SECONDARY (7-12)

Engineering excellence 

Year 10 student Riley Kilgour is embracing every opportunity to catapult him into his chosen career pathway of engineering. 

He gained entry to not only one, but two prestigious university programs for high achieving students, giving invaluable insight into university life. Riley was a successful applicant for both the John Monash Science School (JMSS) Regional Science Exchange Program as well as University of Melbourne’s Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program. 

Having recently just returned from a week-long stay in Melbourne to attend the John Monash Regional Science Exchange Program at the Monash University Clayton campus, Riley said it was a great experience. 

“I loved learning more about uni life and getting to meet like-minded people…who are interested in STEM,” he said. 

Riley joined 10 other students from across regional Victoria, with a passion for science, experienced teaching and learning at JMSS – Victoria’s first specialist secondary school with an explicit focus on science, mathematics and associated technologies. Aside from the immersive experience, what also blew Riley away was finding out the fact that up to 35,000 people could be at the Monash University Clayton Campus on any given day! 

And in just a couple of months, Riley will be back on campus, this time at the University of Melbourne’s Parkville Campus to take part in the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program meet and greet. This program takes place over two years with a series of events and activities that will expand your academic and personal horizons to prepare you for success at university and beyond. Riley was eager to apply to the program as something that would enhance his chances of getting into university where he is eager to study engineering. The Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program will ultimately give Riley the chance to experience a taste of student life first-hand, as well as the opportunity to build strong peer networks, supporting him through his final years of secondary school and transition to university when it kicks off in January next year.

Our Year 11 students spent the day at The Vault for a powerful and inspiring leadership workshop with guest speaker, Kate Wilde.

Throughout the day, students explored what it truly means to lead with integrity, understanding that strong leadership comes from being informed, speaking the truth, and listening deeply. They took part in hands-on activities that strengthened their skills in communication, active listening and clear explanation.

A strong focus was placed on empathy: putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, being aware of the needs of others, and using your own passions and strengths to be a positive force within our school community. Students were challenged to “be the eyes for all” and consider how they can be the change for someone else.

It was a fun, engaging and thought-provoking day that has helped prepare our Year 11s as they step into their important Year 12 journey ready to become the leaders of our college in 2026.

Last Friday the Unit 1 and 3 Legal Studies students had an exceptionally early start, departing at 5:00am for Melbourne to take part in an invaluable educational experience at the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Upon arrival, students engaged in a rare and insightful session with Justice Peter Gray, who currently sits in the Common Law Division of the Court, along with his judge’s associates. Students were invited to sit at the Bar table, giving them a unique, first-hand experience of what it feels like to be in the centre of courtroom proceedings. Justice Gray generously answered a wide range of student questions, covering topics such as the legal process, daily courtroom operations, and pathways to a career in the law.

Following this session, students attended a plea hearing for a murder trial. During this proceeding, both the prosecution and defence presented submissions to assist the presiding judge in determining an appropriate sentence. Students witnessed how factors such as the offender’s background, the circumstances of the offence, victim impact statements, and principles of sentencing guide the judge’s decision-making.

The case observed was particularly complex, offering a powerful example of the real-world application of concepts studied in VCE Legal Studies, including criminal procedures, the role of legal personnel, and the purposes of sanctions. A separate sentencing hearing will take place at a later date. Students eagerly await this outcome and will view the livestream of the judge’s sentence when they return to school in January, at the beginning of Term 1 next year.

After the court hearing, students visited the Supreme Court Library, located in the historic 1884 wing of the Court. Here, they were able to explore one of Victoria’s most significant legal libraries, view its heritage-listed architecture, and learn about the essential role the library plays in supporting judges, barristers, and researchers. Staff provided insights into how legal resources are accessed and used in case preparation, giving students a deeper appreciation of the behind-the-scenes work that underpins the justice system.

This excursion provided our students with an authentic, meaningful experience that deepened their understanding of Victoria’s justice system and the realities of criminal law in practice.

Our Year 7s got hands-on with science this week!

