杏吧论坛

Welcome back to all students, staff and families, who I trust had a refreshing break to enable an energised start to the new semester.

Discernment
Fittingly for this time of year, Pope Leo XIV鈥檚 for July is 鈥楩or formation in discernment鈥�. While our new pontiff most likely did not have our school year in mind, Term 3 provides opportunities for discernment both for this year and for 2026.

• Subject Selection has begun, including increasing choices for students in the Middle Years and key pathways decisions for Senior Years.
• Year 10 students have their recent Careers Experience week to help guide them as they join Year 11 students in determining their VCE or VCE VM pathways and looking towards post-school vocation or tertiary studies.
• Year 12 students will be examining possible VTAC preferences, or workplace and apprenticeship opportunities.
  

Please see the Learning@杏吧论坛 section below for and Careers Expo details (August 14).

As each student contemplates the choices to unlock their 鈥榖est self鈥�, we pray for them in Pope Leo鈥檚 words:

Holy Spirit, light of our understanding, serene impulse of our decisions, grant me the grace of attentive listening to your voice, to discern 鈥渢he passwords鈥� of my heart, that which I am most sensitive to, to understand what is truly important to me and to rid myself of what disturbs my heart.

I ask for the grace to learn to pause to become aware of my way of acting, of the feelings that inhabit me and, of the recurring thoughts that condition me, and that I often do not notice. I want to know myself and understand my deepest desires so that my decisions lead me to the joy that comes only from You. Even if I have to go through uncertainties and hardships, even if I have to fight, think, and seek鈥� In the end, your joy in me is the fruit of the right decision. Grant me a deeper understanding to know myself more, to know You more, to love You more and serve You.

Semester 1 Reports published today

A great starting point for discerning future directions is your child鈥檚 Semester 1 report, released today (via PAM). I encourage you to use the report to discuss with your child the successes of Semester 1, and examine the opportunities for improvement. What factors helped the successes? How do they respond to the question 鈥淚s this my best effort鈥�? What changes can they make to enhance their learning further in Semester 2?

Year 7, 2027 Enrolments closing 15 August 

Applications for enrolment in Year 7 2027 will close on Friday 15 August 2025. Current families are reminded that applications for your Year 5 child need to be made via the College website at . Should you have any enquiries, please email the College Registrar at registrar@aquinas.vic.edu.au .

The Wedding Singer!

We are all looking forward to seeing the many months of hard work and the talent of our students on display in our College production of . Please see below for details of for the performances across 31 July - 2 August and 7 - 9 August.

David Broadbent 

Principal

Here is the slide we used to ask students to focus on their future studies.

Year 7 students are allocated classes in Year 8 so no choices are required. We conduct a Parent Teacher meeting with Year 7 families and their homeroom teacher on the same night as subject selection. Bookings will open on August 5, at the same time as other meetings. There is enough time set aside for all families to meet with the homeroom teachers.

Michael Box

Deputy Principal Learning

Students are at the centre of their own learning journey and their growth is strongest when they take initiative, engage actively, and make informed choices about their learning. Families, schools, and the wider community provide the guidance, encouragement, and structure that enable students to thrive in this role.

How does 杏吧论坛 support students as they make essential choices about their future?

In semester one, Year 10, students begin exploring their strengths and future options through the Morrisby Careers platform .This tool helps students understand their interests and capabilities, and lays the foundation for decisions about future study and career pathways.

This preparation leads directly into the new Year 10 Career Experience program, introduced in 2025. Designed to provide real-world exposure, this initiative allows students to engage directly with the workplace. It helps them clarify their goals, develop confidence, and see how classroom learning connects to life beyond school.

Feedback from students and families has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents shared:

鈥渨as able to gain insight into many different areas鈥�. also benefited from interaction with people from diverse backgrounds who work there.鈥�

鈥� 鈥�..(the) experience greatly improved my child鈥檚 independence and confidence.鈥�

鈥�.....was able to validate that this is a career path he wants to pursue. Investing the time and money in university is a big commitment. And this (experience) has helped him firm up his goals. It has motivated him to want to try harder in school as this is the path he wants to pursue.鈥�

鈥渞eal-world exposure to a professional environment, helping her develop confidence, communication skills, and a clearer understanding of workplace expectations.鈥�

鈥� 鈥�was up and ready on time and was eager to help. 鈥︹��was happier at home and liked telling us about her day.鈥�

鈥�....enjoyed every single minute of it, he felt really good about himself to accomplish his work experiences.鈥�

We would like to acknowledge and thank the Careers Team for their initiative, guidance and commitment in developing this important program. Thank you also to the Pastoral Team for delivering materials and supporting students throughout the week, and to the many families who helped source employers and manage logistics. Congratulations to everyone involved on a highly successful launch.

