Outside the Classroom

Merri Robotics 2026 Newsletter

Issue 1: "We did well, we came last."

On the last weekend of the July holidays, the Merri-bek Robotics Club participated in the off-season Melbourne Robotics Tournament. This was our second year at the event, after the previous year. 

The Robot

The team's robot, called the Merri Bot, is our own original design based on the kit-bot given to us last year. It used a tank drive base, and had a pole with wheels on it designed to pick this year's game pieces up from the floor of the arena. It has a large hopper to hold large amounts of the balls, to give to our teammates or steal from our opponents. 

It was designed over the course of the year, after reviewing this year's game manual, but our whole build was made possible through a sponsorship from Coburg High School and grants from the Merri-bek City Council. Additional funding was raised through a cake stall at the Coburg Farmer's Market. We are very grateful for their support.

The Tournament

The MRT (Melbourne Robotics Tournament) is a competition held every year at Blackburn High School. It is the off-season competition of the FRC. (First Robotics Competition) The official competition is held in Sydney earlier in the year, but the off-season competition allows teams more time to prepare and create a better robot. The lower stakes also allow new teams like us to have a go, and try our best in a new experience. 

This year there were 22 teams competing in the tournament. We played through the qualifiers and placed 8th overall in the competition, meaning we were the captain of the alliance for the finals. Unfortunately due to the drafting process our alliance placed 7th overall (out of 7 alliances in the final.) However we were all still extremely proud of our effort to build our robot from scratch and take it to a competitive level. 

Liam C

Work Experience 

Student Reflections

Our Year 10s have done an excellent job organising their own work experiences.  Here are some of their reflections on the experience. Coburg High School extends a big thank you to all the businesses, teams and individuals who took on our students and provided them with such wonderful and insightful experiences. 

Shayma T,Real Estate

During my work experience at a real estate agency, I gained valuable insight into how the industry operates. Before starting, I thought real estate was mainly about selling houses, but I learned that there is a lot of important work happening behind the scenes. This experience helped me understand the responsibilities involved in running a successful real estate business.

One of my main tasks was completing administrative work. I helped organise documents, file paperwork, and update records. These tasks showed me how important organisation is in a professional workplace. Keeping information accurate and easy to access helps the business run smoothly and efficiently.

I also learned the importance of communication in the real estate industry. Staff members regularly communicated with clients, buyers, sellers, and other team members. Observing these interactions taught me how professional communication helps build trust and maintain strong relationships with clients.

Another meaningful part of the experience was learning about property listings. I saw how information about properties is collected, organised, and prepared before being advertised. This gave me a better understanding of the effort required to market homes effectively.

Through my administrative duties, I developed stronger attention to detail. Small mistakes in paperwork or data entry could cause confusion, so it was important to check my work carefully. This skill will be useful in both my future education and employment.

The experience also improved my time-management skills. Staff members often worked on multiple tasks at once while meeting deadlines. Watching how they prioritised their work taught me the importance of being organised and managing time effectively.

I enjoyed being part of a professional office environment. It was interesting to see how different employees worked together to achieve common goals. Teamwork played a major role in ensuring clients received the best possible service.

This placement helped me build confidence in a workplace setting. Completing tasks independently and learning new procedures made me feel more capable and responsible. I became more comfortable asking questions and taking initiative when needed.

The work experience also gave me a better understanding of potential career opportunities in real estate. I learned that the industry offers a variety of roles, including administration, property management, marketing, and sales. This broadened my knowledge of career pathways that I may consider in the future.

Overall, my work experience in real estate was meaningful because it allowed me to develop practical skills, gain workplace knowledge, and experience a professional environment firsthand. The administrative tasks I completed taught me responsibility, organisation, and attention to detail. This experience has helped me prepare for future employment and provided valuable lessons that I can apply throughout my life.

Aleksa K, Schiavello Manufacturing 

During my work experience at Schiavello Manufacturing, I learned about how furniture is designed and produced. I observed different stages of the manufacturing process and saw how products move from design to completion. 

The staff were welcoming and explained their roles and responsibilities clearly. I gained a better understanding of workplace safety and the importance of following procedures. I also learned how teamwork helps ensure products are made efficiently and to a high standard. 

