Remembering Holly

The past month has been extraordinarily challenging for our entire community. Once again, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Holly’s family and friends, as well as to the loved ones of Bianca Jones.

The Class of 2023 and current Year 12 students who were close to Holly were invited to gather at the college on Thursday 28 November, to reflect, share memories, and find comfort in each other’s company. It was heartening to see so many students come together in a place where they feel safe, a place where they are connected, and a place where they belong. The Class of 2023 gathered as one to demonstrate the strength of our community and the deep connections they shared with Holly.

On Friday 29 November, a sausage sizzle was held at lunchtime, raising $2,678 for the Holly & Bianca campaign. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about methanol poisoning.

Holly’s funeral was held at the college on Monday 9 December and it was a beautiful tribute for a cherished member of our school community.

VCE Results

We are thrilled to announce the outstanding VCE results of the Class of 2024! This talented cohort achieved remarkable results, with 14% securing an ATAR above 90 and 34% achieving an ATAR above 80. The median ATAR was 74, and a significant number of students achieved study scores of 40 and above. Our Dux, Isaac R, excelled with an ATAR of 98.4. Beyond these impressive academic achievements, we are immensely proud of the character and values that this cohort has displayed. Their commitment to The Beaumaris Way has made them exceptional individuals, and we eagerly anticipate their future successes.

2025 VCE Information Night

Thank you to all the families who attended the 2025 VCE Information Night on Thursday 14 November, both in person and online. We are grateful for the strong support from parents and carers - your commitment to your child's education is key to the success of our college.

Grade 5 Program

It was wonderful to host local Grade 5 students from Beaumaris, Beaumaris North and Black Rock primary schools as they got a glimpse into life at BSC during their visit in November. Special thanks to Maddy Hunter-Smith for orchestrating this enriching experience. Thanks also to our amazing student volunteers for their enthusiasm and support.

Whole-school Assembly

Our 2025 College Captains

College Captain speeches were delivered at our whole-school assembly on Monday 25 November. We applaud all students who embraced the opportunity for personal and leadership growth. I am delighted to announce Valentino B and Lily G as our 2025 College Captains. We extend our best wishes to them for a great year ahead.

Our Student Leadership program has been revamped for 2025, broadening opportunities for student involvement. We look forward to announcing the successful applicants in the new year.

Innovate & PBL Winners

Congratulations to the following Innovate & PBL Winners who were announced at the assembly:

YEAR 7

1st - Georgia B & Averie L

2nd - Max E & Hobie W

3rd- Ella D & Violet C

YEAR 8

1st - Parshan N, Ajay S, Callum W & Finn H

2nd - Chloe C, Izzy H & Emily E

3rd- Chelsea L & Claudia G

YEAR 9 & 10

1st - Ruby B & Charlotte F

2nd - Beau D, Lily A, Henry D & Hazel R

3rd - Annabelle T & Sapphire J

Maths Olympiad

Congratulations to our 2024 Maths Olympiad participants, who were also announced at the assembly. The Maths Olympiad is a nationwide competition run over four sessions, and the highest scores at BSC were achieved by:

YEAR 7

Danny C

Lewis M

Averie L

YEAR 8

Joshua V (Top 25%)

Chloe C - improvement in problem-solving

Kayla T - improvement in problem-solving

National Council of Women of Victoria - My Vote, My Voice

Congratulations also to Amelie D, Ruby F, Katie G, Lily G, Olympia K and Scarlett K who were recognised for their participation in the recent National Council of Women of Victoria - My Vote, My Voice event.

Ensembles Concert

An Instrumental Music Ensembles Concert was held on Tuesday 26 November, showcasing a tremendous amount of talent. Our instrumental music teachers—Camilla Saunders, Annette Yates and Kylie De Niese — and tutors have done a fabulous job.

BE Program

The BE Program (25 November – Thursday 5 December) kicked off our 2025 curriculum with tremendous success, setting a positive tone for the academic year ahead.

Presentation Evening

Congratulations to our 2024 awardees, who were honoured at our annual Presentation Evening on Thursday 5 December. It was a wonderful celebration commemorating another fabulous year at BSC. Congratulations also to the talented students who performed on the night. I would like to sincerely thank Sarah Keating for her outstanding organisation of this event. Please see the Presentation Evening page of this newsletter.

Micro-credentials Week

It has been wonderful witnessing students immerse themselves in Micro-Credentials Week (Monday 9 to Wednesday 18 December), seizing the opportunity to explore alternative learning paths and acquire new knowledge and skills. A special thank you to Maddy Hunter-Smith for her fantastic work in co-ordinating this impactful week.

Year 7 2025 Orientation Day

Last week marked an exciting milestone as we hosted our 2025 Year 7 students for Orientation Day. We look forward to welcoming 120 new students and their families to the college next year. The Orientation Day set a positive tone for the start of their educational journey. Some of our current Year 7 students have also visited local primary schools with Deb Kirk to share their experiences of high school and present information about the college to facilitate a smooth transition. A special thank you to Deb Kirk for her outstanding organisation and dedication to ensuring the success of these events and facilitating a smooth transition for our new students.

Food For Families

Thank you to everyone who generously contributed to our Food For Families Drive. Your support has made a meaningful impact on the lives of those facing food insecurity, aligning perfectly with our commitment to building a caring and supportive community.

Farewell and Thanks to the Canteen Team

Thank you and goodbye to Tina, Mark and staff who have managed our canteen for the past three years.

After three wonderful years of dedication, we bid farewell to Tina, Mark and the canteen staff who have tirelessly served our school community. Their hard work and friendly service have been deeply appreciated, and we thank them for their commitment and care. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

As we reflect on the year, we are proud of the resilience, growth, and sense of community that make Beaumaris Secondary College truly exceptional. Our students have excelled across academics, sports, and the arts, and embodied our CORE values of curiosity, optimism, respect and excellence. Each accomplishment has been a testament to the combined efforts of our dedicated staff, engaged parents, and, above all, our remarkable students.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to our outstanding staff, with the unwavering support of our parent community and the Parents' Association, for their dedication to our students' success throughout the year. A special thanks to our School Council members for their ongoing commitment to the college and our programs.

Wishing you all a safe, restful and wonderful holiday season. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Thursday 30 January 2025.

Peter Bartlett

Acting Principal

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