The Times – Term 3 2026

Ms Kay Peddle – Principal

As we reflect on another successful term, I am pleased to share some of the many achievements, opportunities and memorable experiences that have taken place across our college community. Throughout Term 3, students have engaged in a wide range of learning programs, co-curricular activities, excursions, competitions and student-led initiatives. The breadth of these experiences reflects the enthusiasm, creativity and commitment of our students and staff. This edition of the newsletter provides an overview of these activities, as well as 2026 NAPLAN results and Attitudes to School Survey data.

We are pleased with the academic progress made by our students this term. Their commitment to their learning, together with the support and expertise of our teaching staff, continues to contribute to positive outcomes. Participation in the Term 3 Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences was strong, and I encourage parents and carers to continue to regularly check Compass for information about assessment, learning tasks and student progress. Communication between home and school is an important part of supporting students. 

I am particularly proud of the outstanding range of co-curricular opportunities available to our students. These experiences complement classroom learning and provide students with opportunities to develop confidence, collaboration, creativity and a sense of connection.

Our Year 9 students participated in the City Experience program, broadening their ‘real-life’ learning experiences beyond their immediate environment. Our STEAM programs have continued to foster curiosity, innovation and problem-solving, with students participating in a range of exciting programs and excursions. Our sporting teams have also demonstrated high levels of commitment, teamwork and school spirit.

The College Gala was a particular highlight of the term. Congratulations to all the students who performed and shared their talents with our community. The Gala provided an outstanding showcase of our musicians, dancers and vocalists and celebrated the passion and dedication of our students in the performing arts. Many of these students also contributed to the 2026 College production, Alice in Wonderland Junior, either as performers or members of the backstage crew. The production was an exceptional achievement and was described by many audience members as one of the best College productions they have seen.

There has also been an impressive range of student participation and leadership. Students have taken part in the Dante Alighieri Poetry Recitation, Merri-bek Innovators Program, Australian Mathematics Competition, AI workshops, Maths Games Days and Sub-School Debate Days. Our student-run coffee shop has continued to be very successful, providing students with valuable opportunities to develop practical skills, including barista training and customer service.

Student-led fundraising and awareness activities have also been a significant feature of the term. The college community supported the Biggest Morning Tea for the Cancer Council, as well as lunchtime initiatives supporting important causes, including R U OK? Day and Footy Colours Day. The range and enthusiasm of these student-led activities has been impressive.

A major highlight was welcoming a delegation from our sister school, Toyota Higashi High School in Japan. The visit provided a wonderful opportunity for students to strengthen our international connection through homestay experiences, excursions, school activities and a memorable dinner with host families. We look forward to continuing this partnership and to visiting Japan in 2027.

As we approach the end of the school year, I wish our Year 12 students every success as they prepare for their final assessments and examinations. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at the College Graduation Ceremony on Monday 19 October.

I look forward to the opportunities, achievements and experiences that Term 4 will bring.

Please remember to check the College calendar for important dates and events throughout Term 4.

Students Attitudes to School Survey Results

Each year students complete the Attitudes to School Survey. The results are used to identify areas of strength and future focus for the school. 

We are proud to report that PVGC sits above Similar schools, Network and State in the following areas:

• Effective classroom behaviour
• Attitudes to attendance
• Motivation and interest
• Self-regulation and goal setting
• Respect for diversity
• Student voice and agency
• Effort

The high positive responses (in graphic) tells us that expectations from teachers and families are clear, students turn up and pay attention and the desire to learn is strong.

Some other interesting statistics related to student wellbeing include:

• 84% know when their feelings are making it hard to focus
• 80% report positive relationships with their peers
• 72% are physically active for 60+ minutes on 3 or more days in a week
• 80% find it easy to talk to friends if something is bothering them
• 70% find it easy to see a local GP or nurse if they need to

The school values students’ voice and will be seeking further input from students next term to better understand some of the responses/data.

Dimitra Darmos (Acting Assistant Principal)

NAPLAN Results

Year 7 and 9 students completed NAPLAN testing in March this year. Earlier this term results were released with individual reports mailed home. Results can also be accessed through the Analytics tab on Compass.

PVGC students have outperformed other students in Victoria in the following areas:

• Year 7 Writing
• Year 7 Spelling
• Year 9 Reading
• Year 9 Writing
• Year 9 Spelling
• Year 9 Grammar & Punctuation

The following Year 9 students also received a certificate of achievement from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) recognising them either for attaining the Exceeding proficiency level or for high growth in Reading and/or Numeracy:

• Grace Aiello
• Sara Bracken
• Zoe Colligan
• Maryam Gulab
• Helena Lijin
• Isla jeremic
• Hafsa Naz
• Jaismeen Mangrha
• Zlata Safroniuk
• Iris Santos
• Anjelina Mourkakos
• Asra Alhamali
• Anika Baig
• Sierra Ficheroux
• Merve Ozcan
• Tasneem Moustafa
• Nuran Nazzal

Dani Bedohazy (Assistant Principal)

From Student to Botanist: An Alumni Visit During Science Week

Science Week provided a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with one of our former students, Hayley Sime (Class of 2015), who returned to PVGC to share her journey and expertise with our students.

Now pursuing a career as a botanist, Hayley brought her passion for plants and the natural environment into the classroom, giving students a glimpse into the world of botanical science. Through demonstrations and practical, hands-on activities, students were able to explore concepts beyond the textbook and see how scientific knowledge is applied in the real world.

