Welcome Back

It has been a whirlwind start to the year, but it is great to be back and to see everyone back and ready for another busy year!

We started the week with unbearably hot weather and we all coped as best we could. We had disappointing news, in that the building works weren’t ready for the start of the year, and with no timeframe given as to when they would be. Seeing how close they are, I would hope they will be ready for use for the start of Week 3. The last challenge this week was having no wi-fi access as a result of a power outage at the end of the holidays. This limited staff and student use of computers and access to digital work. In spite of these 3 challenges, everyone adapted and just got on with their work, maintaining smiles, joy and good humour throughout.

We have many positives from this week to celebrate! Our Year 7s have settled in well, as have all the students. Schooling hasn't been interrupted with emergency situations, as has been the case in other areas. We also can look forward to some beautiful new toilet facilities in the near future!

2026 Dates

Welcome BBQ: Tuesday 10th February 5-7pm.

Please hold this date for our annual BBQ to welcome all families back to the new school year in an informal manner.

Swimming Sports: Wednesday 11th February.

Families welcome – please sign the attendance register.

Conferences (formerly Parent Teacher Interviews): Tuesday 31st March.

Student Free Days

Term 1 Week 1, Tuesday 27th January (Staff return date)

Term 2 Week 8 Tuesday 9th June

Term 3 Week 1 Monday 13th July (first day of Term 3)

Term 4 Week 5 Monday 2nd November (Monday before Cup Day holiday)

Term 4 Week 9 Friday 4th December (Professional Practice Day)

Bushfire Policy

As we are a school on the Bushfire At Risk Register (BARR), our school will be closed on a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating day. There will be no one allowed on site and school buses will be cancelled. There are also corresponding pre-emptive actions required on High and Extreme days.

Where possible, we will provide up to between 4 – 7 days’ notice of a potential Catastrophic day closure by letter, Compass, SMS, Facebook notification and email. Once a Catastrophic day is confirmed, we will provide advice before the end of the school day.

Once confirmed, the decision to close will not change, to avoid confusion and help your family plan alternative arrangements for your child. It is also important to note that:

• No staff will be on site on days where the school is closed due to a forecast Catastophic day.

• As a bus co-ordinating school all bus routes will be cancelled.

On these Catastrophic days families are encouraged to enact their Bushfire Survival Plan –children should never be left at home or in the care of older children. The CFA advise that when Catastrophic days are forecast, the safest option is to leave the night before or early on the morning of the Catastrophic day.

What can parents do?

• Make sure your family’s bushfire survival plan is up-to-date and includes alternative care arrangements in the event that our school is closed.

• Ensure we have your current contact details, including your mobile phone numbers. Keep in touch with us by checking Compass and emails.

• If your child is old enough, talk to them about bushfires and your family’s bushfire survival plan.

• You can access more information about children’s services closures on the Department of Education and Training website - click the button below:

New Staff Welcome

We have a couple of new staff at school this year. Rose Kerr-Bell, who has taken on a contract for the year. Rose will be teaching VCE Vocational Major Literacy, Maths, Year 7 Technology and Sport this semester.

Our second staff member is Rhona Weir who is our Student Support Mentor. This role is funded by the Government’s National Schools Wellbeing Program, so Rhona will be in this role for 2 years. I am sure everyone will make them feel welcome.

Mount Beauty Secondary College

RESPECT KINDNESS CONFIDENCE

Issue 1 · 30 Jan 2026

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