message from the principal

In this final edition of the Brunswick Star for 2018 we have much to celebrate and much to look forward to as we are well placed for a successful 2019.

We are pleased to acknowledge the achievement of our Year 12 students and commend them on the attainment of their VCAL or VCE certificates.   Year 12 results reflect the support of the whole school community over their time at the school so I extend my thanks to everyone who has played a part in supporting our Year 12 students this year.

One hundred and twenty six students sat the VCAA examinations for an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) and we congratulate those students on their achievements.   Our results this year saw a sharp increase in the number of students receiving ATARs above 90.  Twenty two students achieved this, equating to 17.5% of students compared to the 10% of students in Victoria who obtain this score.  The percentage of students achieving ATARs above 70 continued to be very high.    I refer you to our website for some further highlights but in doing so acknowledge that all students are to be congratulated for their achievements this year. We wish all our Year 12 students well for 2019 and beyond and look forward to hearing of their future achievements as we keep in touch with them as alumni.

As well as acknowledging all Year 12 students at their Graduation Ceremony in October we also acknowledged the achievements of some of our Year 7-11 students with our inaugural Awards Night on 6 December.  Students were recognised in categories aligned to our school values of Respect, Excellence, Teamwork, Achievement, Responsibility and Persistence.  Students were nominated by their teachers and award recipients were selected by their Year Level Coordinators and Heads of Learning.  I extend my congratulations to all award winners, thank their families for attending and recognise the superb supper and refreshments provided by students under the direction of Jacqui Scott. We look forward to holding this event each year as a celebration of student contributions to their studies and community.

This year we have a significant farewell to a long-serving teacher. Graeme McKinnon is retiring after 47 years teaching at Brunswick Secondary College and the former Brunswick High School, which became Brunswick Secondary College.  Graeme has made a contribution to Brunswick Secondary College which will be long-standing.  As well as being the most outstanding teacher of Physics, Graeme has contributed as a past Assistant Principal, campus Principal and more recently as our data analyst.  Graeme has also worked extensively on the building project.  The school will remember Graeme and his unparalleled contributions with the planting of a flowering gum which is Graeme’s favourite tree and the naming of the Physics room as ‘The Graeme McKinnon Physics Room.  We wish Graeme every happiness in his retirement.

We welcomed our 2019 Year 7 students to Brunswick Secondary College on 11 December for their Orientation Day.    Students were straight into activities and lessons with their new classmates whilst we also welcomed parents who were able to stay for refreshments.  It was a most successful start to our partnership for the next six years.

The first day for students next year is Thursday 31 January 2019. Students should check Compass and school emails in the week prior to commencing school for updates on timetables and organisational matters for Day 1.   The Principal Team will also be communicating information to our 2019 parents via Newsfeed in preparation for the new school year, including information on our new strategic plan, which is the result of our extensive review process.

We are extremely excited to start 2019 with our completed building works and I thank our architects Baldasso Cortese and our builders FIMMA, for their work spanning two years.   Early in Term 1 I will invite our school community to a twilight tour so the finished product can be seen furnished and set up for learning.

Term 4 was a very productive term and I acknowledge the following key events and thank the students and teachers involved in each of them.   We celebrated the Festival of Media and Art with the Media night at the Nova Cinema and our Art Show in G block.  There was some spectacular work on display at these two events. The Junior Production of Elf was a success and enjoyed by two appreciative audiences at the two showings.  Congratulations to all involved on your commitment and end result.  We also had a successful trip to Italy with students immersing themselves in the culture and challenging themselves to converse in the language.

Finally, I extend a thank you to the students, staff and parents of Brunswick Secondary College for their support in 2018.  Special thanks to Assistant Principals Claudia Johnson and Samantha Milbourn and to School Council and the Parents Association for the great work they have done this year on behalf of the school community.  Our students have once again made us proud with their dedication to studies and co-curricular programs and their passion for community involvement. 

I wish all students and families a safe and restful holiday break.