Principal’s Message

Ian Van Schie, Principal

Experience Fairhills: Our New Virtual Tour

I am delighted to share our new virtual tour of Fairhills High School. The video provides families and community members with an opportunity to explore our learning spaces, facilities and the welcoming environment that makes our school special.

A special thank you to Eloise and Vitou, who did a fantastic job starring in the video and representing our school. I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed their time, creativity and expertise to make this project possible.

I encourage you to watch the tour and share it with others who may be interested in learning more about Fairhills High School.

Watch the virtual tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLVsulI8iOA

Exciting Year 7 and 8 Upgrade

We are delighted to announce that work on our Year 7 and 8 courtyard upgrade will soon begin, supported by a $300,000 grant.

Construction is expected to commence late this term, with the aim of having the project completed and ready for students at the beginning of Term 4.  There may be some minor changes to access and usual routines while construction is underway. However, the builders have assured us that noise levels will not be excessive, and we will work carefully to minimise disruption to student learning.

This is a very exciting development for our Year 7 and 8 students. We look forward to seeing them enjoy the upgraded space and will keep our community informed as the work progresses.

Teaching and Learning

Mr Exton, Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning

As we move through Term 3, students across the school have been reflecting on their learning, considering their future pathways and preparing for the next stage of their education. These opportunities help students take greater ownership of their learning and make informed decisions about their future.

Year 10 Course Counselling: Planning for 2027

Our Year 10 students recently participated in course counselling to discuss their subject selections and pathways for 2027.

These conversations provided an opportunity for students and their families to explore senior secondary options, consider individual interests and strengths and identify subjects that support future study and career goals.

Choosing a senior secondary pathway is an important decision. While students do not need to have their entire future mapped out, selecting subjects they enjoy, feel motivated to study and that align with possible future pathways provides a strong foundation for success.

Thank you to our staff, students and families for the thoughtful conversations and support throughout the course counselling process.

Careers and Pathways: Supporting Our Senior Students

Our Year 11 and Year 12 students have also recently participated in careers and pathways sessions led by Laura Blackson and Liz Rundle.

These sessions supported students to explore options beyond school and develop a clearer understanding of tertiary study, training, employment and the practical steps involved in planning their future.

For Year 12 students, this included guidance on researching courses, considering preferences and applying for tertiary study through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Students were also supported to think about the skills needed for their next steps, including preparing resumés and approaching employment opportunities with confidence.

Year 11 students benefited from the opportunity to begin considering their future options early and to understand how their current studies and subject choices connect with possible pathways.

Thank you to Laura and Liz for supporting our students through these important conversations and helping them approach their future with greater clarity and confidence.

Student Led Learning Conferences: Monday 24 August

Our Learning Conferences on Monday 24 August will provide an important opportunity for students, families and teachers to come together to discuss learning progress and next steps.

This year, students in Years 7 to 11 will take a more active role in leading these conversations. Towards the end of Term 2, students reflected on their learning and identified a priority Learning Culture goal and an action to support their improvement during Semester 2.

During their conferences, students will share their goal, reflect on their progress and discuss how their learning behaviours are influencing their achievement in each subject. Teachers will support the conversation by providing feedback on academic progress and helping students identify a practical next step.

Parents and carers will also have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss how they can support their child’s learning at home.

Students should attend their conferences with a parent or carer and bring their laptop so they can access their learning information through Maestro. Year 12 conferences will continue with the usual approach this year, with a focus on progress, feedback and preparation for the remainder of the year.

We encourage families to speak with their child before the conferences about their learning goals, what they are proud of and any areas where they would like additional support.

These conversations are most valuable when students, families and teachers work together to celebrate progress, identify challenges and agree on clear next steps.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to help our students become curious, creative and confident learners.

Student Engagement and Wellbeing

Silvana La Leggia, Assistant Principal – Student Engagement and Wellbeing

Building a Strong, Connected School Community

Term 3 continues to provide many opportunities for our students to learn, connect and contribute to our Fairhills community. Whether it is showing kindness and respect, showing up each day, or getting involved in school life, these three messages remain at the heart of our focus this term.

Bullying No Way: National Week of Action

This week, Fairhills High School is proud to participate in Bullying No Way: National Week of Action, 17–21 August 2026, with this year’s theme Small Acts, Big Impact.

