Principal's Message

Dear Families,

NAPLAN

This term Year 7 and 9 students completed the 2025 National Assessment Program—Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) .

The tests assess the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national standards. It’s important to note that NAPLAN is just one aspect of our school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it does provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress, proficiencies and deficiencies. 

NAPLAN tests are delivered in an online format which includes a ‘tailored test’ design that adapts to correct and incorrect student responses providing a more precise understanding of student achievement. Thank you to Mrs Chapman and her team for co-ordinating the NAPLAN testing this term.

Tips and Strategies to Support Your Child in VCE

The jump into VCE is always a big one and at times students and their families can feel overwhelmed and anxious. Please ensure that your child talks to their teacher if they are having difficulties with the work or the Year Level Coordinators if they are struggling with the demands of VCE.

Some of the top tips to assist in VCE success include:

● Create a study timetable and stick to it (around 3 to 4 hours outside of class time per day)

● Find a place to study and set it up

● Don’t study with a mobile phone or devices – they can be a distraction

● Practice applying your knowledge – not just remembering it

● Use mind-maps, tables and graphic organisers to summarise the main points

● Use the expertise of teachers – they are always happy to assist you

● Keep a good work/life balance – make sure you get enough sleep, exercise and social time. If you have a part time job, be mindful of spending too much time working at the expense of study time.

● Study time includes revision of work covered, not just homework.

● Make sure that you stay up to date with your coursework and regularly engage in revision.

The Year Level Coordinators are here to support your child. Please encourage your child to see them if they are struggling with getting on top of their studies.

Communication at the College

Supporting students to succeed academically is a team effort and requires a partnership between the college, students and parents/ guardians.

While our staff make every effort to respond to parents in a timely manner it can sometimes be difficult given the size of our school community. All teachers, including those who work across the three campuses, have a teaching allotment and may not always be available via phone. Email is usually the best way to reach our staff, or a phone message can be left if necessary.

Compass is used as our primary method of communication with parents/guardians. Please check this regularly and ensure your email address and other details are up to date. Compass is used to report on student progress for CATs and SACs, provide information about attendance, notifications regarding excursions and other upcoming events at the college.

Congratulations Emeli

Emeli Valu in Year 9 is a wonderful music student who sings the Australian and New Zealand National Anthems for our School ANZAC Service.

Emeli is also member of the 405 Air Cadets Squadron at Sunshine, and has been asked to sing at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Caroline Springs War Memorial where she will sing the New Zealand National Anthem.

Emeli also plays 1st Flute and Piccolo Flute in the Honours Band and will represent the School over the Easter break at the Australian National Band Championships.

Congratulations and well done Emeli for demonstrating our school values and being an excellent ambassador of our school!

School Drop Off and Pick Up

School drop off and pick up times are extremely busy at all three campuses with cars, pedestrians, buses and cyclists all creating congestion and often drawing complaints from neighbours. We continually request that parents do not block residents’ driveways or use the staff car park driveway when picking up or dropping off students, however some parents continue to double park or stop midway through roundabouts, which places the safety of everyone at risk. Please be patient so we ensure all students get to and from school safely each day. 

Professional Development: Data Day - Wednesday 19th February 2025

On Wednesday 19th February we held a student free day to enable staff to spend time working together to share their classes’ data and plan for how to better meet our students’ learning needs. 

Our Data Leader, Mr Trieu presented a new data tool called PAT (Progressive Achievement Tests), which staff were able to interact with for the first time. Teachers worked in teams throughout the day within the same learning area and shared their data across both Junior and Senior campuses. Staff were very enthusiastic about the day. It was a successful day, which I am positive will lead to staff having a greater understanding of what is required and necessary to include in each student’s learning program this year. Well done to Mr Trieu for organizing and running such a successful Data Day and for making student data easy to read and comprehend.

School Crossing Supervisor

We have applied to Brimbank Council for a school crossing supervisor at the front of the Junior Campus on Billingham Rd as our enrolment numbers have increased significantly. This is currently being evaluated by Council staff and the Department of Transport, and we expect to hear an outcome soon. 

Harmony Day

Every year we celebrate our school’s diverse multicultural communities. We are a school of over 67 different countries and languages, a fact that makes us tremendously proud.

This year we will be celebrating Harmony Day on Friday 21st March at the Junior and iCan Campuses, and Monday 24th March at the Senior Campus. Our SRC students will hold a lunchtime event to celebrate our diversity. Students will sing, play games and perform cultural dances, creating a joyful atmosphere that will celebrate who we are as a college. The theme of the event will be ‘We are Inclusive’ and that message will be clearly communicated to all students and staff.

Also, as part of the lead up to this week, teachers will share the above theme with their classes and facilitate discussions with them on multiculturalism, belonging, differences and similarities during their home group sessions. At our school, we believe we all have a role to play in creating a safe and inclusive school environment where everyone belongs. As a member of our community, we also ask you to consider what role you can play to ensure everyone feels welcome and how we can celebrate different cultures and communities. How do you call out discrimination if you see it and teach others to do the same? Together we aim to ensure that everyone at our school feels Connected, Protected and Respected.

