Principal's Report
Past Student Achievement
Congratulations to Finnbar Maley (Class of 2021, Everard House) who on Thursday 1 May made his AFL debut joining North Melbourne against Essendon in Round 8 of the competition at Marvel Stadium. It was an exceptional night for Finnbar, scoring his first goal in the early stages of the game. Finnbar’s exceptional talent and passion for the sport will certainly see him achieving great heights in the game. We wish him every success during the remainder of the 2025 season and for the seasons to come.
Year 7 & 8 Cross Country Run
Congratulations to all the students who participated in the Cross Country event and who gained points for their house. Detailed information is available in the sports section of this newsletter.
I congratulate Toner House for winning the top spot with 1425 points, Everard House followed in second place, Pakana House in third place and Skipper House in fourth place. Everyone involved, staff included had a great day and individuals should be proud of their achievement no matter how large or small.
A big thank you to our Sports Co-Ordinator, Bree Pascoe, for her hard work in organising yet another big event for our junior students. I also thank all the staff who supported Bree in the organisation or who participated alongside the students in the run.
It was a day full of fun for all.
Celebration of Music Mid-Year Concerts
On Monday 26 May and Wednesday 28 May, our school community was privy to the wonderful sounds of our young musicians.
I begin by congratulating all the students who performed brilliantly in each of the two concerts, and I acknowledge the support and guidance that the instrumental and classroom Music Staff provided to them to be able to achieve such high standards in their playing irrespective of their level of performance.
The first concert featured our String Section of the program mixed with a performance from our Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band, and I have to say that the performance of the Training Strings was exceptional seeing as though most students had only picked up their instrument for the first time just a few weeks ago.
The second concert featured our Bands Program mixed with a performance from the String Quartet, Chamber Strings the EHS Choir and a VCE Solo Piano performance. The Training Band’s performance once again was exceptional. Most of these students also picked up their instruments for first time a few weeks ago. It is truly amazing.
Both nights provided great music, great entertainment and an amazing display of our students’ musicianship and talent.
Feedback from the audience was exceptionally positive on both evenings.
I take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of our Music Admin Support, Grace Trebley, who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that both concerts ran smoothly. Furthermore, I want to thank our amazing volunteers, the Friends of Music, who work tirelessly in support of the program ensuring that evening such as these are well planned for and well executed. Their fund-raising effort also provides additional support to the program, particularly when it comes to the purchase of new instruments. The work of the Friends of Music is invaluable.
12th Annual Melbourne Firefighters Stair Climb
On Saturday 6 of September 2025, Firefighters and Emergency services personnel from across Australia and the globe will descend upon Melbourne to ascend the gruelling 28 Floors of the Crown Metropol raising vital funds for Cancer Research and Crisis Support!
The climbers will battle 28 floors in up to 25kg of turnout gear and breathing apparatus or similarly weighted operational equipment of their emergency service as a symbol of the burden of significant health and well-being issues faced by our first responders and their families on a daily basis.
They need our help to raise $1 Million to support beneficiaries including: Lifeline, Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and 000Foundation.
The climbers will be supported by fantastic climb crew volunteers and medical support teams along the way, who will be cheering them on as they embark upon one of the toughest stairs climb challenges on offer!
Two of our students will be joining the climb. They have set themselves their own personal fundraising goal of $1000 each in support of the cause.
Scarlett Harrison – School Leader (Year 12, Skipper House) and Teagan Gibbs – Skipper House Leader (Year 12, Skipper House), who are both members of the CFA, will be joining the climb.
Below you will find a link to an outline that each student has prepared with details of how you can support them by donating to their cause.
Melbourne Firefighters Stair Climb - Scarlett
Melbourne Firefighters Stair Climb - Tegan
I wish Scarlett and Tegan all the very best with this initiative.
Free Dental Care and Free Mouthguards at HealthAbility
Young people are eligible for free dental care through the Smile Squad Program, a Victorian State Government initiative providing no-cost dental services to all government primary and secondary school students.
