Principal's Report
Character Strengths
As a school, we are continuing to build a positive strengths-based approach to learning and wellbeing. As part of this work, students are completing the VIA Character Strengths Survey during Term One. Year 10-12 students completed the survey this week; while Year 7-9 students will complete this survey in ASPIRE in Week 10.
The VIA Character Strengths Survey is an internationally recognised tool that helps individuals identify their unique character strengths. These strengths (such as curiosity, kindness, perseverance, teamwork, creativity and leadership) represent the positive qualities that help people thrive in learning, relationships and life.
Research in positive psychology shows that when young people understand and use their strengths, they are more engaged in learning, build stronger relationships and develop greater confidence and resilience. Knowing their strengths helps students recognise what they naturally do well and how they can apply these qualities when facing challenges, working with others or setting goals for their learning.
Throughout the year, students will explore their survey results and reflect on how they can use their top strengths more intentionally in the classroom, in co-curricular activities and in their everyday interactions with others. By helping students recognise and use their strengths, we aim to support them to develop a stronger sense of identity, wellbeing and purpose as learners and members of our community.
We encourage you to discuss the results of your child’s Character Strengths Survey with them. If you would like to know more (or maybe even want to take the survey yourself), please feel free to visit: https://www.viacharacter.org/
Supporting Student Wellbeing: The Resilience Project
As you may be aware, we currently have a relationship with The Resilience Project. This is an evidence-based mental health and wellbeing program, which aims to build resilience and happiness through the pillars of Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness (GEM), alongside Emotional Literacy, Connection, and Physical Health.
All of our teaching staff have engaged in some professional learning about leveraging off some of these practices to pro-actively support the wellbeing of our students. This is a key feature within our ASPIRE program.
If you are keen to learn a little bit more about these practices and would like to explore ways in which you could potentially use some of these with your family, please feel free to access The Resilience Project Family Hub at: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/family-hub-engage/ or via the QR code, below.
Child safety and wellbeing at Brentwood Secondary College: information for families and the school community
Brentwood Secondary College is committed to providing an environment where students are safe and feel safe.
On an annual basis, our staff engage in professional learning about our child safety policies and practices. For 2026, this occurred on the student-free day on March 6th. This was a great opportunity for staff to be refreshed on their responsibilities as staff members at Brentwood Secondary College and employees of the Department of Education. In addition to this, additional professional learning was provided to our new staff – prior to beginning at Brentwood. Teaching staff who are completing their VIT registration also participate in additional child safety conversations throughout the year.
Our child safety policies are available under the ‘College Policies’ section on our website (https://brentwood.vic.edu.au/about-our-college/college-policies/).
These policies explain how we support and maintain child safety and wellbeing at Brentwood Secondary College. This includes our:
Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
Child Safety Reporting and Responding Obligations Procedures, and
Child Safety Code of Conduct, which outlines acceptable and unacceptable behaviours for all staff and volunteers at our school.
Our students and families are important partners in providing a child safe environment. These regular newsletter reminders are one of the ways we ensure our school community is aware of:
- our commitment to child safety, and
- how to provide feedback or raise child safety concerns.
If you have any concerns about child safety at any time, please contact John Ballagh (Principal) or Aaron Palmer (Assistant Principal – Director of Wellbeing) on 8545 0300. Any child safety complaints or concerns are treated seriously. For more information about our school’s complaints process, see our Complaints Policy, which is also located in the ‘College Policies’ section of our website (https://brentwood.vic.edu.au/about-our-college/college-policies/).
We also welcome your ideas on ways we can improve our approach to child safety and wellbeing. If you have any suggestions or comments, please contact Aaron Palmer (Assistant Principal – Director of Wellbeing on 8545 0300 or send an email to brentwoodsc@education.vic.gov.au.
Aaron Palmer
Assistant Principal – Director of Wellbeing