The Transfiguration of the Lord 

The Transfiguration of the Lord is one of the most significant events recorded in the Gospels. For millions of Christians around the world, August 6 is a day set apart—a time to reflect on the divine nature of Jesus Christ and the promise of transformation it represents.

The Transfiguration refers to a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus, described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Jesus took three of his disciples—Peter, James, and John—up a high mountain. There, his appearance changed dramatically: his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appeared beside him, and a voice from a cloud declared, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

This event revealed the divine glory of Jesus to his closest followers. It stood as a turning point in his ministry—a moment of heavenly confirmation before his journey toward Jerusalem and the cross.

Significance of the Transfiguration:

• It affirms the divine identity of Jesus. 

• It offers a glimpse of resurrection glory. 

• It connects the Old and New Testaments.

• It speaks to personal transformation. 

May this blessed feast day, provide us with a time to reflect on our own spiritual journey—to consider how faith shapes and changes us over time. 

Parent Communication

We do have Parent Teacher Interviews on Monday which is a great opportunity to connect with your children’s teachers and learn more about your child’s progress.  Parents are the primary educators.  Teachers teach the curriculum, knowledge and skills your children need to know for future studies and for becoming active citizens.  They do it in a faith-filled community where God is at the centre of all we do.  However, the parent and teacher partnership is vital for the overall growth of your child. 

Please ensure that you always check PAM and your email/SMS communication from the school.  PAM lets parents know when a student has not submitted work or is having issues meeting expectations. If parents feel they need to speak with someone, you do not need to wait until parent teacher interviews.  You can call the College and either speak with the relevant person on the phone or book in a time to come in.  In some instances, we can even organise online meetings depending on the nature of the meeting.

Study environment at home

Sometimes, parents ask for suggestions about how to get their children into a good study/homework routine at home.  It is important that children of all ages have a designated time and space for this.  Whether it is reading, homework activities or study.  It is also suggested that if they are using devices, that it is an area of house that can be supervised.  If students know that at a certain time, they are expected to be quiet and studying/reading/doing homework, then they will develop a good habit for life.  Of course, the same could be said for the importance of relaxation and recreation: students need this as well. Every activity should have its time and space.

Please click on this article on good routines for younger students: https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/behaviour/behaviour-management-tips-tools/routines

- Ms Joanne Bacash

Conferencing Workshop

On Monday, following the Winter holiday break, Antonine College educators came together for a day of professional learning with guest presenter Jason Pascoe. The day focused on exploring how purposeful conferencing conversations can deepen student engagement and enhance learning outcomes.

Through collaboration, reflection, and practical strategies, staff strengthened their understanding of how meaningful conversations can move learning forward by focusing on three simple questions: What's wanted? What's working? What's next?

Building on the day's learning, teachers will develop an Impact Cycle for Term 3, applying these conferencing approaches in their practice. Over the next 10 weeks, staff will implement these strategies and reflect on their impact as they continue to strengthen student learning through purposeful conversations.

- Ms Ria Coffey

The information below is regarding Parent/Carer & Student – Teacher Interviews.  

Bookings are open through PAM. 

Monday 10 August will be a pupil free day with interviews held from 8:30am - 4:30pm.  Please book through PAM. 

There are a variety of interviews occurring across the day: 

- Year 7, 9, 11 & 12 Saint Joseph Campus Interviews will be held online through TEAMs.  

- Year F- 6 Cedar Campus Interviews will be held either in person or online through TEAMs. We are offering a limited block (8:30am - 10:38am) of in person only interviews during the morning, onsite at Cedar Campus. From 11:04am all interviews will be online through TEAMs until 4:30pm. 

- Year 8 Celebration of Learning Interviews will be held in person in the Mother Khoury Stadium at Saint Joseph Campus (please park in Waverley Parade Bus Lane and use Gate 7 entrance). Students will lead the interviews, showcasing their learning to their parents/carer and teachers and Leaders from Saint Joseph Campus.  

