Principal's Report

A Day in the Life of Beaumaris Secondary College - showing off our students and school

A day in the life of Beaumaris Secondary College is filled with cultivated curiosity, compelling learning and impressive achievement.

Yesterday I enjoyed the opportunity to show senior Department of Education Leaders Michael Devine and Rachel George around our school. Michael is Area Executive Director with leadership of all schools in the Bayside and Peninsula area, and Rachel leads the Beachside Network, which encompasses all beachside schools from Port Melbourne to Mentone.

We visited a Year 7 BEST learning team researching biodiversity in our wetlands, Art and Soul specialism sculpting still life images, You Are What You Eat specialism creating dishes for their PBL, Year 11 students preparing for exams and much more.

We chatted about how our learning model prioritises purposeful learning by cultivating curiosity, reflection and real-world connections, and that our inclusive approach ensures learning that is tailored to diverse needs, passions and interests.

Michael and Rachel were able to see how our curriculum engages students in active investigation, inquiry and collaboration, fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging. They were impressed with how our school looks, and even more impressed with the learning that happens in it every day.

World Teachers' Day

We celebrated World Teachers’ Day on Friday 31 October with a special breakfast, recognising our dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to support our students. A big thank you to our wonderful Parents’ Association for the coffee vouchers and cupcakes, and to the students and parents who shared messages of thanks.

Staffing Update

We are pleased to announce that Gulzabeen Mohammed has been appointed as Head of Wellbeing. Gulzabeen brings a wealth of experience in student support and wellbeing leadership and is passionate about fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive school environment. We look forward to the valuable contribution she will make to our wellbeing programs and the ongoing care of our students.

Beaumaris Primary School Collaboration – Inspiring Young Musicians

On Friday 31 October, a group of our music students participated in a collaborative project with Beaumaris Primary School. As part of this initiative, our students created a bank of instrument demonstrations, introducing a range of instruments and sharing insights about learning and performing music.

This partnership aims to support Beaumaris Primary School’s music program while inspiring younger students to explore instrumental music. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their skills, engage with the local community, and promote the joy of music-making.

Lacrosse Lightning Carnival

It was a pleasure to host the Seaside District Lacrosse Lightning Carnival on our Multi-Purpose Pitch last week. The event brought together local primary school teams for a fantastic day of fun, teamwork and inclusion. Thank you to MCC Lacrosse for their partnership in making this such a positive community experience.

Innovate & PBL Expo

On Thursday 6 November, our Year 7–10 students impressed the school community with their outstanding Project-Based Learning (PBL) presentations. Students shared their authentic learning journeys through engaging displays, artefacts and insightful posters that reflected their creativity, critical thinking and commitment.

A special thank you to Deb Kirk, Steve Seddon and the team for organising the event, and to the many parents and carers who attended and voted for their favourite projects from each year level. The winning projects will be announcedat our whole school assembly on Monday 24 November.

Progress Reports

Progress Reports were made available to all families on Friday 7 November, allowing students to reflect on their progress and set goals for the remainder of the semester. We encourage all parents and carers to review these reports carefully and engage in constructive discussions with your child and their teachers. Your involvement plays a pivotal role in supporting your child's academic success.

CORE Merit & Maths Olympiad Awards

We celebrated students who exemplify our college values of Curiosity, Optimism, Respect and Excellence at this week's House Assemblies. Gold, Silver and Bronze CORE Merit Awards were presented to students who have consistently demonstrated these values in their learning and interactions with others. Congratulations to all recipients on this well-deserved recognition of their positive contribution to our school community.

We also acknowledged the outstanding efforts of our Maths Olympiad participants, who received certificates for their exceptional problem-solving achievements. Their dedication and enthusiasm for mathematical challenge are to be commended. Well done to all students recognised for their hard work, perseverance and commitment to learning.

Congratulations to Mehan Pienaar – Tax, Super + You Competition Winner

Year 8 student Mehan Pienaar achieved outstanding success in the 2025 Tax, Super + You Competition, being named one of three national winners and achieving the highest overall score in the Junior Category.

Students were challenged to think creatively and design a project responding to the question: “When it comes to tax and super, what do I need to do when I’m ready to start my first job?”

