Senior School

Greetings DSC community,

On behalf of the Year 12 team we would like to extend a big congratulations to our Year 12 cohort for making it through Unit 3 & 4!

We are very pleased with how our students have faced the challenges of Year 12 and their ability to be resilient and take ownership over their learning.

We would particularly like to thank the Year 12 Social Committee for supporting the Year 12s this year and bringing fun and excitement to the 12s. We would like to especially thank Year 12 student Sara Scarola for leading the Year 12 Mural and supporting students to come together to honour their year and their time at DSC. 

Last week students were able to leave their handprint in their house colour. We look forward to reflecting back on the 2024 cohort and the legacy our students will leave behind for future students.

We look forward to supporting our 12s through the exam period and celebrating with them post-exams on Celebration Day and Valedictory.

Good luck to our 12s!

Jonathan Tennent & Paris Joannides

Year 12 Team

Stepping Back in Time at the NGV

Our Year 11 Ancient History students discovered what life was like thousands of years ago when they studied historical objects from Egypt during their excursion to the National Gallery of Victoria earlier this month. 

On Wednesday 4th September, the Year 11 Ancient History class visited the new Pharaoh exhibit at the NGV. At first, it seemed like just another day at the museum, but as we explored, the precision and artistry of the artifacts stood out. It's incredible to think these pieces, some nearly 4,000 years old, were once held or made for kings, and now they were right in front of me.

 

Seeing the original hieroglyphics and carvings was mesmerizing. A highlight for me was the intricate detail on the walls of a funerary temple, a glimpse of which I’ve shared in the photo below. Even if you’re not into history, I’d highly recommend seeing this exhibit. 

- Mani M.

More student photos....

Gaining Valuable Skills with a Workshop

Our Year 11 and Year 12 VCE-VM students participated in the Responsible Serving of Alcohol (RSA) and Food Handlers Workshop held in the Food Tech rooms on Monday. This hands-on training provided them with essential skills and knowledge, adding valuable micro-credentials to their VCE-VM certificates.

Under the guidance of industry professionals, students learned best practices in alcohol service and food handling, ensuring they are well-prepared for future employment opportunities in hospitality and related fields. This practical experience not only enhances their resumes but also equips them with the confidence to apply their skills in real-world settings.

Well done to all the students who took part and a big thank you to our instructors for delivering such an informative and engaging workshop!

Community Connections with our VCE-VM Students

Our VCE VM students have been visiting Bolton Clarke Residential Aged Care in Donvale and it has been a heartwarming experience for everyone involved. This student-led initiative is about building meaningful relationships and practicing valuable life skills.

On their first visit, our students have enjoyed getting to know the residents, hearing stories about their childhoods, and learning what they did for entertainment back in the day. From talking about the technologies they used—or didn’t have!—to being amazed when the residents whipped out their Spotify playlists to look up songs, the connections made were truly special.

There were even some delightful surprises along the way—students and residents discovered they shared some unexpected common ground, sparking even deeper conversations and bonds.

On their second visit, students hosted several activities such as bingo, drawing and ring toss. 

We couldn’t be prouder of the warmth, curiosity, and care our students showed today. It’s moments like these that highlight the true spirit of our community.

Please find some student reflections about the experience.

At Bolton Clarke, I have met very lovely residents over the past few weeks. There is one main individual that I have loved interacting with and communicating the exciting stories about how he grew up during the World War 2, and how much he loves his wife. His name is Hughy and he is 91 years of age. I have loved talking to him and giving him coffee and bicky’s for his afternoon tea. 

I have also met John and Liz who are very good friends in the residence over the past 2 years. And finally, the eldest residents of Bolton Clarke, Molly who is 103 years old. She is going very strong for her age since you can communicate with her, and talk about simple things. Most challenging part would only be asking them a question, and they may not respond back to you. It is completely fine as its common and to me it doesn’t matter much. 

Future Year 11 VM students, I say please treat these residents with an utter and up most respect as these individuals have a purpose, and their purpose is to cherish students like us every day. They are loving and have a beautiful soul. 

- Anthony B.

During the past 3 weeks the year 11 VM class has been visiting Bolton Clarke age care and we have met some great people along the way. The best part of our visit was hearing all the stories of their lives, and it was the best part. The most challenging thing is when you must speak loud for them to hear you but that's just old age and they can't do anything to help it. This is my advice for future VM students. Enjoy it because you get to learn lots of valuable things as they have gone through lots of life adventures. 

- Sebastian C.

My experience at Bolton Clarke has been nothing but positive. Knowing that we make a difference in their lives is such a good feeling. Over the past few weeks we have played so many games, done so many activities, had lots of good chats and made a million memories. A lot of us have made new friends and have really learned a lot from the elderly people. 

