From the Year 7 and 8 News Desk:

A Year 7 student commented to me the other day how she could not believe that this was the last week of term. She then followed with the words, “How quickly has first term in high school gone!”

My comment was, “Time flies when you are having fun” Not a flippant response, but one I do believe really reflects how our year 7’s and 8’s feel about their year so far.

Term one has been a very short term, but a jam packed one. Both teachers and students have applied themselves diligently and enthusiastically to the delivering of interesting and set curriculums, creating a stimulating, relevant learning environment for all classes. The Principal class, teachers and others who visit the Year 7 and 8 areas have often commented on how calm, engaged and focused the students appear in their classes from an observer’s point of view. This is what we really want for the students in these classes: to enjoy their learning and apply themselves to the best of their abilities.

The Year 8 Steiner classes have enjoyed their main lessons this term and have had the privilege of partaking in a popular Surf camp as part of their curriculum. Campbell’s class, 8C, had theirs a few weeks ago and Mel’s group, 8D, are away at the moment enjoying this experience with great weather and the knowledge that they are returning to two weeks of holidays, a great way to end the term.

The Year 7 students all participated in a wonderful two day Orientation Camp two weeks ago. This camp was a great success on a number of levels. All the students were organised into groups of ten, mixing both Mainstream and Steiner students together with the intention of students getting to meet other students and teachers that they don’t normally mingle with. The camp was an ‘inner city’ experience with two days of visiting some of the iconic spots in Melbourne’s CBD. What a great time the students had! There were many highlights in this itinerary and just the opportunity to closely see places like the MCG, the Shrine of Remembrance, Parliament House, the NGV, the Eureka Tower and many others really enthused the students. I must add that the teachers themselves found this an enjoyable and interesting experience.

Another level to this experience was the focus on the values of Collingwood College: Creativity, Innovation, Diversity, Relationships and Achievement. Each group had a focus on one of these values and on their travels gathered evidence of these values to present to their class before the end of term. A pleasing amount of thought and effort was put into this and the presentations have been enjoyed by their peers, teachers and parents that have attended. I would definitely rate this camp as one of the highlights of the term for our Year 7 students.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our school community a safe and enjoyable Easter Holiday break. It has been a great start to the 2016 school year. The Year 7 and 8 students have settled into their areas happily and most enthusiastically. We couldn’t have asked for more. Work has been busy and productive and we look forward to a great second term too.

In term two, the Year 8 students have their major projects to present to their parents and the year 7 students will continue their secondary journey. Naplan, Athletics Day, Open Day and many other events will also take place next term, all part of ‘Inspiring‘ our students..

Warm Regards,

Liria Stratus

Years 7 & 8 Learning Community Leader

It’s been a really busy and productive first term for students in Year Nine and Year Ten.

In February, Year Ten students participated in a Research Skills workshop at the State Library, which gave them an opportunity to access a wide range of electronic and historical resources, as well as having a tour of the library’s extensive facilities. They also squeezed in a visit to see Ned Kelly’s armour!

In March, 10C and 10D successfully completed Farming Camp as part of their main lesson and community work experience for this year.

The Year Ten Pop! Elective and Theresa’s Art class were fortunate enough to visit the Ai Wei Wei and Andy Warhol exhibition at the NGV. In the words of one student:

‘I liked it because it captures WeiWei’s greatest gift, his courage. He isn’t afraid of what people say. And yes, with all its point of view changing power, fascinating images and designs. Andy Warhol/Ai WeiWei isn’t to be missed. It can really change your views on what counts as Art, and maybe, what is an Artist.’ (Declan, Year Ten).

Year Nine and Ten students must be given credit for their participation at the Swimming Carnival. They worked well in teams, as competitors, as helpers and supervisors, and in helping to set up. Great work by all involved!

Year Nine students from Alex and Christa’s Chinese Culture class spent a morning at the Chinese Museum exploring different aspects of Chinese history and society in Melbourne. They also went on an eye-opening tour of China Town and were given the opportunity to try some Chinese cuisine. Delicious!

Coming up in Term Two, students will begin to focus on careers and Work Experience organisation as part of their Advisory program.

Well done and thank you to the students and teachers of Year Nine and Ten for their efforts and hard work this term.

Christa Malone

Years 7 and 10 Learning Community Leader

For Year 10 Biology 'The Secret of Life' we have been spending the last term discovering and learning as much about cells and genetics as possible! We've been doing hands on activities like the edible cells, preparing and viewing plant and animal cells under microscopes, creating 3D models of the double helix, explaining DNA replication through paper clips and showing the stages of mitosis and meiosis! It's been a great term and we cannot wait to keep diving into genetics and then move onto evolution in term 2.

Stephanie Moussi

Way back in January (gosh, it feels funny to type that!) the VCE students got a head start on the rest of the school. We had an assembly, had some past students come back to school and talk through their previous year’s experiences and pass on some sage advice. We made some sandwiches, spent time with teachers and prepared for the year. And here we are at the end of Term One.

I am happy to report that it has been quite a successful term. There are some new teachers working with the students in Advisory, our first VCAL program is running at the Year 11 level and our students are embracing the broader educational opportunities they are afforded by Collingwood College’s partnership with Fitzroy High School and by many VET providers beyond (and within) our doors.

Year 12 students, in particular, will be heading not off to holidays, but to a well-earned study break. Our advice to them is to enjoy some time away from school but to also consistently work at the tasks they have been set by their teachers. Continuity and consistency are two of the keys to success in the senior years. Year 11 students may have had a bit of a shock at a new standard of education and expectation, but are coping well. I would advise them to also use this break as a chance to consolidate, revise and prepare for the long Term Two.

Some opportunities are available to our students and I urge them to be aware of and embrace these. Melbourne University has a program in which they have undergraduate student volunteers running “Swot classes” here at Collingwood, helping the students to revise and prepare for both classwork and the October and November exams. The school has also arranged for a May 30th Masterclass – run by an organisation called Elevate Education. They have run popular and useful sessions at the school in the past and are again involved with supporting our students.

For any student undertaking a Year 12 accredited subject (this may include a VET) the GAT (General Achievement Test) is looming on the 7th June. This is for most students, the first taste of an externally invigilated examination. This year we have so many students (Collingwood and Fitzroy) undertaking it we are moving to the gym to fit them all in!

So in summary, Term One has been a positive start, the students are well underway and we wish all our st

Collingwood College

Issue 8 · 24 Mar 2016

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