Year 9/10

Student Engagement 

Hands on Learning Updates

It’s been a very busy first Semester in Hands on Learning…  We are always working on new projects around the school and in the wider community…  We have been very fortunate to welcome year 6 students from Marnabek and Willandra Rise Primary school into our shed for some Hands on Projects.  Our students were so patient, helpful and kind to our visitors and we were thrilled to see them show initiative & leadership. We also spent several weeks making 6 putting greens for Casey Fields Primary School, they were extremely appreciative and overjoyed with the result!

We have also been constructing the sets for this year’s school production of “Mamma Mia” and what a huge job! Mr White has designed some fabulous sets and the students are learning how to construct walls, giant timber boxes, windows and hang doors! Such a big job and considering we make them in the HOL shed then take them apart only to put them together again in the theatre, it is a huge project! In addition to the sets, we have been working to make our outdoor garden more inviting by planting a hedge & creating a colourful space to sit outside, as soon as it warms up!  We also made this really cool food cart for the Mandarin Team to use for celebration days such as Lunar New Year and Harmony day.

 - Ms Noble and Mr White (Artisan HOL teachers)

Skill Invest Opportunity

On the 19th of June, a group of Year 9 and 10 students received the opportunity to go Skill Invest in Dandenong to learn skills in building & construction and automotive with Ms Sculley, Mr Gould and Mr Bray. While engaging with the building and construction portion of the day students built picture frames which required them to measure all pieces to the correct angles, use a range of building equipment as well as communication skills. When students were completing the automotive part of their experience, students learnt to hoist up a car, as well as change a tire and check parts under the bonnet. the students really enjoyed their time at Skill Invest and eagerness to engage in other life skill experiences. 

Year 10

It has been an incredibly busy term. Students have completed their mid-term exams and started to prepare for Course counselling in Term 3. The Careers team organised Spotlight sessions where community members came to share their experience of working in their particular career. There was a wide range of careers covered so students could choose two areas that interested them and listen to first-hand experience to help them with their pathway choices when they have course counselling early in Term 3. The students gave extremely positive feedback telling staff that the sessions were interesting and helpful.   

Harmony Day – 27/5

On Tuesday 27th May, The school celebrated Harmony Day. There were cultural dances and lunchtime performances and festival activities. We also had food trucks with various foods and despite the rain it was a wonderful day!

Excursions and Activities

Year 10 students have participated in a range of excursions throughout Term 2 such as:

• Outdoor Ed Cathedral Ranges 29-30/5
• Incursion - Careers Expo – 15/5
• Health Matters 9/5
• Forensic Science 12/5
• Vietnam Veterans Museum 26/5
• Sports Pathways - Ninja Nation –3/6
• HUMS - Old Melbourne Gaol – 6/6
• Careers Fair – 24/6

Celebration Assembly

On Thursday 3/7, we had our Year 10 Celebration assembly. We celebrated students who had 100% attendance- a great effort! Students who have never been late this year – incredible! And students who achieved the highest House RGAR points and highest GPA. We also celebrated students who had improved the most in attendance and GPA. We also celebrated those students who received an Excellence award or Effort award in each subject and those who participated in the MUNA competition - a wonderful effort from our Year 10 students! 

Attendance

Attendance remains a focus and it is extremely pleasing to see the high attendance across the cohort –Year 10 students have had the highest attendance across all year levels in June! An outstanding effort! 

External Programs

A big shout out to Dorar who completed the RISE program at Foundation Learning Centre in 3 months which is an excellent achievement showcasing hard work and dedication towards his education! I am looking forward to seeing all the success you have back at school and seeing you officially get your graduation certificate at the end of the year!

Another shout out to Declan that graduated the Operation Newstart program on Tuesday. I can see growth in your ability to tackle tough situations and an increase in your resilience through your speech.  

- Ms Laura Sculley

Art Therapy

It certainly has been a colourful and creative semester in Art Therapy.  Art therapy gives students the opportunity to express their emotions in a safe, creative and accepting space.  We introduce the students to a wide variety of mediums and techniques.  Art therapy isn’t about artistic skill—it's about using art as a tool for insight, healing, personal growth and emotional regulation. We have seen the students really thrive in AT with a range of activities including collage, vision boards, painting, free association drawing, mosaic, zentangling, t- shirt design, clay work, recycled sculpture, clay, polymer clay and more!  The referrals for Art Therapy continue to grow and we hope to work with as many students as we can over time as the benefits of using creativity as therapy last a lifetime. 😊 Hannah and Catriona

INSPIRE 

It has been a busy and productive term for INSPIRE students. They have been working hard towards achieving their Certificate IIs, engaging in classroom activities and working with some prep classes at Cranbourne East Primary School.

Students attended a celebratory end of semester excursion to Clip ‘n’ Climb in Berwick, where most students defied their fears and climbed rock walls, took a leap of faith and dared to cross tight ropes nearly two stories off the ground. They may have also made fun of their teachers who weren’t as brave and cried for help only a meter off the ground.

We look forward to another semester of hard work and lots of laughs.

-Ms Danielle Baillie

Across term 3, we are looking forward to helping more students with our engagement programs. The engagement team wishes all students, families and staff a safe and restful holiday break.