Junior School

Earlier this term our Year 7 Integrated Studies students showcased their exceptional work at the Year 7 Sustainability Expo. Students researched sustainability issues which impact the Eltham community and created innovative solutions to help to address these issues. Solutions needed to consider the three pillars of sustainability (social, environmental, and economic factors), and prepare a pamphlet, product and pitch to present to the school community at the expo.

A huge congratulations to our award winners:

Principal’s Award: Global Changemaker – Reilly Mitchell (Toner House) and Charlie Ransome (Pakana House)

Humanities Award: Compassion in Action – Raelah Lascelles (Everard House) and Nyssa Mika (Everard House)

Critical Inquiry Award: Solution Seeker – Natasha Rogers (Pakana House)

Veggie Empire Award: Green Fork – Cleo Bourazikas (Skipper House)

Sustainable Group Award: Team Excellence – Rugiada Vitali (Pakana House) and Indie Ramage (Everard House)

Science Award: Bright Spark – Indigo Muxlow (Skipper House) and Sienna Velasquez (Skipper House)

Class Award Winners included: Sienna Midolo (Pakana House), Inigo Argonza (Everard House), Lachlan Smithson (Pakana House), Thomas Hartley (Everard House), Lila Lewis (Toner House), Mila Loughlin (Toner House), Reilly Mitchell (Toner House), Charlie Ransome (Pakana House), Sammy Badger (Pakana House), Georgia Nathan (Skipper House), Olive Stirling (Pakana House), Harlow Maddison-Grey (Skipper House), Phoenix West (Skipper House) and Oliver Van Raalte (Pakana House).

Students are now learning about what it means to be a Global Citizen, incorporating key knowledge and skills developed throughout the year to better understand Global issues and Human Rights. Students explored characteristics and symbols of Global Citizenship through artwork.

As the weather begins to heat up again, we would like to remind families and carers to encourage SunSmart attire at school. Additionally, open-toed footwear should not be worn onsite.

A kind reminder to please communicate any challenges with attendance at school. This can be achieved by entering this information through Compass and adding a ‘parent note’ to communicate to teachers and staff why your child is absent. This information is vital to help us to meet your young person at their point of need and offer additional supports when required. Additionally, please communicate any planned absences to your child’s coordinator. Extended absences need to be communicated and confirmed by Vincent Sicari, but this can be achieved via communications with your child’s coordinator.

KATHRYN BOYSEN, Junior School Team Leader

DAV Interschool Debating Competition

On Tuesday, October 14, our Year 7 Extend Program students debated at the DAV Interschool Debating competition. This was their first time debating against other schools, and all our teams did very well. The topic for the debate was that “It should be compulsory for fast food to have plain packaging”. 

Here is a summary of the results:

For our Eltham 1s team, they debated as the affirmative team against Parade College 2s. They won and the best speaker chosen by the adjudicator was Sienna Midolo (Pakana House).

The Eltham 2s debated as the affirmative team against Loyola College, going down by just one point, with Max Provis (Everard House) as best speaker.

The Eltham 3s had the difficult task of debating on the negative side and unfortunately were unsuccessful against the Parade College 1s.

The Eltham 4s had a bye.

After the debate, all our debaters watched an exhibition debate run by the adjudicators. This was to demonstrate to all the competitors what different levels of debating look like, showing off beginner, intermediate and professional expertise. This was very eye-opening for our debaters and has hopefully given them ideas around the components of a good quality debate.

Overall, our first DAV Debating competition was great. Good luck to our debaters for the next round!!

Stevie Sterling (Pakana House) - Eltham 1

MELISSA HUGHES, Debate Leader