Junior and Middle and Senior Level Leaders Report

End Of Term 2:
Year 7 and 8 Leader Report
Year 7
A Fantastic Start to High School!
What an incredible first semester it has been for our Year 7 students! Moving from primary school into high school is a huge step, and it has been wonderful to watch them rise to the challenge.
Over the past two terms, Year 7 students have worked hard to learn all the ins and outs of high school life — reading their timetables, finding new classrooms, managing different subjects, and learning how to submit their assessments on Compass. These are big achievements that deserve to be celebrated.
Alongside settling into their learning routines, students have embraced a range of exciting opportunities, including swimming sports, cross country, interschool sport, and the school mascot competition. Many students have also stepped up by participating in the Junior Leadership Forum and getting involved in the College Production, demonstrating teamwork, resilience, and creativity.
We are proud of how far Year 7 has come in just two terms. The transition to high school can feel overwhelming at times, but our students have shown determination, adaptability, and a willingness to give things a go.
Thank you to our Year 7 families for your continued support at home — it has made a real difference. We look forward to seeing what Term 3 brings as our students continue to grow in confidence and independence
We hope everyone takes some time to rest, recharge, and get ready for an exciting Term 3
Grant Bowman – Year 7 Leader
Year 8
Wrapping Up Semester 1
It’s hard to believe we’ve already reached the end of Term 2!
Semester 1 has flown by, and our Year 8 students have embraced every opportunity that’s come their way with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a strong sense of community.
This term, our students have thrown themselves into a huge range of experiences. From representing the College with pride in interschool sport and cross country, to stepping back in time during the always-popular Medieval Day, it’s been a busy and rewarding few months.
One of the standout moments was our three-day Curiosity Quest, where students explored big ideas, solved real-world challenges, and showed creativity, teamwork, and persistence. It was fantastic to see so many students pushing themselves outside their comfort zones and discovering new passions.
We were also thrilled to have several Year 8 students take part in the Leadership Forum for Junior Years. This group of emerging leaders had the chance to develop important skills and ideas, preparing them to make a positive difference in our school community.
We’re also incredibly proud of the Year 8 students involved in this year’s College Production of Beauty and the Beast Jr. Their energy, dedication, and talent are helping shape what’s already looking like a spectacular show.
In the last week of this term, students took part in the Digital Thumbprint incursion sessions, learning more about how to stay safe, smart, and responsible in their online worlds—an important focus as they continue to grow into thoughtful digital citizens.
We’d like to thank families for your ongoing support and encouragement throughout the semester. We’re proud of all that Year 8 has achieved so far and can’t wait to see what Term 3 brings.
Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and well-earned break.
Stephanie Heppel – Year 8 Leader
Year 9 and 10 Leader Report
Year 9 Update – End of Term Reflection
This term has flown by in a whirlwind of activity for our Year 9 students.
Early in the term, students showed strong House spirit during the House Cross-Country Carnival. It was a pleasure to see them participating with enthusiasm and enjoying the friendly competition alongside their peers.
In the lead-up to the End of Semester Examinations, students took part in the Elevate Study Skills seminar, where they were introduced to a range of practical and effective study techniques. Many students were able to apply these strategies in their assessments. As someone new to the College, I was genuinely impressed by the preparation and dedication shown by our students throughout the exam period.
Students also had the opportunity to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills during the two-day Beyond Climate incursion, run in partnership with Monash University. They explored real-world scenarios and developed innovative responses using the Design Thinking process. In speaking with students on the day, I was thoroughly impressed by the level of creativity, insight, and ingenuity on display.
As we head into the mid-year school holidays, I’d like to wish all of our Year 9 students and their families a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved break. I look forward to welcoming everyone back at the start of Term 3.
Bill Karakousis – Year 9 Leader
Year 10 Update
Congratulations to all Year 10 students for successfully completing their end of semester exams!
