Principal's Report

2025 YEAR 12 VCE VALEDICTORY DINNER

On Monday Thursday 24th November, Vermont Secondary College held its Year 12 Valedictory dinner with approximately 696 people in attendance including 220+ Year 12 students. A huge event by any standards and the largest we have held to date.

The Valedictory Dinner is the largest single annual event we hold, and it is always fantastic to see so many parents, guardians, grandparents, siblings, friends, staff and special guests paying tribute to Vermont's graduating class of 2025. For the third year, and into the future, the event was held at Crown Palladium ballroom, a venue that can accommodate our large numbers.

The evening allows the college to acknowledge the tremendous contributions that our Year 12 students have made across the breadth of school programs, both academic and co-curricular over their six-year journey. It really was a fantastic evening and the positive energy amongst the parents, students and staff was wonderful throughout the night.

The contribution of our Year 12 students to the College program is not just one of an academic nature. They have also significantly contributed to our student leadership program through the house system, instrumental music program, college production, the sporting field, and numerous other co-curricular programs. I would therefore like to thank the students for their substantial contribution to the ongoing success of Vermont Secondary College.

Major award winners on the evening were:

The Citizenship Award: Jack Turner McCrae 

The Ampol Best All-Rounder Award: Celine Senlitonga

2025 Student of the Year Award: Sue Anne Jian

The above student scholarship awards are generously sponsored by the Lions Club of South Vermont and were presented by Alec Owen, also attending was his wife Janelle, both representing South Vermont Lion's Club and former parents of the college. I thank them for their attendance and continued sponsorship of our college awards.

Echoes of Kindness Award: Benjamin LU

Vocational Major (VM) Student of the Year Award: Le Yao Olivia (Olivia) CHEN

2025 Australian Defence Force (ADF) Future Innovators Award: Caitin Wong

2025 ADF Long Tan Award: Celine Senlitonga

Musician of the Year Award (donated by South Vermont Lions Club): Sue Anne Jian

Performing Artist of the Year Award (donated by South Vermont Lions Club): Charlie Barnett

Sportsperson of the Year (donated by South Vermont Lions Club): Lucas Hobbs & Max Straughan

Vision 2025 – The Sarah Bussu Arts Award: Katrina Yam

Well done to all these outstanding students on receiving these prestigious awards and thank you so much for your significant contribution to the college program over the years.

Congratulations also go to all the students who received recognition on the evening for their significant contribution to the performing arts, visual arts and college sports program. Thank you for your outstanding contribution to the broader college program and for your individual and/or team involvement throughout your time here. 

Thank you to the six House Captains for their significant leadership and contribution throughout the year -

1. Hotham House – Anders Firman & Caitlin Siebel

2. Macedon House – Madelaine Gan & Stephanie Zhou

3. Stirling House – Charlie Barnett & Areeba Shakir

I commend these student leaders for their commitment to the house system and the broader college program and personally thank our two School Captains, Caitlin and Areeba for the way they have so ably represented the college during their time here.

On behalf of the college, I would like to sincerely thank Jaqueline Wilson and Ben Loh for all their work in the Senior School Program Manager role over this year. Jacqui and Ben have played a significant role in organising and running the many Year 12 activities that the class of 2025 have participated in throughout this year and during their time in Senior School. I thank Jacqui and Ben for their fantastic contribution and effort this year and for the meticulous planning that is required so the Valedictory evening can run so smoothly.

Thanks also to the three Heads of House for their commitment to the senior school program – Ben Healey for Hotham, Peter Henderson for Macedon & Jeremy Shannon for Stirling. 

Thank you also to the six Senior School Student Managers for all their efforts this year: Tori Adams & Lisa McIntosh (Hotham), Tracy Mills, Ben Pearson & Amanda Jung (Macedon) and Seamus Billings & Sheree Avard (Stirling). This student support structure was further supported by the Assistant Principals Aidan Message- Hotham, Cara Macfarlane - Macedon and Mike Stevens – Stirling. 

Thanks also to Jenny Stevens for the outstanding job she has done this year in leading the Pathways team and no doubt will continue to do so over coming months in supporting the class of 2025 in their course selections and chosen pathways.  Thank you to the Wellbeing Team lead by Leesa Moar and the Inclusion team, led by Kelly Stals & Georgia Cox-Minahan for the significant support these departments offer our students and families over their six-year journey. A huge thank you also to Laura Gerbing as the Head of Senior School Compliance and Assessment and all things SAC and exam related as directed by the VCAA, for her unrelenting work.

Also, on behalf of the class of 2025 I would also like the thank Richard Walsh for the fantastic job he has done, yet again, in producing the ‘Year 12 magazine’ and the College Yearbook that will serve as a lasting memory for all.

Finally, a big thank you to the teaching and Education Support staff who have contributed to the development of this cohort of students over the last six years.

I congratulate and thank the class of 2025 for their contribution over their past six years at Vermont SC and I wish you all a positive future.

COUNCIL REPORT TUESDAY 18th NOVEMBER

Council held their November meeting last week and Council was informed about the current healthy financial position of the school. Council approved the draft budget for 2026. As there will be some variables over the next few months, it is expected that some updates and minor adjustments to the 2026 budget will occur. VSC will have its largest enrolments ever in 2026 with some 317 students enrolled at Year 7.

Council was informed about the progress of the School Improvement Team (SIT) who have been studying and developing new and updated strategies in teaching and how these will be implemented in addressing goals as set in the Strategic Plan for 2025-2029.

Council was also informed about the current building works. The demolition of C25 & C26 and the removal of one Mod5 (2 classrooms & office space) and the relocation of the other Mod5 to the new site (where C25 & C26 used to be) is now completed. 

Two Mod10s (two double storey buildings & office space = 8 classrooms in total) and a toilet block are to be delivered, and this will now occur on a weekend (Saturday 6 & Sunday 7/12/25) and will not create any disruption to next week’s Transition Program. 

Council further approved various general business items and the reports of its subcommittees. 

Council President – Frank Drost