Community News
Sub School Structure @ PSC
For any Well-being or other concerns, please speak with your child(ren)'s Team Leader in the first instance.
School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Theme for Term 3 2025
Our School Wide Positive Behaviour Theme for Term 3, 2025 is one of our College SOAR values: OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.
This term, we are focusing on the theme of Opportunities for All, encouraging every student to make the most of the diverse learning and co-curricular experiences available at the College.
Students are expected to remain focused in class, minimise distractions and fully engage with each learning activity. By working collaboratively, supporting peers, and showing encouragement, students help create a positive environment where everyone can thrive.
We also encourage participation beyond the classroom - in Sport, the Performing Arts, Clubs and other programs, so that all students can discover their interests, develop new skills and contribute to our vibrant school community. Take every opportunity to get involved and grow.
International Student Program - Our Principal's Visit as part of DET delegation to Cambodia and Vietnam
During the recent school holidays, Mr Smith visited Vietnam and Cambodia as part of a delegation, promoting Pakenham Secondary College through school visits and education fairs for the International Student Program.
His visit included stops in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Phnom Penh, where he engaged with local schools and education leaders.
Mr Smith also participated in an International Student Fair in Phnom Penh and an Education Fair in Ho Chi Minh City, promoting the opportunities available at our College to prospective students and their families.
We are proud to have our College represented on the international stage and look forward to the global connections this visit will help build.
FREE ACMI + RMIT Young Creators' Club
For students that have a passion for video game design.
Students aged 10–16 are invited to apply for the ACMI + RMIT Young Creators’ Lab, a unique and FREE learning opportunity designed to support budding game developers.
Held on Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th October at ACMI, this event will give young creators the chance to showcase their in-progress games, receive valuable audience and industry feedback and build their skills in a supportive, encouraging environment.
Whether you’re working solo or with a group, your project doesn’t need to be finished, or even playable! The focus is on sharing ideas, exploring creative possibilities and asking the big question: “What do I want to learn about my game?”
This is not a competition, it’s a nurturing space for young talent to grow, guided by experts from RMIT’s School of Education, RMIT Games Design and ACMI.
Applications are open now and close at 5pm Sunday, 24th August.To learn more or apply, click on the button below.
Year 12 Formal
Course Counselling
Course Counselling for 2026 has taken place during the first two weeks of this term, with the process expected to be fully completed with students and their families by the end of Week 4.
Follow-ups will be arranged for any students who were absent during this time.
We thank our families for attending scheduled appointments (where required) over the past couple of weeks.
Year 6 and 7 preferences for our new Passion Project program commencing in 2026, are due by the end of today (1st August).
Handbooks with details of our courses, can be found at:
https://www.pakenhamsc.vic.edu.au/curriculum-handbooks
Parents Victoria Senior Secondary Options Webinar in Term 3 (For Year 9 and 10 Families)
Senior secondary education in Victoria is changing. Join a webinar to learn about the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Vocational Major, Victorian Pathways Certificate and Vocational Education and Training (VET) at school.
There are more options than ever for students in Years 10 to 12.
If your child is in Year 9 or Year 10, join this webinar to learn more about the vocational and applied learning options available to them during their final school years.
At this webinar, representatives from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and Department of Education will tell you about:
the VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM)
the VCE VM Work Related Skills and VCE VM Personal Development Skills studies
VCE VET subjects and school-based apprenticeships and traineeships
the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC).
There will be time at the end of the webinar for your questions about students' options for senior secondary education.
You can register to attend one of 2 webinars:
7:30pm to 8:30pm on Wednesday, 13th August 2025
11am to noon on Thursday, 14th August 2025
ABOUT THE VCE VOCATIONAL MAJOR
The VCE Vocational Major is a 2 year applied learning program within the VCE that replaced Intermediate and Senior VCAL in 2023. Last year, more than 26,600 Victorian students undertook the VCE Vocational Major.
The VCE Vocational Major supports students to pursue their goals and aspirations with confidence and provides them with skills and knowledge for work and life.
Completing the VCE Vocational Major means:
being ready to take on more learning after school, especially at TAFE or in an apprenticeship or traineeship
working towards one or more VET qualificatoins
having an employability edge after school.
Students complete 4 core subjects (Numeracy, Literacy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development Skills) and VET.
ABOUT VET FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS
Your child can work towards one or more VET certificates in their VCE (including the VCE VM) or VPC.
With VCE VET subjects, students learn practical skills they can apply to work or in further education and training. VET students also get to try professions before leaving school.
Depending on local training providers, VCE VET options are available in many priority industry areas including:
Building and construction
Community services and early childhood education
Digital technologies
Health
Hospitality, events and tourism
Renewable energy and engineering.
ABOUT SCHOOL-BASED APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINEESHIPS AND HEAD START
A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT) gives a student paid on -the-job training while they complete secondary school, as part of their VCE or VPC.
Head Start is a program that supports students in Years 10 to 12 to participate in a SBAT. These students develop skills, capabilities and confidence that employers in growth industries need, setting them up for success in post-school training and work.
ABOUT THE VICTORIAN PATHWAYS CERTIFICATE
The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) is a flexible Year 11 and 12 course designed for a small number of students who, for a range of reasons, are not able or ready to undertake the VCE (including the VCE Vocational Major). Suitability for the VPC is based on agreement between the student, their parents and their school.
To learn more about the VCE, VCE VM, VCE VET and the VPC, refer to: vic.gov.au/vce
Disruptions on the roads in and around Pakenham
LONG TERM CLOSURES
Bald Hill Road is closed at the Racecourse Road/Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road on the western side until early October.
- Lane closures, speed reductions and footpath closures will be in place on Bald Hill Road, Racecourse Road and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road while we upgrade Racecourse Road.
Please click on the below button for information on other disruptions in Pakenham and surrounding areas.
Disruptions on the Pakenham Train Line
BUSES WILL REPLACE TRAINS ON THE CRANBOURNE AND PAKENHAM LINE FROM 8:30PM ON FRIDAY, 1ST AUGUST, TO THE LAST SERVICE ON WEDNESDAY, 13TH AUGUST.
Please click here or on the image above for further information on the disruptions on the Pakenham and Cranbourne Train Lines.
Connecting with Us
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https://instagram.com/pakenhamsecondarycollege
WEBSITE
https://www.pakenhamsc.vic.edu.au
NEWSLETTER
Our College Newsletter is distributed monthly (usually the last Friday of the month) through your Compass newsfeed and our Website.