This edition of The Aviso features the work of some wonderful MGC alumnae, current students and guests from two other Melbourne schools: The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School and Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School. Lockdown has been tough, but we hope the range of creative pieces in this edition will allow for you to escape the world of COVID for just a moment. If you would love to get busy in the kitchen, there are some great recipes in the From The Mess Deck subsection. Included is also an insightful student experience and perspective of studying Chinese and the challenges of online learning. We would also like to welcome and introduce Harriet Turner-Browne of Year 8, who has joined The Aviso’s editorial team as a cadet this week.

If you would like to make a submission to The Aviso, please send an email to theaviso@mgc.vic.edu.au

Hannah Benhassine Xara Hudson

Cadet Humanities Captain

Guest Contributions

Peach Milk - Danielle Pham, The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School

VCE Chinese 2019-20 - Paige Harrington, Year 11, Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School

As with the majority of Year 11s at my school, I am completing a VCE 3&4 subject...in the year COVID hit us severely enough to warrant a State of Disaster and Stage Four lockdown restrictions by the Premier. A Chinese student since Prep at my school with an Immersion Program...many years later where Chinese is compulsory, along with French in years 7 and 8 and continuing with it as an elective right up until VCE... I undertook the biggest unexpected challenge of my 2019 studies: 3&4 Chinese in 2019, planning on retaking it in 2020 as with the rest of my small class comprising both year 10s and year 11s,. As with the other VCE Language subjects, the word limit for all the essays I would end up writing between my first ever SAC to ultimately the exam in less than 3 months (December 2020) was 250 characters! I guess if you count them as words, that’s only ¼ of the expected word count for English / Literature essays!! Short & sweet, meaning concise and perfectly written characters, grammar structures adhered to. The pen name Xiaoming or LanLan was ubiquitous in essays requiring a ‘pen name’ for example, creative pieces or persuasive / evaluative articles for a fictional magazine. The Study Design was changed after 2019 so I didn’t have to write a Chinese creative story aimed for children after term 1 2019, and some of our International students who qualified for the Advanced stream were especially happy that the translation passage sections were removed. Instead, questions and marks would be added to the listening and reading comprehension sections, and some of the responses would be based on a ‘visual stimulus’ text, i.e. a picture / photo, chart, graph or table. Memorisation being at the heart of the Chinese education system, we dedicated hours upon hours to preparing for our oral and written SACs and exams seemingly one after another, combined with our other subject workloads. Last year, I chose to research “Chinese Schools” for my last 2 SACs and exam. I found this fascinating that I enjoyed learning about it and never had to go to school in China (hint: it includes a lot of buxike 补习课 or revision / tutorial classes...and STEM subjects are definitely prioritised tenfold compared to humanities or performing arts!) 2020 saw modifications in not only the written exam structures but also in the oral. A combination of me reminiscing on the ‘good old days’ when friends and I would look forward to catching trains into Melbourne Central food courts or Chinese CBD restaurants, my long term cravings for dumplings or Chinese food that wasn’t takeaway, and my fascination with this unit my class studied anyway in Term 3, led me to me immersing myself with information overload. Relating it back to primary school Chinese culture classes about Chinese New Year / Dragon Boat Festival, plus new knowledge of why exactly Chinese food varies vastly across the country (north, south, east & west), staple foods, due to geography and climate conditions), I spent many of my semester 2 Chinese zoom classes and spare periods committed to memorising everything I had learned over the course of my lifetime so far. Here’s a tip: don’t try to wing it, over preparation is slightly better than under preparation! Confidence and self repair strategies in spades are ideal if you accidentally mix up the Chinese tones or if you misunderstand the question asked of you in the first place. I have felt a myriad of emotions as my journey of studying Chinese every year since Prep is formally coming to an end. I am both happy and sad to know that after my exam day in a couple / few short months, I will never have to stress about writing Chinese essays in test conditions, under time pressure ever again! This is the first 1/6th of completing my entire VCE subject load and I wish everyone luck in the anticipation of every subject exam / SAC and ultimately ATAR day just a few days before the next year and the cycle begins again!

Doing research on the food of my motherland

and its rich culture,

overwhelmingly content-heavy

and fascinating.

