Student News
Introducing our 2026 School Captains
Sybil has been an inspiring leader throughout her time at Suzanne Cory High School. From her early leadership at Alamanda College, where she coordinated a school-wide Foodbank drive, to her contributions at SCHS as a Year 11 SRC member and Cultural Celebrations Committee organiser, she has consistently demonstrated initiative, creativity, and resilience.
She has co-led the Arabic Club and Murder Mystery Club, co-founded HighlightED to deliver student workshops locally and internationally, and led the EcoCore Media Team, showing her ability to balance multiple projects while supporting her peers. Her leadership style focuses on collaboration, effective communication, and empowering others to succeed, all while maintaining a calm, solutions-oriented approach under pressure.
Passionate about fostering connection across the student body, she aims to build stronger links between year levels and support student leadership through innovative platforms and peer mentoring. Known for her empathy, energy, and commitment, she embodies the values of Suzanne Cory High School and inspires her peers to achieve their best.
Gavin is a thoughtful and motivating leader, known for his dedication, resilience, and ability to bring people together. At SCHS, he has led Rothwell Chorals, guiding over 200 students while managing multiple ensembles, and has co-created initiatives that foster inclusion and engagement. Beyond school, he serves as a Sector Head in his youth group, mentoring younger members and organising events.
Previously, Gavin held leadership roles at MacKillop College, including SRC member, Class Captain, and Year 9 Prime Minister, learning to lead with empathy and represent diverse groups. He champions student voice, peer support, and collaboration, and is committed to creating a school culture where small victories are celebrated, risks are embraced, and every student feels heard and empowered.
Leadership for Tim is about showing up, listening, and creating connections. At SCHS, he has actively contributed to the SRC, led the Cultural Celebrations Committee, and co-led the Global Issues and Connect Clubs, driving projects that celebrate diversity, support the community, and foster meaningful student engagement.
He has also been instrumental in organising large-scale events, such as Alumni Week, ensuring smooth coordination between students, staff, and alumni. Through these experiences, he has developed exceptional communication, planning, and teamwork skills, always empowering others to participate and take ownership.
Committed to amplifying student voice and fostering a culture of inclusion, he encourages every student to contribute, take risks, and celebrate both big and small achievements, leaving a lasting positive impact on the school community.
Tanisi is a passionate and energetic leader who thrives on bringing people together and making ideas happen. At SCHS, she has served as a College Ambassador, Master of Ceremonies Mentor, and Cultural Dance Choreographer, guiding events and mentoring younger students in public speaking, performance, and teamwork.
From coordinating House Drama to supporting Apollo Chorals, she has demonstrated the ability to lead large groups with calm, clarity, and empathy, balancing direction with encouragement and helping others shine. She is dedicated to creating opportunities for every student, strengthening connections between staff and students, and nurturing a vibrant, inclusive school community.
As Vice-Captain, Tanisi's focus will be on promoting wellbeing, celebrating small victories, and ensuring that everyday moments, like a quick brain break or outdoor activity, have a positive impact on all SCHS students.
If these leaders look familiar, it may because all of our captains have participated in one of more of our School Musicals! A
Ecocore: What’s Been Happening?
As Green Week is approaching, we cannot forget the immense efforts put into conserving our environment behind the scenes.
Firstly, on the 26th of June, the Friends of Kororoit Creek welcomed us with open arms. Several Ecocore students took the initiative to plant trees along the Kororoit Creek, truly highlighting the dedication of our students at SCHS. A special shoutout to Jessica, the Friends of Kororoit Creek President, for inviting us to collaborate in a wonderful experience for all!
Moving forward, on the 1st of August, Ecocore students attended a tree-planting excursion hosted by Victoria University, where they worked together to plant rows of saplings ready to burst into fresh trees! Students worked hard and efficiently and enjoyed refreshments generously provided by VU.
This was followed by another tree planting session held on the 7th of August, with an array of trees being placed across the school oval. Students were provided with valuable tips on how trees are best nourished, along with the stories of past trees planted at SCHS.
Overall, we all have been working loads to keep our environment protected — and everyone should be incredulously proud of themselves. We hope you’re ready for Green Week, filled with more exciting events and fundraisers to come!
Fatima Ajmal (A1) and Momina Khan (R9)
Friends of Kororoit Creek Tree Planting
Victoria University
Suzanne Cory Northern Star Chess Tournament
On Monday 23rd June, Suzanne Cory chess enthusiasts participated in the annual Suzanne Cory Northern Star Chess Tournament. This is one of the three opportunities for students to qualify for the Northern Star Chess State Finals, and we battled it out head to head with five other schools for the victory.
Across seven rounds of intense rapid chess, students put their skills and nerves to the test, aiming to beat personal records and perform at their best.
