10-12 Campus News
Graduation- The Class of 2019
The Year 12 graduation was held at the Robert Blackwood Hall (Monash University) at 5pm on Sunday 20th October. It was great to see such a large section of our community present to commemorate the end of this, the secondary leg, of our student’s educational journey.
I am reminded of something that I was told by a karate instructor on my journey from white belt towards black. He said that all of the work that goes into getting a black belt, the sweat, the bruises, the aches the pains the joys and the hardships are but a precursor to the real martial art journey. It is after you earn the black belt that the real learning begins. He went on to say that as a black belt age, with wear and tear, in time that it will slowly turn pale and that the greatest martial artists, those who have committed their lives to the art form are those that are once again wearing white.
So the journey is cyclic. We learn enough in high school to launch ourselves into a higher plane of learning. For some it will be based solidly in a trade or work place; real world learning application heavy, people-centric. For others it will the path of academia; the texts; the essays; the ever expanding equations.
Either way, we learn that the more we know, the more that there is still to be discovered. High School is done and the academic black belts have been earned and proudly displayed; however, we hope that our students go forward as life long learners.
As I mentioned at the end of my Graduation Speech:
'So go out. Do what you are going to do. Be who you are going to be. But understand that kindness is a legacy. It lingers long after we leave the planet, the college, or even the room.'
Outdoor Education at Sandringham College
As technology develops in today's society, our relationship with it is replacing a connection with the real world, specifically the outdoors. It is important for us to stay connected to and immerse ourselves in nature. Outdoor Education programs, such as those offered at Sandringham College, offer our students unique learning opportunities and a variety of distinctive and challenging landscapes.
Through outdoor education, students develop a real sense of self, learn how to be resilient and self-reliant. Through spending time in nature, our students have the chance to strive, relax, learn and grow, all in a less formal setting than a classroom.
VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies provides students with the skills and knowledge to safely participate in activities in outdoor environments and to respect and value diverse environments. The blend of direct practical experience of outdoor environments with theory-based study enables informed understanding of human relationships with nature. The study enables students to make critically informed comments on questions of environmental sustainability and to understand the importance of environmental health, particularly in local contexts.
At Sandringham College, we have the values and respect for self, others, and the environment, and outdoor education really encompasses that. On camps, students are stretched beyond their usual boundaries, they develop new skills, become more resilient and often take the opportunity to put their personal values into action. Collaboration and teamwork are non-negotiable! Seeing students working to support each other is rewarding. Refreshing, too, is watching them connect with and appreciate the natural environment while finding new ways to relax and unwind without the distraction of technology.
This year, students had the opportunity to visit the following environments and take part in a variety of different experiences:
- Grampians National Park Hike
- Cathedral Ranges State Park Hike
- Mount Stirling Cross-Country Skiing
- Snorkeling Popes Eye in Port Phillip Bay
- Swimming with seals
- Adventure caving at Brittania Caves
Year 10 Astronomy students linked In with
Mars scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
On Thursday 24th October, Dr Len Halprin and Maria Curphey arranged a live question and answer session for the Year 10 Astronomy students with Mars scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
Dr Abigail Fraeman gave a splendid account of her work on the Mars Rovers and Orbiters. She gave accounts of the Opportunity and Spirit which were initially designed to last three months but actually remained active for 6 and 14 years. She highlighted the new technology in the most recent Rover named Curiosity.
Dr Fraeman then succinctly showed us the work they had done and photographs of the data collected by the Rovers. She gave an insight into work that NASA was carrying out in relation whether there was other life in the solar system and how new probes were being built to now take samples of rocks for future projects to collect and bring back to Earth.
Students were be able to discuss space science topics in the field of planetary exploration. There were lots of great questions from the students who had obviously thought about these beforehand and they found the experience extremely interesting. Dr Fraeman was impressed with the students’ ideas and enthusiasm.
Year 12 VCAL Fete
On Monday 7th October, the members of Sandringham College’s Year 12 Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) class put on a Fete to kick off the final term of the 2019 school year. Students of the 10-12 Campus were welcomed back to student-run food stalls and even a Second-Hand Op shop full of vintage clothing finds. The VCAL students had spent weeks planning and applying their business management, marketing and sales skills, and represented the small business projects they had designed themselves from the ground up. These included:
- The “Sandy Sausage Sizzle” firing out classic Aussie BBQ snags
- Homemade vegetarian and teriyaki chicken sushi rolls from the “Sushi Spot”
- Student-run “Sandy Express Café” supplying the school with gourmet sandwiches, toasties coffees and more
- The “Cupcake Queens” and their delicious sweet treats
- “Sardo’s Pizza” where three generations of Italy’s finest came together to supply our students with gourmet slices
- Classic cinema trivia and movie snacks produced by “Leigh and Daniel’s Movie Night”
- The “Cop Shop” outfitting students with the vintage sneakers and clothing
- Dehydrated Fruit Teas and Infused Water from “Personali-Tea” founded, designed and executed by one of our VCAL Leaders.
A fantastic day at Sandringham College’s 10-12 Campus for all involved, with the profits generated by the businesses being donated to RUOK in support of youth mental health initiatives.