Principal's Report

Student Achievement: 

VET in Schools – World Skills Cookery Competition

Last year Lilly G Harrison (Year 12, Everard House) competed in the Regional VET in Schools World Skills Cookery ompetition at St Monica's College, where she received a bronze medal. This paved the opportunity for her to apply and trial to represent Victoria in the National competition in August 2023.

Lilly was successful and selected to compete at "Nationals" in Melbourne. She will cook four different menus across three days of competition. Lilly has attended a training camp at William Angliss and is practicing hard to perfect her timing, technique, and presentation. 

We wish Lilly all the very best as she embarks on this challenge, and we are all behind her as she ventures out to represent our school and community. Well done Lilly!

Lilly G Harrison

School Sport Victoria State Cross Country Competition

The SSV State Cross Country took place on Thursday 13 July at Yarra Valley Racecourse. Eltham High School had 7 representatives across multiple age groups. With up to 100 students competing in each race, it was great to see our Eltham students pursuing excellence against some of the best runners in the State.

The standout performance of the day went to Ally Brooks (Year 10 – Everard House) who despite being sick all week finished with the bronze medal in the 16 girls' race. Ally has consistently dominated across both the Athletics and Cross-Country events throughout the past 4 years. We are so lucky to have Ally representing our school and community. 

Ally Brooks

Other impressive results included Ethan Armstrong Bourne (Year 10 – Everard House) who improved on his last years result finishing 10th in the 15 boys; Logan Armstrong Bourne (Year 7 – Everard House) and Jack Beddoe (Year 7 – Everard House) both competing in their first Secondary School State Cross Country final finished 44th and 97th respectively in the 13 boys; Rhordri Whelan (Year 9 – Andrew House) 46th in the 16 boys; Seona Van Der Kamp (Year 10 – Stewart House) 64th in the 16 girls; and Asher Johns (Year 12 – Rutter House) 70th in the Open Boys.

Congratulations to these students on not only making the State Final but also for their individual performances on the day. Each of them represented our school with excellence and we are very proud of you. 

NAPLAN 2023

Ahead of NAPLAN results for students being released from Monday 17 July 2023, I’m writing to inform you of some changes to this year’s reporting. These are changes being introduced nationally by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).

NAPLAN will continue to measure student achievement in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, and grammar and punctuation but the results will now be presented in 4 proficiency levels. These are:

• Exceeding
• Strong
• Developing
• Needs additional support.

This change will give schools, parents and carers clearer information that details student achievement against new proficiency levels.

Students’ NAPLAN reports will continue to show how they are tracking against their peers and provide an indication of their skill levels against national averages and where we would expect them to be in order to get the most out of schooling. This provides valuable information to teachers about how we can continue to support your child.

Each set of NAPLAN results is an important milestone, but it’s also important that students know that one result does not define them. These results are about making sure every student gets the support they need so they can continue to get the best from their learning.

When we provide you with your child/rens results, you will also receive information about what the new proficiency levels mean.

As ever, you’re welcome to speak to me, or your child/ren’s teacher with any questions about these changes.

Early Finish – Tuesday 2 August

With the support of our School Council, on Tuesday 2 August school will finish at 2:30pm. This will provide additional time for teachers and education support staff to continue work on planning for the new structure to the school day for 2024. 

This work will involve the reorganisation/redevelopment of curriculum to fit in with the new five period day, 59 minute periods. The work is essential to ensure that we are fully prepared to implement the agreed changes to align with the new Victorian Government Schools Agreement.

I ask all parents/carers to take note of this date and to ensure that safe travel home has been organised for students at the earlier time. Buses will continue to run their normal timetable.

An additional early finish day is planned for Term 4. More information on this closer to the date. 

New Community Newsletter

This week’s Community Newsletter will be presented to you as an iNewsletter. In addition to a refreshed look, we trust that the new format will provide you with easy navigation to the specific areas of interest.

I continue to encourage parents/carers to inform the school of the amazing things that your children engage in outside of school so that their effort and achievements can be highlighted in the newsletter for our community to see and read about. You can e-mail our receptionist at reception@elthamhs.vic.edu.au

VINCENT SICARI, Principal