Around The College
Year 11 Applied Computing- Innovative Solutions: Chatbots with AI
This term, our Year 11 students have taken on the challenge of creating innovative chatbot solutions as part of their Innovative Solutions Project. Working in groups, they explored how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can be applied to meet the needs of a rapidly changing 21st-century world.
Students began by investigating real-world applications of AI and examined how generative AI is transforming industries and everyday life. They then applied this knowledge to their own projects, using generative AI tools to design conversation maps and scripts, which were refined and customised to suit the specific purpose of their chatbot.
To build their solutions, students used AIML (Artificial Intelligence Markup Language), gaining valuable experience in both coding and problem-solving. The project required them to combine technical expertise, creativity, and collaboration, while also thinking critically about how AI can provide innovative solutions to real needs.
An important part of this project was building students’ AI literacy. They learned not only how to code and design chatbots, but also how to critically understand and question the role of AI in society. By exploring concepts such as transparency, ethics, and fairness in AI systems, students developed the ability to see themselves as both responsible users and creative developers of technology.
The finished chatbot solutions are a fantastic reflection of our students’ hard work and innovation. The chatbot solutions included Maths tutor bot, Tax bot, Cinema bot, Nutritionist Bot, UberEATS and Bunnings bot. They not only demonstrate growing skills in digital technologies and computational thinking but also show how learning can connect directly with the exciting opportunities and challenges of the modern world.
Brentwood Robotics Club Update – Term 3
This term, the Brentwood Robotics Club has been buzzing with creativity, teamwork, and innovation. Students from across year levels have come together to design, build, and program robots, building strong foundations in both coding and engineering.
Students have tackled a range of challenges that required them to think critically, solve problems collaboratively, and test their designs in real-world scenarios. A highlight of the term was the start of an exciting project: building cars using the VEX IQ robotics platform.
But the club is not just about building robots,it’s about learning to work as a team, share ideas, and support one another. These experiences are helping students develop essential future-focused skills, including logical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
Looking ahead, students will continue developing their knowledge and skills as they prepare to take part in the VEX Robotics Competition in the coming terms. We are excited to see how their skills and teamwork will continue to grow as they take on new challenges next term.
SPARK Week & World’s Greatest Shave – A Celebration of Community
In Week 7 (1st September to 5th September), Brentwood came alive with the energy, colour, and spirit of SPARK Week.
Designed and led by our College Captains and the Student Leadership Team, SPARK Week brought students and staff together through a wide range of activities that highlighted creativity, connection, and community.
Each day, the school was buzzing with lunchtime activities, with craft stalls and games, hosted in the Western Courtyard. The Sustainability Team ran aClothes Swap throughout the week to engage with sustainable fashion, while David’s Elephant Stall sold delicious elephant-shaped gingerbread and chocolate cookies, raising funds to support elephant conservation.
The week culminated in Casual Dress Day, which featured the high-energy Music Madness performances and the inspiring World’s Greatest Shave. Casual Dress Day raised important funds to support Brentwood’s music program, while the Shave event was the true heart of the week.
In front of a huge crowd in the Western Courtyard, a group of our bravest students shaved their heads in solidarity with those facing blood cancer.
A huge congratulations to:
- Hazem Ali, Bailey Amerasekera, Louis Ha, Patrick Huang, Cameron McGregor, Anthony Nguyen, Angus Osborne, Edric Yong, and Nathan Zheng.
A very special acknowledgment goes to our College Captains -Andy, Audri, Michiko, and Patrick - who led the fundraising efforts for the World’s Greatest Shave with incredible passion and commitment. Together, they raised an incredible $4833 towards the Leukaemia Foundation.
A huge thank you must go to our College Captains for their outstanding coordination and organisation throughout the week, and to the entire Student Leadership Team for their planning, running, and enthusiastic engagement with the daily activities and stalls. Their hard work brought SPARK Week to life and made it such a memorable success.
We are so proud of all students who contributed to making SPARK Week a success. Whether through organising, performing, fundraising, or simply showing up to support, you have shown what it means to build school spirit and strengthen our community.
Thank you to everyone involved – you truly helped to ignite a spark at Brentwood!
Book Week 2025 - "Book an Adventure"
Recently, the BSC Library was buzzing with energy as students and staff came together to celebrate Book Week 2025—a much-anticipated annual tradition dedicated to the joy of reading, storytelling, and creativity.
A week of activities were inspired by this year's theme "Book an Adventure”.
These activities included a Creative Writing Competition, an Amazing Race/Scavenger Hunt around the school, postcard writing and badge making activities, a hotly contested Spelling Bee between staff and students and the annual Dress- Up Party. The costumes and prizes for "Best Dressed" made it a day to remember.
Every year,Book Week is more than just a celebration—it was a reminder of the power of stories to connect us, inspire us, and help us see the world through new eyes. A huge thank you to the English Department, library staff, library monitors, and everyone who took part in making the week a success.
Happy reading!
AGTV State Poetry Competition
The AGTV German Poetry State Finals Competition was held on the 23rd of August at the Austrian Club. Three students from our school, Arnav Koushik from year 7, Duaa Shehzad from year 8, and Gurnoor Bhatia from year 8 represented Brentwood by reciting their chosen poems against many other students from various schools across the state.
