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Dear Parents, Carers, and School Community,

Boronia K-12 College Strategic Plan and Key Improvement Strategies (KIS)

As we are now well into Term 4, I’d like to take a moment to revisit our College Strategic Plan, our four-year plan for ongoing school improvement. We are now coming to the end of the second year of this plan, marking the midpoint, so it’s important to assess how we are progressing against our Goals and seven Key Improvement Strategies (KIS).

This graphic captures the Plan along with the 2026 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) priorities, which ultimately feed back into the overarching strategies.

While over the course of the four years we are always working on all seven strategies, in 2026, the College leadership team decided to place extra emphasis on KIS 1a, 1c, and 2a. This determined the AIP priorities, which flow directly into our core business of teaching and learning and the design of our professional development program for all staff.

From this year, our staff mantra has been to be Predictable, Consistent and Productive. This is the way in which we “operationalise” our vision and values, but it is also about building our school brand- The BK12 Way.

As an entire school, we have been focused on providing a welcoming environment that features predictable routines and consistent expectations across all classes. This is crucial for ensuring all students know the rhythm of school life, helping to build a strong sense of belonging.

What’s fundamentally important is that all students are given every opportunity to do their personal best, but equally, each student understands that we operate with an “All In” approach to learning – there is no opting out. We believe every student can achieve great outcomes when supported by quality teaching. This is a key part of our journey as we move our school from Good to Great in every aspect.

Each year the Department of Education produces a Performance Report for schools. I am very pleased that our rating has continued in the IMPROVING category for another year. In 2024 and prior, it was MEDIUM so we have definitely shifted in the right direction and that’s credit to the staff, students and wider community embracing positive changes to our learning culture and teaching and learning practices.

Reflecting back on the School Review in 2024, one key area I noticed that needed focus was raising expectations and academic rigour, underpinned by our already strong wellbeing and inclusion supports. Looking at the evidence, this focus is gaining traction with our students. The student Attitudes to School Survey results for this year indicate positive shifts:

• High Expectations and Focus on Learning: Our students feel highly motivated to reach their full potential. When asked if their teachers expect them to do their best, 94% of students agreed, continuing a steady upward trend. Our overall score for high expectations has jumped from 74% to 82% over the last four years.
• Sense of Belonging: Student perception of inclusion remains exceptionally strong, sitting at 91%. Additionally, 94% of students reported feeling that they receive ample opportunities to participate in class activities.
• Quality Teaching Time: Our classrooms are gaining fantastic momentum. Students are noticing less wasted time, with positive scores for effective teaching time jumping from 61% in 2023 to 70% in 2026.

These results reflect the dedication of our staff in embedding our collective Instructional Model (consistent lesson delivery), reinforcing our “No Opting Out” learning philosophy, and living our CARE values (Community, Aspiration, Respect, and Excellence) alongside our school motto: Belong, Believe, Achieve.

Parents are noticing positive changes as well. This is coming through many individual conversations, but also through the recent Parent Opinion Survey. Nearly all metrics have improved significantly since 2024:

• High Expectations: Teachers expecting students to do their best rose from 76% (2024) to 93% (2025) and 96% (2026).
• Overall General Satisfaction: Improved significantly from 69% positive in 2024 to 83% in 2025, reaching 95% in 2026.
• Teacher Enthusiasm: Increased from 76% (2024) to 90% (2025) and 95% (2026).
• Academic Challenge: Parents feeling standards provide adequate challenge jumped from 75% (2024) to 70% (2025) and then to 90% in 2026.
• School Pride & Confidence: Increased steadily from 71% in 2024 to 78% in 2025, reaching 95% in 2026.
• School Improvement Perception: The sentiment that the school “always aims to improve the quality of education” climbed from 73% in 2024 to 80% (2025) and 95% (2026).

Staff will shortly complete their school staff survey, and we look forward to analysing these results to inform future leadership actions.

