College Updates

Worlds Greatest Shave- By Ashlyn Levy

This year I decided I would partake in the Worlds Greatest Shave to honour my grandmother and throughout the days leading up to the shave I felt excitement to be taking part of such an amazing cause.

 

On the day the only time I was nervous was when I presented my speech, which left me feeling raw and vulnerable, having opening up about my personal life in front of the whole school. However, I also felt relieved to have spoken freely and honestly about why I was so passionate about wanting to shave my hair.

 

After my speech, when it was time to be shaved, I was thrilled for it to be finally happening. The day felt amazing, especially since I had someone very close to me who was there to help celebrate and even shave off some of my hair. When the hairdressers tied my hair up and snipped off the pony tail it felt very real. Throughout the shave I had no regrets and days later there is still none.

 

I was asked on the day if it felt liberating. This does describe how I felt and still feel. I would recommend this to other students who would like to make a statement of support for efforts to find a cure for cancer. Or who might like to make a statement of support in memory of friends or family who have been impacted by cancer. On the day there were a plentiful amount students and teachers who took part in the cause, shaving their heads or coloured their hair. Our Lowanna group has already raised a total of $3,452 from the day. All of us who took part are grateful to those who sponsored us and supported this worthy cause.

 

Bunnings Donations

On June 12th, we were lucky enough to have had a visit from Barb Harvey, the Community Liaison Officer from Bunnings Morwell. 

 

Our sustainable vegetable garden is progressing much more quickly and easily now with a kind and generous donation from Bunnings including punnets of herbs and vegetable seedlings, mulch, potato growing sacks, and seed potatoes as well as 5 sets of gardening hand tools, 5 sets of gloves and 2 wheelbarrows.

 

So far the College has developed wicking gardens, wicking barrel gardens, an indigenous food garden, an orchard and are now starting the herb garden with the help of Bunnings Morwell. 

 

Thanks so much Bunnings Morwell!

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Visit

On Tuesday, June 18th, a group of Year 10 students visited the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research where they fulfilled the role of medical researchers as they carried out a series of laboratory activities exploring the techniques and technologies used to investigate infectious disease. 

Students were also treated to a tour of the world-class research institute to meet scientists, discuss their research, and view results of experiments in research laboratories.

Middle School Camp- Queensland

The total cost for this camp is $850 which covers return airfare to the Gold Coast, accommodation, entry into 4 theme parks, rock climbing, as well as all breakfasts and dinners.

$200 deposit should have been paid by NOW. 

Balance owing is $650 which can be paid off in instalments.

Final payment needs to be received by Friday, October 25th.

Please make payments to the General Office via cash or card.

John Coutis- By C.Reynolds and A. Levy

On the 3rd of June, Lowanna College was visited by inspirational speaker, John Coutis (JC). JC discussed his experiences during high school and the difficult hardship he went through because of his disability - which rendered his legs useless. Due to this JC had difficulty going to school, the first time he was able to go to a public school was in year 5 and was immediately alienated from the rest of the students and bullied horrendously for his disability. However, JC persevered, continuing through primary all the way to high school, even though he was mercilessly bullied by his peers, in which his peers introduced extreme physical violence, yet  he persevered, because he had the inspiration from an old friend to continue. After leaving high school in year 10 he continued into the entertainment industry, becoming a comedic inspirational speaker, focusing on an anti-bullying campaign, for young and old, leading him to speaking at our school.

 

After talking with all the year levels JC had a leadership conference prepared for the members of the SRC, where he discussed the meaning of being a leader/role model and the vital role leaders play in the growth of our community and our school. He talked about motivation vs. inspiration, and how motivation lasts around 10 minutes, whereas inspiration lasts a lifetime.

 

In the discussion with the SRC members the difference between motivation and inspiration was the major topic of discussion, and how they both can impact on people’s daily lives. Motivation is one's direction to behaviour, or what causes a person to want to repeat a behaviour, something like making yourself study in order to get a high score on a test that’s coming up, but once that test is finished, the motivation is lost. Inspiration is an influence or an action that creates enthusiasm and gives you the ability to establish new and creative ideas, something that causes you to look at life with a new perspective, lasting a lifetime. Inspiration can be gained from celebrities, literature, music, film, art, so on so forth, but the most important form of inspiration is gained from the people you surround yourself with.

 

JC asked SRC to close our eyes and image a bus full of six of your closest people in our lives, were they a positive impact on us? Did they inspire us to do better? did they inspire us to be positive?

 

Those are questions that should have positive answers. Surrounding oneself with positive individuals that bring out the good qualities in you and the people around them, individuals that help you want to strive for better. Strive to be positive.

#StaySexy

 

Vale Ron Bishop

The sudden passing of Ron Bishop recently saddened the Lowanna College community.

Ron was a long-standing member of both the Moe and Lowanna College community. Many staff, students and parents would be aware of the support that he has contributed over the years first to Moe High, where his children attended, and then to Lowanna College.

Ron was an active member of the Chaplaincy committee, assisting with the planning and hands-on organisation of many events. He will be missed at the annual Year 7 Welcome Barbeque  where you would find him cooking and serving up sausages and hamburgers to students and their families.

Ron was a generous supporter of, and great friend to, the Lowanna College Music Department; volunteering his time, energy, enthusiasm and even his money to help. Ron previously donated a soundboard and recently purchased an electronic mixing board for the department. He has helped with numerous musicals over many years with a variety of jobs. He was the theatre technician, coordinating lighting and sound, for many local primary school concerts held in our auditorium.

Ron was a staunch supporter of the Moe community and amongst many other contributions; he voluntarily ran the gate at the Moe football club for many years.

We at Lowanna College send our condolences to Ron’s family.

Beleza School Holiday Trading Hours

Youth Mental Health First Aid

An opportunity exists for parents to attend this free two day Youth Mental Health First Aid Training at Lowanna College on the 18th & 19th July.  Please contact Karen Thurgood (School Nurse) ASAP as there are only four positions available.  This event is catered for!

Student Exchange

If you have ever thought about Student Exchange or hosting an exchange student, check out the flyers below!