SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND STUDENT LED PHILANTHROPY IN YEAR 9
FUTURE LEADERS; BOYHOOD AND GIRLHOOD
COMMUNITY NEWS: NOTICES
ALUMNI SPORTING CLUB UPDATES
HOUSES OF ELTHAM
FROM THE ARCHIVES
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE NEWS
ECCA NEWS –WELCOME, SUPPORT, CONNECT
CALENDAR
Some of the highlights of the ELTHAM College calendar for 2025 are listed here, with all dates subject to change. Pencil them in your diaries and follow the College and alumni social channels for updates.
Alumni Association Committee AGM 5- and 10-Year Reunion (Nillumbik Open Cellars) 20-, 30- and 40-Year Reunion Open Day & Twilight Market Year 12 Transition Assembly 01 06 16 02 08 18 04 10 20 05 14 12
elthamcollege.vic.edu.au/
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, schools play a vital role in fostering connection— not only within the classroom but throughout the broader community.
At ELTHAM College, we deeply understand that nurturing a sense of belonging and engagement is essential to a student’s wellbeing and academic success.
One of the key challenges facing schools like ours is maintaining meaningful connections in an increasingly digital world. While technology offers extraordinary opportunities for learning, it can also contribute to social isolation.
At ELTHAM, we are committed to balancing the benefits of digital tools with the importance of face-to-face interaction. By creating environments where students collaborate, share ideas, and engage in group problemsolving, we help them develop essential interpersonal skills. These real-world connections are crucial for students to thrive in a global society.
A strong sense of belonging is fundamental to students’ growth and happiness. At ELTHAM College, our House system plays a significant role in building this sense of community.
Schools play a vital role in fostering connection—not only within the classroom but throughout the broader community.
By grouping students into Houses, we create smaller, supportive environments where students can form lasting relationships with peers and mentors across different year levels. This system encourages healthy competition, teamwork, and leadership, while also providing a solid support network that fosters individual confidence. Through House-based activities and events, students are able to feel connected to something larger than themselves, strengthening their sense of belonging within the school.
As we navigate the future, we must continue to cultivate environments where students feel supported both academically and emotionally.
At ELTHAM College, our mission is to build a connected and thriving community where students are empowered to reach their full potential, both as learners and as compassionate, engaged citizens.
Richard Lisle Principal/CEO
50 TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
WHOLE SCHOOL PHOTO AND MORNING TEA
29 FEB
Earlier this year I had the privilege of attending the ELTHAM College 50-year anniversary photo and morning tea.
Listening to the stories from some of the families and students that have been there since ELTHAM started was amazing. Hearing how the school had changed and grown was fascinating. Reminiscing about our time at the College one thing stood out amongst all the stories, how special and unique everyone’s time at ELTHAM was. It was also a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with both current and old teachers.
For me personally it was an incredibly surreal and special experience to be able to participate in the photo with my daughter Mia (Prep).
Jessica Kate D’Agostino Zaf (Class of 2002)
CELEBRATING HISTORY LUNCH
30 MAY
The lunch was attended by a wide representation of those who had been involved in the 50 years of ELTHAM College including decades of alumni, parents, community members, former board members and staff, past and present.
It was a wonderful opportunity to engage in the oral history of the College and to hear the numerous stories about many of the great things that have happened at the school in the past five decades. It was an honour to sit with people who had been at the school from its inception and to talk about our evolution littered with wonderful anecdotes about the richness of what this school has done for so long.
The privilege of seeing the warm engaging atmosphere reinforced the deep and enduring culture of the College and the pride and celebration by so many of being part of our community.
Jim Grant Chairman of the Board
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT HELEN CLEARY (NEE CLARKE - LES’ DAUGHTER), GLENDA CLARKE (LES’ DAUGHTER IN LAW), ALIX CLARKE AND ANDREW CLARKE (LES’ SON)
Forever grateful to have attended the ELTHAM College 50th Anniversary Gala Ball. A beautiful celebration of an amazing school which continues to pave the way for enviable education. So many familiar faces and so many wonderful memories revisited of an extremely special 15-year connection with ELTHAM College.
Deb Warner (wife of past-principal, David Warner)
I always feel nostalgic when I visit the natural beauty of the area around ELTHAM College: the space, trees and native animals are a great reminder of the privilege I had to attend high school in such a location.
