2025 Issue No. 3

Time for a break!

First term can always be a bit of a challenge, as students transition back to school after a long, carefree summer. What I have noticed is this:

1. Year 7s have settled in very well and they’ve moved into a set routine, that supports a successful transition
2. The VCE cohort is coming together and implementing the study habits and very high expectations, setting their own goals for a successful year
3. Calm, orderly environments are improving and there is constant support for those students who choose to disrupt the learning of others, and disrupting the professional right of their teacher to teach
4. NAPLAN completed
5. Many clubs starting up – our Chess team is heading off to a tournament this week and we wish them all the best
6. Very successful year level Award Assemblies, where the recipients are supported by their peers in their achievements and celebrations are genuine
7. Positive conversations with all our parents that supports a collective responsibility for improvement
8. Observing many engaged classes, where teaching and learning is of the highest standard
9. Study groups
10. Friendship groups
11. Respectful interactions
12. Clear ‘buy-in’ from the students in the culture shift of the College

I’m sure I’ve missed so much more, but this term has gone very quickly and here we are, about to have a well deserved break.

Capital Works

 The new G Block is still in negotiations, but the roof replacement has been completed over D Block and E Block and a new maintenance team has been hired to look after our gardens and surrounds.

Students also have a role to play in looking after and protecting our wonderful landscape – rubbish belongs in the bins provided and if students just throw their rubbish on the ground, it signals to me that they just don’t care. I know our students are better than that and thank you to all the students who do the right thing, every day.

Emerald Secondary College is turning 40!

Our college is turning forty this year and we will start planning for some end of year celebrations to coincide with this fantastic milestone.

Our college council will discuss how we will get the ball rolling, so keep an eye on our socials as this campaign unfolds – it’ll be so much fun!

Have a lovely break

The holidays will give everyone an opportunity to take a breather and come back to school next term, all refreshed and ready to go.

A couple of significant milestones must be mentioned in this newsletter – congratulations to our Year 7 cohort who have just completed their first term of secondary education. For our Year 12s, you’re just about one third through your course and it is important that you continue to build momentum throughout the remainder of the year.

Please remember:

1. Students will be dismissed at 2.30pm on Friday, 4^th of April
2. Term Two commences on Tuesday, 22^nd of April – short week
3. There will be an ANZAC assembly here at the college on the 24^th of April
4. April 25^th – ANZAC Day – public holiday

If you’re going away, be safe, happy travels and enjoy your time away.

James

Principal

A Fantastic Start to 2025!

The 2025 academic year has begun with an incredible sense of energy and dedication from our Year 12 students. They have hit the ground running, demonstrating a strong commitment to their academic success. With study skills sessions and a dedicated focus on our value of excellence, our students have embraced the challenges of their final year with enthusiasm and determination.

Already, students have completed their first SACs in each of their subjects—some have even tackled multiple assessments! This early demonstration of the value resilience is inspiring, and we are excited to see how they continue to grow throughout the year. Their hard work and commitment have set a strong foundation for what promises to be a year filled with achievements.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Senior School team for their ongoing initiatives and unwavering support. Their dedication to fostering a culture of academic excellence is evident in the programs and guidance they provide to ensure students thrive.

One of our standout programs this year is the Student Excellence Program, designed to challenge and extend our high-achieving students. A number of students have been identified as part of this program and have Individual Education Plans (IEPs) tailored to stretch them academically. These students are engaging with advanced content, exploring higher-order thinking tasks, and being encouraged to push the boundaries of their learning.

We also acknowledge the impressive cohort of students undertaking accelerated studies. To recognise their commitment, Ms. McLean recently hosted a morning tea, providing an opportunity for these students to connect, share their experiences, and discuss their successes. This gathering served as a reminder of the support we provide to our students and reinforced the importance of fostering an environment where academic ambition is celebrated.

Additionally, we have seen the success of NAPLAN this term. NAPLAN plays a crucial role in tracking student progress and ensuring they are on the right path. We are incredibly proud of how well our students engaged with this assessment, demonstrating their commitment to ongoing growth and improvement.

As we move forward in 2025, we are eager to celebrate the continued progress of our students. We look forward to sharing more milestones, achievements, and success stories with our school community. The year ahead is full of possibilities, and we are confident that our students will continue to strive for excellence, supported by their teachers, mentors, and peers.

