NEW BEGINNINGS
Class of 2026: Kicking Off the Year with a Splash!
By Mandy Bjelan (Year 12 Teacher & Head of Psychology (VCE)
On Wednesday 28th January, the Year 12 cohort headed off for a fun day at Gumbuya World to kick off their final year of school. It was the perfect way to break the ice and reconnect after the holidays.
The weather was perfect for water-park fun and the students wasted no time hitting the waterslides, wave pool, rollercoasters, lazy river and wildlife areas. It was a fantastic opportunity for the group to bond, build morale, and burn off some energy before the academic year truly begins.
If this excursion proved anything, it’s that while Year 12 will have its ups and downs—much like a rollercoaster—facing them together makes the ride a lot more fun.
Welcome back, Class of 2026!
CELEBRATING OUR PREPS
BY TIFFANY RUSSON (P-2 Coordinator and Prep Teacher)
The first week of Prep is a milestone filled with wonder, and this year’s cohort has brought a vibrant energy to our school grounds. It has been a joy to watch our newest learners settle into school life with such remarkable poise and enthusiasm.
Transitioning to "big school" involves navigating a whirlwind of new places and faces. From finding their way to the library to mastering the art of the lunchbox, our Preps have handled these challenges with curiosity and confidence. We have been particularly heartened by their friendly attitudes; seeing students offer a helping hand to a peer or bravely introduce themselves to a new playmate has been a highlight for our teachers.
The classrooms have hummed with curiosity as students tackle each new task with a smile. Whether engaging in their first circle time or learning new playground routines, the students have shown a positive approach to every new experience. While there were naturally a few butterflies on the first day, they were quickly replaced by the pride of becoming "big school" students.
We want to thank our parent community for your support during this transition. Your encouragement has provided the foundation for this successful start. We look forward to the incredible growth and joy the rest of the term will surely bring.
Starting High School in Style!
By Liam Mackay (Year 7 Homeroom Teacher)
2026 Year 7 students were treated to an early start to the year, starting a day early with Orientation Day. This provided a wonderful opportunity for our newest high schoolers to find their bearings, meet their teachers, and rule the school for a day!
Facilitated by the legendary Mr. Jonathan Scampton, students started the day taking snaps all around the school on a photo scavenger hunt. Teams of strangers became teams of friends in the heat of competition, with none other than “The Raspberries” taking the coveted prize.
The rest of the day, students resorted to their fresh classrooms where us homeroom teachers set the culture and tone for the year, going through High School processes, classroom expectations, and get-to-know-ya activities.
If that wasn’t enough fun and energy, the day ended, as any good orientation day does, with sport and icy poles.
Students left ready to take their first steps into their last years of school, and teachers left excited for the year ahead with the absolute legends that are the 2026 Year 7 cohort.