As students move into Semester Two, the focus turns to subject selection for 2026. 杏吧论坛 offers multiple opportunities to ensure that students and families are supported through this process.

During THRIVE sessions, students are guided through structured learning activities to help them explore their options and make informed decisions. These Thursday sessions are tailored to each year level.

This week鈥檚 session provided an overview of course structures, subject pathways, and the tools available for planning.

Next week, Year 10 students will: Reflect on their Morrisby report results; Develop their understanding of the similarities and differences between VCE and VCE VM; Choose which English to study; map possible subjects and develop a 3 year learning plan.

Year 11 students will: Review their strengths, interests and future goals; Access and use the VTAC Prerequisite Explorer to investigate course options; Register for an Tafe or University Open Day event; Explore industry information and apprenticeship courses; Complete / update a Career Action Plan.

To make the most of upcoming events, Year 10 students will also prepare inquiry questions to bring to subject teachers at the upcoming Subject Selection Expo.

Year 11 students currently undertaking one VCE or VET subject in 2025 are required to select a fifth subject for 2026. Mrs Greenwood, Student Program Coordinator and I will guide students in choosing subjects that:

* Build on subjects already studied (e.g., progressing from Math Methods 3/4 to General Maths 3/4)
* Share transferable skills (e.g., from VET Cookery to Food Studies 3/4)
* Revisit subjects of interest from Years 9 or 10 they may not have previously pursued.
* If students have completed 2 or 3 VCEReady subjects it may be worthwhile to consider subjects that will reflect well on university applications.


The annual Subject Selection Expo (SSE) is a highlight of the 杏吧论坛 calendar. Families are invited to visit subject displays, attend staff presentations, and meet one-on-one with staff at Mentor Meetings. This year, the Expo is expanding to include a Careers Expo, providing students and families the opportunity to connect with external learning and training providers.

Please note the following changes to the school day on Thursday, August 14:

* Classes conclude at 12:15 pm to allow time for Mentor Meetings and the Expo to run.
* Year 11 students will remain on campus until 2:30pm for scheduled careers events
* Further information about the day's program will be shared with Yr 11 families next week


The next edition of The Lighthouse will include more details about the 杏吧论坛 Careers Expo and how students can prepare to engage meaningfully with the event.

While younger students prepare for their future subjects, our Year 12 VCE students are preparing for life after school. They are currently being introduced to the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) platform, ahead of account registration opening on August 4.

The VTAC platform provides students with guidance, insights, and tools are available to help students explore tertiary education options, understand entry requirements, and navigate various study and career pathways. VTAC serves as a central hub for course applications, oversees applications for the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) and manages scholarship programs offered by tertiary providers. Parents and caregivers may benefit from to the services offered by VTAC.

Furthermore for all Year 12 students, look out for the Melbourne Career Expo advertising in this edition of the Lighthouse. We encourage all students to attend this weekend at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. The expo encompasses all career opportunities from employment to education and training in the trades, corporate and professional sectors.

At 杏吧论坛, we are committed to supporting students as they grow into confident, capable young people who can make informed and meaningful choices about their future. Through developmentally designed programs, real-world learning experiences, and strong partnerships with families and our wider community, we aim to nurture each student鈥檚 strengths and aspirations. Guiding and encouraging them as they explore who they are, where their interests lie, and the many pathways open to them. We look forward to seeing the students with their families at the Year 10 Mentor Meetings and Subject Selection Expo.

Rachel Crawley

Head Senior Years

 
The Wedding Singer 鈥� Opening Next Week!


The wait is nearly over! The Wedding Singer hits the stage next week, and excitement is building fast for what promises to be an unforgettable production.


Since Term 1, over 60 talented student performers from Years 7 to 12 have been working hard during Monday and Thursday afternoon rehearsals. Their energy, commitment, and love for the Performing Arts have brought this 80s-inspired musical to life. In Terms 2 and 3, musicians and backstage crew joined the team, completing our talented production community.

