Principal's News

A Busy and Exciting Time at the College

It has been a huge four weeks at Sandringham College with so much happening across both campuses. Every year I’m amazed at how quickly we reach Melbourne Cup Day — a sure sign that exams, Head Start, presentation evenings, and the end-of-year celebrations are just around the corner.

Coming up soon, we have two wonderful events that showcase the creativity and talent of our students:

• The Annual Art Exhibition, featuring exceptional work from our VCE and Art Academy students - November 5, 6-8pm
• The End-of-Year Dance Showcase, a highlight of our performing arts calendar - Sunday Nov 23rd, 4pm and Monday Nov 24th, 7pm

I encourage all families to come along and celebrate the hard work and achievements of our students. I hope to see you at one or both of these events!

What we have been working on as leaders

We have been working hard at the College to prepare for our 2026 school year and the implementation of positive classroom routines and explicit teaching practise aligned to the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0).

On Tuesday the 28 October all staff learnt about Cognitive Load Theory and Explicit teaching and why we believe that knowing about this is important. On Thursday the 30 October, our Leading Teachers and Year Level Leaders came together to discuss positive classroom routines for 2026. 

VCE exams off to a great start!

While staff at our school took part in a day of professional learning at the Bluff Road Campus, our Year 12 students began their VCE examinations with English — the first major milestone for the Class of 2025.

Our students represented Sandringham College with pride, focus and determination. They gave their very best effort and approached the exam with confidence and maturity. Judging by the number of practice exams that have been marked by our English teachers in recent weeks, we can confidently say that our students were extremely well prepared.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of our teachers, and particularly to our Year 12 staff, who have guided and encouraged our students with expertise, kindness, good humour — and, at times, plenty of chocolate.

Every staff member plays a role in helping our students feel supported and ready for success — from our facilities and administration teams to our classroom teachers and wellbeing staff. We are proud of the collective effort that makes Sandringham College such a strong and caring learning community.

I would also like to thank and recognise our hard working and empathetic Year 12 parents. Thank you for lending such wonderful young people to us for the past 6 years. I hope that we have lived up to your expectations and if this is your last year with us, I wish you all the best for the future.

VALE Daniel Gherini

As we celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025, it is important that we take a moment to acknowledge someone who is no longer with us but who will always remain a cherished part of our Sandringham College story — Dan Gherini. 

Dan was a kind, thoughtful, and quietly determined young man who brought warmth and good humour to every space he entered. He had a remarkable ability to connect with others — to make people feel valued, understood, and included. His friends remember his loyalty, his quick wit, and his ability to make even the most ordinary days brighter. 

Those who knew Dan speak of his calm presence, his genuine compassion, and the quiet resilience with which he faced life. He was someone who led not through loudness or show, but through authenticity, care, and integrity. His teachers and peers alike were touched by his gentle spirit and the quiet strength that underpinned his character. 

Although Dan's time with us was heartbreakingly short, his impact remains enduring. His laughter, kindness, and friendship have left an imprint that will continue to shape our community. In remembering Dan, we honour not only the person he was, but the legacy of warmth, empathy, and courage he leaves behind. 

Dan's story will forever be part of the fabric of Sandringham College — a reminder to all of us of the power of kindness, the importance of connection, and the lasting influence of a life lived with heart.