ELTHAM College Family News September 4 2026
Key Dates
Key Dates 4 September
College Connections
Celebrating Community at Our Father's Day Breakfast
On Thursday morning, families, carers and special friends came together as a community to celebrate our annual Father’s Day Breakfast at ELTHAM College.
Held in the Amplify Common Space, the morning was filled with connection, delicious breakfasts and celebration of the special people in the lives of our students. The gathering was filled with lots of smiles, laughter and heartfelt moments with students contributing to the special occasion through dedicated performances, poems and speeches about their fathers and special carers in their lives.
College Captain for 2027 Austin shared a heartfelt speech, followed by Sophie and Mia who each presented a meaningful and dedicated poem to Father’s Day.
Reeva also wrote and performed a beautiful song dedicated to her father during the special morning, while our Clarinet Ensemble entertained guests with Paul Harvey’s arrangement of the traditional Scottish tune Charlie Is My Darling.
The morning concluded with families capturing memories together through a special polaroid picture, providing a keepsake from the wonderful celebration.
A sincere thank you to our staff, ECCA, student leaders and volunteers whose support and organisation helped bring this morning together and make it such a special occasion for our community.
Dannielle Malee
Events Coordinator
EISM Chess Gala Day 2026
On the 28th of August, ELTHAM College’s team of junior chess players set out to play in the EISM Chess Gala for 2026 played at Donvale Christian College. It was no small task. ELTHAM college was outnumbered, and this year had the largest number of competitors ever, a record of over 300 participants.
Despite these challenges, the students gave it their all, embodying the school values and even managing to get a large number of wins on the table, even with our small number of people participating. Huge congratulations to ELTHAM College’s small but mighty group of grandmasters this year: Lachlan Cathie, William Fang, Alistair Gledhill, Lachlan Gledhill, Caspian Kiddle-Sobsami, Hunter Meyer, Jet Yin Richards, Hugo Thomas, Matt Wade and William Weymouth.
I hope you all had an amazing time, showed your worth, and learned some new skills for the years to come. I certainly did.
Matt Wade
Year 8 Student
The ELTHAM College Colour Run is Here!
Get ready for a fun filled afternoon of colour and House Spirit at the inaugural ELTHAM College Colour Run.
The event will be the first whole College fundraiser for our Service-Learning Program and will include:
- Colour Run
- Obstacle course
- Giant games
- BBQ
- Service-Learning activities
The event is a whole school activity with participation expected. Students who are unable to participate will take part in an alternative supervised activity on campus. Parents are welcome to come along to watch the fun.
As part of the event, families are invited to make a $10 donation to their child’s House charity as part of their colour run registration. Further information about the charities and how to register can be found on the Colour Run event page.
What to Wear
Students should wear
- A white T-Shirt
- Comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities
- Closed toe running shoes
- Clothing that can get wet and covered in coloured powder
- Protective glasses – supplied
- Face mask or bandanna recommended for students who would prefer additional protection from the powder.
The colour powder is designed to wash out with normal water and detergent.
Registration & Permission
There are two steps required for participation:
- Humanitix: Families register for the Colour Run and make the $10 donation to their child’s House charity.
- EdSmart: Parents/carers complete the required permission form, which will be sent separately/
We look forward to bringing our College community together for an afternoon of colour, connection and House spirit, while supporting our Service-Learning Program and important causes for our community.
Find full event details and register via the Colour Run event page.
Run for the Firies is Back for 2026!
Run for the Firies is back, bringing the local community together to raise funds for the Kangaroo Ground and Research fire brigades.
ELTHAM College is proud to sponsor the 6km event and will have a College marquee at the event. We’d love to see members of the ELTHAM community get involved; whether you’re running, walking or coming along to support participants on the day.
Run options:
- 4km run/walk
- 6km
- 10.6km
- Half marathon
All events start from Adventure Playground Oval, Eltham North.
Ready to get involved? Register via the Run for the Firies website and don’t forget to join the ELTHAM College team when registering.
