From the Principal Team

Dear Students, Parents and Carers,

We are pleased to share the latest updates and highlights from the Principal Team and across our school community.

Principal Conference – 3rd and 4th June

Earlier this month, the Principal Team attended the Statewide Principal Conference, gaining valuable insights into educational priorities and leadership strategies. We discussed student engagement, wellbeing initiatives, and important policy changes affecting all Victorian schools. There were two new policies announced:  

Suspension for Out-of-School Activities

A significant new policy now allows our school to suspend students for behaviours outside of school if those actions impact our school community. This change is designed to help us maintain a safe and respectful environment for everyone.

Anti-Racism Policy

The Department of Education has released a new “Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools” policy. This policy sets clear expectations for respectful behaviour and supports our ongoing commitment to inclusion and diversity. Further details are available on the Policy and Advisory Library at VIC.GOV.AU. Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools: Responding to and reporting racism | VIC.GOV.AU | Policy and Advisory Library 

Bike Parking Space

Our new bike parking area is now open, providing an out of public eyesight storage for bikes and supporting active travel to school. The bike parking space near the gym is now closed to parking bikes. 

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)

Our SWPBS team has delivered professional development on classroom routines and the 4R Positive Climate for Learning approach (Ready, Remind, Reset, Remove). The SWPBS have developed a values based behaviour matrix and are now creating a process flowchart for minor and major behaviours. Thank you to the teachers, educational support staff, students and parents who have contributed to the SWPBS planning and creation of resources. 

Building Our Community and Identity (BOCI) Report

For Reconciliation Week, BOCI members organised a quiz in the library and played “Solid Rock” as part of our voices for reconciliation. The committee is also exploring the commissioning of a mural by a First Nations artist to celebrate our school’s diverse languages.

Fresh Take – Anti Vaping Prevention Project

Six students from Years 7–10 are participating in the Stonnington Council’s anti-vaping project, engaging in creative workshops and collaborating with students from other schools on visual and audio projects.

Sister School Visit

We are excited to welcome our sister school, Dumbea Sur Mer from New Caledonia, from 29 July to 5 August. This is our first exchange since Covid, and we are still seeking host families for seven female and two male students. Please contact us if you can help. 

Uniform

The School Council Uniform Sub-Committee are investigating a warmer jumper option to be worn with the PE/Sport uniform. If you have any thoughts about this matter please speak to a SRC member or Mrs Inoue Andersson.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to build a positive, inclusive, and forward-thinking school community.

CCTV at Glen Eira College 

We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all students, staff, and visitors. To further support this commitment, we have decided to implement a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system on our school grounds. 

The introduction of CCTV will assist us in fulfilling our duty of care by: 

• Enhancing the safety and security of our school community. 
• Preventing and managing inappropriate behaviour on school grounds. 
• Protecting school assets against vandalism and theft. 
• Reducing the time students spend out of class giving witness statements when incidents occur, allowing them to focus more on their learning. 

Glen Eira College will follow all Department of Education policy requirements for the design, installation, management, and use of CCTV systems. For more information, you can review the Department’s policy here:  CCTV in Schools – Installation and Management. 

Prior to the rollout of CCTV next term, we will place a CCTV Privacy Notice on our school website, providing further details about how CCTV will be used at Glen Eira College. 

If you have any questions or concerns at this stage, please contact: Jane Thornton glen.eira.co@education.vic.gov.au or call 03 9571 7838. 

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping us maintain a safe and supportive school environment. 

Jane Thornton 

Principal