As we move into the middle of the year, the College remains a hive of activity, with students across all year levels embracing a wide range of learning opportunities and experiences.

Our Year 11 and 12 ATAR students have been working diligently in preparation for their mid-year examinations, which will take place over the next three weeks. We wish them every success as they apply themselves during this important period of study and assessment. For students on the General Pathway, this time offers a different but equally valuable learning experience as they undertake workplace learning placements. These real-world opportunities play an important role in helping students develop skills and confidence for life beyond school.

Last week, our Junior School Cross Country event was held on the Senior Campus. It was wonderful to see many parents supporting from the sidelines, but even more heartening was the encouragement shown by our students towards one another. Every runner was cheered across the finish line, reflecting the strong sense of community and care that we value so highly at Helena College.

We also extend our best wishes to the students selected to represent the College at the upcoming Interschool Cross Country Carnivals: Years 7 to 12 at the ACC Carnival on 28 May, and Years 3 to 6 at the IPSHA event on 2 June. We know they will represent the College with enthusiasm, determination, and pride.

Our camp program continues to provide outstanding opportunities for students to grow in confidence, independence, and teamwork. Following a successful Year 2 camp earlier this term, our Year 3 and Year 9 students were off on their camps this week. These experiences are always highlights of the school year, and we look forward to hearing the many stories and memories students will bring home.

The past few weeks have also been especially busy in the Junior School, with Mothers' Day celebrations in the ELC, a successful Book Fair, a Walk Safely to School morning, and a Pre-Primary excursion to the Kalamunda Historical Village.

As we head into the colder months and continue to enjoy these many events and activities, I would like to remind families of the importance of keeping unwell children at home. We have seen an increase in students arriving at school displaying cold and flu symptoms. To help us maintain a healthy and safe environment for all members of our community, please keep your child at home if they are feeling unwell or showing signs of illness. We greatly appreciate your support and cooperation.

Peter Coombs | Principal, K-12

What makes the junior school years so important?

The early years of schooling are about far more than academic achievement alone. Junior schooling provides the foundation upon which children build confidence, character, independence and a lifelong love of learning. It is during these formative years that students begin to better understand themselves, develop meaningful relationships and learn how they can positively contribute to the world around them.

At Helena College’s Darlington Campus, learning is purposeful, engaging and filled with opportunity. Across our classrooms and outdoor spaces, students are encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas and embrace challenges with curiosity and enthusiasm. Our teachers create supportive environments where children feel safe to take risks in their learning, collaborate with others and celebrate personal growth.

A strong grounding in literacy and numeracy remains central to everything we do, alongside the development of positive learning habits and resilience. At the same time, we recognise the importance of nurturing creativity, critical thinking, ethical understanding and social-emotional wellbeing. Through a broad and balanced curriculum aligned with the Western Australian Curriculum, students are supported to become thoughtful, capable and compassionate learners.

Importantly, education is most successful when schools and families work in partnership. We greatly value the ongoing support, encouragement and involvement of our parent community as we work together to guide each child’s growth and development.

As we continue through Term Two, there are many exciting learning experiences, events and opportunities still ahead for our students. The energy and enthusiasm across the Junior School continue to make this a wonderfully rewarding term.

I wish all families a relaxing and refreshing weekend ahead.

Kind regards

Greg Miller | Head of Junior School - Kindergarten to Year 5

Aussies of the Month | June 2026

Providing students with opportunities to take on roles and responsibilities is an important part of childhood development.

The AOTM program celebrates personal effort, achievement and contributions to the school and wider community. It also reflects key Australian values such as fair play, generosity of spirit, active community involvement and care for the environment.

Each month, one student from Year 3 and two from Year 4, are recognised as our Aussies of the Month. These students receive a certificate and a badge, which they can wear with pride throughout the month.

Congratulations to Johnathan (Year 3), Mason (Year 4B) and Indiana (Year 4W) who have been selected as our Aussies of the Month for June 2026.

Student Disco Dress Up Day | 2026

In the lead up to this year’s end of Semester One student disco, for a gold coin donation, students in Kindy to Year 5 are invited to wear something fun with their uniform on Friday 12 June 2026. The goal is fun and fundraising - and the only restriction is that closed in shoes must be worn.

