Beaconhills College in Pakenham, Victoria | School

Beaconhills College

Locality: Pakenham, Victoria

Phone: +61 1300 002 225

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25.01.2022 Last term’s lockdown was no fun, but did produce some of the most creative Year 9 ‘Personal Best’ projects we’ve seen yet. Pakenham Campus students proudly displayed their projects last week, the results of hours of planning, design and creation. Keen equestrienne Olivia Bartlett applied her love of horses to building an amazing horse sculpture, made from 184 individually-buffed horseshoes and fencing wire. Jackson McNeill spent 38 days doing up his 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GT...S-T, which he now plans to use for legal drifting. Many projects required students to learn new skills. Ava Cashmore’s decision to make a bamboo water feature meant she had to learn how to use a welding tool. She said: I wanted to learn to weld and do something creative so dad taught me how to use different power tools. Personal Best gives students one term to create project representing their personal passion. Along the way, they document their work in a folio, including sketches, budget consideration, materials and tools used.

25.01.2022 Wishing the very best of luck to the Class of 2020 who are expecting first-round university offers today. May you all go on to follow your passions, whatever they may be.

25.01.2022 Berwick Campus teacher, Rodney Gonsalves, is currently running around Australia, and yet has not left his neighbourhood. How? Similar to our own Beaconhills Home Challenge, Rodney is taking part in the competition Run Down Under, where he is recording his run distances, which are then added to a simulated route around Australia. I joined this competition in 2019 as I needed a long-term goal as I love long distance running. I have completed 5973kms and hope to make it t...o the halfway mark by the end of the year. My goal is to complete a lap of Australia in under 4 years, he said. You can do it, Rodney!

25.01.2022 VCE graduate Callum Pritchard has scored a second VCE Season of Excellence honour with his selection to Top Talks. Top Talks showcases exceptional oral presentations from VCE Extended Investigation students. It will be held at the State Library on 4 March. Callum’s topic is ‘How has Japanese cultural identity been portrayed in the American film industry since 2000?’.... Last year, Callum became the first Berwick Campus student to make it to Top Screen for his work in VCE Media. Congratulations Callum!

22.01.2022 Class from the past is a little different this week... 10 years ago this week (Monday in fact) the Pakenham Campus Aerobics Team won their division and became National Champions representing both Victoria and the College on the Gold Coast at the National School Aerobics Championships. This team (the Valley Stars) took a clean sweep of Gold medals in 2010 winning a gold medal in their qualifying final and a gold medal becoming State Champions in Victorian State final all in the same year to progress them to Nationals.

22.01.2022 Lest we forget. Though our College community cannot gather together to recognise Remembrance Day this year, the occasion has been marked by the traditional laying a wreath and through online services, prayer and reflection At the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month, we remember them.

21.01.2022 Our alumni community have offered their prayers and best wishes to the Class of 2020. There is no doubt that completing VCE during a global pandemic is extra challenging, but our Year 12s have shown incredible resilience. They are representing our College admirably, so please join the chorus in wishing them luck for their last few weeks.

21.01.2022 Strike while the person doesn't see you eating chocolate. Never underestimate the power of underwear. Don't bite the hand that bites back.... These sage pieces of advice come from Berwick Year 1 students, who were recently tasked with completing ancient proverbs in their own words.

20.01.2022 This Sunday's Class from the Past is Year 12 of 2002, Pakenham Campus. Any familiar faces?

20.01.2022 All aboard! Little Beacons children from the Berwick Campus were thrilled to take a ride on our new College bus yesterday. They were off to the Pakenham Campus for the Early Explorers Program.

20.01.2022 We are sad to hear of the passing of one of our Beaconhills College House patrons, Neville Clark. Neville and his wife Carole have been an integral part of Beaconhills College since its inception in August 1980. They were founding parents of the College who volunteered their time, labour and expertise to ensure that Beaconhills was a success. Neville played a critical role in preparing the school site in Toomuc Valley Rd for the construction of the first buildings and was res...ponsible for building the semi-circular driveway and preparing the earthworks for the portables he had helped obtain. The service for Neville Clark will be live-streamed on Monday 16 November, starting at 1.30pm. The stream will be activated shortly beforehand. https://www.davidwbull.com.au/funera/richard-neville-clark/

20.01.2022 Our congratulations to Berwick Campus Senior Chaplain, Revd Kathy Mildred, who was ordained as an Anglican Priest on the weekend. Due to COVID-19, the ordination took place at St James Anglican Church, Pakenham, in a service with family and friends. Revd. Mildred is one of two chaplains at the Berwick Campus. Revd. Steve Terrell is a Uniting Church Minister. She is pictured here at her ordination with Berwick Campus Principal Sam Watson (left) and Headmaster Tony Sheumack.

