Principal's Update

Parent and Carer Opinion Surveys 2026

Each year, we seek feedback from parents and carers about how they believe the College is progressing. These campus-based surveys focus heavily on teaching and learning in the classroom and provide valuable insights for our leadership team and staff as we plan for future improvement.

I encourage all parents and carers to take some time to complete the survey. Your feedback is collected independently by the Department's research provider, ORIMA Research, and the results are provided to the College after they have been collated and analysed.

The results from last year's survey highlighted a number of areas in which our families expressed strong confidence, including:

• School and teacher communication
• High expectations for student success
• Student wellbeing and support, including the development of positive relationships and resilience
• Respect for diversity and inclusion

• Effective responses to issues of bullying

   

The survey also indicated that parents and carers are interested in understanding more about what happens in classrooms, how teachers approach their work, and what makes learning engaging and stimulating for students.

Teaching and learning remains our core business and our highest priority. We continue to focus on refining our instructional practices and exploring ways to further enhance student engagement, voice and agency, while supporting students to achieve the goals and targets established in each subject area.

This year, we have introduced Learning Specialists (Instructional Coaches) to work alongside teachers in classrooms. Their role is to support staff in implementing the Department's Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0), helping us strengthen teaching practice and improve learning outcomes for every student.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Your contributions play an important role in shaping the future direction of our College.

Victorian teaching and learning information for parents and carers | vic.gov.au

At the Victorian Parliament

On Friday, 21 August, Year 9 students Akisha Cristobal and Mabel Proctor, accompanied by Ms Hamilton, represented Bayside P-12 College at the annual National Council of Women Victoria's My Voice My Vote forum, held in the Legislative Council Chamber at the Parliament of Victoria.

The forum brings together students from across Victoria to engage in democratic processes and civic leadership. Joining representatives from 12 other schools, Akisha and Mabel presented on the theme, "How AI Affects Your Education."

The presentations highlighted a range of thoughtful perspectives on the growing influence of artificial intelligence in education. While students acknowledged the efficiencies and opportunities that AI can provide, a common message was that technology should complement, rather than replace, the development of essential human skills.

Students advocated strongly for learning experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and analytical reasoning. They emphasised the importance of being able to question, evaluate and apply knowledge, rather than simply reproduce information.

It was encouraging to hear such mature and insightful contributions from young people grappling with the opportunities and challenges of emerging technologies. Their perspectives reflected a strong understanding of how education can prepare students not only to use new technologies effectively, but also to think independently and contribute thoughtfully to society.

Congratulations to Akisha and Mabel for representing our college with confidence and professionalism and thank you to Ms Hamilton for supporting their participation in this valuable civic leadership opportunity.

Enrolment Offers and Active Orientation

At this time of year, enrolment offers are being finalized, and acceptances are being sent to our new families. Primary schools across our respective zones are beginning their active orientation programs.

For Bayside P-12 College, some families have not yet submitted their details for Prep and Year 7 at the Altona North campus, or Year 7 at the Williamstown campus for 2027. 

Prep Students Over the remainder of the year, incoming Kindergarten students will visit for Prep transition sessions, story time hours, and playground familiarization visits.

Year 7 Secondary Students The placement confirmation loop is almost complete, moving all future Year 7 students into the preparation and transfer phases. All Grade 6 students should have a confirmed secondary school placement for 2027.

Key Dates & Key Events

• Term 4 Information Sessions: Secondary schools will send out information packs and host Year 7 family information evenings to cover subject selection, lockers, and school policies.
• Parent Information Evenings: Sessions will take place during October and November to discuss uniform ordering, booklists, and overall school readiness.
• Prep Statewide Orientation: Future Prep students will attend orientation across three half-days:
  • Tuesday, 17 November
  • Tuesday, 24 November
  • Tuesday, 1 December
• Year 7 Statewide Orientation Day: All future Year 7 students will attend their confirmed secondary school for the full day on Tuesday, 8 December.

Please ensure these details are submitted to our general offices as soon as possible. If you know of a family who has yet to pass on their enrolment details, please encourage them to do so.

Supporting our College Production

Our recent College production, Pussycats: A Musical Parody, was an entertaining celebration of creativity, talent and teamwork.

Inspired by the fictional all-girl rock band Josie and the Pussycats, which first appeared in Archie Comics, the production drew on the rich pop-culture legacy of these iconic characters. Famous for their leopard-print costumes and cat-ear headbands, Josie and the Pussycats evolved into a worldwide phenomenon through a 1970s animated television series, a successful bubble-gum pop band and the much-loved 2001 live-action comedy film. Our production took a unique approach, featuring original songs and music written and performed by Bayside staff and students.

For parents, friends of Bayside and members of the wider community, this production was a wonderful opportunity to see the incredible talent, dedication and enthusiasm of our young performers on display. Having family and supporters in the audience played an important role in helping students manage performance anxiety, build confidence and enjoy the experience of performing both on stage and behind the scenes.

School productions are much more than a performance. They showcase the commitment of students, staff and volunteer parents who work tirelessly over many months to bring a complex creative project to life. Their dedication demonstrates the strong sense of community that exists at Bayside and highlights the passion that so many people share for the performing arts. Most importantly, these experiences help students feel valued and supported as they pursue their interests and aspirations.

Our productions consistently attract enthusiastic audiences and generate positive feedback from those who attend. Pussycats: A Musical Parody continued this tradition and provided a memorable experience for everyone involved.

We thank our school community for supporting our talented students as they took to the stage.

Regards, 

Mr M Matejin 

College Principal