Principal's Report 

There is a place for everyone at Beaumaris — and at Beaumaris, everyone can find their place in the world.

As we reach the end of Semester 1, it is an opportunity to reflect on what has been another busy and rewarding six months at Beaumaris Secondary College. One of the things I value most about our college is the sense of belonging that exists across our community. Whether students are pursuing academic excellence, participating in the arts, representing the college in sport, exploring future careers or contributing to the life of the school in countless other ways, there is a place for everyone at Beaumaris. Our goal is to create an environment where every student feels connected, challenged and supported to discover their strengths and develop the confidence to pursue their aspirations beyond school.

Supporting Healthy Digital Habits

Recent Australian research has highlighted growing concerns about the impact of social media use on young people's wellbeing, finding an association between social media use in early adolescence and an increased risk of poorer mental health outcomes over time.

While technology and social media can provide valuable opportunities for connection, learning and creativity, the research serves as an important reminder of the need for balance. Healthy digital habits, quality sleep, physical activity, face-to-face relationships and time away from screens all play an important role in supporting young people's wellbeing.

At Beaumaris Secondary College, supporting student wellbeing remains a key priority. We encourage students to be thoughtful digital citizens, develop healthy online habits and balance screen time with face-to-face connections and other positive wellbeing practices. Open conversations between schools, families and young people remain an important part of helping students navigate an increasingly connected world, and we encourage students to seek support whenever they need it.

Arts Festival – It Takes a Community to Raise a Child

Last week, our college community came together for the Arts Festival, It Takes a Community to Raise a Child. The event was a wonderful celebration of creativity, collaboration and connection, showcasing the talents of our students and the strong partnerships we share with our local primary schools and broader community. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of the evening. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Deb Kirk, Dawn MacGregor, Robyn Durham and Camilla Saunders for their leadership, vision and countless hours of work in bringing this special event to life.

Eve Anderson Competes at Commonwealth Games Swimming Trials

Congratulations to Year 12 student Eve Anderson, who recently competed at the Commonwealth Games Swimming Trials in Sydney. Eve delivered an outstanding performance in the Women’s 100m Freestyle, recording a personal best time of 57.30 seconds and finishing first in her heat. Competing at this level is a significant achievement and reflects Eve’s dedication, perseverance and commitment to her sport. We congratulate Eve on this outstanding achievement and wish her continued success in her swimming journey.

General Achievement Test (GAT) 

On Tuesday 16 June, students studying VCE Unit 3/4 subjects completed the General Achievement Test (GAT). This included students enrolled in the Year 12 Vocational Major, as well as students completing a Unit 3/4 subject without the calculation of a study score. We commend our students for the mature and focused manner in which they approached this important assessment. The GAT plays a significant role in supporting the quality and integrity of VCE assessment processes and provides an important safeguard for students should unexpected circumstances affect their examination performance later in the year.

Thank you to Hamish Scully for his organisation and leadership in ensuring the smooth running of the day.

Instrumental Music Soiree 

Our Instrumental Music Soirée on Tuesday 16 June provided another wonderful opportunity for students to share their musical talents with family, friends and staff. The performances reflected not only the skill and dedication of our young musicians, but also the enthusiasm and commitment they bring to their learning. 

Thank you to our Instrumental Music staff for the ongoing expertise, encouragement and support they provide. Photos from the evening can be found on The Arts Update page of this newsletter.

Year 12 Ace Your Exams Workshop

As part of our Beyond program, Year 12 students recently participated in the Ace Your Exams seminar presented by Elevate Education. The workshop provided practical strategies to support students as they prepare for their final VCE assessments, including effective exam preparation techniques, study planning, time management and approaches to managing stress during the examination period. These sessions form an important part of our commitment to supporting student wellbeing and academic success, equipping students with the skills and confidence needed to approach their exams with purpose and resilience. We thank our Year 12 students for their engagement and encourage them to continue applying these strategies as they work towards a successful conclusion to their secondary schooling.