It was particularly special to welcome Hayley back for a second visit. Her willingness to return to our school and share her experience is a wonderful example of the value of an engaged alumni community and the impact alumni can have on current students.

For our students, meeting alumni who have gone on to pursue diverse careers provides a valuable reminder that the subjects and passions they explore today can open doors to exciting opportunities in the future.

Behind the Scenes at NAB Place Melbourne

Earlier this term, a group of students stepped outside the classroom for an exciting career immersion experience at NAB Place Melbourne, gaining an insight into the people, workplaces and career pathways that make up the banking and financial services industry.

The visit offered students much more than a look inside a corporate workplace. They began the day with an interactive trivia session, discovering more about NAB and the wide range of services and careers within the organisation.

A tour of the Melbourne workspace followed, giving students the opportunity to see how modern workplaces are designed to encourage collaboration, connection and inclusion. The spectacular views from the 38th floor were certainly another highlight!

Students then heard directly from NAB employees about their individual career journeys. Hearing how their professional lives had evolved from their school years to their current positions gave students a valuable perspective on the different pathways a career can take.

The practical element continued with a résumé workshop, where students picked up useful advice and strategies to help them present their skills and experiences when applying for future opportunities.

Experiences like this help students make meaningful connections between school, further study, the world of work and provide inspiration for the future.

Keep in Touch

Our alumni community continues to be an important part of our school story, and we would love to stay connected with more of our former students. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and now Instagram for school news, alumni stories, upcoming events and opportunities to reconnect with the PVGC community.

If you are an alumnus and haven’t already joined our database, we invite you to register your details via the link below or email us at alumni@pvgc.vic.edu.au

Join our Alumni Database: https://forms.gle/GRcMt7taQizvgYuj8

We look forward to keeping our alumni community connected and continuing to
celebrate the journeys and achievements of our students.

Celebrating Pascoe Vale Girls College and Toyota Higashi High School Partnership

In July, Pascoe Vale Girls College was delighted to welcome 15 students and two teachers from Toyota Higashi High School in Japan, continuing a wonderful partnership that has been a valued part of our school community for more than 20 years.

During their week at PVGC, our Japanese visitors were warmly welcomed into the homes of PVGC students and their families, providing a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange, friendship and shared experiences. The students also participated in a range of activities and classes across the College.

Our visitors enjoyed a Japanese calligraphy and lucky cards activity, a PE lesson featuring cricket, Food Studies where they made delicious ANZAC biscuits, and an Art lesson exploring Australian Indigenous dot painting. These activities provided our students and visitors with opportunities to learn from one another and share aspects of both Australian and Japanese culture.

The group also explored some of Melbourne’s highlights, with excursions to Melbourne Zoo, Eureka Tower and the Queen Victoria Market, as well as visits to various sites throughout Melbourne’s city centre.

The exchange was a wonderful opportunity for students to develop new friendships, experience different cultures and create memories that will last well beyond their visit. It was particularly special to see our PVGC students proudly sharing their school, city and Australian way of life with their Japanese friends.

We extend our sincere thanks to our PVGC host families, who generously opened their homes and gave their time to support this important program. Their generosity and hospitality are integral to the success of this partnership and ensure that our visiting students feel welcomed and part of the PVGC community.

We look forward to continuing this proud tradition of international friendship and cultural exchange with Toyota Higashi High School for many years to come.

Debbie Rodda 

Acting Assistant Principal

Merri-Bek Enrichment Activities

As part of the Merri-bek North Education plan, students from PVGC, Coburg, Glenroy and John Fawkner have had the opportunity to participate in a range of enrichment activities this term.

In week 2, a group of Year 9s had their final session of the Interschool Innovators Program where they showcased their solutions to agricultural and climate challenges at the STEM Centre of Excellence, Science Gallery University of Melbourne. Working alongside their Year 10 mentors and the Science Gallery Melbourne team, students tackled five real-world environmental and agricultural problems, developing creative projects and prototypes that were presented to educators, industry experts, including indoor vertical farming company Greenspace, and invited guests. Their innovative and engaging presentations explored ideas such as small wind turbines for homes, the benefits of city-based vertical farming, reducing plastic waste, and advocating for environmental change, with visitors invited to participate in interactive games and activities.

In week 3, some Year 7s were lucky enough to participate in Wild Futures at the Melbourne Zoo where they began to explore the challenges that wildlife conservation scientists face when working with threatened species in Australia. In mixed school teams, students were tasked with investigating solutions to address these challenges. In week 7, students met up again at the Science Gallery to continue to apply speculative thinking design to develop their solution. We look forward to term 4 when each team will present their design solutions in a showcase.

In week 9, a group of Year 8s travelled to the city for the RMIT STEM City Experience to participate in some engineering-themed workshops. They also did a campus tour and spoke to some STEM ambassadors who are currently studying at RMIT. Thanks to Mr Di Giuseppe and Mr Veness for taking them.

Finally, in week 10 a group of Year 7&8 student leaders participated in Future Makers. Working with students from the other schools they looked into a variety of community challenges focusing on how they can create positive change. This program will continue also in term 4. Thanks to Ms Wood for facilitating this program.

Our students always engage positively in these programs and are fantastic ambassadors for the school. Look out for some other events next term that will be advertised on Compass. I am sure Year 8s will be keen on the Network 10/Paramount Studio Visit. Thanks to Helen Lambropoulos from the regional office for coordinating all of these activities.

