Secondary School News

Year 8 Project Presentations

The Year 8 project was a self-directed task where you got to choose a topic you were interested in and you created something revolving around your passion. Some of us created books, artworks and others created digital products! There was a massive variety of things people created. We presented throughout the week to our peers, family and friends and we spoke about our journey. We would like to thank Liria, Charlotte, Tom and Jo for running the Year 8 projects and all the mentors who have helped us.

Written by Aish Eastwood, 8B

27/05/2022

Year 10 Trades Fit Expo

Recently fifteen Year 10 students volunteered to attend the Trades Fit expo where students were invited to explore the exciting world for young women in the trades and tech industries. As soon as we entered the building, straight away our students started participating in the hands-on activities and navigating their way around the displays.

I would like to thank all students who attended this expo - I overheard wonderful conversations that our students were having with people within the different industries and curious questions being asked. As I moved around from stall to stall and introduced myself and stated which school I worked at, numerous people commented on how they had already met students from Collingwood College and were impressed with their enthusiastic approach to the day. The career pathways that students were introduced to included building, electrical, automotive, aviation, plumbing, marine, robotics, gaming, cyber security and many more. We walked out of the Convention and Exhibition Building with several plus bags, each filled with all the fliers and freebies available, but also - more importantly - with a wealth of new knowledge about careers and pathways for women.

Honestly the best expo experience I have ever had with a school group!

Well done Year 10 :)

As a follow up, students who attended the expo also presented to the Year 10 cohort during their Career subject this week - sharing what they had learned and gained from the day with their peers.

Lori Michael

Year 9/10 Education and Programs Leader

Rhonda Cadman

Careers and Pathways Coordinator

Year 10 Farming Camp - April 2022

My year 10 Steiner class spent a week on a biodynamic farming camp up in Kyabram and we camped at the showgrounds. We traveled to four different biodynamic farms - Anee and John Phillips pomegranate farm, Mark and Zoe's farm Gecko woods, Katherina and Gary's farm Eden farms and Mark Peterson's Dairy Farm.

On Sunday we visited the Phillips pomegranate farm and picked and tried different species of pomegranate. John talked extensively about biodynamic and its usage on his farm and it was interesting to hear his story about the shift he took from conventional farming into biodynamics and the drastic benefits it had on the health of his soil, crops and animals.

On Monday and Tuesday we visited Gecko Woods farm run by Mark and Zoe Staywell. We split up cloves of garlic and separated them into large and small cloves for planting and we untied garlic stems to feed to the cattle. We got to watch Mark milk his goat and feed the cow and we also got a tour of his orchard where there were pigs roaming around, eating the fallen fruit and turning over the soil. He also talked about his usage of 500 on his crops and how he combated fruit fly and codling moths by releasing a virus, setting traps and releasing wasps that killed the moth larvae.

On Wednesday we visited Eden farms where Katherina and Gary gave us a tour and showed us all their animals. We had the opportunity to plant seedlings and help with construction of a deck and Katherina and Gary talked about their eco house which they had designed to run off solar power.

On Thursday we visited Mark Peterson's Dairy Farm and got to observe the milking process. We also learned about calving and how Mark uses flood irrigation to water his crops. Lastly we got to have a look at the top soil in one of his paddocks and got a tour of the farm.

On the last day of camp we went to the Goulburn weir and got to see how the water was diverted into channels and where the farms we visited acquired the water to irrigate their crops.

Over the course of this camp I learned a lot about biodynamics and found all the farmers really interesting to listen to. I loved hearing about how biodynamics improves the hearth of soil as well as the produce, livestock and farmers and it was incredible to see how passionate all the farmers were about their jobs and the wellbeing of the people who consumed their products.

Tadhg Bryant

Year 10

Interschool Sport - Year 9/10 Badminton

It's been a busy week for Interschool Sport at Collingwood College this week. Our Yr 9/10 (IB) boys hosted the Moreland Division Badminton competition and the Yr 9/10 (IG) girls travelled to Pascoe Vale Girls College for their competition.

The IB boys were magnificent in their training sessions, each week, and only lost one game throughout the whole tournament. They successfully won their flag and will progress as Morland Division winners to the next round. And big recognition to Tommy Yang for man of the day!

Nine Year 8/9 students went to Pascoe Vale Girls and played against Pascoe Vale Girls College and Coburg High School. Although we did not win overall, our students developed their badminton skills, their umpiring and their scoring skills. Many of our students have now started to bring in their own badminton equipment to school to play with at recess and lunchtime. I am very proud of their efforts during training and on tournament day. Well done everyone!

James Agombar

Head of Health, Physical Education & Sport

Year 9 PLC Leader

Collingwood College

Fitzroy Youth Homework Club

The Young Assets Foundation's Fitzroy Youth Homework Club provides education support for high school and university students (under 25) from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Fitzroy LibrarySupport includes:

one on one tutoring
study resources
study spaces
mentoring
pathways support

More information contact: Youth Assets Foundation 0406 054 820