From the Head of Character and Culture

It has been wonderful to welcome our new students to the Senior School, particularly our Year 7 students who have made an enthusiastic and confident start to secondary school life. Over the past week, students have been settling into routines, building connections and engaging positively with their learning and pastoral programs. The sense of energy and optimism across the Senior School has been a pleasure to see. 

Our Year 12 students have also begun the year in a memorable and meaningful way. It was fantastic to see them at their VCE Conference, where they experienced life at a range of Melbourne universities and gained valuable insight into pathways beyond school. This included a formal dinner at the University of Melbourne, where students were officially introduced as our Year 12 cohort; an important milestone that marked the beginning of their final year with a strong sense of purpose and pride. 

The House Mentor program has also begun positively, providing students with a supportive and consistent start to each day. House Mentors have been working closely with their groups to establish routines, foster positive relationships and support student wellbeing, ensuring students feel known and supported within their House community. We remind families that the school day begins at 8:40am, and attendance at morning House Mentor Group is a compulsory part of the school day. 

Meanwhile, excitement is building as House Captains, Vice Captains, and Heads of House work hard behind the scenes preparing for the upcoming Inter-House Swimming Sports. From organisation and leadership to creativity and teamwork, students are already demonstrating great House pride, particularly through their preparations for the Spirit Cup performances, which promise to be a highlight of the day. 

As the warmer weather continues, we also remind students and families that hats are mandatory at this time of year when outdoors. This is an important part of our sun-smart policy and helps keep students safe during breaks and activities. 

Mr Marcus Smalley 

Head of Character and Culture