Around The College 

Superspace Program

During week 8, the year 7 enrichment classes attended the Superspace Program at Monash Tech School. We spent two days there and learnt a variety of space sciences and parts involved in designing a spacesuit. The program was thoroughly enjoyed by all classes, and everyone participated, and contributed equally to their designated groups. We each had a mission that we had to complete, and our goal was to design a spacesuit to safely finish our mission. We had fifty coins to spend on products that we needed for our spacesuit. Everyone’s spacesuits were different and unique depending on their group’s designated mission. 

On the first day of the program, the students began the ideation process. We had to form our ideas with our group and begin to develop the initial design. Later that day, we began the designing process, in which students had to plan out the materials, and other required products that the spacesuit could potentially need. With the money that was given, they brainstormed which six main parts would be vital to their final design. Then came the discovering section of the unit, where there would be six different rotations where each group would be able to go into more depth of which product would work best for their design and their budget. Learning about communications, fabrication and support, we were able to think, create and explore different things that were necessities to real spacesuits. And at the end of each rotation, we had the chance to buy our products and were given magnets to stick on our whiteboards. 

On the second day of the program, the students immediately began their rotations. With three parts left of their spacesuit to put in place, we all worked extensively to find the best material for the weather, the oxygen tank that would be able to keep us breathing and the best sample kit to find evidence of something mysterious in our world. Then came the biggest part of our afternoon, combining all our components into our astronaut. Our groups were divided into four parts: design and planning, assembling, slides and the mission patch. The students who had the job of design and planning had to fasten the outer layer of the fabric onto their astronaut. Using a guitar pick, they pushed the edges of the fabric into the creases of the 3D printed astronaut. It was then passed along to the assembling team, where they would put all the 3D printed parts being bought from each rotation into their designated places. The mission patch and the slide students were given iPad for their job. The slide students had to fill in a slide on why they decided to buy these specific products for their mission, and how it would benefit their design. And for the students who were the presenters, their job was designing their logo for their group and their mission. Before we said our goodbyes to our astronauts, we had the opportunity to hear from other groups about their creations and their missions. As our time at Monash Tech School was ending, Monash Tech School explained what some other opportunities that were instore for our future if we were interested in the subject of space and were generous enough to give us Monash Tech School badges. 

Our time during the Superspace Program is a memory we will always remember and cherish as we were able to discover things through space and how organizations like NASA began exploring the world beyond Earth. Learning new things, exploring new areas and using complex gadgets were so many things combined into this one program. We all felt so entertained throughout the rotations that we were able to do and our contributions to this program. We thank Monash Tech School for allowing Brentwood to be able to do this program. 

Vanessa and Mahi

Year 7 Enrichment Students

Go Girl, Go IT

About 10 girls from Brentwood, ranging from years 7-12 visited Deakin University on Wednesday the 21st of June to participate in an enlightening one-day workshop. As we travelled from hall to hall, listening to the inspiring stories and advice from various figures in the technology sector, we were mesmerized by not only the genuine people giving the speeches but also the potential job prospects and futures in tech for girls. In an industry that has been considered nerdy and somewhat masculine for years, there is an opening for passionate and creative people like the girls that attended the workshop that day. 

Along with our schoolmates, the girls at the workshop wandered around Deakin University’s campus, participating in both interactive activities and listening to speeches. Some of the speeches we listened to were by NAB and ANZ bank, while a maths teacher at Deakin University taught us some puzzling, but enjoyable equations. Around halfway through the workshop, we were left to roam around an expo that showcased companies that were supporting the event. Here, girls were able to obtain loads of free merch, including popcorn, drink bottles, pens, lollies and even temporary tattoos! 

Essentially, we had a wonderful time at the workshop, learning new things that we definitely take into our future years at school and then our jobs. Moreover, exciting internship opportunities and new contacts encouraged us to pursue a future in the exciting and innovative technology sector, that expands by the day. The organizers and staff that accompanied us truly made the day special, seeing the potential in us and guiding us to embrace it. Overall, the Go Girl, Go IT workshop was a wonderful experience. 

Saadana SEYON

Year 8 student 

Careers Launchpad World Changers Event

On Thursday 20th July, some science students from years 9, 10 and 11 attended the Careers Launchpad World Changers Event at Monash Tech School. This event is designed to be a fast-paced networking opportunity between students, industry and Monash University that allows students to investigate careers and pathways that matter most to them. There was a variety of key academic and tertiary education professionals, with sectors including science, housing, social justice, innovation, sustainability, law, health, international relations, food, and transport. Some of the professionals there included representatives from multiple Monash University faculties, not-for-profit organisations, Victorian Government Departments, the private sector, and Monash University Alumni. In pairs and groups of 3, we went around in a station-rotation style manner to different industry-profession individuals, to identify future occupations and pathways, and collect the tips we need to kickstart our own careers as a "World Changer."

We were lucky enough to be able to speak with leading industry professionals in a broad range of different areas. We had 5 minutes at each station and were able to ask various questions about their career, university and school experiences. The first industry professional our group was fortunate enough to speak with was a Monash University lecturer on Data Science. She explained to us the relevance of data science to many different faculties, her experience as an international student and what it’s like to study STEM at Monash University. Shortly afterwards, we got the opportunity to learn from an environmental engineer, where she shared her passion for environmental science, her journey to finding this career and the challenges she has faced regarding mining and how she has helped in combatting its detrimental impacts on the environment. One of the final industry professionals we spoke to works with Auslan Services. Some of the services he provides includes signing Auslan at medical appointments, funerals and university lectures. After everyone was able to interview a variety of professionals each, about their thoughts on their top tips, early influences, key skills, qualifications and what their typical working day is like, the session was wrapped up and we got to enjoy a lovely morning tea of various sweet and savoury snacks, provided by Monash University.

Overall, it was an excellent opportunity for us to generate early networks and gain more of an idea as to what we want to study and do in the future.

Michiko Versluis and Maddison Modin

Year 10 Students

ABC Q+A iView

On Wednesday the 19th of July a number of Brentwood students participated in the Q+A and BTN High special episode for ABC iView – an event that gathers some of the most passionate and opinionated young people from around the country to join a panel and answer questions from equally passionate and curious students. From Chat-GPT in our classrooms, to The Voice referendum, all current issues that matter to us were discussed and contested.

This year, eight of us represented Brentwood, and two – Sam and Brendan – asked insightful questions, relating to an ‘age cap’ for politicians and the use of nuclear energy respectively. Answering Sam’s question, Minister for Youth Anne Aly joked, “I see what’s happening here” before methodically presenting her thoughts, added onto by the rest of the young-but-influential panel. This perhaps best encapsulates the dazzling and upbeat energy of the night and gives the most hope for future discussions of Australian culture; there is an endearing light-heartedness entwined in respectful debate that will surely, if this night is any reflection, manifest great outcomes for this nation. 

“People who might just run this country one day,” said host Amelia Mosely in the opening of the show when describing the teenager-filled studio. In being surrounded by such enthusiastic, politically aware, and worldly young characters – there is no doubt that this studio was brimming with the leadership qualities Australia can look forward to and has long hoped for.  

Owini Wijayasekara

Year 12 College Captain