Small actions can make a significant difference. Checking in on someone, including others, choosing kind words and speaking up when something isn’t right all contribute to a positive school culture. We encourage our students to be upstanders, look out for one another and seek support from a trusted adult when needed.

Our Wellbeing Team is also promoting the Stymie “Say Something” campaign, reminding students that speaking up matters and concerns can be reported safely and anonymously.

Small acts. Big impact. Together, we can create a community where everyone feels safe, respected and that they belong.

Attendance – Just Show Up

One of the simplest and most powerful things students can do for their learning is to just show up.

Every day at school provides opportunities to learn, connect with friends and teachers, build routines and develop confidence. Missing one day may not seem significant, but those days quickly add up.

Our message to students is simple: Just show up. Be present. Be involved. Every day counts.

Thank you to our families for continuing to support regular attendance and helping young people develop positive habits that will support them well beyond school.

Get Involved – More Than the Classroom

School is about much more than what happens in the classroom. Our co-curricular activities give students opportunities to discover new interests, build friendships, develop confidence and feel more connected to their school community.

Throughout 2026, our students have had opportunities to participate in activities including sport, the school musical, STEM, clubs, including homework, art, Q-Squad, and Dungeons and Dragons.

They have also been involved in the Basketball Academy, major events like the State Schools Spectacular and the Hydrogen Grand Prix.

These opportunities are made possible through the commitment of our staff, who generously give their time to support students beyond the classroom.

We encourage every student to find something to be part of. Getting involved builds connection, belonging and pride in our school.

Show up. Get involved. Look out for each other. That is how we continue to build a strong Fairhills community.

Term 3 2026 Dates

School Tours

To book a School Tour go to: https://www.trybooking.com/DJJPH

We look forward to welcoming you and showing you around our great school.

2026 Term Dates

Instrumental Music

Excitement is building in the Music Department as we work towards our Annual School Concert on October 13 in the Performing Arts Centre.

Students are hard at work during weekly band/choir rehearsals and regular lessons, while also preparing for this term’s CAT, which focuses on technical skills.

Interested in playing an instrument or have any queries regarding your child’s music education? Phone the school asking for the music department and have a chat with our friendly music team or email Nicole McAlister – nicole.mcalister@education.vic.gov.au

International Student Workshop: Connecting with Headspace

We are privileged to have several international students studying at Fairhills High School. On Thursday 6 August we were pleased to invite our international students to a special lunchtime workshop focused on wellbeing and support.

As part of the session, we invited the Headspace Multicultural Youth Peer Support Worker Joycely to speak with our students about the services and support available through Headspace Knox Peer support at Headspace Knox. Students learnt about the different ways Headspace can support young people with their mental health and wellbeing, as well as how to access these services. The workshop provided a safe and welcoming opportunity for our international students to ask questions, learn about local support services and understand that help is available whenever they may need it.

We would also like to remind families that language should not be a barrier to seeking wellbeing support. If your child is experiencing difficulties with their wellbeing, or if your family is more comfortable accessing support in a language other than English, please contact the Fairhills High School Wellbeing Team. We can discuss your family’s needs and consult with Headspace to explore whether culturally and linguistically appropriate (CALD) support is available. While we cannot guarantee that support will be available in every language, we will work with Headspace to explore the options and identify the most appropriate support for each student’s individual needs.

We would like to thank our Headspace guest speaker for sharing their knowledge and supporting our students as they settle into life and learning in Australia. We hope our international students found the session informative, welcoming and reassuring.

For more information see link: headspace Knox | Youth Mental Health Centre & Services

Legally Blonde JR. – An Amazing Rehearsal Weekend

What an incredible weekend for the cast and crew of Legally Blonde JR.

Our recent rehearsal weekend saw our students come together for two huge days of singing, dancing, acting and creating as we continue preparing for this year’s school musical. The Performing Arts Centre was absolutely buzzing with energy and laughter, students threw themselves into the creative process.

Throughout the rehearsal weekend, students worked incredibly hard to bring the show to life. From learning and refining choreography, developing characters and rehearsing scenes, to strengthening vocals and working together as an ensemble, there was so much happening! It was fantastic to see students fully engaged in the Creative Arts, challenging themselves, supporting one another and showing just how much talent we have here at Fairhills.

A school musical is so much more than what audiences eventually see on stage. It takes months of rehearsals, teamwork, problem-solving, creativity and commitment. Our students continue to demonstrate all of these qualities, and rehearsal weekend was a wonderful example of what can happen when students from across the school come together with a shared passion and goal.

