It’s has been an extremely busy and productive term at Elevation. There have been so many events, sports, excursions, and assemblies on top of the excellent in class learning activities. The school is really buzzing with excitement and learning is really humming along.
I am writing this report from the UK where I am currently recruiting teachers who will join the school later this year and in 2027. It has been a fruitful visit with many excellent teachers applying to work at our school.
I would like to acknowledge and thank Mr Schutz who has been Acting Principal in my absence and the rest of the Assistant Principals who, as always, have stepped up.
NAPLAN
I would like to thank Ms Jess Smith and Mr Alex Mangione for their hard work and organisation of NAPLAN tests for Year 7 and Year 9 students. I’d also like to acknowledge our students in years 7 and 9 who approached the tests by showing our behavioural expectations of Aim High, Work Hard and Be Good.
Student Learning Conferences
Thankyou to all of the families who attended Student Learning Conferences this last week. The attendance rate was again high, showing the strong partnerships between families and teachers at Elevation.
Our next Student Learning Conferences will take place in Term 3 and include subject selection meetings for Year 10 students and Structured Revision planning meetings for Year 12s.
End of Term Last Day Arrangements
I would like to wish all of our students a restful school holiday break as they finish up Term 1 this Friday 2nd April at 1:20pm. We look forward to welcoming them back for Term 2 on Monday 20th April.
As we reach the end of term, we would like to acknowledge the continued growth we are seeing across our school community. It has been particularly pleasing to see a strong improvement in students meeting our uniform and behavioural expectations and overall improved school attendance reflecting a shared commitment to high standards and a positive school culture.
Our focus on clear expectations, predictable routines and a supportive learning environment continues to strengthen student engagement and wellbeing. We would like to thank our staff, students and families for working in partnership to uphold these standards and support one another. We look forward to building on this positive momentum next term.
Uniform Expectations
As we reach the end of term, we have seen a significant improvement in the standard of student uniform across the college. Thank you to our families for your ongoing support in reinforcing these expectations.
We would like to remind all families that school bags are a compulsory part of the uniform. It is important that students use their school bag to safely carry their learning materials to and from school each day.
Our uniform strengthens a sense of pride, belonging and equity across our school community. When students are in the correct uniform, it promotes a calm, focused learning environment and minimises unnecessary distractions.
We recognise that financial or personal circumstances can at times make meeting uniform expectations challenging. If support is required, please contact your child’s Coordination Team directly and confidentially. We are committed to working alongside families to ensure all students can meet expectations with dignity.
We appreciate your continued support in ensuring students leave home each morning in full and correct uniform. Clear and consistent expectations help maintain fairness for all. If there are exceptional circumstances impacting your child’s ability to meet uniform requirements, please contact your child’s Coordination Team so that appropriate support can be provided.
Student Learning Conferences
Our recent Student Learning Conferences held on Wednesday 25th of March, were a great success, with over 2400 conferences booked across the college. This strong level of engagement reflects the value our community places on learning, growth and partnership. We would like to acknowledge the commitment of our staff who facilitated these conversations, ensuring that each meeting was student focused and aligned to learning outcomes. These conferences provide an important opportunity for students, families and teachers to work together, celebrate progress and identify next steps for improvement. Thank you to our families for your continued support and for prioritising these important conversations.
NAPLAN
Our Year 7 and Year 9 students recently completed their NAPLAN assessments, and we are incredibly proud of the effort and focus they demonstrated throughout the process. Their commitment to doing their best reflects a strong approach to learning and perseverance. The data we receive from NAPLAN is valuable in helping us understand student progress and inform our teaching. Families can expect to receive results early in Term 3.
Thank you for your continued support, Mrs. Loudon, Mr. Mangione, Mrs. Conboy, Mr. McKenna and Mr. Schutz Assistant Principals
As we move through the busy weeks of Term 1, we would like to remind all Junior School students of the importance of bringing their school bags each day. Having a bag ensures that students can safely carry their books, lunch, and important notices between home and school, helping them stay organised and ready to learn.
On the 23rd of March, we celebrated Harmony Day at school, with students participating in a range of wonderful activities, including cultural dancing, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and diversity within our community.
Looking ahead to Term 2, as the weather begins to cool, we encourage students to come prepared by wearing appropriate Elevation uniform items such as the long sleeve shirt or grey jumper, as well as Elevation scarves and beanies to stay warm and comfortable throughout the day.
In Term 2, Junior School will also be introducing Zooper Stars, a program recognising students with high attendance in Term 1 and rewarding them for their consistent effort and commitment throughout Term 2.
