CONNECT – SEPTEMBER 2025 

PRINCIPALS REPORT 

As another busy term draws to a close, it is an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved in Term 3 in only our fourth year of operation. Whilst we have achieved so much, we also know there is a lot still to do. 

 A strong partnership between school and home is vital to every child’s success. While our staff are dedicated to providing the best possible teaching and learning, we cannot do this work alone. Students thrive when families are actively engaged—by ensuring regular attendance, supporting learning at home, reinforcing positive behaviours, and being present at school events. Increasingly we are asking all families to step up their involvement. Your participation is not optional; it is a key factor in helping your child, and all children, achieve their best. We encourage families to volunteer, contribute to school programs, and take an active role in shaping our community. Together we can build a culture where high expectations are matched by strong support from every corner of our school. Let’s work in partnership to ensure every student feels valued, motivated, and supported to succeed. 

NAPLAN 

We have now received our 2025 NAPLAN results, and I am pleased to share that our students have achieved excellent growth across the key areas of reading, writing, numeracy, and language conventions. While NAPLAN provides just one snapshot of learning, the results reflect the hard work and commitment of our students, teachers, and families. Of particular note is the improvement in reading and numeracy, where many students demonstrated growth well above the national average. These results affirm the strength of our teaching programs and highlight the importance of strong home–school partnerships. Congratulations to all students on their efforts and achievements. 

RUOK DAY 

R U OK? Day 2024 was Thursday 12 September and is our national day of action when we remind everyone that every day is the day to  ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation whenever they spot the signs that someone they care about might be struggling with life. 

Last week our school came together to acknowledge R U OK? Day, an important reminder to check in with one another and start meaningful conversations about mental health and wellbeing. The day encouraged our students and staff to pause, connect, and show genuine care for those around them. Through activities, discussions, and class reflections, we explored how a simple question can make a big difference in someone’s life. I am proud of the way our school community embraced the message of kindness, empathy, and support, creating a culture where everyone feels seen, valued, and heard. 

STUDENT FREE DAY 

An area of focus for our Strategic Plan has been about having strong relationships between students and staff. This term our staff engaged in professional learning through the Berry Street Education Model, focusing on Module 2: Relationships. This module emphasises the importance of building strong, positive connections between teachers and students as the foundation for effective learning. Staff explored practical strategies to strengthen trust, encourage student voice, and create safe, supportive classrooms where all students feel valued. By investing in these relationships, we aim to enhance student engagement, resilience, and wellbeing. I am proud of the commitment our teachers show in continuing to grow their practice and ensure every child is known, cared for, and connected at school. 

STUDENT ATTITUDES TO SCHOOL DATA 

We recently received our results from the annual Attitudes to School Survey, which provides valuable feedback from students about their learning experiences, wellbeing, and sense of connectedness at school. I am very encouraged by the positive results, particularly in the areas of student safety, differentiated learning challenge, and motivation to learn. These outcomes reflect the supportive and inclusive environment we strive to create every day. The survey also highlights areas for growth, and we will continue to work closely with students, staff, and families to ensure every child feels valued, respected, and engaged in their learning. 

We use this data to inform our planning and track our progress but is equally important to share this with our community. The data received is one piece of evidence of the impact we are having on our students and their learning experience. 

MP VISITS AND STAGE 2 OPENING 

This month we were pleased to welcome our local Member of Parliament – Iwan Walters to our school, as well as the Federal Member for Calwell – Basem Abdo. These visits were both about visiting the programs we have in place but also to officially open our stage 2 buildings. 

The visits provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase the great learning and achievements of our students, as well as to share our school’s vision and priorities for the future. Our student leaders proudly toured our guest through classrooms, highlighting the enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment of our learners. We also discussed key projects and initiatives that support student wellbeing and academic growth. It was a valuable occasion to strengthen connections between our school and the wider community, and we thank our MPs for their time and support. 

YEAR 7 2026 

We continue to have high demand for student placement for Year 7 in 2026 and again, by far the number of placement requests have exceeded those received for this year’s cohort. As a result of a high demand for enrolments, the College remains under an Enrolment Management Plan which restricts enrolment to those who live within the enrolment zone.  

Welcome to families who are joining us in 2026! By now you will have received a welcome letter to confirm your details with us and in the coming weeks will receive an enrolment pack. We are looking forward to you joining us at Greenvale Secondary College. 

Helping Your Child Take Responsibility: sharing support between school and home 

As children move through their younger schooling years and into the more independent secondary education stage, one of the most important lessons they can learn is responsibility. Understanding and being able to take responsibility is not a simple lesson, and most young people need support from the adults in their lives to grasp this skill.  

Responsibility can mean owning their actions, being reliable, and learning to care for themselves and their environment. While schools work hard to nurture this mindset, it’s most effective when parents and staff are on the same page in supporting the tasks associated with responsibility, and model it in our words and actions.  

Here are four key areas where parents can help guide their child toward becoming a responsible and self-directed individual:

1. Responsibility for Belongings 

Secondary students are expected to manage a range of items: uniforms, books, devices, uniform lunchboxes, money, bank and transport cards and more. Much of this comes at a significant cost to families, with the intention supporting their education. Sadly, throughout and at the end of the school day, we do see food, books and even costly items such as blazers and computers discarded in the buildings and yard. Encourage your child to pack their own bag the night before each school day and check they have what they need. Avoid packing everything for them but perhaps use it as a shared task instead so that children are aware of what they have with them, and what they need to use and track through the day. This task also helps parents and guardians become aware of items that a missing or in disrepair and then devise strategies to better care for (often expensive) items. Ultimately, our shared goal for students to have the things they need to make the most of learning time.  

2. Responsibility for the School Environment    

Whether it’s a classroom chair or sport equipment, students are expected to treat school property with care. Reinforce the value of respect for communal spaces at home or in public spaces and remind them that misuse can affect others too. At home, model this with household items—showing care for shared spaces builds good habits. It can also help to discuss long term benefits of caring for the environment, such as having buildings in great condition to use in the senior years or school, or the effect that littering has on the local Greenvale community. 

3. Responsibility for Being on Time    

Being on time and ready to learn is a basic expectation in secondary school, yet it’s often a challenge as students juggle more responsibilities and increased independence. When students reach secondary school, they often take charge of tasks that their families and primary school teacher often oversaw in the past. This includes getting themselves to school in the morning and even moving to the right space in between classes and after breaks. Arriving late or unprepared sends a message that learning isn’t a priority; consistently reinforcing the opposite message at home is key. 

Encourage your child to take control of their morning routines, transport plans, and time management. Rather than micromanaging every detail, collaborate with them to develop systems—whether it’s alarms, planners, or digital reminders—that encourage independence. If you are notified by the school of your child’s lateness within the school day (i.e. getting to class after recess), start a conversation with them about what is challenging them about being on time. Strategise about how they may plan better (e.g. leaving the sports areas well before the bell, eating and going to the toilet at the start of break) and let us know if there is an external factor stopping their punctuality that we can help with 

We often have discussions with students who are late for school and classes and describe that they’ve had little sleep. Encourage your child to set alarms, follow a consistent bedtime, and remove devices such as phones and computers in sleeping hours. We as adults understand the temptation to scroll on our phones, and this level of responsibility is still in development with young teens.

4. Responsibility for Their Words and Actions

Mistakes happen—it’s part of growing up, and developing the life skills needed in adulthood. But taking ownership for your choices is key in learning from such mistakes. When your child makes a poor decision, encourage reflection and a sincere effort to put things right. This may include taking actions towards restoring a damaged relationship and planning better choices when challenged in the future.  

The way students speak to teachers, peers, and even themselves, has a powerful impact. Help your child understand that what they say—whether in person, online, or in writing—reflects their values and impacts others. Conversations about tone, intention, and the responsibility to communicate respectfully and honestly should be an ongoing part of a young person’s development. 

Repeated avoidance of accountability can erode a young person’s capacity for growth. If your child has made a poor decision—whether it’s a behavioural issue, an academic lapse, or a social conflict—resist the urge to shield them from consequences. Instead, work with the school and your child to reflect on the incident and plan a path forward. Encourage reflection over excuse-making and demonstrate that integrity often means choosing the harder right over the easier wrong. 

