From The Principal

Principal Report

It is always a pleasure to listen to our students speak at a whole school assembly and in particular our school captains.  At their farewell assembly they shared their memories of their journey through their secondary education.  What did resonant with me was how they now view their relationship with their class teachers and how it has changed through this time.  May I say it is not the teachers who change but the students recognising their own growing maturity as they moved through the various year levels and how they valued the input and advice of their teachers in the later years.

After the Year 12 twelve students had departed the assembly for the final time, I took the opportunity to speak with the remaining year levels about how their relationship with their teachers was important.  I asked them to question themselves if they “were being the best version of themselves” in their classes? If not, why not? The best version of yourself would enable learning and also provide a positive welcoming class environment for all members of the class.

Year 12

On Friday 13th October we farewelled all our Year 12 VCE/VCAL students at their final formal assembly. On Wednesday 16th November, the Year 12s will celebrate with their families at their Valedictory Dinner. The Year 12’s have represented the school exceptionally well. My thanks to Mr Michael Tuck, Mr Jamie Cumming, Ms Faya Mrad, Ms Rachael Rosenbrock, Mr Matthew Ryan and Mrs Kelly Pondard for their work with the Year 12 students over the course of the year. I also thank all the teachers who have contributed to the education of our Year 12 students as they moved through from Year 7 to Year 12.  They have been responsible for putting the all important foundation knowledge and skills in place prior to the final year of schooling.

I also take this opportunity to congratulate our Y12 VCAL students who have now completed their studies. A number of these students have already commenced apprenticeships or employment as a direct result of their VCAL studies.  Others are preparing to continue with TAFE courses.  My thanks to all staff involved in the VCAL program.

My thanks also to the careers team, Laura Della Fortuna and Carolyn Jenkins for their work with the Y12 students.

Final Examinations

A number of students have already started their final examinations in particular those who study a language, music performance and/or theatre studies have sat their oral/performance assessment prior to the commencement of the main written examinations.  The written examination period starts in earnest next week with English/English Language/EAL and continues for the next three weeks.  It has been a pleasure to see the industry of the year 12 students in the study period leading up to the examinations working together in small groups and seeking the assistance of their dedicated teachers through this time. 

Art/Fashion Show 

The Parkdale Secondary College Art Show was held on Wednesday 11th/Thursday 12th October and was a wonderful celebration of the talented students we have at this school; many pieces of work are tertiary or gallery standard. A new addition this year was the fashion show to showcase the work of the Production and Design Textiles students.  The numbers in attendance indicated the level of interest in seeing the work that is produced by the students. I congratulate all the students whose work was exhibited and to their teachers for their guidance and support throughout the year that has enabled the students to produce these outstanding pieces of work. 

Capital Works

After what has seemed, and is, a very long time the appropriate documentation and permissions have been given by the Victorian Schools Building Authority (VSBA) for the tender documents to be prepared. Hopefully we will now see the works commence before the end of the year on the C block toilet refurbishment and the landscaping/grounds work.

2026 Term Dates

There have been changes to Victorian school term dates for 2026. Following the announcement that the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria will not proceed, the original 2026 school term dates have been reinstated.

The 2026 Victorian school term dates are:

· Term 1: Tuesday 27 January to Thursday 2 April 2026

· Term 2: Monday 20 April to Friday 26 June 2026

· Term 3: Monday 13 July to Friday 18 September 2026

· Term 4: Monday 5 October to Friday 18 December 2026

For the list of school term dates until the end of 2030, refer to https://www.vic.gov.au/school-term-dates-and-holidays-victoria

Principal

David Russell