Welcome to the Learning portfolio

As we begin a new school year, I would like to warmly welcome all students and families back to the College. The start of the year always brings a sense of excitement and possibility, and 2026 is shaping up to be a big and purposeful year for our community. It is a time to reconnect, set goals, and look ahead to the learning and growth that will take place in our classrooms.

My name is Lauren Markovic, and I am delighted to continue my work as Deputy Principal - Learning. I have been part of the College community for the past 14 years and feel a deep sense of pride in the journey we have taken together. I am passionate about all things curriculum and pedagogy and have held a range of curriculum-focused leadership roles over the years. For the past two years, I have had the privilege of serving in the Deputy Principal role in an acting capacity, working closely with staff to strengthen learning and teaching across the College.

The Learning portfolio is a broad and dynamic one, encompassing three key areas: Curriculum, Programs, and Learning Diversity. Together, these areas shape the rich and diverse learning opportunities we provide for students from Years 7 to 12.

The Curriculum area oversees the delivery of the Years 7 - 12 curriculum, including subject offerings, pedagogical practices, assessment and reporting, and the effective use of data to inform and improve teaching practice. This work ensures that learning is rigorous, relevant, and aligned with contemporary research into how students learn best.

The Programs area supports a range of specialised and pathway-focused opportunities, including Aspire, the Sports Academy, VCE, VCE VM, VET, and Careers education. This portfolio is committed to ensuring that every student has access to meaningful learning pathways and is supported to make informed choices about life beyond school. It also plays a vital role in developing personalised learning programs that recognise students’ interests, strengths, and aspirations.

The Learning Diversity area recognises that students learn in different ways and that, with the right supports in place, all students can experience success. This work includes overseeing students on the NCCD register and supporting teachers to implement effective differentiation strategies within the classroom, ensuring inclusive and responsive learning environments for all.

I am deeply passionate about learning at the College and have seen firsthand how our teaching and learning practices have evolved over time. This year, my focus is on continuing to embed the MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World strategic plan into our learning and teaching programs, with particular attention to the Vision for Instruction and Vision for Engagement. By strengthening common practices across classrooms, we aim to ensure high-impact, evidence-informed teaching that promotes clarity, engagement, and deep learning for every student.

I am excited by the work ahead and look forward to continuing to embed practices such as explicit instruction and effective feedback into College processes, supporting both teacher growth and student achievement. I look forward to a rewarding year of learning together.

Lauren Markovic
Deputy Principal - Learning

As a College, we place great value on using data to tell a story — not just of results, but of growth, opportunity and achievement. Our 2025 VCE data gives us much to celebrate, and it is a privilege to share these outcomes with the College community.

The 2025 cohort demonstrated strong and consistent performance. The median study score of 30 reflects sustained improvement over recent years and confirms that our students continue to meet, and often exceed, state benchmarks. Even more pleasing is the continued growth at the upper end, with 6.46% of all study scores at 40 or above - the highest proportion across the past five years. This reflects both academic excellence and the determination of students who set ambitious goals and worked steadily towards them.

ATAR outcomes further reinforce this positive picture. 85 students achieved an ATAR of 70 or above, with 20 students scoring 90 or higher. Our Dux for 2025, David Hoang, achieved an outstanding ATAR of 98.90, while Banipreet Khang, our Proxime Accessit, followed closely with 97.35. These results are a testament not only to individual commitment, but also to the support provided by families and staff throughout the VCE journey. The achievements of our top 20 students will be formally recognised at the College’s Top 20 Assembly on Thursday, 26 February, a celebration we very much look forward to.

Post-school pathways are another strong indicator of success. This year, 97% of our students received at least one VTAC offer, opening doors to a wide range of tertiary options. Offers spanned multiple institutions, including RMIT University (84 offers), Monash University (28), Australian Catholic University (22), the University of Melbourne (19), Victoria University (18), La Trobe University (17) and Swinburne (10) among others. The breadth of course areas, from business and engineering to health sciences, creative arts and law, highlights the diverse aspirations of our students and the strength of our pathways program.

Of course, while Year 12 results are an important milestone, they are only one part of the story. We also use data to track student growth across the junior years. NAPLAN testing for Years 7–9 will take place from March 11–13 this year, with results shared with the College community once released. In 2025, NAPLAN results indicated the College’s Year 7 and Year 9 student results were classified as ‘above average’ when compared to Australian students with a similar background across all five domains (Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar, and Numeracy). Likewise, student growth for our Year 9 students was considered ‘above average’ for both Writing and Reading.

