Parent Bulletin 13
23 August 2024
2023 Annual Report to the School Community
The Annual Report to the school community provides an opportunity for the community to celebrate achievements, reflect on the school’s performance, and understand where and how improvement efforts have enhanced student achievement, engagement, and wellbeing.
The Annual General Meeting will be held at the College from 6pm-6.45pm on 12 September. Please notify Alison McKenzie via the school email of your attendance by 5 September so that a suitable venue can be arranged.
Jillian EnglishPrincipal
The Annual General Meeting will be held at the College from 6pm-6.45pm on 12 September. Please notify Alison McKenzie via the school email of your attendance by 5 September so that a suitable venue can be arranged.
Jillian EnglishPrincipal
Report from School Council August Meeting
School Strategic Plan 2024 – 2028
The Goals, Targets and Key Improvement Strategies for the next School Strategic Plan have been formulated as part of a rigorous process. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who assisted with the review process and for their input into the development of the new Strategic Plan.
Goal 1 – To improve learning growth and achievement of every student and has two Key Improvement Strategies (KIS). These are:
Goal 1 – To improve learning growth and achievement of every student and has two Key Improvement Strategies (KIS). These are:
- KIS 1 – Enhance teacher capacity to improve student learning outcomes
- KIS 2 – Enhance teacher capacity to design instruction to meet each student’s learning need and foster student agency.
Goal 2 – To improve student wellbeing and connection to school and has two Key Improvement Strategies (KIS). These are:
- KIS 1 – Build teacher capacity for creating and maintaining positive relationships for learning and student connectedness to school.
- KIS 2 – Build the capacity of students to manage their wellbeing and support of their peers.
Jillian EnglishPrincipal
Exploring Digital Technology
Well done to 7 Digital Technology for creating wonderful and educational posters on different features and components of computers!
We are super impressed with the outcomes. Keep up the hard work!
Nicholas Mastrippolito & Sam Thomas
We are super impressed with the outcomes. Keep up the hard work!
Nicholas Mastrippolito & Sam Thomas
Japanese Sister School Visit: A Week of Cultural Exchange
From August 7th to 12th, our college had the pleasure of hosting 12 Year 9 students from our sister school, Akaigawa Junior High School, in Hokkaido, Japan. Our Japanese visitors stayed with host families from our school community. They were warmly welcomed into the homes of our students, providing them with an authentic experience of Australian life. This homestay arrangement allowed them to fully immerse themselves in our culture and daily routines.
While at Strathmore, our visitors participated in several of our Japanese language classes. They enjoyed engaging in speaking tasks with our students, which provided an excellent opportunity for both groups to practise their language skills and learn from each other.
In addition to their time in Japanese classes, they also joined their host buddies in their class. They took part in an English as an Additional Language (EAL) lesson with Ms. Martucci, where they learned how to make fairy bread, tasted Vegemite toast and made friendship bracelets, adding a personal touch to their cultural experience.
The Japanese students also visited Essendon Primary School. Here, with our Year 11 Japanese class students ,they helped their younger peers create origami 'Sumo wrestlers.' This hands-on activity not only engaged the primary students but also allowed for cultural exchange through shared creativity.
Over the weekend, the Japanese students spent time with their host families, exploring more of Melbourne and enjoying activities that reflect our local lifestyle. This included visits to popular spots, trying out local foods, and participating in family activities.
The week was a fantastic opportunity for cultural exchange and relationship-building. The genuine interactions and shared experiences have fostered lasting friendships and a greater appreciation for each other’s cultures. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the families who hosted our guests and to the students and staff who contributed to making this visit a memorable success. The connections made during this week are a testament to the value of international exchanges and the enriching experiences they bring.
Here’s to celebrating more opportunities for cultural understanding and global friendships in the future! We look forward to our next Japan tour in 2026!
While at Strathmore, our visitors participated in several of our Japanese language classes. They enjoyed engaging in speaking tasks with our students, which provided an excellent opportunity for both groups to practise their language skills and learn from each other.
