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30-34 Toomuc Valley Rd, Pakenham VIC 3810
92 Kangan Dr, Berwick VIC 3806
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Learning that Matters
You are invited to Open Morning at Beaconhills College on Monday 13 August from 9-11am.
Join one of our student-led tours at our Pakenham or Berwick campuses to experience what makes Beaconhills the best choice for independent education in our region. Ask about:
– giving your child a strong start to school in Prep 2019, with specialist teachers in subjects like Physical Education, Performing and Visual Arts, Library, Languages and RAVE – our diverse curriculum with a huge choice, including the VCE years – endless opportunities to pursue interests in sport, performing arts, technology and the outstanding Beacon Explorers global and outdoor education program – our emphasis on citizenship and service – all-inclusive fees – no hidden costs
Experience the unique indoor and outdoor spaces at the Little Beacons Learning Centre in Pakenham and see why this centre has achieved an ‘Excellent’ rating by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
No bookings required, but if you would like more details, call 1300 002 225.
The eagerly-awaited dragonfly playground was open for business today, to the delight of students at the Berwick Campus.
This huge playground is like no other in the country. It comprises 20 tonnes of steel and has a massive 25m wingspan. There is a variety of play equipment for students, such as climbing nets, a climbing tunnel, sandpit and spiral slide.
The dragonfly sits next to the multipurpose Gurra Gurra Room (Gurra Gurra is the Boon wurrung word for dragonfly).
It is wonderful to be back at Beaconhills after a very interesting and challenging period of long service last term.
Firstly, I would like to thanks our College leadership team and, in particular, our Deputy Headmaster Stephen McGinley for ensuring the smooth operation of the school in my absence. Beaconhills is blessed with highly-talented staff and I am very proud of the work of our leadership teams.
As part of my leave, I spent eight days hiking across the High Atlas mountains of Morocco in North Africa. We summited the highest peak in North Africa, Mt Toubkal (4167m). This trek was very challenging due to the high altitude and the climbing required, across rocky terrain and of course sleeping under canvas in – at times – not terribly comfortable conditions,
So why do it? I have a deep love for the great outdoors and in particular climbing in the mountains. But aside from the spectacular scenery, this trek also gave me the opportunity to reflect on some of the important philosophies which underpin our Beacon Explorers global and outdoor education programs. These include spending time technology-free, the physical challenge of getting out of your ‘comfort zone’ and the chance to discover and appreciate a culture very different from our own. We are currently considering making this hiking opportunity a part of our extension program for experienced Beacon Explorers students.
My trek coincided with the Islamic religious festival of Ramadan. Each day, our guides would rise and prepare our breakfast before travelling with us from sunrise to sunset, without any food or water, stopping only to pray. The contrast between the lifestyles of the Australian hikers and these local guides and mule-handlers was stark – yet this was a resilient community supported by their strong faith.
In a similar way, our Beacon Explorers programs give students the opportunity to reflect on how much we have as a country and help strengthen our understanding of the world and how others live.
I hope you are ready for another great term of learning at Beaconhills College.
Beaconhills College student Shenal Wickramasinghe is already flying high in the music industry with his own successful DJ business called Peregrine Beats.
The Year 7 student said he discovered DJ consoles at the age of four and knew then that “DJing was in his blood”. He got his first professional console at seven.
Shenal launched the business after researching peregrine falcons for a Year 5 project at Beaconhills and realising that he many similar values and qualities to the bird.
“It was fast (just like the music I make), it explores (just like me) and it always has a target (it is the only way I push myself!)” he said. “Someday I will soar like the peregrine!”
Judging by the demand for his DJ services, Shenal is already flying. He has been booked for numerous 40thand childrens’ birthdays, as well as performing arts festivals, basketball tournaments and discos. He recently performed at the Berwick Campus’ Middle School Performing Arts Festival.
“I simply love having fun and going that extra mile to ensure everyone at the party has an incredible time,” Shenal said. “I take the time to understand the crowd and play the appropriate music.”
