SECONDARY (7-12)

Welcome to the 2025 School Year! 

The year has begun on a very positive note, with the opening of the new Technology wing and the introduction of new school routines. These routines are a part of the implementation of the Magnify initiative and we would like to congratulate all of our secondary school students on their willingness to participate and consistently meet these new expectations. 

Uniform

Students are expected to wear their full academic uniform, unless they have a practical PE class scheduled. While the vast majority of our students are presenting each day in the correct uniform, we do have a few students that we are still working with to ensure they are in uniform. By the end of Week 3 we expect all students to have and wear the correct uniform. If issues with the uniform are not resolved by this time, consequences will apply. 

VET Sport, Recreation and Aquatics will be required to wear PE uniform each Wednesday, Year 10 Sports Coaching students require their PE uniform on Monday and Thursday each week, VCE PE students in Units 1 and 3 are required to wear their PE uniform each Friday. There may be additional days that the PE uniform is required for VCE PE students and these days will be communicated to students via Google Classroom. PE days for Year 7, 8 and 9 will be confirmed via PAM ASAP. 

A reminder that blazers are compulsory for students in Year 10-12. While students are not expected to wear their blazers while the weather is warm, they will require a blazer for school photos on Thursday 27 February. Please ensure you have purchased a blazer before this date. 

Booklist - Years 10-12

Families of students in Years 10-12 are asked to ensure their child has all of the resources identified on the booklist, to ensure they can successfully engage in their studies. The booklist and “how-to-order” guide along with Leader's letter are attached below. Families are also expected to pay the Jacaranda digital library levy via Campion and Edrolo through the payment portal linked to student accounts. Please contact Sarah Baglin on sbaglin@sackialla.catholic.edu.au if you have any queries about resources. Payment of these resources is not optional and families will be billed if they are not paid by the due date.  

Lockers

Please be reminded that all students are required to have a combination lock on their lockers. This is part of the ICT agreement that has been signed by all parents and students. If your student does not have a lock they can purchase a new one - please see Mardie in reception to do so.

Mobile phones & AirPods

A mobile phone policy was sent by the Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst, Ms Kate Fogarty to all families of Catholic Schools in the Diocese.  This policy is based on research and what is deemed to be best for school aged students to enhance their learning opportunities while at school.  All mobile devices and AirPods are to be stored in locked lockers for the duration of the school day.  If a teacher directs students to use a device as part of their learning program this use would be allowed for this lesson and purpose only. 

Year 12 Retreat

Preparation is well underway for this year's Year 12 Retreat. The retreat is set in a beautiful bushland setting in Healesville at Ferngully Lodge. The school was very well looked after last year by our hosts Tess and Jace and the food was amazing. It is wonderful for our young people to have the opportunity to unwind and reflect on their spiritual journey and their lives beyond St Anne’s College.  Stay tuned to hear all about it in the next edition of the College Newsletter. 

VCE Information Night

Following the St Anne's College Welcome Night, families and students studying VCE units in 2025 gathered for our annual VCE Information Night. We thank those families in attendance for your time and investment in your child’s education. We are looking forward to working with you all to assist your children to achieve their best in their VCE studies. Families will receive the presentation via email and are encouraged to reach out if they have any questions. 

Subject Changes - Senior Secondary Students

Students in Year 10-12 who wish to make changes to their elective subjects need to ensure they make an appointment to speak to the Careers staff and complete the subject change form ASAP. The subject change period will close at the end of Week 3, Friday 14 February. Changes to electives can not be made after this date. 

Mitchell Tremellen might have two years left of secondary school, but he’s already looking toward his tertiary education.

He was recently given a “foot in the door” to the University of Melbourne after being awarded a place in the Kwong Lee Dow (KLD) Young Scholars Program. 

Mitchell was selected from a field of over 2000 nominations. When he received the news he had been successful, Mitchell said it took him a few moments for the gravity of it to sink in.

“I was so ecstatic I just didn’t know how to react,” he said.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be a part of this program and I look forward to what the future may hold.”

Mitchell said he has already attended a meet and greet with the other selected students this year which also included a study skills workshop and a meeting with Professor Kwong Lee Dow.

“There is at least one event every school holidays, ranging from scavenger hunts on campus, VCE revision lectures and motivational guest speakers,” he said.

“Being a KLD Young Scholar can have many amazing benefits, namely free revision for VCE units alongside some support with study.”

Mitchell is also able to connect with the other young scholars involved in the program through a discord server so they can support and help each other.

“Being a part of the program also lowers the necessary ATAR required for certain courses as well as giving him a foot in the door to the University of Melbourne.”

With the support of St Anne’s College VCE Coordinator Naomi O’Connor, Mitchell said he decided to apply for the program.

“I am very grateful to both St Anne’s and to Naomi for supporting me in this opportunity,” he said. 

As part of application process Mitchell was required to answer a series of questions about himself and his experiences, why he thought he was suitable for the program, his involvement in extracurricular activities and the wider community, as well as his achievements. 

Mitchell also received endorsement from St Anne’s College as part of the application process.

St Anne’s College Principal Anthony Butts congratulated Mitchell on being selected to participate in the KLD Program. 

“To be selected from such a huge pool of students is a real achievement,” Mr Butts said.

“We are incredibly proud of Mitchell for not only pursuing this amazing opportunity but also for being selected to take part in the program.

“We wish him all the very best as he participates in the program over the next two years.”

You can find out more information about the program here: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/connect-with-us/programs-for-high-achievers/kwong-lee-dow-young-scholars-program  

VCE Outdoor Education students along with Dion and Eliza are having the best time on camp in Queenscliff. The weather looks amazing and the activities even better!

During this camp students will participate in a selection of experiences including a Pool SCUBA and an Ocean SCUBA experience, a marine water quality mapping experience, cultural experiences and a Historical tour of Queenscliff. 

Years 10 Food Studies have started the year by creating fruit platters, learning different ways to cut fruit.