ELTHAM College Family News 21 March 2025

Friday 4 April

Term 1 Concludes

Friday 18 April 

Good Friday 

Monday 21 April 

Easter Monday

Wednesday 23 April

Term 2 Commences

For a complete list of College activities take a look at the calendar on mE.

Events and dates may be subject to change.

Friday 4 April

Term 1 Concludes 

Friday 4 April – Sunday 6 April 

Year 9 –12 College Musical Production – Retreat Rehearsal

Tuesday 8 April – Thursday 17 April 

Overland Hike 

Thursday 10 April 

Top Screen + Meet the Filmmakers

Friday 18 April

Good Friday 

Monday 21 April 

Easter Monday 

Wednesday 23 April 

Term 2 Commences - Week 1

Thursday 24 April 

ANZAC Assembly

Friday 25 April

Day Public Holiday

ANZAC Day Services

Monday 28 April

2025 ANZAC Student Commemoration (Year 9 Students)

Tuesday 29 April

Student Free Day

Senior School PTS interviews (face-to-face)

Thursday 1 May 

Year 10 Geography Field Trip

Tuesday 6 May

St Kilda Football Club Visit

Flu Injections

Thursday 8 May

Mother's Day Breakfast 

Senior School Parent-Teacher Interviews (Online)

Friday 9 May

EISM Div 2 Athletics

Sunday 11 May

Mothers Day

Monday 12 May

VSAC Swimming - Representative Event

Wednesday 14 May

EISM Sport - Seniors Grand Finals

Monday 12 May – Friday 16 May

Year 8 Grampians Camp 1

Monday 19 May – Friday 23 May

Year 8 Grampians Camp 2

Thursday 22 May 

Year 5 - 12  Assembly

Thursday 27 May 

Great Victorian Bike Ride info Evening

Saturday 31 May 

Year 10 & 11 Formal

Monday 2 June – Friday 6 June

Senior School Excursion Free Week

Thursday 5 June –  Friday 6 June

HMPAC Music Performance Soire

Monday 9 June

King's Birthday Public Holiday

Tuesday 10 June

Whole Year 9 Cohort in the City

Sunday 15 June

Open Cellars Weekend

Tuesday 17 June

GAT

Wednesday 18 June

Junior Regional Cross Country

Thursday 26 June

Year 5 - 12 Assembly

Friday 27 June

Year 11 & 12 VCE Physics Excursion

Monday 30 June – Wednesday 2 July

Year 8 Retreat

Friday 4 July 

Term 2 Concludes

Wednesday 2 July 

Year 11 Central Australia Tour

Sunday 6 July – Sunday 13 July

NAIDOC Week

Monday 7 July – Friday 18 July

Term 2 Holidays

Sunday 13 July – Friday 18 July

Falls Creek Snow Camp

Tuesday 22 July

Term 3 Commences

For a complete list of College activities, take a look at the calendar on mE.

Events and dates may be subject to change.

For the staff working on this project, watching our students enjoy these new facilities this week has been exciting and rewarding.

For our students, these new facilities bring fresh motivation and inspiration to their learning and development through the sport and PE program here at ELTHAM, while also enriching the experiences of our Elite and Emerging Athletes.

I would like to thank Jardon Group, Faction Consulting and MSM Architects for their fantastic work on this project.

At ELTHAM College, we are committed to delivering an exceptional educational experience for every student, and the completion of masterplan projects reflects our ambition to provide facilities and environments that match the excellence of our teaching and learning.

I would also like to acknowledge our community members who make voluntary contributions to the College Building Fund. Your generosity and commitment to ELTHAM College is making these projects possible.

More project updates are planned for the near future and I look forward to sharing these with you. 

Stuart Wenn
Director of Business and Operations & Company Secretary

College tours provide an intimate and insightful understanding of ELTHAM for our prospective families, and current families considering the College for more of your children.

Our annual program of tours commences on Wednesday 26 March. Embark on a journey of our beautiful grounds and world-class facilities, including our analytical chemistry hub and observatory, led by Principal Richard Lisle, School Directors and our student leaders.

College tours give you a chance to see our College in action, and connect with educators and fellow families, and hear directly from ELTHAM students sharing their own experiences.

College tours are held each term and are available for ELC (3 & 4 year old Kindergarten), Junior (Prep-Year 6) and Senior School (Years 7-12) entry.

More information, dates and bookings: https://www.elthamcollege.vic.edu.au/admissions/college-tours-and-experiences

The Australian Government Department of Education would like to notify all families that it has requested the annual submission of residential addresses and other information. Under the Australian Education Regulation 2013, ELTHAM College is required to provide the Department of Education with the requested information about each student at our school.

We ask all families, parents and guardians to please read the below linked Government notice that outlines the purpose of the collection, and the use and disclosure of personal information. Your personal information is protected by law.

