2025 Issue No. 7

School Culture – it takes a village

For the most part, our students do the right thing and stay attentive to their learning.

We celebrate a positive environment, we celebrate academic achievements, we celebrate diversity, we celebrate small wins in our students’ lives all the time – that’s who we are.

We also celebrate and look forward to calm, orderly environments. Sometimes, some students forget about their role in this bigger picture expectation and their lapse will be supported with discussions, education, awareness and understanding of the values of the College….and sometimes, there will be sanctions.

The key to this message is that parents will always be informed and Learning Engagement Leaders will always work with our community to establish positive, respectful discourse and a solution focussed outcome.

It takes a village.

Year 12 Parent Teacher Conferences and further P/T Conferences

It was great to see so many parents at our first Year 12, face-to-face parent teacher conferences, since who knows when!

This was an opportunity for all of us to walk beside our Year 12s as we get to the pointy end of the final months of their secondary education. Staff shared resources and there was a genuine understanding of what that final exam will look like.

So many marks are still there for the taking and practice exams, revision and student/teacher contact is vital for the best possible success.

Thank you to all our Year 12 teachers who stayed back on the night and thank you to Ms Findlay for all her organisation in this space.

As per my Compass post, the remainder of the P/T conferences will take place next term, on Wednesday, 8^th of October. Please keep an eye out for further information that will follow.

Speaking of the class of 2025…

The class of 2025 are entering their final few weeks of their secondary schooling. There are still SACs to complete, projects to finalise and competencies that need to be completed. Our wonderful staff are working harder than ever to help our students achieve their personal best – it’s a two way street! Students must realise that they must do ALL the work, and then some, to achieve their aspirant goals.

There are celebrations planned within the College and we expect our cohort to finish their year well, with good humour, friendliness and full of class. It is imperative that there is an understanding that other year levels are yet to complete the year.

Ms Hay, our Head of Senior School and all the Senior School team, will finalise details shortly and we will share this information with you as soon as possible.

What Happens in Oz

When is yellow, not yellow? Why is there a talking dog, a Tinman, a cowardly Lion and a brainless Scarecrow strutting the stage?

Glad you asked – because, led by Peter McKenzie and his values of equity, inclusion, student voice and agency and unbridled enthusiasm, he brought together a cast of soooo many students to deliver to our community a play that had the audience clapping and laughing after every scene. A big shout-out to our students for their unwavering commitment and extraordinary talents and to all the staff that assisted on the night.

The buzz in the foyer after the performances was fantastic!

These events build our college culture – we strive to do our best, every day.

2025 Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey

Thank you to the parents have responded. If you have an invitation to participate, can you please click on the link and do so? This survey allows us to prepare and support our community in growing our school for all. The survey is open until the last day of this term – Friday, 19^th of September.

James Barut

College Principal

Assistant Principals’ Report

On Monday evening, Year 12 Parent–Teacher Interviews took place onsite, providing an invaluable opportunity for students, families and teachers to connect. These conversations are a vital part of the preparation for the upcoming exam period, allowing parents and carers to gain a clear sense of their child’s progress and the next steps needed for success. We thank families for making the time to attend and for the ongoing partnership that supports our senior students.

We are reaching that busy but exciting stage of the year where Year 12 Coursework and SACs are wrapping up, and attention is turning towards practice exams and the upcoming master classes. These opportunities give students the chance to consolidate their learning and build confidence before their final VCE exam. We know it can feel overwhelming at times, but we encourage students to keep balancing study with rest, and to remember that they are not alone in this journey — their teachers and families are right beside them.

Course selection for 2025 is also coming to a close. Thank you to families for the thoughtful discussions and guidance you’ve provided your student during this process. Our staff are now beginning the work of building the 2025 timetable, ensuring that student pathways and learning opportunities remain at the centre of our planning.

Meanwhile, our teachers continue to be learners themselves. Staff are actively working in Professional Learning Communities, with a strong focus on explicit teaching through our new Instructional Model and the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0). These conversations and collaborations are helping us refine how we teach, making sure that every student experiences engaging, challenging and supportive learning.

As we look towards next term, we feel very proud of the effort and resilience our students and staff have shown this year. The weeks ahead bring both challenges and exciting milestones, and together as a school community, we will continue to support one another every step of the way.

Melissa Findlay & Tiana Clayworth  

Assistant Principals

VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies

VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies visited Millowl (Phillip Island) last week, as part of their final camp for the year. This involved visiting ‘The Cape’ sustainable housing estate at Cape Paterson. Here they were able to learn about how housing could be more efficient and environmentally sustainable. They also undertook a behind the scenes look at the Penguin Parade, before being able to attend the nightly arrival of the Little Penguins (according to the official counters-798 penguins crossed the beach that night). Many will no doubt point out that viewing a whale out at sea while they were visiting the Nobbies was the highlight!

