The inaugural Biretta Day marked a significant milestone for our Biretta Program and was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the curiosity, creativity and academic excellence that our students have developed throughout the year. Bringing together students, families, staff and alumni from our wider community, the day showcased the unique learning experiences that distinguish the Biretta Program and the authentic ways in which our students are challenged to think critically, communicate confidently and create meaningful impact.
Our Year 9 students concluded their Capstone journey by presenting sophisticated policy proposals and social enterprise solutions inspired by their recent China Academy Program immersion. Having spent two weeks engaging with students, educators and communities across China, they returned with new perspectives that informed their inquiry into real world issues. Their presentations reflected not only rigorous research but also a genuine appreciation for the importance of global citizenship and evidence informed decision making.
Congratulations to Athan Barbakas, Luca Finamore and Benjamin D’Souza, whose winning policy proposal advocated introducing plain cigarette packaging in China. Their presentation demonstrated an impressive understanding of public policy by aligning their recommendation with China’s Healthy China 2030 Initiative, arguing that plain packaging would strengthen existing government efforts to reduce smoking rates, raise public awareness of smoking related diseases and improve long term health outcomes.
Our Year 8 students equally impressed our judging panel as they pitched innovative solutions developed through their Design Thinking and Action Research projects. Throughout the semester, students investigated authentic problems, empathised with users, tested ideas and refined practical solutions to create positive change. The winning team of Sachin Modi, Spyros Saisanas and Eamon Loh presented a business solution: a school incursion designed to promote healthy eating habits among young people through interactive, gamified learning.
For many of our Year 7 students, Biretta Day represented their first opportunity to present their research to an authentic audience. Their research poster presentations showcased the inquiry skills they have developed during their first semester in the program, with students confidently discussing complex issues and responding to questions from the external judges. Congratulations to Aidan Abedi Tari, Jacob Petrucci and Sebastian Yeo, whose outstanding research investigated methods for reducing food waste in our communities. Their presentation highlighted practical and sustainable strategies while demonstrating the thoughtful research and analytical skills that underpin the Biretta curriculum.
Another highlight of the day was the inaugural China Academy Public Speaking Competition, where our high achieving students who participated in this year’s international immersion reflected on their learning experiences before an audience of peers, families and staff. Congratulations to Felix Redden, whose presentation comparing the education systems of China and Australia captivated the judging panel through its insight, confidence and thoughtful analysis.
The day also provided an opportunity for students across Years 7, 8 and 9 to undertake the Biretta Higher Ability Assessment and Academic Scholarship testing. These assessments form an important part of our ongoing commitment to identifying and supporting high potential learners, ensuring students are provided with opportunities that appropriately challenge and extend their abilities. We look forward to sharing the outcomes with students and families in the coming weeks.
As I watched students present throughout the day, I was reminded that the Biretta Program is about far more than academic acceleration. Whether investigating environmental sustainability, designing healthier communities or proposing national policy reform, our students demonstrated that meaningful learning happens when education extends beyond the classroom and connects with authentic audiences and real world challenges.
My sincere thanks go to our Capstone Leaders, Rushda Othman and Emma Wolley, for their dedication in guiding our students throughout this journey. I also extend my gratitude to our esteemed Salesian alumni, who returned to serve on our judging panels, reconnecting with the program and inspiring our current students by demonstrating the lasting impact of a Salesian education. Thank you also to our staff and families, whose support made this inaugural event possible. Most importantly, congratulations to every student who presented. The confidence to share your ideas, defend your thinking and engage thoughtfully with authentic audiences is an achievement in itself. I have no doubt that the inaugural Biretta Day has laid the foundation for a tradition that will continue to celebrate excellence, inspire innovation and showcase the remarkable potential of future generations of our Biretta students.
Hasan Talukder
Data & Enrichment Leader
If you’d like to find out more about our Select Entry Biretta Program, we invite you to join us for our Select Entry Biretta Information Evening on Monday 10 August, 2026 at 7:00pm.
REGISTRATIONS HERE