Open Night

We were incredibly humbled to see so many members of our local community at our Open Night. We feel privileged to have showcased some of our students’ musical and academic talents and we are very proud of them. During the presentation, parents, guardians and students heard about our school’s progress, our VCE results, our goals and aspirations for our students and staff, and the rigorous planning that supports Year 7 transition. Parents were guided around the school by our four College Captains, where they met the domain leaders and saw displays from each domain area. We introduced the ESC School Wide Positive Behaviour Support framework to new members of the community.

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support

Key transition dates

Barry Plant, Emerald

We extend many thanks to Barry Plant Emerald for sponsoring our school at our Celebration Assemblies at the end of every term. Jacqui Ryder, an Emerald Secondary College alumnus, worked with our school to set up the Good Choice Award in 2022, and this has now become a staple feature of our celebrations.  Students who are kind, caring, upstanding leaders in their cohort and will go out of their way for others, are nominated by their teachers. One student from each year level is then presented with the Good Choice Award. We thank Barry Plant and Jacqui for their ongoing support and sponsorship.

Melissa Findlay & Tiana Clayworth  

Assistant Principals

 A Fantastic Start to the Year!

As we wrap up Term 1, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on what has been a great start to the year for our Years 7, 8 and 9 students. It has been a term filled with enthusiasm, curiosity, and academic growth, and we couldn’t be more proud of how our students have embraced the challenges and opportunities of the new school year.

A huge thank you to our incredible Year 7, 8 and 9 Learning Engagement Leaders for their dedication and hard work in leading successful Expectation Assemblies and well as Celebration Assemblies throughout Term 1. Your leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment have made a real impact, creating meaningful and engaging experiences for your peers. Well done, and we appreciate all that you do!

Academic Achievements: Our students have demonstrated great commitment in their studies, making significant strides across a variety of subjects. From the creative minds in Art and Design to the critical thinking skills in Science and Mathematics, it has been inspiring to see their hard work come to life. We’ve seen increased participation in classroom discussions, improved writing skills, and an overall eagerness to engage with new learning.

Extracurricular Activities: Term 1 was also an exciting one for extracurricular activities! Students were given the chance to explore new passions and develop their talents in a range of clubs and sports. Whether it was on the sports field, in the music room, or as part of the chess club, our students showed remarkable dedication and teamwork. A special mention goes out to our Year 8 and 9 athletes who represented the school in various inter-school competitions with great spirit.

Looking Ahead: As we move into Term 2, we are excited about the opportunities that await. With a continued focus on academic excellence, character development, and building a supportive school community, we are confident that the coming term will be equally rewarding.

We welcome Project Rockit into our school to run small workshops in week 3 and we look forward to the impact this will have to help with online cyber safety and anti-bullying strategies. We remain committed to stamping out bullying in our school by fostering a culture of respect, kindness, and inclusivity, ensuring that every student feels safe, valued, and supported.

We encourage you to celebrate your child’s achievements this term, whether big or small. It’s been a pleasure to watch them grow, and we look forward to seeing what Term 2 holds.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Wishing you and your family a restful break and a wonderful start to Term 2.

Below are our Term 1 award recipients that were received during our celebration assemblies during Week 9 and 10 of this term.

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Anthony Craig

Junior Sub-School Leader

Year 7

Term 1 has been a busy one, with Transition activities, Camp, Sports Days, and Assemblies. Year 7s have made huge efforts to find their feet here at ESC and have had a very successful transition into high school. Camp was a highlight of the Term, and whilst there are many future excursions to look forward to, it will likely still remain a stand out for students and staff alike. 

I am very proud of how the Year 7s have handled a term of big changes moving from primary school to high school and how involved they each were in celebrating their achievements at the Term 1 Celebration Assembly. 

Year 7s – have a lovely and restful break, before the continued busyness of high school life next term.

Samantha McLean 

Year 7 Learning Engagement Leader

Celebrating a Fantastic Term for Our Senior Students!

As the term comes to a close, we want to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work, dedication, and achievements of our senior students. This term has been filled with academic successes, extracurricular triumphs, and personal growth, and we couldn’t be prouder of the Senior School students.

From outstanding performances in assessments to leadership in school events and sports, our seniors have truly set the bar high. A special mention goes to those who have taken on leadership roles, mentoring younger students and contributing to the school community in meaningful ways. Your efforts in creating an inclusive, supportive, and inspiring environment do not go unnoticed.