One of the biggest highlights was seeing how much the production has grown. Scenes are coming together, choreography is looking fantastic, characters are developing and the energy from the cast is getting bigger and bigger. There were certainly some tired faces by the end of the weekend, but there was also an enormous sense of achievement.

Legally Blonde JR. is shaping up to be an AWESOME show! With its high-energy musical numbers, hilarious characters, fantastic dancing and a whole lot of heart, we cannot wait to share what our students have been working on.

We are incredibly proud of the dedication our cast have shown so far. Their enthusiasm, creativity and willingness to give everything a go have made the rehearsal process such a positive experience.

The countdown is officially on, Fairhills! Elle Woods and the entire Legally Blonde JR. crew are getting ready to take the stage – and this is one show you will not want to miss.

Get ready to bend, snap and celebrate an incredible group of Fairhills performers.

A Fabulous Trivia Night

Our recent Fairhills Trivia Night was a fabulous evening filled with fun, laughter, friendly competition and plenty of memorable moments. It was fantastic to see so many members of our school community come together to support our school musical, Legally Blonde JR.

The atmosphere throughout the night was amazing, with teams putting their knowledge to the test, enjoying a few laughs and getting into the spirit of the evening. Most importantly, everyone came together for a wonderful cause – supporting our students and helping us bring this year’s musical to life.
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the night raised over $2,000! This is an amazing result and will go directly towards supporting our production, including the many costs involved in putting a school musical on stage.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, donated prizes, purchased raffle tickets, helped organise the evening or contributed in any way. Events like this simply would not be possible without the generosity and support of our families, staff, local community and friends of Fairhills.

Our school musical is a fully fundraised event, so every contribution makes a genuine difference and helps us provide our students with an exciting and memorable performing arts experience.

Thank you again to everyone who helped make our Trivia Night such a success. We are incredibly grateful for the support and cannot wait to show you what all of this fundraising is helping us create when Legally Blonde JR. hits the stage.

State School Spectacular

On Friday 7 August, we had our final rehearsal for the upcoming Victorian State School Spectacular. It was a great day for our wonderful mass dancers, who were able to see everything come together after all the hard work they have put in.

A highlight of the day was being able to run through the whole show in costume. It was fantastic to see the creative vision come to life and watch all of the different elements of the performance come together.

There is not long to go now until show day at John Cain Arena on Saturday 29 August! Be sure to get your tickets, as you definitely do not want to miss this incredible show.

Year 8 SSV Basketball Report

Our Year 8 Basketball teams represented Fairhills with outstanding enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and determination at the SSV competition.

Our first team had an exceptional day, finishing with an impressive 5 wins and 1 loss. Despite their outstanding record, they narrowly missed out on a place in the Grand Final due to percentage.

The team displayed excellent teamwork, resilience, and skill throughout the tournament and should be incredibly proud of their efforts.

Our second team embraced every challenge with a positive attitude and never stopped competing. The students showed fantastic sportsmanship, supported one another throughout the day, and most importantly, had plenty of fun while representing the school.

Congratulations to all of our Year 8 players for the way they represented Fairhills. Their effort, teamwork, and positive attitudes made it a successful day both on and off the court.

Year 11 and 12 VM Market Day – Salvation Army Fundraiser

On Tuesday, 1 September 2026, the Year 11 and Year 12 VM classes will be hosting a Market Day during lunchtime in the main courtyard.

The Year 11 students will be raising money for The Big Issue, while the Year 12 VM students will be fundraising for The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army supports people experiencing homelessness, family violence, natural disasters, financial hardship and other difficult circumstances by providing food, financial assistance, accommodation and other essential support.

How You Can Help

There will be a variety of stalls selling food and drinks, with all proceeds going towards our chosen charities. Some of the stalls will include:

• Sausage sizzles – $2 each
• Spiders – $3 each, with flavours including Coke and raspberry
• Slices – including gluten-free lemon slice and caramel slice for $3
• Rocky Road – $4, including M&M and peanut varieties
• A variety of other food, drinks and treats

You can also support The Salvation Army by donating undamaged items at the donation box located at the front office. Suitable donations include:

• Clothing and accessories
• Household and kitchen items
• Toys and books
• CDs, DVDs and vinyl records
• Small electrical goods

Donated items will be provided to The Salvation Army for their Salvos Stores, while all money raised through our stalls will be donated to support their work in the community.