19.01.2022 The class from the past for this week is: Year 6N of Pakenham Campus, 2003. Anyone you know?

19.01.2022 Today is Wear It Purple Day, about creating safe spaces to show LGBTIQ+ young people that they are seen and supported. Berwick Campus Senior School assembly online today had a presentation from guest author Alison Evans. Alison is the author of Ida, which won the Peoples Choice Award at the Victorian Premiers Literacy Awards 2017. Our therapy dog Smudgee even matched his outfit to the day!

19.01.2022 The Beaconhills Home Challenge is the gift that keeps on giving during lockdown. And now Year 6 Pakenham Campus student Zoe Sharpe is the latest to jump on board, with the aim of donating 20 handmade beanies to children in the cancer ward at Monash Childrens Hospital. Zoe has already made her first beanies and scarf using Loopz yarn - while her grandmother also plans to donate home knitted tiny beanies and cardigans for premature babies in the neonatal ward. Zoe said she r...ead about the Being Kind initiative part of the Beaconhills Home Challenge in the College Middle School bulletin. I wanted to help the children who had just gone through a massive thing in their life, Zoe said. I dont think I would be able to even imagine what they have gone through, so I wanted to help them get better, or even put a smile on some of their faces. Beaconhills students are taking part of a variety of activities in the Home Challenge, from creating art to recording km in a Run Around Australia.

18.01.2022 Spectacular work from two of our VCE Media students is currently being celebrated as part of the annual TOPshots awards and exhibition through the MGA - Monash Gallery of Art. Berwick Campus student, Julia Batchelor, created a mise en abyme, to explore a deep appreciation of feminist views. Challenged through body and mind, she aimed to immediately appeal to those who have a pre-exiting appreciation for these themes and thus develop greater value for this in others. Pakenham... Campus student, Molly Stapleton, used stroboscopic photography to capture the range of motion of an athlete, in this case, a cricketer. The work explores the precision of the athlete, who over time, has trained to develop and refine their skill and technique in batting. The stroboscopic photography method utilises a single image, capturing the subject's movement over a one second period of time, illuminated only by the succession of strobe flashes. The TOPshots 2019-20 exhibition can be viewed online here: https://www.mga.org.au/education/topshots-2019-20/

18.01.2022 School refusal is a complex issue as there is rarely a single cause. It affects children of all ages across primary and secondary levels. The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the educational experience of all students, affecting some more than others. Dealing with a school refusal child can affect the whole family, adding pressure to an already challenging time. Read more from the College Head of Wellbeing, Yvonne Ashmore, on this weeks blog. https://www.beaconhills.vic.edu.au/the-importance-of-regul/

18.01.2022 Not only is our Berwick Campus therapy dog, Smudgee, incredibly cuddly but he has proven to be an excellent muse for students in junior and middle school (Years Prep to 8) while learning from home. The Smudgee Colouring and Smudgee Art competitions were a great success with 11 prize winners across the different divisions. We can also report that Smudgee was thrilled with the the way students were able to capture his adventurous spirit.

18.01.2022 Life is a bit different for us at the moment. We miss going to school and seeing our teachers and friends. So the Berwick Junior School Year 2 students decided that they could make a tiny difference. They decided to make a butterfly for the front of their house, so that when people are doing their one hour of daily exercise, they might see the butterflies , and in that moment, feel happy and hopeful.

18.01.2022 Pakenham students put their best foot forward for the Annual Dance Concert. This year in the style of 2020 there was, of course, a COVID safe twist. Rather than performing to a packed auditorium, the showcase was filmed and will be sent home for families to enjoy.

17.01.2022 Beaconhills Maths teachers James Hart is delighted in the popularity of his new Coding Club, with more than 40 students signing up across both campuses for the lunchtime activity. Students love using Scratch, a visual programming language and online community, where the users can create interactive stories, games and animations. It’s another example of STEAM in action at Beaconhills. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) is a philosophy of education that teaches skills and subjects in a way that resembles real life.

16.01.2022 They did it! That's the first one down... Best of luck to all of our students for the remainder of the VCAA examination period.

16.01.2022 The quest to find a seizure alert dog for their teenage son Cody has led to success for Pakenham Campus teacher Scott Wallace and his wife Tracy. Cody Wallace, 14, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour and hydrocephalus (excess fluid on the brain) 12 years ago. He has since undergone multiple brain surgeries and lives with constant seizures. The family raised money two years ago for a seizure alert dog to help with Codys care and has been waiting since then for the right do...g to be found. Last month after an exhausting and stressful process - the Wallace family was granted an exemption to travel to Queensland so they could be trained to handle their special new family member Lulu the SmartPup. The initial outbreak of COVID-19 had meant the placement of Codys first dog was cancelled. Without the recent exemption to travel to Queensland, he would have lost Lulu too. The family spent two weeks in quarantine where Scott taught his classes via Zoom. This video shows a small part of Lulus training. She has responded to a t-shirt that has Codys seizure scent on it, her bark is to alert the family of a change in Codys condition. A seizure alert dog costs $30,000 for its initial training and more than $5000 a year to maintain its training, diet and overall health.

