I’M A STUDENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
We understand how important our role is in helping you uncover the answers to all of your questions.
We will start at the beginning of your transition journey and take you right through until the first day of school 2022.
ORIENTATION AND SCHOOL LIFE
WHAT IS ORIENTATION DAY?
This is a fantastic day for you to meet and get to know the students who will be joining you in Year 7 next year. Every Grade 6 student goes to their new high school on the same day.
On this day, you will wear your primary school Uniform, bring your lunch and snacks or money to spend at the canteen.
We all gather together at the Forest Hill College Theatre at the start of the school day, where we meet the teachers and then we head off in groups for the rest of the day.
The purpose of the day is to experience high school exactly as you will when you arrive on your first day next year.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT BOOKS AND STATIONERY I NEED TO BRING NEXT YEAR?
Don’t worry! We will send your parent/guardian an email with a link to all of the information you need. This will include a booklist. You will get a new booklist every year as you progress through secondary school.
On the Booklist, it will tell you which textbooks you will require, the novel you will be reading for the year and what kind of other stationery you might need.
DO I NEED TO WEAR A UNIFORM?
Yes. Forest Hill College has a compulsory uniform and our students wear it with pride. Students have the choice of wearing pants/shorts/skirts but must wear black lace up shoes that are able to be polished.
You also have the choice of wearing a polo shirt or button up shirt (and tie) or a College blazer or jacket.
Our school uniform is different to our Academy Uniform.
WHEN IS MY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR YEAR 7 2022?
Your first day of school at FHC will be Tuesday 1st February 2022. Year 7 students at FHC get to start before all other year levels, from this date onward you will wear your full Forest Hill College uniform.
The first day is always fun, with activities to help you settle in. You will meet school staff, your teachers, receive your locker and combination lock, and begin to experience your new subjects.
WHAT ARE THE TEACHERS LIKE?
Our teachers are friendly, honest and caring people. Their goal in the classroom is to keep challenging you to grow your skills and knowledge. You will feel comfortable asking questions and receiving help.
HOW LONG IS RECESS & LUNCH?
Our days is split up into 7 parts. Our classes are held during a timeslot called a Period. We have Period 1, 2, 3 & 4. Then there is recess, Connect and lunchtime.
It looks like this:
Period 1 9:00-10:10am
Recess 10:10-10:35am
Connect 10:35-10:51am
Period 2 10:53 -12:03am
Period 3 12:05-1:15pm
Lunch 1:15-2:05pm
Period 4 2:05 -3:15pm
CAN I BRING A BASKETBALL/NETBALL/DOWNBALL TO SCHOOL TO USE AT BREAKS?
Of course! Downball is very popular with our students. Just remember to label your item clearly.
IS THERE A CAMP IN YEAR 7?
Yes. Camp is usually held toward the end of Year 7 and by this time you will have had the chance to make many new friends. We stay at Camp Manyung on the Mornington Peninsula, so it’s nice and close to home. It’s an adventure style camp, but the activities are suitable for people of all abilities.
Camp runs over 3 days and 2 nights.
CAN I LEARN AN INSTRUMENT?
Absolutely! We have what is called an Instrumental Music program. There is a range of instruments available to learn such as guitar, clarinet, drums etc. Our students have their lessons scheduled into their timetable each week.
WILL I GET HOMEWORK?
Yes. Homework is part of secondary school life. The amount of homework you receive will be suitable for your abilities at each year level.
DO YOU HAVE A LIBRARY?
We sure do, the library is located across the courtyard from the William Barak Centre (which is where all Year 7’s are based). Helen and Kym run our library, they are super helpful and can help you borrow books, find resources for learning and answer any questions you might have. Homework Club also runs out of the library.
DO YOU HAVE A CANTEEN?
We have recently changed Canteen providers and now our staff and students order their lunch online via the Compass Portal.
Orders are then preparedand delivered by Cafe Oggi (located just a few minutes away from the College).
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM LATE TO SCHOOL?
If you don’t make it to school on time, you just need to visit the General Office and sign in at the Compass Kiosk. The staff at the General Office will show you what to do if this happens.
DO YOU HAVE A SICK BAY AT FHC?
Yes, we do. It is located in the General Office and we have four staff members who are able to help you if you are sick or injured.
CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
WHAT TYPES OF CLUBS AND PROGRAMS DO YOU OFFER?
We have a Student Parliament. This would be like how Primary Schools structure their student leader programs. Our Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister would be the equivalent of a School Captain and Vice Captain. Then other members of Parliament would be similar to say an Art Captain, Sport Captain etc.
We have a Leo Club, which is a fantastic community minded group. Leos are young people who want to make a difference.
Aged between 12 and 30 years, Leos are the youngest members of Lions Clubs International.
They get together to deliver projects that will help to make the world a better place.
We also have a Debating Club, Games Club, Robotics Club and a Breakfast Club. So much to choose from!
DO YOU HAVE A SCHOOL PRODUCTION?
We sure do! Each year FHC presents a different production. Our Year 7s are encouraged to jump in and audition. It’s a great way to make friends and get involved in the FHC school community.
WHAT OTHER CALENDAR EVENTS/ACTIVITIES HAPPEN AT FHC?
Absolutely! Here are a few examples:
At the very beginning of the year during Term 1, we hold a Welcome BBQ for students and families of Year 7. It’s a great way to introduce your family/carer to your new friends and teachers.
Here is list of just some of the other events we celebrate:
Lunar New Year
Harmony Day
RUOK Day
Swimming and Athletics Carnival
Wear It Purple Day
ANZAC Day
IDAHOBIT Day
Bullying No Way Day
Movember
Basketball Marathon
Breakfast Club
I’VE HEARD ABOUT YOUR BASKETBALL MARATHON, WHAT IS THAT?
Basketball Marathon is one of our biggest events of the school calendar!
There is a different theme each year. We have had ‘Kingdoms’, 70’s & 80’s and Comic Con to name a few and all money raised from the Basketball Marathon is donated to the Leukaemia Foundation.
Tip-off is at 9am in the morning of BBM and the basketball game runs continuously for 24 hours. The closing ceremony is always fun and it wraps up a great event with an Assembly taking place that morning.
SPORT AT FHC
DO YOU HAVE SPORT HOUSES?
We have a similar set up to school houses. We call ours Tribes. We have red, green, blue and yellow. When your enrolment is complete at FHC you will be allocated to a Tribe. You will find out in the first few weeks of school which Tribe you are in.
DO YOU HAVE SCHOOL SPORT?
Yes we do. We have an Athletics Day and a Swimming Carnival Each Year. They are fun days and all students attend these events. Students love to get dressed up in their Tribe colours.
We also participate in interschool sport which you may already be familiar with.