He has saved up and bought much of his own equipment, while Beaconhills College has supported him in producing his own original songs using art music production software called Ableton. Having produced music now for two years he is constantly improving, learning new tips and tricks, while collaborating in his home recording studio with other artists.
Shenal studies music theory at school and is learning how to play the piano. He said his ultimate dream was to be one of the best DJs and producers in the world.
“I want to inspire many other young kids – just like how Martin Garrix and NGHTMRE inspired me,” he said. “My dream gig is to have a set at the three biggest festivals in the world: Tomorrowland, EDC and Ultra Music Festival.”
These school holidays have been far from boring for students attending the College vacation care program.
The kids have had the opportunity to explore balsa wood, dry felting, and a variety of sports. They have been on a treasure hunt and traveled into Melbourne to the Wonderland exhibit at ACMI!
Our very talented Year 11 filmmakers from the Berwick Campus have done it again. Congratulations to Jake Cawfield and Kai Van Leeuwen for making it to the finals of the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival with their doco ‘Steps’ (watch their film here).
The festival is run by NOVA Employment to raise awareness of the abilities of people with disabilities. The awards night is in Sydney on 5 September.
(L-r)Kai and Jake
Beaconhills graduates Chelsey Taylor (Class of 2009) and Heidi Cheung (Class of 2013) have received university awards for their Bachelor of Commerce degrees.
Chelsey earned Deakin University’s prestigious Bowater Medal for best all-round Business School graduate, while Heidi made Monash University’s Dean’s Honours List.
More details about these awards are in the upcoming issue of Lux Luceat magazine.
Photos courtesy of Monash University and Simon Fox, Deakin University.
Students from across the middle and senior schools of our College recently travelled to St Margaret, to debate current issues with inter-school peers.
Year 7 students Ruby, Keturah and Arlene competed in the D grade competition, which is at a Year 9 level. They were given the topic ‘employers should support a 4 day working week’ and showed some great creative thinking under pressure. A special mention to Ruby who was awarded best speaker.
Year 10 students Holly, Jaime and Jack (supported by Joel), represented the College in C grade, debating the topic ‘home schooling should be banned’. Jaime was awarded best speaker.
Though both teams lost their debates, they showed great teamwork skills and worked extremely well under pressure.
Former Berwick Campus student Matt Mettes, from company Digital Medium, snapped this amazing drone photo of our Pakenham Campus on Tuesday 26 June.
Matt had spotted a photo of the campus taken in 1994 and decided to send his drone up to take the shot from the same angle. The photograph shows the incredible development of the campus over those 24 years.
Matt graduated from Beaconhills College in 2009.
Pakenham Campus in 1994
Pakenham Campus in 2018
Year 9 Berwick Campus student Jacob Laver will represent Victoria during July and August in the Australian National Ice Hockey Championships.
Jacob, who began skating at the age of nine, learned he would play in both the under 18 and under 15 teams.
He has also ready represented Victoria in the under 13 and under 15 teams and played in Canada during 2017/18 for Sylvan Lake in the Central Alberta Hockey League.
Jacob said he would love to play another season in Canada and hopes to make the national team one day. He said was a “great honour” to represent Victoria at the upcoming national championships, and believed the team was very strong.
Jacob Laver
Come to Open Morning
Dragonfly has landed
Vacation care fun
Student doco makes festival finals
Commerce awards
Up for debate
Drone shot captures campus
Jacob has the winning edge
Little Beacons Berwick Sod Turning
Year 8 study tour to New Caledonia
Bring it on, Samuel!
Autumn Concert
Welcome to term 3
Learning mindset
Tony talks Beacon Explorers
Gonski 2.0
Tony talks learning about sustainability at Beaconhills College
Easter message
International Women’s Day
The benefits of risk
Little Beacons at the Berwick Campus
Community spirit
Happy new year – and congratulations…
VCE Results
School project launches Peregrine Beats
1300 002 225 | Int: +613 5945 3001
reception@beaconhills.vic.edu.au
Pakenham Campus
Berwick Campus
Little Beacons
Gate C, Syme Rd, Pakenham VIC 3810