Matthew Pringle

VCE Music Showcase at The Railway Dog

Congratulations to our Year 12 VCE Music students, Miah B, Alice B, Dylan B, Sarah C, Annabelle H, Luka K, Caelan O and Aaron S who performed at our VCE Music Showcase on Wednesday evening at the The Railway Dog. Each student shone on stage, demonstrating their skill, creativity, and commitment to their music studies.

The Railway Dog was jam-packed with families, friends, and supporters, creating an atmosphere full of encouragement and community spirit. It was fantastic to see our young musicians share their talents with such a supportive audience.

We thank everyone who came along to cheer on our performers and celebrate their achievements. We wish our Year 12 VCE Music students all the very best as they make their final preparations for their upcoming exams.

Katrina Owen 

Performing Arts Domain Leader 

Resource Centre

ESC Literary Tours were fully booked for the last few weeks of August, where students attempted to finish their passport reading challenges, dress up as their favourite literary characters and win as many prizes as they could!

Guessing the number of bookworms stuck in the jar was by far the most popular activity, but all students had fun completing the trivia activities, treasure hunt and trying to figure out exactly which Harry Potter book had been shredded!

The Library felt as though this year’s Book Week celebrations were a huge success, and it was so much fun watching students engage with all of the activities and resources.

RUOk day – September 11

This month we’re celebrating RUOk day and our display is starting to look amazing. We’ve had a bit of help from some year 12 students (decorating the letters), and our junior students are busy creating paper chains to spread around the library!

We also have a bookcase full of recommendations for reading on topics related to mental health, checking on your friends and staying positive!

Just my Type Writers Club

All emerging writers are invited to join Ms Bon in the Library classroom on Tuesday lunchtimes to just write. Whether you’re a budding poet, essayist, journaller or novelist, there’s space for you to carve out a moment to play with language and improve your writing. The term 3 writing competition will be officially released at the end of Week 2, but Just my Type members will have early access to the prompt!

Pages & Co

Pages & Co is our bookclub with a difference – we still chat about books and reading, but we also craft using old books! Pages & Co runs every Friday lunchtime in the Library classroom.

How can you support the Library as a parent?

The latest research suggests that our boys are not reading enough. There’s a number of reasons for this, including time and interest, but it’s also about role modelling healthy reading habits.

I’ve already mentioned the benefits of reading, including improved empathy and mental health, but it is so very important for our young and impressionable students to see the people around them modelling reading for enjoyment.

There’s an interesting article here about the origins of the Tough Guy Bookclub – a bookclub designed specifically for men, but if you’d like any further ideas, please speak to Ms Bon (Teacher Librarian).

Reading Recommendations:

Ghost Cities, Siang Lu

Winner of this year’s Miles Franklin award, Ghost Cities is an incredible story that interweaves the exploits of a fictional historical Emperor with that of a modern day movie director who wishes to be Emperor of his own town. At times humourous, sometimes sad and consistently relevant to today’s society, Ghost Cities will sit with you for a long time after you finish it.

Horror in Pleasantville, by Caleb Finn – new to the Library

A dead best friend… with a not-so-dead body. Old family videos that play a sinister future. A funhouse full of mirrors that reflect a terrifying other version of you. Full of short stories guaranteed to engage and shock young readers, this one will keep teenagers hooked until the last page!

Prue Bon

Teacher Librarian

Year 8 Basketball

Last Wednesday, 45 eager Year 8 students set off for Dandenong Stadium, ready to take on the Division Basketball competition. The stadium was buzzing with energy as our teams hit the court, showing grit, determination, and true school spirit. The Girls A team fought hard throughout the day and proudly claimed the runners-up title. The highlight came when the Boys A team battled their way into the final and triumphed over Lilydale in an exciting match to become Division Champions. Their win has earned them a place in the Regional Finals next term, and we can’t wait to see what they achieve next!

Year 7 Basketball

Year 7 Basketball was a great success, with all six teams achieving wins throughout the day. The Boys A team performed strongly, narrowly missing a place in the final by just one point. All students are to be commended for their outstanding effort and exemplary behaviour on the day.

Yvonne Mauger

Sport Co-ordinator

Year 7 Humanities

It was a hive of activity in our Year 7 Humanities – Geography classes this week as students created models to demonstrate their understanding of how contour lines show height on a map. Awesome work geographers – your models look fantastic!

Fiona Minorgan

Humanities Domain Leader

Anaphylaxis Policy

We would like to let parents and students know about our school’s Anaphylaxis Policy.
You can read the full policy here: Anaphylaxis Policy. 

Students are also welcome to visit the front office to try out our dummy Anaphylaxis Pen and EpiPen. This is a valuable opportunity for students to understand how the devices work and what they feel like to use.

Selina Rose

First Aid Officer

Year 11 Biology – Melbourne Zoo

Our visit to Melbourne Zoo focused on the Southern Corroboree Frog’s adaptations and breeding programs, highlighting conservation strategies. Students also enjoyed free time exploring other animals. The excursion will prompt classroom bioethical discussions on human responsibility in protecting endangered species, balancing intervention with natural processes, and future conservation decisions.

Rebecca Holmes

Year 12 Engagement Leader