You can feel a buzz of curiosity and excitement when entering our Year 2 learning environment. Students have quickly settled into their routines and have begun the school year displaying a thirst for learning. We’ve welcomed three new peers into Year 2 while further establishing and creating the foundations for positive friendships. The start of 2025 saw us delve into discussions surrounding our ‘Hopes and Dreams’ for a new year at ELTHAM College. Students articulated and refined the path they will take when challenging themselves on their journey to success. Determination, focus, practice, and resilience were some of the skills students identified as key to enacting their dreams.

Kira Green
Classroom Teacher

This term, our students have been engaged in exciting learning experiences in Chinese! Prep students explored The Very Hungry Caterpillar in Chinese, learning food vocabulary and sequencing events. Year 1 students practised writing Chinese numbers from 1 to 10, developing their recognition and handwriting skills. Year 2 students learned how to say their birthday dates in Chinese. Year 3 and 4 students learned how to describe themselves using key adjectives and sentence structures. Year 5 students had a taste of jianzi (毽子), a traditional Chinese sport that tests coordination and teamwork. Year 6 students participated in various board games to practise giving and following directions in Chinese. It’s wonderful to see students building their language skills and cultural understanding.

Emily Geng
Chinese Teacher

The LifeWork Career Tools website is a rich resource offered to ELTHAM College students and families. 

Our aim is to provide you with all the latest information that will help you make decisions about your future career and your life beyond school.

You can use this site to locate University, TAFE and any other type of course across Australia, get information about the VCE, and much more. 

The Calendar resource is regularly updated with careers and pathways events, take a look! There is also a weekly Careers newsletter which is regularly updated.

Feel free to drop into the LifeWork Centre if you have any questions.

Margie Jordan​​​​
Lifework Centre Coordinator

We aim to cover everything science related happening within the school, opportunities for involvement in our community and generally awesome science that is being explored across the world. Last week saw the commencement of science clubs across the College – Cosmos Club, Science Society and Coding Club. It was great to see people coming along. If you are interested in joining any of them, reach out to your science teacher and they can let you know more about these clubs and how to join! 

Now for some awesome science happening in the world:

What better way to begin then talking about the potential end of the world? At the end of 2024, Astronomers identified an asteroid (creatively called 2024 YR4) that had a 1% chance of impacting Earth in 2032. That has since increased to 2%. While the results could be…catastrophic, it is extremely unlikely for the asteroid to hit Earth. And if the chance increases, then we should look no further than DART – Nasa’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test – which in 2022, successfully reflected an asteroid. 

A new particle that has mass when in a certain direction of motion and is massless when moving in another has been discovered and proven by researchers at the end of 2024. First theorised around 16 years ago, the semi-Dirac fermion is a specific unit of energy that acts somewhat as a particle and is found in the crystal lattice structure of a specific compound (zirconium silicon sulfide). This one-of-a-kind particle was accidentally discovered by a team of researchers who were studying the material for a range of similar units of energy. Proving, and further studying this phenomenon has huge connotations for micro-sensors and quantum computing in the field of quantum material research.

We hope to see some more of you coming along to science clubs and getting involved with science at the College.

Tristan and Isaac
STEM Leaders 2025

Big Group Hug is a non-profit organisation aiming to support the disadvantaged in local communities, by providing resources, such as clothes and school supplies, for those who need them.

ELTHAM College is committed to supporting the cause of Big Group Hug, in giving everybody in our communities the best start to life.

ELTHAM College’s drive will be accepting pre-loved clothes in good condition, in sizes from baby to small adult. Any clothing found during holiday spring cleaning will be accepted and greatly appreciated.

Drop-offs will be available from 23 April to 23 May, in boxes found in the Year 8 Area and the entrance to the Senior School Building.

Alice and Supriya 
Year 11 Students

This year ELTHAM College has partnered with Wellio for Year Levels 7-10. Wellio is a wellbeing platform that supports schools to put wellbeing at the heart of a student's learning experience. 

Wellio helps students proactively improve their mental wellbeing using research-backed habits and techniques. Their programme supports students in improving their sleep, managing social media use, building healthy relationships, improving physical wellbeing, and reducing anxiety. 

Alongside their work inside the classroom, Wellio also deliver a free webinar each term for parents. These sessions are designed to equip parents with practical tools to support the wellbeing of their children throughout the year. This term the webinar is 'Owning Your Role as a Parent: Knowing When to Step In and Step Back'. Acknowledging that parenting can, at times, be a constant balancing act of guiding, stepping in, and allowing children space to grow, this session will explore three key parenting strategies to help you navigate challenging situations with your children.

This 60-minute webinar is scheduled for Thursday 27 March at 6.00pm (AEDT).
You can register at https://collections.humanitix.com/2025-parent-webinar-series 

Wellio will record the event, so please register if you can't attend but want access to the recording.