NAPLAN Results

This year’s results in Reading were slightly lower compared to last year’s; however, there were still many positive growth stories in Writing, Grammar & Punctuation, and Numeracy. One major highlight is Year 7–9 Numeracy growth. This graph shows BK12 College in a podium position for Year 7–9 growth out of 25 high schools—a very positive result.

Mental Health Month

October is Mental Health Month and we’re embracing the theme “A Little Connection Goes a Long Way.”

When life gets busy, it’s easy to miss opportunities to connect, but even small moments of connection can have a positive impact on our wellbeing. Throughout October, we encourage staff and students to take part in activities that promote belonging, kindness, gratitude, and community.

There are lunchtime events run by the wellbeing team as well as classroom and mentor classes. These have simple daily classroom connection activities that staff can incorporate into their learning spaces. These are designed to spark conversations, strengthen relationships and help students feel connected to their peers and school community.

Our Foot of the Hills Café is thriving and the new umbrella’s look great.

Year 12 Knox Schools VCE Revision Lectures

In the first week of the September holidays, our Year 12 students attended VCE subject revision lectures delivered by subject experts. We had a high number of our students take up this opportunity which is fantastic. There have also been an English masterclass series this year.

The Wizard of Oz Production

We did have to postpone the production, and the new dates are Friday 20 November – Saturday 21 November

There will be three performances:

• Evening: Friday 20th November, 7pm -10pm
• Matinée: Saturday 21st November, 12pm -3pm
• Evening: Saturday 21st November, 7pm -10pm

We look forward to a great show.

ELC Assessment and Rating

Congratulations to Michelle Buchanan and her team on achieving an overall rating of EXCEEDING. A huge amount of work from the team and very hard to achieve given the reforms and expansion of services bringing greater scrutiny in the early learning sector.

Boronia K-12 College Christmas Fete – Friday 27 November 2026

Lastly, I wish to promote our Christmas Fete that is coming up on Friday 27 November.

A reminder that school council have approved a student dismissal of 1:21pm (start of lunch) and the Fete will run from 2:30pm – 6:30pm.  We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Thanks for your support.

Sincerely,

Paul Broecker

College Principal

Assistant Principal of Secondary Report

A Positive Start to Term 4

We have had a wonderfully positive start to Term 4, with plenty to celebrate across our secondary school. This is always a busy and exciting time of year, particularly as we farewell our Year 12 students and look ahead to the final weeks of learning for our other year levels. It has been lovely to see our students continuing to embrace the opportunities available to them and demonstrate our school values of aspiration and respect.

Year 12 – Celebrating a Milestone

On 15th October, we celebrated our Year 12 students at their Valedictory Dinner at the Karralyka Centre. It was a wonderful evening and a special opportunity to recognise the achievements, growth and contributions of our senior students as they reached this significant milestone in their schooling. We wish each of them every success as they take their next steps beyond Boronia K-12 College.

A week later, we came together for the Year 12 final whole-school assembly. This was a particularly special occasion, with our Early Learning Centre (ELC) students exchanging a special gift with our Year 12s — a lovely moment that highlighted the connections we share across our school community. The celebrations continued on their final day of school, with our Year 12 students gathering for Senior Sunrise at the RJ Hamer Arboretum in the Dandenong Ranges. These moments provide a wonderful opportunity for our students to reflect on their time at Boronia and celebrate the friendships and memories they have made along the way.

Our VCE examinations have now begun, and I would like to wish all our Year 12 students the very best as they undertake their exams. We recognise the hard work and dedication that has brought them to this point and encourage them to stay focused, look after themselves, and approach each exam with confidence. We are incredibly proud of them!

Year 9, 10 and 11 Examinations

Our Year 9, 10 and 11 students will soon begin their end-of-year examinations. These assessments provide an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning, consolidate their understanding of the content covered throughout the year, and identify areas of strength and opportunities for further growth. Examinations also help students develop valuable skills in preparation, organisation and time management, which will become increasingly important as they progress through their secondary schooling. We encourage all students to approach this period with a positive mindset, establish effective study routines, and seek support from their teachers where needed.

