A warm return to school in 2026!

It seems to be always the hottest weather once we return to school but the sunny days have meant a lovely start to 2026. Students do have air-conditioning in their classrooms so learning conditions are climate-controlled.

There are always a high number of student events in Term 1 that makes the term fly by – Year 12 retreat, Year 7 camp, swimming carnival, school production rehearsals, lunchtime clubs carnival, Harmony Week, NAPLAN, interschool sport, peer support, International Women’s Day, subject excursions, and the various year level wellbeing programs (please see the handbook provided to parents from each Sub-school in the welcome communications).

At the start of the year, we have currently 1470 local students and 71 international students, resulting in 1541 students in the school. This year, we have 280 Year 12 students – our largest cohort yet!

New staff to the school

New staff joining the school at the start of 2026 are:

• Helen He (Math/Accounting)

• Irene Paracki (HPE)

• Ana Ruuska (Chemistry/Science)

• Mia Withers (Leading Teacher, Science Teacher)

• Bohan Cui (Math)

• Samantha Critchley-Drayton (Psychology)

• Matthew Mason (Math/Science)

• Shohreh Rabiee Azbarame (Science Lab Technician)

• Eliza Cole (Reception)

• Hayden Tran (IT Team)

• Hudson Findlay (Sports Trainee)

• Cally Robinson (Art Technician)

• There will also be new Admin Assistants in Middle and Junior Sub-schools.

We also have staff returning from extended leave:

• Felicity Shiel-Jones

• Emma Natoli

• Merav Chait

• Nathalie Brewer.

2026 AIP

The (2023-2026) School Strategic Plan has three School Improvement Goals:

1. To optimise literacy and numeracy outcomes for all students.  

2. To empower students to have greater agency in their learning.  

3. To further develop and embed a positive wellbeing and engagement culture for all students. 

The 2026 Key Improvement Actions are:

1. To further develop teacher knowledge and instructional practice to differentiate student learning to their point of need using student data.

2. Literacy  

   To further consolidate our writing improvement across domains and introducing consistent reading improvement strategies in English. 

3. Numeracy 

   To further implement numeracy strategies (based on the Anticipate/Launch/Explore/Review Pedagogical Model) in mathematics classes that support students to develop deeper mathematical thinking and ensure high-ability students achieve suitable growth. 

4. To strengthen the effective learner behaviours of self-regulation, growth mindset and active participation in our students. 

5. To embed our whole school approach to classroom practices that enable learning, and to strengthen the whole school approach to catering for students based on their social-emotional developmental stage.

    

The four-year School Review will be undertaken in Term 4 this year, and a new School Strategic Plan for the next four years will be developed.

Beautifying the school!

School Admin Development

After many years of need (the school population has increased significantly since the original reception, sick bay and offices were established), we have finally upgraded the front office, sick bays, parent meeting room, conference room and administration offices. 

The works were completed over Dec-Jan and we are very happy with the new modern space. We have retained the wooden foyer as part of the school’s 1930s heritage, however the reception is on the opposite side when you now enter. 

We invite our parents to drop in to reception and see the improvement!

Student Mural

A big thank you to Nathalie Brewer and her talented team of student artists who enhanced the Middle Sub-school space with a beautiful mural at the end of Term 4. I wanted to see representation of plants from different cultural backgrounds in BHHS and the result is amazing! 

We have created a representation of our main cultural backgrounds at Box Hill High School – what a lovely way to celebrate our vibrant and diverse community!

Thank you to Megan K (Yr 10) for her wonderful design! Our value of Creativity in action!

Upcoming school improvement projects

Our next school building improvement projects will be a comprehensive re-development of the Technology Centre and establishing additional Science Lab classroom/s. Upgrading the furnishings for the library and Middle Sub-school centre will also occur. We will also be continuing to hear from students about improving school spaces, including student seating and student art.

Parent Voluntary Contributions

Thank you to our families who have already contributed to the school this year. Despite media stories about public education and costs to parents, these contributions are voluntary. We consult with School Council and keep all our costings for camps, incursions, excursions and programs as low as we can without incurring loss for the school. 

We do sincerely value any contributions made and this money allows us to provide additional resources, programs and opportunities for all students that are above and beyond. 

We are very proud of our school and want to ensure that we can provide a high-quality educational experience which include some of the areas listed below:

• Provide strong wellbeing support programs and resources for students, including a dedicated Student Wellbeing Hub, purchasing materials for small group programs & lunchtime wellbeing activities, employing additional counselling and life skills programs. 

• Employ a full-time qualified school nurse.

• Employ a full-time maintenance and facilities manager with the resulting cost savings on external trades. 

• Investing in our state-of-the-art science labs and art, media, design and technology equipment. 

• Provide additional in-class printed resources to students, including VCE practice exams and materials.

• Maintain a wide selection of library books and resources, including materials for lunchtime clubs.

• Upgrade our IT network and equipment in classrooms.

• Improve student amenities as demonstrated by the recent redevelopment of our Quad to provide a focal point of student interaction during the recess and lunch. 

• Maintain a high level of student engagement by offering enrichment activities: e.g. an annual school production, concert bands, interschool sport, tech crew program, debating, guest speakers, student lunchtime clubs and student leadership development opportunities.

These contributions are entirely voluntary and can be any amount and paid gradually throughout the year, and we do really appreciate that additional financial support from families who have capacity to contribute to the school.

Student Achievements

We know we have many talented and interesting students at Box Hill High School, and I encourage parents/carers to let us know if your child has achieved success or undertaken other endeavours outside school.

The school would like to publicly acknowledge and congratulate Katie Ho (Class of 2025) for being selected in the VCAA Top Designs 2026. This is a great honour and recognition of Katie’s talents. We are very proud of her!

Congratulations also to Chloe G for being selected in the Netball Victoria Talent Academy for 2026, to Salvatore S for his competing in the International Tennis Federation Tournament in Tasmania, and to Alice X who has achieved some outstanding results in the Table Tennis Australia championships in Perth. 

Also, a huge congratulations to our School Captain Rohan who has run 100km to raise money for headspace Box Hill for supporting youth mental health. What an amazing role model and a student who truly exemplifies our values and vision for our students!

Wishing our school community a happy Ramadan, Lent, and Lunar New Year!