From the 

Leadership Team

The issue of this newsletter marks the second half of Term 3 with hints of some better weather to come. Throughout the first half of this term our staff have been working closely with students and families to make informed choices about subject selections for 2024. 

We have had much to celebrate recently including the Nelson Mandela Youth Leadership Summit at Victoria’s Parliament House.  20 students from across our college were provided the opportunity to listen to politicians and inspirational speakers, to ask questions and participate in discussions. Our students were outstanding ambassadors for our college. 

Last week we held our whole school assembly which was a celebration of the amazing talents of our students.  The theme for this assembly was ASPIRATION and our college captains and house leaders hosted the show. An array of awards was presented including outstanding sporting achievements from the Cross-Country Championships where seven of our students finished with a top 12 placement and progressed to the State Championships. Our boys’ soccer team have also progressed to the State Championships.  Academic achievements were recognised with presentations made to NAPLAN high achievers.  Other awards were the 100% attendance across the year to date, and acknowledgements for students receiving the highest number of positive chronicles for demonstrating one of our key values - Respect.

Our VCE Product Design & Technology students showcased their Fashion Collection of creative school uniform pieces, while our stage band performed their back up music. A group of Year 7 through to Year 12 dancers showed their class, and our Year 11 vocalists wound up assembly with an uplifting performance. We walked away feeling inspired and proud of the talents of our students. Our next whole school

On Monday 14th August, we held the GSSC Athletics carnival which was a day of hotly contested track and field events complemented with fashions on the field and plenty of house spirit. The day saw some outstanding performances with Murrumbidgee taking out the top honours as the winning house. The top 2 competitors in each event have qualified for the Goulburn Murray District Championships being held on Friday 1st September. Students who excel at the regional championships will be invited to represent the Goulburn Murray Division at the Hume Region Championships, next term.

Our Year 12 students are hunkering down with their studies and capitalising on extra opportunities to support their endeavours. Holiday VCE Revision classes are currently on offer. Students from all year levels are taking part in the Wednesday after school homework club each week. There is a warm and supportive atmosphere in these sessions as students and teachers work side by side to complete tasks, develop a deeper understanding or make the most of some extra tuition. 

Several of our students are enjoying the experience of the Hands-on-Learning at our college. The program is well underway with students enjoying the newly developed facility. Currently an outdoor barbeque area is being constructed by the students, along with establishing a vegetable garden area – to enhance the environment. This facility is a wonderful addition to the extensive curriculum opportunities at the college. 

Dougie Souter

Biyala Neighbourhood Principal