Assistant Principals' Reports 

Stephanie Pearce Assitant Principal (Whole School)

As we near the end of a busy and rewarding Term 4, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible achievements of our Dromana College community over the past few months. One of the Term 4 highlights has been the strong commencement of our Jumpstart program, with students eagerly engaging in their 2025 courses. It has been wonderful to see students building connections with new teachers and subjects, setting the tone for a positive and proactive year ahead. A huge thank you to our dedicated teachers, whose tireless work ensures that this transition is smooth and seamless. Your commitment to maintaining effective and inspiring learning environments for all students is greatly appreciated and does not go unnoticed.

Another cause for celebration has been the outstanding VCE results achieved this year. These accomplishments are a testament to the strength and effectiveness of our teaching and learning programs across Years 7-12. They reflect the dedication, effort, and expertise of our entire teaching team, as well as the hard work and determination of our students. Congratulations to all involved!

Looking ahead, the college’s 2025 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) has been finalised. 2025 will focus our collective efforts on maximising opportunities for student agency in every classroom. By fostering engagement, participation, and ownership of individual learning journeys, we are ensuring that every student is further empowered to thrive and reach their potential.

On a personal note, this message also marks a farewell from me as Assistant Principal. Walking through the doors of Dromana College as a 12-year-old student was the beginning of a lifelong connection to this special place. Moving from student, to teacher, to leader has been an incredible journey, and I have always been a proud advocate and champion for the work that happens here. Dromana College is a remarkable community—a place of excellence, innovation, and care. I am excited to watch the school continue to thrive in the years ahead, knowing that its future is excellent.

To our students, staff, and families: thank you for the conversations, the support, and the shared experiences over the years. It has been an absolute privilege to be part of this school, and these memories will stay with me forever.

Wishing you all a restful and joyous summer break, a very Merry Christmas, and all the best for 2025.

Simon Jones Senior Assistant Principal

We are on the final stretch of what has been a long yet rewarding year. As I write, Jumpstart has just begun and we are in the final couple of days of the year 12 VCAA exams. Many of our 12’s have completed their exams and are now enjoying their ‘freedom’. It has been a gruelling and challenging year and I am immensely proud of the way that students have acquitted themselves. I am sure that they will reap the rewards of their hard work when results are released in a few weeks’ time. The upcoming Valedictory Dinner will be a fantastic occasion to farewell a fantastic cohort of students and to celebrate their school completion with them.

The year 10’s and 11’s are also to be congratulated for the way in which they approached their final exams. We aim to provide an authentic exam experience which replicates the VCAA exams as closely as possible, and students took full advantage of this which will hold them in good stead moving forward.

As mentioned, Jumpstart has begun, which provides a great introduction to new classes and teachers. Jumpstart poses significant challenge for schools in terms of organisation and logistics, however the payoff is that students have a worthwhile program to finish off the year and are settled and organised ready for 2025.

We are not quite there yet, however the end is coming into sight. As such, I take this opportunity to wish all members of our College community a safe and enjoyable Summer break, before we get ready to do it all again.

Drew King Junior Assistant Principal

Term 4 is flying by, and Dromana College continues to evolve and develop. We are excited to announce the upgrade of another basketball area on the bottom court near the Year 9 precinct over the holiday break, alongside ongoing maintenance efforts such as painting and enhancements to building design areas. These projects reflect our pride in maintaining outstanding facilities while supporting our extensive curriculum, which offers a diverse range of VCE, Further Learning and Vocational Major subjects.

However, the true strength of Dromana College lies not in its programs or facilities, but in its people. Our exceptional students and dedicated staff work tirelessly to foster a safe and supportive learning environment for all.

Recently, Ryan Miller and his team undertook the thoughtful and demanding task of forming the 2025 Year 7 cohort's class groups. This process carefully considers numerous factors, including friendship dynamics and feedback from primary schools. We look forward to welcoming 12 new classes to our college next year. To support their transition, Orientation Day on December 10th will provide these incoming students with an introduction to secondary school life—an exciting milestone for them and for us!

On November 18th, Jumpstart began, marking a symbolic shift for our students: Year 7s became Year 8s, Year 8s became Year 9s, and Year 9s embarked on their journey into the senior school. While this transition can initially feel challenging—new classmates, teachers, and school areas—it paves the way for a smooth and productive start to 2025, with a focus on settling in and striving for personal excellence.

The Year 9 transition to senior school is particularly significant. Under the leadership of Simon Jones, Assistant Principal for senior students, and a refreshed coordinating team, these students enter a phase where future pathways—whether VCE, Further Learning, or VOC MAJOR—take center stage. We are excited to see their growth as they embrace this next chapter.

To our 2024 Year 12 students, we wish you all the best as you step into the wider world. It feels like just yesterday that all 392 of you were sitting in the Year 7 area, eager to begin your Dromana College journey. How time flies!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe, sunny, and relaxing summer break.

Matthew McLaren Assistant Principal (Whole School Wellbeing)

2024 at Dromana College has been a fantastic year of events, personal bests, and inspirational moments driven by an overwhelming positive school culture, which is co-created by our amazing students, staff and wider learning community. Student wellbeing is a vital element of our college's individual and collective academic and co-curricular success. From our school-wide positive events such as R U OK? Day and IDHOBIT day through small groups and individual support, we aim to maximise our positive wellbeing message to empower all our students to succeed within and beyond the classroom.

As we continue to support and promote student wellbeing into 2025, students and their families may find the following suggestions helpful:

During the Holidays:

• Encourage outdoor activities, such as exploring local walking tracks or sports facilities.
• Foster connections with extended family, building supportive networks for the year ahead.
• Promote face-to-face interactions with friends whenever possible.
• Inspire a love for reading by visiting your local library or gifting a new book.
• Enjoy quality time together, such as meaningful conversations during a beach walk.
• Explore hobbies or creative pursuits, like learning a musical instrument or painting.
• Encourage responsibility through small household tasks.
• Support community involvement by volunteering at local groups or clubs.
• Practice water safety, especially at the beach—always swim between the flags.

Preparing for the Return to School:

• Re-establish a school-friendly sleep routine, including setting an alarm.
• Organise school supplies like books, uniforms, and bags early to avoid last-minute stress.
• Remind students that the first week back can be tiring and encourage self-compassion during this adjustment.
• Reassure students that support is always available—our staff are here to help.
• Spark positive conversations about school, including reviewing holiday tasks or reading English texts together.

On behalf of the Wellbeing Team, I wish the Dromana College community a safe and enjoyable summer break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2025!