Aspire News | February 2026

Welcome Back

Welcome back to the entire Elevation community for what is shaping up as an exciting 2026!

As well as welcoming a new group of Year 7 students, our second cohort of Year 12 students are beginning their final year of schooling.

We have already seen some amazing learning happening in our classes and we’re very pleased to see so many of our students greeting each other and their teachers with pleasantries. Students are also displaying our Behavioural Expectations of Aim High, Work Hard and Be Good to a very high standard.

Building Rectification Works

Many of our students have returned to school this year amazed at the transformation of many of our learning spaces and classrooms. Our teachers and students have been very excited to make use of these greatly improved spaces and classrooms.

As outlined in newsletters last year, between the last week of school in December and the first day of school this year, the Victorian School Building Authority has completed $3million worth of improvements to our classrooms. The change is extraordinary and has completely altered many of the spaces. Our three learning communities now have no open plan spaces and additional classrooms.

The works included:

· Completely enclosing several existing open plan classrooms

· Converting underutilised spaces into additional classrooms

· Creating an additional 3 Science Classrooms and 3 Visual Art Classrooms

· Adding 2 new Relocatable Music classrooms and an additional Science Laboratory

The works have improved our already strong learning environments and have been completed to a high standard which will last for many years.

Thanks to the Victorian School Building Authority, Case Meallin and Alchemy Projects for completing the works with almost zero disruption to the school and the learning program.

Welcome Year 7 Students

In recent weeks we have welcomed our seventh cohort of Year 7 students to the school. The students settled in well on their first day of learning and were welcomed by an assembly and two days’ worth of Orientation. Our new Year 7 students have already begun demonstrating Aim High, Work Hard and Be Good to a very high level.

I’d like to make a special shoutout to 7B who were so polite and welcoming when I visited their PE class last week. What a wonderful group of Elevation students!

Welcome BBQ Postponement – Year 7 Families

Unfortunately we had to postpone our Welcome BBQ for new Year 7 students and their families due to poor weather. We are working on finding an alternative date or a different type of event to welcome Year 7 students and families.

Year 7 and 9 Families – Important NAPLAN Update

Later in this newsletter you will be notified of important information with regard to this year’s NAPLAN testing period.

I would like to highlight the importance of these tests to families – specifically that students try their absolute best when completing the testing. We encourage all students who complete the tests to use the entirety of the time allocated and complete as many questions and sections of each test as they can.

Please take the time to read the NAPLAN Exams section of this newsletter which appears on page 7. If you have questions, please contact Ms Jessica Smith or Mr Alex Mangione.

Conferences

Wednesday March 25^th is our Student Learning Conference day. This is an amazing opportunity for families to meet teaching staff and for students to talk through their learning and progress with families and their teachers.

Information on booking will come out in coming weeks via Compass.

Curriculum Day and Key Dates

Friday 6^th March is a student free day where staff will be working through a range of professional learning with regard to the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0.

Key dates are published later in this newsletter as well as in Compass.

Potential Industrial Action

You may have seen in the news recently that there is a possibility of industrial action being taken by school staff in Victoria and there is a strong possibility that Tuesday March 24 may be a day of stopwork action.

Nothing has been confirmed yet however it is important to be aware of that date and the possibility of disruption to schools. Once confirmed, our school will need to act very quickly to determine arrangements for that day and communicate these to parents. If you have children at multiple schools you should know that each school will have different arrangements on that day.

We will endeavour to give you as much information as soon as possible, once more information comes to light.

Aspire

You may have already noticed a difference in our Aspire rewards system this year. More students are getting more points for displaying positive behaviour than ever before. Our teachers are actively on the lookout to award students positive points to a level we haven’t seen before!

Later in the term we will be publishing a greatly expanded menu of rewards that students will be able to purchase with their points and there will be some extraordinary rewards available.

Traffic

We are now a large school with over 1000 enrolments and limited roads coming to and from the school. Traffic at drop off and pick up is getting busier and busier.

We urge all drivers to drive with an abundance of caution around the school. Student safety is our number 1 priority and we need all members of the community to exercise safety and caution when driving near the school.

The long promised road safety improvements to Elevation Boulevard have not yet been started or completed. As such it is the responsibility of all drivers to keep all students safe. 