The Wedding Singer takes us back to the loud, colourful world of the 1980s and asks the timeless question: 鈥淲hat鈥檚 love got to do with it?鈥� Follow Robbie Hart (Macsen Reynolds), a charming and talented wedding singer, as he navigates heartbreak after being left at the altar by Linda (Dulcie White). With help from his hilarious and supportive friends鈥擲ammy (Ewan Dawson), George (Sienna Stevenson), Holly (Ella Kennedy), and his bold Grandma Rosie (Ava Breaden)鈥擱obbie confronts romantic rivals like Glen (Travis Pearson) and discovers his true love in Julia (Rose Ennis).

Get ready for an awesome production where Robbie and Julia go through all the ups and downs to find love! With catchy songs, laugh-out-loud moments, and throwbacks to everything we love about the 80s鈥擠eLorean cars, massive mobile phones, Hammer pants, and more鈥攖his is one musical you won鈥檛 want to miss!

Get your tickets via trybooking      ** Stay tuned for a special ticket deal coming on Monday! **

Show Dates 鈥� Mahon Theatre
31 July 鈥� 2 August
7 August 鈥� 9 August

** Keep and eye out on social media for fancy dress and other competitions for audience members each night!

Mark your calendars and come along to support our incredible cast and crew. 

Gina Goss, Sarah Owen, Alysia Silvagni 

Musical Directors

As we set foot into term 3 of our final year of high school, the stakes become even higher. Each subject is now on their last few sacs for Unit 4 and as content starts to wrap up soon, we can begin to cast our minds to the end of year exams and the conclusion of our journey here at 杏吧论坛. We have given our all this year and have all worked extremely hard but it will take one final push to ensure we each give ourselves the best opportunity at success.

We can take a lot of inspiration from the current Tour de France happening at the moment. I like to see this term as a great representation of what the cyclists are currently experiencing. It鈥檚 the pinnacle of cycling, pushing riders to both their physical and mental limits. Completing a day's stage is like turning up to school and getting the work done. The intermediate sprints and climbs throughout the stages are like the SAC鈥檚 that we will complete throughout this term. Then the final stage, the sprint into the Champs-脡lys茅es is like the end of the year exams we will sit. By using this race as inspiration, it allows us to always put things back into perspective.

One crash or one challenge such as a SAC you might face doesn鈥檛 define you even if things don鈥檛 go to plan. It鈥檚 just about getting back up the next day and continuing to work hard in order to achieve your end year goal because the finish line is almost in sight. Sometimes you need to forget and move on because there is no use dwelling on the past. Like the many teams in the Tour de France, all of the Year 12 Cohort here at 杏吧论坛 is one massive team and our coaches are our amazing teachers who are there to inspire us and provide us with valuable resources and knowledge. Sometimes it can be very easy to feel overwhelmed and alone on this journey but when you realise the support you have from peers, friends and teachers alike it makes it that much easier to push to the end.

Maeve Wilkinson and Lachie Buyck

School Vice Captains

 The Wedding Singer

The Music Department is proud to be supporting the school musical, The Wedding Singer, which opens next week in the Mahon Theatre. The pit band, made up of music staff and two students, Seb Farrell and Tyler Francis, have been preparing for weeks, and we are looking forward to bringing it all together at the tech and dress rehearsals this weekend. Chookas to everyone taking part, and make sure you to come and watch!

Welcome to Alice Bisschops

We are pleased to welcome Alice Bisschops to the Music Department. Alice is teaching instrumental clarinet this semester, while our regular teacher, Gabi Basman, is travelling overseas. Alice is an accomplished musician and teacher who will engage and inspire students of all levels. Alice will be working on Mondays and currently has room for two extra students! Contact the music administrator, Sally Pace, for more information about lessons.

AMEB Exams

Some of our students are undertaking AMEB (Australian Music Examination Board) music examinations this term. We wish them all good luck for their preparations and exams.

AMEB exams are a great way for students to set and achieve goals in their music practice. It offers a sense of achievement as students progress through grades of study. The challenge of sitting an exam grows performance abilities and resilience, in a safe and encouraging environment.

