Principal's Report

Welcome to 2024! 

It has been a great start to the school year with staff and students quickly settling into the routine of school life.  

I would like to give a special welcome to our new students across all year levels, especially our Year 7 students who started their secondary school journey last week. We look forward to sharing their journey at Brentwood with them over the coming years. 

Key Staff: 

I would like to introduce the following key staff to the school (please click on the link below). Through their roles, these staff will have responsibility for leading various aspects of our school that support students being their best learners and people. 

The Principal Team is below. We are looking forward to leading our school community once again in 2024 

Responsibility in 2024: 

A key theme that I asked students to reflect on in our first assembly was Responsibility. This is one of our values that we expect all students to uphold as they grow as learners and people. Responsibility is a key part of our Brentwood Teaching and Learning Model where there are clear expectations for our learners in the classroom.  

Our students were challenged to consider what their responsibility is as a learner in the classroom within the different phases of a lesson. As the diagram for our Lesson Framework and Learner Model shows below, we expect our students to gradually be more independent in their learning and demonstrate ‘student agency’ in the process. Our Teaching and Learning Model and curriculum planning are designed to enable student growth in their learning; however, the most important part is that students bring a growth mindset and live up to their responsibility as learners to achieve their best.  

Students were also introduced to our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) Framework which provides clarity around the behaviours students demonstrate in each area of the school (e.g. locker bays, canteen, classrooms etc.). These expectations were developed in consultation with staff and students in 2023 and are currently being trialed before they are finalised in preparation for semester two this year.  

Brentwood is a wonderful learning community that we are all proud of and this is due to our strong values, high expectations and a commitment from everyone to be responsible for doing their part in helping everyone grow as learners and people. It is this message that we encouraged students to reflect on at the assembly and how they can be a responsible learner and person so that everyone at Brentwood can grow to being the best learner and person they can be.  

Facilities: 

Over the summer break the buildings and facilities staff were busy continuing to improve the learning spaces at Brentwood. The eastern courtyard has had a facelift with new seating installed replacing the worn blockwork. A new shed has been built to provide staff with more storage and a purpose-built work room. This will enhance the efficiency and ability of staff to maintain the school facilities. The external eaves and walls have been painted and student lockers are continuing to be upgraded and replaced with new hard plastic lockers that are more durable weather resistant.   

As the year progresses, we will see two new basketball courts be constructed on the south west corner of the oval, the K -Block courtyard begin construction, new seating in the western courtyard and our Library upgrade should begin later in the year.  

Presentation Evening: 

The 2023 Presentation Evening was a stunning event where students from all year levels were recognised for their learning achievements, learning growth and service to the school and local community. Approximately 600 family and friends joined us at Bunjil Place to acknowledge our students. We are very proud of each of the students who had their moment on stage and received an award. Congratulations!  

Please click on the link below to see all of the award winners. 

Year 12 Immersion and Swimming Sports: 

It has been an action-packed start to the school year with our Year 12’s enjoying a 2-day immersion program at Monash University and at school. The students were provided with a range of information and insights from guest speakers, teachers and past students aimed at helping to set them up for a successful final year of school. The program also encourages students to further enhance the sense of community and identity of the group as they support each other through Year 12. Thank you to the Heads of House and all the staff who led this wonderful program for our students. 

The annual Swimming Carnival was another great success starting with the Year 12 breakfast and walk to the pool. It was great to see the students embracing the spirit of the day both in the pool and on the sidelines supporting their Houses.  

I hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful 2024 at Brentwood! 

John Ballagh 

Principal 

John Ballagh 

Principal