Acting Principal's update
A Strong Start to the Year
As we conclude Term 1, I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on what has been a highly productive and rewarding start to the school year.
Our Year 7 and Year 9 students recently completed NAPLAN, and I would like to commend them for the maturity and resilience they demonstrated throughout the process. Despite some initial system issues, the vast majority of students successfully completed their assessments. I thank both our students and staff for the calm and positive way in which they responded to these early challenges.
This term has also been rich with learning experiences beyond the classroom. Across every year level, students have participated in a range of outstanding excursions and camps that support both learning and personal growth. Highlights have included the visit to the Grand Prix, the Year 9 RAID excursion to Melbourne Zoo, and the Year 7 camps to Roses Gap, where students have had the opportunity to develop friendships, confidence, and resilience. Our senior students have also benefited from the Year 12 Study Camp on the Peninsula, while our Outdoor Education students embraced the challenges of camps to Mt Stirling and Mt Bogong.
It has also been wonderful to see the continued success of our Family Kitchen Workshops, which have provided valuable opportunities for families to engage with the school community in a meaningful and enjoyable way. We are pleased to have further workshops planned for Term 2 and look forward to building on this strong sense of connection.
The College's commitment to working in partnership with parents and carers was further reflected in the high levels of engagement we observed in the bi-annual Parent/Teacher Conferences where we also received strong feedback around our new progress reporting system. I am very pleased to fully endorse the new work habits average that these progress reports generate, meaning we can recognise and reward those students who have shown strong work habits across their subjects. This acknowledgement has also been extended to presenting our top merit performers with certificates at their final assemblies as part of our SWPBS implementation. Both of which embody the college value of achievement.
Looking ahead to Term 2, school will commence on Monday 20th April 2026 followed by our whole school ANZAC assembly on Tuesday 21st April. Gisborne Secondary College will be further represented at the Mt Macedon Dawn Service by our College Captains and at the Gisborne Service by our College Vice Captains.
Also in Term 2, we look forward to coming together as a school community for the whole school Athletics Carnival, as well as the upcoming Environmental Science Camp in the Whitsundays and the Study Tour to Japan. These experiences are integral to the broad educational opportunities we are proud to offer our students.
On the Thursday 30th April, we will be welcoming families of current grade 5 and 6 students to our Prospective Parent Evening. If you know any families that this would be of value to, please encourage them to register (details below).
Staff professional learning will continue to be a key focus next term. Our work will centre on ensuring orderly classroom environments and clear behavioural expectations, recognising that these are essential foundations for strong academic focus and achievement. In addition, our ongoing implementation of Ready to Learn practices will continue to support student engagement, wellbeing, and inclusion, in alignment with our College’s Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) goals and the whole school realisation of the Victoria Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0).
There are a few staff changes I would like to announce. I would like to both farewell and to wish Nick Thompson (PE) all the best as he takes up a new role at Mount Rowan Secondary College, Ballarat. Also a very fond farewell to John Hayward (PE), who has given Gisborne Secondary College 27 years of service as a dedicated member of staff, supporting in varied positions and roles. Although he has already put his hand up to drive buses and do some Casual Relief Teaching he will be missed by all. Joining us in Term 4 we have two new members of staff Mollie Cartwright and Vicky Brooke and we welcome them into our community. I'd also like to congratulate Caitlyn Bourke who will be taking over from Miranda Brown as a Year 9 Year Level Leader.
Finally I would like to thank our students, staff, and families for their ongoing support throughout the term. Together, we have made a strong start to the year, and I look forward to the continued growth and success that Term 2 will bring.
Russell Wigginton
Acting Principal
