Principals Update

Dear all,

In our final newsletter of the year, there is much to celebrate, and so many people to thank.

I am so proud of the achievements of the class of 2024, who achieved a 100% completion rate. In addition our median study score increased from 26 in 2023 to 27 in 2024. I would particularly like to recognise our Dux for 2024, Charlotte Jackson, and our Dux Proximus, Eadie Marshall. 

On Wednesday evening, we held our annual presentation evening, which is such a special opportunity to celebrate the achievement of GSC students.  As we all know, success comes in many forms, and all award recipients have exemplified this diversity. Whether it’s academic achievement, sporting excellence, leadership and community service, artistic endeavour, or excellence in the workplace, our students have lived and breathed our school values of respect, achievement, innovation, diversity. I am so proud of all award recipients and the way in which they have enriched our school community. 

The support we receive from our local community is essential to our success as a school, and leads to stronger, healthier communities. Building Community Connectedness continues to be a key priority as a school, and I look forward to continuing to work with our community partners in 2025.

Thanks also to Gisborne Lions Club for their continued support throughout the year via funds donated to support educational needs such as attendance at camps and excursions of students who otherwise wouldn't be able to participate/attend.  This continued contribution makes an invaluable difference to the students and families the funds have supported.

This term we have continued to have students participate in the Victorian High Ability Program.  I would like to congratulate the following Year 7 and 8 students who completed the Term 4 VHAP.  English – Ethan, Isobelle and Sophie, and Mathematics – Ben, Sam, Skye and William. 

On Tuesday last week we welcomed our new Year 7 students to secondary school on the Statewide Transition Day.  I’ve no doubt students went home tired and with many experiences of the day to share and I’m sure this transition process marks a positive start to their secondary schooling.

Last Friday we held our annual colour run under weather perfect conditions.  It was quite the colour explosion out on the oval and basketball courts and the student band provided the perfect backdrop for the run.  It was an especially exciting day for Leela, who was the winner of the raffle of the voucher to Funfields.  Congratulations Leela!  You can see lots of photos at the bottom of the page.

I’m thrilled to announce that Stage 1 of our Capital Works Program is complete with the new Administration/Wellbeing Building being handed over to the school, and staff progressively moving into the space over the course of this week.  This includes College Reception, so if you’re visiting the school in person, please come to the new building which you can access via the staff and visitor carpark that’s an extension of the bus loop.  The works include beautiful landscaping, planting and seating and it’s been wonderful to see this in use already.  Our memorial garden has been retained and incorporated into the grounds adjacent to the new building which was a priority in the planning and design of the building and surrounds.

Please refer to the College calendar in the next section for 2025 school return dates as year levels will have a staggered start to the year.  Please also note that from today, we switch over from using Xuno as our student management system, to Compass.  Please ensure to refer to the information contained in this edition about downloading the Compass App. 

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the dedicated staff of GSC, who have worked tirelessly throughout 2024 to provide engaging and enriching learning opportunities for our students. It is always a bittersweet time of year, as we farewell a number of highly respected and valued staff, all off on new adventures in 2025.

It is with great appreciation we goodbye the following staff:

Chloe Gooderham, Sam Hunt, Georgia Gordon, Chris Hewitt, Prue Jones, Wendy Evans, Matthew Schott and Samantha Norris. In 2024 we also say goodbye to Chris Tate, who is retiring after devoting the last 27 years of her life to Gisborne Secondary College. It goes without saying that the school, B-Block in particular, will not be the same without her. 

As we wrap up for the year, I’d like to thank all parents and carers for your continued partnership with the school in your child’s learning, and I can’t express enough my gratitude to all the teachers and educational support staff for all their efforts that puts the experience and education of our students at the centre of everything we do.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and I look forward to working with you in the New Year.

Kind Regards,

Sarah Rose

College Principal