This event, marking 50 years, was extra special as it confirmed the vision behind those who started the school as well as the passion of many of the fine teachers over the years. I was particularly thrilled to be able to catch up with teachers who had a significant impact on my life – from English lessons to History classes – helping frame who I am today.
It was also an excellent occasion to meet other past students who are doing interesting things and to connect in a manner that has resonance with my work today. What a great afternoon!
Helen Durham (Class of 1985)
COMMUNITY PICNIC DAY
30 NOV
GALA NIGHT
10 AUG
It was an honour to be part of ELTHAM College's 50th Anniversary Gala, a truly unforgettable celebration of the school’s legacy and future. As both an alumna and the granddaughter of Les Clarke, I am incredibly proud of my grandfather’s dream and all that has been accomplished over the past five decades. The night was a beautiful celebration, with stories that brought the College’s history to life in an incredible setting. It was a great chance to reconnect with old friends, past and present teachers, meet new people, and celebrate the ever-growing community that has flourished from such humble beginnings.
Alix Clarke (Class of 2007)
As a 2023 ELTHAM College Year 12 graduate, I had the privilege of attending and working at the 50th Anniversary Community Picnic Day. It was a wonderful and successful event which showcased ELTHAM College, and the wider community's incredible talent. Those who attended were treated to a diverse range of vendors (from food trucks to our very own Swipers Gully wines), old fashioned games, and even, an enormous person-sized Connect 4. There was so much enthusiasm and participation from the community, enjoying the opportunity to connect. We even had a visit from Santa!
Our volunteers and alumni are already looking forward to what next year's events will hold!
Cassie Robolas (Class of 2023)
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND STUDENT LED PHILANTHROPY IN YEAR 9
September was a busy month in philanthropy exercises for our Year 9 students.
Creativity and business nous were lent to the annual Charity Market Day stall at Queen Victoria Market.
Students had been hard at work making their products for sale and were wonderfully supported by our generous families and friends, who turned out to pick up gifts and other cherished items such as chopping boards, coasters, mugs, keyrings, jewellery, terrariums, and original art, among a range of prized purchases.
Shoppers were also entertained by our talented buskers, who likewise contributed their proceeds to our charity partner. A representative from Melbourne City Mission attended to support the students and now wants to use this fundraising effort as a model for other schools.
An excess of $1,200 was raised for a youth homelessness initiative.
20 students from Year 9 also volunteered in the FareShare kitchen. FareShare is Australia’s largest charity kitchen who rescue surplus food and cook free, nutritious meals for people suffering from food insecurity.
Our students were congratulated for being one of the most productive school groups, undertaking set up, meal prep, distribution and clean up.
The students learnt that food insecurity doesn’t just impact homeless people, but also families and university students (for example) who need to prioritise rent and bills instead of food.
The students were able to interact with the regular volunteers at FareShare and many of them felt inspired to take on more of this work in the future. FareShare welcomes any further contributions from students who feel empowered to serve the community through fundraising or organising a food drive to help FareShare continue to rescue food, cook nutritious meals and feed the community.
Evan Watts, Head of City Campus and Zoe Mallanack, Year 9 Teacher
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE NEWS
Since its inception, the ELTHAM College Alumni Association’s mission has been to reach, connect and support our community of alumni, students, families and staff.
Education is so much more than just the qualifications we receive through our lives, it’s about what we learn and who we meet along the way. A powerful education and a network of lifelong friendships aren’t the only benefits of being an ELTHAM alumnus, there are a wide range of programs and events that facilitate connections through our rich five-decade history. What a year it has been marking our 50th milestone with many new connections and stories that help us piece together the thriving history of ELTHAM College.
In 2024, we continued to offer a diverse range of events for our 10,000+ members including our school reunion celebrations, musical performances, partnerships with the Research Eltham Collegians Cricket Club and Eltham Turtles Football Club, and our networking programs.
We were delighted to be a major sponsor of Community Picnic Day, which was an anchor event to celebrate our 50th year with current and past families.
Nodding to our beautiful grounds and humble beginnings, the finale event was filled with festive fun and family friendly activities for those old and new to reconnect.
We also had the pleasure of hosting the ELTHAM College 50th Anniversary Celebrating History Lunch, which enabled past staff, past parents and founding families of ELTHAM College to join us in celebrating this anniversary. It was a nostalgic event where we were able to reflect and thank those that have contributed to the ongoing legacy and vision of ELTHAM.
