Principal's Report
Semester 2 has begun at considerable pace with three ski camps in the first four weeks. To quote one student returning from the Y8 XC ski camp when asked how it went, ‘…it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.’ We are privileged to have a second campus at the base of Mt Stirling and Mt Buller to facilitate these experiences. We are also reminded that our commitment to high quality education both in and out of the classroom have important interrelated roles to play in the wellbeing and education of our young people.
Mirimbah Campus Update
Bushfire mitigation
Work continues on the VSBA funded Shelter in Place works including deck and verandah replacement, masonry sub flooring, restumping where needed, window screening
against ember attack and new fire-resistant stairways and landings. Please see photos
of works in progress below. A Bushfire Vegetation management consultant is currently preparing a report for risk management (the site is listed in the Department's BARR (Bushfire at Risk Register). The verbal report when on site recently was very positive about the works the school has already undertaken and are in progress. Parents and carers are always welcome at our annual Mirimbah working bee to be held in October or November (precise date TBA) depending on fire restrictions.
We have also upgraded our dining tables and chairs courtesy of additional new furniture donated by Headspace for our Princes Hill campus.
Learning and Teaching
2025 NAPLAN results were recently released and data for our school can be seen below. This week, Deputy Secretary David Howes spoke to Principals about the state-wide data, commending schools on the strongest results ever since the introduction of NAPLAN in 2008. Even the Herald Sun was obliged to have a positive story published about the Victorian outcomes! Understandably, there areas for improvement remain across the country particularly for socio-economically disadvantaged and indigenous students – although there were relative improvements in these areas in Victoria too.
Our school community can be very pleased with our NAPLAN results – more than 20% higher than state averages in (Exceeding and Strong) across each element. Congratulations to students, teachers and families! We remain very conscious that NAPLAN reflects just some of the outcomes we value, and we look forward to receiving our student attitudes to school survey feedback in the next few weeks to further inform our strategic planning to improve student achievement, engagement and wellbeing across all areas of student learning.
Parents and carers are also invited on Monday 25 August at 6pm to the presentation of our school council approved 2024 Annual Report to the School Community. You can also view the report on our website here.
VCE outcomes
Our 2024 VCE results were again impressive with the similar school comparison for English (a sound overall indicator) reflecting the outstanding outcomes. We look forward to reporting the success of our Class of 2025 in the not-too-distant future!
School Council and subcommittees
I thank our school councillors and parents on sub-committees for their hard work, support and guidance in so many ways to help improve the learning, wellbeing, and lived experience of our young people. We look forward to painting and signage upgrades at our Princes Hill campus in the second half of the year, now that our grounds and basketball court project has been completed.
Parent and Carer Survey
We are always interested in feedback from families about how we can improve. Each family has been provided with a link to the annual parent survey. We are keen to have as strong a response as possible to inform our thinking and action and encourage you to participate. Please see your parent News Feed and email for your access to the survey or contact our administration team on 93890600 princes.hill.sc@education.vic.gov.au for assistance.
Trevor Smith
Principal
August 2025
