Sydenham Campus Principal Message

Welcome to Term 3 to all our students and families, we find ourselves almost at the halfway point of a very busy term.

Term 3 is a planning term and despite still having several months before the end of this school year, we are very much focussed on 2025.

Subject selections for students in Years 8-10 have seen a great deal of work and leadership by the Campus and Team Leaders and our Pathways Team. Students were given many opportunities to inquire about new subjects as well as talk to staff who have previously or are currently teaching those subjects.

These events require lots of preparation and organisation and we extend our thanks to Mr Atherton and Dr Gruis for their leadership in this work.

Term 3 is also a time for Grade 6 students to submit their secondary school preferences and we are very pleased to welcome these students later in the year on Information Evenings and Orientation Day. In the meantime, we are also visiting our neighbourhood primary schools to begin to build relationships with Grade 5 students and their teachers. Sydenham Leadership students have been attending Parkwood Green and Sydenham-Hillside Primary School assisting in various activities and talking to students about our College.

Campus Leaders’ Report

B team have had a great start to Challenge day this semester. All students engaged and well behaved.
Morrisby interviews occurred in week 1. Many students using this information to inform their 2025 pathway
The 9 into 10 information night was well attended, with lots of questions asked
The first ever year 8 and 9 elective expo. Students were given the opportunity to investigate the different electives offered.
Course counselling in progress and will be finalised by Friday the 9th August.
Many students involved in the school production (on stage and backstage)
Each Year 10 student has had an individual Pathways counselling session with course confirmation held on Monday 5th August
New semester with new electives
Many students involved in the school production

Student Leaders:

Have been involved in the peer tutoring at Sydenham Hillside
Will be informing students of the: Everyone Belongs” week against bullying – week 5
College student leadership meeting to discuss plans for the remainder of the year

Transition:

Student helpers have been involved in running Science and Food Technology activities for the grade 5s
More activities organised for this term (robotics, sport etc)

School Productions are always a special time in the school year, and this year we have been very spoilt by the talented students who performed Disney’s High School Musical last week. Thank you to our Performing Arts Leader Ms Taylor Van Orsouw and her Team who have been working solidly since last year to bring our college community such a great show. Two sold out nights at the Bowery Theatre and two matinees for students in our neighbouring primary school.

YEAR 9 ITALIAN EXCURSION

On Wednesday 24 July, year 9 Italian students attended the COASIT migration museum in Carlton. Students gained in-depth knowledge about the story of Italian migration to Australia, the unit they are studying this term. They were shocked to find out that the great Donald Bradman has Italian heritage! After the staff led presentation and walk around the exhibition, students had the opportunity to explore Lygon Street and try authentic Italian food.

Ms F Perna, Ms G. Costa-Probyn

On Wednesday 24 July, our year 9 Italian class went on an excursion to “Little Italy” of Melbourne, Carlton. We met a person named Maria, who gave us a presentation on the Italy’s migration story to Australia. Whilst looking around the museum, we saw artifacts and objects that belonged to migrants, dating back to the 1900s to 1970s. After our tour of the museum, we walked around Little Italy and enjoyed a pizza in an Italian restaurant. (Riley Davis and Harley Chamberlain 9B1)

On the 24 July, our Italian class visited the COASIT migration museum. During the excursion, the COASIT staff member Maria spent an hour with us talking about migration, stories from the past as well as other artifacts and objects from years ago. We also took a small tour around the museum looking at other artifacts and learning about the history behind Italy/Italians and Lygon street, Carlton. After our tour, we were allowed some free time where we could walk around and explore Lygon Street as well as visit restaurants to eat or other shops in the area. Overall, the experience was very fun as both not only got to have fun but also learn about different migration stories and factual information about the topic. (Ava Chircop 9B1, Ayah Cannolo 9B1, Alyssa Bajada 9K2, Tiana Stinton 9B1)

On 24 July, our Italian class went on an excursion to the COASIT Museum in Carlton. We watched informative videos about Italian migration to Australia. Maria, our presenter, talked about what Italy went through after WW2 and why many Italians came to Australia. We filled out a worksheet whilst walking around the exhibit and then went to lunch. We enjoyed a delicious pizza at Critini’s Italian restaurant and then walked along Lygon Street. (Makayla Sofia 9K2 and Mia Mavroidis 9K1)

We were presented a slideshow related to Italian migration after WW2. Many objects and agricultural practices were brought to Australia, with Australians not having much knowledge of them. One example was Australians using lard for cooking and then being introduced to olive oil by the Italians that arrived here. The introduction of the Italian coffee machine in the 50s began a coffee culture in Melbourne. Italians made up a large part of the immigrants in Australia after WW2, with us learning that Australia and Italy had an agreement that Italy was overpopulated and Australia was under populated. After the presentation, we went to have a traditional pizza at Papa Gino’s and then enjoyed an icecream at Brunetti. (Joshua Vargas 9B1, Roman Barbaro 9K2 and Jordan Lazarkov 9B4)

I learned a lot about why Italians migrated to Australia, to protect themselves and have a better life for them, their families and future generations to come. We learned a lot about the Italian culture, their lifestyle and how hard they worked to be where they are now. (Andrea Fouani 9K3 , Tara Laxman 9B1)

Maria Brancolino (COASIT) presenting.

LOTE WEEK 2024

During LOTE Week July 22- July 26, some students attended craft workshops during break time. Students enjoyed making Italian bookmarks and Venetian masks. A big thank you to the following students: Julia Portelli 8E1, Hope Anderson 8E1, Rose Collins 8E1, Chloe Burgess 8E1, Mackenzie Harper 7E1, Charlize Peperkamp 7E1, Charlotte Lescure 7E1, Maddie Vallone 8H2, James Webb 7E2, for supporting LOTE week by participating in the lunchtime activities. It was great to see you there!

Ms F Perna, Ms G Costa Probyn

Thank you to all our campus staff, teaching and non teaching, who provide excellent learning opportunities for our students, every day. We all continue to work towards our 2024 Campus goals;

Champions ALWAYS

Every teacher is a teacher of literacy, numeracy, student behaviour and wellbeing.
·Student attendance is everyone's responsibility.
·Build POSITIVE and RESPECTFUL relationships and connectedness within the school community.
Use data informed seating plans to provide a routine and safe learning environment.

Looking forward to the rest of the term, all students are preparing for their Student Led Presentations (SLPs) on September 12th. We ask families to continue to encourage and support their children as they prepare for this very special event.

Mr Andrew Atherton and Ms Mary Chiodo Campus Principals