Alumnae

Portrait of Sharon Tate - Adele Bauer, MGC Class of 2018

"My fondest memories of my time at MGC take place in the art department. Nested up high on the third level, surrounded by creative friends and the sound of laughter. The walls were plastered with colour and inspiration, however it was our cherished art teachers who made the space so warm and full of joy. I would like to thank them for always giving us their undivided attention and nurturing, no matter how exhausted or busy they were feeling. You gave me the inspiration to pursue the creative field and to be courageous and self-confident. Thank you for nurturing my passion!" - Adele Bauer

Adele Bauer graduated from MGC in 2018, and is now undertaking the second year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Monash University. She enjoys painting, making papercut prints and drawing, and is also a model signed to Duval Agency.

"Brighter Day" (Kirk Franklin cover) - Isadora Lauritz, MGC Class of 2016

Untitled Art - Isadora Lauritz, MGC Class of 2016

Isadora Lauritz graduated from MGC in 2016 after spending many years studying performing arts subjects at the school, and being cast in a variety of lead roles in school productions. She recently graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Music, and has performed at a range of venues in Melbourne. In addition, Isadora has appeared as a session vocalist in professionally released music and is a lifelong student of dance and theatre.

From The Mess Deck

Green Vitality Smoothie Bowl - Jahmelia Martin, Year 12

Ingredients:

1 Banana (sliced and frozen)

1/2 Apple

1 cup Guava Pulp (frozen)

2 large handfuls of Spinach

2 slices fresh Ginger

2 teaspoon Chia seeds

1 Tablespoon Honey

1 1/2 - 2 cups Unsweetened Almond Milk

Toppings (Optional)

Banana

Chia seed

Sunflower seeds

Almonds

Strawberries

Almond butter

Arrange all ingredients in a bowl.

Recipe: Jahmelia Martin

Roasted Pumpkin, Avocado and Bocconcini Salad - Chloe McCormick, Year 8

Ingredients:

- 500g pumpkin, deseeded, cut into 2cm cubes.

- ¼ tsp Pepper

- ½ tsp Salt

- Olive Oil

- 300g baby spinach

- 100g Bocconcini. Torn into quarters

- 1 Avocado. Cut into 2 cm wedges

- 4 tbsps. of balsamic glaze of your choice

Method:

Preheat Oven to 250 degrees Celsius. Line baking tray with baking paper and place pumpkin on tray and season with salt and pepper. Roast pumpkin, turning once, for 20 mins or until golden and tender. Set Aside to cool to room temperature.
Place Spinach in a large bowl and top with your roasted pumpkin, torn bocconcini and cut avocado. Drizzle with your balsamic glaze and voila! Enjoy!

Recipe: The McCormick Family

The Red Ensign - Xara Hudson

Throughout each year, an assortment of flags are flown from Melbourne Girls’ College’s two flagpoles, located at the far end of the school’s oval. Due to the two prolonged school closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, several of these flags have not been flown in 2020. One of these was the Australian Maritime Red Ensign, which is usually flown at MGC on September 3. The Red Ensign flies aboard all commercial ships registered in Australia, in order to distinguish them from vessels of the Royal Australian Navy. While the Red Ensign is currently used in the realm of maritime, it is important to note that it was the original Australian national flag from 1901 to 1924. Though the Blue Ensign, Australia’s current national flag, was in existence, it was not used at first due to its limited availability to State governments.

September 3 is Merchant Navy Day, on which the Red Ensign may be flown on land. Merchant Navy Day is observed throughout the Commonwealth to both honour the merchant seafarers whose lives were sacrificed in World War II, and to recognise the socioeconomic impact of merchant ships throughout the world. On September 3, 1939, the first Allied merchant vessel sank in World War II, and thus Merchant Navy Day is observed yearly on that date. During WWII, Australian merchant seafarers endured a higher casualty rate than the Navy, with one in eight of them dying in the war.

81 years later, we find ourselves amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Our current circumstances have both hampered merchant shipping and highlighted its importance. While passenger shipping has been halted throughout the world, leaving crews stranded, cargo shipping has continued to be the lifeblood of our current world. Merchant Navy Day, though originally observed to mourn loss of life and acknowledge sacrifice, also serves as a potent reminder of the positive influence of seafaring upon the world. It is a tenuous, fraught, vital and oft-overlooked element of life - and though it could not be recognised at MGC in the usual way this year, it should not be forgotten.

