Principal's Report
Welcome to the 2026 school year at Tarneit Senior College.
We begin this year in a position of stability and momentum. In 2025 we saw improvement across all three of our major performance measures — the Attitudes to School Survey (AToSS), the School Staff Survey (SSS) and our VCE results. That alignment of growth across student voice, staff culture and academic outcomes is significant. It tells us that improvement is not isolated — it is collective.
Our theme for 2026 is “The 1% Difference.”
The idea is simple. Small, consistent improvements — in every classroom, every lesson, every conversation — compound over time. When every member of our community commits to getting just 1% better each day, the collective impact is powerful. This year we are focused on disciplined refinement rather than reinvention, building on what we know is working and strengthening it further.
Celebrating the Class of 2025
Our 2025 VCE results reflect the hard work of our students and staff. The College achieved a mean study score of 23.42, representing a 1.4 point improvement on the previous year. English strengthened to a mean of 23.1, reflecting the sustained focus on explicit teaching and literacy development.
Our Dux achieved an ATAR of 93.15, with another student achieving an ATAR in the 90s and sixteen students achieving ATARs in the 80s. These are strong outcomes for our community and demonstrate the continued strengthening of classroom practice and student effort.
Strong Foundations – What the Data Tells Us
Beyond VCE, we saw positive movement in our student survey data in areas such as effective classroom behaviour, student voice and managing bullying. These improvements indicate stronger classroom environments and improved student connectedness.
Our Staff Survey results also showed uplift in collective efficacy and school climate. Stability in staffing and clarity of direction allow us to focus deeply on teaching and learning rather than rebuilding systems.
We are entering 2026 from a position of credibility and confidence.
2026 Timetable Structure
This year we have introduced a refined timetable structure designed to strengthen routine, instructional consistency and student wellbeing.
Our bell times are as follows:
This structure provides clearer transitions, improved learning rhythm and greater predictability for students.
Beyond the Books
Every Monday during Period 3, students participate in Beyond the Books — a structured program focused on skills for life, learning and the future. This program strengthens mentoring, career readiness, wellbeing literacy and personal development. It ensures that while academic rigour remains central, we are also intentionally developing resilience, communication skills and future pathways.
Assessment Block
Every Wednesday during Period 4, students participate in a dedicated Assessment Block. This creates consistency in assessment scheduling, reduces disruption across the week and allows students to demonstrate their learning under structured conditions.
Together, these refinements reflect our commitment to both academic excellence and holistic development.
Leadership Structure – 2026
To support our continued improvement, we begin 2026 with a strong and stable leadership structure aligned to our strategic priorities.
Our Principal Team portfolios include:
- Teaching & Learning
- Inclusive Practices
- Engagement & Attendance
- Wellbeing
- Transition & Operations
- Staff Development
This structure ensures clarity of responsibility, strong instructional leadership and dedicated attention to student wellbeing and inclusion.
Facilities Update – Paddock Development
We are pleased to share that Stage 1 of the Paddock Development has been completed. This includes:
- Two basketball courts
- Cricket pitches
- Cricket nets
- Surrounding ground improvements
These additions significantly enhance recreational and sporting opportunities for our students and contribute to school pride and engagement.
Traffic Congestion
Please be aware that parking within school grounds by car at the end of the school day is very limited. As most families would be aware, the roads surrounding us here at Tarneit Senior College, as well as Tarneit P-9 College, can get very congested – particularly before and after school. To ensure the safety of all, we encourage families to:
- Utilise the service lane on Leakes Road for drop off and pick up
- Please do not stop in the middle of the road to allow your student to enter/exit the vehicle
- We encourage families to turn left at the end of Crossway Avenue
Uniform
Our uniform is a very important part of the image we project of our college community and therefore we expect all students to wear their uniform correctly and with pride to, from and at school. It is also imperative to ensure the safety of our school community to easily identify if there is anyone attending our College who is not a student.
I would like to congratulate the vast majority of students who have started off the year in a positive way in the wearing of the correct College uniform and I thank all parents for your support with this. A reminder that all students should be wearing fully black school shoes.
- Students are not permitted to wear Hoodies or any other non-uniform items.
- Headwear should be aligned with the school colours – black, white or navy blue
College Council Elections
College Council elections are currently underway. Further information is available via our website and Compass. Nomination forms are available from the General Office. We currently have 2 positions vacant for Parent Representatives (both for a two year term). Please give some thought to contributing to the College by participating in College Council – council meets once per month, and it can be very rewarding.
The College Council plays an important role in contributing to the policies and direction the College takes and is therefore an important part of the College community.
School Policies and Child Safe Standards
Our school is committed to ensuring we maintain the highest level of standards when it comes to Child Safety. The College regularly reviews all of its Child Safe and other policies in line with Department requirements.
At any time we welcome parents to view our Child Safe Policies via the school website here - https://www.tarneitsc.vic.edu.au/our-school/child-safety-policies.
We also regularly review all our other policies in line with Department of Education requirements. Our most up to date policies can always be found here - https://www.tarneitsc.vic.edu.au/our-school/documentation-policies.
We often seek feedback from our community and any policies currently being reviewed will be highlighted on our website.
If you ever have feedback or concerns around any of our Policies, Procedures or general management of Child Safety please contact the school on 9749 0246, via email at tarneit.sc@education.vic.gov.au or in person at our Front Office.
Looking Ahead
2026 is a year of disciplined improvement. We will continue strengthening classroom practice through explicit teaching, refining our use of data and ensuring that every student experiences both high expectations and strong support.
The 1% Difference is not about dramatic change. It is about consistent effort, clarity of purpose and collective responsibility. When each of us commits to small daily improvement, the impact is transformational.
I look forward to working alongside our students, staff and families throughout the year ahead.
-Shane Cole-Hayhow
College Principal