St Carlo Acutis Major Relic coming to Antonine College Oct, 2026!

St Carlo's major pilgrim relic is coming to New Zealand from 7 to 23 June and Australia from 25 June to 25 October 2026. Australia will be the 25th country to welcome St Carlo's major relic, his pericardium.  The Relic will be at Antonine College and Our Lady of Lebanon Parish in October. 

The pericardium, the membrane that surrounds the heart, is a sac filled with fluid that encloses the heart and the great vessels, holding them in place and protecting the body’s most important organ. The relic, therefore, is of major importance physiologically. The pericardium also contains deep spiritual meaning. The heart is the body’s most important organ; it is also the seat of our sentiments and actions. In the heart is born and lives our relationship with the Lord: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Dt 6,5, Mt 22,37).

Moreover, when the side of Jesus was pierced on the Cross, “blood and water immediately flowed out” (Jn 19,34). Life giving blood, symbol of the Eucharist – to which Carlo Acutis was especially attached as his “highway to Heaven” – came from Christ’s Sacred Heart; water, symbol of Baptism – “the basis of the whole Christian life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1213) – came from the Lord’s pericardium.

Saint Carlo Acutis desired a living relationship with Jesus from an early age. He wished to receive his First Holy Communion when only 7 years of age and on that day told his parents: “Always to be united to Jesus. This is my programme of life.” He protected and nurtured this most important of relationships with his “spiritual” pericardium of 5 practices or appointments: 

1)  Frequent reception of the Eucharistic Jesus,

2)  Adoration, 

3)  Spiritual direction and confession, 

4)  Devotion to the Blessed Mother and the saints, and 

5)  Acts of charity. 

 It led him, and can lead us to be saints, living just as he lived.          

St Carlo, pray for us

More details to come soon of exact date of the Relic visit to our College and to the Our Lady of Lebanon Parish.  This is very exciting news and an honour for our community.

- Ms Joanne Bacash

Girls in Trade Expo

On Tuesday a group of girls from Year 10, Year 11 and Year 8 attended the Melbourne Exhibition Centre for the Girls in Trade Expo. There was a range of exhibits to explore and activities to try to help the students understand what it’s like to work in trade and technology.  We really appreciated Ms Rovetto organising this excursion. There was so much to see and learn from the career pathways presented.

Tuesday June 16 – Pupil Free Day

On Tuesday June 16 we have a pupil free day. On this day teachers will be participating in developing their understanding of Positive Learning Dispositions, Maths and Phonemic Awareness. 

On this day we are also hosting the VCE General Achievement Test (GAT) for any student enrolled in a Unit 3 & 4 subject (mainly Year 12s). We will have an adjusted bus run on the day to cater for these students. The GAT is delivered in two sections beginning at 9am and finishing at 3pm.

Exams and Semester 2

It’s busier than usual at Saint Joseph Campus this week and next as we finalise our Semester 1 units of work. Please be aware that students often feel stressed around this time as they navigate their way through a range of assessments including exams. Teachers will be supporting students to prepare with revision notes and practice. Students can prepare from home by getting a good night’s sleep, completing their revision tasks and notes. The exams are only one part of the assessment completed across the Semester and are part of the preparation we begin for students to prepare for their VCE. As well as encouraging our students to strive for their best academic achievements they are also encouraged to focus on maintaining positive wellbeing – this is particularly important during exam time. Key ideas for supporting positive wellbeing include:

• Maintain a balanced routine by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and staying physically active. 

• Take regular study breaks to prevent burnout and improve concentration. 

• Stay connected with friends, family, and teachers for support and encouragement. 

• Set realistic goals and break study tasks into manageable chunks to reduce stress. 

• Practise relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or meditation, to manage anxiety. 

• Limit excessive screen time and social media use if it becomes distracting or increases stress. 

• Focus on effort rather than perfection, recognising that doing your best is more important than achieving perfect results. 

• Seek help early from teachers, school counsellors, or family if stress or worry becomes overwhelming.

- Ms Ria Coffey

It has a busy term particularly for our students who have represented Antonine during inter school sports, athletics and cross country. As always, I have been very proud of all our students who represent Antonine. All schools commend the way we compete and show respect towards the other schools and umpires.

