ELTHAM College Family News October 16 2026

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

Events and dates may be subject to change.

Week 3

Monday 19 October

Year 8 Field Trip – Organ Pipes

Smack Talk Parent Presentation

Tuesday 20 October

Biomedical Sciences Day

Thursday 22 October

MAD Art Show Exhibition

Friday 23 October

Year 10 Geography Field Trip – McCrae Beach and Martha Cove

Week 4 

Wednesday 28 October

Night of Rock

ELTHAM College student Jacob Guyett has qualified for the Australian All Schools Nationals in Perth following a successful performance at the Victorian State All Schools Athletics Competition at Lakeside.

Competing across four days of heats, semi-finals and finals in challenging cold and wet conditions, Jacob secured medals in both the 100m and 200m finals.

 The 100m final was particularly close, requiring a photo finish to separate Jacob and a fellow competitor. Both athletes recorded the same time, with the final placing determined by thousandths of a second.

 In the 200m, Jacob finished second, recording a new personal best of 23.91 seconds. With only the first and second-place finishers qualifying for Nationals, this result secured his place at the national competition. He also recorded a time of 12.10 seconds in the 100m.

Jacob will compete at the Australian All Schools Nationals in Perth from 1–5 December, alongside some of Australia's leading school-aged athletes.

 His recent performances have also seen him achieve the qualifying time for the Australian Athletics Senior Nationals in April 2027.

Congratulations to Jacob on these achievements, and we wish him every success at Nationals.

Brent Wallace
Head of Sport

ELTHAM College student Maddy Meagher has delivered an outstanding performance at the recent AFLW National Draft Combine, achieving exceptional results across the testing program.

1st

20m Sprint- Maddison Meagher: 3.059 secs

1st

Vertical Jump- Maddison Meagher: 61 cm

4th

Agility- Maddison Meagher: 8.191 secs

4th

Running vertical- Maddison Meagher: 72 cm

Maddy placed first in both the 20m sprint and vertical jump, recording the second-fastest 20m sprint time in the Combine's history. These impressive results highlight her speed, power and athletic ability.

Throughout her time at ELTHAM College, Maddy has demonstrated dedication, focus and determination, consistently showing a strong commitment to her development both on and off the field.

We congratulate Maddy on this remarkable achievement and wish her every success as she prepares for the AFLW Draft in mid-December. We look forward to following her journey and celebrating the next exciting chapter in her football career.

Brent Wallace

Head of Sport

Last week, ELTHAM College came together for our inaugural Colour Run & Obstacle Course, celebrating our House Service Learning Program and marking our first whole-school Service Learning event and fundraiser.

Held on Wednesday 7 October, the afternoon was filled with vibrant colours, enthusiasm and plenty of House spirit as students and staff took part in the Colour Run and obstacle course. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for our College community to connect, have fun and support causes that make a positive difference.

Service Learning has long been an important part of life at ELTHAM College, with each House supporting its chosen charity through fundraising and other community initiatives. The new House Service Learning Program builds on this existing commitment, creating further opportunities for students to engage with meaningful causes and explore how they can contribute positively to their communities.

The Colour Run brought this commitment to life on a whole-school scale, with students and staff coming together to raise funds for each House’s chosen charity. It was wonderful to see students embrace the colourful festivities, encourage one another and demonstrate their House pride throughout the afternoon.

The event was a fantastic celebration of connection, participation and the shared commitment to making a positive contribution beyond our College.

A huge thank you to our students, staff and parents for their support in making the day such a success. A special thank you to Danni for organising the event and bringing this fantastic Colour Run to life.

We look forward to seeing our House Service Learning Program continue to grow, building on ELTHAM College’s established commitment to service and creating further opportunities for our community to make a meaningful difference.

Dannielle Mallee
Events Coordinator

On the evening of 10 September, a combined ensemble of 20 singers and a 12-piece band took to the stage for a special concert celebrating the music of British singer-songwriter Sting (Gordon Sumner).

Spanning a remarkable 50-year career, Sting's music has explored a diverse range of genres, from pop and reggae to jazz and musical theatre. The concert showcased this musical versatility, featuring songs from his early years with British trio The Police, his extensive solo career and his Broadway musical The Last Ship.

The program featured well-known hits including Roxanne, Every Breath You Take and Fragile, alongside lesser-known selections such as La Belle Dame Sans Regrets, Sad Trombone and The Night the Pugilist Learned How to Dance.

 The performance provided a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to explore Sting's rich musical catalogue while showcasing their own talents and versatility.

Congratulations to all students and staff involved in bringing this engaging and educational musical celebration to life!

