Principal's Report
Referendum on The Indigenous Voice to Parliament
The result of the referendum on The Indigenous Voice to Parliament has left many of our First Nations people heartbroken and has certainly created a level of unease within the local and broader community, leaving many Australians feeling varying levels of distress.
Democracy is a powerful tool and what it has shown us in this instance is that the Commonwealth Government’s approach to change the Constitution, in this way, was not the right way to go.
We all need to demonstrate cultural sensitivity around this topic in the anticipation that we can move on from this with courage, as we to continue to work alongside our Indigenous Peoples with a stronger spirit of reconciliation.
For our students, it is important to understand that irrespective of which side of the vote they or their families sat, as a learning organisation we are a unified community working together to support the achievement of a better future for Indigenous Australians, aimed at closing the gap in educational, health, social and life outcomes.
Within the broader community, I am hopeful that the Victorian Government will respond to this in a way that will identify the next steps in the journey towards reconciliation and keep us united so we can do the work together.
Student Achievement: Jagajaga Resilience Award
On Tuesday 10 October, Kate Thwaites, Member for Jagajaga, attended Eltham High School to present the Jagajaga Resilience Award. This award acknowledges secondary students in Jagajaga who have set an example through their capacity to adapt and respond to new or unexpected circumstances. These students may have overcome personal difficulty or hardship, or they may have supported others at school and in the community to be resilient.
We are thrilled to announce that this year's recipient at Eltham High School is Elliot Lowdin (Year 7, Everard House). Elliot was nominated by his teachers for his innate kindness, warmth, and the extraordinary empathy he demonstrates in his interactions with his peers. Elliot has had a remarkable transition to high school, leading by example and being a dependable and supportive friend. He is an integral and cherished member of his class, admired and respected throughout the school. We congratulate Elliot on this extraordinary achievement.
Kate Thwaites and Elliot Lowdin
Eltham High School Swim Squad Lap-a-thon - Swim Till Ya Grin 2023
I congratulate all members of the EHS Swim Squad, who once again excelled in their community spirit and in living the School Value of Social Responsibility.
The Swim-a-thon is an annual event that every member of the squad looks forward to with excitement and determination to achieve their very best, not just for themselves but for members of our community who may be doing it tough - particularly as we approach the Christmas period.
We are all so proud of them. Here is a short article written by a member of the squad, Mabel Duder (Year 10, Rutter House).
“Every year, the Eltham High School Swim Squad runs a Lap-a-thon in which swimmers complete as many laps of the pool as they can within an hour to raise money to support the Nillumbik Wish Giving Tree.
We use these funds to purchase Christmas presents and, in conjunction with Eltham Lions Club who make up food hampers, we distribute packages to families who would otherwise go without on Christmas day.
This year, the Lap-a-thon was held on Thursday 5th October where 20 swimmers were in the pool at 7am ready to give it their best effort. A total of 50.8km was swum between the 20 swimmers with a total lap count of 2032, making the individual average of 101.6 laps.
The highest number of individual laps were swum by Mikayla Devlin (122) and Connor Hayes (186). Congratulations on a sensational achievement.
All swimmers gave it their all and we are very proud of everyone who participated.
Thank you to all the parents, lap counters, and our friends at the Lions Club for their support. Finally, a big thank you to our amazing coaches, Neroli Nixon and Michael Nicassio, for all of your hard work and dedication as well as Boydo for yet another awesome year running the Swim Squad and organising this incredible event, we appreciate you all heaps.”
Many thanks to Mabel.
Royal Melbourne Show Arts Crafts and Cookery Competition
Each year we have a small number of students who participate in the Royal Melbourne Show Arts Crafts and Cookery Competition with great success.
This year we congratulate Holly Mason (Year 10, Andrew House), who was recognised with a Commended placing for her cake entry. It looks amazing and I am sure that it also tastes delicious. Well done Holly!
Final Days for Year 12 Students
Whilst our Year 12 students have completed the formal part of their education, I want to remind them and their families that the school is still available to them, so please use the opportunity offered to you to continue with your revision and engage with your teachers to ensure that you are the best prepared for the exams as you can be. I ask parents/guardians to also remind your children of this and to encourage them to avail themselves of this support.
The facilities of the school, including the VCE Study Centre, The Resource Centre and the Year 12 Common Room, are all available to Year 12 students who may wish to come into school to study.
Planning for 2024
It is at this time of the year when I put out a request for information from parents. Due to the high demand for places at the school, we have a number of students in Year 8-12 for 2024 waiting for a place in the school. Whilst we are mindful of managing student numbers, we do want to give students and families who want to be part of the Eltham High School Learning Community the opportunity to do so. However, we cannot offer a place until we are know that a vacancy exists.
Can I ask all parents of students currently in Year 7-11 to please communicate with us if you know that your child will definitely not be attending Eltham High School in 2024. This may be because you will be moving address, possibly moving interstate, or perhaps your child will be pursuing an enrolment in TAFE, into an apprenticeship or other pathway.
Please contact the relevant person below to provide this information only if you know that your child will not be attending Eltham High School in 2024.
Junior School (Year 7 only) - Mrs Melissa Hughes – melissa.hughes@education.vic.gov.au
Middle School (Years 8 & 9) - Mr Ross McKinnon – ross.mckinnon@education.vic.gov.au
Senior School (Years 10 & 11) - Ms Amanda Saliba – amanda.saliba@education.vic.gov.au
I thank you for your cooperation.
Day Before Melbourne Cup Day – 6 November
Historically the day before the Melbourne Cup holiday has had very poor student attendance. Consequently, and as a way of causing the least disruption to the educational program of the school, the last few years have seen this day used as time-in-lieu for teachers. As clearly expressed in the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022 and supported by the Department of Education and Training, this compensates teachers for the time they allocate beyond work hours throughout the year to student progress interviews involving students, parents, and staff.
In the past, irrespective of the time-in-lieu arrangement, the school has remained open on the Monday before Melbourne Cup Day as Year 12 exams are generally on during that time, and the school is an examination centre. This will also be the case this year.
However, while this day would seem to be the most appropriate in terms of minimising disruption to the educational program of the school in the provision of time-in-lieu, I am writing to ascertain your intention as to your child’s/children’s attendance on Monday, 6 November for us to plan effectively. The school will be open on this day and based on previous experience, due to the small numbers of students in attendance, it is most likely that an alternative educational program will be in place. Your information will be valuable in ascertaining staffing requirements for this day.
I ask you to confirm with us only if child will be attending on Monday, 6 November 2023 by contacting the appropriate Sub-School Office either by telephone on 9430 5111 or by email through each of the Sub-School Team Leaders by Wednesday, 1 November.
Junior School (Year 7 only) - Mrs Melissa Hughes – melissa.hughes@education.vic.gov.au
Middle School (Years 8 & 9) - Mr Ross McKinnon – ross.mckinnon@education.vic.gov.au
Senior School (Years 10 & 11) - Ms Amanda Saliba – amanda.saliba@education.vic.gov.au
I thank you for your cooperation with this matter.
VINCENT SICARI, Principal