Learning Updates -

School of Possibilities

Considering a career in dance

School of Possibilities Year 10 student Riley Okely (above) and School of Innovation Year 9 student Alick Jarvis spent a day at Melbourne's Transit Dance to explore a possible career pathway in the Performing Arts. Here's their account of their amazing experience:

"We started the day with an early drive from Shepparton to Melbourne. We woke up at 7:00am to get there by 9:00am. We got to the Transit Dance facility where we were greeted by very friendly receptionists and three cute, fluffy welfare staff; these staff were indeed small and cute dogs. 

"The Transit staff were extremely friendly and informative. We were shown a small part of a few performances that they had done recently. It was amazing to see the quality and diversity of the dance. The rest of the day consisted of a Q&A session where we learned a lot about Paul Malek, the Artistic Director, and why he created Transit Dance. After that we had two amazing workshops with Kim, Head of Performing Arts, and Paul. The dances were amazing and a whole lot of fun. We had an amazing day and it was a great experience." 

Riley: "It was really eye-opening to see their optional pathways and how the dancers come out of the course with more skills than just being a good dancer; instead skills to stay employed and find jobs, and their spaces are amazing." 

Alick: "The way that they go about dance is unlike everyone else. Instead of being the best of the best, you only need the passion and the potential. It was really refreshing and amazing."

For more information about Transit Dance visit their website:  http://transitdance.net/

Year 10 mid-year exam timetable released

The Year 10 exam timetable has been published and all students have received a copy (please see a copy below). Parents/carers are reminded to check PAM in the coming week for permission forms to attend the exams off-site on Tuesday, June 14, as well as permission to attend the Year 10 Urban Camp which is taking place from July 18-20. 

 - Sarah Baglin, School of Possibilities Leader

Guest speakers provide careers insights

Year 10 students have had a busy week exploring future pathways. On Monday, we had a presentation by two of our own staff members, Ella Hibble and Sean McAllister, as well as a local student, Ella, who is studying Medicine. They spoke openly and honestly about their senior secondary years, the subjects they chose and the workload throughout their VCE/VCAL. It was wonderful for our students to gain some insight and hear such honest reflections on the reality of the senior years and the opportunities that have arisen along their individual journeys.

On Thursday, we were lucky enough to have some guest speakers from La Trobe University. This session provided students with information about a range of careers that exist now and may exist in the future. They looked at the qualifications required to pursue these careers and how the job market might influence their own career planning.  

During the session, students were given a hypothetical scenario that had them questioning a variety of jobs/professions and their place in society. They were prompted to recognise transferable skills, and imagine how existing jobs may change in the future.

This is timely with our pathways and subject selections that will be happening very soon. We would like to remind parents and carers that careers counselling sessions are still taking place and we expect that ALL families book an appointment via PAM. 

 - Belinda Gleeson, Careers Counsellor

Aunty Faye shares her harrowing story

During Reconciliation Week, Years 9 and 10 students were given a first-hand account of the devastating impact of the Stolen Generations, as Yorta Yorta elder, Aunty Faye Lynam, shared her harrowing experience of being taken from her family as a young child. Her story is one of unfathomable sadness and distress, and incredible strength and resilience. 

The college's Koorie Education Worker, Tina Thompson, whose grandmother was also taken from her family as a child, was reduced to tears as she spoke to students about the significance of National Sorry Day to Indigenous peoples. National Sorry Day is an annual observance held on May 26 to acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who were forcibly removed from their families and communities. It provides the opportunity for people to come together and share the steps towards healing for the Stolen Generations, their families and communities. A small group of students joined Tina to watch the Shepparton Apology Breakfast livestream.

To mark the beginning of Reconciliation Week on May 27, students and staff gathered in the college garden for an ancient Aboriginal custom - a smoking ceremony - with representatives from ASHE Daya. A smoking ceremony involves burning native plants to produce smoke, and is believed to have physical and spiritual cleansing properties and to ward off bad spirits. A smoking ceremony is also a gesture of goodwill that brings people together.