9-12 Community News

Welcome back!

As we come to the end of the second week of term, we would like to commend the students of the Years 9-12 Community on how well they have settled into the new school year.

Students have begun their classes enthusiastically, worn their uniform proudly and correctly and have established a positive environment in their learning and recreation spaces around the College. The students have quickly moved back into the learning routines that were established in 2025 and have shown a readiness to adopt several new routines that have been introduced this year. The routines that have been embedded into our daily classroom activities have had a significant impact upon the atmosphere and culture of our classrooms and the classes have been buzzing with energy and activity.

There have been a number of changes around the 9-12 Community in 2026. The new senior school building program has begun, and it will be exciting to see the progress of the build as the year continues.

We have farewelled our 2025 Year 12 cohort and have been excited to hear of the different pathways that they have taken as they move into the next stages of their journeys. Along with many familiar faces, we also welcomed a new Year 9 cohort and a number of new students and it was pleasing to see how well the new students were accepted and welcomed into the community as we began the year with the whole school Opening Mass. The Mass also served as the opportunity to recognise and induct our new Student Leaders into their roles. The new 9-12 Leaders, and all of the students of the 9-12 Community carried themselves with maturity and pride as they returned to school.

The new year has also brought with it new faces and roles amongst the staff.

Among these is the new 9-12 Community Leader for Community & Wellbeing, Mrs Meredith Lia, who comes to us from St Anne’s, Kialla. As Mrs Lia takes on this role, Mrs Michelle Downie moves into the role of Senior Pathways/VET & VASS Coordinator and Career Practitioner. Mrs Katelyn McIntyre has taken on the Step Lab Staff Coaching Role. We also welcome back Ms Amy Cook, Ms Claire Mawley and Mr Ciaran Hubble.

A new year sees the establishment of new TA teams.

The TAs for the 9-12 Community are:

Year 9 TA Teachers: Brendon Lane, Bronwyn Chatfield, Stephanie Challis, Ciaran Hubble, Brenton Thorpe, Elise Clarke

Year 10 TA Teachers: Felicity Lewis, Jenni Ryan, Larissa Sherman, Danny Dmytriw, Rebecca Lowe, Amy Cook, Jeff Lewis

Year 11 TA Teachers: Sam Norris, Jessie Mallon, Kirsty McIntosh, Claire Mawley, Angela Shaw, Katelyn McIntyre

Year 12 TA Teachers: Troy Lowe, Bianca Moore, Nicole James, Damian McIntyre

Staff in 9-12 leadership/responsibility roles:

9-12 Community Leader: Community & Wellbeing - Meredith Lia

9-12 Community Leader: Student Learning and Professional Practice - Brad Downie

VCE Coordinator - Sharon Darling

VCE/VM Learning Leader - Bianca Moore

Senior Pathways/VET & VASS Coordinator and Career Practitioner – Michelle Downie

Careers Practitioner - Cath Anderson

As we settle back into the school year, we would like to remind our families about the College Uniform Guide and Policy. We have had a number of detentions in the past week for students wearing runners, instead of their black leather polishable shoes and students wearing sports shorts, instead of their academic shorts. 

The below image highlights the difference between the academic shorts and the sports shorts. Please familiarise yourself with the uniform guide and contact your child’s TA or Meredith Lia, 9-12 Community Leader - Community & Wellbeing if you have any questions.

To assist families in knowing which days students can wear their sports uniform for PE classes, please note the following table outlining which days each class has PE.

In addition, for students in Years 9 and 10, the electives classes occur on Wednesday (Block B electives) and Thursday and Friday (Block A electives). Only students who are undertaking a PE elective subject may wear their sports uniform on these days.

Kokoda Scholarship

An exciting opportunity is available for Year 11 students who may wish to take part in adventure. The Member for Murray Plains, the Hon. Peter Walsh, has written to the school to promote an opportunity for Year 11 students to apply for the 2026 Kokoda scholarship and undertake a trek of the Kokoda Track. Current Year 12 student, Xavier, undertook this adventure in 2025 and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Scholarship application packs can be accessed by emailing Mr Walsh at peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au

5-12 Swimming Sports will be held next Friday, 13th February. This is a day which we expect all students from Years 5-12 attend. Students are reminded to sign up for events early to avoid the disappointment of missing out. Students and families are also reminded of the dress code for the day, ensuring they are sun smart, and students are encouraged to wear their house colours.