Need to Know
What a great start to the year we have had at St Helena Secondary College. There is already so much to celebrate.
Our Year 7 Transition Camp to Forest Edge was an outstanding success. It was wonderful to see our newest students forming friendships, challenging themselves and beginning to feel truly at home in our college community. Thank you to the staff who gave so generously of their time to ensure the camp was such a positive and affirming experience.
Our VM Sailing Camp was equally successful. This experience provided students with opportunities to develop resilience, teamwork and independence — qualities that sit at the heart of a St Helena education.
We were also privileged to begin our year with a meaningful Welcome to Country ceremony, grounding us in respect, reflection and connection to the land on which we learn and grow. Starting the year in this way sets a powerful tone for our shared work ahead.
It was a pleasure to host our Club 90 Morning Tea, celebrating our high-achieving Class of 2025 students. Their commitment and dedication to learning continue to inspire us, and it was wonderful to gather with families to recognise their outstanding achievements and hear their excitement about their 2026 university studies.
Our Year 7 Parent BBQ and Music Recruitment Night was a highlight of the opening weeks. The sense of community was palpable, and we are thrilled to report a record number of Year 7 students enrolling to study an instrument this year. Our music program continues to flourish, and we are excited to see these young musicians begin their journey.
Speaking of music, we are incredibly proud that our Senior Jazz Band will open the Eltham Jazz Festival on Friday 27 February at 4.00 pm. This is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the talent, commitment and rehearsal hours invested by our students and staff. We encourage our community to come along and support them if you are able.
The Years 7-9 swimming carnival was a day enjoyed by all, with some great competition and a festive atmosphere.
Rehearsals for our first Debutante Ball on March 13 are progressing beautifully, with students demonstrating enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Expressions of interest have also now opened for our 2027 Year 11 students who wish to participate in their Debutante Ball — a wonderful St Helena tradition. Register your interest here: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: 2027 DEBUTANTE BALLS – Fill out form
Student Planners
A reminder to families about student organisation: it has been pleasing to see most students using their planners effectively. Students are required to have their planner with them at all times (except at recess and lunchtime) to record homework, due dates and to have any necessary bathroom visits signed off. Consistent planner use is an important life skill that supports independence and organisation.
To minimise disruption to learning, students will not be permitted to leave class to access water. They are, however, very welcome to bring bottled water into class with them.
Morning Drop Off
A reminder that parents MUST NOT use the front driveway when dropping students at school unless accessing the disabled parking spots. With pedestrians, bicycles and buses all vying for space, adding cars to the mix is an accident waiting to happen.
If you don't want to wait in the queue for the drop off zone, consider dropping your child close to the school and encourage them to walk the last bit!
Dare to be Excellent
We are exceptionally proud to congratulate Liam Holmes, who has been selected for the VCAA Season of Excellence Top Designs. The Season of Excellence is an annual showcase of work produced by outstanding VCE students across performing, visual, multimedia and cinematic arts, technology, design, writing and research studies. Liam was selected for his exemplary Year 12 Systems Engineering work — completed as a Year 11 student. This is an extraordinary achievement.
Huge congratulations also to Declan Draper, the sole recipient of the 2026 Greensborough RSL Living Spirit Fellowship. In April, Declan will travel to Thailand to visit historically significant sites and attend the ANZAC Dawn Service at Hellfire Pass. He will also visit the Thai–Burma Railway, a place of deep personal significance given that his great-grandfather, a prisoner of war and survivor of World War II, was forced to work on the railway after his capture in the fall of Singapore. We are immensely proud of Declan and the thoughtful leadership he continues to demonstrate.
The Victorian State Athletics Championships were held over the weekend in at Lakeside Stadium Toby Hamilton and Sam Reeve both did really well.
Toby Hamilton:
1st High Jump
2nd Pole Vault
4th Javelin
Sam Reeve:
3rd 400m (PB by 1 second)
3rd 800m (PB by 3 seconds and first time sub 2 minutes)
This provides them both with a great platform as they head now towards the Nationals in Brisbane in April. Congratulations Toby and Sam!
