2024 Dux

During our Week 5 Assembly, we had the privilege of hearing from the 2024 Dux, Hannah Malinowski, and Proxime Accessit, Nicholas Riet. Nicholas was interviewed by our Academic Captain, Tessa, where he shared his feelings of surprise and overwhelming joy upon receiving his VCE results. He also spoke about the excitement of starting at university, and his hopes and dreams for the future. He offered valuable advice to the students who are currently completing, or soon be undertaking, VCE.

Although Hannah couldn’t join us in person due to her university commitments, her video message resonated deeply with both students and staff, all of whom were pleased to learn of her achievements and her desire to make positive contributions to society in the future.

Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences

We are pleased to share that the Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences for Term 1 have successfully taken place this week, both online and in person. These conferences were a valuable opportunity for discussing formative feedback from subject teachers and collaborating on strategies to support our students both in the classroom and in their home study environments.

We extend our gratitude to all the families who participated and made these sessions a success. Your active involvement is crucial in ensuring the best possible outcomes for our students.

We look forward to continuing this collaborative effort throughout the year.

House Debating

Congratulations to Reid House, winners of the inaugural House Debating Championships that concluded last week. The topics of debate were insightful and often entertaining, listed below:
- Money can buy happiness.
- Old Disney is better than new Disney.
- Goldilocks would be more successful than Little Red Riding Hood in modern society.
- Healthcare should be universally free.
- Being 18 does not make you an adult.
- Countries should be held accountable for their actions if it is a matter of international security.
- Peaceful protests are more effective than violent protests.
- The impact of youth-led protests is greater than those led by older generations.

Harmony Week

We have planned an exciting Harmony Week in Week 8 of this term. This is an opportunity for all students and staff to recognise and embrace our diversity as Australians from various different backgrounds. To show your support, students are invited to wear orange on Harmony Day, Friday 21 March, or come dressed in cultural clothing. Gold coin donations on this day will go to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

Kate Morgan

Head of Senior School

Kitchen Garden

Over the last three weeks an eager group of students have been coming together during their Tuesday and Friday lunch times to help get the kitchen garden back up and running. The first few weeks have been spent pulling the weeds and generally tidying up the garden ready to start planting over the next two weeks.

A big thank you to the PFC for providing us with some funding to help get the garden back off the ground. Hopefully we will see plenty of healthy produce coming from the garden over the next few months.

Tim Randell

Senior School Teacher

Year 7 Camp

Last week, our Year 7 students attended their Orientation Camp at Mill Valley Ranch in Tynong North. We all had a wonderful time forming new friendships, challenging ourselves and coming together as a community.

Highlights included horse riding, canoeing, crate stacking, team games, archery, low ropes course, the Amazing Race, a disco, night hike, capture the flag and the Family Feud game show. The camp food, we are happy to report, was delicious.

Thank you to our wonderful Year 7s for their excellent behaviour and for demonstrating our school values. A special mention to our amazing Year 9 leaders who assisted each activity group and running night activities, and were an asset to staff by being role models and encouraging the Year 7 students to make the most of camp. Thank you to Phoebe F, Ashley F, Marco L, Sienna P, Irushi R, Emma V and Daisy Z, and of course thank you to our wonderful staff who helped make our camp magical and an enjoyable experience for all.

Ben Peake

Head of Year 7