As we head into a well-deserved break, we encourage you to take the time to recharge, reflect on your achievements, and set new goals for the upcoming term. Enjoy your time off, spend it with family and friends, and come back refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges with the same enthusiasm and determination.

Congratulations on a fantastic term!

Below are our term 1 award recipients that were received during our celebration assemblies this week.

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

Emily Hay

Senior Sub-School Leader

Year 12 Mate Day – Celebrating Friendship and Fun

On Friday, March 21st, our Year 12s celebrated Mate Day, a special event all about friendship and connection a theme that was introduced during camp at the start of the year.

The cohort showed off their creativity by dressing up as famous friends and iconic groups — from childhood duos (like Cookie monster and Elmo) to movie squads (like Harry and Marv from Home Alone) and other pop culture favourites. The costumes brought plenty of laughter and energy, making it a standout day for the Year 12s.

Throughout the day, students sent Friendship Postcards to their mates, sharing kind words and memories. Fun activities like ‘Find Rosie’ and ‘Teacher Bingo’ ran to spark conversations and connections, adding an extra layer of fun to the celebrations.

Mate Day was a great reminder of the friendships that make the final year so special. A huge thanks to all the Year 12s who got involved and made the day one to remember!

Staff vs Students Volleyball

On Monday 31^st March the Staff took on the Year 12 students in a hotly contested game of volleyball in the gym, in what has become an annual tradition. The Year 12s showed great resilience as they continued to fight against a vastly superior Staff team led by the outstanding efforts of one of the Year 12 Learning Engagement Leaders, Mr. Reid. The Teachers were able to dish out a lesson in humility to the Year 12s who after talking a big game in the weeks leading up to the contest, were left to nurse some bruised egos. But in all seriousness, it was great to build connections with the students and a great time was had by all…Final score: Staff 44 vs Students 35.

Rebecca Holmes and Sean Reid

Year 12 Learning Engagement Leader

VCE VM Work Related Skills- Year 12

The Year 12 students have started their second outcome for VCE VM Work Related Skills. This term they have gained an overview understanding of the National Employment Standards and the role of the Fair Work Commission in workplace disputes. They have learnt about worker classifications, employee advocates, including unions and professional associations. Other topics covered included characteristics of workplace bullying, individual employee responsibilities in relation to colleagues and community health and wellbeing. To finish off the term, they were introduced to an overview of the legal consequences of workplace bullying, workplace discrimination, and sexual harassment for employees and employers.

Carlos Saliba

7 SEAL

Students of 7 SEAL used a variety of techniques to separate a mixture of sand, salt, sawdust, and iron filings. Mixtures can be separated using physical methods alone. The students had to plan how they would separate this mixture using the science room and the equipment available. They produced a lab report including a risk assessment and an analysis of their experiment results. For each step of the Method, they had to explain how to use this method to separate the mixture.  By the end of this term, students are able to describe techniques to separate pure substances from mixtures.  They communicated their ideas, methods and findings using scientific language and appropriate representations.

Carlos Saliba

Year 8 Humanities

It’s been a busy term for our Year 8 Humanities students as they have navigated the features of democracy and the law in their Civics and Citizenship unit. Students have discussed how parliament make laws, the importance of freedom of speech and the democratic process. This unit culminated in a mock election where students put their understanding of the democratic process into action. Well done Year 8s.

Year 12 History: Revolutions

Throughout the term, our Year 12 History: Revolutions students have been honing their historical skills through the analysis of historical sources; and the recreation of them! Next term, our focus will be on extending our historical inquiry skills.

Fiona Minorgan 

Humanities Domain Leader

Harmony Day

It was so wonderful to see the school values of Harmony and Respect on full display in the Library this month. Our tree looked amazing, and we couldn’t help but smile every time we walked in!

The school holidays are an excellent time to curl up with a good book. Did you know that reading for just 20 minutes every day helps to increase your mood, your health and academic capacity?! Just like getting some exercise for your body every day, you should also plan to make time for some reading to support your brain health!

We’ll be very busy in the Library over the holidays – keep an eye out for a wonderful new surprise next term! – but we’re also looking forward to some downtime to finish off those books that have been sitting on the TBR list for a while!

Book an adventure with ESC Literary Tours!

Make sure that you pick up your Reading Passport before the holidays so you can see what all the challenges are! For every challenge you complete, you go into the weekly draw to win a book-related prize, and if you complete all the challenges, you go into the major draw to win a book pack!

See Ms Bon if you have any questions.

