School News
English
We have been practicing text response TEEL (Topic, Explain, Evidence, Link) paragraphs in Year 8 English. In the picture below, students are engaged in a TEEL paragraph circuit where they explored themes from the movie 'Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence'. Students wrote their own paragraph, then shared with classmates and added feedback to each others' writing. Next, they rotated around and added sentences here and there to each of the themed TEEL paragraphs on the white board.
All students worked collaboratively and contributed enthusiastically.
Personal Development Skills
Students in this subject have begun the practical component of their learning. This week, they worked in the school garden, preparing the beds for planting. They also harvested some produce from the work of previous students, and handed it to the kitchen.
VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies
Snow Camp Report
Monday 25/08/2025
The week began in Mount Beauty, where one busload of Year 11 and 12 students departed for The Outdoor School - Bogong. After settling into camp, students were fitted with skis, boots, and gear for their first alpine adventure.
At Falls Creek, under a flawless blue sky, Mr Davies ran a cross-country refresher in the Nordic Bowl before the group lunched on salad wraps and choc-gingernut biscuits. In the afternoon, the group journeyed beyond the dam wall, where the trail opened into off-piste terrain. From gentle rollers to steeper pitches, the freshly released snow was soft and forgiving underfoot. Students carved tentative “pizza” turns, tested their balance on traverses, and discovered both the challenge and exhilaration of skiing with a free heel.
Tuesday 26/08/2025
Unfavourable forecasts altered the original plan to camp out. Instead, the group undertook a reconnaissance to Watchbed Creek. Battling 35–50 km/h winds and overcast skies, students completed a 9 km return trip, at times pushed along by a strong tailwind. Lunch at Watchbed Creek provided a brief pause before returning safely to Bogong.
Wednesday 27/08/2025
With conditions worsening, plans to camp out were abandoned. Students stayed at back at Bogong, where indoor rock climbing offered an alternative challenge, building teamwork and resilience.
Thursday 28/08/2025
Strong winds again kept the group close to base. Students skied in and around the Nordic Bowl, consolidating their skills and enjoying a safer half-day on snow. With Friday reserved for packing, the program concluded Thursday afternoon, leaving students with tired legs and plenty of shared memories.
Reflection
For Year 12s, this was your final outdoor experience with OES. While the conditions and challenges proved difficult, I hope you take time to reflect on what you did achieve and recognise that growth often comes from discomfort. Even if you discovered that cross-country skiing isn’t for you (and that’s perfectly fine), at least you gave it a go. I encourage you to keep exploring the alpine environment, developing your skills, and embracing future opportunities to snow camp.
Book Week #2
Book Week celebrations continued this week with a well-run Book Swap in the library at lunch time on Thursday and Friday. The Student Executive worked well together and made eye-catching posters, collaborated with Ms Adams to arrange a book fair, and made themselves available to set up, pack up and assist with bookmark making too.
It's not too late to buy a book - book order forms are due on September the 12th. Our supplier has offered a generous discount, books will be delivered to school, and there are prizes to be won. You can even list your own book choices - you don't have to select from the suggested list. You can pick up a form from school. An email was sent on Wednesday with more information and an order form too.
Special mention to Nat, Xander, Marley-May and Eoghan for their posters, presence and help. Thankyou to everyone who got involved and supported the event.
