Need to Know
By the time you are reading this newsletter, the academic year will largely be over. It's been a big term, with some great events still to come and much to celebrate.
Last week we were very proud to watch our Class of 2025 graduate and celebrate the end of their time at St Helena with speeches, musical items, a student film and many awards. Whether students completed the VCE or VCE/Vocational Major, we are proud of them all.
I was also very fortunate to attend the end of year presentations for our Football and Basketball Academies - our own version of "The Academy Awards"! It was heartwarming to hear the young people who are part of this program speak with pride of all they have achieved, and to see their coaches and teachers recognise the teamwork, camaraderie, grit and growth of the students. Congratulations to Erin Milton, Academy Lead who has done such a great job of creating this experience for our students. We are very excited to expand our Academy offerings for 2026 with the launch of our Dance Academy at Year 7.
We had a record number of families attend an information session regarding an Italian Cultural Tour for September next year, and planning is also underway for a New Zealand Band Tour in 2026, a potential Performing Arts tour to London & Paris in 2027, and hopefully a replacement for the cancelled Nepal trip.
Our Year 10 cohort are out on work experience placement this week - with every student managing to secure a placement.
In the weeks to come, our mini school teams are conducting handovers, teachers are busy finalising assessments and reports, curriculum teams are reviewing units and ensuring that all curriculum is in line with the newly released Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0, and incorporates the Universal Design for Learning (see article in this newsletter), and other teams are planning for 2026.
We still have the Big Day Out for Years 7-9 to look forward to, performances of Student Worx, and Year 9 camp.
I am also looking forward to celebrating student achievements at the Presentation evening in the final week.
It's been a busy and rewarding term. I wish all of our families a safe and relaxing summer break, and for those who celebrate it, a Merry Christmas.
Years 7-9 Redemption
The 12th, 15th and 16th of December is Year 7 – 9 Redemption period. After the Big Day Out (11th Dec), students are only required at school if they still have outstanding work that will result in a ‘Not Satisfactory’ outcome for any of their recent units. During Redemption, students will be given the opportunity and support to complete the outstanding course work for their subjects in order to achieve a ‘Satisfactory’ unit completion.
The process has started with subject teachers identifying students with outstanding work. Parents will receive an email each time a teacher logs any outstanding work on Compass. The student then has a period of time, in the lead up to the Redemption period, to complete this work. Once completed and signed off by the teacher, the student no longer needs to attend the Redemption period. Teachers will also be offering further support, such as lunchtime catch-up sessions, to assist students in their learning. Prior to the Redemption period, parents will be formally notified by the relevant Mini School if their child has not completed the identified task/s and is therefore required to attend Redemption.
St Helena Secondary College values personal best and responsibility. We want to ensure our students work to achieve their best and are supported to do so. The Redemption program ensures that students are given every opportunity to complete their course work and therefore end their 2025 school year with a sense of pride and accomplishment. We also aim to ensure they are set up for their following academic year with the skills and knowledge they need to achieve at their highest level.
2026 Events
The calendar for 2026 is not quite ready in time for publication of this newsletter but will be sent out to you via Compass before the end of the year. You will note a change to our planned Swimming Carnival early in the year - in 2026 we will only be taking Years 7 and 8 and competitors from other levels. Unfortunately, participation in levels 9-12 has been extremely low in the past few years, despite high levels of Compass consent. We book buses for the number of students who consent, only to be sending empty buses back to the supplier which costs the college thousands of dollars. Attendance at Years 7 and 8 has historically been quite high so we will continue to support their attendance at this fun day out. Can I please ask Year 7 and 8 parents, and parents of students who indicate they wish to compete in events, to only consent to the event when it comes out on Compass if your child does intend to go!
Dare to be Excellent
I’m pleased to share the outcome of our students’ applications to the University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program (Class of 2027).
We received the official notification last week, and I’m delighted to report that Elaine Chan is a successful applicant. Well done Elaine.
Congratulations also to Year 8 student Violet - Violet had a day off school to attend an art exhibition at Parliament House featuring one of her drawings about family. She was one of 16 winners from across the state presented with certificates, met the Premier Jacinta Allen and had a tour of parliament with Eltham MP Vicki Ward (photo with Premier attached).
The year that was … in Debating Club
The 2025 Debating Club year has concluded, and some of our club members have offered their reflections, especially in light of their participation in the DAV (Debating Association of Victoria) competition. If any student would like to join the Debating Club in 2026, then look out for the Teams post during our first week back at school in 2026.
