Cranbourne Campus News

On Monday we welcomed a new crop of St Peter's students to the campus at our Year 7 Information evening. While much of the information was fairly dry, although necessary, the highlight of the event for me was hearing the reflections of one of our current Year 7 students Vic Daniel Halabaso. Although by his own admission he was a little nervous we could never tell. Vic demonstrated what it is to ‘be not afraid' in speaking to over 600 people – there are a lot of adults that would struggle with this. But Vic spoke authentically, skilfully and confidently as he offered his reflections and tips for our newest community members. Vic ended his words of wisdom simply but poignantly with the simple repetition of the words Welcome and Enjoy the Journey!

Good evening future Year Sevens,

My name is Vic Daniel, and I’m in Year 7 this year. Just last year, I was sitting right where you are now - listening to a Year 7 student talk about what high school was like, wondering what my own first days at St Peter's would be like.

I still remember that mix of excitement and nerves on the very first day. It felt strange walking into a new school with so many new faces, but it didn’t take long to realise that everyone felt the same way. The first few days were all about settling in - connecting to the school Wi-Fi, setting up SPACE, and getting our first taste of high school lessons.

One of the best parts early on was meeting new people - not just from my old primary school, but from lots of different schools too. It was easy to make friends once we started doing activities together.

And of course, one of the biggest highlights was Year 7 Camp! It started in the first couple of weeks, and it was such an exciting experience for all of us. There were awesome activities like rock climbing and the Flying Fox - which, compared to my primary school camp, had a much longer walk and a scarier drop! The food, the rooms, and all the activities were amazing. It was the perfect way to get to know each other better and create new friendships.

Another thing that made the start of high school easier was peer support. It put us in different groups, which were led by Year 10's. We then did activities and played a little bit of games in between.

Now, I know some of you might be wondering about homework. Honestly, it’s just unfinished classwork most of the time. The teachers are super supportive and always willing to help if you’re stuck. Once you get into a routine, it’s not too hard to manage.

The House system at St Peters also helps a lot. You are part of a tutor group with students from different year levels, so from day one, you already have older students you can ask questions or get advice from.

If I could share a few tips for your transition, I’d say:

Don’t be afraid to ask questions – everyone here wants to help.
Join clubs, sports, or activities - you’ll make friends faster and have more fun.
And most importantly, enjoy the journey - it goes by quicker than you think!

My Year 7 so far has been full of great memories - from camp to representing the school in both a chess competition and a Mario Kart tournament, which were both awesome experiences! I’ve learned so much and made some amazing friends along the way.

So, to all the new Year 7's starting soon - welcome to St Peters! You’re going to have an awesome year full of new adventures and memories you’ll never forget.

Thank you for hearing what I have to offer. I’ll see you next year, but until then, enjoy your current journey in Year 6 into Year 7.

Vic Daniel Halabaso - Year 7 Student

This week also marks the final full week of Year 12 classes. On Monday the VCE VM students delivered their final Project Presentation – the culmination of a year's commitment to a vocational learning program. I was so proud of the students I had the privilege of being able to see and while it is great to hear about all the things they did, the certificates they earned and the lessons they learned, it was the appreciation shown for staff and the connections that they had made with each other and their school, that was most pleasing.

Preparing our young men and women for the next steps in their journey is a special task we get to experience and so, while I know that they are ready, it still does leave a lump in the throats of staff, to say good bye.

To help the VCE VM students, (and those students not completing VCAA exams later this month) to maximise their year, the VM teaching team have put on a number of other short courses designed as skill builders and resume fillers – Responsible Servicing of Alcohol, Food Safety and First Aid courses this week, all increase the employability of our graduates as they consider their next steps.

For our VCE students, the tension is rising and with it, the work output. Students are busily completing practice essays and exams and receiving feedback on what final things they could do to maximise their score. Year 12 teachers put in an enormous amount of extra time at this time of year, looking at drafts, providing advice and at times settling nerves. It can be a stressful time for some but once again it is the appreciation shown by our Year 12's that makes it all worthwhile and is an indication of the level of maturity your sons and daughters are reaching.

Meanwhile, our VCE students are deep in preparation mode. Practice essays and exams are being completed, feedback is flowing, and the effort is intensifying. Year 12 teachers are going above and beyond, reviewing drafts, offering guidance, and providing reassurance. It’s a demanding time, but the appreciation shown by our Year 12s makes it all worthwhile and reflects the maturity they’ve developed.

For those preparing for VCAA Year 12 Exams I thought I would collect some ideas from that font of knowledge AI –

Staying Calm and Confident During Exams

As exam season approaches, it’s important to remember that preparation and calm go hand in hand. Here are five simple ways to stay focused and confident in the weeks ahead:

Plan, don’t panic – Map out a realistic study schedule and tackle one topic at a time. A clear plan helps reduce stress and builds a sense of control.
Set small goals – Aim for steady progress, not perfection. Celebrate the small wins along the way.
Study smart – Choose a quiet, organised space and take regular breaks to keep your mind fresh.
Breathe and reset – When nerves hit, pause and take a few deep breaths. Calm focus beats frantic energy every time.
Look after yourself – Get enough sleep, eat well, and take time to move your body. A healthy routine supports a healthy mindset.

With good habits and balance, exams become an opportunity to show what you’ve learned—rather than something to fear.

OpenAI. (2025, October 14). Response generated by ChatGPT (GPT-5) to a question about citing ChatGPT. ChatGPT. https://chat.openai.com/

MacKillop House attended Social Fair on Tuesday, October 14, in celebration of winning the McGuigan Shield in 2025, this marks a third consecutive year MacKillop has maintained their commitment, dedication and participation to prevail as winners.

At Social Fair students bounced from boulder to boulder on the rock climbing walls, perfected their putt on the mini golf course, on the playground and a select few traversed the labyrinth of twists, turns on the High Ropes.

In 2025, House Captains Zev Hughes and Waihanea Makiri were able to foster the highest recorded participation ever across all major events. MacKillop Money was awarded for participating in major events, showing outstanding House Spirit and representing the House in a positive manner. A live tally allowed students to monitor their balance, and parents were continuously updated of their child's success.

In the afternoon, MacKillop Market opened, where student converted their hard-earned MacKillop Money into chocolates, lollies, doughnuts, cupcakes, stationary, toys and canteen vouchers or they could try their luck at a lucky dip or raffle. The atmosphere in the room was electric.

MacKillop students proved yet again this year, they show up with courage and carry their pride every step of the way.

They are committed to securing their fourth consecutive victory in 2026.