College News 

The World's Greatest Shave

The University Campus SRC recently arranged for students and staff to take part in the World's Greatest Shave.

Many stepped up to shave, cut or colour their hair for the cause, with approximately $140 being raised for the Leukaemia Foundation.

A big thank you goes to Mr. Sabawi who helped with the shaving.

RMIT Excursion

Recently, students attended the RMIT University "I Belong" camp, which provides insight into higher education and career options for regional Indigenous students, along with experiencing urban living in metropolitan Melbourne.

Our students explored RMIT University and experienced many of the subjects on offer, including Automotive Engineering, Creative Environment, Engineering, Marketing, Osteopathy, Nursing and STEM Taster Workshops.

The students also experienced mock courtroom hearings at the Old Melbourne Gaol and learned about sporting scholarships at the Essendon Football Club.

Reconciliation Week 2024 - Now More Than Ever

To commemorate Reconciliation Week, our University Campus hosted a campfire conversation evening last week. Students, their families and special guests Aunty Christine and Uncle Laurie made the night a great success, filled with heartfelt storytelling and the joy of community coming together.

Reconciliation Week also saw some staff attend The Secretary’s Marrung Awards in Melbourne, which celebrates the unique knowledge and skills that Aboriginal staff and allies bring to the department to create better educational outcomes for Aboriginal students. 

Kurnai proudly congratulates Marina Cooper, our Koorie Student Wellbeing Coordinator, for being a finalist in this year's awards. Marina's nomination recognises her unwavering dedication to fostering a positive learning environment for our Koorie students.

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) occurs annually in July, and celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

With the official week falling in the school holidays, Kurnai College will be celebrating NAIDOC from 22 - 26 July.  Our major event will be held at the University Campus on Thursday 25 July, with additional celebrations held at our other campuses throughout the week.

Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides funds for eligible students to attend school camps, excursions, sports and outdoor education programs.  These payments are made directly to the school and are tied to your student. 

Payment amounts for 2024 are:

• $150 per year for eligible primary school students
• $250 per year for eligible secondary school students.

2024 applications close on 21 June 2024. Forms can be submitted at your school's office. 

Are you eligible to apply for the Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund? Those who are eligible to apply for CSEF are:

• families holding a valid means-tested concession card.
• a student over 16 years who is considered a mature minor and holds a valid concession card (such as a Youth Allowance Health Care Card or Disability Support Pension Card).  

Full information can be found at https://www.vic.gov.au/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund

Smoking and vaping ban

All parents, carers and students are reminded of the legislation that within Victoria, a person must not smoke cigarettes, including e-cigarettes/vapes (regardless of whether they contain nicotine) within school premises and within 4 metres of any pedestrian access to school premises. Smoking in these places is a fineable offence. The smoking and vaping ban applies to:

• anyone present on school premises during and outside of school hours including students, teachers, contractors, parents or carers or the wider community, such as sporting groups
• all activities that take place on school premises including pre-schools, kindergartens, outside school hours care, cultural, sporting or recreational activities and school fetes. Parents, carers, schools, and community all play an important role in protecting children and young people from, and educating them about, the harmful effects of smoking and vaping.

Research from the Royal Children’s Hospital shows many parents and carers are not aware of the harmful effects or how their views about smoking and vaping can impact the likelihood of a young person taking up smoking or vaping.

The Department of Education has developed resources to help you learn more about the health risks of smoking and vaping. The resources include advice about how to talk to children and young people about vaping, and where to get support. To access the resources, go to https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents

You can also view this video on smoking and vaping from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne for health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people.