Principal Team
Principal’s Message
Ian Van Schie, Principal
Student learning, wellbeing and engagement update
Each year, the Department of Education conducts the Attitudes to School Survey to gather valuable feedback from students about their experiences of learning, wellbeing and engagement. This information helps us understand what is working well and where we can continue to improve.
We are proud that our 2026 results have maintained the very strong outcomes achieved in recent years. Our students continue to report highly positive perceptions of their learning, engagement and wellbeing, with our results remaining well above those of similar schools, Network and above the state average for each of the past four years.
Our next step will be to conduct student workshops to explore the data in greater depth and better understand the experiences behind the results. Assistant Principals Bill Exton and Silvana La Leggia will lead these workshops, and we look forward to hearing directly from our students about what is working well and how we can continue to improve.
Our Year 9 NAPLAN data also provides valuable insights into student learning. The results were strong in Writing and Numeracy, while Reading has been identified as an area for further improvement.
The strong Writing and Numeracy results are particularly encouraging and suggest that the strategies we have implemented over the past two years are paying off. In Writing, The Writing Revolution has strengthened explicit writing instruction across the curriculum. In Numeracy, our Flexible Learning Groups provide more targeted teaching and support based on students’ learning needs.
Literacy Leader Erin McGillicuddy has developed a three year Literacy Plan (2026-2028), with reading established as a priority focus. This plan will guide a consistent and sustained approach to strengthening reading across the school.
To support this priority, I have also been participating in a network professional learning community with other principals focused on reading. As part of this work, we have visited schools to observe highly effective reading practices across different school settings. It has been insightful and exciting to see this excellent practice in action and to consider how these approaches could further strengthen teaching and learning at Fairhills.
The feedback gathered through the student workshops, together with our analysis of the NAPLAN data, will assist us in determining our priorities for 2027 through the Annual Implementation Plan. Student learning remains at the heart of our improvement work and the decisions we make as a school.
These results reflect the collective efforts of our dedicated staff, engaged students and supportive families. Together, we continue to create a positive and thriving school environment where every student is supported to learn and succeed.
Year 7 and 8 Courtyard redevelopment
I am excited to share an update on the $300,000 redevelopment of our Year 7 and 8 Courtyard.
The project remains on track to be completed in time for the beginning of the 2027 school year. Four construction companies have submitted tenders, with the selection process due to begin shortly. We aim to commence construction during Term 4.
While the construction period will cause some temporary inconvenience, the completed courtyard will provide our Year 7 and 8 students with a more welcoming, functional and engaging outdoor space. We are confident the final result will be well worth the short term disruption.
Please see the attached render for a preview of how the new courtyard is expected to look in 2027. We look forward to keeping our community updated as this exciting project progresses.
Student arrival times
We have noticed that some students, particularly in Year 7, are arriving at school from as early as 7.20 am.
Families are reminded that the school’s duty of care and general staff supervision begin at 8.25 am. Students should not arrive at school before this time unless they are attending Breakfast Club or another prearranged and supervised school activity.
Breakfast Club opens at 8.00 am, and students attending should go directly to Breakfast Club when they arrive.
We ask families to review their child’s morning arrangements and ensure they do not arrive before appropriate supervision is available. Thank you for helping us keep all students safe and support a calm start to the school day.
Teaching and Learning
Mr Exton, Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning
Term 3 is an important time for students to reflect on their progress, set goals and begin planning for the future.
Planning for 2027
Course counselling and subject selection are currently underway for students moving into Year 11 and 12 in 2027. These are important decisions and students are encouraged to choose subjects that reflect their strengths, interests and future pathways.
Over recent weeks, students have received information about the different subjects and programs available to them. We encourage families to continue discussing these options together and to consider any prerequisite subjects that may be required for future university, TAFE, training or employment pathways.
Subject selections for current Year 10 students entering VCE or VCE VM in 2027 close on Friday 31 July. Bookings for the VCE and VCE VM Course Counselling Day also open on Friday 31 July and close on Friday 7 August. Course counselling appointments will take place on Monday 17 August for all current Year 10 students and by appointment for current Year 11 students.