It is tempting to rescue our children or make excuses when their words or behaviours have impacted others. Instead, when we guide them toward understanding and accountability, a mistake can be a chance to build resilience and maturity. 

Assistant Principals 

Melinda Gall 

Lucy Gibbs 

Liz Cullen 

Dear Middle School Community, 

What a busy and rewarding Term 3 it has been for our Year 9 and 10 students! There have been so many moments of growth, achievement and fun that we’d love to share with you. 

Year 10 Work Experience 

For our Year 10s, the big highlight was definitely Work Experience. Students returned with a real sense of pride and maturity after spending time in a wide range of workplaces. Many spoke about how much they learned, not just about possible career paths, but also about themselves – from communication and teamwork to independence and responsibility.  

Celebrating Growth, Effort and Achievement

Our Year 9 and 10 classes have also shown impressive learning growth this term. Teachers have been so pleased to see the effort students are putting in, the resilience they’re showing when faced with challenges, and the way they’re working together to achieve their best.  

We were also very proud of the group of students who represented the school in the international PISA testing this term. They approached the challenge with positivity and determination, and their participation was a credit to both themselves and the school.  

Book Week Celebrations 

And of course, we can’t forget Book Week! Students had the chance to hear from poet, author and illustrator Maxine Beneba Clarke, who encouraged them to embrace creativity and the power of storytelling.

The week was topped off with our Dress Up Day, which brought so much colour, fun and laughter to the school.  It’s been a wonderful term, and we’re so proud of everything our Year 9 and 10 students have achieved.  

Looking Ahead 

Term 4 promises to be another exciting and important time for our Year 9 and 10 students. Year 10s will begin preparing for their end-of-year exams and looking ahead to their senior pathways, while Year 9s will be focusing on consolidating their learning and building the skills they’ll take into their final years of school. Alongside this, there will be opportunities to celebrate achievements, participate in end-of-year activities, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing another school year. We’re looking forward to finishing the year strongly, together.  

Regards, 

Middle School Team 

Ms Remeysen (Middle School Office Manager) 

Mr Kershaw (Year 9 Level Leader) 

Ms Bakdache (Year 10 Level Leader) 

Mr Sinderberry (Head of Middle School) 

Dear Junior School Community, 

As we approach the end of Term 3, it has been an incredibly busy time for Junior School Students. Both Year 7 and Year 8 students have been working hard in preparation for upcoming CAT’s and Assessments in various classes. We hope to see great levels of achievement, success and learning growth in your final assessments. 

Blue Edge Program

Many of our students have been involved in a wide range of programs and initiatives throughout the term. Several Year 7 and 8 students have been participating in the Blue Edge Program, which runs once a week during Term 3. This program works alongside Victoria Police to provide support, development and education to our students. Blue Edge consists of fitness activities and interactive workshops, proven to build confidence, connection, self-reflection, resilience, and a growth mindset.  

Performance Gala 

Our Annual Performance Gala was held on Wednesday 20th of August, where around 15 students in Year 7 and 8 showcased their amazing talents in front of a wide audience. Congratulations to those students that performed on the night! 

Book Week Celebrations

On Thursday 21st of August, as part of Book Week Celebrations, we had the pleasure of hosting Maxine Beneba Clarke, a well-known Australian author, who came to present a talk to our Year 7 and 8 students. She spoke about her written works, influences and how symbolism is represented in literary works; something which our students will currently be working on in various subjects. Our students immensely enjoyed the experience.  

In addition to our Book Week celebrations, on Friday 22nd August, students had the opportunity to dress up for Book Week based on their favourite characters shown in either books, movies or comic books. Lots of colour, fun and excitement were evident on the day. 

Term 4

Term 4 and the end of the year is approaching fast. Our students are one step closer to starting a new year level, and it is hard to believe where that time has gone. Our Year 8’s will begin the process of receiving their chosen elective subjects for 2026 and head into Middle School, as well as our Year 7’s having almost completed their first full year of Secondary School as they move into Year 8. We look forward to what Term 4 will bring us as we hopefully head into the warmer months. 