The ELTHAM team is also planning training sessions along the Aqueduct Trail in the lead-up to the event, with more information to come.
ELC and Junior School News
Junior School Lara McQuillan Public Speaking Competition
Congratulations to Reeva, winner of this year’s Lara McQuillan Public Speaking Competition.
Reeva captivated the audience with a thoughtful and engaging speech on the importance of protecting our oceans and the Great Barrier Reef. She explored the reef’s vital role in supporting marine ecosystems, contributing to the oxygen we breathe and supporting Australia’s economy through tourism and local communities.
Congratulations also to our Year 3-6 finalists, Fereshta, Poppy and Leela, and to all students who took to the stage to share their ideas and interests. From AI and animal wellbeing to confidence, swimming, environmental care and personal passions, students demonstrated courage, enthusiasm and a wonderful range of perspectives.
Thank you to our staff for supporting students throughout the competition and to our judging panel for helping make this celebration of public speaking possible.
We are proud of every student who stepped outside their comfort zone, took to the stage and shared their voice with our community.
A Symphony of Stories for Junior School Book Week
Book Week brought plenty of colour, creativity and fun to our Junior School. This year’s theme, ‘Symphony of Stories’, inspired students to explore the ways stories, music and imagination can bring us together.
Celebrations began with the Book Week Costume Parade, as students and staff brought favourite books and characters to life through an incredible array of creative costumes. Families joined the fun with music, dancing and plenty of laughter, including an entertaining Teacher vs Parent Dance-Off that invited our grown-ups to embrace the Book Week spirit.
At our special Symphony of Stories Assembly, students experienced storytelling through music and performance. The Wagner Rock Band brought The Frog’s First Song to life with a performance of William Himes’ Creed, followed by The Frog Song, an original piece inspired by the story and performed by the Songsters Choir written and lead by their teacher, Julia.
Students were also treated to a jazz performance inspired by the award-winning book Jazz ABZ, celebrating the life and music of Dizzy Gillespie through storytelling and song. Across the week, students explored how stories can spark curiosity, inspire creativity and connect us with each other.
Thank you to our students, staff and families for bringing such enthusiasm and imagination to this year’s Book Week.
Belinda Zelazny
Junior School Librarian
Year 4 abuzz with Biodiversity Learning
Year 4 was buzzing with excitement this week when students welcomed Clarissa from Hive & Seek for a special bee incursion connected to their Inquiry unit on biodiversity and ecosystems.
Clarissa shared her experience as a beekeeper and introduced students to the three types of bees found within a hive and the role each plays. A highlight was observing live bees safely through an observation hive, giving students a close-up look at bee behaviour and the different stages of their life cycle.
Students also investigated beekeeping equipment, learnt about pollen and nectar, discovered how bees communicate and explored how beeswax is produced. The hands-on experience connected closely with students’ learning about biodiversity and interdependence. They investigated the role bees play as pollinators and considered how plants, animals and humans depend on one another for survival.
Students also tackled the big question: What would happen if there were no bees? This prompted discussion about the foods we eat, the plants in our environment and how the loss of an important pollinator could affect an entire ecosystem.
The incursion brought classroom learning to life through observation, questioning and discussion, while giving students a new appreciation for how some of the smallest creatures can play an enormous role in maintaining healthy and diverse ecosystems.
Peter Blackford
Junior School Teacher
Senior School News
Two Upcoming Webinars for Year 12 Students and Parents
Career Activities/Events These School Holidays!
Geography Students Explore Tourism in the Yarra Valley
Unit 2 Geography students recently explored the Yarra Valley as part of their studies on tourism in a rural environment.
Students visited Badger Weir Picnic Ground, Healesville, Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and De Bortoli winery, experiencing first-hand some of the diverse attractions that draw visitors to the region.
Along the way, students had the opportunity to sample products at the Chocolaterie and were guided through the winery by the cellar door manager. Local tourism operators generously shared their knowledge and spoke with students about the importance of tourism to the Yarra Valley and its communities.
