Secondary News

Dear Families,

As we approach the end of Term 1, it's a time for reflection, celebration, and anticipation for what lies ahead. These past few months have been filled with incredible moments of growth, achievement, and camaraderie within our school community. 

Over the past few months, the Secondary School has echoed with the sounds of curiosity and collaboration, as students immersed themselves in their studies, extracurricular activities, and friendships. From bustling classrooms to spirited sporting events, every corner of our school has been alive with energy and enthusiasm.

Of course, this is only possible with the dedication and expertise of our exceptional staff. Day in and day out, they have gone above and beyond to inspire, mentor, and empower our students, shaping not just their minds, but their hearts and character as well. Their unwavering commitment to excellence is the driving force behind everything we achieve as a college community, and we are deeply grateful for all that they do.

The Year 7 students had a wonderful camp experience. You can read more about this below. We would like to thank the following staff members for giving up their own valuable time to plan and supervise amazing activities for the students at camp as well as providing support and guidance to the students: Mr Jake Keirnan, Mrs Sophie Fernandez, Miss Ruth Page, Miss Tayla Entwistle, Mr John Glover and Mr Darren Moyle.

Our Year 9  and 10 students engaged in an enriching wellbeing programme this week through the wonderful services of Mancave and the Big Sister experience, which we are thrilled we were able to offer them this experience.  It was a wonderful day enjoyed by all and the student and staff feedback thus far has been extremely positive.  More information about this programme is mentioned further into this newsletter. 

We also wish to acknowledge the efforts of our Year 10 and Year 11 students for their involvement in our school community this term.  Our Year 10 Sports Coaching students who have been busy this term coaching and mentoring both Junior secondary and Primary school sports teams this term in their respective inter-school competitions.  Our Year 10’s have continuously demonstrated resilience, enthusaism and excellence in their coaching and team work skills and our younger students have loved the opportunity to work with them. We look forward to this program continuing in Term 2.

The Year 11 students have has a busy term with their Service in Action (SIA) program, getting involved within our school community and offering acts of service, both in classrooms and maintenance and we thank them for all their hard work this term. Many assisted with preparation for our College Open Day and of course offering support to ur teachers, admin and grounds staff with other duties. A huge thanks to the Year 11 SIA team, Miss Roberts and Miss Rabba for making this program possible for our students. 

Term Awards

It is with great pleasure that we were able to present a substantial number of Term awards to the students today. It was great to see so many students displaying some or all of the following qualities in Term 1.

• Wears College uniform correctly 
• Engages positively with peers and staff
• Demonstrates resilient behaviours
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and a keen interest in learning

Key dates for Term 2

• Tuesday 16th April - Students commence, Parent Teacher Interviews open for booking
• Friday 19th April - Legacy ANZAC Service for Students - Year 8 and Secondary Captains 
• Tuesday 23rd April - Parent Teacher Interviews - 3:30 pm - 8:00 pm
• Wednesday 24th April - Parent Teacher Interviews - 3:30 pm - 8:00 pm
• Thursday 25th April - ANZAC Day Public Holiday
• Friday 26th April - Student Free Day 
• Tuesday 30th April- Year 9 Werribee Zoo Excursion
• Thursday 2nd May - Intermediate Girls and Boys Soccer
• Monday 6th May - Year 8 Girls Regional Volleyball
• Friday 17th May - Checkpoint reports released to families
• Tuesday 21st May - Secondary Division Cross Country
•  Friday 31st May - House Athletics
• Thursday 6th June - Senior Boys and Girls Basketball
• Monday 10th June - King’s Birthday Public Holiday
• Tuesday 11th June - Year 7 Boys and Girls Soccer
• Thursday 13th June - Winter Recital
• Monday 17th June - Exam Week Years 10 & 11
• Tuesday 18th June - GAT for students doing a Unit 3 & 4 subject
• Thursday 20th June - Secondary Regional Cross Country
• Monday 24th June - Year 8 Boys and Girls Soccer
• Thursday 27th June - Thanksgiving Service
• Friday 28th June - Term 2 ends, Semester 1 reports released to families

