Principal's Report

Maximising learning growth to ensure all students can thrive.

Student Free Day – A Focus on Retention and Recall

On Wednesday 27 August, we held a Student Free Day, giving our staff the opportunity to engage in valuable professional learning on strengthening their understanding of how students learn best.

The professional learning centred on the Elements of Learning within the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0) and our own College Instructional Model, with a particular emphasis on Retention and Recall. This area of focus allowed us to deepen our understanding on how we can design teaching and learning experiences that move knowledge from short-term to long-term memory — the key to lasting learning.

Throughout the day, staff explored how retention and recall connect to the Model of Memory, examining practical strategies to support students in embedding knowledge over time. They were able to apply these insights directly to their planning and Action Learning Tasks (ALT’s), ensuring that classroom instruction is purposeful, evidence-informed, and designed to maximise student growth. You can read more details about this day in the Teaching and Learning Report within this newsletter.

Days like this are an important part of our commitment to continually improving teaching practice. By strengthening our collective understanding of how memory works and how to best support students to retain and apply knowledge, we are better equipped to deliver high-quality learning experiences that lead to long-term success.

AIP - Mid Year Monitoring

We have recently completed our AIP Mid-Year Monitoring, and it has been wonderful to reflect upon what we have been able to achieve in Semester 1. 

Some of these highlights include:

• Introduction of Learning Pathways 
• Improved NAPLAN results
• Improved Student Attitude to Schools Survey results
• Enhanced levels of Stimulated Learning across classrooms
• Continued focus on improving literacy through new interventions - Reading Program and Write it Right
• Strengthening of Student Voice and Agency throughout the College
• Implementation of cohort-specific strategies supporting both learning and wellbeing
• Expansion of preventative and support-based wellbeing programs, including The Resilience Project

We have also done extremely well in meeting the goals we set for ourselves in the AIP. 

These achievements reflect the collective efforts of our students, staff, and families, and I look forward to us all building upon this momentum in Semester 2.

Student Dress Code Consultation and Updates

As you may be aware, we have recently conducted consultation with our community on the College’s Student Dress Code Policy. This consultation has now concluded and I would like to thank our students, families and staff for their feedback. 

The Uniform Working Party and College Council will now work through this information and draft a Student Dress Code Policy for 2026. This will also include some changes to the College uniform. 

College Council is responsible for setting and reviewing the College’s Student Dress Code Policy. College Council is also responsible for deciding on supply arrangements for the student uniform.

Feedback from you will assist the College Council in these tasks.

Once the Student Dress Code Policy is reviewed and updated, it will be communicated to our community via Compass and the school’s website. This will include any new uniform items. Any changes that are made to the school uniform will have a transition period for current students. 

Chicago: Teen Edition

Our much-anticipated College Production, Chicago: Teen Edition, has well and truly lived up to expectations. I have had the pleasure of attending several of the performances and was blown away by the talent, energy, and commitment of our students and staff. 

From the incredible performances on stage to the work happening behind the scenes, this production has showcased the creativity and talent of our students and staff. 

Adding to the excitement, our Year 11 Food Studies students created a Chicago-themed event in the Valleydale Café. They transformed the space into a 1920s-inspired Speakeasy Soirée, perfectly complementing the glamour and spirit of the production. 

With two performances to go, I strongly encourage students, families, and staff to secure a ticket if you haven’t done so already. Tickets are available via Chicago: Teen Edition

Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing Chicago: Teen Edition to the stage. Your hard work and passion have created something truly special for our College community.

Learning Conferences

Our Term 3 Learning Conferences will take place on Thursday 18 September from 4.00pm – 8.00pm and Friday 19 September from 10.00am – 1.00pm.

Please note that no regular classes will run on Friday 19 September. Instead, students are expected to attend their conference with their parents/carers and actively participate in the discussion about their learning.

Learning Conferences are a valuable opportunity to reflect on progress, celebrate achievements, and identify areas for further growth. They also strengthen communication between families and the College, ensuring that we continue to work in partnership to support each student’s success.

Further details, including instructions on how to book a conference, will be shared via Compass shortly.

Shane Kruger

Principal.