- Year 10 Subject Selection Interviews will be held online through TEAMs. This interview will be an opportunity to review progress and achievement and make plans for VCE with parents/carer and a Leader from Saint Joseph Campus. When booking the interview the subject appears as Careers. If a time is not available, when suitable, please reach out via the Front Office. 

Please be aware of the following details:  

-  All bookings can be made through PAM Parent Teacher Interviews. Please note whether your interview is online through TEAMs or onsite  

- Please ensure you have read the Semester Report prior to the interviews 

- If a class, or teacher is not available on this day (absent, non-work day, involved in Year 8 or 10 interviews) and you would like to speak with them, please reach out via email, or the Front Office 

- Cedar parents please book a Pastoral Care interview to speak with the Homeroom Teacher 

- When booking please select the relevant interview run as there are options with different timings over the day: 

Cedar Campus In Person Only Interviews 8:30am - 10:38am 

Cedar Campus Online through TEAMs Interviews 11:04am - 4:30pm 

SJC Online through TEAMs Interviews (Year 7, 9, 11, 12) 8:30am - 4:30pm 

Year 10 Online through TEAMs Subject Selection Interviews  8:30am - 4:30pm 

Year 8 Celebration of Learning In Person Interviews  8:30am - 4:30pm 

Please see the link below for instructions on booking and joining the online interviews: 

https://bit.ly/AntoninePTI-how-to-join26

If you have any questions, please reach out via the College Office or email. 

Keeping Our Students Safe: PROTECT Updates for Term 3

The safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of our students remain our highest priorities. 

We continuously align our policies and daily practices with the Victorian Government’s Child Safe Standards framework and Ministerial Order 1359.

As part of our ongoing commitment to child safety, we are rolling out updated PROTECT resources throughout Term 3, 2026.

Here is what we have put in place across our school community:

• Staff Professional Development: All staff have completed a comprehensive briefing on the updated guidance to ensure our team is equipped with the latest child safety knowledge and procedures.

• Updated Campus Posters: New informational posters and visual prompts have been put up around both Cedar Campus and St Joseph Campus to support awareness for students, staff, and visitors.

• Core Focus Areas: The refreshed PROTECT guidance strengthens our focus on student empowerment, culturally safe environments, family engagement, and safe physical and digital spaces.

We encourage families to learn more by visiting the Victorian Government Child Safe Standards guidance. 

If you ever have questions, feedback, or concerns regarding child safety, please contact the office and speak with Ms Joanne Bacash (College Principal), Mr Abraham Diab (Cedar Campus Child Safety Officer) or Mrs Helen Diab (St Joseph Campus Child Safety Officer) 

- Ms Helen Diab

Welcome to Term 3

It has been a fantastic start to the term, with students actively engaged in their learning  inside and outside the classroom. 

Last week, we celebrated the Commonwealth Games with an afternoon of fun activities that brought our entire campus together. It was wonderful to see students demonstrating teamwork, sportsmanship and house spirit while enjoying the friendly competition.  A big shout out to Ms Crooks and our SRC students for organising the wonderful afternoon. As I write this, our Foundation students are celebrating a wonderful milestone: 100 days of school! It has been a joy to watch them grow in confidence, curiosity and independence since the start of the year. Over the past 100 days they have shown persistence, bravery and collaboration in their learning. They are developing as kind, respectful, responsible and safe individuals, while learning to live the Gospel values.

We thank our dedicated Foundation staff for the care and creativity they bring each day, and we acknowledge the important partnership with parents that supports each child’s journey. Congratulations to all our Foundation students and families. We are proud of all they have achieved and excited for what lies ahead.

Over the school holidays there was a lot of work done on the installation of 10 heating and cooling units around all the passageways and the installation of an enormous fan inside the campus atrium.

Thank you to the amazing P&F for their fundraising efforts during the year which contributed towards the building project. 

NAPLAN

This strong start has also been reflected in our outstanding NAPLAN results for our Year 3 and Year 5 students. These results are a testament to the dedication of our students, the expertise and professionalism of our staff and the ongoing partnership with our families. All year 3 and 5 families should have received the reports. 

