Student News

Strengthening Global Connections: SCHS Sister School Exchange Program

From June 19 to 27, Suzanne Cory High School proudly welcomed 18 students and two staff members from our sister school, Shanghai Foreign Language School (SFLS), as part of our ongoing cultural exchange program. This visit marked the first student exchange since the renewal of our sister-school agreement in November 2024, which was formalized during a ceremony attended by dignitaries including Principal Yuehua Du of SFLS, Ms. Linda Vaughan from the Department of Education, and Counsellor Ding Li from the Chinese Consulate-General in Melbourne .

During their stay, the visiting students were hosted by Suzanne Cory families, fostering meaningful connections and offering insights into Australian family life. The exchange program featured a variety of cultural and educational activities, including tours of Melbourne, visits to local landmarks such as Werribee Open Range Zoo and Sovereign Hill, and immersive classroom experiences .

This enriching experience not only enhanced the students' understanding of each other's cultures but also strengthened the bond between our two schools. Looking ahead, Suzanne Cory students are preparing for a reciprocal visit to Shanghai in September, continuing our commitment to global learning and collaboration.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the host families and all who contributed to the success of this exchange. Such programs exemplify our school's values of Respect, Aspiration, and Contribution, and we look forward to many more opportunities to engage with our global partners."

Chufeng Liu

VCE Business Management/Chinese Teacher

LOTE Faculty Coordinator

Below is a speech delivered by Tim Nguyen at a reception held at Wyndham City Council last week. Tim had the incredible honour of being one of the host students for this inspiring cultural exchange program, representing our school and community with pride.

We live now in a world more connected than ever before.

Yet even with all this connectivity: emails, video calls, social media; it’s easy to forget the power of real, human connection: face-to-face conversations, shared experiences, and meaningful friendships.

And that’s what this exchange program between Suzanne Cory High School and Shanghai Foreign Language School reminded me of.

When I first heard about the program, I was excited, of course—but also a little nervous.

I had all sorts of questions: What would it be like to host someone from a completely different country? Would we get along? Would they like Vegemite?

But slowly, as I introduced myself, those worries melted away. And together, we explored the wonderful city of Melbourne.

But connection doesn’t grow from sightseeing alone. 

It’s found tucked between the seats of a crowded train, in shared glances as we try to figure out the next stop.

It’s found in the air at the dinner table, as we talk about our unique—but not so different—lives.

And most of all, it’s found in the quiet, in-between moments.

Moments that couldn’t have been scheduled or rehearsed.

They were spontaneous, honest, and human.

Somewhere between discovering that Melbourne’s weather is a game of chance, and teaching the proper butter-to-Vegemite ratio, we began to share something far more meaningful than knowledge.

We shared comfort. Familiarity. Friendship.

As students, we’re often told that we are the future. But this program reminded me that we’re also the present.

It’s in our hands, right now, to decide how we want to relate to one another, how we want to learn from each other, and how we choose to live alongside our differences.

And now that our guests return home, what stays behind?

Not souvenirs—but stories.

Stories we’ll tell in classrooms, at home, maybe even one day in our own careers.

Stories about the quiet courage it takes to visit a new country, to live in a stranger’s home, or to try something unfamiliar and strange—but still smile.

I believe this exchange is just the beginning.

Whether through pen-pal programs, or future student-led initiatives, we have the chance to deepen these ties and shape something even stronger between our two communities.

To the Shanghai Foreign Language School students: thank you for your warmth, your openness, and your courage to step into a new world with such grace.

To our teachers, coordinators, and the City of Wyndham: thank you for believing in the power of cultural exchange and making this unforgettable experience possible.

And to my fellow students: this exchange might be over for now—but what we’ve started is just beginning.

So let’s keep talking. Let’s keep learning. Let’s keep showing the world what’s possible—when young people lead with openness, kindness, and curiosity.

Because we do live in a world more connected than ever before.

And it’s up to us to make those connections count.

