Year 11 & 12 News
Mock Interviews
Last Thursday, our VCE VM students participated in a mock interview event, supported by local employers and community organisations. This event was a fantastic opportunity for our senior students to utilise the skills they have learnt during their VCE VM studies by undergoing a mock interview with two employers on a panel. The students were absolutely buzzing after their interviews, thanks to the employer’s kindness and support on the day. This highly beneficial event provided the students with so much confidence and are now ready for the ‘real thing’ regarding their future job applications. A big thank you to the following employers and organisations who gave up their time to assist our students in this event: Latrobe City, Latrobe Community Health Services, Ambulance Victoria, Baw Baw Llen, Gippswater, Onlineiseasy, PFG Group (Fabrication Rotomoulding), Tequa and the Smith Family.
Inverloch Community Project
Marine litter is one of Australia’s most destructive environmental problems. These materials ruin coastal and aquatic habitats and put marine life at risk. Littering on beaches is one significant reason why there’s an increasing volume of trash in our oceans. Many people tend to throw away their rubbish anywhere. Litter can travel long distances and disrupt our marine’s ecosystem’s balance and safety.
Beach litter is something that happens too regularly and is affecting our planet. This issue raised a concern among myself and peers which is why we wanted to help out and make a difference.
For our end of year community projects our group, myself, Bella and Oakleigh, organised a trip to go to the beach for a beach clean up. We gathered around at Inverloch and wondered off into groups collecting as much rubbish we could. Although it was only the one day, any removal of litter is better than none and knowing we could have saved many sea life was such a rewarding experience. I’m hoping that I’ve convinced the future VM students to go back to help the environment.
Leah Hughes
Year 12 VM Student
Mitchell House VM Excursion
The two students had high ambitions of creating an enriching and meaningful experience between two very different age groups; adolescents and elderly. They also enlisted the help of another VM group who planned and cooked an amazing spread for both the residents and teenagers to enjoy. They all worked together to plan activities so as to ensure a successful afternoon.
The group of 10 Kurnai students headed to Mitchell House, in the first week of Term 4, with a lot of good will and some beautiful treats.
The afternoon was a complete success. Feedback from the residents was phenomenal and the teenagers loved it too.
Some quotes from residents:
“ They don’t have to worry about getting old because they can see us enjoying ourselves”
“Yes I thought it was a good day”
“I had a good conversation with one of the young boys and he was quite good”
“That young fella I was talking to was alright , he could sing”
“ I think they got as much out of it as we did, yes I think it was a very good day”
“I’ll have them back, I thought the ones I met were nice enough”
“Good to see the young ones getting along”
“Oh yes I had a very good time”
“It was a nice informal interaction, everybody looked like they had a good time”
“Yes, it's good helping me with the puzzles”
Some quotes from the teenagers
‘Pretty cool, pretty fun.’
‘Very well planned day.’
“Was nice singing to them.’
‘Happy, really enjoyed.’
‘Everyone was in high spirits.’
‘I was just very happy there, a really calming place.’
Katrina Bosch, the Leisure and Lifestyle Coordinator was integral to the success of the program. Katrina supported the students wholeheartedly and encouraged their project from the very beginning. Without community support for these projects and a lot of faith in their skills, these VM projects couldn’t happen.
Final quote from Katrina encapsulates the overall project;
‘Thank you again to Bella and Danielle for thinking of Mitchell House for their Year 12 project and they should get 10/10 for all they did.’
Biomedical Science Day
Students from Kurnai College were among 120 students from across regional and rural Victoria to attend the Annual Biomedical Sciences Day at the University of Melbourne.
Local students and their teacher Hamad Sabawi had the exciting opportunity to experience life as a biomedical scientist at the event presented by the University of Melbourne’s School of Biomedical Sciences and the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC).
The University’s Head of School of Biomedical Sciences, Professor Jennifer Wilkinson-Berka, encouraged the students to think about the science behind what creates, sustains and threatens people’s lives in Australia and beyond.
Professor Wilkinson-Berka spoke of the revolutionary work underway at the school, and the Gene Technology Access Centre— including biological processes to better understand human health, computational biology, 3D printing to replace bones, genomics: new tools for cancer treatments, and new vaccines to combat disease.
Professor Wilkinson-Berka encouraged students to apply to the Bachelor of Biomedicine after completing their VCE studies. “When you come to Melbourne, you don’t just come to the School of Biomedical Sciences,” she said, “You have access to the whole of the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, a collaboration of hospitals and research institutes that are right on our doorstep, not to mention the diverse range of career opportunities upon completion of your studies.”
Students worked alongside researchers in the Gene Technology Access Centre Laboratories to photograph specimens using light, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopes, and had the opportunity to enter the images into their own Under the Microscope Coverslip Competition.
They also took a behind the scenes look at the University’s Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology and uncovered real tissue specimens and historical anatomical models, and a tour of the Digital Learning Hub which allowed students to experience how innovative digital technology is used to study the human body.
“The microscope activities were really cool” said student Jay. His teacher Hamad said the students really enjoyed the VR activity and found the Harry Brooks Anatomy Museum so interesting”.
University students Isabella Gilchrist, 1st year Bachelor of Biomedicine, Karam Matloob, 2nd year Bachelor of Biomedicine, and Ryan Shen, 3rd year Bachelor of Biomedicine, spoke about their courses, the diverse research topics they are pursuing and life on campus and in Melbourne.
The Kurnai College students also learned about Access Melbourne, a program that helps students from rural or regional areas gain entry to undergraduate courses at the university. Each year, 20 per cent of domestic undergraduate places are reserved for Access Melbourne applicants.
Code Red Fire Danger
A reminder to all families, that on days of Code Red in the West & South Gippsland Fire Zone, all campuses will be closed.
This is a change to previous years, and we ask families to be aware of this in preparation to when Summer returns.