Around the Campuses

Victorian Young Leaders to China (VYLC)

In Term 3, during Weeks 5 and 6, twelve of our Year 9 students proudly took part in the virtual Victorian Young Leaders to China (VYLC) program.

Throughout the two weeks, our students not only made significant academic progress, but also represented VUSC with great teamwork, unity, and school spirit. They demonstrated confidence and collaboration in front of students and teachers from other schools across Victoria, showing what it truly means to be part of the VUSC community.

A particular highlight of the program was the City Cultural Excursion, where our VUSC team competed in the Amazing Race challenge against 120 students from 13 participating schools. We are delighted to share that our students took out first place, earning the championship trophy which was presented by the Consul-General of China in Melbourne! This was an outstanding achievement that reflects both their dedication and the strength of their collaboration.

Congratulations to Reena Akkala, Danielle Bersabal, Jessica Dang, Simran Kaur, Sam Liu, Justine McCoy, Michaiah Mendero, Helen Ngo, April Nguyen, Caitlyn On, Adib Sheikh and Lucy Williams for being amazing ambassadors of our College, and a big thank you to our staff for their guidance and support.

Below are some reflections from our students about their experiences during the VYLC program.

The Victorian Young Leaders to China program was an immersive and incredible experience. Throughout this program, I leant not only about Chinese culture and language, but also the importance of collaboration, adaptability, intercultural understanding and being a active global citizen. The program pushed me beyond textbook learning. Instead of memorising vocabulary, we used Chinese in conversations with other students, teachers, which helped us to understand sentences and texts. Some of my highlights included the interactive lessons, such as participating in kung fu and calligraphy, which allowed me to experience traditional aspects of Chinese culture in a hands on way. My favourite part of the program was the cultural immersion day, especially the Amazing Race activity that was held at Chinatown, as it encouraged teamwork, problem solving and collaboration, while being lots of fun. Another memorable activity was connecting with students from Shanghai. Having the chance to talk with them, exchange interests and make new friends gave me a deeper appreciation of cultural exchange and showed me how much we can learn from one another. Overall, this program not only helped me broaden my knowledge of Chinese but also gave me unforgettable experiences and made me feel a part of something bigger.

Jessica Dang 9I

The Victoria Young Leaders to China program was a very valuable experience that enhanced my Chinese language skills and allowed me to immerse myself in China’s culture. Each day we went through language lessons on topics such as careers, travel and illness. These language lessons were then followed by cultural classes. We enjoyed learning kung fu, participating in virtual tours of the Great Wall of China and its street culture and creating calligraphy paintings of pandas. My personal favourite part of the program was the amazing race. In small groups we rushed around China Town, completing fun activities and appreciating the rich and fascinating culture. VYLC was wonderful and I’m very grateful that I was able to participate in it.

Michaiah MENDERO 9G

The Victorian Young Leaders to China program was an incredible and worthy experience, enhancing my capabilities and skills in the language of Chinese. I was able to immerse myself into the Chinese culture, exploring the beauty of its history and traditions. Every day for two weeks, students participate in this program early in the morning, skipping important classes and lunch time breaks for this rare opportunity that we would not dare to miss. Our language classes pushed us to learn Chinese in an efficient way, faster than our normal Chinese classes. We memorised vocab and used conversations and questions to apply our knowledge. During our interactive classes, we learnt about kung fu, dumpling making and calligraphy writing/drawing. We also went on a virtual tour to some famous destinations in China, such as the Great Wall of China. There were also online games where students would have to find zodiac animals and race around the Great Wall of China. My favourite part of the program was going on the excursion to Chinatown in the Melbourne CBD. Students ran to find certain places in Chinatown, applying our Chinese knowledge and language skills into real-life situations. We participate in fun activities and competitions, making it an experience worth remembering. VYLC was an amazing experience and I’m very grateful that we were able to participate in this program.

Helen Ngo 9H

The Victorian Young Leaders to China was a different experience, different from our normal school routine. Because of that, I found the experience quite memorable and exciting. We had online lessons with a teacher who spoke in Chinese forcing me to really listen to the content and harness my Chinese listening skills. The little cultural explorations like Kung Fu, calligraphy drawing, virtual excursions and Chinese cuisine helped me deepen my understanding in Chinese culture. I especially enjoyed the amazing race during the Chinatown trip in which we won 1st place! Another key highlight was the virtual zodiac chase, a fun and immersive way on teaching us about the Chinese zodiac animals. This program will be one of the many key highlights in my grade 9 year.

Simran KAUR 9H

The Victorian Young Leaders to China program was something I was very fortunate to be a part of. I learnt a lot during my participation through the language lessons and cultural lectures which further enriched my knowledge of Chinese culture and language. The cultural immersion day was probably one of my highlights because I got to work with my other VYLC members to complete challenges and explore Chinatown. The most valuable thing I got out of this program is probably an increased proficiency in speaking and listening in Chinese. I enjoyed collaborating with my classmates, talking with students in China and seeing VUSC win the Amazing Race!

