Later this term, the year 9s of Fitzroy High School will be attending an educational, insightful excursion to an elderly home near our school. We will present a survey of reflective questions to an elderly person, and have them tell us about themselves and their lives. Through this eye-opening experience, us as a collective group of youths will learn and gain a deeper look into the lives and minds of our elders.

There are many reasons this excursion will be beneficial for both the elderly and Fitzroy High School students, but I’ll begin with my first reason; studies show that regular social connection between elderly people and teens provides stimulation for vulnerable, older people that likely experience loneliness and feelings of isolation. Intergenerational bonding enables a refreshing outlook into their lives, and gives them a healthy reset, mentally and socially. My second, heavily supported reasoning is that for elderly people with dementia, reliving their youth through opening up about their pasts has the capability to boost their memories and give them hope again. Over 57 million people, globally, live with dementia. Dementia support programs are not cures, but they significantly improve patient’s quality of life and their life expectancy.

My third and final reason highlights how emotionally beneficial visiting elders can be for teenagers. Through experiences like these, adolescents can get an idea of what life may look like as they age, and take time to reflect once learning about the lives people, who were once their age, have lived. Teens that are struggling to handle rough circumstances may find a fresh perspective in life, and decide to pick themselves back up again.

On the reality television show, ‘Old People’s Home For Teenagers’, researchers and geriatrician specialists experiment with social relationships between youth and the struggling group of elderly, discovering how intensely beneficial respectful relationships between these generations are. Through these interactions, the elderly reported feelings of depression and loneliness fading, fueling my ever growing list of reasons that this excursion for my year nine group will provide shockingly positive results.

To end my article, I’ll send it off by concluding that I do believe this excursion is needed, and it will do good if handled appropriately. This excursion will show significant positive change for my peers, and having a human, impactful experience like this will be powerful. Thank you for taking the time to read my article, I look forward to writing about my later experience with this excursion.

Frankie M

The Tertiary Walks

Almost every Discover double class, the year 10s go to a nearby tertiary institute, see what’s in store for us after our time at Wurun. We’ve been to RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology), ACU (Australian Catholic University and NCAT (Northern College of Arts and Technology). Unfortunately I was unable to go to NCAT. We still have to go to Melbourne Polytechnic before our work experience and exams. We mostly travelled by public transport like trams or trains. A group of tertiary students gave us a tour around the buildings, telling us about what they offered and the requirements for what was needed. We usually left the school right after recess, coming back right before or during lunch.

We went to RMIT first, taking a train into the city. We were met by a teacher and she told us all about the courses and the careers they offered. We then got into two groups, one went one way and the other went another way. We all had our own tours, stopping every now and then, our guide telling us what the subject is. RMIT is known for their Arts & design and, of course, technology. RMIT also allows students to do TAFE too, allowing students to switch between the two TAFE and university degree faculties. RMIT also allows students to go overseas and study somewhere else, in a different country.

We went to ACU next, taking a tram. We met with some students at ACU, we went into a big classroom and the students told us all about ACU; their history, their campuses around Australia and the world, different courses you can take, the possible pros and cons of going there. Then we took a tour around the building. One group was able to play five minutes of soccer on their soccer pitch. We finished off with another briefing and was sent back to school for another session.

NCAT is known for their arts and technology, as it’s in the name. NCAT (Northern College of the Arts & Technology) is not a university. It is a specialized senior secondary government college located in Preston, Victoria, approximately 10 kilometres north of the Melbourne CBD. While it is often confused for a university due to its higher-education-style campus and advanced, industry-standard facilities, NCAT focuses on providing hands-on education and pathways for students in Years 10 to 12.

The reason we are going to the places after we study year 10-12 is so that we could see the possibilities of each university and tertiary places. The more universities we see, the more things we know about. It is going to be very exciting to see what the Melbourne Polytechnic shows us in week 6.

James T

Inter school sport Futsal 2026

On March 5th term one Fitzroy High School participated in the annual Inter school sport Futsal competition for year 10 and 9. This year was a little different due to the venue changing from Albert Park Indoor Sport Centre to Wurun senior campus, this change was made because Albert park is a part of the formula 1 track for Melbourne every year. So Albert park was closed for that upcoming event. We played against four schools, those schools were University High School, Princes Hill Secondary college, Brunswick Secondary College and Richmond High School. We had two teams, the social team and the competitive team. We had six players on the social team and seven including me on the competitive team.

The day started for us leaving the school and walking through Edi gardens and crossing the road to Wurun. Everyone was either nervous or unfazed. When we went inside we’re the first school there, unsurprisingly. Once the other schools started filing in some of us started to get nervous but once our first game was announced we’re all set on winning.

Our first game we dominated the other team, which we continued to do up until the final. Our final game was big for us as we had been undefeated the whole day and I think that got to us a bit. The first half went smoothly as it ended at 1-1. But unfortunately the nerves got to all of us as the other team smothered us with a good attack which our defense could barely stop. In the early stages of the second half we did well making good passes, good shots and saves but during the later stages we all got tired and made many mistakes.Conceding penalties, the other team's attack caught on and started drawing fouls to get penalty shots. The game ended 7-1, a very unfortunate thrashing.