The excursion provided a valuable opportunity for students to gather data outside the classroom and develop a deeper understanding of why tourism is such a significant characteristic of the Yarra Valley region.
Anya Greenhill
VCE Geography Teacher
Senior Art Students Connect with Local Artists
Our senior Art students recently enjoyed a day of creativity, inspiration and hands-on learning at a local Art Show.
Students explored a diverse range of works, including oil paintings, mixed media, watercolours, acrylics, photography, ceramics and sculpture. The exhibition provided an opportunity to see how artists use different materials, techniques and styles to communicate ideas visually.
A highlight of the day was a practical watercolour workshop with respected local artist John Orlando Birt, who shared his knowledge and experience while guiding students through the process of visualising, planning, composing and creating a watercolour landscape.
Using the materials provided, students put these techniques into practice to create their own watercolour seascapes, producing some impressive results within a short timeframe.
The excursion was particularly valuable for current Year 11 Art Creative Practice students and those preparing to study Year 10 Art and Year 11 Art Creative Practice in 2027. Experiencing a community-run exhibition and working directly with a practising artist gave students valuable insight into the creative process and the role of art within the wider community.
Thank you to the Rotary Club of Eltham for organising the day and continuing to create engaging opportunities for local schools and young people. Thank you also to teachers Kristy and Lyn for their support in making the experience possible for our students.
Peter Attard
Head of Arts
Year 12 Hospitality Students Serve Up a Memorable Final Dinner
On Wednesday 26 August, our VET Hospitality and Cookery students marked their final service for 2026 with a special four-course Parent Dinner at Swipers Training Restaurant.
Local chef Stephen Mercer, from Mercers in Eltham, prepared a bespoke menu for the evening, matched with Swipers wines. Working alongside Stephen gave students the opportunity to experience an industry-style fine dining service - a different challenge from the Training Restaurant environment they have worked in over the past two years.
Students experienced first-hand the work and attention to detail required to prepare and present each course consistently. Both front and back of house students rose to the challenge, demonstrating professionalism and the skills they have developed throughout the program.
The dinner also provided an opportunity to thank parents for their support of the students and Swipers Training Restaurant, while bringing our Hospitality and Cookery students together for their final public service.
Thank you to everyone who attended and to our Hospitality and Cookery students for their hard work throughout the year. Thank you also to Stephen Mercer, Richard Lisle and teachers Pat and Duncan for their support in bringing this memorable final service to life.
Pat Murphy
Hospitality
Year 9 Students Put Democracy Into Action
This term’s Year 9 Humanities students didn’t just learn about democracy; they lived it. As part of the Global Citizens unit, students were tasked with identifying a real-world issue, proposing a Bill in response and building their case through research grounded in human rights, before bringing it all together in a campaign speech and materials shared across campus.
That work culminated in a highlight of the term: the City Campus election. Eight student candidates put themselves forward, fronting a lively question time before their peers cast a secret preferential ballot to decide the result - a hands-on taste of the democratic process they had been studying all term.
On election day, students had the special opportunity to hear from Member of Parliament David Ettershank, who visited to share insights into life as an MP and what it means to represent a community in Victoria’s Parliament. David also announced the winners of the City Campus election, giving students a valuable opportunity to connect their classroom learning with the real world.
Congratulations to Jack and Allegra, elected as this year’s City Campus Premiers! Well done also to every student who put themselves forward to campaign, and to the whole cohort for the enthusiasm and thoughtfulness they brought to this term’s civic journey.
John Dyer
Teacher, Year 9
Wellbeing
SchoolTV - Celebrating Father's Day
For many years now, the role of fathers has changed and evolved. During the industrial revolution, fathers were often considered detached and distant due to working long hours in factories. However, today things have changed dramatically with many dads being celebrated for being sensitive, caring and more hands-on.
Recent studies have shown that children benefit greatly from having fathers who are present and interacting in everyday activities. This has transformed the understanding of how fathers shape children’s lives from the start, challenging conventional ideas of parenthood and gender.