Danielle BERSABAL 9I

The Victorian Young Leaders to China program was an incredibly valuable experience. Students were immersed in not only the Chinese language but its culture and way of living. Through the virtual excursions meetings with Chinese students and language lessons all students participating in this program were highly engaged.

Justine MCCOY 9G

The Victorian Youth Leaders to China program was an amazing, immersive experience which allowed all of the students to simultaneously learn the Chinese language and the rich culture stemming back thousands of years. The virtual excursion, good app, and amazing race around Chinatown in Melbourne were really fun and allowed for you to learn about China without strictly learning.

Lucy Williams 9I

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Book Week

Well done to the staff and students who participated in Book Week activities this term at the Junior Campus! Students loved the quiz and scavenger hunt, and the English staff joined in on the fun, dressing as 'The Lord of the Rings' characters. Congratulations to the following students:

Costume winners:

1st Jaycee Powney 7G

2nd Ramiah Asiata 7A

3rd Zahra Albury 7A

4th Chelsi Tran 7A

Group Costume Winners:

1st Victoria Phung 8G & Paige Gonzalez 8J

Quiz Winner:

1st Anthony Nguyen 7B

Scavenger Hunt Winner:

1st Abeeha Aizaz 7F

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VCE Art and Design Excursions

This term, the VCE Visual Communication Design students attended a design workshop held at ACMI followed by a practical design workshop at the State Library of Victoria, where they were led by Miss McAsey and Miss Fisicaro through a guided tour of the library. This was followed by a perspective technical drawing session of the interior of the State Library.

Students had an amazing day and really enjoyed the opportunity to get out of the classroom and apply their skills and knowledge to real life scenarios and activities.

The VCE Art Creative Practice students visited the National Gallery of Victoria where students attended the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition ‘French Impressionism’ from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This was followed by a workshop held outside at the Royal Botanical Gardens which was led by Miss McAsey and Miss Fisicaro where students developed an oil pastel still life impressionist inspired drawing session of the gardens.

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STEM at iCan

This term at iCan, students have been making the “buzz wire” game - where you have to move a metal loop over the bent wire without getting buzzed. Students learned skills in soldering and electrical wiring, metal bending and shaping to create the winding wire and a wand, and engineering a stable base for the game.

Students also tried their hand at coding Sphero Bolt robots.

They learned coding fundamentals by programming a Sphero BOLT to move, display pixel images, and interact with the environment using the ambient light sensor.

Ms D'Souza

STEM Teacher

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Sports & Rugby Update

Congratulations to our U14 Boys and Girls Rugby League sides for qualifying for the State Finals next week! The boys had an amazing day with four straight wins and only one try conceded in total! The girls worked super hard to make the semi-final playoffs to secure a win and transition through.

We are extremely proud of both squads and are excited for the State finals and the overall long term growth of these talented students in our Rugby League Academy!

Congratulations also to our Year 8 Boys Table Tennis team who are Keilor Division Champions (pictured right)! The boys will now progress to the Western Region Championships. Good luck boys!

Keilor Division Athletics

Last Friday 12th September, 38 students from across the college competed in various events at the Keilor Division Athletics Championship!

Our team represented the school with outstanding effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship — and we are thrilled to share that many students came away with first-place finishes across a number of events.

We are extremely proud of their efforts and look forward to seeing them compete at the Western Region Athletics.

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Falls Creek Ski Camp

Once again, a group of VUSC students returned to Falls Creek for the annual senior ski camp for two nights and two and a half days in the snow. Over a packed weekend, these Year 10-12 students took a well-deserved break from their hectic study schedule and immersed themselves in the thrill of snow sports. Clear blue skies, sun and lots of snow ensured that conditions were great for our first-time and experienced skiers and snowboarders. No trip to the snow would be complete without the annual VUSC snowball fight in the Falls Creek village!

The mornings were dedicated to skill-building, with students completing lessons in skiing and snowboarding. For many, it was their first time on the snow, and they started with the fundamentals—learning to stop and turn on the beginner's "magic carpet" slope. Others, who were on their second or third snow camp, built on their previous skills, mastering linked turns on more challenging green runs and confidently riding the chairlift.

In the afternoons, students put their new skills into practise, enjoying free time on the slopes with friends and teachers. The staff were particularly impressed with how well the students managed the demanding schedule, which included an early 6 a.m. start each day. The long days were a testament to the students' determination, as many kept skiing and boarding until the very last lift closed.

Our VUSC students did the college proud, showing tenacity and a spirit of adventure, while looking out for one another and building a great sense of camaraderie among the group. It was great to see all our students embodying our school values - Aspire to Achieve, Respect Ourselves and Others, and Strengthen the Community - in a totally different setting. A huge thank you to the students for making the trip so memorable and to our amazing staff and volunteers for giving up their weekend and making this opportunity possible for our students!

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Year 8 Grampians Camp

This term, our Year 8 students embarked on an unforgettable three-day camp to the stunning Grampians – Gariwerd National Park. The trip was an incredible mix of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and personal achievement.

