Senior School update

Congratulations to all our Year 11 and 12 students on what has been a wonderful start to the year. Their level of engagement with each other and their teachers in classrooms and during school activities has been so commendable, and I have no doubt that after the holidays we will continue to see the same level of focus and energy we have seen this term.  

Photo from the Year 12 Retreat

We have had some very exciting events in the Senior School this term. Our Year 12s started the year off by staying the night at University College, Melbourne University, where they attended sessions run by our wonderful Year 12 teachers, Elephant Ed (respectful relationships, sex and consent education), Project Rockit (inclusion and anti-bullying), Headspace (positive mental health education). They also went on excursions to the movies, Melbourne Zoo, Hardrock rock climbing centre and Icehouse ice skating rink, did yoga and played games. New friendships were formed, and students got to spend time thinking about what they would like to achieve this year.  

Excitingly, about 200 of our Year 10 and VCE parents attended our annual VCE information session to learn more about the VCE and university. It was fantastic to meet so many parents face to face, and next year we will ensure we can provide an even bigger venue! 

In the Senior School, we have been very busy planning some exciting new engagement opportunities for students. Next term, a group of teachers will be running our annual study skills program for Year 11 students – Skills Booster – in the lead up to their exam period. Elevate Education will also be running an exam preparation session for our Year 11s in May. We will also be launching “Strive” for our Year 12 students, which is a program designed to support and extend our highest achieving students even further. Central Australia camp will also be running during the Term 2 holidays, so students will be hearing a lot more about that next term. Formal preparations are also underway for our Year 12s. 

I am particularly proud of our student leaders this year, who have been working productively to improve student engagement and connectedness at Box Hill. Year 11s have now elected a group of Year 11 Leaders who are beginning to plan exciting activities for their peers. Congratulations on your new role; we are very excited to see what you make of it. 

I wish all of our senior students a restful break, and I hope you enjoy some time with friends and family recharging before Term 2.   

by Ms Jess Sheppard

Head of Senior School