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Seizing every learning opportunity
It is with immense joy that I write this newsletter from Busan, South Korea, where I am engaging in STEM learning alongside three of our outstanding students. They are currently participating in the 2025 APEC Youth STEM Conference, presenting their work to peers, politicians, and leading experts in climate change. These students truly embody what it means to be an OLSH learner — seeking out real-world learning opportunities and developing projects with the potential to change lives.
While not every student can attend an event like the APEC conference, I encourage all our learners to seize every opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills.
In the coming weeks, all students will finalise their 2026 subject selections. This process has involved careful thought, discernment, and discussion to ensure the best possible choices. Regardless of year level, subject selections should always be guided by three key questions: What do I enjoy? What am I good at? How will this support my future aspirations? Thank you to parents and students for your active support in this important process.
We are also approaching the final weeks of the Issoudun alternative program, Nous Sommes. Students have thrived in the diverse learning opportunities it has offered and will soon transition back to a more traditional classroom setting. One of the program’s key goals is to empower students to take ownership of their learning and to step beyond the comfort zones we so often inhabit. Congratulations to all who embraced the challenge and found personal success
OLSH represented at the APEC STEM Youth Conference
Three OLSH students - Isabelle, Samantha and Jessica - have been in participating in the APEC STEM Youth Conference this week in Busan, South Korea. They were selected from students across Asia-Pacific to research and present a topic that provides a youth-led STEM Solution to Strengthening Climate Resilience for a Prosperous and Connected APEC. Our students were selected for the top 10 teams invited to the conference and they are the only Australian delegates. They’ve been working since early this year with their partners from other countries on their research and will present that at the conference this week.
Each of the teams presented their research findings in an expo format to visitors to their booths, and also presented their topic on stage to a large audience. Here's a reflection from each of the students on the work they've been doing and what they were looking forward to at the Conference.
"I’ve been working on a data-driven framework that uses sensor technology to monitor and support the health of mangrove ecosystems. This helps strengthen natural coastal defences and protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of climate change. I’m most looking forward to connecting with peers and experts who share a passion for innovative, science-based climate solutions. I’m so excited to get to exchange ideas, learn from others, and be part of a community driving real-world impact!" - Isabelle
"Each team needed to create a research report on a climate resilience topic. With two other students from overseas, my team's focus was the implementation of AI into Flood Early Warning Systems. I am looking forward to the different site visits and cultural experiences the conference takes us to." - Jessica
"My team and I chose to investigate a way to reduce excess carbon dioxide levels in urban areas through the use of activated charcoal made from coconut shells. Our project explored how this sustainable method could be engineered into green wall systems as a way to improve plant and root biomass and strengthen climate resilience. After many months of communication online, I am looking to meeting my team members in person!" - Samantha
Jess' team won the award for APEC Connectivity, Samantha's team won the award for APEC Innovation and Isabelle's team won the major award for Future STEM Leader.
We are so proud of the work these students are doing and thank our passionate Head of Science Ms Byers for supporting their entry and participation at this prestigious event.
APEC Youth STEM Conference
APEC Youth STEM Conference
APEC Youth STEM Conference
APEC Youth STEM Conference
APEC Youth STEM Conference
APEC Youth STEM Conference
APEC Youth STEM Conference
APEC Youth STEM Conference
APEC Youth STEM Conference
APEC Youth STEM Conference
APEC Youth STEM Conference
APEC Youth STEM Conference
Gold Medal chefs
Congratulations to our Teen Chef participants Neeve, Harlie, Alana and Lily on their participation in the CGSAV competition. OLSH hosted students from Killester and Kilbreda and two chef judges for the event in our Food Tech space. Neeve and Harlie created a giant pappardelle with mushroom filling and a cream sauce for the main and Alanna and Lily produced a Paris-Brest with hazelnut mousseline cream for dessert. All teams received great feedback and tips from the chefs who rated the dishes as 'restaurant worthy'! OLSH and Kilbreda received Gold Medals, Killester received Silver and Kilbreda were the overall winners. Thank you to Mrs Smith and Fran for the work they have been doing with the team to prepare for this competition.
Teen Chef highlights
Teen Chef highlights
Teen Chef highlights
Teen Chef highlights
Teen Chef highlights
Teen Chef highlights
Teen Chef highlights
Teen Chef highlights
Teen Chef highlights
Teen Chef highlights
Teen Chef highlights
Our Year 10 English students were treated to a peek behind the curtain this week when the Bell Shakespeare company presented a rehearsal of excerpts from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It was a very engaging way to bring the story to life in a contemporary setting, and an opportunity for some audience participation by some of our students and staff.
Our Year 10 English students were treated to a peek behind the curtain this week when the Bell Shakespeare company presented a rehearsal of excerpts from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It was a very engaging way to bring the story to life in a contemporary setting, and an opportunity for some audience participation by some of our students and staff.
