Bendigo Senior Secondary College

SPORTS ALUMNI – CELEBRATING GLENN O’SHEA

When thinking about Australian Track Cyclists, it is hard to go past Glenn O’Shea. Glenn was born in Swan Hill in 1989 and attended Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC) in 2006 and 2007.

Glenn has devoted years to learning and excelling in the art of cycling. From Country Victoria he made his way into National Championships, Junior Worlds, Commonwealth Games, World Cups, World Championships and Olympic Games.

Since jumping off the bike he stepped into coaching, working with the Victorian Institute of Sport before moving onto Auscycling where he currently holds the position of Men's Track Endurance Coach.

Some of the career highlights are:
- Olympics 2012 London (Silver Medal) Team Pursuit
- Olympics 2012 London (5th) Omnium
- Olympics 2016 Rio (7th) Omnium
- World Cup 2008 Melbourne (1st) Points race
- World Cup 2009 China (1st) Madison & Team pursuit
- World Cup 2011 Kazakhstan (1st) Individual pursuit & Madison
- World Cup 2012 China (1st) Omnium
- World Championship 2012 Melbourne (Gold Medal) Omnium
- World Championship 2012 Melbourne (Silver Medal) Team Pursuit
- World Championship 2013 Minsk (Gold Medal) Team Pursuit
- World Championship 2014 Cali (Gold Medal) Team Pursuit
- World Championship 2015 France (Silver Medal) Omnium
- Commonwealth Games 2014 Glasgow (Gold Medal) Team Pursuit
- Commonwealth Games 2014 Glasgow (Silver Medal) Scratch Race

PINK HONEY WORK EXPERIENCE

BSSC Year 12 students, Mi Cho Aung and La Sa Da Tun Htoo Lweh, recently completed work experience at Pink Honey in View Street, Bendigo.
During the placement they gained an insight into the daily operations of the business while developing customer service and other workplace skills.
The students assisted with a variety of tasks, including welcoming customers, organising displays, replenishing stock and maintaining the presentation of the store.
In addition to gorgeous clothing, Pink Honey offers professional make-up services.
Mi Cho Aung and La Sa Da Tun Htoo Lweh enjoyed learning basic make-up application techniques and had fun applying make-up for each another.
This work placement was a valuable, hands-on experience which built these students’ appreciation of the beauty and fashion industry.
They thoroughly enjoyed their time at Pink Honey and left with greater confidence and a better understanding of careers in retail and beauty.

INDUSTRY & ENTERPRISE EXCURSION – MELBOURNE CBD

Industry and Enterprise students recently ventured into Melbourne CBD to investigate how businesses are responding to technology, sustainability and innovation in the retail and hospitality industries.
Travelling on Melbourne's newest train line, students explored the impact of the Victorian Government's Big Build initiative before taking on a scavenger hunt through W Cosmetics, Kmart Superstore and UNIQLO.
Along the way, they analysed store design, customer experience and innovative business practices.
The day concluded with students evaluating the use of robotic waiter technology in a sushi restaurant and considering its impact on customer service, efficiency and the future of work.

NETBALL VICTORIA STATE SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS BOUND!

The Netball Victoria School Championship qualifier was held at the State Netball Centre on Thursday 6th August in which the Athlete Development Program (ADP) Senior Girls Netball competed in.

There are 11 qualifying days on offer with some days having multiple pools. The top team from each pool advances through to the State Finals which are held at the State Netball Centre on Thursday 3rd September.

The games were 2x 7 minute halves with 2-3 game breaks in between their 5 games for the day.

The team had a great day out with a tough opening game against Catholic Ladies College, the girls remained composed to come away with a 2 goal win.

Fast starts were the key for the Lions who managed a 4 and 5 goal win against solid opponents during the middle part of the day.

Going into the last game of the day, the girls had cemented first spot as 4 teams below them had lost two games each. The last game was goal for goal the entire game with the physical game ending in a draw.

The ADP team will now compete in the State Finals in September, congratulations girls! Thank you to Carol Cathcart for coaching the team.

