Senior School Report

Leadership Awards

Each year, the Australian Defence Force sponsors awards for students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership capabilities. 

The ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Awards started in 2006 to recognise students who demonstrate leadership and teamwork within both the school and the broader local community. At the same time, it recognises those who display strong values, such as doing one’s best, respect for others and “mateship”, characteristics that are integral to Australian society.

The ADF Future Innovators Award recognises recipients’ science and mathematics abilities. This award is given to a student who demonstrates a high level of motivation or innovation in the learning area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

Congratulations to our two Year 10 winners for 2022. 

ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award - Mila Apostolovska

ADF Future Innovators Award - Jashandeep Virk

Exams and Step Up

During the final 3 weeks of Year 11, our students completed their final assessments, revised copious amounts of content from Units 1 & 2, sat their subject exams and completed their first week of Year 12 classes.

We purposely mimicked VCAA examination conditions for the Year 11 students, in order to prepare them for their Year 12 external examinations next year. Our students rose to the challenge and followed all VCAA rules and regulations, while demonstrating the key knowledge and skills they have learnt this year by completing 6, and for some students 7, exams.

During their Year Step Up program, students experienced the pace and rigour of Year 12. Step Up teachers have provided students with Google Classroom Codes which are required for students to complete their Holiday Coursework. The completion of this work is an expectation and students may find themselves behind their classmates if they do not complete the work before we return in 2023. 

During Step Up Year 11 Students moving into Year 12 in 2023 had the opportunity to meet with representatives from Kangan Institute and RMIT University to learn about VTAC entrance requirements and to discuss course and career pathway options.

Year 11 students moving into year 12 also had the opportunity to attend a session by Motivational Speaker Darren Pereira, from Success Integrated  spoke to the students about the keys to success in Year 12 using a range of multimedia tools to engage our students in thinking and planning for their future success.

Our Year 10 students demonstrated their school pride and individual abilities during their exams and Step Up program. 

Uniform was on point, and students conducted themselves in a serious and dedicated manner. We again mimicked VCAA examination conditions as students got their first experience of VCE. 

Beginning VCE is a big step for any student, as there are a range of new experiences to learn about. Our advice to our Year 10 students in preparation for their VCE, is to make sure they have access to their Step Up lessons, which are available in the Google Classrooms, start next year prepared with Holiday Coursework completed, device ready and charged and all of the learning resources required. Finally, always ask questions when you are not sure. Ask your teacher or come and see a member of the Senior School Team if you are unsure or worried about anything.

Year 10 Work Experience

The final week of Year 10, saw our students venture out into the World of work. Students had worked with their Careers & Pathways teachers to prepare and plan for their work experience. Making contact with an employer can be daunting, but our students did not let that stand in their way. Some of our work experience placements included students working in the health field at medical clinics, dentists and community centers. Some students experienced working with young children at early learning centers and primary schools. We had many students immerse themselves in the construction industry, which included placements with carpenters, plumbers and electricians. 

Thank you to all of our community members who supported our Year 10s in finding work experience. Thank you as well to our parents and families who also supported our Year 10s by waking students up in time to get to work, driving them when needed and listening to their experiences. We hope our students were able to learn new skills and a little bit about themselves as an employee during this week.

Surf Study Camp

We are excited to announce the launch of the Year 12, Surf & Study Camp in 2023. The camp will focus on supporting our students with the academic and interpersonal rigours they will encounter as they work towards completing their Year 12 VCE successfully. The Surf & Study Camp will develop essential skills and knowledge regarding how to prepare for the Year 12 exams. Students will also use team building activities focused on developing personal resilience through the theme of Surf & Surf Safety. The camp will involve workshops to build their teamwork whilst building and developing their own leadership capacity and specific exam preparation techniques to enable them to achieve their aspirations. The Camp is compulsory and free of charge for all students who are undertaking a VCE subject with a VCAA exam in November. We urge all families to support this important initiative and complete the consent form available now via Compass.

Messages from the Senior School team

The Senior School Team will be expanding in 2023. With our first ever Year 12 cohort, the Senior School will now include 3 year levels. Our offices have relocated to the top floor of the LC Building, meaning students in Years 10, 11 & 12 will be able to find the Senior School staff in a central place.

At the end of 2022, our Acting Assistant Principal of Senior School, Darren Irvine will be leaving us. Darren has been an instrumental member of the Senior School Team during Semester 2, and has worked hard to ensure the students and staff of the Senior School are ready for the challenges and successes ahead in 2023. We have greatly appreciated Darren's contribution this year and wish him all the best in his new adventures.

Meet the Senior School Team - 2023

I would like to Introduce the Senior School team for 2023 to the students and and wider school community. 

I will move from my current role as Assistant Principal for Strategic Planning and Curriculum Innovation into the role of Assistant Principal - Senior School in 2023. I am excited and looking forward to opportunity to share my knowledge of the University and Vocational Education sector with our team, students and the wider school community as we complete the school development with the creation of the Year 12 program including the new Vocational Major.

I will be joined by a highly skilled and experienced team of six members in the Senior 

School team comprised of the following members:

Year 10 Leading Teacher: Chris Menzies

Year 10 Coordinator: Sarah Scott

Year 11 Leading Teacher: George Conway

Year 11 Coordinator: Sam Ritter

Year 12 Leading Teacher: Samantha Smith

Year 12 Coordinator: Ignatius Zanetidis 

The team is supported by Michelle Jones: VASS Administrator and VET Coordinator and Liam Ward: Leading Teacher Careers & Pathways