From our Principal
Have Your Say on VCE Studies
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is inviting feedback from students, parents, carers, teachers and other members of the education community through its 2026 Have Your Say on VCE Studies Consultation Survey.
This survey is part of the VCAA's ongoing review and evaluation of VCE study designs and provides an opportunity for members of our school community to contribute to the future development of VCE courses in Victoria.
The survey takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete and is anonymous. Feedback gathered will help inform the evidence base for future reviews of VCE studies.
We encourage all VCE students, parents and carers to participate and share their perspectives.
Survey Link:2026 Have Your Say on VCE Studies Consultation Survey
Closing Date: Monday 10 August 2026.
Thank you for taking the time to contribute to the ongoing improvement of senior secondary education in Victoria.
What Teachers wish the parents of ‘problem children’ knew
When I saw this headline in The Age recently, I immediately became very nervous for two reasons. Firstly, I don’t think it is helpful to label children, and particularly not ‘problem children’. Our Catholic values recognise that we are all loved into existence by our Creator God and have inherent value and dignity. There are no problem children only children who have problems and if we are completely honest, who amongst us don’t have problems we are continually facing and battling to respond to. The second thing that concerned me was that a journalist was speaking on behalf of teachers and I wanted to make sure that what was being said was indeed what teachers generally believe. I was therefore somewhat relieved to read a very positive article despite the controversial headline.
Teachers want parents of challenging children to know that they view themselves as partners, not adversaries. Educators do not judge parents and genuinely want to collaborate to help the student succeed. The following summary has some great advice for parents/care givers and teachers on how best to address some of the behavioural concerns that can arise with our young people.
1. It Is a Team Effort
Partnership, Not Blame: Teachers know that challenging behaviours do not automatically mean bad parenting. They want to work with you to improve or perhaps even solve the issue.
Bridging Two Worlds: Teachers and parents often see different versions of the same child because school environments feature distinct, structured boundaries.
Early Engagement: Reaching out proactively with a simple check-in builds a foundation of trust before major behavioural issues arise.
2. Perspectives on Behaviour and Communication
Wait for Recovery: Just as adults need downtime after a stressful workday, children dealing with high emotional loads need a few minutes of quiet to recover after school before discussing their day.
Two Sides to Every Story: Experienced teachers advise against instantly believing uncorroborated stories about classroom incidents. They urge parents to investigate both sides before reacting.
Natural Consequences: Allowing children to experience the natural consequences of their actions, rather than shielding them from every mistake, builds essential resilience.
3. Supporting Success at Home
Screen Time and Sleep: Educators point to a strong consensus that reducing screen time, encouraging imaginative play, and ensuring adequate rest dramatically improves a child's attention span and emotional regulation.
Clear Boundaries: Stepping into the role of an authority figure by setting consistent limits helps children feel emotionally secure and prepares them to respect boundaries at school.
If you would you like to discuss specific behaviours your child is exhibiting so we can tailor some collaborative strategies to use with their teacher, please contact your child’s Learning Advisor or House Leader. If the behaviour is more complex, there may be value in contacting the school’ Learning Enrichment Centre Leader or the School Counselling Team.
Mr David Hansen
Principal