Year 7 News

Welcome to the 2026 learning year.

The Year 7 team would like to welcome all members of the Kurnai Learning Community and extend a warm welcome the all-new families to Kurnai College.

My name is Ross Johnson, and my role for 2026 is Year 7 Team Leader. It has been a very busy start to the year for Year 7 students and their teachers. Settling into our school, navigating their way to their new classes, mastering their lockers and building new friendships. It has been fantastic to hear so many positive comments from our new students and families. 

A huge thank you to everyone who attended the Year 7 Parent & Teacher Meet-and-Greet BBQ earlier this month. It was wonderful to see so many Year 7 students and their families come together and connect, sharing their first few experiences of secondary school. 

Year 7 Team 

Ross Johnson : Year 7 Team Leader

Denise Cairnduff: Learning Specialist & Food Technologies Teacher 

Roxy Hibberson: Health and Physical Education Teacher

Boadie Motton: Health and Physical Education Teacher

Granvil Jirongo: English Teacher

Madison Brooks: English Teacher

Nyssa Beebe: Maths Teacher 

Kirti Kumar: English & Humanities Teacher

Kathryn Sims: Music Teacher 

House Championships

In 2026, the Year 7’s will see the introduction of the inaugural Year 7 House Championships. This year, we are focusing on tracking data in house colours (rather than form groups). Each fortnight, students can earn/lose points based on the 4 pillars (Work Ethic, Excellence, Relationships and Engagement). Students can also participate in extracurricular activities and the “House Games”, which will allow them to earn points for their team.

Students can earn points based on the following:

KPA’s +1 

Postcards +10

Attendance Average

LBU Average x 10

Attendance at Easy Learning Club +3

Attendance at Interschool Sports +3

Alternatively, students can see points taken away based on the following:

Late to class – 1

Amber behaviour entry -1

Red behavior entry -3

Suspension -100

House Championship Leaderboard Term 1 Weeks 1-3

Siddle – 745 points

Freeman – 717 points

Forsyth – 714 points

Thorpe – 674 points

Attendance

This year, our aim is to improve student attendance rates to an above 95% average. If your student is absent, please contact Kurnai’s absence hotline at (03) 5165 0600, option 1, or contact Ross Johnson directly via Compass. 

Year 7 Camp 

The 2026 Year 7 Camp planning is underway. We are excited to announce that our Year 7 students will be attending camp at Camp Coolamatong from Tuesday 9th June to Thursday 12th June. 

This camp is an important part of the Year 7 program and provides students with an opportunity to build friendships, develop independence, and take part in a range of fun and challenging outdoor activities.

Camp Coolamatong is located in a beautiful bush setting and offers a safe, supportive environment where students participate in structured activities that encourage teamwork, resilience, and personal growth.

Throughout the camp, students will participate in a variety of outdoor and group-based experiences, which may include activities such as abseiling, bush cooking, initiative games, archery, and other adventure challenges. All activities are supervised by trained camp and school staff, with student safety as our highest priority.

Year 7 Camp is always a highlight, giving students the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, build confidence, and create lasting memories with their peers and teachers.

Further information regarding permission forms, packing lists, medical requirements, and final payment details will be provided shortly. We encourage families to begin preparing early to ensure students are ready for an enjoyable and successful camp experience.

NAPLAN

In 2026 Year 7 students  undertake NAPLAN testing in Week 7 & 8  (11th-23rd March). This can be a stressful time for some students so please reach out if your student may need some extra support.Our message to each individual child is DO YOUR BEST ON THE NAPLAN TEST. Over the coming weeks students will learn a range of strategies so they can be fully prepared for each test. 

Contact Details 

If you have any concerns regarding Year 7 students, please don’t hesitate to contact me at (03) 5165 0600 - option 2 or Ross.Johnson@kurnaicollege.vic.edu.au 

Ross Johnson

Year 7 Team Leader