Acting Principal's Report
The journey is the reward. Steve Jobs
A fortnight ago, Melbourne experienced its coldest night since Beaumaris Secondary College was founded. Temperatures at different places around the state dropped below zero, and in the morning we left home to come to school with the thermometer barely nudging one degree. We were in winter!
When the days get darker earlier and lighter later, it can be hard to look ahead to the bright future.
And yet, over the last fortnight, that is exactly what we as a college community have been doing. With the VCE Subject Expo, course selection information evenings and assemblies, individual course counselling in GOAL, and GOAL Mentor PST interviews this week, our school is partnering with students and families to look ahead into the bright future for our young people, looking forward with hope and optimism, and supporting students to map their own pathway.
Investigating course pathway options and subject choices is important for students and families mapping the journey through secondary school towards life and career beyond school. However, as Steve Jobs reminds us, the destination is not the only imperative. Undertaking a journey of exploration and discovery with an open mind to the learning possibilities that are available is a vitally important part of this process.
Students in Year 9 and Year 10 in 2023 can choose between a stunning array of specialisms to learn, each designed to engage their passion and highlight future pathway possibilities. This learning discovery is rich in reward for our young people, and helps them become their best selves on the journey.
In June 2019 Deloitte released research in their Building the Lucky Country series titled ‘The Path to prosperity - Why the future of work is human’ and in it they discuss how the nature of work is changing. This research emphasises the human skills that employers are looking for which includes interpersonal and creative skills, the ability to exercise emotional judgement or champion professional ethics.
At Beaumaris SC these are some of the skills we have been developing with our students and skills that we will continue to develop as they move through their schooling.
This week, many parents and students will meet with their GOAL Mentor to discuss how the year has been going and to plan for the future. We know that these conversations will include the full richness of what is possible with a Beaumaris Secondary College education.
We have had busy and engaging fortnight at Beaumaris. Students and staff ventured up to Mount Buller for the Ski Camp, and you may have seen fantastic photos on social media and we have more later in the newsletter.
Excitement is growing as production week for High School Musical approaches. Cast and crew are wearing their red production t-shirts proudly, a recognition of the sustained energy and effort that has been poured into the production so far. Our next newsletter will share with you the highlights of what we know will be a fabulous college event. We wish all students and staff involved in the production all the very best as they prepare for the show. Break a leg!
This Thursday our Year 10 students will have a Wellbeing Day, and we encourage you to follow our Facebook page to see how our students enjoy the day.
We also have news about the placement of social workers with the college, who are funded by the Les Twentyman Foundation. This is yet another positive partnership with the wider community which will benefit our students.
You can read more about some of these later in the newsletter.
I do want to share this highlight with you. On Wednesday 20 July, teachers from across North Carolina visited to learn about our school, our pedagogical vision and the innovative teaching and learning that happens here every day. This opportunity was arranged by Peter Bartlett with the Go Global organisation. Our visitors were amazed by what Beaumaris offers – the remarkable facilities we enjoy and the exemplary learning that our students engage with. It was a great opportunity for our college to show off what we do so very well. The feedback that we received from our international colleagues was strong affirmation of our college.
It was a moment to celebrate what the college community has achieved over the last five years and what we have good cause to be very proud of.
As students and families make decisions for 2023 and beyond, we wish you all the best in your considerations. Please remember that there are lots of people who can help answer questions and provide advice, starting with your child’s GOAL Mentor.
Stephen Bourbon
Acting Principal
