As Term Three draws to a close, there is so much to celebrate across Preshil.
It has been a term filled with creativity, curiosity, adventure and connection, with students of all ages embracing opportunities to learn together, challenge themselves and experience something new.
One of the term’s great highlights has been Hadestown: Teen Edition. After months of rehearsals, creativity and dedication, our students took to the stage at Chapel Off Chapel, bringing extraordinary energy, courage and commitment to the production. We are incredibly proud of our cast, crew, musicians and creative team, and grateful to the families, staff and community members who have supported them along the way.
At Arlington, learning has taken many different forms. We’ve had our Anthology Week works and costumes, our Lofties Art Exhibition and the children initiated official Treehouse opening.
Colin Atkinson from Walithiga Wares joined our community for a hands-on exploration of bush tucker and traditional bush medicine. Students tasted native plants, learned about their uses and helped extend this learning into The Pines, where new bush tucker and medicine species were planted as a living resource for the future.
Three Arlington teams also represented Preshil at Tournament of Minds, putting their creativity, collaboration, problem-solving and persistence into action. We were enormously proud of the way our students approached the challenge and supported one another throughout the experience.
Creativity continued in our Senior School, where Art students explored the human form through a dedicated life drawing sessions, while staff were invited to join their own after-school sessions.
Further afield, our Senior French students travelled to New Caledonia, taking their language learning beyond the classroom. Immersion in a French-speaking environment gave students the opportunity to put their skills into practice while experiencing the culture and everyday life of New Caledonia. It was also an important experience in independence, confidence and curiosity about the wider world.
And what better way to finish the term than with an adventure for some of our youngest students? Last night, our Lighthouse children — Preps and Grade Ones — had their first school sleepover, setting up their beds in the Arlington Library for a very special night together at Preshil. It was a beautiful moment of friendship, excitement and growing independence — and a wonderful way to end the term.
These moments capture something of the richness of a Preshil education: learning that is creative, experiential, collaborative and connected to the world around us.
Thank you to our students, families and staff for everything you have contributed to another vibrant term at Preshil. We wish everyone a restful and restorative term break.
Wishing all our students, staff and families a wonderful and well-earned break. We hope you find time to rest, recharge and enjoy time together, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for Term Four.
Warm Regards, Aaron Mackinnon
Campus Updates
Capital works continue to progress across both campuses as we prepare for the next stages of Preshil’s development, the introduction of our Middle School at Arlington and the opening of our new Senior Studio campus at Lincoln Square.
Lincoln Square
Over recent weeks, the designs for Lincoln Square have been through an extensive period of consultation with students and staff as we continue to refine the plans in preparation for construction.
In true Preshil spirit, students have been equal participants in this process, contributing their perspectives and ideas through a series of design workshops. There has been a wonderful sense of enthusiasm as the plans become increasingly tangible and our community begins to see what will become a very special new setting for Preshil’s distinctive approach to learning.
Alongside the design process, a significant amount of work has been taking place behind the scenes, including planning permits, tender interviews, building-condition assessments, mechanical services and the many technical considerations involved in adapting an existing city building for a school environment.
We are pleased to have selected McCorkell Construction to deliver the project. McCorkell bring extensive experience in educational projects, together with an important understanding of adaptive reuse and the complexities of construction within the City of Melbourne.
The works will be delivered in two overlapping stages, beginning with the initial make-good works followed by the fit-out. The project remains on track for our forecast completion in September 2028.
Pictured: 3D renders of the developing Lincoln Square design and images from our recent student design workshops.
Arlington
Following the completion of the Treehouse, our focus at Arlington has now moved to the projects required for the beginning of 2027, when we welcome our first Year 7 cohort and establish our new Years 6 and 7 Middle School.
