College Principal Message

March 2025 Principal’s Report

Welcome back to our College newsletter.

I am delighted to present the second edition of our newsletter of this year, providing you with a glimpse into the vibrant activities and accomplishments that have enriched the learning of our students during Term One. It has been a very busy and productive term so far, as students, teachers, and staff engage in a myriad of activities aimed at fostering holistic development and creating memorable learning experiences.

As the College Principal, I celebrate with students, staff, parents and the wider community, a Term of Growth and Engagement!

Highlights of this Term so far…

Our whole campus assemblies have served as platforms for celebration, reflection, community building and articulating our high expectations to all students and staff. They provide opportunities for students to showcase their talents, share achievements, and reinforce the values that define us as a community. They also provide me, the College Principal, with the opportunity to celebrate with all students across the College and pass on the same message about our achievements and school expectations, enhancing consistency and building on the culture of “One College, Three Sites, One Family”.

As I walk around the campuses before school, during the breaks and on many occasions after school, I meet many great students. I am impressed by their calibre and always interested in their ideas, concerns, and aspirations for the future. Thank you to all the students who took the time to talk to me sharing their educational and future aspirations.

Swimming, Sports and Physical Education play integral roles in our students' overall development. This term, our students have participated in various sporting events, honing their skills, promoting teamwork, and embracing the values of sportsmanship and fair play. The swimming carnival was without any doubt a highlight for all Years 7 and 8, and other Years 9 to 12 participating students. It was a day where both Junior campuses came together, competed and celebrated the uniqueness of our College. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen severe weather our students didn’t get the opportunity to participate in our annual Athletics Carnival, planned for Friday March 21. The Sports faculty will organise an alternative date for our students to compete and provided with the opportunity to participate in network, state and even Australian wide sporting competitions.

The Year 12 study camp at the beginning of the year, set the tone, goals and focus on our students’ final year ensuring it will be a successful one, whether their pathways are university, TAFE, apprenticeship, or full-time sustainable employment. Outdoor education is an essential component of our curriculum, offering students unique opportunities for experiential learning and personal growth.

Curriculum-Related Excursions: Beyond the confines of the classroom, our students have embarked on enriching excursions that complement and enhance their academic learning.

Junior Campuses' Challenge Program: Our Junior Campuses' Challenge program continues to thrive, empowering our students to step out of their comfort zones, embrace new experiences, and develop essential life skills.

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead to the remainder of the academic year, we are filled with excitement and anticipation for the plethora of opportunities and experiences that await our students. We remain committed to providing a safe, nurturing and inclusive learning environment where every young person can achieve and realize their full potential.

Thank you to our dedicated teaching and non-teaching staff, supportive parents, and enthusiastic students for making this term a resounding success. Together, we continue to build a vibrant and thriving community that inspires excellence and fosters lifelong learning.

School Council Elections

This year we have:

2 x parent members vacancies for a 2-year appointment (2025 and 2026)
2 x community member vacancy for a 2-year appointment (2025 and 2026)
3 x DoE employee member vacancies for a 2-year appointment (2025 and 2026) and
1 student member vacancy for a 2-year appointment (2025 and 2026)

This year we have had 2 parent, 2 community member and 3 DoE employee member vacancies. We also have had 1 student vacancy. All vacancies are for a 2-year appointment (2024 & 2025).

At the close of the call for nominations in the Parent Category for School Council there were 2 nominees for the 2 vacancies.

The following parent was therefore, elected for a two-year term.

Mr Stanley Nelson
Ms Mariama Bah

At the close of the call for nominations in the Community member Category for School Council there were 2 nominees for the 2 vacancies.

The following Community members were therefore, elected for a two-year term.

Ms Kate Tangas – RMIT
Ms Catherine Morris - ABCN

At the close of the call for nominations in the Department of Education Category of School Council there were 3 nominees for 3 vacancies.

The following DoE members were therefore, elected for a two-year term.

Ms Karen Martin – Leading Teacher
Ms Sindhuja Jayaram – Learning Specialist
Ben Kuypers – Team Leader

At the close of the call for nominations in the Student Category of School Council there was 1 nominee for 1 vacancy. The following student, therefore, was elected for a two-year term.

Julia Portelli – Year 9 student

Congratulations to the parents, community and student members who have joined our School Council and thank you to all for showing interest in school governance. Working together makes a huge difference in improved student outcomes and students’ future.

On behalf of the school community, I sincerely thank the outgoing council members (parents, student & staff), Ms Kylie Brookshaw, Ms Monique Hamilton, Mr Nick Taseski, Ms Audrey Moody.

Their contribution has been paramount to the life of our College Community.

Annual Report 2024

Annual reporting is an important tool for effective governance within schools and across the government school system. Reporting to the school community adds value in several ways:

Keeping the school community informed: The annual report provides a means for the school council to inform the community of what has been achieved and how the school is performing. Providing information about schools helps the community hold schools, the system and government accountable for improving student outcomes.