We continued to grow our Year 12 connections program, as we prepare in the coming weeks to welcome our newest alumni cohort. As part of our
mission to scaffold and support new alumni through their first major life transition, we touch base throughout this important year, contributing to events such as the Leadership Training Days, University Transition Assembly, Senior School Careers Expo, Good Luck exam packs, career workshops, and finally, welcoming them into our association at their Valedictory Dinner.
We are looking forward to continuing our work in 2025, finding new and innovative ways to continue growing the hearts and minds of our community. In the meantime, we love hearing and sharing your stories, so please reach out to alumni@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au Make sure you stay connected to us through our LinkedIn and Facebook channels and get in touch if you would like to get involved on our committee.
Naomi Taranto (Class of 2016) ELTHAM College Alumni Association President
ALUMNI REUNIONS
1-YEAR REUNION
The 1-Year reunion event has historically been hosted at the Rochester Hotel to cater for the younger appetite for nightlife. The event nurtures connections between the preceding year's graduating class and the chance for staff and students to catch up on the year.
The evening gives alumni the opportunity to share achievements and highlights, career trajectories and other life milestones, and contrariwise, provides the opportunity to encourage mentorship between the future graduating classes, and the 1-year alumni cohort.
10-YEAR REUNION
This year, the 10-year Reunion was held at Swiper's Gully Training Restaurant in the Warner Hospitality Centre, as an extension of the Nillumbik Open Cellars, a bi-annual event showcasing Swipers Wines among other producers in the local region.
Guests from the Class of 2014 were treated to a private wine tasting with Principal, Richard Lisle and Swipers Gully Wine Maker Stephen Bennett, and guests were given access to Open Cellars special pricing to purchase the wines.
Wine tasting was followed up with drinks and canapes, and a chance for the group to reconnect, and reminisce on their most formative years.
REUNION EVENING 20-, 30- AND 40YEAR REUNIONS
The Reunion Evening hosted the Classes of 1984, 1994, and 2004 at ELTHAM’s very own Swiper's Gully Training Restaurant, creating the perfect backdrop for a memorable gathering. The evening kicked off with a welcome and a networking exercise, where guests from all three cohorts were able to mingle as one group. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to meet new faces, exchange stories, and reminisce about their shared experiences, whilst enjoying the atmosphere of the restaurant.
As the evening progressed, the event transitioned into more intimate reunions, with guests breaking off into their respective cohorts for private celebrations. These smaller group settings allowed classmates to reconnect in a more personal way, sharing fond memories and catching up on the years that had passed since their time together at school.
The feedback from the evening was overwhelmingly positive. The opportunity to reunite with past classmates and teachers was particularly special.
Overall, the evening provided an unforgettable experience that not only celebrated the past but also fostered new friendships and professional connections. People left the event looking forward to the next reunion, already reminiscing about the special moments they had shared that evening.
COMMUNITY NEWS: NOTICES
VALE JOHN BRENAN
13/1/1945 – 18/7/2024
John Brenan, past Principal of ELTHAM College from 1987 to 1999, and College Life Member.
In his first year at the College, John wrote, “There are many ways in which the students and staff have expressed their care and love for each other; there is abundant cause for hope in the future of our children, and through them, for the future of our community and country.” The special quality of connection and authentic relationship between staff and students that John fostered is still what makes ELTHAM College remarkable today.
He was a wonderful Principal.
LISA MARIE GENOVESE CLASS OF 2002
VALE CHRIS LIVINGSTONE
Past staff
Chris started at ELTHAM College in 1977 as Head of Mathematics and went on to become Head of Computing. We have been told that he led the school to be ahead of its time digitally when he left in 1985.
Very grateful for his kindness to me as a somewhat lost young man. RIP John.
RIVER JAYDE SATYA CLASS UNKNOWN
I remember his passion for computers - these newfangled things that I couldn’t see ever being a thing. My brother went on to take his class and Rock was always a favourite. He was a real gentleman.
ANDREA KIRBY CLASS OF 1983
Sincere condolences to his family – I remember in about 1978/9 Chris (Rock) held a computer class at lunchtime in the school office, at the time the College only had one computer which was in Val Jones office. He taught a small group of us how to program in 'Tiny Basic' an early programming language - so many fond memories of Chris both at school and throughout the years – RIP.
