Principal's Report
Congratulations to our students and staff, who have completed a wonderful term which began with a moving ANZAC Day whole school assembly led ably by Mr Pasquali, Dunlop House Leader and Ethan Hewitt the Dunlop House Captain. The following week, we invited prospective families to our Open Afternoon that showcased our fantastic programs and facilities. Students participated in a range of camps that enriched their educational experiences including: the Music Generations in Jazz to Mt Gambier, Year 7 Camp to Toolangi, Year 8 Camp to Bacchus Marsh and the Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh Camp to Wilson’s Promontory. There were a plethora of STEM activities that students enjoyed with the highlight of the BHS Robotics Team now known as, placing second in a national STEM competition. Both Hollows and Dunlop conducted their House Fundraisers and students participated in record numbers in the interschool sports program, demonstrating excellence in a range of sports. The Year 12 Formal was a huge success and the VCE students completed the GAT in the new VCE Centre facilities. The Year 10 and 11 students successfully completed the semester one exams and students were invited to take part in the informative Careers and Subject Expo. Most importantly, our academic program continued in full swing with students ably demonstrating their skills and knowledge in the assessments tasks and class activities.
Open Afternoon Highlights
Anzac Assembly
Facilities Upgrade Continues
The upgrade of the school facilities continued in full swing with the completion of the VCE Centre and the commencement of the Arts Building refurbishment that will transform the learning and teaching spaces and re-energise and inspire us next term when it is completed. We thank the Art and Technology teachers and students who have been temporarily displaced from the Arts Building while this major upgrade is underway.
STEM Highlights
This term, students across Year 7 and 8 enjoyed the excursion to the Quantum STEM Centre where they were challenged to apply their critical thinking and problem solving skills to solve a series of puzzles related to cyber security including encryption, password protection and phishing with a series of escape room activities.
In addition, fifty of our Year 8 and 9 students were invited to take part in workshops and participate in a Q&A session with some of the top Australian Scientists known as ‘Tall Poppies’. The research fields of the scientists included: Digital Phenotyping & Gaming, Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Women’s Health and Health Promotion.
Students and teachers are waiting in anticipation for the proposed STEM Tour to Croatia that will occur from late July to early August 2024. Our students will be involved in important work where they will collect biodiversity data with leading research scientists in both terrestrial and marine environments. Participating in this unique expedition, will give them a chance to join in active conservation, biodiversity and geography field research.
We wish our Blackburn High School Robotics Team all the best for the national competition that will be held in our gymnasium from 30 June to 2 July. You are welcome to attend.
On behalf of the Principal Team, Ms Gachon, Mr Conte, Dr Hartley and Ms Jenner, have a safe and enjoyable holiday break.
Joanna Alexander
Principal