CHILD SAFE STANDARDS - 11 STANDARDS IN 11 MONTHS

Child Safe Standard 6: Processes to Respond to Complaints and Concerns

At Antonine College, we are committed to creating a school culture where every child feels safe, heard and supported. Child Safe Standard 6 ensures that all complaints, concerns and allegations relating to child safety are taken seriously and responded to promptly, fairly and in line with our legal and moral responsibilities. We encourage children, families and staff to speak up if something doesn't feel right. Every concern is listened to respectfully, managed confidentially where appropriate, and acted upon to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children. Together, we all play a role in creating a culture where children know they will be heard, believed and supported.

At Antonine College, if you see something, hear something or are concerned about something, please speak up. Every voice matters, and every child deserves to feel safe.

TEETH ON WHEELS

We’re excited to announce that Teeth On Wheels will be returning to our School on September 2nd 2026.

Teeth On  Wheels  makes dental care easy, fun and completely stress-free for children—right here at school. No time off work, no after-school appointments, just quality care in a familiar environment. They specialise in working with children and offer services including check-ups, cleans and more. Their team is also specially trained to support neurodiverse patients, ensuring every child feels comfortable, safe and cared for. If your child has already participated this year, there’s no need to complete the form again unless your contact details or your child’s medical history has changed. If eligible under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), your child may receive FREE dental care, making this a valuable and accessible service for families.

To secure your child’s place, simply complete the E-form. CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE YOUR FORM!

Spots are limited and fill quickly—don’t miss this convenient opportunity for your child to continue receiving high-quality dental care at school. Submit your form today, and the Teeth On Wheels team will be in touch to schedule your child’s appointment!

- Mr Abraham Diab

- Ms Lidia Tanski

Antonine College is hosting its Annual Awards Evening in November and is seeking donations to help make this special event a success.

The Annual Awards Evening provides an opportunity to celebrate student achievement and recognise academic excellence. Recipients of awards receive financial contributions towards their future studies.

If you are able to make a donation, please complete the form in the link below:https://bit.ly/AwardsDonation2026

The Antonine College God is Love Staff Spirituality Day on Tuesday 14th July 2026 was led by internationally respected Catholic educator, Professor Br David Hall FMS. Brother David is foundation Dean of the La Salle Academy at ACU and currently serves as the Chair of the Religious Education Reference Group for the Archdiocese of Melbourne. He was appointed by Archbishop Peter Commensoli, to oversee the development of a new Religious Education curriculum for Catholic schools.

Brother David was exceptional in the way he explored the rich vision of Catholic education through two keynote sessions – The Defining Features of the Catholic School and The Civilisation of Love. It was an amazing day.

Together we considered how Catholic education forms young people of virtue, compassion, and hope, contributing to the building of a civilisation of love through lives of service and authentic discipleship.
Throughout the day we had opportunities for personal reflection, shared dialogue, and communal discernment using the methodology of Conversations of the Spirit which gave us a renewed sense of purpose about who we are and who we are called to be as a Catholic school community.

Our Spirituality Day culminated with our participation in Adoration and the celebration of the Eucharist, “the source and summit of our faith” CCC1324. 

Thank you Brother David for making time in your busy schedule to lead this special day and to Monsignor Joe Tackhi for guiding us through Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and celebrating the Mass.

- Ms Christina Stauton-Burke

We were fortunate to have Father Eli speak with our Spiritus students and Year 11 cohort about the Kerygma—the heart of the Christian message.

He spoke about God’s love shown through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and invited students to think about how this message connects to their own lives today. His talk encouraged students to reflect on faith not just as information, but as something that can shape how we live.

He finished with a powerful question for everyone to think about: it’s not just “What is the Kerygma?”, but “What message is shaping my life, and am I ready to let the message of Jesus Christ shape me?”

- Ms Tanya Khattar

Recently Antonine College was one of six recipients across Melbourne of the Rerum Novarum Social Justice Grant - $1,000 to use towards a social justice project. 

