College Newsletter

Secondary News

Dear Families,

 

Welcome to Term 3! What a busy start we have had with many activities taking place in the first two weeks of term.

 

We started the term with Parent/Teacher Interviews in week 1. Thank you to all the parents that attended. These provide a formal opportunity for teachers, parents and carers to discuss student achievement and learning behaviour, share children's progress, and establish goals for improved learning and achievement in the future. It also gives teachers the chance to understand a little more about the students in their classrooms. If you could not attend, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s subject teacher/s to make a suitable time to discuss how your child is going.

 

Week 2 began with the Year 10 Camp to the snow. What an incredible journey it was! The  Snow Camp took the students through a winter wonderland, leaving them with unforgettable memories that will warm their hearts for years to come. Every second was filled with excitement, laughter, and pure joy from the moment they arrived. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants, staff, and organisers who made Snow Camp a resounding success. 

 

The Year 9 and 10 2024 subject information evening was held on Tuesday this week. It was wonderful to see so many students and family members attend. This event provided an opportunity for parents, guardians, and students to learn about the academic curriculum, course options, and subject selections for Year 9 and 10. Understanding the available subjects and their implications can help students make informed decisions about their educational pathways. The presentation and links to the handbook will be emailed to all current Year 8 and 9 families, so if you couldn’t attend you still have the information.

 

Some important events to look forward to for the rest of  Term 3:

  • Monday 24th July - School Photos
  • Thursday 28th - Friday 29th July - Annie - School Musical
  • Monday 31st July - Year 8 Basketball
  • Wednesday 2nd July - VCE Subject Selection Evening
  • Friday 11th August - Checkpoint Reports Released
  • Monday 14th August - Science Week, Year 9 and 10 Basketball
  • Wednesday 16th August - Year 12 Biology Excursion
  • Friday 18th August - Year 9 Shrine of Remembrance Excursion
  • Monday 21st August - Book Week
  • Monday 28th August - Year 7 Basketball
  • Monday 4th September - Friday 8th September - Year 8 Camp
  • Tuesday 5th September - Friday 8th September - Year 9 Camp
  • Friday 15th September - Last Day of Term 3

 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Mrs Joanne Rothwell                                                                    Mrs Amanda Trewin

Head of Middle School                                                                Head of Senior School

 

 

Melbourne Holocaust Centre

Year 10 ended Term 2 with a visit to the Melbourne Holocaust Centre. This visit ended Year 10’s studies of World War II in Humanities and prepared them for their study of Eddie Jaku’s ‘The Happiest Man on Earth’ for English. We travelled to the newly-redeveloped building in Elsternwick to engage in their education program. The students developed their knowledge of the underlying themes that led to ‘Shoah’, as the Holocaust is known, with a focus on the experiences of individuals. Collaborating with each other to work through historical evidence, students grew in their understanding of how peoples’ lives were altered by the social and political climate of the times. 

 

The highlight of the day was meeting and hearing Holocaust survivor Peter Gaspar, who captured everyone’s attention as he shared his experiences as a young Jewish boy in Czechoslovakia. Excluded from school because he is Jewish, his family evaded the authorities until illness forced them to hand themselves in, where they were held a Terezin Concentration Camp until liberation in 1945. Peter particularly appreciated sharing his story with us as German Lutherans had offered his family protection. Our students were moved by his story and asked some excellent questions, having taken the trouble to prepare them before we’d arrived. 

Our students impressed with their interest, engagement, maturity and respect, receiving glowing comments from the facilitators, volunteers and Peter Gasper. 

 

Thanks to Mr Josh Rosaia and Ms Michelle Roberts for accompanying the students, alongside English/Humanities Coach Miss Megan Ball, who organised such a wonderful experience for our Year 10 cohort. 

 

Ms Michelle Roberts

 

Year 10 Camp

This week saw the Year 10 cohort ski down the slopes of Falls Creek at Howmans Gap and enjoyed the experience of freezing cold weather, snow and blizzards which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

 

Thank you to all the staff involved to make this camp happen.