Hello Preshil Community, and welcome to another edition of our Preshil Weekly.

This week, we proudly honour IDAHOBIT Day, reaffirming our deep commitment to inclusion, diversity, and respect. At Preshil, we celebrate the unique identities and voices within our community, and we stand united against discrimination in all its forms. Our school is a place where every individual is valued, and we continue to foster a culture of empathy, understanding, and solidarity.

Being part of a school that not only encourages—but expects—each person to show up as their full, authentic self is a profound privilege. Creating and holding space where everyone feels safe, respected, and seen is one of the highest aspirations we can have for an educational community. Our young people are supported to be themselves, while also remaining attuned to the experiences of others, ensuring everyone’s need for inclusion and belonging is honoured.

We hold ourselves to a standard of mutual respect in all we do, a foundation of the learning environment we strive to build together.

I hope you enjoy the highlights and moments of joy we’ve experienced across our programs this week, shared with you below.

Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead!

Warmly,

Aaron Mackinnon
Principal

IDAHOBIT
This week for IDAHOBIT day, we have been busy participating in a IDAHOBIT craft activity where students and staff across the school have been reflecting on what inclusion and diversity means to them, and what it means to belong in our community. This is both in relation to the LGBQTIA+ community but to all communities in general.

Participants were encouraged to respond to a prompt on different pages of a crafted scrap book related to these themes and stick a polaroid picture of themselves and/or with friends. They were then given some rainbow lollies as part of their participation! Special shout out to Marlo in Year 12 who designed the front page and prompts.

As we reflect on IDAHOBIT themes, many young people are exploring who they are – not just in terms of career aspirations or friendships, but also how they understand themselves, including their gender identity. For some, this journey is straightforward. For others, it can involve questioning, rethinking, or expressing gender in ways that may not align with traditional expectations. As a parent or caregiver, it’s completely natural to feel uncertain or even overwhelmed at times. You might have questions, concerns, or simply want to better understand how to respond in a way that’s helpful and affirming. The important thing to know is that gender diversity is not new – but our awareness and understanding of it is growing.

Supporting a gender-diverse child doesn’t require you to be an expert – it requires you to be present, open-minded, and willing to listen. Research shows that young people who feel accepted and supported by their families have significantly better mental health outcomes, regardless of where they are in their gender journey. Have a read of the Schooltv specialist edition on gender diversity here: https://preshil.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/gender-diversity-au

IDAHOBIT Badge-making
To mark IDAHOBIT Day at Preshil, we hosted a badge-making workshop each lunch at both Arlington and Blackhall. It was a huge success! It was fantastic to see so many students and staff getting involved, with a steady stream of people lining up to create pronoun badges, messages of solidarity, and colourful, queer community-affirming designs. The space was buzzing with creativity and conversation, reflecting the strong sense of inclusion and diversity that defines our school community.

Thank you to everyone who came by and contributed their time, ideas, and support. It was a joyful celebration of identity, pride, and allyship

Production Poster Competition
At the end of Term 1, our Graphic Design students were invited to create this year’s production poster, as part of a competition. We congratulate Alex in Year 10 who won the competition and designed this exceptional poster below! Tickets for One Man, Two Guvnors will go on sale later in the term.

Theatre Incursion
This week our Year 11 Theatre students had the pleasure of working with talented set designer, Andrew Plant as part of their directing unit. In their incursion, they were able to view Andrew’s portfolio of work and investigate how sets are made and how to make designs immersive and three dimensional.

We’re so lucky to have these opportunities at Preshil and can’t wait to see what Andrew designs for this year’s production!

Playworld in the Kindergarten
This week the children have embarked into the playworld of “There is a Hippopotamus on our roof eating cake”. The idea behind this experience is for children and educators to dive in the story and work with understandings of the context of children’s development and their interests (Imaginary friend – children experiencing everyday life events).

The children have wondered if the hippopotamus on our roof is a baker as she knows a lot about cakes. After some exchange of letters, they are wondering today, how does the hippopotamus write the letters with her big paws? They are also wondering if the hippopotamus is causing a leak in our roof as it happens in the book.

The discussions align with their curiosity on construction, how humans can create structures? Through this learning approach children are becoming enthusiastic learners, as they feel empowered to express their interests, explore, discover and develop understandings of the world around them.

Winter Solstice
Save the date! We will be holding a celebration for the Winter Solstice on Thursday 26th of June. We’ll kick off from 3:30pm and will send through further details soon.

Work in Progress Exhibition
Featuring the completed and in process work of the VCE Unit 1 and Unit 3 students and the IBDP year 11 and 12 students, join us for the opening on Thursday 29th May from 5:30pm – 7pm in the Senior Art Studio.

Visitors will be able to see the studio space and students’ work stations as well as a range of artwork that has been created by the students over the past year. The exhibition will remain hanging until Friday 13th June. All are welcome to visit.

Year 7 – 10 Art and Photography Exhibition
Join us for a showcase of artwork produced during Semester One by our Year 7 – 10 Art Odyssey, Art Explorer and Frame it students, highlighting a range of different media and techniques, including drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture and digital photography.

We are excited to hold this exhibition in the Opening on Tuesday 10th June at the Sacred Heart Mezzanine, in the Abbotsford Convent. This is a beautiful space to be in and it will be wonderful to share this exhibition with our Preshil families and the wider community.

Great Book Swap
Preshil is participating in the Great Book Swap this Reconciliation Week. Children are invited to bring along a book from their collection and along with a gold coin, exchange for a new story they’d like to read.

The Great Book Exchange celebrates the excitement of worlds in which books open up in a shared, community environment while raising donations for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

This will take place from 3:15pm – 4:30pm on Tuesday 27th of May at the Kevin Borland Hall.

Arlington Working Bee
We are holding a Working Bee on Sunday 25th of May and would love your hands. We’ll be removing the Plumbago from the Pines. Please bring gardening gloves and secateurs. A sausage sizzle and refreshments will be provided.

Autumn Soirée
Join us to enjoy and support assorted ensembles playing a range of styles (classical through to rock), and assessment performances from senior VCE Music and DP students. Taking place on Wednesday 28 May at 6pm in the Kevin Borland Hall.

Preshil Careers Hub
Discover everything you need to make a successful transition through high school and into the ‘real world’. Sign up to receive our Pathways & Careers Newsletters, access the latest guides on life and money management, work experience opportunities, and parent resources. You can also connect with the Careers and Pathways Team for personalised support. Click the link below for more information on Preshil’s Careers Hub.

Preshil Careers Hub

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday 19 May
- Blackhall – Year 9 & 10 Wellbeing Week Commences
Tuesday 20 May
- Blackhall – Year 9 & 10 Wellbeing Week Continues
Wednesday 21 May
- Blackhall – Year 9 & 10 Wellbeing Week Continues
- 9:15am – 10:45am: Arlington – Open Morning
- 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Blackhall – Year 9 Camp Information Night – Blackhall Library
Thursday 22 May
- Blackhall – Year 9 & 10 Wellbeing Week Continues
- 9:15am – 10:45am – Blackhall – Open Morning
Friday 23 May
- Blackhall – Year 9 & 10 Wellbeing Week Concludes
- 12:00pm – 3:00pm: Blackhall – Year 7 & 8 – Interschool Sports – MSAC