Lastly, I would just like to say, that it has been my pleasure acting as Head of Junior School for the past few weeks on behalf of Mr Van ‘T Schip. I would personally like to thank Maree Glynn, for stepping into the role of Acting Year Level Leader (Year 8) on my behalf, as well as thank the rest of the team including Mr Harry Lawless (Year 7 Level Leader) and Ms Kate Wilson (Attendance Officer) for their support over the last few weeks. Wishing everyone a safe Term 3 holidays and we will see you all in Term 4! 

– Mr Dean James  

Head of School – Junior School (Acting) 

Student Services

GSC Student Services Team

The GSC Student Services is made up of a number of different services providing support to students to enhance their wellbeing and their learning. 

Allied Health Team:  Team of youth workers providing counselling and case management of students

Inclusion:  Made up of Inclusion Support Workers classroom based, inclusion youth workers, speech pathologist and assessment and funding administrator 

Careers: Careers advisor and support 

Culture and Diversity:   Supporting of collective harmony and respect 

Speech Pathologist now on site 

Greenvale Secondary College would like to welcome Amanda Ancell Speech Pathologist. Amanda is working at the school three days a week.  Amanda will be completing speech assessments, classroom observations, one on one sessions and small therapeutic groups. 

Blue Edge Youth Program 

Youth Workers from Blue Edge and Hume City Council together with Victoria Police attend the school on a weekly basis to support the development and growth of some of our students. 

Starlight Foundation Uno Fundraiser 

Every minute, a child is admitted to hospital in Australia. For those facing serious illness, it can be a scary and isolating time. That’s why I’m supporting Starlight – to help make hospital a happier place through the power of play. 

On Thursday 4th September Greenvale Secondary College hosted a Starlight UNO Games event for sick kids. 

You can continue to support this fundraiser by either: 

• Donating via the school’s Starlight Foundation Page: https://starlightunogames.org.au/tanya-vella  

• Drop off donation to front office by 18th September 2025 

To date we have just over $900.

R U Okay Day? 

R U Ok Day was on 12th September.  At GSC the school hosted a morning tea for staff on the 9th September with education, healthy snacks, activities and additional support on hand for students on 12th September. We know that whether it’s a friend, family member, partner, or colleague, the people around us go through life’s ups and downs every day. That’s why we want everyone to feel confident to check in with the people they care about and Ask R U OK? Any Day.

Video: Ask R U OK? Any Day (explainer)

Referrals

Referrals to Student Services can come from students, staff, families and community support services. Families, please call the school if you would like to make a referral. Student Services can provide short term counselling and case management to students and families in addition to referrals to external agencies. 

Dental Van 

In Term 3 eighty-eight students of GSC participated in their routine dental health check and also treatment through the Australian Dental Health Victoria.  We are very thankful for this continual service to our students. 

Social Media Age Restrictions Update 

From mid-December 2025, Australian children under 16 will not be allowed to hold accounts on certain social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube. This is not a ban – it’s a delay to give young people more time to develop digital literacy, critical reasoning, and resilience. Online gaming and standalone messaging apps are excluded from these restrictions.
For further details: eSafety Commissioner information on social media age restrictions

Term 3 has been an exciting term for music at Greenvale Secondary College! 

Performing Arts Gala

On the 20th of August, the college hosted a Performing Arts Gala in the evening, showcasing some wonderful musical talent. It was great to see both solo and small group performances from several students ranging in experience from beginner to advanced. Congratulations to those who gave their first ever performance – it takes a lot of courage to get up and play in front of others and you did an excellent job. 

The ensemble performed at the end of the evening, including ‘Get Smart’ and their own rendition of Cold Play’s ‘Viva La Vida’. 

Before the ensemble performance, there was also a surprise performance from a newly formed staff band, including not only the music teachers, but also staff from the office, wellbeing and the maths department. The group performed their own covers of Amy Winehouse’s ‘Valerie’ and The Chicks’ ‘Landslide’. 

After the excitement of Gala night, the ensemble has recently begun learning the ‘James Bond’ theme and they are already getting into a good groove.   

In Week 8, we had sub school assemblies for each year level. Congratulations to all students who performed at these assemblies and shared their musical talents with their peers. 

