2026 Issue No. 1

Welcome to the 2026 school year!

Welcome back and Happy New Year. The students have hit the ground running and there have been a lot of positive signs throughout all the year levels.

This positivity is everywhere to see, despite a couple of days of school closure, due to high fire danger ratings.

Year 12s completed their study camp; holiday homework is being chased up and our newest Year 7s have settled in well.

Next week, Monday the 16^th, at the whole school assembly, high expectations and creating a positive climate for learning will be reiterated – this is not new for our college and it helps to refocus college norms and expectations.

In the same week, we have our Swimming Sports that will be held at Belgrave Pool this year. Swimming Sports are a compulsory school day and not a ‘day off’ – if your student tells you that ‘it’s optional’ or ‘I don’t have to go’, that’s rubbish and please cite this newsletter article or the messages coming out of Compass. These days are important to build college culture and connectedness. There are plenty of events for our students to enter and plenty of novelty events and free pool time. The annual sausage sizzle will see yours truly at the BBQ, offering free sausages, free burgers, free vegetarian options and vegan options. What a great day!

Mobile Phone Crackdown

At the start of the school year, Ms Findlay sent a Compass post out that outlined mobile phone expectations in all Victorian secondary schools.

The Ministerial Order was enforced in 2020 and my belief is that this expectation has lapsed over time. Mobile phones can be brought to school, but locked away in lockers until the end of the school day. Some exemptions do apply to this MO, such as medical or application for special consideration from the parents. School lunches must be paid via debit card or cash, or pop on Compass and order lunch through the canteen app.

Reasons:

Distractions

Phones pinging all the time

Cyberbullying

As a college, we are committed to creating safe, orderly classrooms and mobile phone misuse has risen over a period of time.

Zero tolerance – we appreciate your support by not calling your student during the school day. If there is an urgent communication requirement, please call the College on 5968 5388 and we will guarantee the message is passed on to your student.

Welcome to our new staff

Please join me in welcoming to our college:

• Caitlin Saliba – Learning Specialist Curriculum (7-9 Year 12 General Maths)
• Emily Preston – Humanities
• Weng Yann Leong – Japanese
• Shane Closter – Wood
• Jo-Anne Hoare – Business Manager
• Jay Warnett – EPAC/ICT
• Louisa Glenn – Senior School support/VASS

I’m sure that our entire community will make these new staff members feel welcome.

Congratulations to Mr Matthew Powell

Congratulations to Mr Powell who was recognised for his ‘dedicated service to education and student development’ on Australia Day, presented by The Hon Jason Wood MP, Federal Member for La Trobe.

To quote Matt’s own words:

‘What an honour it was to receive this Australia Day award today for dedicated service to education and student development. It was a great opportunity to meet some truly noble and courageous members of our society and hear some incredible stories of people’s fortitude and courage when facing adversity. I am very privileged to have been guided by many amazing teachers that have given me the skills and knowledge that have assisted in my development.’

Congratulations, Matt – you are a credit to Emerald Secondary College and a credit to educating our young people! We are all so proud of you.

School Council elections

Please keep an eye out on Compass, for details about becoming a member of our 2026-2027 School Council.

James

College Principal

Assistant Principals’ Report

Welcome Back!

We have certainly hit the ground running at Emerald Secondary College. Our Year 7 students have settled in beautifully to high school life, quickly learning new routines, navigating their classes, and building connections with peers and staff. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and confidence grow already.

Our Year 12 students have also made a strong start to the year, participating in a Study Camp to set the tone for their final year of schooling. The camp provided the perfect foundation for establishing effective study habits, clear goals, and a shared sense of purpose as they embark on this important year.

To support all students in transitioning back into effective learning routines, every student will be completing a School Fit Task in each of their classes. A School Fit Task is a piece of coursework designed to reintroduce students to the habits, skills, and expectations of learning at the beginning of the school year. Its purpose is to get students “fit” for school by reinforcing key learning skills and setting clear expectations from the outset.