In addition to their time in Japanese classes, they also joined their host buddies in their class. They took part in an English as an Additional Language (EAL) lesson with Ms. Martucci, where they learned how to make fairy bread, tasted Vegemite toast and made friendship bracelets, adding a personal touch to their cultural experience.
The Japanese students also visited Essendon Primary School. Here, with our Year 11 Japanese class students ,they helped their younger peers create origami 'Sumo wrestlers.' This hands-on activity not only engaged the primary students but also allowed for cultural exchange through shared creativity.
Over the weekend, the Japanese students spent time with their host families, exploring more of Melbourne and enjoying activities that reflect our local lifestyle. This included visits to popular spots, trying out local foods, and participating in family activities.
The week was a fantastic opportunity for cultural exchange and relationship-building. The genuine interactions and shared experiences have fostered lasting friendships and a greater appreciation for each other’s cultures. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the families who hosted our guests and to the students and staff who contributed to making this visit a memorable success. The connections made during this week are a testament to the value of international exchanges and the enriching experiences they bring.
Here’s to celebrating more opportunities for cultural understanding and global friendships in the future! We look forward to our next Japan tour in 2026!
Students from Akaigawa Middle School in Japan recently visited my family, bringing a wave of excitement into our home. Their visit was a great experience as we got to show them what everyday life is like in Australia. Both during the school week and during the weekend. Giving us and them lots of time to explore Melbourne and to see all of its special and unique sights. We all learned a lot during their stay about their local traditions and how much we are different from Akaigawa.Year 10 Alex M
Oak Park St Francis De Sales Cricket Club
All enqueries please contact Carlo DestitoJunior Coordinator0421025590opsfdsccjuniorcoordinator@gmail.com
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Year 7 & 8 STEAM
The Year 7 STEAM students have been investigating their big idea question by looking at a possible solution to global food issues. Students were challenged to consider if food could come in pill form. Groups completed a taste test of different jellybeans in order to predict the flavours.
The Year 8s have been studying the concepts of propulsion and buoyancy as they compete in design process competitions constructing such items as paddle boats. There were many different design ideas and students did well to reflect on the effectiveness of their chosen designs. Great work STEAM students. We look forward to applying these concepts to our next project, ROV construction!
The Year 8s have been studying the concepts of propulsion and buoyancy as they compete in design process competitions constructing such items as paddle boats. There were many different design ideas and students did well to reflect on the effectiveness of their chosen designs. Great work STEAM students. We look forward to applying these concepts to our next project, ROV construction!
Year 9 Observational Drawing
Congratulations to our Year 9 Observational Drawing Students.
We are thrilled to showcase the exceptional work of our talented young artists. These observational drawings demonstrate remarkable skill. Our students have been diligently exploring the application of tone and texture, bringing the subject to life on paper.
The attention to detail and dedication evident in these pieces is truly commendable. We encourage all students to visit the display outside the front office!
The Arts Team
We are thrilled to showcase the exceptional work of our talented young artists. These observational drawings demonstrate remarkable skill. Our students have been diligently exploring the application of tone and texture, bringing the subject to life on paper.
The attention to detail and dedication evident in these pieces is truly commendable. We encourage all students to visit the display outside the front office!
The Arts Team
Year 9 Food Technology
This week our Year 9 students have been making a healthy egg breakfast using a cooking method of their choice.
We have seen students poaching, frying and scrambling. This practice session will prepare students while they design a healthy breakfast by modifying an existing recipe to be high in fibre, protein, Vitamin C and calcium.
We have seen students poaching, frying and scrambling. This practice session will prepare students while they design a healthy breakfast by modifying an existing recipe to be high in fibre, protein, Vitamin C and calcium.
Senior Art Exhibition
The Visual Arts Faculty would like to invite all parents/guardians, friends, and staff to the 26th Senior Art Exhibition.
This year’s event will take place from September 4th to September 8th at Neon Parlour, Thornbury, with the Celebration Evening on September 6th.