Year 7 Music classes

In Year 7 Music classes, students have been learning about the elements of music, particularly focusing on melody, harmony, dynamics (how loud or soft music is played) and articulation (how long, short, smooth or attacked notes are played). They have listened to a range of music recordings to build their understanding of how each of these elements sound in a musical context and to develop specific language for describing them. Students have particularly enjoyed listening to recordings from film soundtracks, such as ‘Hedwig’s Theme’ from Harry Potter and the ‘Jaws’ theme.

When there was some spare time in lessons, students have played on a range of classroom instruments, including violins, keyboards, guitars, ukuleles, drums and smaller percussion instruments like the triangle and tambourine, and have had the opportunity to experiment with changing articulations and dynamic levels. Using instruments or online programs such as Chrome Music Lab, they have had the opportunity to create their own melodies, sometimes working in a small group. To explore harmony and experience the difference in sound between major and minor chords, students have also gone onto the Chord Player website to experiment with their own chord progressions and listen back to them to see how creative they can be.

Year 10 Music elective

In the Year 10 Music elective, which is newly running for the first time, students have been learning all about how pop songs are structured and how to write their own pop song in groups. They have had regular practice in listening to a range of songs in pop and similar genres and learning to analyse how the elements of music feature and how they effectively combine with each other to create an engaging and well-structured song. There has been particular focus on overall song structure, as well as texture (how many instrument and vocal parts play together and what their roles are), dynamics and chord progressions.

After the first week, there was strong emphasis on learning about commonly used chord progressions in songs, hearing examples from song recordings and live keyboard demonstrations, then understanding the functions and hierarchy of each chord as well as which notes are required to construct them. Students used keyboards, guitars, and digital programs like GarageBand to experiment with different chord progressions before settling on one or two that they liked the sound of.

Over the term, students have been gradually putting together their own composed pop songs in groups, working out how to structure their overall song, create lyrics, create a chord progression and work out which instruments to include and how to vary texture based on who is playing when. As part of the CAT, each group is performing their song or presenting a digital version to the class – it is wonderful to see and hear all the hard work and creativity each group is putting in.

SRC / House Term 3 Update 2025   

The start of Term 3 began with the SRC celebrating the college’s incredible Principals Mr. Natoli, Ms. Gall, Ms. Gibbs, and Ms. Cullen for World Principals’ Day. Year Level Captains and SRC members worked together to create beautiful cards and artworks as a way of thanking the principals for their ongoing dedication to supporting every student, staff member, and the wider school community. Pictured below is a portrait of Mr. Natoli, drawn by Year 10 Leader Leyla Saylik, alongside card artwork by Year 7 Captain Olivia van Heer. 

The SRC is also pleased to share an update on the Active Schools Funding. To ensure the decision reflected student voice, the SRC team organised a short survey at the start of the term, inviting all year levels to vote for their preferred option. The most popular choice was to establish a sports equipment borrowing system. The SRC is now working closely with the PE department to order equipment and put the borrowing process in place. More information will be shared in upcoming newsletters. 

Earlier this term, Year Level Captains had the valuable opportunity to meet with Assistant Principal Ms. Gall to reflect on results from the Attitudes to School Survey. Year Level Captains provided rich insights into positive teaching practices across classrooms, the benefits of building strong teacher student rapport, and areas requiring further focus such as respect and bullying. They also contributed their own ideas on how to strengthen student wellbeing and will continue to work alongside college leadership to ensure student voice plays a key role in this space. 

The term concluded with a proud moment in the college’s history. Greenvale Secondary College officially welcomed Minister Iwan Walters MP for the opening of the Stage 2 Buildings: the Learning Neighbourhood Building B (LNB), the Visual Arts Building, and the Performing Arts and Physical Education (PAPE) Building. Year Level Captains, together with Mr. Natoli, warmly greeted the Minister and guided him on a tour of the new facilities, highlighting how these spaces are already enriching student learning and growth. The celebration continued with a whole school assembly where SRC representatives shared reflections on their own learning journeys, the pride they feel in being part of the college, and how the new facilities enhance their school experience. Iwan Walters addressed the community, spoke about the value of investing in education, and officially cut the ribbon to mark the occasion. The ceremony concluded with photos alongside staff, students, and community members—capturing a milestone moment for the college. 

