Student News

VCE | Business Management

Unit 1/2: Project Gen Z Incursion

A few weeks ago, the Business Management Unit 1 class were lucky enough to have the opportunity to participate in the Project Gen Z Apprentice Challenge, led by leading Australian entrepreneurs Liz and Jesse Volpe. Our challenge was to create a business and marketing campaign within a few hours, ending with a ‘Shark Tank’ like pitch to present our idea. The objective of our mission was to successfully create a campaign to sell 10,000 leftover pens for a non-for-profit organisation with the incentive of goodie bags for the winning team as well as special opportunities for the overall winner.

We started off the day feeling a sense of anxiousness and curiosity. We were thrown into the deep end by having to make a group chant and perform it in front of everyone. Through Liz and Jesse’s presentation, we were able to be inspired and motivated for the rest of the day, using the knowledge we acquired to work effectively as a group to overcome the challenges. As the winning team, our aim throughout the day was to be as structured and organised as possible and we guess that turned out pretty well in the end!!

Overall, the day was a very insightful and enjoyable experience and a good way to apply the business theories we learnt in class into a competitive real world situation.

- Santhushi G, Amish J, Yvonne L, Andrea S (Winning Team)

"Working in a team environment to complete the challenge was thoroughly enjoyable. A key component (being my favourite part of this challenge) was developing a video and sales presentation to pitch to the judging panel.

"I was fortunate enough to win the overall winners prize which included: a prize bag, a work experience placement at Project Gen Z and being part of their Student Board. It also included a mentoring session with a successful entrepreneur. It was definitely a great finish to a memorable day! I look forward to connecting with Project Gen Z in the future."

- Kisara P (Overall Winner)

Unit 3/4: Carlton Brewhouse Excursion

Learning about Operations Management in major businesses is one thing in theory, but seeing it happen live in an actual Brewhouse is on a whole different level!

Our Unit 3/4 class went on an excursion to Carlton Brewhouse in Abbotsford, which is Australia’s largest brewery, producing on average 155,000 litres of beer daily and home to the ‘River of Beer’.

There, we got to learn about the range of strategies used by the business to manage and optimise their operations. Some key areas we observed and learnt about included; how they manage their materials, manage quality, and the technology and lean management strategies used in production. Walking around the facility enabled us to see the production process from start to finish which included sampling the grains and hops used in the beer production (albeit, no alcohol involved being a school tour!), giving the key concepts associated with this outcome real meaning.

The day was super informative and will surely help us for our upcoming SAC and Examination!

- Rijja M

Year 9 Camp | Phillip Island

The Year 9 transition period at Suzanne Cory High School came to a stunning conclusion with the Year 9 camp to Phillip Island. Tremendous thanks to all the staff who attended, especially the Year 9 home group teachers and coordinators who made this an extra-special and memorable event!

Humanities Week 2019

Humanities Week was buzzing with different activities. The week started with a Humanities Kahoot at lunch time in the Agora by Mr Alex Wright. The students enjoyed displaying their knowledge of Humanities.

On Tuesday (21 May), was the Annual SCHC Budget Breakfast, Mr David Degaris (Senior Economist and Director) from the Nab came and discussed the economics implications of the budget on the Australian economy to the Year 11 Economics classes in the auditorium. It was a very informative and interesting session with a lot of the students asking lots of questions about the economy.

On Wednesday (22 May) Ms Raquel Fenby and Mr Chris Parkinson organised a Roman army testudo attack! The Ancient History and Latin class centurion attack the Agora in traditional Roman tortoise formation and was very dramatic.

During the Humanities Week, we had the SCHS ‘Wall of Peace and Unity’. This activity was based on historical walls, such as the Berlin Wall and Hadrian's Wall, which have impacted the global community. A lot of students wrote respectful messages on the wall promoting peace and goodwill.  

On Friday (24 May), there was the greatly anticipated ‘The Mother of all Debates’ in the PD Centre at lunchtime, where staff and students debated to the topic ‘Capitalism is rigged in favour of the elites’. The students (negative team) won the debate. A big congratulations to the following people - Cherry P, Kisara P, Hassan N, Mr. Jack Phelam, Mr. Tom Gouliotidis, Mr. Keegan Ryan, Mr. Chris Parkinson and Vaibhav J - to make the Humanities debate a successful and enjoyable event. The beginnings of an annual event!!!! The best speaker was Hassan N.

The aim of the week was to allow students to engage in the Humanities subjects of Accounting, Business Management, Economics, History, Legal Studies and Politics and see how wonderful and fun, learning these subjects can be. A big ‘Thank You” to everyone who participated making it such a successful week.

- Nina Degaris (Senior Economics & Legal Studies Teacher)

VCE Media Top Screen & Design Excursion

On May 1st, the Year 11 and 12 VCE Media students venture out into the city to explore the different forms of expression available in terms of media. The first activity for the day was an escape room where we competed against the Year 12 students to see who was the better problem solver. In the room we had to work as a team, putting our minds together to solve riddles and puzzles to escape the room - our group came second! We then had a quick lunch break before regrouping at ACMI.

