Wellbeing 

Dear Parents / Guardians,

Welcome back to Term 3. 

As we come to the end of Week 2, I am pleased to say that the students have settled back into school life and have commenced the second half of the year well.  Over the break, hopefully they were able to reflect on their achievements in Semester One and now have clear goals and an understanding of what is required in Semester Two. 

Cyber Safety – Year 7 & 8

As part of our Year 7 and Year 8 Health Education programs, a presentation from The Cyber Safety Project was organised for all students.   The Year 7 session provided the opportunity for students to prioritise online safety by learning about personal information protection, recognising cybercriminal tactics, understanding risks in online friendships and sharing intimate content, and knowing how to take control and report incidents of abuse and cyberbullying. 

The Year 8 session provided the opportunity for students to focus on understanding how personal data can be exposed, learning steps to protect their privacy, including avoiding oversharing online.  Students further explored third-party use of personal data, risks of location sharing, sextortion, Image Based Abuse (IBA) and relevant Digital Citizenship laws.  The sessions were led by a specialist educator who delivered engaging, high quality and age-appropriate content. 

Thank you to Health & PE Leader, Ms. Tanya Vajda for organising these sessions which all contribute to the ongoing holistic development of our students.

Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences (SPT Conferences)

Just a reminder that as per the College Calendar, the first SPT Conference day for Semester Two will be on Thursday, 28 August.  On this day, classes will conclude at 1.35pm with the Conferences being held from 4.00pm – 8.30pm. 

The second of the SPT Conference sessions will take place on Monday, 1 September.  This day is a ‘Student Free Day’ with Conferences taking place from 8:30am – 4:00pm.  All conferences will be online. 

The booking portal for parents will opened at 9.00am on Monday, 18 August and will remain open until 9.00am on Tuesday, 26 August.  Further information will be posted on Compass next week.  Parents are encouraged to book a time to have a conversation with their daughter’s teachers and students are highly encouraged to be part of the conversations too.

Further to this, please note that Friday, 29 August is a Student Free Day.  It is a ‘Time in Lieu’ day for teaching staff for the SPT Conferences.

Parent’s Association – Fathers’ Day Breakfast

Members of the Parents’ Association are in the process of organising the annual Fathers’ Day Breakfast.  It is a wonderful morning where fathers and daughters can come together in a relaxed environment to have a cup of tea or coffee with a muffin or croissant, and just spend an hour or so relaxing and mingling with other parents. 

The breakfast is scheduled to take place on Friday, 5 September from 7.00am – 8.30am in the Dillon Centre.   All families will receive an official invitation and details of how to book will be sent out next week.  

We had a huge response to this event last year and are anticipating a similar turnout this year.  Capacity will be capped at 200 attendees.

Mercy Day BBQ Helpers 

All staff and students are very excited about celebrating Mercy Day this term and they have all been very busy filming skits and learning dance moves for the concert in the afternoon.  More information will be published about the day later in the term, however, for the moment I am asking for parent volunteers to come to the College and assist with the cooking of the BBQ on the day.  Volunteers need to be available from approximately 8.30am – 2.00pm on Friday, 12 September.  Jobs on the day will include setting up BBQs, cooking hamburgers, sausages, chicken strips, etc, keeping the food warm, assisting with serving and then assisting with cleaning up at the end.  No implements or experience required, just acurrent Working with Children Check (WWCC). 

If you are able to lend a hand, can you please email me directly at  Sam.DiCamillo@academy.vic.edu.au and in the email provide me with a copy of your WWCC certificate.  We are in need of at least 20 helpers. 

Thanking you in anticipation.

Tuning in to Teens parent program 

The City of Yarra and other councils are pleased to offer the Tuning in to Teens program for parents/carers during Term 3.  This six session program is a great opportunity to better understand and help your child as they (prepare to) navigate high school and adolescence.  The program helps you reflect on how you can strengthen your relationship with your child and build their emotional intelligence.   See below for further information from our Student Counsellor, Ms Giovina Costantini regarding sessions and registering your interest.

As always, please remember never hesitate to be in touch should you have any queries or concerns.

Mr Sam Di Camillo

Deputy Principal - Wellbeing & Operations

Tuning into Teens 

Emotionally Intelligent Parenting 

A free six-session interactive online parenting group for parents and carers of tweens and teens 

Please note: To be eligible to participate in this group you must reside in Banyule, Nillumbik, Darebin, 

Yarra or Whittlesea 

Would you like to learn how to: 

• be better at talking with your teen? 
• be better at understanding your teen? 
• help your teen learn to manage their emotions? 
• help to prevent behaviour problems in your teen? 
• teach your teen to deal with conflict? 

 Tuning into Teens shows you how to help your teen develop emotional intelligence. Adolescents with higher emotional intelligence: 

• are more resilient - this means change and stress are easier to deal with; 
• are more aware, assertive and strong in situations of peer pressure; 
• have greater success with making friends and are more able to manage conflict with peers; 
• are more able to cope when upset or angry; 
• have fewer mental health and substance abuse difficulties; 
• have more stable and satisfying relationships as adults; 
• have greater career success - Emotional intelligence may be a better predictor of academic and career success than IQ! 

 Where:    Online via video call (Zoom) 

 When:      Wednesdays 11.00am – 1.00pm, 13 Aug – 17 Sep 2025 (6 consecutive weeks)

Contact:  To express interest, email Candice and Emma from Integrated Family Services via fsparentinggroups@berrystreet.org.au or call our Preston office on 9450 4700 

Tuning in to Teens: Tuesday evenings, at Richmond High School

Where:      Richmond High School

When:       Tuesday evenings 5.00pm -7.00pm, commences 12 Aug 2025 (for 6 weeks)

Register:   visit tint-rhs.eventbrite.com.au/ 

Tuning in to Teens: Thursday mornings, at Headspace, Collingwood

Where:      Headspace, Collingwood 

When:       Thursday mornings9.45am-11.45amCommences 14 Aug (for 6 weeks)

Register: visit tint-ssps.eventbrite.com.au 

Ms Giovina Costantini

Student Counsellor