Dani Bedohazy

Assistant Principal

Year 9/10 Debating

In week 7 some Year 9 & 10 students spent a day working together to develop their critical thinking, public speaking and collaborative problem-solving skills. Many of these students then participated in the Model United Nations at Coburg High School in week 10 where they had the opportunity to engage in an international relations and diplomacy simulation through debating and proposing solutions to global issues related to war, conflict, peacebuilding, and international security. Thanks to Ms Forbes, Ms Wood and Mr Ireland for helping to prepare students.

The Inaugural House Games

On Thursday 17 September, PVGC held the inaugural House Games Day. The day brought students together for a day of fun, teamwork and friendly competition. Students proudly represented their Houses across a range of exciting activities, demonstrating great sportsmanship and school spirit.

CONGRATULATIONS TO WAKE HOUSE
our inaugural House Games champions!

Alberti House – International Friendship Day

On Thursday 30 July, our Alberti House Leaders celebrated International Friendship Day at PVGC lunchtime events. The ever popular photobooth made its return, alongside friendship bracelet making, creating cards for friends and colourful chalk drawings.

It was wonderful to see students coming together, celebrating friendship and creating memories with their friends.

To celebrate Alberti House ran a Colouring Competition. Thank you to those that entered, your entries were creative, colourful and fantastic!

Special mention to our 9 prize winners:

Congratulations to everyone who took home a prize!

Thank you to everyone who got involved and helped make the competition a success.

Mrs Clark & Alberti House Leaders

Wake House Games Day 🎲

On Monday 10 August, Wake House hosted a Games Day during lunchtime, giving students the opportunity to get out of the cold, relax and enjoy some time together.

It was fantastic to see students from a variety of year levels coming together, having fun, connecting with one another and enjoying a range of games.

A big thank you to everyone who joined in and helped make the day such a positive and enjoyable experience. It was wonderful to see such great Wake House spirit! 

Wake House Leadership team

Wake House Talent Show and Karaoke 🎤

On Monday 31 August, Wake House hosted a talent show and karaoke during lunchtime, giving students the opportunity to let their energy out, relax and bond with one another.

We had many wonderful participants and singers, and it was fantastic to see students from all year levels coming together, sharing their talents and enjoying the music.

Thank you to everyone who joined in and helped make the event such a fun and memorable experience. It was wonderful to see such great Wake House spirit!

Sama Allan 9B

Year 7 Road to Respect

Road to Respect was a day when a person from Carlton footy club named Jaxon came to talk to the year 7s about advice given from the footy players. He showed us videos and it shows how the players deal with certain things and the advice they give and they spoke about social norms. We played a few games and talked about gender stereotypes. It was a very fun day and we really enjoyed it.

Jennifer and Chloe 7A

Year 8 La Trobe University Visit 

La Trobe was a really fun and memorable experience. It is definitely going into my top 10 high school experiences! We were all buzzing with excitement as we met our university buddies and learnt about their lives. I learnt a lot about what university is like, how to stay organised for the future, and the differences between high school and university. Later in the day, we participated in several activities that helped us learn more about the university and feel more familiar and comfortable around the campus. Overall, I would rate the excursion 100/10! I would definitely do it again!

Year 9 JUMP – Community Connections, Aged Care

This term, students and Mr. Freeman had the opportunity to take part in the Year 9 JUMP Community Connections program with Plumpton Villa Aged Care Facility. At the beginning, we didn’t really know what to expect. We were meeting people four times our age and from a completely different generation, and some of us were a little nervous about what we would talk about. However, after spending more time with the residents, we became more comfortable and confident and started looking forward to our visits, since it was something we’d never done before.

One of the first things we did was introduce ourselves and get to know the residents. We played different board games together, which gave us an easy way to start conversations and get to know everyone. As we spent more time with them, they began telling us stories about their teenage years, adulthood, families and what life was like when they were younger. We especially enjoyed listening to Ron, who told us about his experiences working and owning a pharmacy. Hearing about his life made us realise how different some careers and everyday life were compared to what we know today.

One of our favourite and most memorable parts of the program was talking about pets. The residents shared stories about pets they had in the past or still had, and we were able to share stories about our own pets too. It was interesting because even though there was a big age difference between us, we could still find things we had in common. We could talk about funny things our pets had done, how much we cared about them and the memories we had with them. It showed us that you do not always need to have the same age or background to connect with someone.

Something else that really stood out to us was hearing about what childhood was like for the older generation. Their childhoods were very different from ours. For example, some of the residents did not grow up with television like we did. Some of them even remember when television was first introduced. For us, technology and television have always been a normal part of life, so it was surprising to imagine growing up without them. Hearing their stories helped us understand how much everyday life has changed over the years.

Throughout the program, we learned that older people have so many experiences and stories that we can learn from. Sometimes we might think that a simple conversation is not very important, but we realised that listening to someone’s experiences can teach us things that we would not learn in a classroom. We also learned that having something small in common, such as a love for pets or enjoying a game, can help people from completely different generations connect.

The program was valuable for both the students and the residents. We were able to learn about their lives and experiences, while they had the chance to spend time with younger people and share their stories. It helped us become more confident when talking to people of different ages and reminded us to listen and be respectful of other people’s experiences.

Looking back, we will remember the games we played, the funny conversations and especially the stories the residents shared with us. What started as a school program became an opportunity to build real connections with people we might not normally have met. Community Connections showed us that sometimes, simply sitting down, talking and listening to someone can create a meaningful connection.

