Principal's Report

Maximising learning growth to ensure all students can thrive.

Assessment and Reporting Day 

On June 11 we held a Student Free Day, allowing our staff to focus on essential assessment and reporting tasks. While students enjoyed an extra-long weekend, our teachers and education support staff were onsite, completing assessment, evaluating student progress and learning growth, and preparing reports. This time was crucial for ensuring that all assessments were thorough, and that feedback was constructive, supporting the academic growth and success of our students. 

Semester 1 Reports will be released to families via Compass on Friday June 28. The aim of these reports is to indicate to parents/guardians the progress your child has made over the semester period. These reports will give you an indication of how your child is progressing, as well as providing you with a summary of their Learning Tasks and School Assessed Coursework.

We encourage parents/guardians to take the time to discuss their children’s achievements with them and discuss possible areas for future growth. 

If you have any questions about your child’s reports, please contact our Leader of Teaching and Learning, Justin Turner. If you have any queries or are unable to access your child’s reports, please contact the College on 9735 1133 for assistance.

Mid-Year Showcase

On Thursday May 30 we hosted the Mid-Year Showcase, an evening where students had the opportunity to present their musical abilities. The event was filled with performances from various ensembles and bands, each demonstrating the remarkable growth and proficiency achieved by our Music students throughout the semester.

This showcase was not just a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students, but also a reflection of the excellent guidance and support provided by our Music staff. Special thanks to our Music staff for their support of our students. 

National Reconciliation Week May 27 – June 3

National Reconciliation Week, observed from May 27 to June 3, is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories and cultures and to contribute to reconciliation. This year's theme, 'Now More Than Ever,' emphasises the urgency of fostering a just and unified nation by addressing the inequalities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To acknowledge National Reconciliation Week, each student completed a reflective lesson in their SELF class. Valleydale Café also provided an indigenous menu for the week. Thank you to Taylah Moschetti for her organisation and advocacy for our First Nations people. 

Sustainability Week June 3 -7

During Sustainability Week, our community engaged in activities aimed at promoting environmental awareness and sustainable living. This year’s theme was sustainable clothing. Through SELF, students participated in a lesson on how they can make clothing more sustainable and learned practical tips on reducing the environmental impact of their fashion choices. Additionally, our Sustainability Team organised an onsite Thrift Shop, which was attended by both staff and students. The Thrift Shop provided an opportunity to purchase pre-loved clothing, encouraging the reuse and recycling of garments. The events of the week highlighted our ongoing commitment to sustainability. Thanks to Shannon Sargeant and the Sustainability Team for a great week.

MND Big Freeze

On Monday June 3, our community came together to host the annual Big Freeze event in support of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The day was filled with excitement and activities, including a dunk tank, MND merchandise sales and a sausage sizzle. The highlight of the event was the dunk tank, where students could throw a ball at the target in order to ‘dunk’ a staff member into the freezing cold water. A huge thank you needs to go to our dedicated Year 11 VCE-VM students, whose hard work ensured the day was both successful and energetic. Their commitment to the cause was evident in the enthusiastic participation from everyone involved, making this year’s Big Freeze a memorable and impactful event.

End of Term 2 | Start of Term 3 

Friday 28 June (last day of term)

On Friday 28 June, students will be dismissed from school at 2.30pm. All contract buses (Martyrs, Mckenzies and the Z24) will run half an hour earlier on Friday 28 June to accommodate the early finishes of schools in the area. Public buses will run on their normal timetables. 

Monday 15 July – Student Free Day

Monday 15th July will be a Student Free Day. Students are not required to attend on this day.  Staff will be involved in Professional Learning on Developmental Assessment, Learning Pathways and the Berry Street Education Model. 

Tuesday 16 July

All students return to school for Term 3 classes.

Wellbeing Support during the holiday break

As we enter the holiday break, we wanted to share some tips and resources for students and families to support the wellbeing of young people.

Wellbeing support for students during the school holidays: Click here

You will also find some additional supports on the Wellbeing page of this newsletter. 

Term 2 has been a BIG term (11 weeks) filled with many engaging learning opportunities and exciting activities. As the cold weather has set in and the daylight hours have become shorter, our students and staff have continued to live our core values of Excellence, Respect and Responsibility. I would like to thank them all for their commitment and contribution to the College this term.

As the term comes to an end, I would like to wish our entire community a well deserved and relaxing holiday break. Please take this time to unwind and reconnect with family, friends and those activities that you enjoy.

We look forward to welcoming our community back to school for Term 3.

Take care and stay safe. 

Shane Kruger

Principal.