Fintona Girls' School

A visit to Melbourne Water’s Western Treatment Plant provided our Year 7 students with a first-hand look at the essential infrastructure that keeps Melbourne running.

Students explored how wastewater is treated and recycled, renewable energy is generated, and resources are recovered. They also learnt about some of the sustainability challenges connected to managing Melbourne’s water for its growing population and the vital role the treatment plant plays in protecting public health and the environment.

The excursion was an invaluable opportunity to see geography and sustainability in action beyond the classroom.

It was a birthday celebration with a difference for our Prep students.🎉

Celebrating a literacy milestone of learning all the single letter sounds, our students threw a party for Milo Monkey, the central character in 'Milo’s Birthday Surprise' book that forms part of the Little Learners Love Literacy program.

Through their learning, students have been getting to know Milo Monkey and his friends who each represent a letter of the alphabet, so the celebration was a fun way to bring the characters to life.

Not only did students come dressed as Milo’s friends, but their teacher, Miss Miers, also joined in the party fun dressed as Peter the Penguin.

Congratulations to Emilie, Mahlia and Shenara (Year 12) who competed in the semi-finals of the National High School Mooting Competition at Bond University last weekend.

Fintona was one of just 12 teams to progress to the semi-finals from a field of 65 schools. Our students impressed the judges with their well-reasoned legal arguments and thoughtful responses to challenging questions.

A special congratulations to Mahlia, who was recognised as the third best oralist in the semi-finals.

Hosted by the Faculty of Law at Bond University on the Gold Coast, the competition provides Year 11 and 12 students with the opportunity to step into the role of a lawyer, develop their courtroom advocacy skills and receive valuable feedback from experienced legal professionals.

Hot off the press – the Autumn/Winter Fintona File is out now!

Featuring news and highlights from Semester 1, click the link below to read the 89th edition.

https://issuu.com/fintona/docs/fintona_file_autumn_winter_2026

Our Early Learning Centre and Junior School enjoyed the cosiest day on the calendar, Pyjama Day, while supporting the important work of the charity, Our Village (formerly St Kilda Mums).

Students and staff wore their favourite sleepwear and gathered for a special assembly with a surprise performance by the student rock group, the Pyjama Band.

The celebrations formed part of a week of fundraising activities, with students also taking part in a soft toy sleepover in the School Library. In the dark of the night, the toys got up to all sorts of mischief including midnight feasts and there was even photo proof to show the students when they collected their toys.

Most importantly, students collected donations of sleepwear, bedding, coats and hats to help keep families warm this winter.

Thank you to our community for supporting this important cause and helping make a difference to those in need.

Congratulations to Lucy (Year 12) on achieving the highest level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, the Gold Award.

Having commenced the program in Year 9 at Bronze level, Lucy has spent the past two years completing the rigorous requirements of this prestigious award across five areas: voluntary service, physical recreation, skills, an adventurous journey and a residential project. Highlights for Lucy have included volunteering with St John Ambulance as a Youth First Responder and a five day World Challenge hike in New Zealand.

Lucy received her Gold Award at a special ceremony at Government House last week. This outstanding achievement reflects Lucy’s leadership, perseverance and commitment to challenging herself beyond the classroom.

Competing against 22 other schools, our Cross Country team excelled at this year’s GSV Championship Cross Country Carnival at Cruden Farm.

Congratulations to:

🏃‍♀️Eliza (Year 11) who came 1st in the Senior Division 3 race

🏃‍♀️Ibby (Year 12) in 4th place

🏃‍♀️Sofia (Year 12) in 6th

🏃‍♀️Kathryn (Year 11) in 11th

🏃‍♀️Lemary (Year 5) who placed 19th overall and Chloe (Year 5) in 21st place in the Year 5/6 race

🏃‍♀️The Senior team who secured 1st place overall in Division 3

🏃‍♀️The Junior and Intermediate teams who both placed 7th

What terrific achievements for our runners, reflecting their commitment, determination and teamwork throughout the Cross Country season.

Congratulations to our Year 6 students, Hayley and Zoha who represented Fintona at the Kew Primary School Leaders’ Forum hosted by Jess Wilson MP, Member for Kew and Leader of the Opposition.

Held in the Legislative Assembly chamber, it gave students the opportunity to raise issues that are important to them and their communities.

Drawing on their civics learning and public speaking skills, Hayley spoke about the valuable contribution of volunteer firefighters and ways to encourage volunteering, while Zoha spoke about the impact of the North East Link Project and proposed suggestions to help minimise disruption for local residents.

The forum provided a unique opportunity for our students to share their views on important issues with students from across Melbourne.

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, All In, guided a week of learning, reflection and connection across our School.

Students and staff experienced Indigenous music, art and storytelling, and enjoyed Indigenous-inspired food experiences. Reconciliation Week assemblies featured student presentations and powerful choir performances of Midnight Oil’s 'Beds Are Burning'. First Nations guests shared their stories and the importance of listening, understanding and respect.

We also raised funds for Children’s Ground, supporting opportunities for First Nations children and communities.

Thank you to everyone for participating and being All In.