IDEALS   

Alex , Year 9, Plenty Campus

My experience with Ivy Voice in IDEALS has been a valuable opportunity to develop my writing, editing, and communication skills. Through working on articles for the school magazine, I learned how to transform ideas into engaging pieces that are clear, informative, and interesting for readers. The process involved researching topics, planning article structures, editing drafts, and working with others to improve the outcome. 

Being part of Ivy Voice allowed me to see the importance of collaboration and attention to detail. Reviewing articles and suggesting improvements helped me become more confident in giving and receiving feedback. I also gained a better understanding of how different writing styles can be used to suit different audiences.    

Overall, my experience has improved my creativity, clarity, organiation, and ability to communicate ideas effectively. Contributing to the school magazine has been a rewarding experience, as it allowed me to share school experiences and perspectives while developing skills that will be useful in future writing projects. 

Ari, Year 9, university Campus

Recently, the school’s STEM IDEALS stream has been working on planning some exciting upcoming events to promote STEM at Ivanhoe Grammar School, here is member Rohan with more: 

“As a part of the STEM IDEALS stream at the Ridgeway Campus, Term 2 was spent planning activities for upcoming events on the school calendar, most notably Science Week and the STEM@7 program run between sports seasons. We spent the term collaborating and designing engaging programs to promote STEM across the school, like Minecraft challenges and engineering activities. Additionally, following the success of the Buckley House STEM program during IDEALS week, we planned potential demonstrations for the primary school children as part of their science curriculum, to further engage them with the opportunities that science has to offer in the senior school. During the next term, the planning we have done will be put into action through the many events surrounding STEM, providing students with authentic, hands-on learning experiences that foster curiosity, creativity and critical thinking. By encouraging collaboration, problem-solving and inquiry-based learning, these initiatives aim to strengthen student engagement while building confidence in STEM disciplines. We hope these programs will inspire a lasting interest in science and technology, supporting innovation, student agency and a culture of lifelong learning across the wider school community.” 

Alex, Year 9, University Campus 

The IDEALS sustainability stream focuses on the school's sustainability initiatives and the importance of protecting the environment. It highlights projects such as planting native plants to improve biodiversity around the school, organising Earth Week activities to educate and engage students and developing a new sustainability project in partnership with the Global Prefects. Overall, the discussion emphasises how small actions and community involvement can make a positive impact on the environment and encourage more sustainable habits. 

IDEALS Sustainability Interview: 

What have you been doing in the sustainability stream of IDEALS? 

“A few months ago, we worked on planting native plants in the garden near the S Block, where the Humanities classrooms are. The goal of the project was to make the area look nicer while also supporting local biodiversity. We chose native plants because they're naturally adapted to the local environment, which means they need less water and maintenance than non-native plants. They also provide food and shelter for local birds, insects and other wildlife. It was really rewarding to see the garden become more colourful and it's helped create a more welcoming space for students and teachers. As the plants continue to grow, we hope they'll support an even healthier ecosystem around the school. 

A few weeks ago, we also organised Earth Week activities in the library. During lunch, students could stop by to participate in a variety of fun, sustainability-themed activities. We had crafts made from recycled materials, environmental games and quizzes and we watched movies and short documentaries about protecting the environment. Students could bring snacks, spend time with their friends and learn more about sustainability in a fun, relaxed setting. It was a great way to get people involved and show that making environmentally friendly choices can be both meaningful and enjoyable. 

Right now, we're working on an exciting new project in collaboration with Global Prefects. We're still in the planning stages but the project is focused on encouraging more students to get involved in sustainability efforts and become more aware of how their everyday actions affect the environment. We're planning activities that promote teamwork, environmental responsibility and community involvement. We're really excited to share more details soon and we hope the project inspires more students to make small changes that can have a positive impact both at school and beyond.” 

What is the purpose of Sustainability IDEALS? 

“The purpose of Sustainability IDEALS is to encourage more participation in making a more sustainable world. We also worked on solving environmental related issues and working with other people to ensure that our school remains a healthy and educated place. Sustainability IDEALS is important because it helps meet the needs of people today while protecting the environment and resources for future generations. It focuses on balancing environmental, social and economic factors so that communities can continue to grow and thrive without causing long-term damage to the planet. Sustainable practices, such as reducing waste, conserving energy and water, and protecting natural ecosystems, help slow climate change and preserve biodiversity. At the same time, sustainability supports strong economies and improves people's quality of life by encouraging responsible use of resources. Overall, the purpose of sustainability IDEALS is to create a healthier, fairer and more of a better world for both present and future generations.”