Principal's Message
Dear Families,
All students have now completed their Semester 1 exams and have commenced their Semester 2 studies. Well done to all of our students and staff for their hard work this term, as we approach the halfway point of the year already! I'm sure everyone is looking forward to having a rest in the upcoming school holidays. Semester 1 has been full of opportunities to challenge and broaden our students' knowledge, skills and experience with the ample academic and extra curricular offerings at our school, and we encourage students to continue to take advantage of these and make the most of their schooling journey as we begin Semester 2.
Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea
Our staff raised almost $1000 for the Cancer Council recently! Thank you to our generous teachers and education support staff who donated and brought food to share for the Biggest Morning Tea across the college.
Reaching our target is truly something to be proud of, not just because collectively we put in the hard yards to get there, but because every dollar raised means more support for vital cancer research, prevention and support services. By hitting our fundraising target, we are helping to create the cancer free future we’re all working towards.
Hosting the Biggest Morning Tea for this wonderful cause takes heart, dedication and generosity which our staff showed on the day, whether it was baking, buying treats, or raffling a painting (thank you Mr Peter Giles for his generosity in donating an expensive painting to be auctioned on the day), you made it happen.
Congratulations Mr Bertagnolio
A huge congratulations to Mr Bertagnolio who has been recognised by the Department for 40 years of service to education. Mr Bertagnolio is the MYLN’s (Middle Years Literacy and Numeracy Leader) at our Senior Campus, and he has also been a senior English teacher. We thank him for his dedication to our students over many years.
Congratulations Mr Lawicki
We are excited to share that our school has honoured Mr Lawicki for his incredible 55 years of dedicated service to education and to celebrate this remarkable milestone, we have named the STEM Building (Building D at the Senior Campus) in his honour.
Mr Lawicki's commitment to our school community and his passion for inspiring students has made a lasting impact. This new naming serves as a tribute to his legacy and the invaluable contributions he has made over these many years. His achievement and his positive influence has made an impact on numerous generations of students.
Congratulations Ms Muratore
It pleases me to announce that Ms Muratore, our Careers Coordinator, received a ‘Dean’s Honours List’ award at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education Awards Night on Thursday 5th June 2025, which is awarded to the top 3% of students in their cohort.
Ms Muratore completed her Master of Education (Equity, Diversity and Social Change) at the University of Melbourne in 2023 and 2024. Her thesis explored the factors that influence the career decision making of young people who pursue vocational pathways. We at VUSC are all very proud of her!!
Mother’s Day Morning Tea
Earlier in the term we hosted morning tea to celebrate our mothers and the special motherly figures in our students' lives. Thank you to those who were able to attend, it was wonderful to spend time with some of our school families.
Congratulations Lockyer
Congratulations to Year 12 student Lockyer Foliola (left) who made his debut for the Melbourne Storm U21 Jersey Flegg team recently. This is a fantastic achievement considering Lockyer is a 17 year old playing against players a lot older and mature than himself.
Lockyer is an academy athlete at the Storm, captained the U19 Melbourne Storm SG Ball team and received the Best Forward award for this team. He has also been a huge leader for our senior Rugby League Academy.
Jiangsu Teaching Delegation Visit to VUSC
On Wednesday 21st May, 21 principals and teachers from our Jiangsu sister school in China visited Victoria University Secondary College.
The Jiangsu principals and teachers wanted the opportunity to visit VUSC so that we could share our school practices, discuss our curriculum, our teaching and learning practices, our student wellbeing processes, and our family-school collaboration.
Our wonderful Chinese teachers - Mr Ding, Ms Wang, Ms Cho and Ms Wang were our brilliant translators for this great event as we continue to improve education worldwide and share our practices.
Jiangsu Sister School Visit - Homestay Families Required for Male Students
We are thrilled to announce that students from our Jiangsu sister school in China, the High School Affiliated to Yangzhou University will be sending 22 Year 10 students and 3 teachers to visit our school from Monday 28th July to Friday 1st August 2025.
This is a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange, allowing our guests to immerse themselves in Australian culture and vibrant school community.
Thank you to those families who have generously offered homestays for these students. If you have a spare bed or two, we are still seeking families who would be willing to host Year 10 male students during their stay. Hosting involves providing a welcoming environment, a separate bed or bedroom, sharing meals with them, and possibly taking them out to experience local sights and culture. Each hosting family will receive $300 per student to help cover expenses during the visit. Unfortunately this year we will not have any sister school students attending the Junior Campus.
If your family is interested in this rewarding experience, please contact the school at your earliest convenience.
All participating homestay family members over the age of 18 years must comply with the Working With Children Act which requires them to undertake a mandatory Working With Children Check prior to hosting visiting international students. Volunteer Working with Children Checks are free and applications are available online.