Tim Nguyen

Year 11 SRC

Gifted Outreach Mentoring Program

This June, our Year 9’s had a wonderful opportunity to mentor their younger peers from Mossfiel Primary School.  Through our partnership with the Wyndham Tech School, students developed technical and collaborative skills as they engaged in AI storytelling, podcasting, game development and immersive narratives.  They also learned the different ways that digital skills are developed at Suzanne Cory.

It was the perfect way to start off this year’s Gifted Outreach Mentoring Program, where students from the four select entry schools get a chance to work with high-ability Year 5 & 6 students.  Applications to become a mentor open in Term 3.  Watch out for our Compass post!

Ms Michelle Magalona & Ms Alex Carroll

Outreach Mentoring Program Coordinators

Below are some student reflections of the day

During June this term, the Year 9s had the opportunity to visit Wyndham Tech School. We

 participated in many activities that helped us to learn more about the different uses of Artificial Intelligence and how this can and may be integrated into our lives in the future. We visited along with some primary school students from Mossfiel Primary that we got to work with and mentor throughout the day.

We started the day with story maps, where we got to use a special software called ArcGIS to make an interactive story on a topic of our choice, experimenting with different features to make our product more immersive. We then got to do podcasting, where, with the assistance of AI, wrote a script for an interview segment that we edited using this script and the sound recording equipment and production software. 

Afterwards, we experimented with AI storytelling, coming up with a story idea that was written and executed by artificial intelligence, before pairing this story with generated images. Once we were done with all of these, we finally got to participate in gameplay as storytelling, which was an activity where we learnt how gameplay and game development can be an engaging form of storytelling. 

Overall, the excursion was a very fun and engaging experience that helped us learn more about technology is used in the different learning areas and how we can integrate it into our everyday lives.

Sajanyaa Dhanasekaran, R5 

On Friday, the Year 9 Rothwell students experienced an exciting excursion to Wyndham Tech School, where we were accompanied by a group of  Year 4 students from Mossfiel Primary School. We were introduced to the school’s aim to achieve digital literacy, and took part in activities with the Year 4 students which strengthened our digital skills, our mentoring capabilities, and our collaborative abilities. Throughout the course of the day, students participated in workshops encompassing story mapping, AI podcasting, AI storytelling and game development. Our experience in this excursion not only introduced us to innovation and emerging technologies, but also developed our mentoring skills which helped us support the Year 4 students we buddied up with, which resonates with our school value of contribution. Overall, it was a very memorable experience ripe with learning, skill enhancement, teamwork and fun.

Atharva Walawalkar, R4

Hearts for Kids Bake Sale | Kindness Club 💗

On Friday the 20th of June, Kindness Club hosted a bake sale at lunchtime in the Agora to raise funds for ‘Very Special Kids’, a Melbourne-based charity that provides holistic palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions. Their services support both the child and their family, offering everything from 24-hour respite and medical care to counselling and end-of-life support.

The event was very successful, bringing the school community together in support of this great cause. With a colourful variety of baked goods and a shared spirit of generosity, the event created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all those who participated.

We hope that events like this one remind us of the power of small acts, such as baking or buying cookies for a good cause. When we come together with kindness and a strong sense of purpose, we can create positive change in simple but meaningful ways.

Thank you so much to our bakers, sellers and buyers for making this event as successful as it was, and for helping spread kindness, as well as funds raised, for kids in need of extra care. It’s this spirit of generosity and teamwork that lies at the heart of what the Kindness Club stands for.

If you would like to join the Kindness Club and help with our future events, we hold lunchtime meetings every Wednesday in G11. We encourage any interested students to come along, share ideas, and be part of a welcoming space dedicated to making a positive difference!!

— Riya Dutta (K1), Aalya Sharma (R7), Harendra Balaji (K6), Agam Singh (A9) 

GBA 2025 Season Finals

Over the course of Term 2 and 3, GBA, a Year 12 exclusive basketball league that has become a cult favourite in Suzanne Cory ran in the fabled gym, where countless blockbusters have played out time after time. And the 2025 season did not disappoint one bit. From the nail-biting games between closely matched houses, to outrageous player ejections, as well as last second buzzer beater threes, the GBA Basketball League was a constant source of entertainment at lunch, as well as a chance for the Year 12’s to showcase the best basketball Suzanne Cory had to offer. Started by alumni as a unserious basketball tournament, this event has sparked into a fiercely competitive battle between the Year 12’s, as well as a chance for some teachers to take to the courts. 

