Rhys Doyle

Welcome

What a busy and rewarding term we have enjoyed. None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of our students, families/carers, staff and wider school community.

Throughout the term, we have celebrated countless achievements in our classrooms, strong engagement in community events and activities, and many memorable moments through camps, excursions, incursions and school-based celebrations. Whether students were challenging themselves through new learning experiences, representing the school in the community, or showcasing their talents and achievements, there has been much to celebrate.

I would like to sincerely thank our families/carers for their continued partnership with the school, particularly for your attendance and contributions to our Student Support Meetings (SSG). These meetings are an important opportunity for us to work together to support every student's learning, wellbeing and future goals. Collectively, we have achieved a great deal over the first half of the year.

Another highlight this term was our school photo day. For many of our students and staff, this was a particularly special occasion as it was the first time KCHS has held school photos in approximately ten years. The day was filled with excitement, laughter and a strong sense of community as students and staff came together to capture this moment in our school's history. We look forward to receiving the photos and know they will become treasured keepsakes for students and families in the years to come, providing lasting memories of their time at Kensington Community High School.

Finally, we have commenced Year 6-7 Transition Tours for prospective students and families. Maddy and I have enjoyed hosting two tours this term and sharing the many opportunities available at KCHS. It has been wonderful to meet future students and families and showcase the positive culture, strong relationships and personalised learning programs that make our school unique.

As we reach the end of Term 2, I am proud of all that we have accomplished together and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in Semester Two.

Teaching and Learning

Term 2 has provided our students with a wide range of engaging and authentic learning opportunities both within and beyond the classroom.

Students participated in a variety of excursions, incursions and enrichment activities including the Writers' Competition, Probability Carnival, ACMI Excursion, Science Excursions, the Victorian Careers Show, the Female Trade and Tech Fit Expo, White Card Training, the Variety Leadership Course, the Old Treasury Building Excursion, the Sexual Health Clinic Excursion and visits to Melbourne Zoo. Students also worked alongside the 100 Story Building team through a creative writing incursion, developing their confidence as writers and storytellers.

Our talented students had opportunities to showcase their creativity and skills through the KCHS Talent Show and KCHS Movie Fest, while many students also participated in Work Experience placements, helping them build confidence and explore future career pathways.

The Year 12 Camp was a particular highlight, providing students with opportunities to strengthen relationships, develop independence and create lasting memories as they prepare for life beyond school.

Our Year 12 students also successfully completed the General Achievement Test (GAT) at Mount Alexander College. The GAT plays an important role in supporting senior secondary assessment and provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their literacy, numeracy and critical thinking skills. We are proud of the maturity and commitment our students demonstrated throughout the assessment process.

A significant milestone this term was the opportunity for our Year 10-12 students to participate in VET Tasters through our VET Cluster partnership. This initiative has been two years in the making and allowed students to experience a variety of vocational pathways while also welcoming students from partner schools into our own VET programs. This collaboration reflects our commitment to ensuring every student has access to meaningful pathway opportunities and experiences that prepare them for future success.

Professional Learning

At KCHS, we remain committed to continuous improvement and ensuring our staff have access to high-quality professional learning that strengthens outcomes for students.

Throughout the term, staff engaged in professional learning focused on Restorative Journeys, Trauma-Informed Practice, VET Training and Graduate Planning Day. These opportunities support our work in building strong relationships, responding effectively to student needs and ensuring students are well prepared for future pathways.

Teaching staff also participated in Mathematics and English assessment moderation and analysis, helping to strengthen consistency of teacher judgement and improve our understanding of student growth and achievement.

Members of the leadership team attended the Statewide Principal Forum, providing valuable opportunities to collaborate with colleagues from across Victoria and stay informed about current educational priorities, research and reforms.

During Curriculum Day, student forums and after-school workshops, we spent time reviewing our school vision and values to ensure they align with our future aspirations and the next phase of our School Strategic Plan. Students and staff contributed thoughtful feedback about what makes KCHS unique and what we want our future to look like.

As part of this work, we have engaged a graphic designer to support the redesign of our school logo and website. This exciting project will help ensure our visual identity reflects who we are as a school community and our vision for the future.

Maintenance

School Council has continued to advocate strongly for improvements to our facilities and infrastructure.

This term, School Council wrote to our local Member for Parliament, Ellen Sandell, requesting her support for future capital works funding at Kensington Community High School and inviting her to visit the school. We look forward to showcasing the outstanding work taking place at KCHS and discussing opportunities to improve our facilities to better support student learning, wellbeing and pathways.

We would greatly appreciate the support of our families and community members in advocating for improved facilities at KCHS. If you are willing to write to our local Member for Parliament, Ellen Sandell, expressing your support for future investment in our school, it would help demonstrate the importance of these projects to our community. Strong community advocacy can make a significant difference in securing funding that will benefit current and future students.

School Council continues to advocate for investment in our school, particularly in areas that will enhance learning environments, expand vocational education opportunities and improve student amenities.

We are also pleased to report progress regarding school security. The fencing project team has confirmed that Heritage Victoria approval has been granted for the proposed perimeter fencing works. Alongside upgrades to our security system, these works are expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and will significantly enhance the safety and security of our school community.

Thank you again to our students, staff, families and School Council members for their ongoing support throughout the semester. I wish everyone a safe, restful and well-deserved break and look forward to an exciting Term 3.

Regards,

Rhys Doyle

Principal

Kensington Community High School

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