ELTHAM College Family News August 7 2026

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

Events and dates may be subject to change.

Sunday 9 August

Les Misérables Dress Rehearsal 

Tuesday 11 August

Les Misérables Dress Rehearsal 

Thursday 13 August

Tyson Day – Branding Yourself Assembly 

Opening Night – Les Misérables 

Friday 14 August

Les Misérables Performance 

Saturday 15 August

National Science Week begins 

Les Misérables Matinee 

Les Misérables Evening Performance 

Sunday 16 August

Victorian State Interschools Snowsports Championships begin 

Monday 17 August

VSMF Band Festival 

Tuesday 18 August
Year 7 Transition Afternoon

Girls Touch Football Gala Day 

Thursday 20 August

EISM Year 8 & 9 Grand Finals 

Carson Trophy 

Friday 21 August

National Science Week concludes 

Congratulations to Oden Samara, who has been selected to play for the West Ham United FC Performance Squad in London.

This is an outstanding achievement, with only 16 players selected for the squad. During his time in the UK, Oden will train with the Performance Squad at The Foundry in East London, complete a further training within West Ham United's Academy at Chadwell Heath, and compete in the Junior Premier League (JPL).

This exciting opportunity is a testament to Oden's talent, commitment and dedication to his sport. We congratulate him on this well-deserved achievement and wish him every success as he embarks on this incredible experience with West Ham United FC.

We look forward to following Oden's exciting journey!

Last week, our Junior School students took to the stage for the 2026 Junior School production, Everyday Heroes, delighting audiences across two matinee performances and an evening performance.

Through a vibrant blend of music, drama and dance, students celebrated the remarkable people who make a difference in our lives every day, often without recognition. From parents and carers, educators and emergency service workers to doctors, nurses, lifeguards, explorers, activists and volunteers, the production highlighted the many ways kindness, courage and service strengthen our communities.

The performances showcased the creativity, talent and enthusiasm of our Junior School students while celebrating the power of collaboration, storytelling and the performing arts.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated production team, staff, volunteers and families for their support in bringing this wonderful production to life. A special thank you to Drama Teacher Kaitlyn Archer, who wrote, produced and directed Everyday Heroes, creating a memorable experience for both students and audiences.

ELTHAM College is delighted to announce that all performances of Les Misérables – School Edition have officially sold out.

The overwhelming support from our College community reflects the excitement surrounding this production and is a wonderful acknowledgement of the dedication, talent and hard work of our cast, musicians, crew and production team.

Following months of rehearsals, students are now moving into the Clarke Auditorium for the final stage of preparations ahead of opening night. Audiences can look forward to powerful performances, unforgettable music and a memorable theatrical experience as Victor Hugo's timeless story comes to life on stage.

Performance Dates

• Thursday 13 August – 7.00pm
• Friday 14 August – 7.00pm
• Saturday 15 August – 2.00pm
• Saturday 15 August (Gala Performance) – 7.30pm

Congratulations to everyone who secured tickets. We look forward to welcoming audiences next week for what promises to be a wonderful celebration of the performing arts at ELTHAM College.

Good luck to the nine ELTHAM College students representing the College at the 2026 Victorian Interschools Snowsports Championships at Mt Buller this month.

Competing across multiple divisions, our students will take part in a range of disciplines including Alpine, Ski Cross, Moguls, Freeski Slopestyle, Snowboard Giant Slalom, Snowboard Cross and Snowboard Slopestyle. The Championships bring together more than 230 schools from across Victoria and are recognised as one of the state's largest school sporting competitions.

We wish Ivy Downing, Martha Downing, Jake Feenstra, Zara Stasinowsky, Lilu Agnes Ortega Latimer, Luke Oldfield, Levi Pilson, Sophia Guyett and Joshua Stasinowsky every success as they represent ELTHAM College on the slopes.

As we move through the colder months, we ask families to help reduce the spread of illness by keeping students at home when they are unwell.

Students with colds, COVID-19, influenza or other contagious illnesses should stay home until they are well enough to participate in normal school activities. Before returning to school, students should be free from fever (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and feeling well. While mild cold symptoms may linger, students who are coughing frequently, have significant nasal discharge or are generally feeling unwell should remain at home to recover.

The Victorian Department of Health recommends that anyone experiencing an influenza-like illness remain at home until they are well. Good hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when unwell remain the most effective ways to help protect our College community.