Additionally, Year 10 students complete Academic Assessment Services (AAS) testing in Term 2, Year 8 in Term 3, and students in Years 7–10 complete PAT testing for Reading and Mathematics in Term 4. Reports for PAT and AAS assessments will be available for families on Compass shortly after release.

Our teaching staff began this year undertaking professional development on College data sets by unpacking these, developing class profiles and refining learning programs to ensure every student is supported and challenged. When we break down the numbers, what we see is a College committed to growth, excellence and opportunity.

I look forward to sharing future results as the year unfolds, celebrating student success, with the College community.

Lauren Markovic
Deputy Principal - Learning

Year 7 and 9 Buddy Program

Our annual buddy program, which sees our Year 9 CTK girls buddying up with our Year 7 CTK girls, launched earlier this week at the 65 campus. 

The program welcomes our new students and ensures they have older students on campus they can go to for help, or just a friendly face in the yard!

Year 7 Camp Preparation

Next week our Year 7s leave for their first experience of a high school camp! It's always an exciting week for all involved, and our Learner Mentors have been busy giving students lot's of information so that they're prepared for the amazing time we're sure they'll have.
Good luck to all our Year 7s as they head off!

VCE VM Information Evening

Understanding the different options for VCE completion it incredibly important for all students and families, and our recent Information Evening was a wonderful chance for anyone interested to find out more about it and ask any questions. 

Musical Rehearsals

Our students are hard at work putting the finishing touches on the College production of Cinderella! 
The show is looking incredible, as is the newly refurbished Quin Auditorium.  If you haven't bought your tickets yet, you can purchase them from this link: https://events.humanitix.com/c...

Top 20 Afternoon Tea

Our Top 20 2025 students returned to the College to catch up with each other and their teachers before the formal celebration next week.

It's always wonderful to welcome back out Alumni, and to hear about what they've been up to since they finished with the College!

Congratulations to Timothy Truong!

We wish to congratulate one of our incredible students who has been selected to perform in Top Class Music and Sound 2026 as part of the VCE Season of Excellence.

Top Class picks only the best VCE and VET Music students to showcase from the whole state. The competition to be selected is huge so to have one of our students perform is such a big achievement! 

Well done to Timothy and to his teachers for their dedication and hard work!

Year 12 Badge Assembly

Our Year 12 students proudly wear a badge on their blazers for their graduating year, to mark their seniority in our College community.

Earlier in the week our Year 12s were presented with this special milestone badge during their assembly. 

From the College:

College Musical - Tickets on sale now!

Our students have worked so incredibly hard on the College production of Cinderella, and now you can see the results!
You can purchase tickets to our College musical here: https://events.humanitix.com/c...

Tickets are already selling fast, so don't miss out!

Robotic Makerspace Program - Launching 25 March

Our Library has an

exciting new robotics programs launching at the library this term, using the Makerspace Edison robots. 

For the first few months lunchtime sessions will be held on the fourth week of each month, with Wednesday 25 March at the TISC and Thursday 26th March at the BISC being students first chance to have a go at the new technology.

Sessions will increase as popularity demands. 

Students can email library@cccc.vic.edu.au for more information and to sign up!

Invitation to CCCC Alumni: Share Your Expertise

The Careers & Pathways team would love for you to share your journey and inspire the next generation. Whether it’s speaking to students about your career path, offering insights into your industry, participating in Q & A sessions, or providing hands-on experiences, your contribution can make a real difference.
If you’re interested in giving back and helping students explore their future, please complete this form Alumni Guest Speaker & Industry Network – Collaboration
We look forward to hearing from you!

From the Community:

Prayer for Learning and Teaching

Loving God,
Source of all wisdom and truth,
We thank You for the gift of learning
and for the privilege of teaching in our College community.

As we embrace this year’s call to
“Serve with Humility and Compassion” may our classrooms be places where faith and knowledge meet,
where curiosity is encouraged,
and where every person is valued and respected.

May our curriculum form not only intellect, but character;
not only skill, but compassion;
not only knowledge, but wisdom.

Guide our teachers as they inspire, challenge, and accompany our students to be the “Salt of the Earth”.
Strengthen our students to persevere in study,
to seek understanding with integrity,
and to use their gifts in service of others.

May every lesson be an opportunity for growth,
every assessment a moment of courage,
and every achievement a reminder
that we are called to flourish as whole persons;
mind, body, and spirit.

Through Christ our Teacher,
Amen.