Principal's Report

End to the 2024 School Year

At present Year 7, 8 and 9 students are required to attend school to participate in the timetabled End-of-Year Program. This Program has taken a great deal of organisation and planning and teachers have put in a lot of work to provide engaging sessions for all students across the next 10 days.

It is the responsibility of parent/carers to ensure that their children attend school. If over the next week students attend spasmodically or not at all, they will miss out on key learning relating to the General Capabilities in the Curriculum. 

Whilst the end of year program is designed not to specifically relate to any particular key learning area, it remains a worthwhile program in terms of supporting students to build the skills which will be crucial to them not only in 2025 but in their entire life. Such skills include, the ability to work collaboratively, active listening, patience, resilience, and leadership to name a few.

Parents/carers are asked to not support their child/ren to stay at home in front of a TV, Gaming Software, or roaming the streets.  Please ensure that they get to school. We want them here!

The last day of school for students will be Thursday 19 December and students will be dismissed at 2:30 pm. Please organise safe travel home for your children on this day.

Student Achievement

Arts & Technology Exhibition 2024

On Tuesday evening, 19 November, the opening of our annual Arts & Technology Exhibition was held, with a preview of works beginning at 6.00pm.   Those attending were entertained by some of our talented musicians - Celia Vivado (Year 12, Toner House) , Tyra Douglas-Dwyer (Year 12, Pakana House), Lanaya Dundules (Year 12, Everard House), Fabian Miller (Year 12,Everard House), Indie Egglestone (Year 12, Toner House) and Thomas Hattam (Year 12, Everard House)  and enjoyed catering by our hospitality students and staff ably led by Yasemin Ziada (and supported by Samia Townsend) all while taking in the extraordinary talent and diverse works of this year’s Arts & Technology students.

As with past years the event was exceptionally well attended by students, parents and the wider community reinforcing how positively the Arts are regarded at Eltham High School.

Susan Reddrop officially opened our Exhibition this year, providing an insight into own her experiences as a practising artist and encouraging our students to pursue their passions and creativity by engaging with the Arts.  Susan is a well-regarded sculptor and glass artist who explores both glass blowing and casting techniques to create organic three-dimensional forms.  She has strong ties to the local community; she works from her studio space at Montsalvat in what was Matcham Skipper’s original studio.  We thank Susan for taking the time to open this year’s Exhibition and giving such an inspirational speech.

The opening night is an opportunity to recognise the achievements of our students through the awarding of certificates of excellence, along with the announcement of the major award recipients.  The major awards include:

• The Peter Brock Bursary Award;
• The Claire Edgoose Awards for Excellence;
• The Creative Excellence Award (supported by Vicki Ward);
• The Wes Muir Acquisition Prize;
• The Principals Prize for Excellence in Technology;
• The Principal’s Acquisition Prize.

This year we were delighted to announce three new awards: 

• The Montsalvat Art Prize;
• The Australian Jewellery Supplies Encouragement Award; and 
• The Gold & Silversmith Guild Of Australia Encouragement Award.

We sincerely thank the Brock Family, Andrew and Patricia Edgoose, Vicki Ward, Matt Jones (CEO Montsalvat), Sergei Shatrov (Clay Talk), Australian Jewellery Supplies, The Gold & Silversmith Guild of Australia and the family of the late Wes Muir for their generous support and making these awards possible.

Congratulations to all of this year’s most deserving winners (listed below).  Thanks to our Visual Art Student Leadership Team for their hard work and dedication this year in promoting the Arts and engaging students in creativity:

•  Maddie Azzopardi (Year 12, Everard House)
• Jayda Donohue (Year 11, Toner House)
• Elliot Menzies (Year 11, Everard house)
• Teagan Charkisky (Year 11, Skipper House)
• Amanda Makelainen (Year 11, Toner House); and 
• Lenny Henderson (Year 11, Toner House).

Finally, thank you to the Arts & Technology teachers for their tireless, inspiring and dedicated teaching and support of our students and a big thank you to Lisa Foote and Rob Coventry for their leadership in bringing the 2024 exhibition to fruition. 

