As we approach the close of the year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of the incredible achievements that have marked the final weeks of term. It has been a busy but rewarding time for our school community, and I am immensely proud of all that our students have accomplished.

Year 12 students are close to the finish of their exam period. The recent media attention on some potential leaks of the VCAA exams should not distract students who have remaining exams. We are confident that the VCAA will ensure that no students are disadvantaged (or advantaged) by the alleged leaks of exam paper questions. I look forward to a highlight of our school year next week - our Year 12 graduation.

Year 11 exams began this week, beginning the run of exams for Years 11, 10 and 9. Students are encouraged to develop a home study timetable and to prepare in plenty of time. These early year exams are important preparation for more formal exams later in their lives, whether VCE, University or other tests such as police entry exams.

This week, we celebrated the culmination of our Hands-On Learning program, which has been running every Tuesday with the dedicated support of our staff leaders, Helen, Jess, and Sarah. Over the course of the term, this group of students has engaged in a range of hands-on projects, developing both practical skills and critical thinking. Their final celebration of their hard work, creativity, and teamwork was enjoyed by all who attended. A huge congratulations to the students and their leaders for making this program such a success.

Additionally, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Catherine Bates and the IM team for orchestrating a truly spectacular end-of-year concert last night. The Music Department has always inspired excellence in our students, but this year’s concert truly raised the bar. The performance was outstanding, with many audience members visibly moved by the powerful pieces. It was particularly special to witness the first-ever choral performance at our school, and the beauty of the voices filled the performance space. Congratulations to all students and staff involved in this achievement. It is a testament to the talent, dedication, and passion that exist within our school community.

In addition to the concert, we also celebrated our end-of-year Dance Showcase this week. The students' performances were nothing short of exceptional, from our Year 9 dancers right through to our Senior VCE and VET students. I would like to commend teachers Stephanie Gardiner and Laura Zinghini and the talented and hardworking students. The quality of the dancing was evident, and the passion and skill of our dancers were on full display.

A Few Important Reminders

Cool for School Raffle

A quick reminder to all families involved in our Cool for School Raffle: Please ensure all unsold tickets, ticket stubs, and money are returned to the General Office by this Monday 18th November. The raffle will be drawn on November 30th, during our 40th Anniversary Celebration, and we have some incredible prizes up for grabs, including a $10,000 travel voucher. We are very close to reaching our fundraising goal for the much-needed air conditioning installation across the school, so your participation in the raffle is greatly appreciated.

DON'T FORGET TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS FOR THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OUTDOOR CINEMA AND FOOD TRUCKS (30/11/24 - event on Compass)

Compass Card Reminder

If your child has lost their Compass card, please note that they will need to purchase a replacement. This can be done conveniently through their Compass portal. The Compass card is essential for accessing student toilets, as well as for printing purposes. Going forward, the sick bay toilet will no longer be available for general student use, except for those on medical condition management plans.

Big Day Out Consent and Payment

The Years 7-9 Big Day Out will be held on the 12th of December. As per our excursions policy, consent/payment will not be accepted after the cut off, which is 3 business days prior to the event. Please make sure you respond to the Compass event when it comes out so that your child does not miss out.

Redemption Period and Finishing Dates

Students who have not demonstrated sufficient learning due to non submission of work will be required at school on the scheduled Redemption Days (please see Calendar). Parents will be contacted if their child is required to attend.

All other students are expected to be in full attendance until their finishing dates. Regardless of what your child may tell you, our policy is to keep teaching and learning right up until the final day!! We do not run class parties, show movies not related to curriculum, or stop working until the final day of attendance. Student and staff end of year celebration is on the Big Day Out.

Headspace Clinician available at school

St Helena is excited to welcome our new visiting Headspace Clinician, Krystal.

Krystal is currently serving as a Mental Health Practitioner at Headspace Greensborough, where she collaborates with young people to support their mental health, physical and sexual health, address drug and alcohol concerns, and assist with work and study needs.

With a Bachelor of Nursing and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing, Krystal has worked across both acute and community mental health services in Victoria, serving youth and adults. Her experience with individuals facing mild to severe mental health challenges has underscored the importance of early intervention, particularly within school settings.

Through the Victorian Government's EMHSS (Enhancing Mental Health Support in Schools) program, she now provides brief, one-on-one counselling sessions to students at the school every fortnight on Thursdays, beginning November 7th. These sessions are confidential.

In this role, Krystal supports young people experiencing mood-related issues, such as anxiety, depression, and anger, as well as body image and self-esteem concerns, communication difficulties, and problem-solving challenges. She works collaboratively with students to identify key issues, set recovery goals, and develop healthy coping strategies.

Referrals for her services are managed by the Wellbeing team, and students are welcome to attend "drop-in" sessions during breaks to ask questions or discuss any concerns related to their health and wellbeing. Students can also self-refer for this service via the wellbeing referral form on the College Website.

First Aid Room Access Changes ("Sick Bay")

Please communicate these to your child/children

The purpose of the First Aid Centre is to provide medical support to students who need:

medical assessment and treatment for injuries.
assessment of illness so that students are either returned to class or sent home.
administration of medication for students on Medication Management Plans.
facilitation of Medical Management Plans.

It is important that the First Aid Centre:

provides dignity and privacy for students requiring treatment and/or assessment.
provides the highest level of confidentiality for medical records.
is available to students with genuine medical needs.
is sufficiently resourced to provide the highest level of medical care.

NB. The First Aid Centre is NOT able to treat illness.

All students MUST report to the General Office if they wish to access the First Aid Centre.

Office Staff will conduct initial triage to determine if the student needs:

injury assessment/treatment by the First Aid Officer.
illness assessment by the First Aid Officer.
return to class.
collection by parents.

If in any doubt, the Office Staff will refer to the First Aid Officer.

Office Staff will:

admit students with Medication Management Plans or Medical Management Plans (eg anaphylaxis, epilepsy) to the First Aid Centre through contacting the First Aid Officer.
admit students with injuries requiring assessment/treatment through contacting the First Aid Officer.
admit students with illness requiring assessment through contacting the First Aid Officer.
facilitate parent collection for students who need to go home due to illness.
return students back to class if they are well enough to be in class (not unwell enough to go home)

The First Aid Officer will:

provide treatment/medication as per Medication Management Plans or Medical Management Plans.
assess students with injuries and arrange appropriate medical treatment (ambulance/parent collection/return to class after basic first aid).
assess students who present as ill and either return them to class or facilitate parent collection.

Note: in an emergency any or all of these protocols may be bypassed.

ONLY STUDENTS RECEIVING URGENT FIRST AID WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE FIRST AID OFFICE.

Only students who are significantly unwell and awaiting parent collection will be admitted to the First Aid waiting area.

Only students with Medical Management Plans are to be given access to the First Aid toilet.

(All other students who do not have Compass access to the toilets because they do not have their Compass cards are to report to their Mini School.)

Please ensure we have a medication management plan or a medical condition management plan if your child has ongoing medical issues and/or needs to take medication during the school day. Contact Claire Waites (First Aid Officer) on cws@sthelena.vic.edu.au or via 9438 8500.

Limited Vacancies for 2025

We have a few limited vacancies for 2025 available at Years 7, 10, 11 and 12. Applications will be taken until 24th November. Those on the waiting list need not reapply. Allocation of places is strictly on the basis of distance from the college (unless an in-zone or sibling application). Contact the General Office on 9438 8500.

2025 School Commencement

January 28 and 29 are PUPIL FREE DAYS. Staff will be on site and the office will be open.

January 30: Years 7 and 12 commence (Year 12 camp leaves)

January 31: Years 8 to 11 commence