Watching the machinery and production processes was very interesting. I developed a greater appreciation for the skills required in manufacturing. The experience helped me improve my communication and observation skills.

It also gave me insight into possible future career pathways. Overall, I enjoyed my time at Schiavello Manufacturing and found the experience valuable and educational.

Hugo S, Goonawarra Day Hospital

The time I spent working alongside everyone at Goonawarra Day Hospital for my work experience placement has been incredibly educational and an unforgettable experience. 

The time I spent observing how patients are booked in and helping out with the massive loads of paperwork associated with payments and forms helped me understand that a surgery practice is not predominantly procedures but actually mainly composed of paperwork.

One of the things I had enjoyed the most was being in the theatre room, as I was fortunate enough to observe active endoscopies and colonoscopies while wearing the essential gear. During the surgeries, I was able to ask questions to the head surgeon, who was incredibly informative in what his role was and what he was attempting to do and how to do it. Additionally, I got to see how samples were collected inside the lower intestines or the stomach, which was truly a memorable experience.

On top of that, I got to see how the paperwork I helped organise was applied within the surgeries in person, as well as the lifecycle of the surgical tools used. I was shown how specialised tools are correctly sterilised, as well as being cleaned and dried using specific machines. 

For example, the primary tool used in endoscopies was the endoscope, a long and thin rigid tube equipped with a light source, suction tube, camera, and specialised working channels (used in my case to send a miniature metal claw through the tube and into the intestines/stomach to collect samples for later observation). For the endoscope, a specialised machine called the 'Automated Endoscope Reprocessor' was used to disinfect, thoroughly wash and even test whether there were any leaks in the endoscope.

This placement had made me more interested in pursuing the medical field, and it was a fantastic experience that I will always remember. 

Here are some pictures of our students at work:

-Yen R worked at his Dad’s fabrication business. He developed practical skills by learning to safely use a range of hand tools and power tools, including equipment for cutting, drilling, measuring, building and installing fences.

-Jack A worked at ‘WrapHeaven’ in Coburg North, learning how to tint cars.

- Noah T working at ‘Service and Repair Coffee Machines.

-William and Harriet had the incredible Work Experience opportunity to step inside the world-class laboratories at the University of Melbourne, gaining a first-hand look at life as a tertiary science researcher. Here is what they discovered.

For Will, the experience completely transformed his perspective on where a career in science can lead. Working alongside dedicated supervisors, Will dove into the world of zoology, ecology, and marine biology. However Will also gained insight on different careers, even working at a University, which he had not considered before.

"Every day I spent time with a supervisor who taught me about bat anatomy and behavior," Will shared. "By day three, we were observing crustacean research experiments conducted by Master's and PhD students."

Will now plans to target Physics, Chemistry, and Biology for his VCE studies to build a strong foundation for a future in science.

Harriet's week was equally thrilling, spending time in a high-tech research environment and some of her time between a Mycology (fungi) lab and a Malaria lab, she got a true taste of the daily life of a laboratory scientist.

Guided by supportive supervisors, Harriet mastered complex concepts and discovered entirely new career pathways she didn't know existed, such as plant pathology. The hands-on setting solidified her future pathway of working in science and her love in the laboratory environment.

"I loved being in a real lab with scientists and wearing a proper lab coat," Harriet said. "We used actual lab equipment, looked at specimens, and even worked with E. coli."

We extend a massive thank you to the supervisors and researchers at the University of Melbourne for guiding, inspiring, and welcoming our students into their labs!

Christina Scholzhorn

Work Experience Co-ordinator

Year 10 excursion to La Trobe University

As part of their Big Week Forward program, the entire Year 10 cohort recently participated in a full-day excursion to La Trobe University. The visit provided students with an opportunity to explore pathways beyond Year 12 and gain valuable insights into tertiary education and future career options.

The day began with a presentation from La Trobe University ambassadors, who shared information about university life, study opportunities, and the wide range of courses available. Students then took part in guided campus tours, allowing them to experience the facilities and learning environments firsthand.