It was lovely seeing our Year 3 and 4 students receiving their First Holy Communion. I thank all the staff that have prepared the students and the parents who have supported their children in their faith journey. It was lovely to see so many families at church. A special thanks to Sr Veronique and Tanya Khattar for all their work with our students. 

Bus Behaviour Reminder

We are very fortunate to have a bus service that provides pick-up and drop-off at your door. However, some recent behaviour by students has resulted in several families receiving a formal warning. The bus service is an extension of the school, and the same expectations for behaviour apply. Any inappropriate behaviour on the school bus will not be tolerated. Please note three warnings will result in suspension from the bus service.

 Students are reminded to:

• Scan their bus card on and off the bus

• Wear their seatbelt at all times

• Remain seated while the bus is in motion

• Speak quietly and respectfully

• Keep all rubbish inside their bag

• Avoid eating on the bus

• Avoid interacting with students from St Joseph

• Use AirPods/headphones when listening to music or using a device

• Do not walk around while the bus is moving

Thank you to the many wonderful students who consistently follow the bus rules and help keep everyone safe.

Prep Enrolments 2027

We have been busy conducting interviews for our 2027 Foundation intake and it has been a pleasure connecting with families and meeting the next year level of Antonine learners. Enrolments have been positive, with a significant number of siblings among the 2027 cohort which is a testament to the trust our community places in our school. The interview process helps us gather information so we can provide the best possible support to students and their families as they begin their school journey with us.

A reminder that Monday, 8 June, is the King's Birthday public holiday. School will be closed on this day, and classes will resume as normal on Tuesday, 9 June.  I hope all families enjoy the long weekend. I look forward to catching up with all the students and their adventures when they return. 

- Mr Abraham Diab

At Cedar campus, we have some great supports in place to help children in their learning. The classroom helpers program is up and running for another year, with parents supporting in the Literacy block in F-2 classrooms. Parents help with a variety of activities; including swapping readers, listening to children read, supporting with sight words and letter sounds and sentence writing.

Mr Nick has been running MiniLit Literacy intervention groups 4 times a week with groups of students in the lower years. The MiniLit program focuses explicitly on phonemic awareness, synthetic phonics, fluency, and connected text reading.

We also have our wonderful group of Educational Support staff across F-6 who work in classes and with small groups of students supporting in all subjects and also focussing on Literacy and Numeracy skills. It’s great to see so many children engaged in learning and building confidence as their skills develop when encouraged and supported by our staff.

- Ms Jessica Hine

Our Saturday program students recently celebrated the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. Surrounded by support and prayer, they took a meaningful step in their journey of faith, learning more about God’s compassion and forgiveness.

- Sr Veronique Karam and Ms Tanya Khattar

On Saturday 30 May 2026 we joyfully celebrate a beautiful milestone in the faith journey of our young students. This year, a total of 77 students (including 12 from our Saturday program), recieved the Sacrament of Eucharist for the very first time.

The celebration was centred on the inspiring theme drawn from Blessed Carlo Acutis: “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.” His simple yet profound words encouraged our children to recognise the Eucharist as a source of grace, strength, and a path that leads us closer to Christ.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the students and their families. May their love for the Eucharist continue to grow and guide them throughout their lives.

- Sr Veronique Karam and Ms Tanya Khattar

Led by our Year 9 Catch the Wave leaders, our Year 4 students participated in a retreat filled with fun and faith-filled activities centred on God’s love. The day also included the students celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, helping them prepare for their First Holy Communion.

- Ms Tanya Khattar

Inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical 'Laudato Si', our students reflected on its message and how we are called to care for and protect creation for future generations.

- Ms Tanya Khattar

As part of Laudato Si’ Week, Year 5 students created striking silhouette photos by placing animal cut-outs over natural and manmade backgrounds around the school. The activity helped them reflect on caring for our common home and celebrating the beauty of the natural world.

