From the Principal 2023

Need to Know 

Welcome to Term 4.   We have already hit the ground running, and the calendar is packed with events between now and the last day of term.   Please note that our calendar is subject to change; the up to date calendar is published here each fortnight and events are on your child's Compass calendar.  

 

Fortnightly Wrap Up

Thank you to our Community Engagement Leading Teacher Caitlin Fecondo for keeping me up to date with all that's happening!  You can get news of our events as they happen by joining our  "Official St Helena Community Support Group" on Facebook.  

 

Last week, the Year 11 Environmental Science students and their teacher, Mr Stevens attended an excursion at Grill'd. Students were able to do a blind test and trial their regular beef burger, game changer beef burger (seaweed fed cows), and the impossible patty (meat-free beef) and try to determine which was which. This has contributed to students' classwork, where students are learning about sustainable food production and reducing our green house gas emissions. 

 

This week, we had the Diamond Valley Library come out to our Year 12 students to discuss the programs run at local Yarra Plenty Regional Libraries. Students were lucky enough to put their fitness to the test using a bike to blend a smoothie! Our students successfully blended over 100 smoothies!

 

 

 

 

 

We would like to congratulate Aimee R (Year 8) who was selected to play in the Victoria Under 13 Girls State (Venom) Hockey team over the September holidays. Aimee and the Victorian Team played in the Australian Nationals in Newcastle and competed against all other Australian state teams. Aimee scored a cracking goal against Queensland and was awarded player of the match, twice!

 

 

 

This week, we were visited by our Federal Member, Kate Thwaites MP who opened the Queen's Jubilee Garden. Our College was lucky enough to be one of 10 projects in the Jajajaga electorate to receive one of these grants from the Federal Government in honour of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee in 2022.Our garden is now proudly displayed coming up the driveway into our College and we look forward to watching our eucalyptus trees in years to come. We would like to thank the TOE students in 2022 for their assistance in designing the grant, Deb Van Urk and School Council President, John Fecondo for their support in writing the successful application and Caitlin Fecondo for seeing the project through to completion.  

 

At our penultimate Class of 2023 assembly, Federal Member for Jaga Jaga Kate Thwaites MP awarded College Captain Matilda Walpole the Jaga Jaga Resilience Award.   Matilda has been an exemplary College Captain, applied herself conscientiously to her studies, and participated in a wide range of College activities while being the main carer for a loved one with a serious illness.  Congratulations Matilda, well deserved.    You can read Matilda's final Captain's report in this newsletter. 

 

As our Year 12s wrap up for the year, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank all of our Year 12 leaders, and particularly Captains Matilda Walpole and Maia Zouzounis, and Vice Captains Liam Young and Eden Beveridge-Wood.   You have a long list of achievements this year, and have been great role models and ambassadors for our College.  

St Helena Performing Arts Kicking Goals!!

Our College play "Frankenstein" and musical "Chicago" have attracted an amazing 31 award nominations in the Lyrebird Youth Theatre awards.   This is an incredible achievement, and my congratulations go to all the nominees, and everyone else - students, staff, parents, community members, alumni - who worked so hard to bring professional performances to our theatre.   Good luck to all the nominees for the awards on the 17th December, but whether you receive the final award or not, you are already winners.   

 

Best Sound (Youth Play):  Sian Clarke, Lucas Spanu & Amanda Egglestone - Frankenstein

Best sound - (Youth Musical Under $40k)  Matt Pike & Kadin Hawker - Chicago

Best Lighting - (Youth Play): Tomas Gerasimides & Kadin Hawker - Frankenstein

Best Lighting (Youth Musical Under $40k): Tomas Gerasimides & Peter Heath - Chicago

Best Costume (Youth Play): Deborah Bartolomei & Magenta Laidler - Frankenstein

Best Set (Youth Play): Patrick Mathews & Chris Hedger - Frankenstein

Best Set (Youth Musical Under $40k): Patrick Matthews - Chicago

Outstanding Dance Number (Youth Musical Under $40k) - All That Jazz - Chicago

Best Ensemble (Musical Under $40k): Chicago

Best Ensemble Performer (Youth Musical Under $40k): Kobus Victor - Chicago

Best Cameo Performer (Youth Musical Under $40k): Erin Martin - Chicago

Best Dramatic Performance (Youth Play):  Eden Beveriddge-Wood (Frankenstein)

Best Solo Song (Male Role) (Youth Musical Under $40k): Nicholas Fowler - Mr Cellophane (Chicago)

Best Solo Song (Female Role) (Youth Musical Under $40kJ): Eden Beveridge Wood - All That Jazz - Chicago

Best Acting Partnership (Youth Musical Under $40k): Eden Beveridge-Wood & Breannah Arnel - Chicago

Highly Commended Performer (Youth Play):  Maddi Steinfort - Frankenstein

Best Performer in a Supporting Female Role (Youth Play): Emily Russell - Frankenstein

Best Performer in a Supporting Female Role (Youth Musical Under $40k): Abbey Mason - Chicago   (3R)

Best Performer in a Supporting Male Role (Youth Play): Isabella Bannister and Ross Laidler - Frankenstein

Best Performer in a Supporting Male Role (Youth Musical Under $40k):  Nicholas Fowler - Frankenstein