Colin Burke
Principal

As we continue to settle into the term, we would like to thank our families and wider community for the partnership you show our College. Schools work best when we are aligned in our shared purpose: ensuring every young person is safe, supported and able to thrive academically and personally.

At Elevation Secondary College, we are committed to creating a calm, orderly and inclusive learning environment where students feel known, valued and challenged. With that in mind, we would like to highlight several important areas where your support at home makes a significant difference.

Attendance and Punctuality

Regular attendance and punctuality remain among the strongest predictors of academic success and wellbeing. When students attend every day and arrive on time, they benefit from consistent routines, strong peer connections and uninterrupted learning.

We understand that illness and family circumstances arise. However, avoidable absences and repeated lateness can quickly accumulate and significantly impact progress and confidence. Even missing one lesson per day equates to a substantial loss of learning over time.

We appreciate families reinforcing the importance of being at school, on time, every day. If there are barriers impacting attendance, please contact your child’s Coordination Team so we can work together to provide support.

Sleep and Wellbeing

Sleep plays a critical role in learning and emotional regulation. For short-term memory to consolidate into long-term memory, young people require approximately 9–10 hours of sleep per night. Teenagers who sleep well are generally happier, more focused and more engaged at school.

One of the most common barriers to sufficient sleep is technology. We know devices are part of modern life, however late-night use can significantly reduce sleep quality and duration. Several families have found success by charging devices in a central location in the house overnight, keeping bedrooms technology-free. If this is not currently part of your routine, it may be worth trialling. Small adjustments to sleep habits can make a significant difference to wellbeing and learning.

Equipment, Exercise Books and Readiness to Learn

Being ready to learn means more than simply attending school. Students require a charged laptop and the correct materials for each subject, including a separate exercise book per subject.

We have noticed that some students fill exercise books quickly or occasionally misplace them. Purchasing a few additional books and spare pens costs only a small amount but ensures your child is prepared for every lesson. Being organised builds independence and reduces stress for students.

Encouraging students to pack their school bag the evening before is a simple but powerful routine that supports readiness and confidence.

Toilets and Time Out of Class

As the weather has been warmer, we are pleased to see students bringing water bottles and staying hydrated. This is important for health and concentration.

However, we have observed a significant increase in students leaving class to access the toilets. On one recent day alone, 114 students accessed the toilets during lesson time. While we always support students with genuine need, frequent time out of class interrupts learning and can, at times, lead to social congregation rather than urgency.

We are therefore reinforcing the expectation that, wherever possible, students should use bathroom facilities during recess and lunchtime. Students with medical or specific needs will always be supported through individual arrangements. If there are health concerns, please contact your child’s Year Level Coordinator so appropriate supports can be put in place.

Conversations at Home: “What did you learn today?”

One of the most powerful ways families can support learning is through simple daily conversations. If you ask, “What did you learn at school today?” and the answer is “nothing,” we can be confident that this is not entirely accurate.

Consider following up with:

·   “What subjects did you have today?”

·   “What did you learn in English, Maths or Music?”

·   “What is one thing you know now that you didn’t know yesterday?”

The first few times you may receive only a short answer. However, the more these conversations occur, the more insight you will gain into your child’s learning. Schooling works best when families and schools operate in partnership. These small but consistent conversations help create a shared understanding of your child’s progress and experiences.

At Elevation Secondary College, we take a relationship-focused approach that combines care with clear boundaries. Young people thrive when expectations are predictable, consistent and fair. Together, through strong home–school partnership, we can ensure every student is supported to succeed.

Thank you for your continued support,
Mrs. Loudon, Mr. Mangione, Mrs. Conboy, Mr. McKenna and Mr. Schutz

It has been a positive start to the year in the Junior School, with both Year 7 and Year 8 students settling into routines and learning expectations well. Students are engaging positively in their classes and building strong relationships with their teachers and peers.

As we move through the term, we continue to emphasise high expectations around learning behaviours, punctuality, and presentation. Students are expected to arrive to class on time and be dressed in full school uniform each day. These expectations help create a calm, focused learning environment and support students to be ready for learning.

Later this term, Student Learning Conferences will be held in Week 9. These conferences provide a valuable opportunity for students, parents/carers, and teachers to come together to discuss learning progress, strengths, and goals for the year ahead. 

