Next Week @ TC

04/09/2026

• Principal’s Message

• WASHI - Round 3

• VM Student’s Project - The Squeaky Cleaners

• School Immunisation - catch up sessions available through Council

Reminders:

• Donate Christmas Gifts for families struggling this year 28 August - 10 September

• Red Earth Central Australia Camp Info Night - 14 September

• World’s Greatest Shave - donate or sign up now

• Unleash - Save the date, Friday 11 September

• Would you like to be a part of a TC Community Team called "Friends of Animals"?

• TC News - exam season

Parent / Carers Opinion Survey

It is the time of the year where the Department of Education asks schools to administer the Parent / Carers Opinion Survey. I sent a newsfeed with all the details this week asking for parents to complete the survey. It is important that as many parents complete this survey as possible to give us a large sample size and to ensure that the data that comes out of the survey is reliable. We are asking all families to complete the survey, whether you are new to TC this year, ending your time as a parent at the school, or have never completed the survey before. Please take the time to complete the survey for the school. The data that comes out of the report will be analysed by the school and discussed with the School Council. You can find the survey link and school PIN in the compass feed that was sent earlier in the week.  

Secondary Teacher of the Year Award

I am delighted to let the community know that Matt Plummer, our leader of the Technology Learning Area has been named the Secondary Teacher of the Year by the Design and Technology Teachers Association of Victoria. This award is a recognition of the excellence in Matt’s work in the Technology classrooms, leading the development of engaging and challenging curriculum, and leading our team of technology teachers at the school to be leaders in the field.   

Secondary School Principals meeting

This week I had the pleasure to host all the Secondary School Principals from the Inner East Area of Melbourne. This covers the Manningham, Monash, Whitehorse, and Boroondara local government areas. The forum was part of a regular series of sessions where the principals meet to discuss current issues in secondary education. I was able to share the story of TC and how we have designed a curriculum that meets department guidelines but protects the student voice in our FLE. Some of the principals were thrilled to meet some of the animals in the reptiles room.  

Have a great week. 

Daryl Bennett 
Principal

After a hiatus due to the industrial action, the Work and Study Habits Index is returning!

As we are always aiming to be responsive to feedback in a considered and collaborative way, we have decided to re-label the criterion currently labelled ‘Respect’ in the WASHI. As the descriptors for this criterion remain focused on students’ continued respect for the learning environment and the learning of others, we have chosen to label the criterion ‘Contribution to the Learning Environment’.

The descriptor for ‘Contribution to the Learning Environment’ refers to the habit of contributing positively and not engaging in behaviours that will limit the learning of others. Contributions might include:

• Treating others as you wish to be treated

• Following staff instructions

• Getting involved in collaborative activities

• Helping others

• Being inclusive and supportive

• And not disrupting the learning of others

The expectations and descriptions of this criterion will remain the same, the only thing that is changing is the label ‘Respect’ to reduce confusion.

One other thing to note is the attendance percentage data that comes with the WASHI. This reflects in class attendance, meaning it shows the number of times a student has been in class over the period being assessed, regardless of school approved absences. Because students at TC have so many extra-curricular, cross-curricular and school-run opportunities – such as school sports, concert rehearsals, or excursions – this means that the % may appear low. However, if you are concerned about this, you can go to Compass and check the attendance data there.

We have chosen to show the in-class percentage alongside the WASHI as this provides context for how many times a staff member will have seen their students in the WASHI cycle and therefore inform their assessment of frequency regarding the work and study habits.

This WASHI will reflect students’ habits over the past term, and will be released at the end of week 10. If you have any questions about this, please contact Cassidy Trousdale at CTR@tc.vic.edu.au

Thank you for your ongoing support with our WASHIs and student development.

To the TC community,
The biggest issue that we hear all the time is the state that the bathrooms are left in every day. Well, a VM Grads group called "The Squeaky Cleaners" are here to help with that problem. We are going to install fly stickers (yes, you read that right) into the toilet bowls of the C wing bathrooms, and into all the boys' toilets. We are doing this because studies have shown that men's aim improved by 90%. This was first tested at a Moscow Airport toilets. They did this because the cleaners had to revisit the same toilet again and again, wasting time and money. So, what did they do? They added fly stickers into the bowls of the toilets which helped to reduce mess. The hypothesis is that men have an instinctive nature that they have in their brain. So, to all you guys, aim for the fly!

