Luther College

What a fun and comfortable way to finish the term!

Students and staff embraced Wellbeing Pyjama and Comfy Clothes Day and BBQ, enjoying a relaxed final day of term while continuing to support our Casual for a Cause fundraising efforts for ALWS and communities in Somalia. With the wintery weather setting in, many gathered for a lunchtime BBQ, sharing good food, great company and plenty of smiles.

Earlier this term, our Casual for a Cause Day raised an incredible $1,663.45, reflecting the generosity and compassion of our Luther community. Funds raised help support the work of ALWS and LWF Kenya-Somalia, creating opportunities for children with disabilities and people with specific needs to access education, support and improved wellbeing.

Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered and got involved. It was a wonderful way to finish the term while making a meaningful difference for others. We look forward to sharing the total funds raised across our Casual for a Cause initiatives when we return next term.

Wishing everyone a safe, restful and well-deserved break. We look forward to welcoming our community back for another exciting term of learning and connection.

Last Friday night, the gym was transformed into a sea of colour, costumes and fun as our Year 12 College Captains hosted the annual Year 12 Trivia Night.

Students formed teams, embraced creative dress-up themes and put their knowledge to the test across a series of challenging and entertaining trivia rounds, all while enjoying pizza and snacks with friends.

It was a fantastic way for the cohort to celebrate the end of a busy term of learning. As Unit 3 draws to a close and Unit 4 begins, our Year 12 students are now looking ahead to their final semester of secondary school.

Thank you to our College Captains for organising such a memorable evening and to all students and staff who joined in the fun and made the night such a success.

Last Friday, our House Captains spent their lunchtime sorting through the many bags, crates and cases of clothing donated by Luther families in support of the Maroondah Winter Shelter Appeal. There were plenty of socks, jackets, t-shirts, trackpants and other warm clothing items, and yesterday these donations were proudly handed over and collected by the shelter team, ready to support members of our community during the colder months.

Moments like these are what Service Learning is all about, giving our students the chance to live out one of Luther's core values and experience firsthand the impact that generosity and community spirit can have on those in need.

To all our families – thank you for your generous donations and for being part of our clothing drive. Together, we are making a meaningful difference.

Finding order in the chaos!

Last weekend, our Year 12 Theatre students took to the stage at the Knox Community Arts Centre for two performances of Chaos, the culmination of their Unit 3 Theatre Studies coursework.

Through a series of interconnected scenes, Chaos explored the complexities of adolescence, identity, love, loss and the search for meaning in an ever-changing world. The production challenged audiences to reflect on the connections that bind us together, even in life's most uncertain moments.

From the first rehearsal to the final curtain call, students demonstrated outstanding creativity, commitment and collaboration, bringing this thought-provoking work to life with confidence and skill. Production Week showcased an exceptional level of focus, teamwork and investment from every student. Their willingness to support one another, solve problems together and remain committed to achieving the best possible outcome was a testament to the strength of the class.

The production also highlighted the power of experiential learning. Through the shared experience of creating something meaningful together, students were challenged to learn by doing, reflect on their experiences and grow as artists and collaborators. Along the way, they developed their skills in communication, creativity, adaptability and teamwork, responding to challenges and feedback in real time.

Congratulations to our Year 12 Theatre students on a wonderful production and a memorable achievement in their final year of studies.

Congratulations to all students who took part in our recent House Chess Tournament. Across seven intense rounds, students demonstrated outstanding skill, strategic thinking and sportspersonship, with many matches going right down to the final move.

Yarra House claimed victory by the narrowest of margins, finishing just half a point ahead of both Nelson and Wicklow.

With Nelson and Wicklow tied for second place, a thrilling three-minute blitz match was held to determine the final placings. Well done to Isaiah and Jack, who produced a high quality contest under pressure as more than 60 spectators watched on.

Congratulations to Yarra House on their victory, and to all competitors for an excellent day of chess.

Last week, as part of their Year 9 Conspiracy Theories studies, students set out to investigate one of Australia’s most enduring political mysteries: What really happened to Prime Minister Harold Holt when he disappeared in 1967?