On Tuesday the 4th of August, students from the Year 9 and Year 10 Catch the Wave students were invited to a workshop to learn more about the history of Catholic Social Teaching, including the Rerum Novarum encyclical, and the importance of doing social justice well; student-led, sustainable, and long-lasting. 

Students began working on a social justice initiative which their classes will work on before the end of this term.  As part of the Spiritus Program, all students are given the opportunity to complete a social justice action linked to the Corporal Works of Mercy (Matthew 25), and this will be the case with this action. Stay tuned for more details!

- Mr Fadi Elbarbar

On Wednesday August 5th, Year 5 students gathered with Fr Eli to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, reflecting on the Gospel of the Prodigal Son. Through God's endless mercy and forgiveness, they were reminded that no matter what, we are always welcomed back with love.

- Ms Tanya Khattar

An exhilarating day of chess was had by the Antonine College Chess Team. We travelled to Kolbe College and things were looking bright; it was gloriously sunny yet refreshingly chilly. During the bus ride, students spoke fervently about their favoured chess strategies and admitted feeling a bit nervous, but they were primed.

Seven rounds were played. Our junior division including Marwan Diab, Thomas Jerjees, Daniel Boulos, Dominic Kadamani, Jamil Choucair, Teresia El Fakhry and Mark Samaan played very strongly. The Intermediate Division including Isaac Hurmiz, Charbel Abboud, George Nasr, Jacob Chalhoub, Mehsen Tasihouri, Anthony Chalhoub, Fadi Kaholee, and Joud Rustom all started off well. 

By the fifth round Antonine gained first place in the junior division with a score of 17. 

In the sixth round, Marwan Diab demonstrated a feat of concentration and skill playing against his opponent for an arduous 28 minutes, drawing an enormous crowd and finished with a draw! It was exhausting to watch.

In the end Marwan came 7th out of 106 players and Antonine finished 5th out of 16 schools for the junior division.

Our intermediate team came 9th and Isaac Hurmiz came 16th out of 93 players.

The Antonine Chess team played very competitively and did very well to employ the Sicilian move, English openings and Isaac’s strategy to learn unpopular moves to catch opponent off guard. Congratulations TEAM!

- Ms Josie Rovetto and Ms Mikayla Sala

Dear fathers/guardians, our annual Cedar Campus Father's Day Breakfast is on Wed 2 Sep. 

Tickets are sold via CDFpay, to purchase your ticket click here: https://bit.ly/CedarFathersBreakfast

Please note: Tickets are for Father/Guardian only and their children
For more information on how to sign up with CDFpay please click here:https://bit.ly/AntonineCDFpay

Our Father’s Day Stall will be held from Monday, 24 August to Friday, 28 August during Break 1. 

Students will have the opportunity to purchase a special gift for their dads, grandfathers, or special father figures to celebrate Father’s Day.

- Ms Casey Crooks

On Friday, 31 July, our Foundation students celebrated their 100th Day of School. The students and their teachers came dressed as 100-year-olds, complete with white hair, wrinkles, spectacles, slippers, and, of course, walking sticks! Our delightful "senior citizens" hobbled from their classrooms to the atrium, where they performed special 100 Days of School songs in both English and Arabic for an audience of proud parents and family members. Each student was also presented with a special certificate and a gift bag to celebrate the occasion.

The day was filled with fun and engaging activities to mark this exciting milestone, including a balloon-making workshop, a 1–100 number treasure hunt around the school with their Year 6 buddies, and a range of classroom activities.

We are incredibly proud of all our Foundation students and everything they have accomplished in their first 100 days of school. We look forward to many more exciting learning experiences and milestones together!

- Ms Jessica Doumit 

On Friday 24th July, Cedar Campus was buzzing with excitement as we came together to celebrate our Commonwealth Games event. Each class represented a different country, proudly wearing themed accessories and getting into the spirit of the day. With music playing, plenty of laughter, and lots of smiling faces, students enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon of participation, teamwork and friendly competition.

Thanks to all our wonderful students that helped run the activities! You did an amazing job! 