The Year 11 and 12 students have worked hard to organise this event, and we would greatly appreciate the support of the Fairhills community.

Come along to the Market Day on Tuesday, 1 September, during lunchtime (1:00–1:40 pm) and support a great cause!

Thank you for your support.

Year 11 and Year 12 VM Students

Fairhills High School Clubs & Activities

After School VCE English Club

When: Tuesdays after school until 4pm

Where: Room S7

VCE English Club is back for 2026. If you want extra help with everything English this is the place to come! You can get help from experienced VCE English teachers and smash English in 2026!

Art Club

When: Every Thursday Lunchtime

Where: A07

All students are welcome. You can create artworks. Bring your lunch and enjoy a creative lunch.

Homework Club

When: Wednesdays, 2:45 – 4:00 PM

Where: Resource Learning Hub

Join us every Wednesday after school in a welcoming space where students can work on homework or class tasks with support available.
All students are encouraged to attend. Homework Club is a great opportunity to stay on top of your learning in a calm, supportive, and inviting environment.

Fairhills Choir

When: Tuesday Lunchtime

Where: Music Classroom

Come down to the music classroom Tuesday Lunchtimes and join in the fun. Chat to any of the music teachers if you have questions.

Japanese Club（日本部）

When: Every second (Week B) Thursday at lunchtime

Where: Room M03

Japanese Club is a place where you can be a curious, creative and confident learner about all things Japanese culture and language.

We are particularly looking for anyone with skills in anything Japanese, so please if you have a skill contact Winstone sensei at jessica.winstone@education.vic.gov.au. Parents very welcome to come share Japanese cultural or language skills if you have them!

However, to come to Japanese Club you don’t need anything but enthusiasm.

The first Japanese Club will run on Thursday March 5 at lunchtime in M03. After that it will run every second Thursday.

楽しみにしています！See you there！

VEX Robotics Competition Teams

When: Tuesdays, 2:45 – 3:45 PM and Friday Lunchtime 1:05 – 1:40 PM

Where: STEM Portable

The VEX Robotics Competition is an engaging, hands-on STEM program where students design, build, and code their own robots to complete specific challenges. It fosters teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation as students compete against other schools in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Hydrogen Car Grand Prix Teams

When: Tuesdays, 2:45 – 3:45 PM and Friday Lunchtime 1:05 – 1:40 PM

Where: STEM Portable

The Hydrogen Car Grand Prix introduces students to renewable energy and sustainable engineering. Teams design, build, and race model cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells, learning about clean energy technologies, aerodynamics, and mechanical systems in a fun and practical way.

Get Ready, Fairhills — Legally Blonde Jr. Is Coming!

Fairhills High School is getting ready to take the stage with Legally Blonde Jr. – The Musical!
Our students have been working incredibly hard to bring this energetic, hilarious and feel-good musical to life — and we would Love to see you there!

Performance Dates

• Thursday 10 September – 7:00pm
• Friday 11 September – 7:00pm
• Saturday 12 September – 1:00pm
• Saturday 12 September – 7:00pm

Book your tickets now:
https://www.trybooking.com/DOYYQ

Come along and support our amazing students and school musical program. Expect plenty of laughs, fabulous music, big performances and, of course, a whole lot of Pink!
It’s time to Prove Yourself!

General Office Details

The General Office hours are: 8.00am-4.00pm

Telephone: 9758 5022
Email: fairhills.hs@education.vic.gov.au

Parents, contractors, visitors and volunteers should always make contact with the General Office first when visiting the school or requiring to make contact with their child.

Appointments with teachers must be made via telephone or email.

Compass

Compass is the communication portal for Fairhills – https://fairhillshs-vic.compass.education/

Parents/carers are provided with log in details. For any questions or trouble logging in please contact the General Office. Using Compass allows parents/carers to have access to up-to-date information and the following features:

• Monitor attendance, and enter an explanation for absence or lateness
• Communicate with teachers
• Update contact details
• View their child’s timetable and the school calendar
• Monitor homework and assessment tasks
• Download and view semester reports
• Book parent-teacher-student interviews each semester
• Pay and provide consent for events and school contributions

Compass Events / Payment Centre / Course Confirmation

Please check Events regularly as these need to be consented/paid by the due date for your child to attend.  Also check out the Payment Centre and Course Confirmation sections.

