Important Capital Works Update

Please click here to read an important update from our Principal, Mr Aaron Smith, regarding the College’s Capital Works Program. The letter outlines key information, including site safety measures, planned asbestos removal during the school holidays, and tree replacement plans.

Important Safety Notice – School Closure

As part of these works, the school premises will be closed to neighbours and the wider community from 5 January 2026 to 14 January 2026. For safety reasons, no access to the site will be permitted during this period.

A hygienist will issue a clearance certificate following the completion of asbestos removal works by 13 January 2026. Once clearance is confirmed, the school grounds will reopen for general community access.

Should there be any changes to these arrangements, further communication will be provided to our community.

We thank our community for your ongoing support as the project progresses toward completion in Q3 2026.

Free public transport for people aged under 18

From 1 January 2026, all Victorian public transport services - including trams, trains, buses and coach services - will be free for people aged under 18.

To access free travel, students will be required to use a new youth myki card and tap the card on and off each time they travel. In areas where myki cards are not used, students must present their youth myki card to travel free.

Please click on the button below to visit Transport Victoria's web page to find out what you need to do to register for a Youth Myki.

Getting Ready for Secondary School

Click on the button below to read information and resources for parents and carers to help their children unlock their potential for a new year of learning in 2026.

Cardinia Youth Services School Holiday Program

Cardinia Youth Services Holiday Program is open to young people aged 12 to 17 years. Activities are held across Cardinia Shire during the school holidays and most activities are low cost or free. If transport is a barrier to your participation, please contact Cardinia Youth Services to discuss. Please note that bookings for all activities are essential - please book using the online form (by scanning the QR code below, or clicking on the image).

FREE Back-to-School Packs for First Nations students

We are pleased to share that the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association (VAEAI) will be providing FREE Back-to-School Packs for First Nations students to help our kids feel supported and ready for the 2026 school year.

Families are warmly invited to come along and collect a pack at a community pick-up day being held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Pakenham.

Back-to-School Pack Pick-Up

Date: Friday, 23 January

Time: From 11.00am -1pm

Location: Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham (Arts Entrance)

While you’re there, families and children can also take part in a free art activity led by First Nations artist Sam Richards, creating a relaxed space to yarn, connect, and spend time together.

We would love to see as many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families as possible come along, collect a school pack, and enjoy the morning together.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Nadia Douglas - n.douglas@cardinia.vic.gov.au

Moonlit Sanctuary Holiday Program

Talking to your child about the Social Media age restrictions

VISIT THE NEW SOCIAL MEDIA AGE RESTRICTIONS HUB:

eSafety has developed information and resources to support young people, as well as parents and carers, to understand the social media age restrictions.

Helping families stay safer online

Do you want to feel more confident in supporting your children to have safer online experiences? eSafety's live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to help understand and navigate the online world.

Social media age restrictions explained – a guide for parents and carers

Join eSafety's 30-minute information session to understand the social media changes. Learn more about this webinar.

10 February 2026, 12:30pm (AEDT)
24 February 2026, 12:30pm (AEDT)

Supporting healthy tech use as your child transitions into secondary school

This 45-minute webinar explores the social pressures, peer influences, and technological challenges young people face as they transition into secondary school. It also offers practical strategies for navigating online friendships and connections to help minimise negative experiences. It's suitable for parents and carers of children in upper primary school (ages 11 to 12) and Year 7. Learn more about this webinar.

Term 1 (AEDT)

11 February 2026, 12:30pm

Understanding and using parental controls to help protect your child online

Parental controls can be a useful addition to the strategies you use to help protect your child online. This 45-minute webinar covers the types of controls available, and how to use them alongside other online safety measures. It’s suitable for parents and carers of primary and high school students. Learn more about this webinar.

Term 1 (AEDT)

5 March 2026, 12:30pm

2026 Booklists

Campion Education is our preferred booklist supplier for 2026.

Campion is an Australian family-owned business and the largest supplier of education resources to secondary schools in Australia.

Campion's retail service centre in Hallam is available for purchases, click and collect, exchanges, refunds and digital help.

The address is:

Unit 5

151-155 Princes Highway

Hallam

https://campion.com.au/

For details on how to order from Campion please click on the below buttons:

Please click on the appropriate year level to view the booklists for 2026:

Help your learner get on the road with a free driving lesson!

The myLearners Free Driving Lesson program offers a FREE 60-minute Lesson with a professional driving instructor for learners aged 16–19 who have completed 10–30 hours of driving practice. The lesson is taken alongside their supervising driver, helping both the learner and supervisor build safer, more confident driving habits together.

This program supports families by making the learning experience more positive and less stressful. It aims to reduce crash risks for young drivers, strengthen supervising skills, and encourage safer driving behaviours early on all at no cost to participants.

To Find out more please go to - https://mylearnersdrive.com.au/

BYOD information for 2026 including pricing from Edunet

Please visit the button below for information regarding Bring Your Own Devices for 2026, including pricing, ordering details, and key dates.

If you wish to place an order, please click the button below.

Camp Cooinda

If you have a teenager who is keen for adventure and challenge over the holidays, Camp Cooinda runs water-based expedition camps over the summer holidays on the Gippsland Lakes for 12-18 year olds. It's the perfect summer experience for teenagers to build life skills, grow in confidence and meet other like-minded young people. Find out more at campcooinda.au!

Disruptions on the roads in and around Pakenham

Please click on the below button for information about disruptions in Pakenham and the surrounding areas.

Disruptions on the Pakenham Train Line

Please click here or on the image above for further information on any disruptions on the Pakenham and Cranbourne Train Lines.

Connecting with Us

FACEBOOK

https://facebook.com/pakenhamsc

INSTAGRAM

https://instagram.com/pakenhamsecondarycollege

WEBSITE

https://www.pakenhamsc.vic.edu.au

NEWSLETTER

Our College Newsletter is distributed monthly (usually the last Friday of the month) through your Compass newsfeed and our Website.

Key Dates

2026 Term Dates

Student Free Days 2026