Principal's Report 

WELCOME BACK 

Welcome to all staff, students and their families to Vermont Secondary College for the start of the 2024 academic year. I would like to particularly welcome the Year 7 class of 2024, as well as students, and families who are newly enrolled at the college in Years 8 to 12. I trust all community members had a safe and enjoyable summer break.

The students, and staff, are to be congratulated on how well they have settled back into school life over the last two weeks, it is a credit to you all.  

Demand for enrolment in the college continues to remain high from our local community. For the fifth year running our student numbers are greater than 1,500. In 2024 we are heading towards a student population close to 1,600 with our current enrolment at 1,588. See below for a breakdown of this figure:   

Year 7   277 

Year 8   306 

Year 9   255 

Year 10   261 

Year 11   250 

Year 12   239 

Total 1,588 

Unfortunately, in late 2022 the company building our new architecturally designed Gymnasium complex consisting of two full sized basketball courts, an office space for our Physical Education/Health/Outdoor Education staff, change rooms, two classrooms, entrance foyer, storage facilities and a weights room went into receivership.  

The good news is that through a tender process run by the Department of Education a new company has been approved and will begin works again in mid-February this year with a completion date of January 2025. 

The project is funded by the State Government/Department of Education (DE) and through a college contribution. 

Thank you to the families who have donated to our Library or Building fund (both are tax deductible). These donations are greatly appreciated and assist us to continually maintain and improve facilities and equipment for the school community. In this case the Building fund will allow us to furnish the new gymnasium complex. We appreciate the support of the college community in helping us to support your child. Donations are always gratefully accepted. 

All staff (Teachers & Education Support) look forward to the 2024 school year and working productively with our college students and families by providing a supportive, happy and stimulating educational environment. Welcome! 

VSC HOUSE SWIMMING SPORTS – WEDNESDAY 14th FEBRUARY 

A reminder that the annual VSC House swimming sports will be held on Wednesday 14th February at the Monash Aquatic Centre, 626 Waverley Road, Glen Waverley. ALL YEAR 7, 8 and 9 STUDENTS WILL ATTEND the swimming sports. Regular Year 10, 11 & 12 classes will be running at VSC, apart from competitors of those three year levels. 

For full details please refer to the Sports Report in this newsletter. 

WELCOME TO NEW AND RETURNING STAFF 

I’m pleased to introduce and welcome 22 new staff and 4 returning staff members for the 2024 school year. A number of these staff started during the second half of last year or have been in the college in 2023 in a support capacity. 

TEACHING 

Andrew Nyhuis - English/Humanities - Geography 

Alex O’Brien - English 

Shannon Woolcock - English 

Alex Scott – Commerce/English 

Tom Nisbet - English/Humanities 

Kailey Scott – The Arts 

Nikki Cavanagh – Biology/Science 

Emma Bleazby – Psychology 

Natalie Anderson – Physical Education 

Deborah Foreman – Maths 

Emma Carberry - English/Humanities 

Stephanie Darlington – English 

Sheree Avard – German/Science 

Sabina Feliciani – English 

Andrew Kelham – Maths 

Kiri Caracasidis - Biology/Science 

Sara Schulz – Chemistry/Science 

Education Support 

Stef Mirra – Wellbeing 

Lucy Toulantas – Inclusion 

Angela Romanis – Inclusion 

Miriam Parker – Inclusion 

Claire Kerr - Inclusion 

RETURNING 

Staff on leave for all, or much of, 2023 -  

Cathy Dwyer – Biology/Science 

Tracy Mills – English 

Ines Lehmann – German 

Georgia Osborne – Maths 

Vermont Secondary College VCE 2023 Results 

Vermont Secondary College is extremely pleased with our students VCE/ATAR results for the 2023 academic year. In an excellent year of results, following 3 years of major disruption to the educational program, Vermont Secondary College’s highlights include -  

Congratulations to our Dux, Reuben Andrade, with an ATAR of 99.75 closely followed by our second ranked student, Hannah Zhu, with a 99.55 and third ranking, Ashley Xin Yuan Neo, with a 99.3. In total six students scored over 99, with 28 students scoring 95 and above. 

64 students of a cohort of 236, received an ATAR of 90 and above, placing them in the top 10% of the state. This is 27.12% of our student cohort. 

122 students of a cohort of 236, received an ATAR of 80 and above, placing them in the top 20% of the state. This is 51.69% of our student cohort. 

166 students of a cohort of 236, received an ATAR of 70 and above, placing them in the top 30% of the state. This is 70.34% of our student cohort. 

