Secondary

Mr Chris Graham

Assistant Principal (Secondary)

Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you. - St Augustine of Hippo

‘Have you got a bin? I need to chuck out my chewie’

Many years ago, I studied in Canada as part of my Undergraduate degree. The words above were the first words that I said to my soon to be room mates in my University accommodation. The odd thing about that phrase is the fact that they had no idea what I was talking about. I had used three key words, that did not translate well into a Canadian form of English. Bin, chuck and chewie were all foreign words. Basically a Canadian only understood, ‘have you got a…I need to…out my……’. Looking back in hindsight, I should have said, ‘have you got a trash can, I need to throw out my gum.’

Many of you will have your own stories of times that you’ve been misunderstood. All of us will know the feeling of times when we’ve not quite said the words we wanted to. Many of us will avoid using certain words that carry too much power; one such word that can potentially carry a huge weight is ‘exam’. 

During the middle of June, we will be having our mid- year exams for Years 10 and 11. This will be the Year 10’s first experience of exams. Later in the year (for the first time), our Dunhelen students will also be having their first set of exams. Our Year 7 students will have an English and Mathematics exam and our Year 8 and 9 students will have English, Mathematics, Humanities, Science and Indonesian exams. What we are currently doing is trying to take the fear out of this word. 

There are many ways that one can do that. The first way is to help students study. As parents, I’m assuming many of you will have used the phrase, ‘ok, go and do some study’. For many people the issue is that they don’t really know what study is. They don’t know how to study. Does it mean reading the text again? Or highlighting the words? Or doing homework?

As a secondary school, we are specifically teaching a consistent study skill set ‘A Learners Toolkit’. There are many different types of study skills, however this one is very simple and is backed by research. It has six simple prompts 1. Read it, 2. Retrieve it, 3. Space it, 4. Jumble it, 5. Visualize it, 6. Connect it.

Currently, through our assemblies, homerooms and in specific subjects, students are learning how to study. As parents of a secondary student, it would be great if you familiarize yourself with this so that you can help your child achieve their best possible results when it comes to exams. We must also keep in mind, that sometimes, students may not do their best on a particular exam. This is 100% normal. If students' first exposure to high stakes exams is in Year 12, then it is likely that they will not do their best on their exams. This is why we are exposing students to exams earlier, teaching them how to study, teaching them how to read and complete exams well. By giving them ample practice, it is our hope that they perform better on their Year 12 exams, which will give them a higher score and more freedom to choose the courses that they want. Thus, we are trying to take the fear out of exams.

Ms Merjam Mujkanovic

Deputy Head of Secondary (Middle School Culture)

Welcome back to Dunhelen for another exciting term filled with enriching experiences and opportunities for growth! Our students have so much to look forward to, from the athletics carnival and sports tryouts to special events like Year 7 Ancient's Day and the Year 8 Werribee Gorge Excursion. These activities and events provide valuable opportunities for students to showcase their talents, expand their learning beyond the classroom and strengthen their friendships.

ANZAC Day Service

Our Dunhelen captains, Lachlan R and Shiloh D, have already showcased exceptional leadership by representing the College with honour at the recent ANZAC Day service organised by Hume City Council. Shiloh said that this ‘leadership role has been so fun [so far]’ and that she had ‘never been to an ANZAC service before,’ which was a ‘new experience that she was happy to attend’. Lachlan and Shiloh’s demonstration of respect on ANZAC Day truly reflects the values we cherish at Dunhelen, and we could not be prouder of their growth in leadership abilities! We also extend our gratitude to their parents for fostering their child’s development as leaders. 

Class Captains

Our class captains are also stepping into their roles with enthusiasm as the term progresses. There are two class captains in every Dunhelen homeroom, who play a vital role in maintaining a positive and organised class environment. To develop their leadership skills, we recently held a meeting with them to clarify their roles and responsibilities. They are expected to lead their homerooms in the mornings, setting high standards and ensuring compliance with school policies. Equipped with a 'homeroom checklist,' class captains guide their peers through essential tasks for a successful day.

Below are our Semester 1 Class Captains:

With our students actively involved in daily routines, we aim to cultivate a range of skills and capabilities, making learning a student-led and positive experience. For students who may have missed out on the opportunity to become class captains in Semester 1, we encourage you to consider applying for Semester 2. Speak to your homeroom teacher to express your interest and learn more about the application process.

We look forward to a fantastic Term 2 ahead filled with growth, learning and achievement.

Preparing for Year 9 Camp

Excitement is buzzing as our Year 9 students gear up for an unforgettable camping adventure in Central Australia. With preparations in full swing, they have been working with us to diligently organise their camp partners and activity groups, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience ahead. As they eagerly anticipate their journey, students are also diving into practical skills, readying themselves by practicing the art of setting up tents. The anticipation is palpable, and we cannot wait to see the incredible memories they will create during this enriching experience.

Ms Lisa Mililli (Camps and Service Learning Coordinator) and 

Mr Peter Francey (Head of Year 9)

Mrs Jenny Lilley

Head of Faculty - Vocational Major

One of the aims in a Numeracy class is to empower students to use mathematics to make sense of the world and apply it in a social purpose context. Numeracy is a tool involving the use and application of a range of mathematical skills, knowledge and problem solving that arise in a range of different situations. The Numeracy Year 12 students have been creating planter boxes, using wood offcuts from the wood tech classes. Using recycled materials for a useful purpose has been one of the students’ major assessment tasks. The project has enabled students to develop logical thinking, organisational skills, reasoning strategies, understand mathematical requirements and use practical skills to create the planter boxes.