The last two weeks have seen us enjoying perfect autumn weather which we are sure everyone has enjoyed. And, after two years of cancelled events, students and staff have thrown themselves enthusiastically into the many activities and events that the College offers.

On the sports fields, we congratulate the Years 9/10 boys tennis team, who were successful in the Loddon-Mallee Regional Tennis competition and have now qualified for the State finals to be played in two week’s time in Melbourne. Well done and good luck to the team - Ayden Barrett, Ben Dickens, Jim and Bill Hipwell and Gabe Wilson. (And thank you to Mr Hill and Mr Sutton for making the long journey to Mildura and back with the team; it was a very early start to the day.)

Today sees the Years 5-12 Cross Country taking place and next week, the 9/10 and 11/12 Soccer teams compete in the district competition. We look forward to hearing the results from these events.

Opportunities to explore careers and vocational pathways are a significant focus of the Term 2 programs for all students in the 9-12 Community. Last week, the Year 12s travelled to the Victorian Careers Expo. This was an opportunity for the students to explore their many career and study pathways as they look to life beyond school.

The Year 11s will have a similar opportunity when they venture to Melbourne for their Urban Experience/Vocational Pathways Camp from 11-13th May. Like the Year 12s, the Year 11s will explore vocational pathways when they visit the Victorian Careers Show. The students will also get the chance to visit Latrobe University Bendigo or Bendigo Regional Institute of Technology. Also, they will get the chance to familiarise themselves with the Melbourne CBD and public transport network, visiting attractions such as the Eureka Sky Deck, Sea Life Aquarium, the Lume Van Gogh Immersion exhibition and various other attractions and features of the city of Melbourne. It promises to be an informative and entertaining trip.

In the coming weeks, Years 9 and 10 students will be involved in careers and vocational excursions, attending Careers Expos in Bendigo and Shepparton, respectively. The Year 10 students will also undertake training for Mock Interviews, which provide students with the ‘real world’ experience of sitting interviews with prospective employers. The experience of focussing on career aspirations, preparing CVs and undertaking job interviews is an important step in the students’ progression through their senior secondary years.

Year 9 students enjoyed their camp this week at Camp Jungai, in Rubicon. Blessed with perfect conditions, the students engaged in a range of activities including bushwalking, canoeing, orienteering, high ropes, initiative games and indigenous cultural learning. The students represented themselves and the College in a commendable manner and were a pleasure to supervise for the staff.

Thank you to the staff who attended - Ms Anderson, Ms Clarke, Mr Dmytriw, Mr Kersten and Mrs Goode.

To cap off a busy week for the Year 9s, today they will join with other Goulburn Valley students as they attend the Ablaze Festival, which provides an opportunity for students to grow their faith through praise and worship, led by Fr Rob Galea and his band.

Year 9 students will also undertake the annual NAPLAN testing from Tuesday to Friday next week.

Year 12 English students are currently studying the play ‘Extinction’ by Hannie Rayson. This play explores the plight of the almost extinct tiger quoll and the ethics associated with mining and its environmental impacts, whilst also exploring the complexity of human relationships. In preparation for the text analysis [SAC and end-of-year exam], the students were fortunate enough to have the production company “Eagles Nest Theatre” visit from Melbourne to perform and discuss these concepts with the students.

Next week, to complement their studies of the text, the Year 12 Literature students will be lucky enough to attend a highly acclaimed performance of ‘Hamlet’.

The Subject Teacher Conversations provided an opportunity for students, families and teachers to meet to discuss the academic progress of students. Many families took up the opportunity to engage in these important conversations and we encourage all parents/caregivers to continue to engage with TAs and subject teachers as we work together to support the students in the 9-12 Community.

Michelle Downie Brad Downie

9-12 Community Leader 9-12 Community Leader

Wellbeing & Community Student Learning and Professional Practice

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