Looking Ahead – Exciting End-Of-Year Events

There is still plenty to look forward to as we move through Term 4. Our Step-up Program will provide students in Years 7–11 with the opportunity to finish the school year by transitioning to their 2027 timetables. This is an important part of preparing students for the year ahead, helping them become familiar with their new classes, teachers and learning expectations.

Our Year 9 students are also looking forward to heading to Kilcunda for their surf camp in Week 7. Camp is always a valuable opportunity for students to build connections, develop new skills and create positive memories outside the classroom.

We are also excited to welcome our incoming Year 7 students for Orientation Day on 8th December. This is an important milestone for our future secondary students, providing them with the opportunity to become familiar with the school, meet staff and begin building connections ahead of their transition to secondary school in 2027. We look forward to welcoming them and their families into our secondary school community.

A Reminder About Punctuality

Finally, I would like to remind all families of the importance of students arriving at school on time. We have noticed an increase in students arriving late, and it is important to recognise that even a short delay can mean missing valuable learning time and disrupting the start of a lesson.

Period 1 begins at 8:48 am, and students are expected to be at school and ready to learn by this time. If a student arrives late, they must check in at the administration office (either the primary or secondary entrance), before proceeding to class. Unless a parent or carer enters a note on Compass to explain the late arrival, it will be recorded as an unapproved absence.

We appreciate the support of families in helping students establish consistent morning routines and understand the importance of punctuality. Arriving on time is a simple but important habit that supports positive learning outcomes and ensures every student can make the most of their school day.

As we move towards the end of the year, I would like to thank our students, staff, and families for their ongoing support and contribution to our school community. I wish our Year 12 students all the best for their examinations and look forward to a positive and productive conclusion to the school year for everyone.

Sincerely, 

Amy Mraz

Principal of Secondary

Junior School Report – Term 4

It’s been a particularly wonderful start to the term, with the weather improving and spirits lifting as we move into the final stretch of the 2026 school year.

Reflecting on Term 3, I’d like to sincerely thank Mr Stone and our Primary School teachers and support staff for the additional responsibilities and coverage they took on while I was on Long Service Leave. Their support was greatly appreciated.

As a Principal Team and within our teaching teams, we continue to use evidence and student learning data to inform our decisions and curriculum planning. Many families will have noticed changes to our approach to Literacy and Numeracy over the past year. We are pleased to be seeing steady improvements in student learning, reflected not only in formal assessments throughout the year but also in the everyday progress, confidence and capabilities demonstrated in classrooms.

One particularly exciting development has been our increased use of rich mentor texts across Years 3–6. This approach has allowed students to explore a wider range of text types, authors and literature, both contemporary and classic. And what fun it has been! I was fortunate enough to read one of the novels with a Year 3/4 class, and the depth of discussion, thinking and connections students made was incredible. These experiences build strong foundations for reading, writing and critical thinking, supporting students as they progress through Years 5-6 and into our Year 7 program.

As is always the case in Term 4, we have one foot in the current school year and the other firmly in the next as we begin planning for 2027. An important part of this work will be continuing to build our teachers’ knowledge and use of rich mentor texts, alongside our broader curriculum planning.

Keep an eye out for communication early in 2027 about the novels and texts students will be studying in Years 3–6. Families may wish to purchase a personal copy of these texts so students can annotate, revisit and reread them to their heart’s content!

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support, whether that’s ensuring students arrive ready for learning, attending school events and assemblies, encouraging reading at home or reinforcing our school values. All of these contributions make a difference.

As we head into what promises to be a busy and exciting Term 4, here are some key dates to keep an eye on.

Upcoming Events – Save the Date!