Suzanne Cory performed exceptionally, securing first place ahead of strong schools like Werribee Secondary and Westbourne Grammar. A big congratulations to Gian Abriam who achieved a perfect score of 7/7 and was awarded Star of the Tournament (once again), an outstanding accomplishment. Andy He and Adi Choudhury also won gold in the Year 11/12 and Year 9/10 categories respectively with 6/7 points each, and Wyn Li won gold in the girls’ category, completing a phenomenal display of talent across the team. This was possibly one of our strongest performances to date, and we truly claimed every award that was available.
A huge thank you to all of the players who competed on the day. It was incredible to see everyone’s passion and enthusiasm for the game. We’re proud of every player for their effort, focus, and team spirit, which made this success possible.
Our chess community continues to grow stronger, and it’s exciting to witness the depth of talent at our school. We look forward to seeing what our younger players will bring in future tournaments. Once again, thank you to everyone who participated, and we can’t wait to see you at the next competition!
Meet Shah (B3) President, Suzanne Cory Chess Program
Suzanne Cory Students Shine at Chess Victoria Tournament
On August 8th, Suzanne Cory High School proudly sent two teams to compete at the Chess Victoria tournament held at Westbourne Grammar School. With 10 talented players representing our school, the competition was fierce, but our teams rose to the challenge with remarkable success.
Both SCHS Team 1 and Team 2 performed exceptionally well, securing qualification for the Chess Victoria State Finals taking place this October. In a standout achievement, SCHS Team 1 claimed first place overall, demonstrating impressive strategic skill and teamwork. Meanwhile, SCHS Team 2 fought hard and finished third in the event, where we narrowly missed second place due to a tiebreak score.
Special congratulations go to Gian Abriam, who achieved a perfect 7/7 score and was awarded the Star of the Tournament trophy for his outstanding performance. Additionally, Wyn Li earned a commendable 5.5/7 score, tying for second place individually and receiving a well-deserved runner up trophy.
These impressive results reflect the dedication and hard work of our players and Chess Program alike. We look forward to seeing our teams continue their success at the State Finals in October. Congratulations to all involved for representing Suzanne Cory High School with distinction!
Meet Shah (B3) President, Suzanne Cory Chess Program
Additional Chess Success: Victorian Junior Chess Championships
In other exciting news, Wyn Li, Daniel, Gian, and Simran Singh recently competed in the Victorian Junior Chess Championships, a classical time control tournament (75min + 30sec increment). While this was not an official Suzanne Cory event, we wanted to highlight the strong performances and valuable experience gained at the event.
One of our players, Wyn Li secured an impressive second place in the Under 16 Girls section with a 5/7 score, winning a $150 prize and a trophy. Daniel Vu and Simran Singh each scored 3/7 in the Under 16s/18s Open section, while Gian Abriam scored 4/7. The tournament featured tough competition, including two Candidate Masters and players from interstate and overseas.
This event provided a great opportunity to challenge our team in a different format and against highly skilled opponents. We encourage any advanced players interested in elevating their game to consider participating in similar tournaments, which offer fresh and rewarding experiences compared to the other Northern Star events.
Meet Shah (B3) President, Suzanne Cory Chess Program
Bring It On: The Musical – A Spectacular Success
There’s something timeless about high school stories, filled with ambition, identity, rivalry, and the search for belonging, which makes them perfect material for musical theatre. Bring It On: The Musical took those classic themes and tossed them into the high-stakes, high-energy world of competitive cheerleading, where team spirit is everything, but not always easy to hold onto. At its heart, the show captured the spirit of teamwork and self-discovery in a way that was both fun and deeply moving. Ultimately, it reminded us that true success is about more than winning, it’s about who you become along the way.
This year marked our ninth school musical, and each production continues to grow bigger and better. Bring It On was no exception. With the largest cast we’ve ever had, the show delivered unmatched energy, combining dance, acrobatics, dynamic performances, and choreography that was truly on point. Our cast were professional, enthusiastic, and exceeded all expectations, while our live band played with flawless precision. Night after night, audiences were entertained, inspired, and amazed by the incredible talent and dedication of our students.
Mounting a production of this scale is always a massive team effort. After months of rehearsals and preparation, the final result was nothing short of outstanding. A huge thank you goes to our school’s amazing staff who worked tirelessly to bring the show to life: Tegan Dimble (Music Director), Thomas Fernee (Assistant Music Director), Emilie Washington (Vocal Director and Stage Manager), Luke Hart (Sound Designer and Operator), and Darcy Mulcahy (Lighting Designer). We also acknowledge Ms Karyn Kirkland, whose exceptional work on promotional materials and marketing helped bring the production to the wider community.
We extend our thanks to the parents and caregivers whose lifts, encouragement, and support carried our performers through the rehearsal process. And of course, to our remarkable cast and crew, you are the true heart of Bring It On. Your hard work, talent, and professionalism have set a new standard for our productions.
As we take a moment to reflect on the enormous success of this year’s musical, we are filled with pride and gratitude. We now look ahead with excitement as planning begins for next year’s production, determined to make it even bigger, bolder, and better.
