Viewbank College

Middle School News

Year 10 Level Assembly

On Friday 29th July, we celebrated the achievements of our Year 10 students so far.

The following awards were presented to students:

  • Academic
  • Engagement in Learning
  • Music Awards
  • Young Persons Plan for the Planet
  • Swinburne Space Project
  • House Spirit Awards

Congratulations to all Year 10 students and a big congratulations to the recipients.

Year 10 Outdoor Education

On Monday 25th of July, the Year 10 Outdoor Education class visited Hardrock climbing centre.

In this session students learned now to correctly use safety equipment, how to communicate effectively while belaying each other and challenge themselves on the many different rock climbing walls.  

Well done to all the students as they displayed excellent teamwork and communication skills on the day.

Renea Betts

VATE writing competition - Congratulations Bethany!

Congratulations to Bethany C of 7B for her wonderful short story Morning Rush. 

Every year VATE holds a writing competition for students across the State and this year the brief was to write a Story in Miniature inspired by the writing competition theme;

 

Short stories do not say this happened and this happened and this happened. They are a microcosm and a magnification rather than a linear progression. ―Isobelle Carmody

 

We had some very talented writers enter this year. 

To celebrate the talent of our budding authors, I have created an anthology of all short story entries to hand to students who participated. 

I will catch up with all of these students in the coming week to pass this on.

There will also be a copy in the library for any students who are interested in reading the creative writing of their peers. 

A prize pack from VATE is on its way for Bethany.

 

I would like to acknowledge Adele H of Year 7, Annabella M, Athanasia P, Leo C and Emily R of Year 8, Isla T, Tara R and Vista G of Year 9, and Natasha W, Katelyn M and Sienna B of Year 10 for their contribution to our Viewbank writing community.

 

Please enjoy reading Bethany's story Morning Rush.

 

An alarm clock rings, lights switch on, footsteps plod down the hallway. A piano starts, cereal is poured into a bowl, many pieces escaping to the grubby floor.  
The clock ticks on.  
 A flute accompanies the piano. A scream is heard from the kitchen. Two boys fling their arms and legs at one another. A woman scurries to the fight scene. Firm words are spoken. A dog sits on its bed, surveying the surrounding chaos. A boy is banished to his room.  
The clock ticks on.  
The piano is now playing a different song, this time faster, with an occasional odd note. A boy hurriedly brushes his teeth, toothpaste flying onto the mirror. In the living room a mountain of clothes is piled on top of one another, a child hurling pants, shirts, and underwear across the room.   
The clock ticks on.  
A girl casually plaits her long, luscious hair, gazing at her reflection.  An iPad pings with endless notifications. Pushing, shoving, running through unorganised mess. Children everywhere; kitchen, bathroom, lounge room, like a cyclone, tearing down the house. 
The clock ticks on. 
Bread, muesli bars, biscuits. Out of the pantry they go. Ham, cheese, butter. Hands rapidly whip up a sandwich. Lunch boxes stuffed with food are snatched up. The dog, now barking, madly sprints laps of the house.  
The clock ticks on.  
Cars zoom past the hectic property; silence is all they can hear. With the words ‘love you’ one child escapes out the front door. Their footsteps double in pace, as they scurry around the corner. Now only three remain.  
The clock ticks on.  
School bags, one, two, three, sit at the front door. A girl hastily hurls her bag across her shoulders. One last whine from the dog, and out the door she goes too.  Now only two remain.  
The clock ticks on.  
One boy ready to go, his shoelaces falling undone. The other, basketball in hand, bouncing it up and down. The woman returning, confiscating the ball, and sending him back into his bedroom to put on matching socks. 
The clock ticks on.  
Kisses on the forehead, and hugs goodbye, the woman ushers the two boys out of the house. The door slams shut. The house is still, and quiet. The women can finally relax.  
All that can be heard is the soft ticking of the clock.  

 

Fiona Ellis - Head of English