Please refer to my.helena for further details.

Help Keep Flu at Bay

As we know, individual actions contribute to the wellbeing of the wider community.

Vaccination remains the safest and most effective way to reduce the risk of contracting the flu and passing it on to others.

For families who may not be aware, there is now an alternative influenza vaccination option for children - a nasal spray. Further information is available via WA Health and participating healthcare providers.

Playground Areas and Equipment

As a friendly reminder, playground areas or play equipment are not to be used before school begins or, once classes are dismissed at the end of the day. Parents are asked to help remind students or younger siblings to stay out of these areas and off playground equipment before classes open each morning and after school each afternoon.

Please note that before school, Year 5 students enjoy a special privilege - dedicated outdoor activity time that reflects their role as the oldest students and leaders of the Darlington Campus.

Parenting Information Article

Please click here to view an article titled How do you show up for your kids? written by Dr Jodi Richardson.

Student Drivers

Year 12 Students may drive to school as a matter of privilege, not of right. Students must register their vehicles by completing a Student Vehicle Permission Form (available in the Administration Office and on my.helena>Year 12 Communications - Parents and Students> Student Vehicle | Driving Permission Form) to be eligible to park. If a passenger is to be in the vehicle, their name must also appear on the form, along with an accompanying parent signature indicating permission.

Any changes to previously registered details (e.g., new passengers, new make/model, etc.) must be re-registered on a new Student Vehicle Permission Form.

Please note that only Year 12 Students may park on campus, and they must park in the student parking area between the College Oval and Bilgoman Road. Our current Year 11 students will soon become probationary drivers. Unfortunately, there is no parking available on the campus for Year 11 student drivers.

A Report from the Ball Committee

As you all know, our Year 12 Ball Committee has been working very hard and is finalising decisions on a DJ, food options, the evening’s theme, and decorations. Tickets will cost $185 this year (including GST) and include a mocktail on arrival, a three-course meal, free-flowing soft drinks throughout the night, a DJ, a professional photographer, table decorations, and a photo booth.

Online permissions will be available on the Parent Lounge in Week 7, with more details to follow soon.

This is a reminder that Year 12 students are required to stay at school on the day of the Ball, Thursday 2 July, until 12.15 pm. Please ensure that all appointments with hairdressers, etc., are scheduled for the afternoon on that day. Be organised in advance with everything you need to do for the Ball, so you can focus on your study program.

Please note that students who have their nails done for the occasion can wear them to school during the week leading up to the event and until the end of the school holidays. Hair must remain a natural colour in line with the uniform policy.

There is no school for Year 12s on Friday 3 July.

Regarding pre- and post-school parties - please remember that there are specific laws on consuming alcohol and underage drinking, and on providing alcohol to underage drinkers. Please take heed of these laws and remember that the College does not sanction any pre- or post-ball parties.

If anyone arrives at the Ball under the influence of any illegal substances or attempts to consume them at the Ball, they will be IMMEDIATELY sent home in a taxi - at their expense.

This is a serious issue for the school in our duty of care responsibility, so please, parents and students, take responsibility.

We are all looking forward to a wonderful evening and the social event of the year for our Year 12 students.

Uniform Rminder | Winter is coming

Please remember that the College Sports Jacket is not part of the School Uniform. It is part of the Sports Uniform and is worn during Physical Education classes, Interhouse Carnival days and Interschool sporting events. As the days grow colder and wetter, it's a timely reminder to invest in a College Jumper or a soft-shell jacket to prepare for the winter months ahead.

Undergarments

During the colder months, we still expect students to meet the high standard of dress as an outward expression of the College’s identity and belonging to the community. Even on a cold morning, we can experience a sunny afternoon.

On such days, students are reminded that the uniform guidelines state that no undergarments should be visible under the uniform. For example, no round-neck t-shirts should be worn under open-collar shirts, and no long-sleeve undershirts should be visible beneath our short-sleeve shirt, blouse, PE, or House shirt.

Thermal garments can be worn under the College uniform in conjunction with the College jumper and/or jacket; however, no long-sleeve garment can be worn with only the College shirt, College blouse, PE, or House Polo.

