As we have reached the end of another semester, it is an important moment to pause and recognise just how much has been achieved—both seen and unseen—across our school community.

This term has been filled with learning, growth, challenge, and persistence.

Our students have engaged deeply in their studies, navigated new ideas, built skills, and, importantly, continued the gradual journey of becoming the adults they aspire to be. While academic progress is always important, what matters just as much is the development of character: resilience in the face of difficulty, curiosity in learning, and respect for others.

Each lesson learned, each challenge faced, and each success celebrated contributes to something far greater than a report or result. It shapes identity, builds confidence, and strengthens the foundations for the future. This is the real work of education—and it is happening every day.

For our students, it is worth remembering that school is not just about completing tasks or achieving grades. It is about growth. It is about becoming more capable, more thoughtful, and more prepared for the responsibilities and opportunities that lie ahead. Keeping sight of this bigger purpose provides motivation, especially during times when the work feels demanding.

For our families, thank you for your ongoing support, encouragement, and partnership. The role you play in reinforcing these values—effort, perseverance, and integrity—cannot be overstated. Together, we are shaping young people who are not only knowledgeable, but also equipped to contribute positively to their communities.

Heading into the break, I encourage all students to take time to rest, reflect, and reset. A well-earned pause allows us to return with renewed energy and focus for the term ahead.

Congratulations to all students for the commitment and effort shown throughout the semester. We look forward to seeing this journey of growth.

Digital Advice

Recent media coverage has focused on proposed changes to how digital devices are used in secondary schools, including the possibility of a daily limit on student screen time.

At this stage, these proposals are not yet in effect. Formal guidance is still being developed, and schools have not received detailed instructions about how any new arrangements will operate in classrooms or across the school day. Until that guidance is released, schools will continue to follow current policies and established practices for digital technology use.

New guidance is expected to be published in Term 3. This guidance will outline how all schools can use digital devices effectively, highlight practices that should be avoided, and provide clear, supportive advice for teachers. It is intended to help school communities balance the benefits of technology with student wellbeing, focus and engagement in learning.

Importantly, the guidance will also recognise that some students rely on digital devices as part of their learning support. Exemptions will apply for students with disabilities who use a digital device or tool as a reasonable adjustment required to access, participate in, or communicate at school. This means that, even under any new arrangements, these students will continue to use the tools they need to be fully included in school life.

For families and students, the key points for now are:

Existing school technology practices remain in place until official guidance is released.
Any confirmed changes will be communicated clearly through school channels.
Schools will be supported with practical advice to apply the new guidance in a fair and consistent way.

There is no need at this time to make changes to student routines based solely on media reports. Once the Term 3 guidance is published and provided to schools, you can expect straightforward information about what it means for teaching, learning and device use at school.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership as the broader framework for digital technology use in schools is clarified.

New Bus pick up routine for term 3

Viewbank College will introduce a new after-school bus pick-up routine from the start of next term to improve safety and manage the growing number of students using buses on Warren Road.

Why we are changing

Student use of our bus services has increased significantly, which has led to higher levels of foot traffic along Warren Road at the end of the day. National and Victorian guidance on school bus safety emphasises the importance of keeping students well back from roads and behind safety barriers while they wait for buses.

New gates and waiting areas

To better separate students from traffic and buses, the College has installed two new gates and will continue to use two existing gates along Warren Road, all of which are shown in red on the attached map. The designated student waiting zones are marked in blue on the map and sit inside the fence line, away from Warren Road and the bus bay.

How the new system will work

From the beginning of next term, all students catching buses will be required to enter the oval side of the fence and wait inside the blue-marked areas until their bus arrives. Staff will supervise these areas and will then usher students in an orderly manner onto their buses once they have come to a complete stop and it is safe to board.

Expectations for students

Students are expected to move promptly to the bus waiting areas at the end of the day, remain behind the fence line and follow staff instructions at all times. Consistent with broader bus safety expectations, students should wait calmly, avoid running or pushing, and only approach the bus when directed by staff.