- Ms Tanya Khattar

The theme of this year’s Laudato Si’ Week is “From Hope to Action.” When they reflected on this, the Cedar Campus Student Leaders (Year 6 Captains) identified the most obvious environmental problem at our campus that we can take action to solve: litter in the yard! While it may be challenging to avoid packaging in the foods sent from home or bought from the canteen, the leaders knew they just had to help make sure everyone at Cedar Campus put this waste packaging in the bins. So they mobilised an army! We invited any interested Year 4 students to join “Green Patrol” for the week. The Green Patrol got to wear bright green lanyards and vests, and they stationed themselves at the doors to the yard and around the benches and rubbish bins outside before the start of each break. If students were going outside with food, they reminded them to make sure they are sitting down to eat. The same reminder was given to those leaving the canteen. The Green Patrol also awarded raffle tickets to any student who put rubbish in the bin. Would you believe it: for three days straight, we didn’t have a single piece of litter anywhere in the yard! (And only a couple of small pieces of litter towards the end of the week). After Laudato Si’ Week was finished, the Captains for Faith, Social Justice and the Environment found we had around 4,000 tickets! We had a raffle at assembly and awarded house points to 50 students, as well as prize packs to 24 more students. To remind students to Care for Creation, prize packs were nature-themed, such as fruit snacks and animal stickers.

Now that all of the students and staff have seen that we can keep the yard litter-free, let us hope that we keep it that way beyond the one week, and without needing raffles or prizes.

- Ms Mori Milholland

During the first half of this term, Year 6 students learnt about our mission in the community. As part of this learning, they explored the concept of vocation. We were fortunate to welcome Sr Veronique, who spoke to the students about discernment and vocation, and shared her personal journey.

- Ms Tanya Khattar

In Year 6, we have begun a new Religion unit called In the Spirit of the Saints. This unit has a strong focus on the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Throughout the unit, we will explore different saints who embodied these fruits in their lives. In this lesson, we learned about St Philip Neri, who is known as the Apostle of Joy. Students created their own "Apostle of Joy" character and identified what a joyful apostle thinks, says, feels, does, and where they might go to spread joy to others.

- Ms Tanya Khattar

Our Year 9 and 10 students gathered to celebrate Trinity Sunday, reflecting on the mystery of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Through prayer and scripture, students were reminded that the Trinity is a model of love, unity, and relationship. 

- Ms Tanya Khattar

Our Year 9 students recently participated in a retreat day focused on faith, reflection, and personal growth. The day began with Mass before students took part in a variety of workshops led by our Year 11 Spiritus students. These sessions explored themes such as Jesus as the Suffering Servant and the lives of the saints.

The retreat concluded with an inspiring testimony from Ms Athaide, encouraging students to reflect on their own faith journey. We thank our Year 11 Spiritus students and Ms Athaide for making the day such a meaningful experience.

- Ms Tanya Khattar

 On Tuesday the 2nd of June, the Year 11 Spiritus group had the opportunity to run a retreat for the Year 9 students. We were divided into five groups, with each group focusing on a specific topic. Topics included the meaning of suffering, forgiveness, Relationship with Christ through prayer, how the good works of saints can influence us, and miracles.

My group focused on the meaning of suffering. We created and delivered a presentation that explored what suffering is, why people suffer, the concept of redemptive suffering, and how Christ gives meaning and purpose to suffering. Throughout the session, students were encouraged to engage by answering questions and participating in a fun activity at the end. This activity carried a deeper message, allowing students to experience and reflect on the topic in a meaningful way.

Overall, it was a rewarding experience for our Spiritus group. We were able to deepen our understanding of important faith concepts while also developing our confidence and skills in sharing the Word of God with others.

- Jana A, 11A

On Tuesday May 26th, our Year 11 and 12 students came together to celebrate the Pentecost Mass, reflecting on the gift of the Holy Spirit and its presence in their lives. May they be inspired to live with courage, faith, and purpose as they continue their journey.

- Ms Tanya Khattar

Our school community recently celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi with special prayer and devotion across both campuses. At Cedar Campus, the day began with a Eucharistic procession led by Father Eli, who carried the Monstrance to each classroom, giving students and staff the opportunity to pray and reflect on the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

In the afternoon, students at St Joseph Campus led a prayer service during recess before Father Eli continued the Corpus Christi celebrations with a procession to each classroom. These sacred moments allowed our community to deepen their faith and honour the gift of Christ's presence among us.

- Ms Tanya Khattar

Our school recently came together to celebrate both the Ascension and Pentecost masses and prayer services, meaningful events in the Christian calendar that brought our community into prayer, reflection, and unity.

The Ascension of Jesus celebrates the moment when, after his resurrection, Jesus returned to heaven. It marks the completion of his earthly mission and reminds Christians of his continued presence and promise to be with his followers always. To celebrate this, the members of the spiritus club and the faith leaders organised prayer in the chapel. Jemi and Hanni led the prayers of the faithful, contributing to a meaningful shared reflection. The community also came together in unity through hymns sung in Syriac, alongside collective prayers that created a reflective and prayerful atmosphere.

Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples after Jesus’ ascension. It is often seen as the “birthday of the Church,” as the Spirit gave the disciples courage to spread Jesus’ message to people of many different languages and nations. The Pentecost prayer service was held in the chapel and organised by faith leaders Isabella and Ghazal, who coordinated readings in a range of languages to celebrate cultural and linguistic diversity within our school community. Ghazal read in Arabic, Ms Manariti in Italian, Isabella in Chaldean, and Angelina in French. It was special to see so many students take part and contribute to both celebrations.

I felt happy and grateful to be a part of both celebrations, as it was a meaningful experience to share in such important moments of our faith as a school community. It was especially special to see everyone come together in prayer and reflection, creating such a positive and united atmosphere. A big thank you also goes to our faith leaders Ghazal and Isabella, as well as the Spiritus Club, for organising everything so thoughtfully and bringing both feasts together so beautifully.

- Angelina C, Yr 12B

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

At the end of the month of May, we gathered as a school community to pray the Rosary with our families. Thank you to all who joined us as we honoured our Blessed Mother Mary together in faith and prayer.

- Sr Veronique Karam

On Monday the 1st of June, families joined us in the Atrium to celebrate our Media Arts learning. Students proudly shared the stop motion animations they created this term and enjoyed showing parents how the Stop Motion app works.

Thank you to all the families who attended and helped make the morning such a fun and creative celebration of learning. We are very proud of the students' creativity and hard work!

- Ms Rita Chalhoub 

In Grade 2, students have spent the beginning of the term learning about procedural texts. Throughout this unit, students have not only followed instructions to create different items but have also developed their own procedural writing pieces.

Students have created a variety of fun and engaging projects including how to make Play-Doh, smoothies, toasties, and pasta salad.

Through these hands-on experiences, students have learnt how to write clear instructions using sequencing words, materials lists, and step-by-step procedures to help others successfully complete a task independently.

- Ms Adele Chamoun

Our Years 4–6 students recently competed in the SSV Coburg District Cross Country event at the Coburg Athletics Track, which had been rescheduled due to poor weather the week before. Although the rain returned on the day, our team showed fantastic determination and enthusiasm.

A group of 9 students ran the race, attending with Ms Janine and supported by a number of helpful parents. Despite the wet and challenging conditions, all students ran extremely well, displaying resilience and great sportsmanship.

A special mention goes to Nathaniel, who achieved an outstanding result by finishing in the top 15. Congratulations also to Eva and Maxima, who both placed within the top 30—an excellent effort in such tough conditions!

Well done to all students for representing the school with pride. We are very proud of your efforts!

- Mr Hayden Wyllie

Our maths extension students are very familiar with the MAV Statewide Games Days offered by the Mathematics Association of Victoria. Sadly, not all students can attend, and these exciting and competitive events are only held once a year for each year level. So we were delighted to be asked if we would join a local Catholic primary school who was trialling their own Maths Games Day for Year 5 and 6 students! We took two teams (8 students in total) to the competition, which was held on Tuesday, 26th of May at St Bernard’s Primary School... less than a kilometre away, right here in Coburg! The other schools that attended were St Joseph’s School from Brunswick West and St Fidelis Catholic Primary School from Coburg. It was so much fun to play maths games and compete in various challenges against students we had so much in common with. The students had a great time, and we hope we can participate in similar events again soon.

- Ms Mori Milholland

This term, students in Arabic class explored the topic of healthy eating (الأكل الصحي). Through engaging activities, games, reading tasks, and discussions, students learned Arabic vocabulary related to food, fruits, vegetables, and healthy lifestyles.

Students practised speaking, reading, and writing about healthy food choices using simple Arabic sentences. They learned how to describe healthy and unhealthy foods. Students also explored the Healthy Eating Pyramid and discovered the importance of eating a variety of nutritious foods every day.

Please find below students photos of an activity that showed their thumbs up for Healthy eating and thumbs down for unhealthy eating.

