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

Firstly, I’d like to welcome you all back and hope you’re all looking forward to an exciting year at Aitken. We are looking forward to the year ahead. There is going to be a lot of opportunities for all students to grow in many different areas. There are a huge number of co-curriciular groups that are running this year. I would strongly encourage each student to be involved in some of these. The co-curricluar groups available can be accessed through AIMS. Taking the initial step in joining a co-curricular group needs someone to do just that; actually take the first step and work.

The title above is a famous quote that is attributed to St Augustine of Hippo, a region in northern Africa. St Augustine was a famous theologian and philosopher that lived between 354 and 430 AD. Interestingly, I have many conversations with students who often attribute their behaviour or their academic outcomes to God/some kind of greater spiritual being/the Universe.

Oddly, I find that students often think that their life is predetermined and that the ‘Universe’ directs them in any direction it chooses. This can lead them to the conclusion that working hard has minimal impact, however, I don’t believe this to be the case.

As the quote above explains, life is a relationship between both yourself and God/some kind of greater spiritual being/the Universe. I’ve heard it likened to a chin up (which as I get older, I find increasingly difficult, hah). When attempting a chin up, using two arms is the best option, we can try doing it with one arm, however, that is really, really hard.

In the same way, we can attempt an examination by just praying (using one arm), however, that too, is really, really hard and unlikely to produce the best results. For the best outcome in an examination, you need both arms; namely praying, but also working hard and studying.

As we move into 2024, let us encourage our students to take the two arm approach, knowing that we have the ability to work diligently and create our own path.

Ms Merjam Mujkanovic

Deputy Head of Secondary (Middle School Culture)

Welcome to Dunhelen

As we embark on a new academic year, I am delighted to take on the role of Deputy Head of Secondary (Middle School Culture) at Aitken College. My name is Merjam Mujkanovic and you might recognise me as your child's former English or Humanities teacher, or simply as ‘Ms M.’ Having been a Dunhelen homeroom teacher previously, I am thrilled to continue working with the wonderful students in Middle School. Whether our paths have crossed before or you are new to Dunhelen, I extend a warm welcome to each one of you.

I understand that my name might pose a pronunciation challenge, so let me provide some assistance: it’s pronounced “Meri-yam Muy-kan-ov-ich.” Please don't fret; both my students and colleagues needed some practice! I've included the phonetic spelling of my name here because, during one of my initial discussions with our Year 7 students at their first assembly, I emphasised the importance of persisting until names are pronounced correctly. This is especially crucial at the beginning of the school year, with new teachers and peers. Therefore, in this newsletter, I am modelling this practice to our students, highlighting its significance. Names are a reflection of our identity and pronouncing them correctly fosters a sense of belonging in our multicultural school community at Aitken College.

Dunhelen Leadership Team

Our leadership team in the Middle School comprises of myself as Deputy Head, alongside our Heads of Year, who are instrumental in guiding and supporting students. Mrs Abigail Bose serves as the Head of Year 7, Mr Jason Mackrell as the Head of Year 8, and Mr Peter Francey as the Head of Year 9. We collaborate closely with Dunhelen homeroom teachers, supported by Dunhelen Administration Assistant, Mrs Jacinta Perilli, who has admirably set students up for success in the first week.

Building New Friendships

If you find yourself curious about making new connections, elevating this academic year, or how to broaden your child’s social network, I encourage students to take advantage of the dynamic array of extracurricular and co-curricular activities that Aitken College has to offer. Whether it’s the Philosophy Club, STEM ambassadors, Interact Club, EngGirls, DigiTech Club, House activities, or study support sessions like English or Maths Assist held during lunchtime, there’s undoubtedly something for everyone in Dunhelen to nurture connections and cultivate friendships. For detailed information about the co-curricular activities offered at Aitken, please refer to our new Learning Management System, AIMS (https://aims.aitkencollege.edu.au/). Navigate to ‘co-curricular activities’ and then click on ‘clubs & activities’ for comprehensive details.

Innovation in Dunhelen

This year, our College embraces the spirit of ‘Innovation.’ Our motto is ‘Let’s Innovate,’ a sentiment students heard during their first Chapel and assembly this week. In Dunhelen, it is all about sparking creativity, urging students to think outside the box, embrace failure as a lesson, and cultivate the skills needed to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world.

With great anticipation for the possibilities this year holds, I look forward to a year marked by innovation, new friendships, growth, and achievement.

Year 7 Students’ First Day:

Entering Year 7 is not just about starting a new school year; it's about embarking on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and new opportunities. The 2024 batch of Year 7 students started their first day of secondary school on Thursday 1st February. As students entered the VCE 2 building, there was a combined sense of excitement, anticipation and enthusiasm among both Homeroom teachers and students. While parents were invited to a morning tea, students started the day in their Homerooms, setting up their lockers and participating in ‘getting to know you’ activities.

This year, the Year 7 Homeroom teachers are Ms. Carter, Ms. Dench, Ms. Koukoullides, Mr. Heyes, Ms. De Luca and Ms. Oti. On behalf of the Homeroom teachers and myself, we want to extend a warm welcome to all Year 7 students, and we are so honoured to be your teachers. As mentioned at our assembly, the theme I would like Year 7 students to follow this year is ‘Be the best that you can be’. This involves punctuality, respect and striving for excellence.

To all Year 7 students, as we embark on this journey together, remember to approach each day with an open mind, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn and grow. Year 7 is just the beginning of your educational journey, and we can't wait to see the incredible things you'll accomplish throughout the year and beyond.

Wishing you all the best for an amazing Year 7!

Ms Abigail Bose

Head of Year 7

A Message from the Dunhelen Captains

We hope all students had a great first few days back to school! Shiloh Delia and Lachlan Raditsi here, the Dunhelen Captains for 2024. We just ran our first Dunhelen assembly – and we have to say, it was both exciting and nerve-racking! Now, for our awesome peers, below are some tips to make another school year in Dunhelen run smoothly:

Use a planner to keep track of assessments and important dates.
Connect with people in your class and teachers.
Get involved and join clubs, sports, or other extracurricular activities.
Get enough sleep!
Ask for help if you’re struggling.

This is our first week on the job, and we're excited for the year ahead. Let's make it epic, Dunhelen!

Shiloh and Lachlan

Dunhelen Captains

Mrs Jenny Lilley

Head of Faculty - Vocational Major

All Year 12 students attended the Learning Conference last week which included presentations from interesting guest speakers and workshops on self-care and resilience. The day helped to equip students for a successful and productive school year.

Congratulations to the Aitken College VCE VM graduates from 2023 who have successfully either entered full-time employment or are continuing with their studies or gained an apprenticeship.