14.01.2022 These beautiful student works will featured on the College record book covers for 2021. Designed around the theme of 'Junior School community working together', the Berwick Campus artwork was created by Krishan Nagarajan and the Pakenham piece is by Selene Gribbin. Congratulations to both students, who have thoughtfully captured the sense of optimism and hope that our community feels looking forward to 2021.

14.01.2022 Spread happiness, share cookies! Earlier in the week, our Little Beacons baked choc-chip cookies at home with the help of teacher Jamie-Lee Beggs. Zac had so many left over that he asked to share them with his neighbours, who very much appreciated the delicious treats.

14.01.2022 These 7 key questions could help parents make that all-important decision about schooling choice. Headmaster Tony Sheumack explains.

14.01.2022 Berwick Year 1 students were treated to a very important lesson from our Sustainability Co-ordinator on the importance of composting when they visited the College worm farms recently. Though the trip was a stinky one, students loved that the worms looked as though they were 'dancing'.

12.01.2022 Travel restrictions may have eased, but it seems our Year 2 students would prefer to camp out at school after spending so much time at home this year. Lucky the Beacon Explorers team were prepared for the recent outdoor education day with tents, a fire pit and plenty of fun activities.

12.01.2022 The Berwick Middle School House Public Speaking finals took place late last week, with guest adjudicator Brad Battin MP helping to name the winners from the many quality entries. The Year 5/6 winner was Nianthri Vijekumaran, for her wonderful description of fantasy land Foodmania. You can watch her speech below.

12.01.2022 The class from the past for this Sunday is: Year 9.4 from Pakenham Campus, 2007. Who can you spot?

12.01.2022 An inquisitive ringtail possum was keen to check out future housing arrangements when it paid a visit to our Berwick Campus last week. Year 8 students have been busily building possum boxes to donate to CEC : Cardinia Environment Coalition, who will employ climbers to put them into trees across bushfire damaged areas in the Bunyip State Forest and East Gippsland. On Thursday morning the curious creature was found huddled inside the technology facility where the boxes were being built. A specialist wildlife carer was quickly on hand to give the dehydrated possum the care it needs to return safely to more natural habitat.

12.01.2022 Berwick Year 9 students contemplated the value of human rights in the context of the Jewish Holocaust in WWII by engaging with a firsthand account from Holocaust survivor, Paul Grinwald, recently over Zoom. Born to Jewish parents in Paris 1933 (the year Hitler was made Vice Chancellor of Germany) Paul told our students his account of life during the Nazi occupation of France 1940-1944 and the decay of human rights that resulted in the systematic deaths of around 6 million Jewish people in Europe. His message was that there is only one race, the human race, and we should all value the wonderful diversity this brings to our lives.

12.01.2022 We have crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge - virtually of course! The Beaconhills Run Around Australia challenge continues, with more than 1,026 km now behind the students, staff and parents participating. Tregonning House has a commanding lead, more than doubling the km of Millet House who are in second place. The teachers are rounding out the top three, while the parents are currently bringing up the rear. ... With the majority of participants so far coming from our Berwick Campus, the challenge this week is to our Pakenham students to start logging their runs through the College Portal.

11.01.2022 The Association of Coeducational Schools (ACS) Chess Tournament was held virtually last Friday via Zoom and Tornelo. Seven of our students competed in the Swiss format competition, finishing in a comendable 5th place overall. We love Sarahs reaction to her win in this time-lapse! Well done to all of the students who braved the new format (and potential technical issues) to represent the College so well.

11.01.2022 VCE Extended Investigation students dusted off their uniforms to attend school today, for the first external student assessment task of the 2020 season. They sat the Critical Thinking Test adhering to all government health guidelines.

10.01.2022 Reading is the ultimate escape while we are all staying at home, Year 5 students participated in a bookshelf scavenger hunt to find new reading material with teacher Leonie Williames.

09.01.2022 Discover Beaconhills - school tours with a difference Due to COVID-19 our upcoming school tours will be conducted online. These online webinars will give you the opportunity to hear from the Headmaster and Campus principals. Register for your webinar now:... www.beaconhills.vic.edu.au/enrolment See more

09.01.2022 This weeks class from the past is Year 6.1 of Berwick Campus, 2012. Eight years have flown by!

08.01.2022 Beaconhills boarders have been injecting some culinary fun into Stage 4 restrictions by hosting a weekly cooking competition. The Great Boarding House Bake Off sees students working in pairs to prepare a dish that is then anonymously scored by their peers. These sweet sticky rice balls look particularly delicious!

