Weekly Wrap

Welcome to the latest edition of the Wrap.

Recently, in the light of the manner some of our neighbouring schools experienced the end of Year 12 classes,  we reflected on the wonderful manner in which our Class of 2023, Year 12 cohort completed their formal classes.

They conducted themselves with outstanding dignity and class.

They allowed us to celebrate the wonderful legacy they have left our College with.

We have seen many neighbouring schools grappling with some outrageous end of year celebrations this year that have resulted in significant damage to property, injury, arrests and damaged relationships.

Our students never place themselves or their College in this type of scenario.

We need to be seriously proud of our culture, our students, their families and our staff.

Our Valedictory Day is a humbling occasion, where we see our students at their very best, and we don’t take this for granted.

In 2024, Forest Hill College will be starting a STEAM Academy.

The students will be participating in Vex Robotics Tournaments across the year, programming, coding and designing products.

This is a unique program, mirroring the structure we have in place for our Sports and Performing Arts Academies.

STEAM Academy will be a subject that runs Monday to Thursday period 1.

It is open to students in all year levels and is free for 2024.

It will lead into VET Certificates/ VCE courses in Systems Design, Mechatronics and Engineering in years to come.

Expressions of interest will be called for in the coming weeks.

I am able to announce that Law Architects are the successful company who will be working with us to design our new Science and Technology building.

They have a strong folio of work in contemporary education settings.

Our first onsite design meeting will take place on Friday next week.

I have included a link to their website for your interest.

We met onsite this last Friday with the team from Law, local MP John Mullahy and College Council member Mel Rosso.

We did a walk around and discussed our vision for the Science and Technology Centre.

Discussions also revolved around the development of a new Music Centre.

The program is growing rapidly and we are excited about its future.

A new Music space would be an outstanding resource to support the team grow it even further.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to cause distress for staff, students, families and carers, especially those who have family and friends in the region.

FHC is a rich and diverse community and acknowledging that it is vital that our students, staff and families all feel safe and included in everything we do.

While we want to maintain an open and welcoming environment, we are also being vigilant in terms of safety, ensuring all our procedures, like visitors signing in and out, are being followed.

If your child is impacted and/or distressed by the current conflict, you may find some aspects of this resource helpful:

• Helping my children after trauma: A guide for parents.

 Support is also available through external services including:

• headspace: 1800 650 890
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636.

 Please feel free to get in contact me if you would like to discuss this further.

It was also great to see the relay team back together after all these years representing the college at the male 16 years 4 x 100m relay.

Also, another big congratulations to Billy who finally received his medal for the Division Athletics male 15 years champion.

Well done everyone, what a year it has been for FHC students within the Athletics realm.

Looking forward to seeing what next year brings. 

Instrumental Music Program

On Tuesday the 17th of October, the talented ensemble known as  the ‘JFC Project’ presented its final performance to staff at lunchtime.

JFC, consisting of Jackson , Francine and Cooper have performed over the year at various events and spaces around the school sharing their blend of voice and guitars to excited audiences.

Their time together comes to a close now as Jackson moves onto the final hurdle of VCE, the end of year exams.

It is a bitter sweet moment saying goodbye to Jackson.

Since the pandemic lockdowns, Jackson has been collaborating with various artists at school to produce video recordings, live performances and fundamentally support our Instrumental Music Program.

His talent and skill on guitar has grown from strength to strength and has been a source of great inspiration to other students.

On behalf of the various bands and Instrumental Music team, we wish Jackson a brilliant future and thank him for his dedication to the many projects he has contributed to.

Community News

Forest Hill College and Food Bank Victoria have been partnering together for many years to provide accessible and healthy meals to any and all students whilst they are here. Along with that, we have seen many initiatives done to further ensure that families at FHC have the food support they need.

 

Continuing on this, Food Bank has given us access to their Mobile Market; a converted bus that is used as a fresh food market providing free fresh food to the community.

 

The Market is happening on Thursday the 9th of November from 1130am to 12 pm at Crossway Lifecare in Burwood East.

 

This Market currently is invite only due to the numbers they have, so if this would benefit you and your family, please reach out to me at c.lipscomb@fhc.vic.edu.au or call 9814 9444.

 

These invites will be given out on a first come first serve basis, so please let me know as soon as possible.

 

As always, there are plenty of local opportunities for weekly food support if you are unable to get to the market and I can give you those details.