Term 2 - Issue #3| 2024
Welcome
Welcome to our new look Braemar Buzz.
My thanks to the members of our community who provided feedback on the shorter, easier-to-read new look Buzz. The readership was up and I am looking forward to feedback on our next edition.
Featured in this edition is an update from the Dean of Learning and Teaching, Ms Sharon Hitti. With the release of our 2024 Semester 1 Report cards, inclusive of the academic transcript, just around the corner, this is a timely update.
One of the really valuable items of the transcript is the student reflection. Each young person provides a written reflection on their learning journey during the past semester. This is uploaded to the report for parents to see and use as a conversation starter with their child/ren.
Also, Ms Angela Whitley provides an update following the successful ‘Running a Business’ stalls that generated much excitement across both campuses.
Thank you for being part of our community, and we hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter!
Mr Russell Deer Principal
“Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.”
As we move towards the end of Semester 1, students in the Middle School continue to embrace the broad range of opportunities that are presented to them each day. In addition to the engaging learning that takes place in their classrooms, experiences beyond traditional environments that offer opportunities for students to refine a range of skills form highlights of the year so far.
Throughout 2024, our Middle School community has focused on speaking to the College values in action, particularly focusing on respect, kindness, community and leadership whilst also identifying the importance of effort in our endeavours. A highlight of Term 1 was welcoming students from Shibuya Junior High School in Tokyo to the Middle School. They shared 2 weeks of learning and engagement with students and formed connections that will continue to be forged into the future.
The Year 5 cohort have adapted to the transition to a new school with great success and developed the foundations of connection that will span the next 8 years at the College. Coming to terms with the design of the Middle School program, where they are connected to their core teachers but navigate the environment in a mode that is more reflective of secondary schooling, has been a positive experience. Whilst there is still much more learning to take place in 2024, they have set themselves on a course for success in Semester 2.
In Year 6, students co-created a statement about their mission and purpose before formulating a shared understanding of the College values in practice. This framing will help students to understand how they can positively influence others in their interactions as well as strive to achieve their personal goals in their learning.
The dynamic environment of Year 7 has brought together students who are new to the College with many who have been a part of the Middle School for some time. After spending the early weeks of the year on experiences such as Exeat, they continue to show care and compassion for each other in their learning and engagement around campus. Our other cohorts will be eagerly anticipating their Exeat experiences in Semester 2 to a range of different locations around Victoria.
The Experiential Program for Year 8 has provided students with access to facilitate real-world applications of their learning. Throughout Term 2, students designed projects that responded to real needs of members of the broader community around physical and mental health. The solutions that they developed ranged from websites, student-led activities, podcasts, posters, apps and a myriad of other responses. These experiences have helped students understand a project-based approach to their learning that will be transferred to future projects in Semester 2.
Alongside the normal daily experiences for our students, we have paused to recognise a range of different important movements including Harmony Day, Earth Day, Do it For Dolly Day and IDAHOBIT Day. These days of reflection attempt to broaden the perspective of our young people and develop a sense of empathy for other members of our diverse communities
Mr Rob Jenkins Head of Middle School
As we progress through the semester, the focus within the Senior School remains steadfast on student engagement, progression and skill development. We simultaneously focus on building resiliency, reflection and balance in all students leading to exemplary personal outcomes. The Year 9 students have settled into the routines of Senior School and their subjects. Their curiosity and dedication to their work throughout the semester demonstrate their capability and focus across their coursework. Many Year 10 students have also embarked on the VCE pathway accelerated subjects and are nearing the completion of their first unit. This experience allows students to experiece firsthand the focus and determination needed within the VCE program. In Term 3, Years 9 and 10 students will participate in alternative weeks focused on skills beyond the classroom. The Year 9 City Week program moves the classroom to the city, and students are actively planning for and designing part of their week and program. In the same week our Year 10 students will undertake Life Skills Week, focusing on job skills, financial literacy, social awareness and safety, VCE and Pathway planning alongisde tertiary and TAFE visits. More detailed information will be provided to students, parents, and guardians in the coming weeks.
