La Trobe University
It’s been exciting to see our Year 7 cohort heading to La Trobe University over the last week or so, undertaking a number of activities helping them to understand University life. The Junior School report later in this newsletter talks in some detail about the excursion.
It is important to understand why we send our youngest students on an excursion to university – even though for most of them, university would be six years away. The first main reason is to demystify what university is. For many students, they simply don’t know what happens at university or they may think that university is not an option for them. We aim to show all our students as young as possible what university is all about. We also aim to show them as early as possible that University is an option for everyone.
One of our three behavioural expectations is Aim High – finding goals to aim for at school and in life. Having strong aspirations for what they want to do after school, helps students to keep motivated while they are at school. Our Year 7 on-campus visits to university are a really important aspect of how we build aspirations for all of our students at Elevation.
Principal’s Advisory Committee
A new initiative this year has been the Principal’s Advisory Committee – a small group of students elected from the SRC to meet with me once or twice a term to discuss the students experience at school. Recently we began to discuss ways that we can get more students involved in lunchtime activities and sports at lunchtimes. It is really great to hear directly from our students leaders about their experiences as students, as well as their great ideas for improving the student experience at Elevation.
Year 12 – Finalising the Year and Celebrations
The last two months have been quite sobering as our first Year 12 cohort complete their end of Year 12 celebrations, classes and exams. I was particularly touched by the thought and effort that students put into their final assembly in Term 3, where the teachers celebrated the students and the students celebrated the teachers – it really was a touching event. The Celebration Day event at Funfields was great fun for the students also.
I was particularly impressed by the approach of Year 12 students took to the VCAA exam period – it was amazing to see so many students applying their years of learning into one last push for the exams. Talking to students after some of the exams it was clear that they felt prepared and had done their best. Well done to all.
I’d like to thank Mr Henderson for all of his work in organizing a smooth VCAA exam period as well as the work of Ms Dulger and the Senior School team also.
David Williamson Writing Competition
Once again it was wonderful to celebrate the shortlisted writers and winners at our second annual David Williamson Writing Competition. Later in this edition Ms Wheaton takes us through the details of the competition, but on a personal note I would like to congratulate all of the shortlisted writers, who will now be published authors in the DWWC anthology. Congratulations to:
Year 7
Saanvi
Amir
Year 8
Maryam
Meerub
Jasnoor
Henry
Tehnaad
Year 9
Ruby
Navreet
Loriana
Malak
Year 10
Akshitha
Shanna
Manaaki
Year 11
Heba
Danika
Harkirat
Meerab
Year 12
Shannon
Rayyan
Art and Technology Exhibition
I’m very excited to see the works in our inaugural Art and Technology Expo which will be running next week. I’m hoping to see lots of members of the community attend the event next Tuesday evening.
2025 Elevation Secondary College Yearbook
Recently I have seen a draft of our school magazine for 2025. It really is an excellent publication. If you haven’t already I encourage you to purchase a copy from the Office as soon as possible.
Final Newsletter for 2025 – December
While this magazine is the final full edition for the year – there will be a shortened, end of year edition released in the last week of school before the holidays. That edition will contain final arrangements for 2026, important dates among other important updates.
Colin Burke
Principal