Around The College

Year 10 Law and Politics Excursion

On Tuesday and Wednesday the 14th and 15th of May, the Year 10 Law and Politics classes went on an excursion into the city to visit the Old Melbourne Gaol and the Watch-house next door. We went into Melbourne Central for lunch and finished the great day off with an Amazing Race around the Legal Precinct. We were given a guided tour around the Old Melbourne Gaol and were told many stories about the crimes committed and the conditions the prisoners had to go through, by our tour guide Peter.

In the Gaol, we got to see the execution rope and go into many of the cells that had displays and stories on the wall. We even went into cell 17, which is said to be haunted. It wasn’t scary if you ask me, but Brigitte and Kiara would beg to differ.

After the Gaol, we went next door and visited the watch house, where the crooks were sent before they went elsewhere. Sargent J. Henderson took us around, giving us a detailed tour. We were even locked up in one of the many cells, with the lights off and the door locked.

After the watch house, we walked to Melbourne Central and had lunch, and then the groups went off and started the Amazing Legal Race. My group strategised and answered a lot of the question whilst we were having lunch, which meant all we needed to do was visit the locations and take photos. We raced to the Legal Precinct and went around looking for all the destinations to take photos of. Once we were done, we went and met the teachers at Flagstaff Station. We may not have been first back, but we got the questions right, and we were declared the winner!

Overall, I really enjoyed going on this excursion. It was really fun and a great way to get out of the classroom and still be educated on law and politics.

Tylah Clark 10Y4

Jells Park Open Night

Mr Abersteiner and I had the pleasure of accompanying four Year 7 students to the Jells Park Primary School Open Night on Wednesday 22nd May. Olivia Hart-Crombie, Mia Ievoli, James Soundy and Aisha Woon represented Brentwood Secondary with pride as they interacted with people of all ages for a couple of hours. 

Our four representatives demonstrated and displayed two fun science experiments, guiding interested kids in how to make electricity and what happens when you mix low-gradient chemicals together. They conducted themselves well and spoke to a number of parents and children about their time so far at Brentwood and the opportunities they have.

Congratulations to Olivia, Mia, James and Aisha for their time and diligence.

Leisa Whitfield

Sustainability Leadership Award

Year 8 Picture Book Excursion

On Wednesday the 8th of May, a small group of year 8 students went on an excursion to Glen Waverley Primary School to read the picture books they had written over the course of Term One. Three students have written about their experience below.

On Wednesday the 8th of May, we went of an excursion to Glen Waverley South Primary school to read our picture books. Our task was to create a picture book after learning about themes in children’s books. We spent four weeks preparing our picture books and worked hard to create them perfectly and creatively with a good moral. Two out of the four weeks were spent drafting and with the help from our teacher, we were able to complete our books. After all our hard work we were chosen to go to the neighbouring primary school to read and explain our books to the year 6's there. We explained our views and values as authors and had discussions about the inspirations we had. We were put in small groups and moved to different groups after some time. They seemed shy at first but slowly they got used to us and we became more comfortable with each other. Overall, this excursion was a very fun experience for both us and the primary school students. I appreciate the opportunity and I hope I get to experience this again someday.

- Chloe Loo Year 8

On the 8th of May I was chosen to go to the neighbouring primary school to read the picture book that I created over the course of a month, to some students. I went around the room reading to small groups of students and talked to them about my theme and  views and values of my book. We created these picture books because we were learning about the hidden themes in picture books that have strong messages towards the audience. They seemed a little bit shy, and I was a bit scared to read myself, but it was very enjoyable! I worked very hard on my picture book and I am glad that I got to share it with them.

- Caitlyn Smith Year 8

I was selected to read out my picture book to a large bunch of year six students at Glen Waverly South Primary School. Last term we were given the task to create a picture that was fit for both adults and children. The book would follow themes that would affect adults in a mental way, but yet would look very appealing to young kids. We spent around an hour or two at the school reading our picture books to a group of around five people. They also gave us some really constructive feedback about our book which can help us become better writers/authors. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed making the picture book, although I spent a few sleepless nights getting it done, it was really fun to do none the less.

- Jack Nguyen Year 8