A short-sleeve thermal V-neck t-shirt or tank top would be ideal for staying warm and complying with our Uniform Policy.

Save the Dates

Tuesday 21 July | Y10 Family Information Evening - Subject Selections (Y11 2027)

Year 10 students will soon make course choices for their 2026 Year 11 studies.

Year 10 students and their parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to attend this presentation. Information regarding the subject selection process and its implications for Years 11 and 12, as well as post-school pathways, will be shared on the evening. Please bring your Year 10 child.

The presentation will run from 6.30 pm to approximately 8.00 pm.

For further information, please contact Craig Hillman, Director of Upper School.

Monday 3 August | Years 11 and 12 Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences

To further enhance our communications with families about their child’s progress, we will hold a second Years 11 and 12 Parent-Student-Teacher Conference Evening. While the event is slightly shorter than the one held in March, it will follow a similar format.

Parent-teacher interviews will be conducted for Year 11 and 12 students from 2.30 pm to 6.00 pm on the above date. Venue TBC.

We will send detailed booking information closer to the date. We look forward to seeing you there.

Friday 4 December | End of Year 10 Celebration Day

This date marks the last day of Year 10 for 2026 and will incorporate some House-based challenges at school, morning tea, bus transfers to and from Point Fraser in East Perth, a 3-hour River Cruise, a DJ, and lunch.

Please note there is no school for current Year 10 students the following week.

Watch this space for more information.

Get Your Unique Student Identifier (USI)

All students undertaking nationally recognised training, such as a VET in Schools course or First Aid training, must have a USI. Without a USI, they won’t receive their statement of attainment, qualification, or award upon completion of their studies.

You also need your USI to be able to access Commonwealth Government-supported places at university. The Commonwealth Supported Places are subsidised university places available to all Australians.

Create your USI

The process is simple and can be completed in less than five minutes online using an approved form of identification, such as a birth certificate, driver’s licence, or passport.

Careers News

Space Careers in WA

Interest in space careers has grown since the Artemis II crew module circled the moon in April.

Curtin’s new Space and Planetary Science major helps students build skills in satellite design and operations, asteroid tracking, planetary data analysis, and interpreting space-based imagery.

Build skills in space exploration, asteroid tracking, remote sensing, Earth observation and space systems design. You’ll develop strong foundations in physics, mathematics, computing, and planetary science, then specialise in areas such as planetary geology, astrobiology, satellite observation and space mission technologies.

If you want to design satellites, track asteroids, or explore the possibility of life beyond Earth, you can begin that journey at Curtin.

Careers

• Planetary and space scientist
• Space research and technology consultant
• Space business developer and industry consultant
• Earth scientist, geoscientist
• Geoscience data analyst
• Remote sensing scientist
• Global navigation systems expert

Explore Curtin’s Space and Planetary Science major, or speak with one of their course advisors to map out your pathway.

30 May Intro to the Stars Festival – Perth Observatory

Explore the wonders of our nearest star through safe solar telescope viewing and see the Sun in remarkable detail. Roger Groom from Astrophotography Australia will be on-site with a dedicated stall, where visitors can learn how to capture stunning night sky images. BinoCentral will also be attending with a stall, offering expert advice on binoculars and telescopes, with the opportunity to purchase the right telescope on the day. To find more details, click HERE.

Various Dates WA Department of Education Career Conversations

This is a free event for parents, students, and the community in your local area. At the event, you will learn more about:

• exploring university and training pathways
• career pathway information for young people with disabilities
• the labour market and where the jobs are.
• future work trends
• what employers and industry are looking for.

Join Education Department experts for a Career Conversations event near you, or online. Select one of the following sessions to book your place.

The in-person events are from 6.00 pm to 7:30 pm.

• Events in the Wheatbelt | Wednesday 29 July 2026 in Northam
• Online events from 5 pm to 6:30 pm: | Thursday 18 June 2026 or Thursday 10 September 2026
• North Metropolitan | Thursday 28 May 2026 in Hillarys or Thursday 6 August 2026 in Hillarys
• South Metropolitan | Tuesday 9 June 2026 in Bentley, Wednesday 19 August 2026 in Harrisdale or Wednesday 9 September 2026 in Armadale

12-14 June Job Ready AND Perth Tradie Expo @ Ascot Racecourse

Two great events in one fantastic location This is a gigantic recruitment event that used to just be for tradies, but you can now find a broader range of employers searching for new workers.

