provide a range of career opportunities and work experience options for students. All students at Beaumaris Secondary College complete a Career Action Plan each year.

Steph will be leading Year 9 students through the Morrisby Program which includes forums for parents, working with teachers and the external careers counsellors in assisting students in identifying their preferred pathway.

Our Year 10 students will be participating in work experience this year. We will be holding an information session in Term 1 with more details.

Buildings and Grounds Update

We have furnished one of the school balconies and will be getting the other balconies furnished by the end of March. This will create some wonderful outdoor learning spaces for the students to use during sessions. Below is a picture of one of the spaces.

As many would see in our Reserve Road car park, there are now 2 portable buildings with 4 learning spaces. We are working with the MCC hirers to ensure gates remain locked as this area remains out of bounds for all vehicles/parking.

During the remote learning period, we saw an increase in unauthorised use of the school grounds. This has led to usage which does not respect the school community, our neighbours or the MCC. We have also received a number of complaints from local residents regarding the unauthorised casual use of the facilities including personal training groups, dog walkers and skateboarders just to name a few. We are putting some strategies in place to manage the use of the site by unauthorised users. This includes removing the outdoor basketball rings each day, putting gates on the cricket nets, and additional fencing which is part of the Stage 2 build. We know that our school community supports the safe and appropriate use of the school grounds for students.

We are awaiting notification of the appointment of the builders for the Stage 2 Build Project. Once we have received updates, we will share this with the community. Exciting times ahead.

Update on Coronavirus

Following the Government’s announcements regarding new statewide restrictions that came into effect at 11:59pm on Wednesday 3 February, there is new guidance for schools regarding the wearing of masks. People aged 12 and over must wear a fitted face mask when in public indoor spaces unless there is a lawful reason not to.

Students aged 12 or older must wear a face mask indoors when at school, unless they are attending a primary school, an Outside school hours care (OHSC) program or an exception applies.

School staff are not required to wear face masks while teaching or caring, but those who wish to may do so. Staff must wear face masks in indoor areas of the school when not teaching or caring.

Visitors to school sites must also wear masks when indoors. We ensure that all visitors to the school are aware of the mask requirements. Further advice regarding these measures will be provided when available.

We are proud of our students’ adaptability to respond to new restrictions.

Vic State Champs

Victoria State Championships