Senior School News
Exploring Design
Our Years 7 and 8 Visual Communication Design students have been exploring the fields of design practice while creating posters, gaining an introduction to what VCD is all about throughout the secondary years. Year 9 students have been revisiting and extending their skills in Adobe Illustrator, discovering new techniques and creative possibilities within the program.
Pictured above: Introduction to Gelli printing to create unique monoprints
In the senior years, Year 10 Art and Design students have been busy on the pottery wheel, creating functional vessels that will be featured in an event poster they design. Year 11 students have begun exploring self-selected topics for their design work, ranging from sustainability in packaging and fashion to addressing the challenges of social media addiction. It has been wonderful to see such creativity, curiosity, and thoughtful design thinking across all year levels this term.
Ms Jillian Ferguson
Head of Visual Art
Duke of Edinburgh - Wilson's Prom National Park Adventurous Journey
On the 7th of December, 20 students lead four staff through on long the trails of Wilsons Promontory National Park for four days. There were some ups and downs but overall a memorable and rewarding adventure. Below are some words from a student participant.
Ms Tamara Sheehan
Duke of Ed Coordinator
STUDENT REFLECTION
I found the Wilsons Prom hike and camp extremely rewarding.
Due to some food and tent challenges during camp it taught me the importance of clear communication with group members to ensure everyone knows what they are responsible for bringing.
Despite these challenges, I enjoyed spending time with my friends throughout the camp: laughing during breaks and supporting each other during tough times. I found the Wilsons Prom environment incredibly beautiful. One of my favourite memories was the first night at Tidal River, watching the sunset at Norman Beach. The waves were small, the beach was long and quiet and the colours of the sky made the whole environment feel really peaceful.
On one of our hikes, we saw bluebottle jellyfish washed up on the sand, something I hadn’t really seen before, so we had to step carefully to avoid them. I also saw several native animals, including wallabies, wombats, echidnas and parrots. Along the way, we came across creeks, waterfalls and large rock formations. I really enjoyed climbing the rocks at the beach to look out over the water and find a nice place to sit.
Overall, this camp was a rewarding and memorable experience and I am eager to participate in future camps. In the future, I would aim to communicate more clearly with my group members and bring cutlery that doesn’t attract so much sand!
Dylan Sopian, Year 11
Year 11 Media Screening 2025
Our Year 11 Media students wrapped up 2025 with the Huntingtower Media Screening which celebrated a fantastic year of creativity and storytelling. The evening featured an exciting showcase of opening title sequences, documentaries, Day in 60 Seconds and even the premiere of the class short film.
The class were even presented with several Oscars to recognise their outstanding technical and creative achievements.
Congratulations to all the students!
Mr Connick Cheung
Media Teacher
A Cultural Immersion in Indonesia
Prior to the commencement of Term 1, our VCE Indonesian students embarked on a 10-day trip to Indonesia as part of their language and cultural immersion program. Their journey included a visit to Dwiwarna Boarding School in Bogor, as well as a trip to the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta.
STUDENTS' REFLECTION
The VCE Indonesian trip to Jakarta and Bogor was a transformative experience that deepened our cultural understanding, strengthened our language skills, and created lasting friendships.
At SMA Dwiwarna, the warmth and hospitality of the students made the unfamiliar environment feel welcoming. They guided us through daily routines, encouraged us to speak Indonesian confidently, and shared meaningful moments such as late‑night conversations while eating rambutan, durian, and custard apple. Living in the boarding school offered insight into Indonesian students’ lives, from early morning prayers to long school days filled with learning and community activities. Observing our Muslim friends pray and participating in daily traditions provided cultural understanding that cannot be gained in a classroom.
We also experienced moments where our Indonesian language skills “clicked,” whether during class discussions, casual conversations, or the final dinner where we exchanged stories and aspirations with new friends. These interactions helped us speak more naturally and realise how much progress we had made since earlier years of study.
Jakarta presented a striking contrast to the calm environment of Dwiwarna. Its fast‑paced, energetic atmosphere was overwhelming yet exciting, offering countless places to explore and foods to try. Engaging with vendors and navigating the city further improved our confidence in using Indonesian in real‑life situations.
Throughout the trip, sharing meals—whether simple dishes like nasi goreng and sate ayam or discovering that Chatime cost only $2—became memorable bonding moments. By the end, we felt reluctant to leave, carrying home not only improved language proficiency but also a deeper appreciation for Indonesian culture and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Ryan Sarron, Aerynn Khong, Dylan Sopian, Mia Pountney, Kaushan Abeyasinghe
VCE Indonesian SL
Year 12 Funny Photo
