Principal’s Message
Ian Van Schie, Principal
A new chapter begins
I wanted to let you know that I have accepted the position of Principal at Viewbank College and as a result, I will finish my time as Principal of Fairhills High School at the end of this term.
After nearly six years at Fairhills, this has not been an easy decision. This school has become a very important part of my life and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead such a wonderful community.
I recognise that the timing of my departure is not ideal. I would have preferred more time to support the transition, however Viewbank is commencing its School Review and it is important that I am there from the beginning to help shape the next stage of the school’s direction.
When I think back over our journey, I am enormously proud of what we have built together. We have worked hard to create a culture where relationships matter, where we have high expectations of ourselves and our students, and where every young person is known, supported and encouraged to succeed. Fairhills today is a school I am incredibly proud of, and that culture has been built together by our students, staff, families and wider community.
I want to sincerely thank our parents and carers for the support you have given your children and our school. I have always appreciated the trust you have placed in us to support their learning, wellbeing and development.
I also want to thank our School Council, both current and past members, for their support, trust and commitment to Fairhills and to me as Principal. Their willingness to work in partnership with the school has played an important part in the progress we have made. I have also been incredibly fortunate to work alongside wonderful staff who care deeply about our students and continually reflect on and adapt their practice to support student growth.
There are so many people who have played an important part in our journey that trying to name them all here simply would not do them justice. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed to our school and supported me along the way.
Most of all, I will miss our students. I will miss the daily conversations in the yard, visiting classrooms, the laughs, the challenges, celebrating their achievements and simply being part of their lives each day. Those everyday interactions are one of the greatest privileges of being a Principal and something I will genuinely miss.
One thing I hope every Fairhills student knows is that I have great hope for every one of them. I truly believe they all have the potential to be successful in their lives. Success will look different for every person and the journey will not always be straightforward, but if they work hard, believe in themselves and are not afraid of failing forward, they can build a fulfilling life.
While I am leaving, I do so knowing that Fairhills is in very good hands. We have an amazing Senior Leadership Team who know our students, understand our community and are deeply committed to the school. They have been an important part of our improvement journey and have helped shape the culture and direction of Fairhills.
I have enormous confidence in them and in our staff more broadly to continue the positive momentum we have built. The strength of Fairhills has never rested with one person. It comes from the collective commitment of the people who work here every day, and I have no doubt the school will continue to grow, improve and provide wonderful opportunities for our students.
Thank you for your support, your trust and for allowing me the privilege of being Principal of Fairhills High School for the past six years.
More Than Father’s Day
Last Sunday, families across our community celebrated Father’s Day and recognised the fathers, grandfathers, carers and father figures who play such an important role in the lives of our young people.
Father’s Day is also a timely reminder of the influence that positive role models can have. Young people notice far more than we sometimes realise. They watch how we treat others, how we respond when things are difficult, how we speak about people and whether our actions match our words.
Being a positive role model is not about getting everything right. It is about being present, showing care, listening, encouraging and demonstrating the values we hope our young people will develop themselves.
Often, it is the small everyday moments that have the greatest impact. Asking about their day, showing up to an event, taking an interest in what matters to them, sharing a laugh or simply spending time together all help young people know that they are valued and supported.
At Fairhills, we know that young people thrive when they have adults around them who believe in them, encourage them and remind them of what they are capable of. Fathers and father figures can play an incredibly important part in providing that sense of support, guidance and belonging.
I hope Father’s Day provided an opportunity for families to spend some quality time together and to recognise the important people who help shape the lives of our young people.
To all of the fathers, grandfathers and father figures within the Fairhills community, thank you for the care, encouragement and example you provide, not just on Father’s Day, but throughout the year.
Parent and Carer Voices Matter
The Department of Education’s annual Parent, Caregiver and Guardian Opinion Survey is now open.
Information about the survey, including instructions on how to participate, has now been sent to all parents and carers. The survey closes on Friday 18 September 2026 and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.
We strongly encourage every parent and carer to participate. Hearing directly from our families is essential. Your feedback helps us understand what we are doing well, identify areas where we can improve and make informed decisions about the future direction of Fairhills High School.
We want to hear from families who are positive about the school, as well as those who have suggestions for improvement. Every perspective is valuable and helps us better understand the experiences and needs of our school community.
Please check your messages for the survey information and take the time to have your voice heard.
Teaching and Learning
Mr Exton, Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning
Learning Conferences
Thank you to all families who attended our recent Learning Conferences. We had more than 100 additional bookings compared with our Semester 1 conferences, which was a fantastic turnout and a strong reflection of the partnership between families, students and teachers.
It was particularly pleasing to see students taking a more active role in leading the conversations. Students began by sharing something they were proud of, discussing their priority Learning Culture goal and reflecting on their progress across different subjects. Teachers and students then worked together to identify a practical next step and the support that would help them continue to improve.
