Principal's Message
Mrs Josie Crisara
As educators, we know that so much of what we find in classroom behaviour has already been well established by parental influence and the behaviour of broader role models. Teaching people about respectful relationships is important – and talk that bullies, vilifies, or hurts should be challenged. Our Life Skills program through Prep – Year 12 has an age-appropriate focus on being respectful in all that you do.
This week we held an AHISA (VIC) Branch meeting attended by Victorian Independent School Principals. It was an opportunity to showcase our College and its wonderful students. Thank you to those students who assisted with tours.
Year 7 2025 Interviews were held this week. This is the beginning of the process for enrolment offers but is a great way to speak to prospective and current families about why Aitken College is their school of choice.
ACE program – Aitken College Extension Programs
We continue to provide extension activities for highly able students. In the last few weeks we have students receive outstanding results in the Accelium Olympics and the Illuminate Challenge. We were awarded first place in both the National and International Accelium Olympics. This competition involves students using their thinking through meaningful game experiences. What a great achievement by our students!
The Illuminate Challenge student teams each won an award at this Hume City Council event. This competition required students to use their entrepreneurship, marketing, financial and public speaking skills to solve the issue of community connectedness.
Students can enter subject-based competitions or team-based events such as the Tournament of Minds. Some of the cocurricular events also provide students an opportunity for extension such as being part of ensembles, sports, performances, languages, writing workshops, creative arts, etc.
Scholarships
The following scholarship opportunities are available for current students and application forms can be accessed on-line through the student bulletins.
Current Year 11 students can apply for the Board Foundation Scholarship and the Parents and Friends Arts Scholarship. The Board Foundation Scholarship covers the Tuition fees for a student in Year 12. The Parents and Friends Arts Scholarship provides students with the opportunity to complete a masterclass in a chosen area.
Current Year 7 and 8 students can apply for the Rachael Woodhams Music Scholarship. This scholarship is donated by the Woodhams family and provides the opportunity for students to undertake either a music or music composition masterclass.
5 STAR Certification as a ResourceSmart Sustainable School
ResourceSmart Schools is a program offered by Sustainability Victoria that supports Victorian schools to embed sustainability across the school facilities, community and curriculum. Stars are obtained through the completion of modules and meeting benchmarks for resource use and are valid for four years.
Achieving 5 Stars is possibly only when schools embed sustainability in everything they do. Schools minimise waste, save energy and water, promote biodiversity and take action on climate change to benefit their school and community. Leadership is demonstrated in their school and community through mentoring, sharing stories, attending conferences, hosting teacher network meetings and engaging with other environmental groups.
We are one of just three schools in Victoria that have the 5-star certification having demonstrated significant leadership in each of the five ResourceSmart Schools modules of Core, Biodiversity, Energy, Water and Waste as well as actively helping other schools start their own sustainability journey. Congratulations to the students and staff who were led by Mr Dwayne Ganci in achieving the 5 STAR status.
Principal's Lecture Series
