Term 3 2024 Newsletter

As Term 3 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the outstanding achievements and events that have defined this term. It has been a vibrant and busy few months, filled with both academic and extracurricular highlights that continue to shape our school community.

This term, North Campus students in Years 7 to 10 had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation (AMF) on the Digital Health Check project. This innovation aims to explore young people's online behaviours and experiences, ultimately creating a tool that will help improve online safety education in schools across Australia. Our students participated in co-design workshops, ensuring that the tool reflects their needs and provides them with the skills to become safe, strong digital citizens. It’s an exciting project, and we are proud to contribute to such a meaningful initiative.

In sports, we’ve seen outstanding performances. A particular highlight has been the continued success of our student Alan Uhi, who has earned the honour of being the flag bearer for Tonga at the upcoming Paris Olympics. This recognition is well-deserved, and we are eagerly anticipating his swim in the men's 100m backstroke on July 28. Alan's dedication, balancing rigorous training with his Year 12 studies, is truly inspiring.

In other exciting news, our rugby program has been thriving. Families were invited to a parent information session about the Year 9 & 10 rugby academy, which is sure to continue growing in the upcoming year. We were also thrilled to see our students and staff travel to South Australia to compete in the Rugby Union Southern State Championship, with Victoria emerging victorious in most age groups. Congratulations to all involved and thank you to the staff for their dedication to providing such opportunities.

Another key moment for our community was the incredible achievement of Sara Banjanin, who was awarded two Premier’s VCE Awards for academic excellence. This recognition in History Revolutions and Creative and Digital Media (VCE VET) is a testament to her hard work and dedication, and we congratulate Sara and her family for this outstanding accomplishment.

We’ve also had the privilege of hosting visitors from Lioujia Junior High School in Taiwan. This ongoing partnership, which has spanned over 10 years, provides our students with a wonderful opportunity to learn about different cultures and forge meaningful international connections. Over the years, delegations from both schools have visited one another, enriching our educational experiences.

We were also excited to host the Australian Ballet for a week-long program, where students participated in contemporary dance workshops. The performances, which culminated in an incredible showcase of student choreography, were a highlight of the term, and we are so proud of our students’ creativity and the skill they demonstrated.

We were also thrilled to see our Year 9 community fete at the West Campus raise nearly $1,000 for charity, while our Year 12 students prepared for the upcoming VCE exams. We remind all Year 12 students to begin building their writing stamina ahead of their exams—small but consistent practice will help ensure they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

Our college-wide Colour Run was a fun and lively event, and the Pasifika Parent Evening offered a great opportunity to connect with our families. These events remind us of the vibrant spirit that exists within our school community. We also want to congratulate Year 10 student J’Alyana, who was selected to join the inaugural Melbourne Storm Female Development Team. This is an incredible achievement, and we couldn’t be prouder of her.

As we look ahead to Term 4, we are excited about the many events and opportunities that will continue to shape our students’ educational journeys. Thank you to all families for your ongoing support, and we look forward to the exciting experiences that lie ahead.

Wishing you all a restful break and looking forward to seeing you in Term 4.

Warm regards,

Jodie Parsons

Co-College Principal