Principals Update

Tomorrow, Semester 1 will come to a close, and consistent with the rest of semester, it’s been a very busy few weeks leading into the holiday break.

I would firstly like to congratulate those students that have completed the Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP) in English or Mathematics this term – Hunter, Bailey and Oliver of Year 7 and Breanna and Elijah of Year 8.  I’ve no doubt they’ve gained a lot from this enrichment experience.

We’ve seen numerous sporting achievements recently, with many encouraging team results, some of which you can read about in the Sports section of this edition, but I would particularly like to highlight the results of our students that participated in the Western Region Cross-Country given these are individual results.  Six students achieved top 15 results in their respective age group and Isabelle K achieved a 1st place – all amazing outcomes.

Over the course of the last fortnight, our Year 10 and 11 students have sat their semester exams and all students studying a Unit 3&4 VCE subject, sat the General Achievement Test (GAT).  I’ve heard many positive reports as to how our students conducted themselves and the mature way in which they engaged with these experiences which is wonderful. Our Year 8s had quite a different day to their usual school routine, participating in Medieval Day – each year this provides a fun and engaging opportunity for our students to learn about medieval times and compliments their learning from the regular curriculum. Photos and a student write-up can be found later in this edition.

This week while our Year 10 students have been out in the community on their work experience placements, we’ve welcomed Grade 5 students from our local feeder primary schools to spend a day experiencing secondary school with activities from across the breadth of subject offerings at the College including Science, Performing Arts, Visual Language and Humanities.  This initiative is just one element of our formal Transition process that ensures students ease their way into secondary school and have a level of comfort with the physical environment and structure of secondary school before they actually commence.  I hope they’ve all gone home having enjoyed their day at GSC with activities to complete over the holiday break and some great conversation starters for their family.

We presently have our Japanese language students on camp in Japan and are getting brief updates from them demonstrating they're having an amazing experience.  Here are a few pics.

Our Capital Works Program continues to progress on schedule, with the new Admin/Wellbeing building due for completion by the end of this year.

Turning our attention to Term 3, we will see a number of year levels engage in the course selection process to submit subject preferences for the 2025 school year, with information sessions and course advising interviews to assist them in deciding their preferences.  More information about this will be shared early next term.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our staff for their professionalism and dedication to support student wellbeing and learning in Term 2. Sadly, we say goodbye to Anne McSweeney, who in her short time at the college has made a wonderful contribution to the English Department. I would also like to recognise the contribution over the last semester by Andrew Weekes, Matt Gakovic, and Hannah Viau, who have supported us in managing our teacher shortages across the Maths, English and Performing Arts department. We wish you all well in your new adventures.

I'm thrilled to inform you all that we have a number of new staff who have either just begun or will be beginning with us in Term 3. A big welcome to Leah Roach and Lauren Simpson, joining our English faculty; Rachel Vickery, joining the Career team as our new VET coordinator; and a big welcome back to Karissa Sexton, who is returning to the college in the Maths and Science departments.

A reminder that we have an early finish tomorrow, Friday 28th June, with dismissal at 2:20pm.  School resumes on Monday 15th July. There are a couple of pupil free days scheduled in Term 3 - please refer to the College calendar in this edition and make note of these dates.

Wishing you all a safe and rejuvenating break.

Kind Regards,

Sarah Rose

College Principal