Aaron Searle

Director of Music

In September, the Australian Children’s Choir (ACC) celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre, bringing together current choristers, training groups and a specially formed Alumni Choir. 

 Six members of the ELTHAM College community took part in the milestone concert, representing nearly 40 years of involvement with this much-loved choral institution.

Performing with the current ACC choirs were Noel (Year 2), Vibodh (Year 6) and Euan (Year 7), while Nate (Year 11), Ben (Oboe Teacher) and Nicole Howard (Performing Arts Coordinator) joined the Alumni Choir.

The ELTHAM representatives came together following a combined rehearsal to share memories and reflect on their experiences with the choir. Across the years, their involvement has included countless hours of rehearsals, camps, special performances and national and international tours.

 Nicole recalled touring Hong Kong as a 10-year-old, while Vibodh recently returned from an ACC tour of Italy during the June/July holidays.

During the tour, Vibodh performed at several significant venues, including the Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome, St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and the Basilica di Santa Trinita in Florence.

The choir also travelled to Verona for the Festival Internazionale Corale Verona Garda, performing alongside European choirs in historic castles and cathedrals.

Reflecting on his experience, Vibodh shared:

"I really enjoyed going on the tour. I was nervous because this is first time I'll be travelling with choir. It was amazing to perform in the beautiful old churches. I especially liked singing in the St.Peter's Basilica. It was so big and beautiful. I had fun on the sightseeing with my friends, and we even got to go to a theme park. I enjoyed watching and singing with the European choirs. They were very nice and very encouraging of our performances”.

The anniversary concert was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the ACC's rich musical history and the enduring connections formed through choral music.

Watch a performance of Tapestry of Sound by Daniel Brinsmead, featuring the Australian Children’s Choir and ELTHAM's six representatives.

Nicole Howard

Performing Arts Coordinator

The ELTHAM College community is warmly invited to this year's Middle Years (Years 5-9) production of A Christmas Carol, with tickets now available through Humanitix.

Get ready for ghosts, Scrooge and a little Victorian Christmas magic! This festive production brings Charles Dicken's much loved tale to life. The story follows the mean spirited Ebenezer Scrooge, an old man who despises Christmas and shows little kindness to those around him. On Christmas Eve, after treating his employee poorly, refusing to give to charity and turning down his nephew's invitation to celebrate, Scrooge returns home to an unexpected visitor, the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley.

What follows this mysterious night of visits is three more spirits: The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. The spirits challenge Scrooge to reflect on his life and the person he has become. 

Join us for a heart warming tale of redemption, compassion and the true spirit of Christmas, brought to life by our talented Middle Years students.

Performance Dates

Friday 13 November - 7:00pm

Saturday 14 November - 2:00pm

Saturday 14 November - 7:00pm

We look forward to welcoming families and friends to our festive production and spending a night celebrating the creativity, dedication and hard work of our students both on and off the stage.

Tickets are available via Humanitix.

Run for the Firies is back, and this is our final reminder to register!

Join us on Sunday 25 October and be part of the ELTHAM College team as we run, walk and show our support for the local Kangaroo Ground and Research fire brigades.

ELTHAM College is proud to sponsor the 6km event, supporting this important community fundraiser. Whether you are ready to run, prefer to walk or simple want to come along and get involved, we would love to see members of our College community coming together for such an important cause.

Events to choose from:

• 4km Run/Walk
• 6km Run
• 10.6km Run
• Half Marathon

All events start from Adventure Playground Oval, Eltham North, with something for everyone to get active, have fun and support the incredible local volunteers who do so much for our community.

Register via the Run for the Firies website and don't forget to join the ELTHAM College team so we can come together and show our support for our local firies.

The ELTHAM team is also planning training sessions along the Aqueduct Trail in the lead up to the event, with more information to come.

REGISTER AND JOIN THE ELTHAM COLLEGE TEAM

Join Careers Specialist Tyson Day (Eltham College alumni) from Arrive and Thrive for his last public parent webinar for 2026! 

November 4th, @ 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm (DST). Cost: $30

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1998162398523?aff=oddtdtcreator​

All participating families and individuals get a Free Career Conversations Kit!

The health, safety and wellbeing of students participating in sport remain a priority at ELTHAM College. To support the safe management of concussion in young athletes, the College follows a comprehensive process aligned with the ELTHAM College Concussion Protocol and the Australian Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport.

We remind families of the following important requirements and procedures.

Reporting a Concussion

If your child sustains a concussion or suspected concussion during external training or a sporting event, please immediately notify Brent Wallace, Senior School Sports Coordinator, at bwallace@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au and, where possible, provide a copy of the medical certificate.