- Ms Casey Crooks

Students and staff are looking forward to an exciting Term 3 as we celebrate Book Week 2025 with this year's theme, 'Symphony of Stories.' A range of engaging events will encourage students to immerse themselves in the joy of reading, share favourite stories, and celebrate literature as a community.

Scholastic Book Fair - Week 4 
The annual Scholastic Book Fair will run from Tuesday 4 August (Break 2) until Monday 10 August (Break 2). Students will have the opportunity to browse a fantastic selection of books and discover new favourites. Brochures and colouring competition sheets have been distributed to classes, and each year level will have the chance to win a $10 Book Fair voucher. Competition entries are due by Wednesday 5 August at Break 1, and students are reminded to include their name and grade on their submission.

Book Week Performance Incursion - Week 7 
On Wednesday 26 August, students will enjoy a special Meerkat Productions performance incursion in the Cedar Campus Atrium. Foundation to Year 4 students will experience Dear Broccoli by Jo Dabrowski, while Years 5 and 6 will attend a performance based on Inked! by Karen Wasson. These engaging performances will bring stories to life and provide students with a memorable and interactive literary experience.

Book Week Parade 
One of the highlights of the celebration will be the Book Week Parade on Friday 28 August, from 8:50 am to 9:50 am in the Cedar Campus Atrium. Students are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite book character and showcase their creativity. Families are reminded that, for safety reasons, inflatable costumes are not permitted this year.

The Great Book Swap - Week 8 
On Wednesday 2 September, students can participate in The Great Book Swap from 9:50 am to 10:40 am in the Cedar Campus Atrium. Students are invited to bring along a book to swap with a classmate and make a gold coin donation to support the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. The friendly competition between classes will continue as they vie for this year's coveted gold (most money raised) and silver (most books swapped) perpetual trophies.

We encourage all students to get involved and make the most of these wonderful opportunities to celebrate books, reading, and storytelling. Families can stay updated through Seesaw messages and future editions of the College newsletter.

Library Display

Symphony of Stories  is a journey where music and books come together to spark imagination. Children will explore stories through songs, rhythm, movement, and creative experiences, developing language, confidence, creativity, and a love of learning while making meaningful connections with others. 

- Mr Gavan Kelly

As part of our Inquiry unit on Community Helpers, our foundation students loved having the firefighters visit our school! They learned about the important job firefighters do to help keep our community safe and what to do in an emergency.

Students had the chance to explore a real fire truck, see the equipment firefighters use, and have a turn spraying the fire hose. It was a fun experience, and we enjoyed learning more about the amazing work our local firefighters do.

- Ms Jessica Doumit

On Wednesday 22nd July, year 3 students were excited to welcome Adam Wallace, the talented author and illustrator. Adam introduced students to the world of narrative writing, sharing how stories begin with simple ideas and grow into exciting adventures. He encouraged everyone to use their imagination and showed different ways to come up with creative story ideas. Students enjoyed learning about illustration and how facial expressions, body language, and small details can help characters show emotion and bring stories to life. Adam shared some of his own drawing techniques and demonstrated how illustrations work together with words to engage readers.  

The highlight of the visit was that every student received a signed copy of one of Adam's books to take home as a reminder of such an inspiring day. 

We hope Adam's visit encourages our young writers and artists to keep creating, reading, and sharing their own stories! 

- Ms Janine Wanda and Ms Vicki Tsarouhas

During Term 3, Year 4 students researched volcanoes which included designing models that simulate volcanic eruptions as part of their Inquiry unit on ‘Natural Disasters’. There was also a specific focus on the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD which destroyed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. It was amazing to witness all the volcanoes erupting and for students to share their knowledge of specific volcanoes around the world.

- Mr Corrado Blanco

As part of their People of God unit, our Year 5 students visited the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre to learn about the life and legacy of Australia’s first saint, Saint Mary MacKillop. Students also toured St Patrick’s Cathedral, where they celebrated Mass together.

In a wonderful and unexpected moment, the first reading at Mass was the very passage that inspired our school theme, God is Love, reminding us that God’s Word continues to guide and affirm our journey as a faith-filled community.

