Principal's Report 

Welcome to Term 3

As I reflect on my first two weeks as Principal of Beaumaris Secondary College, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and excitement. It is a privilege to lead such a vibrant and engaged school community, and I look forward to the journey ahead. That journey will be framed by two mantras. The first is: 

Honour our History, Drive our Future

Having worked previously at Beaumaris as both Assistant Principal and Acting Principal, I already knew how special this college is. However, these first two weeks have reinforced just how dedicated and passionate our students, staff and families are. I have met: 

• Student leaders making a difference for our school 
• Year 9 students who have supported one of our primary schools with their gala day
• Wonderful young humans doing selfless acts for people in need in our community
• The Year 11 Formal Committee who have planned every detail of what will be a magical evening this Friday
• 2024 Graduates who gave of their time to share insights into VCE decision-making, tips for successful VCE learning habits and routines, and reflections on life beyond Beaumaris…and Year 9-10 students and families who absorbed every word
• Year 12s who are so committed to their school that they wanted my assurance that I would value what they have valued about their Beaumaris experience
• School Council to share my joy at being Principal of Beaumaris, and my initial thinking about what is next for us
• Our amazing staff who have students at the centre of their purpose and energy.

A strong sense of community is central to the work we do at Beaumaris, and I am committed to building relationships based on trust, respect and open communication. By working closely together, we can ensure that Beaumaris Secondary College remains a place where every student feels valued and supported.

And my second mantra is:

There is a place for everyone at Beaumaris

And at Beaumaris, everyone can find their place in the world

School should be transformative. School is a huge enabler of future pathways and success in life. At Beaumaris we embrace the opportunity of supporting all of our students in achieving success on their individual pathway.  Of course, our young people are so much more than their ATARs, their university courses, and their future pathways, and we are focused on developing outstanding young people, in partnership with our families. Together, our college community is committed to fostering an environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.

At this time, I would also like to take the opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Peter Bartlett for his exceptional leadership over the past three terms. Peter’s dedication, passion and commitment have been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for the strong foundation he has helped to build. His contributions will always be appreciated, and we wish him all the best as he takes a period of leave. 

A Tribute to Holly & Bianca 

On Wednesday 23 July, we gathered below the Senior Centre balcony to plant a shrub and ground cover in memory of Holly and Bianca, which, in time, will become a memorial garden. Fittingly, the species of plants are "Blue Angel Holly" and “Cuphea Bianca”. An informal ceremony was held, and it was an honour to have Holly’s parents, Sam and Shaun Bowles, join us, along with several 2023 alumni and dear friends of Holly.

Incredible Act of Kindness and Bravery

A big shout to Year 11 students, Ruby E, Autumn T and Chloe P who showed remarkable bravery and quick thinking during a medical emergency on Balcombe Road last week. They called 000, stayed with the person in need, and ran back to school to retrieve the defibrillator. We also want to recognise one of our parents, Jo, who assisted the girls during the situation. We applaud their outstanding actions and are so proud of how they handled the situation. Well done, Ruby, Autumn, Chloe and Jo!

Year 12 Milestone Celebration

On Monday, our Year 12 students marked the milestone of ‘50 days remaining’ by arriving in their pyjamas and embracing the occasion with spirit. Adding to the celebrations, our Year 12 GOAL Mentors hosted a light-hearted House vs House debate, which I had the pleasure of judging. Students tackled some imaginative topics, including “Would you rather train a dragon with the personality of a cat or train a cat with the powers of a dragon?” and “What is more horrifying – zombies or vampires?” Congratulations to Beckett, who took out the overall win, with Waratah a close runner-up. 

Year 12 Lunch with the Principal

Over the past two weeks, I have enjoyed reconnecting with our Year 12 students during a series of lunches, which will continue for all Year 12 students throughout the term. These informal sessions offer a valuable opportunity for conversation and connection as students begin their final term at Beaumaris.

Staffing Update

We are delighted to welcome Kate Laister to the team who will be teaching Humanities, Legal and Create.

Year 9 'Choose Your Own Adventure Week'

We began the term with a whole school assembly celebrating some of last term's events and achievements such as the Year 9 'Choose Your Own Adventure Week', which you can read more about on Our Latest Facebook & Instagram Posts page of this newsletter.

A big thank you to the dedicated staff who made these enriching experiences possible for our students. Your hard work and commitment are greatly appreciated. 

French Exchange

It has been wonderful to welcome students from our sister school Lycée Georges Duby in France. The French students arrived during the holidays for homestays and had a great time exploring the wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary last week.

Year 10 Work Experience

Thank you to all the businesses that generously hosted our work experience students in the last week of Term 2. From all reports the placements were very successful. Special thanks to our dedicated Careers Team for coordinating this valuable experience. Find out more on the Y Year 10 Work Experience page of this newsletter.

State Cross Country

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Amelie D, Kiara M and Olivia V for their outstanding performance representing Beaumaris Secondary College at the State Cross Country event on 24 July. Their dedication and achievement reflect the spirit of excellence we uphold at our college.

2025 NAPLAN Results

We are proud of the strong performance of our Year 7 and Year 9 students, who have exceeded the state average in all five NAPLAN domains. Please refer to the 2025 NAPLAN Results page of this newsletter for more information.

Student Attitudes to School Survey Results 

We will be sharing the results of the annual Attitudes to School Survey with students in each year level this term so we can work with them to continue to make Beaumaris even better. 

NAIDOC Week

This year, we celebrated NAIDOC Week from 6 to 13 July, marking 50 years of NAIDOC and honouring the bright future of First Nations people in Australia. At our recent whole-school assembly, I emphasised the significance of NAIDOC Week and its theme for 2025, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.' 

2026 Course Selection

It was wonderful to have some of our 2024 alumni students—Ayesha G-E, Lua CR, Lachy B and Sophie P—in attendance our VCE Expo and Course Selection Evening on 29 July, where they shared insights into their VCE decisions, their approach to achieving success, and what they’ve been up to since graduating Beaumaris.

A special thank you to Sarah Keating, Amanda Jacobs and Heath Tregear for organising and presenting, as well as to the staff who showcased all our offerings at the event and answered questions throughout the night.

It was fantastic to see Year 9 & 10 students and their families engaged with the diverse subjects and pathways available for 2026, marking an exciting step in designing their futures.

Our current Year 8 families will attend a Year 9 2026 Course Information Seminar on 6 August. Our 2026 Curriculum Handbooks have also been made available to our families and can be found on Compass and on our website at: Curriculum Handbooks - Beaumaris SC

VCE P/S/T Conferences

VCE Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday 26, Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 August, between 3:30 – 4:30 pm. More information will be made available on Compass in due course.

Your Child’s Medical Information

As we continue to prioritise the health and safety of our students, we kindly remind you to ensure that your child’s medical information is up to date. Having accurate information on file is crucial for providing appropriate care and support to your child. 

Other Upcoming Events

As always, we have another busy term ahead, with a strong focus on learning, development and student wellbeing. Our students engage in a variety of enriching activities that support their academic and personal growth.

• Year 11 Formal – 1 August
• House Athletics Carnival – 13 August
• College Production – 21 – 23 August
• Footy Colours Day - 25 August
• Parents’ Association Meeting – 2 September
• Divisional Athletics – 11 September
• Last Day of Term 3 – 19 September
• Unit 3/4 Trial Exams – 23 – 25 September

I look forward to working with you all to continue making Beaumaris Secondary College a place of excellence for students, staff and the wider community.

Stephen Bourbon

Principal