Principal's Report
Student Achievement: Eltham High School Shines at Tournament of Minds Regional Finals
In an initiative driven by Archer Weston, (Year 8, Pakana House), Eltham High School was proudly represented by three teams at the recent Tournament of Minds Regional Finals, with students competing in the Language & Literature and STEM challenges.
Tournament of Minds gives students the opportunity to work collaboratively on complex, open-ended challenges requiring creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork. Teams spend several weeks developing a solution to a Long-Term Challenge, which they then present to a panel of judges. On competition day, they must also tackle a Spontaneous Challenge, where they have only a short time to develop and present a creative response to a problem they have never seen before.
Our Language & Literature team impressed the judges with their energetic dramatic presentation and strong teamwork. The students performed confidently without relying on a script and created an engaging central conflict for their original 20-episode radio play. In the Spontaneous Challenge, the judges particularly praised the team's energy, creativity and clear communication.
Our two STEM teams also produced highly creative responses. Team 2 received particularly positive feedback for its imaginative Pandemia film concept, dramatic performance and alien puppet, with the judges recognising the team's strong collaboration and effective use of presentation time.
Team 3 received some outstanding feedback, earning Excellent ratings for its film proposal, dramatic presentation and teamwork. The judges were especially impressed by the team's humour, storytelling and collaborative performance. The team also performed strongly in the Spontaneous Challenge, where their creativity and teamwork were rated Very Good and their time management Excellent.
Across all three teams, the judges highlighted the creativity, enthusiasm and collaborative spirit of our students. Just as importantly, the competition provided valuable opportunities for students to respond to feedback, think about how they communicate complex ideas and learn how to work effectively as a team under pressure.
Congratulations to all of our Tournament of Minds students and a special thanks to Archer for inspiring us to sign up. The commitment involved in developing, rehearsing and refining their solutions was considerable, and they represented Eltham High School with creativity, confidence and enthusiasm.
Congratulations also to the inspiring teachers who supported our students to engage in such an event and to prepare their outstanding presentations.
Eltham High School - Interschool Debating
I congratulate our Year 9 debaters for their consistent effort, hard work and collaborative spirit during the final debating competition for the year. They certainly did shine and represented the school in a most admirable way.
I also congratulate Tom Bell and Melissa Hughes for their work in supporting our young people to excel and continue to learn, develop and grow through such valuable initiatives as debating. As we can read below, Ella’s account sums it all up!
“We just wrapped up our Year 9 interschool debating competition with three out of five wins! I’d like to say a huge thank you to Mr Bell for accompanying us to all of the debates and helping us during our weekly meetings. I’d also like to thank Mrs Hughes for assisting us as well, especially with the management side of things.
Everyone performed exceptionally well, especially since none of us had debated before.
Unfortunately, we lost our first debate but considering it was the very first, everyone did a great job. The second result had a much better outcome with Eltham winning by 9 points and myself winning the best speaker award. Our third debate was close but, in the end, Eltham came out on top.
The second last debate was an unfortunate loss; however, the subsequent debate led to Eltham taking home the win and Ava Kent (Year 9, Skipper House) being awarded the best speaker. A great way to close out the 2026 competition.
The Debaters Association of Victoria’s interschool debating competition was a great opportunity to not only represent our school but also work with a likeminded team to develop public speaking and critical thinking skills.
We’re all eagerly anticipating the beginning of the 2027 debating season and would encourage anyone interested to give it a shot.
Ella Resciniti Year 9, Pakana House”
Eltham High School Centenary Art exhibition at Montsalvat
The official opening of the Eltham High School Centenary Art Exhibition was held at the Barn Gallery, Montsalvat, on Friday 21 August. The event attracted a large and enthusiastic audience of students, staff, alumni, families, and community members who gathered to celebrate this significant milestone in the history of our school.
Featuring more than 100 works of art, the exhibition offers visitors a rich and diverse experience, presenting reflections on the past, expressions of the present, and glimpses of the future. The collection highlights the creativity, talent, and enduring connections that have shaped Eltham High School over its 100-year history.
Artists exhibiting in the show include former students, past and present staff, former parents, and members of the wider community. Their contributions are a powerful reminder that Eltham High School has always been strengthened by the relationships and partnerships that extend beyond the school gates.
Together, these artists represent generations of people connected by a shared belief in the value of creativity and the arts. Their work reflects the important role that artistic expression plays in enriching lives, fostering understanding, and strengthening community connections. The exhibition also demonstrates how the bonds formed through Eltham High School continue long after students leave our classrooms, becoming part of a lasting relationship with the school and the community that helped shape them.
It is particularly fitting that this exhibition is being held at Montsalvat. For almost a century, Montsalvat has been a cornerstone of artistic and cultural life in Eltham, and its influence on the local community remains significant. Eltham High School proudly acknowledges the impact that generations of Montsalvat artists and families have had on the school's development.