Our Year 11 and 12 students are approaching the end of Units 1 and 3 respectively. They are managing the increased workload that comes with VCE subjects and balancing academic requirements alongside the celebration of traditional College events, such as the Year 11 College Ball and the Year 12 Formal. These events allow students to develop social skills, create lasting memories, and build a sense of community. Year 11 students are considering and exploring post-secondary pathways, whether that be university, vocational education, or entering the workforce through the VCE careers expo. The opportunities presented within the College allow students to demonstrate their progression and growth and ensure their pathways lead them towards their goals. Year 12 students are in a critical phase of their VCE journey. They are managing their time to balance study and personal well-being while, exploring post-secondary pathways, whether university, vocational education, or the workforce. Support is provided through university information sessions and all Year 12 students will shortly again commence career counselling sessions. The opportunities awarded within the College equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for their next steps in life.
Students have been asked to focus on demonstrating a growth mindset this semester and have been encouraged to regularly seek the support they need from those around them to assist with this. This includes reflecting on how, as students, they overcome obstacles and challenges, planning and allocating their efforts, whilst learning from experiences both within and beyond the academic sphere. Finally, within the Senior School, we have been actively focusing on demonstrating the college values and how these are applied and practised. The College leaders have balanced this approach with a focus on gratitude and encouraged all students to take the time to find positivity every day in all our interactions on the Senior School campus.
Ms Lisa Fritz Head of Senior School
CongratulationsScholarships Announced
Congratulations to our 2025 Braemar College Academic Scholarship recipients; William Reddish and Leo Kang (Year 6, 2024), and Wihiri Goodwin-Rewi and Zachary Gurr (Year 9 2024).
Each of these students have been awarded scholarships based on academic achievement displayed through recent scholarship testing.
Along with their strong academic performance, our two Year 9 recipients are committed members of our College community; we are very proud of both students and look forward to supporting their continued progress at Braemar.
The two Year 6 recipients of the 2025 Academic Scholarships are primary school students who have yet to start at the College; they will both be joining us next year for Year 7 and we look forward to welcoming them officially at the beginning of next year!
Well done to each of these students on a fantastic achievement.
With just a few weeks left until the end of Semester 1, the atmosphere at the College is ‘a buzz’.
This period marks the time in the academic year when students receive feedback on their progress and can establish new learning goals in readiness for the second semester. For our Year 12 students, it’s a time when they still have room for improvement and can strive towards their goals while fully engaging in the busy activities and events of their final year of secondary education.
Student Experience
Throughout the College, learning is alive with energy and enthusiasm. Recently, Middle School hosted Maths Games Day, a celebration of all things numerical and quantifiable. The day was filled with challenges and deep arithmetic thinking, engaging in problem-solving alongside teachers and Mathematical thinkers. Creative digit-inspired costumes were on display as students explored the conceptual intricacies of how Mathematics interacts with the world. While the Middle School Investigate teachers organised the day, it was wonderful to witness the collaborative nature of an event that connected learning and people.
Quality Teachers
Like professionals in any field, teachers undergo continuous learning throughout their careers and Braemar is committed to following the current evidence-based research in education. Consequently, this year’s collective professional development is centred around the key concepts from the Science of Learning. This scientific discipline offers insights into how students learn, the metacognitive processes involved, and most importantly, how knowledge and conceptual understandings can be effectively communicated to students.
Reports
The semester reports will be available at the conclusion of this term. Our reporting approach blends continuous reporting with a summary transcript at the semester’s end. Throughout the term, students can access their assessment results and feedback via SEQTA. This information is also visible to parents which ensures that students, parents and teachers can work together throughout the school year.
Student Voice
Some of our students have recently shared insights into their learning experiences over the last few weeks:
‘Although all the new people in Year 7 completely changed my Braemar life, they have made learning and school work more interesting and fun, and I feel I’m actually learning better with them here.’ - Year 7
‘I really loved Drama this term - we got to rehearse a fun performance!’ - Year 8
‘Starting VCE classes, I’m learning the difference of studying heavy content when it fits what I’m passionate about.’ - Year 10
“I find Edrolo a helpful and useful resource to revise confusing content and selfmark my practice SACs.” - VCE student
What’s notable about these reflections is that they highlight the significance of the small details in the lives of our students and are a reminder that learning is layered and multifaceted, and above all relies on connection.
Ms Sharon Hitti
Youth Mental Health and our connection to Live4Life
Earlier this term, the Year 8 cohort completed the Teen Mental Health First Aid course as part of the Macedon Ranges Shire Council Youth Live4Life program. This initiative, which has been strongly supported by Braemar College, began in 2010 in the Macedon Ranges in response to a rising incidence of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide among young people.
