Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

As Term 1 draws to a close and we approach the upcoming break, it is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the many achievements of our students so far this year. It has been an incredibly busy and productive term, with students settling in well, applying themselves to their learning, and rising to new challenges.

Last Friday evening, we celebrated our Year 11 Formal, which was a fantastic success. The night was a memorable occasion and a meaningful milestone, recognising students’ journeys through secondary school and providing an opportunity to come together and celebrate.

This week also provides an important opportunity for connection between home and school. Our parent-teacher conferences are being held face-to-face this evening (Wednesday), followed by Webex and telephone conferences tomorrow (Thursday). These conferences are a great opportunity for families and teachers to connect and work together to support students learning and wellbeing.

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Victorian School Sports Awards (VSSA) ceremony at the MCG alongside our Sports Coordinator, Grant Sanderson, where Bairnsdale Secondary College was proudly presented the Spirit of Sport Award. This honour recognises the exceptional sportsmanship our students consistently display at interschool sporting events. 

I am incredibly proud of our students, who represent the College with enthusiasm and integrity at every opportunity. Their efforts extend well beyond performance, reflecting our core values of Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience, along with courage, leadership, and integrity. This award is a testament to those qualities in action.

The spirit of sport is about far more than the final result. It reflects who we are and what we stand for as a school community. Win or lose, sport teaches students invaluable life lessons. You can train hard, compete at your best, and still fall short on the scoreboard—but there is so much more that defines success. It’s about how you play the game, how you conduct yourself, support your teammates, and how you treat your opponents.

Participation in sport, both within and beyond the College, plays a vital role in building life skills. Beyond the challenge of competition, it fosters a strong sense of connectedness, bringing together students across year levels, cultures, and genders. When students compete together, they grow together, forming friendships and shared experiences that can last a lifetime.

Sport also helps to build confidence, pride, and a sense of belonging. These qualities are highly transferable to the classroom and to life beyond school, supporting engagement and encouraging students to apply our core values in real-world contexts —helping to shape them into well-rounded individuals prepared for future challenges.

Looking ahead, Term 2 will commence on Monday 20th April with a student-free day, during which staff will be engaged in professional learning, including English sessions with renowned literacy educator Dr Misty Adoniou. We look forward to welcoming students back for the term on Tuesday 21st April.

In the meantime, I wish all of our students a safe and enjoyable break. They have worked exceptionally hard this term, and the holiday is well deserved.

Finally, I would like to thank our parents and carers for your continued support of our students and staff. Strong, positive relationships between home and school are essential in achieving the best possible outcomes for our young people, and we greatly value this partnership.

Sincerely,

Tony Roberts

Principal