The key strategic shift for us is the Kindergarten closure at the end of this year fast tracking our masterplan works and campus planning to now have our Year 7s utilising the old kindergarten space from next year. This will include minor works such as upgrades to toilet infrastructure, development of kitchenette facilities, minor adjustments to learning spaces for a science wet space and preparation of the surrounding grounds. Construction is scheduled to commence where practicable during Term Four, with the remaining works completed over the summer break in readiness for the start of the 2027 school year. Our Peppercorn children have spent time in recent weeks starting to share in the ideation process for how they can make this their own space and purposeful for the learning and connection from next year.
We have also commenced design work on the next phase of Arlington’s development: additional learning spaces proposed for the southern side of the campus, currently partially occupied by the car park.
We look forward to sharing the emerging designs with our community as this work progresses throughout Term Four.
Together, these projects represent an exciting period in Preshil’s evolution, creating spaces that respond to our growing school while remaining thoughtful about the character, history and educational philosophy that make Preshil unique.
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Senior Visual Art Exhibition
Last Thursday 10th of September we held the Senior Visual Art Exhibition (Unit 4 & 12DP). It showcased the artwork of students completing their VCE and IB Art studies.
The exhibition is a great example of the student's individual talents and diverse skills. It highlights the hard work and progression that occurs for all Art students when they are exploring different techniques, materials and ideas and it was exciting to see the range of ideas represented. The Senior Art studio was also open to be viewed and families are encouraged to visit the studio at any time to view the working spaces and creative pursuits of our students.
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New Caledonia Study Tour
Eight lucky students and two teachers have just returned from an unforgettable study tour to New Caledonia!
Each morning, the group split into two: half attended French language classes to sharpen their language skills, while the other half explored the island's natural and cultural treasures, visiting a national park, a zoological garden, markets and museums.
Afternoons brought the whole group back together for a host of shared adventures, including snorkelling off stunning Amedee Island, ziplining through the treetops, and immersing themselves in Kanak culture at the Tjibaou Cultural Centre. There was also plenty of time to relax on the beach and sample delicious local cuisine.
A huge congratulations to our travellers on a wonderful experience of language, culture, adventure, and new friendships!
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Quiz Night - Ticket Now On Sale
Join us for a fun, relaxed evening just for adults!
Comedian and trivia host Janet A McLeod aka "Planet Janet" will test your brain power to find out which team knows the most fun facts. General knowledge, music, picture clues, creative questions, quirky questions, prizes and fun. Get your smarty pants on and we'll see you there.
Team tables welcome - feel free to use whatsapp groups to coordinate teams, tables fit 8-10 people.
Costumes encouraged (but totally optional!), this year's theme is "Denim & Diamonds" - anything from your trusty pair of jeans to ballgown and jewels!
BYO - Bring a plate of nibbles and drinks (alcohol permitted).
Last night the Lighthouse children (prep and grade one) had a sleepover in the school library.
They planned this event together: chose the after school activities, afternoon tea, dinner, breakfast and lunch for the next day. The children also chose who they would like to set their beds up next to. As the evening progressed, the children spent time in the Pines culminating in the roasting of marshmallows over the campfire. All slept well, and were rewarded by a beautiful sunrise this morning.
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Theatresports Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! 2nd Place - 10-12 Competition, Most Supportive Player 10-12 - Mina, Best Physical Offer - 7-9 - Callie
Over the weekend, we had a whopping 19 Preshil students join young performers from across Melbourne for Impro Melbourne’s Theatresports!
We took out 2nd place in the 10-12s across 11 teams, and 2 of our students received medals, against 60 other students. Highlights of the performances included Elvis and Maxie (Year 10) improvising a scene around grief, Benny (Year 9) playing an evil fridge and Marlene (Year 11) leading a 3 minute improvised musical. It was wonderful to see our students take risks, be inclusive and kind to each other and show their acting chops. Congratulations to everyone involved!!
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IB Theatre Night
Our Year 12 IB Theatre students have now completed their final performance for their portfolio submission.
Ethan, Tuesday and Hamish in Year 12, with Mia on tech operation, created, designed and performed a 10 minute piece of theatre, around a theme that inspired them, which was how we deal with guilt psychologically. Congratulations on finishing, Year 12s!
