Middle School

Year 9 Language Day

Languages Day was such a fun day.  We were treated to an unforgettable cultural adventure that brought the beauty of Japan right into the heart of Melbourne.   After a quick talk at school about how learning a second language can boost your VCE scores (a definite bonus!), all the Japanese students headed off to Japaneasy for some hands on culture.  We tried calligraphy—painting cool Japanese characters with real brushes—and made cute origami shapes.  Then came the highlight: food!  We tucked into delicious Japanese meals like chicken katsu, karaage, ramen, and steaming bowls of udon.  A quick trip to Daiso capped off the day, giving us a chance to explore kawaii Japanese goods before returning to school.  It was such a cool way to experience language and culture outside the classroom!

Riley Axalan

Today the Year 9s had their Languages day!  In the morning, we were brought to the lecture theatre, and we learnt a lot about the benefits of learning another language, from being able to empathize with different cultures to having your raw study score scaled up. Fortunately, we were provided with morning tea, consisting of croissants, cannoli and sushi, embracing the cultures of Italy, France and Japan.  In the afternoon we went to the NGV, and we picked 3 different French artworks to analyse.  After that, we had lunch at a French bakery called Laurent Bakery.  In my opinion, the bakery was very fancy, and the food was delicious!  Overall, I really enjoyed the experience and I loved the places that we went to!

Prytha Iong

On June 30th, the Year 9 cohort participated in Language Day.  The morning session focused on the many benefits of acquiring a second language and the opportunities it can offer, not only in high school but also in our future careers.  Later, the Italian students visited Lygon Street in Carlton to explore the rich Italian influence on Melbourne’s food scene.  We completed activities investigating aspects of the local restaurants and discovered how Italian immigration has shaped this area.  Overall, it was an insightful and enjoyable day that deepened our understanding of the importance of language and allowed us to immerse ourselves in different cultures.

Isabelle Naidoo

Today we had a Year 9 Languages Day.  It was fun and educational.  It started with us all going to the Lecture Theatre, in Periods 1 and 2, to hear about why it would be beneficial to keep our language.  We also learned about the ATAR scaling.  We also had Ms Anna Sicklinger and Lucie talking to us about the benefits of knowing another language.  This was a reason that reinforced my original opinion to keep my language in VCE.  After this, we went to the Hall to have morning tea. 

After recess, we went to the NGV.  We looked at a few French paintings, such as The Melon by Edouard Manet.  This was a very interesting experience because I got to understand the paintings better and learn a deeper meaning behind them.  For Lunch, we made our way to the Laurent bakery.  Overall, Languages Day was a fun experience for me and it reinforced my opinion of wanting to keep going on with French in the future.

Natalie Madtha

Ms Natalie Dickson

Languages Learning Leader

The Science Behind Fireworks

This term, our Year 10 Science students have been diving into the exciting world of Chemistry, with a particular focus on the science behind fireworks.  Through engaging practicals and class discussions, they have explored how the vibrant colours in fireworks are created by the behaviour of electrons within atoms.

Students learned that when fireworks explode, the heat energy excites the electrons in the metal atoms, causing them to jump to higher energy levels or shells. When these electrons return to their original, or “grounded” state, they release that extra energy as visible light.  The different colours we see—brilliant reds, greens, blues and yellows—are created by different elements, each producing a unique light spectrum.

It’s been a colourful and fascinating way for the students to deepen their understanding of atomic structure, energy and the real-world applications of chemistry.

Dr Bryce Dermody

Australian Catholic Youth Festival 

Three of our Year 9 students recently had the exciting opportunity to attend the Australian Catholic Youth Festival Kick Off Event at ACU.   

The day was filled with vibrant music, inspiring speakers, and moments of deep reflection, offering our students a chance to grow in faith and understanding.  Surrounded by students from Catholic schools across Melbourne and Geelong, they engaged in activities that sparked meaningful conversations and fostered a strong sense of connection to the wider Catholic community. 

It was a joyful and energising experience that left a lasting impression on their spiritual journey.

Future Focused Religious Education

As part of their Religious Education studies, our Year 9 students have been exploring the past and present of the Catholic Church in Melbourne, learning how faith has shaped and been shaped by our local context over time. 

With creativity and vision, students were then challenged to design the future Church, reimagining not only the physical building, but also the parish community, outreach activities and how the Church can meet the needs of future generations. 

Our future-focused Year 9s demonstrated a deep awareness of Melbourne’s evolving landscape and showed inspiring insight into how their generation might lead the Church with inclusivity, innovation and hope.

Ms Hannah Hale

Religious Education Learning Leader