Some infectious diseases, including conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, hand, foot and mouth disease, whooping cough and others, have specific school exclusion requirements under Victorian regulations. Families can find the current guidance from the Victorian Department of Health below:

• School exclusion table: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/site-4/infectious-diseases/school-exclusion-table
• Exclusion periods and advice:  https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/exclusion-periods-for-primary-schools-and-childrens-services 

Thank you for your continued support in helping to keep our students, staff and wider College community healthy.

Alicia Lands

School Nurse

We are excited to welcome our Junior School community to this year's Scholastic Book Fair.

Students from ELC to Year 6 will have the opportunity to browse a fantastic selection of books during their regular library sessions between Thursday 13 August and Tuesday 18 August.

Families are also warmly invited to visit the Book Fair at the Junior School Office during the following times:

• Thursday 13 August 3.00pm – 4.00pm

   

• Tuesday 18 August 3.00pm – 4.00pm

   

• Drop-off and pick-up times between Thursday 13 August and Tuesday 18 August 

Every purchase helps make a difference. Commission received from the Book Fair will be donated to support children in an underprivileged community.

Families are also invited to donate any pre-loved children's books, which will be passed on to this community. Donations can be dropped off at the Junior School Office between Thursday 13 August and Tuesday 18 August.

Our Year 8 Retreat was an amazing experience that encouraged us to reflect on who we are and who we want to become. The theme of the first day was 'Finding Your True North,' where we explored our values, peer pressure and decision-making through fun activities, including a blindfold challenge that taught us about trust, teamwork and appreciating things we often take for granted.

On the second day, the girls participated in workshops with SEED, learning about healthy relationships, equality and self-image, while the boys took part in The Man Cave.

Our final day included a visit to Melbourne's CBD, exploring iconic city landmarks before finishing at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

A huge thank you to Penny, our mentors and all the staff for making the retreat such a meaningful and memorable experience.

Rosie

Year 8 Student

One of the biggest events in our Senior School's calendar each year is the Subject Selection and Tertiary Expo evening. Students from Years 9 to 12 and their families attend in large numbers, creating a really upbeat, positive vibe! We provide a special presentation for Year 9 families about the Year 10 program and another presentation for Year 10 families about the VCE.

Students in Years 9-11 have the opportunity to ask subject teachers all about subjects they are considering choosing for the following year. In addition, along with Year 12 students, they enjoy chatting to the Universtity and TAFE representatives in the Tertiary Expo! This helps them explore future career and course ideas and can also guide their subject choices further.

Some comments from attendees on the night:

"I enjoyed speaking with teachers and appreciated the opportunity to have in-depth conversations with representatives from Universities about possible courses and pathways. I even discovered a new career interest!"

IJ, Year 11

"I spoke to the University of Tasmania staff which was inspiring. I also learned about Environmental Science there as a potential study area."

Xavier, Year 12

"It was great to be able to collect hard copies of the various University Course Guides, as I appreciate being able to take them home to look over in detail."

Abi, Year 12

Margie Jordan
LifeWork Centre Coordinator

LOTE Week Reflection

During the final week of Term 2, our school community came together to celebrate LOTE Week, embracing languages, cultures and global connections through a wide range of engaging activities. It was fantastic to see so many students participate with enthusiasm, curiosity and an open mind throughout the week.

Chinese

Across all Chinese classes, students took part in a variety of creative cultural activities. They designed their own qinghua (blue-and-white porcelain-inspired) paper plates and explored tayin, the traditional Chinese ink-rubbing technique that uses ink and paper to create copies of characters and images carved into stone.

Monday lunchtime saw a fantastic turnout for our Chinese sporting activities, with many students joining in the jianzi competition. Jianzi is a traditional Chinese game in which players work to keep a weighted feathered shuttlecock in the air without letting it touch the ground. It was wonderful to see students of all year levels giving it a go and encouraging one another.

On Tuesday lunchtime, students tested their knowledge in the Chinese Trivia Competition, answering questions about Chinese language, culture and traditions while competing for prizes.

One of the highlights of the week was our Years 7–12 Chinese students performing Beijing Huanying Ni (北京欢迎你 – "Beijing Welcomes You") at the school assembly. Originally written to promote the Beijing Olympic Games, the song celebrates friendship, hospitality and cultural exchange, encouraging people from around the world to come together. It was the perfect choice for LOTE Week, reflecting the importance of language learning and appreciating different cultures.