In our thrilling grand final that had everyone on the edge of their seats, Blackwood managed to secure the title narrowly, winning 17-16. Mr Malone, Mr Moden, Mr Tran and Mr Haslinger also had their presence on court, captivating the hearts of their fans. However, Emmanuel Joice once again stood out from them all, scoring 11 points, as with 10 rebounds, taking home Finals MVP as well as Season MVP (45 points, 22 Rebounds, 2 Fouls).

A big thank you to everyone who contributed to the smooth running of the event in any capacity, and especially our wonderful house sport captains. We hope that everyone had a great time watching some spectacular basketball, and we are sure that the 2026 season will have even more enthralling action. 

Your Sport Captains,

Adi Atre (B1) and Priyanka Mehta (A1)

Term 2 Intermediate House Sport

During term 2, weekly house soccer matches ran for junior students to participate in a friendly but fiercely competitive environment. All throughout the games, we witnessed an amazing display of soccer skills, teamwork, enthusiasm and wonderful house spirit.

The Rothwell vs Blackwood final was a thriller which went to penalties, with Rothwell coming out victorious. We would hence like to congratulate Rothwell for an outstanding and cool headed performance under pressure!

Also, we would like to thank everyone who participated, as well as those who helped organise as well as ensure the game was a prompt and smooth experience.

Stay tuned for Netball in term 3!

Your Sport Captains,

Priyanka Mehta (A1) and Adi Atre (B1)

Push Up Challenge 2025

This year's goal was 3,214 push-ups over 23 days from June 4th to 26th. This number represents the number of lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2023, so this challenge means more than just fitness or getting the most push-ups. It’s about starting meaningful conversations, supporting each other, and raising awareness for mental health.

As a school, we managed to get over 100 participants, smashing out a total of 115,294 push-ups. SCHS also supported Lifeline Australia, raising $1481.69, which was almost $500 more than our target!

There was also a house competition where students had to do the most push-ups in 4 minutes and 25 seconds to the song ‘Push It’. Congratulations to Blackwood for cranking out the most push-ups, and well done to everyone who got involved in this challenge!

Your Push-Up Challenge Ambassadors,

Mr Joel Moden (Blackwood Engagement Coordinator)

Bavacharan GV (B3)

Archana Karthik (A6)

2025 Western Bands Festival

On Sunday June 22nd the SCHS Concert Band joined forces with local western suburbs bands to participate in the Western Bands Festival in the school auditorium.

Our students opened the event with three pieces, then participated in a clinical workshop with Fiona Gardiner where they were coached through one of their performance pieces. The students learnt more about balancing tone colour and phrasing during the workshop, and gained some keen insights into working as an ensemble.

We even had 2 surprise participants, Richie and Neo from our sister school. Richie landed the drum kit role in the workshop for Pirates of the Caribbean which is one of the trickiest parts to play while Neo played the flute.

The students witnessed local community bands perform to a very high standard, some students even made some connections to members in Werribee concert band and will hopefully begin a life long journey as a bandie.

The afternoon finished with a massed band number which barely fit onto our auditorium stage. The students had a blast performing with professional musicians and hopefully learnt some new tricks.

Year 9 English Incursion - Macbeth Comes to Life!

After a term of diving into the dark ambition and dramatic tension of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, our Year 9 students were treated to an engaging live performance by the Shakespeare Company. The incursion deepened students’ understanding of key scenes, characters, and language. Our students gained fresh insight into the ideas and themes they’ve been exploring in class, just in time to inspire their analytical essays. A brilliant way to conclude our study of the Scottish play!