Largely, Youth Live4Life envisions all rural communities in Australia being empowered to support, improve, and invest in young people’s mental health to reduce youth suicide. Their mission is to make the Live4Life model accessible to all rural communities across the country. Their purpose is to reduce youth suicide in rural communities by:
• Reducing barriers that prevent young people from seeking help
• Decreasing mental health stigma
• Increasing awareness of local professional help
• Enhancing mental health knowledge among secondary school students, teachers, parents, carers, and community members
• Building community resilience in addressing mental ill-health
The model places young people at its core, providing targeted, evidence-based mental health education and peer-led health
Mrs Emma Grant Dean of Wellbeing and Culture
promotion activities, as well as training for adults to ensure they have the skills and confidence to respond when needed most.
The mental health education is aimed at year 8 and year 10 or 11 students, targeting two critical periods in adolescence. This empowers young people to recognise mental health issues in themselves and others, enhancing their ability to act when they identify a problem. The evidence-based mental health education component ensures the delivery of consistent, research-based messages within the community, which is crucial for reducing stigma, increasing mental health literacy, and promoting positive help-seeking behaviours.
Our commitment to youth mental health is deeply intertwined with our connection to the Macedon Ranges and Live4Life. Through this partnership, we strive to create a supportive environment that addresses the mental health needs of young people in our community. Live4Life and the Teen MHFA course provides us with a robust framework and resources to deliver evidence-based mental health education, promote peer-led health initiatives, and equip our students, staff, and community members with the skills necessary to recognise and respond to mental health issues. By working together, we can foster a school climate that not only normalises the challenges faced by our youth but also ensures they are never alone in navigating these challenges.
SchoolTV Special Report: The Wellbeing Barometer 2024
As part of Braemar College’s commitment to student wellbeing, it is crucial to engage with our parent and guardian community, build strong connections, and keep you informed about all matters concerning your children. In 2022, Braemar College partnered with SchoolTV, an online wellbeing resource that has long supported families and schools by offering guidance and information to help address the challenges faced by young people.
This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enhance understanding, and break down barriers to navigate a path towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It also assists in initiating conversations on topics that may be awkward or difficult to address.
The Wellbeing Barometer survey has become a crucial tool for schools, offering insights into youth mental health and wellbeing. By understanding community concerns and the nature of these issues, schools are better equipped to support families and foster meaningful conversations, thereby building stronger relationships.
Participating in this year’s survey, will assist in identifying areas of strength and concern, as well as pinpointing opportunities for early intervention. Previously gathered information has helped support families as they navigate difficult conversations that enable understanding and foster connections to build relationships.
This survey is part of an ongoing, longitudinal study, with the results being instrumental in tailoring support for students and their families. Participation is strongly encouraged, as it provides a comprehensive view of students’ experiences, challenges, and achievements over the past year. Its aim is to capture a comprehensive picture of young people’s lives, allowing for a tailored approach to enhance mental and emotional wellbeing.
We encourage you to take a few moments to complete a survey for each of your children. This will help us determine the nature and extent of your concerns and how best to support families in the months ahead. Responses remain anonymous and will only be reported on an aggregated basis. You are asked to base your responses on observations made in the last 12 months.
Acquiring the skills for future independence, taking healthy risks, and giving young people the opportunity to emancipate from parents, are key developmental tasks that are essential if we are to stave off the impact of mental illness in the future. Please reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you or your child, please reach out to the school or seek professional medical advice.
To participate, please access the survey HERE
Mrs Emma Grant Dean of Wellbeing and Culture
Equestrian Success
The Braemar College Equestrian Team has achieved outstanding success at the Victoria Interschool State Championships held at the Werribee Equestrian Centre in April. Competing against 170 schools over the course of four days, our dedicated team of riders showcased exceptional skill and teamwork, culminating in Braemar College being awarded the title of Reserve Champion Overall.
Our talented team included Audrey Bishop, Rosemary Sutherland, Lily Clear-Graham, Georgie Constable, Macy Doyle, Marly Wright, Tyler Gamble, Chloe Quay and Nina Ryssenbeek. Each rider contributed significantly to our overall success, displaying remarkable poise and determination. We are particularly proud to announce that Rosemary Sutherland, Georgie Constable, Macy Doyle, and Nina Ryssenbeek have qualified for the Nationals, where they will represent Victoria later this year.
