Learning  

It has been wonderful to welcome back our students and staff in 2025 and a special welcome to all our new students, families and staff. 

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with our Year 7 students about learning at the Academy and was inspired by their mature and thoughtful responses.  I am confident they have a bright future ahead.

In 2025, we are paving the way with innovation in our curriculum.  We are excited to introduce Vocational Major subjects and a revitalised Year 9 program, featuring new electives and semester-long Synergy program.  Through Synergy, students explore the city of Melbourne and embark on a journey of self-discovery, while consolidating their skills and knowledge they are learning in their core subjects.  With a focus on collaboration, self-reflection and student agency, they will develop the skills needed to design creative solutions to real-world challenges, both now and in the future.

This week, we also had the privilege of welcoming back our high achievers to celebrate and congratulate them on their outstanding results.  Our 2024 Dux, Harper Smith, addressed the Academy community sharing her journey and strategies that contributed to her success over the past six years.  She emphasised the importance of developing a comprehensive understanding of the study habits that worked for her, choosing subjects she loved and was genuinely interested in, rather than subjects that scaled up for the ATAR, and most importantly, finding a balance between study, hobbies, socialising and sleep rather than worrying solely about study and grades.   I would like to share the final excerpt from her speech:

“I don’t want this speech to come across as me telling you all not to push yourselves.  Do push yourself.  Ensure that you can look back on your time at school and know that you did the best you could, that you made the most of it.  I only ask that you cut yourself some slack.  And remember, your efforts cannot be defined by a number.  Because your 13 years of education cannot be defined by a number.  Because a number can’t account for the friends you make, or how well you play basketball, or your ability to write poetry, or the fact that we are not on an even playing field and the world is not fair.  Your ATAR is only part of what you can and will get out of this experience.   Make yourself proud, in whatever way matters to you.”

Harper’s words capture our philosophy at the Academy. We strive to foster a love of learning while helping students understand that true success extends beyond test scores, rather it is “making yourself proud, in whatever way matters to you”.   Here’s to a year of growth, discovery and personal success.

Ms Lucy Neil

Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching