Senior School Report
November 7, 2025 – Edition 14
Student Leadership Team – 2026
There was very strong interest in the student leadership application process this year, with many students from Year 10 and Year 11 putting themselves forward as candidates, sharing their vision, their passion and their dedication to making Casey Grammar School even better. This took courage and these students should be proud of what they have achieved. The experience that they have gained through this process and the way they continue to contribute to our school community is invaluable.
Our Student Leadership Team for 2026 was announced at our Week 4 assembly, and I am pleased to inform our wider community of their election:
School Captains – Sienna K & Ryan R
Booth House Captains – Anubhav C & Asani I
Leaver House Captains – Shamita A & Deep S
Reid House Captains – Pippa G & Sahil P
Trist House Captains – Andrew H & David I
Academic Captain – Amelia M
Debating & Communications Captain – Arpita A
Environment Captain – Heer P
Performing Arts Captain – Tessa S
Social Justice Captain – Sehajleen K
Sport Captain – Naaz C
Wellbeing Captain – Lokavya S
Exam Preparation
Exam season is upon us! Our Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) exams are well under way and our Unit 2 exams will run from Wednesday, 12 November to Wednesday, 19 November, and our Years 7 – 10 exams will be held on Friday, 14 November and Monday, 17 November.
Parents and students should have received an email outlining the exam schedule, which included the time, date and location of each exam. The letter also included important exam expectations, such as entering the exam room silently, following instructions from supervisors and only bringing authorised materials into the room. Please ensure you and your child read this carefully so that students know exactly what is expected.
To ensure that students are well prepared for exams, students can start by reviewing teacher feedback received via SEQTA to identify areas to strengthen. Students are encouraged to revisit their notes and set small, achievable goals each day – for example, memorising a definition or writing a paragraph in a specified time frame. Doing so can make a big difference.
Students should make use of the library at lunchtime and take advantage of the workshops available. For example, maths workshops run on Mondays and Thursdays, and there are other support sessions offered throughout the week. Students are encouraged to check the Casey Daily for details on when and where these are running.
Finally, a reminder that all students are expected to follow our Academic Integrity Policy. This means completing exams honestly, without assistance or an unfair advantage. Integrity is one of our core values at Casey Grammar School, and it is important that students’ results reflect their own effort and understanding.
I wish everyone good luck with their preparation; I hope that the next few weeks are used wisely and each student finishes the year strong.
Tegan West
Head of Teaching and Learning, Senior School
VCE English Exam
On Tuesday, 29 October, our Year 12 VCE students completed the written English exam, a mammoth three hours of writing. This year, preparation for this task was intensive. It kicked off with a whole day of workshops on the first Monday of the spring holidays. In the morning, students rotated through revision activities created and delivered by the Year 12 English teachers.
After a pizza lunch, we were fortunate to have six of our 2024 alumni join us for a panel presentation and small-group workshops. The panel discussed their experience in preparing for the 2024 exam and each alumnus/alumna outlined the strategies that worked in preparing them for the task. Each of the alumni then worked with a small group of students, where they provided more advice and gave feedback on written work. We acknowledge and thank the 2024 alumni: Nicholas Riet, Tina Manning, Mya Akkari, Hannah Malinowski, Hibha Khan and Mitchell Tumino for their time and wisdom.
In addition to the usual trial exam in the spring holidays, 28 of our students voluntarily came in at 8:30am on Saturday morning – the day after Valedictory – to complete a second trial exam. It takes a significant effort to be at school on a Saturday, and more so after the emotions of the day before. Both trial exams were marked by external assessors who provided detailed and personalised feedback to our students.
Finally, the efforts of our students in preparing for the exam were evident in their calm and confident manner on the day. There were nerves, which is entirely natural, but there was a quiet assurance in the cohort. At the end of three hours and 15 minutes, smiling faces came down the stairs. The exam had been a good one.
We wish our Year 12 students all the best in their future endeavours.
Louise Piva, Tegan Kearney, Naomi Weiler, Nicole Dwyer and Hannah Dillon
Year 12 English Teaching Team
Year 7 History
This week in Year 7 History, our students joined the HIU (Historical Investigation Unit) to solve one of the most famous assassinations in history: the assassination of Julius Caesar. Upon arriving on the scene, they discovered ‘Caesar’s body’ on the floor and were tasked with uncovering who was responsible and what possessed them to commit such a dreadful deed.
Working in teams, students analysed evidence, read through suspect interrogations and questioned motives using their historical thinking and inquiry skills. The groups debated possible suspects, pieced together timelines and drew conclusions based on historical context. The activity sparked excitement and collaboration, allowing students to engage with Roman history while thinking critically like historians and detectives.