 We will also be putting up posters in the bathrooms asking you to keep the place tidy and to not trash it. There will also be posters in the boys' toilets explaining how the fly sticker works. We believe this solution will help improve the cleanliness of the TC bathrooms, so that everyone can go there and have access to clean facilities. 

Thanks for your support.
The Squeaky Cleaners

Dear TC Community,
Following on from this year's TC musical production of Frozen we are donating our left over Christmas trees to the Salvation Army so they can bring some cheer to families that are really doing it tough.
I know it’s super early but if you have gift, book, Christmas decoration that you’ve purchased and never used; would you consider donating to a family that may not be able to afford to buy any Christmas gifts this year?
New items only - but if you have toys🧸, clothes👚, books📕, decorations⭐, wrapping paper🎁 please drop off to the PAC before 10 September. 🎄🎅🎁🤶

Any questions please feel free to contact Kyle: KCL@tc.vic.edu.au

🗓️ Red Earth Central Australia Camp Parent and Camper online Information Night - Monday 14 September 7.00pm

Do you want to experience a rare chance to spend time with Traditional Owners on their Homelands in Central Australia? Do you want to be one of 20 campers on our 2027 Red Earth trip? This is your chance to find out more about the trip and how to secure your place. 

There will be info sessions in the upcoming Community Assemblies but this is a great chance for parents to join the conversation and learn about this special opportunity. 

The 2026 group had a truly transformative and mind-opening experience and no doubt 2027's camp will be equally incredible. 

Send an email to RGR@tc.vic.edu.au to be included in the online meeting. 

TC is participating in the World's Biggest Shave!

Volunteers will have their hair shaved, cut or coloured to raise money for leukemia research at lunchtime on Tuesday 15 September by the Shave Shuttle. 

To sign up to participate send Meg (MBAI) a Teams message. 

Dear TC Students

BURGERS, DRINKS AND DESSERTS AT UNLEASH!!

This year, for the first time, Unleash will feature an array of burgers, sliders, drinks and deserts available for all attendees to purchase. Enjoy dinner and live music with friends or simply grab a slider or drink on the go to get back to the stage as fast as possible. With a handful of combo options or individual items, both catering to various dietary requirements, there should be something for everyone.
Look forward to seeing you there!
For any further inquiries, please contact Andrew Thompson, Audrey Trubiano or Jasper Turner Glas. 

Follow Unleash on Insta @unleashyouthgigs

Parents, please see the details in the event and reach out if you have any questions. 

We are hoping to get confirmation of numbers as soon as we can so please accept the opt-in event, or decline if your young person is unable to attend. 

Thanks,

Ryan Griffith

RGR@tc.vic.edu.au 

Would you like to be a part of a TC Community Team called "Friends of Animals"?

This group has been suggested by members of the TC Community who would like to assist in fundraising for the Animals Program. We are aiming at having a meeting of interested community members in the last week of term. 

If you are interested please send Duncan an email at dsa@tc.vic.edu.au

While most students usually celebrate the end of a term as it signifies two weeks of relaxation, for students undertaking VCE subjects it only acts as a reminder that exams loom closer. During this period there are many things’ students need to be wary of: burn out, sickness, maintaining a social life, and of course, studying.

Unfortunately, exam season calls for students to lock in and devote a chuck of their life memorising different definitions and wondering why they even willingly chose this.  However, even though exam season can seem dreadful it also marks a massive accomplishment that students should be incredibly proud of themselves for achieving.  

To make sure you’re feeling and studying at your best ability during exam season, refer to this checklist: 

• Prioritize Sleep and Rest 

• Exercise  

• Calm your Mind  

• Maintain healthy eating and drinking habits  

To ensure you feel prepared for your exams don’t forget to you can rely on your classmates, teachers, family and friends as they can be your biggest supporters leading up to and preparing for your exam. Also remember you can NEVER do too many practice exams.  

Studying often times becomes boring and draining, especially if done in the same place. Here are some suggestions as to where you can study besides your home or school:  

• Public libraries  

• Community hubs 

• Laptop friendly cafes 

• Ikea 

I wish everyone good luck for their exams!!!  

See you next week, 

Dara
TC Journalist