We are in our fifth week of the year and as always there has been so much happening with our year 7 cohort. The student support team is so proud to see our newest students show so much growth in such a short period of time. It is so great to hear how students are making an effort to participate in all our events and show excellence everyday through their efforts in the classroom.

Some highlights so far have included the Swimming Carnival where the level of participation from year 7 students was fantastic. It was great to see students giving things a try and supporting and encouraging each other to get involved.

We are really happy with how students have been demonstrating the school values both in classes and about the school. We love to hear reports of how students are making sure everyone is included in group activities, or helping each other get organised and ready for each class. Many students have already earned multiple Green Compass Entries and we would like to officially congratulate Alice Atkinson who has earned the most entries so far this year.

In class, students are starting to learn some subject specific skills which they have been looking forward to for a while now. In science classes, students have been working towards earning their Bunsen Burner License (see more on our Teaching & Learning page!). Well done to all students who now have their first scientific qualification.

Student Leadership

We also need to congratulate all the students who applied for student leadership and were so impressive with their presentations. The Home Group teachers have been so impressed and there has been a lot of conversation about how impressive this cohort is. One Student Voice Leader is selected for each class and will be representing student views about the school and our programs. Student leaders will also have a role in promoting our school values around the school and in the community. Congratulations to all our Student Voice Leaders; Sadie D, Daniel M, Annabelle M, Astrid R , Khadijah E, Joanna M, Douglas J, Claire S, Harper M, Savitri J

Upcoming Events & Programs

Our year 10 Peer Support Leaders will begin working in year 7 homegroups. Through this program, students will have the opportunity to make meaningful connections with students who can support their transition into high school. Students will build their resilience by acknowledging their strengths, achievements and identify people who support them and learn how to view challenges as opportunities to learn. We will be running 3 sessions during term one with the program continuing next in term 2 and 3.

Camp is also fast approaching. We want to remind families how important this program is and ask that families organise consent/ payment by the 5th March.

Angela Schneider

Year 7 Acting Sub-School Leader

Student Voice Leader Reflections

A couple of weeks ago, all the Year 7s had their first swimming carnival at Coburg High School. In our house colours we walked to the Coburg Outdoor Swimming Pool. I was in Bell (red house) so me and my friends in the red team all walked together. When we got there we started with the fun novelty events. There were lots of different activities that you could participate in like a basketball shoot-out, noodle races, ball scramble, biggest bomb and some others. It was super fun whether you were participating or cheering on your fellow teammates.

After all the novelty events, there were some competitive events. This was super fun as everyone got to compete to earn ribbons for yourself, and most importantly earn points for your house. In between each group of races there was a novelty event to break up all the competitive swimming. All the competitive swimming races were so fun, and it was enjoyable to compete for your house and more importantly get in the water and give it a go. While we were at the swimming carnival there was a group of people selling sausages, soft drinks, veggie burgers and zooper doopers. Everyone loved eating the food, although there was a big line. It was our first swimming carnival, it was fun for all even if you didn't participate. Coming out on top for the 4th year in a row Blue won, all the year 7s that had been placed in Pentridge blue were happy and everyone else was a bit disappointed but still proud of themselves and how their team went in the races.

Sadie D-Student Voice Leader 7A

The swimming carnival was so fun. I think it was a great success for the year sevens in particular. In my opinion year seven had the most people giving the events a try! I think we all enjoyed the novelty events in particular as I kept seeing large swarms of year sevens waiting for the events to start. The bbq was a massive hit. It sold out of sausages so fast, and the queue was extremely long, but it was so worth it because those snags were delicious. I saw quite a number of year sevens helping out at the BBQ too. All the houses fought tirelessly over who would win but Pentridge took the victory once again! Overall I think us year sevens had heaps of fun at our first swimming carnival.

Astrid R-Student Voice Leader 7E

The Swimming Carnival was incredible! It was like nothing we had ever seen before and I believe we all enjoyed it. The sense of friendly competition between the houses was very fun and gave us all an opportunity to interact with one another. I thought we did a great job at supporting our Home Group and House Colour, and it was also a beautiful day for us to catch up with each other. We can’t forget the good food that was offered at the canteen. Throughout the day there was a moment when we all stood up and had a dance together with famous and upbeat songs. As the day concluded we were all ecstatic to have been and felt part of a CHS Community.

I hope you enjoyed reading about our wonderful day,

Khadijah E-Student Voice Leader 7F

I generally like remote learning. When we did it last year, I feel I did some of my best work (especially in art for some reason). We attended one meeting in the morning then there were optional meetings throughout the day. The tasks were posted and we just had to complete them before the day ended (or do as many as we could). High school was quite different. Every session there was a new meeting. A new task. If you hadn’t finished the last one… good luck.

Despite the sudden increase in expected attendance. Remote Learning was really fun! Sometimes last year I would finish work at 10 o’clock in the morning, sometimes 5 o’clock in the afternoon. The three days we spent learning remotely were really structured. My favourite part was going for walks and rides with my friends for our PE tasks, eating yoghurt and muesli everyday for breakfast (which always reminds me of last year and is my favourite breakfast), and lighting candles. They reminded me of last year and prepared me to do work. Overall, remote learning was amazing but I also loved coming back so that I could socialise and spend almost every class with my friends.

Jo M-Student Voice Leader 7G

Student Achievement

Dance

Milzy!