Year 7
Our Year 7 students continue to settle into secondary school life. Over the past month, students have been building new friendships, developing positive learning habits, and becoming more confident in navigating their schedules and classrooms. This term, our Year 7 students also participated in NAPLAN, demonstrating resilience and focus as they completed the assessments.
We encourage all students to continue taking responsibility for their organisation by ensuring they bring the correct equipment to every class and make effective use of their school diary to record homework and upcoming CAT dates. Developing these habits will support their success throughout the year. We look forward to seeing their continued growth and enthusiasm as the term progresses.
Courtney Gorham Year 7 Leading Teacher
Year 8
It has been great to see our Year 8 students leaning into the familiarity of their second year of high school. They have hit the ground running, with a clear understanding of the school’s values and expectations and this has been reflected in an increased number of Aspire Points awarded to students across all classes.
Recently, students received their first round of learning task results, we encourage students and families to access compass to review these results along with Learning Behaviour reports. These two tools will offer families opportunities to celebrate improvements and assist students to consider next steps for improvement as we start moving into Term 2.
Year 9s have had a successful start to the year which saw great academic growth and achievement within their classes. Students have settled well into their electives and are enjoying the variety of learning opportunities within these classes. Whether it is exploring visual communication and design, diving into technology, or extending skills in languages or science, electives allow students to personalise their learning journey and discover new passions.
Well done to Year 9 students for the successful completion of NAPLAN. Students were focussed and driven by academic success to obtain optimal outcomes. The commitment, focus and resilience throughout the assessment period has been commendable. NAPLAN provides an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills in literacy and numeracy, and we are proud of the mature and responsible approach shown by all involved.
Students have also been informed of the upcoming School for Student Leadership camp and there has been a growing sense of excitement around this event. This opportunity will take place in Term 3 with interviews commencing in Term 2.
Lastly, the Year 9 Coordination team has been working hard to collate and present the Term 1, Year 9 Awards. Some of the awards students will receive include, but are not limited to:
Mentee of the Term: Each mentor group teacher will nominate one student who has demonstrated the school values exceptionally well over the course of the term.
Coordinator Awards: Each member of coordination will nominate one student who has exceeded expectations, both academically and behaviourally.
The “Most Improved” awards: These include, most improved behaviour, most aspire points and most improved attendance.
This awards assembly will take place in Week 2 of Term 2. We are excited to celebrate the success of our students and acknowledge their efforts both in and out of the classroom.
Nikita Richardson Year 9 Leading Teacher
Year 10
Well done to all Year 10s as we reach the end of Term 1. As it is only the beginning of the year, it is so good to see so many students thinking about their pathway in the future and already having conversations and taking steps towards their careers.
Well done to the students that are taking and creating opportunities to start their pathway. Many students have completed their first term of a VCE subject and are rising to the challenge. Continue to push yourselves and get support from your teachers as you begin this journey.
Well done to students that have worked with the careers team and have found themselves School Based Apprenticeships or Traineeships (SBAT). This is a great opportunity for students to continue their schooling and with Headstart(who run the SBAT program) complete 1 day of on the job training as well as a day at TAFE. This is a great way to get one foot in the door of an apprenticeship and stay connected with school. Well done to the students that have followed this up with the careers team here at school and have organised this.
If you would like to know more details or are unsure about your career pathway, speak with the Careers Team in B8 to hear about plenty of different options.
In Week 10 of this term we have our Year 10 Awards Assembly where students will find out which Mentor Group has the most Aspire Points and will take ownership of our Mentor Group Trophy until our next awards assembly. This term we have seen 3,870 Aspire points be given to our Year 10 students. This recognises them for Aiming High, Working Hard and Being Good. Well done Year 10!
Work Experience – (Last Week of Term 2)
Work Experience is the short-term placement of secondary school students with employers. During their placement, students will experience what it is like to work in their chosen industry while also having a taste of the world of work in general.
Work Experience is a COMPULSORY component of the Year 10 curriculum and involves students gaining a placement in industry to broaden their experience and understanding of the world and career opportunities.
As we come to the end of Term 1, our Senior School students have made significant progress. Whether it be our Year 12 students completing a number of SACs or our Year 11 students adjusting to the demands of VCE, all students have achieved success in their own way since the beginning of the year. This is something to be proud of and celebrate.
Trial GAT
On the last day of Term 1, all Year 12 students, as well as Year 11 students completing a Year 12 subject, will participate in the Trial General Achievement Test (GAT).
The GAT is the first VCAA examination that many Year 12 students will complete. The information below is taken directly from VCAA:
The General Achievement Test (GAT) is a pen-and-paper test of general knowledge and skills taken by students in the course of completing their senior secondary studies.