We have over 35 students choosing to exhibit their work this year.
We are very excited about this event and look forward to celebrating Strathmore’s Creative Arts Community.
We hope to see you there.
Nicholas Mastrippolito & The Visual Arts Faculty
This year’s event will take place from September 4th to September 8th at Neon Parlour, Thornbury, with the Celebration Evening on September 6th.
We have over 35 students choosing to exhibit their work this year.
We are very excited about this event and look forward to celebrating Strathmore’s Creative Arts Community.
We hope to see you there.
Nicholas Mastrippolito & The Visual Arts Faculty
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Seeking Host Families - Can you help?
Host families are needed to host Italian high school students from October 5 – 18.
The students, aged between 15 and 17, are from Liceo Galvani, a prestigious senior high school in Bologna, Italy.
Our Strathmore students will, in turn, be hosted by families in Bologna during the 2026 Italy Study Tour. Please note, the opportunity to host is open to all Strathmore families. Your child does not have to study Italian. Students from Bologna are fluent in English.
This is part of a reciprocal exchange program between SSC and Liceo Galvani, which has been running successfully for the past ten years. The program cannot run without the support of parents.
Hosting a student is a mutually rewarding experience. It is a great opportunity for Strathmore students to make new friends and learn more about the Italian culture and lifestyle.
Parent testimonials My family’s personal experience of hosting was over-all positive. Hosting a young person from Italy was a fantastic opportunity for my children who study Italian to have direct contact with a native speaker. Throughout the 2 weeks we learnt many day to day expressions and built up our vocabulary. It was lovely building a rapport with the student’s family in Bologna.We also enjoyed taking our student out site seeing. I do recommend this opportunity to families who would like their child to travel to Italy. Cacciotti Family
Our previous experience was truly enriching. The connections we made were invaluable, and we developed beautiful friendships that extended our family circle far beyond Australia. We continue to stay in touch with the student we hosted and her family, and these ongoing relationships are a testament to the profound impact of the hosting experience.We are deeply grateful for the chance we had and would wholeheartedly recommend the hosting experience to any future participants. It was a fulfilling and joyful journey that opened doors to new adventures and cultural exchanges.Zacchei Family
If you can help, please contact Antonella.Alampi@education.vic.gov.au or Maria.Monforte@education.vic.gov.au
The students, aged between 15 and 17, are from Liceo Galvani, a prestigious senior high school in Bologna, Italy.
Our Strathmore students will, in turn, be hosted by families in Bologna during the 2026 Italy Study Tour. Please note, the opportunity to host is open to all Strathmore families. Your child does not have to study Italian. Students from Bologna are fluent in English.
This is part of a reciprocal exchange program between SSC and Liceo Galvani, which has been running successfully for the past ten years. The program cannot run without the support of parents.
Hosting a student is a mutually rewarding experience. It is a great opportunity for Strathmore students to make new friends and learn more about the Italian culture and lifestyle.
Parent testimonials My family’s personal experience of hosting was over-all positive. Hosting a young person from Italy was a fantastic opportunity for my children who study Italian to have direct contact with a native speaker. Throughout the 2 weeks we learnt many day to day expressions and built up our vocabulary. It was lovely building a rapport with the student’s family in Bologna.We also enjoyed taking our student out site seeing. I do recommend this opportunity to families who would like their child to travel to Italy. Cacciotti Family
Our previous experience was truly enriching. The connections we made were invaluable, and we developed beautiful friendships that extended our family circle far beyond Australia. We continue to stay in touch with the student we hosted and her family, and these ongoing relationships are a testament to the profound impact of the hosting experience.We are deeply grateful for the chance we had and would wholeheartedly recommend the hosting experience to any future participants. It was a fulfilling and joyful journey that opened doors to new adventures and cultural exchanges.Zacchei Family
If you can help, please contact Antonella.Alampi@education.vic.gov.au or Maria.Monforte@education.vic.gov.au