School Fit Tasks are designed with the following key principles in mind:

• Timing: Completed within the first three weeks of the school year
• Purpose: Assess a specific skill, knowledge area, or learning process relevant to the subject
• Design: Substantial enough to provide meaningful evidence of learning, without being overly onerous
• Feedback: Students receive clear, actionable feedback, including one key area for improvement to support their progress

We also acknowledge that the first few weeks of the school year have included some disruption. While this has been unfortunate and understandably frustrating, we want to reassure families that we remain strongly committed to the learning growth of every student. Our teachers have been working hard to adapt plans, provide continuity of learning, and ensure that these disruptions do not impact student progress or achievement.

We look forward to a productive and rewarding year of learning ahead.

Open Week

Extending a huge thank you to the staff and students at Emerald Secondary for their assistance in preparing Open Week with me. Our student ambassadors Angelina, Charlee, Kalana, Millie, Orlando and Rose, were extremely helpful in showing our tour guests around the College and demonstrated Resilience by bravely representing our school in front of many prospective families.

One of the stars of the show was Marlo, our Wellbeing dog. Marlo belongs to Jess, or Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader here at ESC. Marlo assists with individual and small group therapies, as well as visiting classrooms where she fosters a culture of focused learning and calmness.

Next week, we will have our first whole school assembly, where we are looking forward to introducing our College Captains or 2026 to the entire community. We are also very excited to formally welcome our Year 7 cohort to the College community.

Melissa Findlay & Tiana Clayworth

Assistant Principals

From the Senior School

Welcome back to all our Senior School students as we begin what promises to be an exciting and rewarding year ahead. Whether you’re returning to familiar routines or starting a brand-new chapter in VCE, the energy is high and the journey is just beginning.

For our students new to VCE, this year is about growth, challenge, and discovering what you’re capable of. We strongly encourage students and families to access the 2026 VCE Handbook, available on Compass, which outlines expectations, assessment requirements, and key information to help you feel confident and prepared as the year gets underway.

Our Senior School and VCE team are here to support every student throughout the year academically, personally, and with future pathways in mind. We are committed to working in partnership with students and families to ensure everyone feels supported and set up for success.

Your 2026 Senior School Team

• Senior School Leader/VCE Coordinator – Emily Hay
• Year 12 Learning and Engagement Leader – Rebecca Holmes
• Year 11 Learning and Engagement Leader – Sean Reid
• Year 10 Learning and Engagement Leader – Anthony Gale
• Careers and Pathways Leader – Sarah Kennedy
• Senior School Assistant & VASS Administrator – Annie Gesthuizen and Lou Glenn

No question is too small. If you need clarification, guidance, or support at any stage, please reach out. We’re in this together.

The year is just getting started, and we can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store for our Senior School students.

Emily Hay

Head of Senior School

From the Junior School

Welcome to the 2026 school year at Emerald Secondary College. It has been a wonderful and energetic start across our Junior School, with a particular highlight being the positive transition of our Year 7 students into secondary school life.

From day one, our Year 7 cohort has approached this new chapter with enthusiasm, curiosity and maturity. It has been fantastic to see new friendships forming, students confidently navigating the College, and classrooms filled with engaged learners embracing new routines and expectations. The transition program has focused on building connection, organisation skills and a strong sense of belonging; and the growth in confidence we have already seen is extremely pleasing.

Another highlight this term has been our recent Open Mornings. It was a pleasure to showcase our college to prospective families and demonstrate the positive culture that exists across Years 7–9. Our students represented the school with pride, speaking confidently about their learning and experiences.

This term has also required flexibility and resilience. The three FDR days presented challenging and extreme conditions, and I would like to commend our students and staff for the way they adapted to learning from home. Thank you to our families for your ongoing support during this time.

We have a number of exciting events coming up across the Junior School. In just two weeks, our Year 7 students will attend camp: an important milestone in their first term of secondary school. Camp will provide further opportunities to build friendships, develop resilience and strengthen their connection to peers and staff. We are very much looking forward to this experience and the continued growth it will bring.