Looking ahead, the SRC is preparing to celebrate World Teachers’ Day on October 31. Planning is underway to find creative and meaningful ways to acknowledge the outstanding dedication and impact of teachers both inside and outside the classroom. The SRC team is also excited to launch the application process for the 2026 SRC at the beginning of Term 4. Students will be encouraged to apply by learning more about the importance of student voice, the qualities sought in future representatives, and the many leadership opportunities available. The current SRC looks forward to inspiring the next group of student leaders to step up, make their mark, and continue building a strong, inclusive, and supportive school community. 

Teaching and Learning Update 

As we head into the final part of the school year, classes are beginning their last units of work. This is an exciting time for students to wrap up their learning, reflect on how far they’ve come, and start looking ahead to what’s next.

A great way to support your child is by asking them about what they are learning right now and what they find most interesting or challenging. You might also talk to them about the subjects they’ve chosen for next year—these conversations can help them feel confident in their choices and more engaged in their learning journey.

For our Year 9 and 10 students, Term 4 will include exams. These are an important opportunity for students to show what they know and practise the skills they’ll need as they move towards senior schooling. We encourage everyone to stay motivated, put in consistent effort with revision, and approach this time with a positive mindset.

After exams, students will begin our Head Start program, where they’ll step into their 2026 classes. Head Start gives students a chance to meet their new teachers, experience some of the content for next year, and get a feel for the higher expectations. This early start helps reduce anxiety and ensures students are ready to hit the ground running in the new year.

We’ve also noticed that many students’ books are nearly full. Over the upcoming break, please check your child’s supplies—exercise books, pens, pencils, and other essentials—so they are ready to learn from day one next term. Being organised and equipped helps students settle quickly and focus on their learning.

Finally, a simple but powerful reminder: being at school every day, arriving to class on time, and coming prepared to learn are the first and best steps towards success. Good routines make a big difference, especially in this final stretch of the year.

Thank you for your continued support—it makes a real difference in helping our students finish the year strong and step confidently into the next.

Sporting Success in Term 3 

The sporting achievements of our students have continued to shine throughout Term 3, with outstanding dedication and effort shown across a range of sports. 

In track and field, we had an impressive 20 students qualify for regionals, with some competing in up to four different events. Both our 12–13 girls and 14 girls’ relay teams also made it through, showcasing not only individual skill but also fantastic teamwork. 

A special congratulations goes to Foga’a, who delivered an exceptional performance in the javelin, finishing third at regionals. His effort earned him a bronze medal—our highest individual result at this level.

Our success continued on the basketball court, with the Year 8 girls and Year 7 boys teams both taking out district championships. These two teams will now advance to compete at regionals in Term 4. We wish them the very best of luck and look forward to cheering them on in the next stage of competition!

Pictured below: Foga’a with his bronze medal in javelin at track and field regionals and the Year 7 boys’ basketball team, proud winners of the district title. 

Morrisby Profiling and Interview   

In August, Year 9s participated in and undertook online surveys that will profile them with potential career paths.  For all completed profiles, students (and parent/s invited) will be scheduled for a 30 min interview in Term 4 between 7-10 October with a Morrisby Careers Practitioner to unpack and discuss results of their profile survey.   

The aim of Morrisby career profiling is to assist students explore their interests, aptitudes, and potential career paths, contributing to developing their Career Action Plan (CAP) and an approach to build goals and pathways, which will be the basis of preparing for the year 10 Work Experience Program, subject selections, work placements and future career decision making.

Year 10s Work Experience Program 2026 

The Year 10 Work Experience Program in 2026 will commence in Term 2 Mon 22 – Fri 26 June with an optional week 30 Nov to 4 Dec 2026.   

Students will be sent home information regarding this, and a further information session about the program will be held later this year   

It is advisable for students to start early in securing placements/work experience through networks; some great opportunities do close early – including NGV, UoM Faculty of Science, Zoos Vic, Alfred Health, WEHI, Defence Science & Tech group and more. 

Appointment & Resources – Career Tools 

Students can reach out via Teams to book in for a Careers Appointment regarding career pathway decisions/organising placements/further work experience.    