It was a meaningful day of faith, learning, and reflection, providing students with a deeper appreciation of our Catholic heritage and the inspiring example of Saint Mary MacKillop.

- Ms Tanya Khattar

Year 7 students began Term, 3 with a year level assembly celebrating the achievements of our students.

The Year 7 cohort have received more commendations than any other year level across the College from F-12, which is an impressive achievement. Students who had received 15, 20 and 30 or more commendations were recognised, with Ashley A from 7C achieving more than 30 commendations. 7C were also celebrated as the homeroom with the highest commendations.

Students who achieved strong academic results across all subjects in their Semester 1 reports were also presented with certificates.

Average of 80% or above:

Maya C - Reinard K - Gabriella I - Gabby M - Joesph E - George F - Taim A - Antonio E - Thomas J - Joseph D - Miriam B - Ghazal A - Elias D - Sienna S - Dianna M - Royce G - Jawad I - Valentina B - Charlotte K - Grace M - Emeline H - Asem S

Average of 90% or above:

Zahra G - Lousie A

Our Wellbeing for Learning Awards recognised students who consistently demonstrated the values of Enable, Connect, Engage, or Faith. 

Enable: Sierra W

Connect: Dileevan A

Enable: Eli R

Faith: Ashley A

The Identity Award was presented to Serly H, who has strongly reflected our Year 7 theme of Identity both within and beyond the classroom. 

We congratulate all award recipients on their hard work and achievements. We look forward  to seeing our Year 7 students continue to grow throughout the remainder of the year.

- Ms Indira Natoli

In week two of this term, year 9 students were celebrated and awarded with an Academic Excellence Award for achieving an average of 80 percent and 90 percent in one or more of their subject areas in semester one of 2026. We are incredibly proud to congratulate them on their outstanding academic achievements. Year 9 students also received an award for achieving the exceeding standard in Reading or Numeracy or for achieving high growth and/or increase in proficiency in Literacy or Numeracy in the NAPLAN testing at the start of this year. 

These exceptional results reflect not only dedication and hard work, but also perseverance and a commitment to excellence, setting a high standard for themselves and for our school community. We commend these students for embracing challenges, striving for personal growth, and taking pride in their learning. Well done on this notable achievement!

- Ms Diane Farah

Year 10 Food Technology students recently prepared a healthy chicken and vegetable stir fry while developing essential knife skills that will support them in future practical kitchen lessons. Throughout the practical session, students practised a range of precision cutting techniques, focusing on consistency, efficiency, and safe knife handling. They applied these skills to create a colourful, nutritious stir fry, demonstrating both confidence and care in the kitchen.

Students were proud of the delicious meals they produced and the practical skills they developed along the way.

- Ms Norma Francis

Year 10 Food Technology students explored the science of cooking while preparing a delicious caramel slice, investigating how ingredients change through both physical and chemical processes.

The practical activity incorporated a range of cooking methods, including mixing, baking and chilling, enabling students to develop an understanding of concepts such as heat transfer, emulsification and setting. Throughout the lesson, students demonstrated safe food handling practices, accurate measuring techniques and effective teamwork as they worked together to create their finished desserts.

Students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were proud of the delicious caramel slices they produced while applying the science behind successful cooking.

- Ms Norma Francis

Following a successful Q&A session at our College Assembly with Constables Luke and Alex, our Year 11 Legal Studies class had the opportunity to ask targeted questions related to police powers, as well as summary and indictable offences. While students were initially hesitant, they gradually gained confidence and engaged in deeper discussion, posing thoughtful questions about the role of police in upholding justice, including the rights of the accused and victims and the challenges that brings. 

Most importantly, students benefited from hearing firsthand insights into how police work to keep the community safe, providing an authentic and valuable real-world connection to their learning.

Following a successful Q&A session at the College Assembly with Constables Luke and Alex, our Year 11 Legal Studies class had the opportunity to ask targeted questions relating to police powers, as well as summary and indictable offences. While students were initially hesitant, they gradually gained confidence and engaged in deeper discussion, posing thoughtful questions about the role of police in upholding justice, including the rights of both the accused and victims, and the challenges this responsibility presents.

