Student Excellence

We are thrilled to share exciting updates on several enrichment initiatives at Bemin Secondary College, designed to extend and challenge our high-performing students. Our students are seizing opportunities to excel in areas like mathematics, statistics, and computer programming. These programs underscore our commitment to fostering academic excellence and providing our students with the tools and opportunities to thrive.

Enrichment and Extension Workshop: Activating Student Voice & Agency

"On Wednesday, a few weeks ago, we had the opportunity of working with teachers and peers from both campuses to brainstorm ideas on how to make school work more engaging and relevant to us. It was very fun, as we got to meet new people and take part in many activities together! I think it was amazing that we had an opportunity like this, because now we can have an ideal learning experience!" Ishmay, Year 7

Bemin Secondary College recently hosted some of our high-achieving students in a special teacher professional development workshop held after school on Wednesday, August 21st, 2024, at our Junior Campus Library. Our acting Senior Education Improvement Leader (SEIL) Maria Oddo was also in attendance. This unique event provided a platform for our students to collaborate directly with our teaching staff, contributing valuable insights to the development of strategies aimed at extending and enriching the learning experiences of students like themselves.

During the workshop, students worked in small focus groups alongside peers from both Year 7 and Year 10, showcasing their critical and creative thinking and identifying ways they could be further challenged and engaged in their classroom learning and extracurricular activities. Their feedback will play a crucial role in shaping how we continue to support their academic growth and ensure they are continually motivated to reach their full potential. We look forward to building on this work and hosting further workshops in the future.

Bemin Extension Program (BEP): English

This term, we have been trialling the Bemin Enrichment Program (BEP) - a trial initiative for our top-performing students, which has been running successfully for several weeks. This program is designed to enhance students' skills in core subjects, with the trial focusing on reading, writing, and speaking & listening.

Meeting once a week in small peer groups, participating students have been setting personal goals and working on debating and persuasive language projects that align with their regular English classes. 

The response from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing how the program has helped them feel more confident and inspired in their English studies, as well as ways that they would like to see the program develop to become more rigorous and tailored to their learning needs. 

Wyndham Tech Extension Program

Our ongoing partnership with Wyndham Tech School has been a success, offering our students a unique, hands-on approach to learning through weekly excursions for our Year 10 students. Recently, 10 Year 7 students have had the opportunity to work with these Year 10 students as part of our Term 3 Wyndham Tech Extension Program. This has enabled our Year 7 students to immerse students in the real-world applications of digital technology, significantly enriching their understanding and skills in technology and digital media.

During these visits, students have been collaborating with their peers and an international school in Vietnam to create a game using Unreal Engine, a leading industry-standard game development engine. This project has provided students with a unique opportunity to apply the principles they have learned in a practical, real-world setting, all under the guidance of experienced professionals. The experience has been invaluable, allowing students to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Given the success of this program, we are excited to announce that we will be expanding these opportunities in Term 4 for our Year 7 students. This expansion will allow more students to benefit from the program and further enhance their skills in digital technology. We are committed to providing our students with an education that not only prepares them academically but also equips them with the practical skills they need for future success.

Australian Informatics Olympiad

We are proud to announce that one of our Year 7 students, Abdullah, represented Bemin Secondary College in the prestigious Australian Informatics Olympiad (AIO) on Thursday, August 29th, 2024. The AIO is a national competition that recognises and challenges students with a passion for computer programming, offering them the opportunity to showcase and further develop their coding skills.

To participate, students need prior programming experience and the ability to write code in one of the allowed languages: C, C++, Java, or Python 3. Abdullah has demonstrated a strong aptitude for programming and is excited to tackle the unique problems presented in this year's competition. These problems, designed by leading educators, academics, and industry experts, are specifically created to challenge and extend the problem-solving abilities of young programmers.

Outstanding performers in the AIO may be invited to join the Australian Mathematics Trust's high-performance programs, where they can further hone their skills alongside the nation’s top young programmers.

Congratulations Abdullah!

Micro Mathematicians - University of Melbourne

We are excited to announce that planning is underway for participating in the University of Melbourne Micro Mathematicians enrichment program, tailored specifically for our high-performing Year 7 and Year 10 students. This innovative program aims to promote mathematical investigation at an advanced level, offering a unique opportunity for our students to delve deeper into the world of mathematics and statistics.

Participants in the program will engage in a variety of challenging and stimulating activities designed to extend their mathematical understanding and skills. These activities may include problem-solving, modelling and simulation, data visualisation, mathematical and statistical games, oral presentations, and debate and discussion.

The program will cover a wide range of topics, including Number Theory, Combinatorics, Optimisation, Geometry, Topology, Data Analysis, Statistical Modelling, Algebra, and Game Theory. Each topic has been carefully selected to not only challenge our students but also to ignite their passion for mathematics.

While the primary focus of the Micro Mathematicians program is to offer extension in mathematics and statistics, it also aims to help students develop valuable skills in communication, collaboration, and literacy. Through engaging in these activities, students will enhance their ability to articulate mathematical concepts, work effectively in teams, and apply their knowledge to real-world problems.

Further details about the program, including how students can participate, will be shared in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Kind regards,

Anthony Asta

Assistant Principal - College Innovations and Organisation