Principal’s Welcome
9 March 2021

Welcome to the first edition of VSV E-news for 2021. I would like to begin by acknowledging the transformative contribution of Bretton New to Virtual School Victoria during his tenure as Principal of the school. Brett’s leadership had a major positive impact on student learning and the capacity of staff and the school community to support students who are studying in the virtual mode. He will be missed by the entire school community and we wish him every happiness in his retirement. I am delighted to be stepping into his very big shoes.

It’s been an exciting Term 1 at VSV. We started the year with the news that our 2020 VCE students had once again excelled in many subjects. Here are some of the highlights:

• 59 study scores of 40+ across 27 subjects
• One perfect score of 50
• Top four Algorithmics students in the State
• Median study score increased to 29
• 88% satisfactorily completed the VCE
• 112 VSV based students offered a tertiary place
• 59 offered their first preference.

We were also thrilled that 10 of our students were selected to appear in the VCAA Season of Excellence, Top Acts, Top Sound and Top Dance concerts and the Top Design exhibition. Bravo!

It’s been terrific to welcome many students and staff members back to VSV this year and also to welcome new people on board. We have once again experienced an increase in enrolments and of course that also means many new staff members have joined the fold. I’m sure you will enjoy reading the article about one of them, Talia Xerri. Talia was once a VSV student and has now joined us as a teacher in the Victorian High-Ability Program.

It was great to see so many of you attending our recent Virtual Connect days. Virtual Connect days are all about students, teachers and parents coming together as a community. A community that you belong to that has education as its heart, but also has opportunities for fun and support. At the Senior School Connect day, students heard tips for success from previous students. In Years 7-9, students went on a virtual excursion to ACMI to learn about video games and the students in F-6 had a special guest, the author and illustrator Leigh Hobbes. Meanwhile, parents and supervisors had the opportunity to learn more about how VSV works and where they can access support.

As you know school was virtual for students across the world last year whether they were VSV students or not. The global pandemic has been experienced by our community in a range of ways. Some people have thrived and others have found it very challenging. On Tuesday the 16th of March, staff members will be involved in a Curriculum Morning focusing on how to support mental health and wellbeing following the restrictions we have experienced and anticipating the next phase of the COVID-19 experience. Teachers will be unavailable from 9:00am until 12:30pm and online classes will not run during the morning.

Wishing you all the very best for the 2021 school year.
Fiona Webster
Principal (acting)