Alison Bellew
Music Program Coordinator

Each year, around 300,000 people volunteer their time to engage in environmental activities improve our local environment. While every day can be Tree Day, Plant Ark dedicates the celebration of Schools Tree Day and National Tree Day on the last Friday and last Sunday in July. 杏吧论坛 College will participating in Schools Tree Day on August 6th. You can join your local community groups this Sunday to plant trees. Click here to find a site in your local area:

Karyn Myers

Sustainability Coordinator

GREAT RYRIE PRIMARY SCHOOL SOCCER TOURNAMENT

Students are currently studying SISXPLD002 Deliver Recreational Sessions.

As part of their practical assessment small groups are responsible for delivering 3 different recreational sessions.

One of these is organising a Sporting Tournament for Grade 3s from Great Ryrie Primary School to participate in.

杏吧论坛 College students choose the sport, modify the rules, create a fixture, organise equipment and assign other students in the class a role for the day (such as umpire or coach).

On Tuesday 5th June we enjoyed a successful Soccer Tournament led by Dylan, Seb P, Seb R, Aiden, Myles and James. It was great to see some members of this group step out of their comfort zone as the lead facilitators of the event, they should be really proud of their organisation and efforts.

This was our 6th and final session with Great Ryrie Primary School in this class. We all have learnt so much in our time together and really appreciate the opportunities.

Jeff Harrington 

VET Teacher

This week our Year 7 students participated in the CONNECT program. This jam-packed week encourages our young students to "connect"...with their peers; with their House Patron catechisms; with their creative, growth mindset; and with the opportunities and curriculum at the College.

Year 9 Dominic  - My Melbourne
 
In Term Two, the Year 9 Dominic students had the opportunity to explore the city of Melbourne. Over the course of one week, we travelled to various destinations and encountered the authentic realities of the city, gaining an insightful perspective of the world around us. 

This newfound sense of independence empowered students to take responsibility for their belongings and actions, further strengthening our organisational and time-management skills. Some of our highlights included gaining a thorough understanding of the history behind the MCG, observing cases first-hand at Magistrates Court, viewing the city from above at the Eureka Skydeck, and walking through Federation Square, which taught us the role of Indigenous peoples in shaping our city. Lastly, our experience with The Big Issue program demonstrated the importance of humility and awareness. 

Overall, it was an enriching experience that left us feeling more confident and united as a cohort.

Written by student leaders: Zia S. Grace S.  & Sienna S. 

Year 9 Rice - My Vic

Year 9 MacKillop - Starts with me

  Year 10  work experience Placement

For Activities Week this year, the Year 10 students completed a one week Careers (work) Experience Placement. The program is designed for students to develop key skills and gain valuable experiences that assist them with making informed choices about their future. It is an integral part of our Career Education curriculum, alongside the Morrisby Profiling, that will provide valuable insights to students as they now commence their Senior School Subject Selection process.

Over 260 students discovered the 鈥榳orld of work,鈥� many for the first time, in a variety of industries and in over 220 different locations around the city, regional areas, and even interstate. For many students, just the experience of negotiating public transport to arrive on time, self-managing schedules, and completing tasks to an acceptable standard was significant and valuable learning. For others, a possible future pathway may now be confirmed - or need to be re-evaluated!

Memories of 鈥淲ork Experience鈥� can stay with us for a lifetime and some students were provided with amazing opportunities. When else might you have a chance to work in a lab with machines used to detect cancer, help to lead a classroom of students, assist with surgery on sick animals, observe the workings of a radio station, swim with sharks, or try a trade?

Well done, 杏吧论坛 students. You represented yourselves and the College to the broader community in a positive and commendable way.

Vanessa Ramsay and the 杏吧论坛 College Careers Team

Parent observations of how students benefited from the experience:

• Confidence, learning how to present and look professional, punctuality is important, and learning if this was the career they would like.
• A real-world experience of what it's like to work in an office environment as part of a marketing team, with both in-office and work-from-home arrangements.
• He was able to take the week to really experience what it would be like to be a teacher. He was able to ask a number of different teachers about their experiences and seek their opinions on their jobs. He was able to validate that this is a career path he wants to pursue. Investing the time and money in university is a big commitment. And this time has helped him firm up his goals. It has motivated him to want to try harder in school as this is the path he wants to pursue.
• She had a very structured placement across all aspects of the business. Marketing, Copy Writing, HR, their Foundation, Law dept, Finance etc. and was able to gain insight into many different areas. She also benefited from interaction with people from diverse backgrounds who work there.
• Decided that they want to be a cabinet maker in the future - due to the fact they were able to do the week of work experience, they could try it out.
• Increase in self-confidence and independence.
• Travelling to/from work themselves
• Organisation and problem solving skills
• Gaining more practical understanding of work tasks and a workplace
• Seeing challenges there can be in a workplace
  

