“Lay plans for something big by starting with it when small.” Lao Tzu

Welcome to the 2023 school year, a truly momentous start as we are now a school of students from Year 7 to Year 12 for the first time since opening in 2018. The above quote resonated with our journey as a school community. It was the strong advocacy from the community members with school age children for a local co-educational secondary school that laid “plans for something big” in 2016 when the commitment was made by our state government to build our college. It started with 154 Year 7 students in 2018.

We are now 990 students strong across six year levels. We are much bigger than anyone expected, with a tight enrolment boundary. This is a strong endorsement of the high quality government school education offered at Beaumaris Secondary College. We look forward to the many milestone events that we have planned throughout the year, starting this week with our very first Year 12 camp.

The Year 7 students have settled into secondary schooling with confidence and commitment. They have transitioned smoothly and adapted to timetables which are new to so many. We know that they will flourish at Beaumaris as each year level has before them. The strength of our culture has laid a timeless foundation for each year level to learn and grow.

Our Year 8 students are enjoying their new learning teams and languages of choice with interschool sport starting soon. Year 9s and 10s are continuing from the BE program with specialisms that spark not only curiosity but passions across all learning areas. Year 11s are rising to the challenge of increased study demands which will be further supported with our BEYOND program this year.

We are looking forward to a terrific year with student learning and wellbeing leading our way.

School Council Elections 2023

This year we will be holding School Council Elections for 4 parent representatives, 2 DET employees and 2 student representatives.

We will call for nominations from February 13 and nominations will close at 4pm on 27 February 2023. Please see full timeline below:

Event	Date
Notice of election and call for Nominations	Monday February 13 2023
Closing date for nominations	Monday February 27 2023 at 4pm
Date by which the list of candidates and nominations will be posted	Tuesday February 28 2023
Date by which ballot papers will be prepared and distributed	Monday March 6 2023
Close of Ballot	Monday March 20 2023
Vote Count/Declaration of poll	Thursday March 23 2023
First Council Meeting	Tuesday 28 March 2023

A Compass message will be sent out with the nomination forms on 13 February.

Positive Communication

We want to work with families to ensure coherence and clarity of communication. We know that at Beaumaris, our purpose is to develop the whole person. Our GOAL program, cultivates an environment that supports the physical, social, intellectual and emotional development of every student. Through this program, GOAL mentors build a community that nurtures and respects individual differences and talents, creates a safe and supportive environment and celebrates achievements.

Please use the Communications Policy to assist with identifying who to contact. If you are unsure, start with your child’s GOAL Mentor. We have a strong team supporting the GOAL Mentor starting with our Heads of Houses.

The Heads of Houses lead a dynamic House based system that ensures that students are known throughout their school journey. The proactive support is designed to ensure students grow, thrive and excel.

Careers/Pathways

Another exciting milestone is the pathway plans for our Year 12 Foundation students. There is a wonderful team ready to support them and all year levels this year. We would also like to introduce our Careers Team: Year 12 Careers Counselor, Jack Crameri, Careers Counselor, Andy Farrow, and Careers/VET/VCE Administration, Jody McCarthy.

The team uses a modern and evidence-based approach to careers and pathway planning. They develop and promote links with businesses, organisations and groups to provide a range of career opportunities and work experience options for students. All students at Beaumaris Secondary College complete a Career Action Plan each year.

The team will run a range of forums across the year levels for parents and students to assist with pathway planning. Check out the Beaumaris Careers page for the latest information.

Staffing Update

This term we are delighted to welcome the following new staff members:

Brendan Cian	VCE English & Geography/Humanities
Cameron Hughes	Communicate and Relate
Caroline Fotheringham	Accounts Payable
Chelsea Salahoras	Communicate and Relate
Dawn MacGregor	Create Visual
Eddie Gillespie	Outdoor Education & Healthy Lifestyles
Fernando Pablo	Create Visual
Hanna Drakos	Maths/Generalist
Jasmine Delaney	BEST
Jasmyn Gilbert	Computing & Innovate
Jo Cole	Maths/BEST
Michael Timcke	Maths
Michelle Shen	Maths
Sam Trevethan	Maths/Healthy Lifestyles
Sarah Baeffel	Psychology/BEST
Sonali Green	Communicate and Relate
Stephen Hughes	Communicate and Relate
Tim Lee	Physics/Maths
Tricia McKean	Food Tech Assistant
Zoe Irvine	Create Visual

Personal Property

We strongly discourage bringing valuable items to school. The Department of Education and Training (DET) does not hold insurance nor does it accept responsibility for personal property brought to schools by students, staff and visitors. DET has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property.

Debby Chaves

Principal

Student Success

SSA Triathlon/Aquathlon Championships