Principal's Message

Staughton College End of Term 1 Newsletter

As Term 1 comes to a close, it's a perfect time to reflect on the many accomplishments we’ve made here at Staughton College. This term has been full of exciting progress and opportunities for both our students and staff.

A Thrilling Swimming Carnival

We had an excellent Swimming Carnival for our competitors on 28 February.  This year, due to availability at Melton Waves, we hosted the event in Bacchus Marsh.  It was fantastic to see our students competing with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship, demonstrating their dedication and team spirit.  Well done to all who participated!

Celebrating School Photo Day

On 03 March, we held our annual School Photo Day, and it was a pleasure to see our students in their full school uniform. This helps create a sense of safety, belonging, and pride in being part of our school community. Wearing the uniform with pride reflects our shared values and strengthens the connections within our school.

Adhering to the school uniform policy is also an important way we contribute to a strong and respectful school culture. It demonstrates pride in being part of Staughton and reinforces our collective commitment to community expectations.  We understand that some students have exemptions, and we will continue to support families where needed.

Student Safety: Our Top Priority

At Staughton College, the safety and wellbeing of every student is our highest priority. We want every young person to feel safe, valued, and supported every day at school.

Next term, we’ll continue to focus on ensuring all students know where to go and who to talk to if they ever experience or witness bullying, including online.  We encourage them to speak up - whether for themselves or a friend - so that we can work together to keep our school a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

We truly appreciate your partnership in making sure every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.  If you ever have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out - we’re always here to help.

Enhancing Communication for a Stronger Community

One of our key priorities this year is improving communication between the college and parents.  We are currently exploring the transition to Compass as our primary communication platform, with the goal of implementing it by the start of 2026. 

This shift will allow for a more streamlined and effective way of keeping families informed.  We will keep families updated on this process throughout the year.

A Significant Milestone: School Review in Term 2

Next term, Staughton College will undergo its scheduled school review.  Every DET school in Victoria participates in a review every four years, typically at the end of the last School Strategic Plan. 

Across six days in Term 2, a review team will visit classrooms and speak with students, teachers, support staff, and families to assess the school’s progress.  From this review, we will develop a new School Strategic Plan outlining key improvement areas, which will then inform our Annual Implementation Plan (AIP). 

This is an exciting opportunity for growth and reflection, ensuring we continue to provide the best learning experiences for our students.  Parents interested in joining the parent focus groups can email the college to express their interest in being involved.

Building a Bright Future: Visit from Steve McGhie

A highlight of this term was a visit from our local Member of Parliament, Steve McGhie.

We were delighted to have him tour the school and witness the ongoing construction of our new STEAM building.  This facility will be instrumental in expanding our Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics programs, offering students innovative and hands-on learning experiences.  We appreciate the support from Mr. McGhie and our broader community in improving our facilities to better support student learning.

NAPLAN 2025: A Testament to Student Resilience

We are pleased to report that NAPLAN 2025 was a success.  Our students demonstrated dedication, focus, and resilience throughout the assessments.  These efforts are a reflection of their commitment to their education and future success. 

We look forward to reviewing the results, which will help us refine our teaching strategies and provide even better support for all students.

Embracing the Digital Age: Improving Our Digital Presence

This term, we have also focused on enhancing our digital presence.  Our newly updated website is now live, offering a more modern and user-friendly experience for our families.

Additionally, our Facebook page has received a fresh new look, making it easier to stay informed with the latest school updates.  We’d love to hear your feedback on these improvements, and if you’re enjoying the updates, we’d be grateful if you could leave a positive Google review. 

Your feedback helps us grow and reach more families in our community.

Thank you for your ongoing support throughout Term 1.  I wish all our students and families a relaxing and well-deserved break, and we look forward to an exciting Term 2 filled with new opportunities and continued progress.

Kind regards 

Mr Devine | Principal, Staughton College