Major Award Winners Arts & Technology Exhibition 2024

Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the major awards:

• The Australian Jewellery Supplies Encouragement Award - Clara Robinson (Year 9, Skipper House))
• The Gold & Silversmith Guild Of Australia Encouragement Award- Elsa Ngo (Year 8, Toner House)
• The Peter Brock Bursary Award-  Loren Liem (Year 11 Enhancement, Skipper House)
• The Claire Edgoose Awards for Excellence
  • Junior Awards-    Lumi Runnalls (Year 8, Skipper House);  Annabel Lowe (Year 8, Everard House)
  • Middle Years-     Kyhan Douglas-Dwyer (Year 9 Pakana House); Lucy Moulton (Year 10 Toner House)
  • Senior Awards-   Madison Gibbs (Year 11, Toner House): Ali Nasrun (Year 12, Skipper House)
• The Creative Excellence Award (supported by Vicki Ward)- Tyrah Douglas-Dwyer (Year 12, Pakana House)
• The Montsalvat Art Prize - Jayda Donohue (Year 11, Toner House)
• The Wes Muir Acquisition Prize - Cleo Farago (Year 12, Skipper House)
• The Principals Prize for Excellence in Technology – Flynn Kennealy (Year 12, Pakana House)
• The Principal’s Acquisition Prize- Victoria Pantelejenko (Year 12, Toner House)

Update from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority

Dr Marcia Devlin AM, wrote to schools earlier this week advising that the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) has completed the marking and analysis of the 2024 VCE examinations. 

The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) has considered the examination results data provided by the VCAA and approved the progression to the calculation of ATARs. VCE results and ATARs will be available as planned on Thursday 12 December. 

In the course of the marking process, the VCAA became aware that a further 9 examination replica covers included examination material that could be viewed using specialised software, bringing the total number of examinations impacted to 65. 

The analysis conducted by the Expert Advisory Panel has concluded that 25 of the 65 examinations either had sufficient changes made to them or the published material was such that no advantage could be obtained from it. 

The panel’s analysis of the remaining 40 examinations identified 69 students with anomalous results across 5 exams, out of more than 304,000 total examinations.  

None of these students were clustered by school or any other relationship that could be determined, suggesting that there was no co-ordinated behaviour to access examination material. 

To avoid any consequent disadvantage for other students, the Panel recommended that those 69 students were removed from the standard study score calculation, including the distribution of study scores.  

The scores of the 69 students were then inserted into the overall distribution at a matched point, after the study scores had been distributed.   

In no cases have students had marks deducted from their examination results. 

The VCAA again acknowledges and apologises for the stress and concern that this process has caused to the students and educators impacted. 

A letter addressed to students, parents and carers is attached to the community news section of this newsletter for your perusal.

VCE Results 2024

Alongside students and parents we are eagerly awaiting the release of the VCE results scheduled for tomorrow Thursday 12 December. The information received from the VCAA outlined in the section above, indicates that the release of the results has not been affected by the issues associated with this year’s exams and therefore will be released as scheduled.

I wish all our students the very best with their results and remind them that we are here to support them with any decisions they may wish to make or explore post the release of their results. Members of the Senior School Team are on deck and they will be able to link students to our Careers/Pathways Coordinator, Felicia Pellegrino, who is able to advise and guide students through VTAC change of preference and/or alternative entry pathways to courses if needed.

I ask parents/carers to encourage students to take advantage of all the support that the School is able to offer.

Eltham Volleyballers

Our Volleyballers are currently competing in the National Volleyball Competition on the Gold Coast.  Our teams are working hard to represent our School and our State: and from all reports are having a wonderful time.

A big thank you to the coaches and team managers and all staff who have taken time out of their own families to support our students in this event.  We look forward to hearing about their experience on their return.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the extraordinary work of our admin team in supporting the planning and participation in this event. Jane Nicholson and Catherine Zerna have worked their way through the complexities of travel arrangements, accommodation and the finances for the trip: A job well done.

Congratulations to Anthony Young for once again supporting our teams’ preparation over the year in order not only to participate but achieve success in this competition.

I wish all our students well in the competition.

Reminder:  Ongoing Engagement in Learning - 2025 Reporting Changes

Consistent engagement in learning is essential for students’ success and growth. When students regularly participate in class, complete learning activities, and actively seek understanding, they develop important habits that support lifelong learning. By adopting a growth mindset: believing that their knowledge and skills can improve through effort —they’re more likely to embrace challenges and learn from mistakes. Encouraging students to reflect on their learning further enhances this growth, helping them identify strengths, recognising areas for improvement, and setting achievable goals. Together, these practices not only build academic skills but also foster resilience, confidence, and a positive attitude towards learning, setting students up for future success.  As a learning community we are always seeking ways of supporting these learning dispositions in our students. 

