Assistant Principals Report

Term 4 is a busy time for the school community especially our Student Engagement and Wellbeing Teams. The teams have been busy preparing and organising for all the events and programs that occur in term 4. The school has been buzzing with excitement, with welcoming our 2023 year 7 students and families during transition, to congratulating and farewelling our current year 12 students at Valedictory evening. 

There has been a range of school-wide and cohort programs and activities for the students this term including the following:

Transition- New Year 7 Families

We welcomed new families to Box Hill High School on Transition Evening and the new year 7 students who visited on the orientation day where they will get a feel of what high school is like. We are looking forward to welcoming over 250 new year 7 students and families next year in 2023.

Building student voice and agency

We have just finished the new process for selecting Prefects for 2023. All year 11 students were able to nominate for a specific portfolio. Students could nominate for any of the following positions: School Captain, Vice-Captain (x2), House Prefect (Irwin, Chang, Blackburn, Freeman), International Prefect, Arts Prefect (arts, music, drama), SRC Prefect, Community Prefect and Sports Prefect. Students had to write an application and then were invited to attend an interview with the principal team or leading teachers. We have had many students who have participated in this process, and we look forward to seeing the students who were selected grow and develop in their new leadership roles in 2023.

This term teachers collected student perception survey through PIVOT. Teachers use PIVOT throughout the year to collect feedback on teaching practice. This term teachers got post survey feedback to see if there is a change and improvement in student perception in areas that they have been targeting. This gives the students voice in the classroom and allows teachers to measure their impact of teaching practice and student engagement. 

Student Self Evaluation on Learner Behaviours- Students have just finished reflecting and evaluating how they have progressed on their Learner Behaviours in Term 4. It was an opportunity for students to think about their learning dispositions and what are some focus areas for 2023.

Our student representative council (SRC) organised a Halloween dress up day this term where the gold coin donation went towards supporting our school’s world vision sponsored child, Narim who lives in Cambodia. 

Junior School

Students in year 7, 8 and 9 have enjoyed going out to different adventures in our end of year activities.

• Year 7 students have enjoyed going to the Melbourne Zoo, Funfields, Gumbuya World.
• Year 8 Students have visited Melbourne Zoo and Luna Park, Gumbuya World
• Year 9 students are exploring Docklands (ice skating and movies), Luna Park and Gumbuya World.

Year 9

Box Hill High School students all stopped to reflect during the Remembrance Day Ceremony. All Year 9s students attended the ceremony in the quadrangle. The students were selected to attend because it connects with year 9’s focus in History on WW1and Citizenship Curriculum.

Year 9 students attended Toolangi Camp in week 10. This will be split into 2 camps- Mon to Wed and Wed to Friday of that week. It is an outdoor activities camp with lots of activities to allow students to challenge themselves, such as high ropes, canoeing, abseiling. The feedback from the teachers who went to the camp was positive and said it was one of the most enjoyable camps with wonderful students. 

Senior School

Year 10 exams took place in week 8. Year 10’s had an intensive two week lead up to exams where exam revision strategies were modelled and taught. Year 10 exam feedback day took place where students received actionable feedback for next year. 

Students in year 10 enjoyed a celebration day which included a pizza lunch with activities throughout the day. 

Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Camp went on a five-day hike to complete their certificate requirements. The students completed the Adventurous journey component of their silver level award. Students went hiking and bike riding in small groups around Lima South and Sandy Creek Falls. Students who were involved returned tired but elated about their accomplishments. 

Year 11’s enjoyed a celebration day where students went to the movies and in their last week at school, they participated in Jump Start where the students got to meet their 2023 Year 12 teachers and they were given holiday homework to ensure they have good preparation for next year. 

Year 12’s enjoyed their last days of High School early this term with dress ups, signing each other’s shirts and having a pizza afternoon. All exams are finished now, and results will come out later this year.  

Year 12 families enjoyed their Valedictory Evening last week, where students were awarded their VCE certificate and acknowledgment of Academic Excellence and Sustained Genuine Effort. It was a wonderful way to celebrate their efforts during 2022.

Wellbeing Team

We celebrated Kindness and Harmony Day at BHHS during lunchtime with a range of activities all students could get involved in. The activities ranged from a cultural scavenger hunt, down ball competition, painting nails and hair, gratitude and kindness pledge, language exploration and sustainability clean up club. Kindness & Harmony Day celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Along with showing and receiving kindness within our community. 

Year 8 RAISE Mentoring Program - 13 Year 8 students graduated from the program after 20 weeks working with their community mentor. 

Peer Support Training -Year 10 leaders helped mentor the incoming Year 9 leaders during their 2 days of training. LGBTQIA+ Safe Schools Inclusion.

BHHS celebrated International Men's Day and Movember, where we celebrate the positive male role models in our families and communities along with recognising Movember and the support available for men who at different times in life might experience mental health challenges.

By Shareen Bottrell

Acting Assistant Principal

Reflections.....

I still remember my first day of teaching – While I was trying to unlock the classroom to my first class, a student asked me if I was the teacher.  When I said "yes", the group of students looked quite dubious as though they didn’t quite believe me.  I thought that I should look like a teacher as I had my chalk box (showing my age!), my teachers diary and various other paraphernalia ready for my first class but the students obviously could sense I was a newbie. And so began a teaching career of more than 35 years. There have been a lot of changes along the way.  When I began teaching, many of my Year 10 male students left to start working in trades during the year. In fact, many students both male and female went out to work at the end of Years 10 and 11.  Now almost all students finish Year 12.

Teachers have gone from using no technology, to today, where every student has their own computer and teachers use technology every day to enhance their lessons. Teachers had to rely on books, other teachers or developed their own resources.  While today there is an endless source of resources available to both teachers and students, Assessment used to only consist of tests and the occasional assignments. Today students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills creating podcasts or videos, doing online quizzes, or completing online forms.  Teachers could only communicate with students in class or maybe lunch time now it can happen 24/7 online. Not sure that is such a great thing. One thing hasn’t changed in all that time and that’s the interaction of teachers and students in the class.  That brings teachers the greatest joy even if at times it can be challenging.

I have taught in several schools however, when I arrived at Box Hill High School twenty years ago what stood out most to me were the students – how polite they were (they held open doors for me, many thanked me at the end of a lesson), how friendly they were and most especially how well they treated each other. Tolerance of difference was visible all around the school both in and outside the classroom. This is still the case at BHHS today which has made it a wonderful place to work.

It has been a privilege to work in Education especially the Public System. When you are a Teacher, you know that every single day, for better or worse, you are going to impact kids, sometimes in profound ways.  As a Teacher you never have to question your purpose in getting up and going to work each day. I have met so many extraordinary young people during my time as a Teacher and Assistant Principal. So, it is with mixed feelings that I leave the teaching profession. I am sure that I will enjoy retirement, but I know it will take a little while to adjust. 

By Theresa Iacopino

Assistant Principal