Principal's Report

Term 2 is well underway, and there is plenty to celebrate across our college community.

Our senior and intermediate badminton teams have had an outstanding season, with both our boys and girls teams crowned Hobsons Bay champions. Thats 4 flags! This is a fantastic achievement and reflects the commitment, teamwork, and sportsmanship our students continue to demonstrate beyond the classroom. Its no surprise, with the amazing dedication to training through the Sport Academy after school and early mornings! Congratulations to all students and staff involved.

Another outstanding achievement this term has been from our F1 STEM Racing team, who have officially qualified for the World Finals in Singapore. This is an incredible accomplishment and places our students amongst the very best teams in the world. The dedication, innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving skills required to reach this level are extraordinary, and we are exceptionally proud of the students and staff involved. Representing both Homestead and Alamanda Colleges on the global stage is something our entire community can celebrate. 

This term we also celebrated Education Week, providing an opportunity to recognise and reflect on the incredible work happening across our college every day. In particular, I want to acknowledge our outstanding Educational Support (ES) staff, whose contribution to Homestead is both significant and deeply valued. From supporting students in classrooms, to wellbeing, administration, facilities, and the countless behind-the-scenes tasks that keep our college running smoothly, our ES staff play a critical role in the success of our school community. We are fortunate to have a team so committed to supporting young people and each other.

Our Year 10 Food Technology students recently hosted a formal Canapé Lunch event that was a genuine highlight of the term. Students planned, prepared, and delivered a high-quality dining experience that showcased creativity, professionalism, and real pride in their work. It was wonderful to see our young people confidently stepping into a sophisticated senior school environment and producing something they should be incredibly proud of. Knowing that students went to the extent of meeting up at each others houses, at times perfecting the perfect fake caviar is simply inspiring. The food, the presentation, speeches and music were remarkable.

This week, we also held our Easel and Espresso event, a fun and memorable experience where students had the opportunity to sketch and paint portraits of me while enjoying a relaxed café-style atmosphere together. Beyond the laughs and questionable artistic interpretations of my face, the event was a wonderful example of this term’s value of curiosity in action. Curiosity is not only about academic learning; it is about students being willing to try something new, step outside their comfort zone, connect with others, and engage creatively with the world around them. Events like this continue to strengthen the unique culture and sense of belonging we are proud of at Homestead.

We are also excited to officially open our new futsal pitch for student use. This addition provides another positive space for students to connect, recharge, and enjoy being active throughout the school day. It has already been fantastic to see the space so well utilised by students.

Perhaps the most significant news for our college community this term is the announcement of $21.6 million in funding for a major new building project at Homestead Senior Secondary College, expected to be completed by 2029. This investment represents an exciting next chapter for our school and is a strong vote of confidence in both our college and the growing Point Cook community.

The new building will create additional permanent learning spaces for students and further strengthen the senior school environment we continue to build at Homestead. While there is still much planning ahead, this announcement marks a significant milestone in the story of our college, and we look forward to sharing updates with our community as the project progresses.

I would also like to acknowledge Assistant Principal Bec, who will soon commence the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership’s Unlocking Potential (UP) Program. As part of this exciting professional learning opportunity, Bec will be working away from the college for a four-week period. We are incredibly proud to see our staff continue to pursue leadership growth and development opportunities at this level. During this time, we also look forward to appointing and announcing an acting opportunity for another member of our leadership team in the coming weeks.

As we move through the second half of Term 2, our Year 10 and Year 11 students are preparing for their upcoming examinations. This period naturally brings added pressure, and that is completely normal. My message to students is simple, trust the preparation you have put in, remain focused, and approach each assessment with confidence.

To our families, thank you for the support and encouragement you continue to provide at home. Strong communication, routine, and reassurance make a genuine difference during busy periods such as this.

I also want to acknowledge the exceptional work of our staff, who continue to support students with both high expectations and genuine care. The culture we continue to build together at Homestead is something we should all be proud of.

As always, I encourage any parent or community member with questions or feedback to reach out to us directly. We are always happy to connect with members of our community.

Warm regards,

Danijel, Principal