9-12 Community News
Welcome back!
As the dust settles on the first few weeks of term, we would like to take the opportunity to reflect on how well the students of the 9-12 Community have settled into the new school year.
Students have begun their classes enthusiastically, worn their uniform proudly and correctly and have established a fantastic environment in their learning and recreation spaces around the College. The students have adapted smoothly to their new routines and the classes have been buzzing with energy and activity.
2025 sees the continuation of the use of the College Diary, which is provided to students from Years 7-12 to assist with organisation, planning and time management. We ask parents and caregivers to encourage students in the use of their diaries as a valuable organisational tool. Ask your child/ren to show you their diary and check out the lessons at the back relating to The Resilience Project. Once again, we are excited to be one of 900 partnership schools across Australia. As we have done in previous years, this will be part of our daily TA program.
During their 20 minute TA lesson every day, students will continue to work with the curriculum developed by ‘The Resilience Project’ to further enhance the learning relating to Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness (GEM) and Emotional Literacy. The Resilience Project curriculum delivers emotionally engaging programs to students, providing practical, evidence-based mental health strategies to build resilience and happiness. Through a variety of digital presentations, age and stage appropriate curriculum and our Student Workbooks/Diary Planners, we will continue to teach and share the benefits of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness and easy ways for our students to practise these in everyday life. We will also incorporate Emotional Literacy, Connection and Physical Health education and activities into our program, as they are foundational contributors to positive mental health. Last year saw the College initiate the Resilience Project Parent Night and we look forward to continuing to share the Resilience Project with all members of the College community in 2025.
With the continued development of our Teacher Advisor/TA system and the introduction of new staff members and roles, we have a number of new TA teachers across the year levels. Again, the students and staff have moved into these new arrangements positively.
For all families, the TAs for the 9-12 Community are:
Year 9 TA Teachers: Felicity Lewis, Graeme Miller, Jenni Ryan, Larissa Sherman, Danny Dmytriw, Annie Lawless and Rebecca Lowe
Year 10 TA Teachers: Sam Norris, Jessie Mallon, Kirsty McIntosh, Jeff Lewis, Brendon Lane and Mark Niglia,
Year 11TA Teachers: Troy Lowe, Kelly Grieve, Bianca Moore and Brenton Thorpe
Year 12 TA Teachers: Nicole James, Elise Clarke, Damian McIntyre, Loretta Shannon
Staff in 9-12 leadership/responsibility roles are:
9-12 Community Leader: Community & Wellbeing- Michelle Downie
9-12 Community Leader: Student Learning and Professional Practice - Katelyn McIntyre
VCE Coordinator - Sharon Darling
VCE/VM Learning Leader - Peter Fawcett
VET Coordinator - Selga Langley
Careers Practitioner - Cath Anderson
As we settle back into our routines, we would like to remind our families about the College Uniform Guide and Policy. We have had a number of detentions in the past week for students wearing runners, instead of their black leather polishable shoes and students wearing sports shorts, instead of their academic shorts. Navy socks are to be worn for sport and when wearing academic shorts. White socks should only be worn by students who are wearing the summer school dress.
The below image highlights the difference between the academic shorts and the sports shorts.
Please familiarise yourself with the Uniform Guide and contact your child’s TA or Michelle Downie, 9-12 Community Leader - Wellbeing, if you have any questions.
This list below outlines the Sports Uniform days for students in Years 9, 10, VCE and VCEVM.
Some Years 9 and 10 students will also be enrolled in elective subjects from the Physical Education and Health Learning Area. These electives are on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Years 9 and 10 Letter of Concern
As part of our ongoing commitment to student success and wellbeing, we are introducing the Years 9 and 10 Letter of Concern. This letter will be sent home if a student is experiencing difficulties in areas such as submitting tasks on time, plagiarism and use of AI technology or unsatisfactory completion of a task.
The aim of this communication is to highlight areas where additional support may be needed and to encourage a collaborative approach between parents, students and the school in addressing any concerns. The Years 9 and 10 Letter of Concern will outline the specific issue(s) and suggest possible strategies for improvement.
We believe that by engaging with parents early and working together, we can provide the necessary support for each student to reach their full potential. Our teachers and staff are committed to assisting students and helping them overcome challenges, both inside and outside the classroom.
This supports the VCE and VCEVM letter of concern that has been in place for a number of years and ensures that we have consistent high expectations across the 9-12 Community.
Michelle Downie Katelyn McIntyre
9-12 Community Leader 9-12 Community Leader
Wellbeing and Community Student Learning and Professional Practice
Year 9 World of Prayer
Year 9 students have been creating posters of what prayer means to them and what it looks like in their lives to create a classroom display for their topic ‘World of Prayer’.
