VicSRC Student Voice Workshop Reflection

As part of the student voice team, I was given the amazing opportunity to go to a workshop at Mornington Secondary College which was run by the VicSRC. There were schools from many different areas and it was a great way to socialise and discuss what different SLCs do. We had two main focus groups; improving the schools’ facilities and mental health. As we worked along, writing down goals and how we would get there, we were also required to talk to other schools about focus groups. Every school was different and gave me a different perspective on how leadership works. Overall, the workshop was a very handy tool in helping the student voice team to narrow down our goals.

Anzali Nedumaran (Year 11)

The VicSRC student voice workshop was a good insight into what an SLC should look like and how to eliminate certain difficulties around the school. It taught me that we need to consider the voices of other students, not just within SLC, but within the entire school. It is our job to make the school exciting for everyone and to work as a team to build the best school environment we can. We learnt a very interesting way of finding out exactly what we need to achieve or ask first. By using the Ask, Listen, Think, Enact and Reflect (ALTER) technique the problems we tackle will be resolved much faster than before. Overall, it was a great day to meet some new people with some great ideas for their school.

Jaimie Burke (Year 8)

On Tuesday 28 August, seven other SLC students and I went to a VicSRC workshop hosted by Mornington Secondary College. Whilst we were there we were taught great techniques for making a change and representing students' voices. One of the hosts explained that in society teenagers aren't thought to be the best role models, so when people see teenagers doing something that is good or that promote change they will most likely support it. We identified big issues within our school and made plans for what we can do to fix them. The senior students decided that wellbeing was the biggest issue and the junior students decided that our facilities could be improved. Overall, the experience was amazing and I would highly recommend going to a VicSRC workshop.

Zara Black (Year 8)

The VicSRC workshop taught me different ways to tackle the challenges that arise from the school. As a member of the SLC Student Voice, not only is it important to try to find ways to improve the school, but it is also important to lead by example. The workshop made it apparent how important it is to consider the voice of the students in the school and how their beliefs and opinions affect teaching and learning. Our job as the SLC is to eliminate any obstacles that may preclude the enforcement of effortless learning. Moreover, not only is it our job to make learning engaging but it is also the responsibility of teachers, the principal, students, the community, as well as the parents, hence it is important to include everyone when making decisions.

Through the workshop we got to share our experiences with other schools, which also made me more aware of the importance of the SLC because of the different tasks we handle, for instance: sending notices, raising money, organising events and bridging the gap between different ethnic groups. I thoroughly enjoyed going to the workshop because the activities were interesting yet informative at the same time. I would highly recommend this excursion to every SLC member, it definitely changed my mindset.

Many thanks to Mrs Sarah Bahramis, Miss Kate Burgess and Ms Miriam Mazlo for helping make this opportunity possible.

Zanele Kubeka (Year 11)

Frankston Foundry Innovation Class Excursion

On 21 August our Innovation In The 21st Century class, visited the Frankston Foundry. We listened and spoke to entrepreneurs about their businesses; how they got started, how they finance and afford their companies, where their ideas initiated as well as countless more. Two men, Brett and Marshall, discussed their individual start-up companies BSDA and Passel. Furthermore, a lady called Nina provided us with information about her booster business where she’s labelled as a social media educator.

This experience enabled us an insight of the ups and downs of founding, creating and managing your very own establishment. Providing us with a perception of the countless hours one must put in. As well as the amount of turning points and blocked roads along their multiple lines of work, that lead the to where they are today. Allowing us to understand the reasoning as to why they do what they do, even considering the risks they must take. A truly eye-opening discussion with innovative thinkers.

Shilo Saker (Year 10)

Frankston Foundry was such an amazing experience. The guest speakers who started their own business were very inspirational. They told us that there will be errors, but you can get around them if you are devoted enough. They also told us to prioritise time every day for this business, when you have time. Also, sleep is very important, and you need to sleep to recharge your mental and physical batteries. The entire experience was awesome and inspirational.

