Junior and Middle and Senior Level Leaders Report
Beginning Of Term 2 :
Year 7 and 8 Leader Report
Year 7
Welcome Back to Term 2
Welcome back to all our Year 7 families,
We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break. Term 1 was all about transition, with an emphasis on supporting students to settle into secondary school, build positive habits, and establish routines for success. We are extremely proud of how well our Year 7 cohort approached this.
A Focus on Learning
Term 2 is where we begin to knuckle down and focus on the academic side of learning. Students will be:
· Developing strong study skills
· Becoming more deeply immersed in their subjects
· Building confidence in their learning and organisation
We have already received excellent feedback from teachers, with many checking in with Student Services to highlight:
· Excellent behaviour
· Positive attitudes
· High-quality learning in the classroom
This is a strong foundation to build on for the remainder of the year.
Supporting Study Habits at Home
To help students continue developing strong routines, families are asked to:
· Check and sign your child’s planner each week
· Ensure homework is being recorded and completed
This term, mentor teachers will also be signing planners weekly. If your child’s planner is not being signed, please contact Student Services so we can follow this up and provide support where needed.
English Homework Reminder
This term, all Year 7 students are beginning their novel studies:
· Accelerated English: Trash (expected to be read over the holidays)
· Mainstream English: Coraline (expected to be read over the holidays)
If your child has not completed this reading, it is important they begin now. To support students, high-quality audiobooks are available on YouTube, Spotify, and Audible.
Uniform Reminder
As we move into Term 2, students are expected to wear full winter uniform, including:
· School blazer
· School tie
Thank you for your support in maintaining high standards and pride in our school community.
Mentor Program and School Values
This term, our assemblies and mentor program will focus on the HRRRT value of:
Respect
Students will explore respect in:
· The classroom
· The community
· Their friendships
In mentor classes, students will also begin:
· Reflecting on life goals and career aspirations
· Setting SMART goals
These tasks will be completed through Compass, with further information to be shared soon.
Family Focus - Staying Connected
As we move into the cooler months, it is important to stay connected. If you notice your child:
· Feeling unsettled
· Struggling with learning
· Experiencing social or emotional challenges
Please be proactive and contact Student Services. We are here to support both students and families.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to a productive and successful Term 2.
Enjoy the term.
Grant Bowman – Year 7 Leader
Year 8
Year 8 students have returned for Term 2, continuing their journey toward end‑of‑semester exams. During mentor sessions, teachers are supporting students to prepare effectively, strengthen their organisation, and develop study skills that will continue to build through to Year 12.
We are also excited to announce a three‑day off‑site Curiosity Quest experience planned for later this year. Day 2 and Day 3 are now locked in, with final arrangements underway for Day 1. While dates are still being finalised, the key themes of Curiosity Quest will be:
- Curiosity and Connection
- Teamwork and Challenge
- Strike and Hijinx Hotel Chadstone
- Real‑world Learning
- Werribee Open Range Zoo
Further information and confirmed dates will be shared later next month.
Thank you for your continued support. We have already seen significant growth in our Year 8 students and look forward to seeing how they continue to develop throughout the term.
Ashley Aylen – Year 8 Leader
Year 9 and 10 Leader Report
Welcome back to all parents and students. It has been a busy and productive start to Term 2 for both our Year 9 and Year 10 cohorts.
Year 9 students have had a particularly exciting start to the term. They participated in the Heroes seminar at St Kilda Town Hall, where they engaged positively and contributed thoughtfully to the day’s discussions and activities. In addition, students took part in wheelchair basketball as part of their Health and Physical Education program, exploring sport modification and inclusion. They also attended the Reach incursion, which focused on the impact of alcohol in teenage life.
Year 10 students have also had valuable learning experiences, including a visit to the Holocaust Museum. During this excursion, students participated in the museum’s education program, explored the exhibitions, and had the opportunity to hear firsthand from a Holocaust survivor. This was a powerful and reflective experience for our students. Looking ahead, Year 10 students will also be participating in the Headstart program to support preparation for VCE subject selection.
Our focus this term will remain on supporting students to meet uniform expectations, improve punctuality and attendance, and maintain strong academic performance. In preparation for Semester 1 exams in Week 8, students will also participate in targeted lessons focusing on effective study habits, organisation, and creating productive learning environments at home.
We look forward to continuing to support our students through a successful and focused term.
Bill Karakousis – Year 9 Leader
Peter Pizanias– Year 10 Leader
Year 11 and 12 Leader Report
Year 11
Congratulations to students who have received an award at the Year 11 assembly for their persistent hard work and excellent results in one or multiple VCE subjects. It is great to see that our students are working above and beyond and achieving outstanding results.
We would like to thank Year 11 students who are organising the Autumn Bake Sale, for all their hard work and dedication to the fundraisers for the Year 11 Formal.
Finally, just a reminder to students and families about 90% attendance in VCE. If you have any concerns or questions about your attendance, please come to the Senior School office to discuss.
Remember that your engagement, attendance and hard work in this Unit is the foundation for your success in VCE!
Sylvia Kotszyi – Year 11 Leader
Year 12
A Strong Start to the Term
It has been wonderful to see our Year 12 students return to school and make such a positive start to the new term. Classrooms have been focused, students are engaging well with their learning, and many have already settled back into productive routines after the holiday break. As we move further into the term, maintaining consistency and balance will be key to a successful semester.
A reminder to all students about the importance of arriving at school and class on time each day. Being punctual helps students begin lessons calmly and prepared, reduces stress, and ensures valuable learning time is not missed. Arriving on time also supports positive routines, organisation, and readiness for the demands of Year 12. Small habits each day can make a significant difference over the course of the year.
As we head into the colder winter months, it is also important that students continue to look after their health and wellbeing. Year 12 can feel overwhelming at times, and students are encouraged to take breaks when needed, maintain healthy sleep routines, and seek support early if they are struggling to manage their workload. Mentor teachers, subject teachers, Ms. Ferguson and I are all here to support students throughout the year. Open communication is important, and we encourage students to reach out if they need assistance with balancing assessment tasks or managing stress.
We are proud of the way our Year 12 cohort has approached the term so far and look forward to continuing to support them throughout the year. Continue to strive to thrive in 2026.
Andrea Carmody – Year 12 Leader