9-12 Community News

As it always is, it has been a busy time in the 9-12 Community. The last few weeks have seen students involved in a wide range of classroom and extra-curricular activities.

Coming out of the long weekend, our Year 12s headed off to their Retreat, which was a thought-provoking and bonding experience. (Which can be read about in more detail in Mrs Chapman’s report in this week's newsletter.)

Year 9s undertook their last set of NAPLAN tests. Unfortunately, along with many other schools, we were hampered by some technical issues. However, the students are to be commended for the patient way they managed the initial difficulties and the positive way in which they tackled the tests. Results for NAPLAN will be available in Term 2.

On the sporting field, this week we had students from Years 9-12 competing in the Campaspe Schools Tennis competition. Congratulations for all those who participated.

Year 10 classes have been busy in all of their subjects but have been very active this week in the science classrooms, making delicious DNA models out of lollies, testing elements for their properties and ‘flame testing’ materials for their electron configuration.

In the last few weeks our VCEVM students have been building on their skills and qualifications through undertaking a Barista and Safe Food Handling course. These skills have been put to the test in the VM Café, overseen by Mrs Downie:

Our VCE VM Café was buzzing with activity this week!

Students were hard at work preparing and serving hot beverages for staff, showing fantastic teamwork and customer service skills. Alongside the coffees and hot chocolates, staff were treated to some delicious homemade goodies including lemon slice, choc chip biscuits and warm sausage rolls.

It was wonderful to see students putting their skills into action, building confidence and gaining real-world experience while creating such a welcoming café atmosphere. Great job everyone!

Year 11 students have also been stepping outside of their classroom in their RE ‘Pay It Forward’ projects. The Pay It Forward activities are aimed at encouraging our students to look beyond themselves to see what they can do to contribute to the quality of others’ experience, creating projects that can help others or just add some fun and enjoyment to their days. Activities have ranged from a Foundation disco dance party, lunchtime sports activities for Year 4, an ‘Appreciation morning tea’ for staff, to visiting Ky Health’s Sheridan Aged Care facility, where students shared stories and conversations in a ‘reminiscence’ session, leaving the residents with warm smiles and an afternoon tea of scones, jam and cream and Anzac biscuits.

This week saw the commencement of our year level assemblies during the morning TA session.  Year 9 was the first assembly completed. Students looked at images of schools in India where students’ complete studies sitting under a bridge on the ground. These students are happy, engaged and focused on education as it is a way of gaining a better life. We can learn a lot from these students.  

We acknowledged academic achievement awards as nominated by staff for students demonstrating any of the following: demonstrating the pillars of SOLE, consistent application to classwork, participation in all class activities, completion of homework, trying your best to improve and achievement of strong results for the level you are at. 

Congratulations to our award winners:

9/10 Sports Coaching – Isla W

9C RE – Toby M & Mackenzie D

9A Hums – Tayla S

9A Sci – Tayla S

9A PE – Tayla S

9C PE – Jonty S

9C Sci – Angus B

9C Hums – Angus B & Kade S

9PPC – Brodie W

9B Hums – Andrew W, Jimmy R & Lily C

9C Maths – Michael P

9  Science – James R

9A English – Grace T

9B English – Indianna D & Damien B

Our Year 10 assembly will take place on Friday of this week, followed by our Year 11 and Year 12 assemblies next week.

Easter raffle tokens will be given out to students over the last three weeks of term to acknowledge positive behaviour of students demonstrating the pillars of SOLE, showing respect for self, others, learning and the environment.  On the last day of term one lucky student will have their name drawn out and will take home an Easter hamper to enjoy with their family for Easter.

In a similar example of ‘giving back’, our Years 9/10 PPC class spent time at St Patrick’s Primary School, in Tongala, leading the students in a range of cross-age activities.

It is wonderful to see how our students are willing to connect and contribute to their communities.

A reminder to students and families that we have school photos next Friday, 27th March. Students/families have received the information about payment procedures in previous correspondence. Students are reminded of the need to wear their full, academic uniform for photo day.

