Secondary School News

Assistant Principal Secondary - Operations and Wellbeing

Classroom tales and achievements

As we close on Semester One, it is essential to reflect on the achievements made in our classrooms. I’m fortunate to be writing this message as a teacher who has developed over the past ten years at Collingwood to understand our community needs, teacher needs, and, most importantly, student needs from a variety of perspectives. In my current role as Acting Assistant Principal, I have the privilege of meeting many families on yard duty and continue to work with our vibrant, unique, and thriving community. One of the many things I love about Collingwood is that I still get to be in the classroom, teaching students and, more importantly, learning from them. Take the time below to read one of my many enriching experiences due to the culture of our little city educational oasis.

I currently teach Year 8 Individuals & Societies; last term, we considered how we can learn from the perspectives of the past. I asked students if we could learn more about the past by considering events from different perspectives, and I was surprised when the unanimous decision was a resounding yes…BUT with supporting arguments. From here, I knew we were embarking on a historical inquiry journey to the past, where we learned about daily life, the Crusades, Education, gender roles, and global similarities and differences between religious groups in Medieval Times. The students developed their curiosity by asking questions and continued to develop their understanding of the past through evidence-based research and writing a historical essay. The reason I am sharing this with the community is that I continue to be in awe of our students' thirst for knowledge, but also because of what I learned from them. One student taught me about the executioner dynasties; I didn’t know that this was often passed down to sons as one of the most undesirable jobs of the time, but it was not an option, as the alternative was to starve. Another student taught me about the five pillars of Islam, and several students taught me about the five daily prayers. Upon sharing this with a parent, they even brought a book in for me to read called The History of Islam, something I have always wanted to know more about due to our diverse population. This is just one of the many experiences I am fortunate enough to have each day at Collingwood College, and I want to thank you for being part of this community. In the following newsletter, I will provide an update on whether students believe justice can be achieved, highlight the successful events run by the SRC, and introduce you to the School captains and the Rotary Interact President. I hope you enjoy reading a combination of reflections on classroom activities and school-wide achievements. Until next time!

Rachel Wood

Acting Assistant Principal Secondary

Assistant Principal Secondary - MYP & Teaching and Learning

It has been a busy time in terms of teaching and learning and scheduled programs occurring this term, ranging from inter-school sport to camps and author visits. I have continued to be impressed with engagement and students’ overall willingness to take risks and step out of their comfort zones inside and outside of the classroom. It has also been a nice experience to build relationships with students and families in my higher responsibility position as Acting Assistant Principal; a daily highlight is getting to know families on morning and afternoon yard duty. Reaching the mid-term mark, I encourage students to find ‘balance’ and for families to support their children with navigating the demands of completing learning tasks and managing the end of the semester.

Year 9 & 10 Exams

Year 9 and 10 students will complete exams in Week 9. The experience of completing exams is most important in developing students’ ability to write, think and solve problems under test conditions. It also assists with building stamina to write for extended time periods.

At Collingwood College, we strengthen students’ confidence with the exam process by starting with two exams in Year 9 (Math & English) and four exams in Year 10 (Math, English, Science & Humanities). An additional exam is added at Year 9 in Semester 2.

New Metrics

It has been an exciting time for Year 10 students with introducing elements of the New Metrics program in Careers. This links directly to the ‘research-practice partnership’ that our Wurun Senior Campus has with Melbourne University which works to provide opportunities for students to show their true capabilities as learners and be assessed in a more holistic way. To prepare for the process and to become familiar with the language of New Metrics, Year 10 students are creating a Portfolio to showcase Career related documents and learning achievements, and reflect on the competencies of Communication and Commitment throughout the process. They will later reference their Portfolio during their Senior Pathway Interview next term. See below images of Careers and Pathways Practitioner Nicky Smith and Principal Chris Millard presenting key information to students.

Raise Youth Mentoring

Raise Youth Mentoring has recently started this term with 17 students across Year 8 and 9 participating. This program has existed at our college for several years and I feel fortunate to be involved as I have seen the positive impact that it can have on students. It provides students with an opportunity to engage in conversations with volunteer mentors to develop communication and interpersonal skills, and equip them with tools, skills and resources they may need to support their mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, and engagement with school and the wider community.

Students are matched with volunteers and follow a structured program that covers topics such as self-talk, standing up, hope, community and managing stress. It also creates opportunities to converse about shared interests and passions. It has been wonderful to see students embody our Learner Profiles attributes of being Open-minded and Risk-takers throughout the sessions so far. Great work to all involved!

