Senior News
Year 10 Forensic Science Excursion to GTAC
The 10+ students travelled to the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) at Melbourne University to unravel a murder mystery. The program immerses students in the field of forensic science as they use blood typing and DNA analysis to place a suspect at a crime scene. Through the examination of cases students consider the role of forensic science in police investigations. They utilise models to explore the structure and function of DNA, the nature of chromosomes and the principles of inheritance. Students perform blood typing diagnostics to eliminate suspects from a crime scene. They then perform gel electrophoresis to create a DNA profile for the remaining suspects, the victim and the victim’s parents. They use their results to confirm the identity of the victim and place a suspect at the crime scene.
The students were able to determine the murderer and solve the case. They did an amazing job and were able to learn more about the practical applications of science in forensic technology.
VicSRC Ambassador meeting #1
As mentioned in the previous COG newsletter, I am one of the VicSRC Ambassadors for 2019! There are about 50 of us from all across Victoria, and our role is to work with our schools, teachers, student representative teams and other student groups throughout the state to promote student voice and student-led initiatives within our school. We are given
the opportunity to participate in various events during the year to further promote student voice in Victoria, such as assisting with Student Voice Workshops at primary and secondary schools, representing VicSRC at meetings with the Department of Education and participating in the Student Voice Awards on behalf of VicSRC.
The first VicSRC Ambassadors meeting for 2019 was on Saturday 9 th of March in the city. There were roughly half of us Ambassadors at the meeting, as well as one of the student Executives, the Student Engagement Coordinator and the Student Engagement Assistant.
The meeting was mainly an introduction to the program, meeting the other Ambassadors, and being informed of what the year would look like for us in terms of being active as an Ambassador, and how we can begin to bring student voice to life at our schools currently. We were able to get an idea of how each school’s student representative council is perceived by our school community then we brainstormed ideas of how we can improve the way SRCs are looked at by the students and teachers. Overall, there was a lot of discussion about what each SRC does and their role within the school, and we’re hoping to continue to work on the action and impact of student voice throughout the year!
- Caitlyn Taylor
Women in Leadership – International Women’s Day
I was given the opportunity to attend an International Women’s Day event at Carrum Downs Secondary College, hosted by Sonya Kilkenny, at which a range of young women from local secondary schools had the pleasure of meeting and listening to some inspiring young female leaders. We heard the stories of Georgina Oxley, the youngest female mayor of City of Kingston and the youngest Australian female mayor; Fiona Nguyen, signalling engineer with LXRA; and Carly Day, currently one of two active female members of the Victorian Drag Boat
Club. Each presentation was as equally amazing as the other, they were very empowering and real. They told their stories of where they began and where they are now, each of them having overcome adversity at least once throughout their path. It was such an inspiring event to have been able to go to – it just goes to show that women can be involved in
multiple industries and the female representation in each of those industries is on the rise, thanks to the lovely women who are paving the way for the rest of us.
- Caitlyn Taylor
Valedictory Planning Committee Progress
So far, with the theme of ‘Take Me to the Movies’, the Valedictory Planning Committee members have been assigned certain tasks to take care of between each meeting and for throughout the planning stages. For the morning of Valedictory (23 rd October), we have brainstormed ideas for decorations for the PAC foyer, the PAC itself and for the tables.
Games and music relevant to the movie theme are being organised and seating arrangements are still in the works, with each table being named after popular movies (for team names). Planning is still in the early stages, as we have only had about 4 meetings, but ideas are still being thrown around and progress is being made.
*A quick side note, we are still in need of photos from Year 12 students for the Powerpoint Presentation for the Valedictory itself. Photos from prep, year 6 or 7 and year 12 photos need to be sent to Sam Marron or Geoffrey Chapman ASAP. If photos are not sent in, Mrs Andrews will be selecting the least flattering photos, so they need to get through!
- Caitlyn Taylor
Melbourne University
On Wednesday the 6th of March, a group of interested Year 11 and 12 students, alongside Mrs Andrews and Mr Johnson-Turner, ventured off into the city for a visit to Melbourne University.
Upon arrival we were met by a previous teacher at McClelland, who we were fortunate enough to have talk to us about Melbourne University, including the courses offered, features unique to the university and alternate pathways if the desired ATAR is not reached.
Following this, two Melbourne uni students gave us a tour of the campus, informing us about each learning area, whilst also letting us in on a little bit of history of the beautiful old buildings, in contrast to the new and extremely modern facilities.
