Term 2 has already seen an extensive amount of college-wide events along with some very exciting announcements, none larger than the Minister for Education's funding announcement! The college welcomes our new Wellbeing Manager Ms Sarah Goodwin who commenced beginning of Term 2.

College Events

On the first day of Term 2 the college came together for our ANZAC Commemoration Assembly to honour the sacrifice of our past and current service people. I was honoured our School Captains, and I represented the college at the East Keilor ANZAC Day Dawn Service and had the opportunities to engaged with veterans, members of the RSL and connected with Hon. Ben Carroll Minister for Education and our Local Member for Niddrie.

Over the last three weeks the Hon. Ben Carroll Minister visited the college twice where he met with our families in a round table to have community feedback on the college’s priorities. Through the dedicated work of students, families and especially School Council on 21 MAY 25 the Minister announced that Buckley Park College would be funded for $19.3 Million in the State Budget. It is only due to the collective community effort was this possible.

This announcement will be the largest investment in the college which will see now the construction of a new two storey STEAM Centre, modernisation of new Arts Facilities and a new basketball court as well as more outdoor social spaces.

STEAM Academy

The work in developing a STEAM Academy is continuing with outreach activities commencing with our feeder Primary Schools. These activities have been positively received and there is positive feedback in this program.

This Academy will respond to our community feedback in having points of difference after SEALP. I want to thank Steve McGlade for his work in overseeing this project and welcoming our first class in 2026. With the recent funding announcement this will provide the modern STEAM facilities where our students’ have an environment to fuel their passions.

Thanks

It has been exciting to see the fruits of the labour of staff in their tireless efforts in the initiatives/programs which they have worked on. This has through a continuous improvement and high expectations culture adopted by the team.

Our successes are only possible due to the support of our families and community as well as the strong family/school partnership.

Harold, Craig, James and Paul

Principal Team

On behalf of Buckley Park College, I extend our heartfelt thanks to the Hon. Ben Carroll, Minister for Education and Local Member for Niddrie, announcement of $19.3 Million in capital works funding for the construction of a new two storey STEM Centre and Upgrading of our Arts Facilities. This investment represents more than just infrastructure — it is a meaningful contribution to the future of our students, staff, and wider community.

With your support, we are now able to move forward with critical projects that will modernise our learning spaces, enhance accessibility, and ensure our facilities meet the evolving needs of education and innovation. These improvements will have a lasting impact, enabling us to provide a richer, more engaging learning environment for generations to come.

This announcement was due to the collective community advocacy/efforts including students, families and especially School Council.

This is an exciting time for the college as we now plan to commencing construction of the Buckley Park College STEM centre to build on a culture of academic excellence in a caring environment.

The Minister for Education, Hon. Ben Carroll. MP - Funding Announcement

Hear more from Hon. Ben Carroll. MP and Hon. Danny Pearson. MP via facebook

From Monday 2nd of June 2025, families will be able to visit the Uniform Group, Niddrie store to access existing lines of school uniform. Please be aware however, that while we transition, there are some lines of stock where there are some limitations, and there may be a period of time until new stock arrives. The following are impacted:

• Softshell Jackets
• Woolen Jumpers
• PE Rugby Jumper
• PE Red Polo Shirts

From Monday 2nd June, we encourage you to visit the Niddrie store to check what stock is available.

We expect all students to be in full uniform from this week now that access to stock has been reinstated with our new provider.

Uniform can also be purchased online via the Academy Uniform Website

College captains, Tien Tran and Raff Caulfield proudly represented the Buckley Park College community by laying a wreath at the Keilor East RSL Dawn Service, Friday 25 April 2025. The Dawn Service was well attended, one of the largest services in recent times. The community coming together at dawn to honour and respect the courage, sacrifice and spirit of the Australian and New Zealand serviceman and women who have served, and continue to serve, our countries in times of war, conflict, and peacekeeping.

Earlier in the week, the whole school community came together at our ANZAC General Assembly to reflect on the significance of ANZAC Day. Through stories, ceremonies, and silent moments, we remember those who gave their lives and those who returned forever changed. Students and staff respectfully stood for a minute of silence and our school captain team laid a wreath by our national flags.

A huge thanks to our Arts Team who were very busy organising all the activities that happened throughout the week celebrating and promoting the talent and creativity of our school.

