Subject Domains
HPE
Lauren Varadi | Domain Leader
It has been a busy and engaging term across Health, Physical Education and Outdoor Education, with students developing both practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
Year 7 students have been participating in a Net and Wall unit, focusing on volleyball, tennis, and badminton. In Health, students designed and presented health promotion campaigns aimed at encouraging teenagers to be more active both at school and within the community.
Year 8 students have also been working through a Net and Wall unit, developing their skills in volleyball, tennis, and badminton. In theory lessons, they explored the anatomy of the human body, with a focus on how different systems contribute to movement.
Year 9 students have been focusing on fitness components and undertaking a range of fitness testing activities. In Health, they have explored drug and alcohol awareness, developing their understanding of the associated risks and impacts.
Year 10 students have been studying biomechanics. As part of their assessment, they analysed a specific skill (AFL kick, basketball free throw, netball shot, or cricket bowl), applying biomechanical principles to improve performance. This included reflecting on and analysing athletic performance, as well as developing strategies for skill improvement.
VCE Physical Education Year 11 students recently attended the Body Worlds exhibition, providing valuable insights into human anatomy. Year 12 students visited ACU to complete VO₂ Max and Wingate testing, alongside in class fitness testing to deepen their understanding of energy systems and performance.
Term 2 Outdoor and Environmental Studies Camps
Murray River Camp - Unit 4 Outdoor and Environmental Studies
Students travelled to the Murray River area, beginning at Tocumwal, for a three-day outdoor education program supported by Spindrift. The camp provided students with the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the Murray River ecosystem and the complex environmental issues connected to its use and management.
The camp also directly supported students with their upcoming assessments and exam preparation, as the Murray River is used as a key case study throughout the Outdoor and Environmental Studies course. Students were able to connect their fieldwork experiences to key knowledge, including environmental relationships, sustainability, human impacts, management strategies and the different ways people value and use outdoor environments.
Wilsons Promontory Camp - Year 9 Outdoor Recreation
Year 9 Outdoor Education Recreation Studies students participated in a three-day camp in the South Gippsland region, including Wilsons Promontory. The program was designed to scaffold students towards future success in VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies by building their confidence, knowledge and practical outdoor skills.
Students took part in bushwalking, camping, surfing and paddleboarding. The camp focused on sustainable participation in outdoor environments, including minimal impact practices, risk management, campcraft, environmental knowledge, sustainability, and Leave No Trace principles.
Sports Academy
Basketball Academy Inter Academy Tournament
Recently, Sandringham College Basketball Academy competed in an inter-academy tournament. It was an event which gave all students a great opportunity to showcase their own skills, and skills as a team. Our teams played exceptionally well and provided lots of effort. Overall, the day was a very enjoyable experience where everyone was able to show off their sportsmanship and their capabilities. The day would not be possible without the support and help from the coaches, referees, and staff, who truly deserve a thank you.
Drew Skinner - Basketball Academy Captain
Soccer Academy
Sports Academy - Zali Goulding
Congratulations to Zali Goulding, who has been selected for the Victorian State Gymnastics Team and will compete at the National Championships in Sydney on 28 and 29 June.
We wish Zali all the best for her competition at Nationals.
Humanities
Rasita Ramsaran | Domain Leader
Years 7-9 students have successfully completed their first semester of Humanities for 2026, demonstrating strong engagement and growth across Economics and Geography.
Year 7 students explored foundational economic concepts, including needs, wants, and resources. The Year 7 SEAL cohort extended their learning by investigating these concepts in greater depth through real-world applications. As part of their Business Challenge, students applied their understanding of microeconomics and macroeconomics to design innovative businesses that addressed gaps in the market. Their final proposals were presented to an audience of expert Business Management teachers, Monique Sheehy and Georgie Chappell, showcasing their creativity, problem-solving skills, and entrepreneurial thinking.