As this was the first time we have used this student led approach, students were not expected to lead a polished conversation from beginning to end. The focus was on helping them develop the confidence to talk about their learning, recognise their strengths and take greater ownership of their next steps.
Thank you to our students for embracing the new process, our families for their strong attendance and our teachers for supporting such positive and productive conversations.
Year 12 Exam Preparation
Our Year 12 students are now entering an important stage of their final year as they prepare for the Unit 3 and 4 examinations.
Practice examinations will begin with English and EAL on Friday 18 September and continue during the first week of the school holidays. These exams provide students with an important opportunity to practise working under examination conditions, manage their time and identify areas requiring further revision before the final VCAA examinations.
From Monday 21 September to Wednesday 23 September, students will also attend the Knox Government Schools VCE Exam Preparation Program at KIOSC, located at Swinburne University of Technology on Stud Road in Wantirna South.
These free sessions will be delivered by experienced VCE exam assessors and will provide students with subject specific revision, examination strategies, practice questions and additional resources. The sessions form an important part of our VCE program and students are expected to attend those offered for their subjects, including students completing subjects through Virtual School Victoria.
Consistent attendance and preparation during this period will make an important difference. We encourage families to support students by ensuring they attend their scheduled practice examinations and revision sessions and maintain a structured revision routine throughout the break.
Our Year 12 VM students will also complete their portfolio presentations on Friday 18 September, providing them with an opportunity to demonstrate and reflect on the skills, knowledge and experiences they have developed throughout the year.
We wish all our Year 12 students well as they approach this important final stage of their secondary schooling.
Student Engagement and Wellbeing
Silvana La Leggia, Assistant Principal – Student Engagement and Wellbeing
Diversity Week 2026: Strength in Our Differences
Diversity Week at Fairhills High School has once again been a wonderful celebration of the many cultures, identities and stories that make up our school community. Throughout the week, students and staff took part in activities that celebrated difference, encouraged understanding and highlighted the strength that comes from creating an inclusive school.
From sharing food, culture and traditions on Cultural Day to activities that celebrated identity and belonging, Diversity Week provided an opportunity for our community to learn from one another and recognise the value that different perspectives and experiences bring to our school.
Diversity continues to be an important part of Australia’s story, shaping our communities and strengthening the society we share. At Fairhills, recognising and valuing our differences is an important part of building respectful relationships and ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging. Pleasingly, our 2026 Attitudes to School Survey results show that Respect for Diversity at Fairhills is 8 percentage points above the state average, reflecting the inclusive culture we continue to build across our school.
Valuing diversity also challenges us to think in new ways, strengthens our empathy and helps us become more curious, creative and confident learners, qualities that sit at the heart of our school vision.
A big thank you to all the staff who helped organise and support the week, and to our student leaders for the creativity, enthusiasm and leadership they brought to the celebrations. Their collective efforts made Diversity Week 2026 a meaningful and memorable celebration of the diversity that strengthens our Fairhills community.
Supporting Your Child Through Stress
Stress is a normal part of growing up, but young people can experience and respond to it in very different ways. One of the most important things parents and carers can do is create regular opportunities for their child to talk about what is happening in their life and how they are feeling.
Sometimes young people may not be ready to talk with a parent or carer. In these situations, encouraging them to speak with another trusted adult, family member, teacher, friend or mentor can be just as valuable. Having someone they trust to talk to can help prevent worries from building up and becoming more difficult to manage.
There are also some simple strategies families can use at home to support young people when they are feeling stressed.
- Check the basics
Sleep, nutrition and physical activity all have a significant impact on how young people manage stress. Regular sleep routines, healthy meals and opportunities to be active can make a noticeable difference to mood, concentration and resilience.
2. Find the right balance
School, homework, sport, work, social commitments and extracurricular activities can quickly add up. Talk with your child about what feels manageable and make sure there is still time in their week to rest and recharge.
3. Talk through what is worrying them
Encourage your child to identify what is causing them stress. Writing their concerns down can sometimes make them feel more manageable. You can then work together to identify which issues need attention first and what practical steps might help.
4. Encourage physical activity
Movement is an effective way of reducing tension and improving wellbeing. This does not need to involve organised sport. Walking, riding a bike, going to the gym, playing outside or simply doing an activity they enjoy can all help.
5. Support organisation and planning
When young people feel overwhelmed, even relatively small tasks can seem difficult. Helping them plan their time, prioritise tasks and break larger pieces of work into smaller steps can make challenges feel much more achievable.
6. Encourage reflection
Writing in a journal can provide young people with a private space to organise their thoughts, recognise patterns in how they are feeling and reflect on what has helped them manage difficult situations.
Most importantly, continue checking in. Young people do not always need adults to solve the problem for them. Often, knowing that someone is listening, interested and available to support them is an important first step.