Be Well Stay Well Days

In the last week of Term 1 the school will be running a student wellbeing day called 'Be Well Stay Well’ for all students at both the junior and senior campuses. The day features an exciting line up of workshops and activities aimed at supporting students with positive mental health, fitness and exercise, life skills and important personal development skills. 

All students will participate in four sessions:

• Be Prepared - This session covers the importance of a positive study space, good sleeping patterns, healthy eating and regular exercise. 
• Be Realistic - This Thinking Traps program covers cognitive strategies for identifying anxious thoughts, challenging certain thoughts, emotional regulation and tools to de-escalate conflict. 
• Be Safe - This session covers respect, handling disagreements, setting boundaries, understanding consent, feeling safe from harm and online safety. 
• Be Active - Students select from a range of activities including sports, cooking, board games and making motivational bracelets. 

During lunchtime, the Wellbeing Team will be facilitating staff vs student games and the Principal Team will be making smoothies. I would like to thank our Wellbeing Manager, Kimberly Emtsis and her highly competent team for all their hard work in putting this comprehensive program together.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent teacher interviews for all students will be held on Tuesday 25th March 2025 between 1:00pm & 7:00pm.

We would like all parents and guardians to take this opportunity to meet with teachers and discuss their child’s progress with them. Students are expected to attend interviews with their parents so that they can take an active role in discussing their learning and setting goals for further improvement or challenge in each subject.

Only Year 12 classes will run during periods 1, 2 and 3 on this day. Bookings are now open on Compass. 

Open Day - Monday 28th April @ Junior Campus

Parents/carers and their Grade 5 and 6 children who are interested in touring our school are warmly invited to our Open Day event on Monday 28th April at the Deer Park Campus. There will be tours in the morning as well as an evening presentation with information packs and interactive tours of several classes. Bookings are not required. Come along to see our students in action! In the coming weeks, our leadership staff will be visiting local primary schools with more information.

College Board 2025

Our school council election was completed this term. I would like to thank the following parents, staff, students and community members for their dedication and support of the school this year as part of our College Board: 

Student Members - Aashka Parmar (Junior Campus Captain), Alofa Tavita (Year 7)

Parent Members - Tupuna Ngaue, Joanne Walsh, Elina Anau, Fiona Lambert, Fatima Tavita, Swati Shukla.

Employee Members - Elaine Hazim, James Dowie, Glenn Leyland, Debbie Chapman, Annette Lawrence, Jason Austin

Community Members - Ellen Arnott, Afsara Rahman Year 11, Greta McCoy Year 11, Angela Fazio, MD Shahriar Rahman, Maria Kiselis. 

Student Accident Insurance, Ambulance Cover Arrangements & Private Property Brought to School

Parents/carers are reminded that the Department of Education does not provide personal accident or ambulance cover for students.  Parents and carers of students, who do not have private health insurance or ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for their child.  Private property brought to the college by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department of Education is not responsible for any loss or damage.  This can include mobile phones, calculators, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises.  It is recommended that parents/carers consider insurance policies that can be purchased from commercial insurers.

Mobile Phone Use

In accordance with the Department’s Mobile Phones Policy issued by the Minister for Education, personal mobile phones must not be used at Victoria University Secondary College during school hours, including lunchtime and recess, unless an exception has been granted. Where a student has been granted an exception, the student must use their mobile phone only for the purpose for which the exception was granted, and in a safe, ethical, and responsible manner. 

Please see Mobile Phone Policy attached. I have provided a snapshot of that information for you.

At Victoria University Secondary College: 

· Students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored in their locker during school hours (8:45am-3.02pm), regardless of whether they are in class or not.

 · Exceptions to this policy may be applied if certain conditions are met.

· When emergencies occur, parents or carers should reach their child by calling the school’s office. 

Winter Uniform - Terms 2 and 3

A reminder that students should be in their winter uniform for Terms 2 and 3. Shorts may be worn all year round and ties are compulsory for all students with the winter uniform. 

Uniform items may be sourced from the Sustainable School Shop from local families (second hand) or visit PSW online or in store at Unit 2, 51-53 Westwood Drive, Ravenhall.

PSW also have VUSC scarves available. The School Saving Bonus may be used for uniform purchases from PSW - please see the information further in this newsletter for more details. 

I wish students and families well for the remainder of Term 1 and a restful holiday break. I look forward to seeing you all in Term 2. 

Elaine Hazim

College Principal

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Child Safety at VUSC

Victoria University Secondary College is committed to providing a child safe and child friendly environment, where students are safe and feel safe. 

Our child safety and wellbeing policies outline the measures and strategies we have in place to support, promote and maintain the safety and wellbeing of our students: 

• Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• Child Safety Code of Conduct
• Child Safe Standards Risk Register
• Child safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedure

All of our policies are available on our school website here. As valuable partners in promoting and maintaining child safety and wellbeing at VUSC, we welcome and encourage your feedback.