Aisha and Antoinette

Year 9 City Experience Report

This year the year 9’s participated in the City experience as usual, except we did it differently this time. Instead of having a dedicated week for city experience, we went once or twice every term. Our very first city experience day was at the Stem Centre of Excellence where we participated in workshops with our groups that were based on A.I.

On day 2, we went to one of Melbourne’s most iconic sports arenas, the MCG. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a proper tour due to some inconveniences. However, we did get to check out the sports museum and completed various trails where we got to learn about Australian sports and history as well as foreign sports like soccer and the Olympics. We also got to play some pretty cool virtual games!

On the third day of city experience, we kind of touched the clouds. The year 9’s went to Melbourne’s tallest skyscraper called the Melbourne skydeck. Here we experienced what it felt like to be 285m above ground level as well as a quite entertaining virtual reality experience. We then went to ACMI where we learnt about all sorts of media and the history of it. It was sort of a mini exhibition with a range of different displays like old film cameras, evolution of animation, movies and much more!

On day 4 of City Experience we went back to the Stem Centre of Excellence. However, this time for a different workshop. We participated in the workshop called Emergence(y) where we roleplayed to be a part of parliament fighting for ways to protect our planet and perhaps transport to Mars. We also got to ‘drive’ rovers and build the different industries that might be useful on Mars.

On the fifth day of city experience, we had a bit more freedom from the teachers and were now more confident on travelling our own to and around the city. There were various trails to choose from and every group got to complete one they liked. For the first part of the day, we got to go to our chosen site and complete a detailed trail of the area, which then upon completion we went back to Federation Square. We also witnessed the extreme hype of Americans because the NFL game was happening at the MCG. There were many cool events happening at the Fed Square along with some of the PVGC students appearing on San Francisco news!  After that we moved on to the second part of the day. Visiting Queen Victoria Market. We went on a good 30 minute walk from Federation Square to the iconic market. There we completed an interesting trail where we walked around the entire market, locating different shops and finding out what item was sold where. After a quick lunch, it was the end of our day and we all went back to Federation Square to be dismissed.

Maryam G and Jaismeen M 9A

Senior School – Term 3 Highlights

Term 3 has been a busy and successful term for our Senior School students, with a strong focus on preparation, pathways and student engagement.

Our Year 10 students undertook a thorough and rigorous course counselling process to help them make informed decisions about their subjects and pathways for 2027. Similarly, Year 11 students participated in course counselling and subject selection to prepare for their final year of secondary schooling.

Our Year 11&12 students also enjoyed a range of activities and events, including Movie Night, providing opportunities to celebrate, connect and build positive memories together.

As they prepare for life beyond school, Year 12 students participated in SEAS and VTAC information sessions and assemblies. These sessions provided important guidance to ensure students are well prepared to apply for tertiary education through VTAC for 2027.

It has been a productive and rewarding term across the Senior School, and we look forward to continuing this momentum into Term 4.

Year 12: A Little Fun Before the Finish Line

Our Year 12 students embraced the spirit of Book Week and Dress as Your Favourite Movie Character Day this term, with two dress- up days providing a welcome opportunity for some fun and creativity as they work through their final Unit 4 assessments.

We were impressed by the effort and imagination shown by students, with a fantastic range of characters and costumes on display. The positive atmosphere and enthusiasm across the cohort helped create some great memories as our Year 12s approach the end of their school journey.

A special mention also goes to our teachers who certainly got into the spirit of the celebrations and helped make the days even more enjoyable.

Senior School Awards

A big congratulations to the following students for receiving awards at this terms senior school assembly.

Aspiration Awards: 

Sarah KURIAN 10C

Nyasha MAKWARA 10C

Nur Inshirah Binte NOR ASHRAF 10C

Isla ROOLKER 10C

Jeannette ABOU-EID 10D

Rawan ALMAQSOUSI 10D

Ayesha AHMED 10E

Sophie CRUTE 10E

Emily FOREMAN 10E

Aaliya MEMON 10E

Asma MOHAMED HAZZAN 10E

Nurraydah SHAMS 10E

Stephanie AMIRSONIS 11A

Reema HOUSSEIN 11A

Anzish SHAHZAD 11A

Mallak TALEB 11A

Sarab EL HAWLI 11B

Jayda FARAJ 11B

Aamna ZUBAIR 11C

Jessica TRUONG 11D

Ayesha ASIM 11E

Ishmal ASIF 11F

Aamna MEMON 11F

Zamzam TALEB 12A

Lena ZAIOUANE 12B

Vivian HALL 12C

Esther PERI 12C

Faraza AZIZ 12E

Sophia HAMMOUD 12F

Dilni JOTHIRATNAGE 12F

An-Nhien LE 12F

Binuli RATHNAYAKA 12F

Improvement Awards:

Chiara GAZZO 10A

Manha MAHBUB 10C

Amelia DIMOS 10C

Lara ISSA 10D

Nitya ARYAL 11D

Khadija SYED 11D

Ansley KURIATHU 11D

Mikaela REYES 11D

Charlotte HAYS 11E

Annika MAGUIRE 11E

Maria FATIMA 11F

Aiman KHAN 11F

Alana ROOLKER 12C

Year 9 JUMP – Grow Cook Share

Students have made some amazing things in Grow Cook Share! We’ve harvested violets to make ice cream for our pancakes, we’ve pulled out the beetroots to make a fabulous salad and we’ve even created a very cool looking scarecrow. We’ve visited neighbourhood gardens to get more ideas and of course headed to Bunnings!

