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Footscray High School continues to strengthen its commitment to academic enrichment, ensuring every student is supported to achieve excellence and explore their full potential.
As we look ahead, this focus remains central to our planning, with a range of exciting initiatives being introduced for our future learners.
One of the most significant developments is the expansion of opportunities for our incoming Year 7 cohort in 2027. These initiatives are designed to challenge, inspire and extend students from the very beginning of their secondary school journey. A key highlight is the introduction of the Year 7 Italian Immersion Program. This program will be offered from Year 7 to Year 9 and will provide students with the opportunity to engage deeply with language learning through an immersive experience that integrates Italian across Humanities and Performing Arts as well as Italian Language classes. By embedding language acquisition into everyday learning, students will develop not only linguistic skills but also a broader cultural awareness and global perspective—capabilities that are increasingly vital in today’s interconnected world.
In addition, Footscray High School is proud to offer Year 7 Academic and Music Scholarships for 2027. These scholarships are designed to recognise and support high-achieving students who demonstrate a strong commitment to their learning.
Scholarship recipients will benefit from enriched academic opportunities, extension programs and a learning environment that fosters curiosity, critical thinking and intellectual growth. Students who have accepted their offer of a Year 7 placement at Footscray High School are eligible to apply.
Further information about the Italian Immersion Program and the Scholarship Program is available on our website.
Jillian English
Principal
The group heard from Australian authors Geraldine Brooks, Lee Lai, and Evelyn Araluen about their writing process and what it is like to have a creative career. Each of these authors has been longlisted for the 2026 Stella Prize.
Pilgrim student, Aila said this about the day:
“I really appreciated the opportunity to attend the stellar school stories on Thursday. I found myself fascinated in Lee Lai’s story the most since I prefer visual storytelling. Hearing her creative process was also very enjoyable, especially her preferred step by step method of doing different drawing elements and her artistic style. It was very motivating hearing about how these authors started out and their views on their favoured art forms. For example when one of the authors explained how they compare writing with a long train ride, saying how poems are similar to scenery that rush past you on the train, since poems are meant to be vague. Overall, I had a fun time with my friends and listening to these inspiring authors.”
It was fabulous to see our Year 9 students engage so positively in this opportunity.
Jen Bashford
Pilgrim Campus Principal
Their excursion was a deep dive into artistic practice, starting with an up-close look at the exceptional standard of the VCE art in the Top Arts exhibition. Viewing the development folios of featured students was a powerful learning tool, offering a real-world guide to the dedication and skill required to achieve top results.
The highlight of the day was an immersive experience at the Westwood & Kawakubo exhibition. From the rebellious tailoring of Vivienne Westwood to the conceptual deconstruction of Rei Kawakubo, the students were captivated.
The learning was then taken to another level with an exclusive lecture from the exhibition’s curator, designer, and conservator. Getting a behind-the-scenes look at how such a massive exhibition comes together was an unforgettable and deeply educational experience that will undoubtedly influence our own major projects.
Malisa Govori
Senior Arts Learning Area Leader
Over the three days, students had the opportunity to develop important social skills such as teamwork, resilience, and negotiation through a variety of games and activities. These included archery, canoeing, paddleboarding, raft making, damper cooking, and hiking. A highlight of the camp was the fantastic talent show on the second night, where students confidently showcased their talents.
The food was delicious and plentiful, and we were very lucky with the weather. Aside from a slightly chilly final day, there was no rain to interrupt our activities.
The behaviour of all students was outstanding, and both staff and students had a fantastic time. Thank you to everyone who helped make this camp such a success, our dedicated staff for their support and organisation, and our wonderful students for their enthusiasm and positive attitude throughout the experience.
The event featured a diverse mix of exhibitors, including representatives from trades, TAFEs, universities, and emerging industries, allowing students to explore options they may not have previously considered.
Many students reflected that the experience opened their eyes to occupations they didn’t know existed, as well as the different courses and training pathways that can lead to these careers. For some, it was the first time they began thinking more deeply about who they are, what they enjoy, and the types of futures they might want to pursue.
While experiences like the Careers Expo are an important starting point, parents and carers remain the most influential career guides in a young person’s life. You are the Career Experts. We encourage families to start these conversations at home—discussing interests, strengths, and future possibilities. It is never too early to start exploring what the future may look like.
As we approach Term 2, it’s important to remember that Year 10 subject selection and preparation for senior school will begin mid-year. To support these discussions, families can explore resources such as the MyFuture and Footscray High School Careers websites. Students will also soon begin working on their annual Career Action Plans, helping them set goals and reflect on their developing interests.
The Footscray High School Careers Service aims to provide you with all the latest information that will help you make decisions about your future career and your life beyond school.
You can use this site to locate universities, TAFE and other types of courses across Australia, get information about the VCE, search for job vacancies and much more.
https://www.footscraycareers.com
You can further your students in their career journey by signing up for the MyFuture website and exploring the careers section. You can also sign up. It is a great resource for you to find your next career.
https://myfuture.edu.au
Australia’s National Career Information Service
As part of the task, students also needed to consider a range of dietary restrictions when designing their meals.
To source their ingredients, the classes visited Footscray Market, where students carefully selected affordable, fresh ingredients that fit within their budget. They then returned to school to cook their designed solutions, demonstrating creativity, teamwork, and practical cooking skills while bringing their meal ideas to life.
Alison Downes and Kate Letexier
Year 10 Food Studies teachers
Joanne is extremely talented and became an F1 Academy driver, representing Australia at just 16 years of age. She was invited to do a Q&A panel at The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School, discussing her life and experiences as a female race-car driver.
We were kindly invited to join, and lots of great questions were asked as Joanne gave us a great insight into how a life of a competitive racing driver sounds like with each answer. Following the panel, we were able to take a look at the track preparations for the Australian Grand Prix, as Mac.Rob. is located near the Albert Park racing circuit.
Thank you to The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School and Deborah Cordingley for having us, and to Rebecca Crook and Principal John Box for organising the event, we had a great time!
FHS recently welcomed university student and language assistant, Nanase sensei, aka ‘Teacher Seven,’ from Toyota City, Japan, who spent the past month visiting all three campuses. It was a joy to see students practising their Japanese in small groups with her while enjoying traditional okashi (sweets), kimono dressing and card games.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Cavallaro family for hosting Nanase san and making her feel so warmly part of their home and daily life.
Some highlights of her visit included joining the Year 7 cooking and ceramics classes at Pilgrim Campus, and leading an origami lesson with our junior students. Nanase san also shared the customs and celebrations of the Hinamatsuri festival on 3rd March. Our senior students gave her a warm farewell with pizza, cannoli, and Japanese conversation.
Arigatou gozaimasu, “Nana Sensei”. Mata kite kudasai — please come back again!
For more than a decade now, Australians from every corner of the country, in schools, businesses and community groups, have shown their support for Close the Gap by marking National Close the Gap Day on the third Thursday in March each year. Please join us in taking action by signing the Close the Gap pledge and asking your friends and families to do the same. https://closethegap.org.au/join-the-campaign/
FHS would like to wish all our students and families that have been observing the holy month of Ramadan, EID Mubarak.
Harmony Day is a national celebration that recognises Australia’s cultural diversity and brings people together from all backgrounds. At its heart, Harmony Day is about inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone.
Harmony Day or the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is celebrated on 21st March each year. This year Harmony Day will be celebrated at FHS on Monday 23rd March.