Around The College
🏆 Celebrating Leadership in Learning:
Principal John Ballagh Honoured
Brentwood Secondary College is proud to announce that our Principal, Mr. John Ballagh, has been awarded the School Library Association of Victoria Leaders Award for 2025. This prestigious recognition celebrates his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to the development and enhancement of our school library, transforming our space into a vibrant, inclusive, and inspiring hub of learning, ensuring the library remains central to our school’s educational vision.
Under his leadership, the school secured substantial funding to revitalise the library space, enabling us to undertake a much-needed renovation, resulting in a modern, welcoming space that fosters student engagement and academic growth. His further commitment to allocating substantial financial support also enabled us to acquire new furniture and shelving, creating a flexible and inclusive environment tailored to diverse learning needs.
John’s dedication is further evidenced by his generous allocation of the school’s budget toward library resources. His prioritisation of a generous book budget has allowed for the continuous expansion and diversification of our collection. This has ensured that the library remains responsive to the evolving needs and interests of our students and enables us to offer a wide range of high-quality, relevant, and diverse literature, supporting both curriculum and recreational reading and fostering a culture of reading and lifelong learning.
Through his visionary leadership and tangible support, John has elevated the role of the library as a central hub of learning, collaboration, and creativity. His efforts have empowered library staff, enriched student experiences, and set a benchmark for excellence in school library development.
This award celebrates not only the financial investment but the belief that a thriving library is essential to a thriving school. John exemplifies what it means to be a Library Leader—someone who empowers, inspires, and invests in the future of education.
We congratulate John Ballagh on this well-deserved honour and thank him for his unwavering support of our library. His recognition is a reminder of the vital role school libraries play in enriching education.
Language Learning Comes Alive at Brentwood!
Over the past two weeks, our Language classrooms have been buzzing with activity as students across Years 7–9 engaged in a range of hands-on cultural and language experiences.
Year 9 Japanese – Shopping Incursion Our Year 9 Japanese students put their learning into practice during an exciting shopping incursion. Classrooms were transformed into mini “stores,” where students used their Japanese language skills to ask for prices, order food, and interact in real-life scenarios. This practical task not only helped build confidence in speaking Japanese, but also ended with the highlight of the day—enjoying the delicious food they ordered. Students commented on how much they enjoyed being able to use Japanese in a fun, authentic way.
Year 7 German – Bretzel Morning Tea To celebrate the end of the Food Unit, Year 7 German students were treated to a very special morning tea. Students sampled traditional German Bretzels (pretzels), choosing between classic salted or sweet cinnamon sugar—though many couldn’t resist trying both! The morning tea gave students a chance to experience a small part of German food culture while reflecting on the vocabulary and topics they had learned throughout the unit.
Year 8 Japanese – Video Calls with Japan Three of our Year 8 Japanese classes had the remarkable opportunity to connect directly with students from Saeki Junior High School in Okayama, Japan. During the live video calls, students began by speaking in Japanese before switching to English, exchanging questions about their hobbies, school life, and weekend activities. This intercultural exchange not only strengthened students’ speaking skills but also allowed them to learn about everyday life in Japan from students their own age. It was a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone involved.
These activities highlight the vibrant and engaging learning happening across our Languages program. We are proud of the enthusiasm and curiosity our students have shown, and we look forward to more exciting cultural experiences next year!
Hudson Institute for work experience
I recently had the opportunity to visit the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, where I observed a medical researcher for a full week.
The researcher I was with, Dr. Shouya Feng, specializes in her research in the body’s Innate Immunity and the diseases related to it. NLRP3 is a protein that plays a key role in the innate immune system functioning as a sensor to detect any threats that enter the body. When NLRP3 is mutated, it activates spontaneously, leading to diseases like Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), inflammation and etc.
During my week at the institute, , i not only performed various research techniques such as western blotting and cell-based assays, but also had the chance to immerse myself in Micro-imagery, Histology and even got to observe a fetal sheep surgery where the sheep had a brain injury and the researchers had inserted small wires to record its brain activity in real time.