Mehan’s impressive entry earned $1,000 for himself and $1,000 for Beaumaris Secondary College. This is an exceptional accomplishment, and we are very proud of his effort, creativity and initiative. Watch Mehan’s entry below!

Remembrance Day

Our student leaders, Chris B (Year 8) and Kate O (Year 9), represented the College with pride at the Beaumaris RSL Remembrance Day Service. Year 11 History student Imogen L also delivered a heartfelt tribute to our fallen heroes during the ceremony. A Remembrance Day service was held at the College, where students and staff observed a minute’s silence and reflected on the importance of honouring those who have served.

Instrumental Music Soiree

On Tuesday, the College hosted its Instrumental Music Soirée, showcasing the talent and dedication of our music students. Families and staff enjoyed an evening of outstanding performances, highlighting the strength of our instrumental program and the hard work of both students and teachers. You can read more on 'The Arts' Update page of this newsletter.

Exams & VCE VM Portfolio Presentations

Congratulations to our VCE students who have demonstrated impressive calmness and commitment during exams. Results will be released on Thursday 11 December.

Year 10 and VCE Unit 2 exams are being held from Tuesday 18 to Friday 21 November. These exams are valuable for developing effective study strategies in preparation for the year ahead.

Thank you to Heath Tregear for his efforts in ensuring the smooth running of all exams.

Congratulations also to our VCE VM students who have presented their portfolios showcasing a culmination of their year of learning at school, in the workplace and at TAFE.

Student Feedback on Attitudes to School Survey Data

This week marks the conclusion of our Beauy Voice program, which empowers students to analyse and respond to the annual Attitudes to School Survey data. Their insights highlight what’s working well and where we can continue to grow — ensuring student voice remains at the heart of everything we do. Thank you to Chris Ardi for his leadership and commitment to this important work. You can read more on the Beauy Voice page of this newsletter.

Kokoda 2025 Expedition

Next Friday, our 2025 Kokoda team will depart for Papua New Guinea to begin what promises to be an unforgettable journey along the Kokoda Track. They have worked tirelessly in preparation, training in all kinds of conditions to build their endurance, teamwork and resilience. We wish them every success and look forward to hearing their stories and reflections upon their return.

BE Program

On Monday 24 November, our students begin their 2026 classes in the BE Program, marking a crucial phase of transition and growth. The BE program is about becoming: Year 7s move into Year 8 with new Learning Teams, Year 8s start their specialisms and Year 9s embark on new specialisms and, in many cases, their first Unit 1 & 2 VCE studies. Year 10 and 11 students transition into full VCE studies based on their chosen pathways.

At Beaumaris Secondary College, we offer personalised pathways aligned with the Victorian Curriculum and VCE Study Designs. In Years 9 and 10, Communicate and Relate and Mathematics run as year level specific specialisms. All other learning areas provide curriculum that is a continuum across two years, allowing for combined learning teams of Year 9 and Year 10 students.

Our broad range of specialisms prepares students for a rigorous academic senior pathway, building on exceptional learning from Years 7 to 10 in our VCE offerings.

Reminders

Current Year 8 families are required to submit their 2026 Year 9 'Choose Your Own Adventure'PROGRAM PREFERENCE FORM by 5pm on Monday 17 November. More information can be found on the Year 9 Camps 2026 page of this newsletter.
2026 Student Leadership nominations are due by 9am on Monday 17 November (form available on Teams). Please note that applications must be handwritten and uploaded to the Microsoft form. Application forms are available from reception or Ms Hunter-Smith's office.
Friday 5 December is a Professional Practice Day. Students are not required at school on this day. There are no scheduled classes or supervision.
Food For Families donations can be delivered to Reception until Friday 12 December.

Upcoming Events

Year 10 & 11 Exams – Tuesday 18 – Friday 21 November
BSC Market Day (Group 2) - Wednesday 19 November
BE Program – Monday 24 November – Thursday 4 December
Ensembles Concert – Tuesday 25 November (6pm)
Parents' Association Meeting - Tuesday 2 December (7pm)
Presentation Evening – Thursday 4 December
Student-free Day - Friday 5 December
Micro-Credentials Program – Monday 8 December – Wednesday 17 December
Year 7 2026 Orientation Day – Tuesday 9 December
Last day of Term 4 – Friday 19 December

Stephen Bourbon

Principal