Principal's Report

Year 7 Camp

The Week 5 Year 7 camp is a key feature of our transition program for our 2026 year 7’s. A dedicated program begins with the statewide Grade 6 transition day when all prospective students joined us here at Brentwood for a full school day in December 2025. Our transition program also includes a number of peer support sessions with Year 10 Peer Support leaders throughout Term 1. Please find below accounts from a couple of Year 7 students and a Year 10 Peer Support Leader about their time on camp. 

Year 7 camp was amazing. There were so many activities we got to do including going to Smith’s Beach. It was hot and fun and some students played sports on the beach while others went in the water. Other things we did were ball games and raft making. It was lots of fun working with friends to build a raft that could float. There was a flying fox that was 250 meters. We also did canoeing and although it was challenging, we learned how to do it together. Our group had so much fun on the high ropes course and laser strike in the forest. My favorite thing was the giant swing. It was 18m high. It was scary but fun at the same time. I also got the opportunity to spend time with other groups during the movie and trivia nights. These nights were run by the amazing peer support leaders in year 10. They ran fun games and supported us when we needed. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who made this camp possible. This includes all the teachers that looked after us, encouraged us to challenge ourselves and made sure we got enough sleep. The camp was amazing and an experience I won’t forget. - Matias 7G2 

Camp is an unforgettable experience where everyone can make new friends and connect with people from different places. It’s a place to build confidence, learn new skills, and grow for the future. Comfy Beds and Nice Cabin Mates, Amazing Food, Many Memories made, Packed full of Activities. Each day tough exciting adventures, team challenges, and opportunities to try something new. On top of everything camp is what every student should give a try. - Rama 7R2 

My time as a Year 10 peer leader during the Year 7 Camp at Phillip Island was a very rewarding experience. From the moment we reached the camp, both the peer leaders and Year 7’s we were hit by a wave of excitement and anticipation. On our bus, the journey began with students singing karaoke together, which created a very inclusive environment.  Personally, for me the disco was the main attraction of the camp. The students quickly occupied the floor with loud music blasting, showing a successful outcome of the event. What stood out most wasn’t just the energy but how it pulled everyone together. It was great to see that many Year 7 students who arrived feeling anxious or unsure were confidently dancing, laughing and socializing with peers they had only just met. Throughout the evening, new friendships were made and existing ones were strengthened throughout the night. It was wonderful to see students participating in activities outside their comfort zones and forming friendships that will help them throughout their first year of secondary. The camp instilled and developed in the cohort a sense of connection and belonging. - Chloe 10E1 

Peter Rhodes 

Associate Principal 

Riding to School - e-bikes and e-scooters

Students and parents should familiarise themselves with regulations related to e-bikes and e-scooters if they intend riding one to and from school. All bikes and scooters should be parked in the bike storage area behind the gym and secured with a personal lock. Students are encouraged to ride with extreme caution as the before and after school times are periods of high traffic congestion around the school vicinity. 

Please note specific e-bike and e-scooter regulations below.  

e-Bikes 

Legal e-bike requirements 

• Motor power: Maximum 250 watts continuous rated power for pedal-assist (EPAC) or 200 watts for throttle models. 
• Speed limit: Motor assistance must cut off when the bike reaches 25 km/h. 
• Pedals: Must have functioning pedals for propulsion.  

Footpaths  

You can only ride on a footpath if you are a child 12 years old or under 

Pedestrian crossings  

When you are riding on the road and approach a pedestrian crossing you must:  

• ride so that you can stop safely at it  
• give way to any pedestrian on the crossing and not overtake another vehicle stopped at it. 

If you are riding on a bike path or similar and want to cross a road at a pedestrian crossing, you must get off your bike and walk it across unless there are bike crossing lights. 

e-Scooters 

What you must do: 

E-scooter riders must: 

• be aged 16 or over 
• wear a helmet 
• ride at no more than 20 km/h 
• ride on 
• shared-use paths 
• bicycle paths 
• roads with a speed limit of up to 60 km/h 
• use flashing or steady front and rear lights, if riding at night or in low light 

What you can't do: 

If you're riding an e-scooter, you can't: 

• ride on the footpath 
• ride an e-scooter capable of more than 25km/h 
• ride on roads with a speed limit above 60km/h 
• use a mobile phone 
• carry passengers or animals 
• ride in tandem (side by side).

Student Attendance 

It is a requirement of the Department of Education and Brentwood Secondary College that all student absences are acknowledged by a parent/guardian. This means that the school must be notified of the reason for the absence in writing or by logging onto the Compass Portal. This procedure helps both parents and the school to provide for the safety of students. 

Information regarding attendance is available through your Compass parent portal. You are reminded that you can communicate with the House Leaders and/or Attendance Officer by phone 85450300 or email brentwood.sc@education.vic.gov.au regarding absences. The school should be contacted if it is expected that your child will be away for more than two days. 

See Compass Guide on your Compass parent portal (2 head icon) for entering an attendance note.  

Overall School Attendance 

It is essential students are on time and ready to learn for the commencement of the first scheduled session, every morning. 

Students are not to leave the school grounds at any time once they have arrived. 

SIGN IN POLICY: Any student who arrives at school after the beginning of the first scheduled session (for any reason) must report to the House Hub and sign in with the School Attendance Officer. 

Habitual lateness to school or class will incur consequences and may result in a student failing to meet attendance requirements for a specific subject. 

SIGN OUT POLICY: Students who need to leave school early must provide a parent/guardian note (hard copy or via Compass) and see the School Attendance Officer. 

Year 12 students leave the school grounds, after the last scheduled session. If a student is not leaving the school after the last scheduled session, they must sign in at the Senior Learning Centre. 

In the case of illness, students MUST report to the General Office (sick bay) before leaving the school grounds. 

Parents should contact the school on the day of any absence via Compass, email or phone.