Principal's Report

WELCOME BACK – TERM FOUR 

I hope that all students enjoyed a relaxing and enjoyable break with their friends and family over the term break. Term 4 is a very busy time in the school year as we conclude many college programs, VCE exams, continue learning and teaching in the classroom, attend many end of year presentation ceremonies, write reports, implement the Transition Program including the Year 9 Phillip Island camp and undertake planning and preparation for the 2026 school year. 

Over the coming weeks students (particularly Year 11 and 12 students) need to be focused on maximising opportunities for attaining their best results during this important stage of the year. Feedback from ‘Cycle 3’ reports (available online via the parent portal) and third term ‘Student Progress Conferences’ (held on Thursday 18th September) should be taken on board and acted upon. Remember that classroom teachers and Student Managers are there for continued advice and support!

On Thursday October 16th we held our final Senior Assembly for our Year 12 students. They were formally farewelled by the staff and Year 10 & 11 students.  

Today, Friday 17th October, Year 12 students enjoyed a lunch held at the front of the new college gymnasium prepared by staff at Vermont. Teachers of the students involved were also in attendance.

The expectation over the last week for Year 12 students is that all students and staff enjoy this special occasion and that our students leave positive memories for our college community. 

With Year 12 exams rapidly approaching, a full copy of the 2025 VCE Examination Timetable is available at the VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) website and ALL students need to be clear as to when each of their exams are scheduled – do not rely on word of mouth!

The Valedictory Dinner for Year 12 students, parents, guardians and family members will be held at ‘Palladium at Crown’ Melbourne on Monday 24th November with a 7:00pm arrival time, with the doors opening at 7:30pm and finishing at 11:00pm.

Our Year 12 students are about to enter a vitally important stage of their secondary schooling and if they have worked consistently throughout the year they will be well placed to perform at their best during the exam period. It was pleasing to note that many Year 12 students took advantage of opportunities provided by their teachers over the Term 3 study break to complete set work, complete practice exams at school and begin the revision process. These students are giving themselves the best chance of VCE success. Thank you to our Year 12 teachers for giving up their vacation time to assist their VCE students and mark practice exams. We wish all our VCE students well during this important and often demanding time.

YEAR 10 CENTRAL AUSTRALIA TRIP RETURNS

The Year 10 Central Australia trip has returned from their travels safe and sound during the term break. They departed on Friday 12th of September and returned on Wednesday the 24th of September. This year there were 2 year 9 students and 64 Year 10 students attending along with 7 staff travelling in two coaches and returning from Darwin by air.

I would like to personally thank all staff involved for their time, effort and dedication towards a trip that contains plenty of fun, but also a lot of responsibility - 24 hours a day! Thanks to Laura Gerbing, Lisa McIntosh, Tom Smyth, Harry Morgan, Emma Carberry, Sam Connell and Tanika Mahon for taking this responsibility on.

Special thanks also to Laura Gerbing, again, for her superb organisation of this great trip. Laura puts endless hours into the meticulous planning of this trip to provide a wonderful experience for all students. Some photos of the tour are accessible on the college Facebook page. Thank you also to the students involved for the responsibility they showed throughout the tour and to the parents/guardians for supporting such a worthwhile experience. We received a wonderful email of support from a travelling couple that meet with our students during the tour, both retired Principals. Well done to all involved!

COLLEGE COUNCIL REPORT 

The School Council had their September meeting on Tuesday the 16th. The School Council was informed about the good progress on the build of the new classrooms with the first 8 new classrooms already installed at the front of the College. From being informed of the possibility of getting 12 new classrooms (of which 4 will be replacing the old classrooms at the back of the school) to having them approved, delivered and installed, a mere 5 weeks have gone by. The interior will be finished over the spring holiday.

The Australian Education Union (AEU), Victoria Branch, had written a motion in which the Victoria Government is asked to fulfil their pledge before the election of funding public schools by 100%. Upon being elected, the Victorian Government mentioned that they will delay funding public schools by 100% till the year 2031. This is opposite to what is happening in all other states and Victoria, the education state, falls behind. At our meeting in August, AEU had asked if School Council was willing to endorse their motion. After a month of deliberation school council voted in favour of supporting the AEU motion.

School Council received an update from the uniform committee on what students and parents have suggested on possible changes to our uniform. Currently this information is being analysed and together with our supplier Bob Stewart we will endeavour to upgrade our range and style of the school uniform. It is not expected that any changes will be too different from the current guidelines of our uniform and that the current uniform will be allowed to be worn next year.

School council further approved the report of its various subcommittees, voted on a draft contract for the use of an IT software package, approved the increase in some prices at the canteen (our apologies, but inflation just required us to raise some prices slightly) and approved various upcoming school camps. And after a hiatus of a few years due to COVID, it was great to have our German exchange program established again and the council approved a special account for this program.

Council President Frank Drost

STUDENT PROGRESS CONFERENCES – THANK YOU

Thank you to all families that were involved in the Student Progress Conferences (SPC’s) held on Thursday 18th September. Your involvement in this process is greatly appreciated. A reminder to all parents/guardians that term reports are always accessible via the COMPASS Parent Portal. If your child is currently in Year 12 and therefore finishing up, it is a good idea to download their reports for future reference.

MELBOURNE CUP DAY – TUESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER

Parents and guardians please note that Monday 3rd November (the day before Melbourne Cup Day) will be a normal school day for Years 7, 8 and 9 under DE (Department of Education) guidelines however we will run an alternate timetable, which will merge classes, if required on the day. Years 10, 11 & 12 will have this day as a study day in preparation for exams and for the completion of set work.

TERM 4 DATES 2025

Start Monday 6/10/25 – Finish Friday 19/12/25