Years 9-10

Year 9

Throughout the term, Year 9 students were presented with a diverse range of opportunities to challenge themselves, build new skills, and connect their learning to experiences beyond the classroom.

Students had the opportunity to participate in the Health City Experience, visiting the Road to Zero exhibition at Melbourne Museum to explore road safety, informed decision-making, and the importance of making positive choices.

Through the Physical Education City Experience, students embraced a range of exciting activities including rock climbing, laser tag, bowling, escape rooms, ice skating, and an MCG tour, promoting teamwork, resilience, and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones.

Students also enriched their English studies through a dynamic Romeo and Juliet incursion, explored emerging industries and career pathways at the ABCN Tech Careers Expo, and began thinking ahead through subject selection and course counselling sessions. Selected students further developed their confidence, research, and public speaking skills through a two-day Debate Workshop delivered in partnership with the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, RMIT University, and the State Library of Victoria.

Opportunities also extended to the sporting arena, with students proudly representing the college in interschool basketball and table tennis, showcasing teamwork, determination, and school pride. Collectively, these experiences have provided Year 9 students with valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and prepare for the future.

Celebrating Noah Reyes, our very own talented photographer: Through my Lens

My routine usually starts with getting my camera and equipment ready before heading out to photograph the school’s sports teams. 

Once I arrive, I check what games are happening and find a good spot to start shooting.

As the game gets underway, I move around the field or court looking for different moments to capture.

I try to get a mix of action shots, team photos and smaller moments that show what the game is really like. I’m always watching for that one moment that could turn into a great photo.

After the game, I go through all the photos I’ve taken and pick out my favourites. 

I then bring them into Lightroom, where I make some small edits to improve the lighting, colours and overall look.

Once I’m happy with the photos, I organise them and get them ready to be shared with the school. Then, it’s pretty much back to the start — getting ready for the next game and seeing what moments I can capture through my lens.

Year 10

Year 10 students enjoyed a term rich with opportunities to strengthen their wellbeing, enhance their learning, and explore future pathways as they prepare for the transition into senior school.

Students had the opportunity to participate in the Love Bites and Courage to Care incursions, engaging with important topics including respectful relationships, empathy, inclusion, and personal wellbeing. These experiences encouraged meaningful reflection and provided students with practical skills to support positive relationships and decision-making.

In English, students brought their study of Shakespeare to life through a Macbeth incursion, experiencing the text in an engaging and interactive way. Students also explored future opportunities through the ABCN Tech Careers Expo and subject selection and course counselling, helping them make informed decisions about their pathways beyond Year 10.

Selected students further challenged themselves through a two-day Debate Workshop in partnership with the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, RMIT University, and the State Library of Victoria, developing valuable skills in research, critical thinking, and public speaking.

Beyond the classroom, students proudly represented Epping Secondary College in interschool basketball and table tennis, demonstrating resilience, teamwork, and competitive spirit. Looking ahead, excitement is building for the upcoming Year 10 Formal, which will provide students with the opportunity to celebrate their achievements, strengthen friendships, and mark an important milestone in their secondary school journey.

Courage to Care Incursion

On the 31st of August, the Year 10 cohort had the privilege of participating in the Courage to Care incursion. The program explored the significant impact that bystanders and upstanders can have on both victims and perpetrators of discrimination and prejudice.

A particularly meaningful aspect of the incursion was the opportunity to meet the children of Holocaust survivors and listen to their families’ personal stories of survival. Hearing these firsthand accounts provided us with a deeper understanding of the experiences faced by Holocaust survivors and the lasting effects of antisemitism. We were also able to learn about the consequences of antisemitism, both historically and in contemporary society.

Overall, the incursion was an incredibly meaningful and thought-provoking experience. Listening to personal stories from survivors and their families allowed us to develop a greater understanding of the human impact of the Holocaust and the importance of remembering these experiences.

Student Personal Reflection

I personally found the incursion to be an extremely powerful and emotional experience. I felt a profound sense of sorrow and empathy while listening to the stories of those who experienced the Holocaust and learning about the challenges they and their families have continued to face.

Before participating in this incursion, I understood the devastating nature of the Holocaust; however, hearing personal stories provided me with a much deeper understanding of its long-lasting impact. I was particularly struck by the fact that the trauma experienced during the Holocaust can continue to affect survivors’ families across multiple generations.

The incursion also reinforced the importance of being an upstander rather than a bystander when witnessing discrimination or prejudice. It highlighted how individual actions and choices can contribute to creating a more respectful, inclusive and compassionate society.

I would highly recommend that students participate in the Courage to Care program when given the opportunity. It is an insightful and impactful experience that encourages students to learn from the past, understand the consequences of antisemitism and recognise the importance of standing up against prejudice in the present.

— Sara Alsaraji, 10G

                                                                            Ned Harper

                                                           Year 9 & 10 Leading Teacher