At the Austrian Club, everyone, including the judges, organizers, workers and other participants were incredibly welcoming and encouraging. The venue was also thoughtfully decorated, with many Austrian flags and banners that added to the festive atmosphere, and the celebration of languages and cultures.
Overall, the competition was an exceptional experience and a great event for everyone involved, especially those aspiring to continue to learn German in future years.
Congratulations to Arnav, Duaa and Gurnoor.
We are all proud of your efforts!
Brentwood Buzz Term 2 edition 2025
Dear Brentwood Community,
The Newspaper Club is excited to share the Term 2 edition of Brentwood Buzz, our student-led newspaper. We hope you enjoy the latest edition for 2025.
https://brentwood.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/5th-Edition-of-Buzz-T2-2026.pdf
Brentwood Buzz at Melbourne Writers Festival
🌟 Wellbeing Update – Let’s Get Involved & Stay Connected! 🌟
Dear Students,
Wellbeing continuously brings along new activities, lunchtimes clubs and campaigns to support your wellbeing, meet new people, and have a bit of fun along the way. Check out what’s happening at school:
🥪 Breakfast Club – Every Wednesday, 8:00–8:30 AM
Start your day right! Come along to the Breakfast Club in front of G3 and it opens to all students. Free food, friendly faces, and a positive start to your day! Please let our team know if you have any dietary restrictions.
🎨 Lunchtime Clubs – Get Involved!
Lunchtimes just got a whole lot more exciting! Join a club that suits your interests:
- 🌈 Rainbow Collective and Allies – A safe, respectful, and supportive space for LGBTQIA+ students and allies every Wednesday during lunchtimes in K13.
- 💻 DigiTech Club – Explore digital skills, gaming, and creative tech every Thursday during lunchtime in G10.
- 👭 Sista Society – Empowering young women through connection and conversation every Thursday during lunchtime in TLC4.
- 🎨 Art Club – Unleash your creativity in a relaxed space every Wednesday during lunchtime in A4.
- 📚 Anime & Manga Club – Chat, draw, and connect over your favourite anime and manga every Friday during lunchtime in TLC4.
These clubs are a great way to de-stress, try something new, and connect with others who share your interests.
Remember, wellbeing isn't just about mental health – it's about feeling connected, supported, and balanced. There’s something for everyone, so step in, show up, and take care of you.
See you there!
Wellbeing Team
Camps at Brentwood
Camps play a vital role in your child’s social and emotional development. At Brentwood, we highly value these experiences and offer a wide range of camps and events across multiple year levels, including:
- Year 7 – Phillip Island
- Year 8 – Creswick
- Year 9 – Tasmania & City Experience
- Year 11 – Central Australia Tour
- Performing Arts Camps
- Music Camps
- Language Camps and Tours
- Various Overseas Camps and Experiences
- Leadership Camps
- Duke of Edinburgh Camps
Planning and Organisation
Our dedicated teaching staff invest significant time and effort into planning camps, with some taking over a year to organise. To ensure these experiences are accessible and affordable, we need to confirm student numbers early in the process.
Many camps begin with an Expression of Interest (EOI) event on Compass. It is important for parents and carers to register their child’s interest in the camp at this stage, as this provides us with an estimate of attendance and costs.
For some camps there are limited places available. If the number of interested students exceeds capacity, attendees are selected through a random ballot. Students not selected are placed on a waiting list and may be offered a spot if others withdraw.
Consent and payments for camps must be made before the due date specified on the event. The school cannot accept any late payments or consent for camps. If your child wishes to withdraw from the camp at any stage, the school must be notified as soon as possible.
Students withdrawing from camps and excursions are not automatically entitled to a refund. Where NO COST is incurred by the school, a full refund will be payable to the student when:
- The student's place is filled by another student
- The Principal deems the student’s withdrawal was unavoidable eg. Illness. Proof of reason for withdrawal may be requested in such circumstances.
Where some cost has been incurred by the school, a partial refund will be payable to the student withdrawing when:
- The Principal deems the student’s withdrawal was unavoidable. In such cases the refund will be the full amount paid by the student, less expenses incurred by the school as a result of the withdrawal.
Where FULL COST has been incurred by the school no refund will be payable to the student withdrawing when the Principal deems the withdrawal was avoidable. Refer College Refund Policy.
If you have any questions about camps, please contact the school or the camp organiser.
Thank you for your support, we are extremely lucky to be able to offer so many camps at Brentwood.
BrentCast Episode 8
Our latest episode is now live.
Please use the link below.
In this episode, we hear from our wonderful Library Monitors and Librarians as they outline the Brentwood Library Monitor Program and how this helps promote reading, friendships and helping our students grow as learners and people in our Brentwood Community.
Student Lunches can now be ordered online via the Qkr app
Canteen Menu
Electronic device use at Brentwood Canteen
We would like to thank you for your continued support with the Personal Mobile Devices Policy. We have noticed students trying to utilise their phones as a payment method at the canteen and ask that families look to make other arrangements.
Mobile phones are not to be used at the canteen as they are not allowed to be in use between the school hours of 8.45am and 3.05pm.
Students can make payment via an EFTPOS card or cash.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Robyn Geshev
Business Manager