The links between the two institutions are both historical and enduring. Members of the Jorgensen and Skipper families attended Eltham High School, while Sonia Skipper's contribution continues to be recognised through one of our school houses.
During the opening evening, I had the opportunity to speak with Hamish Know, the builder and designer responsible for rebuilding the Barn Gallery after it was devastated by fire. It was inspiring to reflect on the renewal of this remarkable space, which now provides a fitting home for our Centenary Art Exhibition.
Looking around the gallery on opening night, it was clear that great institutions are built through strong relationships. Schools thrive when communities invest in them, and communities flourish when schools nurture imagination, talent, and a sense of belonging. Over the past century, Eltham High School has educated generations of young people who have gone on to make valuable contributions in countless fields. Their achievements reflect the aspirations of those who came before them and inspire those who will follow.
This exhibition is an important part of our centenary story. It celebrates creativity across generations, honours the individuals whose talents have helped shape the character of our school, and demonstrates how deeply the arts remain embedded in our identity.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Montsalvat and Nillumbik Shire Council for their generous financial and in-kind support of this exhibition. Their contribution has been instrumental in bringing this important community celebration to life.
I also extend my gratitude to every artist whose work is displayed. Thank you for sharing your creativity, imagination, and passion with our community.
In particular, I would like to acknowledge Lisa Foote and Emma Shelton, whose vision, dedication, and tireless work transformed an ambitious idea into the exceptional exhibition we are privileged to experience. Their contribution has been extraordinary and is deeply appreciated.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who attended the opening, including The Hon. Vicki Ward MP, Minister for Creative Industries, and Councillor Kate McKay, Deputy Mayor of Nillumbik Shire, who officially opened the exhibition. Their presence added to the significance of the occasion and reflected the strength of the community that continues to sustain and enrich Eltham High School.
The exhibition stands as a fitting celebration of our Centenary, bringing together artists, stories, and connections from across generations while honouring the creative spirit that remains such an important part of Eltham High School's identity.
The exhibition will run until 13 September. I encourage all members of our community and friends to see this show.
Eltham High School exhibition of the school’s art collection
Over the years, through both the Wes Muir (past principal of the school) acquisition prize and the Principal’s acquisition prize, the school has collected a series of student work which constitute the Eltham High School Collection.
As part of our Centenary celebration the school art collection will be on show at school in a well curated exhibition. The aim of this show is to bring the community into the school.
The official opening of the exhibition will be on Friday 28 August starting at 6:00pm. The exhibition will run from Friday 28 August to Sunday the 30th of August from 10:00am – 4:00pm.
I take this opportunity to thank several of our past art teachers for their volunteer work in getting this exhibition happening. The group of Linda McLeod; Louise Heathcote; Lyn Davis, and Marian Stoney have worked very hard in cataloguing, and photographing the work as well as hanging the exhibition for the show. We cannot be thankful enough for the contribution of this amazing group and recognise their commitment to the school and this community.
Once again, I extend a personal invitation to all members of our community to attend the exhibition which is open across the weekend.
Shortened School day
A shortened school day has been scheduled for Monday 7 September. Please note that scheduled events for Music, Sport and SACs will continue as usual.
School will finish at the end of period 4, 1:25pm. This is to allow staff to engage in an extended professional learning session.
I ask all parents to arrange safe travel home for all students.
Parent Opinion Survey
The parent Opinion Survey has been sent out to all families. I ask all parents/carers to engage with the survey. The information provided through the survey will support the school to strategically plan improvements for the coming year. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey as soon as possible.
Industrial Campaign and Industrial Action
I am sure that you would have heard that 79% of the AEU membership voted “Yes” to the acceptance of the government’s most recent offer.
With union endorsement now in place, and all types of industrial action concluded, the Department of Education, as the employer, will move to conduct a ballot of all employees (AEU members and non-members) to enable the proposed agreement to proceed.
When a majority of employees approves the proposed agreement, the department is required under the Fair Work Act to submit the agreement to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for final approval. The new agreement will only then come into effect.
As such, from the 18 August, teachers are required to write comments against any assessment task set post this date and to complete their marking within the school established timeframe of three weeks.
The reduction of 40 hours of meetings per year will mean further consideration as to which meetings run for the remainder of the year and how we organise and run meeting into 2027.
It is not just a matter of going back to what we had in place pre the industrial action, we need to rethink our processes and structures in order to create a new normal.
There are a number of other considerations in the new agreement which we will work through once it comes into effect.
I thank all members of our community for your support and understanding during the period of industrial action.
Vincent Sicari, Principal
Eltham High School Reminders, including:
Staff Outside of Work Hours
Mobile Phone Policy
Privacy
Student Accident Insurance
Approved Student Exchange Organisations
School Drop Off and Pick Up Times