Senior School News

It has been wonderful getting the 2024 school year underway, and I would like to give a special welcome to students and their families who are new to the Senior School and to Casey Grammar.

We are joined by several new staff in the Senior School, all of whom we are thrilled to have join our team.

At our first Senior School Assembly, we heard from our 2024 School Captains and Portfolio Captains, encouraging students at every year level to become involved in the wide array of opportunities offered at our school. Cocurricular involvement provides the opportunity to broaden your horizons and to develop new skills. It fosters new social connections and allows students to represent our school with pride. All students have been invited to join House Leadership Committees and Portfolio Committees in the areas of Social Justice, Sport, Performing Arts, Environment, Academics and Wellbeing. Elections for the newly formed Student Voice Committee will take place in Week 4 of this term.

Kate Morgan

Head of Senior School

From our Wellbeing Captain

It is so easy to get caught up in school and other tasks, that our wellbeing gets put on the backburner. Eventually, we become so tired, so overwhelmed, and so stressed, we burn out. That is why looking after ourselves is so crucial to thrive in the long term, and the start of the year is a great time to build habits and routines that ensure you are okay and successfully managing a growing workload.

I think I could best describe wellbeing as our way of life, and how we live then determines whether we are happy, what our relationships are like and how we contribute to the wider community. As your wellbeing captain for 2024, my theme for this year is self-awareness, meaning my purpose here is to remind you of the importance of looking after yourself, while also providing helpful tips and insights that you may want to use to do so.

For anyone interested in being a part of our Wellbeing Committee, or if you have any questions/suggestions, feel free to send me a SEQTA message!

Keep smiling

Hannah M

Welcome to Our Newest Members of Senior School!

For the first time at Casey Grammar, we commenced Year 7 with two Transition Days, which was a fantastic opportunity to come together as a year level and learn about the rhythms of life in Senior School. Everyone was dressed in their brand-new blazers as they nervously and excitedly waited for the day to start. It was wonderful to have gorgeous sunny weather as well as many families in attendance to wish our students well for their first day. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the morning, including the House Captains who assisted in welcoming our new students.

We started the day meeting the Wellbeing mentors and participating in a range of activities together — including games to get to know each other, conversations with new classmates, creating birthday boards and doing an art activity. Students then moved into their Homeroom groups where they started to meet their subject teachers. This is one of the most significant changes for students adapting to Senior School as they meet their many new teachers. Students were delighted to receive their lockers and start to organize them, whilst others received their laptops. It was extremely exciting for the students to have their brand-new laptops safely in hand, and a number commented on the fact that now they really felt like Senior School students! Another highlight of the day was, once again, the PFC BBQ which was very well received by the students.

Our second Transition Day began with the rest of the student body arriving, and the Year 7s participating in their first Senior School assembly as well as receiving their new timetables and diaries. As part of the preparation for the new responsibility of the laptops, we were privileged to have Senior Constable Abel from Narre Warren come and share with the students about how to stay safe online. He had a wide range of tips for the students, the most important being that there is always help available should they need it. This is through a range of services, including the eSafety Commissioner. Any parents who would like more detailed information about his recommendations are welcome to contact m.riviere-pendle@caseygrammar.vic.edu.au. We concluded the day with students learning how to log on to their computers, organising their folders and setting up their new programs. We were so proud of how the students took the information all in their stride and how quickly they are adjusting to their new environment.

Sincerest thanks to all the staff who helped to facilitate the days and support our students in their transition, as well as the PFC for their wonderful help in keeping us all well fed!

The students are looking forward to a great year ahead, including camp which will be with us in no time!

Monique Riviere-Pendle

Transition Coordinator

From the Head of Year 7

Congratulations to all our Year 7 students for their positive start to the year. The students have been very enthusiastic and have already made a great impression on their new teachers. It is great to see students already getting involved in life in the Senior School. They are all now very excited for Year 7 Camp on 14 February where they will get to make further connections and form new friendships.

Ben Peake

Head of Year 7