VCE Legal Studies Virtual Excursion 2021: Supreme Court of Victoria - Court of Appeal

On 24 February 2021, Units 1 & 3 VCE Legal Studies students had a “virtual excursion” to the Supreme Court of Victoria – Court of Appeal. The students all sat in our Christine Strachan Theatre to receive a Zoom call from His Honour Justice Stephen Kaye, his Associate, Sarah Goegan and the representative of the courts education program, Christina Varcoe (all pictured).

His Honour was very impressed to be appearing before us on our “big screen”. His Honour shared insights into his extensive legal career as both a barrister and judge, noting that continually learning new things about the human condition has been his career highlight. He also expressed a wish to return to “normal” trials before his not-too-distant retirement, as he has been missing the usual court processes during the pandemic.

The students had done their research about Justice Kaye in the lead up to the excursion and Year 11 student Amy Vine was first to volunteer herself to ask a question. She queried how a judge separates their own beliefs and morals from their court decisions. His Honour described the delicate and nuanced task of remaining impartial while also acknowledging everyone’s own humanity.

Associate Goegan shared her experiences practising in employment law before joining the court and assisting in mostly criminal matters. She advised students to keep an open mind and give things a go, because you never know what you might end up really enjoying in your career. Sage advice for all our VCE students in particular!

Jacinta Marlborough

Legal Studies Teacher

Thermodynamics VCE Physics Excursion

Students of Year 11 Physics attended the program named VCE Masterclass: UNIT 1 Thermodynamics on 5th March 2021, offered by KIOSC so that they can carry out experiments with TI cameras and get deeper insight of the topic. In this program students carried out experiments to check the thermal conductivity of a variety of materials and check which materials they can choose to design a house. Later students proposed a design of a house that requires minimal energy input using the materials and appliances from the stelr housing kits.

Sulagna Monga

Learning Specialist Pedagogical Practice

Martis Bracelet: Celebrating the Arrival of Spring in Greece

Every year in Greece, on the 1st of March, children are offered a thin bracelet, made of red and white strings (symbols of purity and abundance), that has one, sole purpose: to protect the children’s cheeks from getting burnt from the March sun.

The Martis bracelet can have different forms, from very simple to very complicated ones. However, a simple cordon or twisted string would do, too. The bracelet must be woven or plaited on the last day of February. The name of Martis is derived from the name of the month of March (which in turns comes from the Latin name ‘Mars:’ the Roman version of the Greek God of War, Ares (Άρης).

Children wear the Martis bracelet until the end of the month, or, until they see the first swallow - and then they offer it to the birds ‘for the building of their nests’. An alternative tradition is to keep the bracelet until Easter and then burn it using an Easter candle lit by Holy Light (Agio Phos) at church; or, to tie it onto the leg of the lamb that is spit-roasted over an open fire on Easter Sunday.

Our students enjoyed making their own bracelets, helping each other to tie it around their wrists, saying “Kalo Mina” which means “Have a Good Month” – preferably one with lots of sun!

Dimitra Maniatis

LOTE Coordinator

Year 9 Humanities: Industrial Revolution Competition

During the past week, the Year 9 Humanities students have been working collaboratively to construct replica models of important inventions from the Industrial Revolution. As well as gaining an appreciation of the advancements of our ancestors, our students have demonstrated their skills in teamwork, communication, resourcefulness, and creativity. The impressive work of our Year 9s will be displayed for the community at our upcoming Open Night.

Kerryn Hoernel

English & Humanities Teacher

Celebrating the 200 Years of Hellenic Independence

On Sunday the 21st of March, we represented our school, South Oakleigh College, at the Official Ceremony marking the Bicentenary of the Hellenic Independence at the Eternal Flame, Shrine of Remembrance.

Sylvia and Maddie felt very proud singing both the Greek and Australian Anthems.

Dimitra Maniatis

LOTE Coordinator

VCE Chemistry Masterclass

Currently, one of our staff at SOC, Mr Kuruc, is running VCE Chemistry Masterclasses remotely.

These classes are free to attend and are streamed live. Session times and dates will be available soon for the holiday break and for Terms 2 and 3.

A live session was delivered last night from SOC that covered an introduction to electrolysis, industrial electrolytic cells, electroplating, application of Faraday's Laws and predicting products of electrolysis using the electrochemical series.

This curriculum material for many students is the next part of their current area of study. The thinking behind these Masterclasses is to equip students with essential knowledge, terminology and skills that can be applied immediately to their current course-work.

Attending these sessions gives students a snapshot of what their learning journey in chemistry is going to look like. These courses are specifically designed to introduce, 'unpack' and front-load the essentials without being too content-heavy.

Mr Kuruc has 30 years of experience in this space and enjoys maximising the potential of all students by equipping them with a framework of ideas to build upon.

