Junior and Middle and Senior Level Leaders Report

End Of Term 4:

Year 7 and 8 Leader Report 

Year 7

As we reach the end of 2025, I wanted to share a highlight from my week. This afternoon, I sat down to read through the letters our Year 7 students wrote for the incoming 2026 cohort. The task was meant to offer advice and reflections—but it ended up being equal parts wisdom, comedy, and pure Year 7 energy.

I came across plenty of funny anecdotes, shared values, and some truly questionable advice. A few favourites included:

“If you have a bad pair of socks, only wear the wrong socks on sport day.”

“Don’t look for DLC 8.”

And of course, far too many “well done on getting to 6–7” jokes—apparently a genre of humour our students feel very passionately about!

But beyond the laughs, what stood out most was the strong sense of positivity, belonging, and pride in our school. Students wrote about kindness, friendship, resilience, and their love of learning. Many even said that 2025 would be remembered as the best year of their life—a powerful reminder of just how transformative the first year of high school can be.

The end of the year has also been a busy and exciting time for our Year 7s as they’ve taken part in our Step-Up Program. Over the last two weeks, students have moved into their 2026 Year 8 classes, met their new teachers, and begun exploring content that will set them up for success next year. Alongside this academic transition, they’ve enjoyed a fun-filled Year 7 Talent Show, a screening of Home Alone, and a series of engaging lessons on online safety and wellbeing—a great balance of learning and celebration to finish the year.

To our Year 7 students: congratulations on completing a successful transition to high school and becoming valued members of our learning community. You have grown academically, socially, and personally, and we are incredibly proud of everything you have achieved.

To our parents and families: thank you for your ongoing support. Your partnership makes all the difference. Please continue to say hello if you see me out in the community—I always enjoy those quick catch-ups.

Wishing all families a very Merry Christmas, a safe and restful holiday break, and a wonderful start to 2026.

Grant Bowman – Year 7 Leader

Year 8 

Well as the year comes to a close, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your support over the last 6 months.  It has been my pleasure to get to know you and your children. 

In 2026, I am moving into the Director of Wellbeing role, while Liz Smith is on Family Leave.  I am really looking forward to this role, and I am sure I will be getting to know more about the fabulous school and its amazing students and families. 

These last few weeks have seen the Year 8 students step up to Year 9, and it has been great to see them embrace the opportunities they have. 

There have been a variety of activities, and the students have actively participated, being respectful to visitors to the school. 

Thank you to Stephanie Heppel and Grant Bowman for the support during my time in the Junior School Services Office.  Their support and knowledge are amazing. 

Finally, I wish you all a safe and merry Christmas holiday season, a healthy and prosperous 2026.  Take time to smell the roses and enjoy the space around you, listen to each other, and read a few books (or lots!). 

Debbie Walters – Year 8 Leader

Year 9 and 10 Leader Report 

Year 9

It feels like only last week that we were writing to our parent community to welcome everyone to Term Three—and yet here we are, nine short weeks later, preparing to conclude a busy and eventful term. As we head into the break, we would like to thank our students for their efforts, particularly in maintaining high standards of uniform and for their active participation in learning activities.

This term, students benefitted from the Elevate Study Skills presentations, and the holiday break provides a timely opportunity for them to put into practice the study and revision strategies they have learnt as part of their daily and weekly routines. Term Four promises to be another exciting and busy term, with exams commencing just six weeks in, so developing consistent revision habits over the break will be vital.

We also want to commend our students for continuing to wear the correct uniform, maintaining strong attendance, and being punctual both at the start of the school day and for each lesson. Parents’ ongoing support in ensuring punctual arrival and entering absence notes is greatly appreciated. A reminder that students will return in their summer uniforms at the beginning of Term One—making the break the perfect time to check over existing uniforms or purchase new items if required.

We wish all of our students and their families a wonderful, safe, and relaxing break, and we look forward to welcoming you all back in 2026.

Bill Karakousis – Year 9 Leader

Year 10

Sylvia Kosztyi – Year 10 Leader

Year 11 and 12 Leader Report 

Year 11

As we reach the end of the school year, I want to take a moment to congratulate all of our Year 11 students on everything you’ve achieved throughout 2025. This year has been full of challenges, growth, and important milestones, and each of you should be proud of the effort, resilience, and maturity you’ve shown.

You have completed Unit 1 & 2, sat your Year 11 exams, begun planning your Year 12 pathways, and taken part in the study retreat and unit 3/4 Step Up to officially begin your year 12 journey. These experiences have helped lay the foundations for a strong and successful year 12.

The way many of you approached your learning, communicated with your teachers, and supported each other is something to be commended.

A special thank you to those who contributed to the year level through student representative council, the formal committee, class engagement, mentoring sessions, and volunteering throughout the year at events and sports. Your involvement has helped build a positive and connected Year 11 cohort.

As you head into the holidays, make sure to take time to rest, recharge, and reflect. You’ve earned it. Come back ready to embrace the challenges of Year 12 with a sense of purpose and confidence. It will be a big year, one filled with opportunities to grow, succeed, and finish your final year of schooling with pride. To those that are leaving us in 2026 to either enter the workforce, compete tertiary studies and follow their passions and aspirations we bid you farewell and good luck. Please stay in touch and let us know how you are going.

I’m incredibly proud of each one of you and excited to see what you achieve in 2026

Wishing you all a safe, happy, and relaxing break.

Kasey Boxell – Year 11 Leader

Year 12 

I’m pleased to introduce myself as the Year 12 Level Leader for 2026. I’m really looking forward to working with our students as they move into their final year of secondary school. Year 12 is an important and often demanding time, and my focus is to support each student to feel confident, capable and well-equipped to achieve their goals.

A strong connection between home and school makes a real difference to student success. Throughout the year, I’ll be in regular contact and aim to keep communication clear, practical and supportive. If you ever have concerns, questions or simply want to touch base about your child’s progress or wellbeing, please feel comfortable reaching out. Working together helps us create the best environment for students to thrive.

At our recent Year 12 Study Retreat, the cohort chose a motto that they felt captured who they are and how they want to approach the year ahead:“Strive to Thrive.”This motto is a genuine reflection of their shared mindset and the determination they’ve already shown as leaders of our school community.

I’m looking forward to meeting many of you throughout the year and working alongside you to make 2026 a positive, memorable, and successful Year 12 journey for all students.

Andrea Carmody – Year 12 Leader, 2026