Uighur Concentration Camps and Mulan - Hannah Benhassine

In China, Uyghur Muslims in the northern province of Xinjiang are facing persecution. According to Chinese authorities, they are criminalized for what is labelled as “illegal religious and separatist activities”. Uighurs are detained if they protest against their mistreatment and are being placed in what China calls ‘re-education camps’. There have been severe restrictions on the practicing of Islam such as fewer mosques and the strict monitoring of religious schools. Uighurs are being exploited and used for forced labour as well as being banned from fasting during Ramadan. Such examples of suppression only touch the surface of the issue, yet clearly outline that these so-called re-education camps are instead, representative of ethnic cleansing and moreover, mass genocide.

More recently, Disney has been receiving criticism after the much-anticipated release of Mulan. Part of the film was shot in Xinjiang, amid the cultural genocide against Uighur Muslims. In the credits of the film they also gave thanks to the publicity team of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Committee, sparking a wave of controversy. Individuals across the internet have begun the movement of #BoycottMulan. Disney has not yet made any comment. Hong Kong activist, Joshua Wong made the following comment, ‘not only are you turning a blind eye to police brutality and racial injustice, you’re also potentially complicit in the mass incarceration of Muslim Uyghurs’.

Gag Laws - Rania Widjanarko

Recent changes to the Judicial Proceedings Report Act has made it a crime for victims of rape and sexual assault to share their stories with their real names, once a guilty verdict is in place. It is now an offence to publish any information that could aid in identifying the victim. This law applies to all victims, regardless of when the conviction happened. If sexual assault survivors speak out using their real names, could face up to 4 months jail or fines of up to $3304 for individuals, and $8261 for corporations. The Gag Law silences survivors, stripping them of their autonomy and personal agency. It prevents them from advocating for change, and instead, serves to protect the perpetrators of rape and sexual assault (e.g. pedophiles, traffickers, rapists). The introduction of this law will also heighten the stigma and reinforces the immense guilt and shame that many victims feel as a result of the traumatic incident. This law is deeply disempowering, making it even harder for survivors to heal. In response to this, Nina Funnell has launched the #LetUsSpeak Victoria campaign, in partnership with Rape and Sexual Assault Research and Advocacy (RASARA), Marque Lawyers and End Rape On Campus Australia. This campaign seeks to ensure that all victims can take back their voices. Click here to donate to the cause and click here to sign the petition to revoke these laws.

Untitled - Suzanne Tetaz, Year 11

Baking Paper Pirate Map - Arabella Rowlands-Copley, Year 10

Storm the Pug - Arabella Rowlands-Copley, Year 10

Quote of the Watch

“The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances. We carry the seeds of the one or the other about with us in our minds wherever we go.” - Martha Washington

Correction

A quote which appeared in the last edition of The Aviso was misattributed, and its true author is John Milton. The quote is as follows: “A good book is the precious lifeblood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to life beyond life”.

Humanities News

This morning, after three months of work and regular meetings, MGC’s entry to the ANZAC Day Schools’ Awards was submitted. The result of the entry will be announced towards the end of the year. The entry was also posted on Microsoft Teams for all students and staff to view.
Last Friday, the Philosophy Club met to revisit past questions raised and discuss them in greater depth. Next Friday at lunchtime, the last Philosophy Club meeting of the term will take place.
The Philosophy Club and The Aviso were both allocated a page in the school’s yearly magazine, Upstream, for the first time. The Humanities Club has also been allocated a page, and this year’s Upstream will be published towards the end of term 4.
The Humanities Club can be joined at: https://bit.ly/2VUDmx5
The Philosophy Club can be joined at: https://bit.ly/3d74PBL

Crew

Beth Barrass, Publication

Carolina Trujillo, Review of Submissions & General Assistance

Rania Widjanarko, Cadet

Hannah Benhassine, Cadet

Harriet Turner-Browne, Cadet

Xara Hudson, Editor

Acknowledgements

Dean Allan, Promotion at The Mac. Robertson Girls’ High School

Terry Donnelly, Editorial Advice

Anthony Keen, IT Support

Year 8 Visual Art