Alex Green (Year 9)

On 21 August, our Innovation class travelled down to Frankston Foundry to listen to three entrepreneurs speak about their journey. Marshall, the first speaker told our class about his business ‘Passel’. He spoke about his past careers leading up to the creation of Passel and the struggles of starting up a new company. We learnt that creating a new company is a very slow process and that is why many entrepreneurs fail before they succeed. Marshall taught us that having connections is very important and that you should ‘never say no to a cup of coffee’ as you should always be open to meeting new people. Keeping their social media accounts busy is also very important according to Marshall as it helps them reach more people and get their service out there.

The second and third speakers were Brett and Nina. Brett explained how he and his close friend created their business, BSDA. Between the hours of his job, family and running off three hours a sleep a night he was able to produce his website that helped others with skills and advise. Nina gave us a different perspective on entrepreneurship than the other speakers. She spoke of how she raises money for her business herself rather than borrowing or relying on others because they ‘always want something in return.’ She spoke of her social media educator business and she taught us about our digital profile and how to make money online. Overall, this experience was very helpful as it gave us realistic views on what it takes to be an entrepreneur. We learnt a lot and we are very grateful to have had this experience.

Katrina Everett and Shae Johnstone (Year 10)

On Tuesday, our innovation class went down to the Frankston Foundry. There, we met three entrepreneurs, Marshal, Brett and Nina. They explained to us, the ups and downs of starting up and running their own businesses, how they are run and much more. They made sure to get us thinking, and always held our attention with their personal stories. Overall, I would say that it was a very educational trip, which even gave us a few pointers on how running our own business would go.

We would like to thank the Frankston Foundry for this great opportunity, especially Liz, Marshall, Brett and Nina. Also thanks to Mr Fischmann and Mrs Bahramis for organising it.

Chrisin Sebastian (Year 10)

Lifesaving Class

This past week a group of 13 students from Frankston High School’s Advanced Lifesaving class flew up to Far North Queensland to mentor and teach a group of students from St Teresa’s College in Abergowrie (a remote indigenous boarding school) in their recreational bronze certificate.

In return, students from St Teresa’s College shared their culture, their dance, cooking, storytelling, painting and their ways of life.

This experience has been a huge success for both schools, fostering understanding between students.

Frankston students also visited Arcadia lifesaving club (on Magnetic Island) where they spent a night and engaged in lifesaving activities. This week has been a very rewarding and enriching experience for all involved. We thank staff and students from St Teresa’s College and Arcadia Lifesaving Club for their hospitality.

Mr Rowan Cameron

Outdoor Education Teacher

ELC Students excursion to Queen Victoria Market

On Thursday 6 September our middle school ELC students attended the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne. They put their studies of nutrition, economics and food technology into practice, as well as experiencing some new and exciting Melbourne sights, smells and tastes!

Accompanied by

Ms Ursula Kulling, Ms Emma Manks

and Ms Liz Wills.

Hands On Learning

Over the last few weeks the Hands On Learning team have been working closely with Parks Victoria and Frankston Indigenous Nursery on a number of projects around the local community. Over four separate days, up to 20 students took part in planting native plants and removal of invasive species along the Frankston/Seaford foreshore. Both groups worked really hard and have made a huge impact towards the regeneration of the local area.

Well done to the Hands On Learning team for creating a successful partnership.

Mr Andy Blackall

Hands On Learning

Central OZ 2018

Yesterday 80 Year 11 students and eight staff departed for the annual 16-day Central Australia and Top End Tour. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the Year 11 students to experience a taste of life through the Red Centre and the Top End. They experience the wonder of Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, followed by the uniqueness of Daly Water, the beauty of Katherine Gorge, Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks and finishing off with the fun of Mindil Beach Markets.

Every year the students who attend comment that it is one of their best experiences and Year 12 students are always looking for a way to attend for a second time! Current Year 10 students will have the opportunity to apply for the trip towards the end of the school year.

The school would like to thank NT Tourism for their grant which is used for activities on the trip.

Ms Adrienne Shepard

Central Oz 2018 Trip Leader

The Resilience Project

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