In conjunction with the College Concussion Officer (College Nurses) and your child's GP, the College will oversee their gradual return to learning and sporting activities.

Return to Play

The earliest a student may return to contact sports is 21 days after the concussion, with the day of the concussion considered day zero.

Return to contact sport will only occur following completion of a graded loading program, medical clearance from the student's GP and full resolution of concussion-related signs and symptoms.

A Clearance Form must be signed by the student's GP and provided to Brent Wallace before the student returns to participation in contact sports.

Gradual Return to Learning and Sport

The College's gradual return program supports a safe transition back to academic and sporting activities. It incorporates rest, recovery and a carefully considered graded loading program to manage physical and cognitive exertion.

Families are encouraged to review the graded return to sport framework outlined in the accompanying document to understand the importance of these protocols in supporting student athletes.

We appreciate the cooperation of families in upholding these important health and safety standards and supporting the long-term wellbeing of our students.

For further information or questions, please contact Brent Wallace, Senior School Sports Coordinator, at bwallace@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au.

ELTHAM College, like many schools in the area, is listed on the Bushfire At-Risk Register and we have clear procedures in place to help keep our students and staff safe. These steps ensure that our school community is well-prepared and that families know what to expect during bushfire season. 

Our preparedness measures include:

• Bushfire drills so students and staff can practice our ‘Shelter in Place’ evacuation response
• Mandatory school closure on declared Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days
• Regular consultation with the CFA and maintenance of emergency equipment
• Annual review of our Emergency Management Plans

Families are encouraged to read our Bushfire Emergency Management Information for Community and access the our Emergency Management Plans, which are located under Policies in the Parent Resources section of our website and also via mE. Helpful external resources include the CFA Plan & Prepare and VicEmergency websites.

Pre-emptive Mandatory School Closures on Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days

If the College must close due to a forecast Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating day, families will be notified the day prior via email and mE news. Both Research and City campuses will close, and once a closure is confirmed the decision will not change, even if the forecast improves. 

Outdoor Education camps will also be cancelled if a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating day is forecast for the fire district where the camp is located, or if travel to or from the camp involves areas with a Catastrophic Fire Danger rating. Charter bus services will also be cancelled. 

By working together and staying informed, we can help ensure that our school community remains safe throughout the bushfire season.

Applications Now Open | Elevate Pathways Program 2028

Applications are now open for the ELTHAM College Elevate Pathways Program for students entering Year 7 and Year 10 in 2028.

More than a scholarship, Elevate offers enrichment and mentorship opportunities for curious and committed students to realise their potential across three pathways: Academic, Arts and Sport.

Students are encouraged to showcase their interests, aspirations and achievements as part of the application process.

How to apply

Families must complete two steps:

1. Register for the Edutest academic assessment ($120 registration fee).
2. Complete the Elevate Supporting Information Form, including a short student introduction video and relevant supporting documentation.

Key Dates

• Friday 19 February 2027: Applications close
• Saturday 27 February 2027: Academic testing at ELTHAM College
• Late March – Early May 2027: Shortlisting, interviews and offers

We encourage interested families to explore this exciting opportunity and discover how Elevate can support their child's passions and potential.

Learn more about Elevate Pathways and how to apply

At the end of Term 3, a team of five Junior School students represented ELTHAM College in the Ethics Olympiad, putting their philosophical thinking and ethical reasoning to the test. 

The Ethics Olympiad is a three-part competition where students explore six ethical cases, each presenting two to four questions that encourage them to consider different perspectives and philosophical theories. Students from more than 200 schools across 14 regions around the world take part in the competition. 

Our ELTHAM College team spent two terms preparing for the competition, meeting once each week at lunchtime to explore ethical questions, develop their reasoning and learn how to thoughtfully consider different points of view. 

The competition took place on Tuesday 8 September, with our students tackling a fascinating range of topics, including whether white lies can be acceptable, the ethics of eating animals, whether esports should be considered a sport, the idea of selfishness, the ethics of promises between friends and the consequences of lying. 

We are proud to share that our students received an Honourable Mention for their efforts. 

Congratulations to our five Junior School students for their thoughtful preparation, curiosity and willingness to engage with complex ethical questions. It was wonderful to see them put their philosophical thinking into practice and represent ELTHAM College on an international stage.

Louise Brown

Learning Support Teacher

What an amazing last week our Year 12s have had!
We began Monday with Uniform Accessory Day, and it was wonderful to see students creativity on display, from funky hats to glasses, bling and even a walking stick making an appearance.

Tuesday continued the fun with Anything But a Bag Day, and our Year 12s certainly embraced the challenge. Books were carried around in all sorts of items, everything from air fryers to cat carriers. One particularly creative student tied their belongings to a lamp post.