FYI: https://www.raise.org.au/schools-parents/why-choose-the-raise-program/

MYP Language and Literature

This term in Lang and Lit (English) students are learning about the world of advertising and the impact on our daily lives and decision-making. We are exploring how language and stylistic design choices are made to intentionally persuade an audience and applying this knowledge and understanding to creating advertisements for community school events such as Swing into Spring, Book Week, Thursday Market, Interschool Sport and School Tours.

This is asking students to step into the role of a Graphic Designer and think about communicating effective messaging for a target audience.

We were fortunate to have Geoff Rundell, Graphic Designer (and our School Council President) visit the classroom to share his expertise on the process of creating an advertisement - he was also able to provide feedback to students on their draft advertisements.

Taking action within one’s local community is a key aspect of the IB Middle Years Program.

Students will later present their advertisements to Geoff Rundell and the Principal as part of the Learning Task where they will explain the language and design choices made. Selected advertisements will be used within the school; watch out for these 🙂

IB Middle Years Programme Showcase

It has been an exciting time at Collingwood College with the IB Middle Years Programme being in its second year. Teachers have continued to develop learning activities and tasks that provide opportunities for students to think creatively and critically within a global context. Each subject has explored a Statement of Inquiry with key and related concepts.

Students have engaged with learning and applied themselves to their studies to produce thoughtful work that we would like to showcase at a special event.

Families are invited to undertake a Gallery Walk through the Year 7 and 8 Learning Areas to see student work displays and performances, and converse with Learning Area Leaders and students for each subject. You may also develop an understanding of how students have been able to apply different approaches to learning and demonstrate the Learner Profile attributes; being knowledgeable, caring, principled, balanced, open-minded, thinkers, communicators, reflective, inquirers and risk-takers.

We hope that you can join us to celebrate the MYP learning that has taken place at our College this semester. We extend this to all Collingwood College families who would like to learn more about teaching and learning within the MYP.

Learning Hub (formerly known as Homework Club!)

I would like to remind secondary families that Learning Hub is and excellent support available to families.

‘The National Reconciliation Week 2025 theme 'Bridging Now to Next' urges us to look ahead and continue the push forward towards a more united and respectful nation as past lessons guide us.’ This action and vision reinforces the power of education in providing opportunities for students to learn of First Nations peoples’ knowledge, culture and experiences on the land of the Wurundjeri people in which we live and learn. Collingwood College commits to reconciliation and we respectfully acknowledge those who have made contributions to the movement in the past, and those who continue to do so. This week we honour Reconciliation Week through teaching and learning and organised activities that enhance knowledge and understanding of Indigenous perspectives.

Lori Michael

Acting Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

Boys Interschool Badminton Congratulations!

On May 19th, Collingwood welcomed boys from 3 different schools in the inner North to come play in the inter school badminton competition. One of our intermediate boys teams won the intermediate boys competition, with the other team taking third! We had a combination of new and experienced players, and they played their absolute best on the day while demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship. Congratulations

to all our players, and we wish our team luck in their next competition at regional championships!

Zeno D

Alan H

Aiden K

Tom Ph

Justin R

Stanley Y

Amar Z

Ray Z

Boys Interschool Soccer

Hi sports fans,

Last Thursday, the first of our 3 soccer teams went out to play in the Intermediate Round Robin. We didn’t come away with a pennant this time, but talking to the boys, it sounded like (with the possible exception of some questionable refereeing) they had a great day and really enjoyed the opportunity to play and represent their school. (Which is actually the whole reason I do this job; even if I bang on about winning, I do not care at all if we do.)

Massive thanks to coach Simon Negrelli who trained the boys in the leadup, and coached them on the day, and to Silvana for accompanying them and taking some great photos, some of which you can see attached, and also on the sports board (…loading…).

Please high five the following players if you see them. (Except poor Ramon who was sick on the day.): Milki A., Oliver R., Jean-Levon A., Dogan C., Jai C., Ethan C., Abdulwadud H., Elyas I., Mani K., Aubrey K., Omer M., Khubaib N., Noah R., Farhan S., Manny W., Isha W., Percy W.

