Firbank Grammar School

CELEBRATING OUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS | On Saturday, we hosted our International Student Showcase and it was an amazing opportunity for international students at Firbank to share their talents and express their ideas through performance and visual art.

The theme of this year’s showcase was Journey. Each international student has embarked on their own journey here at Firbank. Every journey is unique. It can be exciting, challenging, uncertain and transformative. It is filled with happiness, tears, love, respect, passion and so much more.

Every journey is different, yet they all share something in common: they are real, they are unforgettable, and they have become an important part of Firbank's story.

The three paintings painted at the event represented the stages of this experience: settling, transitioning and achieving. Each one captures a moment in the growth of our international students as they find their confidence and their voice.

Firbank Grammar is proud to walk alongside our international students and their friends, celebrating the pride they bring to our school and the pride we feel for each and every one of them. 💛

VIETNAM PARTNERSHIP | What an inspiring milestone for Firbank Grammar School and our partners in Vietnam.

On 1 June, International Children’s Day, Firbank formalised a landmark partnership with the D**g Binh Duong Urban Development Group (DBD) to establish the Saigon Melbourne Interlevel School (SMIS) in Ho Chi Minh City. The official signing and ceremony brought together representatives from MOET, Austrade, Global Victoria, RMIT and AusCham Vietnam, reflecting the strength of the Australia–Vietnam education relationship.

Our Principal, Jenny Williams, said that:
“This exciting new school will deliver a high-quality Australian curriculum, shaped by Firbank’s educational philosophy. It represents not only an academic opportunity of the highest standard, but also a commitment to developing globally minded young people.”

She also highlighted the values that will guide this partnership:
“Firbank Grammar School is widely recognised for its strong academic outcomes, its deep commitment to student wellbeing and its focus on educating the whole person. These values will underpin the development of the Saigon Melbourne Interlevel School.”

The project marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration grounded in trust, shared purpose and a vision to create a school of choice for families in Vietnam. It was especially meaningful to have Ms Emma McDonald, Austrade’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner and a proud Firbank alumna (Class of 1990) join us for this occasion.

Follow-up meetings with DBD leadership have already begun, with construction scheduled to commence later this year. SMIS is expected to open in August 2027, initially welcoming students in Years 6 and 10.

A wonderful step forward for international education, and a proud moment for the Firbank community.

G*T DAY - DONE | A big congratulations to our Year 11 and 12 students who completed the G*T on Tuesday. The G*T is the General Achievement Test, used to statistically moderate school-based marks and calculate substitute scores should a student not be able to complete an exam/s at the end of the year.

This is an important moment in their VCE journey, and they approached it with maturity, preparation and a calm strength that makes us so proud. Well done! 💫

*T *T2026

BAYSPEAK COMPETITION | Our Year 12 student Cecilia C, has been crowned the winner of Bayspeak 2026. Bayspeak is a youth public speaking competition around Bayside run by the Rotary Clubs of Brighton and Sandringham.

After taking out her heat in May, she impressed judges with her speech ‘Taxes and Sleep’.

She’ll now compete against other Rotary club winners at the Grand Final on June 15 at Melbourne Girls’ College. Congratulations, Cecilia! 👏✨

VIC METRO SUCCESS LEADS TO ALL AUSTRALIAN TEAM | A huge congratulations to Talia F and Georgia N (Year 10) who were selected to represent the AFL Victoria Metro Team in the U16 Girls Marsh AFL National Development Championships in the last school holidays.

This is the highest standard of representative state and territory football and features the most talented under 16 players from across Australia who are the next generation of stars in the game.

Vic Metro's first game on April 9, against Vic Country, saw them come away with a win (7.6.48 def 3.11.29) followed by a loss against South Australia a week later (3.6.24 def by 7.7.49). In the first game Talia scored a great goal while Georgia impressed coming out of defence with 31 disposals, helping earn her a spot in the U16 Girls All Australian Team! Congratulations Georgia. ⭐

GALA BALL 2026 | Join us in the Year of Curiosity for the 2026 Firbank Grammar Gala Ball. It will be a night to remember full of music, food and fun. We are excited to gather our community for an event to remember. You won't want to miss out! 💫

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor Maritima Brighton

Get your tickets https://events.humanitix.com/firbank-grammar-gala-ball-2026

DUKE OF EDINBURGH | Celebrating an incredible achievement at Firbank! Matilda D, Zara Fand Chloe R have officially earned their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, a milestone that reflects their resilience, independence and leadership. This ceremony recognised the extraordinary effort made by each recipient to achieve the highest standard of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

From completing the Summit to Sea Expedition, to dedicating over 12 months to service, physical activity and skill development, these girls have shown extraordinary commitment. Their efforts included coaching junior swimmers and netballers, volunteering in school leadership, and pursuing both team and individual sporting goals.

We are very proud of their dedication and perseverance. Congratulations girls!

AEROBICS SUCCESS | Congratulations to our Firbank Aerobics teams!
Over the weekend, six teams from Turner House and Sandringham House competed at the FISAF State Championships, with all six qualifying for the National Championships on the Gold Coast later this year.

An outstanding effort saw the teams bring home two gold, four silver and one bronze medal, an incredible achievement! We couldn’t be prouder. ✨

All In for Reconciliation 🌼| This National Reconciliation Week, we embraced the theme ‘All In’, a reminder that we each play a role in supporting reconciliation and protecting the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

From a powerful student-led assembly, to attending the Worawa Reconciliation Sports Carnival, to our ‘Wear a Touch of Yellow Day’ supporting Children’s Ground, the week has been full of meaningful action.

At Worawa Aboriginal College, students began the day with a smoking ceremony and welcome before competing across sports in true ‘All In’ spirit alongside 23 schools. Highlights included Bella (Year 8) placing 2nd in the 100m sprint and Laelani (Year 10) and Cata (Year 9) were a part of the AFL team that came 2nd overall.

A week of reflection, connection and community 💛