Wednesday finished our themed days with Dress as a Teacher Day, and it was difficult to know who was who. It was almost impossible to find the real Colin Lio amongst the many clones walking around, and of course we cannot forget the Nick Milne inspired socks.

By Thursday, the celebrations turned into some of our most treasured Year 12 traditions. We began with our Year 12 Final Assembly, allowing students to share a 30 second speech about their time at ELTHAM College. It was difficult to keep your composure as each student stood before their peers and shared words from the heart.

Those speeches are worth their weight in gold. They revealed so much about the young people we have had the pleasure of teaching at ELTHAM College. Their gratitude, reflections, friendships, memories and hopes for the future reflected meaningful individual paths and stories that felt so special to watch and listen to, and for the younger students in the room, acted respectfully listening to every word. It was a beautiful reminder of the impact of our Year 12s have had on the wider College community

From there, the celebrations continued with our Year 12 sleepover. There were pizzas, a gorgeous sunset over the city, a giant game of hide and seek and a very competitive game of musical chairs. After a movie, it was time to sleep although easier said than done!

The next morning began with a wonderful breakfast of bacon and eggs, cooked by our fantastic Year 12 parents. We then came together for a fun filled final assembly with dress ups and plenty of laughter, before wrapping up the day with Bounce for a few more hours of fun.

By Friday afternoon, we were all heading home exhausted but with plenty of wonderful memories from a truly memorable final week.

We could not be prouder of the way our Year 12s have said goodbye to their formal classes at ELTHAM College. They have celebrated their final week with humour, generosity, friendship and a wonderful sense of community.

As they now turn their attention to their upcoming exams and the next chapter beyond ELTHA, we wish every one of them the very best. We hope they can carry with them the friendships, memories, lessons and experiences that have shaped their time here.

What a last week, and what a privilege it has been to share it with them.

Simone Kenny

Year 12 Coordinator

The 2026 Central Australia Trip was an unforgettable experience for 40 fortunate Year 11 students. We learned all about opal mining in Coober Pedy, toured the museum and even stayed in the dugouts for a night! 

Then it was on to Alice Springs, where we set up camp for three nights. We visited the desert museum, went on a series of guided walks through significant areas outside the town, visited the 'Michelin-star' KFC and, of course, watched the sunset. 

Next, we spent half a day with an Aboriginal community, which was eye-opening, to say the least. We also hiked around Kings Canyon and then had the opportunity to see it from above – in a helicopter! 

Finally, we stayed near Uluru, where we completed the 10 km base walk under the beating sun, watched the sunset and visited the Field of Light. 

After all that, how does one board the plane home? 

May Zavadil, 

Year 11 

On Wednesday 9 September, ELTHAM College’s EISM Cross Country team headed to Ruffey Lake Park for a day of competition, determination and sportsmanship.

Our students performed tremendously throughout the carnival, demonstrating excellent team spirit and cheering one another on throughout the races. ELTHAM College finished 5th in Division 2, with our Under 13 Boys crowned Division 2 Age Group Champions.

This achievement completes an outstanding sweep for our Under 13 Boys, who have now claimed age group champion titles across all three EISM carnivals this year: Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country.

We also congratulate our students who achieved impressive individual results, including podium finishes and top 10 placings across their respective age groups.

Individual Results

Boys

• Under 13: Luke O (4th), Arad H (5th), Finny W (6th)
• Under 14: Declan Z (4th)
• Under 15: Brody H (14th)
• Under 16: Henry C (3rd), Ben R (10th)
• Open: Patrick K (2nd), Nic S (6th), Oscar W (10th)

Girls

• Under 13: Mavis L (7th)
• Under 14: Chloe M (13th), Olivia F (14th)
• Under 15: Bonnie L (2nd), Silvie J (5th)
• Under 16: Keira K (1st)
• Open: Freya L-H (9th)

A special congratulations to Keira K, who claimed first place in the Under 16 Girls, and to all our students who contributed to the team’s success.

Thank you to everyone who represented ELTHAM College and demonstrated such commitment, encouragement and sportsmanship throughout the day. We are proud of the team’s efforts and look forward to building on these achievements in 2027.

Brent Wallace

Head of Sport

As the 2026 academic year approaches its end, we look forward to celebrating the hard work and dedication of our students as well as celebrating the achievements and individual journeys of our Year 12 students at the 2026 Year 12 Valedictory Dinner on Thursday 19 November.

This special evening brings together our graduating students, their families and the College community to reflect on their friendships, experiences and milestones that have shaped their secondary schooling, and to recognise all of their accomplishments along the way.

