9–12 Campus Review

What a term it has been. From the moment students walked back through our doors, we hit the ground running and simply never stopped. Learning, excursions, incursions, sport, assemblies, performances, competitions, and assessments — the full, glorious, relentless rhythm of school life in full swing. Our classrooms have buzzed with curiosity, our stages have come alive with talent, our sports fields have been the scene of effort and teamwork, and our students have been challenged, supported and stretched in all the best ways. It has also been a semester of deliberate renewal. We have worked hard this year to embed new routines and expectations that put learning front and centre, including clear standards around device use, consistent classroom practices, and explicit teaching strategies designed to maximise focus and minimise distraction. These are not small changes. Building a culture where every minute of learning time is valued and protected takes commitment from students, staff and families alike and we are already seeing the difference it makes. A focused classroom is a better classroom for everyone in it.

This is what school looks like when it is firing on all cylinders — and ours has been. Every single day, our teachers, support staff and leaders show up with one purpose: to shape the lives of young people and equip them for a future we can only begin to imagine. That is not a small thing. It is an extraordinary privilege, and it drives everything we do.

As we pause to reflect on another busy semester, we want to speak openly about something that affects the health of our school community every day - students refusing reasonable instructions from staff. We are seeing a growing pattern of young people responding to straightforward requests such as 'move to your seat, close your laptop, step outside for a conversation, hand over your phone', with a flat "No." These are not unreasonable requests. They are the basic expectations of a functional learning environment, and refusal disrupts that environment for every student in the room.

Mobile phones are a clear example. Under Ministerial Order 1125, surrendering a phone when asked is not a school preference, it is a Government directive. But the issue is bigger than phones. It is about whether our students understand that saying "No" to a reasonable adult request is simply not acceptable.

We know these habits are shaped at home as much as at school. We aren't here to point fingers, we're here to ask for your partnership. Please talk with your child about the difference between questioning an instruction respectfully and refusing one outright. We welcome the former. We cannot accept the latter. When discussing this with some of our young people, I remind them that if they feel the request is unjustified or unfair, it is quite OK to stay at the end of a class to discuss this with their teacher, or if they don’t feel comfortable to do this, come to their HOY, Assistant Campus Principal or myself. We will always let them be heard and try to come to a fair resolution. 

When home and school speak with one voice on this, everyone benefits. Thank you for your ongoing support as we together strive to build a village around our young people to create those of good character. 

We hope that as you read through this newsletter and see a snapshot of all that has been achieved this semester, you feel as proud of this community as we do. There is so much to celebrate. 

Semester 1 has been nothing short of spectacular for the Arts at our College, and our students and staff deserve every bit of recognition coming their way.

Our VCE Theatre Studies students delivered a stunning performance of The Unraveling , a powerful and deeply impressive piece of work that showcased the talent, commitment and creative courage of every student involved. Congratulations to all who performed.

We also enjoyed two outstanding Music Nights this semester. The College Music Soiree brought together students from every year level, filling the evening with violin groups, guitar ensembles, concert bands and choirs, a joyful celebration of the breadth of musical talent across our community. Then came VCE Music Showcase, an event that felt less like a school performance and more like attending a festival of the 90s, with performer after performer leaving the audience in genuine awe. Huge congratulations to Tim Clifton, Scott Hobson, and all of the Instrumental Music staff, supported so capably by Erin Jay. Special thanks to IM staff Ben Dewhirst and Katharine Parton for all their help with our VCE students and on the night.  As we close out the term, we look forward to our Dance Showcase, always one of the highlights of the year. Our Dance Academy and VCE VET Dance students will bring the stage to life with stunning technique, vibrant colour and a wonderful range of styles. It is always a real delight to watch. Congratulations in advance to Jess Mortlock, Prue Slingsby, and the entire Dance Academy teaching team for their extraordinary choreography and dedication to their students. 

The Arts at this school are thriving and we couldn't be more proud and grateful. Keep an eye out for the sale of tickets for our upcoming College Production of Legally Blonde. Its going to be lots of fun!