In closing, as we move towards the end of term, we would like to congratulate all of the members of the 9-12 Community on a great Term 1 and we encourage all students to enter Term 2 with purpose and enthusiasm. With that in mind, we particularly commend our VCE students to make the most of their break. While it is important for students to enjoy some rest time, it is vital for VCE students to view this time as a ‘non-instruction period’ - a time in which they can prepare for the up-coming term by doing the pre-reading and activities their teachers set them, making use of the variety of on-line and textbook resources that staff provide to support their coursework. Also, as highlighted in the Elevate Education seminars presented earlier in the term, students should take the opportunity to develop their revision notes from the course content from Term 1. Revision notes prepared soon after the teaching/learning, which are then revisited on a regular basis, will help with the long-term retention of the content.

School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship News

Congratulations to Brodie on securing a SBAT (School Based Apprenticeship) with Midland Rural Engineering in Stanhope.  

This is a fantastic achievement and an exciting step toward building a strong career in the industry. 

St Augustine's College wishes you all the best as you begin this new journey - work hard, learn lots and make the most of every opportunity.

Well done Brodie! 

PPC Leadership at St Patrick’s Tongala

On 17th March, the PPC class, along with Mrs Moore and Kasey C, headed to St Patrick’s Primary School in Tongala to assist with their Tabloid Sports Day. The rain stopped just in time to create a beautiful day.

The primary students donned their green to celebrate their patron Saint, and our PPC students got into the St Patrick’s Day spirit with some glitter and costumes when arriving.

Our students worked in partners and were allocated to a group of 20 F-6 students. Together with their groups, the PPC students demonstrated leadership, communication and teamwork as they taught each group the 10 rotation activities and encouraged them to try their best and have a go. It was fantastic to see all the smiles on both the St Pat’s and St Aug’s students.

Hotdogs, cupcakes, lollies and laughs were shared throughout the day.

We love our partnership with St Patrick’s Primary School and look forward to many more fun opportunities!

Bianca Moore

VCE VM & PPC Learning Leader

Reilly's Work Experience - Jen's Hens

Over the course of Term 1, Reilly C from Year 11 has been completing his VCE VM Thursday work experience at Jen’s Hens. During his time, Reilly has worked with the chickens; feeding, cleaning and rehoming them. Reilly has completed some other farm hand duties as well. Most notably, Reilly has caught the attention of a little calf born during his time. Little Reilly (as the calf has since been named), has attached itself to Reilly, following him around on the farm and running for him when he arrives. 

The Work Experience program at St Augustine's allows our students to explore passions, interests and potential careers, whilst expanding their skills.  

Stay tuned for more great stories from our Applied Learners!

Years 9 and 10 Forensic Science

Mystery Powders

For the last two weeks, the Years 9/10 Forensic Science class has been looking at how mystery powders can be observed and tested as a form of evidence to help solve a crime. They have examined different substances using magnifying glasses and microscopes and have mixed them with different liquids to look for physical and chemical changes. 

VCE VM Formula 1 Excursion

On 5th March, the Year 11 VCE VM students, along with Mrs Moore, Mr Niglia and Peter F, made the trip down to Albert Park for some Formula 1 action.

With an early 5.30am start, we headed through the fog and traffic. With a quick breakfast stop, we braved the Melbourne traffic and by 10am were walking through the purple entrance gates of Albert Park. Our first stop was one of the grandstands, where we watched the Supercars and Porsche take to the track.

After some loud excitement on track, we headed to the Innovation Hub for some off-track adventure. Here, students had the opportunity to participate in a range of activities, from a range of suppliers. Monash University, RMIT, the ADF and virtual reality simulators were some of the activities on offer. Students enjoyed a range of yummy desserts and learnt just how expensive large- scale events such as this can be. ($10 slushies anyone?)

Weaving through crowds bordering on 80,000 we explored more of what was on offer trackside. As the day drew to a close, we headed back to a grandstand, this time on Turn 8, to watch the qualifying Supercar Races. After a very long day, and over 20,000 steps, we headed back to the bus. With a McDonald’s stop to revive us, all spirits were high as we made the long journey home.

Here are what some of our students thought about the day.

“The F1 is the best even if you don’t like cars!” - Amelia

“This was a great experience. The cars sound great and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.” - Ally

“What stood out the most to me was how big the track actually was.” - James

“Three words - Loud, busy, and fast (cars)!” - Jordan

Overall, the day was a fantastic opportunity for students to demonstrate a wide range of skills, whilst engaging with a multitude of businesses and universities. The VCE VM students represented themselves, and St Augustine’s, spectacularly at one of the biggest sporting events across the globe.