The GAT plays an important role in the quality assurance of VCE assessments and also provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate they meet the Victorian Literacy and Numeracy Standards expected at a senior secondary level.
No special study is needed. Past study of subjects like English, Mathematics, Science and History prepares students for the GAT by building their general knowledge and skills in writing, numeracy and reasoning.
To support our students, the Senior School has arranged for all relevant students to complete the Trial GAT and receive feedback by the beginning of Term 2. This will help them identify areas for improvement before the official GAT.
The official GAT will take place on Tuesday 16 June.
Year 11 Subject Changes
Year 11 students will be able to request a subject change for Semester 2 via a Google Form that will be published on Compass.
Students will have two weeks to submit their request. Following this, a member of the Senior School team will meet with each student to review their request and determine whether a change is possible within their timetable.
Semester 2 for Year 11 students will officially begin in the last week of Term 2.
Year 12 Key Dates
The Senior School would like to share the following important dates with our Year 12 families:
Year 12 Formal: Friday 12 June
Year 12 Graduation and Whole School Awards: Monday 14 December
The final day of attendance for Year 12 students will be shared in Term 2.
Abscence on Days of SACs
As per our VCE Policy, Senior School students who are absent on the day of a SAC must have a medical certificate or a statutory declaration in order to complete that assessment. Students and families can be made aware of any assessments by going on Compass and checking if there is a green event appearing on the schedule (such as the one below)
School Holidays
As the school year is shorter for Senior School students due to exams, it is highly recommended that students continue to take their coursework home for revision, organisation and in some cases, holiday homework.
The two week break provides a valuable opportunity for students to:
Organise folders and binders
Review previously covered content
Prepare for upcoming learning
Asli Dulger Year 11 & 12 Leading Teacher
VCE Vocational Major
Our VCE: Vocational Major (VCE) students have had a busy and productive start to the term, with many exciting opportunities already underway.
We are looking forward to seeing both our Year 11 and Year 12 cohorts presenting their proposals for their Personal Development Skills (PDS) group projects. This is always a highlight, as students showcase their ideas, planning, and teamwork. They will be presenting to a panel including our Principal, Assistant Principal, Vocational Major Leader, and Year 11 Coordinator, providing a valuable opportunity to gain feedback and further develop their projects.
Recently, our Year 11 VCE students attended an excursion to the Plenty Ranges Convention Centre. During this visit, they had the opportunity to meet with local employers as well as pathway representatives from TAFE and the Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN). This experience allowed students to explore a range of future options and gain insight into different industries and training pathways. They will now draw on this learning as they continue developing their understanding in Work Related Skills.
Meanwhile, our Year 12 students have already begun taking important steps toward their futures. They have started meeting with our Careers Team to discuss their post-school pathways, including further education, training, and employment opportunities. These conversations are an essential part of ensuring each student feels supported and prepared for life beyond school.
We are proud of the initiative and engagement shown by our VCE:VM students and look forward to sharing more of their achievements throughout the year.
Alex Connor VCE:VM Leading Teacher
Careers
Work Experience for Year 10, 11 & 12 – Why is it Valuable?
Work experience is one of the most valuable opportunities you can have while you’re still at school. It allows you to step into the real world of work, build confidence, develop practical skills and better understand what different careers involve. Even a short placement can help shape your subject choices, future study plans and career direction.
Preparing for work experience is just as important as the placement itself. The more effort you put in beforehand, the more you’ll gain. Check out some of the following tips:
Year 7–9: Start Building Foundations
Understand what work experience is and why it matters.
Start identifying your interests, strengths and skills.
Practice responsibility, teamwork and positive communication at school.
Outside of school, take on hobbies and sports, and be involved in local Community groups.
Year 10–12: Plan & Prepare
Research workplaces and career areas that interest you
Prepare a resume and communicate professionally with employers
Set clear learning goals and reflect on how work experience shapes your future plans
Communicate with your neighbours, wider family and community to build stronger networks
Useful Websites and Links
The following websites are also a great resource to start navigating career pathways.
The school’s Careers website allows students and parents to become more informed about career ideas, industries, Employment, Apprenticeships, Traineeships, University / TAFE courses, VCE & VET Subjects, “Bullseye” Career Targets, Career Action Plans & more.
Free online jobsite searches can be made by region and state, occupational category, type of employment – casual, part-time, or full-time, and covers a range of occupations.
Phones, Social Media and Bullying: What Parents Need to Know
Dear families,
Cyberbullying is an increasing concern for young people across Australia. With new laws and growing online pressures, it is more important than ever for families to feel informed and supported.
