Senior School 

Senior School update

As we move towards the end of a busy Term 1, it's vital to reflect on what has been taking place within the senior school. 

The Year 12s have been embracing what is both a busy yet exciting year. With the first round of SAC's concluding, it has been promising to see students supporting each other; particularly the large groups of students staying back in the senior area to study and to seek extra support from VCE teachers. 

Importantly, the Year 12s also received their school badges during an assembly, attended an Alumni session with to provide tips for success, been enthusiastically wearing their new school jackets, enjoyed hot food in preparation for the English SAC, attended multiple Principal Excellence workshops and will culminate the term with a dressing up in light of the missed swimming carnival. We also strongly advise all Year 12 students to have early engagement from the career's team to begin pathway planning and support for applications. 

The Year 11 cohort have made a smooth transition into their VCE studies. Many students are completing a 3/4 subject and it has been exciting to hear such positive feedback about their engagement at the start of the year. The Year 11's have also recently completed an Elevate study sessions equipping them with skills to manage homework habits. There has also been an abundance of positive feedback from our VCE-VM students in the workforce. 

Meanwhile, Year 10's have been busy preparing for their work experience week in Term 2 and it is pleasing to see so many students already with placements organised. If you don’t have a placement yet please keep trying and remember to use our careers team for help. rt

Term 2 will continue to be busy. The GAT will take place on June 16, Year 10's will have their work experience week during , Athletics Day, mid-year exams will take place for Year 10 and 11's, The VCE Career's Expo, as well as guest speakers and presentations during the assemblies.

Students are expected to return having completed all holiday homework set by classroom teachers. We encourage students to maintain a routine and healthy balance, continue to study with friends, be diligent with organisation in preparation for Term 2, as well as taking time to do things that you enjoy.

Please reach out to the senior school if any additional support is required. 

We hope that all senior students and families have an enjoyable break!

Senior School team

• Chris McKay   christopher.mckay@education.vic.gov.au   – Head of Senior School 
• Allana Edgell   allana.edgell@education.vic.gov.au     – Senior School Administrator
• Mia Poulton   mia.poulton@education.vic.gov.au    – Year 10 Coordinator
• Luke Marinelli luke.marinelli@education.vic.gov.au    – Year 11 Coordinator
• Nikita Natsis  nikita.natsis@education.vic.gov.au    – Year 12Coordinator
• Peter Scott   peter.scott6@education.vic.gov.au   –   Senior School Assistant Coordinator 
• Gavin Yates   gavin.yates@education.vic.gov.au   - Senior School Assistant Coordinator 

Chris McKay

Head of Senior School

Tabloid Takeover

On Monday 30 March, the Year 5 and 6 students from Box Hill North Primary, arrived full of excitement, to an event hosted by the Koonung Year 12 VM class. The focus of the event was about the two schools coming together for an afternoon of connection, movement and fun. 

The event was a part of an integrated project across all subjects, with the preparation taking place predominantly in Ms Brugliera’s PDS class. Each VM student designed a physical activity, that they had to explain and run. Primary school students were divided into teams and had to complete activities for points. It was great to see the primary school students encouraging each other and having a go, under the guidance of the VM students.

The goal of the project was to build teamwork, confidence and positive relationships and, the event was a huge success. One of the memorable moments of the event included the development of the Talan Fan Club. One of our VM classmates gained a cheer squad of primary school students who were constantly calling out his name, cheering him on and voting his activity the best of the day.

The Tabloid Sports event was an energetic and successful day that brought smiles, laughter and a strong team spirit to everyone involved, from Grades 5 and 6 students to the Year 12 group.

Sarah Stewart (VM Captain)

Year 10 Essential Maths Fundraiser Term 1

Year 10 Essential Maths students have been busy baking cookies and selling Cadbury chocolates on Fridays at lunchtime in the MYC. This has given them valuable mathematical, practical and life skills - including measuring quantities, handling money/giving change, working out prices/profit margins, working in teams and raising money to help those in need. The students have conducted themselves admirably and have embraced these opportunities to learn outside the classroom.

All money raised will be donated to 'Very Special Kids' charity.

Thank you to Ms Lane, Ms Buzzi, Ms Abdallah, Ms Edgell and Ms Rowe for all their support with our fundraising. 

Andrew Mangonis (Maths Teacher) and Year 10 Essential Maths students (Tyrese N, William, Sienna, Millie, Jack, Raoul, Xander, Tyrese P, Bardia and Lukas)

Year 10 History excursion to Shrine of Remembrance 

On Tuesday 10 March, the Year 10 History class went on an excursion to the Shrine of Remembrance in the CBD. We met at Box Hill and took the train to Flinders Street where we were free for some time to have lunch. At the Shrine we put our bags in a locker and a tour guide took us to a room to watch a short film about the Shrine’s history. The room had lots of red seats, red walls and a red floor, symbolising poppies, which were the first to bloom on the World War 1 battlefield. There were also cranes on the wall, symbolising peace after the bombing to end World War 2. Next, we went on a walk through the items they had on display. We worked our way through World Wars 1 and 2, and the Vietnam War, seeing soldiers' outfits from the time, medals won by soldiers and learning about important figures from each war. There was also a peace room where a statue of a father and son symbolised the two generations of men and women lost to the wars, and had flags from each battalion hung up on the walls. Finally we saw the peace stone, which had “Greater love hath no man” inscribed on it. On November 11 at 11am each year a ray of sunlight passes over the stone. After the tour, our class walked back to the city and took the train back to school. Overall, this excursion was fun and very interesting to learn all about the different wars, historical figures and change over time. 

Josie Mander (10D)

Jennifer Molloy  

Humanities & Performing Arts Teacher

College Production Musical Director