Stacey Morris and Alicia Lands
Student Services

Junior School House Cross Country – Friday 28 March

All students in the Junior School will be participating in the annual House Cross Country next Friday 28 March. The event will be held at the AFL oval, soccer pitch, and Nature Reserve across the road from the Junior School, from 9.00am to 12.00pm. 

This is an exciting event for our Prep to Year 6 students, providing them with the opportunity to represent and earn points for their House, as well as come together with others in the same House! We are excited to have families join us for our first major House event of 2025.

Parents and families are encouraged to position themselves outside the fencing around the AFL main ground. They will be invited to join our students for a snack/picnic after the final race, from approximately 11.00am to 11.40am.

Important Information:

Students’ Training: All students have been training during PE sessions leading up to the carnival and have walked the course recently.

Arrival Details: Students are to arrive in their Neighbourhood by 8.45am, wearing their PE uniform, runners, and House colour T-shirt:

• Ross: Red
• Nillumbik: Blue
• Bell: Green
• Evelyn: Yellow

Prep Students: Prep students will run a one-lap race around the AFL oval, starting at 9.20am.

Event Schedule:

• 7/8-year-old Boys/Girls: 1.2 km (AFL Oval and Soccer Pitch) – Approx. 9.40am
• 9/10-year-old Boys/Girls: 2 km (1 lap of AFL Oval, Nature Reserve, and Soccer Pitch) – Approx. 10.00am
• 11-year-old Boys & 11/12-year-old Girls: 3 km (2 laps of AFL Oval, Nature Reserve, ‘Heartbreak Hill’) – Approx. 10.20am
• 12/13-year-old Boys: 3 km (2 laps of AFL Oval, Nature Reserve, ‘Heartbreak Hill’) – Approx. 10.40am

Please note: All times are approximate.

District Cross Country Selection:

• Students who finish in the top 10 of their age group (9/10, 11, or 12/13 years) will be invited to attend training sessions for selection in the final District Cross Country team.

The Eltham District Cross Country will take place on Friday 16 May, at Lower Eltham Park, from 12.30pm.

Health and Safety: Please ensure that any student who may suffer from asthma, anaphylaxis, or other medical conditions has their medication with them on the day.

Parking: Parking is available at the Junior School Car Park, Swimming Pool Car Park, and Swipers Gully restaurant.

Anthony Panou
Junior School PE/Sport and House Coordinator

Final Results:

• 10yo Boys Freestyle – Felix, 5th overall
• 10yo Boys Backstroke – Oscar, 3rd
• 10yo Boys Breaststroke – Felix, 1st
• 11yo Boys Breaststroke – Noah, 2nd
• 10yo Boys Butterfly – Oscar, 5th overall
• 11yo Girls Butterfly – Sophia, 10th overall
• 11yo Boys Butterfly – Noah, 1st
• 10yo Boys Freestyle Relay – Felix, Jake, Flynn & Oscar, 4th
• 11yo Boys Freestyle Relay – Noah, Jonty, Jamie & Jack, 4th

A special mention goes to Natasha, who came as our emergency swimmer on the day.

Anthony Panou
Junior School PE & Sport Coordinator

Despite challenging weather conditions at times, all teams displayed commendable sportsmanship and skill. Every ELTHAM team competed well and experienced their own versions of success throughout the tournament. Importantly, they displayed wonderful school spirit by encouraging and supporting other ELTHAM College teams whenever possible. This created a supportive and exciting atmosphere that undoubtedly benefited the players.

Across the two days, ELTHAM had an impressive showing, with three teams qualifying for the finals and others narrowly missing playoff contention. These three teams included the Year 11 boys, Year 12 girls, and Year 12 boys. Of these teams, the Year 12 boys made it through to the grand final, where they were narrowly beaten, thus earning them the silver medal.

Overall, the level of play across the two days reinforced ELTHAM College's reputation as a strong contender in Victoria’s school volleyball scene and connected ELTHAM’s college community. Well done and thank you to all the students, parents, and coaches who made the day possible.

Sean van Oosterwijck
Sport Health & Physical Education

ELTHAM College is proud to announce that we have two teams progressing to the State Finals. All teams made the semifinals on Friday 14 March, with the Boys Division 1 (Austin, Arden, Anhad and Hugh H) bowing out from first place in the semi, missing State by one place. 

Our Girls Division 1 (Ceejay, CJ, Harper and Freya) finished 3rd overall, making State for the third year in a row. Ceejay has just been selected to represent Victoria.

Our Boys Division 2 (Nathan H, Nic S, Brody S and Bailey S) won our region and qualified first for State. In other exciting news, Brody has just made the Australian squad for Baseball.

Congratulations to all our students participating! 

