End of Term

Following a review of practices at the end of Term, we have determined that we will be finishing school at 2:30pm as opposed to 1:30pm. This will align with other schools, bus arrangements and enable us to effectively manage students safely at the end of the day. Essentially it means that road safety is far greater at that time because the speed limit is 40km/hr.

Course Counselling

Term 3 is the time for students to start/continue the planning of their educational journey towards their desired post school pathways. From now until the end of Term 3, Student Managers, Year Level Coordinators and Pathway staff will be working with students to refine these pathways and ensure they are making subject decisions based on their interests and capacity. During this time students will also be shown the expected workload and commitment of their pathway choice and given some proper reflection on their capacity to meet these expectations.

Semester and Progress Reports

Semester reports will be available to parents and students in the last week of term. Our next round of Progress Reports will be in week 2 Term 3. This is a great time for parents to get a sense of the work put in by their children and compare it to the learning tasks and outcomes. It is also greatly valuable to observe and reflect on the appropriate pathways.

Be Bold, Be Heard

Leadership Summit

On Friday 16th May, we held our first Leadership Summit. This was an ‘application only’ opportunity for students in the program to be extended in their leadership. Some students who were looking for more development, applied and attended this at the Victoria Academy. Here, led by ‘yLead’, students participated in a range of activities to build their capacity to lead others in the program. The intention being for them to lead the next few forums. This, under the banner of empowerment of women, with some additional inspirations from Lara MP and proud supporter of our program, Ella George. The day was a fantastic success for the students.

Staff Professional Learning

To support our staff BBBH Champions we added a professional learning opportunity, so they felt strong in the management of their group to ensure they help their kids reach their goals. yLead were excellent in their leadership of these champions. All staff appeared to appreciate the opportunity to extend their understanding and foster greater capacity to lead and facilitate student action.

School Visit -Copperfield College

As a result of their engagement with the BBBH on Friday 9th May I was invited to Copperfield College to liaise with the Honourable Minister Hutchins, The Minister of Women. Students at the school highlighted the impact the program has had on them and the community, and I presented her with a badge and the background of the program and its successes. She asked for permission to discuss this in Parliament and some of her transcript is included below.

State Principals Conference 2025

On Tuesday 2nd June we were invited to present the successes of the BBBH initiative at the State Principals Conference. It was such a pleasure to highlight the achievements of the students in our region in such a fashion. I was delighted to be able to share the stage with Maddie Solly (NGSC BBBH Coordinator) and Nya Tut (Former NGSC captain and BBBH leader). The ‘sold out’ crowd were so impressed by the achievements of all the BBBH champions and student initiatives that there is likely to be a few more BBBH programs pop up in metro Melbourne in coming years. The highlight however was the impact Nya’s words had on the Principals present. Such was her impact that she received several invitations to attend Schools to present her story.

BBBH Forum #2: Breaking Barriers

Unlocking Equality in Every Space

Completing a very busy Term for BBBH was the second forum for 2025, entitled Breaking Barriers. Our students engaged positively with students from 14 other schools. Our host Iona College, arranged a wonderful day that included great ice breakers, sound bowls and a ‘Just Dance’ session. Intertwined with these activities were Respectful Relationships leading discussions on how students could challenge the expectations of females in their own contexts. Our guest speakers; Sally Lasslett, Lena Moxon, Carly Headlam and Lucinda Goodwin were hugely inspiring.

Sally Lasslett started as a Food Teacher who, as Principal, has transformed Hester Hornbrook Academy into a 7-campus school for the top 10% of at-risk students in the northwest of Melbourne. Sally shared stories of students who started as selective mute and on the day of graduation completed the Acknowledgement of Country. Many students had never packed a bag for a trip, nor had been on a plane and she treasured these moments. Her messages to students included: “don’t be bitches, come together for equality, not apart”. Say to yourself “I am beautiful and amazing” and “I am a woman, and I can”.

Lucinda Goodwin is a young woman who photographs musicians. She said that she had to be bold to pursue her dreams. Careers Teacher advice was to go to university and do PE. She listened to her own inner voice instead. Her message: “Trust your gut and back yourself”.

Lena Moxon grew up in Corio and was determined to have her own values, to be visible in the moment and that was her authentic and most important version of herself. Lena has owned many businesses and enjoys coaching and training young people in boxing and fitness. She told students to “not give a s#$% about the postcode, embrace it”.

Carly Headlam (my younger, more determined and athletic sister) had quite a bit of success following a schooling that was less so. An array of jobs in the health industry and sport has seen her reach the heights of accomplishing a Nursing Degree (High Distinctions) in her forties. Carly has reached great heights in her local sport and now in coaching told the students to be competitive and don’t be apologetic about it. She also said to the students to “be kind to yourself”.

Students involved then worked on their own actions in their school groups, whilst still buzzing after all the engaging activities. We are looking forward to our third forum for 2025 in Term 3, on the 22nd of August to be hosted by Bellarine Secondary College.