Cornish College

Cornish Conversations: A New Vision for Wellbeing

Join us for the official launch of our Wellbeing Master Plan - a whole-school roadmap reflecting our shared commitment to supporting the wellbeing of students, staff and families.

We’re excited to be joined by Laurent Julicher, Deputy Principal – Head of Learning, who will open the conversation, along with special guest speaker Dr Julia Hill, Lecturer in Mathematics and Numeracy Education at RMIT University and Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne.

Dr Hill brings expertise in educational psychology and is the developer of the Mathematical Wellbeing (MWB) Framework. Her research shows a strong link between wellbeing and achievement, when students feel good and function well in mathematics, they learn better.
This important conversation will explore the connection between mind, learning and wellbeing, and what it means for our young people today.

📅 Thursday 11 June
🕖 7.00pm
📍 Senior Studies Centre

Suitable for all parents, we warmly invite you to be part of this inspiring evening.

Please register here to attend: https://events.humanitix.com/cornish-conversations-a-new-vision-for-wellbeing

Today we begin National Reconciliation Week 2026.

As we mark this important week, we reflect on this year’s theme, All In for Reconciliation - a reminder that reconciliation is a shared journey, shaped through learning, listening, respect and action.

This beautiful mural, created by students and teachers in collaboration with Bunurong/Trawlwoolway artist Aunty Vicki Thomas. Inspired by the stories, landscapes and spirit of our College, the artwork reflects connection to Country, community and the journey of our students. Framed by manna gum branches, it features the pathways through our school, our wetlands and native birdlife, all watched over by Bunjil.

Today also marks the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, a significant moment in Australia’s history that reminds us of the importance of collective action and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.

Throughout this week, we look forward to sharing stories, learning experiences and moments of reflection from across our College community.

Transforming space, rethinking what we grow, and learning through experimentation. 🌿

What was once a run-down orchard with limited planting is now being reimagined as a thriving food forest, a living learning space for students to explore sustainable agriculture and future-focused growing practices.

We are shifting away from traditional stone fruit varieties, which previously went largely unused over the Christmas period, and instead focusing on more resilient and seasonally appropriate plantings. Citrus remains part of the landscape, while we are also exploring more tropical varieties that align with changing conditions and fruiting cycles.

One of the latest additions is Rollinia, a tropical fruit tree that reflects this broader approach to experimentation, adaptability and learning through doing.

This evolving space is helping students understand not just what we grow, but why we grow it. 🌱

Small hands are capable of big things. 🌿

Using real tools alongside trusted adults, children in our ELC engage in meaningful, hands-on experiences that build fine motor skills, persistence, self-control and confidence. From caring for gardens to creating, building and exploring, these moments encourage independence and a strong sense of agency from an early age.

Set within our natural environment and guided by our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, learning at Cornish is purposeful, engaging and deeply connected to the real world. Watching children take pride in “real work” is a powerful reminder of just how capable they truly are.

Find out more: https://www.cornishcollege.vic.edu.au/curriculum/elc/

Small but mighty... Our Equestrian Team certainly made their mark at the 2026 Interschools State Championships at Boneo Park🐴

Competing across Showing, Dressage, Showjumping and Combined Training, our riders rode their hearts out and achieved some fantastic results along the way.

Out of 163 schools and close to 600 competitors, our team proudly placed 18th overall, an incredible achievement!

Congratulations to Chelsea , Sienna , Safari and Aurelia for representing the College with determination, teamwork and plenty of horse power 🤎

Storyboards, strong opinions and creative breakthroughs 🎥

Creative conversations have been flowing in the Media classroom as our VCE Units 3 & 4 students take part in folio consultations, an important step in bringing their production ideas from “maybe this could work…” to “wait… this is actually really good.”

From refining concepts and solving production challenges to exploring cinematography, editing and storytelling techniques, these sessions give students the chance to sharpen both their technical skills and creative vision.

There’s something pretty special about watching ideas evolve in real time... especially when collaboration, curiosity and a few “what if we tried this?” moments are involved.

We can’t wait to see these productions come to life on screen 🍿

STEM in action through curiosity, experimentation and discovery. 🔬

Students are actively applying STEM skills and knowledge as they explore forces, motion, and cause-and-effect through hands-on experimentation. Learning is driven by curiosity, with students embracing trial and error as they test ideas, refine thinking and build persistence.

Collaboration is at the centre of the experience, with learners developing communication and teamwork skills as they solve problems together and share discoveries.

This is future-focused learning in action through our Design Futures program: Design Futures

Found out more > https://www.cornishcollege.vic.edu.au/design-futures/

Big conversations, brave ideas and a room full of future changemakers 💭🌏

Last week, our Year 6–12 student leaders gathered in the Co-lab for our Social Justice Conference, a day dedicated to listening, learning and asking the kinds of questions that don’t always have easy answers.

We were privileged to hear from Steve Phillips from Community Support Frankston and Abbas Amiry from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, who challenged students to think beyond headlines and statistics, and instead focus on people, experiences and community.

From there, students rolled up their sleeves for workshops exploring social justice through the lenses of personal, environmental, socio-cultural and urban/technological sustainability. (You know, casual lunch time convos 😅)

The result? Thoughtful discussions, powerful reflections and plenty of moments that reminded us just how insightful young people can be when given the space to lead.

Because creating a more inclusive future doesn’t start “one day”, it starts with conversations like these. 💬

Some lessons happen at a desk.
Some happen beneath the trees. 🌿

At Cornish College, our students are surrounded by more than 100 acres of natural landscape, giving them the space to run, explore, question, create and connect with the world around them.

Because learning doesn’t only happen inside four walls.

Research shows that outdoor learning in the early years can improve attention spans, build confidence, strengthen social skills and support emotional wellbeing. Studies have also found that children under 5 who regularly engage in nature-based play demonstrate stronger language development, problem-solving abilities and gross motor skills.

For our youngest learners in ELC especially, nature becomes the classroom. Every log, trail, puddle and open space is an opportunity to discover something new.

And the difference in engagement, curiosity and joy is extraordinary.

This is the Cornish way — learning amongst it. 🍃

Connection, belonging and leadership across every stage of learning. 💛

The Buddy Program at Cornish brings together Year 8 students with younger peers from ELC 3 & 4 and Years 3 & 4, building meaningful relationships that continue throughout the year.

For younger students, having an older buddy creates a sense of comfort, confidence and connection within the College community. Whether sharing stories, participating in activities or simply spending time together, these relationships help students feel supported and seen.

For Year 8 students, the program provides an opportunity to develop leadership, empathy and responsibility as positive role models for younger learners. Through these regular interactions, students learn the value of patience, communication and community.

More than just a program, the Buddy experience helps foster a culture of care and belonging across the College, where students of all ages learn with and from one another. 🌿