- Mr Joseph Abou Zeid

Year 6 classes had an exciting visit from Mad About Science! The hands-on incursion brought our learning about the states of matter to life through a series of fun and interactive experiments. Students explored solids, liquids, and gases in action—observing changes, making predictions, and even creating some surprising reactions! It was a fantastic opportunity to see science in motion and deepen our understanding of how matter behaves in different forms. A big thank you to the Mad About Science team for sparking our curiosity and making science so engaging! 

- Ms Chantelle Luciani

On Wednesday, 27 May, our Foundation to Year 2 students at Cedar Campus enthusiastically took part in National Simultaneous Storytime, joining schools and libraries across the country in a shared celebration of reading.

This year’s featured book, Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, and illustrated by Jake A. Minton, delighted students with its energetic story and vibrant illustrations. During Period 1, classrooms came alive as students listened to the story and engaged in a variety of literature-based activities. From creative responses to thoughtful discussions, it was wonderful to see students connecting with the themes of courage, teamwork, and perseverance.

In Period 2, all classes gathered in the atrium to share their experiences and celebrate together. A highlight of the session was watching the Story Box Library video recording of Luna Roo, read by former Matilda, Elise Kellond-Knight. Students were captivated by her engaging storytelling and enjoyed experiencing the story in a new and exciting way.

The day was a fantastic celebration of reading, imagination, and community, and a reminder of the joy that stories bring to our learners.

- Mr Gavan Kelly

Join us for an exciting live Family Storytime adventure in Term 2. Click link to join

The Day Lucy and Leo are Tele-sported - Digital Child Written by Liesel Winkler and Kim Maslin. Illustrated by Phoebe Zeng.

Teleport into a soccer adventure with Lucy and Leo! Lucy and Leo are next-door neighbours who love challenging each other in their favourite soccer video game. But when a mysterious twist transports them onto a real-life soccer pitch, they must learn to play together in real time to find their way home.

This action-paced story explores teamwork, friendship, and the joy of discovering new ways to play - away from the screen and out on the field. Perfect for children aged 4-12 years (Foundation - Year 6), this live Storytime session is a fun and engaging way to spark imagination and encourage healthy digital habits.

Parent and carer resources will be sent 72 hours prior to the event to help you extend the learning beyond the story.

• Date: Tuesday 16th June

• Time: 7:00 PM (AEST)

• Duration: 30 min

• Save you spot here: link

- Ms Casey Crooks 

Dear Parents, 

Please submit your child’s lunch order through CDFpay by 1.00pm on Tuesday 23 June, if you wish your child to have a special lunch organised by the Parents and Friends Committee. 

If you don’t have an account with CDFpay, please follow the instructions: https://bit.ly/AntonineCDFpay

- Sr Veronique Karam

The Year 8’s headed into the city this month to explore the real-world connections to the novel Runner. 

Set in 1920’s Melbourne, the story follows Charlie Feehan, a young boy who becomes drawn into the wrong crowd and finds himself enticed into a world of crime. The novel is riddled with references of historical figures and real-world locations set across Metropolitan Melbourne, bringing the time period to life. 

As the cohort is currently reading and analysing the text, year 8 coordinator Stephanie Hartnup organised to help deepen students’ understanding. During the visit, each class took part in a guided tour that highlighted the historical accuracy of the novel and pointed out key locations featured in the story. 

For many students this experience put the novel into perspective. Seeing the places firsthand gave them a clearer sense of what life may have been like in the past, while also strengthening their understanding of Melbourne and the text itself 

This was a great experience, my class 8D loved it, and I was glad to be a part of the experience. 

- Mr Joaquin Wagner

The Year 9 students recently attended an exciting and action-packed camp at The Summit, where they challenged themselves, stepped outside their comfort zones and created unforgettable memories with their peers and teachers.

Throughout the camp, students enthusiastically engaged in a range of thrilling activities including the Giant Swing, Inflatable Obstacle Course, Leap of Faith and a Bridge Climb. These activities encouraged students to demonstrate courage, resilience, teamwork and determination, while also having an incredible amount of fun.

Students also participated in a powerful night-time activity called Board Breaking. During this session, students reflected on a personal weakness, limitation or obstacle that may have been standing in the way of their goals or happiness. They wrote these thoughts onto a wooden board before later breaking the board with their bare hands as a symbolic act of overcoming and destroying those limitations. It was a memorable and empowering experience that encouraged self-reflection, courage and personal growth.

