Campus Principal Update:
As we move through a busy and productive term, it has been wonderful to see students embracing new learning opportunities, challenging themselves academically, and representing our campus so positively.
A highlight of the fortnight was the Boundary Fence Farm Tour Excursion undertaken by Lucia and Shanae as part of their Food Technology studies. This hands-on experience provided valuable insight into the journey of food production, allowing students to see firsthand how produce moves from farm to fork. Opportunities such as these help bring classroom learning to life and deepen students' understanding of the agricultural and food industries. Thank you to everyone involved in making this experience possible.
We also held our School Photo Day, and I would like to congratulate all students on the way they presented themselves. It was fantastic to see students looking so smart and taking pride in wearing their correct school uniform. These photos capture important memories and reflect the high standards we strive for as a campus community.
A special congratulations goes to all students who participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition. Taking on challenging problems and stepping outside your comfort zone requires courage, perseverance, and a willingness to learn. Regardless of the results, every student who entered should be proud of their effort and commitment to developing their mathematical thinking skills.
Our Year 11 Driver Awareness Session was another important learning opportunity. As many of our students begin their journey as new drivers, understanding road safety, responsible decision-making, and the realities of driving on our roads is invaluable. We hope students took away lessons that will help keep themselves and others safe in the future.
This Friday's AI Unlocked Day provided students with an exciting opportunity to learn about artificial intelligence and the ways this rapidly developing technology can enhance learning. Students explored how AI can be used responsibly to support research, organisation, revision, and creativity. A reminder that once all Canvas course submissions have been completed, students will have access to the school's AI tools. What an exciting opportunity for students to engage with technology that is shaping the future of education and work.
It was also a pleasure to welcome Mrs. Julie Murray, Mrs. Mary Baxter, and members of our CST team to the campus on Thursday. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the future of the Bendigo Campus and begin planning for the growth we anticipate over the coming years. With student numbers continuing to increase, there was a great deal of positive conversation around how we can best support our students, staff, and facilities into the future. These discussions highlighted the exciting opportunities ahead for our campus. Thank you to everyone who contributed their ideas, insights, and vision for the future. Exciting times are certainly ahead for Bendigo.
Looking ahead, we have a very important week coming up with MAP Testing commencing on Tuesday for students in Years 3-11. MAP testing provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate how much they have grown throughout the year and helps us celebrate the learning that has taken place. We encourage families to help students perform at their best by ensuring they get a good night's sleep, eat healthy meals, and stay well hydrated in the lead-up to and throughout the testing period.
It will also be an exciting week in week 6 for our Primary students as we celebrate Book Week. Book Week is always a highlight of the Primary calendar, fostering a love of reading and imagination. The celebrations will culminate in our Book Week Parade and Morning Tea on Friday, 28 August 2026. The parade will commence at 9:30am, followed by a morning tea at approximately 10:00am. We look forward to seeing the wonderful costumes and creativity on display.
Our Year 12 students also have an exciting opportunity ahead with the Year 12 Motivational Event at the Melbourne Convention Centre on Tuesday, 25 August. This promises to be an inspiring day designed to encourage and motivate students as they enter the final stages of their secondary education and prepare for their end-of-year examinations. We wish all of our Year 12 students a fantastic and rewarding experience.
Finally, there appears to be a range of seasonal illnesses circulating within the community at present. We ask families to continue encouraging good hygiene practices, including regular handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes. If students are experiencing symptoms of illness, please keep them at home until they are well enough to return to school. By working together, we can help keep our campus healthy and minimise disruption to learning.
Thank you to our staff, students, and families for your continued support. It is encouraging to see so many students embracing opportunities, striving for personal growth, and contributing positively to our campus community. We look forward to another successful fortnight ahead.
Christopher Sanders
Campus Principal
OneSchool Global Bendigo Campus
Regional Principal Update:
Dear Parents, Students and Members of the OneSchool Global Community,
As we move through another busy and productive term, I would like to take the opportunity to share some updates from across our Victoria and Tasmania Region.
Last week, I attended the OneSchool Global Regional Heads of Department Conference in Sydney. It was a valuable opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from across our AU Region and to learn from the outstanding work taking place in our schools. I was particularly impressed by the high calibre of planning, leadership and strategic thinking demonstrated by our Heads of Department as they continue to focus on delivering exceptional outcomes for students.
One of the key areas of discussion was the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. AI presents exciting opportunities to enhance learning, develop future-ready skills and support student achievement. As technology continues to evolve, we remain committed to ensuring our students are equipped to use these tools responsibly, ethically and effectively as they prepare for success beyond the classroom and the workplace.
Over the past fortnight, I have had the pleasure of visiting our campuses at Berwick, Melton, Nathalia, Swan Hill and Bendigo. These visits continue to provide valuable opportunities to meet with students and staff, observe learning in action and celebrate the many successes occurring across our region. Every visit reinforces the strength of our school community and the shared commitment to providing high-quality learning experiences for our students.
A particular highlight was spending time at Nathalia and working alongside Mr James Mason, who commenced as Campus Principal on Monday 10 August. Mr Mason has made an excellent start to his role, and it has been wonderful to see him already building positive relationships with students, staff and families. We warmly welcome James to the OneSchool Global community and look forward to his leadership at Nathalia.
It has also been a pleasure to meet with our newly established Campus Support Teams (CSTs) across the region. I have been genuinely impressed by the high level of commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism shown by each team. These groups play an important role in supporting our campuses, strengthening collaboration and helping to ensure that students and staff continue to receive the support they need to thrive. Thank you to all members who have committed their time and expertise to this important initiative.
A further highlight has been seeing the continued success of the weekly intra-campus travel program in Tasmania. Our students have seamlessly embraced the opportunity to travel between campuses each week, demonstrating remarkable flexibility, maturity and commitment to their learning. It has been encouraging to hear how students are building new relationships, collaborating with peers from other campuses and making the most of the expanded learning opportunities available to them. The positive attitude shown by our Tasmanian students has been outstanding, and they should be commended for the way they have embraced this initiative and the benefits it brings to their educational experience.
I am also pleased to share that we are very close to appointing our new Sub-Regional Director of Student Support for the Victoria and Tasmania region. This is an important role that will further strengthen the support available to our students, staff and campuses. We look forward to making an announcement in the near future and welcoming another experienced leader to our regional team.
Looking ahead, next week I will be joining members of the Victorian SLT at the Royal Children's Hospital to present our fundraising cheque for $100,000. This remarkable achievement reflects the generosity, compassion and community spirit of our students, families and staff across the region. We are incredibly proud of what has been accomplished together and grateful for the opportunity to support the important work undertaken by the Royal Children's Hospital.
As we continue through the term, I would also like to acknowledge the many students and families who consistently support and uphold our uniform expectations each day. Thank you for taking pride in presenting yourselves in accordance with our uniform policy. A well-presented uniform promotes a sense of belonging, pride and professionalism and reflects positively on our school community. For those who may not yet be meeting these expectations consistently, I kindly ask for your support in ensuring that all students attend school in the correct uniform each day. Working together in this area helps us maintain the high standards that are a valued part of the OneSchool Global culture.
Thank you for your continued support of our students, campuses and the broader OneSchool Global community. I remain continually encouraged by the enthusiasm, dedication and positive spirit that I see across our region, and I look forward to sharing more updates with you in the coming weeks.
Warm regards,
Frank Vetere
Regional Principal
OneSchool Global Victoria & Tasmania