We appreciate the ongoing support from families as we work together to ensure a successful year for all Junior School students.

Year 7

Our Year 7 students have made a fantastic start to their secondary school journey at Elevation, and we are very proud of the way they have embraced the transition.

In Week 1, students participated in a comprehensive induction program, spending significant time with their mentor teachers. During this time, they learned what it means to be an Elevation student, including our routines, expectations, and values. They have settled in well and are developing confidence and independence, and we will continue to support them as they grow and refine these skills throughout the year.

The Welcome BBQ originally scheduled for 11th February did not go ahead as planned. The event will be rescheduled, and we look forward to holding it soon. This gathering is a great opportunity for families to meet teachers, connect with other families, and spend time in the school environment. Please keep checking Compass for the new date and further details, and we hope you will be able to attend when it is announced.

Looking ahead, Year 7 Camp will take place in Term 2. This is an important opportunity for students to build friendships, resilience, and teamwork skills. Payments and further details are available via Compass.

As with all students, we ask that Year 7 students continue to meet expectations by wearing full school uniform each day and arriving punctually to class, helping them develop strong habits for secondary school success.

We look forward to continuing to work closely with families as our Year 7 students progress through their first year at Elevation.

Courtney Gorham
Year 7 Leading Teacher

Year 8

We warmly welcome our Year 8 students back for a second year of high-school. The familiar setting has supported a smooth transition into regular routines, with students continuing to uphold our school expectations of Aim High, Work Hard and Be Good. It is wonderful to see students return with confidence for the year ahead. 

In Week 3, students participated in the Man Cave and ConnectED programs, providing valuable opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. The program complimented our Personal Development curriculum and supported students’ emotional awareness, positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging. It was encouraging to see students engage in discussions and activities, demonstrating respect for one another and a willingness to learn new skills. We are proud of the maturity and positive attitudes demonstrated by students and we look forward to providing further opportunities for connection and growth throughout the year. 

We encourage families to follow their child’s learning journey by accessing the effort and rigour data available on Compass. This is regularly updated by staff across the term. Families are also encouraged to review Learning Task 1 results, which will be available in the coming weeks. These provide valuable opportunities for meaningful conversations about your child’s effort, commitment and progress. Please reach out if you would like support accessing this data. 

As always we appreciate your continued partnership in supporting your child’s learning and development at Elevation Secondary College. 

Gulsen Tankir
Year 8 Leading Teacher

The Middle School has made a strong start to the year, with Year 9 and Year 10 students quickly finding their feet and adapting well to classroom routines and expectations. It’s been pleasing to see students approaching their learning with a positive attitude and developing respectful, supportive connections with teachers and peers.

Throughout the term, we will continue to reinforce the importance of positive learning habits, punctuality, and pride shown when wearing the college uniform. Arriving at lessons on time and wearing the correct school uniform each day helps create an orderly, focused environment where students can do their best work and experience great academic success.

Student Learning Conferences will take place in Week 9 later this term. These meetings provide an important opportunity for students, families, and teachers to reflect on progress so far, celebrate successes, and set clear goals for the remainder of the year.

Thank you to our families for your continued partnership and support as we work together to support the growth and success of all Middle School students.

Year 9

Year 9 has begun the year with a strong sense of purpose and growing maturity, as students step further into their roles as learners within the Middle School. It has been encouraging to see many Year 9 students demonstrating responsibility, independence, and a positive approach to their learning, setting a strong example for younger year levels.

This year places an increased emphasis on leadership, organisation, and preparation, both in and out of the classroom. Maintaining high standards around learning behaviours, punctuality, and presentation remains a key focus, as these habits are essential for success in the senior years ahead.

There are several important events coming up for Year 9 students this term. NAPLAN will take place in Week 7, providing students with the opportunity to demonstrate their literacy and numeracy skills on a national scale. 

In addition to this, Morrisby Testing will be conducted across Term 1, supporting students to better understand their strengths, interests, and potential future pathways. Students will also be granted an opportunity to meet with a careers practitioner at the conclusion of the online Morrisby profiling to gain further insight into potential career pathways. 

We look forward to continuing to work closely with families to support Year 9 students as they develop confidence, leadership, and a strong foundation for the years ahead.