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Peppercorns Explore Kindergarten Space
While the Kindergarten children went on an excursion to Darebin Parklands, the Peppercorns spent some time in the space, thinking about how they would like it to function when it becomes the home for the Year Sevens.
We explored the room (Image one) and grounds, thought about maker spaces and areas for science, and how the reinstatement of the doors to Peppercorn Lane (image two) and Peppercorn Court will connect Middle Years Six and Seven together. We ventured into Peppercorn Court to share some holiday works which will transform the space, and started to think about a possible mural (image 3). Already, we are seeing our pioneering group take up the challenge of creating a space that is just right for them.
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VCE Drama 1/2 Excursion to Sweeney Todd
In preparation for their Unit 2 in-class assessment, our VCE 1/2 Drama students attended Soundworks’ production of Sweeney Todd at Chapel Off Chapel this week.
The performance offered students the opportunity to experience the musical live and deepen their understanding of the themes, characters and theatrical techniques explored in their studies.
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Curiosity Revealed!
Did you have a guess at last week’s mystery object?
It is a glove stretcher!
This wooden tool was used by Simpson’s Gloves in Richmond in the 1930s. The ends were placed inside the fingers of gloves and used to stretch them, helping to shape and widen the glove fingers.
It’s a lovely reminder of our Curiosity focus: sometimes an ordinary-looking object has a much more interesting story when we stop, look closely and wonder.
We look forward to announcing our Production 2027 next term.
What could it be??
Preshil's Inaugural Middle School Evening
We warmly invite students and families to join us for a special evening as we introduce Preshil's Middle School.
The launch of our Arlington Middle School marks an exciting new chapter for Preshil and, most importantly, a purposeful next step in the educational journey of our young people.
Middle school is a distinctive time. Young people are developing greater independence, discovering new interests, forming deeper relationships and beginning to understand more about who they are and the contribution they can make. Our Middle School program has been designed deliberately around this stage of development, bringing together strong relationships and a sense of belonging with increasing choice, challenge and responsibility.
This inaugural Information Night will give students and families their first opportunity to explore what life in Middle School will look and feel like.
There will be time to ask questions, meet other families and begin imagining the year ahead together.
For our students, this is the beginning of something new, and they will have an important role in shaping what their Middle School becomes.
We hope you can join us as we open the doors to this next chapter of Preshil.
Students and parents are warmly encouraged to attend together.
When: Tuesday 20 October, 6:30-8:00pm Where: Kevin Borland Hall, Arlington
Preshil Reunion
Preshil alumni who share the Blackhall, Kalimna or Yallambee experience are invited to come together for an afternoon of old friends, shared stories, photos and memorabilia — and a farewell to Kalimna.
When: Saturday 10 October 2026, 2:00-4:00 pm Where: Library Blackhall Campus - 12/26 Sackville St Kew
RSVP by 1 October: archive@preshil.vic.edu.au
Margaret Lyttle (Mug) Included In Exhibition Notable Women of Kew
We’re delighted to share that Margaret (Mug) Lyttle is featured in the upcoming exhibition Notable Women of Kew, celebrating the remarkable women who have contributed to Kew’s social, cultural and political history.
The exhibition will be on display at Kew Court House until December, and is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am–3pm, and Saturdays from 10am–12pm.
Where: Just Theatre, Kew Court House, 188 High Street, Kew VIC 3101
Square Academy’s Learning Lab will be hosting a series of engaging holiday workshops at Preshil’s Arlington Campus during the Term 3 school holidays.
Designed to foster curiosity and a love of learning, the workshops offer students the opportunity to explore Maths, Art, Science and Technology in a hands-on and creative environment.
This holiday program includes MART (Maths + Art) on Tuesday 29 September, CAD and 3D Printing on Wednesday 30 September, and Squid Dissection on Thursday 1 October. Workshops are available for students in Grades 3–9, with sessions tailored to different age groups.