The day ended with everyone tired but proud of their performance and my teammates congratulated me for every save I made in goals considering I was the only goalkeeper we had for the competitive team.

The game schedule was:

Brunswick boys 2 Game 1 (4-1 FHS)

Uni High boys 2 game 2 (3-0 FHS)

Princes Hill boys competitive Game 3 (5-1 FHS)

Richmond High competitive game 4 (3-0 FHS)

Uni High boys 1 game 5 (Semi Final) (3-2 FHS)

Brunswick boys 1 Game 6 (Final) (7-1 Brunswick)

FHS Competitive squad

Goalkeeper:Me

CBs:Brenden, Khai

Midfield:Mohamed

Wingers:Yassir, Nahom

Striker:Floyd

Subs:Atticus, Ayub

Harry Z

For the first term of this year, I was selected to attend a school for student leadership (SSL), along with 3 of my peers. The school was at the base of Mt. Noorat, about half an hour out of Warrnambool, on a big piece of land. We were there for 9 weeks with 40 other Year 9s. While I was there, I got to meet kids from all around Victoria and learn things I usually wouldn't have the chance to, like surfing and canoeing. I also learned how to be independent since it was the longest I've ever been away from home. It was so refreshing to be in a new setting with new people, and it gave me a chance to spend more time in nature, which I really enjoy but don’t usually get to do. The school also didn’t have any academic classes like Maths or English, and most of the classes were hands-on activities outside, or, if they were inside, focused on self- or community improvement. I loved this aspect of SSL because school can sometimes be challenging for me. It also made it much easier for me to take things slower and not be as stressed since we had a set schedule and I was constantly surrounded by support from the community, and even when I did find things challenging, or I was just having a bad day, there was always someone going through the same thing or willing to help me. I am so happy I got accepted and so proud that I went. It was the best decision I ever made and the most amazing experience I ever had.

Anna R

FHS articles inspired by the Metropolitan Diary from the New York Times

Dear diary

Dear diary, Thursday, the 5th of March was my last inter-school sport futsal competition. No one realised it was over except me. The whole day felt off because it didn't end where it started. Our competitive team started off very strongly, going undefeated in the first five of six games. We only conceded two goals. In only one loss, we tragically lost seven to one. Our social team, on the other hand, was undefeated the entire day. After our last game, everyone was very angry, but relieved it was over. Everyone took a quick break, then we played the game against each other and then everyone went home.

Harry Z

One little laugh

It was orientation day before I even started year 7, and I had a few friends in the school, but none in my group.

We had to split into table groups, and I knew no one at my table.

Someone from across the room said, possibly the worst joke I've ever heard.

I looked at the person next to me, who was already looking back at me. We laughed uncontrollably.

The same kid turned out to be in my class and is still one of my best friends to this day.

Eamon K

Movie Night

In one of the last excruciatingly long Fridays of term in 2025, my friend and I decided to head to the isolated drama room during break and create our own “movie night”. When the bell rang, and we headed there, we executed our plan of using tables and chairs alongside a large blue foam piece to build a dark tent of sorts- perfect to watch a glowing screen in.

During this time, a staff member encountered us, and that was when we realised that we probably were not allowed to move property around and watch a movie there. But during the encounter, he had let us stay there noting that normally he believed he would have told us to leave the room on any other day, but it was a Friday and nearly the term's end, and so he let us stay.

We knew it was a small gesture, but we were very grateful for it as it let us to continue making that moment a core memory for our high school days, and we would not have this wonderful memory if it was not for his kindness.

Catso B

FHS Swimming Carnival

It was a hot day as we walked to the Fitzroy pools. While we were walking, the thought of jumping into the cold pool water invaded our minds. As we arrived, we saw another high school (Collingwood College) joining us today. The day was chill, chillier than the cold, cold water as we all tried our best to gain house points. Some just sat talking to their peers under the shade. Before the day ended, we enjoyed some free sausages cooked by some people from FHS. As time passed, it was time for us to descend back to school and, from there, be dismissed.

Ana ND

A Story

In mid 2025, on a freezing black June morning, I met five of my best friends. Little did they know they would accidentally save me. It was my first day of year 8 at FHS. I had never been so anxious. Everything felt huge. Everyone was scary. So you can imagine how it felt, like being thrown into the feelings of what other teenagers are like. But they were my best friends, ready to take me under their wings and that they did. I will forever be grateful for them. What a beautiful thing, friendship.

Frankie M

New Classmates

Dear Diary, I was sitting down in the last session of my second day. I was at my second Extend class at FHS. I was pretty lonely at the time; however, two students came up to me, and then one of them asked, “Can we sit here?” I felt happy, happy that I was noticed. I had more fun than in the last seven sessions of FHS.

James T

Community News