My only advice for next years students is to stay patient. A lot of them do suffer from conditions such as dementia. This makes it hard to stay engaged and remain calm with them but the pay off is very good at the end. They still have fun and knowing that is all we at DSC can ask for.

I really enjoyed talking to one of the residents that told me all about her career as a radiographer. I am looking forward to painting their nails tomorrow. 

- Lily K.

My experience at Bolton Clark was amazing. The staff were very professional and helpful towards the students. They gave us some background information about some of the residents and how we should approach them. I was lucky to meet Gene, one of the residents that lived there. She was a sweetheart to get to know and I got to know a little bit about her story. 

The best part for me was getting the residents to play ring toss because I was able to get a lot of the residents to join and they seemed to enjoy it. The most challenging part for me was dealing with some of the residents with dementia as they forgot a lot of the things they were saying. I think it was a good challenge for me because I was able to test my patience and communication skills with people from another age group. 

Advice I would give to future year 11 VM students is to definitely give the Bolton Clark experience a go because it's a good way to change people's lives and make a difference. The way the residents enjoyed their experience made my day and I enjoyed every moment of it. 

- Fareneh M. D.

During this term the past 2 weeks our Year 11 VM students have had the opportunity to visit Bolton Clark aged care in Donvale to socialise and participate in activities with the elderly. We have met some amazing people in the aged care centre who are inspiring and role models. For example, Molly is 103 years old and still going strong. 

The best part of my experience so far was meeting Norman who follows the Geelong cats like I do, and we have great chats about it. The most challenging part is when you are speaking to them some of them are a little slow and it takes time for them to operate. Some advice I would give to the future year 11 VM students is to go in there with and open mind and confidence because it may seem boring but it is actually entertaining and benefits you and the elderly.

Year 10 Reflection

Term 3 has been an exciting and action-packed term, filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and achievement. We started the term by focusing on helping students choose the right pathway for the next two years. With informative assemblies, guest speakers, engaging activities, and thorough course counselling, we ensured that every student could tailor their program to align with their future aspirations. It was inspiring to see so many students thoughtfully considering their options and taking active steps toward their goals.

On the sporting front, it was a standout term! Ms. Lattanzio led the girls' intermediate soccer team to regionals, with the girls' intermediate AFL and netball teams also achieving the same incredible milestone. Our teams in table tennis and handball also represented us proudly. I had the privilege of accompanying our basketball legends for what was an absolutely fun-filled and rewarding day. The girls' team made it through to regionals, while the boys enjoyed a day full of laughter, teamwork, and building strong friendships.

We were also thrilled to provide some of our students with special work experience opportunities at places like Endota Spa and Hawthorn Football Club. These experiences gave them a taste of potential careers and opened their eyes to new possibilities. 

We had such a great experience with Endota Spa Wellness College. We learnt all about the different career options and how we could get into those rolls if we wanted to. It was so good to learn about all of the different positions there and meet the girls who worked there. We learnt some new techniques while using different equipment they gave us. At the end we got given the choice of getting different services they offered, all three of us got 40 minute massages and it was such a great experience to go there and we’re thankful for the opportunity. 

- Jordan, Zahlia and Maiah

I had a great time at Hawthorn Football Club gaining a lot of experience in things I had never done before, I learnt that there's more than just a physical component at clubs and that there are many different options for a career in sports. Overall, was a great experience and can't thank them enough for the opportunity. 

- Anthony B.

I enjoyed my experience at the Hawthorn football club and I got to see what it's like on the media and business side of things at a football club, and I got to have some fun and learn some new things.  What the program really showed me was the amount of different pathways that are available to someone in the sports field, even if it's not being a sports player. 

- Vaughan D.

I had an amazing experience learning new skills and seeing things I hadn't seen before. I realised that sports clubs involve much more than just the physical side, and I discovered a wide range of career options within the sports industry. Overall, it was a fantastic opportunity, and I'm really grateful for it. 

- Luke A.

Our ongoing Inspiring Girls program, part of an international initiative, continued to motivate and empower our young ladies. 

We were especially lucky to host former AFL champion Steve Baker at our Revive Day, whose motivational speech on grit and hard work resonated deeply with our students. Many have reached out to express how much Steve's words have impacted and inspired them to push harder towards their dreams.

A big congratulations is in order for the outstanding attendance we've seen this term. Your dedication to maintaining a 90% or higher attendance rate is commendable. We truly appreciate how you stay in touch when you're unwell and ensure you provide a medical certificate. Ms. Lattanzio and I celebrate this achievement weekly, and it’s a testament to your commitment.

As we wrap up this amazing term, I want to say well done for all your efforts. Take the time to rest, recharge, and get ready for the final countdown. We can’t wait to see you back for the last stretch of the year! 

- Jeanine Innes, Year 10 Coordinator