Head of Campus
Week 4 certainly is an eventful week on the school calendar.
Our Years 7 and 9 students are participating in NAPLAN and have completed the Language Conventions, Writing and Reading tests; tomorrow they will complete the Numeracy test.
Our Year 10 Careers Activities Week kicked off on Monday and students have been busy engaging in various workshops. Over the last couple of days they have attained their Accredited Barista and Food Handler certificates. Complimentary coffee was available to staff today while the students simulated a working cafe.
Over the course of Tuesday and Wednesday, our Year 12 students completed their TOK presentations, which form part of their final assessment for this core subject in the Diploma Programme.
There are also a number of excursions taking place this Friday:
- Year 10 - Students will be attending the Careers Expo at the Exhibition Showgrounds to meet with a variety of organisations, including major university and tertiary institutions.
- Year 7 - Students will visit the Melbourne Museum to view the 600 Million Years exhibition, which links directly to their Individuals and Societies unit: Life on Earth and Evolution - the origin of life in Victoria told through fossils, models, animatronics and animations.
- Years 11 and 12 Theatre - DP Theatre students must see live theatre as part of their program. "Voyage" is a new work by Helen Begley, performed by the fortyfivedownstairs theatre group.
Events have been created for these excursions. If you are yet to provide consent and payment, please do so as soon as possible by logging onto your Compass parent account.
9/10 Experience
On Thursday 27 May, Years 9 and 10 students accompanied by Kris, Kat, Matt and Emily are heading off to country Victoria (Shepparton and The Grampians) for the 9/10 Experience. The impact a camp experience can have on a young adolescent is monumental. Skills like social interaction, self-confidence, a love and respect for nature and healthy living choices can all be learned and cemented.
Heading out on camp is also a highlight for teachers – it is the chance to interact with students in an environment outside of the classroom and provides the opportunity to build relationships on a foundation of shared experiences and trust.
One of the goals for our students heading off is to give them the opportunity to really explore what it means to be resilient to daily life stresses and help develop other positive traits that will transfer back into their learning at Preshil.
- Try new things – This Experience will challenge our students to step out of their comfort zone and expose them to new activities and places they may not be familiar with. Over the period of 9 days they will have the opportunity to try out different things and discover new passions. Part of the Experience this year is Service Learning in Shepparton and an opportunity to work alongside organisations that provide support to the local community. They will also participate in a cultural awareness workshop with a Yorta Yorta woman in Shepparton and then head out into the bush with some elders for an overnight camp in the river red gum forests. They will deepen their understanding of our country by learning about traditional Aboriginal society, Aboriginal identity, the impact of colonisation and life today for Yorta Yorta people. Our students will also visit The Grampians National Park which is heritage listed for its animal and plant life, Aboriginal heritage and stunning natural beauty.
- Unplug from technology - When we provide students the space to take a break from Netflix, mobile phones and the internet, they rediscover their creative powers and engage the real world - real people, real activities and real emotions.
- Grow more independent – The Years 9 and 10 Experience is the perfect place for students to practise making decisions for themselves without parents and teachers guiding every move. Managing their daily choices in a safe and caring environment, students welcome this as a freedom to blossom in new directions.
- Reconnect with nature – The Experience is a wonderful antidote to "nature deficit disorder”, to the narrow experience of modern indoor life. This outdoor experience enriches a young person’s perception of the world and also provides the opportunity to gain a much deeper understanding of indigenous culture.
- Build character - On top of making new friendships, the Experience also develops an appreciation for the qualities required to cultivate and strengthen these relationships. Over the 9 days, there will be plenty of opportunity for our students to delve into the core values of being a strong, moral individual by working together on topics of ethics, honesty, caring, respect and responsibility.
Quiz Night: Thursday 27 May
The Quiz Night is nearly upon us and Parent Reps are busy making preparations, as well as putting the call out to our community for help.
Victor Toufas
Acting Head of Campus