However, the highlight — and by far the most demanding challenge — was the two-hour Monster Course which occurred on the second day of the camp. Students, alongside teachers, toughed it out through muddy waters, carried heavy tyres and tackled obstacles that resembled an army-style training course. The challenge tested both physical strength and mental endurance as teams pushed themselves to beat the clock and compete for the championship fastest time. Many students commented that they never imagined they would encounter such an intense course in their lives, yet they persevered with determination, teamwork and plenty of laughter along the way. After an exhausting but rewarding day, students were treated to a well-deserved dress-up disco which concluded the second and final evening with music, dancing and plenty of fun.

Most importantly, camp provided students with the opportunity to form new friendships, strengthen existing bonds and create memories that will stay with them for years to come. A sincere thank you must go to all staff who attended camp for their support, enthusiasm and care throughout the experience. Thank you to Sr Rita, Miss Athaide, Ms Hoare, Mr Chamoun, Miss Khattar, Mr Thompson and Ms Farah. We would also like to congratulate the Year 9 students on their amazing behaviour, positive attitude and willingness to embrace every challenge presented to them.

- Ms Diane Farah

Year 10 get better each year to prepare for work experience. Students start thinking about work experience when they are in year 9. It’s increasingly difficult to find suitable placements in a number of industries and some workplaces require certification including working with children check and construction induction cards.  Despite these restrictions our families, school and community networks were able to support and place our students in a range of experiences. Many students demonstrated perseverance seeking opportunities and some shifted the direction of their intended workplace where necessary. Students used and developed necessary job seeking skills.

Some of the workplaces included:

Office industries: Legal firms, Accounting, Finance, Real Estate, Business

Health: Pharmacy, Dental clinic, Medical Centre, Radiologist, Physiotherapist, Optometrist

Creative: Architecture, Interior design

Education: Primary schools, Kindergartens and child care centres

Retail

Hospitality

Trade: Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry, Refrigeration, Automotive

Community: Member of Parliament, Leisure centres, Gyms

Information Technology: Computing

Hairdressing, Barbering

As always, it was a pleasure to meet the students and their employers. Students dressed appropriately, looked very grown up, and beamed with pride as they talked about what they learned in the workplace. Many travelled independently to and from their workplaces. Students took work experience seriously and demonstrated their maturity. Employer reports spoke very highly of our students and their punctuality, initiative and communication skills. Work experience has given students the opportunity to realise some things about themselves, the work skills they have and continue to develop.

The support of our parent and school community is integral to the success of the work experience program which is greatly appreciated by our students.

- Ms Josie Rovetto

Students recently travelled to Melbourne City as part of their Year 10 Religion Devotional Prayer unit of work. Throughout the excursion, students explored a range of prayer traditions and religious expression across significant Catholic and cultural sites. Students participated in Adoration and visited St Francis Church, engaged in Lectio Divina at St Patrick’s Cathedral, toured St Mary Star of the Sea and explored the British & European Collection (13th–16th Century) at the NGV, examining how religious beliefs and stories have been represented through art across history.

The experience provided students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of devotional prayer, reflect on the role of spirituality and sacred spaces, and connect their classroom learning to authentic faith experiences within the wider community.

- Ms Isabella Athaide

On Friday 15th May, the Year 11 cohort attended the Victorian Careers Show at the Melbourne Showgrounds.  It was a great opportunity for the students to meet with a range of universities, TAFE institutions, Army, Victoria Police, Victorian Ambulance and others to discuss requirements regarding their future endeavours.  Students had the chance to ask questions and have discussions about what their future could look like and how particular courses would help them to achieve their dreams.  There are many other career exhibitions and university open days, and we highly encourage that students attend those days as well to continue to pursue their dreams.

- Ms Laura Adamson

Upon completion of our unit Creative and Critical Thinking this week, students took part in a fun outdoor survival challenge. The ability to think both creatively and critically is a key attribute to working in many industries and students have been demonstrating their abilities to think outside the box and create unorthodox solutions that are different and unique. 

On Thursday the 14th of May, students were given 7 minutes to explore outside and gather materials they thought would be useful for survival. Prior to their race against time, students had an opportunity to meet in their groups to briefly brainstorm the kinds of materials required for survival. Back in the classroom, students shared their findings and explained their choices, practicing teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking. It was exciting to see their creativity and enthusiasm while learning through hands-on exploration.

