Brinbeal News

Principal's Message

Dear Families, Students and Community Members,

 

As we come to the end of the first semester, it is hard to believe that we are halfway through our second year. I want to extend my thanks to all our students and staff for all they have contributed to our school this semester. The first half of the year has been filled with opportunities for learning and engagement in the classroom, participation in a range of sports teams and many other extra-curricular opportunities here at Brinbeal Secondary College. 

 

As we finish the term and reflect on the semester’s work, it is important to stop and think about how much our students and staff have achieved in such a short period of time and the significant progress they have made across many areas. 

 

Semester reports will be available to download at the end of the term. Please keep an eye out for a COMPASS notification. We encourage families to spend some time with their child reviewing and reflecting on the semester report. It is important to celebrate successes and to look for areas of improvement. 

 

As we enter the school holidays, the break provides students that genuine opportunity to stop and have a learning break. Students have worked hard over the past 11 weeks and rightfully they have also earned the opportunity to slow down and take a well-earned break for the school holidays. 

 

I wish all our community a relaxing break from school for the next two weeks and look forward to seeing all our students back for Term 3 on Monday 21st July.

Update on suspension and expulsion powers  

Our school is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students and staff. You may be aware of recent changes announced to suspension and expulsion powers that will be available to Victorian principals from day one of Term 3, (Monday 21 July 2025).  

 

We know that students’ behaviour outside of school, particularly online, can sometimes impact the safety of students and staff at school.  

 

In exceptional circumstances, principals of Victorian government schools will be able suspend or expel students for behaviour that occurs outside of school grounds and/or hours including online, if it poses a significant danger to the safety and wellbeing of students or staff.  

 

These powers apply only to serious incidents where there is a clear and close connection to the school and the behaviour of a student outside of school unreasonably impacts the safety and wellbeing of students or staff at school, and their ability to learn or work. Please note:  

  • They do not apply to behaviours unrelated to the school or school community.  
  • They only apply to behaviour which occurs from Monday 21 July 2025 onwards. 

Suspension and expulsion will remain measures of last resort – our primary approach continues to focus on proactive and positive behaviour support, including working with you to teach students the behaviours we expect of them, in school and in life.  

 

Thank you for your continued support as we work in partnership to educate and support our young people. 

Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools Policy

Racism is not tolerated in Brinbeal Secondary College

Brinbeal Secondary College is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment where racism is not tolerated. Racism harms students’ mental health, learning and sense of belonging. We celebrate the diversity of cultures, ethnicities and faiths of all our students. It is up to all of us at Brinbeal Secondary College to make our school a place that is free of racism and where everyone feels respected and can learn in a safe and inclusive environment.

What Brinbeal Secondary College is doing to prevent racism

Brinbeal Secondary College follows the Department of Education’s Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools Policy. We are building a culturally safe school with inclusive learning for everyone by working with staff, students, families, carers and communities. We will: 

  • provide programs that teach about and celebrate diversity, inclusion and the impact of racism to build understanding and empathy
  • use practices that support all students to thrive
  • implement anti-racism efforts to prevent and address racism effectively
  • make sure everyone feels safe, with clear and accessible pathways to report racism

What to do if your child experiences or witnesses racism at school

If your child experiences or witnesses racism or religious discrimination at school, please let us know. You can tell your child’s Year Level Coordinator or a member of the college leadership team. 

Report Racism hotline

If you don’t feel comfortable reporting racism to school, or you are not happy with the school’s response, you can report racism to:

For additional support following an incident of racism:

For more information about how to report racism to the school, and to get information in community languages, visit this website: Report racism or religious discrimination in schools.

If you need an interpreter to call the school, please use the details available at: Guide for Families: How to use an interpreter to contact your school.

How Brinbeal Secondary College will respond to racism

When you report a racist incident, Brinbeal Secondary College will:

  • take your report seriously and act quickly 
  • give you ongoing support
  • investigate and respond safely and appropriately 
  • keep you informed, while respecting privacy 
  • review the incident to help avoid it from happening again.

 

Kind Regards, 

Mr. Simon Haber

College Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a staff team we are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive school with our students and your children.  We encourage you to partner with us as we build our high expectations for our school community as a whole.  Your feedback is always welcome and we can be contacted on 03 8001 3333 or via email at Brinbeal.SC@education.vic.gov.au