We kicked off on Monday at lunchtime with House Music in the PAC, and Art Club students finalising the 2025 House Banners. Tuesday at lunchtime we had Pictionary in the central courtyard and Arts Club students commenced artwork for Reconciliation Week. On Wednesday our 2025 Photography and Acquisitive Art Prize competitions opened for all students to enter.

Thursday night we had a lot of Drama in the PAC as the Annual House Theatre students battled it out on stage, acting in their original plays to compete for the House Theatre Trophy. Congratulations to BUCKLEY House taking home the House Theatre Festival Trophy.

We also showcased our 2025 House Banners and congratulations to BUCKLEY House for winning the Banner Competition.

Friday at lunchtime - Design activities in the Central courtyard, Media showcase in the PAC, PLUS Arts themed free dress day (gold coin donation) represent your favourite bands, singers, artists, musicals, anything art adjacent is welcome.

Artwork of the month winners for April are two separate presentations from Amelia spiteri and Raff Caufield in year 12 Art Making and Exhibiting.

Amelia Spiteri- has explored textiles to depict koi fish- Amelia "This is a hand-embroidered piece made with sequins and beads on black fabric. I used simple techniques like layering and following the natural curve of the fish to guide the placement of each element. This helped create a sense of movement and flow throughout the piece."

Raff Caulfield -Future Proof, 2025- Acrylic and Collage on wood canvas Future Proof explores the tension between constructed safety and natural freedom. A crumbling interior frames a vivid outdoor landscape, bright with snow, sky, and trees, seen through broken windows and an open door. Bold red graffiti spells out “FUTURE PROOF” across the doorway, marking a stark boundary between two contrasting worlds. The work questions our modern instinct to retreat indoors, both physically and mentally in search of control and security. Once a place of comfort, the room has become worn and claustrophobic, suggesting that the spaces we’ve built to “future proof” ourselves may be more fragile than we think. The open door acts as a symbolic passage and call to action. Future Proof invites viewers to reconsider where true resilience lies, not in isolation, but in reconnection with nature, with risk, and with the unknown. In doing so, the painting challenges us to redefine what it means to prepare for the future, and where we choose to place our hope.

We are becoming increasingly concerned about the misuse of eScooters and eBikes in public spaces. Unfortunately, some students have been seen riding in an unsafe manner where there have been a few 'near-misses' which could have serious consequences. This also includes students riding on footpaths where neighbouring residents have almost hit students off their bikes/scooters when reversing out of their driveways. Students, please be mindful of surrounds: ride on the road, do not ride with earphones in, be alert, follow the road rules!

We have received community messaging from Victoria Police which all parents and students should be aware of when considering using eScooters or eBikes.

eBikes are treated as pedal bikes until they can do more than 25kmph. This is faster than the average person can sustain for a couple of minutes of pedalling. Then, these eBikes are treated as motor vehicles, eg. Motor Bikes. Inapproporiate eBike use has the same fines as eScooters (dependant on power).

Several young people have recently appeared in court as a result of unsafe eBike riding. This has future consequences for young people when they are ready to go for their Driver's License.

Parents and Carers have a responsibility to ensure the following:

• eBike riders MUST be over 16 years of age - parents are held liable for students under age riding eBikes
• eScooter / eBike is an appropriate power - doesn't exceed 25kmph
• Your child acts in a socially respectful manner
• Children wear a helmet while in transit on eBike/eScooter

Members of the community are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to report the type of inappropriate use of eBikes/eScooters with times, location. This will help Police increase patrolling of the areas.

The following images are from our Police Youth Proactive team at Brunswick Police Station - Parents and Students should be aware of the following

Year 7 students were provided an opportunity to engage in a though-provoking presentation by Brainstorm. Flipside demonstrates the risks and long term consequences of unsafe / unkind online behaviours which young people often find themselves involved in, whether as perpetraitors or victims of cyberbullying.

Students also receive ongoing learning activities and support material in Home Group where they can unpack some of the serious themes presented in the performance.

We urge Parents / Carers to take an active role in their child's online behaviour, in particular, social media and online gaming console use. There are a number of external support services for students and parents which can be accessed:

• eSafety Commissioner
• Headspace Glenroy
• Kids Helpline
• Bullying. No Way!
• Victoria Police (Moonee Ponds, Proactive Youth Division: 9373 5200)

As part of the VCE Business Management course, year 11 students are required to collaborate in teams to conduct market research and engage in a process of product/service design and development. Students are required to promote their product/service and consider financial budgetary constraints. Having their business plans approved by the Principal Team, groups were able to bring their stalls to life.