This Expo gives an opportunity to meet people from resources and construction industries and find out what jobs are available across WA.

See details for Job Ready HERE and/or the Perth Tradie Expo HERE.

27 June College of Electrical Training Open Day

CET Open Day is a great opportunity for high school students considering a career in the electrical industry to find out more about studying an electrical apprenticeship at CET.

Date: Saturday, 27 June 2026

Time: 9.00 am - 11.30 am

CET Joondalup Campus - 20 Injune Way. For more information or to register, click HERE

CET Jandakot Campus - 5 Avior Ave. For more information or to register, click HERE.

Ag College Open Days

The Ag Colleges have been an institution in WA since 1906 and are deeply embedded in our agricultural industry.

They offer specialised education and training in agriculture and related trades for students in years 10, 11 and 12. They provide both vocational programs and pathways to university. Students gain practical skills and knowledge for future careers.

2 July | Morowa Open Day

4 September | Cunderdin Ag College

5 September | Denmark Ag College

11 September | Narrogin Ag College

University Events

3 June |  Murdoch University’s Year 11 & 12 Parent & Supporters Information Evening

Join staff and student ambassadors for an information session for students, parents and supporters of students looking to study at Murdoch University. Find out about: Course options, Understanding ATAR, Application processes, Key dates, Fees & Scholarships

Building 360, Level 4, Murdoch University or online

5.30 pm – 7.30 pm. To find out more information and to register, click HERE.

4 June | UWA’s Early Offers and Year 12 Applications Webinar

Join the team from UWA on their live webinar on Thursday, 4 June 2026, and get the clarity you need to take the next step.

You’ll learn about your pathways into UWA, including Early Offers, Experience-based entry, university preparation programs and the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

5.30 pm – 6.30 pm. Online. For more information and to register, click HERE

5 June | Curtin’s Different Engineering Pathways

If you are curious about a career in engineering, but don’t know which discipline to pursue, check out this Understanding Engineering Disciplines at Curtin.

Learn about current roles and career pathways from a panel of engineering professionals in major disciplines. For more information or to register, click HERE.

11 June |  ECU’s Year 11 & 12 Engineering Showcase Evening

We are pleased to invite you to attend our Year 11 and 12 Engineering Showcase Evening so you can discover why engineering is such a great profession and how ECU can provide you with an excellent start to a highly rewarding career.

For more information or to register, click HERE

Apprenticeship and Traineeship Information

How to Get an Apprenticeship or Traineeship

An apprenticeship or traineeship is a job. You apply through sites like Seek or Indeed, you may know someone who is willing to take you on, or you can apply through a Group Training Organisation.

You sign a contract when you start agreeing to undertake all aspects of the work and training (onsite working and training at a college).

There is usually a company (like MEGT or Apprenticeship Support) that manages the paperwork for you and your employer, and that provides you with support as you start your apprenticeship/traineeship.

A Group Training Organisation is…

A Group Training Organisation employs lots of apprentices and trainees. They coordinate the placement of the apprentices and trainees across different host employers so that you can cover all the skills you need for your apprenticeship/traineeship.

You can find a GTO near you by going HERE.

Apprenticeship V Traineeship

Apprenticeships are usually in traditional trades, like plumbing or hairdressing. Traineeships are usually shorter and focus on new occupations such as IT, business, and government.

You don’t get paid much, but:

• Your employer should cover your training fees.
• Your employer MAY pay for your tools, equipment and uniform.
• There MAY be a scholarship or subsidy to help you to cover costs. Check the Construction Training Fund Apprentice Funding page.

The West Australian Government provides free information to help you to get an apprenticeship or traineeship at the Apprenticeship Office. Seek and Indeed advertise for apprentices and trainees throughout the year. The Jobs and Skills Centres also have a jobs board.

17 June |  UWA’s School of Design Open Night

If you’re a current high school student curious about design, or you simply love exhibits, this night is for you.