- Ms Cayla Garra

Our recent visit to the County Court was an engaging and valuable learning experience for students, providing a real-life insight into the criminal justice system. Our visit included a private Q&A meeting with County Court Judge Sarah Leighfield of the Criminal Division, a tour of the County Court and opportunity to sit in a court matter.

The Q&A session with Judge Sarah Leighfield in her court room allowed students to deepen their understanding of courtroom procedures, legal decision-making, and the importance of fairness and impartiality within the justice system. There was a particular focus on sentencing, including the five purposes of sentencing and the application of mitigating and aggravating factors. This discussion was especially valuable as it directly supports students’ preparation for their upcoming SAC, helping to reinforce key concepts and apply them to real-world contexts.

Students also observed two criminal matters. During the first case, the court demonstrated its commitment to justice and respect for victims. When a victim impact statement was about to be delivered, concerns were raised by the prosecution about the victim’s comfort. In response, the judge made the decision to excuse our group from the courtroom. Judge Sarah Leighfield explained the need to balance open court transparency with the rights of the victim. This was a powerful example of how the legal system works to ensure fairness while also prioritising the wellbeing and dignity of individuals involved in sensitive cases.

In the second matter, students observed expert evidence being presented by a forensic doctor to the jury. The expert explained medical findings to support the prosecution’s argument that the injury in question was consistent with a bite rather than a fall. This gave students a clear understanding of how expert witnesses play a critical role in helping courts interpret complex evidence.

Students also visited the Jury Selection Pool Room, where they learned more about the process of jury selection. This gave students a clearer understanding of how jurors are chosen, the importance of impartiality, and the role everyday citizens play in ensuring a fair trial. Seeing this process helped connect classroom learning to real-life legal practices. Students also learned that jurors use separate entry and exit doors to ensure they do not meet parties involved in the case, helping to maintain fairness and prevent any undue influence.

Overall, the excursion reinforced students’ classroom learning by allowing them to see the justice system in action. It highlighted key principles such as fairness, respect, and the rule of law, making the experience both educational and memorable.

Students are to be congratulated for their exemplary behaviour in the court. They conducted themselves in a mature and respectful manner, demonstrating a strong understanding of the formality of the court and the importance of upholding courtroom etiquette. Their behaviour reflected positively on the school and contributed to the success of the excursion. So much so, that we have been invited back to visit the Supreme Court of Victoria in semester 2, term 3. 

- Ms Fran Cometti

On Tuesday 19th May, the Year 12 cohort planned and hosted The Biggest Morning Tea.  It was an amazing opportunity to come together as a cohort along with the staff to raise much needed funds and awareness to support cancer research.  1 in 2 people are impacted by cancer in Australia and it's important to give back to those in our community in need.  The Year 12s managed to raise $1267 to donate to the Cancer Council.  It was a beautiful morning filled with pastries, desserts, laughter and conversation.

- Ms Laura Adamson

My Year 12 VM literacy class and I went to visit ‘Your Community Health’ in Preston. 

We arrived expecting a simple tour, a glimpse behind the doors, perhaps a few introductions to the nursing staff. But the day opened far wider than we’d imagined. 

We were warmly welcomed and even invited to take part in activities with elderly community members, which gave students a chance to connect and engage in a meaningful way. The centre also organised a range of health care professionals to speak with the class. Representatives from different areas, including physiotherapists, dental workers, nurses and youth-workers, all shared insights into their roles, their daily responsibilities and career pathways. They also took the time to answer students’ questions, making the experience interactive and personal.

This was especially valuable for students in the class who were considering  a future in the health sector, as it gave them a clearer understanding of what those careers involve. It also introduced them to roles they may not have previously known about, broadening their perspective on other opportunities available.  

By the end of the visit, students walked away not only with practical knowledge and advice, but also with a stronger appreciation for the wide range of work done in health care.  

- Mr Joaquin Wagner

4-5 June: Year 5 Camp

8 June: Kings Birthday - No School

10-12 June: Year 7-10 Exams

15 June: Semester 2 Begins

16 June: F-11 Pupil Free Day 

16 June: Year 12 GAT

22 June: Year 12 Breakfast with the Principal

22 June: Year 12 Graduation Photos

26 June: Last day of Term 2

13-14 July: Pupil Free Days

15 July: All students return for Term 3

God is Love -  College Theme 2026