Community News

Welcome Robbie, Penny, Emma, and Rex

This term we are pleased to introduce to you some new staff members.

In IT we welcome Robbie Preece who joins Ramsey to provide IT support from 8.00am to 4.00pm each school day.

"My background has been working in Victorian Government schools such as Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School and Melbourne Girls’ College most recently.

I enjoy working with staff and students as well as upgrading school ICT infrastructure to give teachers and students a better overall ICT experience, and am happy to assist with any problems you might have!"

Robbie Preece (IT Support)

Joining us Thursdays and Fridays is  Penny Hsiao, an Adolescent Health Promotion Nurse from the Department of Education. 

"Health Promotion is about enabling people to increase their control over and improve their health. We know students are better prepared for learning when they are healthy, safe and happy. I am here at CHS on Thursdays and Fridays to support and enhance the physical, mental and social health of our students.

I previously worked the same role at Mount Ridley College and Sunbury College. My background also includes practice nursing, Family Planning nursing and teaching. As part of my role, I am happy to discuss youth health topics with students and families, for example, sexual health, general health, self esteem and healthy eating. I will work closely with the Wellbeing Team as well as the local service providers to achieve health promotion!

I look forward to working with all students, families and staff at CHS. Have a wonderful Term 3!"

Penny Hsiao

We also welcome Emma Ford, our new Careers Coordinator (here on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:30 to 4:30pm) and our new Wellbeing assistant 'Rex'.

In the Careers role, I will be offering both group and individual support with a focus on career planning and direction, and providing guidance with career programs such as Morrisby and Diverge. I will also be supporting the Year 10 Work Experience program, decision making around subject selection and change of subjects and assisting Year 12 students with the VTAC and SEAS applications in future and more. 

I bring with me extensive experience in careers role for over seven years at Keilor Downs College including understanding the University and TAFE sectors and courses and a focus on transition support.  My plan is to work closely with all of the Year 9, 10 and 11 Coordinators and the Wellbeing team to support students. I am here to support students who may be unsure about their future career path and assist them with investigating courses, subject prerequisites and requirements as well as assist with CAPs plans and developing career and realistic pathway options. I can also assist students with securing part-time employment and this involves resume assistance, job search strategies and interview techniques and more. My office is located on the top of Building C (Careers Office).

My dog Rex, the toy poodle, has also joined me at the school and his role is to provide therapy for students who may experience a range of challenges such as anxiety. Ashlee has already utilised Rex  during his first weeks so it has been a great welcome and start for him. In the previous school Rex was a therapy dog and his role was to assist the Wellbeing and Integration Team in reducing anxiety for students and he has been successful in achieving this. Rex and I are really excited to be a part of the team at Coburg High School. 

Emma Ford

Chinese Cultural Day

Wednesday 8 August we celebrated our first Chinese Cultural Day. 

The day started with a Calligraphy workshop for all of our Year 7 Mandarin students. Following the workshop all of our Year 7 students took part in a Lion Dance workshop where they were taught the story of the lion and the importance of the orange. They also learnt some Kung Fu moves. At lunchtime a complete Lion Dance was presented to the whole school. Thank you to the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne for a spectacular and highly entertaining performance.

Fundraising for a Coburg High Family 

Many of our staff, students and families know the stress and heartache a major illness can cause within a family. When an opportunity to help those in this situation presents itself, we support them as a community. 

A Coburg High School family with two students at our school has put the call out for help in order to combat a their father's terminal illness. Please read the Go Fund Me Page to learn more about John Pope's fight and the possibility of hope with new treatment. 

Coburg High School Commemorative Book

The commemorative publication 'Loyal in All: Centenary of Coburg High School 1916 - 2016' is an important publication on the history of our school and was written by two of our alumni, Elisabeth Grove and Laura Donati. Copies are available for purchase at the school reception, until stocks run out. The book provides a fascinating and comprehensive history of Coburg High School from its establishment in 1916 on Bell Street through to our re-established Coburg High School here on Urquhart Street. 

For more information about our alumni, there is a dedicated website run by a committee of former students:  

http://www.coburghighhistorical.org