Students spent their days hiking some of the park's most iconic trails, including the journey to Mackenzie Falls and the Wonderlands Walk to the breathtaking Pinnacle lookout. Along the way, they learned about the region's diverse ecosystems, rich biodiversity, and the unique geological features that shaped the Grampians.

Beyond the hikes, the students gained a deeper understanding of the area’s Indigenous heritage. They visited the Brambuk Cultural Centre and took part in a night walk to Bunjil’s Shelter. These experiences offered insights into the area’s Aboriginal history, including traditional land management practices, Dreamtime stories, and the cultural significance of these sites to local communities.

Reaching the top of challenging trails like the Pinnacle and Fish Falls was a huge accomplishment for the students. The staff were particularly impressed with the campers' positive attitudes and teamwork.

Asgar (8E) wrote the following account of his camp experiences:

"The Year 8 students from Victoria University Secondary College went on a three-day camp to Halls Gap. The camp was fun and full of adventures, laughs, and memories. The bus ride took four hours, and we stopped at McDonald’s, which everyone was excited about. When we arrived, we saw kangaroos around the camp and settled into our cabins.

During the day, we did many activities. We went on hikes, including a walk to a waterfall, which was amazing. Some of us played volleyball, swam in the pool, or played tennis. At night, we could either go on a night walk or relax in our cabins. Lights out was at 10:30 pm. The food was really good. We had chicken and rice for the first night, wraps for lunch on Tuesday, and lasagna for dinner. Breakfast was either cereal or toast. Our teachers made sure we were safe and had fun. The camp was so much fun. I loved the waterfall hike and hanging out with my friends. I will remember it forever.”

Thank you to our amazing staff for making this camp such a memorable one for our students.

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Legal Studies Excursions

Year 10 Legal Studies Deep Learning excursion to Sunshine Magistrates' Court

This term the Year 10 Legal Studies Deep Learning class visited the Sunshine Magistrates' Court. The students learned about the operation of the Magistrates' Court from Magistrate Marko Sabljak, a police prosecutor and one of the court registrars, who all answered the many questions that the students had. They then had the opportunity to sit in on a variety of cases, including bail applications, driving under the influence prosecutions, apprehended violence order applications and a drug trafficking sentencing.

The students really enjoyed the experience. Jeremiah Delapena said that it was "easily the best excursion I have been on at VUSC", while Jason Nguyen enthused that it "makes me really want to study Legal Studies in Year 11 - I had no idea it could be so interesting". Darleena Lung was excited to see the law in operation: "We have learned about this in the classroom but it is very informative to see what actually happens in the real world, especially because the cases involved real people like us."

Year 11 Legal Studies excursion

This term our Year 11 Legal Studies students went on an excursion to the city where they visited the County Court, top tier commercial law firm Allens and the Victorian Parliament. At the County Court a judge talked with the students about the County Court, the day to day life of a judge, and the challenges and experiences of being a judge. The students then sat in on a plea hearing in an assault case, which ultimately resulted in the accused being sentenced to 7.5 years' imprisonment.

From there we went to Allens where the students networked with lawyers over lunch to learn about legal pathways, what solicitors do and the many opportunities available to students who study law. The students also had a tour of the offices and enjoyed the view of the city from the 39th floor. The excursion finished with a tour of the Victorian Parliament where the students heard about the role of parliament while sitting in the Legislative Assembly.

The excursion was a great success and educational opportunity for our students:

"It was really interesting hearing about the different pathways and experiences that the people at Allens had - it was really nice of them to be so willing to spend time with us" - Kevin Ly

" This excursion really changed my perspective. Until now I had not really thought about a career in the law but, after seeing all of the different areas of law, I will really think about it" - Hamda Awil

"The Allens lawyers were very open and approachable and answered my questions comprehensively and in detail. They were very hospitable and gave me a good insight into working at a law firm" - Alex Jorgandzievski

In short, as summarised by Aryan Singh in his trademark succinct style: "Wonderful day overall"!

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Gardening Club

Students at the Junior Campus have been working hard planting new trees and shrubs, and moving mulch in the courtyard. The new gardens are looking amazing! Thank you to Ms Grant and Ms O'Meara for their help and support!

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HeadStart success!

Victor is a Year 12 HeadStart student who began a School Based Apprenticeship with MyCar Tyre & Auto in 2024. Under the guidance of a workplace mentor, Victor has been developing his skills by servicing vehicles, diagnosing and resolving issues, sourcing parts and pricing, and engaging with customers.

Victor has also demonstrated flexibility by working across multiple locations, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the automotive industry.

Victor is passionate about the automotive industry, and both he and his employer are eager to continue into a full-time partnership once he completes Year 12.

Well done Victor!!

If any student would like to discuss the possibility of beginning a traineeship or apprenticeship whilst at school, please see one of the Careers staff for more information.

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Mystery Box Challenge - VCE Food Studies

This term, our Year 12 VCE Food Studies students participated in a Mystery Box Challenge! The students were required to use very limited ingredients to create some wonderful and delicious dishes. This was a great challenge for the students, who used their imagination and creativity in the kitchen! Well done to all!