Celebrations of Learning and Community

Careers Expo

Hazel Glen College recently hosted a highly successful Career Expo, providing students with the opportunity to explore a wide range of career pathways, training options, apprenticeships, and further education opportunities.

The College would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the exhibitors who generously gave their time and expertise to support our students. We were proud to welcome representatives from La Trobe College, Carlton College, AGA, Head Start, NMVC VET, Melbourne Polytechnic, RMIT University, Richmond College, MEGT, Whittlesea Youth Connections, and Property Training Australia.

One of the highlights of the expo was the outstanding level of engagement demonstrated by our students. Exhibitors consistently commented on how respectful, curious, and well-prepared students were throughout the event. Many representatives shared positive feedback about the thoughtful questions students asked and their genuine interest in learning more about different career opportunities.

The Career Expo was a wonderful opportunity for students to broaden their understanding of the many pathways available beyond school and to build confidence in planning for their future. The positive feedback received from exhibitors reflects the commitment of our students to exploring their goals and aspirations.

Australian Maths Competition

This week, 22 of our students from Years 7-11 proudly represented our College in the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC), a prestigious event that challenges students’ problem-solving and logical thinking skills.

The AMC is Australia's longest-running, largest and most well-known mathematics competition for school students. It provides a wonderful opportunity for participants to test their mathematical knowledge and apply creative thinking to a range of engaging and challenging problems.

Our students showed great determination and enthusiasm as they worked through questions that went well beyond their usual classroom mathematics. Participation in competitions like the AMC not only extends students’ skills but also builds resilience, confidence, and a genuine love for learning.

We are incredibly proud of all the students who took part, and we look forward to celebrating their achievement when their certificates are presented officially later in the year. 

Congratulations to the following students for taking on this exciting challenge!

Year 7: Ollie, Gabriel, Prisha, Ranveer, Anushka, Ajaani

Year 8: Violet, Kelly, Tanveer, Ruby, Joshua

Year 9: Aileen, Isabella, Slater, Bahaar, Ritvik, Joravar

Year 10: Elise, Declan, Matilda, Hamza

Year 11: Lucas

Mrs Webley (Numeracy Instructional Leader & High Ability Practice Leader)

Mrs Andrews (Extension Mathematics Teacher)

Positive Connections - Years 7 & 8 Excursion

Our Year 7 and 8 students cheerfully arrived at Mernda Station ready to catch the train to South Morang for an action‑packed morning at Timezone. After eagerly waiting outside for the doors to open at 10:00 am, 38 excited Year 7 and 8 students rushed in, determined to earn as many tickets as possible in the shortest time imaginable.

Claw machines, car racing, basketball shooting and even a few rounds of bowling kept everyone busy before we wrapped up and headed to the food court for lunch, where KFC and McDonald’s proved to be clear and obvious favourites. One student insisted he was only getting a “light snack” and then confidently ordered a double Quarter Pounder.

With everyone well fed, the Year 7s and 8s split off to explore Westfield, completing a few laps and visiting popular stops like Kmart and The Sweet Box, all before catching the 2:30pm train back to Mernda for dismissal at 2:58pm. Students left with a small taste of what awaits them in Year 9, when they finally get to experience City Experience.

Commonwealth Games

With Commonwealth Games fever in the air, it was only right that we celebrated Australia's success with our own 3x3 basketball and Fast 5 netball tournaments at Hazel Glen College. Across Week 3, each year level had the opportunity to attend the gym during lunchtime and participate in a structured competition which promoted inclusion and sportsmanship alongside a competitive edge.

Over 300 students from Years 7-12 participated across both tournaments, with the Year 9 cohort bringing the highest level of attendance and atmosphere. Sporting prowess aside, all staff members stated that their highlight was seeing students of all abilities participating in the tournament and the fun-filled spirit in which the games were played.

A big shout-out to all the staff members who gave up their lunchtime (some, multiple lunchtimes) to ensure such an event could take place for our students. 

Celebrating Student Achievements: Charlize in Year 11

Congratulations to Charlize, who made the Victorian Dingoes Baseball Team - representing Victoria in the Barclay Cup. She plays second base, catcher and pitcher, and it is her 3rd time representing Victoria. Barclay Cup is an all-girls baseball tournament, where the Victorian Dingoes will play teams from interstate and overseas. The tournament runs from 27th of September to the 3rd of October. 

We are very excited for you and proud of your efforts, Charlize.

Year 12 Chemistry

How much Vitamin C is really in a Vitamin C tablet?

Our Year 12 students put their chemistry skills to the test by using titration to determine the Vitamin C content in everyday tablets. 

This hands-on experiment provided valuable experience in laboratory techniques while bringing scientific concepts to life.

Did you know that the best sources of Vitamin C are fruits and vegetables, red capsicum, Brussels sprouts, kiwi fruit, strawberries and citrus fruits?

