From Brad Downie

As we complete Week 8 of the term, the staff and students of St Augustine’s have continued to mark off milestones and strive for growth and development in their classrooms.

The rapid approach of the end of term sees the completion of several significant events and the commencement of others.

Last week saw the culmination of the Year 12 exam period, with our 2025 Year 12 cohort able to celebrate this milestone with their families and staff at the Graduation Mass and Dinner. This was the penultimate event of their year, with the final milestone to be reached when exam results and study scores are released on 11th December. We wish all of the students well for this day and the pathways that they will pursue as they move onto the next stage of their journeys, wherever they lead. In farewelling the school, School Captains, Tia Harrison and Jett Guiney, paid a fitting tribute to their cohort, families and teachers for the enormous support and contributions they have made to their time at St Augustine’s. From the school’s perspective, it is appropriate for me to thank all of the teachers who have supported the students in their VCE (and earlier years) journey and a special expression of gratitude and acknowledgement to Michelle Downie, Katelyn McIntyre and Sharon Darling who have led and supported the students so well through their final years of schooling at St Augustine’s.

As the Year 12s finished, others were gearing up for the next stage of their academic journey. The Years 10 and 11 students completed a week of exams before they commenced the Early Commencement Program (ECP). The students have stepped up into their 2026 VCE and VET classes with enthusiasm and positivity, which augurs well for their success next year. Year 11 students enjoyed the Success Integrated seminars, setting themselves up with knowledge and strategies that will help them make the most of their study time.

The College extends our congratulations to Shylee D, who has been accepted into the coveted University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program.

It is an exciting time and we know that we are heading towards the end of the year as the sounds of Christmas have been ringing throughout the school as the F-4 Community have been preparing for our Christmas Carols.

Another signifier of the year’s end rapidly approaching is the State-wide Orientation Day, which will be held on 9th December. Students in all year levels will be ‘stepping up’ into their 2026 year level. Information will be shared by each Community’s leaders closer to the day.

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, students and staff will continue to strive for success in their classes and teachers will busy themselves finalising students’ reports.

Our Awards Ceremony will be held on 10th December. Award recipient’s families will be notified of their child’s nomination for awards prior to the ceremony to allow planning around attendance at this celebration of our students’ achievements.

In closing, I would like to thank all students, staff and members of the St Augustine’s community for the support that I have enjoyed this year. Slightly in advance, I wish you all a restful and enjoyable Christmas and holiday period.

Brad Downie

Deputy Principal 

Student Learning and Professional Practice