While you’re organising your passport, check out the travel brochures, full of reading recommendations that will take you to some amazing places!

Reading Recommendation

All the Beautiful Things, by Katrina Nannestad – new to the Library!

Anna’s little sister is different, and the Nazis don’t like people who are different. They take them away from their families and lock them up, and sometimes they don’t come home. Anna must protect Eva and keep her safe, and she’s doing a really good job until the Nazis come hunting.

Nannestad’s ability to create empathy for the everyday Germans who were fighting against the horrible things that the Nazis perpetrated during the years of WWII means that tears are guaranteed when you read her novels. But that shouldn’t stop you from reading this beautiful story, that teaches us that everyone – no matter who they are or how different they are – matters.

Prue Bon

Teacher Librarian

Year 8 Food Technology

Students in Year 8 Food Technology completed their CATs last week – Design a Healthy Muffin. They took a basic muffin recipe and reinvented it with fruits, spices, even vegetables. Students tasted and evaluated their own muffins and those of others. We were all happy with our results!

Let’s Get Baking

The Let’s Get Baking class created some delicious Hot Cross Buns. Students created a range of flavours of Hot Cross buns. 

Ashley Forster

Open Night Performances

On Open Night our College was transformed into a soundscape stretching from EPAC to F block.

Sarah Chawkley, Luka Kill and Annabelle Haberl opened the evening with a showcase of their VCE Music Performance exam repertoire. Miah Beardshaw, Alice Berry and William Grenness filled our front office with warm piano tones demonstrating high levels of musicianship finesse.

Indiana Bearup, Marija Bommersheim, Tahlia Harmer and Alyssa Ling made extraordinary vocal debuts. 

Lily Forster and Liam Sharp brought artistry to their version of the John Legend classic, ‘All of me’. 

Jasmin Botanova and Marika Botanova remarkably reimagined ‘Perfect blues’ unplugged.

Year 8 powerhouses Ruby Elsey and Janna Rodriguez performed ‘Sailor song’ and ‘Love in the dark’ as a duet with piano accompaniment from Janna.

Clancy Neilson debuted rich vocal tones complimenting Isy Pittard’s floating ethereal voice and piano in their rendition of ‘Take me to church’. 

As the sun set Bella West and Sarah Chawkley warmed our ears with an Otis Redding classic, ‘Sitting on the dock of the bay’ and Caelan O’Connor brought virtuosic flair with ‘Spanish Ballad’. 

Cockatoo Over 50s group Performance

On Monday 31st Year 12 VCE Music students Alice Berry, Caelan O’Connor and Miah Beardshaw performed to an attentive Cockatoo Over 50s group audience. Their performances wowed community locals and their canine companions. Thank you to the Cockatoo Over 50s group for their donation to our Music Program.

Year Level Celebration Assembly Performances

Well done to the following students who performed at their Year Level Assemblies throughout the last week of term. 

Year 7: Indiana Bearup

Year 9: William Grenness with Mars Gage and Chloe McKinsley with Abbie James.

Year 11: Clancy Neilson with Isy Pittard 

Year 12: Annabelle Haberl, Sarah Chawkley and Luka Kill 

If you would like to perform at an assembly, please see Ms Owen. 

Katrina Owen 

Performing Arts Domain Leader 

VCE Art Making and Exhibiting

Last week, VCE Art Making and Exhibiting students visited the National Gallery of Victoria to view the vibrant and immersive works of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. In addition, Year 12 students were fortunate enough to take part in a gallery talk outlining how curators at the gallery prepared and designed the exhibition, while Year 11 students also viewed the works of prominent Australian artists.

Hills Photographic Society

The Hills Photographic Society are holding a photography exhibition from 4^th of April until the 2^nd of May at the Cardinia Hills Hub in Emerald (hours 10am-4pm). The exhibition will include works by Emerald Secondary College students completing Middle Years Photography and Senior Art subjects, and will include prizes in a junior category.

In addition to this, the society are holding a portraiture workshop on Saturday the 12^th of April. Participation in this is free and open to students with an interest in photography. Bookings are essential and can be made by following the QR code in the attached flyer

Dale Fyfe

Arts Domain Leader

Immunisations

The Cardinia Shire Council immunisation service delivers a school-based immunisation program to children living or being educated within the municipality. The Secondary School Immunisation Program (SSIP) offers free vaccines to all eligible Year 7 and Year 10 students.

