Principal's Report

Directions in Victorian Education and at Greensborough College 

There is a range of initiatives being rolled out by the Education Department of Victoria. 

These include: 

The Victorian Curriculum 2.0 

The Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0 gives Victoria's students the best opportunity to thrive in a world of increasing change and rapid technological advancement.​ It incorporates much of the Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 however represents the curriculum as more of a continuum of learning and reflects Victorian priorities and standards.  

There are many benefits for students. They will have access to the essential knowledge and skills to be lifelong learners and to follow their chosen pathways.  The curriculum is more streamlined and the transition from primary to secondary schooling will be more seamless. 

The eight learning areas remain the same with the implementation being a four-year timeline. Mathematics will be fully implemented from 2025 with other learning areas to follow through to 2027. 

Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0 

The teaching model maintains the vision for learning and wellbeing articulated in version 1.0 however it has streamlined the theory of teaching and learning into a more practical and accessible format.  It has made best practice, common practice. At Greensborough College we are well positioned to work with the new version as we have already implemented an Instructional Model, the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support framework, the High Impact Teaching Strategies, a collaborative teaching and learning environment and multi-tiered systems of support. 

Multi-Tiered System of Support 

A multi-tiered system of support is a framework providing different levels of academic, behavioural, and social-emotional support based on students' needs.​  

There are three tiers: 

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Tier 1: Universal support for all students (high-quality classroom instruction).​ 

Tier 2: Targeted support for students needing extra help (small group interventions).​ 

Tier 3: Intensive, individualized support for students with significant challenges (one-on-one support). 

At Greensborough College we have been utilizing this model for several years through the implementation of School Wide Positive Behaviour Support and in our response to intervention in the wellbeing space and the learning support space. 

Positive Classroom Management Strategies 

The strategies are a set of eight evidence-informed instructional practices designed to create safer, purposeful learning environments.​  

They support student learning and wellbeing by teaching and reinforcing positive behaviours and they emphasise explicit teaching and positive reinforcement rather than disciplinary measures. These practices foster structured and supportive learning environment that enhances social, emotional, and academic development. 

At Greensborough College we are well placed to implement the practices with fidelity as they are closely aligned with the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support strategies that we have already embedded.  

The eight instructional practices are: 

Classroom Behaviour Expectations and Rules​ 

Classroom Procedures and Routines​ 

Encouraging Expected Classroom Behaviour​ 

Discouraging Inappropriate Classroom Behaviour​ 

Active Supervision​ 

Opportunities to Respond​ 

Activity Choice and Sequence​ 

Task Difficulty 

We have begun the work to implement the Positive Classroom Management Strategies at our recent Curriculum Day where we learned more about behaviour theory, examined our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Journey and took a deep dive into the eight instructional practices. 

In term 4 we will be relaunching our whole school expectations around mobile phones and the approved use of ICT and devices.  We will also be reintroducing routines and procedures for every classroom and lesson. 

We are excited by this work and its intended impact on school improvement and student outcomes. 

Term 3 Reflection 

We have had an amazing term full of events and activities that have engaged students in their pathways planning and choices, outdoor and adventure activities, performing arts and sports.  We have provided these opportunities that have connected them to their peers and school and showcased their efforts and talents.  

In recent weeks students have been actively involved in RUOK? Day, Wear it Purple Day and Footy Colours Day.  They have continued to participate in clubs, the SRC and student forums. 

We have seen an uptick in the attitudinal data where in many indicators our students have reported positive endorsement above schools in the network and the state. We will present a more detailed analysis of this data, with student input, next term. 

We are immensely proud of our students, their courage, kindness and efforts to do the best for themselves and others.  We encourage you to continue this path in term four and beyond. 

Principal Internship 

Next term we welcome Ben Omizzolo as a Principal Intern.  Ben is an Assistant Principal at Mickleham Secondary College, and he is undertaking the Unlocking Potential Program through the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership.  Our school has been selected, once again, because we are committed to developing educational leaders by providing opportunities for interns to observe, lead, facilitate and make decisions typical of a Principal.  Ben will be a part of the Principal and broader Leadership team during his time at the College.  As the Mentor Principal, my role is to foster Ben’s understanding of the impact of the principalship on improving student outcomes.  I am sure you will welcome Ben into our community. 

Term Break 

It is this time of the year when Australian Rules Football and the National Rugby League is prominent locally and nationally. Congratulations to our local football teams and to our students and families who are involved in these teams.  Many local teams have won premierships, and some are playing in Grand Finals this weekend.  My AFL team, Collingwood, still the premiers at the time of writing, will have to wait until 2025 to have another go at the flag, however I will be cheering for the Melbourne Storm in the coming weeks. Good luck to your teams during September. 

To all our students and families who participate and volunteer in sporting teams and clubs throughout the year, I wish you all the best and I know your community thanks you for all that you do to ensure clubs and people are thriving.   

I wish all our students, families and staff all the best for a safe and restful term break.  Try to unwind and unplug and come back refreshed for the run home.  Term 4 resumes on Monday 7th October.