These exams are important milestones that help students develop effective study routines and exam revision skills, which highly benefit them in their later academic years.
I was very proud to see students arriving on time, prepared with the necessary materials, and wearing full uniform. Their dedication and focus throughout the exam period were impressive. Students have shown enthusiasm to receive their results, reflecting their commitment to their learning.
Wishing all Year 10 students a well deserved and safe holiday!
Sylvia Kosztyi – Year 10 Leader
Year 11 and 12 Leader Report
Year 11
As term 2, semester 1 finishes, we want to congratulate all Year 11 students on finishing the semester with a big milestone, your mid-year exams. We hope everyone prepared well and did the best they could.
Exam results should be arriving now or very soon, and we encourage you to use them as a valuable tool for growth.Semester reports will also be available shortly. These are more than just marks, they’re a chance to reflect on your progress, set personal goals for Semester 2, and take ownership of your learning. Let this be a learning curve as you begin thinking about your subject choices for Year 12 and the path ahead.
A big congratulations to all students who received High - Excellent Achievement Awards for Term 2. You’ve set high standards for yourselves, and your hard work has clearly paid off. You should be immensely proud of what you’ve accomplished.
Looking ahead to Term 3, we’re excited for the Year 11 Formal on Thursday, September 18th. Tickets are available now via the Try Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/DCEKX. If you’re inviting a plus one, remember they must be approved by Mrs. Boxell, and a copy of their photo ID must be submitted.Our Formal Committee has been working hard behind the scenes to plan a fun and memorable night, so we’re really looking forward to celebrating with you all.
Take the holidays to rest, recharge, and get ready for a fresh start. Semester 2 and Unit 2 offer new opportunities to grow, improve, and aim high in all your subjects. Let’s make it count.
Kasey Boxell – Year 11 Leader
Year 12
As we conclude Term 2, we would like to take this opportunity to commend our Year 12 students for the responsibility and resilience they have displayed during a stressful and demanding period of their final year at school. On the whole, we are proud of the example that the ‘Class of 2025’ are setting for their peers and the broader school community.
Throughout the term, students have demonstrated academic growth by actively engaging in class, seeking feedback, and taking ownership of their learning progress. The efforts of some of our highest performing students were recognised at our recent Year 12 Awards Assembly, where students with outstanding academic results and excellent attendance were formally celebrated.
Looking ahead, we are excited to share that the Valedictory Dinner (20th October) tickets are now available for purchase. Families can access the TryBooking link via the Compass Newsfeed post by Assistant Principal, Tony Katsianos. We encourage you to book early, as this event promises to be a special celebration of our students’ achievements and the journey they’ve taken through their secondary schooling. Fundraising has already started, as a BBQ was held during the two-hour GAT break, with proceeds funding the ever-important decorations. Not only did the BBQ provide a moment of relaxation and connection during a busy day, it also provided the opportunity for our cohort to witness Tom Steinberg astonishingly devour his way through eight sausages.
Throughout the holiday break I implore students to reflect on and check their progress throughout Semester 1/Unit 3, considering areas where improvement is needed, and accordingly demonstrate initiative by about catching up on any missed coursework, redeeming unsatisfactory coursework, clarifying subject specific key knowledge and skills, and planning for future success. Students may also consider using this time to get a head-start on their Unit 4 coursework. Perhaps most importantly, I encourage students to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate their success and growth thus far, having completed Unit 3 content and assessments.
As we commence Term 3 on the other side of the break, students will narrow their focus to Unit 4 studies, and for many, the end of year exams. Proactive communication, organisation and accountability will be key in Term 3, as we head into the final stretch of our students’ VCE or VCEVM journey. We are aiming to see our entire Class of 2025 - all 107 of you - graduate with a VCE certificate!
Have a safe, restful, and productive holiday. We look forward to a focused and successful Term 3 – the final full term ever for the Class of 2025!
Blake Cochrane – Year 12 Leader