FREEDOM & CHOICE

Study the subjects you’re passionate about at BSSC in 2027.
Be supported throughout Years 11 and 12 by our expert teachers and experience the amazing academic opportunities we have to offer at the college.
With such a huge range of subjects to choose from, there truly is something for everyone.
Subject selections close August 31—check out our website for more information on how to choose your preferred subjects.
https://www.bssc.edu.au/enrolments/bssc/

FUTURE DOCTORS TAKE NOTE

Not everyone identifies their career passion early in life.
Year 12 student, Grace O’Sullivan, has known since she was in Year 7 that medicine was the path she wanted.
But how can you know what medicine really involves? What is the pathway? How hard is it to get in? Where can you find the answers to these and other critical questions?
Kait Kelly, Grace’s Allied Health teacher, nominated Grace for the Future Doctors Australia program.
Set up by the National Institute of Education, this four-day immersion in the world of medicine, answers all these questions and gives students so much more.
The program runs for a jam-packed, well-organised four days, and a number of courses are held each year in five capital cities.
Grace was supported to attend the April 2026 course held in Melbourne through BSSC’s generosity in paying part of the costs.
Read more in eNews.

Future doctors take note - Bendigo Senior Secondary College Not everyone identifies their career passion early in life. Year 12 student, Grace O’Sullivan, has known since she was in Year 7 that medicine was the path she wanted. But how can you know what medicine really involves? What is the pathway? How hard is it to get in? Where can you find the answers ...

HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE BSSC RESTAURANT?

What better way to delight the senses on a cold winter day than a delicious brunch?
What better way for BSSC VET Cookery Year 2 students to practice their skills than cooking up a storm for a grateful clientele?
It was a terrific win-win situation today as Cookery students prepared a beautifully presented breakfast menu of Fruity Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Omelettes and Eggs Benedict for a very appreciative group of staff.

PICKLEBALL FUN FOR ALL

The BSSC gym was the place to be at lunch time today, with students and staff trying their hand at pickleball! Lots of fun for all involved.

BLUE SKIES, BRIGHT FUTURES

The sun was shining, the barbecue was sizzling, and our staff and students were excited to welcome prospective families to BSSC today.
Our Open Day event was a fantastic opportunity for our passionate team to meet future students and have important conversations about the endless possibilities at the college.
Principal, Kylie Hand, highlighted some of these opportunities in her presentations throughout the day.
“Bendigo is lucky to have the largest VCE provider on its doorstep—at BSSC our students are able to choose from over 8000 different subject combinations,” says Kylie.
“We have amazing staff at the college: they come here every day totally committed to supporting students through this stage of their life and preparing them for what's coming next.”
A big thank you to our Student Ambassadors for assisting all our visitors today, as well as our talented student musicians for providing the tunes.
It was the perfect day to discover the possibilities that BSSC can provide students in Year 11 and 12. Thank you to everybody who joined us for our 2026 Open Day event!

SPORTS ALUMNI – CELEBRATING KRISTI HARROWER

It is difficult to find many athletes with a resume like Kristi Harrower. Kristi was born in Bendigo and attended Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC) in 1991 prior to moving to Canberra for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). During 1991 Kristi helped win a state title for BSSC.

Kristi and Basketball go hand in hand; her dedication and determination saw her travel the world. Olympic Games, World Championships, WNBA, WNBL and Europe are all on Kristi’s long list of achievements.
A playing career which started at a young age and took her to the top level for a substantial period of Australian Basketball.

Kristi is now on the sidelines in the coaching ranks, teaching the next generation of elite ballers. She is an Assistant Coach for the Australian Opals while being head coach of the Keilor Thunder in the NBL1 competition.

Some of the career highlights are:
- Olympic Games 2000 Sydney (Silver Medal)
- Olympic Games 2004 Athens (Silver Medal)
- Olympic Games 2008 Beijing (Silver Medal)
- Olympic Games 2012 London (Bronze Medal)
- World Championships 1998 Germany (Bronze Medal)
- World Championships 2002 Spain (Silver Medal)
- World Championships 2006 Brazil (Gold Medal)
- World Championships 2010 Czech Republic (5th)
- Commonwealth Games 2006 Melbourne (Gold Medal)
- WNBA 189 games (Phoenix / Minnesota / LA Sparks)
- WNBL 329 games (AIS / Melbourne Tigers / Sydney / Bendigo)
- 3 WNBL Championships (1x Syd & 2x Bendigo)