Senior School 

Final Senior School Report

Term 4

The final report from Senior School for 2022 comes with great achievement, celebration and satisfaction. As we draw close to the finishing line it is important to reflect on the year that has been, both with great fondness but also recognition of the times that were challenging. It wasn’t a seamless year by any stretch of the imagination, but as a community we all rallied together for our students, families and staff of which we should all be so proud. 

I would like to acknowledge all staff who supported our graduating class of 2022. The success of every individual is not possible without the incredible community spirit of GSC and a dedication to each student in their final year of secondary education.

The Year 12’s had a fantastic Valedictory with family, friends and staff. It was wonderful to see so many there to celebrate our graduating students and what a well-dressed night it was! Special thanks to Megan Penn and Heather Livermore for all their work to make the night as special as it was.

The celebrations for our 2022 cohort continued this week with the VCE and VCAL results being released. An incredible achievement and a special congratulations to our College Dux Sophie M and our over 90’s students. Your dedication to study and academic excellence is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.

Step Up was also an incredible success this year with a stand out attendance for our new Year 12 cohort of 99%! This alone demonstrates a commitment to their final year of school and I am excited to work with these young people in the year ahead. 

In addition to a wonderful Year 12 Step Up, we also had fantastic engagement with our new Year 11 cohort who jumped into their VCE/VM studies showing exciting promise and maturity. This is the beginning of their final 2 year program at GSC which will refine their future ambitions and pathways, and see them flourish into exceptional young adults. Joining the Year 11 Coordinator team is Laura O’Meara who is a wonderful new asset to the Senior School team and with our exceptional Anna Hall, they are the right team to support the students through a big year ahead.

I would also like to welcome our new Year 10 cohort to Senior School. Like deer in the headlights, these sprightly young people entered their first year 10 classes with great enthusiasm. It will be a big learning journey for these people in 2023, just like every year 10 cohort before them, but they are led by an exceptional new member of the Senior School team Madeline Duyker as their new Year Level Coordinator. Welcome Madi!

It is important to recognise the amount of work that goes into a successful Step Up program at a school the size of GSC. A very special thanks to Kate Smith who led the scheduling of timetables, exams, exam feedback and staffing. This was no mean feat. Thank you also to all the teachers and education support staff for making the entire Step Up program such a success. Bring on 2023!

Senior School has had some staffing changes for 2023. As mentioned earlier, we welcome our two new Year Level Coordinators Madeline Duyker and Laura O’Meara and our new Vocational Education Leader Miranda Brown. We also sadly say farewell, but say a big thankyou to John Hayward, David Butler and Stephanie Cust. These staff members have been core to the ongoing success of Senior School. They have endlessly provided hours of dedicated support and enthusiasm to students and staff over the years. Thank you for being apart of an exceptional 2022.

2023 brings exciting events/programs for our Senior School students. Year 10’s can look forward to Work Experience, getting out into the workforce and getting a taste for potential future employment. Year 11’s have the Deb Ball, a wonderful college tradition and a chance to celebrate the individual, friendship and family. The commencement of the new Vocational Major program for those students in Year 11 wanting to pursue a future career in vital trades. And lastly, the all new Apollo23 Camp for the Year 12 students, a wonderful way to launch their final year at school.

On behalf of all Senior School, I would like to wish all our families, guardians, friends and community a very safe and healthy summer break. We look forward to seeing you all in 2023 for what I am sure will be another incredible year at Gisborne Secondary College.

Christopher Hewitt

Senior School Leader: Engagement & Wellbeing