Outside the Classroom
Tennis
Congratulations to all Year 9 and 10 students who represented CHS in tennis in Term 1. Every participant demonstrated the values of CHS by all trying their hardest and were fair and respectful teammates and opponents which created a fun and competitive environment for all. Good luck to the Intermediate Boys A team and the Intermediate Girls team who have made it through to compete at regionals.
Eva Loughnan
Year 9 Outdoor Education
Rock climbing excursion and the Grampians camp
Year 9 Outdoor Education students have had a busy Term 1. Our first trip was to Hardrock Climbing gym in the CBD where students started their climbing experience. Students learnt how to safely belay their climbing partners and keep each other safe as they scaled the walls of the gym.
In Week 9 students then headed to the Grampians for a 3 day camp amongst the crags and peaks of Gariwerd. Starting with a warm up walk to the Pinnacle students got their scrambling legs working on an exciting walk to this lookout.
A highlight of the trip was the Rock climbing and abseiling at Summer Day Valley -Wudjub-guyan. Here students continued practicing their rock climbing skills although this time rather than multi-coloured artificial holds they had to find the easiest way up the cliff, looking for natural cracks and ledges.
The 25 meter abseil was heart stopping and pushed students to acknowledge their natural fear instincts and remain in control of their emotions as they completed this descent.
Hollow Mountain is a magical mountain in the Northern Gariwerd. Students ‘walked’ or scrambled up to this peak and were met with fantastic views and a curious cave that they could explore. While one group was in here there was a downpour and so as we waited in the shelter of the cave mouth one student read the Gariwerd dreaming story - time slipped away in this ancient landscape.
Katherine Hammond
Volleyball
On Wednesday 25 March, our Year 9/10 Boys Volleyball Teams competed in the Divisional Round Robin Tournament at Glenroy College.
The A Team played the following games:
Round 1
CHS vs Glenroy B
2 sets to 0
Round 2
CHS vs Ilim
2 sets to 0
Round 3
CHS vs Alsir
2 sets to 0
Round 4
CHS vs Glenroy A
1 set to 2 sets (3rd set was 19-21)
Round 5
CHS A vs CHS B
2 sets to 0
The A team finished second overall, only narrowly missing out on progressing through to the next round.
The B Team played the following games:
Round 1
CHS vs Alsir
1 sets to 2
Round 2
CHS vs Glenroy A
0 sets to 2
Round 3
CHS vs Ilim
0 sets to 2
Round 4
CHS vs Glenroy B
1 set to 2
Round 5
CHS A vs CHS B
0 sets to 2
The B team finished sixth overall.
The CHS Volleyball Teams demonstrated excellent sportspersonship throughout the tournament. Their support for each other was truly fantastic to see and they encouraged each other to play some high quality Volley in each of the games played, against some really tough opposition. The boys should be extremely proud of their commitment throughout the entire term and their performance at Divisionals was remarkable.
Kylie Saccone & Ryan Burns
VCE Outdoor and Environmental Education
Phillip Island Camp 25th-27th February
The VCE Outdoor Education classes headed to Phillip Island in February for a jam packed 3 day camp. We kicked off with a cruise out to Seal Rocks where we got up close to the largest breeding colony of Australian Fur Seals. It was great to hear of the conservation efforts to protect this colony. With a rough swell students viewed these agile swimmers as they played around the boat.
We were focussing on historical relationships with this environment. After a talk from the local historical museum and a visit to Churchill Island we saw first hand the sheep farming, chicory processes and the impact of tourism on the island.
No trip to Phillip Island is complete without a visit to the penguins. This time we were VIPs giving which meant that we were briefed on life cycles, threats and habitat requirements and additionally had front row seats for the Penguin Parade.
Nature certainly showed us her power on the last morning with a magnificent lighting show waking us in our tents and challenging these VCE students with heavy rain as they packed up. Our students took this in their stride and after a visit to the Koala Sanctuary we headed back to Coburg with smiles on our faces.
Katherine Hammond
Leadership Camp
Early in Term 1, 47 students from Years 7-11 headed to Gundiwindi Lodge for three days of Leadership Camp, and what a few days it was. From the moment we arrived (and were greeted by Bo, the camp dog and immediate fan favourite), students were keen to get going. There were shelter building challenges that brought out some seriously impressive teamwork, damper-making around the campfire, and plenty of moments of bravery on the giant swing and flying fox. Students tested their aim at archery and supported one another through the low ropes course, showing just how strong our community can be when we work together. On top of this, we finished the week with a journey on Puffing Billy, venturing through the Dandenong Ranges – absolutely delightful!
We were also joined by our School Captains and Gary for a day, who jumped straight into the activities and spent time with students in a Q&A session. This opened up some very thoughtful conversations about leadership at CHS, what students value about our school, and ideas for future initiatives.
A special mention must go to the staff at Gundiwindi, who could not stop commenting on how polite and respectful our students were. They were particularly impressed by the care students took in cleaning up after meals, a small thing that spoke volumes about the group. It was fantastic to see so many students stepping outside their comfort zones, backing each other, and growing in confidence across the three days. They represented CHS brilliantly.