JOHN ROBINSON CLASS OF 1982
TIM ANDERSON CLASS OF 2012
Congratulations to Tim Anderson for placing 7th in the Men’s Kayak singles final in the 2024 Olympics. An immense achievement on the global stage!
ELTHAM College staff, students and alumni stayed up to the wee hours of the night to cheer Tim on, with music teacher Melissa Lee in touch with Tim's family and providing updates.
Tim followed his brother Alastair into the sport, learning to paddle on Melbourne’s Yarra River through the ELTHAM College program.
After missing out on selection for the Rio and Tokyo Olympic Games, Tim is now among the world's kayaking elite.
MARRIAGES
Congratulations! There have been some special weddings this year!
Sam Switkowski (Class of 2014), married Savannah Monkhouse (now Savannah Switkowski). Sam’s brother Nathan Switkowski, and friends Harrison Chapman and Mackenzie Stanley, all ELTHAM College Alumni were all Groomsmen, standing by him on his big day.
Meet the O’Connors! Brad and Seisia (nee Doric-Lee) married in 2024, both from Class of 2015.
Brooke Carlile married Matthew Wilson (both Class of 2013). Can you recognise some other familiar alumni faces from their wedding photo?
Bethany married Shane Henry (Both alumni are class of 2012).
Gemma Cleary (Class of 2013) married Jake Kalanj.
We also extend a huge congratulations to our other recently hitched alumni!
Kristen McCluskey (ELTHAM College staff and alumni Class of 2016) married Josh Turner
Elise Hayes (Class of 2016) married Ethan Hansia
Mitch Keating (Class of 2015) married partner Ashleigh
Andrew Collins (Class of 2016i) married partner Maddy
Emma Tender (Class of 2013) married Jake Degier
Elise Boreham (Class of 2008) and Alex Goodes (Class of 2010) got married last year and had a baby this year
Thomas Boreham (Class of 2007) married partner Charlotte.
ALUMNI SPORTING CLUB UPDATES
SPORT
Caroline Korsten at 020photography
TURTLES NEWS
It was another positive successful year for ‘The Turtles’ across the road at the Arthur Kirkright Pavilion.
On field, we had a rollercoaster ride, starting the year with a bang with six straight wins, then fell in six straight close games, before righting the ship and winning our final four. In a highly competitive season, our senior team finished 4th on the ladder, and our Reserves finished 2nd. Unfortunately, it wasn’t our year in either grade, however our players really put in a great effort.
RECC NEWS
The 2024/25 season at Research Eltham Collegians Cricket Club (RECCC) has been another busy period as RECCC continues to maintain player number over 150, including many current students and alumni of ELTHAM College.
Building on last year’s success, our women’s team has grown stronger, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of our female cricketers. We continue to offer cricket for all ages, with our Over 60s competition, Veterans teams, five Senior teams, and
College Alumni Keiran Malone (class of 2014) was one of our most important players, finishing third in the best and fairest in his return to the club. We can’t wait to see him in the green and gold again in 2025.
Nick Osborne (Class of 2020), Luke Bower (Class of 2008), Zac Cole (Class of 2009) and Ryan Foo (Class of 2007) all made large contributions on and off the field. Special mention must go to Jackson Bevilacqua (Class of 2008), who was celebrated as just the sixth player at the Turtles to play 200 games – a huge achievement personally, and for the club.
We also welcomed netball to the Turtles and fielded three teams in the NFNL Winter Competition. Our First Team finished the season undefeated and took home the Section 3 Premiership. We couldn’t be more proud of all the players and coaches.
We are currently recruiting for 2025 for both Football and Netball teams. As always, if you are interested in being involved in either football, netball or anything off field, please don’t hesitate to contact us via Facebook or contact the College at alumni@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au
Shells on,
Ben Crellin, President, Old Eltham Collegians, The Turtles
seven Junior teams from U10s to U18s. Our All-Abilities team remains a source of pride, competing in the Melbourne All Abilities Cricket Association.
Our collaboration with ELTHAM College and the Alumni Association continues to flourish. In November, we will host further cricket clinics for Junior School students, culminating in a thrilling Super 8s cricket carnival for Year 5/6 students. Thanks to Anthony Panou for his great ongoing support.
