The college in 2025 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 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. This has provided unique experiences for our students including our production, “Footloose”, 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 160 students.

Our 2025 VCE results have again improved with 15.1% of our students achieving over 90 as their ATAR, 33.61% of our students achieving over 80 as their ATAR and a median Study Score of 30. 7.26% of our study scores were above 40, which is the highest since 2019. I wish to congratulate our dux Tien who was also our school captain, with a score of 99.25.

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 19 November 2025 the college community came together at our Valedictory Dinner to celebrate the achievements of our 2025 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 2026 studies. The Commencement Program maximises the time for our students to engage with the curriculum and supported in their VCE/VCE VM learning journey.

Over this period our students were provided upstander training to upskill students to collectively respond to inappropriate behaviour when they occur on the school grounds.

Our community was blown away by the end of year concert where all our instrumental music students performed in both solo and as a group. I’m so excited to see the growth in student interest of our instrumental program which has expanded and will, in 2026, include piano.

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

Additionally, 50 of our Year 9 students went on an adventure camp where they challenged themselves

with activities including rope course, archery and rock climbing.

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.

Our Year 7 students worked St Johns Ambulance and were involved in a basic first aid training course which included:

• CPR and use of Defibrillator

• Anaphylaxis and

• Asthma training

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 South Portables.

Additionally, our band performed at the Aberfeldie Primary School Centenary Fete.

The 2026 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 2026 Year 7 cohort to connect.

On 9 December 2025, we hosted our Year 7 students and introduced them to their 2026 Home Groups. This gave students the opportunity to build new friendships, be introduced to some of their teachers and participate in diverse transition activities. It was fantastic to have our incoming Principal, Tegan to welcome and work with our students on the day.

Our Year 7 and 8 students will celebrate the end of the school year on Activities Days. This includes both a Year 7 and 8 End of Year Celebration as well as our Year 8 students going to Fun Fields and Year 7 excursion to the zoo.

Upcoming Events

On Tuesday 16 December 2025, we will be celebrating as a community the efforts, successes, and achievements of our Year 7-12 students across the college in person at our End of Year Awards at Clocktower Theatre. We are looking forward to receiving the 2025 VCE Results and to be able to celebrate the successes further our Year 12 achievements.

2026 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP)

The college 2026 draft AIP which outlines the college approach to ensuring our students learning, and wellbeing is supported as well as the college community feels connected to the college. The college aims to refine the Year 7/8 literacy/numeracy program and refine the enrichments programs in the college. 2026 will also see the first cohort of our STEAM academy students commencing.

Our Goals in 2026 AIP include:

Teaching and Learning: To maximise and extend learning growth for every student

Deepen the capacity of all staff to embed pedagogy and evidence-based practice

Strengthen the capacity of staff to understand the learning needs of each student Wellbeing/Engagement: To strengthen social awareness and self-regulation for all students Deepen and strengthen strategies to support social and emotional wellbeing

Strengthen and embed strategies to improve student connectedness and build school pride

Staff Opinion Survey Data

Our Staff Opinion Survey reflected positive data in comparison to the State, especially in the Teaching and Learning Domains.

• Practice Improvement

• Use Pedagogical Model – 76%

• Timetabled Meetings to Support collaboration – 72%

• Professional Learning through Peer Observation – 50%

• Planning

• Collaborate to Plan Curriculum – 77%

Substantive Principal Class commencing 2026

With the increase in student numbers, increase number of DET priorities, focus on student wellbeing and additional requirements for the implementation of Disability Inclusion which has had some additional resources provided, the college has appointed an additional Acting Assistant Principal increasing the Principal Class to four members.

In 2025, I’m delighted to confirm:

• Principal - Tegan Knuckey
• Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning: Craig Dunstan

• Assistant Principal – Education Inclusion and Staff Development: Renee Colbey

• Assistant Principal – Student Engagement and Wellbeing: Paul Faci

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:

• Emily Russell

• Henry Nguyen

• Rodney Dungan

• Danielle Marum

• Casey Wighton

Also we thank the following staff who have supported the college this year on short term contracts:

• Stefan Popescu

I wish them all well for their future endeavors.

Thanks

I wish to thank every staff member on their work throughout 2025. This has ensured that our students have been supported so they reach their personal excellence. The college is staffed ready to commence in 2026 school year with two job posts waiting to close due to no suitable applicants. I want to highlight the work of the Leadership Team who have continued to progress our work outlined in the 2025 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.