Steven Kuruc

Chemistry Teacher

In2Science Mentor Program at SOC

Dear South Oakleigh College Community,

It is with pleasure that I inform you all about the In2Science mentor program that has become available for some lucky students. This opportunity is designed to further extend our top-band students with their studies, as we seek to enrich their learning experience by connecting them to opportunities and experiences beyond our school.

This program is free to us and involves a specially-trained University undergraduate coming into SOC once a week to work with your child to share, promote, engage and extend them in the areas of Maths and Science. The mentors will also spend time learning about your child, help them unpack their course-work and answer any questions they may have about tertiary life.

Working in pairs, SOC students will learn from their respective mentors about the journey to University from high school and look at a pathway to achieve this goal. Students will access their mentors during lunch or a designated time-slot in their timetable once a week for approximately an hour over the course of a term.

Students will work with mentors in a supervised area of the school during this time and mentors will work with me directly to plan and build programs that are tailored for your child. I look forward to hearing positive feedback from your child about this experience.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me:

steven.kuruc@education.vic.gov.au or 9579 2322

Steven Kuruc

Chemistry Teacher

In2Science Mentor Program

Last Friday at SOC, we recommenced our connection to In2Science.

We are now partnered up with RMIT through the work of Doc William Sullivan.

This program has a history of connecting 'mentors' (undergraduate students from Universities), to classrooms. Mentors have the role of value adding to the Science classroom experience by being accessible to students to answer questions about their journey to University and how they achieved it. They are also there to inspire, encourage and support students with their work in science and stem.

Currently, In2Science has changed for 2021: mentors no longer work with an entire class. Now, they focus on those students who would benefit most from this interaction, as decided by the school.

Currently we have 4 students teamed up with 2 mentors. Catherine from Swinburne is teamed up with Griffin Morgan and Maya Noyman; and Leah from Melbourne University is teamed up with Chaaya Sharma and Sophia Donnellon.

On Friday, Maya was available to meet with her mentor, Catherine, for the first time. Below is a snapshot of the experience, as written by Maya:

“Going into the In2Science Mentor program, I didn’t really have any expectations on the sort of energy or connection that would be created, but the second she showed me her Woolworths makeshift name-tag, it was really clear to me that we would get along well. Catherine and I spent the session as an introductory one, and I gained a unique insight into the life of a graduate and the beginning of adulthood. She explained to me her story through high school, and comforted me when she admitted she still is finding her passion and her purpose in life. We focused heavily on inspirations and who/what has an impact on the way we face the world, and she presented herself as a woman with a strong drive and entrepreneurial potential, radiating a contagious sense of confidence and acceptance. I really look forward to our next conversations about the science field and all university life has to offer.”

Steven Kuruc

Chemistry Teacher

Food Technology

During Term One, the Year 9 students worked on designing a gourmet hamburger for their Design Brief Common Assessment Task. Students had to choose who their burger would be suitable for, and how they would ensure it was healthy and gourmet.

They then had to design their burger accordingly. Students also investigated the different ingredients and cooking methods they could use to guarantee their burger met the guidelines of their design brief. Students also had to create a production plan detailing how they would use their time to create their respective burgers. They showed some serious creativity developing new and exciting recipes. After making their burgers, students had to evaluate their burgers based on ten characteristics they had chosen.

Most students commented on their satisfaction with their burgers and felt very confident to reproduce the burgers for their families.

Noor Jenkins

Food Technology Teacher

Instrumental Music Soireés

During then last weeks of Term 1, the music staff had the pleasure of hosting some Soireés for our Instrumental Music students. For many of the older students, this was their first chance to perform in front of an audience in 18 months, and for many of the Year 7 and 8’s, this their first opportunity playing a live concert, but it certainly did not show!

On Monday evening, March 22, we began our music soiree evenings with the Senior Vocal students. We even had Sophia Donnellon sing a piece in French. Merveilleux!

The SOSC Concert Band was back in full ‘swing’, performing the classic funk/soul charts “Fat Cat" and "Dr Rockenstein’s Laboratory”. Their solo's were all very well-received by the audience

Guitar and piano students presented on the Thursday evening, including Julia Creely’s heartfelt acoustic and vocal arrangement of ‘Sunflower’ by hip-hop/rap icon, Post Malone. Tra Thanh Dang Tran showed that, even without piano during lockdown, you can still learn impressive new Chopin repertoire! Our resident social-event entertainer, Sam Tsolozidis’s, performed a classic, Under The Bridge, by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Many thanks to all the instrumental teachers and theatre crew for helping put together some wonderful evenings. What a treat to be able to play live music again! It has given us all the energy and inspiration to host many other concerts throughout the year.

Samuel Bennett

Instrumental Music Teacher

Important Dates

Dates to Remember