From the School 


60 YEAR REUNION was held on Sunday, November 26, 2017 at the school. Between 1 PM and 4 PM!

The reunion in brief

A number of past pupils who did not attend the 60 year reunion have asked me to write some notes about the day. In my mind it seems a long time back. It was last year. Since we have had Christmas and New Year and back to school. So please forgive me if I omit a few details.

For those who like statistics more than 500 attended and filled in the register with their name and contact details. The weather was ghastly. It rained and rained and rained. We also had thunder and lightening. Parking was a nightmare, as most came by car. So much for the negatives.

However, the event was a great success. The ground floor of the new building was filled with past pupils. I even spotted one teacher from my days at the school. Thank you for coming Mrs Roberts (Miss Earl). I trust you had a great day.

The new building was supposed to be open for the reunion, but the builders were running late, so it was not completed when we all met. The displays of photos and memorabilia were in two large rooms. One room for the post-2000 year and one for the pre-2000 year pupils. The former was nice and easy to get around and the latter was a real crush. Alas I cannot report on the smaller photos and display notes, relevant to my years at the schools, other than to say that lots of work went into the collection and arrangements. I just could not get close enough to see the photos from the 1960s, which was my time a the school. I met with past pupils from my year who had come from overseas, interstate and Melbourne. Scones and light refreshments were served by cookery students, staff and parents in another room on the ground floor. I spent most of my time in that room, chatting to lots of people. I had found a seat and let people rotate around me. This room was also filled to capacity.

Outside, under cover, was a band. They did a mighty job despite the weather, although most of us heard them from indoors. At around 3 PM the rain stopped and the sun came out. By that time many were thinking of leaving.

Of the old buildings only one of the single-storey buildings was still standing. This is the building, along Shelley St. It is photographed on the home page of this website. It was available for viewing on the day.  It still had lockers in the corridor and at least four classrooms were intact. The corridor floor was very soft in places. It was sad to see it in such a state. This building was no longer connected to the building that used to be in Goldsmith St, as the latter had been demolished. As I type this I am sure  this old, remaining building, also has been demolished. It remains to be seen what development takes place along Shelley and and Goldsmith Street frontages. Those of you who come to the 70 year reunion in 2027 may be able to report on further building developments.  Most of the school buildings are now along the Glen Huntly Rd. frontage of the site.

Many past pupils were able to re-connect with past class mates and contact details were exchanged.

Special thanks to Rhonda Holt (principal), who was a magnificent hostess on the day and looked wonderful in a crisp, white outfit. Thanks are also in order to her numerous helpers and the band.

Since the November 2017 reunion, a number of smaller events have taken place in cafes or other venues for groups of past class mates and their families.


System Admin.

February 2018

The following text has been posted by the school on their website....

 "........Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday, 26 November to celebrate our 60-year anniversary. .........

We were delighted by the huge turnout and the incredibly positive feedback from past students......This event would not have been possible without a huge effort by staff, parents and students. A special nod to Todd Asensio, Bridget Kosla-Brown, Dot Whellans and the admin and maintenance teams for making it all happen despite being in the midst of a major building program!..........."




Well well well..........
Look what I found on the Elwood Secondary College website!

Fare well letter from Rhonda Holt
21st November 2019 
 
Dear Parents and Students 
 
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that I have accepted a new position at the Regional Office and will therefore not be returning to Elwood College. 
 
At my age I most certainly was not ‘seeking’ a new adventure, but I guess it sort of found me. Initially I agreed to work in the Region in what was a new role (in the School Improvement Division) for a seven week period.  For a number of reasons the time frame was extended three or four times.   After a great deal of consideration, when the role was finally offered as permanent, I accepted and will commence In the position  immediately following my current Long Service Leave. This was not an easy decision for me to make. 
 
I have cherished my time as Principal of Elwood College (since 2009) and Principal of Elwood Primary School (2002 – 2009).   I have appreciated and enjoyed great support from my wonderful leadership team (specifically Todd Asensio and Nick England), a very dedicated Business Manager, Bridget Kosla-Brown, an exemplary staff (teachers, Admin and support) and have highly valued incredible School Council support (including outstanding leadership from school council presidents at Elwood College) and, in order from 2009, Keith Herdman, Susan Constable, Michael Mulcahy and Wendy Dunstan who have all worked tirelessly for the benefit of our students.  
 
Above all, it has been a privilege to serve the Elwood College community and most importantly the Elwood College student body.   It is undoubtedly the students who I will miss the most. 
 
I look forward to watching Elwood College go from strength to strength.  I will remain its greatest advocate.  
 
Thank you sincerely for your trust, friendship and commitment to Elwood College. I will miss every aspect of the Elwood College principalship immensely. I cannot imagine a more fulfilling role. Over the coming weeks School Council President Wendy Dunstan will communicate the process of appointing a new principal. 
 
Warm regards Rhonda 

Did You Know?

'.... It is also compulsory to learn a musical instrument. There are many choices of instruments available, including: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, and many more.......'

Wikipedia 2019 at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elwood_College


In 2019 from the School Website

Number of students

Total enrolment: 654 
In high school: 654 
In Year 12: 69



When I went to Elwood High School we did not have international students. 







Now they do and not only that but they encourage them to give interviews. Below is an interview from a student from Brazil who is at Elwood Secondary College in 2019

See below:

Elwood College is committed to providing International Students with the highest standards of education. All students are encouraged to become confident learners, acquiring knowledge and language skills that are highly valued internationally. This is the third part in a series of International Student Interviews

 The Interview from the school website:_

Tell us a little about yourself

My name is Rafaela Steiner, I’m from Brazil, I’m 17 years old. I live in São Paulo. I graduated from high school this year and didn’t want to go to university, so my parents sent me to school in Australia to improve my English. I like reading, listening to music and the park.


How is Elwood College different from your school at home?

The uniforms, the way we socialise with the teachers, also the classes are very different - we have one class in Brazil for all the subjects. In Brazil the teacher changes, but here the student changes class.


What do you most like about being here?

The freedom I have here to do stuff - it’s secure.


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