Check out Greenvale’s Career Tools for Career guidance and information.  Students can login and access: 

• Job & Career information and targets 

• Courses, Scholarships & Opportunities 

• Career Action Plans & investigate suggested careers 

• Create resumes, cover letters & portfolios 

LIBRARY NEWS

Term 3 has been full of energy in the Greenvale Secondary College Library! We launched new non-fiction decodables, shared the latest CBCA releases, and Break 2 has been buzzing with puzzles, chess, and an expanding collection of board and card games — including new colourblind-accessible UNO cards! Borrowing of books, eBooks, and audiobooks has also been on the rise, which is fantastic to see. It’s wonderful watching so many students discover their next great read. A big thank you to everyone for following the “no food or drink” rule — it’s helping to keep the library clean and welcoming for everyone to enjoy.

New Non-Fiction Decodables available in our Digital Library  

📚 Access the Digital Library anytime via Compass > School Favourites > Digital Library (ePlatform)

Spotlight: Children’s Book Week 2025

As part of our celebrations, we were delighted to welcome author Maxine Beneba Clarke, who delivered engaging talks to each year level. A selection of Maxine’s books is available to borrow from our library, many of which she kindly signed during her visit! In addition, you can find the following CBCA award-winning titles in both the GSC Library and the Digital Library (ePlatform). 

Congratulations to the CBCA Award Winners!

Book of the Year: Older Readers 

• Winner: I’m Not Really Here – Gary Lonesborough 

• Honour Books: Birdy – Sharon Kernot and Into the Mouth of the Wolf – Erin Gough 

Book of the Year: Younger Readers 

• Winner: Laughter is the Best Ending – Maryam Master, illustrated by Astred Hicks 

Eve Pownall Award for Information Books 

• Winner: Always Was, Always Will Be – Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson 

• Honour Book: Making the Shrine: Stories from Victoria’s War Memorial – Laura J. Carroll 

Shadow Judging Winners 2025 

• Older Readers: Birdy – Sharon Kernot 

• Younger Readers: Laughter is the Best Ending – Maryam Master & Astred Hicks 

• Eve Pownall Award (Joint Winner): Flora: Australia’s Most Curious Plants – Tania McCartney 

The CBCA has already announced the theme for Children’s Book Week 2026: Symphony of Stories. The theme will be brought to life with illustrations by award-winning artist Briony Stewart.📚✨ 

Holiday Reading

As students head into a well-earned break, reading beyond the classroom can be enjoyed. Stories can be explored, skills can be kept sharp, and the fun of reading can be discovered. With the digital library open 24/7, eBooks and audiobooks can be accessed anytime, so the next great adventure is always just a click away! Remember: 

• Access the Digital Library anytime via Compass > School Favourites > Digital Library (ePlatform). Or you can go directly to: https://greenvalesc.eplatform.co 
• For mobile access, download the free ePlatform app from the Apple or Google Play Store and search for Greenvale Secondary College or School ID 4638.  

MEET OUR ADMINSTRATION TEAM 

Elizabeth Cullen – Business Manager 

Liz is responsible for all HR, finance, facilities and operations matters at the College. Please be in touch as you need to discuss how the College can best support you and your students. 

Connie Midiri – Daily Organiser 

Connie is responsible for daily organising and the school’s schedule. Connie also coordinated student first aid and medical information. 

Shilo Breen-Sciulli and Daniel Jackson – Administration Officers 

Shilo and Dan are the first points of contact at Reception and can help you with any enquiry.  

Annie Remeysen – Attendance and Engagement Officer 

Annie is a member of our Student Engagement Team and responsible for monitoring student attendance in the Middle Sub School. 

Kate Wilson – Attendance and Engagement Officer 

Kate is a member of our Student Engagement Team and responsible for monitoring student attendance in the Junior Sub School. 

Nazira Kirim-Esen – Enrolments Officer 

Naz is responsible for all new student enquiries to the College. Naz can guide families through all enrolment processes and is able to assist in Turkish language as required.  

Susi Dombrzalski – HR/Executive Assistant 

Susi is Executive Assistant to the Principal and can assist with meeting and scheduling request. In addition, Susi looks after all staff HR matters.  