Student Reflections

Our experience at Sparrow Early Learning Bayswater Childcare was very welcoming and fun. We spent lots time with the 2,3,4 year olds. We enjoyed playing with them and running around with them outside. We did lots of arts n crafts, played in the pretend kitchens and put them to sleep by reading them a bed time story, rubbing there backs until they where asleep. Overall our experience was very enjoyable and meaningful. We are very sad it鈥檚 over.

-Izzy P and Amber T

I did a one week work experience placement at a veterinary hospital, and I really enjoyed it. I got to see how the vets and nurses cared for all kinds of animals and I was able to help with some of the day-to-day tasks like cleaning, feeding, and preparing equipment. I also watched a few procedures and learned how much teamwork and communication is involved. The whole experience made me realise how much I enjoy working with animals and confirmed that I鈥檇 love to have a career in this area in the future.

Ruby W.

For my career experience, I worked at Leica Biosystems. They are a company that designs, develops, and produces medical equipment specifically for cancer diagnosis. I really enjoyed my time there, as I was able to see and work in the different areas of the company.

Each day, I would work somewhere different. For example, on Monday, I was helping oversee production and fixing any problems there might be. On Tuesday I was in the lab, which was vastly different as I aided with the testing and use of the machines. This was probably the day that I enjoyed the most, as it's an area that I am interested in. This specifically has helped me discover that it is an area that I would work in in the future, which will assist me in choosing my career and also subjects for next year. The remaining days I worked in software, fleet management, and operations support, respectively. As a result of experiencing each of these unique areas, I had gained a great understanding of how the workplace is in different parts of a company.

Overall, I am really grateful for the opportunity to do Careers Experience. I enjoyed my time working at Leica Biosystems, as I was able to meet and work with new people and learn if I wanted to do something like this for my career. For those in the younger year levels, I would highly recommend doing Careers Experience, as it is a great learning experience.

Ryan M.

During the last week of term 2, the year 10 cohort was lucky enough to have the opportunity to spend a week with an industry of our choice to complete work experience. The process included reaching out and contacting jobs and professions that we might one day want to pursue and spending the week with them with the aim to observe what it is actually like as a day-to-day job. I was fortunate enough to spend my week at a law firm where I spent my time with the family law team. I was able to witness what goes on inside an industry that really interests me and got to see what day-to-day work consisted of. I came out of the experience with great advice and a stronger passion and knowledge of the path I one day would like to go down.

Dulcie W.

Careers Experience was a new and exciting experience鈥攎eeting new people around a massive hospital and taking on a variety of new roles and responsibilities.

As a work experience student, I shadowed many different Allied Health professionals as they did their daily tasks. I learned so much from everyone I met during this experience. They were always open to my questions, incredibly supportive, and welcomed me warmly from the very start.

I kicked off the week with a tour around the hospital and the emergency department. The first day was with the speech pathologists, and I was able to observe how speech pathologists help clients overcome their swallowing difficulties with a well-designed scale to diagnose. It was incredible to see the blend of empathy and problem solving that defines being a speech pathologist.

Social work introduced me to the most human form of healthcare鈥攈elping patients find their way out of the hospital and formulating discharge plans. Zulaiqa, whom I shadowed that day, was amazing at what she did. Her emotional intelligence and critical thinking left a lasting impact on me.

Over Wednesday and Thursday, I observed physiotherapists guiding recovery from injuries and helping patients to mobilise again. Watching patients taking a step towards recovery was amazing to see! My final day in allied health was spent shadowing occupational therapists. Unlike physiotherapy, which focuses on physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy zooms in on daily function: helping clients navigate tasks that most of us take for granted, like dressing, cooking, or writing.

While it took a while to understand the medical notes and abbreviations, my careers experience expanded my view of health care. I saw how each role鈥攚hether focused on speech or social connection鈥攃ontributes uniquely to the wellbeing of others. It deepened my appreciation for all of the healthcare professionals that devote their lives to helping others.

Riley S.