Cyberbullying refers to bullying that happens online or through digital devices, including repeated hurtful messages, sharing embarrassing images, spreading rumours, or excluding someone from online groups. Cyberbullying commonly occurs on platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Facebook, as well as through messaging apps, online games and group chats. Because it can happen at any time, it can feel constant and difficult for young people to escape.
The Australian Government has introduced rules restricting access to social media for children under 16 to reduce harmful content and online bullying. While this is a positive step, guidance at home remains the most important protection.
The eSafety Commissioner encourages parents to keep communication open, ask regularly about online experiences and listen calmly. Many young people hesitate to speak up because they worry their devices will be taken away, so building trust is key.
If your child experiences cyberbullying, stay calm and reassure them, save evidence such as screenshots, report the content to the platform and block the person involved. Avoid immediately removing their phone, as this may discourage them from asking for help in the future.
Support is available for families. You can contact Parentline on 13 22 89, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (24/7), or Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24/7).
Serious cases can be reported to the eSafety Commissioner on 1800 880 176 or via www.esafety.gov.au, where harmful content can be investigated and removed.
Cyberbullying can affect a young person’s wellbeing, confidence and sense of safety. By staying informed, keeping conversations open and seeking support when needed, families can help children navigate the online world safely.
Together, we can create a safe and supportive environment for all students. Please contact the Wellbeing Team if you need support.
Our year 12 VCE Physical Education students recently visited X – Golf Preston as part of their Unit 3, Area of Study 1 content in biomechanics and skill acquisition.
During the session, students rotated through simulator bays where they used a range of different golf clubs, including drivers and irons, to perform multiple swings while collecting detailed performance data. The advanced simulator technology provided immediate feedback on key biomechanical variables such as:
Club head speed
Ball speed
Carry distance
Accuracy
Spin rate
Students worked collaboratively to record and analyse their own primary data, applying concepts studied in class such as summation of momentum, levers, projectile motion etc. They compared how different clubs altered ball movement patterns and performance.
The excursion was an engaging and hands on learning experience, enabling students to deepen their understanding of biomechanical principles in dynamic sporting contexts preparing them for their upcoming written assessment. It was fantastic to see students actively applying classroom concepts in a practical environment while developing both their analytical and personal skills.
Well, done to our 12 VCE PE students for their enthusiastic participation and professionalism throughout the day!
Caitlin Richardson Health & Physical Education Assistant
Arts
Visual Arts
Well done to all students who completed the first CAT of the year! The work created by students from Year 7 to 10 has been completed to a great standard, especially for the first CAT. We’re looking forward to seeing how students build on this as we move through Unit 2.
In Week 8, our Year 11 Creative Practice students visited the Top Arts exhibition at the NGV, which showcases the top 43 students who completed VCE last year. It was a valuable chance to view both the finished artworks and the visual diaries, and to get a clearer sense of the standard expected at this level. Students also explored other NGV exhibitions, including some of Picasso’s masterpieces, which they are currently studying in class. Overall, it was a great experience and gave students a real-world look at what pursuing Visual Arts could look like in the future.
We are also really excited to start our new Art Club next term. Art Club will run on Week B Wednesdays at lunchtime in C12. Anyone is welcome to come along, and no experience is required. The aim of Art Club is to create a space where students can explore their creativity in a low pressure environment and meet like-minded people.
There are many exciting things coming up in the Art Department, which we are very much looking forward to. A reminder that students will be able to show off their work at the end-of-year Art Showcase, so keep up the good work!
Elena Vidiella Lopez Domain Support – Arts
Music
As we approach the end of term one, we are very happy to report that we have had a wonderful start to the year in music with our students across all year levels showcasing their hard work and talent.
As a department we were proud of our students who performed at our Harmony Day lunchtime concert. It can feel difficult to perform in front of your peers, and these students did an amazing job and helped bring life to the day. It was also great to so many students all around the school come down and support them enthusiastically, showcasing the school’s college value of “Be Good” as an audience.
Our instrumental and band program is also continuing to grow and going strong thanks to the hard work of our classroom and instrumental teachers, as well as our dedicated students, who help to make it a productive and fun learning environment.
There are still some places available in our instrumental music program with lessons being offered in Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Trumpet and Drums.
For more information, please contact your child’s music teacher or email Hugh.Kirne@education.vic.gov.au.
A reminder to families who hold a current Health Care Card that you are eligible to apply for the CSEF (Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund). For 2026, eligible families can apply for $400 per student.
These funds are paid directly to the school and are used to support the cost of camps, sports, excursions, and incursions throughout the year.
If you have not yet completed an application form, please contact the front office team. A copy of your Health Care Card will be required when submitting your application.
