Community News

Cardinia Youth Services Holiday Program

Click on the image above to book

Scholarships for Students

The Department of Education manages a range of student scholarships. These are available for students who:

complete Grade 4 to Year 11 in 2026
are enrolled in Year 12 in 2026 and plan to do tertiary studies in 2027.

The department will evaluate applicants on their:

academic achievement
participation in school and community activities
financial need.

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

Applications for these scholarships open on Thursday 1 October 2026 and close on Monday 1 February 2027.

To view all available scholarships and for more information on each, including how to apply, refer to Student scholarships.

Work at the Victorian State Election

The Victorian state election will be held on Saturday 28 November 2026.

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is looking for people to staff voting centres in paid roles.

Roles suit a range of skills, experience and availability. Some involve several weeks of work before or after election day. Others are just for election day.

Working at an election is a chance to:

earn extra income
gain valuable work experience
meet new people
support your community
play a role in Victoria's democracy.

The VEC provides training and support. Hear more about the experience from casual staff at youtube.com/electionsvic

Find out more and register at vec.vic.gov.au/electionwork

To help the VEC place you at a local voting centre, please take 2 extra steps when you apply:

write our school's name in the free-text section of your application
email workingatelections@vec.vic.gov.au with our school's name to confirm you've registered.

If you are a school staff member interested in this work, the department’s Other Employment policy and Conflict of Interest policy apply to you. This includes the requirement to declare and seek approval for employment outside the department, as well to declare and manage any conflict of interest that may be caused by this form of other employment.

For enquiries about state election employment opportunities, contact the VEC at workingatelections@vec.vic.gov.au

Preparing for Schoolies

Many students are looking forward to celebrating the end of secondary school with their friends at schoolies celebrations.

In Victoria, schoolies will run from Saturday 28 November to Saturday 12 December. Schoolies celebrations can go beyond these dates across Australia and overseas.

We encourage parents and carers to speak early and openly with their child about their plans for schoolies. This includes any travel plans.

This can help them to think ahead, make safer choices and know what to do if something goes wrong. It may help to talk about alcohol and other drug use, sex and consent, personal safety, and what to do in an emergency.

You may talk with your child about other risks and staying safe while travelling overseas. The deaths of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, 2 Victorian teenagers who died from methanol poisoning while travelling in Laos in 2024, are a tragic reminder of why this is important.

Useful resources for families and young people

We encourage you to talk about and share these resources with your child:

Raising Children Network, for advice on how to help students plan for and stay safe during schoolies
Better Health Channel, for advice on partying safely at schoolies
Alcohol and Drug Foundation, for advice on staying safe at schoolies and information on potential alcohol and drug harms when travelling
Victoria Police, for advice on staying safe at school leaver celebrations. The page includes videos about sexual assault, illegal drugs and road safety
Red Frogs Australia, a volunteer group that helps young people stay safe and seek help at events like schoolies, with tips and advice for students and families including a 24/7 hotline during schoolies
Smartraveller, for advice on overseas travel for school leavers and partying safely
Doctors without Borders, for information on methanol poisoning for travellers
MethaKnow methanol awareness Instagram page, to help raise awareness about methanol poisoning.

Year 11 Formal

The Year 11 Formal is a celebration event that provides an opportunity for our Year 11 cohort to come together, connect with their peers, and enjoy a fun and memorable evening as they approach their final year of secondary school.

Please go to your Compass Events to approve and pay.

Class of 2026 Valedictory Dinner

We are excited to announce the Class of 2026 Valedictory Dinner, which will be held at Southside Racing Pakenham on Thursday, 26th November 2026 from 5.30pm until 10.30pm. Tickets cost $95 each.

THREE TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED INCLUDING THE STUDENT TICKET

Students, staff, parents and guests will have the opportunity to attend a dinner and award evening to celebrate the achievements of the 2026 Year 12 cohort. A three-course dinner will be served. All students will receive their Year 12 certificate on the night.

If you have CSEF, please speak to Brooke at the Student Window before making your booking.

All bookings must be made in the student's name and please remember to provide dietary requirements for your party. Please speak to the senior team for further information.

To book, please scan the QR code above or click on the above image.

School Holiday Activities at Cardinia Life

Here are some of the activities happening at Cardinia Life over the School Holidays:

Teen School Holiday Event

Thursday 24 September | 11:00am–1:00pm

For young people aged 12–17 years

Co-hosted by Cardinia Life and Cardinia Youth Services

Bookings are required through Cardinia Youth Services - click here

Tennis School Holiday Program

28–30 September 9:00am to 12:00pm

Suitable for children aged 5–15 years

Registration is required - click here

Basketball 5-on-5 Tournament

Friday 2 October

For Under 14s through to Under 21s

Registrations are required - click here

For students (aged 12-15) who are interested in joining the gym at Cardinia Life, please read the flyer below.

School Uniform fittings

Dear Families of new students for 2027,

Please visit this link: https://tinyurl.com/yp3rezvk to read an important letter from our Uniform Supplier, Noone, regarding 2027 new student uniform fittings.

For further information, please visit: https://www.noone.com.au/school/pakenham-secondary-college (or click on the image above).

Lifeguards Wanted

Cardinia Leisure are currently recruiting seasonal Lifeguards for the upcoming 26/27 summer season at their Cardinia Leisure Facilities (Cardinia Life, Pakenham Outdoor Pool, Garfield Outdoor Pool, Koo Wee Rup Outdoor Pool & Emerald Lake Wading Pool) for interested students.

To be eligible, applicants must:

Be 16 years of age or older
Hold a Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) certificate

No prior lifeguarding experience is required. Applicants who are successful in securing a position may complete the required qualifications prior to commencing employment.

Lifeguard Training Information

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) is the leading provider of Pool Lifeguard training in Victoria. The course equips participants with the skills required to supervise aquatic facilities, perform rescues, administer oxygen therapy and respond to emergencies.

https://training.lsv.com.au/courses

Current course costs are approximately:

Pool Lifeguard Course: $365
Provide First Aid Course: Prices vary depending on the provider. They recommend students check current pricing when booking.

Working as a lifeguard is a fantastic opportunity for students to develop leadership, communication, teamwork and emergency response skills while making a positive contribution to the community.

If any students are interested or would like further information about the role, please click on the link below:

https://richmondfc.elmotalent.com.au/careers/AlignedLeisure/job/view/518

2026 School Contributions

Dear Families,

Pakenham Secondary College relies on the generous voluntary contributions from our community to provide the best possible education and support for our students. These contributions assist in funding curriculum programs, vital school services and resources and help sustain our extended learning and co-curricular opportunities.

Please visit your Compass Course Confirmation tab for more information on Contributions and Semester 2 Electives (for a detailed guide please visit the 'From the Office' page in this newsletter).

If you require any assistance or have any questions, please contact our General Office on (03) 5945 1433 or via email at: pakenham.sc@education.vic.gov.au.

Canteen Tender

Be SunSmart

UV levels can be high even on cool or cloudy days, so it is important not to rely on temperature or sunshine alone when deciding whether sun protection is needed. Check the SunSmart information on this page for today’s UV level, recommended sun protection times and advice on when sun protection is required.

We encourage students, staff and families to use this information when planning outdoor activities and to make sun protection part of their daily routine. Simple steps such as wearing a hat, using sunscreen, seeking shade and wearing protective clothing can help reduce exposure to harmful UV radiation and support long-term skin health.