Preshil Weekly – Term 2 – Week 6

National Sorry Day
On Monday, May 26, the Preshil community commemorated National Sorry Day, a significant occasion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and especially, the Stolen Generations. The day acknowledges the trauma experienced by children forcibly removed from their families, leading to a deep loss of cultural connection and the long-term intergenerational trauma, and the negative impact on their wellbeing and identity, as the First Peoples of this land.

At Preshil, across both campuses, we embraced the opportunity to reflect, learn, and importantly, stand alongside our First Nations brothers and sisters, through our shared commitment to justice and healing.

The Preshil community honours the resilience of the Stolen Generation’s and their families, and unequivocally supports through education and action, our moral imperative, as we navigate a path towards reconciliation, healing, and a fairer and equitable future, for all First Nations communities.

Arlington Community Throughout Reconciliation Week
The Arlington Community worked together last week to complete a banner to be hung for National Sorry Day.

This week, children spent time in their Homerooms considering the significance of National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week.

ILF Book Exchange
Thank you to all the families who donated gently used children’s books, and gave gold coin donations for a new addition to the home library.

Buroinjin Games
Jalen & Banjo visited Preshil to teach the students how to play Buroinjin. The day was electric and filled with many smiles as teams faced off in a friendly match.

Kindergarten Exploring First Nations Perspectives In Our Learning Experiences
The children are continuing to develop their awareness of connections to land, community, and culture. At kindergarten, they are learning about symbols, storytelling, and meaningful ways to communicate and show respect and solidarity with First Nations peoples.

Through these experiences, the children are deepening their appreciation for the land, animals, and plants — understanding that, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, these are not just resources but are deeply connected to identity, culture, and spirituality.

We hope that the seeds we are planting in early childhood will grow into a lifelong respect for Country, culture, and a commitment to advocating for others.

National Reconciliation Week Meeting With Guest Speaker Nathan Lovett-Murray
Today, Preshil held a school meeting to honour National Reconciliation Week. We were very fortunate to have Nathan Lovett-Murray in to speak with the school as well as songs from Preshil students.

Autumn Soirée
Last Wednesday’s Autumn Soirée in the Kevin Borland Hall was a resounding success, with a large and appreciative audience gathering to celebrate our extraordinary student performers. The evening was a true showcase of the courage, creativity, and talent within our school community. It was heartening to see such strong support for artistic expression from families, friends, and staff.

We extend our sincere thanks to all the performers and instrumental teachers who made the night so special.

Wellness Week
Last week, the BK campus held a meaningful and impactful Year 9/10 Wellbeing Week, welcoming a range of external organisations including Enlighten Education, This is Your Body, The Drug Education Project, Elephant Ed, and The Man Cave. Students engaged in thoughtful discussions on body image, intimacy, consent, respectful relationships, and substance use, all within a non-judgemental and supportive environment.

The program aimed to provide accurate, developmentally appropriate education while prioritising student safety and informed decision-making. For the first time, gendered spaces were offered for two workshops – not to reinforce binary identities, but to foster safety and connection through shared experiences across some sensitive themes. These sessions proved to be among the most powerful of the week, with students demonstrating vulnerability, insight, and respect. I may have even shed some tears of pride!

Lunchtime activities led by headspace, Boordonda Youth Council, and Junction Skating added a vibrant energy to the week, culminating in a celebratory outing to the arcades last Friday. Amidst widespread concerns about youth today, it was a privilege to witness such genuine connection, emotional maturity, and joy. Students themselves have described the workshops as ‘genuine’, ‘fulfilling’, and ’emotionally intimate’. I felt incredibly proud to lead this space at Preshil and to see our students embrace their wellbeing with courage and openness.

Year 12 Psychology Visit Kinder
The Year 12 Psychology class has been learning about developmental psychology and the importance of peers and play – so what better way to learn about that than with the experts – the kinder kids.

Work in Progress Exhibition
Thursday 29th May was the opening of the Work in Progress Exhibition featuring both completed work and work under construction by the Senior Art students. The exhibition showcases the artwork from the VCE Unit 1 and 3 course and the IBDP Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts Course.

The exhibition was a huge success and it was wonderful to see both the artwork on display and the students’ individual studio spaces where the creativity happens. 

The exhibition will stay on display until Friday 13th June between the hours of 9am – 3pm. All visitors are welcome.

Debating Team
This week the Year 11 debating team faced stiff competition from Camberwell Girls Grammar. Preshil was defeated by only 1 point, although the adjudicator commented that it was the closest debate she had judged. 

Despite the challenge, Ethan was awarded best speaker on the night. It was fantastic to see all the competitors celebrating each other’s achievements at the end of the Debate.

IELLEN Student Recognition Award Winner 2025
We are proud to announce that William has been awarded the IELLEN Student Recognition Award for his outstanding commitment to vocational education, training and personal growth. 

William’s dedication, resilience, and positive attitude have made a significant impact on his peers and the school community. His consistent hard work in the VCE VM and VET studies have been a standout, demonstrating both determination and a strong work ethic. 

This recognition highlights his efforts and the value of applied learning pathways. William was unable to attend the ceremony on the day so Aaron, Bronte and Emma accepted this award on his behalf. Congratulations William.

Student Poetry Competition
Entries for the Student Poetry Competition are now open! This is a fantastic opportunity for young writers across Victoria to express themselves creatively and have their voices heard.

Students are invited to submit a written poem or a video performance of their original work around this year’s optional theme, “Gratitude”.

More information and entry details can be found here.

Join the Board To Shape Our School
We are seeking expressions of interest for new Board members ahead of the AGM on 19 June 2025.

Preshil is looking to strengthen its governance through members withexpertise in finance, business strategy, legal, marketing, and fundraising. Board roles are voluntary 3-year appointments, offering a meaningful opportunity to support a values-driven, forward-thinking school.

To express interest or learn more, please contact the Board Secretary, Larry E. Roadcap at business.manager@preshil.vic.edu.au 

Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday 10 June 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.