Our Year 8 students are eagerly anticipating their upcoming Big Day Out, which will focus on teamwork, strengthening peer relationships and personal growth. These shared experiences are an important part of the middle years journey and support students as they continue to develop independence and confidence.

Year 9 students, as the senior members of the Junior School, have begun the year with strong leadership and maturity. Throughout Term 1, they will engage in activities and programs designed to further build independence, responsibility and preparation for the transition to Senior School in the coming years.

Across all year levels, our focus has been on establishing high expectations, positive learning habits and strong relationships. It has been extremely pleasing to see students embracing co-curricular activities, lunchtime programs and the many opportunities that make Term 1 such an exciting start to the year.

I would like to thank our Junior School Learning Engagement Leaders for their dedication and commitment to supporting students during this busy and important term; particularly in ensuring our Year 7 students feel safe, supported and confident as they begin their secondary school journey.

We look forward to a continued positive and productive Term 1.

Anthony Craig
Head of Junior School

Library

Gosh, it’s wonderful to be back in the Library!

Even though we were able to spend a (large) number of days relaxing in the sunshine with some very excellent books, it’s so exciting to be preparing for a new year.

The events calendar this term is full of creative events – there’s so much to do in the Library this term that no one will ever be able to say that they are bored! Of course, we do have the board games back in play, so maybe that’s a great option for some of our students!

February is Library Lovers Month, and we’re attempting to share the love as far as we can! There are a few activities happening where students can show their support and passion towards our incredible Library by making bookmarks, stickers and heart paper chains. Or, they could come along to our speed dating session to find out more about some of the books in our collection!

Just my Type (creative writing) and Pages & Co (book chat) are also back this year, so for our creative writers and courageous readers, we cordially invite you to join us.

Other events coming up include:

How can you support the Library?

As our students enter high school, and their lives suddenly become “too busy”, it’s important to remember that reading needs to remain a priority for them. It’s often during this stage of life that even passionate readers are able to find a thousand other things to occupy themselves, and reading is relegated to the bottom of the list.

But – even reading for 10 minutes a day will help your students with their literacy, mental health and empathy. With the support of their parents, it’s easy to carve just a little bit of time every time to read a few pages.

Here’s a few ideas of how you (as a parent) can help keep your kids reading:

• If you drive your kids to school, put on an audiobook and listen together.
• Chat to your kids about what they’re reading while you make dinner.
• Create a night time routine where everyone switches off and just reads for half and hour before bed.
• Add a gift card for a bookshop to birthday presents, so that they can make their own reading choices.
• Find out what your local library offers, and attend an event as a family.
• Go on a weekend excursion to the city and visit the State Library of Victoria.

Prue Bon

Teacher Librarian

Camps, Sports & Excursion Fund (CSEF) – for eligible health care card holders

CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is:

• $400 for secondary school students

HOW TO APPLY

New applicants should contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from the website via this link.

If you applied for CSEF at your child’s secondary school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:

new student enrolments: your child has started or changed schools this year.

changed family circumstances: such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing this year.

Applications close 28/2/2026 for 1^st round payments.

Important Change to the Program:

The Government has made an important change to the program for 2026. Families who have multiple children at the same school will be able to pool their allocated funding to use on one child or for one specific activity. This could help in situations where the costs for activities in a certain year level are higher than others.

Please check with the school office if you are unsure.

For more information about CSEF visit: Camps Sports and Excursions Fund

Conveyance Allowance

Help with the cost of travel if you’re in rural or regional Victoria

If you live more than 4.8km from your closest or designated government school and are not serviced by a public or school bus, you may be eligible to apply for the conveyance allowance.

This is a payment towards the cost of transporting your child to school by car. The payment is a contribution and does not cover the full cost of transport.

Please contact the school via [email protected] to request an application form.

Note: Eligibility is assessed when the college completes your child’s application on the Student Conveyance Allowance System (SCAS). If approved, the allowance payable is based on the one-way distance to make the journey to and from school. For further information regarding the Conveyance Allowance Program see: Conveyance Allowance

Applications close 12^th March 2026.