Japan Study Tour

On Friday 19 June, a group of Year 10 and 11 Japanese students, Ms Ranjitkumar, Ms Maruya and I departed for Japan as part of our exchange partnership with Ritsumeikan Keisho Junior & Senior High School. This experience provides students with a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of Japanese language and culture through homestays, school experiences and cultural immersion activities. Beyond the educational benefits, these opportunities help students develop independence, confidence and global perspectives. I look forward to sharing highlights from the tour with our community upon our return.

Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES)

Congratulations to Year 10 student Oskar Edwardes, who recently attended the CHES Graduation Day ceremony celebrating the completion of his Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES) Year 10 elective studies. Oskar's participation in the program reflects his commitment to extending his learning and embracing opportunities to challenge himself beyond the standard curriculum. We are proud to see his hard work and dedication recognised through this achievement. Thank you also to Acting Assistant Principal Melissa Casley, who attended the ceremony alongside Oskar in support of his learning journey.

We are also pleased to share that seven Year 10 Beaumaris Secondary College students have been accepted into CHES High Ability Program electives for Semester 2, including Oskar, who will continue to extend his learning through the program.

Year 8 Respectful Relationships Education

As part of the GOAL program, this week our Year 8 students participated in an interactive workshop facilitated by Elephant Education. Students explored topics including respectful relationships, consent, personal boundaries and seeking help through discussion-based learning and practical activities. The workshop supported students to engage thoughtfully with important conversations and further develop the knowledge and skills needed to build positive, respectful and safe relationships.

Year 9 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Week 

This week, our Year 9 students embarked on their annual Choose Your Own Adventure experiences, selecting from a range of programs including hiking, urban exploration and reef-to-rainforest adventures. These experiences are designed to encourage students to step outside their comfort zones, develop resilience, strengthen relationships and create lasting memories. See the Our Latest Social Media Posts page of this newsletter to see some of the wonderful experiences and adventures our students have enjoyed throughout the week. 

Year 10 Work Experience and Alternative Work Experience Program

Our Year 10 students have participated in Work Experience placements across a wide range of industries and professions, gaining valuable insight into future career pathways while developing workplace skills, confidence and a greater understanding of the world beyond school.

Students participating in the Alternative Work Experience Program, delivered in partnership with the Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN), have explored a variety of workplaces and industries while also completing short courses in Food Handling and Barista Training, further developing practical skills and employability.

I would like to sincerely thank the many businesses, organisations and community members who have generously hosted our students and supported these valuable learning opportunities. I would also like to acknowledge our Careers and Pathways team for their extensive work coordinating placements and supporting students throughout the process.

Push-up Challenge

Congratulations to the students and staff who participated in the Push-Up Challenge throughout June in support of youth mental health. Together, our team has completed more than 116,000 push-ups and raised almost $2,000 for headspace Bentleigh. Beyond the impressive numbers, the challenge provided an important opportunity to promote conversations about mental health and wellbeing within our community.

A special congratulations to Mitch MacArthur for his outstanding fundraising efforts and thank you to Mr de Valle for coordinating the challenge and encouraging participation across our school community.

Staffing Update

We are delighted to welcome Rosanna Giosserano to Beaumaris Secondary College as our new Psychologist. Rosanna's expertise will further strengthen the support available to our students and families. We look forward to the positive contribution she will make to our community.

NAIDOC Week

As we approach the holiday break, we also acknowledge the upcoming NAIDOC Week (5–12 July), which this year marks a significant milestone with the theme 50 Years of Deadly. NAIDOC Week celebrates the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and provides an opportunity for all Australians to reflect, learn and celebrate. We encourage our community to take the opportunity to participate in local events and learn more about the rich cultures and contributions of First Nations peoples.

End of Term Reminders

• Students will be dismissed at 2:30pm on Friday 26 June, with the college office closing at 3.00pm.
• Semester 1 reports will be available via Compass on Friday 26 June. Families will receive a notification once reports have been published.
• The Senior Centre will be open from Tuesday 7 July to Friday 10 July, 9.00am–3.00pm, for VCE students wishing to utilise this study space during the holiday period.
• Term 3 will commence on Tuesday 14 July, with Monday 13 July designated as a student-free day for staff professional learning.

Thank you to our students, staff and families for another successful term. I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable break and look forward to welcoming students back for Term 3.

Mr Stephen Bourbon

Principal