Secondary News

Remote Learning Pictures

Here are some pictures of the students remote learning during lockdown 5.0

Article written by Charlie Cook

Reaching New Heights

Early in Term 2 of 2021, 6 students from Merbein P-10 College: Jack Taylor, Charlie Cook, Campbell Dunne, Charlie Lambert, Meg Kelly and Mikayla Johnson took the once in a lifetime opportunity to attend the Alpine School for Student Leadership. The Alpine School is a government-run Outdoor School for year 9 students. The six representatives had to write an application in order to be selected for the Alpine School.

The campus in Dinner Plain is set in one of the most pristine environments and is 1570m above sea level, close to the well known ski resort town of Mount Hotham. The families drove nearly 700km in just over 8 hours to reach the destination. The school was founded in April of 2000 so it has been running for 21 years.

The Alpine School is one big building, split into 4 common areas, a dining room/classroom, another classroom, Dargo wing (boys wing) and Cobungra wing (girls wing). The accommodation was a dorm shared with 2 students, one country, one city and they both had a bunk, a cupboard and a desk. 

The Alpine school’s goal is to develop students' leadership, and personal skills by presenting them with a different style of education. The students experienced new activities every day, the main ones being mountain biking, snow skiing and hiking; most of those activities pushed their comfort zones. 

Sunday to Friday of learning, waking up at 6:30 every morning and having to work until 8:30 at night, but with a lot of freedom during the day. Then Saturday being their “Recharge Day”.

Students worked throughout the term to come up with a Community Learning Project (CLP). This Project is aimed to benefit their hometown community. With some community consultation, Merbein’s CLP identified homelessness as a problem in our community. The aim of the project is to raise awareness for homelessness. The Alpine Students will coordinate a year six sleepover with a guest speaker organised by Haven Homesafe. A mini fete will take place on the following day to raise funds for this worthy cause. 

Textile Art Class

Year 9/10 Textile Art class have been using their remote learning time to plan their upcoming textile art project. Students will be creating a landscape scene using fabric, machine and hand stitching, and embellishments. We look forward to seeing their final art pieces!  

Flu Vaccines for Secondary Students

We are able to provide flu vaccines for secondary students in our Doctors in Schools clinic. Some students will be eligible for a free flu vaccine if they fit the criteria set by the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS).  The criteria for a free vaccine include:

• all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged from six months
• all people aged from six months with medical conditions putting them at an increased risk of severe influenza and it’s complications e.g. Cardiac disease, chronic respiratory disease (severe asthma), chronic neurological conditions, immunocompromising conditions, diabetes and other metabolic disorders, renal disease, hematological disorders, children aged six months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy
• pregnant women (during any stage of pregnancy)

Students who do not fit the criteria will need to pay for the vaccine. The cost is $14.00 and must be paid in cash with the correct money at the clinic at the time of the appointment. There are no EFTPOS facilities available at the clinic and no change can be provided. Students will receive a receipt upon payment.

To book in for the flu vaccine, students need to book an appointment at the school office (please advise that the appointment is for a flu vaccine).

Doctors in Secondary Schools Program

Our Doctors in Secondary Schools program is available for all secondary students to access free (bulk-billed), confidential health care at school. This is a fantastic service which students can access for any of their health care needs including asthma/anaphylaxis plans, catch-up immunisations, mental/emotional health and any other medical concerns no matter how big or small. Students can see the school doctor for any reason that they would see their usual GP.

The rooms will be open every Wednesday during the school term from 9am – 1pm. Students can make appointments by contacting Yvonne in the general office or they can ask a teacher or wellbeing staff member to make the appointment for them – the only details required to make an appointment will be the student’s name and date of birth.

Parents are welcome to attend appointments if the student wishes.

Lost Property

We have a LOT of jumpers in our secondary lost property.  If your child is missing a jumper please tell them to ask at the main office. Please ensure that uniform items have student names on them so that we can return them if found.

School Wide Positive Behaviour (SWPB)