Regards,

Robyn Jackson

Accounts

Music enrolments 2026

Want to get involved in music at ESC in 2026? 

Our Instrumental Music Program offers lessons in voice, guitar, bass guitar, piano, drums, saxophone, flute, and clarinet. To join, complete an Instrumental Music Enrolment Form and hand it in at the Main Office. A great opportunity to build skills and enjoy making music!

Link to enrolment form

Katrina Owen

Performing Arts Domain Leader

Immunisations for 2026

 The Year 7 Immunisations will be on the 3rd of June 2026

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

The Year 10 Immunisations will be on the 11th of May 2026

• Meningococcal ACWY 

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. Our college 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.

Cardinia Shire Council will be sending the CIRV booking code closer to the scheduled date.

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

Smile Squad

Emerald Secondary College would like to announce that in May this year we will have Smile Squad visiting our school to do free dental checks. This means all students can get free dental checkups, preventive services and treatment at school every 2 years.

This program is being led by the Department of Health and Oral Health Victoria, with input from the Department of Education. Services are currently being delivered across Victoria by local community dental agencies.

The program is completely free for all Victorian government school students.

Students will be seen by Smile Squad during school hours, saving families time and money. Smile Squad includes all required treatment (excluding orthodontics).

Objectives of Smile Squad

• Students can receive free dental care regularly
• Students learn about the importance of good dental care
• Students will have better oral health outcomes through early intervention.

Regular dental checks can prevent or address dental health issues before they become serious.

What to expect?

Oral health packs (including oral health promotion) are offered to all students. Dental check-ups are carried out in school rooms using portable equipment and further treatment is delivered in our treatment vans that house a full dental clinic. Think of it as a dental clinic on wheels.

Your friendly Smile Squad staff include oral health therapists, dental therapists, oral health educators, dental assistants, dentists and specialists.

Smile squad dental packs are available to collect from the office now. If your child would like a free dental pack, please call into the office and pick one up after school.

2 different packs available.

Selina Rose

First Aid Officer

From the Careers Office

Year 12 Camp, A Positive Start to the Year!

From Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 January, our Year 12 students attended camp, kicking off their final year with a focus on connection, resilience and goal setting. Across the three days, students participated in a range of engaging activities designed to challenge them, broaden their thinking and strengthen relationships.

Highlights included university visits to Deakin University and RMIT University, where students explored future pathways and tertiary study options. Students also took part in inspiring sessions with the REACH Foundation and Success Integrated, encouraging the Year 12s to reflect on mindset, resilience and setting purposeful goals for the year ahead. Team-building experiences such as hard rock climbing, a visit to Queen Victoria Market, and a fun trivia night helped foster collaboration and confidence.

The camp played an important role in building strong connections within the Year 12 cohort while reinforcing the resilience and determination needed for the year ahead. Thank you to the staff who generously gave their time and to the students for their positive engagement and enthusiasm—it was a fantastic start to 2026.

Rebecca Holmes

Year 12 Learning Engagement Leader

From the Curriculum Office

Let’s get baking

Let’s Get Baking students had their first kitchen session today – creating soft pretzels with a basic yeast dough.  They have studied the history of baking and are learning about kneading, proving, and leavening agents, getting the hang of measuring and the safety and hygiene protocols in a commercial kitchen. 

Ashley Forster

Head of Science

Food Technology Teacher

Humanities 

It has been a fantastic start to the year for our Humanities students at Emerald Secondary College. Students have been engaged and ready to learn. In week one, our middle years Geography students tool their learning out into the field where they consolidated the geographic skill of Field Sketching.  

Looking forwards in the term, Federal Labor Senator Lisa Darmanin, will be visiting Emerald Secondary College to speak with our VCE Legal Studies. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to meet the Deputy Government Whip in the Senate and Chair of the Economics Legislation Committee.

Fiona Minorgan

Humanities Domain Leader

Community News