Teaching and Learning

Teaching and Learning Newsletter Report

Celebrating student progress and looking ahead to Term 3

As we approach the end of Term 2, we want to take a moment to congratulate all of our students on completing their assessment tasks, including CATs, SACs, and exams. These assessments are not only important milestones in each student’s learning journey, but they also help identify areas for growth and celebrate individual successes.

We encourage you to ask your child about how they felt they performed. You can see student grades and feedback on Compass under learning tasks. Please also not that Semester 1 reports will be published shortly.

A Big Congratulations to Our Year 7 Students!

A special shoutout to our Year 7 students who have officially completed their first semester of secondary school - an incredible milestone! Transitioning to high school is a big step, and we are so proud of the resilience, energy and curiosity they’ve brought to their learning so far.

In Humanities, some of our students have been exploring the world of Ancient Egypt by taking on a hands-on challenge: building pyramid shapes without the help of modern tools like rulers or technology. This task encouraged creative problem-solving and helped students gain a deeper appreciation of the ingenuity required by the ancient Egyptians to construct such precise and enduring monuments.

We love seeing students so actively engaged in learning, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll do next!

Semester 1 Reports

As mentioned above, we will be publishing our Semester 1 Reports on Monday 21st July 2025 via Compass.

Your child’s Semester 1 report provides information about your child’s effort, behaviour and learning achievement as well as feedback for all major assessment tasks. VCE/VM Unit Outcomes also appear on the report (‘S’ for Satisfactory or ‘N’ for Not Satisfactory), as does a comment regarding whether a parent teacher interview is required.

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences

Wednesday 30th July 2025

We warmly invite all families to attend our Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences in Term 3. These three-way conversations are a great opportunity to celebrate progress, identify learning goals, and strengthen the partnership between home and school.

Details on how to book will be available on Compass early in Term 3. As in previous conferences, we will be offering both online and face-to-face appointments to accommodate family preferences.

Curriculum Day – Term 3 Start Date

Please note that Monday 21st July 2025 is a Curriculum Day and students are not required at school on this day.

Term 3 classes will begin on Tuesday 22nd July 2025.

ANZAC Station Tour – Real-World Learning in Action

This term, two of our Year 11 students, Sadaf Ali (11C) and Buvindu Sududevi Hetti Arachchige (11C), had the unique opportunity to visit ANZAC Station, one of Melbourne’s newest underground stations. This real-world learning experience was made possible through the support of The Hon. Gabrielle Williams, the Member for Dandenong and Victoria’s Minister for Transport and Infrastructure.

Minister Williams personally guided our students through the station, exploring its architecture, engineering innovations, and urban planning features. The tour showcased the sustainable design elements and cultural significance of the project, offering valuable insight into one of the city's most significant infrastructure developments.

This experience provided a meaningful link between classroom STEM learning and real-world applications, and helped broaden both students’ understanding of modern city development.

A big thank you to Sadaf and Buvindu, who represented our school with maturity, curiosity, and enthusiasm.

International Students Embrace the Chill on Ice-Skating Excursion

On a cold and rainy day that felt like a typical Melbourne winter, our international students braved the weather for a memorable ice skating experience at O’Brien Icehouse at the Docklands. For many, it was their very first time on the ice. What followed was a truly unforgettable experience filled with laughter, excitement, and a few wobbly moments as they adjusted to the slippery surface beneath their feet.

Bundled up in warm jackets and gloves, the students made their way to the rink, where laughter quickly replaced nerves. Before they began, students received a helpful lesson from the instructors, who taught them the basics of skating techniques and safety tips to prepare them for the slippery surface ahead. While some clung to the sides at first, it wasn’t long before they found their balance and began gliding (and occasionally slipping) across the ice with growing confidence.

This experience marked a unique and memorable opportunity that tested their balance and coordination. Despite several slips and falls along the way, students showed resilience and good humour, embracing the challenge and gaining confidence with every lap around the rink. 

It was not only a fun way to spend the day, but also a great opportunity for students to practise their English in a relaxed and social environment. From helping each other up to cheering on new friends, the day was filled with teamwork, courage, and lots of smiles.

Despite the chilly weather, the warmth of friendship and shared experience made the day one to remember.

Maria Okoumousis

EAL KLA Leader

Semester 1 - Humanities Report

In Term 1 in Humanities students learned about government, democracy and how to be an active participant in our society. A very current topic considering the election in May this year. Students have learned about voting though experiencing a class election, simulated question time as well as different methods of active participation. Through this knowledge we have also improved on our critical thinking, questioning, research and writing skills throughout the term. 

