ELTHAM College Family News July 24 2026
Key Dates
Key Dates 24 July 2026
College Connections
Congratulations to our 2027 College Captains and Vice Captains
We are delighted to announce the appointment of our 2027 College Captains and Vice Captains.
Following a comprehensive leadership selection process, we congratulate the students who have been appointed to these important leadership roles.
College Captains
Austin Iredale
Naomi Nichols
College Vice Captains
Lara Akdeniz
Tanay Joshi
Zoe Ruschioni
Harper Reed
These students have demonstrated a strong commitment to the values of ELTHAM College and a genuine desire to contribute positively to our community. As the College's senior student leaders for 2027, they will play an important role in representing the student voice, fostering connection and supporting their peers.
We also acknowledge and thank every student who participated in the leadership selection process. Their willingness to step forward and contribute reflects the depth of leadership, character and commitment within the Year 11 cohort.
Congratulations to Austin, Naomi, Lara, Tanay, Zoe and Harper on their appointments. We look forward to seeing the positive contribution they will make to our College throughout 2027.
All Australian Honours for Maddison Meagher
ELTHAM College is proud to congratulate Sports Captain Maddison Meagher on being named on the wing in the 2026 Marsh AFL National Championships – U18 Girls All Australian Team.
Representing Victoria Metro throughout the Championships, Maddison was recognised for her outstanding performances on the national stage. Her speed, consistency and relentless work rate saw her emerge as one of Victoria Metro's standout players, earning All Australian selection among the country's best under-18 footballers.
AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan described Maddison as a player whose "dash and dare" made her a constant threat, highlighting her ability to win contested possessions and drive the ball inside 50.
Throughout the Championships, Maddison averaged 15.5 disposals per game, including 8.2 contested possessions and 3.2 inside 50s. She was named among Victoria Metro's best players in matches against South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland, reflecting her consistency across the tournament.
Maddison's selection is a fitting reward for her dedication, commitment and outstanding performances throughout the Championships. It also marks another milestone in an already impressive football journey representing Victoria Metro, the Northern Knights and Diamond Creek Women's.
Congratulations to Maddison on this exceptional achievement. The entire ELTHAM College community is incredibly proud of your success and looks forward to following your football career in the years ahead.
Brent Wallace
Head of Sport
Premier's VCE Award Recognises Caelan Robertson Hospitality Excellence
ELTHAM College proudly congratulates Class of 2025 graduate Caelan Robertson on receiving a prestigious Premier's VCE Award in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement.
Caelan was presented with a Study Award for VET Cookery, earning a perfect study score of 50 and placing him among Victoria's highest-achieving VCE students.
The Premier's VCE Awards celebrate excellence across the state, recognising students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill and academic performance in their VCE studies. This year, 322 of Victoria's top-performing students were honoured across a range of award categories, recognising outstanding achievement in individual studies, the VCE Vocational Major and overall academic excellence.
Caelan's success is a testament to his commitment, passion and hard work throughout his studies, and reflects the strength of ELTHAM College's Hospitality program. Achieving a perfect study score of 50 in VET Cookery is an exceptional accomplishment and one of which the entire College community can be immensely proud.
Congratulations Caelan, on this outstanding achievement. We wish you every success as you continue your journey at ELTHAM College and beyond.
To view the full Honour Roll and learn more about the Premier's VCE Awards, visit the Victorian Government website: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-vce-awards
Patrick Murphy
Hospitality
Compliance Matters - Term 3 Drill Completed
Final Tickets Available for Les Misérables
With opening night just around the corner, now is your final opportunity to secure tickets to ELTHAM College's production of Les Misérables – School Edition.
The response from our community has been overwhelming, with the Friday evening and Saturday Gala performance now sold out. Limited seats are also available for the Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon performance, so we encourage families and friends to book soon to avoid missing out.
This year's production brings Victor Hugo's timeless story to life through outstanding performances, powerful music and remarkable production values. The dedication and talent of our students, musicians, crew and staff promise an unforgettable theatrical experience for audiences of all ages.
We are excited to see our talented Performing Arts students take to the Clarke Auditorium stage this August. Don't miss the opportunity to support their hard work and dedication in what promises to be a spectacular production.
Remaining Performances
Thursday 13 August – Limited tickets remaining
Friday 14 August – SOLD OUT
Saturday 15 August (2.00pm) – Limited tickets remaining
Saturday 15 August Gala Performance – SOLD OUT
Tickets are available via Humanitix while allocations last.
Support Music and Performing Arts with the FoMPA Annual Raffle
The Friends of Music and Performing Arts (FoMPA) Annual Raffle is now underway, giving the ELTHAM College community the opportunity to win an exciting range of prizes while supporting Music and Performing Arts across the College.