Yours in sport,

Nicky

Careers Teacher and Pathways Practitioner

Eva Collins author's visit Yr.10 English

As part of their study of Growing Up in Australia, Year 10 students had the exciting opportunity to hear from author of "Ask no questions" Eva Collins. Eva engaged students with her humour and honesty, sharing personal stories, reading from her memoir, and answering thoughtful questions. Her visit added a meaningful, real-world connection to the themes explored in class.

Thanks

Krish Soorkia

Learning Area Leader (English)

Media&English Teacher (7,9,10)

Head Start Program

Get a Head Start with a School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs)

Did you know that students enrolled in VCE can do an apprenticeship or traineeship and get credit toward their senior studies? It’s a great way to get into a career while completing Year 12. SBATs earn a wage, receive specialised training and complete their schooling all at the same time. The Head Start program is here to help. Speak to Nicola Smith, in the careers office Rm 320 to see if this is for you!

The Learner Profile

Below are a range of ways that you can promote the Learner Profile attributes at home within the family.

A simple approach is to model and recognise. Enjoy 🙂

The Learner Profile

Inquirers	We nurture our curiosity. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and value a love of life-long learning.	Encourage your child’s interests by visiting places such as the Local/State Library, Museum, NGV… Model being an inquirer: admit when you don’t know the answers to a problem or a question and seek out answers with your child Use the internet as a tool for inquiry and have conversations around reputable sites Discuss the role of inquiry in your personal and professional life
Open-Minded	We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, and those of other people. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.	Encourage your child to try new things - food, games, places, activities… Expose your child to different festivals, celebrations and traditions Encourage your child to listen for understanding Discuss issues and consider opposing points of view and reasons
Thinkers	We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.	Encourage your child to independently think of different solutions to problems Pose different real-life problems/questions to your child Ask your child questions when they are working on a problem: Do you have any ideas about how you will begin? Tell me about your thinking How could you do it differently? What do you notice and wonder?
Caring	We show empathy, compassion and respect. We act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.	Role-model the kind of behaviour you want to see in your child: helping others without being asked, being an active listener, acting in ways to show that you care… Reflect on the actions of characters in texts (prin/audio/film) Were they kind or caring? Recognise this quality in people’s actions
Knowledgeable	We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global decisions.	Encourage your child to make self/text/world connections with what they read/view. Include first language books/films. Ask your child what they are learning at school and engage in conversations about it: Why do you think that is an important thing to know about? Encourage your child to become familiar with current local/national/global events and issues
Principled	We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.	Discuss the importance of honesty/truth Talk about global issues and fairness/social justice Encourage your child to engage in team and independent sports/games Discuss the idea of norms Talk about the importance of effort over winning and being a gracious loser
Balanced	We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives - intellectual, physical and emotional - to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognise our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.	Encourage your child to participate in a wide variety of structured activities as a balance between school and leisure Discuss what you are eating with your child - is it a balanced diet? Emphasise that boredom is okay too - good for us! Put devices away Encourage your child to take timeout and go for a walk, engage with nature or read a book (Brain Breaks)
Communicators	We express ourselves confidently and creatively in different languages. We collaborate effectively, actively listening to the perspectives of other individuals or groups.	Encourage your child to stay in contact with relatives in other parts of Australia or different countries Encourage your child to explain their thinking orally or by drawing a picture Talk about what effective communication can look/sound/feel like Have family dinner-table conversations Play a game that requires a specific communication skill. e.g. Charades
Reflective	We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experiences. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.	Review your child’s report with them; talk about successes and opportunities for improvement Reflect on sport outcomes Talk about recent events/actions and what you have learned, or adjustments you would make Set goals with your child Talk about a growth mindset
Risk-takers	We approach uncertaining with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change. We see making mistakes as a natural part of the learning process.	Encourage your child to attempt new things and then reflect on it - whether they liked it and how it made them feel Discuss the difference between being a risk-taker and dangerous behaviour Recognise the learning gains that result from risk-taking and making mistakes Talk about comfort zones and the benefits of goal-setting Share your own growth stories from taking risks

Lori Michael - MYP Coordinator

INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE (updated 4 May) - Contact Person - Margeurite Boland

Please click on the attachment below to see a list of Stringed instruments for sale. If you have an instrument for sale please email Margeurite at: margeurite.boland@education.vic.gov.au

List of instruments for sale - 4 May 2025.pdf

COLLINGWOOD COLLEGE ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM

Collingwood College is online! Feel free to follow us on:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/collingwood.college/ and like us on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/collingwood.vic.edu.au/ to keep up to date with everything that our school has to offer our students and the community.