Most importantly, students benefited from hearing firsthand insights into how police work to keep the community safe, providing an authentic and meaningful real-world connection to their learning. 

I am proud of the students’ display of maturity and their genuine interest in the criminal justice system.

- Fran Cometti

On Thursday 23 July, our Year 11 VET Business students took their learning beyond the classroom with an exciting excursion to Escape Hunt Melbourne. This hands-on experience supported their current unit on collaboration and communication skills, providing students with the opportunity to apply workplace competencies in a fun and challenging environment.

Upon arriving in the city, students met Xavier from Escape Hunt Melbourne, who introduced the experience and shared some helpful tips and strategies for tackling the escape rooms. Students were then divided into three teams and assigned different themed rooms to complete.

Although many students were eager to choose their own groups, I deliberately selected the teams to ensure a balanced mix of strengths, abilities, and personalities. This approach gave every student the opportunity to work with classmates they may not normally collaborate with. While some students were initially hesitant, they quickly adapted and developed positive working relationships throughout the challenge. It was particularly pleasing to see students display maturity, respect, and inclusiveness by working successfully with peers they may not have chosen themselves. This experience encouraged students to build new connections, strengthen their teamwork skills, and appreciate the value of working effectively with a diverse range of people.

Three team leaders, Georges, Christel, and Emma were appointed to coordinate their groups. Each leader received a briefing from Xavier outlining their room's storyline, which involved solving mysteries, investigating alien lifeforms, or uncovering the secrets of the zodiac. Armed with a walkie-talkie to communicate with staff outside the room, each team worked against the clock to complete a series of puzzles and challenges. The countdown timer in each room certainly added to the excitement and pressure.

The activity provided a valuable opportunity for students to demonstrate the workplace skills they have been developing throughout the unit, including effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making. Success depended on every team member contributing ideas, listening to others, and working collaboratively towards a shared goal. 

While all groups demonstrated determination and persistence, only one team successfully completed all challenges and escaped their room before time ran out.

The escape room experience was both engaging and rewarding, allowing students to reflect on the importance of collaboration in real workplace situations while having plenty of fun along the way. It was fantastic to see students supporting one another and applying their business knowledge in such a practical, memorable, and enjoyable setting.

Below are some student reflections about their experience: 

Daniel – I really enjoyed the excursion because it helped me understand that the escape room was similar like businesses in real life you have to work with people you don't talk to a lot and you have to finish the work. it was interesting to be team and face the challenges 

Layla – We enjoyed finding all the different clues, although it was challenging to find the last clue, we were able to escape with 10 minutes extra time. 

Emma – Today's excursion was fun and full of chaos. My group did the Law and Order room, which was set in the Prohibition era. We had to solve puzzles and riddles to escape and solve the murder mystery. It taught us how to work together as a team. It was very hard and challenging, but in the end, we escaped successfully.

Sophie – Today at the escape room was a fun and challenging experience. It taught us the importance of teamwork, communication, and thinking creatively to solve problems together.

Iman – Today's excursion was very enjoyable, and we got to work with each other to complete different challenges. We all had fun and worked well as a team.

Marvin – We enjoyed finding the mystery and concluding our search. It was challenging, exciting and it lured us all in 

Rami – I enjoyed solving the difficult riddles and the team I worked with as I wouldn’t usually have chosen 

Lily – Today's excursion showed me how important teamwork and communication are. It was a fun experience, and I enjoyed working together with everyone.

Isaac – It was very fun and a bit challenging 

David – It was very challenging with the team putting their all

Tasnem – We had a great time at the escape room today. It was a fun way to build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Mike – Today's excursion was very fun  I enjoyed the excursion we build team work and problem-solving skills We all had fun and worked well as a team.

Emmanuele – it was a great experience involving problem-solving, teamwork and challenges. my group did the law and disorder which was very fun and challenging.

Christel – Todays experience was one to remember. Our class learned how to work with different people effectively, considerably in a fun environment that allowed us to think outside the box and challenge ourselves.