Staff and students were treated to a wide range of sweet and savory food, and also providing something different this year: photo booths and washable tattoos!

A fantastic day which gave the school a real buzz!

Well done to the VCE Business Management students and staff who put on an excellent Market Day.

Students enjoyed, live performances by top musicians, interactive workshops, and dynamic ensemble rehearsals. They discovered Melbourne’s vibrant music scene, from iconic venues to its rich cultural heartbeat.

What an unforgettable few days!

We had a behind-scenes-look at how the pros prepare at the @melbournesymphonyorchestra Open Rehearsal.
We explored important events and locations in Melbourne on the Australian Music Walk,
Rehearsed, played, and created together at @university__college
Saw the incredible @hadestownau at @hmt_melb #melbournesymphonyorchestra #classicalmusic #australianmusic #acdc #hadestown #musiceducation

We began our next day learning from @jessielloydmusic an Indigenous musician, songkeeper, and historian. We learned the long stories behind the short songs, played the biparra (clapsticks), and sang some songs about the Acknowledgement of Country, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, and Indigenous place names. Explored music-making in Abelton, creating beats and harmonies electronically at the @artscentremelbourne. Learned about important Australian musicians and events at the @australianmusicvault. Listened to some incredible improv at @thejazzlab with @yunior.terry and his band #aboriginalandtorresstraitislander #firstnations #jessielloyd #atsisongbook #artscentremelbourne #australianmusic #thejazzlabmelbourne #noflashphotography #jazz #musiceducation

We’ve partnered with Australian Dental Health to provide free dental care for our students. Together, we aim to detect, prevent, and treat dental issues that can affect your child’s health, learning, and confidence. Dental check-ups and treatment will be provided at school. For more information, reach out to ADH at 03 9323 9607 or email info@adhv.com.au.

Fill in the consent Form Here: ADHV Dental Consent Form

This term, the Wellbeing Team have been busy continuing existing Wellbeing programs and starting up new initiatives for students across a number of year levels. Our program delivery this term has included the Friendship Saver Program in Year 7, the BOUNCE mentoring program in Year 9, a social skills program across Years 8/9, and a lunchtime Chill Out Space. The Wellbeing Team have also been supporting our Community Engagement Team to plan and deliver visits to Arcadia Aged Care, and have been delivering a Sex & Relationships workshop across the Year 10 cohort, educating students and facilitating conversation around relationship rights, relationship violence, and the law around sex and consent.

We have been impressed by the ongoing demonstration of student leadership through our Peer Support program with Year 7 classes. The focus of the program this term has been around connecting with emotions and treating others with kindness.

In collaboration with Moonee Valley Youth, the Wellbeing Team and the Student Voice Leaders planned and supported lunchtime activities to celebrate and recognise IDAHOBIT.

The Wellbeing Team, in collaboration with school leadership and Sub School staff, are continuing to explore options for addressing: concerns around bullying, online behaviours and safety, ready-to-learn support including managing study-related anxiety, and relationship issues.

On Tuesday we had our annual Athletics Carnival. Despite the forecast, the weather was great for competing and many students were able to have some fun competition against their friends.

Buckley were crowned House Champions with the final standings:
1st Buckley
2nd Graves
3rd Croft
4th Hoffman

The following students were crowned Age Group Champions and will receive an award at a whole school assembly in Term 3:

13 YearSayako Flowerdew & Patrick Lonergan
14 YearNahla Cummings & Tom Marangos
15 YearMeiya Cheyne & Jasper McNamara
16 YearIsaac Saward & Olivia Groppi
17 YearLexie Prout & Kaden Cuce
20 YearEliana Dorscht & Hunter Carmody

Successful students who have qualified to represent Buckley Park at the Moonee Valley district athletics team will be contacted later in Term 2.

A massive thank you to our staff, students, and parents who participated, coming together to build on our connection and school pride.

House Points are earned through the demonstration of our College Values: Aspiration, Kindness, Resilience, Community, through active participation in House Sporting and Arts events, and also representing the school publicly within our community. Everyone can contribute.

Points as of 30th May (including Athletics Sports & Arts Week):

Come on, CROFT! Let's catch up to GRAVES! There's a free BBQ Lunch at the end of the Semester for the winning team!

Congratulations to our friends at Aberfeldie Primary School who are celebrating 100 years of providing excellent education to our community. We are proud to show our support and wish everyone a fabulous evening at their upcoming centenary gala dinner.