Principal's Report
Evan MILLER
Principal
International Student Recruitment – China Visit
Over the first week of this term, I had the opportunity to participate in the Department’s International Student Recruitment trip to China. Across seven days, we visited four major cities—Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou—where we met with education agents, prospective students and families, as well as students who will be commencing with us next year.
Having international students in our school provides significant benefits for our entire community. It enhances intercultural understanding, strengthens global citizenship, and supports language learning for our local students. It also introduces new perspectives into classrooms, lifts academic and career aspirations, and increases the breadth of subjects we can offer due to growing demand from a diverse student cohort.
The growth of our International Student Program (ISP) relies on active participation in department-led initiatives, including international recruitment events, building relationships with education agents, and gathering market intelligence to inform future improvements. These efforts are aligned with the Department’s broader vision of delivering a great education for every student, supporting excellence in teaching and learning, ensuring every student matters, and lifting engagement and achievement. International education also plays a key role in preparing our students for a globally connected world by developing intercultural capability and global citizenship. China remains a significant and well-established market, offering strong opportunities for sustainable program growth and meaningful global engagement.
The insights gained from this trip will be shared with staff and the broader school community, including School Council, to ensure we continue to strengthen and grow our program in a strategic and informed way.
VEX Robotics World Championships
We are incredibly proud of our two VEX Robotics teams who have just returned from St Louis, USA, where they competed in the VEX Robotics World Championships. Both teams represented our college with excellence, resilience and professionalism.
The learning and experiences gained from competing on the world stage are invaluable, and we look forward to seeing how our students build on this throughout the year’s competitions. A sincere thank you to our dedicated staff, Joe Wang and Bryleigh-Ann Legg, for supporting the teams, as well as the parents who travelled with the group.
Our students and staff returned to Australia yesterday, and we look forward to sharing a more detailed update in our next newsletter.
Harmony Week Celebrations
This week we celebrated Harmony Week, recognising and embracing the rich cultural diversity within our school community. Harmony Week is a highlight of our calendar and is proudly organised and led by our student leaders.
On Tuesday, students created chalk drawings of their national flags in the courtyard, showcasing the many cultures represented at our college. On Thursday, students wore traditional cultural dress, and we were treated to a range of cultural performances at lunchtime that were enjoyed by both students and staff.
Today, we concluded the week with a cultural Kahoot quiz in the library, which was very well attended and thoroughly enjoyed. It has been a fantastic celebration of inclusion, respect and belonging.
ANZAC Assembly
Last Friday, we held our ANZAC Assembly to honour and remember the sacrifices made by those who have served our country. It was a respectful and meaningful occasion, with our students demonstrating outstanding maturity and attentiveness throughout.
Our School Captains led the assembly, and we were privileged to have Colonel Philip Kearsley AM speak to our students about the significance of ANZAC Day, including highlighting the important role of women in service.
An international student delivered The Ode, followed by Rhys D. performing The Last Post, a minute’s silence, and The Rouse. The assembly concluded with a beautiful rendition of the Australian National Anthem by Freya H. and Hanna G.
We also acknowledge Cooper R. for his excellent work managing the sound for the assembly. It was a fitting and respectful way to commemorate this important day.
Curriculum Day – Teaching and Learning Model
On Wednesday 29 April, staff participated in our Curriculum Day, focused on aligning teaching practices with how students learn through our updated Highvale Secondary College Teaching and Learning Model.
The day centred on strengthening two key instructional practices: checking for understanding (CfU) and retrieval practice. Staff engaged in a range of sessions designed to deepen their understanding of why these practices are critical to student learning, what they look like in the classroom, and how they can be effectively embedded into lessons.
The program included reflection on current practices, exploration of the updated model, and collaborative planning time for teams to apply their learning. This work ensures we continue to refine our teaching approaches and maximise learning outcomes for all students.
Careers Expo
On Tuesday evening, we held our annual Careers Expo, which was very well attended by students and families. The event provided valuable insights into future pathways, with our staff showcasing subject areas and external providers offering information on post-school opportunities.
We were pleased to host representatives from universities, TAFEs, Victoria Police, Defence Forces and other organisations, all supporting students in making informed decisions about their futures.
A big thank you to Kellie Egan, Felicia Giles and Nicole Wilson for their outstanding organisation and leadership in delivering this event.
Staffing Updates
We warmly welcome Mel Vujovic back from family leave. Mel returns to her role as Leading Teacher – Disability Inclusion. Betty Smith will continue as a Learning Specialist, supporting our Disability Inclusion students and building staff capacity in this important area.
We also welcome several new staff members to our college:
Taylor Johnson, Inclusion Support Staff
Michele Patissier, French Language Assistant
Ruth Gunaseelan, who joins us for Term 2 while Catherine Moad is on Long Service Leave
We are pleased to have them all as part of our school community.
Looking Ahead to Term 2
It has been a fantastic start to the term, and there is a strong sense of energy and purpose across the school. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to seeing our students continue to grow, achieve and succeed throughout the term.