Junior School

Fish, Prawn & Squid

Our Year 7 Science students recently took part in a fascinating dissection investigation, exploring the anatomy of a fish, prawn and squid.  The practical activity provided students with a hands-on opportunity to compare the structures of different organisms and examine how their body systems are adapted to their environments.

Before beginning the dissections, students carefully observed each organism and produced detailed scientific drawings.  They then repeated these drawings after the dissections, allowing them to identify and label structures that were not visible externally.

The squid dissection was demonstrated by the teacher, with students observing the unique features of this remarkable cephalopod.  Highlights included examining the squid's arms, feeling its hard beak, and discovering the ink sac.  Students even had the opportunity to dip a pen into the squid ink and write their names, providing a memorable connection to one of the squid's most famous adaptations.

Students then conducted their own dissections of fish and prawns, investigating their internal structures and comparing the skeletal systems of vertebrates and invertebrates. Through these activities, students developed a deeper understanding of body organisation, adaptation and the diversity of living things.

There was certainly no shortage of excitement throughout the lesson, with plenty of squeals, laughter and exclamations of "That's disgusting!" echoing around the laboratory. Despite some initial hesitation, students approached the task with curiosity and enthusiasm, learning a great deal about anatomy and scientific investigation along the way.

The practical experience was both engaging and educational, providing students with a memorable opportunity to bring their classroom learning to life.

Learning About Safety & Wellbeing

As part of our Positive Education and Extended Mentor programs, Year 7 students recently participated in two engaging and informative presentations focused on personal safety and wellbeing.

We were fortunate to welcome a guest presenter from Metro Trains, who spoke to students about the importance of staying safe when using public transport. Students learned about safe behaviours around trains and railway stations, including where to stand on platforms, how to access help when needed, and the purpose of the safe zones located throughout stations. The presenter also explained the situations in which the red emergency button on a train should be used. The session was highly interactive, with students asking many thoughtful questions and demonstrating a genuine interest in keeping themselves and others safe while travelling.

We also welcomed Mimi from Optus, who delivered an engaging presentation on cyberbullying and online safety. Through the use of a case study, students worked together to discuss how they would respond to cyberbullying situations and explored practical ways to support someone experiencing online harassment. Important discussions also focused on the trusted people, services, and support networks available to young people who need help. Mimi's relatable approach and engaging presentation style allowed students to connect strongly with the content and confidently contribute to discussions.

These valuable learning experiences provided students with practical strategies to help them navigate both the online and offline world safely, while reinforcing the importance of seeking support when needed.

Dr Bryce Dermody

Year 7 Wellbeing Leader

Bringing the "Stations of Mary" to Life

There is a vibrant new energy in the corridors this week.  Our Year 7 Religion students have stepped out of their notebooks and embarked on a deeply reflective, creative journey— merging faith, scripture and personal expression into a stunning exhibition of The Stations of Mary.  

While many are familiar with the traditional Stations of the Cross, this project invited our students to view the story of salvation through a different lens: the unique joys, deep sorrows, and profound courage of Mary.

This project beautifully demonstrated that studying religion is about empathy and connection.  Before picking up their paintbrushes, students spent time unpacking scripture and reflecting on what Mary’s resilience means to them today.  The result is a collection of artwork that is both visually striking and spiritually mature.

From Sarajevo to Melbourne

To complement their current Religion unit, our Year 7 students recently had the profound privilege of hearing from guest speaker, award-winning author and National Ambassador for the Refugee Council of Australia, Edita Mujkić.  This special presentation directly tied into the students' classroom study of the book Detention, providing them with a real-world perspective on the complex and deeply human realities faced by refugees and asylum seekers.

In RE class, Year 7 students have been exploring the themes of displacement, human rights, and empathy through their reading of Detention by Tristan Bancks.  Hearing Edita speak bridged the gap between the pages of their book and lived history.  She shared her harrowing yet inspiring journey fleeing war-torn Sarajevo in 1992.  Students listened intently as she described escaping the besieged city with her two young children in a borrowed car, carrying just two bags and a few dollars to her name.  Crucially, she spoke of the agonizing 600 days of separation from her husband, Goran, who was forced to stay behind, and her relentless efforts to get her family safely reunited in Australia.

Her memoir, Between Before and After, captures this exact journey, detailing not just the hardships of war and displacement, but the immense power of hope, resilience and the life-changing impact of simple acts of kindness from strangers.

The presentation left a lasting impression on our students, offering them a firsthand look at the courage required to rebuild a life in a completely new country.  Following the talk, Edita held a Q&A session where Year 7 asked mature, thoughtful questions about her transition to life in Australia and how she managed to maintain hope during such challenging times.

Edita repeatedly focused on the power of human connection, highlighting the individual people, many of them complete strangers, who stepped forward to help her along the way. She reminded our students that no act of kindness is ever too small, and that every single person has the power to do good and positively contribute to someone else's larger story.

By connecting scripture, classroom literature and live testimony, our Year 7 students have gained a much deeper, more compassionate understanding of global migration and our shared responsibility to welcome the stranger.  We extend our heartfelt thanks to Edita Mujkić for her generosity, openness and for inspiring our community with her remarkable story.

Ms Hannah Hale

Religious Education Learning Leader

Languages Championships!

Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the Education Perfect Languages Championships. This global competition, run by Education Perfect, took place between the 5 May and 12 May.   We placed 30th in Victoria for our school category of 91 other schools and overall, 350th of 1,622 schools which is an amazing achievement!

Along with a certificate, the students below have earned themselves a voucher which will be presented to them at the end of term assembly. 

Emily Dong received a Credit with 883 points. 

Rani Fernandes received a Bronze with 1651 points. 

Mia Naidoo received a Silver with 2031 points. 

Congratulations to all students involved and thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment to language learning.

Ms Natalie Dickson

Languages Learning Leader