In addition to these experiences, I was also included in several lab meetings and seminars where researchers got to showcase their recent projects and findings. I had got to meet the CEO and Director of the Institute and Hudson's communication team which gave me a deeper understanding of the work happening behind the scenes and how research is communicated to the public.
Overall, this incredible experience provided me with valuable insight into the day-to-day life of a medical researcher and what to expect if one chooses to pursue a career in science.
~Shradha Sathish (10E2)
Celebrating our students' achievements in 2025
We are thrilled to announce that our annual Presentation Evening, celebrating the remarkable achievements of our students, will be held on Wednesday 17th December at The Besen Centre in Burwood.
This special event will honour students receiving awards across various categories, including the Learning Growth Award for exemplary progress, Academic Excellence Subject Awards for top performers, and recognitions from our co-curricular pillars in Sport, Performing Arts, and Music. Additionally, we will acknowledge outstanding leadership, prestigious awards earned throughout the year, and student accomplishments in the Duke of Edinburgh program and VCE subjects.
Parents and students are encouraged to keep an eye out for a Compass event invitation to join us in this celebration of success. We look forward to seeing you there!
Mrs Exton
VCE Arts/Technology Exhibition
On Tuesday 14th Oct we had the pleasure of opening the Year 12 VCE Arts/Technology Exhibition in the J Block Gallery. It was a really successful event with lots of our students and families attending throughout the evening.
I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the wonderful guidance and support provided by our teachers— Megan Furphy, Dayna Williams and Alice Krieger. Your expertise, encouragement, and unwavering belief in your students have helped shape not only the artworks on display, but also their creative confidence and independence.
Congratulations to Avani Kalanje who was awarded The Principal's Award and selected by John on behalf of the Principal Team. In the future you will see this artwork hopefully displayed in our main foyer at Reception.
Brentwood Buzz Term 4 Edition
Dear Brentwood Community,
The Newspaper Club is excited to share the Term 4 edition of Brentwood Buzz, our student-led newspaper. We hope you enjoy the last edition for 2025. - https://brentwood.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/6th-Edition-of-Buzz-T4-2025-Final_compressed.pdf
Year 11 Applied Computing- Innovative Solutions: Chatbots with AI
This term, our Year 11 students have taken on the challenge of creating innovative chatbot solutions as part of their Innovative Solutions Project. Working in groups, they explored how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can be applied to meet the needs of a rapidly changing 21st-century world.
Students began by investigating real-world applications of AI and examined how generative AI is transforming industries and everyday life. They then applied this knowledge to their own projects, using generative AI tools to design conversation maps and scripts, which were refined and customised to suit the specific purpose of their chatbot.
To build their solutions, students used AIML (Artificial Intelligence Markup Language), gaining valuable experience in both coding and problem-solving. The project required them to combine technical expertise, creativity, and collaboration, while also thinking critically about how AI can provide innovative solutions to real needs.
An important part of this project was building students’ AI literacy. They learned not only how to code and design chatbots, but also how to critically understand and question the role of AI in society. By exploring concepts such as transparency, ethics, and fairness in AI systems, students developed the ability to see themselves as both responsible users and creative developers of technology.
The finished chatbot solutions are a fantastic reflection of our students’ hard work and innovation. The chatbot solutions included Maths tutor bot, Tax bot, Cinema bot, Nutritionist Bot, UberEATS and Bunnings bot. They not only demonstrate growing skills in digital technologies and computational thinking but also show how learning can connect directly with the exciting opportunities and challenges of the modern world.
🌟 Wellbeing Update – Let’s Get Involved & Stay Connected! 🌟
Dear Students,
Wellbeing continuously brings along new activities, lunchtimes clubs and campaigns to support your wellbeing, meet new people, and have a bit of fun along the way. Check out what’s happening at school:
🥪 Breakfast Club – Every Wednesday, 8:00–8:30 AM
Start your day right! Come along to the Breakfast Club in front of G3 and it opens to all students. Free food, friendly faces, and a positive start to your day! Please let our team know if you have any dietary restrictions.