Research also suggests that fathers influence their sons and daughters in different ways, which is especially true during their transition to adolescence. Engaging in regular physical activities can play a key role in influencing children to learn self-control, face challenges, regulate emotions and take manageable risks.
In this Special Report, fathers will learn about the positive impact they can have on their child’s mental health and wellbeing, whilst also ensuring they indulge in a little self-care.
Here is the link to this topic: http://elthamcollege.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/celebrating-fathers-day
SchoolTV - Healthy Study Habits
In today's world, where distractions are abundant and the pressure to excel is high, guiding children to develop healthy study habits is more important than ever. As students aspire to achieve academic success, the cornerstone of that achievement lies not just in their intelligence or drive, but in the study habits they cultivate.
It's essential for students to recognise that good study habits aren't merely about spending extra hours hitting the books. It's more about quality over quantity and having a more balanced approach. Emphasising the value of a routine is essential. Consistent study times establish a sense of structure and discipline, turning studying into a natural part of their daily routine rather than a burdensome task.
Additionally, how students approach their study sessions is equally important. Taking regular breaks is a crucial part of this process in maintaining focus and preventing burnout.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and consistent physical activity are indispensable elements that will significantly impact your child's ability to study effectively. Fostering these healthy habits is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer children, paving the way for a lifetime of learning and achievement.
This Special Report will help you support your young person as they embark on studying for exams.
Here is the link to this topic: http://elthamcollege.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-healthy-study-habits-au
Coming Together for R U OK? Day
On Thursday 10 September, ELTHAM College will come together to recognise R U OK? Day — a national day that encourages us to connect with those around us and take the time to ask, “Are you OK?”
To mark the day, students and staff are invited to wear a touch of yellow with their usual College uniform. At lunchtime, our community will also have the opportunity to connect and enjoy a BBQ at the Forum area.
R U OK? Day is a reminder that we don’t need to be experts to support someone who may be having a difficult time. A genuine conversation, taking the time to listen and checking in again can help people feel connected and supported.
R U OK? encourages four simple steps when someone may be struggling: Ask R U OK? → Listen → Encourage action → Check in.
Families can also support these conversations at home by creating relaxed opportunities to check in, asking open questions, listening without immediately trying to solve the problem, acknowledging what their child shares and following up with another conversation later.
For further information and practical advice about starting meaningful conversations with children and young people, families can visit the R U OK? website.
We look forward to seeing plenty of yellow across ELTHAM on Thursday 10 September and coming together at lunchtime to connect and check in with one another.
Sports Report
Sport Updates on mE
Family Reminders
Family News and the mE App
ECCA
Celebrating Our Staff
This week, the ELTHAM College community came together in the Forum to mark Staff Appreciation Day and recognise the dedication, care and hard work of our staff. An initiative of the ELTHAM College Community Association (ECCA), the day provided an opportunity to celebrate the many ways our staff contribute to the experiences of students and families across the College.
Thank you to ECCA for this thoughtful celebration, and to all our staff for the contribution you make to our College community each day.
Lisa Burleigh
Community Engagement Coordinator
Comedy Night Recap - A Night of Laughs at ELTHAM
On Saturday 29 August, our Stand-Up Comedy Night brought together alumni, current staff, students, families and members of our local community for an evening of laughter and entertainment at the College.
We were thrilled to welcome Luke Kidgell as our headline act, supported by comedian Joseph Green and our very own Year 12 student Josh Smith.
All three performers had the audience laughing throughout the evening, with plenty of quick wit and memorable moments. Luke Kidgell’s signature audience interactions certainly didn’t disappoint, while Josh did a fantastic job taking to the stage alongside two professional comedians.
A huge thank you to the ELTHAM College Community Association (ECCA) for organising such an entertaining evening and creating another opportunity for our wider College community to come together.
Lisa Burleigh
Community Engagement Coordinator
Community Notices
Community Events and Notices 4 September 2026
Research Tennis Club
Banyule YouthFest 2026
Junior Players 2027
