Celebration Assembly: Honouring Our Students

On Monday 6 October, Nossal High School hosted its annual Celebration Assembly, alongside the Passing of the Colours ceremony —a cherished tradition that recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements of our student body. The Passing of the Colours symbolises the transfer of responsibility from our current School Captains to the incoming leaders. The Colours include the school flag and the House colours: green/white (Pegasus), red/black (Phoenix), navy/silver (Garuda), and orange/yellow (Griffin).

The prestigious position of School Captain, the highest honor for student leadership at Nossal, is awarded following a rigorous selection process involving applications, interviews, and voting by both students and staff. During the ceremony, our current School Captains—Sejal Chadha, Wilbur Machado, Kylinda Zhang, and Anhad Arora—expressed their gratitude to the Nossal community for its support and officially handed over leadership to the incoming.

2026 School Captains, Melniki (Tashi) Mallawa and Darshawin Tan, along with Vice-School Captains Iliana Alam and Daelan De Zilwa.

The House Captains have also been nominated and elected after presenting speeches to their houses.

The House Captains for 2026:

Phoenix House

Year 12 House Captains

Christine Lam
Yousuf Batcha

Year 11 House Vice Captains:

Natalie Ma
Arjun Parikh

Year 10 House Vice Captains:

Hashini Bagathsingh
Justin Huang

Pegasus House

Year 12 House Captains

Hilary Green
Varun Shriram

Year 11 House Vice Captains:

Methuki Bogahapitya
Sam Milton

Year 10 House Vice Captains:

Naduni Abeysekera
Karish Jegan

Griffin House

Year 12 House Captains

Sara Qaium
Aadarsh Rajesh Anand

Year 11 House Vice Captains:

Shua Hwang
Trevin Tirikawala

Year 10 House Vice Captains:

Sasha Amunuwala
Ridith Banerjee

Garuda House

Year 12 House Captains

Hyobin (Irene) Yang
Arrhav Singal

Year 11 House Vice Captains:

Nia Sanal
Hunter Tran

Year 10 House Vice Captains:

Elsie Kratky
Darrell Bissessur

Celebrating World Teachers’ Day

This Friday 31 October, we will celebrate World Teachers’ Day—a special occasion to recognise the profound influence of teachers in shaping our students' lives and strengthening the fabric of our community. While World Teachers’ Day is celebrated internationally on the first Friday in October, Australia observes it on the last Friday of the month to align with the school term.

This day is marked in over 100 countries and serves as a reminder of the vital role teachers play in an increasingly complex, diverse, and ever-changing world. At Nossal High School, we take immense pride in the extraordinary professionalism, skill, and care demonstrated by our teachers every day. Their commitment to high-quality teaching and deep belief in every student’s potential lie at the heart of our success.

Our teachers not only challenge and inspire their students to achieve excellence but also embody the compassion, creativity, and integrity that define our shared values. They shape not only learning but lives—nurturing discomfort, discovery, and determination. On behalf of our entire school community, we extend our deepest gratitude to our teachers and superb Education Support staff. Their unwavering dedication and collaboration continue to define Nossal High School at its very best.

As A.J. Julian wisely stated, “Our job is not to prepare students for something. Our job is to help students prepare themselves for anything.”

SRC Elections

We are excited to announce that the SRC (Student Representative Council) elections have taken place! The process was designed to empower students and encourage active participation in school governance. Students in SRC have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills by working with the School and House Captains.

The elections start with an open nomination period, during which students are invited to nominate themselves for various positions within the SRC. This encouraged students to consider their leadership potential and express their interest in representing their peers. Each candidate submitted a nomination form outlining their leadership experience, motivations, and what they hoped to achieve if elected.

Once the nominations were finalised, a committee comprising the 2026 School Captains read the applications and shortlisted the candidates. Candidates delivered speeches to their year levels, outlining their visions, goals, and the changes they wish to implement at Nossal High School. This was a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their public speaking skills and articulate ideas for enhancing the school environment.

The students elected to these positions will be announced in the week ahead. We are eager to see the new SRC members step into their roles and contribute to our school community. Their leadership will play a vital role in bridging the gap between students and staff, voicing student concerns, and implementing initiatives that promote a positive school culture. A half-day will be allocated to Handover, which will be run by the 2025 School Captains.

Select Entry Network Year 10 Competition - A Day of Collaboration and Camaraderie

On Thursday 23 October, we held the inaugural Year 10 Select Entry Network Competition, a thrilling event that brought together various schools to compete under their House colours.