Aleksandra Gibson and Tegan Kearney
Senior School Teachers
Garden Club
The warmer weather is upon us and the garden has started to spring back to life. Thanks to donations from the Parents and Friends Committee (PFC), we have been busy building new garden beds ready to expand the garden. A big thank you to Oasis Horticulture, who donated a large number of different vegetables and flowers.
We have started planting and have been able to bring the garden beds back to life. Well done to all the students who have been helping on a regular basis.
Tim Randell
Senior School Teacher
Mount Everest Base Camp Awaits – Parent Information Evening
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Mount Everest Base Camp expedition, planned for March – April 2027. This adventure will challenge students physically, mentally and emotionally as they trek through the Himalayas to the base of the world’s highest peak.
To learn more, we invite all interested families to attend our Parent Information Evening:
- Date: Monday, 1 December 2025
- Location: VCE Lecture Theatre
- Time: 6:30pm
This session is open to families of students currently in Years 8, 9 and 10 who are interested in the expedition. During the evening, we will cover:
- The strict selection criteria for student participation.
- A proposed itinerary and travel logistics.
- Safety protocols and support systems.
- Costs and payment timelines.
- Training expectations.
- An opportunity for open question and answer (Q&A).
We encourage all interested families to attend and learn more about what promises to be a memorable journey of growth, resilience and adventure.
Chris Bucknell and Anthony Brown
Senior School Teachers
World Teachers’ Day
On Friday, 31 October, we acknowledged World Teachers’ Day, taking a moment to thank our teachers for the important role they play in our students’ lives. Their support, guidance and commitment make a lasting difference, both in and beyond the classroom. To mark the occasion, students were invited to share messages of appreciation, recognising the impact their teachers have had on their learning and personal growth.
“Thank you to all my teachers! You’ve all taught me so many things and you’ve all been very nice. I’m really grateful for your work, keep at it!” – Anonymous, Year 7
“Thank you so much to all the teachers that spend hours of their own time preparing and planning things just to make our experiences at school more enjoyable and efficient. We do see you and appreciate you, even if you don’t realise. Thank you for helping make our experience at school the best it can be.” – Anonymous, Year 9
“You do so much for us and not only help us with present work but guide us into the future. Thank you so much for what you do. We will be forever grateful.” – Anonymous, Year 11
“All my teachers are so kind and patient with everyone in my class, even when people mess around. I am so grateful to have them leading my education.” – Anonymous, Year 9
“Mr McDermott, thank you for always making us laugh, and Mr Cuthbert, for making lessons interesting with your brain breaks.” – Anonymous, Year 9
“Miss Nettleton, thank you for being such an amazing teacher and always supporting me throughout my History classes. I really appreciate how kind, patient and understanding you’ve been whenever I’ve needed help. You always take the time to explain things clearly, and that’s made learning so much more enjoyable for me. You’ve made a big difference in how much I enjoy History, and I’m really grateful for all the effort and care you put into helping me improve. You’re truly one of the best teachers I’ve ever had!” – Karthik A, Year 9
“Ms Weiler, you’re honestly such a fun and caring teacher. I am super grateful for you and you brighten up every class, whether it’s debating or English. Every class, I always see you trying your hardest no matter how crazy our class can get and for that I am very thankful.” – Tanisha M, Year 9
“I want to say a big thank you to Mr Murdock for all the help and support during Outdoor Ed camp. Even though I’ve never had him as a teacher, he always brings great energy and makes things enjoyable while still keeping everything organised and focused. He’s funny sometimes, but also intelligent, and really easy to get along with. Thanks for all the effort you put in. It definitely makes a difference and is very noticeable.” – Dexter H, Year 10
“Mr Vandenberg, thank you for always putting in so much effort as both a teacher and a House Leader. You’ve made such a positive impact through your constant support, care and genuine concern for everyone. Your dedication and kindness never go unnoticed and you truly make a difference every day.” – Heili W, Year 11
“Mrs Trovato, you’ve been such an amazing French teacher. Whenever I’ve struggled, you’ve been there to help, always with a kind heart and a humble personality. You notice when something’s off and make sure I’m okay, even when I don’t say anything. Thank you for believing in me, for checking in and for making your classroom a place where I feel safe, supported and seen. I’m really grateful for you.” – Mehar B, Year 7
“Ms Basti, a huge thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the years. You’ve been such an incredible support, from Year 10 Science all the way through to Year 11 Maths. I really appreciate how patient and encouraging you’ve always been, and how you’ve pushed me to do my best even when things felt challenging.” – Deep S, Year 11
“Happy World Teachers’ Day! Thank you to all the teachers who work so hard to help us learn and grow. We really appreciate your support as well as your dedication to teaching us. You teach us not just subjects but lessons about life, kindness and believing in ourselves, even when some of us get bad results. You make school a place where we can grow, have fun and feel supported. Thank you for everything you do, both inside and outside the classroom.” – Hiya K, Year 7
Kate Morgan
Head of Senior School