Next year’s Leadership Camp has already been locked in for 24-26 February – and if this year is anything to go by, spots will be highly sought after. Start thinking about your application early.
Now, to give a better sense of the camp experience, a few students have shared their thoughts. Here’s what they had to say about their time at Leadership Camp:
Hildie R (Year 10):
Leadership camp 2026, was a super valuable and worthwhile experience. I came to the camp with two of my friends and ended up making many more. I got to speak to the school captains which made me feel super included in school life and actual decision making.
Priya J (Year 7):
The thing that I loved was the giant swing and being in my cabin with everyone. I also liked hanging out with all of the older kids, The campfire was so good and I have to say I think my favourite thing there was Bo (the camp dog) ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Abby T (Year 9):
Leadership Camp was a really fun experience where I got to work with other students from all year levels and build teamwork and leadership skills. The highlight was doing the group activities and challenges because they helped us get to know each other better.
Nelly F (Year 7):
All the activities were amazing, and I got to try some things I had never done before, for example archery and the giant swing, but personally, the most valuable part was the community. There were lots of opportunities to get to know the teachers and camp staff, and I also got to know the other students, even people that aren't in my year level. And it wasn't just that I hung out with them at camp, I still say hi to them when I see them at school. So I feel like that was an amazing and very important and significant part of the camp, and I think community is also part of leadership.
Charlie D (Year 7):
I really loved all the activities, the puffing billy was great, and the cabins were perfect, not too small. I will definitely come again next year if I'm allowed.
Rory S (Year 8):
I had an amazing time during leadership camp! I loved doing all of the activities like the low ropes, the flying fox and archery. The food was very good and I loved cooking marshmallows at the campfire. So overall, it was an incredible experience.
Sadie H (Year 9):
I made so many new friends, talked to people from different year levels all while doing activities that kept me up and about. It was also a nice tech-vacation, replacing phone time with flying fox and damper. (Thank you to Maggie for giving me her damper when I dropped mine in the fire.)
Maggie M (Year 9):
My experience at leadership camp truly was amazing. It is such a great and unique camp to go on as you are able to meet new people in smaller groups from different year levels as well as your own. The activities and facilities are also so fun and you get so much free time to connect with your peers as well as organised activities. For me this was such a highlight and was really valuable in building community and leadership skills.
Sophie T (Year 8):
I found leadership camp a valuable experience because it got me to meet people from multiple years, I even became friends with people from year 10. The activities were amazing and so were most of the people.
Mila K (Year 8):
I really enjoyed Leadership Camp this year because I got to hang with my friends from my year level, but also reconnect with people I had met at Leadership Camp last year, and make new friends in different year levels.
Natalie Stewart
Library News
Well, here we are, already at the beginning of a new term. I have to say that this year’s Year 7 cohort is such a wonderful bunch. Polite, respectful to others, well read, friendly, kind. A great start to high school.
The library book sale went smashingly with our awesome literature enthusiasts scooping up some fantastic bargains. A huge thanks to the Coburg High community for donating such a large amount of beautiful books. Here’s to purchasing some lovely new release titles for our collection after the sale ends.
This term will reintroduce us to the wonderful Fantasy Fiction workshop. It is a program which will run over a period of five weeks with students from all levels contributing to a very grand fantasy epic like no other. Sign up will begin in week two with the fun times beginning in Week 5.
It has been quite awhile but Library Trivia Master will be back in Term 2. Yippee!, I hear you LTM obsessives say. Look out for more details coming soon.
That’s about all for now. Before we go though, here is the Librarian’s Book of the Month.
Red Rising - an amazing dystopian sci fi series.
Dianna Jarnet
The Australian Ballet Incursion
In week 10 of Term 1, Year 9 and 10 dance students spent almost three days working with the Australian Ballet Education Team. The workshop is based on a brand new First Nations Australian dance performance called ‘Balar Diburr’ by Troy Schrieber and Chantelle VanDer Hoek. Students were treated to three days of intensive dancing, from contemporary dance training, to devising their own choreography to rehearsing with two Australian Ballet professional dancers. It was incredible to watch the students create beautiful choreography inspired by the story of the ‘Bala Diburr.’
“This contemporary-ballet duet tells a story of growth and resilience through the journey of the balar diburr (bernie bean), a native seed from the rainforest lands of Kubirri (Mossman, North Queensland). Grounded in First Nations storytelling and cultural knowledge, Balar Diburr invites young audiences to reflect on change, perseverance and finding one’s place in the world.”
On the final day, students performed their 4 minute dance to a packed out auditorium and then joined the audience to watch Callista and Dario, from the Australian Ballet, perform their latest work. The students reached new heights of excellence in their collaboration, creativity and performance of contemporary dance. It was inspiring to watch the students achieve so much together.
Students reflected on their experiences of the workshop:
“I learnt more about contemporary dance and new movements.”
“Very fun and engaging.”
“The ballet people were so cool!”
“It was super fun. I had a really good time and I learned lots of dance. The teachers were super nice and they made sure everyone knew what they were doing.”
“A very fun workshop. We got to learn heaps of new skills and dances.”
“I had a good time and I learned a lot of new things. The teachers were very nice and helpful.”
Fiona Cameron