For the Year 11 students not attending Kakadu, a week in Melbourne with a wide range of activities provided an opportunity to make new memories with friends away from the College and explore some of the best entertainment Melbourne has to offer.

Starting with a big day trip out to Werribee Zoo, students were treated to a safari bus tour which allowed for some tremendous views of the animals and the new elephant enclosure that was recently opened. Students were able to navigate their way around the vast space at their own pace. Many had not attended Werribee Zoo prior to this trip and the general feedback was very positive from the group.

For the remaining four days of the week, students were in the Melbourne CBD moving between a wide range of activities and destinations. From physically demanding tasks like Maniax or Hard Rock through to brain scratching escape rooms, reflex testing at Fortress or the incredible Artvo, students were presented with a mix of sessions with something for everyone. Our students handled themselves with absolute maturity and enthusiasm over the week and hopefully all enjoyed the novel experiences on offer.

Andy Harrison

Year 11 Level Leader

Year 12 - Activities week reflection

Monday: Success integrated and English practice exam.

To kick off our activities week with a bang, Darren Pereira from 鈥淪uccess Integrated鈥� visited us for the final time. Having previously worked with us during year 10 and early this year, Darren once again delivered a highly relevant, engaging and motivating presentation focusing on us developing our 鈥淚 can鈥� mindsets. He spoke about the power of having a positive mindset and catching our negative thought patterns and making adjustments so they are more functional and beneficial for our performance. As we journey toward our exams, we shared how important it is to be open to challenge, calm in stressful situations and how to put our best foot forward. Our familiar Acronym 鈥淏EST鈥� was also revisited with new key words to remind us on how to be the BEST versions of ourselves:

Belief - See it鈥� Believe it鈥� Achieve it

Exams - If you fail to plan, you plan to fail

Study- Work smarter not harder

Toughness - Never give up!

It was bittersweet to say bye to Darren after having him support us for a long time now, however, we are so grateful for the opportunity to hear his wisdom and implement some of his skills into our own lives.

After the presentation, we jumped straight into our English Practice exams - a way to simulate our end-of-year English exam environment. Trialling with the times, pressures, and settings allowed us to gain an idea of how to best prepare for the end of the year. The challenges that arise now can be dealt with early, so we can build resilience and mental stamina to prepare ourselves for the big day. I found it extremely helpful as I could experience how long 3 hours is and therefore how much time I should be spending on the orders of my 3 pieces. It鈥檚 not often that students are in SACS or exams for 3 hours so it was great for us all to start training now!

Tuesday - Uni excursion

On Tuesday, we visited many different University institutions based on our personal preferences. This included universities such as Deakin, La Trobe, ACU, Monash, and Melbourne University. Being able to go to universities that we had a specific interest in and being able to walk around and see the campus that we might end up in was super inspiring.

The day was led by current University students which made the day super fun and engaging. Giving us insights into uni life and how to manage the change from school to uni. I was lucky to go to ACU and have a look around, with the highlight of the day being able to see the paramedicine lab having a full size mock ambulance, which was super cool! We cannot forget about being able to suss out the uni cafes and restaurants that we will most likely be visiting next year! Overall, the day provided us with fantastic insight into what life will look like post year 12 and gave us the inspiration to continue to work hard for the rest of the year.

Retreat 

Wednesday morning, we gathered in the chapel for a fun and uplifting seminar, with some fantastic music performances from Jen Bryant, which got us all up on our feet dancing and singing together. After this, we broke into our mentor groups to create our individual birds that will be placed onto our final Year 12 banner; This will be hung up at graduation and remain at the school with all our unique contributions. 

At about 1:30 pm, we hopped onto our buses and journeyed down to Phillip Island Adventure resort for our very last school retreat. Once we arrived, we started with some team building games within our mentors, such as 鈥渨ho can build the tallest spaghetti and marshmallow tower鈥�, requiring a full team effort, communication and competitiveness. 

Our theme for night 1 was 鈥榝ashion fails鈥� outfits, and the year level didn鈥檛 disappoint with some incredible and ugly costumes. That evening, we broke into teams to play a game of Trivia as a cohort with categories such as Music, Sport, Guess the Fun Fact and Baby photo, general knowledge and games like Oreo on face challenge and Musical Chairs. It was so amazing to feel the vibrant atmosphere our Year 12s created. 