This term in Humanities we have been focusing on History in Years 7-9. Year 7s have been learning about Ancient Egypt including the process and purpose of mummification (with lollies), how the pyramids were built and the role of pharaohs such as Tutankhamun in their civilisation. Year 8 investigated Medieval European History with a focus on the lessons we can learn from the plague in our understanding of the significance and effects of pandemics on societies. Year 9s had a focus on World War One History and the role Australia played in this conflict through the role of women, propaganda and the causes of the war.  Students have also learned to analyse primary and secondary sources with a focus on how to trust the information we find about the past – a valuable skill in our world of fake news. 

In VCE our Business Management, Legal Studies, Economics, History and Work-Related Skills classes have been working hard to complete the first unit in their courses as well as semester exams for Year 11s. A great achievement by all. 

Year 10 students have worked hard to prepare for work experience in the last week of Term 2. This includes developing an understanding of personal skills, different occupations and occupational health and safety. A valuable experience to learn hands on skills in the workforce and to develop an understanding of possible future career opportunities. 

From Humanities we wish everyone a restful winter break and hope that we are all ready for Term 3 where we will delve into Geography in the junior years with some exciting field work excursions for Years 7 and 8 students. 

Allegra Blain

Humanities Subject Area Leader

Year 12 Legal Studies Excursion

On Friday 30th May the Year 12 Legal Studies students ventured into the city to observe legal cases at the Melbourne Magistrates’ court and engage in a role play at Victorian Parliament House.

We started with an early morning train ride into Flagstaff station and the legal precinct of Melbourne’s CBD. After thorough security, students had the opportunity to explore different court rooms in the Melbourne Magistrates’ courts observing cases related to a variety of criminal offences. Students were able to witness court procedure, the role of lawyers, parties and judges as well as the sentencing of offenders firsthand.

After a quick lunch, students ventured to the other side of the city where the laws are made in Victorian Parliament House. After a tour of the upper and lower houses, students participated in a role play related to Brodie’s law and had an opportunity to experience law-making in the Legislative Assembly. Both students and teachers were in awe of the incredible history and tradition of Parliament from the laws that are made there, to the touches of hand painted gold, to the 10-metre-tall crystal chandeliers that hung above our heads.

Overall, a successful, real life look at the many roles that we can have in our legal system.

Allegra Blain

Humanities Subject Area Leader

Year 9 Chinatown Excursion: A Day of Culture, Language, and Discovery

Our Year 9 students from Chinese classes recently enjoyed a vibrant and educational excursion to Melbourne’s Chinatown, where they explored the rich history and cultural contributions of Chinese communities in Australia.

The day began with a visit to the Chinese Museum, where students delved into the fascinating stories of early Chinese immigration, the challenges faced by Chinese Australians, and the enduring legacy of Chinese culture in shaping modern Australia. Through interactive exhibits and historical artefacts, students gained a deeper appreciation for the resilience and contributions of Chinese communities throughout Australia’s history.

Following the museum visit, students headed to a Chinese restaurant for a delicious lunch. Putting their language skills into action, they ordered their meals in Chinese—a highlight that combined both fun and practical learning.

After lunch, students took to the streets in small groups for a lively scavenger hunt. Armed with curiosity and keen eyes, they searched for Chinese characters hidden in shop signs, enhancing their awareness of how language and culture are woven into the streets of Chinatown.

It was a rewarding day of cultural immersion, language practice, and historical insight. Well done to all our students for their enthusiastic participation and respectful engagement throughout the day!

Celebrating Language and Identity: Year 7 & 8 Chinese Poster Projects

This term, our Year 7 and Year 8 Chinese students completed their Common Assessment Tasks (CATs) by designing vibrant and meaningful posters that reflected both their learning and their cultural identities.

Year 7 students created posters to introduce their families, using Chinese characters to describe family members. Year 8 students focused on their hobbies, writing about what they enjoy doing in their free time—such as sports, music and games — using newly learned sentence structures and vocabulary.

What made these projects especially unique was the inclusion of students’ home languages alongside Chinese. Many students proudly incorporated words or phrases in languages spoken at home—ranging from Dari, Tamil, Arabic to Serbian and beyond—creating multilingual displays that celebrated both their heritage and their developing skills in Chinese.

These beautiful posters were a true reflection of our students’ creativity, linguistic growth, and multicultural identities. Well done to all our Year 7 and 8 students for their efforts