It may feel like the year has only just begun, but Subject Selection for 2027 is already upon us. Each year level will receive a dedicated presentation outlining the options available to them, and we encourage families to sit down together with the Subject Handbook (available on our website and through Compass) to explore those options, have meaningful conversations about pathways and interests, and make sure you are following the timelines as they are communicated.

For students currently in Year 9 moving into Year 10, and especially Year 10 moving into Year 11, we strongly encourage you to attend our Subject Expo, held at the Holloway Road Innovation Centre on Tuesday 23 June, 4:30–6:00pm. Come along anytime during that window and wander through at your own pace — every subject will be on display, with teachers on hand to answer questions and help students make informed, confident choices. It is also a great opportunity for Year 11 students who are considering a subject change heading into Year 12 and want to explore their options before committing.

Prio to the close of the subject selection portal, course counselling will be available to support students in finalising their decisions.

We warmly encourage parents to attend the Expo together with their child — the conversations that happen on the night often make all the difference.

We are proud to welcome our third group of Year 9 students into the Djeembana Program for the year. Djeembana, an Australian Aboriginal word meaning "gathering place",  is exactly that, a space where young people come together to explore the world beyond the traditional curriculum. Two classes at a time spend a full term engaging with real-world issues that matter, guided by community partners who are doing meaningful work right now.

This year's groups have worked alongside the Salvation Army to understand the realities of homelessness in our community, and with local sustainability organisation Village Zero to examine the environmental challenges and solutions shaping our future. These partnerships give students direct access to people on the frontlines of important issues and are conversations and experiences no textbook can replicate.

At the end of their term, students present an investigative piece to staff and their families at a dedicated conference — a proud moment that reflects not just what they have learned, but the genuine depth of thinking they have developed along the way. Djeembana continues to be one of the valuable Year 9 experiences, and we are consistently inspired by the curiosity and compassion our students bring to it. Thank you to the staff who manage this very  important program, especially Theo Poulis who leads the program.

This semester has seen three Super SAC Days — full days dedicated entirely to completing assessments for Unit 3 and 4 subjects, with all students assessed at the same time, under the same conditions. These days are essential for authentication and fairness, and we thank our students and staff for the focus and preparation they bring to them each time.

With Unit 3 now complete, our Year 12 students face an exciting and sobering reality: fewer than 70 days of classroom learning remain in their secondary school lives. That is not a reason for anxiety — it is a call to action.

To our Year 12s, make every minute count. Lean into every classroom opportunity, work with your teachers, attend Homework Club, study with your peers, and draw on the countless hours staff give outside of class to support you. This season of your schooling will be over before you know it — and the effort you put in now opens doors that will define your next chapter.

It is also wonderful to see our Year 11 students stepping up with real purpose — seeking out time and space to study, working both independently and collaboratively, and genuinely striving to do their best. That attitude now will serve them enormously as they move into Year 12.

To all of our senior students: we see your effort, we are proud of your commitment, and we are right here with you. Keep going.

Year 10 Work Experience

We hope all of our Year 10 students who headed out into the workforce during the week of 15 June had a valuable and memorable experience. Work Experience is one of those rare opportunities that no classroom can fully replicate. For some students, the week will have confirmed a passion and pointed them firmly toward a future pathway. For others, it may have revealed that a particular field isn't quite what they imagined — and that is equally valuable. Knowing what you don't want is just as important as knowing what you do. As our Year 10s move into the final years of their secondary education and begin making decisions about their futures, that experience of the real world is something they will draw on more than they may realise right now.

As we close out the semester, we say a very warm goodbye to our Mental Health Practitioner Louise Rogers, who finishes up at the end of term as she prepares for one of life's most wonderful adventures. Louise has been a quiet, steady and deeply valued presence in our Wellbeing Team — someone who has made a genuine difference to the lives of many students in our community. We are so grateful for everything she has brought to this role and to our school. To Louise and her husband Dane — we wish you a safe arrival and every happiness as you welcome your new baby into the world. There is truly nothing quite like the joy a child brings, and we have no doubt your little one is arriving into a home full of love, warmth and laughter. Enjoy every single moment. We will miss you, Louise, and we wish your growing family all the very best and look forward to your return.

We hope you all have a relaxing mid year break and return ready for the pace and demands of semester two.

Vivienne McElwee

9–12 Campus Principal