Heads of Secondary Years' Report 

Dear Hazel Glen College Community,

We warmly welcome you back to Term 4. 

Whilst many of our students enjoyed two weeks of holidays, the recent break was known as 'Study Break' for our VCE students completing the upcoming VCAA exams. We would like to acknowledge and congratulate these students on their attendance at the trial examinations in Week 2 of the school holidays. It was so uplifting to witness the dedication that our senior cohort have towards their final year of schooling. We wish them all of the best as they work towards the upcoming examination period. 

A special thank you as well to Peyton and Sarah (our College Captains) for running our final Secondary Years assembly for the year, which took place this week. We would also like to recognise Adam and Olivia (College Vice-Captains), who have also been supporting by speaking at and facilitating the assemblies over the course of the year. We are very proud of your commitment, professionalism and efforts in the captaincy roles.

At the conclusion of the assembly, our Year 9 Band put on what can only be described as an incredibly uplifting rock performance, which was dedicated to the Year 12 Cohort. Arman, Brandon and Michael - you blew us all away with your talent, and you 'raised the roof', that's for sure. 

These last two weeks have been filled with various extracurricular programs, activities and events. We continue to welcome our future Year 7 students from different schools on site after school, as part of the 'Bridging the Gap' program. This has been a very positive approach and experience to ensure all students at Hazel Glen College feel that they belong and develop familiarity with the College. 

Transitions are an integral part of Secondary Education, and our teachers and leaders have been working hard to plan for meaningful transition opportunities to help prepare our students for the upcoming year. The transition days will take place closer to the end of the term. 2027 Year 11 and 12 students will all engage in a two-week 'Early Commencement' program. The 2027 Year 9 and 10 Cohort will participate in a two-day Orientation program, whilst the 2027 Year 7 and 8 students will have a one-day Orientation program, which takes place on the State-wide Transition Day (Tuesday December 8th). All key dates are listed in the 'Key Dates' section of this newsletter and have also been shared via Compass in greater detail. The purpose of these transition opportunities is to begin to prepare students for the curriculum requirements, structures and expectations of the upcoming year.

Please be aware that students in Years 9-11 will complete Semester 2 exams later this term. Families and students will receive detailed information via Compass regarding the specifics of the exam timetable, attendance expectations and general exam information soon. 

This week, we welcomed many interested families and students to our Ngukurr information evening for the proposed 2027 trip and information about the application process. Thank you to Ms. Webley for all of her organisation and planning- we are very excited about the prospect of a 2027 trip. 

Over the past two weeks, students have participated in College Pyjama Day, the inaugural Year 10 Mini Market, Year 10 Rock Climbing excursion, our Year 7 Welcome Evening and Academies information sessions, Year 9 Pat Cronin Foundation incursion, Year 12 VCE English Extension Program, VCE History Melbourne City Excursion, Year 7-10 Music Lab incursion and lastly, the final day of classes for our Year 12 VCE students today.

We look forward to welcoming back the 2026 Year 12 Cohort (VCE and VCE-VM) for Celebration Day next week. Marked by special traditions, it is always a fantastic way to formally end their classes and schooling. A reminder to all families and students that the purpose of the day is a positive celebration and recognition of the formal completion of their schooling. All students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the College values and maintain respectful behaviours at all times. 

Finally, a brief reminder to our community that phones are banned in all Victorian Government schools. Students are expected to use cash or card whilst purchasing from the school canteen. Payment via phone is not accepted.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. Be sure to check out the celebrations of learning & community section where we highlight and detail some of the fantastic things occurring in our Secondary Years over the past fortnight.

Sincerely,