Join the team from the UWA School of Design Open Night and discover how design thinking can help tackle real-world and global challenges. Experience their creative community first-hand and see where a design degree at UWA could take you.

As part of the evening, step into the 2026 Winter Collective, their end-of-semester showcase featuring inspiring student work from across Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Fine Arts, History of Art and Urban Design, across all levels of study.

You’ll have the chance to explore the exhibition, connect with their students and academics, and get a genuine feel for what it’s like to study design at UWA – from studio life to future careers.

4.00 pm – 7.00 pm To find out more details, click HERE.

30 June | ECU’s Year 12 Parent & Carer Information Evening. Online

For parents of students in Year 12, navigating the conversations about life after high school can be daunting. ECU’s online information session is designed to alleviate your concerns and provide all the information you need to guide them through Year 12 and beyond.

6.00 pm – 7.30 pm. For more information or to register, click HERE.

Other Important Dates/Events for Senior School Students

16 June |Australian Federal Police online recruitment information session

Gain insights into the role of a protective service officer (PSO), hear first-hand experiences, and discover what it means to do legendary work in the AFP.

Tuesday, 16 June. 4.00 pm (AWST). To register, click HERE

31 May | UCAT Preparation Workshop

UCAT success is not about being “naturally good” at the test. It comes down to:

• Strategy
• Consistent, targeted practice
• Time management
• Balancing UCAT preparation with school commitments

See the overview of what the workshop includes and enrolment details HERE

2 June | TISC Applications. Opening Date

Applications through TISC for 2027 admission will open on 2 June.  You can apply online HERE.

Early Offers for 2027 Admission

Students applying through TISC will automatically be considered for an early offer for their first preference if that course makes early offers. There is no need to complete any separate or additional procedures to be considered for early offers. There will be two Year 12 Early Offer rounds this year. The first early offer round will be released on Monday, 5 October 2026 and the second and final early offer round will be released on Wednesday, 2 December.

20 June | Murdoch University’s Law Start Workshop

Law Start is an alternative admission pathway that allows high school students to enter an undergraduate law degree program without meeting traditional requirements, because at

Murdoch, we know people’s circumstances aren’t a direct reflection of their ability to succeed.

If you are excelling in one or more ATAR subjects with a strong focus on essay writing and communication, our Law Start admission pathway could be for you.

For information, click HERE.

21 June |  Casper Test for Veterinary Medicine at Murdoch University

Please make sure you select the Veterinary Medicine version of this test.

If you’re planning to apply for Veterinary Medicine in 2027, sitting the 2026 Casper test is an essential part of your application.

Murdoch University requires all Veterinary Science applicants to complete the undergraduate Casper assessment. The final test date is 21 June.

To book your test, visit: https://acuityinsights.app/

31 July | Applications Close for Veterinary Medicine

The 2027 Veterinary Medicine Admissions Guide is now available and all applicants should review it before applying. It outlines key requirements for entry into Murdoch’s BSc/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, including completion of the Casper assessment and submission of the official application form.

All applications for this program must be submitted through TISC and are due by 31 July 2026.

See information about the Casper Test for Murdoch Veterinary Medicine above.

Resources for High School Students about transitioning to university

The Uni Ready toolkit was released last year. It was designed by students in NSW to assist students with their transition from school to university.

It provides insider tips, study strategies, and peer support to help you navigate the leap from high school to university.

• Uncover the differences between high school and uni learning.
• Master 'Study Smart' techniques for effective time management.
• Navigate texts and assessments like a pro.
• Develop critical thinking skills crucial for success in any field.
• Find academic support and your go-to people for advice.

The Uni Ready toolkit is a free resource created by the Access, Equity, and Inclusion team at UNSW in partnership with the University of Sydney and the University of Newcastle, supported by funding from the NSW Government.

Read more here.

Posting photos and video

Photos and videos are a big part of modern life, and many of us, including students, parents, and staff enjoy sharing them on social media platforms. It is important to consider consent if you are posting images or videos of others on your social media platforms.

Consent means giving permission. For consent to be genuine, it must be informed and freely given. This means the person clearly understands what they are agreeing to and is not pressured or forced into saying yes.

