Principal Report
As we come to the end of 2025, I want to acknowledge what has been a very positive and productive year for Rochester Secondary College. Our students have worked hard, our staff have gone above and beyond, and our community continues to be incredibly supportive of the school.
We are proud to announce our 2025 Dux, Oakley Tarrant. Oakley has ambitions to study physiotherapy, and we are incredibly proud of Oakley and the entire Class of 2025 for their achievements. The Class of 2025 has shown remarkable resilience and determination throughout their secondary schooling and has risen to every challenge. We congratulate all students on their results and the way they have represented our college.
I would like to sincerely thank our dedicated staff, our School Council, and our parents and carers for their ongoing support throughout the year. Your commitment to our students and our school community makes a real difference and is very much appreciated.
We also take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge staff who are finishing at Rochester Secondary College this year. Holly Thompson and Caroline Golding are taking up opportunities at other schools, and we wish them all the very best as they continue their careers. We also extend our warmest thanks to Col Huddy, who is retiring. Col’s contribution to our school over many years has been significant, and we wish Col a happy, healthy and fulfilling retirement.
Our annual Presentation Night will be held at the college on Monday 15 December, beginning at 6.00 pm sharp. We warmly invite all families and community members to join us as we celebrate student achievement across the school. Students who are required to attend the Presentation Night have been invited via a Compass event.
Looking ahead, the 2026 school year will begin with Student Learning Interviews for all students on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 January. Parents and carers will need to book a time on one of these days via Compass, and all students are expected to attend for their interview. Bookings will open in mid-January, and information about this will be emailed to families and available on Compass in January.
If parents are unable to attend, students are still required to come to school for their interview, and we will be able to supervise them if they need to catch buses to get to and from school. These interviews will help set us up for a positive 2026, with students setting learning goals and completing some key administrative tasks to ensure a smooth start to the year.
Classes for Years 7, 11 and 12 will begin on Friday 30 January, with classes for Years 8, 9 and 10 beginning on Monday 2 February.
The school office will close at 10.00 am on Friday 19 December and reopen at 8.30 am on Tuesday 27 January.
On behalf of Rochester Secondary College, I wish all families a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. We look forward to working with you and your children again in 2026.
Matt Koutroubas
Principal