Welcome to edition 1 of Term 4

Welcome to Week 4 of Term 4 and a heartfelt congratulations to our Year 12 students.

The end of the school year for year 12s is always an emotional time, so it was a delight to see all our students leaving with class and dignity, expressing gratitude and consideration for their teachers and sharing their excitement with their families.

Our Valedictory and final assembly was a great success, so I encourage you to ensure you attend both when your child reaches Year 12.

It’s such a fun time as staff, students and families reminisce together about highlights in the past 6 years.

Yesterday morning at 8am, our wonderful teachers volunteered to provide a nutritious breakfast for all our Year 12s prior to their first exam, English.

Our chief exam supervisor, Dianna, was again impressed with our young people and their approach to their exam, letting us know the students made good use of their time and continued writing, editing and proofreading right up until the last minute.

As has been our way for a number of years now, students on swotvac are able to access their usual classes and teachers right up until the day of their exam if they wish.

Whilst we have record numbers of students making the most of this opportunity, please continue to encourage your child to attend to receive that last minute assistance.

If there is a concept that has been elusive, it can suddenly click into place so no revision or assistance is too late.

 This year we trailed an extension English and Maths class at year 7, enabling each year 7 student to receive an extra 2 periods each of Maths and English for 1 semester- which is 48% additional Maths and English in their weekly timetable.

I am very happy to be able to continue this into next year with the class being able to continue across both semesters.

This will enable our LT Literacy- Emily Dillon and LT Numeracy -Xianjun Chen to work closely with those teachers to ensure our students are being constantly extended in their learning in these areas, a great outcome for our students.

 We are also leading a Naplan Improvement Forum with 5 schools to help them experience greater outcomes in Numeracy on November 28^th.

Thank you to Xianjun for his leadership in this area.  

 As has been discussed in previous newsletters our contract with Victorian Schoolwear is coming to an end so please be aware that the on-site shop will be closing from 15^th November.

If you think your child will be needing new uniform before the new year please make sure you purchase before that date.

Watch this space for details concerning the new provider and their opening hours in coming weeks.

 Our timetabling process for 2025 is now almost complete.

I’m happy to announce that 98% of students will receive their elective choices. 

All timetables will be emailed to students in the next few days.

Term 4 is always a busy time so if I can remind everyone of a few important dates;

 Monday 4^th November Day before the Melbourne Cup. We have been advised by a large number of parents that they will be travelling for the weekend. This is conjunction with the number of staff taking their entitled time in lieu has meant I have been required to ask remaining staff to ensure no new material is covered on this day. There is a likelihood that the remaining classes will be collapsed, and students will be completing catch up work.

Tuesday 5^th November Melbourne Cup

Wednesday 6^th – Thursday 14^th November Forest Hill College Exam period (Years 10 & 11 are only required to attend for their scheduled exams).

Thursday 15^th November Year 11 Formal

Friday 16^th November Curriculum Day (to allow teachers to prepare for Year 25 commencement)

Monday 18^th November Year 25 commences

Wednesday 4^th December Student Parliament Science Fair

Tuesday 10^th December Orientation Day

Wednesday 11^th December Last day of scheduled classes

Thursday 12^th December Presentation Evening (rehearsals during the day for those students receiving an award)

Monday 16- Thursday 19^th December Academic review panels (for those students required to attend)

Our school council members are a great support to the school, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for volunteering their time to work with me to ensure our school continues to flourish.

If you have been thinking about joining school council, I’d encourage you to consider putting your name forward in February.

The time commitment can be as little as 8 meetings per year, depending on your time and availability.

It’s a rewarding and informative role and it would be lovely to have as much parent representation as possible as we go into our $10.9m building cycle.

I know you will join me in thanking our staff and students for the hard work they have been undertaking so far this term.

At Forest Hill College we continue to focus on teaching and learning for the whole term so please ensure your child attends all classes as required to ensure they don’t miss any valuable learning.

 

Nicky Buckingham

College Co-Principal

Year 12 Celebrations

On Thursday the 17^th of October, the year 12’s embarked on their final celebration for their six years of schooling at Forest Hill College.

In the morning, the school gathered together to participate in the Year 12’s final assembly.

We heard from a number of students who reminisced on their time here at Forest Hill College and shared their good wishes for times to come.

Parents, students and teachers were then invited to a morning tea in the staff room where they signed jackets and said farewell to staff that have been integral to their journey.

 

The celebration continued at the Grand on Princes, where students were dressed to impress.

Subject awards were presented and the much awaited Valedictorian was awarded.

 

Congratulations to James L, who is our 2024 Valedictorian!

Kimberley Froelich

Head of Sub-School – Later Years

Library News

Book Club Author Visit

On Tuesday October 15th we had an extra special Book Club session with author Melanie La’Brooy visiting us.

The students who attended had so many questions for Melanie, and learnt about her writing process and journey.

Kindness Library

“There are people everywhere who need help, who might seem okay on the outside but aren’t on the inside. People whose whole entire day can be changed …”
– Small Acts by Kate Gordon & Kate Foster

Welcome to our Kindess Library…. where students are encouraged to….

Create Kindess – by making Kindess Rocks that they can either take with them or leave for other students (thanks to Bunnings Vermont South for donating the rock to be decorated)

Receive Kindness – by taking a Kindess Rock created by other students or a sticker that promotes positive vibes

Spread Kindness – by writing a Thank You card to someone in their life they are thankful for

Be Kind To themselves – by choosing one of the self-care products supplied

The importance of Kindness cannot be overstated, and this new iniative is one we are already seeing students make us of.

This is another example of how the school library team are constantly looking at ways to support our school community.

Helen Farch

Library Technician

Sporting News

Our final term of sport was short but very sweet with eight of our students advancing from Regional Athletics through to the State Finals!

We had three students qualify for individual events; Bailey L, Ethan J and Jay T as well as two Relay Teams; Billy C, Cooper G, Harry F, Max M(16’s) and Ethan J, Jay T, Alex F and Bailey L(17’s).

 

The energy each student brought to the track was electric and it was truly amazing to watch, we are beyond proud of all students who achieved incredible results on the day, and we can’t wait for the next athletics event!

• Bailey L – 100m Sprint: 5th Place, 11:68
• Ethan J – Long Jump: 4th Place, 6.13m (PB)
• Jay T – 400m Run: 4th Place, 53.36 (PB)
• 16’s 4x100m Relay – Billy C, Cooper G, Harry F, Max M: 4th Place, 46.53 (PB)
• 17’s 4x100m Relay – Ethan J, Jay T, Alex F and Bailey L: 3rd Place, 46.04 (PB)

FHC also participated in the Junior T20 Blast Cricket tournament where our team advanced to the Division Round, they played exceptionally well on the day and are scheduled to play again next week – good luck team!

Lastly, a special mention to our Year 12 students who have recently been selected to represent their sport at a professional level.

Sienna T for the Women’s Melbourne Victory Football Club and Emi W for the Men’s Melbourne Rebels – Super Rugby Pacific.

We are overwhelmed with excitement for you both and wish you all the best in the future as you begin this new journey!

Bridget Mimmo

Sport Coordinator