Travelling to Point Nepean and Cheviot Beach, where Holt was last seen, students examined evidence, considered environmental conditions, analysed primary sources and evaluated the conspiracy theories that have emerged over the decades. Back in the classroom, they will use their historical inquiry skills to develop and defend their own evidence-based conclusions about what happened on that summer day almost 60 years ago.

What a great day out for hands-on learning!

What a fun way to finish the week!

This year’s Staff vs Year 12 Netball Match brought plenty of energy and friendly competition to the gym at lunchtime today. With Captains Harvey and Callum providing live commentary, music setting the atmosphere, and a large crowd cheering from the sidelines, the stage was set for an exciting contest.

The standard of play was impressive, with both teams giving it their all in a fast-paced and highly competitive game. Despite a determined challenge from the Year 12s, the staff team held their nerve to confidently claim the win!

On a chilly winter’s day, there was no shortage of action to keep everyone warm. It was a fantastic way to celebrate community, connection, and a little healthy rivalry.

Congratulations to all of our students who recently competed in the Victorian Secondary Schools Challenge, representing the College with determination, teamwork and pride throughout the tournament.

There were some fantastic performances across all age groups, with our Development U15 Boys crowned Division 2 Champions and progressing through to Finalists Day coming up at the State Basketball Centre on 16 June.

Our U17 Boys and U19 Girls both advanced through to their Grand Finals after outstanding tournament campaigns, while several other teams reached the semi-final stage and competed strongly throughout the day.

Across the competition, students demonstrated resilience, sportsmanship and great energy, representing the College with excellence both on and off the court.

A special thank you to all staff and coaches involved in preparing and supporting our students in the lead up to the competition and throughout the day. Your time, encouragement and commitment continue to provide incredible opportunities for our students to grow, compete and thrive.

Over the past two weeks, our annual House Public Speaking Competition has inspired, entertained and challenged our thinking, as students across every year level stepped forward to represent their House with confidence, creativity and conviction.

From Year 7 students bravely stepping onto the stage for the very first time, to our Year 12 speakers delivering their final speeches after years of proudly representing their Houses, the competition showcased an impressive range of talent, confidence and growth across every year level.

This year’s format brought an exciting twist, with students from each House and year level drawing their speech topics from a hat during a special lunchtime session. The result? Every audience experienced a completely different set of ideas, arguments and perspectives, making each competition unique, engaging and thought-provoking.

Students explored a wide range of contemporary and thought-provoking topics, including whether “Being an influencer is over-rated”, how “AI teaches students how to cheat and stops us learning”, and whether “Students would learn more if they could learn from home two days a week”. Other speakers tackled broader social questions such as “Technology has made us more connected online but more lonely in real life” and even debated whether “Billionaires should not exist”.

Beyond the speakers themselves, students also took on important House leadership roles behind the scenes - brainstorming ideas, writing, editing and supporting one another throughout the process.

Across every House, students delivered strong, well-researched speeches, dynamic partnerships and highly engaging presentations that captivated audiences and sparked meaningful discussion.

Congratulations to all students involved for the courage, preparation and passion they brought to this year’s competition.

This week, we were delighted to welcome back basketball sensation and Class of 2016 Alumni Kiera Rowe.

Kiera returned to Luther on Wednesday to connect with and inspire a group of Middle Years students through an active session in the gym, followed by a healthy breakfast and conversation. The session was designed to bring young female students together in a warm and supportive environment, with a focus on wellbeing, nutrition, confidence and leadership. Students invited had consistently demonstrated enthusiasm and effort, supported their teammates, worked hard, and made positive contributions to our community.

Opportunities like this play an important role in encouraging students to remain involved in sport and physical activity - and who better to share that message than Kiera herself!

After leaving Luther in Year 11 to pursue her basketball dream at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Kiera went on to represent Australia on the world stage, competing in international tournaments and playing in the WNBL. She is a shining example of what dedication, resilience, and the courage to back yourself can achieve.

We are incredibly proud of everything Kiera has accomplished and so grateful that she continues to stay connected with the Luther College community.