Nikita Richardson
Year 9 Leading Teacher

Year 10

We are delighted to welcome our Year 10 students back for 2026. It has been fantastic to see such a positive and settled start to the year, with students returning focused and ready to engage in their learning.

At our recent Year 10 assembly, students were introduced to Career Pathways, highlighting the importance of planning ahead and exploring future opportunities. As part of this focus, students have also received a presentation outlining the requirements for Work Experience, which will take place at the end of Term 2.

To be eligible for Work Experience, students will need to complete the following requirements:

• Safe@Work Certificate
  
• Work Arrangement Form
  
• Letter to Employer
  
• USI (Unique Student Identifier) Number
  

All required forms and information will be completed online. If students require any support or guidance throughout this process, the Careers Team is available to assist in B8.

We look forward to supporting our Year 10 students as they continue to build skills, confidence, and direction for the future.

Matina Konstantinakos
Year 10 Leading Teacher

Year 11 & 12

It has been a wonderful start to the year in our Senior School. There is something special about the beginning of a new chapter and seeing our students move into either their first year of VCE or alternatively, their final year of high school.

At Elevation Secondary College, our Senior School (Years 11 and 12) is more than just the final stage of schooling. It is a time of growth, independence and important decision making. Whether students are undertaking VCE, MyVCE or VCE-VM, our focus is on supporting every young person to achieve success in a pathway that is meaningful to them. We are committed to high expectations, strong support structures and ensuring students feel both challenged and cared for. This is most certainly something that our graduating class of 2025 really reflected on during our Graduation Ceremony.

Our Year 12 students have now begun their final year, and the arrival of their jackets has proudly marked them as leaders within our school community. While the end of the year may feel distant, we know how quickly it passes. Year 12 can be demanding, and it is easy to become immersed in coursework and SAC preparation. We continually remind our students that this year is not a sprint, but a marathon. Consistency, balance and wellbeing are just as important as academic achievement.

We are equally proud of our Year 11 students as they transition into Senior School. The shift in expectations and workload can feel significant at first, yet our students have already shown resilience, responsibility and a willingness to grow. This year lays an important foundation not only academically, but in building confidence and independence.

Our Senior School is strengthened by a dedicated team working alongside our students each day. Our Careers Team supports pathway planning, subject selection and post-school options including university, TAFE, apprenticeships and employment. Our teachers, many with experience in VCAA assessment, provide expert guidance in their subject areas. Year-level coordinators and support staff work closely with students to assist with engagement and wellbeing. We strongly value the partnership between school and home and believe that open communication is key to student success.

2026 GAT

The 2026 General Achievement Test (GAT) will take place on Tuesday 16 June 2026 for all Year 12 students and any Year 11 students completing a Unit 3 & 4 subject. Further information from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority will be shared with families as it becomes available.

Senior School Team

I would also like to formally introduce our Senior School Leadership Team:

Staff Member	Role
Mr Schutz	Assistant Principal for Senior School
Ms Dulger	Senior School Leader
Ms Connor	VCE-VM Leader
Ms Tilbrook	VASS and Study Center Coordinator
Ms Abdilla	Senior School Admin
Ms Cartwright-Smith	Year 12 Coordinator
Ms Li	Year 12 Coordinator
Mr Stradella	Year 11 Coordinator
Ms Mcdonald	Year 11 Coordinator

We are grateful for the trust you place in us during these important final years of schooling. We look forward to working in partnership with you throughout 2026.

Kind Regards,
Senior School Team

Careers

Year 9 Morrisby Profiling

This week, Elevation Secondary College Year 9 students have been undertaking a My Career Insights program via Morrisby. The Morrisby Profiling builds self-understanding and facilitates career exploration, so students can make informed decisions about their school subjects, post-school pathway and career goals.

The program gives students access to Morrisby, a globally leading career-matching tool which helps students choose VCE subjects, including the VCE Vocational Major and VET. It also outlines pathways into TAFE, university, apprenticeships and traineeships.

The program is delivered in 3 phases:

1. Discover: students answer questions on the Morrisby website, creating a profile that summarises their values, preferences, skills and strengths
2. Develop: an independent career consultant meets with the student in a one-on-one interview to explain and discuss their Morrisby profile
3. Drive: students explore their Morrisby profile, using it to inform their decisions and develop or update their career action plan.

