Principal Team Report

We are pleased to share a number of positive updates as we move through Term 3.

Attendance

Attendance continues to be a focus for the College in 2025 and we have seen a remarkable improvement in student attendance rates compared to recent years. In 2024, 65% of students had 20 or more days of absence; in 2025 to date, this figure is 20%. 

The percentage of students with 90% or higher attendance currently make up 56% of our enrolment – almost double the 31% achieved by the end of last year.

“Accounted for attendance” has been shared in newsletters and bulletins since Term 2 of this year. Again, we are observing positive trends to students being accounted for 100% of the time. This is a combination of students being present at school and ensuring every absence has an explained reason either by families or through communication by the College with home. Our accounted for attendance year-to-date figures are:

In part, improvement across the College is a result of the outstanding work by our Attendance Officers, Barbora Kosikova and Michelle McKinnon, who are key members of our College Attendance Improvement Team and, since their roles commenced at the beginning of the year, continue to build positive rapport with students and work closely with Sub Schools. Consistent attendance is vital to students achieving their outcomes, and can influence subject and course opportunities moving into Senior School.

If you have any feedback regarding attendance communication or recording please contact the College. We are continuously looking to improve student rates of attendance by further developing a positive attendance culture; this is as much about positive dialogue from home as it is from school. As mentioned in previous newsletters and bulletins, ‘every day counts’ for students being present at school and, as a College, we are striving for 100% accounted for all student attendance.

2026 Subject Preferences

Student preferences for 2026 have been submitted following presentations in Week 1 of Term 3. Please be aware that some students will have further course counselling conversations and families are welcome to book a time for pathways conversations. 

Current Year 9 students applying for Advanced Placement into Unit 1&2 subjects completed their interviews last week, and VET applications will be processed with confirmations sent in the coming months. Families with pathways questions are encouraged to contact the College. Our Careers Coordinator, Voula Jakubicki, is available by appointment.

Communication with WHSC

As a College, we value strong, timely communication with families. If you require contact with the College regarding your students, please follow the process of first contacting your student’s Learning and Wellbeing Leader. If further follow-up is required, please contact the Sub School Leader, then to the relevant Assistant Principal. This process ensures your enquiry is addressed efficiently.

Contact details are below:

Learning and Wellbeing Leaders

 (Year Level Coordinators)

• Year 7 – Mrs Natalie Benfield natalie.benfield@education.vic.gov.au
• Year 8 – Ms Kathleen Kennedy kathleen.kennedy@education.vic.gov.au
• Year 9 – Mr Brian Yong brian.yong@education.vic.gov.au
• Year 10 – Ms Jacinta Wilson jacinta.wilson@education.vic.gov.au
• Year 11 – Mrs Anna Anetoudis anna.anetoudis@education.vic.gov.au

• Year 12 – Mrs Sharon Sharpe 

  sharon.sharpe2@education.vic.gov.au

Principal Class and Sub School Leaders 

• Middle School Leader

  Mr James Meaker james.meaker@education.vic.gov.au

• Assistant Principal (Middle School) 

  Mr Jeremy Woods jeremy.woods@education.vic.gov.au

• Assistant Principal (Senior School – VCE Improvement) 

  Dr Michael Lyristis michael.lyristis@education.vic.gov.au

• Assistant Principal (Senior School) 

  Mrs Judy Anderson judy.anderson2@education.vic.gov.au

• Principal

  Mrs Fern Brisbane fern.brisbane@education.vic.gov.au

Learning and Wellbeing Conferences

Bookings for Learning and Wellbeing Conferences are now open via Compass and close Tuesday 26th August at midnight. The Conferences present an important opportunity to discuss your students’ progress, achievement and identify steps for improvement. We expect students to be present for their interviews too as their voice and agency in discussion about their learning is extremely valuable. 

Conferences will be held Thursday 28th August, 12:30pm – 7:30pm online via Webex. Please be reminded there are no classes onsite for the day and see attached a guide for the set up and use of Webex. We recommend you prepare early for using Webex if it is your first time and contact the College if you require support.

Parent Opinion Survey

The 2025 Parent Opinion Survey will be distributed next week (starting Monday 18th August) via email from ORIMA. Please check your junk folder if it is not present in the inbox. Your feedback helps shape our planning and improvements, and we will share key findings of the results with our community.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student success.

Jeremy Woods

Assistant Principal