Click here for the Compass Parent Guide

Student Absences

If your child will be absent or late due to illness or for any other reason, parents/guardians are able to:

• Mark their absence on Compass / or
• Send an email to the school: fairhills.hs@education.vic.gov.au / or
• Phone the absence hotline on 9758 5022. Leave a message after the prompt. The absence hotline is operational 24hrs a day, 7 days a week for your convenience.

Student’s arriving to school late are required to sign in (using their Student ID Card) on the Compass Kiosk machine at the General Office.

If a student is required to leave school early for any reason they should bring a note from their parent/guardian and record this on Compass. All students are required to sign out from the General Office.  If they need to call home, they should come to the office.  Students should not use their mobiles.

Asthma / Diabetes / Anaphylaxis / Epilepsy

ASTHMA, DIABETES, ANAPHYLAXIS, EPILEPSY or an ALLERGY management plans are required to be updated and submitted to the school every 12 months. Please ensure you have provided this to the office in the best interest of your child.

If you require any assistance, do not hesitate to contact the office on 03 9758 5022.

Parent Carpark – pick up and drop off

If you drop/pick up your children please ensure you:

• use the parent car park – not the staff/guest car park, except for those with a disability parking permit
• pull into a parent parking spot to let your child out/pick them up
• when exiting turn left onto Scoresby road (as per the sign)

Uniform Shop

The purchase of School Uniforms are now through Bob Stewart (formerly Buxwear/Dandy Sportswear) in Dandenong.

Bob Stewart

Factory 8, 169 Cheltenham Road, Dandenong
(03) 9792 0424

Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday – 9:00am to 1:00pm

For further information please go to https://fairhillshs.vic.edu.au/enrolment/uniform/

2026 Bell Times

2026 Team Leaders

Accessing Support through Wellbeing for Students

The Wellbeing Team can support students to navigate challenges that may be impacting on their ability to engage in learning or general feelings of wellbeing. This can include: transitions and adjusting to change, family or relationship difficulties, grief and loss, mental health concerns, drug and alcohol concerns, and many other challenges that young people encounter.

An initial appointment with a member of the wellbeing team will be an assessment of need with the student or family which will help to decide the best support option for the student. Support options available through the Wellbeing Team are:

• Individual short-term counselling, psychoeducation and skills development
• Group programs
• Referrals to external support agencies.
• Students may also be encouraged to access self-help strategies or resources.

Referrals to see someone from the team are made through year level leaders. Parents, students or teachers with concerns are encouraged to speak to their year level leader. Students or parents can also make an appointment directly with someone from the Wellbeing Team by attending the Wellbeing Centre, calling the school office.

Year level leaders who are made aware of concerns by a teacher will always endeavour to make contact with parents before referring a student to the Wellbeing team.
All counselling sessions with students are confidential and information is only shared if a student is deemed to be at risk of harm.
If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, please contact KidsHelpline or lifeline on the numbers at the bottom of this page

What’s on in Wellbeing?

The Wellbeing Centre is open at recess and lunchtime for students who need a quiet, safe place to regulate or access support. The centre is also used for lunchtime group programs which are advertised through compass or on notice boards.

Accessing Support for Families

Many families, at some stage, need a little extra support to manage the normal challenges of life as well as the more difficult situations that arise. If you are experiencing hardship, stress or circumstances that are impacting on the wellbeing of your family life or your ability to cope, the Wellbeing Team can help to connect you with community services that can provide support. Please contact the Wellbeing Team via the school phone number.

Breakfast Club

With the support of volunteers from local churches- Knox Baptist and Hillsong Church we provide breakfast club 5 days a week for our students from 8:15-8:40am. There are a range of healthy breakfast options available including cereals, toast, cheese toasties and fruit. Students are also able to access mini-milk drinks, fruit and free Tasty Truck (day old) sandwiches at Breakfast Club and at lunch time.

Food Support for families in need

Each fortnight on a Tuesday after school from 2:40 PM- 3:00 PM we have food support available for families who may be in need, for whatever reason. We have a selection of frozen meals and pantry items that families can collect from the former school canteen area without question or judgement. We know that access to food can be a real challenge for some families and we feel strongly about supporting the basic needs of our students and families. Watch out for compass posts each fortnight.

What’s on