Darwinia House

What a wonderful year we’ve had in Darwinia House this year. Our theme for this year was “Have a Go”, calling out to both students and staff to do their best in all aspects of their schooling. Across the year, we have seen all members of the Darwinia House community embrace our catchcry, with success in a range of activities, both educational and extracurricular.

Being a PE teacher, my focus is always drawn towards the two big sporting carnivals each year. Swimming and Athletics Carnivals provide students with the opportunity to show their House pride by wearing our House colour, maroon, or the unofficial alternative colour of pink. This year we saw a sea of these colours at both events, and the action in the pool and on the track was also high. Darwinia students performed well, by entering events and doing their best. As a House, we performed consistently well in both events, placing third in the Swimming Carnival and fourth in Athletics.

The other major event contributing towards the House Shield is the House Choral Competition, an event that requires dedication from the students to rehearse during lunch breaks over a long period, in preparation for the final performance at the end of Term 2. Darwinia was led this year by Mr Dietzsch through the rehearsals. Mr Dietzsch played guitar and was accompanied by Aiden in Year 11 on the piano. The group of around 20 students performed incredibly well, placing third overall, our highest result for many years in the Chorales.

Overall, Darwinia placed equal second in the House Shield, a measly one point behind the eventual winners. Students that participated in any or all of the events outlined above should be incredibly proud of their consistent efforts across the year, contributing to our best result in many years.

Another highlight for this year was our effort in the House Charity Shield. An incredible effort was put in by many of our student leaders and interested students. Over the course of this year, we raised the highest amount ever raised by a Darwinia group and provided motivation for other Houses to join in the philanthropic efforts. Our House Captain Sanam and Year 12 SRC Leader Alishba, lead a group of younger students selling noodles regularly at lunch time. By the end of Term 3, the operation was entirely student run, with students learning important skills to run a business. Despite placing second overall this year, our students have excelled in this area, raising over $4,000 for charity over the last two years, a significant contribution to the community.

Individually, our Darwinians have also excelled. Some key highlights are Praneet in Year 12 winning the Frank Facey Award, Alishba in Year 12 being awarded a Community Service Award at the Year 12 Final Assembly and Talei in Year 11 performing in the community with the 4Cs group. Our staff members were also awarded throughout the year, with three staff announced as Staff Member of the Month. Congratulations to Miss Aldobasic in April, Miss Nacera in May and Mr Burgess in August. Thank you also to Mrs Hoddinott for designing our new logo, the Darwinia Dragon, featuring a Darwinia flower as its head and crest.

Well done to each and every member of Darwinia House for your efforts throughout 2025, particularly those that took up our theme of “Have a Go”. Thank you to all staff for your support of the students this year. I hope you enjoy a well deserved break and come back refreshed and ready for 2026. To our class of 2026, well done on completing your high school education. Remember, you will always be a Darwinian!

Geoff Greaves

Darwinia House Leader

Meet the Darwinia House Leadership Team!