Students travelled to the four SENs sites accompanied by their teachers. The day at Nossal High School began with an assembly where participants were welcomed and encouraged to embrace the spirit of friendly competition.

Students engaged in a range of activities designed to test their skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Events included academic challenges, team-building exercises, and physical competitions, all aimed at fostering collaboration and camaraderie among the participants. Although at first the students stayed with their own schools but soon started to work more collaboratively with the other schools. The friendly rivalry strengthened connections among students from different schools, allowing them to share experiences, ideas, and strategies. This sense of community was a defining feature of the event, as students realised that, while they were competing for points, they were also forming friendships and networks that extended beyond their individual schools.

In the end, we are pleased to announce that Blue House emerged victorious, showcasing exceptional teamwork and skill. Red House came in a close second, followed by Yellow House in third, and Green House in fourth. While winning is always exciting, the true highlight of the day was the opportunity for students from different schools to connect and work together. Many participants expressed how much they enjoyed meeting new friends and collaborating on challenges, emphasising that the experience was as much about personal growth and connection as it was about competition.

Gifted Outreach

Nossal High School this week hosted an inspiring Gifted Outreach Program that welcomed thirty-one (31) Grade Six students from eight primary schools in the local area, some came from as far as Monbulk Primary school.

This initiative grouped these young, talented students with Year 10 mentors, fostering a collaborative environment where they used the ‘design thinking process’ to develop their projects. Together, they explored pressing social issues such as raising awareness of endangered species, youth crime, the impact of social media, ocean pollution, homelessness and poverty, and the significance of land awareness.

Each group was tasked with developing innovative solutions to these challenges, culminating in an eight-minute presentation delivered to their parents, teachers, and peers. This experience not only enhanced the students' research and presentation skills but also encouraged them to think critically about real-world problems and the importance of social responsibility. We are very grateful to Ms Green and Mr Leong for their work.

Self-care during Exams

As we approach the start of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) external examinations, students must prioritise self-care to enhance their performance and overall wellbeing. The written exams for English and English as an Additional Language (EAL) began on Tuesday 28 October, marking the start of a significant period for our students.

In recent weeks, students undertaking Unit 3 and 4 subjects have been actively collaborating with their teachers and peers, engaging in meaningful discussions and focused study sessions. To build upon this momentum, we encourage students to adopt self-care practices that will support their mental and physical health during this demanding time.

One of the most important aspects of self-care during exams is maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Students should aim for 8-10 hours of sleep each night to ensure they are well-rested and able to concentrate effectively during their exams. Quality sleep not only improves cognitive function and memory retention but also helps to reduce stress and anxiety levels. We recommend that students establish a calming bedtime routine, which may include activities such as reading, meditation, or gentle stretching to signal to their bodies that it’s time to wind down.

Proper nutrition plays a significant role in supporting academic performance. Students should aim to consume balanced meals rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins to fuel their bodies and minds. Staying hydrated is equally important; students should drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain optimal cognitive function and energy levels. Avoiding excessive caffeine and sugary snacks will help prevent energy crashes and mood swings.

In addition to physical self-care, students should also focus on mental wellbeing. Incorporating stress management techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, or yoga, can help alleviate anxiety and improve concentration. Taking time each day for self-reflection or journaling can also provide students with an outlet to express their thoughts and feelings, further enhancing their emotional resilience.

Students should check Teams regularly, as Ms Ball, Director of Senior School and Pathways, will post messages about exam organisation. Finally, students need to remember that they are not alone during this time. If they are feeling overwhelmed, we encourage them to reach out to teachers, mentors, counsellors, or trusted peers for support. Open communication about their experiences can help alleviate stress and foster a sense of community.

By prioritising self-care and implementing these strategies, students can approach the exams with confidence and clarity, ensuring they are prepared to perform at their best.

Reminders and Upcoming events

You will find lots of useful information in the coming pages of our newsletter, including:

a reminder about the importance of our Parent Contributions to maintaining the vibrant learning community which we are so proud of at Nossal,
different opportunities for parents to be a part of activities at the school through their involvement in either our 2025 Duke of Edinburgh activities, or by being part of our team of volunteer Exam Supervisors
Nossal High School PFA uniform shop will be open on Monday 10 November, at 8:30AM. This change is to accommodate the Digital Delivery Day and updates on seasonal and local issues, such as the start of the Thunderstorm Asthma season.

There are also some major events coming up this term, including:

VCE Written exams commence on Tuesday 28 October. We remind parents and students that doors to Building B will be locked to keep the noise and distractions to a minimum. If the VCAA signs are on the door, please do not attempt to use the doors.

Kindness Week