Principal's Update

Foundation Day 2026

This year we held our Foundation Day celebrations a few weeks earlier than traditionally planned. This was due to the availability of the Williamstown Town Hall. The morning was organised with music, dance and speeches. It was fantastic to see and hear student advocacy at its best. I could not be any prouder, as a principal, of the dedicated hard work from our students in making this a truly memorable event.

I also cannot miss the opportunity to acknowledge the important role of our teachers and support staff, along with our regular and new volunteers. Together, they worked closely with our students and were instrumental in bringing everything together. Their efforts kept the event running like clockwork.

I would also like to acknowledge our campus student leaders and our SRC for their well‑thought‑out and clearly presented speeches. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Jantira Griffiths and Ms Baronio for their Acknowledgement of Country.

In the afternoon, we held a very festive and entertaining carnival with food trucks, a BBQ run by our senior students, and dance music on the big screen. Hobsons Bay Youth Services and the local bowling club also participated by providing games for students to enjoy.

I received a number of emails from parents who thoroughly enjoyed the performances at the Williamstown Town Hall. Very talented young people. I might add that the staff band was well received, and our college band continues to get better and better each year. Well done to all concerned.

Staff Movement

This term we have had Eliza Wright work in our primary classes as a short-term contract teacher.  Unfortunately, Eliza has picked up a position closer to home starting next term.  Eliza will be missed as she had settled in very comfortably with staff and students while she was working here.

Term One Parent and Teacher Interviews

Thank you to our parents and caregivers for your participation in our Parent and Teacher Interviews. It is an important event for you, our teachers, and your child. It is the first opportunity to speak with your child’s teachers, learn about their progress, and understand what you can do to support their learning. It is also important for teachers to establish a connection that can continue to build over the remainder of the year.

Although our next interviews are not scheduled until Term Three, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teachers or year-level coordinators if you have any concerns or would like to follow up on your child’s progress.

Upcoming Sister School Visit 

Our sister school, Anjo - Higashi High, will be visiting us in Melbourne from Monday, 27 July to Thursday, 30 July 2026.

Every second year during their visit, we invite Bayside families to host a Japanese student for a homestay experience. In 2026, we will welcome 15 students. This is a wonderful and rewarding opportunity for Bayside students to share authentic Australian life with a visitor from overseas and to strengthen our sister school partnership.

Host families are asked to accommodate the visiting student as they would their own child. We encourage families to include their guest in everyday routines as well as, where possible, extracurricular or cultural activities to provide a meaningful Australian experience.

Families who host will receive a $200 contribution to assist with the care of the visiting student.

Please note that all household members aged 18 and over must hold a valid Volunteer Working With Children Check (WWCC). If you are interested in hosting and do not yet hold a WWCC, we strongly recommend applying as soon as possible, as processing times can be lengthy. If all relevant household members already hold a valid WWCC, copies may be provided upon submission of your application.

WWCC information and application details can be found here:

https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

An itinerary for the week of the visit will be made available to interested families in the coming weeks.

If you are interested in hosting a Japanese student, please complete the Expression of Interest form at your earliest convenience, no later than Thursday, 2nd April.

Families will be notified once all placements have been finalised.

Host Families Wanted for International Students – from Term 3 2026

Bayside P-12 College are seeking welcoming host families/parents for incoming international students beginning Term 3 2026.

We encourage families to include their international student in everyday routines as well as, where possible, extracurricular or cultural activities to provide a meaningful Australian experience

Our homestay students require:

• A single, furnished room for their own use
• 3 meals a day (breakfast/lunch self served)
• Internet access
• A safe and caring environment

Host families receive $380 a week to cover living expenses

If you are interested in this rewarding opportunity to share your home and culture while welcoming an international student, we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to our International team via email at shelby.johnson@education.vic.gov.au

Every Day Counts - Attendance Notice

Daily you will receive an SMS if your child is not marked present by 9.30am.  This SMS will prompt you to contact the school or input the reason for your child’s absence through Compass or contact the Attendance Officer on 9392 8608.

When prompted by the SMS, we require you to indicate why your child is absent, there are a range of reasons, including illness, medical appointment (category options).  If your child is medically ill and cannot attend school, please provide a doctor’s certificate.

You will be prompted to add additional information, so that we can support your child.

2026 Open Day

This year our annual Open Days will be held in April:

• 28 April 2026 – Altona North Campus

• 30 April 2026 – Williamstown Campus

   

Families will have the opportunity to tour our campuses, including the Senior School at Paisley (Newport) Campus on both days. Visitors can explore our facilities, see classrooms in action, meet our teachers, and hear from current students about life at Bayside P–12 College.

Tour bookings can now be made via TryBooking.

If you know families considering enrolment for 2027, please feel free to share this information with them. 

We look forward to welcoming prospective families and showcasing the wonderful learning community at Bayside P–12 College.

End of Term 

As we approach the conclusion of the term, families are advised that Thursday will be the final day of classes. Students will be dismissed at the regular time of 3:15pm.

We wish all families a safe and enjoyable holiday break. 

Term 2 will commence on Monday, 20 April, and we look forward to welcoming students back refreshed and ready for the term ahead.

Thank you for your continued support throughout Term 1.