PRESHIL WEEKLY
Dear Preshil Community,
Welcoming Our 2025 Year 7 Cohort
This week, we had the pleasure of introducing our 2025, Year 7 cohort to the middle school team. It was an exciting opportunity for our soon-to-be Preshil students, and graduating Arlington children, to come together with their families. We can’t wait for this vibrant new group to join the middle school! In the coming weeks, we’ll hold information evenings for our 2025 Year 8 cohort and a Senior Studio — stay tuned for more details.
Building a Strong Partnership Between Home and School
This week we met with parents to explore how we can strengthen the partnership between home and school. A close partnership ensures that our young people experience seamless support and create a unified and enhanced learning environment. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to launch new strategies designed to deepen this connection and to further support the learning journey of every student at Preshil.
Working Bee at Arlington – Tomorrow!
Just a reminder that our working bee is happening tomorrow at Arlington from 9 am to 11 am. We’d love to see you there to help us tidy up the front garden as we prepare for our Summer Sol celebration in a few weeks’ time.
Bring your enthusiasm and gardening gloves! We’ll wrap up the morning with a BBQ to thank everyone for their efforts. Hope to see you there!
Summer Sol & Dah Doo
With the relocation of our Summer Sol Celebration to Arlington, we’ve decided to combine this with another long standing tradition, and hold Summer Sol Dah Doo! While Doo Dah would usually have our parent volunteers cater a Fruit and Lunch offering for our children, at Summer Sol, our children will be preparing the offerings for our families, which is why we’re also flipping the name. It is our Preshil way of showing gratitude and thanks for all the support our families give to us every day.
We hope you can join us in the Front Garden at Arlington from 3.00pm – 5:30pm on Friday the 6th of December for an afternoon of music, art, food and games, all prepared and offered by the children. Plus a history display (straight from the archives) and the availability to purchase the recently released, vintage style Preshil merch! A lovely way to end the year together.
Warm regards,
Aaron Mackinnon
Principal
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Class of 2024
Last week we celebrated the Preshil class 2024 at our Valedictory dinner. Congratulations on the completion of school! We wish you all the very best in this new and exciting chapter and hope you stay in touch.
Remembrance Day
Each year on November 11, we pause to remember Australians who served in our armed services, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Remembrance Day is a time to reflect on that sacrifice and the enduring impact of war and conflict, on communities across the world.
Accompanied by MYP Coordinator and History teacher, Jason Shulman, our students attended the City of Boroondara Remembrance Day Memorial Service at the Kew Cenotaph, commemorating the sacrifices of Australian service men and women. Alongside other schools in the local area, our students laid a wreath on behalf of the school community.
Lest we forget.
Médecins Sans Frontiéres Virtual Visit
On October 30, 2024, Preshil hosted a virtual visit from Laura Beaven, a representative of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Laura provided a compelling look into MSF’s global humanitarian work, describing how the organisation provides critical medical aid across more than 70 countries. MSF’s mission addresses a range of urgent situations, from conflict zones and natural disasters to epidemics and areas where people lack access to essential healthcare.
Laura shared that in 2023 alone, 138 Australians and New Zealanders joined MSF’s international workforce of over 69,000 dedicated professionals. She also emphasised the importance of mental health support, both for MSF’s patients and for the frontline workers who navigate challenging environments. MSF has recently expanded its mental health initiatives to address the long-term impacts of trauma in vulnerable communities.
To conclude, Laura encouraged students to support MSF’s mission by making donations, organising fundraisers, and raising awareness on social media. Her presentation was an inspiring reminder of the powerful impact humanitarian aid can have on communities worldwide.
Year 7 2025
We were delighted to have our Year 7 2025 cohort come together this week. It was a fantastic evening, filled with good spirits and positive energy as we continue to reimagine and transform Preshil, into a place of immense awe and wonderment.
Arlington Anthology
Somethings are worth waiting for and I think we’d all agree that the Arlington Anthology 2023 and 2024 are just such things. Two bumper editions chock-full of tasty stories and delicious drawings! The children will have some very special books in their bags this afternoon and we all know what we will be reading at bedtime tonight!
Term 4 Doo Dah & Big Day In
News Flash! Term Four Doo Dah has been paused because the following day will be our whole school Summer Sol Dah Doo!! The children of Arlington are busy planning for this event during our whole school meetings. While Doo Dah has been paused, the Big Day In concert will be going ahead from 2.30 in the Kevin Borland Hall, and all are invited to attend and cheer on our musicians. Along with the many solo performances the Junior Choir and Ukelele Ensembles will be performing.
Photo from Big Day In of Rachel Hu Playing Piano.
Japan Study Tour
With less than a week until the Japan study tour begins, excitement is building! Nine students from Years 9, 10 and 11 are busy reading their travel manuals and packing their bags. They’re eagerly anticipating daily language training at Coto Academy, cultural sightseeing, and, of course, savouring plenty of delicious Japanese food.
Preshil Careers Hub
Discover everything you need to make a successful transition through high school and into the ‘real world’. Sign up to receive our Pathways & Careers Newsletters, access the latest guides on life and money management, work experience opportunities, and parent resources. You can also connect with the Careers and Pathways Team for personalised support. Click the link below for more information on Preshil’s Careers Hub.
THE WEEK AHEAD
- Blackhall – Early Commencement begins (Year 10 & 2025 VCE Students)
- 6:30pm-8pm: Preshil Presents – Connected but Conflicted: Navigating the Digital Grey with our Tweens and Teens – Blackhall Library
- 9am-10am: Blackhall – Parent Coffee Catch up (Year 7) – Blackhall Library
- 3:20pm-4:20pm: Blackhall – Homework Club – Blackhall Library
- 3:30pm-4:30pm: Whole School (Years 5-11) – After School Sports – The Cage at Blackhall
- 6:00am: Blackhall – Japan Study Tour Commences – Parents welcome to attend and meet other families.
- 9:15am: Blackhall – Open Morning
