2025, Issue 10 19 Sept 2025

Assistant Principal Newsletter

As Term three wraps up, we'd like to take a moment to celebrate the tremendous progress our students have made and thank our families and staff for their ongoing support and partnership.

This Term has been full of academic growth, strong school spirit, and community connection. From classroom-based work, interschool sports, and the college production, our school community continues to thrive.

Curriculum Day

The day started with a presentation from Dr Claire Jackson, Inclusive Education Specialist. This session acknowledged and focused on the essential contribution that Education Support Staff provide to the College community and how to continue developing effective collaboration between teachers and Education Support Staff in the classroom to improve student outcomes.

Staff then worked collaboratively to prepare and refine the new Victorian Curriculum 2.0.

School Production

What a fabulous showcase of our talented students. It was lovely to see the enthusiasm and pride that students displayed as they presented 'Matilda'. It was clear that countless hours of rehearsal went into every scene, song, and set change. From the actors and singers to the lighting crew and costume designers, every detail was polished, professional, and fun. We say a huge 'thank you' to the staff and families who made this production possible. Can’t wait until 2027!

R U OK Day: Thursday 11th September

The theme of ‘Ask R U OK? Any Day” underscores the message that care and connection should not be limited to just one day a year. Instead, it encourages ongoing, everyday acts of checking in with each other. This matters, and recent insights confirm that asking someone if they are okay can make a real impact:

● People who are regularly asked report higher levels of well-being

● One in three Australians say they’ve been checking in more often over the past year

● Nine out of ten individuals feel supported, cared for, and grateful when someone genuinely asks, “Are you okay?”

Junior Sub School Rippleside Park Excursion

To celebrate the efforts and achievements of students in Years 7 and 8, we are holding a BBQ and activities afternoon at Rippleside Park. This is always a fun time as students socialise with their peers and teachers whilst enjoying a snag off the BBQ.

Multicultural Festival

The Multicultural Committee has been working hard to ensure yet another successful festival that proudly showcases our vibrant community and captures the community spirit of diversity, inclusion and celebration. This year the festival will be held on Friday 24/10/25.

Please keep this date free in your calendar and come and join us. The day holds many highlights, including the opening ceremony, cultural dress parade, many different activities and stalls.

Reports, Student Engagement, and Pathways

We have several avenues to check in with the engagement of all students. Attendance is one, and we also use our progress report data to check in on students who might not be coping with the demands. When attendance and progress reports are quite low, we hold Student Support Group meetings. These are designed to find avenues for the students to develop greater motivation or work habits to continue engaging with their learning.

It would then be followed up with pathways advice or wellbeing support as required. Recently, emails were sent to parents who have children who have been significantly disengaged (less than 40% attendance) to inspire some further conversation around their pathway. This process is part of a required progression with guardians, and should we not be able to have relevant conversations, then it progresses to a referral to the Regional Attendance Officer who then makes relevant reports to other appropriate organisations. 

We like to think we have far greater opportunities to discuss, explore and encourage parents who are finding it difficult to get their child to come to school, to meet with us to discuss options.