The end of the year is an opportunity to reflect with gratitude and thanks on what has been achieved through hard work, integrity and a united purpose on education this year.

Our student achievement results this year as they were last year are nothing short of outstanding and are a reflection on the hard work and dedication of students, families, teaching and support staff. These sustained results are not achieved by accident and we are extremely proud of your results again in 2025.

As we conclude another enriching year at our school, it is a pleasure to reflect on the many achievements, adventures, and moments of growth that shaped 2025. Each term offered its own highlights and meaningful opportunities, and I am immensely proud of how our students and staff embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and resilience. Our school continues on a remarkable improvement journey due to student engagement, family support and the diligence and hard work of the staff who are committed to state education.

Term 1

Our year began with a thoughtful and supportive transition, as our Year 7 and Year 12 students commenced classes together before the full school returned later that week. A warm welcome assembly on Friday set the tone for a positive year ahead.The term was filled with opportunities for connection and learning: Elevate careers workshops for senior students, school photos, swimming sports, and a memorable Year 7 camp to Cape Bridgewater, where students immersed themselves in ocean activities and team-building. Year 12 students undertook their own team challenge at the Outside Inn camp.We also held healthy masculinity sessions, family meet-and-greet evenings, our leadership investiture ceremony, and a spectacular Presentation Ball. Parent–teacher conferences, the school house athletics carnival, the TAC Safe and Smart Road Program, and NAPLAN testing for Years 7 and 9 kept the middle of the term busy—with outstanding results achieved by our students that surprised and delighted staff following on from the success of 2024.Other highlights included Year 8 camp at Halls Gap, SRC fundraising initiatives, tertiary information sessions, the Glenelg River Outdoor Education Camp, student helpers at local primary athletics, and the much-anticipated staff versus Year 12 netball match to finish the term on a high.

Term 2

Term 2 opened with a strong sense of community as our students supported ANZAC Day through badge selling and by representing the school at ceremonies across the district. Students also participated in cross country, Year 9 Morrisby testing, I Can mentoring, the Melbourne Careers Expo, and a range of football competitions.Our wellbeing focus continued through Do It for Dolly Day, while Grade 6 transition activities helped introduce future students to the school community. Careers education remained a key priority with the Year 10 Careers Camp, the Passport to Employment Program, the Future Me initiative, and work experience. The term also featured the World’s Biggest Morning Tea, the Schools Reconciliation Walk, a Gunditjmara On-Country experience, multiple soccer and football events, the Legacy Public Speaking Competition, Year 9 voluntary service, the GAT for senior students, mid-year exams, and an art exhibition excursion. It was a term rich in academic, vocational, and cultural learning.

Term 3

Term 3 began with consent education sessions for Years 7–12 and a RIST taster day. Families attended the Youth Mental Health Roadshow with Michael Carr-Gregg, and our presence at Sheepvention allowed us to connect proudly with current and future members of our school community.Students achieved impressive results in the Australian Maths Competition, while the Bell Shakespeare Theatre Company spent a week delivering an outstanding program that enhanced classroom learning.Junior students returned to their former primary schools to assist with the AFL 9s carnival, while others participated in excursions to the Mud Gallery or represented the school in netball and clay target shooting. The SRC-led “Wear a Touch of Purple Day” helping to bring our community together for a meaningful cause.One of the standout events of the year was our school musical, Beauty and the Beast, performed across three nights and a matinee to enthusiastic audiences. Alongside this, students engaged in the 7–9 aquatics program, Health Discovery Day, parent–teacher conferences, Teen Mental Health First Aid, scaffold training with SWTAFE, and subject-specific lectures for Year 12.Our location once again became an asset as students in Years 8–10 completed the Mount Sturgeon walk and Year 7 tackled the Signal Peak hike. Year 8 students also engaged in important safe online behaviour training.

Term 4

The final term of the year brought a mix of celebration, learning, and reflection. Middle school Humanities students enjoyed an excursion to Kryal Castle, while Years 7 and 8 participated in surf, stand-up paddleboarding, and beach activities. A group of 1995 alumni toured the school, and our VET Music students attended a professional recording studio.Project Rockit returned to deliver powerful anti-bullying workshops for Years 7–10, and Vocational Major students completed their food-handling qualification. A significant achievement was the successful sustainability and water-catchment grant, which enabled the establishment of our new garden space. Its official opening, with the Mayor in attendance, marked the beginning of an exciting ongoing project led by our garden club.Year 12 students completed formal classes and celebrated with a final assembly followed by a trip to Ballarat’s go-kart and laser-tag centre. Exams concluded with a formal graduation dinner honouring the achievements of our senior students in the company of proud families.Throughout the year, students enjoyed a wide array of sporting opportunities across golf, tennis, football, table tennis, badminton, basketball, netball, clay target shooting, swimming, and athletics. Dungeon Concerts continued to showcase musical talent, and our Year 12 cohort kept spirits high with their themed dress-up days.Regular assemblies allowed us to acknowledge academic, cultural, and sporting achievements, with special recognition given to our Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN results. For the second consecutive year, students demonstrated exceptional growth—a testament to the dedication, expertise, and care shown by our teachers and support staff.

The school leaders this year in Ontaj, Issy, Keely and Austin lead from the front and have now handed those responsibilities to Bella, Olivia, Ebony and Stephen who I know will grow into the roles and do an amazing job next year.

We have welcomed a number of new staff this year and we also farewell staff to take on new opportunities from 2026. The leaving staff of 2025 are Mr. Richard Brown, Mr. Roger Menichelli, Mrs Kellie Tatson, Mrs Kerryn Wilson (ret), Mr. Brett Teasdale (ret), Mr. Ian Cook (ret), Dr. John Hill (ret), Mr Roger Kennett (ret), Mrs Helen Grey (ret), Mr. John Foley (ret) and Ms Peta Taylor (ret). With these retirements, there are over 200 years of combined service to state education recognised with these retirements and it is hard to describe the impact that these dedicated individuals have made to thousands of lives across their employment. We also farewelled the following staff during the year; Lauren Hausler, Andrew Hammence, Steven Constantine, Toni Bywaters (ret), Steve Rathmell, Robyn Lyons, Joyti Mala, Mandy Karetau-Keightly and Tumai Karetai. Some have moved interstate, and one has even moved overseas to pursue other opportunities.

As we reflect on a year filled with progress, resilience, and shared achievement, I extend my deepest thanks to our students, staff, and families for their unwavering support. Our commitment to continual improvement remains strong, and it is our students who benefit most from this collective effort. I look forward to an even brighter year ahead.

Thank you

- Mr Price

Awards Day