Year 8 – Healthy snacks for a toddler

Year 8 students rose to the challenge to create different amusing, delightful and creative “Snacks for a toddler” as part of their latest CAT. Students had to investigate what makes a snack healthy, come up with some design prototypes, receive feedback from a classmate and then produce their final design. Here’s a sample

Year 10 – Food Glorious Food

A component of the Year 10 Food Glorious Food program is cake decoration. Over two weeks, students developed their skills in cake decorating, learning techniques such as piping flowers, creating fondant flowers, and designing decorative cupcakes.

Students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be creative and showcase their individual designs, proudly sharing their finished products with friends. Of course, the highlight for many was the final stage — tasting and enjoying their delicious creations!

Year 7 & 8 Interschool Netball

In the final week of Term 2, PVGC hosted the Merri-bek Division Interschool Sport Year 7 & 8 Netball Competition. With lots of teams and plenty of action, PVGC students experienced a great day of netball, including many beginners and first-time players.

It was fantastic to see the progression from our Netball PE program, which has helped students develop their skills, understanding of the rules and game strategies, while also building their confidence. Many students put their hands up to try out for the teams on the day, which was great to see.

Congratulations to the Pascoe Vale A Team, with the Year 7 team finishing in 2nd place and the Year 8 A Team finishing in 3rd place.

I encourage all students who are not currently playing community sport to seek out a netball club and give it a go. There are netball seasons running throughout the year!

Mr Freeman

Coach /Sports coordinator

Merri-bek Division Futsal Competition

On 5 August, PVGC competed in the Merri-bek Division Futsal Competition for the Year 7, Year 8 and Intermediate age groups. All teams played with excellent effort and sportsmanship and achieved excellent results.

The Intermediate team won the competition in exciting fashion, defeating Ilim College in a penalty shootout in the final.

Intermediate Division Winners:

• Talah Al-Lakkiss – Year 9
• Syeda Batool – Year 9
• Lara Kahraman – Year 9
• Mira Katoub – Year 10
• Noor Khodr – Year 10
• Asli Sazak – Year 10
• Manha Zubair – Year 10

Interschool Junior Football

In the final week of Term 2, the Year 7 & 8 football team competed in the Merri-bek Division round at Hallam Reserve, Pascoe Vale. The students were a credit to themselves and the school, showing excellent effort both on and off the field.

They finished the day in second place, with wins over Glenroy Private College and Coburg High, and were narrowly defeated by Australian International Academy.

Well done to all the students, including the many who were playing football for the first time. They showed great determination, tackling and, most importantly, had fun throughout the day.

I encourage students who are not currently playing for a local team to consider joining a club next season and giving football a go!

Mr Freeman
Sports Coordinator and Coach

Building Confidence Through Self-Defence

This term, all Year 9 and 10 PE students had the opportunity to take part in an engaging self-defence program with Caroline from Safe Steps for Girls.

Students participated in some great discussions about personal safety, confidence and recognising potentially dangerous situations. They explored a range of scenarios and learned practical self-defence techniques, including martial arts skills and defensive moves.

The program was active, challenging and lots of fun, with students even having the opportunity to break boards as part of their martial arts training!

A big thank you to Caroline for providing such an informative and empowering experience for our students. Well done to all our Year 9 and 10 students for their enthusiasm, participation and willingness to step outside their comfort zones.

Interschool Year 8 and Senior Badminton –  Region Finals

This term, our Senior and Year 8 badminton teams competed in the Region Finals. Both teams have made great progress with their skills throughout the year and played with excellent sportsmanship throughout the day.

Although neither team was successful in winning their group and progressing to the finals, both teams represented PVGC proudly and should be very pleased with their efforts and achievements.

Well done to both teams on reaching the Region Finals and representing our school so well!

Senior 

Year 8

Year 7 SEAL Humanities – History 

7A historians are currently investigating ancient civilizations. As part of their History unit, students took on the perspective of a person living in Ancient Rome – we had gladiators, plebeians, patricians, senators, ruthless emperors – there was lots to explore! Students immersed themselves in what daily life might have been like for them, applying key historical skills like chronology, communication, continuity and change, cause and consequence. Everyone had the opportunity to express their opinion on a significant individual whose lives and accomplishments had an impact on Roman society. 

Year 10 Mythology Term 3

This term the Mythologists have become experts on Ancient Greece, from traditions, cultural practices, beliefs, and gods. We now have many specialists on the Greek Deities family tree and the many dramas that unfolded therein. Students discovered that the line between historical fact and mythological fiction is often blurry. That civilizations are complex and moralistic terms like ‘good’ or ‘bad’ lack the nuance of higher learning. We have learned to scrutinise historical information through our source analysis skills that we will continue to work on into term 4.

Year 12 Ancient History Excursion 

On the 18th of August, The Year 12 Ancient History students went on an excursion to the Melbourne Museum. This was a great opportunity for us to step out of the classroom and into the ancient world. The Rome: Empire, Power, People exhibition aligned perfectly with our current study design and area of study, allowing us to see the people, politics and culture of Rome beyond the pages of our textbooks. From the artefacts and stories of Roman life to the sheer scale of the exhibition, it made the history we have been studying feel much more vivid and real. 

We then finished the day by watching The Odyssey, following Odysseus on his long and unpredictable journey home. After spending the day surrounded by the ancient world, it felt fitting to end with a story that has survived for thousands of years, a reminder that, much like Odysseus, sometimes the journey is just as memorable as the destination. It was an exciting, memorable day that brought our Ancient History studies to life in a way that a classroom simply can’t.

