A warm welcome to all of our families and staff at the Junior Campus as we begin the 2026 school year.
It has been a vibrant and energetic start to the year. On our first day, our staff and Year 8 students proudly welcomed our newest members of the Junior community, our Year 7 students. A special highlight was our combined campus assembly, where the Year 7 cohort of 2026 was formally introduced to our Junior Campus. It was a wonderful way to begin the year together and celebrate this important milestone.
The first three weeks for our Year 7s as they begin their secondary school journey are often a time of growth, adjustment, and discovery. It is normal for students to experience a mix of excitement and nervousness. Everything feels new, new classrooms, new teachers, new classmates, and new routines. Learning how to navigate a larger campus, follow a secondary school timetable, use lockers, and move between classes can feel overwhelming at first. There is also the challenge of remembering different teachers’ expectations and adapting to a greater level of independence and yet our Year 7s have coped with all these changes showing courage and resilience.
I would like to share some of the experiences from our year 7s
- “Be open to try new things as you are welcome here at Penola. I am grateful to be here” Annika T 7E
- “It has been great to meet friends that make me laugh and feel comfortable being at Penola. I feel like I was welcomed from the first day” Edwina M 7I
- “The teachers have been really helpful and kind making it easy to feel welcomed. So happy I chose Penola” Mary M 7I
- “My homeroom makes me feel like I can be myself and be able to participate in learning. I am glad I came to Penola” Daniella P 7E
- “I have enjoyed being able to explore new things in subjects like Math's and English for example studying the origins of fairytales” Matthew B 7I
We congratulate our year 7s of 2026 on their smooth transition to Penola.
Our Year 8 students have returned to school enthusiastic, focused, and ready to embrace their second year of high school. Many have already formed connections with our incoming Year 7 students, warmly offering friendship and a sense of familiarity as they begin their journey in a new environment. Our Year 8 students have played a significant role in fostering a culture of inclusiveness and community across the Junior Campus, helping to ensure that all students feel welcomed, supported, and valued. Year 8's we congratulate you on your successful start to 2026.
In the coming weeks student leaders will be elected these positions include Class Captains and Penola Student Council members. If your child is interested in leadership, please encourage them to speak to their homeroom teacher and year level coordinators.
Our Penola Ambassador program has also been launched offering opportunities to all our junior students to be part of a leadership program in 2026.
Upcoming Events
Next Tuesday at our Opening Mass held on the Senior Campus our Year 7 students will process into our Sports and Activity Hall where they will be presented for the first time to our entire Penola Catholic College community.
Family Partnership Meetings are scheduled to take place on March 17 for our year 7 and 8 students. This is a prime opportunity for teachers, students and their families to share information that will enhance and support your child’s learning.
On March 1 - 5 Year 7 reflection days will take place they will be held at the Hope Centre in Glenroy. Another opportunity for students to build relationships with their teachers and their peers.
We look forward to seeing all our new families at our annual welcome dinner on March 26 at the Junior Campus.
Looking forward to another eventful year ahead.
