Principal's Report

Student Achievement

Nillumbik / Banyule District Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to all our students who competed in the recent Nillumbik / Banyule District Swimming Carnival. Thirty five students made up the Eltham High School team who between them competed in forty seven individual events and eleven relays. 

Our team achieved some outstanding results as well as breaking some records. This is an outstanding effort and one that needs to be recognised.  We are proud of you.

I thank Bree Pascoe, Sports Co-ordinator for her support of the team and to all staff that have been involved in the Swim Club supporting some of our most fervent competitors, as well as to the staff who attended the event. 

A full report on this event can be found in the Sport Section of this Newsletter.

Staff Achievement

National Indigenous Cricket Championships

The National Indigenous Cricket Championships were contested in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) from 22-27 February. 

The NICC celebrated and showcased cricket’s connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and  inspired Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to play cricket at all levels.

The Championships have also become an important showcase for the best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricketers as they progress through the Australian Cricket pathways and provides opportunities such as selection to attend the MCG training camp. 

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia Chief Executive said:

“CA reaffirms its commitment to the ongoing journey of reconciliation and to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are included and represented in all aspects of cricket.

Initiatives including the WBBL First Nations matches, the National Indigenous Cricket Championships and the MCG training camp are just some of the practical initiatives that will create ways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians to find common ground and connect through cricket.”

One of our teachers, Luke Giblett was selected to represent Victoria in the Championships; here is his summation of the event:

“I was fortunate to represent my adopted state of Victoria in the recent National Indigenous Cricket Championships in Alice Springs. The team reached the semifinals before being knocked out by eventual champions Western Australia. 

The tournament enabled me to grow my skills as a cricketer but also importantly allowed me to connect with other Indigenous cultures and perspectives during my time in Alice. I am extremely proud to represent Victoria and it gave me the opportunity to further develop myself as both a cricketer and an Indigenous Australian.”

The Victorian team with the McDonnell Ranges in the background. Luke (standing, third from left)

Congratulations to Luke and his team for representing Victoria and for the great effort they put in to reach the semifinals. Well done!

Raising Rainbows

After two years of negotiations, the delivery and installation of a new flagpole at the front of the school came to fruition. This is a welcomed addition as it provides us with the opportunity to fly three important flags in addition to our national flag communicating to both our school and wider communities that Eltham High School is a school were individuality, respect for diversity and acceptance is valued and where everyone has a right to be themselves without prejudice or fear.

The following article written by Lauren McNally, (Acting Student Agency and Growth Leader) summarises the event that took place and why such an event is part of the fabric of our school reflecting the school values and who we are as a learning community.

I take this opportunity to thank Matthew Hapsberg who was the person responsible for keeping the conversation with the “Raising Rainbows” initiative alive, to Anna Jenkins who organised the celebration, to Lauren McNally who supported student participation, to all students who participated and the families that came along to take part in the event and offer support. A big thank you to Kate Scalzo for organising the morning tea that followed.

“On Friday, 23 February, Eltham High School proudly hoisted the Rainbow Flag alongside the Australian Flag, the Aboriginal Flag, and the Torres Strait Islander Flag, marking a significant moment in our school's commitment to inclusivity and diversity. The event, attended by students, staff, parents, and special guest Matt Clark, President of Raising Rainbows, was a poignant celebration of acceptance and unity within our community.

Raising Rainbows, an initiative of the renowned ChillOut Festival, is dedicated to providing flagpoles and Rainbow Flags to regional schools, community groups, and non-government organisations. Eltham High School is the latest beneficiary of this initiative, with Raising Rainbows generously funding the installation of a new flagpole and gifting our school with the iconic Rainbow Flag.

The ceremony, held at the front entrance of our school, featured speeches from various individuals, including Principal Vincent Sicari, Lucy Bandeira representing Vicki Ward MP, Matt Clark, President of Raising Rainbows, and our Individuality Leaders Jacob Fischer (Year 11, Toner House) and Charmaine Lau (Year 11, Everard House). Each speaker emphasised the importance of the Rainbow Flag as a symbol of pride, inclusion, and safety for all members of the LGBTQIA+ communities. The flag was officially raised for the first time by Emma Bayly (Year 11, Toner House)  and Jasper Geddes (Year 9, Skipper House) with help from Respect for Diversity Leaders Holly Swift (Year 12, Everard House) and Nasar Rana (Year 12, Pakana House). This poignant moment was accompanied by a spectacular musical performance by Celia Vivado (Year 12, Toner House) and Lanaya Dundles (Year 12, Everard House).

Since its inception in 1978, the Rainbow Flag has emerged as a universal emblem of diversity and acceptance, adorning countless pride events worldwide and gracing the facades of iconic landmarks. It serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to create safe and welcoming spaces for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

At Eltham High School, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and supported. In displaying the Rainbow Flag at our school entrance, we proudly declare our dedication to inclusivity and affirm our stance against discrimination and prejudice.”

Contributing to the Community

Our school value of ‘Social and Environmental Responsibility' was clear in the behaviour and hard work of a group of staff who participated in the 2024 Oxfam Trailwalk. For more than a decade our school has demonstrated this value by supporting an EHS team in this event. 

Last weekend a team of three staff members (Ross McKinnon, Kathryn Boysen, Natalie Tate) participated in the 25th (and last ever to be held in Australia) Trailwalk. Throughout the walk the team was supported by Rhonda Bonfante and Tracey Parker. 

Over the last 25 years the Trailwalk event has raised over 100 million dollars to support the work of Oxfam both nationally and internationally. This year’s event raised over $2.4 million, and the Eltham High School team contributed $3,200  to this impressive tally. 

If ever there was an example of ‘walking the talk’ this would have to be it. Over the last decade many EHS staff members have participated in this event, some walking the 100km trail, others supporting the walkers through the long days and seemingly endless nights. I take this opportunity to thank Ross McKinnon who has been the school’s organiser of the event and alongside him I would like to thank all other staff members who have represented our school and shared in the adventure. The school is proud of having been able to support our various teams and such a worthy cause. 

Annual Privacy Reminder

Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the DET Schools’ Privacy Policy.

Please take time to remind yourself of our school’s collection notice, available in the “Policies” section of the school Website www.elthamhs.vic.edu.au 

Student Accident Insurance

Parents/guardians are reminded that the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development does not provide personal accident insurance for students. Likewise the school does not have a whole-school policy for personal accident insurance for students. Parents and guardians are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including transport costs. Reasonably low cost accident insurance policies are available from some commercial insurers. These cover a range of medical expenses not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. Parents/guardians may wish to purchase such a policy for individual students.

Student Exchange Organisations approved by the VRQA and therefore DET

Whilst it is unlikely that overseas travel will become available in the near future, the following is a 2024 update of the Student Exchange organisations approved by the VRQA to provide student exchange programs in Victoria. The list changes each year so it is important that you check the current list rather than relying on old information. 

Each year we are asked about student exchange programs that provide a reciprocal benefit. It is important that if you wish to engage in reciprocal exchange that you utilise the services of one of the organisations on this list. The school will not be able to enrol overseas exchange students coming through organisations not on this list because they would not be approved by the Department of Education and Training. 

If you need further information, please do not hesitate to call Kate Scalzo on 9430 5111 or e-mail Kate.Scalzo@education.vic.gov.au

VINCENT SICARI, Principal