As the season progresses, there’s still time to join Cricket Blast. Held on Saturday mornings from November to March, with a break n January for school holidays, it’s an ideal introduction to cricket for boys and girls aged 5 to 10. For more information, visit reccc.net/junior-cricket
Ben Willis Vice President
CHLOE THOMSON
CLASS OF 1999
Founder/Horticulturalist at Bean there Dug That beantheredugthat.com
Chloe Thomson is a passionate gardener, an avid educator and award-winning presenter. She’s happiest when talking about gardening, exploring other gardens or out in her own garden in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
During her 18 years in the horticultural industry she’s written for the monthly Gardening Australia magazine, bi-monthly Good Organic Gardening magazine, hosted a podcast, emceed the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show and presented on Garden Gurus. She’s also written blogs and created video content for popular brands including Bunnings, Oasis Horticulture, Nylex and Cyclone.
She co-founded and presented on The Gardenettes online video series for four years, winning the Video Laurel Award from the Horticultural Media Association Australia (HMAA) for her story on Beautiful Brassicas in 2020. Chloe’s also a regular guest on the 3CR Radio Gardening Show.
During the depths of Melbourne lockdowns, Chloe hosted a short podcast series for Bunnings called Staying Grounded and was awarded the Best Audio Laurel from the HMAA in 2022 for her work.
In 2021 Chloe created Sprout School, a unique online gardening course designed to inspire and educate anyone to be a better gardener. Running two sessions of this online course each year, Chloe’s taught over 100 students from around Australia.
In 2023 Chloe presented and produced a brand-new video series Behind the Garden Gate that aired on YouTube. This video series is designed to take you – the viewer –into private gardens to be inspired and learn from clever garden designers and other passionate gardeners.
DIETER KAHSNITZ
CLASS OF 1979
Producer: Trail Towns
“After having a fabulous time at ELTHAM College, focusing on my dream – to be an air force pilot, for about five minutes in Year 11 I decided to become a dental technician...which I did...and to say I wasn't suited for that career was an understatement. I love people and interaction too much to be sitting at a desk all day. So I got my papers and never did it again.
Before finding my passion in film and television, I worked in nightclubs, became a ski instructor, fashion agent, manager of a world superbike rider, BHP's Global Relationship Manager for their diamonds division, worked with the Sauber F1 team in marketing and probably a few other things too. Then I found the film industry and have never looked back.
FERN
PHILPOT-EVANS
CLASS OF 2007
Field Development Consultant at Kumon Australia and New Zealand au.kumonglobal.com
“I have expanded my professional experience to not only education consultation but nationwide marketing of our brand through Westfield, oOh! Media and other companies
I am now the Managing Director of 50 Kal and with 25 years’ experience in the industry, we’ve produced award-winning television, television commercials and corporate documentaries.
We have deep and long-lasting relationships with our corporate clients, recognising that the closer we are to their business, the better the film outcome will be.
Whether it’s working with some of the world’s largest companies, to a small notfor-profit, we approach every project with energy, enthusiasm and an open mind.
Our love of storytelling, combined with enthusiasm, creativity and responsiveness, delivers the best outcomes possible. I love to immerse myself in the challenge and feel immense pride when we deliver content that not only hits the mark but exceeds it – it's the best job in the world! It just goes to show that everyone has their journey, and sometimes it takes a while to find your path. I certainly did, but I wouldn't change a thing.”
Personally, I see myself as a very different person these days from just a few years prior. I couldn't have imagined myself speaking in front of a large crowd, even speaking in front of my class during high school was challenging! Now, I regularly talk to large groups of Instructors across the country.”
ECCA: Welcome, Connect, Support
2024 marked ELTHAM College’s golden anniversary, and ECCA enthusiastically continued its mission to Welcome, Connect and support, as it helped engage the entire school community in that special 50-year milestone.
This year saw a particular focus on ELTHAM in Action tours. Volunteers at these well-attended events helped reflect ELTHAM College’s warm and supportive school culture as they served snacks and chatted with prospective families.
At the Junior School Sausage Sizzle in February, ECCA members and parent volunteers fried up sausages and handed out icy poles to a throng of our young families and tireless teachers. Children played, parents chatted, and manning the barbecues served as a fantastic bonding experience.
The Twilight Market and Open Day in March provided another opportunity to share the College’s amenities and culture with the wider community. With a booth on the main campus and a bustling array of market stalls across the road, ECCA volunteers, supported by staff, parents and students, welcomed an outstanding number of guests. Games, live music and tasty food options kept the atmosphere lively into the evening hours.
