2025 Children’s Book Week at Fairhills High School
Theme: “Book an Adventure”
From August 19 to 22, Fairhills High School came alive with the spirit of storytelling as we celebrated 2025 Children’s Book Week. This year’s theme, “Book an Adventure,” invited students to explore the magic and excitement that books bring to our imaginations.
Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to get involved in a range of fun and engaging activities both in the library and around the school. Highlights included:
- A Book Cover Hunt around the school
- The launch of the brand-new FHS Library Catalogue
- The opening of our very own FHS Free Library
- A special display of 2025 CBCA award-winning and notable books
- The ever-popular Guess the Number of Bookworms in the Jar
- A lunchtime screening of Jumanji, a thrilling adventure film based on the beloved novel
A huge thank you goes to Ms Kirby and Ms McGillicuddy for their creative planning and organisation of the week’s events. Congratulations to all our enthusiastic participants — and a special shout-out to our prize winners!
Book Cover Hunt Winner
- Lily (9B)
Guess the Bookworm Jar Winner
- Jake (7B)
Adventure Book Blooket Champions
- 1st – Sylvia (8B)
- 2nd – Ruby (9C)
- 3rd – Xavier (7C)
Students also earned House Points by completing themed word searches — well done to everyone who joined in and helped their houses!
Book Week 2025 was a great success, filled with adventure, creativity, and a love of reading. We can’t wait to see what next year brings!
Coca-Cola Day 3 – Year 10 Students Dive Deeper Into Industry Insights
Our Year 10 students continued their exciting journey with the Coca-Cola program on Day 3, as they geared up for their upcoming presentations on 28 October. The day offered an enriching mix of real-world learning, practical experiences, and engaging industry insights.
A key feature of the day was the opportunity for students to interview Coca-Cola employees. These conversations provided first-hand perspectives on career pathways, essential workplace skills, and the inner workings of a global brand—giving students valuable context for their future aspirations.
One of the most eye-opening moments came as students learned about Coca-Cola’s national fridge distribution process. They explored the logistics and scale behind this operation, gaining a new appreciation for the complexity of supply chains in big business.
Adding a hands-on element to the day, students also practiced applying Coca-Cola’s iconic branding stickers to fridges—a task that required both precision and attention to detail. This practical activity highlighted how even the smallest elements of branding and distribution play a big role in a company’s public image.
Overall, the day not only strengthened students’ presentation readiness but also expanded their understanding of how branding, logistics, and business strategy come together in the real world.
Fairhills Student Leaders Shine at the Knox Youth Summit
On Tuesday, eight of our Fairhills High School student leaders proudly represented our school at the annual Knox Youth Summit, alongside peers from a range of local schools.
The summit served as a valuable platform for young people to express their ideas, concerns, and aspirations. Throughout the day, our students engaged in meaningful discussions about the key issues facing youth in the Knoxfield area. They explored both the challenges and opportunities affecting their generation and collaborated on practical ideas for creating positive change within the community.
Our student leaders demonstrated impressive maturity, teamwork, and a strong sense of purpose. We commend them for their thoughtful contributions and their ongoing commitment to strengthening student voice—not just at Fairhills, but across the wider community.
Well done to all involved!
From Tricky to Exam Ready Club
Our From Tricky to Exam Ready Club is here to support all students completing a Year 12 subject as they prepare for their end-of-year exams. Charles, Ms Blackson and our VCE teaching team have been working together to create targeted sessions that will help you build confidence and exam skills.
The club runs each week:
• Tuesdays (2:45–4:15pm): English & Literature focus
• Wednesdays (2:45–4:15pm): Other subject exam preparation
These sessions are a great opportunity to:
• Get a head start on exam prep
• Collaborate with peers
• Receive teacher and peer feedback
• Develop effective study and revision plans
Past students have found that completing practice exams, reviewing work with peers, and seeking feedback from teachers is one of the most effective ways to prepare. Our sessions will guide you through this process step by step.
If you’d like to join this week’s club, please complete the Google Form by Tuesday lunchtime:
We look forward to seeing you there!
Charles, Ms Blackson & the VCE Teaching Team
Free FHS Library
We have established a free library of donated books for students to take. Students are encouraged to bring their own well read books and leave them for other students to also enjoy. Donated books are identified by a green sticker and the collection is located in the Classroom area of the Library.
Instrumental Music Concert – Wednesday 3 September
We are excited to announce that our Annual Instrumental Music Concert will take place next week on Wednesday 3 September in the Performing Arts Hall at school.
Join us for a wonderful evening celebrating the incredible progress of our students, from Year 7 beginners right through to the VCE Performance Band. It’s a fantastic opportunity to experience the hard work and talent of our young musicians.
During the concert, special awards will be presented, and every performer will receive a participation certificate as a token of their achievement.
