Community News

New Bell Times

We will be moving from a 4 to 5 period day in 2023. Our new bell times can be found below. These new bell times will also apply for our Headstart Program from the 28th November.

Locker Bell	8:45 am - 8:55 am
Period 1	8:55 am - 9:55 am
Change Over	9:55 am - 9:57 am
Period 2	9:57 am - 10:57 am
Recess	10:57 am - 11:19 am
Locker Bell	11:19 am - 11:24 am
Period 3	11:24 am - 12:24 pm
Change Over	12:24 pm - 12:26 pm
Period 4	12:26 pm - 1:26 pm
Lunch	1:26 pm - 2:10 pm
Locker Bell	2:10 pm - 2:15 pm
Period 5	2:15 pm - 3:15 pm

Year 7 Home Group Program 2023 Trial

Next year we will be embarking on a Trial Year 7 Home Group Program. One of the main aims of this Home Group Program is to further develop positive connections for Year 7 students and our school, as well as to assist Year 7 students with their transition from primary to secondary school.

Please note that as a result of this important trial, Year 7 students will be required at school each day for an 8:35am Locker Bell. Year 7 Home Group will then commence at 8:45 am and last for 8 minutes allowing Year 7 students to then access Period 1 with all other students at the College for 8:55 am.

Further details regarding the Year 7 Home Group Trial will be provided in the coming weeks to our incoming Year 7 Students and their families.

Lunch Club

Commencing on Monday 28th November, we will be extending our Breakfast Club each day to include Lunch Club. Sub-schools will also have limited food throughout the day.

Students should continue to bring lunch, snacks and a drink from home each day for the remainder of the year.

Performing Arts Leader in 2023

We are very excited to welcome Genelle Lentini to our College as the Performing Arts Leader in 2023.

Genelle is an experienced Performing Arts Leader, who has built exciting and inclusive Theatre and Music programs for students across Victoria. She is passionate about making the Performing Arts accessible to all students, and loves creating fun, high-quality productions, showcases and events that engage the community.

Some of Genelle's achievements are:

Building a Performing Arts Curriculum that helps students achieve high results in VCE (many of Genelle's students have been recognised in the VCAA Season of Excellence)
Nomination of Teacher Excellence Award for Drama Victoria
Founded her own Theatre Non-Profit organisation
Practicing Producer, Director and Performer in the Melbourne Theatre and Cabaret scene.

Genelle joins the College at the beginning of 2023.

No Interest Loans for School Expenses

With the new school year fast approaching, many parents and carers will struggle to cover the cost of essential school items. This additional stress on families is especially difficult for those already experiencing financial hardship.

Every year, Echo Youth and Family Services help parents and carers on low incomes across Victoria (in particular those on Centrelink) to apply for a NILs loan of up to $2000 with no interest, no fees, no charges, ever, to cover the cost of essential school items such as uniforms, books, laptops, stationery, school camps, and musical instruments (as well as other essentials such as washing machines, fridges, car repairs, medical and dental expenses).

What is a NILs loan?

A NILs loan is a safe, affordable alternative to high-interest payday loans or rent-to-buy leases. It’s not a payday loan or a bank loan but a form of ‘circular community credit'. This means when a borrower makes a repayment to NILs, the funds are then released to someone else in the community. NILs is supported by not-for-profit Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, with funding from the Australian Government in partnership with the NAB.

Parents can find out more information about NILs by contacting:

South East NILs

Mobile: 0427895596

For eligibility criteria, parents can access https://goodshep.org.au/services/nils/

State Schools' Relief Fund

State Schools' Relief is a Victorian not-for-profit organisation that supports the needs of disadvantaged government school students by providing new school uniforms, school shoes and a host of other essential educational resources, including learning devices.

Their service ensures that all students can attend school in warmth and comfort with a greater sense of belonging and improved self-esteem, which in turn assists students to engage in their learning and strengthen their educational outcomes.

If you need financial assistance with your child's education, please contact your child's team leader in the first instance to discuss your situation.

Please visit this link for more information.

Holiday Camps

Positive Start Camps have been extended from 2022 to the end of Term 2 2023.

Positive Start Camps is a government funded program that provides free school camps to eligible Victorian school students in Years 3 - 12. Positive Start aims to re-engage primary and secondary students and to boost their physical and emotional health and well-being in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

This is the link to access to register your expression of interest. Once this is done, the Positive Start Team will send you an email with a unique booking code and information on how to book a holiday camp.

Pakenham Eels Rugby League Club

Pakenham Eels Rugby League Club is growing from strength to strength and their future is bright under the lights of their new multi million dollar purpose built facilities featuring four rugby league fields, with eight change rooms at Comely Banks Recreation Reserve in Officer.

Since the first kick off, Pakenham Eels Rugby League Club has been based on the aspects of both player development and player participation for male and female participants, with a strong emphasis on creating a safe and healthy sporting environment with respect and fair play the primary goals.

It is the objective of the club to have a strong community support base within the Cardinia Shire, where players in their junior years develop not only the skills in the game of Rugby League, but to also build life-long friendships through a rewarding team sport.

They have an open invitation for boys and girls to come and try Rugby League - Pre-season Training - Years 13+, every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30pm from now until 15th December (reactivates 10th January 2023) at Comely Banks Recreation Reserve, Officer.

Asthma Management

1 in 9 people in Australia have asthma. That is around 2.7 million people (11% of the population).
It is very important that we have up to date Asthma Management Plans for all of the students who have asthma at our school.
If your children have asthma and have not returned their Asthma Action Plan, please complete the form available here (in colour) and return it to the school office as soon as possible.

How do you recognise asthma?

People with asthma can have a range of symptoms:

Breathlessness
Wheezing
Tight chest
Persistent cough
Symptoms often occur at night, early in the morning or during/after activity

A person's asthma symptoms can vary over time - sometimes they will have no symptoms, especially when asthma is well-controlled. Symptoms often vary from person to person.

If you would like to find out more about asthma please click here.

Pakenham Level Crossing Removal Project

The Pakenham Level Crossing project is well underway. As part of the works the pedestrian crossings will be closed intermittently at McGregor Road over the next few months. Please note that only one crossing will be closed at a time and detour pedestrians to the side that is open.

Detour signs have been placed, as well as “caution pedestrians crossing” signs, in the area.

Below you will find the latest construction update and the detour map routes for your information.

Detour Maps