Year 10 Careers Panel Event - seeking industry professionals
Just a reminder that our Careers Team is seeking workforce professionals from all industries to speak to students at our Year 10 Career Panel event. This will be held on Tuesday 24th June from 1.45 – 3.00pm at our Senior Campus in Cairnlea.
We welcome representatives from a range of professions and industries to help students consider their options when making their senior subject selections.
Participants will be organised into panels aligned with occupational fields and/or subject areas. Each panellist will speak about their backgrounds and careers, and students will be given an opportunity to ask questions to make informed decisions regarding their subject choices for 2026.
If you are in the workforce and you would be interested in sharing your career experiences with our students, please contact Ms Kristy Muratore, Careers Coordinator on 8312 0200. Please note that you must have a current Working with Children Check. Please see the flyer attached below.
Update on suspension and expulsion powers
Our school is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students and staff. You may be aware of recent changes announced to suspension and expulsion powers that will be available to Victorian principals from day one of Term 3, (Monday 21 July 2025).
We know that students’ behaviour outside of school, particularly online, can sometimes impact the safety of students and staff at school.
In exceptional circumstances, principals of Victorian government schools will be able suspend or expel students for behaviour that occurs outside of school grounds and/or hours including online, if it poses a significant danger to the safety and wellbeing of students or staff.
These powers apply only to serious incidents where there is a clear and close connection to the school and the behaviour of a student outside of school unreasonably impacts the safety and wellbeing of students or staff at school, and their ability to learn or work. Please note:
- They do not apply to behaviours unrelated to the school or school community.
- They only apply to behaviour which occurs from Monday 21 July 2025 onwards.
Suspension and expulsion will remain measures of last resort – our primary approach continues to focus on proactive and positive behaviour support, including working with you to teach students the behaviours we expect of them, in school and in life.
Thank you for your continued support as we work in partnership to educate and support our young people.
The importance of regular school attendance
At VUSC,we prioritise regular school attendance. We will work with families to ensure students are in class with their peers and teachers and enjoying all the benefits that brings.
Attending school every day means experiencing what counts – the learning, friendship, fun and opportunities that can shape your child’s future.
We understand that there are times when your child will need to miss school but to ensure minimal disruption to their education, please consider scheduling family holidays or medical/dental appointments outside of school time. If your child is well enough to attend but is worried about friendships, schoolwork or exams, please encourage them to come to school. Avoiding school can make these feelings worse and can create a negative pattern of behaviour.
If your child is having difficulty attending school, please talk to their Year Level Coordinator about getting support.
We know that parents and carers can be juggling challenges daily to get your children to school. If your child must miss school, notify us as soon as possible via the Absence Hotline on 8312 0243 so we can work together to support them.
For more information about the importance of everyday attendance, see Attendance and Missing School.
Remember, Every Day Counts.
High Levels of Expectation and High Levels of Support
The end of Term 2 is fast approaching, and the wintry weather has set in. I remind all families that students should be wearing their winter uniform which includes a college tie for all students. There are also college scarves available at PSW. A reminder that second hand uniform items can be bought and sold via www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au.
Every day of school is precious, and the college continues to have high expectations of students’ behaviour and effort so that learning and progress can be maximized and to provide students with strategies and resources to achieve their very best.
We feel strong and capable when we take the time to prepare and be ready to succeed in our learning. Coming to school in full uniform, with all necessary equipment (Binders, Cornell Notes, Student Planner and pens) and a fully charged device is the first part of every school day. This is preparation for success in work and life after school.
We keep up with our learning when we complete homework.
We can overcome challenges when we choose to be kind to others and choose a positive attitude.
We stay in control when we moderate our use of social media, mind our own business, and do not bring conflict or drama to school.
We stay safe when we seek help from parents/carers or staff instead of using aggression to solve our problems.
I expect students to have returned from the Term 2 holiday break refreshed, ready to follow all expectations and with everything they need as a successful Victoria University Secondary College Student.
I wish all our school community a relaxing holiday break after such a busy term. A reminder that students will be dismissed at 1.30pm on Friday 4th July and Term 3 begins on Monday 21st July.
Elaine Hazim
College Principal
*********************************************************************************************
Child Safety at VUSC
Victoria University Secondary College is committed to providing a child safe and child friendly environment, where students are safe and feel safe.
Our child safety and wellbeing policies outline the measures and strategies we have in place to support, promote and maintain the safety and wellbeing of our students:
- Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
- Child Safety Code of Conduct
- Child Safe Standards Risk Register
- Child safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedure
All of our policies are available on our school website here. As valuable partners in promoting and maintaining child safety and wellbeing at VUSC, we welcome and encourage your feedback.