The college in 2024 has achieved extremely positive results in both our academic outcomes and the engagement of our students. This is showcased in our Year 9 NAPLAN where we achieved above network and on par with similar schools in all areas of NAPLAN as well as our students getting involved with the increasing number of activities on offer throughout the school year which provides unique experiences for our students including our production “Imagine That”, camps, concerts, excursions, interschool sports, house events and student leadership opportunities. The college continues to be the school of choice with our largest incoming Year 7 cohort of 190 students.
Our 2024 VCE result was commendable with 7.6% of our students achieving over 90 as their ATAR, 27% of our students achieving over 80 as their ATAR and a median Study Score of 29. I wish to congratulate our dux Selma Henrikson with a score of 98.50.
This period has been marked by examinations which involved every student across the college. For our Year 12 students, they have concluded their final VCE Examinations. On Wednesday 20 NOV 24 the college community came together at our Valedictory Dinner to celebrate the achievements of our 2024 Year 12 cohort and congratulate them on completing their secondary education journey. I wish to acknowledge the work of the Later Years Team in organising such a memorable evening.
Our Year 10 and 11 students also had their Semester 2 Exams, while our Year 7-9 students had a literacy and numeracy test conducted under exam conditions. These examinations provide an opportunity for our students to familiarise themselves with the exam environment and help develop their skills in time management and revision. The literacy and numeracy testing also provide teachers with data, so they can scaffold learning in their classes as well as ensure students have adequate support/extension at a classroom and college level.
Our Year 10 and 11 students have also completed their Commencement Program where they have started their 2023 studies. The Commencement Program maximises the time for our students to engage with the curriculum and supported in their VCE/VCE VM learning journey. This year we reintroduced a Year 11 Study Camp at Melbourne University which provided workshops, strategies to build our students’ resilience for the challenges in Year 12 and an opportunity for our students to bond as a group. The camp was extremely well attended and we have received very positive feedback in relation to the camp. I wish to acknowledge Ms McKenzie for organising this experience for our students.
Over this period our Year 9 students worked with Elephant Ed to raise awareness around: Consent, Respectful Relationships, Body Image, Pornographic online material, Inclusivity. Additionally, they also visited the Holocaust Museum to gain a deeper understanding of the Holocaust through individual lenses.
Our Year 9 embarked on their City Experience which provided our students to gain real-world experience in the following:
Time management
Use of public transport, timetables
Personal safety
Communication skills
Problem solving
Teamwork
Understanding how a diverse society functions
Working with Melbourne City Mission & Frontyard Youth Services our students get a firsthand look at youth homelessness and a chance to break down some of the damaging stereotypes around homelessness.
We celebrated our students' achievements at the Clock Tower, Moonee Ponds at our Annual Awards Celebration, which showcased the fabulous talent from our students, led by our dedicated staff. Thank you to Paul, Louise and the staff who participated in this event.
Primary Transition:
We continue to work closely with our Primary Schools and it was fabulous to have hosted all the Grade 6 students at Essendon North Primary School over two days where they had workshops with our staff in Arts/Technologies and completed their classes in the North Portables.
The 2024 Year 6-7 Orientation is in full swing with a fabulous turnout at our Year 7 Information Evening which provided our families with awareness of the opportunities and supports for our students at Buckley Park College. It was wonderful for our staff and I to connect with students/families. Also, it provided the first opportunity for our 2025 Year 7 cohort to connect.
Our 2025 Year 7 students also came to the college over three nights to complete their PAT Literacy and Numeracy Tests so we are better informed our their capability and be able to target extension/support programs earlier.
On 10 Dec 2024, we hosted our Year 7 students where they discovered their 2025 Home Groups so they could build new friendships, be introduced to some of their teachers and have diverse transition activities. Our Year 10 Peer Support Leaders have been trained to assist our incoming Year 7 students to have a positive transition in 2025.
Attitude to School and Staff Opinion Survey Data
I’m happy to report that despite our students’ perception results were more positive compared to our Network in:
Differentiated Learning Challenge
Managing Bullying
Respect for Diversity
Student Voice and Agency
Teacher Concern
Community Connection
Service Access
Resilience
Principal Team Structure for 2025:
I am delighted to welcome James Stevens to the Principal Team in 2025 who will oversee our Learner and Staff Development portfolio, as well as oversee Years 11 and 12.
- Paul Faci: Assistant Principal - Inclusion and Student Wellbeing, Years 7 & 8
- Craig Dunstan: Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning, Years 9 & 10
- James Stevens: Assistant Principal - Learner & Staff Development, Years 11 & 12
Please see our Staff Contact page for contact details of key staff.
Staff Farewell:
I wish to thank the services of the following staff who will be retiring or concluding at the college at the end of the year:
Em Le
Kim Tran
Olga Polovic-Lazovic
Jamie Veneman
Zoe Vathianakis
Adelina Palombi
Also we thank the following staff who have supported the college this year on short term contracts:
Basil Bryne
Nathania Wibowo
Bettina Lierz
I wish them all well for their future endeavours.
Thanks:
I wish to thank every staff member on their work throughout 2024 in order that our students have been supported so they reach their personal excellence. I want to highlight the work of the Leadership Team who have continued to progress our work outlined in the 2024 AIP and met the majority of our targets.
On a personal note, I wish to thank especially Craig and Paul for their support, feedback, and leadership. I want to thank School Council, staff, families and students for your support of my work in the strategic direction of the college.
As we move into the summer break, I wish every member of the Buckley Park College community an enjoyable and safe holiday. 2025 will be a year of refining/embedding the work we commenced in 2024 so we can evaluate the effectiveness of our initiatives. The college will also see the fruits of our labour as we commence the implementation phase of our STEAM Academy welcoming the first cohort in 2026.
