Hello Preshil community,

Welcome back to the new year!

It has been an absolute joy to witness the return of our children and young people this past week. The energy across both campuses is unmistakably positive, and it’s clear that 2026 is already shaping up to be our best years yet.

I want to commend our dedicated staff for the way they have so thoughtfully supported both new and returning students in transitioning smoothly into the school year. Their intentional work in establishing routines, fostering social connections, activating safe and welcoming ways to engage, supporting executive functioning, and planning for rich, engaging learning experiences has been evident in every corner of the school.

A highlight of our first morning back at Arlington was the warm and grounding Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Irene Morris, accompanied by her daughter Catherine and grandson Jackson. I think we were all deeply moved by Aunty Irene’s nurturing presence. She took time to sit with our young people and speak openly about the normality of feeling nervous on the first day, and how, by supporting one another, we lay the foundation for a positive start and a fulfilling year ahead.

This week also marked an exciting moment for our community as we hosted two Town Hall meetings for the new Senior School campus at Lincoln Square, Carlton. The momentum around this project continues to build, and during these gatherings we were thrilled to announce our architectural partner: NMBW Architectural Studio.

This partnership represents more than design. NMBW brings a depth of expertise in adaptive reuse and a sophisticated co-design approach that recognises community engagement as central to their work, not a formality, but a shared culture. What truly distinguished NMBW during the Expression of Interest process was their exceptional pedagogical insight. They spoke not only of educational environments, but with a real fluency in pedagogy and an authentic understanding of the purpose of education.

As we enter this next phase, we look forward to a period of deep collaboration: the design of Lincoln Square, the Arlington masterplan, and the thoughtful human transition planning that will support all of this work.

Here’s to a rich and inspiring year ahead.

Warmly,

Aaron Mackinnon
Principal

Preshil is expanding its Senior Studio
Big news for our small school community.

Preshil is expanding its Senior Studio capacity across Years 9–12 to welcome up to 50 students per year level by 2028.

With the purchase of a new Lincoln Square site, we’re creating more room for young people to be themselves, build meaningful relationships, and take ownership of their learning, in a space that’s still proudly small by design.

More places. Same values. A bigger community, not a bigger system.

If you’re considering secondary school options that put young people first, now’s the time to explore what makes Preshil different.

Join us! Back to School and Fireside Evenings
We warmly invite you to join us for our upcoming Back to School and Fireside Evenings, held next week at our Blackhall and Arlington campuses respectively. These gatherings are designed to spark connection, offer clarity, and deepen our shared purpose as we begin the year at Preshil.

Blackhall – Back to School Night
Tuesday 10 February
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Fireside Chat – Arlington Parent Information Evening
Thursday 12 February
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Instrumental Music Tasting Plate
Learning a musical instrument offers numerous valuable educational benefits for children, such as building resilience, perseverance, and enhancing creative problem-solving skills. However, finding the right instrument is vital in experiencing the enjoyment of learning an instrument.

We hope that you and your child will be able to join us Wednesday, February 18th from 6-7pm in the Kevin Borland Hall at Arlington to meet the teachers and to try the instruments for yourselves.

Chess Coaching with Chess Australia
We’re pleased to offer a weekly Chess Club every Thursday from 3:30pm – 4:30pm, led under the guidance of International Master and FIDE-accredited trainer Leonid Sandler, former captain of the Australian Women’s Chess Olympiad Team.

Chess encourages students to think carefully, plan ahead and stay focused. Through play, students practise problem-solving, logical reasoning and decision-making under pressure. These skills support concentration, memory, organisation and independent thinking—habits that extend well beyond the chessboard and into everyday learning.

Download the form and learn more here.

5 Part ADHD Webinar Series Facilitated by Tony Vallance & Resources
Families are invited to a free five-part ADHD webinar series, facilitated by Tony Vallance, running Wednesday evenings at 7.00pm from 4 March to 1 April.

Sessions explore topics including anxiety, emotional regulation, neurodiversity, learning advocacy, and understanding ADHD in girls and young women. Each session is tailored to specific age groups, from early childhood through to young adulthood.

Session 1: Calming the storm
Wednesday 4 March, 7:00pm

ADHD
anxiety
rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD).

Recommended for parents and carers with children aged 4 to 12.

Session 2: Big feelings, bigger hearts
Wednesday 11 March, 7:00pm:

Practical strategies for handling emotional outbursts.

Recommended for parents and carers with young people aged 12 to 20.

Session 3: Two neurotypes, one child
Wednesday 18 March, 7:00pm

Offers connection-based approaches tailored to families’ unique strengths and needs.

Recommended for parents, carers and professionals who support someone with ADHD and autism.

Session 4: Learning to Learn
Wednesday 25 March, 7:00pm

Overview on advocating for strengths-based learning and school supports.

Recommended for children and young people aged 10 to 18 who are learning to advocate for themselves.

Session 5: Understanding ADHD in girls and young women
Wednesday 1 April, 7:00pm

An overview on understanding ADHD in girls and young women.

We’re also sharing several community programs and resources, including the Body Project Australia (EOI for high school delivery), Boroondara Youth Term 1 programs, the L2P Driver Mentor Program, Tuning into Teens (High School), Treehouse Training (Primary), a School Can’t Australia guide, and a Homelessness Food and Support Guide. Flyers and resources are attached for further details.

Adele Tribute Show Promotion Courtesy of Music Education
We’re delighted to share a special Music Education offer for the upcoming Adele show at Bunjil Place on Friday 14 February, featuring our own music tutor, Tika Cetinich.

Live performance plays an important role in young people’s musical growth. Seeing professional musicians on stage builds understanding, confidence and a lasting connection to the arts.

Families can purchase one adult ticket and bring up to three students free (children’s tickets are usually $49 each). This exclusive offer must be booked by calling the Bunjil Place Box Office on (03) 9709 9700 and mentioning the Music Education deal.

Places are limited, so early booking is encouraged.

The Week Ahead

Monday 9 February

No special events

Tuesday 10 February

9:30am – 11:00am: Arlington – Open Morning
12:30pm – 1:30pm: Blackhall – Year 11 & 12: Food for Focus: Nutrition in your Senior Years – LIBPRES
5:00pm – 7:00pm: Blackhall – Back To School Night

Wednesday 11 February