ALUMNI NEWS
Tanja Dunat Timms
Ourschool Alumni Program Manager
1996 Alumna, Dr Yolanda Esteban Bort works with Year 12 Visual Communication and Design students
During my absence last term, 1996 alumna, Dr Yolanda Esteban Bort returned to work with the Year 12 Visual Communication and Design class. Yolanda, a Senior Lecturer in Architecture at Deakin University, was invited back to support students with their folios as they continued to work on and refine them, ready for submission.
Yolanda also presented to students a real-life example of the design process, sharing with them an architectural project she has worked on in the past. During her presentation, Yolanda discussed the design brief, industry specialists she worked with, how she pitched and presented multiple concepts to her client and the final outcome. When I returned from leave last week, I asked Year 12 Visual Communications teacher, Sherree Petrie, how the session with Yolanda went. Sherree’s feedback was glowing! She spoke about how well Yolanda related to the students and how her advice, particularly regarding the models the students were about to construct, was practical and invaluable. Yolanda recommended students use balsa wood to construct their models, with many students following her advice. Sherree then went on to say how engaging and motivating Yolanda was and how appreciative the students were of her visit.
On behalf of the Year 12 students, I would like to thank you, Yolanda, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to return to NGSC to share your design knowledge and passion. If you are a past student of NGSC and have not yet reached out, please email alumni@ngsc.com.au
Dr Yolanda Esteban Bort from the class of 1996
Multicultural Day
Multicultural Day is such a highlight of the school year at North Geelong Secondary College and has been missed over the past couple of COVID years.
I had never experienced a Multicultural Day myself, and last Friday, as I approached the school gates, lined with red bunting, I realised what all the fuss was about! There was such a positive energy as I saw students, teachers and members of the community working together to ensure the day went off without a hitch. There were food vans, stalls, rides, student work displays, a range of workshops and so much more, ready for the college and wider community to enjoy.
The opening ceremony set the scene for the day. The school captains, who were also the emcees, spoke about their migration experiences and the opportunities North Geelong Secondary College had provided them with. We participated in a smoking ceremony, heard from the Honourable Andrew Giles, Minister of Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs, and then viewed several performances, including African drumming, acrobatics, and Bollywood dancing. A highlight for me was seeing students confidently and proudly parading in front of the entire audience in traditional dress showcasing their heritage.
There were several past students in attendance on the day, either volunteering their time, running stalls or simply enjoying the festivities.
Pictured: Past student and owner of The Peach Cakes and Sweets, Dragana Skoric, Jordon Grossman from the class of 2010, volunteering with the CFA, Yolanda Esteban Bort from the class of 1996, and Dylan and Tamara Tabb from the class of 2015 and 2017.
I would love to have more past students involved in celebratory days and school events. If you have not reached out, please get in touch with the Alumni Program Manager - Tanja Dunat Timms alumni@ngsc.com.au