Year 7 Fish and Prawn Dissection

Students explored the differences between vertebrates and invertebrates, investigating how the structure of an animal helps it survive and function in its environment. Through this hands-on learning experience, students examined the key characteristics of each group, including whether an animal has a backbone to support its body (vertebrate) or lacks a backbone altogether (invertebrate).

This practical investigation helped students develop a deeper understanding of animal classification while strengthening their observation and scientific inquiry skills.

Sports Update

Term 3 has started with a number of students representing Hazel Glen College across basketball and AFL competitions. While results did not go our way on this occasion, all teams showed great resilience, teamwork and sportsmanship while competing against other schools. 

Completed events:

• Friday 17th July (Week 1): Year 11/12 Boys and Girls Basketball
• Friday 17th July (Week 1): Year 9/10 Girls AFL NMR
• Monday 20th July (Week 2): Year 7/8 Girls AFL NMR
• Friday 24th July (Week 2): Year 8 Boys AFL NMR

We have a busy term ahead, with students representing Hazel Glen College across regional-level netball, futsal, basketball and regional - level track & field competitions.

Basketball and futsal trials have started. Students should check their school email inboxes for trial dates, times and further information.

Upcoming events:

• Monday 17th August (Week 6): Year 9/10 Girls NMR Netball
• Monday 17th August (Week 6): Year 11/12 Boys and Girls Futsal Gala Day
• Friday 21st August (Week 6): Year 8 Girls NMR Netball
• Monday 24th August (Week 7): Year 9/10 Boys and Girls Basketball
• Friday 28th August (Week 7): Year 7 Girls NMR Netball
• Friday 4th September (Week 8): Year 7 Boys and Girls Basketball
• Wednesday 9th September (Week 9): Whittlesea Division Year 7–12 NMR Track & Field (parent-driven)
• Monday 14th September (Week 10): Year 8 Girls and Boys Basketball

We are looking forward to an exciting few weeks of competition ahead. Good luck to all students representing Hazel Glen College; we can’t wait to see you get out there, compete with pride, and continue to show what our students can achieve!

Victorian Parliament & Supreme Court Visit

On Thursday 6th August, our Year 11 Legal Studies students went on an excursion to Victorian Parliament and the Supreme Court. Below is a reflection from Year 11 students, Aditi and Rebecca.

The excursion to the Victorian Parliament and the Supreme Court was an incredible experience that really brought our legal studies curriculum to life! Seeing the Legislative Assembly and Council chambers gave me a whole new appreciation for how laws are debated and passed, while sitting in on a real case at the Supreme Court showed just how the judicial system operates in practice.

Connecting what we’ve been reading in our textbooks to the actual people and spaces driving Victoria’s legal system made the whole day both engaging and unforgettable; it was honestly so good. This excursion strengthened friendships, created meaningful discussions, and left me feeling more educated, knowledgeable, proud of choosing legal, and inspired to continue it further.

NEA Student Leadership Program - Day 1

Students in Year 11 recently attended Day 1 of the Northern Education Alliance's Student Leadership Program. The program involves like-minded students from Ivanhoe Grammar, Mernda Central College, Plenty Valley Christian College, Marymede Catholic College, Parade College and Hazel Glen College connecting and collaborating to work on leadership skill development, as well as planning and implementing initiatives that benefit the school community back at their home school.

The highlights of day 1 were the team-based activities, such as spaghetti tower building, the lego communication challenge and the broken squares task, where students participated in the activities and then reflected on their individual role and how they and others contributed to the teams' performance. 

Students are looking forward to hosting day 2 of the program at Hazel Glen later this term.

Year 7 & 8 BlueEdge Program

We facilitated our first Blue EDGE session in Week 2 with a group of Year 7 and 8 students. Blue Edge is an engaging early intervention program that blends fitness with life skills to boost resilience, encourage healthy and safe decision-making, and strengthen community connection.

Run in partnership with police and emergency services, students work alongside positive role models in a safe, supportive space that builds trust and respect beyond the classroom. The program runs for 8 weeks. Special shoutout to Charlotte for organising the program, and also to Brydan, Kyle and Jack for supporting the first session!

City of Whittlesea Event

Come and join Andrew Fuller & the City of Whittlesea Youth Services team for a presentation on supporting neurodivergent children.

Thursday 20th August 6pm to 7:30pm at Whittlesea Tech School, Epping.

Andrew Fuller, a Clinical Psychologist, family therapist and author, will be presenting to parents, carers and services, providing them with practical strategies and tools to support their child. Looking at it from a strength-based approach, turning 'neurodiverse' into 'neuroadvantaged'.

Attached is a flyer for the session. Bookings are essential. Please share with networks and anyone you feel might be interested in coming along. 

This is a catered event.

Child care services can be arranged for parents needing the assistance.