Outside the Classroom

VCE VM Leadership Day

VCE VM students from CHS, PVGC, JFC and GC came together to engage in a Merri-bek Education plan leadership day, at RMIT.

They started with a keynote from AFLW and business owner Moana Hope, followed by workshops with different business owners: Mick Fry Kangan Institute, Liliana Sanelli The Perfect Events Group, Marziyah Razi Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Joseph Abboud Rumi, Nicholas Milton ONset Arts and Harley Hamdani Assistant coach Melbourne Victory. They were provided lunch and then finished the afternoon with some friendly competition making paper rockets and rollercoasters.

Lydia Burns

Medieval Day

Year 8 students were transported back in time for the Medieval Day incursion. 

Students were able to try on clothing from different social classes and learn about the techniques used to make garments. They gained insights into the tactics and technology of medieval warfare and spun around the dance floor to the steps of a traditional medieval dance.

One of the highlights of the day was when students took on the roles of knights in a mock battle against someone dressed in a full suit of armour.

The incursion brought history to life in an interactive and memorable way, helping students deepen their understanding of the Medieval unit they have been studying in class.

Amanda Hann

VET Taster

Year 9-10 Students attended Early Childcare taster June 12th 

A group of our Year 10 students, together with students from the three other Merri-bek North Education Plan schools, visited the children at Early Learning Victoria Wimbi centre today and heard from Melbourne Polytechnic about their opportunity to start their Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care in 2026. We are not sure who had more fun – the little learners at Wimbi or our students.

Lydia Burns

Soccer

Congratulations to our Intermediate Girls team on their undefeated run at the Merri-bek Division Soccer Competition in June, bringing home the flag in impressive fashion. Across four games, the team scored an unrivalled 19 goals while conceding only 2. A special mention to Alex M, who claimed the Golden Boot for the tournament. Beyond their on-field performance, the girls displayed exceptional sportsmanship, representing CHS with the integrity and community spirit we value so highly. I was incredibly proud of their efforts, both on and off the pitch.

Natalie Stewart

Year 7 Boys AFL

On Wednesday the 11th of June, our Year 7 Boys AFL Team competed in the Divisional Round Robin Tournament at Charles Mutton Reserve, Fawkner.

The team played the following games:

Round 1. AIA v CHS - 43 to 7          

Round 2. GSC v CHS - 88 to 7

The boys put up a great effort and refused to give up. It is worth mentioning that the boys played undermanned in each of the games due to player absence and also player injury.   

Special thanks to Jai D and Christian L for training the boys leading up to the round robin tournament. A massive thank you also to Joshua R, Raphie J and Oscar H for their expert coaching on the day.

Kylie Saccone

Year 11 Personal Development Studies City Scavenger Hunt

As part of Unit 3 Personal Development Studies students were studying teamwork and leadership. As part of this unit the students designed a Scavenger Hunt in the CBD and all students took part in the organisation and leadership for this event. Each student supplied a secret clue and completed their organisational role such as safety, risk, transport, budget or the itinerary. 

On the day three groups explored the city visiting the hidden laneways, artworks, China Town, Korean Town and central landmarks. After many steps the students successfully returned to Federation Square. The teams had been inclusive and used each student's strengths to make this a highly positive day.

Science Gallery Tour

Year 9 students recently enjoyed a fun and educational day at Melbourne Uni, with a study skills seminar, scavenger hunt and exploring the Science Gallery SCI-FI Mythologies Transform Interactive tour. 

Here is a reflection from one of our Year 9s:

In week 9, the entire year nine cohort went on an excursion to Melbourne University to learn about the grounds and some of the structure of university life. Activities included a scavenger hunt, art exhibition and seminar provided by Elevate about tactics to improve memory.

The trip was a very nice experience for the whole level as it let us explore a future option at a university. The Scavenger hunt was around the campus and the goal was to find all the buildings and areas. It was a fun way to learn about the structure of the campus, and also the resources provided. Students viewed an exhibition at Science Gallery Melbourne called Sci-Fi: Mythologies transformed, a collection of art pieces inspired by cultural mythology but adapted into modern forms. The seminar provided by Elevate taught ways to improve memory, including mnemonic devices, associated words and others. While providing students with information, it also allowed students to gain experience into what other seminars will be like.

All in all, the excursion provided valuable insights into daily life in university, and allowed students to learn more about not just the site, but the ways lessons and seminars are conducted. 

Liam C

Belinda Parini

9-10 Women and Non-binary in trade and tech 

The Trades Fit – Young Women in Trades and Tech expo was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 3-4 June 2025. The expo showcased employment options within the trades and tech industries, providing hands-on activities, tech displays, information sessions, demonstrations, panel discussions and speakers for female and non-binary students from years 9-12 to experience what these careers can offer. 

