Mini School Updates
Junior School Update
Term 3 has been an incredibly busy and exciting time for our Junior School community!
Subject Selections
Our students have been completing their subject selections for next year. This is an exciting milestone, giving them the opportunity to begin specialising in areas of interest while still exploring a variety of learning options.
Grade 6 Transition Day
We welcomed Grade 6 students and primary school staff to our second transition day for the year. It was wonderful to see our future Lowanna students engaging with their peers and staff. Our final transition day will take place in December, where students will attend in their 2026 form groups.
Book Week
The Junior School team had lots of fun celebrating Book Week, exploring “Where is the Green Sheep?” and seeing so many students embracing the spirit of the event by dressing up as their favourite book characters.
Year 8 Alternative Camp Program
We wrapped up the final event of this year’s program with a fantastic day out at the movies and GRAC. Students and staff enjoyed watching The Fantastic Four before cooling off with swimming and water slides to finish the day.
Thank you to all our families for your ongoing support throughout Term 3. We wish everyone a safe, relaxing and enjoyable break!
Kristy Bannister
Junior School Leader
Middle School Update
It has been a busy few weeks in Middle School, with assemblies celebrating the success of students and sharing information for 2026!
Year 9s have now completed their Morrisby Testing and have gained important information to support them in their future career planning. Students will be completing their interviews in Term 4 with insights and knowledge about their futures.
In our most recent Yr 9 assembly, we were able to celebrate the HUGE number of students who received an award from NAPLAN this year – both in terms of growth and achievement standards. We handed out over 50 NAPLAN certificates which is an absolute credit to all students who participated. We also congratulated our RIDGE Award winners.
NAPLAN Awards Winners
Cooper Addison
Joshua Ainsworth
Blake Andrews
Lara Bacon
Ryan Bogers
Phillip Demetriou
Yasmine Dickson
Kolt Flintrop
Lillianna Forsaith
Phoebe Gibbs
Finn Granger
Owen Hall
Hamish Jeffery
Samuel Jones
John Kesper
Ruby Koch
Baron Kosta
Sebastian Light
Kalin Ling
Xavier Maher
Suede Makepeace
Cooper McGrath
Addison McKay-Jonker
Grace Miszkowiec
Angus Murdoch
Karen Rutledge
Jack Sallee
Christopher Sami
Xavier Schembri
Benjamin Skinner
Una Turnbull
Zach Wagner
Elijah Webb
RIDGE Award Winners
Blake Andrews
Emily Bastin
Amelia Bennett
Mitchell Hunter
Sophie Murray
Rheanna O’Connell
Jack Sallee
Ellie Smith
Abigail Smithson
Una Turnbull
Bayley Twaddle
Claire Cilia
Ellie Goyne
Addison SIddle
Shekinah Balindong
Koby-Lee Lucas
Lyla Embleton
Marah Xerri
Within the last few weeks, many students have been excited to think about 2026 and their subject selections. It has been great to have conversations about courses and classes with students and their passion and goals for the future. Any students who have had gaps in these conversations have now been spoken with.
Many students are excited about our upcoming camp to the Gold Coast. More excitingly, we wish all our Deb Ball participants a wonderful evening next week and can’t wait to see them all dressed up.
Finally, we are continuing to monitor and check on the Middle School toilets regularly – ensuring they are only being used by Middle School students in the correct manner. Our next goal will be focusing on students who are late to class. Some students are continually late and this impacts both their learning and the classroom.
Sarah Longden
Middle School Leader
Senior School Update
Somehow, we find ourselves already in September and at the end of another busy term. For both Year 11 and 12 students, this means they are finalising assessment items for their current units as they head towards the end of the semester. Another round of GPAs has been released, and Parent Student Teacher Interviews will take place next week on Thursday evening and Friday. We encourage all students and their parents to make the most of these opportunities for feedback and to focus not just on final grades or scores but on each child’s academic progress and growth. Research shows that intelligence is not fixed and focusing on growth has a very positive impact on learning. Hard work and persistence in the face of challenges are the keys to success and emphasising learning progress rather than marks is a powerful way to support students.
Year 12
For our Year 12s, this is the final stretch of their 13 years of schooling and we encourage them to make the most of these last weeks. We are looking forward to celebrating with them and offering a range of opportunities to create some fun, lasting memories. A highlight will be the Graduation Evening on Friday 21 November at Kernot Hall as well as the Farewell Assembly, Celebration Day and other activities in the final week of classes.
Practice exams will take place in the first week of the school holidays (Monday 22 – Thursday 25 September) for all students studying a VCE Unit 3 and 4 subject. These are a vital opportunity to practise under exam conditions, identify areas for improvement and receive targeted feedback before the official VCAA exams begin. The English practice exam will run on the final day of term, Friday 19 September, providing a valuable checkpoint for students’ preparation. All students studying a Unit 3 and 4 subject have now received their official VCAA exam timetable. Please contact the college if you require another copy.
VCE-VM
Our VCE-VM students are working hard towards finalising their studies. This year, instead of the fete, students are preparing for an expo-style event that will showcase their learning and the wide range of activities they have been involved in across the year. This event will be a fantastic way for students to share their achievements with the school community and celebrate the breadth of their experiences in the program.
Year 11 and Leadership
A significant number of our Year 11 students are finalising their dance steps, dresses, accessories and bow ties for the Debutante Ball at Gumbuya World on Wednesday 17 September. This event provides a wonderful opportunity for students to come together in a social setting and always proves to be a highlight for families and the college community.
We also encourage Year 11 students to engage with the College Captain selection process for 2026. Applications are now open, with written applications due by Monday 15 September. Speeches will take place at the Term 4 assembly before an interview and voting process by peers and staff. This process is an excellent opportunity for students to grow as leaders, give back to the college and leave a lasting legacy.
Finally, I wish all our students and families a safe and enjoyable holiday break. While it is important that our senior students take the time to study and revise, it is equally important to rest and recharge before heading into the final, very busy part of the school year.
Nicole Taylor
Senior School Leader