A reminder that bookings close strictly on Monday 26 October 2026. Families who have not yet secured their tickets are encouraged to book before the deadline so they can join us for this memorable celebration.

Ticket information

Graduating students attend free of charge and may invite up to three paying guests. All graduating students who plan to attend must register for a ticket through Humanitix to ensure they have a seat on the night, including students attending without guests.

Tickets and seat selection are available through Humanitix: Book your tickets here.

When booking, guests can select available seats and indicate their seating preferences. If you would like to sit with friends or family, we recommend coordinating before booking. You can search for another ticket holder by their full name when prompted and select an available seat at the same table. Please note that there are a limited number of tables accommodating 12 guests.

We will endeavour to accommodate seating requests, although final table allocations will depend on event numbers and the venue layout. The table arrangements shown in Humanitix are not to scale and may differ slightly from the final room layout.

Your ticket includes pre-dinner drinks and a three course dinner, featuring alternate entrée and main courses, sides, dessert canapes, tea and coffee. Complimentary wine, beer, sparkling wine and soft drinks will also be available, with champagne, spirits and cocktails available for purchase.

As this is a school event, we ask all students and families to be mindful of responsible service of alcohol requirements and venue expectations. In accordance with Victorian liquor licensing laws, alcohol cannot be served to anyone under 18. Wristbands will be provided to attendees over 18 to assist venue staff and security in upholding these requirements. Venue security will be in place throughout the evening to help ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration for everyone.

If your graduating student is unable to attend, please notify the Senior School Office at

dmalee@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au

We look forward to bringing out community together to celebrate the Class of 2026 and acknowledge the achievements, growth and memories that have marked their time at ELTHAM College.

In a joint venture between our school's LifeWork Centre and the ELTHAM College Alumni Committee, on Thursday 8 October a panel of ELTHAM College alumni presented a Year 12 Transition Assembly to share their experiences and offer advice about moving from school to tertiary study and help our students prepare for life beyond ELTHAM.

Representing the Classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025 and still attending university, the alumni were interviewed by our current College Captains and spoke candidly about their journeys at university since completing VCE. They shared valuable insights into university life and words of encouragement and study tips to help our Year 12 students navigate their upcoming VCE exams with confidence.

Margie Jordan

LifeWork Centre Coordinator

Students and families are invited to explore future career and training opportunities at Box Hill Institute's Careers Expo, held at Box Hill Town Hall. 

This free event brings together career advisors, training experts, local employers and industry representatives, offering an opportunity to gain personalised advice, explore career pathways and learn about the skills and qualifications needed across a range of industries. 

Exhibitors include Kryolan, Milwaukee Tool, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and Music Valley, among others. 

Whether students are exploring their options or considering their next steps beyond school, the Careers Expo offers valuable insights and practical guidance to help inform their decisions. 

Find out more and register for the Careers Expo 

As part of our ongoing commitment to student wellbeing and online safety, ELTHAM College invites Senior School parents and guardians to a special parent-only presentation with Wayne Holdsworth, founder of Smack Talk, on Monday 19 October.

Wayne established Smack Talk following the tragic loss of his 17-year-old son, Mac, to suicide after he was targeted in an online sexual extortion scam. Through sharing Mac's story, Wayne raises awareness of online harms and empowers families to recognise risks, have important conversations and better protect young people.

Following his powerful presentations to students in Term 3, we are pleased to welcome Wayne back to speak with our parent community.

Event details

Date: Monday 19 October 2026

Time: 7.00–8.00pm

Location: Clarke Auditorium

Audience: Parents and guardians of students in Years 7–12 only

Register your interest here:  https://events.humanitix.com/smack-talk-parent-evening

Please note: This presentation addresses sensitive topics, including online sexual extortion and suicide.

 ELTHAM College is proud to support Smack Talk's annual Unplug24 initiative.

Held each year on 24 October in memory of Mac, Unplug24 encourages individuals and communities to step away from social media for 24 hours, reconnect with the people and experiences that matter most, and raise awareness of online safety and wellbeing.

We encourage students, families and friends to consider participating in this free, voluntary initiative.

 Register for Unplug24

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.

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. 

A Novel Bunch have been bravely exploring Antarctica from the comfort of our lounge rooms as the latest stop on the club's journey around the world in 2026. Join us in the Senior Library on Monday, 19 October, for our penultimate meeting as we discuss our current novel, “My Last Continent,” by Midge Raymond.

New members are welcome to join us as we journey across all seven continents this year. To RSVP or if you have any questions, please email ecca@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au.

Jacqui, Heather, Laura and Donna

A Novel Bunch coordinators

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.