Following the tours, students attended a CHS-led session, Welcome to the Future, which included a panel of CHS alumni discussing their post-school journeys and offering advice about future study and career decisions. After lunch in the university’s Agora precinct, students participated in another CHS session, Thriving Not Surviving, which focused on preparing for future challenges and making informed choices about Year 11 study options.

The excursion was a valuable experience that encouraged students to think about their future pathways, explore new possibilities, and begin planning for the important decisions they will make as they progress through their senior years.

We were delighted with the way Year 10s demonstrated the Coburg High School values of Community and Curiosity. They asked plenty of excellent questions and were really enthusiastic throughout the day.

Mietta Robertson

Year 10, Careers & Pathway Leader 

Student Achievement

Well done to Angus C and Charlotte A of Year 11 who were recently selected to join the Victorian Karate Team to represent Victoria at the 2026 Karate Australia National Championships, 10-12 July, in Hobart Tasmania. As Victorian State Team members the two were required to train at Victoria University throughout 2026, while also continuing their training at Okukan Karate, Coburg.

On the 11 July Angus competed and won 1st place, becoming the National Kumite Junior Champion of Australia +76kg. Angus also competed in the Kumite Junior Open Weight category and won bronze. Charlotte Abbott competed in the Kumite Junior -66kg category and won bronze. Their achievements are significant and were realised through consistent training, focus and discipline.

Congratulations to Billy S of Year 11 who has once again been selected for The Mustangs, one of two Melbourne based teams in the Australian ice hockey league (the top semi-professional league in Australia). Billy recently travelled to Adelaide to compete for the Mustangs in their junior team.

SCoE Wild Futures

On Thursday of Week 3, 11 Year 7 students and 2 teachers had the amazing opportunity to take part in the SCoE Wild Futures program. Students from four different schools got assigned to random groups, one student from each school in a group. The groups had the opportunity to work together to decide on an animal they would like to focus on during the learning experience. In the next three sessions, they will develop a prototype of how we as humans can harmonise with animals without needing wildlife conservation. At the zoo, students went off in their groups to watch and record their chosen animal’s behaviour, its challenges, and its habitat. Throughout the excursion they were not only able to learn about their species, but also watch lions being fed, find solutions to problems the lions would make in Africa, and build friendships and connections with new people including students, teachers, and zookeepers. It was an amazing and valuable experience and we are excited to continue learning and growing throughout the other sessions this year.

‘It was a great experience, I wish I could do it again’ - Charlie D

‘It’s not every day you get to go to the zoo and do the things you love’ - Morgan R

‘It was fun and I liked the giraffes’ - Pearl B

‘It was lovely to see all the students from different schools work together and I can’t wait to see what they come up with in the next sessions’ - Angela Schneider

‘It was fun, I liked the lions, and the people were very nice’ - Matilda F

 Nelly, 7I

Year 7 Boys Footy Regional Finals - 2nd in our pool!

On a windy Tuesday our Year 7 boys footy team represented us spectacularly at regional finals.

• Coburg HS versus Preston HS - WIN 40 - 4

• Coburg HS versus Greensborough SC - LOSS 25 - 45

• Coburg HS versus Mernda Central - WIN 34 - 13

   

The squad of 22 was well supported by Coaches Seb W & James L of Year 9, ably backed up by Ben H of Year 9 as our goal umpire and Aiden C of Year 11 as our runner.

Big thanks to all the parents who came along to cheer on the boys and special shout outs to Leah (Mum of Jackson R) for the oranges and lollies and Paris (Dad of Charlie & William J) for the lollies and certificates!

MVPs on the day went to William and Charlie J, Christian L, Freddie M, Fletcher R and Marcel W, who "had a day" and was unstoppable in the forward line.

Coach Seb praised the boys' sportsmanship, leadership and integrity, noting they never gave up even when games got tough.

The boys did an amazing job and look forward to contesting again in Year 8!

Squad

7A: Raiden P

7C: Jacob W

7D: Aiden K, Archie M, Dante V, Marcel W

7E: Jem A, Dannte C-T, Jackson R

7F: Jackson W

7G: Charlie J, William J, Billy R, Fletcher R

7H: Thomas C, Christian L, Raed M, Spencer P

7I: Artie O, Lennox U

7J: Freddie M, Freddy S

Melanie Buscema-Moore

Year 7 & 8 Girls Netball

On Thursday 25th of June the Year 7 and 8 Girls Netball teams played in the Divisional Round Robin Tournament at Pascoe Vale Girls College.

