From the Principal 

With the end of term fast approaching, we have had another busy couple of weeks with plenty of events and activities happening across the school. Today we had our first ever onsite Careers Expo for Years 10-12, with over 40 different exhibitors for students to interact with about their future. You'll see just how engaged students were in the Careers article this edition.

I am pleased to report that our first whole school Athletics carnival was a great success. Our students showed excellent enthusiasm and teamwork throughout the event. Well done to all the students who participated and thank you to in particular to our Sport/PE staff and all staff who made it all possible, we have plenty of photos to share in this edition, so you can experience the carnival atmosphere!

VCAA’s annual 'Season of Excellence' is currently exhibiting the creative work some of the state's top performers in VCE subjects in Visual Art, Design and Media. We are very proud that a number of our students have again been selected to be part of the final exhibitions this year, continuing a strong tradition in these creative subjects.  This is a fantastic achievement and I hope that you enjoy reading about their works.

Please take note of the upcoming early finish scheduled on the Monday of the final week of Term. This is to allow our staff to undertake Professional Learning on the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM), which will enhance our ability to support our students' social and emotional wellbeing. The Berry Street Education Model is a research-based approach to education that focuses on creating a positive learning environment and building strong relationships with students. This model aligns closely with our school's values of Achievement, Curiosity, Humanity and Fairness and will further support our efforts to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment for all our students. During the professional learning, our staff will receive training on how to implement the BSEM in their classrooms and how to incorporate trauma-informed practices into their teaching. We believe that this will lead to improved academic outcomes, better social and emotional skills, and a more positive school culture.

This week, our Outdoor Education Camp is going bushwalking and camping in an alpine setting. It's a great opportunity for our students to learn new skills, build resilience, and connect with nature. Next week, our Year 7 students will be going on their first camp. This is a chance for them to get to know each other, build friendships, and develop important life skills.

Our Parent Teacher Student Conferences are on this week and next week. It is interesting to see the choices between online and face-to-face interviews. I hope you enjoy the opportunity to speak about your child's progress and what strategies families can employ to further their learning.

This issue features a tribute to Shirley Barbara-Heyworth, who passed away last month, recognizing her valuable contributions to our school. Leah Downey's article captures the profound impact Shirley had on our staff, former students, and their families.

Wishing you all the best for the remainder of the term.

Chris Jones

Principal