08.01.2022 Berwick Year 4 students have participated in National Science Week - the annual schools celebration of science and technology - by conducting DIY experiments from home.

07.01.2022 Pakenham Campus teacher, Carolanne Flowers, is encouraging her students to continue to read for pleasure during isolation by writing a series of stories for Year 5s about an adventurous teddy bear. The protagonist, Dovic (a rearrangement of the letters making up COVID), is based on a real teddy bear, which Carolanne ordered online. So far, the Year 5 critics have applauded Carolannes writing with students calling it the best story ever.... The stories can be read online here: https://adventuresofdovic.blogspot.com

07.01.2022 Class from the past Cheeky grins on the faces of our Pakenham Year 3 students, pictured here in 2007.

06.01.2022 The class from the past this Sunday is: the Year 10 class of Berwick Campus, 2010. See any friends?

06.01.2022 R U OK? In a year when so many of us have faced challenges, we encourage our College community to reach out and have wellbeing conversations with loved ones. And if you hear "No, Im not OK" listen with an open mind, encourage action while offering what support you can, and make a time to check in again. ... Remember, there is more to say after R U OK? Visit www.ruok.org.au for more information.

06.01.2022 Pakenham Campus Head of Sport Jan Pucovski is a pretty proud and excited dad this week! https://www.google.com.au//s/amp.abc.net./article/13040196

05.01.2022 2020 Berwick Campus captain Callum Pritchard recites The Ode. At the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month, we remember them.

05.01.2022 Wow - here come the parents! After our last Beaconhills Runs Around Australia update weve recorded another 1820km, taking us deep into sunny Queensland. From last place, the parents have jumped to second recording more than 650km. Our teachers/staff are leading the charge on 846.72km. ... Awesome work people! It is great to see that even though we need to abide by the Stage 4 restrictions, we are still getting out for runs and logging some impressive kilometres. Dont forget to keep recording your activity on BeaconNet.

05.01.2022 Beaconhills Runs Around Australia update We are 4229km into our journey, and not far from Cape York! Staff continue to lead the way, with almost 1500km under their belts. Dont forget to add your activity to the College total through the BeaconNet portal. Parents, you can join the fun by logging in as your student and selecting parent from the drop down menu :)

05.01.2022 Lockdown doesnt mean the end of Physical Education classes at Beaconhills. Year 7 student Manuth Galabada Widanarachchige is fine-tuning his volleyball skills as part of a home-based Physical Education task for all Years 7 and 7 students. Each student chooses a sport and works to improve their skills. They also do an assignment where they research international players and tournaments.

05.01.2022 Today 2 September is Early Childhood Educators Day, celebrating the wonderful contribution our early learning educators make to the wellbeing and healthy development of the children in their care. So heres a big thanks to all of our staff at Little Beacons in Berwick and Pakenham.

04.01.2022 The class from the past this Sunday is actually a House: Creese House of 2004, Pakenham. Go Creese!

03.01.2022 Superstar astrophysicist alumnus Adelle Goodwin (Class of 2012) recently won first prize in the Physical Sciences category of the 2020 Young Scientist Research Prizes. Adelle is a final year PhD candidate with the School of Physics & Astronomy at Monash University. Her research has important implications for our understanding of strong gravitational fields, the dense equation of state, and nuclear reactions in extreme environments.

02.01.2022 As the school with the largest Scouts Victoria membership in Victoria, we thought our families may enjoy the cook along tomorrow - especially with the weather forecast!

02.01.2022 Pakenham Year 2s celebrated the end of their inquiry into Communities are connected by continuity and change. by dressing up as children from yesteryear. Throughout Term 3, students inquired into the way in which children lived in the past and how changes in technology have caused changes in the way we live our lives.

02.01.2022 Class from the past Can you spot any familiar faces in this shot of the Berwick Class of 2010?

02.01.2022 Berwick Year 12 student Daniel Sandvik has had an article published in the History Teachers Association of Victoria (HTAV) magazine, Agora. The article summarises his research exploring student (and teacher) reactions to having to deliver and receive teaching in an on-line environment. A huge achievement, and very topical study Daniel!

02.01.2022 Year 12 student Savannah Day will step in to the exciting role of co-curator of the Emergent 2021 VCE Graduate Showcase exhibition at Narre Warren’s Bunjil Place. Emergent is an annual event featuring the art and design work of VCE students in the local region. This year it’s from 11 March to 11 April. Savannah, pictured with Studio Arts teacher Maria Tsiagalos, is interested in curatorship and the experience will give her further insight into the field. She was selected from student applicants across the wider Casey region.

01.01.2022 Dancing into the weekend (and final days of the 2020 school year) like.

01.01.2022 What else is there to do during Stage 4 restrictions other than brew kombucha? Or at least thats what Year 9 student Trinity Anderson has been up to. For her Personal Best project, she has been concocting the beverage and bottling it with labels of her own design.