Our wonderful netballers and their brilliant coaches… showcasing the importance of women in sport!  

The year 7 netball team has represented Coburg high amazingly, with great sportsmanship and integrity. They all played outstandingly, cheering each other on all day and showing great teamwork. They ended up winning all of their games, progressing to the next round. As their coach, I am looking forward to the next round in term 3 and seeing what they can achieve!

Amelia, Year 10 Coach

This term I was given the opportunity to coach one of the year 7 girls Interschool Netball teams. The girls gave their absolute all and left nothing on the court. The team played with so much grit and determination and won 3 out of their 4 games, and only lost by 1 point. Shout out to Allie with an incredible performance playing Wing Attack, Goal attack and Center, always giving us a passing option and setting up so many goals. Rebecca’s defence was unstoppable and completely changed matches, which gave us a chance to fight for each win. I had a blast coaching these girls and was very proud of everyone’s efforts.

Eliott, Year 10 Coach

The Year 8 girls netball teams went out to Pascoe Vale Girls College today for an amazing day of sport and fun. Our A team was extremely successful, we won all of our games and made it through to Regionals. We achieved amazing results all day, but our best game was won 41-0. We are super proud of the team and excited to head to Regionals!

Salma, Year 10 Coach

The girls went out and had a really fun day, showing great enthusiasm and teamwork throughout the competition. It was a bit of a rocky start, with a draw followed by a loss in the first two games, but the team stayed positive and continued to encourage one another. Rather than letting the results affect their confidence, they worked together, communicated better on the court, and improved with each game. Their determination paid off as they bounced back strongly to win the final two games of the day. It was fantastic to see their resilience, positive attitudes, and willingness to keep fighting until the end. Overall, the girls should be proud of the way they represented our school and the improvement they showed across the day.

Wilson, Year 10 Coach

A special shout out to all of our volunteer coaches, it was a pleasure to support each of you, your dedication and professionalism was simply amazing… Each of the teams benefited from your passion, experience and guidance throughout the trials, training and especially on game day.

Kylie Saccone

Rubicon - Winter Camp

As VCE Outdoor Ed students, we recently had the opportunity to attend the Rubicon Camp, and it was an unforgettable experience. Throughout the camp we completed a range of enjoyable walks, taking in the beautiful scenery while challenging ourselves. One of the highlights was the white-water rafting, which was exciting, fun and a great way to step outside our comfort zones. Although the weather was very cold, it didn't stop us from making the most of every activity. We also took turns completing breakfast, lunch and dinner duties, which helped us get to know students from the other class and work together as a team. The camp brought our whole class closer together, and like every camp we've been on, it strengthened our friendships and teamwork even more. Rubicon Camp was an amazing experience.

Emilee A

Kath Hammond

Year 7 Art Competition

At the beginning of Term 3, the Year 7 Student Voice Leaders invited the whole Year 7 cohort to participate in an art competition to portray what school meant to them. Students were encouraged to think outside the box and show friendship, independence, learning, music, challenges, community, future dreams, belonging… or anything that represented their school experience.

Congratulations to Penny C for winning the First Prize and to Morgan R and Aidan K for winning the Runner up and SST Awards respectively.

Special thanks to Maddie, Matilda, Eddie and Etta for entering the competition. Your pieces were beautiful and thoughtful too.

My drawing represents teamwork, companionship and most of all friendship.

In this piece of art you can see me (left) and a random person (right). I was trying to make the random person look like a friend I met at inter school sports, but I messed up and compromised. I decided to draw us at inter school sports because I enjoyed it better than any other inter school sports I've been to, not only did I meet new friends, I got to hang out with old ones.

Maria Barberà Fernández on behalf of the Year 7 Student Voice Leaders 

Student Work

Coral Bleaching & Caring for Our Oceans

Example of a healthy ecosystem in Crayfish Bay, VIC. Taken by Nelly F.