Thursday involved starting the morning off with an uplifting, inspiring and reflective talk from many teachers who have supported us over the years. After lunch, we broke into nominated activity groups, which involved 2 of: beach walk, high ropes, flying fox, giant swing, team rescue, bushman's breakfast and sports. Later that day, we broke into our mentors to read letters from home and create postcards for others in our year level. It was so beautiful to hear from our families and friends as they shared fun memories, gratitude or positive affirmations that we will treasure forever. After a few days of reflection, connecting with our peers, teachers and God, as well as self-discovery, it was sad to come to an end Friday afternoon. However, we are so grateful for the wonderful memories and laughs that were shared, which connected us more as a year level.

We hope you all have had a lovely holiday and start to term 3,

Evie Evans and Maeve Wilkinson 

Year 12 College Leaders

Kakadu South Trip:

At Kak we spent a lot of time swimming, spending time with our friends, riding on the bus, going on big walks and learning about the land that we live on and the many different cultures. My favourite part was growing my friendships with people, going to Florence falls and the long trips on the bus with my friends. 

Penny W.

Kakadu was an experience I will never forget. During the trip we visited many landmarks such as Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Litchfield Falls and the sunset market in Darwin. My favourite memories however, were the late nights we had at the many campsites where we could play cards and games, share snacks and talk with everyone. 

Sophie H.

Kakadu was not only a time to get away but a time to get out of my comfort zone and learn more about myself. It was amazing being able to see places outside of Melbourne and having the chance to meet new people who live differently to us. I loved going on the cruises and seeing all the sunsets. All up the trip was amazing and I would love to go back. 

Grace D.

On our Kakadu trip we built connections and formed new ones doing fun activities everyday such as swimming in a beautiful waterhole and watching crocodiles jumping out of the water. overall the trip was a great experience 

Niamh S.

On our Kak experience our trip was full of fun, laughter and friendships. It was a great chance to create new friendships as well as get to know the teachers better. We experienced a different lifestyle compared to our regular life at home, especially sleeping under the stars at Bankabanka. There were a bunch of times where we all shared memories including swimming in different waterholes around the northern territory. Overall the trip was amazing and would recommend it to anyone who has the chance to go.

Kate B. & Beth M. 

Exploring the Heart of Australia 鈥� Kakadu North Trip Adventure

Over 13 unforgettable days, a group of students and staff from our school embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the Northern Territory, travelling from Uluru to Darwin on an epic road trip full of adventure, connection, and discovery.

The journey began with a flight to the iconic Uluru, where students hiked through the awe-inspiring Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta, taking in the vastness and spiritual power of the land. From there, the group travelled to Kings Canyon, where the breathtaking Garden of Eden walk was a highlight for many.

As the road trip continued, students explored the heart of the outback 鈥� Alice Springs, Banka Banka, Mataranka, Katherine, and Jabiru 鈥� experiencing the raw beauty and cultural richness of the Territory. A magical moment for all was the sunset hike at Banka Banka, where most students chose to sleep under the stars, a humbling and memorable experience.

Nature was at the centre of the journey 鈥� from jumping crocodiles and snake encounters to the diverse wildlife at the Territory Wildlife Park. Students cooled off with a swim at Florence Falls, marvelled at ancient rock art at Nourlangie, and watched the sun go down at the stunning Ubirr Rock, a definite highlight of the trip. On a sunset croc cruise, a graceful Jabiru sighting added a touch of magic to the evening as well as a cute little frog joining the students for the boat ride.

The adventure wasn't just about the places 鈥� it was also about the people. Long bus rides were filled with karaoke singalongs and student interviews, helping to build friendships that are sure to last a lifetime. Students embraced the challenge of setting up tents in each new location and sharing meals together, from hearty camp dinners to delicious eats from Darwin鈥檚 Mindil Market food trucks. The trip concluded with a perfect sunset on Mindil Beach, a fitting end to a remarkable journey.

Throughout the camp, students were exceptional ambassadors for our school. Staff were overwhelmed by positive feedback from the public, who consistently praised the students鈥� outstanding manners, curiosity, and love of learning. The teachers鈥� dedication and tireless efforts did not go unnoticed and were greatly appreciated by all.

Kakadu North Trip was more than a trip 鈥� it was a journey of personal growth, shared experiences, and deep connection to the land and each other. It鈥檚 safe to say it will be remembered for years to come.