Year 8 students built upon their understanding of needs and wants by examining the concepts of supply and demand. They investigated how various factors, including global events and economic shocks, influence the economy and affect the availability of goods and services. A highlight of the term was learning about the Hadrian X, an Australian-developed robotic bricklaying machine created by FBR, which has transformed efficiency in housing construction. Students in 8F had the unique opportunity to participate in a phone conference with FBR's Chief Operating Officer, asking insightful questions such as, “How much does a house built by Hadrian X cost?” and “How long did it take to develop this technology?” This authentic learning experience provided valuable insight into the relationship between innovation, productivity, and economic outcomes.
Year 9 students completed a Geography unit on food security, developing an understanding of how geographical factors influence the availability and distribution of food at local, national, and global scales. Through the investigation of relevant case studies, students examined contemporary challenges affecting both Australia and the wider world, applying their geographical knowledge to real-world issues.
Overall, it has been a successful semester, with students developing a deeper understanding of the economic and geographical forces that shape our world and influence everyday life.
Rasita Ramsaran - Domain Leader
Year 12 Sociology Excursion to the Bosnian Mosque
On Wednesday 13th May students from the Unit 3/4 Sociology class travelled to the Bosnia-Herzegovina Islamic Society in Noble Park as part of their research into a specific ethnic group for Unit 3 Area of Study 2. Students were fortunate to be met by a local community member who shared with them the challenges and successes of the centre and the integration of Bosnian Australians more broadly, before participating in the Bosnian tradition of kahvenisanje. This practice involves sharing coffee and food whilst discussing many varied and interesting topics relating to multiculturalism, religion and Australian society. Following this, the students were able to visit the mosque and learn about its importance as a meeting place for the community. Thank you to the students for their participation in the day and to the staff at the Islamic Society in Noble Park for their continued hospitality.
Ned Vasey - VCE Sociology Teacher
Year 12 Revolutions Excursion to the Melbourne Holocaust Museum
On Wednesday 29th April the Unit 1 & 2 History cohort, as part of their unit on social and cultural change in Nazi Germany, visited the Holocaust Museum in Elsternwick. Students were taken on a guided tour of the museum and its exhibits, which included primary sources, artefacts and artwork documenting Jewish life before the Holocaust, the sobering impacts that Nazi policies had on European Jews, and the ways in which Holocaust survivors built a life after the war – including in Melbourne.
Afterwards, the cohort were fortunate enough to meet with Holocaust survivor Sara Saaroni. Sara, who is 99 years old, shared her incredible story of survival, which included being separated from her family as a teenager, posing as a Catholic in the heart of Nazi Germany, and evading the Gestapo. Students were able to ask Sara questions about her life and her experiences and felt very lucky that they were able to meet face-to-face with such an incredible woman.
Afterwards, the students went to Budapest Restaurant, a restaurant established by Holocaust survivors to celebrate Jewish and Eastern European culture and cuisine. Students were treated to a delicious meal of goulash and schnitzel and were able to reflect on the experience of the museum in a convivial setting.
All in all, it was a fantastic day that served as a reminder that while history may seem distant at times, events such as the Holocaust are still within living memory, and that we all have a role to play in combatting antisemitism and speaking up against hate. Ms Hirth & Mr Rolfe would like to thank each and every student who attended for their respect, maturity, and enthusiasm.
Amy Hirth - VCE History Teacher
Languages
Laura Ritchie | Domain Leader
Year 8 French African Drumming Incursion
On Friday May 15th, the Year 8 French students participated in the lively African Drumming incursion. Students learnt how to play the djembe and took part in the music and dances, as well as gaining an greater understanding of the different countries where French is spoken across Africa. Students really enjoyed the incursion and Evan Tinsley had this feedback to share about it:
"It was great, learning about their culture and past was amazing. There were so many interesting facts that gave us insight into the different African countries where French is spoken and they also spoke French to us and asked us to translate. The drumming was the best bit, listening to the beat and then doing it ourselves was terrific."
Berthe Mouchette Poetry Competition
Some of the Year 10 French class selected to take part in the Berthe Mouchette Poetry competition, where they had to memorise a poem in French and recite it to an examiner from the Alliance Française. Thanks to all who took part and congratulations to Siena Abello and Lene Brand who were selected as finalists. The finals will be held in August.
Year 7 Chinese
Year 7 students celebrated the end of their Numbers topic by creating their own “About Me 我” mini books. They used Chinese to share their name, age, birthday, family, nationality, favourite things, and reflections on learning Chinese. This project showcased the language they have learned throughout the semester.