Brent Wallace​​​​
Sports Coordinator

Ticket Information

• Date Monday 24 March 2025
• Time 7.30pm - 10.30pm AEST 
• Location Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank VIC 3004

When booking your tickets, please take careful note of which ticketing allocation to use.

If your child is in Years 5 to 8, please purchase your tickets using this ticket allocation. This will allow you to purchase tickets in the area where your child will be seated and will be important when it is time to collect your child at the end of the evening.

If your child is in Year 9 or above, please purchase your tickets using this allocation.

Please note: If you have a child in Years 5 to 8, and also a child in Year 9 or above, use the first link to purchase your tickets, so that you are sitting in the Years 5-8 area.

Families do not need to purchase tickets for children who are performing in the House Music event.

Information for parents, including the House Music Rehearsal Schedule and the House Music Handbook can be found on mE.

In great news the College now has some vacancies available for students from Years 7 – 12 at the 2025 Falls Creek Snow Camp (13 – 18 July). If you are interested, please contact Guy Mitchell. More information including costs can be found on mE.

The package includes:

• Return coach transfers from ELTHAM College to Falls Creek.
• Five nights’ accommodation at Halleys Ski Lodge.
• Five hearty breakfasts.
• Four freshly prepared lunches (Mon – Thurs).
• Five evening meals, including a main and dessert.
• Five-day unlimited lift passes are valid from 1.00pm on the day of arrival (Sunday).
• Five group lessons for students.
• Five-day ski or board hire, including helmets (if needed).
• Night ski ticket for Wednesday evening.

Guy Mitchell
Outdoor Education

Five simple actions to help traffic flow and improve safety at pick-up time:

• Avoid arriving early – the traffic simply can’t flow until students are dismissed from class.
• Reduce your speed, drive predictably, and use the marked zones. Please avoid phone distractions.
• Move forward in the pick-up zones so that cars behind you can get off the main roads. Be mindful of others.
• Exercise patience and respect your community – poor driver behaviour is not tolerated.
• Remember the traffic returns to regular flow shortly after dismissal.

Designated drop-off and pick-up zones for 2025

Junior School: For drop-off, all Junior School students may be dropped off at the Junior School gate from 8.20am. For pick-up, all Junior School students are to be picked up at the Junior School gate or carpark. Please write your child’s name clearly in thick black marker on an A4 sheet displayed in the windscreen to drive through the pickup area.

Senior School: The drop-off/pick-up zone you will use is determined by the year level of your youngest child who attends the Senior School.

• Year 7 – 9 students: Great Southern Road zone – please enter the College site via the entrance on Bells Hill Road, just past the ELC.
• Year 10 – 12 students: Sports Centre car park zone – please enter via the main College entrance gate.

The Pavilion Carpark (next to the bus bay and oval) is NOT a pick-up zone. Using the Pavilion Carpark as a pick-up point poses a significant safety risk to students who must cross the bus bay driveway to reach their parents’ vehicles. During peak periods, buses travel in both directions and must negotiate a sharp turn off a major road while yielding to parents’ cars and young pedestrians. Please do not arrange to pick your child up from the Pavilion.  

Kaz Docking​​​​
Risk and Compliance Manager

ELTHAM College enters a team in the annual Victorian Interschools Snowsports Chamionships, held at Mt. Buller during the last week of August. 

College entrants are traditionally from Year 7-12, although Junior Year students can compete. In 2025, the Junior Years divisions will compete on Monday 18 August through to Wednesday 20 August. Senior Year students compete across two days from Wednesday 20 August to Sunday August 24, depending on which division they are in.

 Parents/guardians of all students do need to attend the event and supervise their own children; ELTHAM College will have a staff liaison on the mountain for support from Wednesday onwards. Please reach out if you need advice on accommodation options and be aware that the mountain is booked out early. 

Finally, Senior School students will need to be at an advanced level of skiing and/or snowboarding and be prepared to attend some dryland training in the lead up to the competition.

Please read the information in the links below and if interested please email pcifone@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au for more information.

Paul Cifone
Snowsports Coordinator

A Novel Bunch gathered at our first book club for 2025 to discuss Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan.

The short novella was elegantly written with meaning and purpose, and unveiled the horrors and atrocities of the Magdalene Laundries. The story intentionally focuses on the 'small things' in life and routine, it is often the small things that make the biggest difference.

Our next book club is Monday 31 March 7.30pm in the Senior School Library, we are we are reading Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. New members are always welcome.
A Novel Bunch is the ELTHAM community book club open to parents, carers and staff from every year level. Please get in touch and RSVP to ecca@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au.

Don't forget to visit the A Novel Bunch Book Tree at Swipers Gully. Leave a book, take a book or sit, relax and read a book – there are many great selections to choose from.

• Monday 31 March
• Monday 12 May
• Monday 28 July
• Monday 1 September
• Monday 20 October
• Monday 1 December

Felicia and Jacqui 
A Novel Bunch Coordinators