• Foundation–Year 4 Swimming: Monday 9 November to Friday 13 November
• Year 1 & 2 Dinner: 13 November, 3:00–5:30 pm.
• Foundation Transition Sessions: We look forward to welcoming our 2027 Foundation students for four transition sessions on Thursdays, from 5 to 26 November, 9:00–10:00 am. These sessions provide an opportunity for our newest students to become familiar with the spaces, staff and routines that will support a successful start to school. We will also be hosting a uniform pop-up shop and information sessions for families during this period.
• Year 3–6 Camp – Bayview Adventure Camp: Monday 30 November to Wednesday 2 December. A wonderful opportunity for students to build independence, resilience and friendships while enjoying new experiences together.
• Foundation–Year 2 Cinema Experience: Tuesday 1 December. Students will be heading to the cinema to see the new release of The Cat in the Hat. Details and payment information are available on Compass.
• Children’s University Graduation: Thursday 3 December at Swinburne University. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of students who have participated in the program. Please see Mrs Wheaton for further information.
• Junior School Christmas Concert: Thursday 10 December. Our annual celebration of Christmas and the school year will include a sausage sizzle, with food sales commencing at 4:30 pm and the concert starting promptly at 6:00 pm. A flyer with further details has been shared.
• Year 6 Graduation: Tuesday 15 December. We look forward to celebrating and farewelling our Year 6 students, with plenty of special activities leading up to this milestone. Please refer to the Compass event for all the details.

We look forward to more terrific learning, memorable experiences and opportunities to come together as a community in the weeks ahead.

Sincerely,

Cassandra Wright

Assistant Principal

Senior School – Mid Term 4

This is one of the busiest times of the year in Senior School, with our Year 12 celebrations, examinations for Years 10–12 and Step-Up programs also on the horizon. Well done to all our Senior School students for their efforts so far.

A big congratulations to our Year 12 students who have completed their VCE studies, and we wish those sitting their examinations all the very best over the coming weeks.

To the Year 10s and 11s: Finish Strong

Whatever your course this year or your pathway next year, keep putting in the effort to complete your studies to the best of your ability.

The upcoming examination period is an opportunity to consolidate your learning and gain valuable experience for the senior years of school. It also helps you develop effective study and revision habits, practise managing your time, become familiar with formal examination conditions and build confidence for future assessments.

Year 11

• Exams will run from Friday 6^th to Wednesday 11^th November. VCE VM classes will continue as usual during this period.
• Exam feedback and catch-up sessions will follow on Thursday 12^th and Friday 13^th November.
• As the exams are Hurdle Tasks, students who achieve below 40% on an examination will be required to complete an exam redemption on Wednesday 25^th November.
• Please also note that Year 12 Step-Up will run from Monday 16^th November to Friday 27^th November.

Year 10

• Exams will take place during scheduled classes from Monday 9^th to Thursday 19^th November. Teachers will confirm individual subject examination dates with their classes.
• The whole Year 10 cohort will sit their English and Mathematics examinations on Thursday 19^th November. A Study Day will be held on Wednesday 18^th November, when students will study from home in preparation for these examinations.
• Students who achieve below 40% on an examination will be required to complete an exam redemption after school on Wednesday 25^th November.
• The Year 11 Step-Up program will run from Monday 23^rd November to Friday 4^th December.
• A Year 10 2026 Celebration Day will also be held on Friday 27^th November (same day as the Fete) to recognise students’ achievements and present Year 10 Certificates.

We encourage all students to make the most of these opportunities to demonstrate their learning and develop the skills and confidence they will need as they progress through Senior School.

Sincerely,

Lyle D’Rozario

Director of Senior School

Administration & Parent Information

Parent/Carer Contributions

Thank you to all the families who continue to make voluntary contributions to our school. These payments are extremely important and enable Boronia K–12 College to continue providing additional facilities, programs and wonderful opportunities for our students and families.