FoMPA is a dedicated volunteer group of ELTHAM College families that works alongside the Arts faculties to enrich opportunities for students and enhance the Performing Arts program. Funds raised through the annual raffle help support productions, improve backstage facilities, and provide valuable resources that benefit students throughout the year.
Raffle tickets are available now for $5 each or five for $20 and can be purchased online or in the HMPAC foyer before performances and during interval throughout the season of Les Misérables. The raffle will be drawn on Wednesday 19 August, with winners notified by phone or email and announced in Family News.
FoMPA is always looking to welcome new members. If you have an interest in supporting Music and Performing Arts at ELTHAM College, we encourage you to get involved.
Thank you to FoMPA and our generous local sponsors for their ongoing support. We encourage our community to purchase a ticket for the chance to win fantastic prizes while helping create even more opportunities for our student performers.
Tickets are available for purchase via Humanitix.
Celebrate Father's Day at ELTHAM College 2026
ELTHAM College and the ELTHAM College Community Association (ECCA) warmly invite fathers, carers and special people in the lives of our students to join us for our annual Father's Day Breakfast on Thursday 3 September.
This special community event is an opportunity to come together and celebrate the important role that fathers, carers and mentors play in the lives of our students. Guests will enjoy breakfast, a special performance by our student musicians and fun photo opportunities to capture the morning.
The breakfast will be held from 7.30 am – 8.30 am in the Amplify Common Space at the Research Campus.
We look forward to welcoming our community for a memorable morning of connection, celebration and appreciation.
Bookings are now open via Humanitix.
Save the Date - ELTHAM College Colour Run
Save the Date - ELTHAM College Colour Run
Get ready for an afternoon of colour, fun and House spirit!
We're excited to announce the inaugural ELTHAM College Colour Run, taking place on Wednesday 7 October 2026.
This exciting whole-school event marks the launch of our new House Service Learning Program, with each House supporting a nominated charity through fundraising and community engagement. Students from Prep to Year 12 will come together for a fun, non-competitive Colour Run while making a positive impact for causes that matter.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday 7 October 2026
Time: 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm
Location: ELTHAM Sports Pavilion Oval
The Colour Run is a whole-school College event, and all students are expected to participate. Students who are unable to take part will participate in a supervised alternative activity on campus during the event.
Ticket Sales
Tickets will go on sale via Humanitix at 4.00 pm on Thursday 27 August 2026.
Further information, including ticketing details, what to wear, frequently asked questions, and information about our House charities, will be shared closer to the ticket release date.
ELC students will also join in the fun, participating in special age-appropriate Colour Run activities within the Junior School precinct at the same time as the College Colour Run.
We look forward to seeing our College community come together for an afternoon of colour, connection and giving back.
ELC and Junior School News
Celebrating 100 Days of Prep!
What a wonderful day we had celebrating 100 Days of School! It was a fantastic opportunity to reflect on everything our Prep students have achieved during their first 100 days of learning.
Our students did an amazing job at the assembly, proudly showcasing their confidence, enthusiasm and growing independence. They loved sharing what they have learnt and were so excited to perform their special song. We hope you also enjoyed the movie they created, which captured the essence of friendship and we have learnt in Friendology.
It was lovely to welcome our families into the classroom afterwards to celebrate together. Thank you for joining us for such a special afternoon and for your continued support throughout this exciting first 100 days. We are so proud of all our Prep students and can't wait to see what they achieve in the rest of the year!
Kelly Colson
Junior School Teacher
Inspiring Young Writers with Andrea Rowe
This week, Eltham College was delighted to welcome award-winning Australian author Andrea Rowe for an inspiring day of storytelling, creativity and writing workshops across all year levels. Andrea captivated students from ELC to Year 6, sharing the stories behind some of her much-loved books, including Jetty Jumping, Sunday Skating, Castle Crashing, Dogs with Jobs and Audrey Skips. One of the highlights of the day was when Andrea brought along her CBCA Honour Book medal for students to see up close. Holding the beautiful gold medal in her hands, she explained what the Children's Book Council of Australia awards celebrate and the journey of creating books that connect with young readers. It was a special moment that helped students appreciate the dedication, creativity and perseverance behind becoming a published author.
Each session was carefully tailored to the year levels. Our Prep students delighted in an interactive Castle Crashing story time, complete with a fun game. Students in Years 1–4 explored the playful world of language through onomatopoeia, alliteration and word games inspired by Jetty Jumping, Sunday Skating and Castle Crashing, discovering how carefully chosen words can bring stories to life.