It has been a pleasure meeting and working with Tegan over the last fortnight to ensure a positive transition and I was delighted that she had the opportunity to meet the staff team over three separate days.

After six years as Principal of Buckley Park College, I am deeply grateful for the privilege of leading this remarkable community. Together, we have strengthened student wellbeing, expanded learning opportunities, acquired capital works funding/facilities funding and continued to build a culture of high expectations, academic emphasis, with year on year improved results over the last four years. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our staff, the support of our families, and the thoughtful guidance of our School Council. I am proud of what we have achieved together and confident that the school is well positioned for its next chapter under Tegan’s stewardship. Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your commitment to ensuring that every student thrives.

As we move into the summer break, I wish every member of the Buckley Park College community an enjoyable and safe holiday. 2026 will be a year of finalising the work we commenced in 2025 so we can evaluate the effectiveness of our initiatives and be ready for the upcoming school review to develop the next School Strategic Plan. 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.

Harold, Craig and Paul
Principal Team

Reception Hours:

Office hours over holiday period – Closed Friday 19th December – Thursday 22nd January 2026

The office will reopen Friday 23rd January for enquiries.

Please refer to the college website for any information during the school holidays.

Summer Holiday Maintenance:

• Cyclical carpeting of various locations
• Cyclical painting of various locations
• Deep clean of entire school

We thank the college parents and carers for their voluntary contributions through the booklist which enable us to provide adequate facilitaties for all students to benefit from.

Parent Payment arrangements 2026

Contributions can be made through COMPASS via the Payments Centre.Buckley Park College would like to thank you for your financial support.The ongoing support of our families ensures that our school can offer the best possible education, support, and infrastructure for our students. This makes a huge difference to our school.

Financial Support for Families

The Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund - CSEF (Health care or Pension card required) - Application form is available on the College Website

Payment plans for Extra-Curricular Items and Activities are available to families & can be set up via COMPASS Payments Centre.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Thank you for your continued support.

On behalf of the college and the Buckley Park College community, we wish to congratulate Tien on achieving the 2025 DUX of Buckley Park College with a score of 99.25 ATAR, which places her in the top 0.75% of Australian results.

This reflects Tien's commitment and hard work towards her studies throughout 2025

I have no doubt you're all equally as proud of Tien's VCE success.

Term 4 Update:

This term, the Wellbeing Team has been busy wrapping up the year and preparing for 2026. We thank families for their continued support, including parent contributions, which continue to make the Wellbeing program possible. Some highlights from Term 4:

• The Peer Support program has continued to be a success amongst students engaging - Year 10 leaders and Year 7 students. The interview process for 2026 was also a great success, with a lot of interest from our current Year 9’s in stepping up into leadership roles in 2026.

• Year 10 Health Day - Our Year 10 cohort participated in a successful full day of health education facilitated by a number of external services - Elephant Ed, This Is Your Body, Red Frogs, art therapy and physical activities.

• Having Foodbank come on board to support our BPC students and families this year has been a great way for the Wellbeing Team to engage with our student community. A reminder to all students and families that some food (tuna & rice bowls, fruit and some other limited snacks) is available throughout the school day from the Wellbeing office for students in need.

• Supporting the transition of Grade 6 students to BPC by attending Primary School transition meetings and supporting additional transition programs for students in need.

• Our Community Engagement Team attended their final visit with Arcadia Aged Care

• We have farewelled our three Victoria University Masters of Counselling students who have been working alongside the Wellbeing Team throughout 2025 supporting individual students and facilitating our lunch-time Chill Out Space program. We will be welcoming in four new Victoria University students in 2026 who will continue to help us extend our support to more students across all year levels. This program helps us extend the reach of Wellbeing programs, one-on-one counselling sessions and robust support throughout the school. Over the course of 2025, the Wellbeing Team has supported 962 one-on-one appointments with students.

Support over the Summer Holidays:

For support over the school holidays, details of external services including Kids Helpline and Headspace are noted on Compass. There will be a Wellbeing hub added to our school website in 2026 with some resources and support available to families including Reach Out.

We are really excited to continue our work with the BPC community in 2026.

For parent and carer resources for a new year of learning: https://www.vic.gov.au/new-year-learning

For families with neurodivergent young people, Amaze provides support and information to autistic people, families, professionals and the wider community.