This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our wonderful students, the unwavering support from parents, and the invaluable contributions of our ponies and sponsors. The collective effort and spirit of our team have not only brought pride to our College but have also paved the way for several of our riders to achieve national recognition.
Looking ahead, the Braemar College Equestrian Team is gearing up to host the Interschool Showjumping Day at the Riddells Creek Pony Club on 1 June. We are excited to see our talented riders in action once again and wish them all the best for a day of continued success and for some great weather.
Congratulations to our equestrian team on their incredible achievements, and thank you to everyone who has supported them along the way!
Running a Business Events
At the end of May, the Year 9/10 elective Running a Business students held two very successful events. These were held at both campuses, so all our students and staff had the opportunity to purchase items from the business stalls. The Running a Business course involves both theory and the practical application of skills, as the students work in groups to research, design, produce, market and sell products. All of the profits are donated to nominated charities. This semester, the two classes were able to donate $2,464 to 14 different charities. This is thanks to wonderful support from the whole Braemar College community.
This semester we had some impressive hand-crafted creations from pillows and worry pets to candles and fragrances to jewellery. There were terrariums and slime, t-shirts, bracelets, fidget rings and keychains. We also had a photobooth. Something for everyone.
A special thanks to Mrs Jones and Mr Simpson for their technical advice and support and thanks to other staff who assisted with requests for help, allowed market research in their classes and encouraged the students to support some worthy charities. Ms Scobell was also seen purchasing from almost every stall. Thank you so much to you all. We will be back at the end of Semester 2!
Angela Whiteley Humanities Teacher
Sport Update
Term 2 is always a busy term for sports at Braemar College. Our students have shown remarkable talent and dedication across various competitions and sports events.
Macedon Ranges District – Busy Term for Our Grade 5/6 Students
Cross Country: Our grade 5/6 students participated in the Macedon Ranges District Cross Country, showcasing their endurance and competitive spirit. All participants performed admirably, with several students achieving top 10 placing to progress through to the Division competition.
AFL Football: The grade 5/6 AFL Football teams had a terrific carnival, demonstrating excellent teamwork and skills. They competed fiercely, displaying sportsmanship and determination throughout the carnival.
Soccer: In soccer, our grade 5/6 teams played several matches against local schools. Their strategic play and collaboration were evident, resulting in a number of good results.
Netball: The netball teams also had a successful carnival, with students showing agility and precision on the court. Their hard work paid off in several closely contested games.
WR Division Cross Country
Our students performed exceptionally well in the WR Division Cross Country, with many advancing to higher levels of competition due to their excellent performances.
WM Region Cross Country
The WM Region Cross Country event saw our athletes competing against some of the best in the region. Their rigorous training and perseverance were evident as they navigated the challenging course.
ICCES Athletics
In ICCES Athletics, our students excelled in various track and field events. A special mention goes to Finn Dooley, who broke the ICCES high jump record, setting a new benchmark for future athletes.
VSAC Swim Team
The VSAC Swim Team had an impressive term, with swimmers achieving top results in multiple events. Their dedication to training was clear in their outstanding performances in the pool.
House Cross Country
The House Cross Country event was a highlight of the term, fostering healthy competition and school spirit. Students from all houses participated enthusiastically, cheering each other on to the finish line. Congratulations to Harry House who displayed great participation across all year levels to take a long awaited win.
Orienteering Champs
Our orienteering team participated in the Vic Secondary Schools Orienteering Championships, where they showcased their navigation skills and physical endurance. The challenging courses tested their limits, but they rose to the occasion admirably taking the overall champion school win.
ICCES Winter Tour
The ICCES Winter Tour was another significant event of the term, with our students competing in a variety of sports against other schools. They have training hard all term for this tour. Their versatility and competitive edge were on full display, contributing to a memorable tour.
Conclusion
Term 2 of 2024 was indeed a busy and successful term for sports at Braemar. Our students have demonstrated not only their athletic abilities but also their sportsmanship, teamwork, and dedication. We look forward to continuing this momentum in the upcoming terms.
Mr Matt Ellis Director of Sport