The online profiling session includes a series of assessments and questionnaires, accessed via the Morrisby website. Using the full profiling pathway, students complete verbal, numerical, abstract, spatial and mechanical aptitude assessments, together with an interest’s questionnaire and personality questionnaire.

A conducted by an independent Career Consultant engaged by ACCE to “unpack” the Morrisby Profile and demonstrate system functionality for ongoing use.

Furthermore, students can access their Morrisby through the rest of their schooling, and beyond. As they develop new strengths, interests and goals, they can update their Morrisby profile to get relevant study and career suggestions.

Ms. M. Watt, Ms. L. Panuccio & Mr. J. Tikulin 
The Careers Team

Body Image, Social Media & Learning

Dear families and carers,

Following the Year 8 presentation on eating, body image, and body positivity, we would like to share some key ideas with families to support these conversations at home. Young people today are navigating powerful messages about appearance, and the way adults respond can make a meaningful difference to their wellbeing and development.

Young people today are surrounded by strong messages about appearance, particularly through social media. Images are often edited or unrealistic, yet they can shape how students see themselves. When attention is focused on image rather than who students are, their confidence, wellbeing, and learning can be affected.

Body shaming—whether from peers, adults, family members, or online—can negatively impact a young person’s sense of self and identity. Even well-intended comments can increase self-criticism and lower their self esteem. When students feel judged about their bodies, their mental energy is pulled away from concentration, participation, and learning.

Shifting the focus from how young people look to who they are supports healthy development. When students are recognised for their effort, values, and strengths, such as kindness, curiosity, humour, and hard work, they develop a more stable sense of self and identity. This kind of inner confidence helps with emotional regulation, resilience, and coping with pressure. These abilities are essential for students to focus in the classroom and prepare them for learning and succeeding in life.

Everyday messages make a difference. Normalising body diversity, modelling respectful language, encouraging balanced eating for energy and learning, and talking openly about unrealistic online images all help create a supportive environment. When young people feel accepted and well-supported, their brains are freer to focus, learn, and grow into resilient adults. Families play a very important role in helping young people feel good about themselves. Focusing on health, strengths, character, and effort — not appearance — helps children build confidence and a positive relationship with their bodies.

If you are worried about your child or would like support, free and confidential help is available. You can contact Parentline Victoria (13 22 89), Eating Disorders Victoria (1300 550 236), or the Butterfly Foundation National Helpline (1800 33 4673). Interpreters can be arranged if English is not your first language. You are also welcome to contact Inger Ross, Mental Health Practitioner, Elevation Secondary College inger.ross@education.vic.gov.au (03) 8768 6700 for support. Working together, we can help young people grow into healthy, confident, and resilient adults.

Warm regards,
Wellbeing Team

Curriculum, Data & Assessment

Regular Assessment Cycle

We would like to remind families that we have several regular ways of giving feedback on how your students are progressing. These include:

• Learning behaviours report. This takes place every three weeks and provides an update on how your child is demonstrating our learning behaviours of Aim High, Work Hard and Be Good.
• Learning tasks. These take place approximately every six weeks (this will be slightly different for VCE students). The grade for students’ recent assessment task will be released via Compass.
• Semester report. A report of all your child’s grades in each subject, a comment for their improvements and their level of achievement is released twice a year, at the end of each semester.
• Student Learning Conferences. Student Learning Conferences take place twice a year. This semester, they will be taking place on Wednesday 25th March from 11:30am-7:30pm. Bookings will appear on Compass shortly.

NAPLAN Exams

We would like to notify families of the upcoming NAPLAN exams in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy which will be taking place for Year 7 and 9 students from March 11th – March 23rd. The planned schedule is listed below, please check Compass for a confirmed schedule.

The NAPLAN exams are very important for students. 

For students, NAPLAN gives them an opportunity to practise the style and type of questions that will appear later in their schooling such as the GAT. It will highlight their strengths and allow teachers to tailor their learning to where extra support may be required. 

For parents, NAPLAN gives an indication of their child’s overall achievement in literacy, numeracy, spelling and grammar. 

