VCE

The 2025 VCE, VCE-VM and VET year has commenced, and I could not be more proud of how our students have come back ready to engage with their senior studies. 

Following our annual tradition, our Year 12s began the year with an excursion to Monash University. The focus of the day was motivation, inspiration, goal setting and connection. We began by welcoming our special guest and motivational speaker, Nathan Hulls, who shared his own inspirational journey, punctuated with plenty of humour. Hulls encouraged our students to reflect on these questions, ideas and provocations as they head into their final year of secondary school education:

• What will you do with the hand you were dealt?
• Life is like a choose your own adventure; you don’t get to decide on the beginning, but you do get to have a say in where it goes from here. 
• It’s in our moments of decision that our destiny is shaped.
• Know yourself (Who am I really? Who do I want to be? What do I want to stand for?)
• Be your best, not the best. Don’t make excuses. Take responsibility.
• Change the world.

It was a thoroughly engaging speech, and I think these are terrific messages for our students to reflect upon both now and into the future.

Our Year 12s also learned about grades, study scores and the ATAR. VCE students were then able to tour the university, by way of a competitive scavenger hunt. Meanwhile, our VCE-VM students met with high achieving former VCE-VM students and engaged in team building games. All VCE and VCE-VM students then came back together again to enjoy lunch at the campus centre, before hearing from some of our inspiring alumni in an afternoon Q&A panel session.

All in all, both staff and students revelled in a day out among the gums at the beautiful Monash Clayton campus. 

Year 11s have also come back to school with panache. They have impressed us all with their enthusiasm to get stuck into their VCE studies, right from the get-go. At a welcome assembly on Thursday 6th February, they heard from 2025 Year 12 students Levi Gostlow (VCE) and Mia Gelfand (VCE-VM) about how to thrive in Year 11. At the assembly, we welcomed our Year 11 captains for 2025: Amelie Cream, Tye Harper, Ruby Lesirge-Phillips and Anishka Subhawickrama.

Our annual VCE Information night was held on Tuesday 25th February in the college theatre, and it had an incredible turn out of more than 250 students and families. It is fantastic to see our community come together to support our senior students as they embark on their final years of secondary study. I also would like to thank the many staff who gave up their time to attend.

Valentines’ Day was made extra special this year as our Year 12 Year Level Leader, Monique Sheehy, and the Year 12 School Leaders teamed up to write motivational love heart Post-it notes on the locker of every Year 12, ensuring that our Sandy love was shared far and wide.

It has been heart warming and reassuring to visit the Holloway Road library at different times during the day, and to always find a wide range of Year 12 students studying, both individually and together. It's clear that our Class of 2025 are motivated, hard working and keen to support one another through their final year. 

Congratulations to all VCE students on their excellent start to the year. A teacher who is new to the college (but not new to teaching) said to me of her senior students, “These are the nicest kids I have ever taught.” I couldn’t agree more. Relatively new to the college myself, I see our students living into our college values - respect, integrity, creativity, excellence and community - every day. I see them striving for academic excellence, but also, taking pride in being people of great character. It is a great privilege to have joined this outstanding college and to be able to support the learning and wellbeing of the wonderful young people in our care. I wish each and every VCE student a fulfilling, successful and memorable year. I would also like to thank the dedicated VCE, VCE-VM and VET staff who will be there at every step, teaching them, supporting them and cheering for them when they give it their all.

Olivia Grant

Assistant Campus Principal 11&12

VCE Coordinator

Year 12 English Teacher