On behalf of the entire Secondary School staff, we wish you all a wonderful Easter and a restful and rejuvenating break. May it be filled with laughter, love, and cherished memories. We eagerly anticipate the adventures that await us in the term ahead, confident that with each new day, we will continue to grow, learn, and inspire one another.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Joanne Rothwell                                                                                          Mrs Amanda Trewin

Head of Middle School                                                                                      Head of Senior School

Year 7 Camp

Last week, our Year 7 students embarked on an unforgettable journey to Camp Coolamatong in Victoria, where they immersed themselves in a world of outdoor adventure. This year's camp was centered around the theme of resilience, teaching our students valuable life lessons in overcoming challenges and bouncing back stronger. Our slogan for the camp came in the form of a bible verse:  Romans 5:3 - "Suffering produces Perseverance, Perseverance creates Character, Character produces Hope!

Nestled amidst the scenic beauty of Victoria, Camp Coolamatong provided the perfect backdrop for a myriad of activities designed to test their limits and foster resilience. Among other activities, they enjoyed bike riding through winding trails, conquered the waves while tubing, and navigated the serene waters on stand-up paddleboards and sailboats. Each activity presented its own set of challenges, encouraging the students to push beyond their comfort zones and persevere.

A memorable boat ride to a nearby island added an extra layer of excitement to the experience. Here, the students engaged in beach games and a picnic lunch, soaking up the sun and sea breeze as they bonded with classmates in a relaxed setting. It was a refreshing break from the more intense activities, yet still infused with lessons in teamwork and resilience.

On the final evening, the campers enjoyed a screening of "Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse," a tale of resilience and determination that resonated with the theme of the camp. The movie served not only as entertainment but also as a source of inspiration, reminding the students of the importance of facing adversity with courage and resilience.

As the students bid farewell to Camp Coolamatong, they carried with them more than just memories of a fun-filled adventure. They had gained a deeper understanding of resilience – the ability to face obstacles with determination, to adapt to new situations, and to emerge stronger from adversity.  

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Camp Coolamatong for providing our students with a safe and enriching environment, and to our dedicated teachers for their guidance and support throughout the camp. The time at camp was not just a journey of outdoor exploration but a transformative experience that we hope will shape our year 7's for years to come.

Sophie Fernandez and Jacob Keirnan

7A and 7B Homeroom Teachers"

Year 9 &10 Empowerment Day featuring The Man Cave and The Big Sister Experience

On Tuesday 26 March students in Years 9 and 10 were involved in a ‘Wellbeing Day’ focussed on empowering them to step up as young people, respecting themselves and supporting others. 

Our boys worked with The Man Cave, an organisation well-known for its powerful and inspiring programs with young men. Using evidence-based practices, The Man Cave guided our male students through exercises that explored vulnerability and healthy masculinity. 

Our girls met with presenters from The Big Sister Experience to explore a feminine perspective on mental health and well-being, using their voice and developing a caring sisterhood. 

To make the day even more special, Mrs Trewin and Mrs Rothwell put on a pizza lunch for the students, which was very much appreciated by our students! 

We’ve had lots of positive feedback from our students about the day and we are sure that the conversations, revelations and activities of the day will resonate with our young people for the future. 

Michelle Roberts and Tayla Entrwistle

Wellbeing / Homeroom Coordinators Secondary School 

Year 8 Volleyball

On Thursday 14th March the Year 8 Volleyball team ventured off to Casey Stadium in Cranbourne to represent the College in the Cardinia Division Inter-school competition. 

The College took 31 students and 2 Year 10 students who coached teams as part of their Sports Coaching elective program. 

All four teams were extremely successful in their respective competition pools and all student demonstrated the skills the have been practicing in their training since the start of the term. 

The College is extremely proud of all the students’ efforts and the exceptional sportsmanship and team work that all the students displayed throughout the day.

A special congratulation must go to our Girls A team, consisting of the following students; Blayne M, Ina F, Ana K, Hayley C, Ruby V and Nya N who were undefeated in their pool and will progress through to the Southern Metropolitan Competition later in May. 

We also acknowledge the exceptional efforts of the Boys A team who narrowly missed out on qualifying for the SMR competition, beaten by Kambrya College. 

Overall it was a brilliant day of competition, and all students and staff who attended had a fabulous time.