Faraza Aziz; College Captain & Ayah Ahmad; Fellow Ancient History student

Year 9 & 10 Italian – Rome Exhibition 

Ciao! On the 27th of August, the Italian students alongside the Ms Santomartino’s took us to an exciting trip to the Rome exhibition at the Melbourne Museum and the iconic Lygon street, also referred to as ‘Mini Italy’.

We first went to the museum where we got a bit of a blast from the past from all of the amazing and interesting Roman artefacts from hundreds of years ago. From original statues, mosaics, frescoes, jewellery to everyday objects, we got to see it all. It gave us a fantastic opportunity to experience how the day-to-day life of a Roman civilian would look like. We also learnt a bit about Roman mythology which fascinated many of us, especially the curses! After a long journey through ancient Italy with the adventures of Julius Caesar and imperial Rome, our stomachs were now grumbling.

On the way to lunch at Lygon Street, Ms. Santomartino pointed out some historical landmarks such as COASIT Resource Centre and cafe Universita. They were quite fancy and we all definitely took a bit too many pictures for Instagram. After a generous amount of time for lunch, we were dismissed from a long but highly enjoyable day. We are looking forward to continuing to attend any other Italian excursions in the future. Arrivederci!!!

Maryam G and Jaismeen M 9A

Year 8 Japanese Excursion

Our Year 8 Japanese excursion today was awesome! We kicked things off at the NGV to check out the Yayoi Kusama exhibition, and it was so cool walking through all those amazing art works. After getting plenty of photos, we headed over to Docklands for the best part of the day: making our own okonomiyaki. It was pretty chaotic—and a bit messy—trying to cook and flip the savory Japanese pancakes on the hotplates, but once we loaded them up with tons of sweet sauce and mayo, they tasted amazing. It was such a fun way to experience Japanese art and food outside the classroom!

Maths Association of Victoria – Maths Games Days

On 7th August, two teams of senior Mathematics students headed to RMIT to participate in the annual Maths Competition organised by the Mathematics Association of Victoria (MAV).

The students arrived feeling a little nervous as they watched teams from schools across Victoria roll in for the competition. However, any nerves quickly dissipated when the first puzzle of the day was presented. This set the scene for an exciting and challenging program filled with brain teasers, problem-solving challenges and mathematical thinking.

The day concluded with a fast-paced Maths Relay, giving students the opportunity to put their teamwork and problem-solving skills to the test in a fun and energetic finish.

A big thank you to the following students for representing PVGC and embracing the challenge:
Year 12 team: Hosanna, Dilni, Archidha, Binuli 
Year 11 team: Haniya, Ayesha, Kistra, Aamna

We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm, teamwork and willingness to tackle some challenging mathematical problems. We look forward to taking two more teams along next year!

Ms T Nguyen

On the 3rd of August, our Year 9 team also competed in the MAV Maths Games Day, representing the school at St Albans College. They competed with enthusiasm and did a fantastic job representing the school.

Thank you to : Hannah B, Dalia, Maryam, Helena, Jaismeen, Oliveand Hibba

Mr L Di Giuseppe

Congratulations to the year 7 students who participated in the Maths Games day at Overnewton Anglican Community College on the 24th of August. They completed mixed problem solving, the problem relay, games of strategy and origami. 

Well done to Juliet, Lexi, Irha, Maryam, Chloe and Rianna for your enthusiasm and expert problem solving. 

Ms L Roy

2026 PVGC Australian Mathematics Competition 

Well done to the students from Years 7 to 12 who took part in the Australian Mathematics Competition in the first week of August. 

It was fantastic to see so many students taking part at Pascoe Vale.

Results and certificates for all eligible participants will be distributed as soon as they arrive in school.

Well done everyone and thank you for your participation!

Music Gala

The annual Music Gala was held in Week 9 where select students showcased their amazing talents. There were singers, dancers, musicians, talent aplenty and much joy in the room. Well done also to Ms Gowers for her expert MC-ing and to all of the instrumental music teachers who helped prepare the students. A big thank you to Mr Rosa for coordinating the evening and for his leadership of the amazing music department.

Production

Yr. 10 ‘21st Century Science’ ‘Future Foods and Sustainable Communities’ Excursion

On Wednesday August 26th, our Yr. 10 ‘21st Century Science’ students attended the STEM Centre of Excellence at the Science Gallery Melbourne for the ‘Future Foods and Sustainable Communities’ Excursion. During this excursion, students participated in a range of activities which supported creativity, critical and design thinking concepts around the three pillars of sustainability – economic, environment and social; for the application of insects as a more sustainable food source. Students created their own prototypes, including chocolate recipes that incorporated crushed insects, wattle seed and herbal teas to support their design solutions. Students were also treated to a viewing of the Science Gallery’s latest exhibition about ‘Emergency’. Many thanks to Mr. Michael Todd, one of our pre-service teachers from Deakin University, who took time out of his regular Wednesday classes to accompany the students on this excursion.