Gloria Coverdale 

Camp Co-ordinator

Click on the poster to be taken directly to to book your tickets. Don't miss out, tickets are selling fast!

The Spirit of 杏吧论坛 section will focus on one core value from our mission statement and ways this value has been demonstrated at school.

鈥�Spirituality: We nurture a connectedness to God and a Catholic faith that is informed by scripture, tradition and the regional parish communities.鈥�

Just before school holidays began, the year 12s attended their final retreat with 杏吧论坛 College. The students spent 3 days at a retreat centre in Phillip Island strengthening their relationship with God, and with each other. They attended different activities like zip lines and beach walks, group sessions and ended the trip with a liturgy with the whole cohort.

The sessions ran for the whole cohort, and in each homeroom, focused on building their sense of spirituality and connectedness to God, inspired by Luke 10:37 - 鈥淕o and Do Likewise鈥�. The session that speaks to this the most being tied to gratitude. The students all spent hours writing heartfelt 鈥榞ratitude postcards鈥� to their friends and teachers. This practice allowed the students to look inside themselves and ask 鈥榳ho am I grateful for, and why?鈥�, and put pen to paper and express that thought. The lord blesses us with many people to be grateful for, and when we show gratitude for them, we show him gratitude as well.

The gratitude shown for the lord at this retreat strengthened the spirituality of the year 12s, and we hope to see them share this with the world as they begin their journey outside of 杏吧论坛 very soon.

Melbourne Career Expo 鈥� THIS WEEKEND

Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre - Door 10

Saturday 26 July 10am 鈥� 4pm

Sunday 27 July 10am 鈥� 4pm

杏吧论坛 Career News can be found . Topics this week include:

• Dates to Diarise in Term 3
• Melbourne Careers Expo 2025
• CDW Studios Open Day 2025
• Upcoming Discover Monash Events
• New Sport and Recreation Management Degree at La Trobe University
• Bachelor of Design (Digital Media) at RMIT University
• Bachelor of Social Work at Federation University
• Career in the Australian Border Force (ABF)
• Defence Work Experience Program
• Study in the UK Information Event
• Media, Communication & Journalism Degrees in Victoria in 2025
• Snapshot of Monash University in 2025
• Snapshot of Monash University 鈥� Peninsula in 2025
• Civil Engineering Degrees in Victoria in 2025
• Electrical Engineering Degrees in Victoria in 2025
• Mechanical Engineering Degrees in Victoria in 2025
• Snapshot of The University of Melbourne (UoM) in 2025

Vanessa Ramsay

Careers Counsellor

杏吧论坛 Gourmand Club

 Gourmand (food and beverage) club has been running since 2021 and has had more than 125 members visit at one time or another over the years. The club is open to food enthusiasts of all ages from year 7 to year 12.

Whether passionate about cooking, baking, or simply a food lover eager to discover new tastes, this club offers a moreish platform for creativity and learning.

Most weeks, at Friday recess, in the Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre (where Cafe N9ne is located), students can come and participate in Gourmand club activities. The club is student-driven, hands-on and focuses on short activities/food hacks.

Some of the activities have included - 

• Instant Chocolate Mouse
• Upside-down Nachos
• Pizza muffins
• Chocolate ganache
• Inside-out toasted cheese wraps
• Instant mango sorbet
• 30 second omelette
• Chocolate Bark
• S'mores /Camp fire banana's
• Hot Chocolates
• Piping practice (cream/meringue)
• 3 ingredient cookies (banana, oats, chocolate)

And many more! Let me know if you have an idea?

What a fantastic opportunity, and we should all be proud of these committed and adventurous students. Bon app茅tit!

杏吧论坛 College invites students to participate in a range of clubs throughout the college. These exciting, inclusive and dynamic clubs provide an opportunity for students to share an interest or even build new friendships.

More information can be found here -

Owen Stott
Director, Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre

The latest edition of Illuminare, our 杏吧论坛 College alumni magazine, is now available to read online.In this issue, we follow the journeys of alumni making their mark in the arts, welcome children of past students to the College, and share the warmth of a special class reunion. It鈥檚 a celebration of community, connection, and the enduring 杏吧论坛 spirit.

Illuminare is all about staying connected鈥攚ith each other, and with the College that brought you all together. We invite you to take a moment, read, and reconnect.

Read your copy here...