Senior School
Mr Mark Robson, Head of Senior School
Head of the Lake
Last Sunday our rowers competed in the Head of the Lake, with many coming away with the ultimate prize. The Senior School is incredibly proud of all our rowers, particularly those in Years 11 and 12. We are equally as proud of the way the Spit Crew threw their weight behind our crews, and the crews of Loreto, our sister school. The Spit Crew captains, Ollie Hannaford, Archie Caldow and Max Treweek, ensured the energy on the day was positive and directed at the efforts of the competitors in the boats. A huge congratulations to all involved, on and off the lake.
Men of Honour
On Tuesday, 20 March, the Year 11s had a day with Glen Gerreyn, a public speaker from Queensland who specialises in talking to adolescent boys. He presented to the students in the OCA Pavilion. Glen’s talk is titled ‘Men of Honour’ and is centred around teaching young men to make informed and mature decisions that will result in positive outcomes as they journey towards adulthood.
Some of the key topics Glen covered included finding purpose, having a clear and worthwhile vision for the future, stepping outside of one’s comfort zone and goal setting. This included acknowledging that failure is not something to be feared, but rather a learning opportunity to be engaged with.
In the final session of the day, Glen’s presentation focused on sex, relationships, and masculinity, which can be challenging for some boys. However, these are important topics for our Year 11 students to consider at this important stage of their development. I encourage all parents to speak to their sons about their experience of the day and to discuss any questions they may have.
Science excursions
As part of the VCE Biology and Environmental Science courses students undertook a set of excursions running over Weeks 4 & 5 of Term 1.
Students receiving a briefing on practical safety elements.
Students practicing pipetting skills.
Students pipetting Plasmid into Tranformation Solution to prepare for Bacterial Gene Editing
Students receiving a briefing on practical safety elements.
Students practicing pipetting skills.
Students pipetting Plasmid into Tranformation Solution to prepare for Bacterial Gene Editing
In Biology, students visited the Ballarat Technical School, wherein they took part in a Gene Editing program aimed at introducing a gene responsible for the production of Green Flourescent Protein in a culture of E Coli. Students learned about the safety requirements of handling live bacteria and the principles behind the maniupulation of bacterial DNA. To put some of these concepts into practice, students were also given a tour of the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Centre, where some of the current researchers outlined how modern biological concepts are being used to develop treatments for aggressive forms of cancer. The boys were commended for their enthuisiasm in engaging with the practical activities, their knowledge of the biological concepts being examined, and the level of respect shown to the facilities at the Ballarat Technical School and the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Centre.
Students sampling some of the food produced at the Common Ground Project.
Students feeding Chickens at the Common Ground Project.
Collection of local produce from the Common Ground Project.
Students review some of the agricultural technologies used to enhance Food Security at the Common Ground Project.
Review session between St Pat’s students and Farmer Fraser.
Students sampling some of the food produced at the Common Ground Project.
Students feeding Chickens at the Common Ground Project.
Collection of local produce from the Common Ground Project.
Students review some of the agricultural technologies used to enhance Food Security at the Common Ground Project.
Review session between St Pat’s students and Farmer Fraser.
Within VCE Environmental Science sustainable development is a key focus. In line with this, students ventured to a regenerative farm, The Common Ground Project, in Freshwater Creek to see first hand how a small, community run venture is promoting food security by supplying fresh produce to locals.
Our students engaged in a range of activities that included feeding chickens, propogating edible pigface, picking tomatoes and foraging numerous food items for a healthy snack or two. They were able to discuss the importance of soil health with Farmer Fraser and learn about the importance (and tastiness) of several Australian native plants from our education officer Lachy. Students received high praise from Common Ground Project staff for the manner in which they engaged in the activities and willingness to ask questions.
Well done to all of the boys involved with these excursions. The excursions work to both enhance the boy’s knowledge of their respective studies and enhance the community involvement of the College with respect to the Science programs. A special thankyou to Ms Janelle Spierings, Ms Regina Wilson and Mr Andrew Chamings for their support, organisation, and coordination of these excursions.
— James Russell, Head of Science