209 students of a cohort of 236, received an ATAR of 60 and above, placing them in the top 40% of the state. This is 88.56% of our student cohort. 

VSC 2023 - % of Study scores of 40 and over = 9.9% (+2.8 improvement) 

Median VSC Study Score = 32 

Percentage of VET units of competence completed = 85% 

Students awarded the VCE Baccalaureate = 27 (+10 increase) 

Percentage of satisfactory VCE completions = 100% 

The college is always extremely proud of our highest performing students, but we are equally proud of all students who have achieved individual excellence by achieving their goals. As a non-select entry school Vermont Secondary College is extremely proud of its ability to cater for all students wishing to continue on into Year 12. In some cases, a student’s result can be against extremely difficult personal circumstances. 

I would also like to acknowledge the Year 12 students who chose to stay with us in their final year to complete a non-ATAR scored VCE. Congratulations on successfully completing your final year of secondary schooling and receiving a VCE Certificate of Completion. Best wishes into the future.  

Congratulations to all VCE students and their families, the Senior School Leadership Team and all our Year 12 teachers on providing a quality education for our students. I also thank all staff within the college who have been involved in the teaching and development of the class of 2023 over the last six years.  

Thank you to all the Year 12 students who actively involved themselves in the student leadership program over the years. Particular thanks go to the six House Captains for their commitment to the house system and the broader college program -  

Hotham – Kurt Ennis & Heidi Ma 

Macedon – Jade Carnell & Nishi Arora 

Stirling – Alex Lee & Freya Sutanto  

I also personally thank our two School Captains, Alex and Freya for the way they so ably represented the college in a wide range of areas and initiatives.  

I trust students are pleased with their individual performance and that further opportunities will now be available to you so that you can pursue your goals and dreams. I wish you all the best for the years ahead and thank you for your contribution to Vermont Secondary College.  

“An outstanding result from our 2023 VCE cohort and staff in light of their Year 10 and 11 classes being taught predominantly via remote learning and significant disruptions in 2022 with ongoing COVID related staff and student illness. Well done and congratulations to the class of 2023!” 

Tony Jacobs – Principal Vermont Secondary College 

The following table below gives the college community a snapshot of our student’s impressive results. 

VSC VCE Data 2013 to 2023 - 

VSC HOUSE AND SCHOOL CAPTAINS 2024 

Congratulations go to the following six Year 12 students who have been selected as the 2024 House Captains – 

Hotham – Arwa Milwala & Akhila Gollamudi 

Macedon – Maithili Patel & Abby Serpell-Wilcock 

Stirling – Amelia Ross & Hongru (Aaron) Wang 

Well done to our six House Captains on your appointment and the college looks forward to working with you over the year. The 2024 VSC School Captains will be announced over the coming week. 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DE) ANNUAL ENROLMENT CENSUS 

The Enrolment Census by DE (Department of Education) is carried out each year in late February. Student enrolment and attendance is critically important to the college’s funding. If students have not appeared by the end of February, we will lose funding for them following the DE Census Audit. If students have extended absences i.e. illness or overseas, and there is documentary evidence of liaison with home e.g. letters signed and dated by parents/guardians, medical certificates, phone call records etc. then they will be allowed in our census count, and we will receive department funding for them.  

In the past the meticulous records kept by our Attendance Officer in the General Office, Student Managers and classroom teachers have been critical in retaining students and hence funding. The support of parents/guardians in providing explanations for student absences also assists us to take care of the wellbeing of our students and is of vital importance. Your co-operation and assistance in keeping the school informed regarding student absences is essential. If you have any queries or concerns then please call our Attendance Officer, Nikki Eacher, via the General Office or relevant Student Manager. 

2024 COLLEGE COUNCIL ELECTIONS 

VSC Council elections will occur early this term and there are vacancies available for parent, student and staff representatives. Information will be sent out soon in regard to the process, with nomination forms attached. 

2024 VICTORIAN SCHOOL TERM DATES 

Term 1      Monday 29 January all staff return.  

Students start Tuesday 30 January in government schools to Thursday 28 March (Friday 29 March is Good Friday) 

Term 2      Monday 15 April to Friday 28 June 

Term 3      Monday 15 July to Friday 20 September 

Term 4      Monday 7 October to Friday 20 December 

FOR VICTORIAN SCHOOL TERM DATES 2024 TO 2030 GO TO -  

https://www.vic.gov.au/school-term-dates-and-holidays-victoria