College Principal Message

From the Principal

Term Four is traditionally one of the busiest periods on our calendar, filled with a rich mix of curriculum and extra-curricular activities. A particularly significant milestone occurred on October 21, when we farewelled our Year 12 students. Their final day was marked with warmth, respect, and celebration, including heartfelt visits to their respective Junior campuses. It was a fitting tribute to their journey through Copperfield College.

For the Class of 2025, this moment signifies both an ending and a beginning. While formal classes have concluded, many students now enter SWOT VAC in preparation for their VCE final examinations. Others will transition into full-time or part-time employment, embarking on the next phase of their lives. This period is often filled with a mix of excitement, anticipation, and understandable stress, for students and families alike.

On behalf of the entire Copperfield College community, I extend my best wishes to all students sitting exams. May your hard work and dedication be rewarded with success. To those moving into the workforce, we wish you every success as you take your first steps beyond school.

To our Year 7 to 11 students, I encourage you to make the most of Term Four. Stay focused, stay curious, and embrace every opportunity to grow and achieve.

Let’s make this final term a memorable and meaningful one for all.

A Bit More About Our College…

At Copperfield College, we are committed to empowering students to discover their voices, embrace their talents, and approach challenges with confidence and resilience. Our vision for academic excellence extends beyond the classroom, we focus on cultivating essential skills in collaboration, communication, and critical and creative thinking that prepare students for life beyond school.

We offer a wide array of opportunities for students to engage in enriching activities, whether on the sports field, in music, public speaking, drama, social justice initiatives, or through our many student-led clubs. These experiences take place in nurturing, inclusive, and stimulating learning environments that encourage students to build meaningful relationships and contribute positively to our vibrant school community.

As a large multi-campus college, we provide a dynamic setting for participation, leadership, and personal growth. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths, we celebrate it, learn from it, and support one another in striving toward our fullest potential.

Our dedicated staff foster a culture of continuous improvement and excellence. With deep expertise in coeducational learning, they create safe, supportive spaces where every student feels valued and inspired to succeed.

Our upgraded modern facilities are equipped with innovative technology and purpose-built spaces for sports, performing arts, science, STEM, and visual arts. These resources reflect our commitment to providing students with the tools and environments they need to thrive.

Guided by our motto, “One College, three sites, one family”we work together to ensure the best possible outcomes for every student in a safe, inclusive, and joyful learning community.

Visit by the Victorian Minister of Education Ben Carroll, State MP Luba Grigorovich and Regional Director Chris Thompson.

On Thursday, September 18, Copperfield College had the distinct honour of welcoming the Victorian Minister for Education, the Hon. Ben Carroll, local State MP Luba Grigorovich, and our Regional Director, Chris Thompson, to the Kings Park Campus.

This visit provided a valuable opportunity for our distinguished guests to engage with College leaders from all three campuses. Together, they explored a range of contemporary educational issues, including curriculum innovation, student wellbeing, and the evolving needs of our school community. Our leadership team proudly showcased Copperfield College’s diverse academic and extracurricular programs, highlighting the commitment to holistic education and student success.

A key focus of the discussion was the College’s strategic vision for infrastructure development. Our student leaders presented a compelling case for the upgrading of existing facilities and the construction of new buildings across our three campuses. They emphasised the urgent need for additional funding to ensure our learning environments continue to support excellence and equity for all students.

Minister Carroll was highly receptive to the ideas and concerns raised. As a result, a comprehensive “wish list” of priorities was compiled for consideration in the upcoming state budget deliberations. This marks a promising step forward in advocating for the resources our College needs to thrive.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all Campus Principals for their leadership and coordination in making this event a success. I especially commend our student leadership team, whose passion, eloquence, and pride in their school community were truly inspiring. Their contributions reflected the very best of Copperfield College, and as College Principal, I could not be prouder of their calibre and commitment.

As part of the natural staffing cycle, a few teaching staff will be retiring or transitioning to other schools at the end of the year. Additionally, a few staff members will be returning next year on reduced time fractions. In response, the school has successfully recruited five new teachers—four recent graduates and one experienced educator—who will join our team next year to support curriculum delivery and strengthen our teaching capacity.