Georges - It was very fun everyone was committed and challenging 

- Ms Cayla Gara

On Wednesday, 22 July, Year 12 Biology students participated in an engaging BioSciences workshop at the University of Melbourne, where they explored key concepts from their current unit of study on evolution and immunity.

During the hands-on workshop, students investigated genetic mutations by examining the physical characteristics of fruit flies and explored how mutations can influence wing development in male and female flies. They also analysed population samples to investigate antibody production and how the immune system responds to influenza.

The experience gave students valuable insight into working in a professional laboratory and the important role geneticists play in advancing scientific research. It was a highly rewarding day that deepened students' understanding of Biology while inspiring future pathways in science.

- Ms Laura Adamson

Our Year 12 VET Business students recently enjoyed an educational excursion to the Yakult factory in Dandenong on Wednesday the 5th August. Students gained valuable insights into real-world business operations and manufacturing processes. 

During the visit, students learned about Yakult's history, marketing strategies, production systems, quality control measures, and customer distribution networks. They had the opportunity to observe the manufacturing process firsthand and see how business concepts studied in the classroom are applied in a large-scale commercial environment. Students were particularly interested in the live culture, having an opportunity to see and smell the probiotic. 

The tour provided students with a practical understanding of key VET Business topics, including operations management, workplace organisation, customer service, and sustainability. Students also gained an appreciation for the importance of innovation, efficiency, and quality assurance in maintaining a successful business. The excursion was an engaging and informative experience, helping students connect their theoretical learning to industry practice while exploring potential career pathways in business and manufacturing. 

The highlight of the tour for many students was the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary Yakult at the end of the visit, with students enthusiastically sampling the product they had just seen being produced and packaged. The students represented our school exceptionally well throughout the excursion and should be highly commended for their behaviour, maturity, and respectful conduct. They were attentive during presentations, engaged thoughtfully with staff, and followed all instructions responsibly.

- Ms Cayla Gara

On Wednesday, 29 July, our Year 9–10 girls proudly represented the College at the SACCSS AFL Tournament. Throughout the day, the team played four competitive games, including an exciting semi-final match.

Although the girls were unfortunately defeated in the semi-final, they demonstrated impressive talent, resilience and determination across every game. Many of the students had never played competitive AFL before, making their achievement of reaching the finals even more impressive. The team showed great courage, never gave up and consistently attacked the ball with enthusiasm and determination.

A special thank you goes to Ms Hartnup, who coached the girls throughout the tournament and did an amazing job supporting, encouraging and guiding the team. 

We are incredibly proud of all the girls for their teamwork, sportsmanship and willingness to challenge themselves. They represented the College with pride and should be congratulated on a fantastic tournament.

- Ms Mikayla Sala

On Friday, 17 July, our Junior Boys proudly represented the College at the SACCSS AFL Tournament. The boys competed in a number of challenging matches throughout the day, demonstrating strong teamwork, determination and a positive attitude.

The team worked hard in every game, supported one another and showed great effort both on and off the field. Despite facing tough competition, the boys remained committed and continued to give their best until the final whistle.

A special thank you goes to Mr. Watt for coaching and supporting the team throughout the tournament. We greatly appreciate the time and effort he dedicated to guiding and encouraging the boys during the day.

Congratulations to all students who participated and represented the College with pride. We are very proud of their efforts and the way they conducted themselves throughout the tournament.

- Ms Mikayla Sala

10 August: F-12 Parent Teacher Interview

18 August: Year 4-12 Feast of the Assumption of Mary Mass

24-28 August: Cedar Campus Father's Day Stall

24-28 August: Cedar Campus Book Week - 'Symphony of Stories'

28 August: Book Week Parade

1 September: Teeth On Wheels - St Joseph Campus

2-4 September: Teeth On Wheels - Cedar Campus

2 September: Cedar Campus Father's Day Breakfast

11 September: F-12 Footy Colours Day

15 September: Y9 Production

17 September: Cedar Production

18 September: Last Day of Term 3

God is Love -  College Theme 2026