Overall, it was wonderful to see so many students embracing Chinese language and culture throughout the week. Thank you to all the students who participated and to everyone who helped make the activities such a memorable success.

French

Students studying French also enjoyed a variety of engaging cultural experiences throughout LOTE Week, showcasing French art, history and traditions.

Our Year 7 French students explored the famous Lascaux Cave paintings, creating their own cave art inspired by the remarkable 17,000-year-old prehistoric site in south-west France, which contains more than 1,500 engravings and more than 600 animal depictions.

Years 8 and 9 French students created colourful collages inspired by the work of Henri Matisse, the renowned French artist celebrated for his bold use of colour and distinctive artistic style. Their creativity and attention to detail were outstanding, and these artworks are now proudly displayed in the S12 French classroom.

Throughout the week, students also enjoyed lunchtime French activities held in the Forum. These included pétanque, a traditional French game similar to lawn bowls, as well as a French cultural Kahoot! quiz in the canteen, where students competed for prizes, including canteen vouchers.

It was fantastic to see such strong participation across all the French activities. Thank you to all the students who took part, the volunteers who assisted throughout the week, and the LOTE team for their enthusiasm, planning and support in making LOTE Week such a success.

LOTE Week once again highlighted the value of language learning in building curiosity, cultural understanding and global awareness. We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm shown by our students and look forward to celebrating languages and cultures together again next year.

Freya Leung-Harris

Leader of LOTE

Ijsbrand Shepherd

Leader of LOTE

In Year 7 English, students learn about the power of effective storytelling. Last week, this learning came together in our annual Story Slam competition, inspired by the acclaimed storytelling podcast The Moth.

The best stories from each class were presented to the entire year level, taking audiences on a journey through the absurd, the hilarious and the deeply moving.

This year's overall winner was Mason Derrick, whose story explored the importance of choosing your friends wisely.

Congratulations to all our talented finalists: Mason, Mira, Alba, Matilda and Benji.

Kylie Price

Head of Literacy

Join Tyson Day, Co-Founder and Lead Facilitator at Arrive & Thrive, for a practical and engaging session on how to spark meaningful career conversations at home. 

In this webinar, you'll discover:

• Simple ways to positively influence your young person's career decisions.
• How to make sense of the future of work and explore options together.
• How to use the GROW model to guide open, confident conversations about careers.

Everyone who joins will receive a Career Conversation Kit to get started right away.

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1993577747709?aff=oddtdcreator

Wednesday August 12 6:30-7:30pm

COST: $30

Each year students from across years 10-12 compete in the prestigious Carson Trophy Public Speaking Award. We hear a range of intelligent, and heart felt arguments in response to the topics that matter most to young people today. 

All members of the ELTHAM College community are welcome to attend this magical night on Thursday the 20th August in the Library Auditorium from 7:00-8:30. Light refreshments provided.

Last Year's Finalists

Kylie Price

Head of Literacy

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental condition that affects how children regulate attention, impulses and activity levels. While many children can appear restless, distracted or forgetful at times, ADHD involves ongoing patterns that may impact learning, behaviour, organisation and relationships. These challenges can sometimes lead to frustration at home and school, particularly when a child is trying hard but struggling to meet expectations.

For families, understanding ADHD means recognising that these behaviours are not simply a matter of effort or discipline. ADHD is influenced by a combination of neurological, biological and environmental factors that affect how a child’s brain processes information and manages self-control. With the right support, structure and strategies, children with ADHD can develop the skills they need to succeed and thrive.

This edition of SchoolTV explores how families can better understand ADHD and support children to build confidence, strengthen emotional regulation and navigate everyday challenges more successfully.

Here is the link to this topic: http://elthamcollege.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/adhd-au

 

For all information regarding the Sport program including Carnivals, EISM Fixtures, Team Lists, Training Sessions and Seasonal Sporting events please visit the ELTHAM College Sports page on mE link below.

There's still time to purchase tickets in the Friends of Music and Performing Arts (FoMPA) Annual Raffle, with the draw taking place on Wednesday 19 August.

By purchasing a raffle ticket, you're not only in the running to win a fantastic selection of prizes generously donated by local businesses, but you're also helping support Music and Performing Arts opportunities for students across ELTHAM College. Funds raised through the raffle contribute to productions, backstage improvements and resources that enrich the Performing Arts program.

Tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and can be purchased online via Humanitix or in the HMPAC foyer before performances and during interval throughout the season of Les Misérables.

Thank you to FoMPA, our generous sponsors and everyone who has supported this year's raffle. If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, this is your final opportunity to get involved, support our talented student performers and be in the running to win some fantastic prizes.

Purchase your raffle tickets via Humanitix.

Celebrate Father's Day with the ELTHAM College community at our annual Father's Day Breakfast, proudly hosted in partnership with the ELTHAM College Community Association (ECCA).

This special morning is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and thank the fathers, carers and special people who play such an important role in the lives of our students. Guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast, a live performance by our talented student musicians and plenty of opportunities to capture the occasion with fun photos.

The Father's Day Breakfast will be held on Thursday 3 September, from 7.30am – 8.30am in the Amplify Common Space at the ELTHAM College Research Campus.

Our Father's Day celebrations will continue across the College, with the ELC Father's Day Celebration taking place on Monday 31 August, and the Junior School Father's Day Celebration following the breakfast on Thursday 3 September. No RSVP is required for either of these celebrations.

We look forward to welcoming our families for a memorable morning of celebration, connection and gratitude.

Bookings for the Father's Day Breakfast are now open via Humanitix.

Excitement is building for the inaugural ELTHAM College Colour Run!

Taking place on Wednesday 7 October, the Colour Run will bring together students from Prep to Year 12 for a vibrant afternoon celebrating House spirit, community and giving back. As the launch event for the College's new House Service Learning Program, each House will support a nominated charity through fundraising and community engagement, with students participating in a fun, non-competitive Colour Run.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday 7 October 2026

Time: 1.00pm – 3.00pm

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 be involved in a supervised alternative activity on campus during the event.

Tickets will be available via Humanitix from 4.00pm on Thursday 27 August 2026. Families are encouraged to keep an eye out for further information, including ticketing details, what to wear, frequently asked questions and information about each House charity.

Our ELC students will also take part in their own age-appropriate Colour Run activities within the Junior School precinct, celebrating alongside the College event.

We look forward to seeing our College community come together for an afternoon of colour, House spirit and support for causes that matter.

2026 sees us move to our new improved newsletter, which is now available fortnightly.

Key Dates and more timely information will be shared via the mE app. If you have not already installed the mE app on your phone and enabled notifications, we ask our families to do so.

Parents can access this information from the Information for Families page on mE and by clicking on the mE App tile. 

The countdown is on! With ELTHAM College's Comedy Night just around the corner, now is the time to secure your tickets for what promises to be one of the College's most entertaining community events of the year.

Proudly presented by ECCA and ELTHAM College, the evening will see comedians Josh Smith (Class of 2026), Joseph Green and Luke Kidgell take to the Clarke Auditorium stage on Saturday 29 August for an unforgettable night of stand-up comedy.

Whether you're planning a night out with friends or looking for an evening of great entertainment, this is an event not to be missed. Tickets are $40 per person and include generous canapés on arrival, with beer, wine, cider and soft drinks available for purchase throughout the evening.

Every ticket purchased also supports the College's Service Learning Program and House charities, including FightMND, Team Kill Cancer, The Smith Family and WWF, making it an opportunity to enjoy a fantastic night while giving back to the community.

Date: Saturday 29 August 2026

Venue: HMPAC – Clarke Auditorium, ELTHAM College

Time: 7.00pm – 9.00pm (Show commences at 7.30pm)

This is a 16+ event. No BYO food or drinks.

Secure your tickets now via Humanitix.

Child Safety at ELTHAM College

All staff at ELTHAM College are responsible for providing a safe environment and the protection of children and young people within our care, including promoting physical, emotional and cultural safety. All staff are responsible for reporting information about suspected child abuse. All staff share in the responsibility for the prevention and detection of child abuse and promptly raise any issues or concerns about a child’s safety. All staff are required to follow the School’s Child Safe policies and Child Safety Code of Conduct.

ELTHAM College takes a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and is fully committed to ensuring that its strategies, policies, procedures, and practices meet all Child Safe Standards as specified in Ministerial Order No. 1359 (2022).  All applicants should refer to our Child Safety Policy and Code of Conduct found at Policies - Eltham College.