Shweta Bhatti – Finance Manager 

Shweta is responsible for all accounts payable and receivable matters. You can get in touch if you have enquiries about billing and payments.  

Our Administration Team are always happy to assist and support all students and families at the front reception daily. Our Administration Office is open 8:00am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday. We are committed to doing our best and if you ever have any questions or queries, we are here to help.  

ARIVING LATE TO SCHOOL 

Students who arrive late to school, after 8:50am, must sign in through the Compass Kiosk either using their student card or Compass Login details.  Parents/Guardians can either use the Compass Kiosk to sign their child late or contact the Office on 8393 0000 advising us why their child will be late. 

EARLY DEPATURE FROM SCHOOL 

We realise that at times you need to pick up your child early from school. When your child needs to be picked up early from school, please enter an Attendance Note in Compass or contact the Office on 8393 0000 letting us know the time you will be picking up your child.  Please provide as much notice as possible unless there are unforeseen events.  When picking up your child early, you are required to come into the Administration Office and sign your child out through the Compass Kiosk.  

We request you pick your child up at the change over time between periods and do not pick your child up early after 2:45pm to minimise disruption to classes. 

UNIFORM  

Students who are not in Full School Uniform, we ask that a note is brought the Administration Office explaining why your child cannot wear their full school uniform, so a uniform pass can be issued for the day. 

PURCHASE OF UNIFORMS 

Uniform items can be purchased from Noone Imagewear,. 420-440 Cragieburn Road, Cragieburn. Online orders call also be placed directly at https://www.noone.com.au 

LAPTOP LOAN PROGRAM 

The College provides laptops available for loan should your student forget theirs or if they need a replacement for a short period of time. These must be loaned out from the IT Office each day and returned at the end of the day.  

COMPASS LOG IN  

Families requiring assistance with their Compass login contact the Administration Office on 8393 000 and we can assist you with your login details and password. 

VOLUNTEERING 

If you’d like to volunteer at the College, please complete this form. The College needs helpers for excursions, camps, sporting events, in the Library and general working bees!  

LOST PROPERTY 

The College collects lost property that is handed in and this is stored at Reception. All unclaimed items will be disposed of at the end of each term. 

 
We strongly recommend that all items are labelled and named so they can be easily identified and returned to you.  

 
The team at Reception can also organise replacement Student Planner, student locks and/or ID cards for purchase if needed. 

FIRST AID 

 Unfortunately, we know that students sometimes fall ill or hurt themselves while at school – accidents happen! The College has first aid trained staff and a well-equipped first aid room.  

The Office will notify parents or emergency contacts if there is a serious injury. You may be asked to collect your student if we cannot care for them at school. The Office may also contact you to seek your advice about how you’d like us to manage your child. 

Please remember to update the College with any important medical information so we can be aware and support. Any medication provided to the College must come with a doctor’s certificate about its use and a completed medication authority form. 

Please discourage your child from contacting you via mobile phone – if they are unwell, they can come to the Office at any time and we will contact you as needed. 

CANTEEN ORDERS 

Families can order their child’s lunch through Compass each day, before 9:30am.  Students are to go to the canteen to collect their orders at the start of Break 1 or Break 2.  

If you miss the cut off for lunch orders, you are welcome to bring lunch or money to the Administration Office so your student doesn’t miss out. Please note, there are no IOUs available through the Canteen.

KEY DATES

ATTENDANCE – IT’S NOT OK TO BE AWAY! 

Daily school attendance is important for all children and young people to succeed in education and to ensure they don’t fall behind both socially and developmentally. Children and young people who regularly attend school and complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification have better health outcomes, better employment outcomes, and higher incomes across their lives. It is important that children develop habits of regular attendance at an early age. 

We realise some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But we also know that when students miss too much school – regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically.  

It is important that you contact the school as soon as possible on 8393 0000 or log onto the Compass Portal to inform us of your child’s absence.  

We also ask parents/guardians/carers to regularly monitor their child’s attendance through the Compass Parent Portal. 

EVERY DAY COUNTS 

A day here or there doesn’t seem like much but…