Beaconhills College

Year 10 student Ella Carson’s snap of a Tasmanian Devil made the finals of the 2018 Photography Studies College School Photography Competition, with the theme ‘Home is where the heart is’. Ella’s image was one of 17 selected from 64 entries. Congratulations Ella!

Beaconhills College has joined a Victorian Government initiative called ResourceSmart Schools.

The program will help us further build on our sustainability achievements, by embedding sustainability in everything we do. This includes reducing use of resources like electricity and waste water plus supporting indigenous plants and animals.

Sustainability Co-ordinator Jack Donkers will work with CERES Environment Park to implement the initiative. He said one of the College’s challenges was to reduce the amount of landfill items contaminating our recycling and organics waste.

Next year he will urge the entire College community to join the ‘Take 3 for the Sea’ initiative. Every time you leave the house or office, pick up three pieces of rubbish so they don’t end up in the oceans.

The land adjoining our new Pakenham Campus Year 9 centre (pictured) is already supporting indigenous plants and features a learning circle, small pond and a ‘lizard lounge’ for local invertebrates and reptiles.

Seven bright Pakenham Year 7 students have put their name on the map in the Cardinia Shire, after receiving High Distinctions in the 2018 MapIt! Challenge.

Austin Mills, Joel Carter Ramadge, Tasnia Mostofa, Eva Stickland, Sheridan Poole, Emily Hotchkin and Morgan Stone were among the 20 Beaconhills College students presented with the challenge to improve the liveability of the Cardinia Shire. Student suggestions for the three pronged approach required included building new playgrounds and homeless shelters, improving existing fencing and expanding parkland.

A local charity organisation that Beaconhills College has supported from more than 20 years is under threat of closure.

Pakenham’s 4C’s, which provides emergency relief to families in need, may have to close its doors before Christmas unless it can secure government funding, according to an article in this week’s Pakenham Gazette.

The news coincides with Beaconhills College’s Empty Christmas Tree Appeal and our Christmas Hamper Drive, both intended to provide gifts and non-perishable goods to the 4C’s for distribution.

However, Pakenham Campus Senior Chaplain Rev. Peggy Kruse urged College families to keep donating goods until Wednesday 28 November as donations will still be distributed to families in need in our community (details on how to donate are in the College weekly bulletin notices).

Rev. Kruse said she hoped that 4C’s receive the assistance they need from governments to continue delivering their vital services.

Berwick Campus’ Empty Christmas Tree Appeal gifts go to the Windermere Community Centre and are also distributed to families experiencing hardship, while the campus’ hamper drive will direct donations to the Casey North Community and Information Support Services.

4C’s have set up a GoFundMe page (www.gofundme.com/4CsCrisisCentre)

Berwick Year 8 students are having a brilliant time camping in the Grampians, exploring the rich history of the region by foot, bike and canoe this week.

Fortunately, the wild weather that struck Melbourne avoided our explorers!

Year 5 Beaconhills student Casey de Kock will perform in the Young Australian Broadway Chorus (YABC) production of Les Misérables at the National Theatre in St Kilda, January 18-26, 2019. It is a major achievement for Casey, who was chosen from many young actors who auditioned.

Casey, from the Berwick Campus, will play the role of ‘Young Eponine’ as well as featuring in the ensemble. She played the lead role of Wendy in Beaconhills’ production of Peter Pan Jr last year.

Casey in the role of Wendy in last year’s Beaconhills production of Peter Pan Jr

Our dynamic film-making duo have done it again!

Jake Cawfield and Kai Van Leeuwen have been announced as Senior Winners of the Videos for Change competition with their entry ‘A Home Without Love’.

The national competition runs in partnership with Network 10, and asks young people to create a minute long entry to raise awareness on social issue that they are passionate about.

A big getaway for our Little Beacons, who recently returned from two nights at Camp Jungai, in the Rubicon Valley, Victoria.

Our four and five year old students attended with their parents, and loved the sessions on Indigenous learning led by Shawn Andrews of Indigicate, campfire, storytelling, and cricket match.

This year was the first that our Beacon Explorers staff have also attended the annual camp, and judging by the smiles all round it won’t be the last!

Beaconhills College was proudly represented by some fantastic young athletes at the Victorian All Schools Track and Field Championships over the weekend of the 2nd November.

Special mention to Berwick student Caitlyn McCormick who placed 3rd in Discus, and Pakenham students Cameron De Bruin for placing 2nd in the 200m race and 3rd in 100m, Sophie Coughlin who ran 3rd in the 3000m and 2nd in the 2000m Steeplechase, Matisse Lazzari who finished 3rd in the 800m, Thomas Lambe who achieved 3rd in Shot Put and 2nd in Discus, and Rhianna Clemow (not pictured) who placed 3rd in 200m Hurdles

These students have now qualified to represent the College at the National All Schools Championship to be held in Cairns in December.

Berwick Campus student Caitlyn McCormick, who placed 3rd in Discus.

Pakenham Campus student Cameron De Bruin, who ran 2nd in the 200m race and 3rd in 100m.

Pakenham Campus student Matisse Lazzari, who finished the 800m in 3rd place.

Pakenham Campus student Sophie Coughlin, who ran 3rd in the 3000m and 2nd in the 2000m Steeplechase.

Pakenham Campus student Thomas Lambe, achieved 3rd in Shot Put and 2nd in Discus.