Thank you to our teachers, Pathways Team and families for supporting students to make informed decisions about their learning and future pathways.
Reflecting on Semester 1
Semester 1 reports provided students and families with an opportunity to celebrate progress and identify areas for further improvement. As part of these reports, students received feedback through our nine Learning Cultures, which describe the habits and behaviours that support successful learning at Fairhills.
During Term 2, students used their Learning Culture and attendance data to develop goals for Semester 2. These goals provide students with a clear focus for the term and encourage them to take greater responsibility for their learning.
Families may find it helpful to revisit these goals with their child and discuss the progress they have made so far. Some useful questions could include:
- What is your learning goal for this term?
- What actions have you taken towards achieving it?
- What support might help you make further progress?
These conversations will also help students prepare for our Term 3 Learning Conferences on Monday 24 August. Learning Conferences are an important opportunity for students, families and teachers to discuss learning progress, celebrate improvement and agree on the next steps. Further information about bookings will be provided through Compass.
Using Assessment to Support Learning
In Week 3 and Week 4, students in Years 7 to 10 will have completed Progressive Achievement Tests in Reading and Mathematics. PAT testing provides teachers with valuable information about what students currently understand and the areas in which they may require further support or challenge.
PAT results are considered alongside classroom work, Learning Tasks, teacher observations and other assessment information. No single test provides a complete picture of a student’s learning. By considering a range of evidence, teachers can plan learning more effectively and provide support that responds to the needs of individual students.
We look forward to working with students and families throughout Term 3 as our students continue to develop as curious, creative and confident learners.
Student Engagement and Wellbeing
Silvana La Leggia, Assistant Principal – Student Engagement and Wellbeing
The Fairhills Way – Our Values in Action
At Fairhills High School, our values are more than words displayed on a wall, they are the foundation of who we are and how we choose to learn, work and grow together every single day.
Our vision is to empower our community to be curious, creative and confident learners, and this begins with living our three core values:
Act Responsibly. Build Relationships. Show Respect.
These values shape every interaction, every lesson and every opportunity for learning. They are the heart of The Fairhills Way.
Act Responsibly
Responsibility starts with the choices we make each day. It means arriving at school ready to learn, attending every day, wearing our uniform with pride, bringing the correct equipment and contributing positively to our classrooms. It also means taking ownership of our actions, learning from mistakes and striving to be our very best. Every lesson begins with clear routines, high expectations and a shared commitment to learning because every student deserves a calm, focused and supportive environment where they can succeed.
Build Relationships
Great schools are built on great relationships. At Fairhills, we know that students learn best when they feel connected, valued and supported. Whether it is greeting each other with a smile, working collaboratively in class, encouraging a classmate, or supporting someone who needs a friend, every positive interaction strengthens our school community. We believe everyone has a role to play in creating an inclusive environment where every student feels a sense of belonging.
Show Respect
Respect is demonstrated through our words, our actions and the way we treat one another—our teachers, our students and our families. We listen when others are speaking, use positive language, care for our learning spaces and celebrate the diversity that makes our community unique. Respect also means valuing the contributions of our teachers, appreciating the efforts of our peers, and recognising the important role families play in supporting learning and growth. A clear example of this in action this term was our NAIDOC Assembly, where over 400 students worked collaboratively to celebrate NAIDOC Week. Through their respect, creativity and teamwork, students contributed to the generation of a new artwork that honoured culture, connection and community.
Living the Fairhills Way
The Fairhills Way is evident in every classroom, every school ground conversation and every school event. It is reflected in our consistent routines, our high expectations, our restorative approach to behaviour, and our unwavering commitment to ensuring every student can experience success.
When we Act Responsibly, Build Relationships and Show Respect, we create something much bigger than individual success, we build a school community where everyone feels connected, challenged and inspired to achieve their personal best.
Thank you to our students, staff and families for continuing to model these values every day. Together, we are creating a culture where everyone belongs, every day counts, and every learner has the opportunity to thrive. This is the Fairhills Way.