State Schools’ Relief
Families that are holders of a Health Care Card can receive up to three uniform vouchers, each valued at $85, through State Schools’ Relief.
We recommend spacing the use of these vouchers across the year to help cover uniform needs as seasons change.
There is a very limited availability for vouchers outside of these criteria for wellbeing cases. If you require additional support, please speak with Jade at the front office or a member of the wellbeing team.
Parent Payments
Parent payments are now live on Compass. Thank you to all families who have already made contributions, your support is greatly appreciated. We would also like to extend a special thank you to those families who have contributed to the Building Fund.
Compass allows families to adjust the recommended payment amount to suit their circumstances, and to make additional contributions at a later time when possible.
Every contribution, no matter how small, helps support the purchase of essential classroom consumables. Without parent contributions, the resources available to students would be significantly limited.
A reminder will be sent via Compass at the end of each term.
Lexia Collins Business Manager
Library
Adopt-a-Shelf: Student Library Display Program
We’re excited to launch Adopt-a-Shelf, a new student-driven initiative in the library that will commence in Term 2.
This program gives students the opportunity to design and curate their very own miniature book display. Students can choose a theme based on their interests – whether that’s a favourite genre, a topic they’re passionate about, or a creative concept – and bring it to life through books, decorations, and signage.
Successful applicants will ‘adopt’ a shelf for 2–3 weeks. During this time, they’ll be responsible for keeping their display stocked, tidy, and engaging for other students to explore. All students are encouraged to browse these shelves and borrow books featured in the displays.
Adopt-a-Shelf is a fantastic way for students to:
Share their love of reading
Recommend books to others
Get creative with design and presentation
Take ownership of a space in the library
Applications are now open, and we encourage interested students from all year levels to apply.
To apply, students can complete the Google Form here
We look forward to seeing the creativity and reading recommendations our students bring to the library!
Premier’s Reading Challenge
The Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) has opened for 2026. This year, students who would still like to take part can register as home-based readers with the support of a parent or carer.
The library will be supporting interested students with a display of challenge-listed books for students to browse and borrow. Students can then log these titles in their home-based PRC account.
To register as a home-based reader for the Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge:
Students who complete the required number of books during the challenge receive a certificate signed by the Premier of Victoria.
Further information is available on the PRC website.
Families can sign up to receive Premier’s Reading Challenge Coordinator Updates here.
Ellen Stephens Library Manager
Student Representative Council
Every so often, a trend emerges that’s too interesting to ignore, the latest highlight from our week was Harmony Day. It has finally happened! After many restless meetings and planning sessions, and all the behind‑the‑scenes coordination, the SRC is ready to unveil something truly special!
On the special day we had our Cultural Dance Showcase, students performed traditional dances, students shared their musical talents in the Live Music Performance, and enjoyed Hand Painting to create a collaborative poster. The ESC Cultural Connections [activities in the library] featured Harmony Day through creative tasks, and we also interviewed students for “What Does Harmony Day Mean to You?” to capture their personal perspectives on Harmony Day.
We are delighted to have shared this wonderful experience with the Elevation Secondary College community. As the SRC, we can’t wait to plan something like this again! Stay tuned as there will be possibly more thrilling events like this happening in the future!
Handprinting
For Harmony Day, the SRC ran a handpainting activity in C12 that many students enjoyed and participated in. Students painted their hands in a variety of colours and added them to a large poster, creating beautiful artwork that we will hang up in the office. It was lovely to see lots of students and friendship groups taking part.
Handpainting
ESC Students also hosted a Live Music performance outside G5 on Harmony Day. They played songs including ‘The Emptiness Machine’ by Linkin Park and ‘A Thousand Miles’ by Vanessa Carlton and there was a drumming soloist. The audience was so engaged by the performance that they even got up to dance! Thank you to the team of helpers who set up the band equipment and, of course, the school band themselves. This event could not have been as successful without you.
Cultural Dance Showcase
Everyone in the Elevation Secondary College community was given the chance to come perform a cultural dance from their background. Many people gathered together in the Gym during lunch time on Harmony Day to show off their amazing moves. Everyone who was a part of the dance did such an amazing job. We respect everybody who had a shot, it was wonderful to see everybody supporting one another and celebrating. We are pleased to have shared this experience with everybody.
ESC Cultural Connections
On Harmony Day, the SRC held a wonderful display case in the library, it showcased a map presenting diversity all across the world. There were various activities such as coloring, drawing, and many more. Many people in the Elevation Secondary College community took part in this event. We couldn’t be more grateful for all the people who gathered and enjoyed these activities.
This wouldn’t have been possible without your support!