For teachers at Elevation Secondary College, NAPLAN exams are useful for a number of purposes including to inform our teaching and learning curriculum. Additionally NAPLAN results can support teachers to provide advice to students on future pathways such as Year 10 electives, VCE options and certificate courses. 

NAPLAN exams are meaningful when students are prepared and try their hardest. To help students to be ready, we ask that you speak with your child about the importance of taking their NAPLAN exams seriously and trying their hardest on all of them. Students will receive this messaging from classroom teachers as well as in assemblies. 

NAPLAN exams are non-compulsory on an opt-out basis – if you wish for your child to be withdrawn please contact Jessica Smith – jessica.smith10@education.vic.gov.au

	Year 7	Year 9
Writing	Wednesday 11th March	Wednesday 11th March
Reading	7A-7E – Friday 13th March 7F-7J – Monday 16th March	9A-9E – Friday 13th March 9F-9K – Monday 16th March
Conventions of Language	7A-7E – Tuesday 17th March 7F-7J – Wednesday 18th March	9A-9E – Tuesday 17th March 9F-9K – Wednesday 18th March
Numeracy	7A-7E – Thursday 19th March 7F-7J – Friday 20th March	9A-9E – Thursday 19th March 9F-9K – Friday 20th March

We ask that all Year 7 and 9 students bring their laptops and headphones during the testing period, although there are school laptops and computers available for students without laptop access.

Jessica Smith
Learning Specialist – Curriculum, Data & Assessments

Arts

Music

We are really excited for another great year of music at Elevation Secondary College. This year we welcome Hugh Kirne and Ashley Ballat to the classroom music team who are both really excited to join such a great community. They join Simon Wilson and Felishia Iannelli as part of the classroom music team and our instrumental music teachers Nicholas Freer, Troy Grech and Tereza Cuca.

This year we have music classes running from year 7-12 with students learning a variety of music, styles and instruments within their classes.

Our instrumental music program has also begun with lessons being offered in Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Trumpet and Drums.

As part of our instrumental program, we also have the school band program where students will develop their ensemble skills and have fun playing with others.

Instrumental lessons are $150 for a semester with one lesson per week.

That works out to be only $7.50 per lesson.

For more information, please contact your child’s music teacher or email Hugh.Kirne@education.vic.gov.au.

Hugh Kirne
Instrumental Music & Band Coordinator

Visual Art

We’ve had a really positive start to the year in the Visual Arts Department, and it’s been great welcoming Jess Hall to the team.

We’re also excited to be offering our first VCE Creative Practice subject in Year 11, alongside our established VCE Visual Communication Design (VCD) program. It’s great to be able to provide students with more senior pathways in the arts and more opportunities to build strong folios.

Right now, students across the school are settling into Unit 1 and building strong foundations for the year ahead. In Year 7, we’re focusing on the elements of art and basic drawing skills, with students practising observation, shading and effective use of colour. Year 8 students have started Visual Communication Design, working on a 2 point perspective city block, with an emphasis on accuracy and creativity.

In Year 9 Visual Arts, students are currently working on a portrait drawing, taking time to practise careful observation and build their drawing skills. In Year 9 VCD, students are looking at typography and designing a personal company logo, focusing on how text and design choices communicate an idea. In Year 10 Visual Arts, students are working on a mixed media fruit still life, focusing on texture and experimenting with materials. In Year 10 VCD, students are completing object design by designing a bottle and producing a technical drawing.

It’s a strong start, and we’re looking forward to seeing these ideas grow over the term.

Elena Vidiella Lopez
Domain Support – Arts

Annual Privacy Reminder for our School Community

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ privacy policy and the Schools’ privacy collection notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students policy [insert link to your school policy], describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.

We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Google Workspace for Education safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Google Workspace for Education, please contact the school.

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ privacy policy: information for parents. This information is also available in eleven community languages:

• Amharic
• Arabic
• Chinese
• Dari
• Gujarati
• Mandarin
• Somali
• Sudanese
• Turkish
• Urdu
• Vietnamese

Library

It has been a productive start to the year in the Library. While the library is regularly full during breaks, it has been heartening to see the number of students using the library to study. Students have made a strong start, working both independently and quietly in groups. The atmosphere has been calm and purposeful, evidence that our students are taking responsibility for their learning. On February 13 we celebrated Library Lovers’ Day, with students taking part in literary trivia, Blind Date With a Book and library bingo. We look forward to hosting more events and lunchtime activities throughout the year.

