Middle School

Future of Faith: Digital Church Design

Our Year 9 students have just wrapped up an engaging unit exploring the rich, dynamic history of the Catholic Church in Melbourne.  From the early foundation of St Patrick’s Cathedral to the evolving role of local parishes in supporting diverse communities over the decades, students investigated how sacred spaces adapt to meet the changing needs of the people they serve.  To bring their learning to a creative climax, students were challenged to design their own parish of the future, balancing tradition with forward-thinking design to imagine how a church might look, function and welcome community members decades down the line.

Students in 9 Barak took this task to an incredible new level by bringing their concepts directly to life through code.  Using interactive 3D software, Barak students built fully custom virtual churches completely from scratch.  They engineered immersive digital environments that allow visitors to step inside and walk through every corner of their vision.

The level of detail and inventiveness on display was extraordinary.  Virtual visitors can navigate light-filled sanctuaries, modern gathering spaces and eco-friendly gardens, all while interacting with embedded features designed by the students.  Clicking on a stained-glass window, altar or community hub opens pop-up notes that explain the historical symbolism and future rationale behind every creative decision.  From renewable energy integration to digital outreach hubs, these designs tackled real-world future challenges while keeping community connection at the heart of the parish.

The combination of historical understanding, spatial design, and advanced coding skills resulted in work that was both technically impressive and deeply reflective.

Congratulations to all our Year 9s, and a special shoutout to Barak for pushing the boundaries of technology and creativity to show us what the future of our Melbourne church communities could look like.

Ms Hannah Hale

Religious Education Learning Leader

Synergy

Over the last couple of weeks, our Year 9 Synergy students have continued their work exploring Melbourne's history, landmarks, architecture and significant Melburnians.

Students in 9 Monash demonstrated confidence and leadership as they led their class through a walking tour focused on women who have shaped Melbourne.  They researched figures including Constance Stone, Vida Goldstein, Zelda D'Aprano and Nellie Melba, guiding their peers to locations around the city connected to each woman's story.

The following week, students ventured into the city in groups to sketch iconic Melbourne buildings, which they are now transforming into digital artworks and watercolour paintings in class.  In the afternoon, they took part in a research skills workshop at the State Library of Victoria, putting these skills into practice straight away by researching and writing responses on the historical and cultural significance of the landmarks they'd sketched. These are skills that will no doubt serve them well across all subject areas. 

This past Wednesday, students worked in groups to film Getaway-style tourism videos showcasing their knowledge of the city.  Each group was allocated a location and tasked with recommending nearby places to eat and explore.  Despite the dreary Melbourne weather, students embraced the challenge and worked collaboratively to make the most of the day.

Well done, 9 Monash and 9 Melba!

Watercolour painting by Agnese C - 9 Melba.

Ms Sherine Baydoun

Synergy Leader

Pelvic Pain Foundation 

We were delighted to welcome back Jo from the Pelvic Pain Foundation to speak to our Year 10 about pelvic pain, period pain, endometriosis and the importance of awareness, education and advocacy.

The informative session highlighted to students the importance of recognising symptoms, seeking appropriate support and reducing the stigma that can sometimes surround conversations about pelvic health.

The presentation also highlighted the value of listening to and supporting individuals experiencing chronic pain, while promoting greater awareness and understanding.  

We thank the Pelvic Pain Foundation for taking the time to visit our school and for sharing their knowledge and experiences with our students. 

Ms Tanya Vajda

Health Sciences Learning Leader

Macbeth Incursion

On Friday, 14 August, the Year 10 cohort were treated to a live performance of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” performed by Complete Works Theatre Company.  Seeing the play performed live provided students with a valuable opportunity to experience Shakespeare’s language, characters and dramatic tension in a dynamic and engaging way.   The actors’ energy and interaction with the audience added an unexpected element of surprise, drawing students into the performance and bringing the play to life in a way that reading the text alone cannot replicate – the scenes involving the Three Weird Sisters was a personal highlight!

Students responded enthusiastically to the performance, with many asking insightful questions during the discussion that followed.  Their questions demonstrated a thoughtful engagement with the characters, themes and choices made by the performers, providing a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of Shakespeare’s enduring tragedy. It was wonderful to see students so engaged with the experience and willing to explore the play beyond the classroom.

Mr Stefan Odachowski

English Learning Leader