From the Assistant Principal: Wellbeing

By Kerryn Boyko

Year Level Overview for Semester One

While the chill of winter has settled in, our classrooms have remained warm and vibrant throughout this longer-than-usual eleven week term.

Our Year 7 students continue to embrace secondary life, having establishing routines while cultivating a genuine sense of belonging. Highlights of Term Two such as the Year 7 Retreat, the Control Your Scroll program, and the DeCapo Gala have offered meaningful opportunities for connection, reflection, and celebration.

Meanwhile, our Year 8 cohort has continued to grow in confidence and independence, thriving on experiences that foster autonomy and curiosity. From exploring the past on Medieval Day, to engaging with innovative ideas at the Science and Technology School excursion, to participating in the Sorry Day Ceremony at Damascus College, their term has had much opportunity for learning and personal growth.

Year 9 commenced Term Two with the Ballarat Mini Adventure—an engaging practice day for the much anticipated end-of-term Melbourne Experience. In between, students embraced the fun of weekly dance lessons, which culminated in a joyful and memorable Social with St Patrick’s College.

Year 10 students have taken meaningful steps toward shaping their futures. They have organised work experience placements and are reflecting on pathway and subjects choices for 2026 that align with their aspirations and desired career. Two of the three Live4Life Sessions have now been completed, improving students’ skills and confidence with supporting their own and friends’ mental health.

Year 11 and 12 students have locked into the VCE-VM and VCE programs, finishing up Unit 1 and 3 assessments and commencing second semester outcomes.  We have been very impressed with the focused, mature ethic that the Year 11 students have applied to work placements and VCE examinations. Our senior students are becoming more acutely aware of last moments of their secondary journey. The Year 12 Formal was a wonderful celebration of friendship, milestones and a shared journey.

We hope you had the opportunity to view the recent live SchoolTV webinar on digital literacy and safety. Experts Michael Carr-Gregg and Susan McLean shared practical strategies for parents, such as encouraging children to question online content and fostering open discussion at home about manipulation tactics.  As a reminder, the SchoolTV platform offers a wealth of resources on a broad range of topics relevant to teenagers—such as cybersafety. You can explore more at https://loreto.vic.schooltv.me/