Community News
End Of Term 3:
Community News
Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
We are committed to providing the best educational experience for your children, and part of that commitment involves requesting school contributions. Contributions payments can be made via Compass Payment Centre. We understand that this is a financial decision for your family, and we want to explain why these contributions are crucial and how they directly benefit your child's education. We would also like to thank families that have made contributions this year.
Enhancing Educational Resources
Your contributions help us purchase essential learning materials and resources that go beyond the basics provided by standard funding. These include:
- Essential Learning Materials for All Subjects: Purchase essential learning materials and resources for the range of subjects and special curriculum experiences for our students across all year levels.
- Technology Upgrades: Improve WIFI and internet.
- Library Resources: Expanding our library with a wide range of books and digital resources to encourage reading and research skills.
Improving School Facilities
A comfortable and safe learning environment is essential. Contributions help us maintain and improve our facilities:
- Classroom Enhancements: Upgrading furniture, improving lighting, and ensuring that classrooms are conducive to learning.
- Safety and Security: Implementing necessary safety measures and maintaining a secure environment for all students.
- Outdoor Spaces: Upgrade our buildings and grounds including gym change rooms and toilets, locker bay project, synthetic grass, DLC agora/meeting space that provide spaces for physical activity and relaxation.
Making a Difference Together
Your support, whether through contributions or active participation, is vital for creating an enriching educational environment. We are grateful for your commitment to your child’s education and our school community. Together, we can ensure that our students receive the best possible opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed.
Thank you for your continued support.
Cara Ludbrook
Business Manager
Encourage sun protection at school
To promote UV protection, school staff can:
- check daily sun protection times on the SunSmart and Bureau of Meteorology websites, or free SunSmart app and widget
- remind students to apply or reapply sunscreen before going outdoors, through visual reminder notices, sunscreen monitors, sunscreen buddies or sunscreen stations near exit points. SunSmart has free resources and materials for primary schools (including a new hat and sunscreen reminder poster) and secondary schools
- role-model sun protection measures, including applying sunscreen before going outside
- include skin cancer prevention education at all year levels. SunSmart provides free curriculum resources for primary and secondary schools
- encourage and remind students to wear sun-protective clothing, hats and close-fitting wrap-around sunglasses
- provide sunscreen or encourage students to bring it from home.
SunSmart online courses for staff and students
SunSmart Victoria has free online courses for students, teachers and staff in Victorian primary and secondary schools. They include teacher guidance to support students’ learning and align with the Victorian Curriculum F–10.
For more information, refer to SunSmart online learning courses.
SunSmart at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image
Students can now learn about the history of SunSmart campaigns in ACMI’s free centrepiece exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image.
From the first Slip! Slop! Slap! campaigns in the 1980s with Sid the Seagull, students can investigate how media can promote healthy sun behaviours, influence attitudes and create positive change in the community.
For more information and bookings, refer to ACMI From sunburn to SunSmart and school exhibition visits.
Policy, guidance and resources
Our Policy and Advisory Library includes all related policy information, guidance and resources under the relevant menu tabs:
Find out more
For more information, refer to:
For further enquiries, contact the Wellbeing, Health and Engagement Division by email: health.advice@education.vic.gov.au
Scholarships to support students
Grade 4 to Year 12 student scholarships
We manage a range of scholarships for students on behalf of various trusts.
Scholarships support students and families with the cost of education and further study at primary, secondary and tertiary level.
Students who complete Grade 4 to Year 11 in 2025, and students enrolled in Year 12 in 2025 who plan to do tertiary studies in 2026, can apply for the department-managed scholarships.
We will evaluate applicants on their:
- participation in school activities
- community involvement
- academic achievement.
Scholarships are either one-off payments or cover the duration of the student’s course or annual study.
Many scholarships also have specific eligibility criteria. Applications open on Wednesday 1 October 2025 and close on Monday 2 February 2026.
For more information and a list of available scholarships, refer to the Student scholarships for Grade 4 to Year 12 fact sheet.
Policy, guidance and resources
Our Policy and Advisory Library includes all related policy information, guidance and resources under the relevant menu tab:
Find out more
For more information on scholarships and how to apply, refer to Student scholarships.
For further enquiries about scholarships for Grade 4 to Year 12 students, contact the Student Scholarships team by email: studentscholarships@education.vic.gov.au
Homestays for International Students Needed
We are seeking homestay families living in our local school community for students traveling here from overseas in 2026. These home-stays would be long-term, with homestay providers receiving a weekly payment of $400.
Homestays are more than just a room to sleep, they offer the safety, security and welcoming environment of a real family.
Homestay families go through strict screening and monitoring processes by the Department of Education. New homestay providers would participate in an interview with school representatives, as well as home visits by a school representative.
Every member of a homestay household over the age of 18 years of age would also need to obtain a Working with Children’s Check card.
If you would be interested in becoming a homestay provider for our school, please send your expression of interest to sarah.crespo-liu@education.vic.gov.au
Calling all Former SOC Students!
Interested in joining our alumni Community? We would love to hear what our former SOC students are up to! Fill out the following online form: https://forms.office.com/r/JakrRiSTFm if you are interested in sharing!
Brick-by-Brick Fundraiser
Be a part of SOC history and help pave the way for future students to come.
We invite our community members to purchase a commemorative brick engraved with your name, family name or your business and become immortalised at our College.
Payment and name submissions can be made at the general office.
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Sustainable Bookshop
A second-hand textbook trading system
- List Wanted & For Sale Ads
- The school’s booklists are loaded into the system to make the Ad listing process easy, fast and accurate
- Assistance is provided to accurately price items
- Our ad-matching service shows you
- Exactly the right items to buy
- Who has the most items you need
- The cheapest items
- Buyers contact Sellers and arrange where and when to trade
- Excellent email and telephone helplines are provided: 1300 683 337
www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au
