Preshil Weekly – Term 1 Week 2

Inner City News features Preshil’s plans to preserve 100-year-old Carlton “piano building”
Preshil’s recent purchase of the heritage-listed Allan & Co piano warehouse has been warmly welcomed by Victoria’s peak heritage advisory council and the Carlton Residents’ Association.  You can read the full feature on the building’s history and our plans for its future here.

Architect Announcement
We’re excited to announce N M B W Architecture Studio as the architects for our Lincoln Square Senior Studio. N M B W were selected for their understanding of adaptive reuse and sophisticated approach to co-design that sees community engagement as culture.

Their pedagogical insight stood out during the EOI process, not just an awareness of how educational spaces function, but a genuine fluency in the purpose of education itself.

This next chapter is about more than facilities, it’s about making real our commitment to courageous, student-led education.

Join us for the first tour of the Lincoln Square Campus on the 18th of March. Bookings are limited so be sure to secure your space here.

International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Exhibition (Victoria and Tasmania)
Congratulations to the Visual Art students of 2025 whose artwork was chosen to be exhibited as part of the Victorian and Tasmanian IB DP Visual Arts Exhibition. This is a free exhibition that runs from 12th February – 8th March at the Glen Eira Town Hall Gallery. 

The works exhibited explore a rich range of themes, including personal and cultural identity, belonging, and connection. They showcase the creativity, critical thinking and innovation of our IB DP Visual Arts students, whose practices reflect both thoughtful inquiry and technical skill.

The creative process is not immediate; it requires time, experimentation and the confidence to take risks. Throughout the course, students work across a diverse range of materials, techniques and processes, refining their ideas through sustained exploration and reflection. In doing so, they learn that art is not only about producing a final outcome, but about engaging deeply with ideas and developing a personal voice.

Studying and creating art empowers students to express who they are, to question the world around them, and to communicate ideas that resonate beyond themselves. We warmly invite our community to view the exhibition and experience the imagination and dedication behind each work.

Welcome Picnic
Come celebrate the new year with us on Friday, 20 February. Pack a picnic, settle in, and enjoy an afternoon of music and good company.

Merchandise
Our Preshil merchandise range has expanded and now includes a hoodie and some fresh new branding. You can shop the new range here. You can also shop new new pieces at this years Welcome picnic.

Help Restore the Pines Committee
Last year, a group of children established the Help Restore the Pines Committee (HRPC) in response to concerns that there was rubbish left there, and we also lost some trees and branches in the high winds.

At Wednesday’s whole school meeting we shared that a small grant has been awarded to Preshil for restoration of the Pines, very kindly applied for by an Arlington family. So the committee is back in action, caring for the space and brainstorming some big ideas. Our first action has already been taken, pulling up the Plumbago shoots to prepare for some indigenous flowers. And look out, as the committee might be planning a weekend working bee…

Australian Maths Trust Competition Practice Sessions
We are pleased to offer after-school practice sessions for students interested in entering the Australian Mathematics Trust Competition (AMTC), run by the Australian Mathematics Trust. The Australian Maths Competition is an optional, nationwide competition that challenges students with rich, engaging mathematical problems that promote logical thinking, problem-solving and mathematical reasoning.

Practice Session Details

When: Wednesdays 3:30 – 4:20pm
Location: Project Room
Commencement: Wednesday 18th February

These sessions help students become familiar with AMTC question styles, build confidence, and strengthen their problem-solving skills in a supportive environment. If your child would like to attend, please email Lorrayne ([email protected]) to register your interest—further details about the August 2026 competition will be shared once numbers are confirmed.

Grow Your Mind at Arlington
This term, we are introducing a shared wellbeing approach using the Grow Your Mind program. Each fortnight, we focus on a character strength, beginning with Teamwork in Weeks 2 and 3. Teamwork means you are loyal and dedicated to the group you are part of. It means you can work together as a class, not bicker and knock each other down. If you are growing teamwork you do your share and work hard for the success of the group.

Our goal is to “Grab Five” minutes of wellbeing each day — small, consistent moments that help embed positive mental health practices and build a shared language around feelings, resilience, and relationships.

Across the week, these short sessions follow a gentle rhythm:

– Mindful Monday: introduces a simple breathing or mindfulness activity, along with the character strength focus.

– Tell-Yourself Tuesday: explores positive self-talk and affirmations.

– Wellbeing Wednesday: offers a practical activity linked to the character strength.

– Thoughtful Thursday: invites children to reflect on how they noticed or experienced the character strength in their own lives.

– Fankful Friday: focuses on gratitude, with classes sharing what they’ve been thankful for during the week.

Please take a look at this short video to see some of the things we are learning about in the GYM program.

Food for Focus: Nutrition in Your Senior Years
Year 11 and 12 students participated in an engaging session this week, Food for Focus in the Senior Years, delivered by clinical nutritionist Gel from This Is Your Body. The workshop explored how everyday food choices influence energy levels, mood, concentration, and stress management during the demanding senior years. 

Students discussed the importance of simple meal planning and preparation strategies to support busy schedules, with a particular focus on the role of fibre in maintaining steady energy throughout the day. Practical ideas for quick, nourishing meals and snacks provided plenty of inspiration for students looking to fuel their learning more effectively. 

The session involved students sampling freshly prepared muffins, and student feedback highlighted how thoughtful meal preparation and new meal ideas had inspired them and can make a positive difference to their wellbeing and study routines.

Introducing the Science, Maths and Health Faculty at Preshil
This year we are delighted to introduce the new Science, Maths and Health Faculty at Preshil. Our faculty brings together passionate educators committed to delivering a curriculum that is both academically rigorous and creatively engaging.

Our programs are designed to:

– Build strong conceptual foundations in scientific and mathematical thinking

– Develop critical and analytical skills required for senior science pathways, including VCE and IB courses

– Foster curiosity, creativity and problem-solving across all year levels

– Support every learner — including students who may find aspects of science challenging — through structured skill development and differentiated learning

We aim to nurture scientific literacy: the ability to interpret evidence, evaluate claims and engage thoughtfully with contemporary issues. Learning experiences will connect theory with real-world contexts, encouraging students to see the relevance of science, mathematics and health in their everyday lives.

Throughout the year, we will share highlights of our faculty programs, excursions and special initiatives. These experiences are designed to deepen understanding, increase engagement and connect students with current scientific and societal challenges.

We are excited to begin with a series of excursions already appearing on Compass as part of the Melbourne Museum Student Climate Commons program, where students will explore climate science, sustainability and evidence-based responses to global change.

Sleep Smarter: Helping Young People Thrive
Preshil is delighted to host Dr Olivia Knowles for a Sleep-Ed session for students and their parents, focused on the vital role sleep plays in wellbeing, learning, and performance.

This engaging and practical session explores the science of sleep, why sleep is especially important during adolescence, and how quality sleep supports physical health, mental wellbeing, academic success, and sporting performance. Students and parents will gain realistic, evidence-based strategies they can apply straight away to improve sleep habits and routines.

Dr Knowles is a High Performance Manager at Hawthorn Football Club and holds a PhD examining how sleep impacts health and performance. Her experience working with young people and elite athletes ensures the session is both informative and highly relatable for families

Date: Wednesday 11th March

Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Location: BK library

Book in here

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.