🎨 Lunchtime Clubs – Get Involved!
Lunchtimes just got a whole lot more exciting! Join a club that suits your interests:
- 🌈 Rainbow Collective and Allies – A safe, respectful, and supportive space for LGBTQIA+ students and allies every Wednesday during lunchtimes in K13.
- 💻 DigiTech Club – Explore digital skills, gaming, and creative tech every Thursday during lunchtime in G10.
- 👭 Sista Society – Empowering young women through connection and conversation every Thursday during lunchtime in TLC4.
- 🎨 Art Club – Unleash your creativity in a relaxed space every Wednesday during lunchtime in A4.
- 📚 Anime & Manga Club – Chat, draw, and connect over your favourite anime and manga every Friday during lunchtime in TLC4.
These clubs are a great way to de-stress, try something new, and connect with others who share your interests.
Remember, wellbeing isn't just about mental health – it's about feeling connected, supported, and balanced. There’s something for everyone, so step in, show up, and take care of you.
See you there!
Wellbeing Team
Camps at Brentwood
Camps play a vital role in your child’s social and emotional development. At Brentwood, we highly value these experiences and offer a wide range of camps and events across multiple year levels, including:
- Year 7 – Phillip Island
- Year 8 – Creswick
- Year 9 – Tasmania & City Experience
- Year 11 – Central Australia Tour
- Performing Arts Camps
- Music Camps
- Language Camps and Tours
- Various Overseas Camps and Experiences
- Leadership Camps
- Duke of Edinburgh Camps
Planning and Organisation
Our dedicated teaching staff invest significant time and effort into planning camps, with some taking over a year to organise. To ensure these experiences are accessible and affordable, we need to confirm student numbers early in the process.
Many camps begin with an Expression of Interest (EOI) event on Compass. It is important for parents and carers to register their child’s interest in the camp at this stage, as this provides us with an estimate of attendance and costs.
For some camps there are limited places available. If the number of interested students exceeds capacity, attendees are selected through a random ballot. Students not selected are placed on a waiting list and may be offered a spot if others withdraw.
Consent and payments for camps must be made before the due date specified on the event. The school cannot accept any late payments or consent for camps. If your child wishes to withdraw from the camp at any stage, the school must be notified as soon as possible.
Students withdrawing from camps and excursions are not automatically entitled to a refund. Where NO COST is incurred by the school, a full refund will be payable to the student when:
- The student's place is filled by another student
- The Principal deems the student’s withdrawal was unavoidable eg. Illness. Proof of reason for withdrawal may be requested in such circumstances.
Where some cost has been incurred by the school, a partial refund will be payable to the student withdrawing when:
- The Principal deems the student’s withdrawal was unavoidable. In such cases the refund will be the full amount paid by the student, less expenses incurred by the school as a result of the withdrawal.
Where FULL COST has been incurred by the school no refund will be payable to the student withdrawing when the Principal deems the withdrawal was avoidable. Refer College Refund Policy.
If you have any questions about camps, please contact the school or the camp organiser.
Thank you for your support, we are extremely lucky to be able to offer so many camps at Brentwood.
BrentCast Episode 8
Our latest episode is now live.
Please use the link below.
In this episode, we hear from our wonderful Library Monitors and Librarians as they outline the Brentwood Library Monitor Program and how this helps promote reading, friendships and helping our students grow as learners and people in our Brentwood Community.
Student Lunches can now be ordered online via the Qkr app
Canteen Menu
Electronic device use at Brentwood Canteen
We would like to thank you for your continued support with the Personal Mobile Devices Policy. We have noticed students trying to utilise their phones as a payment method at the canteen and ask that families look to make other arrangements.
Mobile phones are not to be used at the canteen as they are not allowed to be in use between the school hours of 8.45am and 3.05pm.
Students can make payment via an EFTPOS card or cash.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Robyn Geshev
Business Manager