College News
FIRE Carrier Guest Speaker
Our Year 5 and 6 students had the privilege of learning about Aboriginal culture from CES Education Officer, Michael Chisholm recently. Michael tapped into students' prior knowledge and unpacked the FIRE Carrier acronym. Through the extra-curricular Friends Igniting Reconciliation Education program, students can become social justice leaders. Michael Chisholm's engaging session provided insights into Aboriginal culture and fostered understanding and respect among the students. The students worked together to brainstorm some wonderful ideas and initiatives that could be implemented by the 2024 FIRE Carriers to promote recognition, inclusivity and harmony.
Our Common Home
There was a hive of activity at the front of the College on Monday 22 April when some students from Year 8 and 9 worked alongside Phil Hunter and Neville Hunter (Kyabram Landcare) to plant some native plants as a part of the College's Our Common Home Project.
Under the guidance of plant experts, students learned about the importance of native plants in maintaining ecosystem health and supporting local wildlife. Armed with spades and seedlings, the environmental enthusiasts dug into the task with enthusiasm, eager to make a tangible impact on the College grounds.
Not only did the planting contribute to beautifying the College landscape, but it also provided students with hands-on experience in conservation practices. By actively participating in the planting process, they developed a deeper connection to nature and gained valuable insights into sustainable land management. The planting was made possible by the Philomena Billington Social Justice Through the Arts Scholarship that the College was awarded last year.
SOLE Stars
Congratulations to our Week 3 SOLE Stars.
State of the Future Parliament Youth Forum - Kyabram
On Wednesday 17 April four St Augustine’s students from Year 10 and Year 12 attended the State of the Future Parliament Youth Forum made possible by YouThrive.
The event was held at the Kyabram Fauna Park and commenced with an informative Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country. Students from a range of secondary Colleges in the district were in attendance. The event was about young people in regional areas of Victoria having their say and expressing their ideas and opinions before an audience of leaders and representatives of our State. There were students from different schools as well as young adults from a range of youth organisations, who participated in roundtable discussions to dissect issues and make recommendations. Participants were provided with morning tea and lunch, while also being able to have a walk around the Kyabram Fauna Park during the breaks. The day was a great experience and ended with presentations from each table group expressing all our ideas to the MPs including the Hon. Peter Walsh, the Mayor of Campaspe Shire, Rob Amos, as well as other Campaspe Councillors who were eager to hear our ideas.
From our students:
Guneet: “It was a new form of experience that I would love to do again as we were given the opportunity to have a voice upon the issues that are affecting the youth.”
Bella: “It was nice to learn that the people who are representing us care about what we have to say as members of youth in the area.”
Sarah: “It was so good to be able to talk about mental health with other people which is something I am passionate about and being able to present things that need to be changed to Parliament.”
Isla: “I learnt so much about Parliament and how it is accessible to input your opinions and ideas for our local representatives and MPs, which is refreshing living in a rural area.”
Anzac Day
Our College Captains represented St Augustine's at the Kyabram Anzac Day Ceremony.