Students had the chance to choose and carry out their own experiments, diving into a range of fascinating investigations. From making oobleck and erupting volcanoes to exploring evaporation, examining different plant specimens under the microscope and constructing electrical circuits, there was curiosity and creativity everywhere!

A fantastic display of scientific thinking and student-led learning. 

Payton and the SAC Brew Crew have been brewing up a storm, crafting staff cuppas and perfecting their barista skills with festive stencils to celebrate the season.

Great job, team! Our staff absolutely love Brew Day!

Students who will be in Years 10-12 in 2026 came together for an end of year assembly this week. Here, students were presented with awards including the high growth and exceeding standards for the 2026 NAPLAN, Furphy Literary Awards and students in Year 11 who received academic awards for their fast-tracked Unit 3&4 subjects. Congratulations all!

ATAR and RESULTS RELEASE:

ROUND OFFERS:

CHANGE OF PREFERENCE (CoP):

Careers practitioners will be available on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 December for in-person counselling and via MS Teams on Saturday 13 December if any Year 12 student needs further assistance after the release of their results.

careers@sackialla.catholic.edu.au

The Opening The Doors Foundation (OTDF) invites eligible families to apply for a 2026 student grant. Grant applications are currently open and close on 2 April 2026. 

The Foundation prioritises students with the highest financial need to ensure fair access to support. Applicants with a Health Care Card or Pension Card will be processed first. Other applications are still welcome however processing may be slightly delayed.

• Please attach a copy of your Health Care or Pension Card to your online application.
• Missing documents will delay processing.

All applications must be submitted online via the OTDF Grant Portal.

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🎒 Items you can apply for from OTDF:

• School books & stationery
• School uniforms
• One pair of shoes (school or sport shoes)
• IT equipment (laptops, calculators, etc.)
• VCAL/VET levies 
• School camp costs

⚠️ Funding is up to the OTDF grant limit and up to OTDF Trustee discretion. You may not receive the full amount requested.

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🚫 What We Don’t Fund

• Independent school fees (families are responsible for paying private school fees and levies)
• Applications where OTDF funds are used for school fees may affect future eligibility.

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⚖️ Other Funding

If the student is already receiving support from:

• Traditional Owner education grants
• First Nations scholarships
• Other charities
• School financial assistance

The application may not be successful. Final decisions are made by OTDF Trustees.

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✅ Eligibility

To apply, the student must:

✔️ Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent

✔️ Provide a Confirmation of Aboriginality

✔️ Be enrolled in a Catholic or Independent school in Victoria (Prep–Year 12)

❌ OTDF does not support students attending government schools

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🎟️ How Grants Are Provided

• Grants are mostly provided as vouchers from approved suppliers
• Vouchers must be used by 31 May 2026
• For camp levies, school uniforms, or school IT items, funds may be sent directly to the school if the school supplies these items​

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📅 Key Dates

* Applications Open - 10 November 2025

* Applications Close - 2 April 2026 (strict deadline)

* ALL Vouchers expire on - 31 May 2026

Apply here!

Parents/carers are reminded there is a very important process to follow if your student must leave the college at any time throughout school hours. Please ensure you follow these steps:

Parents/carers MUST provide a note to the front office, at the start of the school day, stating the following:

- Student Name

- Date of leave required

- The time the student must present to reception to take their leave

- If they will return to the college the same day, and if so what time they will return

- The reason for the leave being requested

- The parent/carer’s name and signature

Please note, students will only be permitted to be collected by their parent/carer unexpectedly and without a note if it is an emergency.

Students are expected to wear full academic uniform on non-PE days.

This includes a knitted jumper and/or blazer for Year 10-12 students and a softshell jacket or knitted jumper for Year 7-9 students.

Students are not permitted to wear long sleeve tops underneath their academic shirts or PE t-shirts in lieu of wearing a jumper or for PE the rugby top.

For modesty, female students should be in the long winter skirt or pants with the long-sleeve academic shirt (blouse), jumper and/or blazer. Students are not permitted to wear the summer dress with layers underneath.

Please ensure you purchase any required items over the term break.

Any questions or concerns please contact Mez Lia, Rohan Lelliott or Sarah Baglin.  We appreciate your understanding and cooperation regarding this.