Principals Report

Principal’s Report

Striving for Our Best During the Assessment Period

As we move through the current assessment period, it’s a timely reminder of the value of focus, preparation, and effort. At Belmont High School, our motto, "Strive for the Highest," is more than just words—it’s a mindset that comes to life when we challenge ourselves to give our best.

Assessments are not just about marks or grades. They’re an opportunity to demonstrate the learning, growth, and resilience developed over the term. Success during this time isn’t about last-minute cramming, but about consistent effort and smart study habits.

To help students navigate this period, here are some practical tips to support effective study:

Plan Ahead – Use a planner or calendar to map out your revision. Spread out your study and avoid leaving everything to the final days.
Break It Down – Break your study into smaller, focused chunks. Ticking off manageable goals helps build momentum.
Recharge Often – Schedule regular short breaks to stay fresh and focused. A quick walk or a stretch can do wonders.
Practise Smart – Make use of past exams and sample questions. The more familiar you are with the format, the more confident you’ll be.
Look After Yourself – Prioritise sleep, eat well, and stay active. A healthy body supports a sharp and focused mind.
Ask Questions – Reach out to teachers, friends or family for support. Understanding something fully is often just one good question away.

As we approach the final weeks of term, let’s remember that striving for the highest means showing up with determination, embracing the challenge, and being proud of the effort we put in. We believe in our students, and we know the best is yet to come.

Term 2 Key Dates:

Tuesday 17 June – GAT (General Achievement Test – all students enrolled in a Unit 3&4 subject) Year 11 and 12 classes cancelled.
Wednesday 18 June – Winter Concert (6:30pm-9:00pm School Gym)
Friday 27 June – Whole school assessment and report writing day (no classes)
Monday 30 June – Wednesday 2 July – Year 9 Camp
Friday 4 July – Last Day of Term 2 (Early dismissal – 2:30pm)

Upcoming GAT – Tuesday 17th June

On Tuesday 17th June, all students completing a Unit 3/4 VCE subject will be sitting the General Achievement Test (GAT). The GAT is a vital part of the VCE assessment process, helping to ensure that final results are fair and reliable across the state.

To support the smooth conduct of the GAT and minimise disruption across the school, we have made the following arrangements:

All Year 11 and 12 classes will be cancelled for the day due to the high number of students involved in the GAT. A practice GAT has been arranged for Year 11 students (not doing a Unit 3/4 subject) and these students are encouraged to attend school to complete this.
All Year 9 and 10 students will be out of the school on planned excursions.
All Year 7 and 8 students will remain on-site but will follow a modified timetable, including room changes and participation in an alternative program for part of the day.

We appreciate the support of our school community in making these adjustments and wish all students undertaking the GAT the very best.

Assessment & Reporting Curriculum Day – Friday 27th June

This year’s Assessment & Reporting Day will take place on Friday 27th June. Please note this is a different date to the General Achievement Test (GAT), which will be held earlier in the term on Tuesday 17th June.

Friday 27th June will be a student-free day, allowing teachers time to finalise assessments and prepare end-of-semester reports. Families will receive their child’s report electronically via the COMPASS Portal on the final day of term.

We thank all families for their support in allowing staff the time to complete this important work.

Belmont High Student Leadership Day – Friday 20th June

Next Friday, 20th June, we’re proud to host our annual BHS Student Leadership Day—an exciting new initiative on our calendar that brings together our own school and house leadership students and around 50 Grade 5 leaders from our local Primary School Network.

This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with future Belmont High students and foster leadership across our wider community. The day will be centred around collaboration, growth and shared inspiration.

We’re thrilled to welcome external facilitator The School of Play, who will run engaging leadership workshops throughout the day. Our own School Captains will also lead a team-building activity and share their leadership journeys as part of the opening session in the PAC.

Sessions will run across Periods 2, 3 and 4, with groups rotating through the PAC, Library and A2/A3 classrooms. The event will officially begin in the PAC with a welcome and introduction from our captains.

A big thanks to Matt Hosking & David Fanning for their work in organising the day.

Urgent Safety Reminder – Drop-Off and Pick-Up Times

The safety of our students is always our top priority. I want to issue an important reminder to all families about exercising extra caution during school drop-off and pick-up times.

We have had a number of recent near misses involving both vehicles and students, particularly in the areas around Rotherham Street and Digby Avenue. These incidents highlight the need for increased awareness from both drivers and pedestrians during these busy times of the day.

I continue to work with the City of Greater Geelong to explore improvements to the current traffic arrangements, which we know are far from ideal. In the meantime, we are asking for your cooperation in keeping our community safe.

Please:

Drive slowly and carefully near the school
Avoid double-parking or stopping in unsafe zones
Use designated drop-off areas where possible
Remind your children to stop, look, and listen before crossing roads
Encourage safe walking and riding behaviours when travelling to and from school

Let’s all play our part in ensuring a safe environment for every member of the Belmont High School community.

Kind regards,

Joshua Baker

Principal