Secondary

Mr Chris Graham

Assistant Principal (Secondary)

Dunhelen Exams in 2024

The quote below refers to the use of the word ‘Voldemort’ (the personification of pure evil) in the Harry Potter series. In the Harry Potter series, many within their community refuse to even say the name Voldemort;  which to some stokes the flames of fear. While the word ‘exam’ does carry with it a sense of weight, exams certainly do not present themselves as the personification of pure evil. But in a similar vein, when they are not experienced, mentioned or completed, people often imagine that they are far worse than they actually are.

Starting in 2024, Dunhelen students will be involved in end-of-year exams. Year 7 students will complete exams in English and Mathematics and will build up to English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Indonesian in Year 9. Exams in and of themselves do not necessarily have any benefit; however,  research will state that exams do have a positive impact on learning when study skills are incorporated, exam techniques are taught and practised, appropriate individual feedback is given to each student and when students actually develop habits of reviewing the topics they have learned. When looking specifically at VCE exams, there is a strong positive correlation between a high ATAR and the number of practise exams the students have completed throughout Year 12. Further increases can be gained when students actually develop their abilities and achieve success in exams at a younger age. 

Our hope is that (as with Voldemort) students will realise that exams are not things to be feared; rather, with appropriate skills, support and drive, exams can be demystified, simplified, tamed and overcome. 

Ms Melissa D'Amico

Deputy Head Secondary (Middle School Culture)

A Spooktacular Year 7 Social - Halloween Extravaganza!

Our Year 7 students recently celebrated Halloween in the most Spooktacular fashion, turning the Common Room into a hauntingly fun wonderland. With the hallways adorned with cobwebs and skeletons, the atmosphere was spooky. Students, teachers and even our Head of Year, Mr Jason Mackrell, enthusiastically embraced the Halloween spirit by dressing up in their most creative and spooky costumes.

The Halloween-themed Year 7 social was a night to remember, filled with laughter, delicious treats and fantastic music. The energy and enthusiasm from everyone who attended was infectious and it truly showcased the incredible spirit of our school community.

The night kicked off with a feast fit for ghouls and goblins. Pizza, soft drinks and an array of lollies were enjoyed by all, providing the perfect sustenance for a night filled with dancing and celebration. Students savoured the sweet and savory delights while showing off their impressive costumes.  The dance floor was alive with the sound of music as students grooved and sang along to their favourite tunes. The joy and camaraderie among the Year 7 cohort were palpable, making it an unforgettable experience for all.

The Halloween-themed social also featured a thrilling limbo competition that had participants bending over backward to outdo each other. Cheers and applause filled the air as students showcased their flexibility and determination.

I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated Homeroom teachers, who helped make this event a reality. Their unwavering support and guidance are truly commendable. A special shout-out goes to Mr Jason Mackrell, our Head of Year, for his leadership and commitment to ensuring that this Halloween social would be a huge success.

The Year 7 Halloween-themed social was a night of joy, friendship and unforgettable memories. It brought our students and staff closer together in a fun and spooky way, highlighting the wonderful sense of community at Aitken.

Playing 'Squid Games' inspired activities for House Points

In other news, the Dunhelen Sports Captains took the reins and organised a series of electrifying Squid Games-inspired activities that had students on the edge of their seats and bursting with excitement.

The brainchild of our dedicated Sports Captains, this week-long event featured a lineup of games and challenges that were reminiscent of the hit series "Squid Games”.  From Red Light Green Light to the Marble Game and even a honeycomb carving contest, it was a week filled with thrilling fun, laughter and camaraderie.

Playing Red Light, Green Light and the Marble Game!

One of the most unique activities during this event was the honeycomb carving contest. Students were given delicate honeycomb shapes and tasked with carving them into intricate patterns without breaking them or eating them first!

Carving out the honeycomb!

The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the enthusiastic participation and the fun that students had throughout the week. The joy, spirit of friendly competition and sense of togetherness that emerged were great to witness.

Our Sports Captains deserve a massive round of applause for their creativity, leadership and dedication in bringing this unique experience to the Dunhelen community. They not only organised these games but also ensured that every participant felt safe and engaged throughout the week.

Mrs Jenny Lilley

Head of Faculty - Vocational Major

On 31 October the students organised a Halloween activity at the library for the Prep students as part of their Personal Development Skills studies. The students spent time researching special activities which would not only hold interest for the students but also be an enjoyable task. The activities included: mask making; a "ghost throw' which involved throwing a beanbag into the ghost’s mouth; making a dangling paper cup ghost; a trick or treat bag; a headband; a ghost hand; a bookmark; colouring activities and finding the spider in the web. The function was very popular, and the Year 11 students can’t wait to do another activity when the opportunity arises. A big thank you to Ms Caparo for her wonderful support with the event.

Lisa Mililli

Camps and Service Learning Coordinator

Dunhelen Service Learning Project

The Year 9s are starting to wrap up their Service Learning Projects, where they have been visiting and helping the community. Over Terms 3 and 4, the students researched social justice issues in the local community and in groups and chose a need within the community to act on. Students contacted organisations and applied their skills to support the organisations and the communities in a range of actions to improve the community.

Some of the fantastic community service activities that the students were involved in included cleaning up parklands through Clean Up Australia; visiting aged care residents and spending time with them to help improve their wellbeing; packing and sorting food for emergency food relief at community houses; running cultural and music games with younger or disadvantaged students; and planting trees to benefit the health of Brodie’s Creek. 

We have had lots of positive feedback and gratitude for the students' behaviour and assistance at these organisations. Well done to all the Year 9s who have helped to make a difference in the community!