Principal's Report

Principal’s Report

As we approach the end of another busy term, it is an opportunity to reflect on some of the many learning experiences and opportunities our students have embraced across the College in recent weeks.

Exam Week and Feedback Week

Over the past two weeks, our Year 9–12 students have participated in our mid-year examination program, with our Year 12 students also completing the General Achievement Test (GAT). I would like to congratulate students on the positive and mature way they approached this period.

The purpose of examinations extends beyond measuring achievement. Exams provide students with experience in formal assessment conditions while also strengthening learning through retrieval practice, a key principle of the Science of Learning. The process of recalling information from memory helps students consolidate knowledge and improve long-term retention.

Following the examination period, students participated in Feedback Week, where teachers reviewed common misconceptions, provided targeted feedback and guided students on areas for improvement. This process helps consolidate learning from Semester One and provides a strong foundation for the start of Semester Two.

Semester Two

This week marked the beginning of Semester Two. For some students, this means the commencement of new elective subjects, while for many classes it signals the start of new units of study and new learning opportunities.

Semester One reports will be published via Compass this Friday afternoon. Reports provide an opportunity for students and families to celebrate achievements, reflect on progress and identify goals for the remainder of the year.

Enhancing Learning Through Consistent Classroom Routines

From the beginning of Semester Two, we will be refining our school-wide Entry and Exit Routines. These enhancements are informed by the latest research in the Science of Learning, which highlights the importance of attention in the learning process. By creating calm, predictable and consistent starts and finishes to lessons, we can maximise learning time, reduce distractions and support students to focus more effectively on their learning.

Parent & Carer Forum

On Monday the 15th of June, our Principal Team hosted a Parent & Carer Forum. We would like to take this opportunity to thank those parents and carers who attended the evening and provided us with their thoughts and insights about everything that we are doing here at Brentwood.

The overall feel of the evening was that our families feel grateful to be a part of the Brentwood community and shared insights about predominantly positive experiences with the school. While this was affirming, we would also like to share back some of the more specific themes that came from the evening.

Here are some of the key strengths that were identified and discussed:

Our caring and supportive staff. A range of positive examples and experiences were shared relating to our teaching staff and Education Support staff, both inside and outside of the classroom.
The positive culture around supporting students with both their learning and wellbeing and the holistic approach that we have towards the interrelationship of both.
The high academic standards that we have for our students and the high-quality teaching practices that support our students to work towards achieving their best. There was also some positive feedback about our recently introduced exam period for students in Years 9–12.
Our Learning Conferences and the partnership that this provides between school and home.
The support that is provided in the area of careers, pathways and future planning for our students.
The wide range of co-curricular opportunities that are offered inside and outside of the school.

It was great to discuss many of the elements of our school that our parents and carers believe are working well. However, we were also curious about identifying some potential growth opportunities for us as a school. As a result of the feedback and discussions, these are some of the discussions that our Principal Team and Leadership Team will be having in the second half of the year:

Continuing to review and refine our communication processes between school and home. Access to assessment dates, student progress, lesson plans and learning resources seem to be valued by our community. While it was identified that some of this is done quite well, there is potentially still an opportunity to explore a more consistent approach to some of our communication practices.
Continue to refine our processes around providing detailed pathways guidance to students and families as early as possible. While there have been some updated processes and initiatives around pathways this year, this is something that we are continuing to assess and further develop.

Once again, thank you to those parents and carers who attended the evening. We feel that this process symbolises our Vision for Learning: "We learn as a connected community to grow as individuals who are future ready". Just like our students, it is important that we take the time to reflect on our successes while also identifying areas for growth as we continue striving to improve.

VCE Information Evening

Last week, we hosted our inaugural VCE Information Evening, welcoming more than 250 students and parents to the College.

The evening provided families with the opportunity to learn more about the extensive range of VCE, VCE Vocational Major (VM) and VET pathways available at Brentwood Secondary College. Students and parents were able to speak directly with teachers, ask questions and explore the pathways available beyond Year 10.

There was a genuine sense of excitement throughout the evening as students and families discussed future aspirations and opportunities. It was wonderful to see such strong engagement from our community.

Subject Selections

Students across a number of year levels have now commenced the process of selecting subjects for 2027. This is an important opportunity for students to begin thinking carefully about their future pathways and how their subject choices align with their strengths, interests and aspirations.

We encourage families to discuss subject choices together and consider how selected subjects align with future study, training, career and personal interests. Students should carefully review the available pathway information and seek advice from teachers, careers staff and family members to support informed decision-making.

By now, students in Years 9–11 should have access to their 2027 subject recommendations through Optick. These recommendations have been developed using a range of data points, including student achievement and pathway considerations, and are intended to support students in selecting subjects that best suit their current learning needs and future goals. Families are encouraged to review these recommendations together. Please refer to the email sent earlier this week for information on how to access recommendations through Optick.

Year 10 Course Counselling

Current Year 10 students have now begun planning their senior secondary pathway for 2027.

This week, Year 10 students will receive access to the online subject selection portal, allowing them to begin considering the subjects and pathways that best align with their interests, strengths and future goals. Mathematics and English recommendations for 2027 will also be made available via Optick and should be considered as part of the selection process.

All Year 10 students will participate in a Course Counselling meeting later next month. These meetings provide an opportunity for students, parents/carers and staff to work together to develop a personalised Year 11 program that supports future aspirations and pathway goals.

Course Counselling meetings will be held in person (parents and students) at Brentwood on Monday 20 July and Tuesday 21 July.

Last Day of Term

A reminder that Friday 26 June is the final day of Term Two, with students dismissed at 2:30pm.

Students will return for the commencement of Term Three on Monday 13 July.

On behalf of the College, I would like to thank our students, staff and families for their support throughout another successful term. We wish everyone a safe, restful and enjoyable holiday break.

Dean Korlos

Associate Principal, Teaching & Learning