In support of these values, from 2025 the learning engagement of all students across Years 7-12 will be formally tracked through Engagement in Learning (previously work habits) on both Interim and Semester Reports. Engagement in Learning will comprise of Ongoing Learning Expectations, Organisation, Effort and Persistence, and Respectful Behaviour.

For students in Years 8-10 a student’s satisfactory completion of a subject will be determined based on both their completion and level of achievement in Common Assessment Tasks, and the demonstration of consistent learning engagement.  Both elements will be equally weighted in determining if a student has successfully completed a subject.  The satisfactory completion requirements for each year level, commencing in 2025, are outlined below:

At Year 7: While there are no S/N judgements included for Year 7 students it is still expected that there is consistent engagement with all aspects of learning in a subject.  Students are expected to demonstrate engagement in ongoing learning in class, at home, and through formal assessment tasks.  At Year 7 these are predominantly in class learning tasks.  Where a student is demonstrating difficulty in engaging consistently and productively with their learning, teachers and the sub school coordination team may put additional supports in place.

At Year 8-9:  At Year 8-9 S/N judgements are made on the basis of a student completing the following:

• Engagement in Learning demonstrated at the level of:

  • Satisfactory or above for Ongoing Learning Expectations and Effort and Persistence

  • Usually or Always for Organisation and Respectful Behaviour

  • A student may receive one result of Needs Attention or Sometimes and still receive an S.  

• Attempted all Common Assessment Tasks

• Satisfactory completion of 80% of Common Assessment Tasks (e.g. 3 of 4, or 2 of 3)

An N result (Not Satisfactory) may be given to Year 8 – 9 students who do not meet the above requirements or who receive a Needs Attention for 50% of Common Assessment Tasks for the semester (e.g. 2 of 4 tasks).

At Year 10:  At Year 10 S/N judgements are made on the basis of a student completing the following:

• Engagement in Learning demonstrated at the level of:

  • Satisfactory or above for Ongoing Learning Expectations and Effort and Persistence

  • Usually or Always for Organisation and Respectful Behaviour

  • A student may receive one result of Needs Attention or Sometimes and still receive an S.  

• Attempted all Common Assessment Tasks

• Satisfactory completion of all Common Assessment Tasks

An N result (Not Satisfactory) may be given to Year 10 students who do not meet the above requirements.

At VCE:  There will not be any change to how S/N judgements are made at Years 11 and 12 however the Engagement in Learning descriptive habits will be included on all reports as a means of promoting discussions regarding consistent and productive learning habits in VCE.

The descriptive scales that outline the expected qualities and behaviours at each stage are available to view through Compass – School Documentation – 2025 Engagement in Learning Reporting Scales.  All staff will use these scales as the basis of their judgements.

Further information will be provided to parents through two online information sessions in Term 1, one at the start of the term, and one prior to the release of Interim Reports.  Details about these sessions will be published in the new year.  

Student Safety at the Start and End of the School Day

I once again take the opportunity to remind parents/carers of the importance of obeying road rules at all times and especially in the vicinity of the school. I ask you all to be cautious around the children’s crossing and always to follow the guidance provided by the crossing supervisor.

It is important that you are constantly vigilant, watching for students whilst driving on Withers Way and Susan Street, particularly during peak times (8:30 – 9:00am and 3:00 – 3:30pm) and adhere to the speed limit.

I also remind you that the front of the administration building is a “No Standing” area during peak times; you cannot queue there prior to pick-up. If you arrive early and your child is not standing at your pickup point you are required to drive through the circular drive and enter as many times as needed until your child is there for pick up.

If you have been fortunate to find a parking spot when entering the circular drive, we ask that you reverse park as this will reduce the risk of colliding with a student on their way out of the school, as well as with other cars. 

It would also be reasonable and sensible for you to reverse park in the parking bays at the front of the school at all times of the day as this will reduce the risk of you backing out onto oncoming traffic when you leave.

Signage already exists in front of the administration area identifying it as a “No Standing” zone between 8:00 - 10:00am and 2:00 - 4:00pm. We are looking at installing additional signage reminding parents/carers to reverse park.

Please be aware that if these measures do not improve safety for our students, especially at peak times, we will engage with local authorities (Victoria Police and/or Council) to discuss the possibility of increased enforcement of parking restrictions and/or road rules. 

I look forward to your ongoing support with this matter.

VINCENT SICARI, Principal