In its thirteenth year, Fireworks is more than an exhibition, it is a dynamic reflection of our students' perspectives on the multifaceted tapestry of life. Across various media including drawing, painting, fashion and sculpture, the exhibition showcases the achievements of their creative and critical thinking throughout the school year.

Congratulations to Sam Gelsomino Year 11 Art Student winning:

• The Mayoral Award for Excellence in Art - Samantha Gelsomino, 'Hiding in Normalcy', Buckley Park College

There has been great success in the Arts this year, with students designing and painting a mural outside the music building, and the Arts Captains who run our lunchtime art club, and represented and supported our school-wide events such as Arts Week earlier in the year.

This is a difficult decision, however due to low engagement and a small number of committee members over the last three years, we are pausing the group for the time being, but are hopeful that it may re-form at some point in the future.

We would like to thank the teaching staff and parents that have helped and contributed to the group and the many events run over the years including the Senior Ball, Advocacy for the College, Raffles, BBQ's, working bees and Parent morning teas over the years.

The College will be requesting volunteers and help during the school year, so please keep an eye out for any requests via the School Newsletter or Compass posts.

It has been a privilege to be part of this group for the last four years and work alongside some very committed parents and teachers.

The FOBP gmail register will cease to respond to emails at the end of the year.

Kind Regards,

President - Friends of Buckley Park

As part of our holistic approach to health and wellbeing, we believe that all students should be equipped with life-saving skills in First Aid. As part of our Home Group program, Year 7 students engaged in a hands-on, practical First Aid course which has given them the confidence and the skills to be a first-responder, and potentially save a life!

On this day, students witnessed demonstrations of how to put first aid skills into practice, including CPR, and had a go at these themselves. All participants should be proud of their efforts and will receive first aid certificates. Hopefully, our students won’t need to put their first aid skills into practice anytime soon, but it is good to be prepared to save a life. Well done, Year 7 students!

We thank our partnership with First Aid Management & Training Centre for what was a great day! We also thank the parents/carers who contributed to the Home Group and Wellbeing parent payments. These funds were used to pay for this training certification. So that we can continue to provide this hands-on education, we hope that parents/carers will continue to make contributions to Home Group and Wellbeing.

As such students will be completing 4 sessions of swimming at Elite swimming on Keilor road, Essendon North.

These sessions will be completed in the students sports lessons. Students in 7D, 7E & 7F will undergo these sessions in term 1. Whilst classes 7A, 7B, 7C & 7S will undergo these session term 4.

To cover the cost of the instructors and hire of the facilities a contribution of $80 is required. This will be pop up on compass at the start of the year.

Once the sessions get closer parents will be emailed with all relevant information to help support the program. This will include the dates and times of each of the sessions.

Regards

Wayne Tobin

Dear Students, Staff and Families of Buckley Park College

I’m delighted to announce that construction is about to begin on our school upgrade project.

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) will appoint our builder before the end of the year.

The construction of our Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) centre is set to begin in January and is forecast for completion in Term 3, 2027. The project will also involve demolishing Block E and upgrading Block D, providing students with more modern learning spaces.

Where possible, the builders will minimise disruption to usual school days. We will work closely with them to manage disruptions when they are unavoidable.

I’m also pleased to share the much-anticipated designs for our project. They show external views of the new STEM centre and internal views of the atrium and science and technology spaces.

Asbestos removals

Asbestos removal works will take place as part of this project. The health and safety of the school community is our priority. Any identified asbestos will be removed in strict accordance with occupational health and safety regulations. WorkSafe Victoria will also be notified.

A licensed asbestos removalist will remove the materials under the supervision of an independent occupational hygienist, who will also conduct air monitoring. No asbestos will be scheduled for removal while students or staff are on site.

Tree removals

To support upcoming works, an arborist has identified seven trees that will need to be removed. The condition and location of the trees and safety requirements informed this decision.

The VSBA has worked with the arborist to keep as many trees as is safely possible. At least two trees of a comparable species will be planted for every tree removed, in line with their tree removal and replacement policy.

I thank you for your ongoing support. Please contact the VSBA if you have specific questions about the construction works. They are more than happy to answer any queries you may have – their details are below.

Regards,

Harold Cheung

Principal

More information

If you have any questions about the works at our school, you can contact the VSBA by calling 1800 896 950, emailing vsba@education.vic.gov.au or visiting schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/buckley-park-college