House Art Competition

Each year, we are both delighted and surprised by the incredible creativity and artistic talent of our students, and 2025 was no exception. The annual House Art Competition continues to grow in imagination, skill, and passion, and this year’s theme Balance, inspired a wide range of thoughtful, powerful, and visually striking works. 

From emotional self-reflections to playful interpretations and everything in between, the submitted artworks demonstrated how our students interpret and express complex ideas through visual storytelling. The judges were truly impressed by the diverse range of media, concepts, and creativity on display.

House Art 2025 Results

1st Place Rothwell

2nd Place Kororoit

3rd Place Blackwood

4th Place Apollo

Congratulations to Rothwell House  for taking out first place this year!

Judge’s Choice Awards

The Judge’s Choice Awards recognised standout pieces from each house:

Apollo 'Ladybird Walk’ by Lucy Le and ‘Circus in Tranquil Creek’ by Jaden Tran

Blackwood ‘Skin Beside Silence’ by Aishani Chandla and ‘Me doing chores’ by Angelina Brillouett

Kororoit ‘Practice’ by Janelle Ku and ‘The Media’  by Acho Jia

Rothwell ‘Cards’ by Rhian Porto 

People’s Choice Awards

Voted by students and staff, the People’s Choice rankings were:

1st Place Rothwell

2nd Place Blackwood

3rd Place Apollo

4th Place Kororoit

And the Overall People’s Choice Winner ‘Cards’ by Rhian Porto (Rothwell)

A selection of artworks will be displayed in the school’s art cabinet over the next 12 months to showcase the incredible talent within our community.

A big thank you to all students who participated, to the House Art Captains for their encouragement and leadership, and to the teachers and judges for their time, care, and support. Your contributions made this event not only possible but truly memorable.

We thank everyone for making this year’s House Art Competition a success—and we’re already looking forward to seeing what 2026 will bring!

All the artworks can be found in the House Captains Reports.

SCHS at Model UN 

During Term 2 we had two groups of students participate in Model United Nations events. A Model United Nations is a simulation of the UN General Assembly. The Model UN Assembly runs according to the UN protocols and procedures followed by the UN General Assembly.

The United Nations Association Australia (Victoria Division) (UNAAV) runs the Model UN program in schools, universities, workplaces and for the general public across Victoria.

As Assembly delegates, our students had the opportunity to step into the shoes of a country ambassador to the UN to discuss global issues on the UN’s current agenda and find ways of addressing these issues. https://unaavictoria.org.au/what-we-do/model-un-conferences/

The objective of a Model UN is to find the best possible solution to the problem at hand through dialogue, negotiation and multilateral diplomacy. A successful MUN is achieved when delegates can reach a compromise based on their countries’ national interests, international responsibilities and humanitarian obligations. The outcome is formalised in the adoption of a new UN Resolution.

The model UN comprises four key sessions:

(1) Position Statements

(2) The Caucus

(3) Amendments to the Draft Resolution and

(4) Final Resolution Vote.

One group of students participated in the Model UN event at Werribee Secondary College and represented Ethiopia, Germany, Peru, Tuvalu, Uganda and Venezuela. The focus of that Model UN was ‘Asylum Seekers and Refugees: A Global Humanitarian Crisis’

One group of students participated in a Model UN Event at Geelong High School and represented the USA, Tunisia, Rwanda, Mexico, Finland, India & Nepal. The topic was ‘Enough is Enough: Ending Global Violence Against Women’. 

Participating in the Model UN gave our students the chance to broaden their understanding of global politics, enhance their public speaking and negotiation skills, and develop a deeper appreciation for the complexity of international decision-making. Stepping into the role of UN delegates challenged them to think critically, work collaboratively, and find common ground on complex global issues.

It was an enriching and inspiring experience that helped students grow not only as learners, but as global citizens. Everyone involved did an outstanding job and made Suzanne Cory High School proud through their thoughtful contributions, confident presentations, and respectful diplomacy. 

Congratulations to all students for their commitment and enthusiasm throughout this incredible learning opportunity.

Damien Toussaint Assistant Principal

Winter Concert

This year’s Winter Concert once again showcased the incredible talent and dedication of our instrumental music students. Held in front of an enthusiastic audience of nearly 300 people, the evening was a celebration of musical excellence and community spirit.

