Cranbourne Campus News
Welcome Back… or welcome to…
As we began a new school year last week, our Cranbourne campus came alive with a mix of nervous energy, excitement, and hope for what lies ahead. Whether your young person walked through our gates for the first time or returned after the break, each student experiences this as a fresh beginning—an opportunity to grow, reconnect, and stretch into new versions of themselves.
For our Year 7s and other new students, the early weeks can feel big. New classrooms, routines, faces, and the challenge of finding their place can stir up a swirl of emotions. It’s normal for young people (and even us ‘oldies’) to feel hopeful one moment and overwhelmed the next. These early weeks are where resilience blooms—in small but meaningful steps like greeting a new classmate, opening a lock for the first time, or simply walking through the gates.
For returning students, the year offers a different kind of fresh start. A new year level brings new teachers, goals, friendships, and responsibilities. Older students may need to recalibrate who they are becoming. Though it’s tempting to think “they’ve done this before,” beginnings always come with a few wobbles.
This is why we encourage all students to lean into the year with a “can-do mindset.” Not forced positivity, but a gentle confidence: ‘I can try’. ‘I can take one step at a time’. ‘I can learn from this’. Approaching challenges with curiosity helps students develop independence, confidence, and pride in their progress.
Parents play a powerful role in this.
During transitions, young people look to adults as emotional barometers. When they come home exhausted or frustrated—sometimes over something quite small—they need not amplification but absorption: someone calm who listens, acknowledges, and helps them borrow perspective.
This doesn’t mean dismissing their emotions, but responding with warmth while staying anchored.
Instead of “That sounds terrible!” try:
“That sounds like it felt really big today.”
“New things can be hard at first. I’m proud of you for giving it a go.”
By absorbing rather than amplifying, we teach young people that emotions—even intense ones—are temporary and manageable. We model resilience through calm presence and send a powerful message: You are capable. You are safe. You can handle this.
As the term unfolds, let’s embrace new beginnings together.
Celebrate small victories.
Encourage effort over ease.
Honour the courage it takes to start again.
And let’s continue partnering as a community as we have begun with last night’s Year 7 House Welcome Evening, to support every young person with confidence, curiosity, and hope.
Mr Jeremy Wright
Deputy Principal - Head of Cranbourne Campus