Staff News

Welcome Back to Term 3! 

We are now well and truly halfway through the year and have already begun planning for the 2026 school year.

Professional Learning and Development

Staff Professional Culture, Engagement and Wellbeing Day – Monday 21 July

Last Monday, staff gathered for a whole-college professional learning day focusing on professional culture, engagement, and wellbeing. We were honoured to have Ms Deb Punton, Deputy Director at DOSCEL, deliver the keynote address centred on our core role: helping students improve their life chances through education.

Deb spoke about collective teacher efficacy, a powerful concept backed by John Hattie’s research showing that when teachers truly believe their students can improve, they do. This has a very high impact on learning outcomes.

Following this, staff engaged in teamwork activities, reinforcing how a positive and collaborative work culture supports better student outcomes. The afternoon offered various wellbeing workshops led by our own colleagues, giving staff the chance to connect and develop new skills.

Staffing and Recruitment

New Staff Welcome

We are pleased to welcome Ms Isabelle Branchflower, who has joined us to teach Year 7 and 8 Japanese and will share a Sion Tutor Group. Isabelle replaces Ms Brianna Copeland, who was accepted into the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET). Welcome, Isabelle!

Staff Spotlight

This month, we introduce Mr Jayden Madeira, Japanese Teacher. Jayden is currently Permission to Teach and completing his teaching degree specialising in Japanese and English. Previously, he has worked as a Learning Support Officer and has quickly built strong relationships with students and staff.

A few things about Jayden:

• Born in Melbourne, raised in Berwick, with parents from India.
• Played drums in his primary school band for two years.
• Favourite food: Chilli chicken with anything.
• Loves seeing students make positive changes.
• If stranded on a desert island, he’d want his two best mates with him (and to enjoy his own company).
• Self-care: video games or gym.
• Most inspired by his Japanese teachers from high school.

Professional Culture and Growth

Preparations for 2026

We are now preparing for the 2026 school year, including staff allocations, subject selection and calendar planning. Your child may be selecting pathways and subjects for next year, an important decision for their future.

Please encourage them to choose subjects for the right reasons—based on interest and goals—not just because friends are choosing them or a particular teacher is involved. Some subjects may not run if student numbers are low; families will be notified, and alternatives offered.

If you are considering transferring your child to another school for 2026, we still ask that you complete the subject selection process to ensure your child has suitable options should circumstances change.

Thank you for supporting your child through this important process.

Mrs Georgie Beekhof

Deputy Principal – Professional Culture and Growth