Below are some pictures of the DAV (Debating Association of Victoria) 2025 participants and their reflections:
Debating has only grown to be more enjoyable over the past two years and has taught valuable speaking skills along with teamwork. Everyone is also so kind to one another and allows you to have a strong support network of friends. (Maddie T)
Debating has been one of the best team-building experiences of my life. From, the brainstorming of ideas to the last minute scrambling to write cue cards, everyone in debating club has each other's back. We're all willing to help each other, before, during and after school. Debating is amazing and the skills you learn (both about debating and about friendship/teamwork) are CRUCIAL life lessons. (Joshua Dw)
Debating has challenged me to think quickly and express my ideas with confidence. I’ve also enjoyed learning from others’ points of view. It’s been a rewarding experience that has helped me grow academically and personally. (Eva S)
I have really enjoyed debating this year as it is really inclusive to people who haven't debated before, and it has helped me practise public speaking confidently and clearly. It's such a valuable and educational experience, and I would encourage anyone who is thinking about debating to definitely try it! (Duscha R)
I have loved debating this year. I participated in the DAV and every meeting was spent with friends. We all helped each other and have friendly debates. It is so much fun. (Matilda B)
Debating has been so much fun, especially working together as a team to brainstorm ideas. It has helped me come up with ideas quickly and think of both sides of an argument. I love it and think it has helped me a lot. And almost making it to the finals was also really fun. (Sritha M)
Joining debating has improved my reaction speed, use of language, and skills/knowledge of life. Overall, it was fun and interesting! (Meimuna S)
Debating has been a very positive and valuable opportunity that fostered both confidence and teamwork. The meetings and debates were very supportive and have helped strengthen my public speaking skills, making the experience highly beneficial. (Asher A)
Debating is a wonderful experience that builds both confidence and camaraderie. It is a great way to build your public speaking skills, organisation, and creativity while also being very rewarding. (Nila D)
Debating has not only been educational and insightful, but it has also been incredibly fun. Debating has helped to improve my public speaking, team skills and concentration. I would strongly suggest many more people take it up even if you haven’t done it before! (Mitali P)
Student Planners 2026
This year the College provided every student with a Planner. Along with the introduction of Strong Start, this aims to support students to be organised with their homework and timelines, and take responsibility for due dates. While many students have used their planners well, there are a lot who haven't.
We will be supplying the Planner again next year and students will be required to have the planner with them for every class. They will need their planner to be initialled by a teacher if they need to leave the classroom for any reason - to use the toilet, go to the library, get something from their locker. Please support us in ensuring your child is ready to learn and understands the importance of having their planner with them for every class. Students who lose their planner will be required to pay the cost of a replacement (approximately $15).
Staff Merits
Please use this link: Staff Merit – Fill out form
Thank you to everyone who has used this link during the year - one of the highlights of my week is issuing merits to staff on a Friday, and they are always gratefully received. Many respond to me saying "this made my weekend".
Staff Farewells
As always, we are so proud of our staff who take a piece of St Helena with them when they further their careers at other schools, although it is always sad to say goodbye.
David Dang - David has been a huge contributor to St Helena in his six and a half years with us, not only through his Maths and Science teaching but also through his roles as Digital Coach for students and Outreach Coordinator. He was instrumental in the design of our Year 7 Digitech Program. David has been enduring a very long commute to and from St Helena and has secured a role much closer to home. We wish him all the best.
Cathie Murphy - Cathie has a long association with St Helena both as a Textiles/Technology teacher (9 1/2 years), and also a valuable contributor over many years as Costume Designer for our musical productions. Cathie has contributed hours and hours of voluntary time to our school. Cathie has built the textiles department into a highly successful area of the school that truly encourages students to "dare to be excellent". Her four sons are St Helena alumni, and we are confident our association with Cathie will not end here! All the best in the independent sector Cathie - they are fortunate to have you.
Leanne Hindley - came to teaching (and St Helena) three years ago after a full career as an accountant and quickly established herself as a competent and caring teacher, very knowledgeable of her subject area. Leanne is moving to teach at her children's independent school, and will be missed - she very quickly made a huge impact here.
Kerry Innes - came to us from "up north" three years ago, and is moving north again, this time to Brisbane to follow her husband's work. Not only a greatly respected teacher, Kerry has been an exceptional Science Domain leader - bringing structure and rigour to the faculty while looking out for her teachers and ensuring they are supported. Kerry's advocacy for her Domain and her calm and logical manner will be greatly missed, as will her ready smile.
Kathy Romano - Kathy joined us as a graduate teacher after undertaking her teaching rounds with us. We were very fortunate to be able to recruit her into a family leave position halfway through this year. Unfortunately, this does not give Kathy security of employment and she has managed to secure a permanent position elsewhere starting next year. Kathy's vibrant personality (and hair!) and enthusiasm for teaching will be missed. I hope St Helena students are able to benefit from having Kathy as their teacher again at some point in the future.
Sam Rowley - our cheerful receptionist and some-times First Aid Officer is taking a year off next year to welcome her second child. Sam has been invaluable in her administrative support of the Disability and Inclusion team, and her friendly manner will be missed in the office. All the best for the impending arrival Sam, and we look forward to meeting him or her early next year!