At ACMI we watched the shortlisted films by 2018 Media 3/4 students and participated in the popularity vote. The short films we watched consisted of documentaries, animations, a music video and a few fictionalised stories. After the screening we walked to the Melbourne Museum - on the way we made a pit stop for Bubble Tea and gelato  - to view the Top Screen students’ folios, in addition to the folios and final products of the students who decided to explore photography, print and hybrid media products. This activity served as a source of inspiration for the development of our own media products.

We highly recommend students take Media as a VCE subject if you have any interest in media forms (film, photography, print, animation, etc.), or are just wanting to try something new because it is incredibly fun and the skills developed in this subject are transferable to any area we may pursue in the future. Media studies is very rewarding and makes you look at art in a different light.

- Alysandra K and Andrea S

Student Barista Training

In March, 12 students had the opportunity to develop their employability skills by completing a barista training course. Students learnt how to operate a professional coffee machine to make all styles of coffee. The following week, students put their skills to the test, serving coffee and hot chocolate to visitors at the Parent Information Evening, and Select Entry School Conference. The next round of barista training is already planned for June, with the aim to train 60 students across the year through the program.

- Mr. Brendan Taig (Careers Coordinator)

University Lunchtime Presentations

Throughout Term 1 and 2, universities have visited to present to students at lunch. It is important for students to explore a wide variety of tertiary study options, as each institution offers different courses, study styles, culture and opportunities. All students are encouraged to continue to explore their options by attending university open days and information sessions, or book an appointment with Mr Taig or Ms Paye.

Lip Sync Battle | Staff vs Students Week 2019

Congratulations to all staff and students who participated in the annual Staff vs Student Week Lip Sync Battle! Tremendous skill, athleticism, and wig styling was on display, and the impartial panel of judges were faced with the unenviable position of declaring a winner - the fantastic ensemble work of "Drop The Beat: An Ode to Vine"! Special mention also goes to Mr. Malone for his spot-on Nicki Minaj homage, and to our very own bespoke Spice Girls! Well done everyone!

House News | Rothwell

Heading into Term 2, preparation for the 2019 House Chorals competition has begun. As Rothwell is a house of diverse students with a range of talents, the Chorals competition allows for those who have an interest in music to showcase their talents, and for others to have a good time singing alongside their fellow Rothwellians. Our theme for this year is “The Rothwell Revolution” since Rothwell is coming back stronger than ever before. We aim to make the voices of the students be heard through our singing and performances, championing each and every one of our talents as Rothwell is a force to be reckoned with. The theme also enables the house to show other unexpected sides to us than just being the “happy house” however we embrace and use the fun and exciting signature Rothwellian traits to harness the performances.

Each house was allocated the same set song, ‘Do You Hear the People Sing,’ from the popular musical and movie, ‘Les Misérables.’ Paired alongside this emotive song, Rothwell has chosen the mass song titled ‘Some Nights’ by Fun due to the song's passionate and lifting energy, highly reflecting the house and the Rotwellian Spirit. By doing so, the house is able to demonstrate its duality, through the contrasting effects of both mass songs as Rothwell aims to show its many sides at this year’s competition. Our instrumental band is performing the song ‘Light em Up’, by Fall Out Boy, which was also arranged by Year 11 student Jay R. The song advocates for the variety of instruments the talented students are able to play whilst fitting the traditional image of the previously winning Rothwell instrumental band. 'Pompeii' by Bastille will be harmoniously performed by the small choir, as it suits the House’s chosen theme of “The Rothwell Revolution”. Rothwell’s solo vocalist, Mackenzie G is performing ‘Killing Me Softly’, aiming to make the audience lean in and listen to her gentle but powerful vocals, while Rothwell’s solo instrumentalist, Annie P is performing ‘Rachmaninoff Prelude in C Sharp Minor’ on the grand piano, emphasising the versatility of the Rothwell House. Every student from Rothwell works very hard, and they have practices during lunch times, house assemblies and even during home group.

Aside from preparing for chorals, Rothwell has continued with their Rothwell Rewards systems and organised another homeroom vs homeroom activity. This allows the students of Rothwell to continue to strengthen their ongoing bond amongst each other. The Year 11 and Year 12 students of Rothwell continued their domination in VCE Sports, finishing both 1st and 2nd respectively in Basketball, and doing excellent for this term’s sport: Volleyball. 

Also, the Year 9 cohort has made a fantastic contribution to Rothwell and the school by winning the Year 9 Primus Cup. This involves many activities across Term 1 to support their transition into the school. This is a fantastic achievement and speaks to their dedication.

Finally, we would like to congratulate Stella S (Year 9) and Sean G (Year 11) for making to States in swimming, and Raaif M for being the new Year 9 SRC for Rothwell!

 - Rothwell House Captains