Events

Year 11 & 12 VM Love Bites Program

Last week, our Year 11 and 12 VM students took part in the Love Bites program – a respectful relationships and consent education program and a primary prevention initiative to reduce family violence and intimate partner abuse among young people. The program provided a safe and supportive space for students to explore key topics such as healthy relationships, consent, boundaries, and effective communication.

To finish the day on a creative and reflective note, students participated in an art-based session where they designed meaningful artwork and painted affirmation rocks. These rocks, featuring positive messages and themes of respect and kindness. They will be placed in our school gardens as a lasting reminder of the importance of respectful, healthy relationships.

A big thank you to Ms. Trickey, Ms. Paholek and Sarah Gething (School Wellbeing Officer) for facilitating this program and making the day such a positive and empowering experience for our senior students.

Paws for Wellbeing: Canine Comprehension Comes to Seymour College! 🐾

Over the past three weeks, a small group of selected students have had the absolute treat of participating in the Canine Comprehension Program — and let’s just say, it’s been pawsitively amazing!

Each week, students were joined by two very special visitors: Gruffalo and Maisie, the lovable therapy dogs. With tails wagging and ears perked, these furry friends helped create a calm, supportive space for students to work on emotional regulation, communication, and confidence — all while sneaking in a few cuddles and tail wags along the way.

The program has been a hit, with students building strong connections not just with Gruffalo and Maisie, but also with each other. Activities included mindfulness exercises, group discussions, and even some quiet reading time — all made better with a dog by their side.

A huge thank you to the Canine Comprehension team (both two-legged and four-legged!) for bringing joy, comfort, and a bit of extra fluff to our school days.

A Vibrant Intercultural Experience for our Educators

It was announced last term that Seymour College and seven other schools in Mitchell Shire that are in a common English as an Additional Language (EAL) program received the ‘Connecting Schools with Indian Communities’ (CSIC) grant from the Department of Education’s International Education and Partnerships Division. CSIC is an education initiative of Victoria’s India Strategy. 

On August 22, during the lunch break of this year’s Common Curriculum Day for teachers in Mitchell and Murrindindi Shire schools, a cultural event was organised at Wallan Secondary College to promote intercultural awareness through the Indian arts. Over 300 staff from schools across the area including our own, were in attendance. The event showcased the rich artistic traditions of India, with a range of live performances and experiences, including:

• Classical Nathaswaram Music – an uplifting and traditional South Indian wind instrument performance
• Bharatanatyam Dance – a captivating classical dance form known for its grace and storytelling
• Odissi Dance – one of the oldest classical dance styles of India, marked by fluidity and intricate expression
• Semi-Classical Medley – blending modern elements with classical roots for a lively, engaging performance
• Indian Food Tasting – a delicious selection of traditional Indian dishes for staff to enjoy and explore

The event received very positive feedback from teachers, who appreciated the opportunity to learn more about Indian culture through the arts. It was a joyful and enriching experience that reflected our school’s values of inclusion, respect, and cultural understanding.

We are excited to share that more activities focused on CSIC will be organised soon, involving our students and families. These future events will offer meaningful opportunities for all school stakeholders to engage with Indian culture through arts, food, storytelling, and more. 

Stay tuned for upcoming event details – we look forward to celebrating together as a whole school community!  

Shanthi Antony,

Leading Teacher (English as an Additional Language),

Mitchell Shire Cluster of Schools,

Department of Education.