Marcus Favrin - Marcus came to us on Permission to Teach registration through La Trobe University's Nexus scheme - spending most of last year working as a Learning Support Officer and this year also teaching in the PE faculty. Only exceptional teachers qualify to fast-track their qualifications through the Nexus program and Marcus quickly showed he was worthy of his place in the program. We are delighted that he has completed his teaching qualification and devastated that we do not have a vacancy in the PE Department for him. Marcus has been snapped up by Thomastown Secondary College and no doubt has a highly successful career in education ahead of him.
Bronwyn Ventura - has been a part of the St Helena Instrumental Music team for as long as I can remember. She has inspired and nurtured decades of students. We have been so fortunate to see the fruits of her work with our students in many, many live performances. Bronwyn's professionalism and collegiality will be greatly missed, and we wish her all the best as she enters this exciting next chapter and embraces all the opportunities that retirement brings.
Paris Thompson - is a member of the St Helena Alumni who joined us halfway through this year in a family leave position as our Art Technician. Paris quickly made herself indispensable in the Department, bringing a cheerful "can do" attitude to everything she did. Unfortunately, St Helena does not have a position for Paris when the incumbent returns from Family Leave at the beginning of next year. Unsurprisingly, Paris has secured a position elsewhere, and we wish her all the best - it has been so great to have one of our ex students return to us!
Hayden Tran - many parents will not have met Hayden, but I can guarantee your child has benefitted from his work over the two years he has been at St Helena. Hayden is employed by the Education Department as an IT Support Technician and has worked as part of our IT team that work so hard behind the scenes to keep everything IT ticking along. Hayden's quiet efficiency, knowledge and helpfulness will be missed. Hayden is moving to another school where he has a greater number of employment hours.
Darianne Willmott - Darianne has been St Helena's Graphic Artist and Art Technician for well over 20 years. Families who have been with us for any period of time will have seen her designs on various boards outside the school advertising Art and Technology shows, Showcase, and many theatrical productions, and will have admired publicity booklets, promotional material and theatrical programmes she designed. Darianne has been on leave this year but has announced her intention to retire at the end of the year. We thank her for all she has contributed to the college.
Katina Varvaris - Katina has been an incredible Legal Studies & Humanities teacher, a much loved and respected Year 12 Manager, and in the last 18 months a valuable member of our Wellbeing Team. Katina's organisational skills, dedication to her roles, fastidious preparation of curriculum and care for her students are matched only by her sartorial elegance! Katina has had an extraordinary career (the last 16 years at St Helena) making a difference in the lives of thousands of students, and we wish her all the best for whatever retirement brings.
Carlene Parker - Carlene commences maternity leave in the holidays also. Carlene has had some health issues this year but has pushed through always putting her students first. We wish Carlene all the best for this next exciting chapter, and can't wait to meet the new arrival in the new year.
Molly Holmes - is also a St Helena alumni. We have had the pleasure of having Molly work as an intern in the PE Department this year. She has been an invaluable support for our sporting program, completing a lot of the administrative work and also accompanying many teams out on competitions. She has been helpful and hard working and quickly drew the respect of the faculty. Molly's internship finishes at the end of the year. We can't wait to see what she does next!
Amber Polgar - has been our VCE Study Centre supervisor covering Renae Widdicombe's Long Service Leave in Term 4. Amber has been respected and liked by students, and has been an incredibly organised and efficient Exams Manager. Thank you Amber!
From Banyule City Council:
We have recently received community concerns regarding illegal parking along Ungara Close, Eltham North, particularly near the walkway entrance at No. 7 during school drop-off and pick-up times.
These concerns mainly focus on parents parking over driveways and using nature strips near the entrance as part of drop-off and pick-up. Primary and secondary school parents were observed to be parking in this unsafe manner.
Please note that Ungara Close has ‘No Stopping’ parking restrictions in place on both sides of the road during school drop-off and pick-up times. Motorists are not permitted to park on-street during these times.
We kindly ask that you please remind parents of their responsibilities under the Victorian Road Rules with regard to parking near schools.
To assist with this, I have attached the most recent version of Council’s Safety Around Schools brochure.
This information is relevant to both school and general road user responsibility when negotiating through busy areas.
By ensuring that parents are parking safely and in accordance with these Road Rules we can ensure that school children and pedestrians are able to safely walk to and from school.
Council will be actively monitoring parking behaviour in the area over the coming months, including the new school year, to ensure parents are parking in a safe and appropriate manner during these times.
We will also install line marking in front of the entrance to the walkway at No. 7 to provide further clarity to parents to not block this essential access point.
Regards,
Traffic & Transport Department
Banyule City Council
