MESSAGE FROM THE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Ms Kay Peddle – Principal

Welcome everyone to the 2025 school year. A warm welcome to all the new students and staff members who have joined our school community. We look forward to working with you and sharing in your successes at Pascoe Vale Girls College. Our School Council has strong parent representation, and I thank those parents who have made this commitment to the school. The school council will continue be updated regarding the education plan for Merri-bek North with a project officer working across the four schools. The success of joint provision with VCE Sociology has now extended from Units 1 and 2 to Units 3 and 4 and there are additional opportunities on offer for students and staff to collaborate across the schools. Our project officer has also provided an update in this newsletter.
We have enjoyed a very productive term one. This first edition of the newsletter highlights the opportunities that are provided to students to learn, explore, participate, and achieve in all dimensions of secondary school. It has been so pleasing to see students engaged in their learning, taking on leadership and participating in the rich extracurricular program. Year 7 students have settled in well with school events providing opportunities for students to connect with peers and staff and students from other year levels. The inaugural Year 12 camp was incredibly valuable to support student wellbeing and set student focus for the year ahead.
International Women’s Day is a significant event for the college with guest speakers speaking at assemblies and student leaders being presented to sub schools. Our student leaders are named in the newsletter. The student leadership program at the college is diverse and creates a platform for student voice and agency that we value and acknowledge at the school.
The development of a positive climate for learning is a priority at the college which this year has been strengthened through the continued implementation of Classroom Mastery and programs to enhance student engagement and connectedness. Classroom Mastery provides leaders and teachers with the knowledge, skills and strategies they need to create classroom behaviours and school culture that foster positive learning environments for all students. The program has supported the development of a consistently productive, safe and calm learning environment at the college. Student engagement and connectedness has been fostered through programs such as Year 8 Explore and Year 9 Engagement, Connecting and Belonging. Feedback regarding these programs has been very positive with students being more focused and enjoying the breadth of the curriculum on offer. Year 10 Work experience has been renewed for 2025 and VCE VM students are currently seeking work placements to add to their portfolios.
Our expanded Wellbeing team is now available to support students regarding academic, emotional, and social development with links to a range of external support agencies to further support students.
We encourage parents and guardians to stay actively involved in their child’s education. Your support and participation are invaluable in creating a positive learning environment. Please contact Middle or Senior School regarding your child’s progress or if you wish to discuss wellbeing related concerns.
It was very encouraging to see so many parents and students in discussions with teachers at conferences this term. We hope all students and parents have utilised the feedback provided to guide conversations regarding achievement and improvement for learning growth. For parents of Year 7 and 9 students, NAPLAN results for 2025 are expected to be released in August 2025, with individual student reports sent to schools around that time.
I wish all families a safe, happy, and restful break. As we prepare for Term 2, let’s carry forward the lessons learned, and the successes achieved during Term 1. Together, we will continue to strive for excellence and create a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.
Students return to school for Term 2 on Tuesday 22 April. Please check the college calendar for important dates and events for 2025.
Allan Thomson Environment scholarships
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded the Allan Thomson Environment Scholarship for 2025: Hafssa Rafea, Aliza Zahra, Aaliya Memon, Aamna Memon, Jaismeen Mangrha, Aiman Khan and Marya Issa. All these students were able to clearly articulate their views regarding the impact of pollution on our oceans and what can be done to protect this valuable resource.





















































