Secondary

Mr Chris Graham

Assistant Principal (Secondary)

Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you. - St Augustine of Hippo

Bringing back a little bit of 80’s street cricket

Over summer my 10 year old son started to become really interested in cricket. His grandfather gave him his prized cricket bat that he used when he played for his country town’s cricket club. All it needed was a new grip and it was as good as new. This led to a number of street cricket matches over summer, especially in the cooling evenings.

In my neighborhood, many people, couples, and families go for a walk during the evenings. Interestingly, many people wanted to chat to us as we were playing cricket. Older couples would nostalgically smile and comment that it was ‘great to see people playing cricket on the street again’. 

Reminiscing that ‘the crease was drawn in chalk on the road just at the front of their driveway’ and that ‘seeing street cricket on a glowing summe'rs evening made their heart feel warm’. 

However, stranger comments came from younger people. We had one teen fly past us on an electric scooter and quickly shoot out a sentence that appeared to have the changing tone of the Doppler effect due to his illegal speed. He shouted, ‘what are you doing, get off the road!’. Another younger girl who was approximately 10 commented to her mother in a really worried tone, ‘what are they doing on the road? You can’t play cricket on the street, that’s too dangerous’. Her mother came over to us with a smile and explained her daughter's thought with a little chuckle, she explained that she’d never seen or thought of anyone playing cricket on the street. It’s interesting how experience shapes perspective. 

For some, street cricket brings back warm feelings of long summer holidays, sunsets, friends, family and a more innocent time. For some others who’ve not seen it before, street cricket seemed to bring out fear, worry and the want to correct.  As a school, our Dunhelen students will be sitting end of year exams for the first time. For some students, their experiences with exams will bring out fear, dread and worry. Our intention is to take this away. 

Some of our strategies will include having a common set of study skills that will be taught across the secondary school ( www.alearnerstoolkit.com.au/ ), teaching students how to decode the questions to understand how to give deep answers and specific exam strategies. This will be coupled with specific scaffolded work prior and specific feedback after the exam by the subject teacher. Our aim is that by VCE students are well versed in strategies to complete exams, which will in turn increase their performance. For some, it may mean that there is an initial drop in the student's overall subject result; however, we envisage that this will be a short term effect, which will (when worked upon) produce improved results in the long run. 

We wish all the students their very best in the coming year. Please do not hesitate to contact your student's Homeroom Teacher, Head of year, Deputy Head of School or myself if you have any further questions or require more support. 

Dean Taylor

Deputy Head of Secondary (Senior School Culture)

I would like to start the year by thanking Brookhill parents for their proactive approach to Term 1. The support and understanding as we navigate the start of the of the year has been very much appreciated by myself and all of the Brookhill leadership team. Open lines of communication between parents, guardians and the Heads of Year have allowed us to resolve issues quickly and continue putting the wellbeing of students at the forefront of our decision making.

Driving to School

Year 12 students with driver licences are reminded that they may drive to school and park in the Western Staff carpark. To gain permission to do so, students must obtain a Driving to School application form from the Senior School Office, complete this form and lodge a $50.00 deposit for a swipe card with the Accounts Office.

Reminder to all Brookhill families

I would like to take a moment to emphasise the College's policies regarding uniform, punctuality, and behaviour. These aspects play a vital role in creating a conducive learning environment for our students.

Uniform compliance is not just about appearance; it fosters a sense of unity and pride among students. By adhering to the College's uniform policy, we promote a level playing field where all students feel included and equal. It also prepares them for future professional environments where adherence to dress codes is expected. Punctuality is another crucial factor in your child's academic success. 

Arriving on time not only shows respect for the learning process but also allows students to make the most of their educational opportunities. Consistently being late to school can disrupt classes, hinder learning, and create unnecessary stress for the student and the teacher. 

Behavioural rules are in place to maintain a safe and inclusive environment where every student can thrive. Teaching our children to follow these rules helps develop their social skills, empathy, and respect for others. By working together to reinforce behavioural expectations, we can create a positive and supportive atmosphere.

