School Highlights (cont'd)
STEM video game challenge winners
Joanne Low, Digital Tech and Media Teacher
A huge congratulations to Year 9 students Adam Sheridan, Cameron Leighton, Ayaan Gupta and Marcus McGloughlin on winning the national STEM Video Game Challenge!
Taking out the Years 7 to 9 Open category is an incredible accomplishment, achieving something even industry professionals would find challenging. Their success has already inspired new members to join the Game Dev Club and begin projects for next year’s submission.
Here’s a reflection from Adam about the experience:
Adam Sheridan, Year 9
This year, Ayaan, Marcus, Cameron and I had the opportunity to take part in the 2025 STEM Video Game Challenge. Our game, Pigeon Pirates, follows the story of a pigeon on a quest to find treasure and save his kingdom by travelling across the seas and islands.
Along the way, players learn new skills on different islands before ultimately facing the fearsome pirate Blackbird. We had a lot of fun creating this game, and it really pushed us to develop and apply a wide range of skills.
For me, this was the second game I’ve created in Unity, and it was a huge step up in complexity from my first project. Our sprites (graphic objects) were roughly double the pixel size, and for the first time, we also used original music.
As part of the development process, we had to create a Game Development Document, which we updated regularly with details about our inspiration, beta testing, progress and everything related to making the game.
In the end, Pigeon Pirates won the Years 7 to 9 Open category! As a result, our game will have a stall at PAX, a gaming expo happening in October.
I’ve really enjoyed my journey in game development so far, and I plan to keep learning and building my skills. If game development sounds like something you’d enjoy, come along to Game Dev Club on Mondays and Tuesdays in Room 2H12.
Here's a link to play the game: Pigeon Pirates
Year 7 Science excursion to Melbourne Zoo
Louise Macfarlane, Head of Science
On 29 August, our Year 7 Science students spent a fun day at Melbourne Zoo as part of their classification and adaptations unit.
The excursion began with an engaging education session led by a zoo ranger, who introduced our students to key concepts around how animals are classified and the ways they adapt to survive in different environments.
Afterwards, in small groups, the Year 7s set off on self-guided tours of the zoo. Armed with their zoo booklets, they carefully observed a wide range of species, recording the environmental conditions and structural features that help each animal thrive in its habitat.
It was great opportunity for students to bring their classroom learning to life.
Humans of Humanity Week – Soup kitchen success
Nicola Devlin, Head of Humanities
As part of Humans of Humanity Week, our community recently came together for a special Soup Kitchen, with all proceeds going directly to our Year 7 charity partner Eat Up, which supports children who go without lunches at school.
It was a true team effort – students from our 'Skills for Life' class prepared the delicious soups, staff donated ingredients and supplies, and fresh bread was generously provided by Bakers Delight Carnegie.
Every bowl served was about more than food – it was about kindness, connection and taking a moment to think beyond ourselves.
It was wonderful to see our students engage in this event. At its heart, the study of Humanities at Kilvington is about more than subjects - it’s about people, community and caring for others.