The Cardinia Shire Council use an online platform provided by the Victorian Department of Health, called the Central Immunisation Records Victoria (CIRV) to manage those receiving an immunisation. ESC will provide you with an immunisation session visit date, along with a CIRV portal link to complete an online consent form for your child. Parents/guardians are required to complete this online form, even if they choose not to consent for their child to be vaccinated at school. If Council do not receive a yes or no consent, further follow up and correspondence will be sent.

The following vaccines are offered through the Secondary School Immunisation Program:

Year 7 students    29^th July 9:30am

• Diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Year 10 students   10^th June 9:30am

• Meningococcal ACWY 

The CIRV portal link for Emerald Secondary College will be available to parents/carers at the beginning of Term 2, 2025.

For further information on the Secondary School Vaccine Program, please visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/immunisation-in-secondary-schools.

Dental Van

The Dental Van will be visiting the school on the 14^th of July with more details to come closer to the date. You can either use the QR code below or collect a form from the General Office to reserve a booking for your student.

Selina Rose

First Aid Officer 

SPORT IN TERM 2

Cross Country

Our annual Cross Country event will run on the first Wednesday of Term 2 (23rd of April). 

ALL students in year 7 are expected to participate and run, jog or walk the 2.8 km course. Permission for the event is required via compass.

Year 7 students will run the cross country during period 3 & 4 on Wednesday the 23rd of April.

Year 8 – 12 students had the option to sign up, sign up has now closed this event will run during period 5 on Wednesday the 23rd of April.

Whole School Athletics

The whole school athletics carnival will be held on Wednesday the 30^th of April at the Mt Evelyn Athletics Track. It will be a great day with many track and field events running across all year levels. There will be no classes on this day, students are encouraged to wear their house colours.

Year 7 Volleyball

This year we had 17 students compete at Year 7 volleyball. The improvement in skills throughout the day was outstanding. With the girls winning a few games, the Boys 2’s team winning in Pool C and the Boys 1’s team finishing 4^th in Pool A.

Yvonne Mauger

Sport Coordinator 

Wellbeing support throughout the school holidays

School wellbeing will not be available during the holidays

Please see below a list of support services, contact numbers and links you may wish to access or share with family and friends.

WELLBEING LINKS

Kids Help Line – https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling

E Headspace – https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/connect-with-a-clinician/

Beyond Blue – https://beyondblue.org.au/

LifeLine – https://www.lifeline.org.au

Support numbers for young people

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 – provides 24-hour counselling for young people aged 5 to 25

Kids Helpline webchat: https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling

My Place Youth Centre: 1800 4 Youth (1800 496 884)

Headspace: 1800 367 968

E Headspace : https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/connect-with-a-clinician/

Support numbers for families

Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14

Lifeline Australia TEXT : 0477 13 11 14 (6pm to midnight, 7 days a week)

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

Parentline: 13 22 89

FrontYard Crisis Housing & Support: 9977 0077

WAYYS Housing: 9791 6111

MensLine Australia : 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours / 7 days a week.

Relationships Australia: 9725 9964 

https://onlinecounselling.relationshipsvictoria.com.au/

EACH Family Relationships Centre : 1300 00 3224

Child First. You can self-refer by calling 1300 369 146

Safe Steps (1800 015 188) – provides 24-hour statewide family violence support

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – provides 24-hour sexual assault and family violence information, counselling and support

The Orange Door – supports families experiencing family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children

What’s OK At Home? – a website for children and young people aged 10 to 17

Djirra (1800 105 303) – offers phone and face-to-face legal, emotional and cultural support from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, for Aboriginal people experiencing family violence

InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence (1800 755 988) – offers specialist family violence support from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, for migrant and refugee women

Rainbow Door (1800 729 367) – free service by text, phone and email from 10 am to 5 pm daily, for LGBTIQA+ people and allies

No to Violence (1300 766 491) – works with and helps men who use family violence

WIRE (Women’s Information and Referral Exchange) (1300 134 130) – free support, referrals and information by phone, web chat and email, from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, for all Victorian women, non-binary and gender-diverse people.

There are some small things we can do during the holidays to improve our wellbeing:

• When the sun is shining, sit outside
• Go for a walk, or any form of exercise
• Catch up with friends and family 
• Create a project
• Be creative
• Read a book
• Start something you have always wanted to try – eg -painting/drawing
• Clear out a cupboard
• Be in the moment
• Have fun

Felicity

Wellbeing Co-ordinator