Principal’s Report – End of Term 1

Shane Cole-Hayhow, Principal

As we reach the end of Term 1, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what has been a strong and purposeful start to the 2026 school year.

There has been a clear sense of stability and momentum across the College. Classrooms have been calm, focused and increasingly consistent, with students settling into routines and expectations that support their learning. I would like to acknowledge the work of our staff in establishing these environments and the way our students have responded to these expectations. It has been a positive and productive start to the year.

Our theme for 2026 is “The 1% Difference.” This idea is grounded in the belief that small, consistent improvements — in every lesson, every day — lead to significant growth over time. Throughout Term 1, our work has focused on strengthening what happens in every classroom. Teachers have been refining their practice to ensure that learning is delivered in clear, manageable steps, with regular opportunities for students to apply their understanding and receive feedback. This approach supports all students to engage more deeply in their learning and build confidence as they progress.

Connecting Learning and Growth

We were pleased to see strong engagement from families at our recent Parent Teacher Conferences, with over 1150 bookings across the day. This level of involvement reflects the shared commitment between school and home to support student success. These conversations are an important part of ensuring that students understand their progress and next steps in learning.

Our first round of progress reports was released earlier in the term, and the second cycle will be available on Compass in the afternoon of Wednesday 1st April. We encourage all families to take the time to review these reports and discuss them with your child. Regular reflection and feedback are key parts of the learning process, and these moments help students take ownership of their progress.

Lateness and Learning

As a school, we are placing a strong and consistent focus on lateness, because learning must always come first.

Arriving late to class means students miss critical instruction, disrupt the learning of others, and begin their lesson on the back foot. Over time, this has a significant impact — not just on individual lessons, but on overall progress and confidence.

Being punctual ensures that students:

Start each lesson prepared and ready to learn
Access the full teaching and learning sequence
Build strong habits of organisation and responsibility
Engage authentically in their learning

This is particularly important as students move into senior pathways. In VCE, success relies on consistent engagement in every lesson. Missing even small amounts of class time reduces opportunities to practise skills, receive feedback and demonstrate understanding under authentic classroom conditions.

Our approach this term has been to set clear expectations and ensure consistency. Students who arrive late are required to make up the missed learning time, reinforcing that every minute of learning matters.

We ask families to continue supporting students in establishing routines that prioritise punctuality. Being on time is not simply about compliance — it is about giving every student the best possible opportunity to succeed.

Uniform and School Pride

Our school uniform continues to play an important role in building a sense of identity, pride and safety within our community.

We have seen a positive start to the year with the majority of students meeting uniform expectations, and we thank families for their support in this. As the term has progressed, we have been reinforcing a more consistent approach to ensuring that all students are in full and correct uniform at school.

This includes:

Wearing full Tarneit Senior College uniform
Ensuring no non-school items are visible
Wearing appropriate black school shoes

Where students are not in correct uniform, staff will work with them to address this, including providing support where needed. However, it is important that students follow clear and reasonable instructions in relation to uniform expectations.

At the same time, we are beginning a review of our school uniform in 2026, which will involve student voice through focus groups and consultation processes. This will provide an opportunity to ensure our uniform continues to reflect both the values of our College and the needs of our students. We look forward to sharing this work with School Council later in the year.

Celebrating Our Community

Tarneit Senior College is a diverse and inclusive community, and Term 1 has provided a number of opportunities to celebrate this.

Earlier this month, we recognised International Women’s Day, with student-led activities that celebrated the achievements and contributions of women in our community and beyond.

Our Muslim community observed Ramadan throughout this term, and we were proud to see our school community come together to celebrate Eid on Friday 20th March. We extend our warm wishes to all families who celebrated — Eid Mubarak.

This week, we are celebrating Harmony Week, culminating in our Cultural Dress Day on Thursday 2nd April. This event will showcase the rich diversity of our community, with students having the opportunity to wear cultural dress and share performances, including cultural dances from a range of backgrounds represented within our school. These celebrations are a powerful reminder of the strength of our community and the importance of respect, inclusion and connection.

A Growing School Community

Our official enrolment for 2026 is 890 students, with strong growth particularly in Year 10 and Year 11. This reflects the confidence our community has in the direction of the College and the programs we offer.

We have also seen continued stability in staffing, allowing us to focus on strengthening teaching and learning across the school and building consistency in classroom practice.

Looking Ahead

As we move into Term 2, our focus shifts towards a period of increasing academic intensity. Students will engage in a range of assessments and begin preparing for upcoming exams, making this a critical time in the learning cycle.

The habits developed in Term 1 now become even more important. Establishing strong study routines, staying organised, and being prepared for each lesson will ensure that students can build on the foundation they have created.

The 1% Difference becomes especially relevant here. The small choices students make each day — completing tasks on time, revising content, asking questions, and staying engaged — will compound into stronger success.

Thank you to our students, staff and families for your support throughout Term 1. I wish everyone a safe and restful break and look forward to continuing our work together in Term 2.

Holiday Action Program