All family and friends are warmly invited to attend. Entry is free!
For any questions, please contact Nicole McAlister at: nicole.mcalister@education.vic.gov.au
We look forward to seeing you there!
State School Spectacular Mega Rehearsal
On Friday 15 August, our talented girls participating in the State School Spectacular attended their mega rehearsal at Maroondah Nets in Heathmont.
They joined students from 46 schools across the state for a full costume run-through of the show. The energy was electric, and it was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to come together and see the production come to life.
Our students represented our school with enthusiasm and professionalism as they continue working hard in the lead-up to the big performance at John Cain Arena on Friday 13 September. We can’t wait to see them shine on stage!
Student Leaders Prepare for Diversity Week
Last week, 30 of our dedicated Fairhills High School student leaders came together for a full day of planning and team bonding at Realm Library and Holy Moly.
The morning was spent collaborating in groups to design an exciting week of events that will celebrate the rich diversity within our school community. Among the many creative ideas was the return of our much-loved International Food Day, as part of a wider Cultural Diversity Day.
To help make this event a success, we’re calling on our school community to get involved! We’re looking for volunteers to contribute dishes that represent different cultures for International Food Day on Monday, 8th September. If you’re interested, please check Compass for more information and the sign-up sheet.
In the afternoon, students enjoyed a range of team-building activities — from escape rooms to mini golf and bowling. It was a fantastic opportunity for our leaders to strengthen their teamwork skills while having a lot of fun in the process.
We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm and initiative. We look forward to a vibrant and inclusive Diversity Week, running from 8 to 12 September at Fairhills High School!
Year 8/10 Activity Day at Lysterfield Lake
Our long-awaited Year 8/10 Activity Day at Lysterfield Lake was a wonderful success! Students had the opportunity to take part in a range of outdoor adventures, including tackling the mountain bike trail and enjoying canoeing on the beautiful lake.
After an action-packed morning, everyone gathered to share a delicious pizza lunch, which was the perfect way to recharge. The day was made even more special by Melbourne turning on a stunning, sunny day; ideal conditions for being outdoors and active.
A huge thank you goes out to all of our staff who attended and supported the event. Your time and effort made the day possible and ensured that our students had a safe and memorable experience.
It was fantastic to see so many smiles, teamwork, and laughter throughout the day; an experience that will be remembered fondly by all!
Year 9 Connect – Road to Zero Excursion- Melbourne Museum
On Wednesday 13 August, our Year 9 Connect class visited the Melbourne Museum to take part in the Road to Zero program. This engaging and interactive workshop focused on the importance of road safety, exploring the consequences of risk-taking and the responsibility we all share when on the roads.
Students began their experience in the Experience Space, where they explored 13 immersive exhibits designed to highlight key road safety themes. Through interactive displays and simulations, they were encouraged to think critically about the real-world impact of choices made by drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The highlight of the day was the Learning Studio, a purpose-built learning hub where students participated in the Physics Challenge program. Using cutting-edge technology, including virtual reality and interactive touch tables, they applied their knowledge to investigate the science behind road safety. Working collaboratively, students tackled a team-based challenge that tested both their problem-solving and teamwork skills.
It was a highly valuable excursion that provided our students with important life lessons in a fun, hands-on way. We are confident that the knowledge and awareness gained from the Road to Zero program will stay with our students long into the future.
Fairhills High School Clubs & Activities
After School VCE English Club
When: Tuesdays, 2:24 PM
Where: Room S7
If you’re studying VCE English, join us for focused sessions with support from our VCE teachers. Get help with essays, SAC prep, and more — plus valuable feedback to improve your work.
Open to all VCE English students. We hope to see you there!
Homework Club
When: Wednesdays, 2:45 – 4:00 PM
Where: Room S11
Get help with your homework in a calm, supportive space.
All students are welcome — bring your books, questions, and motivation! Great way to stay on top of schoolwork with guidance from staff.
Japanese Club（日本部）
When: Every second (Week B) Thursday at lunchtime
Where: Room M03
Love Japanese culture? Curious about the language? Whether you’re a fan of anime, origami, or just want to learn, this is your place!
Have Japanese cultural or language skills? Contact Winstone-sensei at jessica.winstone@education.vic.gov.au
Parents with skills to share are also welcome!
楽しみにしています！See you there!
VEX Robotics Competition Teams
When: Tuesdays, 2:45 – 3:45 PM
Where: Room I03
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
Where: Room I03
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.
Q Squad
When: Thursday lunchtime
Where: Room I07
Q Squad is a safe, supportive, and inclusive space for students of all identities to come together, celebrate diversity, and promote inclusion. We host discussions, and activities that raise awareness and foster acceptance throughout the school community.