Families can still make voluntary contributions for 2026, in any amount.  We encourage all families who are able to do so to consider making a contribution to support our school.

Our fundraising focus for this year and into 2027 is to continue improving our outdoor facilities, including playgrounds, outdoor seating, grassed areas and gardens. These improvements will help create inviting and engaging spaces for our students to enjoy.

All families should have received the Parent Contributions Arrangements for 2027 via Compass. If you have any questions regarding the 2027 contributions, please feel free to contact me.

Optional items and extracurricular activities have been itemised in the documentation where known. These items can either be paid alongside the voluntary contribution or separately through Compass events once the relevant event has been published.

Thank you again for your ongoing generosity and support. Every contribution, no matter the amount, is greatly appreciated and makes a difference to our school community.

2027 CSEF Applications

The office team are now receiving CSEF Applications in preparation for 2027.

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) program helps ensure all eligible students are able to participate in activities like school camps, sport and outdoor education programs, excursions/incursions and graduations/valedictories. 

Eligibility

If you are a parent or carer with a valid financially means-tested card (such as a Health Care Card), a student with a valid means-tested concession card or meet Category 1 or Category 2 Special Consideration criteria, you may be eligible for CSEF in 2027.

Funding Amount

Payments for 2027 are $400 for each eligible Victorian school student (primary or secondary).

New Students / Additional Siblings
We will automatically make a 2027 application for anyone who received CSEF funds through our college for the 2026 school year. If you received CSEF funds via a different school or have details that have changed, such as additional students/siblings, please complete and return a CSEF form to the General Office at your earliest convenience.

2027 CSEF Application Form & Copy of Healthcare Card

Please follow the links below to access the Application Form and Information:

Please ensure that you provide a copy of your healthcare card along with the CSEF Application Form.

You can return completed forms to the general office, or email it to boronia.k12@education.vic.gov.au

Office Opening Hours

Our Administration Team hold a wealth of knowledge and are available each day to assist families with any enquiries.

Main Office (Albert Avenue)
Monday – Thursday: 8.15am – 4.15pm
Friday: 8.15am – 4.00pm

Primary Office (Gymnasium Building)
Monday – Friday: 8.30am – 3.30pm

Follow us on Socials!

We encourage all families to join our school Facebook and Instagram pages to help stay up to date with the latest news, reminders, and celebrations from across the school. It’s a great way to stay connected with our community and see the wonderful learning and activities happening every day. We love to see our families and wider community engaging with all that is happening at our college throughout the year!

Click through to our Facebook and Instagram pages via the links below and give us a Like!

Facebook – Boronia K-12 College | Boronia VIC | Facebook

Instagram – Boronia K-12 College (@boroniak12college) • Instagram photos and videos

Sincerely,

Maria Jansen

Business Manager

3-Year-Old Program – Term 4 Update

Learning About Our Community

Our Puggle Group explored what makes up a community and how we belong to different communities. We discussed familiar places and the people who help us, including playgrounds, libraries, police stations, schools and local shops. Children shared their own experiences, with Vallerie telling us about visiting the library with her mum, Kade and Elly sharing their enjoyment of the park, and AJ making connections to our school.

To extend our learning, we began creating our own community display using crayons and watercolours. Children have enjoyed designing familiar places such as McDonald’s, Coles and Kmart, as well as creating community helpers, including police officers, nurses, vets and shopkeepers. Through this collaborative project, we are sharing ideas, celebrating our connections and developing an understanding of the people and places that make our community special.

Exploring Plants and Their Life Cycle

Our Puggle Group began exploring plants and their life cycle. We watched a time-lapse video of a seed germinating and discussed what plants need to grow, including sunlight, water, soil and nutrients. With Vanessa’s help, we prepared our own soil mixture and planted seeds in egg cartons. We are caring for our seeds each day and look forward to watching them grow.