2026 ‘Girls in Physics’ Breakfast:

On July 24th, the 2026 ‘Girls in Physics’ Breakfast was a fantastic opportunity for our students who were interested in STEM careers to meet other women who have a career in Physics and Engineering; and other peers that shared this same interest. This year’s guest speaker was Dr. Karelle Siellez from The University of Tasmania, who contributed to the first detection of a gamma-ray burst and gravitational waves from the same cosmic event, recognised with the 2017 Breakthrough Prize. She described her research on “multi-messenger” signals like kilonovae and gamma-ray bursts, to uncover how the cosmos communicates its most violent events. Blending scientific insights with creative expression (art, sound, and storytelling); her journey revealed how listening to the Universe —and protecting its silence—can connect science, nature, and humanity. 

GTAC Excursion ‘Analysing DNA Bar Codes to Identify and Discover Species’

On Wednesday 9th September, our 9A SEAL students attended the Gene Technology Access Centre in Parkville to participate in a series of activities to contribute to a real research project. Students used DNA technologies, including PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and gel electrophoresis, in combination with bioinformatics programs to generate DNA barcodes for animal or plant tissues of environmental or commercial interest. The DNA extracted samples generated by their team were sent to the Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF) for sequencing. Analysis of their DNA barcodes will continue at a virtual event to be held later in early Term 4.

2026 Science Week Wrap-up:

During the week of 17th-21st August, we celebrated the theme of National Science Week (‘Seeds of Science – Nurturing Knowledge for All’) by offering a variety of lunchtime activities – including ‘Salty Snowflakes’ crystal growing, Science Trivia in the Michael Harris Theatre, returning Alumni student Hayley Sime with interactive demonstrations/samples on seed types and dispersal and a ‘Scales and Tales’ wildlife incursion with Dr. Tarik Zepcan. Thank you also to Ms. Fernando, Ms. Ankers, Ms. Wood and Mr. Rosa for their support during these lunchtime activities.

Pascoe Vale Primary School STEM Activities Excursion

On Monday September 7th, selected Year 10 students were invited to lead and inspire classes of Preps and Grades 1, 2, 5 and 6 students at Pascoe Vale Primary School, with the ‘Coke and Mentos’ experiment and the ‘Balloon Powered Rocket’ ‘hands-on’ activity, to celebrate their Science Week. During this excursion, students practiced a combination of organisational skills including communication, presentation and project management which will be transferable across all other areas of their studies.

RMIT Future STEM Leaders Training Day and Workshop Delivery

Selected Yr. 9 and 10 students volunteered to participate in the ‘Future STEM Leaders’ Training Program, which targets and supports the growth and development of STEM leadership skills in a classroom; through facilitating the delivery of a practical STEM workshop to younger year students. The  STEM Leaders’ learning was guided by industry experts and RMIT Women in STEM Ambassadors, who are current RMIT University students studying a variety of disciplines across STEM.

Aims of this program include:
• Breakdown of stereotypes in STEM with visible role models
• Engaging with mentors from tertiary education and industry
• Inspiring STEM participation in high school and beyond
• Supporting the empowerment, confidence and knowledge for student aspirations in STEM
• Boosting positive STEM culture among student groups and the school community

With support from our Yr. 11 and 12 STEAM Captains, the students practiced how to deliver a series of Pharmacy-based Science Workshops to an audience of Primary school students, from Pascoe Vale North (morning session) and Westbreen Primary (afternoon session) who visited our school on August 27th , to participate in these exciting STEM-based activities.

Carolyn Drenen

Learning Area Leader – Science; STEAM Co-ordinator; Teacher of Chemistry and Science

Training:

Workshop Delivery with the Primary School Students:

Young Scientists Competition of Victoria

Year 12 VCE VM Highlights

Biggest Morning Tea

Earlier this term, our Year 12 VCE VM students put their planning, teamwork and communication skills into action by organising and running a Biggest Morning Tea for staff raising funds for the Cancer Council. Over six weeks, students worked together to plan every aspect of the event, from organising food and activities to promoting the morning tea. As part of the project, each student was also challenged to approach a local business and seek a donation, helping them develop valuable communication, confidence and community engagement skills.

Our Goal vs Our Result

The class set a goal to raise $800. We are so pleased to share that together we raised $1,558.50

We would firstly like to say a huge thank you to our amazing and supportive staff who contributed so generously to the event.

We would also like to recognise and thank the local businesses who kindly donated to help make the event such a success:

➢ Coles
➢ Woolworths
➢ George Jones Eatery

➢ The Acai Company
➢ Revived Nutrition Bar
➢ My Brother’s Deli

➢ Rose Water
➢ Halal & Easy
➢ West Street Fruits

We are incredibly proud of our Year 12 VCE VM students for their enthusiasm, initiative and commitment. Not only did they break their fundraising goal, but they demonstrated the skills and confidence they have developed throughout their VCE VM journey.

Docklands Adventure

On Friday 21 August our Year 12 VCE VM students headed to the Docklands precinct for a day of teamwork, competition and plenty of fun!

As part of their Personal Development Skills course, students were challenged to research and plan their own team building excursion. The students were rewarded with a visit to Archie Brothers, where the day began with an intense game of laser tag, followed by time to explore the arcade. Students then put their competitive skills to the test with ten-pin bowling before finishing the day with a shared lunch.

It was a fantastic opportunity for students to strengthen their teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills while enjoying a well-earned day out together.

Mrs Clark & Mr Faltes
Year 12 Personal Development Skills Teachers

Exploring Post School Pathways at Victoria University

On Friday 28 August, our Year 12 VCE VM students visited Victoria University’s City Tower Campus to explore post school pathways and opportunities available after Year 12. Before heading to VU, we made a quick stop at the State Library of Victoria, where students had the opportunity to marvel at the stunning interior of this iconic Melbourne building. Of course, it was also the perfect spot for a photo or two!