Before sharing photos or videos online, it’s important to ask yourself: 'Do I have consent to share this photo or video?'

Everyone shown in the image or video should feel comfortable with it being shared.

Being respectful of others’ privacy and choices helps create a safe and positive online environment for everyone.

Recently, the College moved to a new photo management system called Pixevety. The platform is specially developed for use in schools. Privacy was not an afterthought, but the foundation of our decision to utlise the system. Data security, minimisation, irreversibility, purpose limitation, consent and user controls are all baked into the core of Pixevety. Pixevety is the only OAIC and UK ICO registered EdTech company who has also won industry awards in data protection – both here and in the UK. They are also ISO27001-certified which is the global industry standard in security management, and are externally audited on an annual basis.

This technology allows the College to easily match the photo permissions provided by parents to each student. This ensures that we only share photos and videos of those students where we have consent to do so, and respects the privacy of others that would prefer images not to be published.

It also ensures that students’ images are not saved on staff members’ personal devices, and that access and usage of the photos is tightly controlled.

Other safeguards that we have put in place is to only use children’s first names online (includes the newsletter and social media). We obtain specific permission from individual parents for anything that falls outside of our Use of Student Images Policy. We encourage parents to log in to the Parent Lounge (accessible via my.helena), and review their preferences. Tips on how to update your preferences are available here.

Justin Pitt | Head of Senior Campus

As part of their inquiry into “Community,” the Kindy children have been enjoying visits from special parent guests who have been sharing their important roles within the community. As an example, the children participated in an exciting Parkour lesson led by Bella’s parents, Kayleigh and Ben, who are coaches at Motion Parkour.

During the session, the children learnt about the importance of keeping their bodies healthy, active, and strong. They had a wonderful time practising a variety of Parkour movements and challenges around the playground, building their confidence, coordination, and teamwork skills along the way. 

The lesson was filled with energy, enthusiasm, and lots of smiles, and the children thoroughly enjoyed trying something new and active. A big thank you to Kayleigh and Ben for generously sharing their time, skills, and enthusiasm to provide such a fun experience for our Kindy children!

Vashti Vaughan | Kindergarten Teacher

The Pre-primary class's recent excursion to the Kalamunda History Village was a wonderful learning experience for the children. They had so much fun stepping back in time and exploring what life was like in the “olden days.”

One of the highlights was seeing the old fruit grading machine and learning how fruit was sorted and packed many years ago. The children were fascinated by the old-fashioned school classroom and enjoyed imagining what school would have been like for children in the past. We were lucky to have Lilly, (Kindy) Ryan (Year 1) and Ari's (Year 3) Mum be our guides.

They also explored the historic houses, post office and outside "dunny". We learnt how families washed clothes and completed everyday jobs before modern technology. The children were amazed at how much harder daily life used to be!

The biggest highlights of the day were definitely the train and the old fire truck. The children loved climbing aboard, exploring and asking lots of questions.

It was a fantastic morning filled with hands-on learning, curiosity and excitement. We are very proud of how beautifully the children represented our school throughout the excursion. More photos will up up in our room soon.

Kellie Sorensen | Preprimary Teacher

We welcomed the Scholastic Book Fair to the Junior School Library this month and received a huge response. Students, staff and parents visited the library, both before and after school, and during library sessions to browse the fantastic array of books and items that were available. Many purchases were made, and we were able to use the money raised to purchase some great new resources for our library, as well as generate funds for future purchases. 

A BIG thank you to all the members of our school community who came and supported our 2026 Book Fair. We really appreciate all your support, and we hope all the Helena College community enjoys the new purchases we have made over the coming months.

For those students who are taking part in the Premier’s Reading Challenge, you only have a few more weeks to read and log your books.

A reminder that the use of library bags is a library requirement, especially with the wetter weather (finally). Replacement bags are available for $5; payment can be made at Admin. All students have their library session on either a Thursday (4W, 4B and Preprimary) or Friday (Kindy, 5, 2, 3 and 1).

We look forward to another term of reading, reading... and even more reading!

