Around The College  

Medieval Day 

Last week, the Year 8 students embarked on an extraordinary adventure back in time, engaging in a series of activities relating to the medieval time period. They explored the intricate tapestry of daily life for peasants, nobles, knights, and kings alike. Students engaged in a total of 5 sessions – Archery, Crime & Punishment, Tournament, Weaponry & Armour, and Education & Games. Students stepped into the shoes of those who lived hundreds of years ago, understanding the challenges, triumphs, and everyday routines of medieval people. 

Archery was an activity that received great amounts of positive feedback from the Year 8’s. Archery is one of the oldest arts that has survived for 22,000 years, it was a hands-on activity that included students to hone in their skills in shooting a longbow. The Year 8’s learned that archery was not only a weapon in battle but also a skill that was needed for survival for women and men alike. They encountered the sophistication of the art of archery and travelled back in time by keeping the tension in their bow and letting their arrows fly, killing their enemies from a distance. 

The tournament was another activity that was enjoyed markedly, a fight between two knights. During the medieval period, the tournament was an event to refine the skills of swordsmanship, an opportunity to seek honor and a source of entertainment. The Year 8’s were given the opportunity to fight against a brave knight, swinging their wooden swords and slashing at his armory. They had a taste of the vigorous training that a knight in the Medieval ages would go through, and how they are able to honor their lord and protect their village. 

The Crime & Punishment session delved into the darker areas of 15th century Europe. They looked at the various sentences given to those who committed felonies, discovering the harsh penalties given for these crimes – to public humiliation, infliction of pain, and even the infamous stocks. Students juxtaposed the happenings of today to what it once was, developing an understanding of the concept of justice in medieval societies.  

Weaponry & Armour revealed the development of materials, showing how protection, safety, cost-effectiveness, and durability increased through time. The Year 8’s were given the opportunity to marvel in the striking evolution of weaponry, examining different types of armour throughout the ages (chainmail, leather, iron, etc.). They were taught the dynamics of a village in these times, and the importance battle and warfare had on those of both upper and lower class. 

Education & Games, on the other hand, truly allowed students to feel as though they were in the days of knights and nobles. Students engaged in games that were played hundreds of years ago, once more comparing the activities of today to those back then. One game involved two students to balance on small, wooden bricks, vertically opposite to one another. They held a rope in between them, and had to push, pull, and manipulate the rope in any way to knock the other person off. This is only one of the many activities that students participate in, connecting with the leisure pursuits of the past, and having an overall amazing time. 

In summary, all students thoroughly enjoyed the day, not only learning about history, but also having an enjoyable, and fun time. The activities were well planned, educational, and fun-packed, making it an excitable and entertaining experience for all the Year 8’s. 

Mahi Bhat and Vanessa Zhou

Year 8E2 

Brentwood Buzz 

Introducing the Brentwood Buzz, where student voices come alive through ink and paper! As the vibrant hub of our school's creativity, we're more than just a newspaper club; we're a platform for sharing experiences, stories, and perspectives that matter most to our community. 

Dive into the world of journalism and explore buzzing roles as reporters, photographers, cartoonists, editors, and printers. 

Join us in amplifying the voices of Brentwood and shaping the narrative together!  

Ishi Singh (Editor) 

Please find the link for the first edition of Brentwood Buzz:

https://brentwood.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024-of-1st-ed.pdf

Space-X-plore Tour

Brentwood is looking for students who will be in years 8-11 in 2025 with a passion and interest in space to travel with like-minded students from partner schools in the Waverley network to the USA in September 2025 on the Space- X-plore program with Global Learning Expeditions. This international camp was run successfully in 2023 and is once again being offered to interested students. 

Highlights of the trip include the astronaut experience at the NASA Kennedy Space Centre in Orlando, San Francisco and Los Angeles. 

 To find out more about this out of this world adventure, interested students are invited to come along to an information session to be held in C3 on Monday 13 May at 1.30pm during lunchtime. 

For parents we have set up a unique trip page through YouLi (You Live to Travel) for our Waverley network school group via the link below. You are invited to register your details to be kept in the loop regarding an upcoming information session for the trip on Tuesday 29th November at 6pm at South Oakleigh Secondary college, in the Lecture Theatre.  It will also be live streamed so families can log in remotely if they can’t attend in person, details for which will be provided through this link. 

Visit: https://youli.io/t/gle/usa-stem-space-tour-mars 

Please note registration here and attendance at the information session do not commit you to attending the camp or any financial commitment. At this time, we are seeking interest to see if we have enough students to make the trip viable. 

Please find attached a flyer for the program with more detail and costs, do not hesitate to contact myself directly if you have any questions. 

Sonja Ardley 

Associate Principal 

Please find attached a Space-X-plore flyer with the details of the parent information evening, which will be held on Tuesday 21 May at 6:30pm in the theatre at Highvale SC

Year 12 Environmental Science Excursion

On 2nd May, 25 students from Year 12 Environmental Science class had the opportunity to visit the Winneke Water Treatment Plant to learn about how Melbourne’s water is treated, recycled, and reused. The water treatment plant is located at the Sugarloaf Reservoir in Christmas Hills.

The Winneke Water Treatment Plant is an example of an Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). By recycling water, reducing pollution, and adhering to regulations, it ensures water is safe to use and consume, preserves water quality, and promotes biodiversity. Treating wastewater acts as a precautionary measure to prevent contamination, protecting ecosystems and human health. This secures intergenerational equity by ensuring clean water for future generations and fosters intragenerational equity by supplying water to the city’s West Water and Yarra Valley Water customers.

The plant maximizes resource efficiency through filtration, renewable energy use from solar power, and long-term operations to meet water demand. While operational costs are typically covered by users, the benefits of clean water and environmental protection reflect fair cost-sharing for sustainable outcomes. 

Our visit to the Water Treatment Plant not only expanded our understanding of treatment process but also emphasised the significance of conserving water and practicing responsible management for the benefit of future and current generations. 

Javeria and Clara

Year 12 Environmental Science students

Year 11 Environmental Science Excursion

On the 30th of April, the Year 11 Environmental Science class collaborated with the Friends of Scotchmans Creek and Valley Reserve (FoSCVR) to do some water testing and overall environmental observations of the creek in Mount Waverley. 

The event was a success with new knowledge and insights gained from the field trip. We tested the water quality using the macroinvertebrates. We got to know about levels of tolerance of various living organisms in the creek, which helped us to assess the quality of water in the creek. 

We went on a tour along the creek with the FoSCVR and assessed the habitat quality of the creek using the criteria and rubric provided. The data we gathered concluded that the creek water is of good quality, however erosion of the banks of the creek, litter and pollution from the local neighbourhood are some of the ongoing issues that the Melbourne Water, City of Monash and FoSCVR monitor and manage to keep the creek healthy. 

This field trip not only enhanced our understanding of Environmental Science but also strengthened our commitment to preserving and protecting the environment around us. 

Varshan, Wesley and Ujjwal

Year 11 Environmental Science students

Electronic device use at Brentwood Canteen

We would like to thank you for your continued support with the Personal Mobile Devices Policy. We have noticed students trying to utilise their phones as a payment method at the canteen and ask that families look to make other arrangements. 

Mobile phones are not to be used at the canteen as they are not allowed to be in use between the school hours of 8.45am and 3.05pm. 

Students can make payment via an EFTPOS card or cash.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Robyn Geshev

Business Manager

New Canteen Supplier 

Please note that online orders are not yet available.