9-12 Community News

The last two weeks have seen us enjoying perfect autumn weather which we are sure that everyone has enjoyed. The students have returned to school and thrown themselves into their classes and other activities enthusiastically.

Students have been active in a number of fields of endeavour. In sports, Harrison Shortis competed successfully in the State Schools Swimming Championships. Harry came away with a silver medal in his favourite event, the 200m Freestyle, and a number of fourth, fifth and sixth places across a range of strokes and distances. Congratulations Harry on a fantastic effort. The senior boys and girls soccer teams competed in the Campaspe competition, with the boys breaking even with one win, one loss and the girls coming out of the day with one win and two losses.

The Unit 3/4 Outdoor and Environmental Studies class enjoyed perfect conditions for their canoeing camp through the Barmah Forest and wetlands.

Rehearsals for the College musical have been taking place in the PoP building, with lots of munchkins ‘following the yellow brick road’ on the way to the ‘Land of Oz’.

Our Year 12 student leaders gained great insights into the skills and strategies of leading and creating change at the Secondary Youth Leadership Conference in Melbourne.

The next few weeks see some significant events. May 11-14 will see the Year 9 students undertake NAPLAN testing. NAPLAN tests are important but should be seen as only one part of the many ways in which schools can measure the progression of students on their education continuum. While they are important, they are not something that students should worry about. Students are familiar with the format of the tests and have completed the Co-ordinated Practice Tests. If interested, students and parents can visit the NAPLAN website (https://www.nap.edu.au/home) for information about the tests and sample questions.

Today, vocational pathways are the focus of the Year 12s, who have travelled to the Victorian Careers Expo. This is an opportunity for the students to explore their many career and study pathways as they look to life beyond school.

The Year 11s have a similar opportunity when they venture to Melbourne for their Urban Experience/Vocational Pathways Camp from 12-14 May. Like the Year 12s, the Year 11s will explore vocational pathways when they visit the Victorian Careers Show. The students will also get the chance to visit La Trobe University Bendigo or Bendigo Regional Institute of Technology and then choose from tours of several universities, TAFEs and dual sector education institutions in Melbourne, as well as speaking with representatives from the building and construction industry and a range of trades. Also, they will get the chance to familiarise themselves with the Melbourne CBD and public transport network, visiting attractions such as the MCG & Australian Sports Museum, Sea Life Aquarium, Melbourne Museum, the State Library, ACMI (the Australian Centre for the Moving Image), the Queen Victoria Market and various other attractions and features of the city of Melbourne. It promises to be an informative and entertaining trip.

Michelle Downie                         Brad Downie

9-12 Community Leader           9-12 Community Leader

Wellbeing & Community           Student Learning and Professional Practice

Eagles Nest Visiting Performance Year 12 English

Year 12 English students were entertained and informed by the Eagles Nest performance of the ‘Extinction’ play on Thursday, 22nd April. After missing the performance last year, it was great to welcome back four seasoned performers to our auditorium. The play deals with the interactions of four key characters drawn together by the death of an endangered quoll in Victoria’s Otway Ranges. Climate change, coal mining and threatened animals are clear themes explored by the text and the performers.

Some sceptical senior students reluctantly shuffled into the theatre full of muffled complaints and some reluctance, only to be quickly transformed into a willing audience as key scenes were performed by talented actors. The action was interspersed with searing questions from the actors to draw student’s attention to the characters and themes from the text. The true Australian nature of the play was enthusiastically expressed through Aussie vernacular as the actors were true to the intent of the author, Hannie Rayson. Students quickly responded and spoke fervently about their interpretations of each scene performed. 

After such a long break from being able to enjoy live performance, it was refreshing to be enlivened by the group and the students were clearly inspired by the interpretations provided. The Eagles Nest performers have been regular visitors to our College over many years and we look forward to them returning again next year. Year 12 English teachers appreciate the support from all the teachers in giving up precious class time. Rest assured it was valuable to everyone who experienced ‘Extinction’ and insightful essays will convey their enhanced knowledge of the text. 

Loretta Richardson

English Learning Leader