Clubs Around the School

Out of Class Program

By Avlene Das, Year 9, University Campus

The Out of Class Program week at University Campus was not just a week away from regular classroom work, but it was also a chance for us to participate in programs and experiences that we would otherwise not have access to. The programs were a diverse spread in terms of focus, from things like share market trading and experiencing working life, to something more active, such as snorkelling or taking part in a flash mob. Even past the programs themselves, the week was a great opportunity to meet new people, especially considering that University Campus is such a large and new campus for everyone this year.

During the week, there were 11 activities running – the ASX Stock Market Game, which allowed students involved to buy and sell shares available on the ASX 200 and have access to La Trobe University’s Bloomberg Computers, Sustainable Futures, which allowed students to visit the Edendale Farm and study indigenous plants as well as visit the Queenscliff Marine Discovery Centre and learn about marine sustainability, Life Skills, where students helped people with disabilities to develop basic skills, assisting them in a number of activities including art, dance, and sport, Working Life, which allowed students to experience life in different careers, including being an artist, forensic scientist, meteorologist, archaeologist, and software engineer, Bringing History Alive, where students learned how to conduct oral historical interviews, where the goal was to preserve parts of Victoria’s maritime history, Wellbeing Week, which helped students understand the importance of exercise and nutrition while participating in many varieties of physical activity, Dancing With The Stars, which involved students learning choreography to then perform in a flash-mob style, Sound of Music, where students with musical experienced performed and played as a group, learning the skill of band performance, Craft For Care, where students learnt how to knit and crochet, donating mittens and beanies to Seafarers, Big Group Hug, where students works with local communities to help disadvantaged children and families by processing and sorting goods, and finally Making Melbourne Marvellous, which allowed students to further understand the cultural, business, and recreational activities in the Melbourne CBD.

Overall, the entire week and the programs that were run were an experience that will surely leave a mark and is something that University Campus students are looking forward to again during the second round of Out of Class Program week in August.

The Ridgeway Campus GSA

By Ella Ray, Year 12, The Ridgeway Campus

The Ridgeway Campus GSA (gender and sexuality acceptance club) provides students of all ages, genders and sexualities with an accepting and welcoming community. Established in 2019, the GSA runs every lunchtime in the Reading Room in the library. Each week, we discuss different LGBTQ+-related prompts, many of which intend to facilitate the forming of new friendships and discussions about the cultures of diversity and inclusion within our school. It is also a space for students to learn more about different LGBTQ+ issues, with a key focus on intersectionality and Australian LGBTQ+ figures, policies and events. Additionally, we discuss films, music, books and games in relation to LGBTQ+ peoples as well; overall, the GSA is a space for all who wish to be involved in an inclusive and fun environment, while making new friends and having fruitful conversations at the same time! I hope to see many of you come each Friday – if you wish to join, send me an email at eray22@igs.vic.edu.au 

Return to the Forbidden Planet

By Kevan Abraham, Year 8, Plenty Campus

Hi Everybody! My name is Kevan and I play Ariel in this year’s Plenty Campus Musical Return to the forbidden Planet. The Musical follows the story of Shakespeare’s 'The Tempest', but instead of  being set on an island, it is set in outer space! The musical combines Shakespeare’s old elegant English, the most iconic rock & roll numbers and the wondrous world of science fiction with a little sprinkle of quirkiness, comedy and the essence of the 1980’s. The musical has the wackiest characters while also having a relatable, relevant storyline. It has been so much fun rehearsing. Acting, singing and most importantly…. DANCING. The musical is a great opportunity to make friends with people from other years, spend more time with your own friends and maybe even explore your passion. The whole vibe of the musical rehearsals is great. Everyone is happy and energised and it’s an overall enjoyable experience. The staff that help us are really supportive and talented. They are like the backbone of our performances, whether it be singing, acting or musical numbers. Participating in musicals is a great opportunity for fun. And If you’re good at it, you could become a lead or a captain. This musical will be spectacular especially with the combined efforts of the cast, the teachers, the band, the set and the costume designers and more. We know you’ll love it and we’d love for you to come along.

The Ridgeway Campus Chorale

by Avjay Bhar, Year 12, The Ridgeway Campus

The Ridgeway Chorale is made up of Year 9-12 students and aims to both develop students’ vocal ability and introduce them to Ivanhoe’s musical community in an enjoyable, relaxed environment. Rehearsals run every Monday morning from 7.30am to 8.30am, led by Mr Dixon and supported by Mr Murphy. 

Whether or not you’ve been involved with music or the preforming arts at Ivanhoe before, all students are welcome. My time in the chorale has been fantastic not only because of the opportunity it has given me to sing, but because of the confidence it’s helped me develop and the friends it helped me make across the school. I joined late into Year 8, unsure of whether I would enjoy singing enough to stick around, and I’m still here, four years later.

In 2022 we’re looking to expand The Ridgeway Chorale and introduce even more students to the preforming arts at Ivanhoe. So, whether the Ridgeway Chorale sounds exactly like what you’re looking for, or if you only want to come in for a week to try it out, contact Mr Dixon or Mr Murphy via email and we’ll see you next rehearsal.

Raise the Curtain

By Lucy Shaefer, Year 12, The Ridgeway Campus

Raise the Curtain is a student led initiative that I created with the help of Christian Arnel. It is an opportunity for students who are musically inclined to be on stage and perform in front of an audience. The show takes on a cabaret style structure, as each act is from a different musical. This year we enjoyed numbers like ‘For Forever’ from Dear Evan Hansen - to a piece that paid homage to what was supposed to be the 2021 school musical, Me and My Girl.

Raise the Curtain not only provided students with a chance to perform, but to also create a community with like minded individuals. I can truly say that while it was a major success in terms of performance value, it also allowed for us to become a little RTC family.