Student News
IB Model UN - Planet Ocean
On the 28th of August, the Year 11 IB class had the opportunity to visit Geelong Grammar School to participate in a Model United Nations. Alongside IB cohorts from Kardinia International School and Geelong Grammar, the students worked in teams of 3-4 to act as delegates of a country, under the topic of Planet Conservation: Protecting Our Oceans. Representing a diverse range of nations, the delegates engaged in debate, negotiation, and problem solving to develop a final resolution that was agreed upon and signed.
Throughout the event, students were able to refine skills in public speaking, research, and diplomacy, while learning how to balance national interests with international cooperation. Beyond the conference room, they also had the chance to meet and connect with peers in a casual setting, fostering new friendships and gaining perspective on what it means to be an IB student across schools.
Overall, the event was a memorable and enriching experience, allowing students to deepen their understanding of global citizenship while simultaneously having fun.
Vanalika Puri - Year 11 IB Student
Ecocore: Green Week & Excursion Updates
We’re happy to share that Green Week was a massive success: a huge thanks to everyone who got involved! Green Week is a powerful reminder that even small actions can add up to big change when the whole school community works together.
Whether you got involved in the Mean Girl Scavenger Hunt, watched the screening of the Lorax, bought a plant at our Plant Sales or came along to our Pot Painting session, your enthusiasm and participation helped make this week vibrant, exciting and engaging. Furthermore, as a result of our very successful plant sales, EcoCore was able to raise a ton of funds for the Werribee Rivers Association.
And finally, congratulations to Kororoit for winning our annual Clean Up Cory Competition!
First Place: Kororoit
Second Place: Rothwell
Third Place: Blackwood
Well done to everyone who participated and showed up despite the harsh weather, there was a huge turnout and it was very inspiring to see so many students get involved.
Here is a glimpse of Green Week
NEST Environmental Summit
On the 6th of September, Ecocore was invited to join the NEST Regional Schools Environmental Summit for another year, hosted by Nossal High School. The theme for this summit was ‘Fighting Food Waste: From Awareness to Action’, signifying the true importance of being environmentally aware. On this day, we were introduced to two guest speakers on the day, followed by two activities to promote further engagement from broader communities.
A massive shoutout to Mr. Juricevich as our teacher in charge, as well as the NEST team at Nossal High School for the major success of this event!
LOTE NEWS
It has been a very full and rewarding term for our Year 12 French students.
French Model UN
On Friday 25 July, the class took part in the annual French Model United Nations, held at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership in North Melbourne. The historic venue, once a school, provided an inspiring setting for the event, with the Model UN room reflecting the atmosphere of the real United Nations.
Our students represented Ghana, Australia, and Bolivia in this year’s debate on the timely theme: Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development: Harnessing the Benefits – Safeguarding Human Rights.
In preparation, students worked in small groups to research their allocated country’s stance on AI and human rights, before presenting a three-minute Position Statement to the General Assembly. They also examined the draft resolution, questioned other delegations, and took part in robust debates during the Caucus and Amendment sessions.
Throughout the day, our students showed initiative, critical thinking, and impressive debating skills, while tackling highly complex issues in French. Although initially nervous about speaking in front of peers from other schools, they quickly found their voice and became some of the most active and engaged participants in the room.
We are very proud of the way our students rose to the challenge and represented both their chosen countries and our school with confidence and passion.
Berthe Mouchette Competition
In August, several of our Year 12 students also took part in the Berthe Mouchette speaking competition, organised by the Alliance Française.
This competition is an excellent preparation for the oral examination students will undertake in Term 4, as it replicates the experience of speaking in French with an unfamiliar examiner. Students began with a general conversation on topics such as hobbies, school subjects, and family, before moving into a discussion on a prepared topic of their choice.
We are delighted to share that all our students achieved outstanding results, ranging from Très bien to Excellent. This is the strongest set of results we have ever seen from a Year 12 cohort. These achievements reflect their commitment, preparation, and impressive language skills.
We are so proud of Niharika Chopra, Saanvi Dhingra, Peony Ho, Nomaan Qraishi and Om Tripurana for their participation and achievements. 👏 👏 👏
We wish bonne chance to Nomaan who made it to the finals 🎉and just completed this round. The winners of the competition will be announced next term.
Magali Bourkel
Year12 French teacher
Snow Camp Report
The 2025 Snow Camp provided students with a truly unique and immersive experience that encouraged both personal growth and physical activity. Students embraced the challenge of learning a new sport, with many trying skiing or snowboarding for the very first time. The camp was also a chance to strengthen social bonds, build resilience, and develop leadership and teamwork skills in a supportive and engaging environment.
Students made the most of their time on the snow , forming new friendships, challenging themselves on the slopes, and enjoying the unique atmosphere of life in the mountains. It was a memorable experience for all who attended, and one that will be looked back on with pride and enjoyment.
A massive thank you goes to the dedicated staff who made this camp possible: Ms Lisa Guastella, Mr Joel Moden, Ms Constanza Alejandra Von Marees Ralph, and Mr Darcy Mulcahy. A special shout-out also goes to Ms Zoe Young, who dashed up halfway through the camp to support and relieve some of our injured staff , your efforts were greatly appreciated.