To book an appointment call 9430 9100
Please refer to the flyer in the community section of this Newsletter for additional Information.
Reminders:
New School Crossing Withers Way/Susan Street
You will remember from the last edition of this newsletter, that over the team break a great deal of work took place to develop the new pedestrian crossing at the Withers Way/Susan Street “T” intersection.
The new crossing is a welcomed change for the safety of our students who are using the crossing well and as intended. However, it is important for all of us to realise that with the new development there have been changes to the traffic condition and traffic flow in this area.
I ask that you all familiarise yourselves with these and take note of any new signage in the area indicating traffic direction and flow. In particular take note of any “STOP” and “Give Way” signs and follow through with the expected road rules around pedestrian crossings. Getting this right is the last step in ensuring that our young people remain safe when crossing this highly travelled path.
Parking in School Quadrangle
Whilst parking in empty parking bays in the front quadrangle of the school is quite acceptable if you are visiting the school during the day, I would like to draw to your attention that close to the exit of the driveway there are 4 parking spots designated for use by the Wildcats Basketball Club staff. Some of their staff come and go at various times throughout the day and are entitled to park in their designated spots. As such can I ask you to ensure that you do not park in these allocated bays. If there are no other parking bays free, please drive out of the quadrangle and park elsewhere. I remind you that during the day between 10:00am and 2:00 pm you can park along the curb opposite the front entrance to the school
I thank you for your support with this.
Staff Work Hours
Parents/carers and students are reminded that regular work hours for staff are 8:30am - 4:30pm. Staff are not available to respond to emails outside of regular work hours.
You are at liberty to send an e-mail at your convenience, but please be aware that it will not be responded to immediately if it is outside of the regular work hours. However, your email will be responded to within 48 hours from the first workday that it is received.
Thank you for your understanding.
Should you require immediate assistance with a matter of concern, please contact these external services:
Telephone or Webchat Support for Young People:
1800 55 1800
Parents/Carers Support:
13 22 89
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/parentline-service
School Drop Off and Pick Up Times
I remind all parents and guardians, and inform new parents and carers to the school, that student safety is always the primary consideration including both drop off time and pick up times.
Whilst traffic seems to flow smoothly through the circular driveway of the school at the start of the day, there seems to be greater congestion at pick up time in the afternoon.
The circular driveway is to be used purely for drop off and pick up.
There is very little parking available within the school grounds between the following time (8:00 – 10:00am and 2:00 – 4:00pm). “No Standing Anytime” signs are located within the school, and it is important that parents/guardians adhere to these. Furthermore, double parking is illegal in the street and within the school grounds, it causes further congestion, which in turn impinges on student safety.
We will be enforcing the use of the circular driveway purely for drop off and pick up of students.
As you move into the circular driveway, if your child is not at the front of the school you will need to exit the driveway and re-enter. You may need to do this more than once. Alternatively, it is advisable that you organise with your child another location for pick up.
As always, we will continue to expect everyone to abide by road and safety laws and procedures as they move through the driveway. The same applies at the Ely Street end of the school. Staff parking on the street is now minimal and this means that there is space for drop off and pick up. Please do not park in residents’ driveways. No parents are to drive into the school driveway or park in it or across it. This is the only avenue that students have to get to and from the school buses and we must be vigilant for their safety.
Subsequently, it is imperative that everyone behaves in a lawful and safe way out in Withers Way, Susan Street, Bell Street and Ely Street. We have informed the traffic division of the Shire of Nillumbik of the school’s strategy, and it is possible that the Ranger’s office may act against people who disregard road and safety laws out in the streets. Likewise, the police will patrol the area at these peak times, and they will not hesitate to reprimand and fine if necessary.
I trust that you will understand the need for this direction, and I ask you for your continued support to ensure the safety of our kids.
If you do use the drop off and pick up zone on Withers Way, can you please direct your children to cross the road at the school crossing both on arrival and on their departure from school. We certainly do not want students crossing the road in front of oncoming cars and placing themselves at risk.
Thank you for your support with this matter.
VINCENT SICARI, Principal