Best Performer in a Lead Female Role (Youth Play):  Abbey Mason & Hannah Smith - Frankenstein

Best Performer in a Lead Female Role (Youth Musical Under $40k): Breannah Arnel & Eden Beveridge-Wood - Chicago

Best Performer in a Lead Male Role (Youth Play): Jack Collins (Frankenstein)

Best Choreographer (Youth Musical Under $40k):  Stephanie Gardiner - Chicago

Best Musical Director (Youth Musical Under $40k): Bruce Coombs - Chicago

Best Director (Youth Play):  Amanda Egglestone - Frankenstein

Best Director (Youth Musical Under $40k):  Laura Zinghinin - Chicago

Best Youth Production (Play):  Frankenstein

Best Youth Production (Musical Under $40k):  Chicago

 

Judges Awards:

Awarded by Marg Henley to Breannah Arnel and Molly Odgers for impressive use of makeup to create scarring in Frankenstein 

 

Bike Security 

We finally have a lockable container in the front driveway for students to store their bikes during the day.   Access is from 8.00 am until 8.30 am, and from 2.30 pm in the afternoon.   If students require access outside these hours, they just need to call in to the general office for the key.  It's great to see so many students cycling to and from school

 

2024 College Captains

This week I had the privelege of being a member of the selection panel for the 2024 College Captains and Vice Captains.   I was so impressed to see the maturity, leadership and pride displayed by all the candidates.   Short listed candidates will go to the student body for election next week.   Congratulations to all for getting to the interview stage.  

 

Scholarships to support students 

Scholarships are available for eligible students in Grade 4 to Year 11, and for Year 12 students planning to do tertiary studies in 2024.

 

The Department of Education administers a number of scholarships that are available to eligible students who are enrolled in Grade 4 to Year 12 in 2023.

Applicants for these scholarships will be evaluated on their:

· participation in school activities

· community involvement

· academic achievement.

 

Scholarships are either one-off payments or cover the duration of the student’s course or annual study.

 

Many of these scholarships have specific eligibility criteria so please refer to individual applications for more information. Applications are open and close on Thursday 1 February 2024.

 

 For information on how to apply, refer to Student scholarships:  Student scholarships | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)

 

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

We have had a confirmed case of this highly contagious illness in Year 11.  You can find further information here:   https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/hand_foot_and_mouth_disease/

If students are diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth disease they should stay home until the blisters have dried.

Distressing events in the Middle East and repercussions from the Federal Referendum.  

(This is a copy of the Compass communication sent out yesterday.)

 

Conflict in the Middle East

 

Many in our school community are affected by the devastating events in the Middle East.

 

All of us are upset and disturbed by the awful events depicted in media footage and images.

 

This time is particularly distressing for staff, students, families and carers who have family and friends in Israel and Gaza. 

 

We are also aware that students of diverse backgrounds, including Jewish and Muslim students, may be significantly affected by public events, mainstream media coverage and social media at this time.

 

Please be assured that all staff are aware of the extreme emotional toll on many in our community at this time. But please also feel free to get in contact with any of the staff at our school if you would like to ensure we are aware of what your child is going through at this time.

 

Our support staff will continue doing all they can to support all our students, and support is also available for our staff.

 

I also want to assure you that the department is monitoring the situation from a school security perspective, and have advised there is no further action we need to take at this stage.

 

It is possible that extremely distressing scenes from the conflict may be posted online in coming days. Please ensure your children are aware of where they can find support in the event they come across such images. At our school, this includes year level managers in the first instance, who can refer to our Wellbeing team, or you can make contact via AskLeadership@sthelena.vic.edu.au   

 

We are monitoring the wellbeing of our students on this issue and I have been in touch with education staff to ensure we are consistent in how we provide support to any students that may need it. Our Student Services team are providing excellent, evidence-based advice.

 

I would encourage you to read the following quick resources:

 

Today - Kids are watching war on social media: What parents should know, and do 

 

E-Safety Commissioner – How to look after your mental wellbeing on social media (downloadable fact sheet)

 

SchoolTV – Helpful resource on supporting young people through coverage of the war in Ukraine

 

You may find some aspects of this resource helpful: 

 

 

Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum

 

I am also aware that the past few weeks have been a very sensitive time for many of our First Nations families as we get closer to Saturday’s referendum.  Again, some of the “debate” in the media has been distressing and divisive.   Students may require some additional support depending on the result of Saturday’s poll.   Please do not hesitate to reach out via Askleadership@sthelena.vic.edu.au 

 

 

Support is also available through external services including:

 

 

Every student and every family is welcome at St Helena, and we want our students to feel safe and nurtured, even though we can’t control what is happening in the wider world.  My door is always open and I am sure we will all look to support one another in this very difficult time.

 

Employment Opportunity 

  • Become a School Crossing Supervisor in Nillumbik and be a friendly face for the school community!
  • Our School Crossing Supervisors play an essential role in the Shire by assisting our community to cross safely at various locations throughout the Shire.
  • If you or someone you know is interested in a permanent or casual role, visit  the ad link or Nillumbik Shire Council - Recruitment Hub - Current vacancies

Applications close on the 31st of October 2023.