If your child has "dared to be excellent" and you would like to see them featured here, please email AskLeadership@sthelena.vic.edu.au
Uniform update
Our uniform policy has been updated to allow a small, unobtrusive, same-colour logo on items that do not require St Helena branding, ie. tracksuit pants, shorts and academic pants. Please note these must be tonal logos ie. a black logo on black tracksuit pants, or a dark grey logo on dark grey academic pants. Our preference is no logo, or a St Helena logo, but items with tonal logos will be accepted if they are unobtrusive.
Students should also note that only the items listed on our Uniform Policy are acceptable. Some students have sourced the phased-out black V neck wool jumpers and have been wearing them - they are no longer part of St Helena uniform.
Privacy and Information Sharing Policy
Please see our policy here: https://sthelena.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Privacy_29_10_2024.pdf
Route 343 Bus
Attempts to realign after school public transport
We recognise that the PTV bus route 343 is one that many of our students would like to catch. It travels along Aqueduct Road and then Diamond Creek Road towards Greensborough Plaza, servicing many of our families who live in this area.
Currently, it departs the stop on Wallowa Road at 2.52pm – a time wholly inconvenient for our students. We have contacted the Department of Transport and Planning, PTV and also tried Dysons over the past three years in an attempt to have this time changed – and will continue to do so. However, each time we have been told that this cannot happen as the bus is not a special service for the school but runs according to the regular PTV timetable. We encourage students to wait in the library if it is very hot or cold, and to catch the next scheduled #343 arriving at 3.26pm.
We also have safety concerns about students rushing to catch the 343 at 2.52pm, Repeatedly, bus drivers who are driving up the driveway report near misses as students run out straight onto the driveway from between parked buses, with no regard for what might be coming.
Financial Support for school costs
As families prepare for the year ahead, many are also facing the rising costs of uniforms, books, digital devices, and other learning essentials. This can place added pressure on households, and schools are often a trusted first point of connection in helping families feel supported, prepared, and ready for learning.
Saver Plus is a well-established program funded by Department of Social Services that helps eligible families build savings specifically for education expenses.
Families can save up to $500, which is matched by dollars for dollars, giving them up to $1,000 to spend on approved school-related costs such as uniforms, books, laptops, excursions, and other learning essentials. Alongside the financial benefit, families also gain practical saving skills that continue to support them well beyond the school year.
With reduced transport costs and support through Saver Plus, families are better positioned to plan ahead and ensure students have what they need to engage confidently at school. Saver Plus program aligns strongly with school priorities around wellbeing, inclusion, and reducing financial barriers to participation.
ALCOHOL DECODED: Empowering parents & community leaders in the youth drinking conversation.
Monday 16 March, 6pm-7pm, Online.
Blurred Minds are delivering a webinar to empower parents to be equipped with up-to-date knowledge on alcohol trends and influences into alcohol consumption. Parents will be guided on how to support their young person if they have started drinking alcohol and provide tips on how to have those tricky conversations around drinking.
Registrations are required via Webinar Registration - Zoom
Youth Conservation Leaders Program 2026
Young people Year 9 & 10
• Develop leadership skills through a real-life conservation initiative for the Leadbeater's Possum
• Participate in field science, including overnight stays and night-spotting in protected areas
• Gain valuable experience in wildlife conservation, communication, and project management
• Work with Zoos Victoria mentors to lead a community project with real impact
Applications close Tuesday 10 March.
https://www.zoo.org.au/.../youth-conservation-leaders/
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Youth Advisory Committee
Recruiting 6 members aged 13 to 19 years to join the Youth Advisory Committee.
• Represent young people and provide input into Zoo programs
• Work alongside Zoo staff to shape youth-focused initiatives
• Develop leadership and communication skills
• Attend eight meetings per year (school holidays plus online term catch-ups)
• Gain experience in conservation and advocacy
Applications close Tuesday 10 March.
https://www.zoo.org.au/.../events/youth-advisory-committee/
Staff Merits
Has a St Helena staff member (teaching or non teaching) gone above and beyond for you or your child? Recognise them with a merit by clicking here: https://forms.office.com/r/m3D6a06TMN
It will make their day!
