Principal's Report
Congratulations to the Class of 2024
Earlier today our senior students received their Year 12 results. We are incredibly proud of our students and their results. Here is a snapshot of their cohort VCE data:
6% of students achieved an ATAR of 95+
17% of students achieved an ATAR of 90+
32% of students achieved an ATAR of 85+
40% of students achieved an ATAR of 80+
50% of students achieved an ATAR of 75+
62% of students achieved an ATAR of 70+
Once again Brentwood students have shown a lot of grit and determination to be the best learners and people they can be, and we couldn't be prouder of their growth and achievements. These results not only reflect their effort, but the dedication and high expectations from their teachers and most importantly the love and support from their parents and carers. Thank you to everyone who has supported the class of 2024 over the past 6 years.
A special congratulations to Rei Sato who is our Dux for 2024 with an ATAR of 99.85. An outstanding achievement! Rei has worked hard over his time at Brentwood and is the embodiment of our values for learning and community. Rei plans to study Data Science and Mathematics at Monash University in 2025.
Whilst we are very proud of our students' achievements this year, we remind them it is what happens next that counts. We look forward to seeing the many and diverse pathways this cohort will take in the future and have no doubt that they are ready for their next steps in life.
Congratulations once again to the class of 2024 and we look forward to celebrating with many of them at the Presentation Night which is being held next week Wednesday 18th December.
Reports:
On Friday the 13th of December Year 7 – 11 student reports will become available on Compass. These reports will provide a summary of the learning progress of our students this semester. We encourage parents and students to reflect on these reports by celebrating the learning growth and identifying areas of development and learning behaviours that could be improved in 2025.
2024 Presentation Night:
On Wednesday 18th December, 2024, we look forward to celebrating and recognising our students for their excellence in academic achievement, academic growth, and community service at our Annual Presentation Night. Families will be individually invited to this event.
Camps:
This week approximately 62 year 8 students and 78 year 9 students enjoyed a wonderful week on camp. The year 8 students participated in an adventure camp in Toolangi where they enjoyed canoeing, high ropes courses, mountain bike riding and more. The Year 9 students enjoyed seeing the historical and natural sites in Tasmania.
A group of 20 students are still on the Germany Exchange tour with our sister school and another 11 touring the USA as part of the Careers and Pathways in Sport experience.
From all reports our students have been great ambassadors of our College. A big thank you to the staff who were willing to provide our students with these incredible opportunities. It is greatly appreciated.
Orientation Day:
We formally welcomed the 2025 Year 7 cohort this week. It was wonderful to see the students meeting their new classmates and teachers. The Parents and Friends Association also welcomed new parents over coffee and tea in the morning. It was a great way for our new families to begin making connections at the school. We hope that the students and parents received an insight into life at Brentwood and are excited about the 6 years ahead!
Thank you to our dedicated staff
We are so grateful for the wonderful team of teachers and education support staff at Brentwood, we are very lucky to have such dedicated professionals who strive to be their best so that they can support the students in being their best. On behalf of the school community, I want to thank them for their efforts in supporting our students and wish them all a restful and well-deserved break over the summer holidays.
Staff in 2025
The following staff are leaving Brentwood at the end of this year. I would like to thank them for their service to our school community and wish them all the very best for their futures:
Emma Stevenson (English)
Suzanne Emerton (Science)
Jarod Sole (IT)
Yu-An Tsou (Humanities)
Michael Khater (Science)
Hellen Wang (Maths)
Lorna Raggatt (Lab Tech Manager)
Ben Wilson (Maths)
Meagan Merlino (Science)
Veronica Fox (Instrumental Music)
Grace McKerras (Humanities)
Chris Munn (Instrumental Music)
Sahana Girish (Humanities)
Troy Male (Instrumental Music)
On leave in 2025
Brian Hurley (Arts)
Sarah Swilks (Health & PE)
Lisa Hocking (Arts)
Emily Freeman (Arts)
Lucy Kenny (Science)
The following staff have been appointed to start at Brentwood in 2025:
Jacob Bodna (Lab Tech Manager)
Gavin Fox (Physical Education)
Ashwini Gallage (Science)
James Gerrard (Arts)
Lakshmy Gopolakrsihnan (Science)
Nick Kyritsis (Instrumental Music)
Debbie La Fontaine (Administration)
Jacqueline Mueller (Arts)
Damien Ryles (Instrumental Music)
Jeffrey Shum (IT)
Melissa Turton (English)
Anna Urbano (Science)
Dayna Williams (Arts)
Vivian Wong (Wellbeing)
Return Dates in 2025:
Year 7 and 12* classes will resume on WEDNESDAY JANUARY 29
Year 8 to 11 classes will resume on THURSDAY JANUARY 30
*Advanced placement students (i.e. Year 11 students studying a Year 12 subject) who have a Year 12 class on Wednesday January 29 should attend for that individual class only.
The General Office will re-open from Wednesday 22 January.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Finally, on behalf of the Principal Team, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope everybody has a wonderful break with family and friends. Keep safe and we look forward to seeing the students back in 2025.
Sonja Ardley
Associate Principal