Students then took part in a VU presentation focused on VCE VM pathways and Early Entry, providing valuable information about further study options and opportunities at university. They also toured the Dermal Clinical Labs, facilitated by VU academics, giving students a firsthand look at the facilities and learning environments available to VU students. The day was a valuable opportunity for students to broaden their understanding of life after Year 12 and explore the range of pathways available to them.

Mrs Clark

Year 12 VCE VM Work Related Skills Teacher

Students Supporting Students

On 10 September, some of our Year 12 VCE VM students volunteered their time to run a stall at Pascoe Vale North Primary School Art Show.

In the weeks leading up to the event, our VCE VM students worked hard to create a range of items to sell, putting their planning, teamwork and interpersonal skills into action.

We would like to thank Pascoe Vale North Primary School for inviting PVGC to be part of the event. It was fantastic to see our Year 12 students supporting the younger students in our community and proudly representing PVGC. It was a wonderful example of students supporting students and putting VCE VM skills into practice.

Mrs Clark

Year 12 Personal Development Skills Teacher

Exploring Careers and Pathways at Oxygen Youth Space

On Monday 14 September, our Year 12 VCE VM students visited Oxygen Youth Space for an engaging day focused on career stories, pathways, services and opportunities beyond school.

We were welcomed by Liam from Oxygen Youth Space, who organised the day for our students. Tala then kicked things off with an interactive game before introducing the aim of the session and getting everyone ready to explore different pathways into work.

Students then heard from a fantastic range of guest speakers, including Sarah, Merri-bek Council Zero Waste Outreach Officer; Mariam, Youth Participation Officer; Claire, Youth Projects Youth Outreach Worker; Mirna and Emil from OpenDoor Employment Agency; and Bonnie Thompson from Merri-bek Council, who shared insights into childcare and early learning. Students heard real career stories and learnt about the different pathways and opportunities available to them.

The day concluded with Nick, a Youth Officer, introducing students to the programs, services and opportunities available at Oxygen, followed by a tour of the space. This was a great opportunity for students to look around, ask questions and discover what Oxygen has to offer.

Our students did a fantastic job throughout the day, confidently asking questions, engaging with the guest speakers and using their free time to chat, ask final questions and find out more about opportunities that interested them. It was a valuable experience that encouraged students to think about their future and the many pathways available after Year 12.

Mrs Clark & Mr Faltes 

Year 12 Work Related Skills Teachers

Year 11 VCE VM Highlights

It has been a busy and exciting period for our VCE VM students, with a range of activities and excursions providing opportunities to learn, connect and develop valuable skills beyond the classroom.

Our Year 10 and Year 11 students recently undertook rigorous VCE VM course counselling, carefully considering their future pathways and selecting TAFE courses for 2027. These sessions provided students with an opportunity to explore their interests, consider future career options and make informed decisions about their studies.

Our Year 11 VCE VM students also participated in a trial of the General Achievement Test (GAT) in an electronic format, giving them valuable experience with the digital assessment process and helping them prepare for future VCAA assessments.

Supporting Our Community

We were also fortunate to have a number of our Year 11 students volunteer their time to support the local community. We are extremely grateful to Sussex Neighbourhood House, Westbreen Primary School and Pascoe Vale North Primary School for welcoming our students and supporting their growth. We value these partnerships and look forward to continuing to work together in the future.

These experiences have provided our students with valuable opportunities to develop independence, confidence and important life skills while strengthening their connections with the wider community.

AFL DAY

Wellbeing 

In Term 3 the students have participated in numerous activities and groups, organised by the Wellbeing Team, to develop skills, identify personal strengths and build positive relationships with each other. 

EMERGE Group 

The middle school EMERGE Groups, or Emotional Regulation and Impulse Control Group,  have been exploring emotion regulation skills, developing emotional awareness and discussing positive coping strategies to life’s challenges.

The Body Project 

Middle school students attending The Body Project have been exploring how we think and feel towards our bodies. Students have been collaboratively challenging societal pressures about ideal appearances and empowering each other to look beyond other people’s expectations. 

Body Kind August 

At The Body Kind August lunch time event students enjoyed a competitive game of volleyball against the teachers and wellbeing staff. The students were encouraged to get moving with a range of games available such as soccer, quoits, bowling and limbo.

Lunchtime Activities 

At lunchtime, during art club students have been making slime, painting coasters, and learning to use watercolour paints. Art club encourages students to use their creativity to practice mindfulness, relaxation and explore new hobbies. 

Students have also been watching Howl’s Moving Castle at the Anime Watch Party and have been welcomed to suggest more films and shows to watch. 

Students have also been decorating the future Calm Club, creating a cozy space that will be available for students to hang out in, play games and make arts and crafts together.

RUOKAY Day 

On RUOK Day, the Merri-bek Youth Services helped decorate the school’s quad and encouraged students to check-in with each other’s wellbeing.  

Students were invited to play games, compete in trivia, enjoy a sausage sizzle that raised money for Beyond Blue, and the winners of a colouring competition were announced with prizes. 

Shout Out –  Navera 

Navera from Shout Out joined the students to discuss important and personal topics such as celebrating diversity, the effects of homophobia, and navigating religious/cultural beliefs alongside inclusion.

Japanese Exchange Student Party 

The students welcomed Japanese exchange students by hosting a wellbeing party, where they made friendship bracelets and shared some iconic Australian snacks.