What's been happening 

Smith Family and Declan Franke

Declan Franke (pictured above, centre) joined our College this year as a CRT (Casual Relief Teacher).  After working in our College with many students and in particular with the staff and students involved in the Smith Family - Girls at the Centre program, Declan decided that he wanted to make a contribution to the program and has made a very generous and appreciated donation to the Girls at the Centre program!

When asked why, this was Declan's response:

"It is impossible to measure the immense value that Simone, Olivia, and The Smith Family team provide to our students and staff through the ‘Girls at the Centre’ program. As a teacher, I have seen first-hand the impact that G@TC has had on areas such as student attendance, engagement, and self-efficacy.

The research is clear. The path for early school leavers to achieve social and economic advancement is narrow. Females who leave school prior to finishing Year 12 are significantly more likely to be in low-skill employment, even when compared to males in the same position. For Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander girls and young women the reality is even more sobering and the path often narrower.

As important as attendance and completing school is, however, the G@TC team is about more than just having the girls ‘turn up’. The dedicated Girls at the Centre room on campus affords both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants a space to be themselves, to seek assistance, and to access resources. This holistic approach means that our female students are not only getting the support and motivation they need to be effective learners in the classroom, but also receiving the type of mentor-ship they need to be leaders in their community.

The flow-on effect that the type of confident, empowered learners that G@TC helps produce has on the wider community is vast. There could hardly be a more worthy cause to support. It has been an honour to teach on Gunaikurnai land and to be able to financially support the invaluable work of Simone and Girls at the Centre."

Thank you Declan from the staff and students at the Girls at the Centre and the Bairnsdale Secondary College community.

Bairnsdale Clay target club

On the 19th July it was a crisp but bright afternoon, ideal for clay target practice. We had five students attend. It is good to see how they have progressed over the time that we have had Adrian imparting his skills to them, among others who have helped along the journey.

We were surprised at the end of the afternoon when Andrew Jennings the club secretary presented the students with 9 boxes of ammunition donated by very generous club members (one donating 5 alone). This will enable our young shooters to practice up to half a dozen times free of charge, as the club sponsors the juniors with free clay targets.

We are very humbled by the generosity of the club members with this kind of support and dedication to these young shooters, it gives them great opportunities to pursue this sport.

Athletics Carnival

On a beautiful sunny winter day on Wednesday 20th July after many many cancellations we had our athletics carnival.  Students and staff all had a fantastic day participating in track and field and novelty events.

Congratulations to staff members Sam and Renee for organising an amazing day!  

Please check out the Sports@BSC page of the newsletter for more information and photos.

Blue Edge Term 2

On the last Friday of Term 2 students who participated in the Blue Edge program spent the last day of the program at Coonawarra Farm resort. 

Students, staff and members of Victoria Police had a great day ....  we think that the adults had more fun than the kids....

Blue EDGE (Educate, Develop, Grow, Empower) is a holistic program that is running again for Term 3.  A great program run by Blue Light in partnership with Victoria Police combining games, physical training, mentoring and life skills. We currently have students from Year 7, 8 and 9 participating. The students are developing skills such as team work, effective communication skills and development. 

If you wish to find out more about the program please contact is on 5150 4800