Principal Update

As you’ll see from reading through this edition, the school has been a hive of positive engagement and activities recently.  I had the pleasure of attending both Presentation Balls (Debutante Ball) in late May and it was an absolute joy to watch the students on the dancefloor enjoying every minute, and their families who were soaking it all up – there were smiles all round! 

The weather held out for us on the 29th May for the whole-school Athletics Carnival at the Melton Athletics Centre and it was such an amazing day seeing so many students compete in track and field events.  The positive energy on the day was palpable and I’d like to commend all students for their behaviour on the day whether they competed in events or spectated/supported their peers.  A couple of members of the public took time out of their day to provide us with positive feedback on the behaviour and the condition in which the school left the facility which was wonderful.

Last week we held the first of our Family Kitchen Workshops which are an initiative to build connectedness between home and school.  I couldn’t have been happier with these workshops – from the interest from families we received, to the joyous participation from all and the post event feedback we’ve received.  As you will read later in the edition, these are just the start with more workshops to come.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Healthy Loddon Campaspe and Sunbury & Cobaw Community Health for the funding of infrastructure and equipment for our downball and pickleball courts and the in-school support of the project that our Yr 11 VCE-VM students have run this term.  The positive engagement of the students has been really wonderful to see, and the courts are already a well-used resource and great addition to our school.

During the upcoming school holidays, two of our junior school students will be attending the Magic Moments Youth Summit in NSW as a result of their successful application to the scholarship program funded by the Gisborne Community Bank.  The bank supports so many of the youth in our local community either directly through scholarship programs, or more indirectly through grant funding of clubs and associations.  I’ve no doubt Susannah M and Alex E are going to have an enriching learning experience at the summit.

Looking ahead, our Year 11 students will today, Friday 13th June, commence their semester exams, with Year 10s following suit from Monday 23rd June.  I know both cohorts will approach these exams with diligence and maturity.

This week, students in all year levels have completed the Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS).  This is an annual survey completed by students at government schools which captures their attitudes to and experiences at school. At GSC the data from AtoSS is used to inform our strategic and operational planning by providing us with student voice to plan programs and activities.

As we near the final few weeks of the term I’m looking forward to welcoming Grade 5 students from our local feeder primary schools for their visits during the final week of term when our Year 10 students are off site on Work Experience.  The Grade 5 visits are an integral element of our broader transition process from primary to secondary school and something we very much look forward to each year.

You may be aware of recent changes announced to suspension and expulsion powers that will be available to Victorian principals from day one of Term 3, (Monday 21 July 2025). Our school is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students and staff. 

We know that students’ behaviour outside of school, particularly online, can sometimes impact the safety of students and staff at school.

In exceptional circumstances, principals of Victorian government schools will be able suspend or expel students for behaviour that occurs outside of school grounds and/or hours including online, if it poses a significant danger to the safety and wellbeing of students or staff.

These powers apply only to serious incidents where there is a clear and close connection to the school and the behaviour of a student outside of school unreasonably impacts the safety and wellbeing of students or staff at school, and their ability to learn or work. Please note: 

· They do not apply to behaviours unrelated to the school or school community.

· They only apply to behaviour which occurs from Monday 21 July 2025 onwards.

Suspension and expulsion will remain measures of last resort – our primary approach continues to focus on proactive and positive behaviour support, including working with you to teach students the behaviours we expect of them, in school and in life.

Thank you for your continued support as we work in partnership to educate and support our young people.

Finally, please be reminded that next Tuesday, 17th June 2025, is a pupil free day.  The only students that will be at school that day will be those VCE Unit 3&4 students sitting the General Achievement Test (GAT).

Kind Regards,

Sarah Rose

Principal