Year 8 Wider Reading: Building Stamina

Our Year 8s continue the Wider Reading Program they commenced in Year 7. The sessions include 30 minutes of silent reading followed by completing the journal entry for the week. Sitting and reading quietly for 30 minutes does not come naturally to most people, so we use the reading program as a way for students to build their stamina and ability to focus. This supports all learning areas and will help students to succeed as they start to read longer and more complex texts. 

Reading Aloud – Still Valuable in the Teen Years

Research from the Australia Reads study highlights just how important reading is for teenagers. Their national research shows:

• Reading for pleasure is strongly linked to better literacy outcomes.
• Frequent readers demonstrate greater general knowledge and stronger vocabulary.
• For teenagers, reading engagement is a stronger predictor of intellectual progress than parental education levels.
• Access to books in the home significantly increases the likelihood of children becoming regular readers.

The Australia Reads research also emphasises that reading engagement grows through positive reading experiences and shared reading culture at home. 

While reading aloud is often associated with younger children, shared reading remains powerful in the teenage years. Hearing complex texts read fluently exposes students to sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structures. It also supports comprehension and critical thinking.

Importantly, Australia Reads highlights that children who see reading modelled and valued at home are far more likely to continue reading independently. Shared reading – whether reading aloud together or listening to an audiobook as a family – reinforces the message that reading is worthwhile and enjoyable. 

Adolescence is a critical period for maintaining reading motivation and reading should not stop being social once children can decode words independently. 

How families can help:

• Encourage 30 minutes of reading most days.
• Ask your child about what they are reading.
• Consider reading a chapter aloud together.
• Ask your child to show you the library website, search the catalogue for a book to read together! (See How-To Access the Library Website)

How Elevation Library can support your child to read at home:

• Students can borrow up to four books, for two weeks at a time.
• Students who would like to listen to stories can sign up for an Audiobook account. ePlatform Audiobooks provide students with access to thousands of age-appropriate audiobooks in a variety of genres. We have a limited number of accounts available, so get in quick!
• The library is happy to provide book recommendations to families, for whatever age and stage their student is at. 

For book recommendations or to sign up for an Audiobook account for your child, please email the Library Manager at ellen.stephens@elevationsc.vic.edu.au

Ellen Stephens
Library Manager

Aspire Points are the school’s reward system, students earn these throughout their behaviour in and around school inside and outside of lessons. 

They are awarded to students for:

• Aiming High
• Working High
• Being Good

Over the course of the year students will earn Aspire Points that contribute to their house ranking and can be redeemed for prizes (see the cabinet at the front of the school). These points are something to celebrate for students who should feel proud each and every time they obtain one.

Students have made a great start to the year gaining over double the amount of Aspire Points in comparison to last year. This year we are striving for students to gain more Aspire Points and have those Aspire Points contribute towards better rewards for students.

Aspire Recognition Week:

During Aspire Recognition Week (Week 6), students have the opportunity to use the Aspire points that they have earned this year and spend them at the Aspire Shop. The Aspire Shop is constantly looking to update the prizes that are available to all students. Students are encouraged to come down to the Front Office to see what prizes are currently on display!

Nico Watkins
House & Lunchtime Activities

Term 1 Commences 28th January – Last Day 2nd April (Early Finish 1:20pm)

Term 2 Commences 20th April – Last Day 26th June (Early Finish 1:20pm)

Term 3 Commences 13th July – Last Day 18th September (Early Finish 1:20pm)

Term 4 Commences 5th October – Last Day 18th December (Early Finish 12:30pm)

Curriculum Days

Friday 6th March

Friday 22nd May

Friday 27th November

Student Free Days

Tuesday 1st September – PPD

Tuesday 8th December – Year 6-7 Orientation Day

Student Learning Conferences

Wednesday 25th March

Thursday 13th August & Friday 14th August

Public Holidays

Monday 9th March – Labour Day

Friday 3rd April – Good Friday

Saturday 25th April – ANZAC Day (no day off in lieu)

Monday 8th June – King’s Birthday

Tuesday 3rd November – Melbourne Cup