PRESHIL WEEKLY
Hello Preshil Community,
Welcome to another edition of the Preshil Weekly.
Following our recent feature in The Age – Domain over the weekend, I wanted to take a moment to expand on one of our nine educational principles that this article so prominently connects with Creativity and Self-Expression.
Creating Space for Creativity
At Preshil, the creative process matters more than the final product. It’s about exploration, persistence, and discovery. Creativity isn’t an add-on—it’s foundational. From our Year 6’s transforming the hall curtains into canvases of their own design, to children crafting stories that bring their imagination to life, these moments of raw, unfiltered creativity are not just encouraged; they are essential.
Creativity demands bravery—the courage to take risks, to try, fail, and try again. At Preshil, we nurture this through an environment that invites students to deeply engage with their ideas, explore their passions, and cultivate their unique perspectives.
Educationalist Sir Ken Robinson famously argued that “schools kill creativity,” suggesting that we don’t grow into creativity—we grow out of it, educated away from it. Yet, as Robinson asserted, “creativity is as important as literacy and we should afford it the same status.”
At Preshil, we take this to heart. We are intentional about creating spaces that are permissive and inviting of play, creativity, and wonderment. This isn’t just about the physical environment—it’s woven into our teaching approaches, our culture, and our Preshil Principles. Learning here isn’t something done to students; it’s an experience they actively shape. Young people don’t just participate in education at Preshil—they lead it.
To explore more about how we prioritise the creative process and its central role in our approach to human education, you can read the full article from last week’s Domain here.
Wishing you a great weekend.
Warm regards,
Aaron Mackinnon
Principal
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
International Women’s Day Bake Sale
This International Women’s Day, we celebrated by holding a bake sale across recess and lunchtime. Wellbeing Committee members helped to sell the cakes and asked students to write down personal pledges around how they can, and will, support women this year. We sold all the cakes and raised some extra money that we will be donating to a charity that supports and empowers women. We have also been able to create a display on one of the student notice boards with the pledges. Cupcakes were purchased from, ‘Cake Creations By Kate’.
Year 12 Psychology Body Doubling
The Year 12 Psychology class have been enjoying the “Study with…” Body doubling videos when we are doing quiet study or extended writing. Body doubling is a great option for students because it provides accountability and reduces procrastination, helping them stay focused and motivated during independent study sessions – and sometimes the novelty and anonymity of a virtual one can work just as well.
New Swing in the Kindergarten
The wait is finally over, our new swings for Kindergarten and Out of School Hours Care are ready. Our Kindergarten children tried them out today, and gave them the stamp of approval. The Kindergarten children declared, “No adults are allowed, they’re only for kids”, but Sandra has had a go too!
Sovereign Hill Camp – Peppercorns
The Peppercorns went on camp to Ballarat, and spent two days in the immersion program as students of the Ragged Orphan’s School. Nick and Cressida became Mr and Mrs Jones, who visited the Ragged School to select two fine young children to join them as apprentices at their Criterion Shop. Master Frank and Mistress Kate displayed strong character, and despite the Doctor saying that Katie and Rachel may not survive their cough, although a cow pat poultice applied to the chest may be just what is needed, and Frank having poor eyesight, which could only be cured with rotten apples applied to the eyes, Mr and Mrs Jones felt they would make excellent apprentices.
Student reflections:
“I felt like a living experiment, but it wasn’t as strict as I expected it to be.”
“The Chinese Temple visit was really cool. I thought it was interesting how they made good food, even though they were mistreated.”
“I noticed that there were different toys for boys and girls”
“I found some specks of gold”
Cello Ensemble
Every Thursday morning before school, the Cello Ensemble gets together to make music and have fun. Led by the talented Samantha Wong – a cellist, singer, arranger, and performer – the group enjoys playing a mix of well-known tunes and Samantha’s own arrangements. It’s a great way to start the day, and their hard work is really paying off! We can’t wait to hear them perform soon—keep an eye out for their upcoming performances!
Boroondora Literary Awards
Do you have a story to tell? It’s time to get writing for the 2025 Boroondara Literary Awards, presented in partnership with the Rotary Club of Balwyn.
The Young Writers competition is open to students from Year 5 to Year 12, and young people not in secondary school aged 15 to 18 years (as of 1 January 2025), who live, study, or work in the City of Boroondara. A maximum of one prose and one poetry piece may be entered per person. Winners of the Young Writers competition will share a prize pool of more than $5000 and will have their work published in the 2025 Boroondara Literary Awards Anthology.
For more information and to submit your entry, visit: www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/literary-awards
Entries close Sunday 11 May 2025.
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
- 12pm – 8pm: Three-Way Conferences – Online. No classes and no students to be onsite.
- 9:00am – 10:05am: Blackhall – Year 7 – NAPLAN Numeracy Catchup
- 9:00am – 10:05am: Blackhall – Year 9 – NAPLAN Numeracy Catchup
- 9:15am – 10:45am: Open Morning – Arlington Campus
- 12:10pm – 12:30pm: Whole School Meeting – CAGE 1
- No special events
- 9:00am: School Photos – Arlington
- 9:15am – 10:15am: Open Morning – Blackhall Campus
- 11:30am: School Photos – Blackhall
- 11:30am – 1:30pm: Young Curators Electivity – Arlington – Melbourne Galleries
