From the Principal 

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians

We are delighted to welcome everyone back for another exciting academic year! It has been a fantastic start, and we are incredibly proud of the way our students have embraced their learning with enthusiasm and dedication. The positive energy around the school is truly inspiring, and it is wonderful to see students actively engaging in their studies and striving for excellence.

One of the many highlights has been seeing our students take great pride in wearing their uniform. They look exceptionally smart, and we want to commend them for upholding the school’s standards. The uniform represents our school values, fostering a sense of identity, respect, and belonging within our community.

We would like to extend our gratitude to parents and guardians for your ongoing support in maintaining our school’s inclusive culture. Your efforts in ensuring that students adhere to uniform expectations, particularly the wearing of black leather (polishable) shoes, have been greatly appreciated. This commitment helps to create a cohesive and respectful school environment where every student feels a strong sense of community and belonging.

Welcome and 2024 Dux and High Achievers Assembly 

On Monday, we held our first whole college assembly and celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of our 2024 Year 12 students. We were proud to acknowledge those who achieved an ATAR of 85 or above, recognising their hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to our current students, demonstrating the rewards of commitment and determination in their studies. We congratulate them on their success and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

2024 - Year 12 Student ATAR 85+ 

• Anastasia Karagianni
• Evelina Plakidas
• Danielle Wolmark-Shapira
• Sonakshi Verma
• Kia Ballinger
• Telyly Khay
• Darena Iv
• Tori Edmunds
• Emmeline Naughton
• Christos Stefanidis

As we continue the term, we look forward to celebrating more of our students’ achievements—both inside and outside the classroom. 

Student Attendance and Late to School 

Consistent school attendance is crucial for student success, as every day of learning builds on the previous one. When students attend school regularly, they develop essential skills, maintain academic progress, and build strong relationships with teachers and peers. 

Conversely, frequent absences disrupt learning, making it harder for students to keep up with coursework and diminishing their sense of connection to school. Missing even one day of school per fortnight may not seem significant, but over a year, it adds up to 20 days—equivalent to four full weeks of missed learning.

Over the six years of secondary schooling, this pattern results in 120 lost days or nearly two and a half terms of education. The long-term impact can be substantial, affecting academic achievement, engagement, and future opportunities. Gaps in learning can lead to difficulties in key subjects, reduced confidence, and lower success in assessments. 

Additionally, students who are frequently late miss critical instruction at the start of the day, affecting their overall performance and ability to fully engage in lessons. Every day matters, and ensuring students are at school, on time, gives them the best chance to succeed.

School Council Election

You would have received information and timelines regarding nominations for the school council. The main objective of the school council is to assist in the efficient governance of the school. This is a great opportunity for parents and community members to become involved in shaping the future direction of our school. We encourage anyone interested to consider nominating and contributing to this important leadership group.

School Review 

This term, the Department of Education will conduct a School Review. The review will provide a comprehensive analysis of the college’s performance, assessing student academic achievement (NAPLAN and VCE), attendance, and survey responses from parents, students, and staff. Over two days, the review team will observe school operations and conduct interviews with various members of our community. This process is a valuable opportunity for our school to reflect on its progress and shape the college’s direction for the next four years. Later in February, I will seek expressions of interest from parents and guardians who wish to participate in small group discussions with the reviewer.

Year 7 Welcome BBQ

We would like to remind all Year 7 parents about the Year 7 Welcome BBQ next Tuesday, 11th February, at the college. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet staff and other parents, and we encourage you to come along. If you are yet to RSVP. I look forward to meeting you all next week!

Warm regards

Karl Russell

Principal