Principal's Report

As 2024 reaches a crescendo to its finale, I am again reminded of the remarkable achievements and successes of our young people and wider school community. 

This perspective is shared by the Department who have released the new School Performance Reports - with our school in the highest category and performing impressively compared to any 'similar school'. Congratulations to students, staff and families for the joint effort in sustaining our school as a great school!

In some long overdue good news, there has been significant progress in the basketball court and grounds landscaping project. The VSBA at last has a viable tender and a contract has been inked in. Works are planned to commence following the conclusion of Year 12 exams from November 21 and continuing during the summer holiday period with completion expected by the end of term 1 2025.  School Council has strongly supported the project, making a significant school contribution to ensure the full scope of planned works can be realised. 

Funding of government schools has long been acknowledged as both inadequate and inequitable. This Newsletter marks the launch of a major fundraising drive, our 'Ground Breaking Fundraiser', to support the extensive expenditure the school is making to this project and other built environment maintenance and improvement projects in the pipeline.  We need all the financial help our community can provide. Our target is $150,000 by the end of 2025! We have an initial contribution from a family of $1,000 that has got the fundraising ball rolling.

How can you help?

• Make a tax-deductible donation to our Building Fund via  Trybooking
  A receipt will be provided for tax purposes. Use the link or QR code below.

• Make a tax-deductible donation by bank transfer to the Princes Hill SC Building Fund. Please use this for larger amounts by contacting our Business Manager Trent Adams (trent.adams@education.vic.gov.au). Trent will provide specific details to ensure your donation is recognised and accurately receipted for tax purposes.
   
• Arrange to have a weekend away at one of our two fully furbished getaway houses at our camp for just $150 per night contact Isabel Johnson at johnsoni@phsc.vic.edu.au
   
• Insofar as you are able, make a payment to your child's annual Parent Voluntary Contribution through Compass (we rely heavily on this to provide the level of service our students deserve, and our families expect)
   
• Participate in our School Council Fundraising committee and in fundraising events (see recent Trivia Night event details below)

As a bonus, any donation over $750 will have the option of staying for 3 nights in 2025 at one of our 'getaway' houses at Mirimbah at no further cost!

Despite the challenges of school funding, I am nonetheless pleased to advise that we anticipate additional works at our Mirimbah Campus to ensure the buildings are protected from ember attack in the event of bushfire. This is part of the implementation of the Department's Shelter in Place measures for sites at significant bushfire risk. Fortunately, in this case, much of the planned bushfire mitigation works will be funded by the VSBA. However, please be aware that other than an annual amount for bushfire readiness/vegetation management, we receive no recurrent funding for our amazing second campus.

The fundraising arm of School Council of PHSC held a successful Trivia Night on Friday 25th of October 2024. The funds raised through Trivia Night will help sustain our camps program, ensuring that we are able to continue to provide these experiences for our students. The camps and outdoor education program at Princes Hill has long been a cherished part of our students’ educational experience, offering unique, inspiring, challenging and resilience building learning opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom into the natural environment. 

We thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community!

Site access during grounds works

Please see below a map indicating the fenced off areas during stage 1 of the project works. There will be no access to the basketball court until the project is complete. Students will still be able to access the atrium, and into the gym and canteen from Arnold St (fencing indicated in yellow below. We encourage students to head to Princes Park as much as possible during breaks for the warmer months. Works are scheduled to be completed by the end of March!

Trevor Smith 

Principal 

Breaking news!

Special congratulations to Year 12 student, Imii Lang who has won the prestigious Kill Your Darlings School Writing Prize with a short story that she crafted for VCE Literature. This is a national competition that receives hundreds of entries, so it’s an impressive achievement.

You can find Imii’s wonderful story published here, and the judges’ reports are here.