Another very warm welcome in this first newsletter edition to all of our new Year 7s to Reservoir High School and welcome back to all our Year 8 students for 2025. We trust all students and their families had a great Christmas and holiday period and are now ready to concentrate on a productive year of learning ahead.

The start of the year has been smooth to date and we would like to congratulate all students on their positive start to the year. Our Year 7 students have settled in very well and enjoyed their first few days' Transition program aimed at familiarising our Year 7s with the school. This included sessions on understanding their timetable, meeting key staff and overviewing school expectations. They also participated in our annual Amazing Race. Working in groups, students explored the school environment locating rooms, buildings and facilities. All students had a fantastic time!!

The Junior School Team has set a few 2025 goals for our Year 7 and 8 cohort. These include:

1. Develop and foster positive and respectful relationships with each other and between classes at each Year level in the Junior School.

2. All Year 7 students to have a successful and positive transition to Reservoir High School

3. Assist the Year 8 students to consolidate on their learning throughout the year to foster a smooth transition into the Middle School years.

Year 7 Camp

Our Year 7 Camp was extremely successful at Camp Toolangi again from Wednesday 12th February through to Friday 14th February, just out of Kinglake. The camp was an excellent transition event for those students who attended. Students participated in many challenging activities such as high ropes, low ropes, obstacle course, flying fox, rock climbing wall, archery, orienteering and bush hut building. This year 74 students attended camp which made for lots of energy and atmosphere! A very big thank you to all the wonderful staff for making it such a wonderful success.

Camp Report – Group 2 - Led by Ms Zhu

From February 12th to 14th, 2025, Reservoir High School held an outdoor camp at Toolangi, offering students exciting adventure activities. As the leading teacher of Group 2. I witnessed students challenge themselves, build teamwork skills, and grow in confidence.

On Wednesday, we started with Frisbee Golf which encouraged friendly competition. Later, students tackled the High Ropes course, overcoming initial fears with peer support.

Thursday was packed with Hut Building, Archery and the Obstacle Course. In Archery, Jarrod demonstrated outstanding accuracy, consistently hitting targets and impressing the group. He also dominated the Obstacle Course, finishing in 1 minute and 5 seconds, securing first place. His determination inspired everyone.

On Friday, the whole camp participated in the Billy Carts race. In a fun twist, eight teachers joined the competition and won first place, adding excitement to the event.

Overall, the camp was a great success, helping students develop resilience, teamwork and confidence in an outdoor setting.

IMPACT

All students have made a terrific start in Impact so far this year. All Year 7 & 8 students are part of this fantastic program each fortnight concentrating on Respectful Relationships, Emotional Literacy, Self Regulation and Positive School Wide Behaviours.

All Year 7 & 8 students received their lockers on the first day and are expected to keep them organised and well maintained. All students should now have a combination lock on their locker.

We are looking forward to a great year with all our Year 7 and Year 8 students and in particular we are looking forward to working closely with all parents, guardians and families during the year.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s progress please feel free to contact us at any time on 9466 0900.

Junior School Team

Kathleen Pryor – Junior School Leader

Ms Fyda Khalil & Ms Beti Skeparoski – Junior School Office Managers

Mr James Rubira - Year 7 Student Engagement Coordinator

Mr Braeden Mueller - Year 8 Student Engagement Coordinator

Community Iftar

Thursday March 13