To extend our learning, we created beautiful flowers using paper and tissue paper, which are now on display in our room. We also introduced a child-led plant station where Puggles have been creating their own plants and flower arrangements, exploring different materials and learning about the relationship between flowers and bees as pollinators.

Through these hands-on experiences, our Puggles are developing their curiosity, creativity and an early understanding of how plants grow and the important role living things play in our environment.

Sincerely,

Dawn Willis

ELC Teacher 

OUR SCHOOL FETE IS COMING UP! 🎡🎄

The countdown is on! Join us at Boronia K–12 College for our School Fete on Friday 27 November from 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm. Everyone is welcome!

Bring the whole family along for an afternoon of fun, with exciting rides, face painting, an animal farm, food trucks, market stalls and plenty more to enjoy! 🎠🐾🍔

⏰ IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR FAMILIES: School will finish early at 1.30 pm on fete day to allow time for preparations before the fete opens at 2.30 pm.

We can’t wait to welcome our school community and local families for a fantastic afternoon of fun, food and festive cheer! ❤️

📅 Friday 27 November
🕝 Fete: 2.30 pm – 6.30 pm
📍 Boronia K–12 College

Spread the word and we’ll see you there!

Congratulations to the Boronia K-12 College Class of 2026 on reaching this significant milestone in your educational journey! From the excitement of the Year 12 Senior Sunrise event to the final whole-school assembly and the special occasion of Valedictory Evening, these celebrations have provided an opportunity to reflect on the memories, friendships, challenges and achievements that have shaped your years at Boronia. As you look back on how far you have come, take pride in all that you have accomplished and the people you have become along the way. While this chapter may be coming to a close, a new and exciting journey awaits. We wish each of you every success, happiness and courage as you embrace the opportunities ahead. You will always be part of the Boronia K-12 College story, and we look forward to seeing all that you achieve. 

Year 10 Food Studies Team Up with The Sustainability Club

As part of our Kitchen Garden program the primary students who have been participating in the Sustainability Club joined the Year 10 Food Studies class to cook together again this term. Year 10 students had completed healthy meal designs, making use of the fresh produce grown by the Sustainability Club, and the primary students came to join the Year 10’s in the kitchen to assist in the production of the meals. There was a variety of dishes produced – from burgers, burrito bowls, salads and pasta dishes. The Year 10 students worked as excellent mentors allowing the younger students to measure and collect ingredients and assemble the meals. All students worked together to complete the clean-up. The primary students then assisted the Year 10’s to complete a sensory analysis of the meal and provide feedback. It was a great afternoon, with some very happy students enjoying the meals they created.

Sincerely, 

Louise Byrne

Food Technology Teacher

Rotary Skills Shed – Term 4 2026

Our new group of Junior Tradies have been busy in the Rotary Skills Shed, learning about safety, developing skills and constructing their very own toolboxes – thank you to Knox Woodworkers!

Next up, Brad from BRF Plumbing gave our Junior Tradies a fantastic hands-on introduction to the world of plumbing – from essential safety skills to exploring the many different career specialisations within the plumbing trade. 

Our Junior Tradies then learned how to use a crimping tool to assemble a lugged elbow and water pipe and installed a garden tap, followed by cutting some PVC stormwater pipe and using PVC primer and glue to make their own pipe canisters to take home – a few more tools added to the toolbelt, keep up the great work Junior Tradies! 

Library Update

2026 Lamont Book Fair

First I would like to take this opportunity to thank our parents, carers, students and staff for their continued support of our College Library’s annual fundraiser. This year at our annual Lamont Book Fair we earned 20% commission on the total sales of $1,142. This resulted in $228.40 worth of books being added to our College Library collections. 

The commission earned from the sales of this annual library fundraiser enabled additional fiction and general non-fiction reading materials to be obtained and added to the library collections for all students to borrow and enjoy reading independently in class, at home or with their family. 

Thank you everyone for your invaluable support.

Sincerely,

Jenny Young

Library Technician