How families can support

Families can support this change by discussing the new routine with their children and reinforcing the importance of following staff directions in the bus waiting zones. If your child is new to using the buses, please take a moment to review the College’s transport information on our website or contact the General Office for clarification before the new arrangements begin.

Please see the Dyson page for a survey for all Dyson bus users.

If you travel with Mee's busline you do not need to complete it.

Uniform Matters: Viewbank Pride, Identity and Consistency

As part of our ongoing focus on building a strong and cohesive school culture, the College recently undertook a whole-school uniform audit involving 660 students across all year levels. The results were very encouraging: the vast majority of students are meeting expectations and wearing the uniform with pride, demonstrating a shared commitment to representing our College in a respectful and consistent manner.

The audit also highlighted a small number of areas where we can lift further, particularly in relation to footwear and the wearing of non-uniform items. These are refinements rather than a reset, and they give us an opportunity to strengthen the standards that so many of our students are already meeting every day.

Uniform is an important part of how we operate as a school community. It supports:

A strong and recognisable school identity
A sense of pride in belonging to the College
Equity and inclusion through consistent expectations
Readiness for learning and a calm, purposeful environment

When students wear the uniform correctly, they are not just following a rule; they are reinforcing high expectations, contributing to a positive and orderly school culture, and showing pride in themselves and their peers.

From the beginning of next term, the College will be strengthening its approach to monitoring and reinforcing uniform expectations. This will include:

Consistent uniform checks
Clear and timely follow-up of non-compliance
Ongoing reinforcement of expectations across all year levels

Our goal is not unnecessary sanction. Our goal is clarity, consistency, and support: ensuring that expectations are clearly communicated, fairly applied, and well understood by all students.

We value the strong partnership we have with families and ask for your support in ensuring students attend each day in full and correct uniform. In preparation for next term, we ask families to:

Review uniform expectations with their child (available here: https://www.viewbank.vic.edu.au/enrolments/uniform/)
Ensure all items, particularly footwear, meet College guidelines
Address any gaps prior to the start of term

A proactive approach now will help ensure a smooth, settled and consistent start to the term, allowing students and staff to focus their energy where it matters most: learning, wellbeing and growth.

Thank you for your ongoing support. By working together, we can ensure that all students represent the College with pride and continue to uphold the high standards that define our community.

Viewbank College - Building Fund - Investing in our students' future

With the end of the financial year approaching, now is an ideal time to consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the School Building Fund.

Your donation will help us continue investing in facilities that directly benefit our students while providing a tax benefit to your family.

Our school community has a proud tradition of supporting projects that enhance the learning environment for all students.

Through the generosity of families who have contributed to our Building Fund over the years, we have been able to deliver significant improvements across the school.

Past Building Fund contributions have helped provide:

The VCE Centre, giving senior students a dedicated space to study and prepare for their future pathways.
Student water stations, promoting health, wellbeing and sustainability.
Data projectors that enhance classroom teaching and learning.
Air conditioning upgrades that create more comfortable learning environments throughout the year.

These projects have made a lasting difference to the daily experience of our students and staff.

Every contribution, large or small, has played a part in creating facilities that support learning, wellbeing and student success.

As we continue to plan for the future, the Building Fund remains an important way for families to help improve and maintain the facilities our students use every day.

Contributions to the Building Fund are invested directly into projects that benefit current students and future generations of learners.

We invite families who are in a position to do so to consider making a contribution to the School Building Fund. Whether your donation is modest or substantial, every contribution helps us continue to improve the facilities that support our students' education and wellbeing.

Thankyou for your ongoing support of our school community and our shared commitment to providing the very best opportunities for our students.

Anesti Anestis Acting Principal Rachael Smith, Assistant Principal

Anna Crosswhite, Assistant Principal

Penelope Cleghorn, Assistant Principal

Lauren Jewell, Acting Assistant Principal

Wellbeing