Students in Action
Live FM Podcast Recording
On Tuesday 7 May a group of Year 11 and 12 Vocational Major (VM) students were invited to Headspace to participate in some podcasts on body image for Live FM.
In a previous session last term, students were taught about hosting a podcast and were grouped with a special guest. Together they came up with questions to ask during the podcast episodes. Our guests included Holly McLeish (Mental Health Clinician), Danielle Paterson (Dietician) and Abbey Watson (SJC Wellbeing Team).
After arriving at Headspace, the students were nervous about speaking on the podcasts however Ralph from Live FM guided them through the process, taught them about introductions and the 4Ws. Once everyone had a practice it was time to record. The students were excellent, all participating in their podcasts, asking relevant and engaging questions while being mindful of such a triggering topic of body image.
The general discussion from the students was eye opening as they broke down barriers and spoke about issues that are often not discussed in public. The students are hoping these podcast episodes will help other young people continue to talk about body image in a positive manner.
Once Live FM has edited the podcast episodes they will be available for everyone to listen to and enjoy. Stay tuned!
Clare Orton - Classroom Teacher
The Court Report
In Unit 1 Legal Studies, we learn how to Prove Guilt!
We begin by determining who has the burden to do this - the prosecution or the accused (it's the prosecution) - and to what standard (beyond reasonable doubt). Conversely we also consider the importance of the principle of the presumption of innocence for the accused. The next steps are to determine what needs to be present for a crime to have been committed - actus reus (the guilty act) and mens rea (the guilty mind) - and how a crime can be defended: self-defence, mental impairment, duress, sudden and extraordinary emergency, automatism (like sleepwalking), intoxication and accident.
We then take all this learning and apply it to the crime of MURDER! And we do this by applying some practical legal skills in a MOOT COURT. A moot court is a simulated trial where students take on the roles of lawyers, presenting legal arguments to a judge and jury. The alleged ‘crime’ in our moot court was the death of a young man out the front of the school after an argument over Taylor Swift music, with the added complication that after the victim was pushed and hit his head, he was struck by lightning.
Witnesses recalled hearing an argument, seeing a garden fork being wielded, and blood on the ground. The other participant in the argument, the accused, was charged with murder and was tried before a judge and jury. Prosecution and defence solicitors and barristers prepared and presented opening statements, called witnesses who they examined and cross-examined (questioning by both sides), and used their closing statements to implore the jury to find the accused either guilty of murder or not guilty on the grounds of self-defence. For a verdict of guilty, the prosecution needed to prove that the killing was unlawful, the accused’s acts were unlawful, the accused committed the acts that caused the victims death, and the accused acted with intent to kill or cause serious harm.
Conversely, the defence needed to sow seeds of doubt, and argued that their client could not be guilty of murder if they killed someone when they reasonably believed it was necessary to defend themself from death or really serious injury. Students would like to thank Victoria Police Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Brent O'Grady for taking time out of work to spend 75 minutes preparing both the prosecution and defence teams, and giving tips and advice to our judge and judges associate.
Many thanks also to Mrs Phillips and Mrs Carter for giving up a lesson to be our two person jury. Your thoughtful and considered verdict was very much appreciated. All in all, this exercise was an excellent learning opportunity.
And the verdict? “We find the accused … not guilty.”
Claire Hogan - Classroom Teacher
Winton Wetlands Cultural Art Excursion
On Tuesday 30 April, 22 students across Year 9 and 10 made the trip to The Winton Wetlands for a day filled with creativity, reconciliation and recognition. The Winton Wetlands Restoration Project captures the history and living culture of the Yorta Yorta people, as well as the beauty of the wetlands.
We walked along a trail in the shape of the totem long neck turtle and explored Art Sculptures by 15 Yorta Yorta Elders, including some from Echuca. We enjoyed photographing the area and sculptures. We took note of and sketched what we saw and the meaning within each, to help inspire planning for our own artworks. It was very special to see each sculpture immersed in the land it holds rich cultural ties too. It was also good to interact with nature, as within ten minutes of our arrival we had spotted a group of kangaroos and cockatoos. The Winton Wetlands are a perfect place for immersing yourself in the pure beauty of nature, and uncovering the rich history of the area.
Where to next? We look forward to drawing on our excursion and sharing our learnings through art, for the 2024 NAIDOC Week theme, ‘Keep the fire burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.’ We are all excited to begin our artworks, inspired by the 15 art sculptures we saw.
Thank you Miss Keenan, Aunty Donna, Mrs O'Brien, Mrs Gotch and Mr Phillips for organising this amazing day and accompanying us on this incredible experience.
Annabelle Turner and Zoe Campbell - Year 9