This year, Nolan Celebration Day was a hit, it is always great seeing students get into house spirit through free sausages and drinks. As we had lots of sport activities set up in the background, it was a great all-round time to have our cohort relax as we approach the stressful end of the year, whilst keeping active through activities like tennis, soccer and footy. Overall, it was a great experience for all year levels!
As much as I would love to say that it was fate that brought Nolan to victory in the Treacy Cup this year, I must acknowledge all the hard work and effort the students in our cohort made this year. Whether it would be getting up early to participate in Brekky Van, or help at lunch times in the garden, there was always a Nolan student to be seen.
It was wonderful to see all Bodkin students come together to celebrate being a united House of Parade College. During Wellbeing period on Friday 28 August, all students congregated on Waterford Oval where they enjoyed each other’s company. A BBQ was provided as well as events and competitions like kicking an AFL football into a bin, soccer kick to hit the crossbar, relay events, chocolate toss, and board games were participated in. This continued the goal of building the culture and relationships in Bodkin House. It was fantastic to see students and staff interact with one another, participate in some fun activities, and build stronger bonds within and across year levels. A big thank you to the Bodkin House Student Leaders and Staff for organising, cooking the BBQ, and running the events on the day.
In Term 4, our Year 9 students will take part in a dedicated Development Day, hosted at the Preston Campus, designed to support their growth as young men and provide them with practical skills for navigating relationships, wellbeing, and the challenges of adolescence.
The day will combine workshops delivered by The Man Cave, with personal development sessions facilitated by the College Wellbeing Team. The Man Cave is a preventative mental health and emotional intelligence organisation that works specifically with boys and young men. Through interactive activities, videos and facilitated discussion, students will explore issues including mental health, masculine identity, gender equality, and inter-generational connection.
Alongside this, students will participate in College-led wellbeing and development activities focusing on friendship, personal values, and the way we treat one another. Together, the sessions are designed to encourage students to think more deeply about the kind of person they want to become, the relationships they build and the support structures they create around themselves.
Adolescence can be a challenging time as young people begin to establish their identity, develop greater independence, and navigate increasingly complex friendships and social expectations. This Development Day gives students an opportunity to explore these topics away from the usual classroom environment, while reinforcing the College's emphasis on positive relationships, respect, and resilience.
Students will alternate between The Man Cave program, and the College wellbeing workshops throughout the day, allowing every Year 9 student to experience both components. More than simply providing information, the day is intended to encourage reflection, honest conversation, and greater emotional awareness, while giving students strategies they can carry into their friendships, families, classrooms, and wider community.
We look forward to providing our Year 9 students with this valuable opportunity to connect with one another, strengthen their understanding of themselves and others, and continue developing the skills and values that will support them as they move through adolescence and into young adulthood.
On Friday 4 September, the Old Paradians Association hosted a liturgy for the Year 12 students, bringing in guest speakers and treating us to a sausage sizzle afterwards. It was an eye-opening experience that showed us the possibilities available after Parade College. The experiences shared by the Old Paradian speakers really illustrated the importance of maintaining connections even after graduating. Additionally, a video reel featuring photos from our time at Parade reminded all of us of the impact this journey has had on us. This liturgy has personally made me keen to join the Old Paradians Association and stay in touch after I graduate, as I am sure it has for many other Year 12 students.
Yacob Abraham Year 12 H06
Parade College remains committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and informed environment for all students. Recently, schools across Australia and internationally have reported incidents linked to a concerning social‑media trend commonly referred to as the “Tap Out Challenge,” also known as the blackout challenge, choking game, or fainting game.
This trend encourages young people to restrict another person’s breathing or blood flow until they lose consciousness, often while being filmed or observed by peers. Although it may be portrayed online as a harmless game, it carries significant and immediate risks, including head injuries, seizures, neurological damage, and in extreme cases, fatal outcomes.
At Parade College, thankfully we have not seen widespread engagement with this behaviour; however, we believe it is important to proactively educate our community about emerging online trends that may place students at risk.
Why we are sharing this information:
What families can do:
We encourage parents and carers to have calm, open conversations with their son or daughter about:
If your child reports any involvement in or exposure to this trend, please contact a member of the Student Wellbeing Team (House or Wellbeing leader) so we can provide appropriate support.
Parade College continues to monitor emerging online behaviours and works closely with students, staff, and families to maintain a safe learning environment.
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