Principal's Report

Term 3 is well underway and for our Year 12 students the finish line is fast approaching. This term marks a pivotal period as we work closely with many students and families to shape the opportunities available in 2027 and beyond. We are excited to welcome families into the College throughout the term for a number of events, including our Pathway Information Evenings, Course Counselling sessions, and Parent-Teacher Conferences. Please continue to check our school calendar for opportunities to visit, gain valuable information, and support your child's educational journey and career planning.

Exploring Pathways and Making Informed Choices

Over the past weeks we have invited our current Year 10 students and their families to explore the wide range of subject offerings, programs and career pathways available to them as they enter Year 11 in 2027. Similarly, we welcomed Year 9 students and their families, as well as siblings of students already at Tarneit Senior College, to learn about the opportunities available as they begin their senior secondary journey in 2027.

Both Information Evenings were valuable opportunities for students to speak with staff across all subject areas and domains, and to discuss their future pathways in VCE, VCE VM, and VPC. We were heartened by the genuine engagement of students and families as they explored how different subjects and pathways might support their aspirations and interests. It is a privilege to see young people making informed decisions about their futures, discovering subjects they are passionate about, and beginning to shape the next chapter of their learning journey.

Course Counselling sessions took place on 31 July (Year 10 into 11) and 7 August (Year 9 into 10). Students and families engaged in meaningful one-on-one conversations with staff to finalise subject selections and explore how their choices support future aspirations. Course counselling is a vital part of the senior secondary journey, providing clarity and direction as students begin to map out their careers or vocational pathways. We are proud of the focus and maturity shown by our students and thank our families for supporting this important milestone.

VTAC Parent Information Evening

We are also hosting a special VTAC Parent Information Evening on Monday, 21 August at 4:30 pm, run in partnership with ASPYA (Aspiring Young Africans Foundation). This evening is designed to support families from our African community who are navigating the tertiary entrance pathways. The session will provide practical information about VTAC, university and vocational options, and how to support your child's pathway planning.

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families, ask questions, and gain clarity on the next steps for your child's education beyond Year 12. We thank ASPYA for partnering with us to make this event accessible and culturally responsive for our community.

Celebrating Achievement and Commitment

In August, we held Excellence Awards ceremonies for each year level—Years 10, 11, and 12. These events celebrated a wide range of student achievements across attendance excellence, improvement in engagement, subject-level excellence, and academic consistency. It was incredibly heartening to see the support students showed for their peers, with each ceremony marked by applause, encouragement, and shared pride in collective success.

Among the many outstanding achievements, several students were recognised for receiving Honours—achieving an average of 80% or above across all assessments in a subject for the entire semester. What was particularly impressive this year was the number of students who achieved Honours across multiple subjects. Some students were recognised for Honours in four subjects, others in five, and notably, some in all six subjects. This level of consistency, rigour, and commitment to learning is truly commendable.

These students exemplify what we mean by The 1% Difference at Tarneit Senior College. The Honours recipients demonstrate that small, consistent improvements in effort, focus, and commitment lead to significant achievement. They show what is possible when students embrace our core values of Focus, Integrity, and Innovation in their daily learning. Every Honours recipient in every subject is an acknowledgment that sustained attention to learning—managing distractions, responding to feedback, persevering through challenge—builds excellence.

Connecting with Your Child's Learning

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday, 2 September from 11:30 am until 7:30 pm. These conferences provide a valuable opportunity for students and families to receive timely feedback as we head into the final part of the academic year. They play a crucial role in helping students stay on track, set clear goals, and finish the year strong.

Bookings are available through Compass. If you have not yet logged in to Compass, we encourage you to do so now to stay up to date with notices, attendance, permission forms, staff communication, and school events. If you need assistance logging in, please contact the school on 9749 0246 or visit our front office for support.

Year 12: The Final Push

With just weeks remaining in Term 3 and only a few weeks in Term 4 before final exams begin, our Year 12 students are entering the final, most intense stage of their secondary schooling journey. This is a critical time to stay focused, lean into study habits, and use every available support to prepare for the culmination of 13 years of learning.

We urge all of our Year 12s to give everything they have—to show Focus in their preparation, Integrity in their efforts, and Innovation in how they face challenges. Our staff are committed to supporting you. Use the resources available: your teachers' help, your peers' study groups, wellbeing support, and time-management strategies. The finish line is near, and these final weeks will determine the outcome you achieve. Let's make them count.

Supporting Your Child at Home

As we move deeper into the year, there are several ways families can support student success. First, regular attendance matters. When students are at school every day, they engage with the full learning program, connect with peers and staff, and stay on track. We know that attendance and connectedness to school are closely linked. Every day present is a day of learning and belonging.

Second, home groups and mentoring are powerful spaces for students to experience care, set goals, and reflect on their learning. Your child's home group teacher is a key adult in their school life. If your child mentions concerns about belonging, friendships, or wellbeing, home group is one place where these conversations can happen.

Third, beginning in Semester 2, students in Years 10 and 11 will have the opportunity to participate in Beyond the Books—a new mentoring and life skills program that explores respectful relationships, career pathways, and practical life skills alongside their academic learning. Beyond the Books gives students choice in how they grow beyond the classroom, and we encourage all students to engage with these opportunities.

Moving Forward Together

Thank you for your partnership in your child's educational journey. Whether it is attending information evenings, engaging in course counselling conversations, coming to parent-teacher conferences, or simply checking in with your child about their day, your involvement matters. Together, we are creating a culture where students are challenged to grow, supported to succeed, and recognised for their effort and improvement.

Our core values—Integrity, Innovation, and Focus—guide everything we do. These values are most powerful when they are lived not just at school, but at home as well. As we say in the classroom, it is the 1% Difference that adds up. Small consistent efforts, honest reflection, and a willingness to try new approaches build genuine success.

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and to finishing the year strong, together.

- Shane Cole-Hayhow 

Principal