The Mother’s and Father’s Day events treated parents and children to a delicious breakfast buffet in the Three Leaves Cafe before continuing with fun activities in the Junior School. Both events were well attended across a wide range of year levels.
Games, live music and tasty food options kept the atmosphere lively into the evening hours
Guests enjoyed fabulous food and wine in a dazzling venue at the College’s 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner where they boogied to a lively cover band and travelled back in time with a school uniform fashion show spanning all five decades.
November saw ECCA support another anniversary event, the College’s Community Picnic Day, with highlights including a talent show and a screening of “Home Alone.”
Throughout the year, ECCA has continued its support of initiatives such as the Welcome Morning Tea, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, gift bags for Year 6 Graduation and Year 7 Orientation, Valedictory gifts and care packs for Year 12 students. Meanwhile, year-level activities such as teas, dinners and “Fun Day Out” events have helped strengthen social connections. ELTHAM College’s 50th year will surely be difficult to top, but ECCA is already hard at work planning for an amazing 2025.
Future Leaders has been a lot of fun; it has improved my friendships with higher year levels a lot. I am very glad I did Future Leaders and school will be different with the leaders not here anymore next year.
HARRISON BROWN YEAR 7
In Future Leaders this term we got to play many sports, this included footy, soccer and dodgeball. We all had to be on our best behaviour to be able to play these games. It is a very enjoyable co-curricular activity to do at lunchtime. Also, it has taught me to get all the boys together and to tell them to behave so we can have this fun.
LUKE BELL YEAR 7
This term of Future leaders has been amazing. Even though we had our highs and our lows, we still managed to push through and have a lot of fun. My favourite bit would have to be basketball, where we worked on team building. All in all, I have learnt a lot from the Year 12 students, and I will definitely look out for other opportunities like this.”
DRUV SAINI
YEAR 7
GIRLHOOD
Throughout Term 2, ELTHAM College established the Future Leaders Program for the Year 7 girls.
The goal is to promote and foster a culture of support, uplifting one another, rather than engaging in behaviours that tear each other down, which unfortunately often arises within these early years of high school.
This term the girls have participated in various lunchtime activities, including writing letters to their future selves, goal setting, reflections on the year, a game of dodgeball (where the Year 7 girls proved victorious over the senior leaders), as well as painting, in which some very abstract and unique pieces were created.
Throughout these activities an inclusive environment has been established, allowing the girls to build new connections amongst their cohort. They have learnt the importance of being kind, working as one team, and building a positive identity for themselves at ELTHAM College. The self-improvement alongside blossoming friendships amongst their cohort and with the leaders has been wonderful to see.
All the girls have enjoyed these sessions, and as Leaders, we have loved getting to know all of them and hope this program can be a legacy at ELTHAM College to promote the 'girls supporting girls', initiative in schools.
Bethany Riggs and Erin Toomey College Captain and Vice-Captain
BOYHOOD
In Term 2 Year 11 and 12 Captains, including myself, led a program for Year 7 boys called Future Leaders. We organized enjoyable activities like basketball, footy, soccer, and dodgeball. The program aimed to teach positive social behaviours, teamwork, and the significance of kindness and support in cultivating lasting friendships. By showcasing above and below the line behaviours, we also aimed to educate younger students about the impact of our actions on others.
The Future Leaders program has been exceptionally successful this term. It provided a platform for older students to engage with and mentor their younger peers. The connections forged during these sessions fostered camaraderie and inclusivity between students of different ages. The value of 'outside the classroom learning' cannot be underestimated and it was gratifying to witness Year 7, 11 and 12 students benefit immensely from this program.
Isaac Brennin College Captain
HOUSES OF ELTHAM
Delving into the archives of the College, the house sporting competition began in 1982 with the four houses created to facilitate “a more meaningful sporting programme and give leadership and organisational opportunities to students”.
Interestingly, it appears the student body at the time were not that taken with this new program, with Des Davey in his annual report that year noting in response to the introduction of the house sports: “Resistance - based, as far as one can discover, entirely on inertia rather than ideology, has now been exposed, but the 1983 programs will build, with great success.”
And build it did, with the House system growing to encompass House competitions throughout the year, including, the hotly contested debating competition this year, and the recent karaoke competition.
BELL HOUSE GREEN
Named for John Bell, who was prominent in the local community for about 75 years as a landowner and councillor of the Eltham Road Board. ELTHAM College is situated on the original crown land selected by John Bell.
