Senior School

Senior School Music

Warrnambool Eisteddfod

On Wednesday June 10, all Year 7 and 8 students, and students in Year 6, 9 and 12 from the Senior Band performed in the Concert Band sections of the Warrnambool Eisteddfod.

The Year 7 and 8 band class performed in the Junior Concert Band section against an Emmanuel College band with some vastly more experienced players and won. The Senior Band competed against Warrnambool College's Senior Band and came second.

It was very encouraging for both bands to have played so well. It can be daunting playing in a new space for the first time, but our players adapted really well.

Our Senior Band is always looking for more players, so if your child is interested in joining us, they can come along to rehearsal on Friday mornings from 8AM in the Auditorium. Students need to enter via the side door near the maintenance office.

Andrew Philpot

Music Teacher

Bagpipes Success for Year 7 Student

Congratulations to Year 7 student Maisie on her achievement at a recent solo bagpipe competition held at Scotch College in Melbourne.

Competing against both teenagers and adults, Maisie performed well across three sections. Two of the sections attracted more than 20 competitors and required preliminary heats before a final round. After progressing to the final, Maisie placed first in both sections. In the third section, which featured 12 competitors, she achieved an excellent second place. These results saw Maisie named the overall winner of her grade.

One of the unique opportunities available to students at our school is the chance to learn the bagpipes. With free tuition provided at school and only a small initial investment in a practice chanter, students can access a musical experience that is both rewarding and distinctive.

Learning the bagpipes can open the door to a wide range of exciting opportunities. Students may join local pipe bands, perform at school and community events, compete in solo and band competitions, travel to events around Victoria and beyond, and become part of a vibrant musical community. Along the way, they develop valuable skills including discipline, confidence, commitment and teamwork.

Maisie's recent success is a wonderful example of what can be achieved through dedication and participation in the program. Whether your child is looking to try something different or further develop their musical talents, learning the bagpipes is an opportunity well worth considering.

If your child is interested in finding out more about learning the bagpipes, please contact Reception.

Year 9 & 10

Textiles

This week saw the exciting launch of our new Textiles elective for Years 9 and 10, and what a fantastic start it has been!

Students were introduced to the world of textiles, exploring what textiles are, where we find them in everyday life, and the many ways they are used. The class then began developing their practical skills by learning the running stitch, one of the fundamental hand-sewing techniques.

The students did an amazing job and approached the lesson with enthusiasm, patience and creativity. They have already begun creating their felt needle booklets and should be very proud of their efforts.

As we continue to grow our Textiles program, we would be incredibly grateful for any donations of fabric, thread, buttons, ribbons, lace, beads, sequins, felt, embroidery floss, or other sewing and craft embellishments. Donations of clean, usable textile materials will help provide students with a wider range of creative opportunities throughout the year.

Thank you to our Kings community for supporting this exciting new subject. We can't wait to see the wonderful projects our students create as their skills continue to develop!

Ally Robinson

Teacher

Outdoor Education

Students in Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed are undertaking a survival challenge for the next six weeks. There will be a new challenge each week that their team can earn points in. This week, the challenge was shelter building, with purple team creating the best shelter for their team.

Greg Bond

Senior School Teacher

Year 9 TAFE Try A Career Day

Last week, Year 9's were lucky enough to participate in the TAFE Try A Career Day! 

Accompanied by Mr Zeunert and Ms Twycross, the Year 9 cohort set out to the Deakin Warrnambool Campus to view the facilities and participate in lots of different activities. 

Some of these included:

• Hospitality
• Hair and Make-Up
• IT
• Early Childhood Development
• Electrics
• Wood and Metal
• Art
• Agriculture

It was a very cold but rewarding experience.

Megan Twycross

Senior School Teacher

Year 8 Food Tech

This week, I had the privilege of teaching the Year 8 boys in Food Tech, where we made a traditional Syrian sweet breakfast dish called Mamounia.

Made from fine semolina, the dish begins with the semolina being roasted in melted butter until golden brown. Water is then added and brought to a boil, allowing the mixture to thicken, before a little sugar is stirred through. A final sprinkle of cinnamon adds extra flavour.

For many students, the taste was unlike anything they had experienced before, and most thoroughly enjoyed trying something new. While a few found the texture unfamiliar, the lesson provided a valuable opportunity to explore another culture through food. I look forward to hearing of how some students go at making this on their own at home.

Marko Wakim

Chaplain