I am participating in the Wild Futures program, along with 11 other Year 7 students. We have been learning about how important it is for all species in an ecosystem to be balanced so that everything can work in harmony, and it inspired me to write about how coral bleaching works and how important it is for corals to be healthy for other marine life to survive.

Have you ever seen a kind of see-through, kind of grey coral? Well, if you have, then you can assume that that coral used to be bright and colourful, but it has whitened and lost its colour. This is called coral bleaching. By reading on, we will dive into the underwater world, exploring the process and reasons for coral bleaching.

When corals slowly lose their colour and the coral bleaching process starts, it's usually due to the water temperature increasing through climate change, the water being polluted (the chemicals aren’t good for the coral) and solar irradiance (corals need the exact right amount of sun). Bleaching occurs when corals are under stress. For example, even if the temperature increases by only one degree for four weeks, the corals can bleach. How it works is that corals lose their healthy colours because they expel the algae in their body. Algae is the good stuff that provides corals with nutrients (chemical particles in food that are used by the body to function properly and maintain health).

There is also a special relationship between fish and coral, which helps both species survive. Some fish rely on coral reefs for food, shelter, and breeding space. The corals also benefit from having the fish around, since they depend on specific fish species to help them with reproduction, and even the spread of coral diseases can be fought off by fish. As coral reefs bleach, marine ecosystems can collapse, for example, leading to a decrease in fish populations, which are very important for the food of millions of animals and people. Coral reefs also serve as natural barriers against storm surges and hurricanes, helping to protect coastal communities from extreme weather events.

So now that you know a bit more about coral bleaching, have a read below about how you can help our ocean through little everyday actions, and some big ones too. Everything counts!

1. Use less plastic! Sadly, a lot of plastic lands in the ocean, even if you don’t live near it. Many things don’t need to be made of plastic, there are various options that are more sustainable. Also try to avoid buying clothes made of synthetic fabric such as nylon, polyester, and acrylic. Thousands and thousands of pieces of microplastic come off this kind of clothing with every wash. These fibers are too small to be filtered out of the water, and end up in the ocean through rivers. There, they are accidentally consumed by marine life. Clothing made of hemp, wool, or cotton is much better.

2. Shop smartly and responsibly. When you go shopping, take a reusable bag, backpack, or basket so you don’t have to buy a new bag. It is very hard to entirely avoid plastic while shopping, but you can choose products that come in paper or glass packaging, or avoid fruit and veg in plastic packaging and take reusable veggie bags instead. If you really can’t avoid plastic packaging, you can upcycle it, for example, not long ago, I made a sprout grower from a leftover milk container. Also, some supermarkets such as Woolworths, Coburg Hill have a collection which you can bring your soft plastics to so that they can then be recycled.

3. Collect rubbish. When you spot a piece of rubbish lying or floating around somewhere, pick it up. There’s no reason not to, and you’ll know that you’re doing something good for the environment at the same time! Also, often there is a lot of rubbish along riverbanks that usually ends up in the ocean. And sadly, many marine animals can’t tell the difference between a plastic bag and a jellyfish. Maybe you could take part in a Merri Creek clean up event or organise your own and invite your friends and family along. You could even ask if you can do it with your classmates!

4. Eat less fish! Tragically, industry fishing is destroying the ocean ecosystems. Removing one part of an ecosystem will cause the whole thing to collapse. And not only that, but there is also something called bottom trawling, which collects any fish, coral, or other marine species in its way, and only 25% of the fish that gets stuck in the net actually gets used! This is why it is important to only buy fish that is sourced locally or has the MSC label.

    

Before trawling:

After trawling:

Image Credit: David Attenborough Oceans Documentary

          7. Only use sunscreen that is reef safe. Sadly, many sunscreens are not reef                           friendly, meaning that they contain chemicals that are harmful to reefs and marine                 life. This can also partly be the cause for coral bleaching. When buying sunscreen,                make sure it says reef friendly.

Get involved, volunteer, and take action! Take part in protests and spread awareness, support ocean conservation organizations by donating, volunteering, or even just sharing their amazing work. Everything, big or small, makes a difference!

Nelly F, Year 7