We then had the opportunity to ask any of our burning questions before heading to the food court for a quick bite to eat and a few cups of bubble tea! Overall, the day was beneficial for both the Year 11 and 12 students in helping us to decide whether or not Melbourne University is suited to us, and if so, what course options we might consider.
Access Monash In-Schools Launch
On Wednesday the 20th of March, the Year 11 and 12 students involved in the Access Monash program had the chance to finally meet their mentors! We kicked the session off with a bit of an ice breaker between the students and mentors before the formalities of expectations and plans for the year.
For the rest of the session, new students to the program were able to chat and get to know their mentors and returning students were able to reunite with their previous mentors and debrief about what had happened since they last met. Mentees got to know their mentors interests and courses, while the mentors learned about the student’s career aspirations or anything that they would like to do throughout the year in order to help develop plans for the future such as shadowing days or university open days.
All of the students and mentors are extremely excited about working together for the year ahead, and are looking forward to their next meetings!
Women In Politics
Thursday the 28th of March was an exciting day for the College Captains ( Sarah Garnier and myself ) alongside Mrs. Andrews as we had the privilege of attending the Women in Politics forum at the function room in McClelland Gallery. When we arrived, we had the opportunity to talk to, and make connections with female student leaders from other schools in the area, before we sat down and got to chat to Chris Crewther, the federal member for Dunkley who was there to support the powerful women working beside him in politics.
During the forum, we were able to hear from some inspiring female leaders of Australia, including Julia Banks, Cindy McLeish, Sonya Kilkenny and Peta Murphy. They talked about independence, equality, and most importantly, the role that we as students can have in the world of politics andleadership, to help change Australia for the better and create a purposeful, equal and rewarding role for women in all aspects of life.
After enjoying our two course lunch, we had the chance to personally talk to each leader who spoke to us, and raise any points that we thought important, including the role of education in shaping both young girls and boys. Overall, the forum was valuable as it helped to ignite our own ideas and support for equality within the school and the wider community.
Caitlin Mitchell
Year 11
The Year 11 cohort have had a cracking start to the year, with all students stepping up to the challenge of VCE with a positive attitude and mindset.
There has been a real buzz around the Senior Centre this term as more and more students take up the opportunity to refine their craft after school under the guidance of a handful of dedicated staff who give up their time to run the sessions.
We applaud those students that are juggling the commitments of work experience and VET subjects on top of their VCE or VCAL studies who are representing the College outside of school.
Most impressive are the students who are taking a lead role in ensuring that their learning areas, including the Senior Centre, locker bays and school yard are clean and tidy for all. I would encourage all students in the Year Level to prioritise this for the rest of the year.
To celebrate the brilliant start to the year, the Year 11 cohort came together for a pizza lunch during the last week of term. It was a fantastic opportunity to debrief over the term that was, and to begin our planning and goal setting for Term Two.
Our three main goals that we agreed upon as a Year Level for Term Two are:
·To have a growth mindset in regards to our studies, aiming to improve with each CAT or assessment task that we complete
·To aim for 100% attendance, with any days missed covered by a medical certificate
·To attend Study Space after school on both Monday and Thursday
VCE teachers and the Senior School team want to thank all of the students and parents for a positive start to 2019. We all look forward to working with you to achieve your goals and aspirations for the remainder of the year!
Andrew Hemsley
End of Term 1 Reflection
We survived Term 1! It can be guaranteed that the whole year 12 cohort, students and teachers alike, are looking forward to the well-deserved term 1 break. Although it was stressful at times, we all supported each other and managed to make it one of the most fun terms of schooling yet!
Swimming Sports
Thursday the 28th of February marked our last ever swimming sports! All of the Year 12’s turned up in the morning excited to enjoy the day ahead and get involved in as many ways as possible.
We headed off to Doveton pools and when we arrived it was great to see so much of our cohort immediately participating and showing off their aquatic skills, whether that was through events like freestyle, or the novelty activities including ping pong scramble and the boat race which all helped make a contribution to their respective houses. In addition to the amazing participation, the effort put into many of the students terrific costumes is to be commended, we saw the Spice Girls, Woody and Buzz, The Irwins, Harley Quinn, The Powerpuff Girls, a bogan and many more!
Overall, the enthusiasm of all the Year 12’s involved definitely made the 2019 swimming sports one to remember, and I’m sure we all can’t wait to see what is in store for athletics day!