The concert featured a rich variety of performances, including the Strings Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, SCHS Choir, Concert Band, Orchestra, and our outstanding Chamber Choir. Each group brought their own unique energy and artistry to the stage, delighting the audience and demonstrating the depth of musical skill nurtured within our school.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our dedicated instrumental music teachers and the behind-the-scenes technical crew. Their hard work, commitment, and passion are the driving force behind the success of our music program, and we are so grateful for all they do to support our students.

Congratulations to everyone involved for making the Winter Concert a truly memorable evening!

Business Management Students Dive into Sweet Learning at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie

On a deliciously educational day, over 70 enthusiastic Business Management students embarked on an excursion to the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. The trip offered students a rich, hands-on experience that brought their classroom learning to life.

Students explored the full chocolate manufacturing process, from raw ingredients to final product, gaining firsthand insight into operations management. A highlight of the day was the interactive chocolate tasting session, where students sampled a variety of chocolate flavours and even had the chance to create their own giant lollipops.

A special business talk with one of the Chocolaterie's owners gave students the unique opportunity to hear directly from an experienced entrepreneur. They asked thoughtful questions and deepened their understanding of key business concepts such as production, procurement, and marketing in a real-world context.

While enjoying house-made chocolate ice cream and soaking in the scenic surrounds of the Great Ocean Road, students were able to connect theoretical knowledge with industry practice—making the day both engaging and enriching.

This excursion exemplified the value of experiential learning in Business Management and was a memorable highlight of the term for students and staff alike.

Ms. Maher, Mr. Liu and Ms. Stathopoulos

Discovering Chinese Heritage: A Cultural Day in Chinatown

On a meaningful excursion, 51 Chinese language students spent a day exploring the rich Chinese history in Chinatown. The day began with a visit to the Museum of Chinese Australian History, where students learned about the experiences of early Chinese migrants, viewed fascinating ancient artefacts, and discovered the important contributions Chinese Australians have made to society.

The highlight of the day was the cultural workshops. While making their own lanterns, students also learned about the symbolic meaning of lanterns in Chinese culture, representing light, hope, and the wish for a bright future. In the Chinese knotting workshop, students discovered the deep cultural significance of knots, which have been a vital part of Chinese tradition for centuries. Through patient and focused effort, they crafted beautiful handmade bracelets using traditional knotting techniques.

It was a fun and memorable day where students not only learned something new but also connected more deeply with the culture they study in class. Experiences like this make learning Chinese truly come alive beyond the textbook.

Mr. Liu, Ms. Lu & Mr. Hu

Chinese Teachers

Celebrating Diversity During LOTE Week at Suzanne Cory

This week, Suzanne Cory students and staff came together to celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that make up our school community during LOTE (Languages Other Than English) Week. The event was a vibrant reminder of the power of language, culture, and community spirit.

Throughout the week, a range of activities brought colour, flavour, and sound to the school grounds. Students enjoyed the artistry of Henna painting, while the ever-popular Hawkers Bazaar invited everyone to sample delicious cuisine from around the globe. It was a feast for the senses and a great opportunity for students to share dishes from their cultural backgrounds.

The school was also treated to a variety of musical performances, including beautiful pieces from the Chinese and French language classes, as well as a few stunning individual performances from talented students. A surprise highlight was a lively and unexpected Chinese rap performance by Mr Hu, which had the audience clapping along in delight.

However, the true highlight of LOTE Week was undoubtedly Cultural Dress Day. On this final day of term, students arrived at school adorned in traditional attire from their cultural heritage. The school was a sea of vibrant colours, patterns, and styles, each outfit telling its own story. It was a joyful and proud display of identity and inclusion, and a fitting way to wrap up a term filled with hard work and growth.

LOTE Week continues to be a cherished tradition at Suzanne Cory—one that not only showcases our diverse community but also brings us closer together through shared appreciation and celebration.

Henna Art

Open Mic

Cultural Dress Day