Our Year 10 English students were treated to a peek behind the curtain this week when the Bell Shakespeare company presented a rehearsal of excerpts from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It was a very engaging way to bring the story to life in a contemporary setting, and an opportunity for some audience participation by some of our students and staff.
Our Year 10 English students were treated to a peek behind the curtain this week when the Bell Shakespeare company presented a rehearsal of excerpts from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It was a very engaging way to bring the story to life in a contemporary setting, and an opportunity for some audience participation by some of our students and staff.
Our Year 10 English students were treated to a peek behind the curtain this week when the Bell Shakespeare company presented a rehearsal of excerpts from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It was a very engaging way to bring the story to life in a contemporary setting, and an opportunity for some audience participation by some of our students and staff.
Our Year 10 English students were treated to a peek behind the curtain this week when the Bell Shakespeare company presented a rehearsal of excerpts from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It was a very engaging way to bring the story to life in a contemporary setting, and an opportunity for some audience participation by some of our students and staff.
Our Year 10 English students were treated to a peek behind the curtain this week when the Bell Shakespeare company presented a rehearsal of excerpts from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It was a very engaging way to bring the story to life in a contemporary setting, and an opportunity for some audience participation by some of our students and staff.
Our Year 10 English students were treated to a peek behind the curtain this week when the Bell Shakespeare company presented a rehearsal of excerpts from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It was a very engaging way to bring the story to life in a contemporary setting, and an opportunity for some audience participation by some of our students and staff.
Our Year 12 PE students visited Triple Five Fitness in Bentleigh as part of their unit on 'How is training implemented effectively to improve fitness?'. Students took part in a HIIT session on the spin bikes and designed their own resistance training program.
Our Year 12 PE students visited Triple Five Fitness in Bentleigh as part of their unit on 'How is training implemented effectively to improve fitness?'. Students took part in a HIIT session on the spin bikes and designed their own resistance training program.
Our Year 12 PE students visited Triple Five Fitness in Bentleigh as part of their unit on 'How is training implemented effectively to improve fitness?'. Students took part in a HIIT session on the spin bikes and designed their own resistance training program.
Our Year 12 PE students visited Triple Five Fitness in Bentleigh as part of their unit on 'How is training implemented effectively to improve fitness?'. Students took part in a HIIT session on the spin bikes and designed their own resistance training program.
Our Year 12 PE students visited Triple Five Fitness in Bentleigh as part of their unit on 'How is training implemented effectively to improve fitness?'. Students took part in a HIIT session on the spin bikes and designed their own resistance training program.
Our Year 12 PE students visited Triple Five Fitness in Bentleigh as part of their unit on 'How is training implemented effectively to improve fitness?'. Students took part in a HIIT session on the spin bikes and designed their own resistance training program.
Our Year 12 PE students visited Triple Five Fitness in Bentleigh as part of their unit on 'How is training implemented effectively to improve fitness?'. Students took part in a HIIT session on the spin bikes and designed their own resistance training program.
Our Year 12 PE students visited Triple Five Fitness in Bentleigh as part of their unit on 'How is training implemented effectively to improve fitness?'. Students took part in a HIIT session on the spin bikes and designed their own resistance training program.
Give a Brighter Future: OLSH Stationery Drive
As part of their Year 12 Personal Development coursework, our students are organising a community project to collect new and pre-loved stationery for donation to schools in low socio-economic communities.
We chose this project because 1 in 5 Australian families struggle with the cost of schoolbooks and stationery.
We kindly ask for your new and pre-loved stationery of items such as:
- Pens and pencils
- Exercise books
- Rulers and erasers
- Pencil cases
- Art supplies
- And more!
Please bring your donations to your homeroom from Monday, 18 August to Friday, 22 August.
As OLSH people who seek to touch the hearts of others, your generosity will be deeply appreciated and will help give every student the opportunity for a brighter future.
Congratulations to students who received awards at assembly recently for their participation in debating, the Ethics Olympiad and the Model UN. The Ethics Olympiad is designed to get students thinking and ultimately working together on some of the tough moral issues of our time such as curfews for young people and AI.
The Model UN is an educational simulation of the United Nations, where students learn diplomacy, international relations, global issues, and how the UN is run and our students represented France and Chad.
Congratulations to students who received awards at assembly recently for their participation in debating, the Ethics Olympiad and the Model UN. The Ethics Olympiad is designed to get students thinking and ultimately working together on some of the tough moral issues of our time such as curfews for young people and AI.
The Model UN is an educational simulation of the United Nations, where students learn diplomacy, international relations, global issues, and how the UN is run and our students represented France and Chad.
Congratulations to students who received awards at assembly recently for their participation in debating, the Ethics Olympiad and the Model UN. The Ethics Olympiad is designed to get students thinking and ultimately working together on some of the tough moral issues of our time such as curfews for young people and AI.
The Model UN is an educational simulation of the United Nations, where students learn diplomacy, international relations, global issues, and how the UN is run and our students represented France and Chad.
