Teaching and Learning

Student Representative Council Establishment

Our newly established Student Representative Council (SRC) will play a vital role in fostering student engagement and promoting a positive school culture. It will hold its first meeting on 9th May (Term 2) and will use a student action team (SAT) model for exploring issues, making recommendations and reporting back to regular Whole School Meetings and School Council Meetings. 

The SRC members for 2025 are:

WILD Program kicks-off

In Term 1, staff and students headed out to Lysterfield Lake for the first adventure activity as part of the 2025 WILD Program. The WILD Program, facilitated by the EACH Organisation, aims to help students "build confidence, connect with others and discover [their] strengths through supported adventures in nature." The program will support a small group of students, from each of our campuses, to push themselves beyond their comfort zone. 

The first activity of the program was a day canoeing. Canoeing offers students the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills, both physical and mental. It teaches teamwork and problem-solving abilities are honed. Additionally, canoeing fosters a strong sense of responsibility, communication, and leadership, as participants must rely on each other for safety and efficiency during their journeys on the water. Well done to all those who participated.

Student Showcase

We finished Term 1 with a Student Showcase. This has become a tradition over many years and brings the entire school community together to celebrate the artistic talents of our students and staff. The event brought all our campuses together at Richmond saw students from across those campuses performing music in front of peers and family members, as well as student  artwork on display. It is wonderful to see students overcome stage fright, improve their performance and communication skills, and build their self-esteem. Additionally, performing and exhibiting their work provide a sense of accomplishment to our current students, reinforcing the school values of learning and opportunity, while their hard work inspires other students who may not have participated this time around to pursue their own creative passions.

(photos of the student musical performances still to come!)

International Flower Show

As part of the Future Ready lessons at our Richmond Campus, students worked together to create a scarecrow to enter a competition as part of the Melbourne International Flower Show. Students and staff then visited the Flower Show to see their creation on display and to experience the stunning floral displays, garden designs, and horticultural innovations. Students also received a special welcome from the famous Costa Georgiadis! 

VET, Projects, Electives and Art at Coburg

A strong focus on our applied learning programs across our campuses continue this year, with our Coburg program expanding to include a full Year 10 Applied Learning group after a successful pilot program last year. Engaging in hands-on subjects fosters creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking in students. At Richmond, our electives program has provided students with a range of hands-on learning experiences and the Hands-on-Learning program each Wednesday. 

NGV Excursion

The VCE Art Making and Exhibiting class recently attend the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the NGV. Kusama's artwork is famous for its bold colors, polka dots, and immersive installations. Her pieces explore themes of infinity, self-obliteration, and mental health, captivating audiences worldwide. 

Some students enjoyed her earlier works, including painting and collage, that were more static and stable. Others preferred the infinity and immersive rooms. ‘The rooms aren’t made to be viewed. They are made to be walked through and experienced’. This exhibition continues over the school holidays and is highly recommended by the art students.

Some changes to staffing and to classes for Term 2

We have needed to make some changes to the timetable for various classes in Term 2. This is to reflect new staff coming on board, as well as farewelling some staff who had been working with us in Term 1. 

We thank Megan Rickel for her contribution over the past few years, particularly in the Hands on Learning Program at Richmond and VET Furniture Making at Coburg. Megan will be missed by staff and students, and we wish her luck with her future endeavours. 

We also thank Heather Bates who returned to us this term to take several maths classes. Heather will be returning at times in Term 2, so rather than 'goodbye' we will say 'take care until next time!'

The school will be welcoming some new teachers in Term 2. 

Mac Mauro will be regularly joining us to support FLIP and to take Junior Health classes at Richmond, and will be working alongside our Coburg teaching team to provide art lessons to our Coburg students. 

At Richmond, Will Kemp will be joining us to take maths classes and Hannah Alcantara will be supporting our science program.