Preshil Weekly – Term 1 Week 5

International Women’s Day
This Sunday, we celebrate International Women’s Day.

Preshil exists because two women had the courage to imagine school differently.

In 1931, Greta Lyttle opened a small school in her home with a belief that was radical for its time: that education should develop the whole person, nurturing independence, imagination and self-expression, and helping young people grow in confidence as they discover who they are.

Her niece, Margaret Lyttle, carried that vision for the next fifty years, building a school grounded in trust, independence and the idea that every child deserves to be known as an individual. Nearly a century later, that spirit still shapes Preshil.

We recognise the many people in our community who identify as women: educators, staff, students, parents and alumni, who continue to challenge ideas, lead with courage and shape the culture of this school.

Progress rarely begins with loud declarations. Often it begins with people quietly refusing to accept the limits placed on others. At Preshil, it always has.

Image: Margaret Lyttle (2000).

Year 7/8 Wellbeing Week: Connection, Reflection and Joy
In true Preshil spirit, our Year 7 and 8 students spent Wellbeing Week engaging in the important conversations that strengthen both personal agency and community responsibility. By talking openly and early about wellbeing – our own and in connection with others – students deepened their understanding of what it means to flourish in our lives and in our relationships.

Through workshops with Consent Labs, students developed a shared language around consent as clear, mutual and ongoing. They were challenged to question social norms and practise being active bystanders, recognising that respectful relationships require awareness and action.

Toolbox Education introduced Mental Movies and Dealing with Conflict, equipping students with practical tools to reframe unhelpful thinking and approach disagreement constructively — skills that support both independence and democratic participation.

In our online safety and digital literacy sessions with Evolve Education, students examined their responsibilities in digital spaces. They explored respectful online communication, managing digital footprints, and strategies for staying safe – recognising that wellbeing extends to how we show up online as well as in person.

Drawing on resources from headspace, students explored stress management strategies and normalised help-seeking. Our Wellbeing Team also led a session on recognising when friends may be struggling and how to respond with empathy, including when to involve trusted adults.

With The Man Cave, students explored identity, healthy expressions of masculinity and the courage it takes to be authentic. Honest dialogue built emotional literacy and reinforced the idea that each individual shapes the culture around them.

We finished the week at Bounce Inc in Glen Iris — a joyful celebration of movement, challenge and connection. High jumps were perfected, friendships captured in the photo booth, and belonging strengthened through shared experience.

Wellbeing Week was a reminder that at Preshil, learning includes the courage to have meaningful conversations early – building self-awareness, responsibility and a community in which everyone belongs.

Join us this Wednesday for Sleep Smarter: Helping Young People Thrive
Preshil is delighted to host Dr Olivia Knowles next Wednesday 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

Public Spaces Excursions
The Lighthouse children attended their first excursion of the year to Victoria Park in Kew. This is to continue their exploration of public spaces, how we use them and design considerations. They discussed and documented what features make a park enjoyable, accessible and serve the community. The class took some time to sketch different areas of the park before using every inch of the play equipment. They’re very excited for their next adventure!

International Women’s Day Fundraiser Bake Sale
We celebrated the day with a bake sale fully led by one of our Year 11 students, Sylvie. Sylvie baked around 150 items of baked brownies, cookies and cupcakes and monitored the sales.

Year 9/10 Science Excursion – Climate Action at Melbourne Museum
Our Year 9/10 Science students recently attended a Climate Action event at Melbourne Museum, where they explored the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss while learning about hopeful solutions being led by scientists, conservationists and young people around the world.

During the program, students watched the Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope IMAX documentary, explored the museum’s exhibits, and participated in interactive activities that highlighted the work being done to protect ecosystems and wildlife. The experience encouraged students to engage with the science behind climate change while also considering the role they can play in creating a more sustainable future.

VCE and IB Visual Art excursions
As part of our Senior Visual Art program students have a chance to visit a range of exhibitions and different gallery spaces to view the work of others. This enhances our regular program and aims to engage and inspire our students. Recently our Art students have had an opportunity to visit a local gallery called the Lyon Housemuseum in Kew to see a contemporary art collection showcasing the work of David Bradley and Christopher Langton, as well as visiting the Glen Eira Town Hall Gallery to view the current IBDP Visual Art exhibition showcasing the work of the Yr 12 students from 2025 in Victoria and Tasmania. We are proud to have the work of 2 of our past alumni represented in this exhibition.

Chess Coaching with Chess Australia
We’re pleased to offer a weekly Chess Club every Thursday from 3:30pm – 4:30pm, led under the guidance of International Master and FIDE-accredited trainer Leonid Sandler, former captain of the Australian Women’s Chess Olympiad Team.

Learn more and download the form and learn more here.

Preshil Merchandise
Our Preshil merchandise range has expanded and now includes a hoodie and some fresh new branding. You can shop the range here.

Classroom Cuisine
At Preshil, we’re pleased to offer families access to Classroom Cuisine, an online lunch ordering service designed specifically for schools that provides fresh, seasonal lunches. Visit classroomcuisine.com.au to get started.

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.