Teaching & Learning

Year 10 Careers Camp – 16 & 17 July

Our Year 10 students will commence Term 3 with the highly anticipated Year 10 Careers Camp, an important component of the Year 10 curriculum designed to broaden students’ understanding of future education, training and career opportunities.

Based at Ormond College, University of Melbourne, students will experience a taste of university life while participating in a range of industry workshops, workplace visits and career exploration activities across Melbourne. Throughout the camp, students will travel using Melbourne’s public transport network, building confidence, independence and valuable life skills.

The Careers Camp provides students with authentic experiences that will assist them in making informed decisions about their senior school pathway and future career aspirations.

Year 9 Taster Program – Pathways and Possibilities – 16 & 17 July

All Year 9 students will participate in our Pathways and Possibilities Taster Program at the Brigidine Campus on Thursday 16 July and Friday 17 July.

This exciting two-day program provides students with the opportunity to explore senior school learning and begin considering their subject selections for Year 10 and beyond.

During the program students will:

• participate in ten Year 10 subject taster sessions
• meet senior school teachers and experience new learning areas
• learn about VCE, VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) and VET pathways
• attend presentations on subject selection, acceleration opportunities and future planning
• complete reflection activities in their Pathways Passport.

Transport

Students will travel by bus from Kildare Campus to Brigidine Campus each morning following an information session and return during Period 4 to reflect on their learning and complete their Pathways Passport.

Students should wear their PE Uniform on both days and bring their school shoes for practical classes.

This program is an important step in supporting students to make informed and confident decisions about their future learning and career pathways.

Senior School Subject Selection Expo and Information Night

Monday 20 July

Students in Years 9 and 10, together with their families, are strongly encouraged to attend our annual Senior School Subject Selection Expo and Information Night.

Subject Selection Expo

4.00 pm – 6.00 pm | Oak Centre

Families will have the opportunity to explore displays showcasing every senior school subject offered in 2027, meet classroom teachers and discuss subject content, assessment and future pathway opportunities.

Information Sessions

6.00 pm – 6.30 pm

Following the Expo, students and families are invited to attend an information session outlining the subject selection process, pathway options and advice to assist students in making informed choices.

• Year 9 Families: Oak Centre Gym
• Year 10 Families: Oak Centre

We encourage all families to attend this important event as students begin planning for their senior school journey.

Careers Expo and VTAC Information Session

Wednesday 22 July

Year 11 and 12 students and their families are invited to attend our annual Careers Expo and VTAC Information Session, hosted in partnership with the Campaspe Cohuna Careers Network.

Careers Expo

4.00 pm | Brigidine Campus Gym

Representatives from universities, TAFEs, apprenticeship providers, local industries, employers and support agencies will be available to discuss a wide range of post-school opportunities.

This is an excellent opportunity for students and families to ask questions and gain personalised advice regarding future study, apprenticeships, traineeships and employment pathways.

VTAC Information Session

6.00 pm | Brigidine Campus Gym

A representative from VTAC will provide practical information about:

• university and TAFE applications
• Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)
• scholarships
• key application dates
• tips for successfully navigating the VTAC process.

We strongly encourage all Year 11 and 12 families to attend this valuable session.

Semester 1 Reports Now Available

Semester 1 Reports were released via Compass on Wednesday 24 June and are now available for families to access.

To view your child’s report:

1. Log in to Compass using your parent credentials.
2. Open your child’s profile.
3. Select View Academic Reports.

We encourage families to review their child’s report together and celebrate their achievements while identifying goals for Semester 2.

If you have any questions regarding your child’s report, please contact your child’s Learning Mentor.

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting student success, the College continues to implement the Student Promotion Policy. Students who have received Not Satisfactory results or who have recorded less than 90% attendance during Semester 1 will be contacted early in Term 3 to discuss appropriate supports and expectations moving forward.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s learning.

Save the Date – Semester 1 Awards Assembly

Monday 3 August | 11.00 am

We look forward to celebrating the outstanding achievements of our students at the Semester 1 Awards Assembly.

This special event recognises excellence across both academic achievement and NAPLAN performance.

Academic Awards

Years 7–10

Academic Excellence

• An A or higher in English and an A average across all other subjects.

Academic Distinction

• An A+ average across all subjects.

Years 11–12

Academic Excellence

• An A average across all subjects.

Academic Distinction

• An A+ average in two or more subjects.

NAPLAN Awards

Students achieving Exceeding in either Reading or Numeracy will also be recognised.

Invitations will be emailed to eligible families during the first week of the school holidays. Families are asked to RSVP promptly to assist with event planning.

We look forward to celebrating the dedication, perseverance and success of our students with their families.

Acorn Academy - Writing Workshop with Fleur Ferris

Our Year 7–9 Acorn Academy students had the privilege of attending a workshop with acclaimed author, screenwriter and storyteller Fleur Ferris last week. Working in groups of ten, students participated in a mock writers' workshop where they collaboratively developed the plot for a screenplay. Students were highly engaged throughout, and Fleur commented that she was impressed by their ability to write with a consistent voice, the fluency of their writing, and the quality of their storylines.

'As Acorn classes we were given the opportunity to do a creative writing workshop with author Fleur Ferris. We were given the task of writing part of the script for the new television series she was making. In this scenario we had to help re-work one of her characters as the “producers weren’t happy with him”. Each of us were given a page with the start of a scenario that this character was in, then we would have to finish it off. Such as his inner monologue during a challenging time. At the end, Fleur read all of our bits and pieces and it created one really cool story. It would chop and change how it was written as we all wrote differently, but at times it would all flow as one story as we’d all learnt to adapt to that style of writing. Overall, it was a very fun and thought-provoking experience, and it was just really cool to meet this amazing author.'

Student Reflection

Lily Warren - Year 9 Acorn Academy 

Lisa Saillard

Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching