VUSC News

Around the Campuses

Falls Creek Ski Trip

A Term 3 highlight this year was the annual Senior Ski Trip. Eighty students headed up to Falls Creek ski resort in north-eastern Victoria, staying on the mountain for two nights, and spending two days learning to ski and snowboard. We were fortunate to get the best of the season, with full snow cover and all lifts turning under beautiful blue skies. 

 

Our VUSC students did the college proud, showing tenacity and a spirit of adventure, while looking out for one another and building a great sense of camaraderie among the group. It was great to see all our students embodying our school values - Aspire to Achieve, Respect Ourselves and Others, and Strengthen the Community - in a totally different setting. A huge thank you to the students for making the trip so memorable and to our amazing staff and volunteers for making this opportunity possible for our students!

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Julianne Negri Creative Writing Workshops

Julianne Negri, the Brunswick-based author of our Year 7 text, “The Secret Library of Hummingbird House,” visited VUSC on 15 and 16 August to help cap off our study of her text and kick off our creative writing unit.  She ran a series of workshops in which she shared her own personal journey to writing the book and shared a number of tips, tricks, and exercises that the students engaged with to start writing stories of their own.  Thank you, Ms Negri for being so generous with your time and energy, not just on the day, but in the lead-up to the events, in answering questions from students and staff after the events, and also for gifting our school with 10 copies of the book, which are now in our library!

 

Mr Steyer

English & Literature Teacher

 

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Victorian High Ability Program Masterclass

Students involved in the Victorian High Ability Program had the opportunity to attend a Masterclass at the end of semester 1 with students from other schools. The masterclass allowed students to connect with like-minded peers across the state, in order to reflect on their experiences and delve further into some of the big ideas of the course.

 

Below is two of the students' account of the event:

 

The VHAP masterclass is a great opportunity to collaborate with like-minded peers. This event brought together students from all different schools, this included: Taylors Lakes Secondary College, Keilor Downs College, St Albans Secondary College, and VUSC. English and Math students were split in to two groups where they were challenged in the areas in which they learnt content throughout the term. Students participated in projects that required teamwork and intellectual thinking such as: puzzles, presentations, power writes and problem solving. Overall, we had a really fun day and learnt a lot from both each other and the mentors. Thank you to Taylors Lakes for hosting us.

Jessica and Lucy 8B  

 

Ms Hamit

VHAP Practice Leader

 

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Book Week

Last week we celebrated Book Week at the Junior Campus with various lunchtime activities and a quiz running in the library throughout the week. This encouraged students to locate books on various subjects and also to recognise some famous book quotes. Thanks to Luisa in the library for putting this together. Congratulations to the Year 7 and 8 students who were winners of the quiz! On Thursday students made some bookmarks and on Friday participated in a Book Week quiz while some students dressed as a book character over the lunch period. We had a variety of outfits including Where’s Wally and the chipmunks! Thanks to the students and staff who got involved. 

 

 

Ms Wooles

English Teacher

 

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Biomedical Sciences Day at the University of Melbourne and GTAC

Our students had a fantastic learning opportunity to further their Science / Biology study at the University of Melbourne and GTAC as part of Biomedical Sciences Day in National Science Week. 

 

They met with enthusiastic scientists, learning about current research and looking at real life samples under light, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopes. Across the day our students learned about arthritis, cancer, MND, the brain, neural responses in zebrafish, the skin, malaria, and stress responses in mice. They also accessed the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology undertaking a ‘treasure hunt’ uncovering real tissue specimens and historical anatomical models. This included looking at human bones dating back to the 1800’s! 

 

Time spent in the AdaptLab allowed students to experience how innovative digital technology is used to study the human body utilising 3D VR heart models giving the opportunity to ‘hold’ the heart in the hand and examine the various structures making a human heart. Students also had the opportunity to ask questions of current Biomedical Science Students about university life, joining social clubs, how they manage workload and stress, and how they are enjoying the experience so far. 

 

All our students had a wonderful experience; the day provided insights into what biomedicine is today and the diverse range of careers and impact studying biomedicine offers, and importantly what a life studying at University could look like for our students. 

 

Mr On

Biology Teacher

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Year 9 Careers Expo

The focus for Term 3 in Year 9 Inquiry has been all about ‘Careers’. The unit is designed to help support students to think about their future and career goals.

 

Students were required to choose a career pathway they are interested in and research:

  • The skills and attributes needed for that career
  • University or TAFE courses required and any pre-requisites
  • The Year 10, 11 and 12 subjects they should select in order to successfully prepare them for their future.

Students also had the opportunity to create a resume to help support them with entering the world of work. 

 

The unit culminated in a Careers Expo whereby students showcased all their hard work and effort across the term and created a Career Poster about their chosen field of work. Students had the opportunity to listen to several guest speakers talk about VET programs, Trade and Apprenticeships. Prizes and awards were given out to the most outstanding posters and winners of a scavenger hunt. 

 

The Year 9 Inquiry teachers were extremely proud of the students’ efforts and behaviour on the day. We hope the unit has opened their eyes to the possibilities and adventures that await them. 

 

Clare Mercadante 

AVID/Inquiry Leader 

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Breakfast Club every Wednesday and Friday

All students are welcome to come along to the Breakfast Club every Wednesday and Friday - in the kitchen behind Building B at the Senior Campus and the Coordinators' Office at the Junior Campus. 

 

Come along for some toast, milk, cereal, fruit and snacks!