Our Year 5 and 6 students took a deeper dive into the writing process, learning how Andrea develops characters and crafts engaging stories. They brainstormed ideas for the final two books in the Castle Crashing series. Andrea also shared how Dogs with Jobs combines fascinating facts with engaging storytelling, while Audrey Skips demonstrated how history and careful observation can inspire wonderful new stories.
Andrea's warmth, humour and infectious enthusiasm made every session highly engaging. She encouraged students to look closely at the world around them, play with words and trust their imaginations, reminding them that stories can be found almost anywhere.
The impact of her visit was immediate. Since the workshops, we've already spotted several students carrying their own writers' notebooks, eagerly recording ideas, sketching characters and collecting inspiration. Even more exciting has been hearing students confidently declare, "I want to write a book!" There is no greater testament to the power of an author visit than inspiring the next generation of storytellers.
A huge thank you to Andrea Rowe for sharing her creativity, wisdom and love of books with our school community. Her visit has sparked imaginations across the College, and we look forward to seeing the many wonderful stories our students create in the months ahead.
Belinda Zelazny
Library Teacher
Senior School News
VCE Biology Students Explore World-Class Research Facilities
Unit 4 Biology students recently participated in an engaging excursion to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) and the University of Melbourne, gaining valuable insight into biological research and experiencing life in tertiary science laboratories.
The day began at WEHI, one of Australia's leading medical research institutes, where students explored the organisation's rich history and learned about groundbreaking scientific discoveries that have contributed to advances in human health. During a guided tour of the working laboratories, students observed the cutting-edge facilities and technologies used by research scientists while discovering the diverse range of careers available within biomedical research.
Students then visited the University of Melbourne, where they took part in two hands-on laboratory sessions led by PhD students. Working in a university laboratory environment, they investigated evolutionary change using Drosophila (fruit flies) and completed an ELISA case study to determine antibody levels against influenza. These practical investigations reinforced key concepts from the VCE Biology curriculum while providing valuable experience using university-level laboratory techniques and equipment.
The excursion provided an enriching opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with real-world scientific research while gaining a deeper understanding of the pathways and opportunities available in biology and biomedical science.
Alison Tolle
Secondary Teacher
Wellbeing
SchoolTV Special Report - Mental Health Literacy: A Guided Reflection
Mental health literacy is the knowledge and understanding needed to recognise when a young person may be experiencing mental health challenges, know how to respond appropriately and understand where to seek support when needed.
As rates of anxiety, depression and psychological distress continue to rise among children and adolescents, building mental health literacy has never been more important. Recognising concerns early and responding with confidence can make a significant difference, helping young people access support before challenges become more serious.
Parents, carers and educators all play an important role in supporting young people's mental wellbeing. By fostering open, judgement-free conversations and creating environments where wellbeing is prioritised, adults can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage young people to seek help when they need it.
When schools and families work together, they create a strong network of support that helps children and young people develop resilience, feel heard and navigate life's challenges with confidence.
For further information and resources, families are encouraged to access this week's SchoolTV Special Report: Mental Health Literacy.
Sports Report
Sport Updates on mE
Family Reminders
Family News and the mE App
ECCA
A Novel Bunch Travels to South America
A Novel Bunch is travelling around the world in 2026, and our next stop is South America.
Join us as we discuss our next novel, Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro, on Monday 3 August, at 7.30 pm in the Senior Library.
New members are always welcome as we journey across all seven continents this year.
To RSVP or learn more, please email ecca@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au.
Jacqui, Heather, Laura and Donna
A Novel Bunch Coordinators
Secure Your Tickets for Comedy Night
The countdown is on for ELTHAM College's Comedy Night, proudly presented by ECCA and ELTHAM College, with tickets still available for what promises to be a fantastic evening of entertainment.
On Saturday 29 August, comedians Josh Smith (Class of 2026), Sam Zito and Luke Kidgell will take to the Clarke Auditorium stage for a night of stand-up comedy, while raising funds to support the College's Service Learning Program and House charities, including FightMND, Team Kill Cancer, The Smith Family and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Tickets are $40 per person and include generous canapés on arrival, with beer, wine, cider and soft drinks available for purchase throughout the evening.
Gather your family and friends and secure your tickets to enjoy an evening of laughter while supporting meaningful causes across the ELTHAM College community.
Date: Saturday 29 August 2026
Venue: HMPAC – Clarke Auditorium, ELTHAM College
Time: 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm (show commences at 7.30 pm)
This is a 16+ event. No BYO food or drinks.
Tickets are available now via Humanitix.
Community Notices
Community Notices and Events 24 July 2026
Catholic Ladies College Combined Training Day