Contributing to system accountability and meeting legislative requirements: Public accountability for improving student outcomes and for the use of public money is mandated in the Education and Training Reform Act (2006), where school councils are required to prepare and publish an annual report.

Relationship between the planning and annual reporting processes: The development of the annual report is an opportunity to reflect on the school’s achievements and use this as a basis for future planning.

The 2024 Annual Report was presented to the school community at the Annual General School Council Meeting (AGM) on Monday March 24. The Annual Report will also be published on the school website following its endorsement from the Department.

Please take time to read through and familiarise yourselves with the Annual Report. A copy of the annual report will be published on the school’s website: copperfieldcollege.vic.edu.au

2025 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP)

The 2025 AIP is based on the 2020 – 2024 School Strategic Plan.

The annual implementation plan (AIP) describes how the key improvement strategies in the school strategic plan, and other significant projects, will be put into operation during the year and how they will be monitored. It assists schools to:

plan and communicate their work for the coming year and how this will lead to achieving their identified goals and targets
ensure efficient and effective allocation of resources to complete the work
monitor progress and success.

The 2025 AIP is also published on the school’s website: copperfieldcollege.vic.edu.au

International Women’s Day Celebration, 8th March 2025

This year’s theme “Accelerate Action” highlights the urgent need to drive gender equality through bold, decisive actions rather than slow progress.

At Copperfield College, we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, to forge a better world.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Copperfield College hosted a morning tea on each Campus, on Friday 7 March, for all female staff members and all student Captains. School Captains on each campus spoke about the significance and the meaning of the day.

Ms Victoria Borg, Deputy Mayor of Brimbank City Council, attended the morning tea at Delahey Campus, who also highlighted the importance of the day. Deputy Mayor Borg also held a ‘round table’ conversation with senior campus student leaders prior to the morning tea.

Personal Property brought to school

Personal property is often brought to school by students and visitors. This can include mobile phones, electronic games, calculators, toys, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises. I wish to remind you that, DE does not hold insurance (excluding the school’s iPad program) for personal property brought to schools and it has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property. Students that choose to bring their mobile phones to school must store them safely in their lockers during the school day as per the Department’s rule.

I wish to discourage students and visitors from bringing any personal property in particular valuable items to school and if you choose to do so it is entirely at your own risk.

Student Appearance

All students at Copperfield College are expected to take pride in their personal appearance. Jewellery, make-up, hair colour and style must be discreet as per the school expectations and policies. Earrings must consist only of sleepers or studs in the ears.

It is the school’s preferred position that students do not have facial piercing ie. any facial piercing other than the ears. However, for students who already have facial piercing they have the following options: (i) the facial piercings are removed during the school day, to and from school. (ii) the facial piercing is discreet and clear plastic and (iii) a band aide is applied on the piercing during the school day, including to and from school.

Under no circumstances will metal facial piercings be accepted.

Therefore, new facial piercings cannot be obtained during the year due to the healing time which requires the piercing to be metal.

Privacy Reminder to all Parents/Guardians

Copperfield College collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy

Please take time to remind yourself of the school’s collection statement, found on our website https://www.copperfieldcollege.vic.edu.au

For more information about privacy, see: Schools’ Privacy Policy – information for parents. This information also available in a number of community languages.

School Zone Speed Limits

Just to remind parents/guardians and friends of the school community, of the importance of road safety around schools.

School Speed Zones are enforced from the commencement of the school year and parents/carers are reminded to adhere to all VicRoads School Speed Zones rules.
Also, parents/guardians are reminded to take care and obey these parking signs and observe the Road Rules when picking up or dropping off students around schools. The City of Brimbank and Information Officers monitor all supervised school crossings on a regular roster and issue infringements to drivers who stop in unsafe areas, such as “No Stopping” zones, within 20 metres of a school crossing, parallel to a yellow edge line, or if double parked, even for a moment to drop off or collect a student.
Queuing to enter a pickup/drop off zone can often lead to traffic congestion with vehicles being stationary in prohibited areas. Should the pickup/drop off zone be occupied with vehicles, to avoid the possibility of receiving an infringement it is advised to drive around the block and return when legal parking is available.
Statistics show that illegal parking around schools is greatly reduced due to an Officer’s presence and Council prefers to achieve these results though education and awareness.

Designated school speed zones: Specified times (8.00 - 9.30 am and 2.30 - 4.00 pm).

Further information in regard to VicRoads speed limits around schools can be found at: VicRoads School Speed Zones

Also, please note that the school car parks (Kings Park, Sydenham, and Delahey campuses) are out of bounds for all parents/guardians, even if the boom gates are up. The campuses’ car parks are only for staff. It is imperative that parents DO NOT enter the carparks during pick up/drop off as they are placing students and staff at grave risk.

I wish to thank all parents/guardians who always adhere to all traffic rules re: school zones and the College’s carpark rules. The safety of all children, staff and parents is paramount.

Last Day of the Term 1

The last day of Term 1 is on Friday 4th April. Wishing everyone Happy Easter and a relaxing and safe break.

Term 2 begins on Tuesday 22nd April.

Nick Adamou

College Principal