Junior and Middle and Senior Level Leaders Report

End of Term 3:

Year 7 and 8 Leader Report

Year 7

Although this term has been shorter in weeks, it has certainly been a busy one for our Year 7 students. With many CATs due, students have been applying themselves with focus and determination. In English, all students have written thoughtful poems or creative raps for their assessment. We encourage parents to ask their child to share their piece at home—it is a wonderful way to celebrate their creativity.

In Humanities, students have been researching notable Australians and presenting their work through reports or posters. These projects showcase not only the students’ research skills but also their pride in Australian history and culture. We also suggest parents take the opportunity to view these projects at home and discuss them together as a family.

As we move into the final week of term, we ask parents to closely monitor their child’s workload and wellbeing. With a number of assessments still to be completed, fatigue can set in. Encouraging rest, organisation, and a balanced approach to study will help students finish the term strongly.

We are proud to report that Year 7 students have made significant progress this term in organisation and cleanliness. Locker bays are noticeably tidier, and students have developed the positive habit of gathering their materials before classes, meaning they are no longer returning to lockers between periods.

This Friday, students will enjoy a special event—SOC’s Got Talent. Held in the theatre, this exciting concert will showcase songs, bands, and comedy acts created and performed by our very own students. It promises to be a memorable conclusion to the term, with an early finish to mark the last day.

Looking ahead, a valuable goal for students in Term 4 could be attending Homework Club on Mondays and Wednesdays. This provides extra support with learning and helps establish positive study habits. We also encourage families to remain in close contact with their child’s teachers regarding learning progress, behaviour, and areas where additional support may be needed.

We thank all Year 7 families for their ongoing support and look forward to another term of growth and achievement.

Grant Bowman – Year 7 Leader

Year 8

As Term 3 draws to a close, we reflect on what has been an incredibly busy and rewarding time for our Year 8 students and staff.

One of the major milestones this term was the selection of electives for 2026. Students thoughtfully considered their options, and Mrs Heppel is now working hard behind the scenes to finalise placements. This is a complex and time-consuming task, and we thank families for their patience and understanding during this process.

A gentle reminder to all families: students are expected to wear their blazers to and from school, in line with our Uniform Policy. Your support in upholding this expectation helps reinforce our school values and maintain a sense of pride and unity.

We were thrilled to see so many Year 8 students involved in our recent school production of Beauty and the Beast Jr.—both on stage and behind the scenes. The performances were a resounding success, and our students truly shone! Congratulations to everyone involved—students, staff, and parents—for the countless hours of dedication and teamwork. Broadway, here they come!

Now, a quick word about mobile phones. We understand their importance, but we must reiterate that phones brought to school must be locked in lockers for the entire day. They should not be visible at recess, lunch, or during arrival and departure. If phones are seen, they will be confiscated and parents contacted to collect them. Please remind your child of this expectation. If you need to reach your child during the day, our friendly office staff are always available via the school phone.

Finally, a note on social media. With ongoing discussions around a potential ban for under-16s, it's timely to acknowledge that many of the issues we address stem from after-hours social media use. We encourage families to have open conversations and set clear boundaries around online activity. The eSafety Commissioner’s website (www.esafety.gov.au) and Susan McLean’s Cyber Safety Solutions (www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au) offer excellent resources. If you ever have the opportunity to hear Susan speak, I highly recommend it—she’s fantastic!

Thank you for your continued support. We wish all our Year 8 students a restful and safe break, and we look forward to seeing them refreshed and ready for Term 4.

Debbie Walters – Year 8 Leader

Year 9 and 10 Leader Report

It feels like only last week that we were writing to our parent community to welcome everyone to Term Three—and yet here we are, nine short weeks later, preparing to conclude a busy and eventful term. As we head into the break, we would like to thank our students for their efforts, particularly in maintaining high standards of uniform and for their active participation in learning activities.

This term, students benefitted from the Elevate Study Skills presentations, and the holiday break provides a timely opportunity for them to put into practice the study and revision strategies they have learnt as part of their daily and weekly routines. Term Four promises to be another exciting and busy term, with exams commencing just six weeks in, so developing consistent revision habits over the break will be vital.

We also want to commend our students for continuing to wear the correct uniform, maintaining strong attendance, and being punctual both at the start of the school day and for each lesson. Parents’ ongoing support in ensuring punctual arrival and entering absence notes is greatly appreciated. A reminder that students will return in their summer uniforms at the beginning of Term Four—making the break the perfect time to check over existing uniforms or purchase new items if required.

We wish all of our students and their families a wonderful, safe, and relaxing break, and we look forward to welcoming you all back in Term Four.

Bill Karakousis – Year 9 Leader

Sylvia Kosztyi – Year 10 Leader

Year 11 and 12 Leader Report

Year 11

Term 3 has been a short one but absolutely jam-packed with assessments, and we want to congratulate our Year 11 students on the way you’ve worked through the busy schedule. A big highlight of the term still to come, of course, the Year 11 Formal on Thursday, 18th September—a fantastic night of celebration and fun for the whole year level.

Looking ahead, many students will also be completing Unit 3/4 practice exams during the school holidays. These are an excellent opportunity to experience exam conditions and identify areas to focus on before the real thing.

The holidays are also a time to rest and recharge, but we encourage you to use this break wisely:

Cement your study habits and get into a consistent routine.
Plan out a study timetable to balance your revision and wellbeing.
Contact teachers early if you need clarification or support.
Put in place some stress management strategies to use when the workload feels overwhelming.https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/supporting-a-young-person/school-stress/

Term 4 will be busy and fast-paced, but with preparation, school/life balance, and persistence, you’ll be ready to finish the year strongly.

Kasey Boxell – Year 11 Leader

Year 12

As Term 3 concludes, I would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment demonstrated by our Year 12 students throughout this important stage of their final year.

This term has brought with it the pressure of assessment tasks, SACs, and for many, the steady lead-up to final examinations, and for the most part, our students have shown resilience and responsibility in managing these demands. Equally, the support and encouragement that students have offered one another has been a highlight, reflecting the school value of teamwork.

As we approach Term 4, many of our students will be turning their attention to their VCE exams. To support our Year 12 cohort with this, we have secured online VCE exam revision sessions facilitated by Skyline for all of our Unit 3 and 4 VCE students. We will also be running practice exams during the final week of term, and second week of school holidays. Please note that these practice exams are compulsory for all scored VCE students, with more information detailed on a Compass Newsfeed post from Mrs Jessica Ferugson.

Our unscored VCE students and VCE VM students should focus this time on reviewing their satisfactory completion of coursework and assessment tasks, and actioning any feedback, as directed by their teachers.

We are also preparing to celebrate the 'Class of 2025' as they wrap up 13 years of schooling. Students will have their Celebration Day on-site and at Luna Park on Friday 17th October, and Valedictory Dinner at Sofitel on Monday 20th October.

I would also like to extend my thanks to families for their ongoing support. The partnership between home and school continues to play an essential role in helping our students remain motivated and on track. Year 12 is both a significant challenge and a remarkable achievement. I am very proud of the perseverance, growth, and commitment shown by our students to this point, and I look forward to supporting them as they complete their final chapter at the College.

Blake Cochrane – Year 12 Leader