Ms Merjam Mujkanovic

Deputy Head of Secondary (Middle School Culture)

Excitement and achievements abound in Dunhelen  

In recent weeks, Dunhelen has been buzzing with activity and enthusiasm, showcasing the vibrant spirit of our school community. Here's a roundup of some notable events that took place:

Our School Captains, Shiloh and Lachlan, took charge as they hosted their initial meetings with class captains and other middle school students in leadership roles. This platform allowed for the exchange of ideas aimed at enhancing the overall student experience at Aitken College. Shiloh and Lachlan will now channel the students' valuable feedback, ideas, and suggestions to the broader College Council, becoming the enthusiastic voice of their peers in Dunhelen. 

Dunhelen students have also been actively engaged in trials for prospective sports teams, showcasing their talents and skills to Ms Barrett and Mr Linton. They also had an opportunity to sign up for Athletics House events, fostering a sense of healthy competition and bolstering House spirit.

Undoubtedly a highlight, our Year 7 students embarked on their first high school camp, marking a milestone in their secondary school journey! We commend them for embracing new friendships and stepping outside their comfort zones. Special thanks to our Camps and Service-Learning Coordinator, Ms Lisa Mililli, along with Dunhelen's Administration Assistant, Mrs Jacinta Perilli, and Head of Year 7, Ms Abigail Bose, for their exceptional efforts in organising the camp. We extend gratitude to our dedicated teachers who attended the camp and ensured the students had a memorable and enriching experience: Ms Lisa Mililli, Ms Abigail Bose, Ms Graziella Carta, Ms Christine De Luca, Miss Hayley Dench, Mrs Jayde Gunuc, Mr Mitchell Heyes, Ms Vanessa Jreige, Ms Christalla Koukoullides, Mrs Emma Lowe, Mrs Jamie Mariner, Mr Brook Marsom, Ms Phoebe Oti, Mr Cizar Touma, Mr Niel Wrigglesworth and Mrs Anne Zugan.

As we look ahead, students are gearing up for their first assessment tasks while anticipating exciting events throughout the term. One such event is the Year 8 Medieval Day, where students will delve into the medieval era through an incursion organised by the Humanities faculty.

The coming weeks promise a blend of academic challenges and engaging events, and we're eager to witness the continued growth and success of our Dunhelen students.

Year 7 Camp to Phillip Island Adventure Resort

I am so excited to share with you the incredible experiences our students experienced during the recent Year 7 camp at Phillip Island Resort! It was truly a remarkable journey filled with adventure.

The journey to Phillip Island was as exciting as the destination itself. Our students made a pit stop at Koo Wee Rup for a refreshing morning tea, setting the tone for the thrilling days ahead. 

Once at Phillip Island Resort, the students spent the days embarking on a series of exhilarating activities that challenged them both mentally and physically. They engaged in archery, conquered the high ropes course, and experienced the thrill of the giant swing. The crate climbs and raft making activities brought out their teamwork and problem-solving skills, while canoeing allowed them to explore the beautiful surroundings of Phillip Island.

The camp wasn't just about physical challenges; students also enjoyed various games and activities such as ball games, the twin flying fox, trivia, and dodgeball. However, it was the free time that stole the spotlight, giving our students the opportunity to unwind, play, and swim in the pool!

One of the highlights of the camp was witnessing the formation of new friendships among the students. It was heartening to see them connect, support each other, and create lasting memories together. Equally noteworthy was the absence of mobile phones and iPads during the camp, allowing our students to fully immerse themselves in the experience and build genuine connections with their peers!

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the students for their resilience, positive attitude, and enthusiastic participation. Your energy and spirit made this Year 7 camp a truly memorable experience for everyone involved.

Here's to the adventures had, challenges conquered, and friendships formed during our time at Phillip Island Resort. Until the next exciting journey!

Ms Abigail Bose - Head of Year 7

Mrs Jenny Lilley

Head of Faculty - Vocational Major

All Year 12 and 11 students are well into their vocational studies at various TAFE institutions. There are a variety of certificates that the students are enrolled in which include Electrotechnolgy, Animal Care, Screen and Media, Beauty, Plumbing, Music, Allied Health, Agriculture and Beauty Services. The TAFE campuses vary as well, ranging from Kangan in Broadmeadows and Essendon, The Masters Institute of Creative Education, Melbourne Polytechnic and Box Hill Institute at the city campus. The students have been working hard, learning new skills and experiencing industry knowledge as well as receiving information on safe and appropriate workplace practices in their chosen industry.