Year 8 Chinese
Year 8 students finished their Food topic with a Chopsticks Challenge. They practised using chopsticks correctly and worked with partners to pick up pasta and marshmallows in a relay race. It was a fun way to celebrate their learning and develop their chopstick skills.
Mathematics
Laura Suckling | Domain Leader
It has been another fantastic term of learning in Mathematics at Sandringham College. Across Years 7–12, there has been a strong focus on algebra, with most classes working deeply in this area over the term. For many of our Year 7 students, this has been their first introduction to algebra, learning how to use letters to represent numbers and generalise patterns. It has been great to see students building confidence as they develop these important foundational skills.
Our Year 12 Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics students recently completed their week‑long SAC. This is a significant undertaking, and all students should be congratulated on the effort, persistence, and resilience they demonstrated throughout this major assessment.
Homework remains a vital part of Mathematics learning. Regular, consistent practice helps students consolidate skills, deepen understanding, and build confidence. We encourage all students to complete assigned homework and seek help when needed.
We are pleased to reintroduce Maths Club at the Bluff Road campus, running: Wednesdays at Lunchtime in S8
A space for students to complete homework
Opportunity to ask questions and get help from a Maths teacher
At the Holloway Road campus, the Homework Club in the library (after school) continues to run. Students can also speak directly with their Maths teacher to organise additional support if needed.
Mathematics Fact Fluency
A key focus this term has been the development of fact fluency. Being able to quickly and accurately recall important mathematical facts supports success across all areas of Mathematics.
Students are encouraged to regularly practise key facts, including:
Times tables and basic operations (addition and subtraction)
Square numbers
Operations with integers
Algebraic terms and simplification
For Years 11–12: trigonometric exact values and recognising graph shapes
ResearcherDr Brian Poncy highlights the importance of automatic recall, noting that students should aim to recall key facts, such as multiplication facts, quickly and efficiently (for example, around 30 facts per minute). This level of fluency reduces cognitive load, allowing students to focus on higher‑order problem solving rather than basic calculations.
To support this, we have begun introducing Sandy Fast Facts, a Fluency program in some year levels to improve automaticity. This is primarily a pen‑and‑paper program used in class, but students can also practise at home using our online platform: https://factfluency.github.io/fastfacts/
This website includes a wide range of skills and levels, allowing students to work at an appropriate level of challenge. Students can choose:
Fluency mode (timed)
Challenge mode (timed)
Practice mode (untimed)
Results are saved locally on the student’s device and are only shared if the student chooses to use the “share” function. We will continue to expand the range of topics available on this platform throughout the year.
We are proud of the strong effort students have shown this term and look forward to continuing to build their skills and confidence in Mathematics throughout the year.
Science
Dr Roxanne Toivanen | Domain Leader
Throughout this term, students in Years 7–9 Science have been developing their scientific knowledge through experimentation. Year 7 students conducted their experiments on different types of simple machines, while students in Years 8 and 9 investigated the factors that influence the rate of chemical reactions. Students have been applying the scientific method by identifying variables, formulating hypotheses, collecting and analysing data, and drawing evidence-based conclusions, gaining an appreciation of how scientists investigate the world around us.
Our Year 7 SEAL students were particularly challenged this term to design and conduct their own investigations related to forces and simple machines. The creativity and independence they demonstrated were impressive, with investigations ranging from improving parachute designs to testing the aerodynamics of cars or exploring how different liquids travel through an Archimedes' screw. It was wonderful to see students applying their scientific skills to questions that genuinely interested them.
At Holloway, our VCE students are now well into Units 2 and 4 of their studies. For those currently undertaking a Unit 3/4 Science, the upcoming holidays provide an excellent opportunity to consolidate Unit 3 content and refine examination skills. I would highly recommend TSSM's Winter School Midway Revision and Head Start Programs, which run for VCE Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology. Those who wish to attend can find dates, venues and registration details through the TSSM website:
https://tssm.com.au/vce-programs-all/winter-school-mid-way-revision-and-head-start-program-90-90