Parent Newsletter Issue 16 2026

Year 12 – 2026 

We congratulate our 2026 Year 12 students upon the successful completion of their final weeks of secondary schooling at Footscray High School. 

The way our students have conducted themselves during this time has been outstanding. 

VCE students are working hard in preparation for their end of year examinations. VCE exams commence with the Year 12 English exam taking place on Tuesday 27 October.  

The school community wishes our students well for their upcoming examinations. 

Graduation Ceremony 

On Thursday 15 October, we celebrated our annual Graduation Dinner with over 650 attendees at The Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds, Flemington. 

This was a wonderful family event, and it was gratifying to come together as a school community. 

Year 12 students and their families joined staff to celebrate the completion of their final years of schooling. We presented each student with their graduation certificate and announced the School’s Valedictorian, Warrick Goodenough, who gave an outstanding speech to his fellow Year 12 students. 

Thank you to the Senior School Team: Campus Principal – John Box; Assistant Principal – Elizabeth Simpson; Head of Engagement and Wellbeing – Josh Madden; and Year 12 Learning Community Leaders – Brigitta Clifford and Riste Kalajdziovski, for their outstanding leadership of Senior School. 

Jillian English 

Principal 

What a fantastic display of young talent FHS has to offer in the Maribyrnong Division Year 7 Volleyball tournament. 

Coached by Year 8 Ren Dewitts-Fukushima who was tactically brilliant and Oliver Ngo who scored to perfection. The girls went 2 from 2 in their Pool A matches beating Mount Alexander in 3 sets and Maribyrnong A in straight sets. Niamh Mcauley set the team up with her ripping serves and Mia Edwards was cool and calm under pressure with clutch moves. The team complimented each other with all players stepping up in pressure moments. 

The girls then faced EKC in the semi final and it was a nail biter going to the 3rd set and unfortunately the girls went down 13-11. 

Mia Edwards was best on ground. 

Great effort girls.

FHS recently partnered with Complete Hospitality Training (CHT) to run a 3-day Hospitality Certificate Program for a group of Year 12 students. 

Students completed accredited qualifications in Safe Food Handling and Responsible Service of Alcohol. They also participated in classes on Waiting Skills and making Non-alcoholic Mocktails . 

This program provides students with qualifications and experience that will enhance their future employment opportunities.

My career insights program

The Morrisby Program 2026

This term, all Year 9 students will participate in the Morrisby program, a free online career education resource provided to Victorian students.

Morrisby helps students explore their strengths, interests, motivations and preferences, creating a personalised profile with suggested career pathways, occupations, courses and study options.

In the first stage, students will complete a series of online quizzes during class time at Barkly this coming Tuesday, October 20, and at Pilgrim on Wednesday, October 21. Students complete the quizzes under test conditions; however, there are no right or wrong answers, and they cannot pass or fail. The results are designed to help students understand themselves and consider possible future pathways.

Later this term, students will participate in a one-to-one interview with a qualified, Morrisby-trained career consultant from the Australian Centre for Career Education.

During this 30-minute session, the consultant will explain the student’s profile, answer questions, and help them begin developing their Career Action Plan. Parents and carers may be invited to attend the interview.

Please watch for an email from the school requesting your consent for your child to participate. Consent is required for students to access the full Morrisby program. Consent is easy. Just reply to the email; this activity is free.

This week we farewelled our Year 12 students before they venture out into the big world. At Kinnear Library we continue to offer a plethora of services to help students get through the upcoming exam period.

While subject study guides are well used, our most precious resource for exams seems to be the giant stapler, able to hold thick bound references together in a single stable. We encourage students to not leave this to the last minute and if an exam doesn’t go well, we’ll be here with a box of tissues, a cup of tea and a chup-a-chup, and assure them it’s all going to be okay. 

Whilst on the topic of Year 12’s, don’t forget to return all your resources before you leave us forever! Reminders will be sent out and you are also welcome to check with us if you’re not sure. If anything is lost, please let us know. 

Our annual library awards were presented at the Year 12 final assembly on Wednesday. Congratulations to Pia for taking out the Top Borrower (books) award.  Your cheery greetings will be missed. Oriel received our Library award for her consistently respectful and good natured presence in our library and for being the backbone of our Craft Club.  An honorable mention goes to Andy T for the most loans of the year. As a media student, he was a frequent user of our extensive media gear collection, managed by Meg. Her tireless work with media students to ensure they have everything they need to succeed is greatly appreciated. 

Our second quilt project for the RCH Very Snuggly Quilt Auxiliary was completed this week and gifted. Many thanks to students  and staff who contributed a square for the quilt.