Principal's Message
Dear Families,
Welcome Back to Term 4
I would like to welcome everyone back for the final term of the year. Term 4 is a busy term for all of us, with assessments, exams and reports all happening as well as planning and preparation for next year. Students should be working hard and preparing for their final assessments to best prepare for 2025. I remind parents/guardians that students are to wear their summer uniform this term, once again thank you for your continued support in this important matter.
A reminder that parking inspectors in plain clothing from Brimbank City Council will be patrolling the streets around the campuses regularly at school start and finish times. Please be mindful of where you are parking for pick ups and drop offs, and ensure that you stop/park in designated areas only.
School Start Bonus
This term, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus. The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks. The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.
Actions for Parents and Carers
Please ensure that your email address and phone number is up to date with us. If your contact information needs updating please call the office or send us an email to update your details.
Your contact information must be up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:
- in October, to verify your email address
- in November, with a link to access your $400 School Saving Bonus.
Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss these important emails.
Year 12 Practice Exams
All Year 12 VCE students and Year 11 students studying a Unit 3-4 subject had the opportunity to sit a practice exam in each of their subject areas in the second week of the term 3 holidays. Thank you to the staff who supervised these exams during their break.
Students were provided with an authentic exam experience. The purpose of the practice exams was to support the revision process, help build student confidence and maximise their performance. The practice exams are an effective way to develop a revision strategy for the final exams which occur throughout October and November, and to learn how to communicate knowledge to the examiner in an appropriate way.
Year 12 exams will commence on Tuesday 29th October with the first exam being English. I and the rest of the staff wish them all the luck in the world.
R U OK Day
R U OK? Day was celebrated at the College on Friday 13 September. R U OK? Day is a National Day of Action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation whenever they spot the signs that someone they care about might be struggling with life. It is also a timely reminder that R U OK? Day is just one day. For meaningful change R U OK? Day is also about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and making R U OK? part of your everyday!
You don’t need to be an expert to reach out – just a good friend and a great listener. Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:
- Ask R U OK?
- Listen
- Encourage action
- Check in
During this day, the VCE-VM students shared mini lessons with Year 7 students on how to support their peers. Our VCE-VM students also organised a lunchtime event with live music, a sausage sizzle, dance, friendship bracelets and mindful activities. Well done to all involved!
Student Attitudes to School Survey Results
In term two all students from Years 7 – 12 completed the annual Student Attitudes to School Survey. I am pleased to report our results are very positive and that we have improved from last year. Feedback from students indicate that they feel safe, supported by their teachers and the school, and are motivated to do their best.
We have received the “Factor Percentiles relative to all Victorian Secondary Schools” report and our results are overwhelmingly pleasing as we have improved in all areas over the last three years. I will table the report for school council members at the meeting. This year’s results show that we are sitting in the ninetieth percentile in a large majority of areas in comparison to all other Victorian Govt Secondary Schools. This means our results place us in the top 10% of government schools statewide.
Big Band
I had an uplifting experience on Wednesday 9th October when I was invited to attend a Senior Citizen’s Event at Caroline Springs by our local MP Luba Grigorovitch and the Minister for Veterans, Natalie Suleyman.
Our Big Band performed exceptionally well, playing non-stop for an hour and a half! Our talented students and our Music Leader, Mr Robert Breen were brilliant, delivering a fantastic performance that impressed everyone in attendance. I could not have been prouder of their hard work, skills, effort and dedication.
Thank you to Mr Breen and his team, for always making these events a such huge success.
Year 12 Celebration Day
I'm thrilled to share that our Year 12 Celebration on Wednesday October 22nd was a brilliant day filled with joy, laughter and wonderful memories, all made possible by our incredible students.
I want to commend our Year 12 students for their exemplary behaviour during the festivities. They not only showcased their fabulous costumes but also displayed respect and camaraderie throughout the day. It was heartwarming to witness them celebrating this significant milestone together with their teachers.
I am incredibly proud of their efforts and the positive spirit they brought to the event. This celebration marks an important moment in their lives, and it's wonderful to see them making lasting memories as they transition into the next phase of their journeys.
I would like to thank parents and guardians for your continued support, which has played a vital role in shaping these outstanding young individuals. I look forward to seeing all the amazing things they will accomplish in the future!
Yearbooks
The 2024 Yearbook will be available in December and provided to the Year 12 students at their Graduation. A post will be published on Compass when the yearbooks arrive. Students from Years 7 – 11 will be able to purchase a copy from the general office at either the Junior or Senior Campus. Families who have pre-ordered a yearbook may pick up their copy at their campus office.
Year 7 Enrolment 2025 and Orientation Day
I am pleased to announce that our Year 7 enrolment for 2025 has increased to 320 students which is our highest enrolment ever for Year 7.
The Year 7 Orientation Day will be held on Tuesday 10th December. This is always an exciting time for the new students and us. We look forward to welcoming the new students and their families and I would like to thank the community for the faith you show you have in our college.
Grade 6 students are required to wear their primary school uniform on the day and arrive at the Junior Campus by 9am. Students should bring a pen and their lunch, or money to buy lunch at the canteen. Students will be dismissed at 3.02pm.
This is a student free day for all Year 7 & 8 students. Year 9, 10 and 11 students will be participating in the Step Up program at the Senior Campus on this day.
Class Of 2024
Congratulations to our class of 2024, we wish you all the best for your upcoming exams and placements and look forward to hearing about your accomplishments beyond school. Each of you will forever be a part of our family at Victoria University Secondary College and we hope to see many of you return to visit soon.
Elaine Hazim
College Principal
*********************************************************************************************
Child Safety and Wellbeing at VUSC: Information for families and the school community
Victoria University Secondary College is committed to providing a child safe and child friendly environment, where students are safe and feel safe.
The Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing.
VUSC has reviewed and updated our child safety policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of the new standards. These are available to download below and can also be viewed on our school website.
We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures and practices.
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please contact your campus and speak to your Campus Principal.