This proactive and strategic approach to workforce planning positions us well for the year ahead, ensuring that Copperfield College continues to provide high-quality education and support for every student.

International Teachers’ Day

This year World Teachers’ Day was celebrated on Sunday October 6.

At Copperfield College we honour the incredible teachers who shape minds, ignite curiosity, and inspire generations. Today, teachers are more than educators, they are mentors, dream-builders, and champions of possibility.

To every teacher who has stayed late to help a struggling student, sparked a love of learning, or simply believed in someone when no one else did, thank you. Your impact reaches far beyond the syllabus. You nurture resilience, creativity, and compassion, and the world is better because of you.

At Copperfield College we celebrated the power of education and those who make it happen, our teachers, with a morning tea on each campus on Friday October 10.

On behalf of the College community than you to our incredible teachers.

2026 Year 7 & 8 scholarship program

Early last year, the Copperfield Scholarship Program was reviewed. An updated scholarship program was launched for this year and beyond.

Copperfield College scholarship program promotes and recognises outstanding commitment by primary school students who have displayed a strong involvement in their school community. It rewards exemplary young people who are exceptional in different areas and possess personal qualities and values that will contribute to the life of Copperfield College.

Scholarships are awarded for two years commencing in Year 7 and then reviewed going into year 8. Scholarship recipients are Grade 6 students who will attend Copperfield College in Year 7 the following year.

The Scholarship is valued at approximately $4500 and includes the following for both Year 7 & 8:

Full value of school fees
Full set of Copperfield College uniform
Chromebook
Books
All Camps
Excursions

There are 5 scholarships per campus in the following categories.

Academic Excellence Scholarships are available to students with an exemplary academic record who have demonstrated outstanding application and achievement in one or more of English, Mathematics or Science, together with a strong performance in general studies.

Student Leadership Scholarships are available to students who have demonstrated leadership skills. The successful applicant(s) will have excellent communication skills, display initiative, and have a passion to motivate, delegate, guide and direct fellow students.

Community (Good Citizenship) Scholarships are available to students who have made a significant demonstrable contribution to their community. The successful applicant(s) will display a strong social conscience as well as an outstanding work ethic and behaviour.

Sporting Excellence Scholarships are available to keen sports persons who have shown outstanding aptitude and personal achievement in one or many sporting field(s).

The Arts Scholarships are available to students who have displayed excellence and shown commitment in one or more of the Arts (such as; Drama, Music, Dance, Visual Arts). Successful applicants should have a record of involvement in all aspects of primary school life in addition to artistic talent.

It is with great pleasure that I announce the recipients of the 2026 Year 7 and Year 8 Scholarships. Congratulations to the students, their families, and their respective primary school communities on this outstanding achievement.

We look forward to welcoming these students to Copperfield College next year, where they will no doubt make valuable contributions to College life and provide leadership within their Year 7 and 8 cohorts.

Academic Excellence

Jake Dojkovski (Springside Primary School) - Sydenham Campus
Xander Victoria (Kororoit Creek Primary School) - Kings Park Campus

Student Leadership

Sara Gulapala (Sydenham Hillside PS) - Sydenham Campus
Mastar Diep (St Albans North Primary School), Kings Park Campus

Community (Good citizenship)

Ayken Cannolo (Parkwood Green Primary School) – Sydenham Campus
Jaeda Tran (Kings Park Primary School) – Kings Park Campus

Sporting Excellence

Makayde Morgan (Taylors Hill Primary School) - Sydenham Campus
Jude Grech (Kings Park Primary School) - Kings Park Campus

The Arts

Aubrey Curwen-Walker (Taylors Hill Primary School) - Sydenham Campus
Elara Salvo (Kings Park Primary School) - Kings Park Campus

All scholarships will be formally presented to the students, their families, and their respective primary school communities during upcoming primary school assemblies. I will be attending these assemblies, along with the relevant Campus Principal, to make the presentations.

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the scholarship selection panel chairpersons and members for their time, effort, and professionalism throughout the selection and interview process.

Nick Adamou

College Principal