Junior School Report

YEAR 7

A major focus for Year 7 throughout Term 3 has been our College value of Responsibility. Through our Term 3 Responsibility Challenge, students have been encouraged to think about what responsibility looks like in their everyday school lives - arriving prepared, making positive choices, taking ownership of their learning and contributing positively to our Year 7 community. We have been really pleased to see so many students embracing this challenge and continuing to develop the habits that will support them throughout secondary school. We must admit, it was also quite funny to see students bring things like a "piece of fruit", "flower" and "tea" into class!

There has also been plenty to celebrate academically. Our third Progress Report cycle provided another opportunity to recognise students who are demonstrating positive learning behaviours, showing growth and consistently applying themselves in the classroom. It has been particularly pleasing to see students beginning to reflect more independently on their progress and identify areas in which they can continue to improve. We are incredibly proud of the growth we continue to see across the cohort.

Year 7 students also attended the Brainstorm Productions performance this term, which was a fantastic experience for the cohort. The performance reinforced the need to pause and think before posting or responding online, to treat others respectfully in digital spaces, and to seek support from a trusted adult when an online situation becomes unsafe or uncomfortable.

Sport has once again been a huge part of Year 7 life, with students having the opportunity to represent the College in basketball, futsal, hockey and table tennis throughout Term 3. We are also incredibly proud of our Year 7 netballers, with both our boys' and girls' teams progressing through to the second round of competition at the regional level. Additionally, great job to the boys' football and girls' badminton who also made it through to the next round! 

We also started Term 3 with something a little different, with Mr King introducing the Year 7 cohort to the famous Kingball! Since then, it has been great to see classes practising, refining their strategies and building some friendly competition along the way. Excitement is already starting to build for the big Kingball competition that will take place next term, and we are looking forward to seeing which class will take out the title! 

With another term almost complete, our Year 7 students should be proud of just how far they have come since walking through the gates at the beginning of the year. Term 3 has provided another opportunity to build independence, strengthen friendships, challenge themselves and become increasingly confident members of our College community.

We look forward to an exciting final term together and finishing Year 7 on a high!

YEAR 8

Term 3 has been another positive and productive term for our Year 8 students, with a strong focus on personal growth, responsibility and leadership.

Throughout the term, our Pastoral Program has placed a particular emphasis on our school values of Respect and Responsibility. Students have also embraced our new Ready to Learn initiative, which encourages everyone to arrive to every lesson prepared with the equipment and materials they need to be successful. It has been fantastic to see students take up the challenge so positively and develop greater responsibility for their own learning. We look forward to celebrating their success with a BBQ at the end of the term.

Another exciting opportunity this term was the opening of Expressions of Interest for the Alpine School, Victoria's School for Student Leadership. Many Year 8 students have put themselves forward for this unique leadership experience, which will take place in Term 1, 2027. Students will receive their interview times before the end of the term. We wish all students who have expressed an interest the very best of luck!

We would also like to congratulate Finn Eagles on an outstanding sporting season and many incredible achievements. Finn was named Captain of the Victorian Under 14 Football Team, an outstanding recognition of his leadership and ability. He was also named the 2026 U14 Blue League Best & Fairest and finished the season as the Leading Goal Kicker with an incredible 45 goals. These achievements reflect not only Finn's talent and commitment on the field, but also the way he conducts himself both on and off the field. We are incredibly proud of Finn and congratulate him on a remarkable season!

We congratulate all Year 8 students on another successful term and look forward to seeing them continue to demonstrate Respect, Responsibility and their Personal Best throughout the remainder of the year.

YEAR 9 

Year 9 Students Building Connections Across Generations

At the end of last year, our Year 9 students wrote Christmas cards for the residents of Regis Retirement Village in Rosebud and Capel Sound. This term, we have taken that connection a step further.

Each Wednesday, 15–20 of our students travel by bus to Regis Rosebud to spend time with the residents. What started as a simple idea has quickly grown into something very special.

The visits are filled with smiles, conversations, laughter and shared experiences. Students play cards and other games, share stories, take part in activities, or simply sit and chat with the residents. The noise and laughter coming from the room is wonderful to hear, and it is clear that genuine connections are being formed.

Regis Rosebud has also shared how much the visits are being appreciated. Their team described the program as a wonderful opportunity for intergenerational connection, noting that it can help reduce social isolation for residents, build empathy and respect in young people, and create a real sense of community across generations.

During the first visit, the students were even described as “eager to connect and share stories with older adults.” Residents enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the younger generation, while the students were encouraged to share their own stories and experiences. The first visit was such a success that a great turnout of residents came along to take part.

Jenny from Regis recently summed up the impact beautifully:

“So glad we started this, it’s becoming my favourite time of week and I’m getting such good feedback.”

And the program is continuing to grow, with Capel Sound Regis joining us for future visits.

It is wonderful to see our students building relationships beyond the school gates and experiencing first hand the value of kindness, conversation, listening and community. These visits are not simply about students giving their time they are about two generations learning from one another and sharing moments of friendship and joy.

A huge thank you to our team for making these visits possible, and to our Year 9 student for being such positive ambassadors for our school. We look forward to continuing this wonderful partnership with Regis Rosebud and welcoming Capel Sound Regis to future visits.

As Regis so wonderfully put it, “We are incredibly pleased with the success of the first few visits and look forward to many more special moments together.”

School for Student Leadership

Year 9 Students Leading the Way in Marlo

Four of our Year 9 students, Charlotte, Will, Rose and Josh are spending Term 3 at the School for Student Leadership in Marlo.

The program allows Year 9 students to live and learn away from home for a term, developing their leadership, teamwork and independence through outdoor expeditions, new challenges and community-based learning.

 The students are developing a Community Learning Project called ‘Knowledge for Native Wildlife’. Their project aims to raise awareness of and improve habitats for native wildlife around our College. Ideas include students designing and building nesting boxes for native birds and possums, as well as planting native species to provide additional habitat and food sources.

The group is already researching local wildlife and contacting nurseries about possible plant donations.

At the end of the term, Mrs MacLeod will travel to Marlo to visit the students and see them present their Community Learning Project. We look forward to welcoming Charlotte, Will, Rose and Josh back and seeing their project come to life at the College.