From Nick Mellington

Welcome back to Term 2 at St Augustine's College,

I hope all of our students, families and staff enjoyed a restful and refreshing holiday break and had the opportunity to spend quality time together. As we begin a new term, we look forward to another busy and rewarding period of learning, growth and community connection.

Last week, students in Years 3–12 took part in our cross country event. It was fantastic to see so many students challenging themselves, showing resilience and encouraging one another throughout the day. Events like these are an important reminder that success comes in many forms, through participation, perseverance and personal achievement as much as competition. Thank you to our staff for their organisation and support, congratulations to all students who took part and good luck to students moving on to the next stage of cross country.

Today, our senior students are attending the VCE and Careers Expo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. This is a valuable opportunity for students to explore future pathways, engage with universities, TAFEs, employers and industry professionals, and begin thinking carefully about the many options available to them beyond school.

Choosing a pathway after secondary school is one of the first major decisions many young people make. While that decision does not need to be finalised immediately, opportunities like this help students ask important questions, explore possibilities and gain clarity about where their interests and strengths may lead them. I encourage families to have conversations at home about future aspirations and possible pathways. Information about exhibitors and opportunities can be found on the VCE and Careers Expo website.

We are also excited by the wonderful experiences taking place across our younger year levels. Our Year 1 Stay Back, held on Tuesday 28th April, was a fantastic success, with students enjoying an evening filled with fun, laughter and connection alongside their peers and teachers. Opportunities like these help build strong relationships, foster a sense of belonging and create lasting memories beyond the classroom.

Our Year 2 Stay Back is coming up on Monday 11th May, with many exciting activities planned for students to enjoy. We know this will be another special opportunity for our younger learners to connect socially, strengthen friendships and continue building positive school experiences in a fun and engaging environment.

In our Years 7 and 8 Community, students also have some outstanding outdoor education opportunities ahead. On 4th May, students will take part in a recreational fishing experience, where they will develop practical outdoor skills, learn patience and persistence and build an appreciation for responsible recreation in natural environments. This will be followed on 11th May by a nature reserve experience, providing students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the outdoors, explore local ecosystems and deepen their understanding of environmental stewardship and the importance of caring for the natural world. These experiences play an important role in building confidence, independence, teamwork and connection to place.

We also look ahead to our Subject Teacher Conversations in Week 4 on Tuesday 12th May. Further information will be shared with families shortly. These conversations provide an excellent opportunity for parents and caregivers to connect with teachers, celebrate student progress and discuss ways we can continue to support each child’s learning journey. Strong partnerships between school and home are vital in ensuring every student is known, supported and challenged to achieve their best.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support of our college community. I look forward to a productive and successful term ahead for all students at St Augustine's College.

Nick Mellington

Deputy Principal 

Student Learning and Professional Practice