EVELYN HOUSE YELLOW
The County of Evelyn (one of several counties in Victoria created as land administration regions as distinct from local government areas) was established on 25 November 1855. The Evelyn district was well known for gold mining and farming and had a newspaper called the Evelyn Observer.
NILLUMBIK HOUSE BLUE
Named after the Parish of Nillumbik. Parishes were further subdivisions of Counties. Nillumbik, now a Shire, is supposedly named from an Aboriginal word with mixed meaning. Early settlers believed the word meant "meeting place" or "red earth". The Shire's official definition gives the meaning ‘shallow earth’.
ROSS HOUSE RED
Andrew Ross established what has been described as a boarding school at Kangaroo Ground in 1851. He taught English and arithmetic but was practical enough to realise that land surveying and agriculture were useful subjects, so he started a farm and employed a teacher. He returned to England but left a substantial education legacy.
The College Sport Captains this year completed some research and have established that in the House sport competition, looking at points since 1992:
Bell is currently in 4th
Evelyn in 3rd
Nillumbik second
Leaving Ross top of the table
It’s sure to be another nail-biting 50 years as we watch who lands on top for the school’s 100th anniversary.
A significant annual feature of the College’s calendar is the House Music competition, commenced in the early 1990s and staged at the spectacular stage at Arts Centre Melbourne - Hamer Hall in more recent years. Students from Year 7 to 12 compete in their houses performing a choir, dance number, orchestra and ensemble or solo, with these performances all student led, composed and choreographed.
Throughout the year there are several events that students participate in to earn points towards the overall:
House Cup
House Music
House Swimming
House Athletics
House Cross-Country
And more through student leadership initiatives
The House system evokes a sense of pride and collegiality amongst the students and is an important part of their life at the College. It furthers each student’s sense of belonging and connection with school life. Staff also join Houses, fostering another avenue for positive connections between students and staff. In the Junior School all students participate in Termly House Challenges which are fun, exciting and inspiring. Students will complete their Year 7 Camp experience in their House groups. Each Year 7 student will be mentored by a Year 11 student leader, with mentors allocated from within the same House. Events are developed by Year 11 Mentors and implemented across the year with the guidance of both the Year 7 Coordinator and Coordinator of Student Leadership.
Emma Perry Stakeholder and Engagement Coordinator
HANDCRAFTING THE TIMETABLE
Before the widespread adoption of computers in education in the late 20th century, school timetables were carefully crafted each term by hand.
In the ELTHAM College Archives are two pegboards created by early Senior School leader Keith McKechnie, brought out of storage to feature in the upcoming ELTHAM College 50th Anniversary documentary film.
“It was certainly nostalgic to see the old pegboard timetable. I’m glad to see that this part of early ELTHAM College history has been preserved in the College Archives.”
The use of large format boards – often referred to as pegboards or pinboards – with pins and typed-up subject listings, occurred in schools globally for many decades. This manual method was essential for managing the complex process of scheduling classes, teachers, and rooms.“I put the timetable box (with its caneite pinboard) together in my garage in the Christmas holidays in 1975 so that I could prepare the Senior School timetable for 1976. I was lucky; there was only a handful of secondary classes at that time – it got more complicated with each passing year!
“It was exacting work. A separate (labelled) rectangle of card (colour coded for each subject) had to be prepared for each class lesson for each day of the week. Each teacher had to have their own colour of dressmakers’ pin, and it was a challenging task to find all these pins.”
While a timetable is a puzzle waiting for its beautiful resolution, there are the very human reactions and compromises that factor into the final result.
“Certain subjects had to have a priority on the board, like Home Economics, because they had double lessons and could only fit in certain timeslots or subjects taken by part-time staff had less flexibility of position on the board. In the preparation stage there was always a negotiating period where you had to be aware of staff preferences.”
It was during the 1980s and 1990s that most schools around the world began transitioning from manual to digital scheduling.
I put the timetable box (with its caneite pinboard) together in my garage in the Christmas holidays in 1975 so that I could prepare the Senior School timetable for 1976
“I had this responsibility for the first couple of years I was at the College, but I was very glad to hand it over to Richard Hayes, who produced the secondary timetable for many years and saw this process into the computer age in the 1980s. Simpler then in some ways, but still an incredible number of 'bits' to fit into the overall jigsaw puzzle.”
Sara Brocklesby Communications and Brand Manager
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