Emma Debnam | Teacher Librarian

A beautiful day for the Junior Cross Country at Helena College, with an overall win for Kiara in Years 1-5. Everyone gave it their best, with the course hosted at the High School. 'Fast feet' and 'strong walks' could be seen, along with lots of support coming from their peers and families for each year group as they took to the track. The results were extremely close, with Kiara taking the lead by 1 point! Thank you too the spectators who came to watch and to the staff for their support on the day. A huge congratulations to to everyone, you made it.

Lisa Good | Physical Education and Health Teacher

The Middle School Media students have been busy bringing their creative ideas to life through a range of exciting film projects this term. Our Year 6 students have been enthusiastically filming their Western scenes, experimenting with costumes, camera angles and classic genre conventions. Year 7 students have been working collaboratively to create energetic music videos, while the Year 8 classes have stepped into the role of journalists as they film and edit their own news stories. 

In Year 9 Media, students are building suspense and tension through the production of dramatic trailer sequences, carefully applying camera work, sound and editing techniques to engage audiences. Meanwhile, the Year 10 students have embraced the stylised world of Film Noir, using lighting, framing and narrative conventions to create their own short noir films. These behind-the-scenes images capture some of the creativity, collaboration and technical skill involved in the Year 8 and Year 10 productions, showcasing the enthusiasm and talent of our Media students across the Lower School.

Heather Owen | Media & Film Teacher

It has been an incredibly busy and productive first half of Term Two for our Outdoor Education cohorts, with students across all year levels putting their preparation into practice through challenging practical units and expeditions.

Our Semester One Year 9 students successfully undertook their highly anticipated three-day, two-night expedition in Wellington National Park. This multi-discipline camp saw the students put their campcraft, hiking, and mountain biking skills to the test. Although the autumn weather was chilly, the rain held off, allowing the cohort to enjoy a highly rewarding experience in one of WA's most scenic national parks.

The Year 10 classes have officially concluded their unit on kayaking. Having mastered the fundamentals of kayak control, the students have now transitioned to canoeing for the remainder of the semester. Their progress will culminate later this term with an immersive day trip, where they will navigate a section of the Swan River using their newly acquired paddling skills.

The Year 11 class recently completed their first major milestone of the year: a demanding three-day mountain biking expedition. Riding the route between Jarrahdale and Dwellingup, the students covered nearly 75km of undulating terrain, wrapping up their journey on the technical single tracks of Dwellingup. Aside from a fantastic team-building experience, the ride served as an excellent diagnostic tool, helping students identify key technical and fitness areas to refine before their next major expedition in Semester Two.

Finally, our Year 12 leaders concluded their roping unit with a spectacular finale at Mountain Quarry. Students pushed their boundaries by abseiling down the daunting 50-metre main face—a challenge that demanded absolute focus, trust, and the application of safety protocols learned throughout Term One. With the heights behind them, the Year 12s have now turned their attention to whitewater canoeing preparation in anticipation of their rugged canoeing and caving expedition early in Term Three.

Well done to all of the students for their outstanding grit, leadership, and enthusiasm so far this term!

Joel Cullen | Outdoor Education Teacher

Disclaimer: Inclusion in the Helena College Noticeboard is at the College's discretion and does not imply endorsement. Information for listings is supplied by third-party participants and organisations, with sole responsibility for the accuracy and further use. The following are this edition's submissions:

Spectrum Space

At Spectrum Space, they create spaces where autistic young people and adults can thrive - just as they are. They are now accepting Expressions of Interest for three programs in Midland: 

AWESOME & YES (ages 10 - 18) Strengths‑based social programs where young people connect with like‑minded peers, explore shared interests, and build genuine friendships in a supportive, neuro‑affirming environment.

Step Into Social (SIS) (ages 18+) Fortnightly Saturday gatherings offering opportunities to connect, share meals, explore Perth, and be part of a welcoming community.

Ready to get social? Submit an EOI to start the enrolment process: www.spectrumspace.org.au/social-programs/eoi/

Speak with one of our team to learn more (08) 9431 2111 | info@spectrumspace.org.au

The following are other submissions received for inclusion in this edition of the newsletter:

Australian Sports Camps

Maths Expo

Football Camps Australia

The following links are for companies that provide tutoring and revision for exams

Mastermind

The Academic Group

The Exam Experts