Welcome to the Term 1 Week 8 edition of our e-newsletter

This week our Leadership Team helped each Year 12 student set goals and reflect on SAC data from Term 1. Each student talked about supports they could identify and committed to discuss possible solutions with their teachers.  They also completed  an ATAR calculation, giving them information on required scores for each subject in order to achieve their chosen tertiary outcome.  In coming weeks, the students will work with their teachers to ensure they achieve the success they deserve. The aim is to support and challenge each student to achieve the best ATAR score they can and to monitor their progress.

Congratulations Years 7 & 9. All our staff have been impressed with the mature and diligent way in which our students approached their recent Naplan tests. This data forms the basis of how we then support students to achieve their potential. We are proud of the way the Year 7 and 9 students approached the testing period.

The STEAM Academy that we launched this year is making outstanding progress. This week the students commenced construction of their robots for the upcoming VEX Robotics Championships. We began with 8 students and have grown to 20 by the end of Term 1. There is a wonderful energy in their classroom each morning, as these students navigate the construction of their robots in teams. If there are any parents interested in having a look at this program, we run tours every Monday morning at 9:15am.

Yesterday, as a school we completed our Harmony Week celebrations with a visual commitment through our annual drone photo. Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.​ This year Student Parliament and their representatives chose the word ONE to signify our unity at Forest Hill College.

Last Thursday Forest Hill College was proud to host the Term 1 SLAV (School Library Association of Victoria) Eastern Metro Branch meeting in our Library.

Around 20 school library staff from other local Government, Private and Catholic schools gathered in the school library to network, discuss latest school library best practices and of course, see how we run our school library.

Each meeting is held in a different school library and we were proud to show off our space and discuss how we support our school community.

Thanks to Jane and Kim and the Year 11 Food Tech students for catering an amazing afternoon tea that everyone enjoyed.

The reputation of our Library is growing every Year, and we are very pleased with the way it meets the needs of our students and staff and promotes a culture of reading.

I would like to congratulate Mel Rosso, Nat Faulkner and Emily Youssef on their successful nominations for College Council. Our first meeting of the new Council is on Wednesday 27^th March.  The first item of business is the election of office bearers. This is where we elect our College Council President. Once this is complete we will inform our community. As always, we are very grateful to work with our parent, community and student members as the provide governance oversight of the College. At this meeting Law Architects will present schematic designs for our Science, Art, Foods, Technology and Canteen renovations. Once accepted by the College Law Architects will move to the next phase. We are still very much on track for work to commence in November of this year.

Dave Rogers & Nicky Buckingham

College Co-Principals

NAPLAN

Year 7 & 9 students have just completed their NAPLAN testing for 2024!

This rigorous nation-wide test assesses reading, writing, conventions of language, and numeracy and provides our teachers and school improvement team with a deep understanding of the current achievement of our students.

It also highlights areas for improvement, and these become our strategic goals and the focus for improving student outcomes.

Just before NAPLAN commenced, year 9 students participated in a 1:1 data conversation.

This was a valuable experience where we could communicate individual achievement data, reflect on any learning barriers, and set clear goals to improve academic skills.

We look forward to having similar conversations with our year 7 students.

Xianjun Chen & Emily Dillon (NAPLAN coordinators)

Student Parliament News – Harmony Week

This past week, our student leaders have been hard at work organizing and participating in a variety of activities to promote unity and leadership within our school community.

In celebration of Harmony Week, they encouraged all students to wear orange to show their support for inclusivity and diversity.

They also organized for the school drone to capture an aerial photo of all students and staff forming a human chain in the shape of the word “ONE” to commemorate Harmony Day.

Pi Day was on March 14th, where they promoted the appreciation of mathematics with a pi memorization contest with fun Pi Day prizes including a yummy chocolate chunk pie.

The student leaders diligently facilitated running part of a student leadership excursion last Friday 15th, focused on skill-building and teamwork.

Additionally, they are actively coordinating a BBQ and raffle event for the Leo Club to raise funds for community service initiatives.

The dedication and enthusiasm of our student leaders continue to make a significant impact on our school environment.

Paula York

Student Voice

Library News – Announcing the Forest Hill College Festival Of Stories

We are excited to announce that in Term 2 we will be holding our very first Forest Hill College Festival of Stories

From May 1st to May 13th there will be activities held in the library each day that celebrates stories.

Events include author visits, a writing competition, journaling workshops to help you tell your own story… and more!

Keep an eye on our social media and Compass for more details.

If you are not already following the school library on Instagram… you can find us @fhclibrary

 

Helen Farch

Library Technician

PI Day

Thursday 14th of March was Pi Day.

To celebrate, student parliament along, with Mr Pain and Ms York hosted a competition to list as many digits of Pi as they could.

The competition required students to name as little as one digit in order to participate.

Twenty students competed to win tribe points and win the pie.

In year 7, Yianni I recited an incredible 34 digits, years 8/9 Griffin B was the winner with 65 digits.

In year levels 10-12 Maddie M from year 11 won the pie with an astronomical total of 118 digits.

Pi day was the first of four faculty events being held this year.

Next term, in coordination with the festival of stories, there will be a writing competition

Paula York

Student Voice

Year 12 Psychology

This week our Year 12 Psychology students attended an online incursion with postdoctoral researcher Dr Djamilia Eliby.

Dr Eliby talked to the students about her recent contributions to the Bugs and Brains Study at the University of Melbourne, as well as her knowledge of the gut-brain axis to deepen the knowledge of Unit 3, AOS1, DP5.

Students learnt more about the characteristics of the gut microbiota and the diversity of the microbiome in females with anxiety and depression within her recent study and how it’s currently helped us better understand the link between mental health and various factors, including including diet, early life experience, stress and wellbeing.

Carol Tau

Science Learning Area Leader

Sports News

The past few months has proven to be incredibly busy, but a very successful time for sport!

Students represented the school in a range of sports including volleyball, tennis, cricket, baseball, and swimming at a division level.

Across these sports, over twenty teams competed against other schools where we showcased our high levels of skills, knowledge, and sportsmanship.

FHC applaud all our student-athletes and staff members for their dedication and passion, and we look forward to achieving more success in the upcoming months.

We also want to make a special mention to our ’15 Yr. Freestyle Relay Team’ who will be competing in Regional Swimming next week, wishing Ethan C, Luka S, Zander McC and Ben L all the best!

Bridget Mimmo

Sports Coordinator

Food Technology

Lots has been happening in our Food Technology classes.

This week our yr 8 students made salad in a jar and learnt how to construct a healthy balanced compound salad with all the elements so it kept fresh in a jar for the day.

Earlier this term, our Year 8 students also made healthy version of take away food…  “fake away”.

They made big mac tacos.

Quite a few of them and some staff have gone on to make them at home since

Amazing class!

This term our Year 9/10 Baking group A students completed a CAT to design a birthday cake, with some wonderful results.

Year 8 Health Class

This week, during their Health class, our year 8 students delved into the intricacies of alcohol consumption and its potential harms to both oneself and others.

Our school nurse, Leigh James,  facilitated an engaging, hands-on learning experience.

Students donned ‘drunk goggles’ to simulate the effects of alcohol on their motor skills and perception, gaining a firsthand understanding of impairment while they attempted to carry out basic tasks.

Additionally, they honed their skills by practicing the precise pouring of standard drink measurements.

This interactive session equipped the students with practical insights into identifying the risks associated with varying levels of alcohol consumption.