Around Our School
PEER SUPPORT TRAINING
On Thursday 7 March we had the privilege to participate in the Year 9/10 Peer Support Training Day which everyone got the option to apply to. Peer Support is a program where Year 9 and 10 Leaders get to run a session for Year 7 classes while they are in their Tutorial class. On our training day we got to learn lots of new leadership skills as well as different ways to communicate. We had the joy of meeting new students and staff. Being able to hear from multiple students and teachers about their leadership journeys, and what they struggle with, was a great way to gain a new perspective of how to deal with weaknesses.
On Tuesday 12 March we had a second and final day of training. We went through the lesson plans and run some of the activities in front of the class. This was a great way to gain confidence with running the activities and what they entail.
Overall, the two days of training was a great learning experience, and everyone is excited to get into the Year 7 classes and put their leadership skills to the test. A big thank you to the staff who gave up us their time and experience to expand our knowledge of what a good leader is.
Thank you to Mrs Sarah Bahramis, Ms Emily Sykes, Ms Mel Donegan and Ms Erin Gooding for all their hard work into the training and program.
Zali Thomas and Lily Burgess
Year 9
On the first day of the training, everyone was assigned to their classes which they were to help out in the following terms. Then we grouped with fellow classmates who were in the same class. We talked about qualities and experiences that we could draw upon to be a good peer support leader. We did a bunch of activities and discussed relevant topics. An amazing start to our training.
On the second day, we sat in the same groups and spearheaded running some practical games to gain awareness of what to do when leading younger students. We also spoke about what to do in sessions with the Year 7 students. It was a taxing but very enjoyable time for all of us. Thank you to the teachers and staff setting up the two days for us and making the experience a fun time.
Josh Benson and Jake Cooke
Year 9
TERM 1 CASUAL DRESS DAY
The Term 1 Casual Dress Day was a resounding success, demonstrating the incredible generosity of our school community. Through the gold coin donations and the bake sale, we were able to raise over $1800, significantly exceeding our initial goal. The money raised is being donated to ‘The Smith Family’, which is a charity aimed to reduce the impact poverty and neglect has on children’s education. The Smith Family provides vital resources, support, and hope to young Australians who are facing educational inequality; and through the donations, we have made a huge impact on helping countless children reach their full potential. We thank everyone who contributed to make this such a success! This demonstrates that together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Emily Hallam, Year 11
Student Leadership Council
HARMONY WEEK
Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It is about inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone.
Every year, 18 March to 22 March is known as Harmony Week. Throughout this week, the SLC Students and Inclusiveness Team ran many different activities in hopes to embrace everyone’s cultures and spread positivity throughout the school. Harmony Week is a week where we get to know about other people’s cultures and embrace the diversity throughout the world.
During the week a digital recipe book was put up on Compass so that anyone could add their own unique recipes and others could get a taste for their heritage. On Thursday we held a Casual Dress Day where students were encouraged to dress in their cultures clothing and come along to the band at lunchtime which had many talented students playing and showing off there skills.
Furthermore, on Friday, the students and Inclusiveness Team organised a Harmony Week BBQ. A form was created and put on Compass for students and staff to rsvp. As part of the weekly celebrations, students were encouraged to guess how many skittles were in the jar and the winner was announced at the BBQ. Congratulations to Toby McMicking of Year 9 for winning this competition with a guess of 860, were the jar consisted of 866 skittles.
The BBQ had a fantastic turnout, and the free sausages were a hit. The band on Thursday really drew people together and connected the school community. Overall, both students and staff had a wonderful week packed with activities. Thank you to everyone who attended the activities and thank you to the teams and staff involved to get the week to run smoothly. Also, a huge thank you to Mrs Sarah Bahramis, Mrs Sharon Koning, Ms Erin Gooding, Mr Anthony Keane, Ms Alarna Summers, Ms Peta Laughlin and Mr Isaac Bakker for supporting the SLC to organise the events.
Felicity Childs, Year 10
SLC member
HANDS ON LEARNING
Herald Sun Article