Lydia Burns

Library

After a belated start, we began our foray into the Build Your Own Fantasy Fiction World workshop. The enthusiasm and imagination of our group is mind blowing. Some of the storylines are completely out there and wonderful to listen to. We have started creating our maps and characters. The range of fantasy mapping has been a joy to behold. This will continue into term 3 where many amazing stories will be written. Here are a few of the budding authors!

Coming next term….Book Week. Be prepared for a week filled with fun and ridiculous activities in August.

Dianna Jarnet

Cross-Country Regionals

On Wednesday we travelled to Kilmore race track with 11 students running distances of 3km to 5km. 

It was one our most successful regionals for cross country to date.  We have 6 out of the 11 now progressing through to state. The students were competing against 50 runners in each age group.

We also won an age group champions with the U15 girls. 

Results:

Lucas H - 2nd, 16.16 mins (5km)

Christian L - 4th, 9.52 mins

Esme A - 6th, 12.06 mins 

Greta A - 2nd, 11.32 mins 

Lara S - 7th, 12.06 mins 

Rowan L - 1st, 9.56 mins 

Alex K - 13th, 15 girls 

Reggie Q - 19th, 15 boys 

Eloise B - 15th, 17-20 girls 

Aidan C - 18th, 16 boys 

Lachlan H - 23rd, 16 boys 

Owen Hillier

Year 7 Geographic Inquiry: How Healthy is the Merri Creek?

This term, Year 7 Humanities students explored the health of our local waterway, the Merri Creek. Teachers combined our Indigenous Australia History unit with Water in the World Geography unit. Alongside learning about the water cycle, and issues facing urban creeks, students learned about the ways in which Wurundjeri people lived, and practiced their culture around the Merri Creek, and Yarra River environments both historically, and through cultural rejuvenation, again in recent times.  

In Week 5, students headed out for fieldwork, testing water quality with Waterwatch Educators, surveying habitat and litter, and taking part in a workshop on Wurundjeri culture and ‘ways of knowing’ the Merri Creek environment. They visited the new-ish wetlands at the confluence of Edgars Creek, where they completed a field sketch, and learnt from Merri-bek Council Conservation and Water management experts about how constructed wetlands filter stormwater and create habitat — including for five species of frogs!

Back at school, students developed their own inquiry questions about the creek’s health, investigating topics like:

• How has the creek changed since colonisation?

• How can we encourage more frog species to return?

• How does pollution affect fish and birds?

• How do Wurundjeri people care for the creek?

• Could we ever see platypus back in the Merri?

They then completed careful research to answer their question, and made or selected maps and graphs to use as evidence to support and illustrate their answers.  We were so impressed by the posters produced, so much work, care and curiosity went into each one.  They contained formally written paragraphs that were well thought out, well structured and well evidenced.   The posters as a whole were also beautifully presented.

After finishing the posters we finished the term learning more about Indigenous language and cultural revival, and considered what we can learn from Indigenous Land and Water management techniques, particularly in sustainable management of natural resources. 

Congratulations to the Year 7s for your fantastic work on this unit this term, and thank you to all the parents who helped their young people. Also a big thank you to the local community members from Merri Creek Management Committee, Friends of Merri Creek and Merri-bek Council who helped make this unit so successful. 

Fiona Taylor

Badminton

Our Year 11 boys showed incredible skill and determination in their badminton tournament against John Fawkner College. Although Coburg didn’t win, their outstanding sportsmanship and team spirit made the school proud.

James Rozek

Outdoor Education

Year 9 Outdoor Education students ventured to the Grampians for three days of challenging hikes, cold nights and blue sky days. The students completed a number of walks such as the Pinnacle, Mt Stapylton Loop and Hollow Mountain. They had amazing clear skies and perfect cool weather for walking. 

Some special moments of camp included an accidental silent moment just above Silent Street on the way to the Pinnacle. All students stopped talking and there was a moment of absolute silence with no talking, no engines, no wind ... absolute silence. The students all noticed and after grinning at each other we repeated the process with our ears buzzing with the silence. Camp is always a great chance to disconnect.

On the second day after convincing the already tired students to hike up Hollow Mountain the students had a great time exploring the caves of Hollow Mountain. Afterwards, we sat on the rock platforms overlooking the plains below. As the sun shone down and our bodies recovered we listened to the First Nations creation story of Gariwerd (The Grampians). Students quietly listened and enjoyed the peace of the mountains.

Thanks to the staff Mia and Cameron for joining and supporting us on this camp.

Katherine Hammond