Around the College

Creative Thinking Secures ACC Pitch Win

Mazenod has once again taken out top honours at the ACC Pitch Competition, held in the College Lecture Theatre on Wednesday 19 August.

The competition, run by the ACC in conjunction with First Pivot, is designed for young entrepreneurs in Years 9 and 10. Students are challenged to identify a problem or opportunity, develop an idea that creates value, and pitch their thinking to a panel of judges.

This year marked Mazenod’s strongest showing in the competition, with three teams presenting across the morning. Students faced strong competition and were required to deliver pitches in two categories: a business innovation and a social solution.

Similar in format to Shark Tank, each team had three minutes to present their idea, followed by four minutes of questions from the judging panel. The judges assessed each pitch against criteria including creativity, communication, the problem being solved, the value being created and the overall quality of the presentation.

Congratulations to Timothy, Lucien and Benjamin, whose Year 10 team was named overall winner.

The team impressed with the clarity of their idea, their confident communication and their ability to respond thoughtfully under pressure. Their success reflects not only the strength of their concept, but also the preparation and teamwork required to present it effectively.

The ACC Pitch Competition gives students a valuable opportunity to think creatively, work collaboratively and develop skills in entrepreneurship, problem-solving and public speaking.

The Fuse Cup Regional Champion

A fast finish and a great team effort at The FUSE Cup on Thursday 13 August 2026.

Ted, Jalon, Alessandro and Harrison represented Mazenod in the Year 7 & 8 Melbourne Metro High Schools Mario Kart competition at Genazzano FCJ College, with Ted (Year 8) finishing in 1st place and earning the opportunity to compete at The FUSE Esports Festival on the Gold Coast in November.

All four students raced throughout the day, with Ted progressing to the Grand Final. From the sidelines, his teammates continued to support him with communication and encouragement.

The FUSE Cup provides students with a safe and structured esports environment, combining competition with important messages around cyber-safety, digital wellbeing, teamwork and responsible gaming.

Congratulations to Ted, Jalon, Alessandro and Harrison on an excellent result, and to Ted on qualifying for The FUSE Esports Festival.

Year 10 Software Developers Learn from the Professionals

From concept to code, Year 10 Software Development students had a closer look at what it takes to build a game.

On Thursday 13 August, students welcomed Danger Thumbs, an independent game development company, for an engaging session on the world of professional game development.

The team shared their journey into the industry and spoke through the development cycle, from planning, design and programming through to testing, feedback, refinement and release.

The visit connected closely with the students’ current work, as they are designing and developing their own games using Python and the Pygame library. Hearing from industry professionals helped students see how the skills and processes they are learning in class apply to real-world software and game development.

A highlight of the session was Danger Thumbs inviting students to send through their completed games once their projects are finished, giving them an authentic audience for their work as they continue developing and refining their ideas.

Thank you to the Danger Thumbs team for visiting, sharing their experiences and encouraging our young developers. We wish them all the best for the launch of their upcoming game, Footy Bash.

7 Lombard Wins the 2026 Year 7 Reading Games

Congratulations to 7 Lombard, winners of the 2026 Year 7 Reading Games.

Throughout Term 2, students submitted book reviews for the books they had read, with every student contributing at least one review. 7 Lombard finished on top with 162 points, earning a well-deserved celebration pizza lunch.

A special mention to Marcus, who was named MVR, Most Valued Reader, after submitting an outstanding 60 reviews.

Well done to 7 Lombard and all students who took part in this year’s Reading Games.

Mazenod Talent Shines Beyond the College

Congratulations to Ciaran (Year 12) and Xavier (Year 10), who performed with Box Hill Academy Brass at the Victorian State Brass Bands Competition on Sunday 16 August. 

The ensemble finished in first place and was named 2026 Open C Grade Brass State Champions.

It is wonderful to see Mazenod musicians contributing to music beyond the College, bringing their skill, discipline and ensemble experience to a wider performance setting.

William Adams Work Experience Program

Over the past few weeks, two Mazenod College students have participated in a work experience program with William Adams (Caterpillar) in Mulgrave. During their placement, they were exposed to a wide range of tasks involved in maintaining and repairing heavy machinery, including working in the paint bay and assisting with the disassembly and repair of a Caterpillar D6M bulldozer.

The primary purpose of work experience is to provide young people with authentic, day-to-day insights into a chosen profession. Our students have certainly gained a firsthand understanding of what life as a diesel technician can involve.

William Adams is a highly regarded Caterpillar dealer and service provider, celebrating more than 100 years of association with the Caterpillar brand. The company is renowned for its apprenticeship training programs, which are recognised as among the best in the industry worldwide. Completing an apprenticeship with William Adams provides qualifications that are highly respected and sought after across the globe.

During a recent visit, we observed Dylan (Year 10) working alongside experienced technicians on a D6M bulldozer. He was assisting with the disassembly of components to enable a detailed inspection of the engine. Experiences such as these provide students with valuable opportunities to explore potential career pathways and determine whether a trade career is something they would like to pursue in the future.

This year, William Adams welcomed 13 new apprentices and places a strong emphasis on students who demonstrate initiative by undertaking work experience with the company. Their apprenticeship model differs from many others in the industry. The Dual Trade Apprenticeship spans five years and, upon completion, apprentices graduate with qualifications as both a Diesel Technician and an Auto Electrician, providing them with a highly versatile skill set.

Mazenod College extends its sincere thanks to Victor Bonacci, Head of the Service Department, and Jamie Singh from Human Resources for the care, guidance and support they provided to Dylan (Year 10) and Jaylen (Year 10), our work experience students. Opportunities such as these play an important role in helping students develop an informed understanding of the pathways they may wish to pursue beyond school.

Sir John Monash Commemorative Service

Six of our highest performing Politics students, drawn from Years 10, 11 and 12, represented Mazenod at Parliament House on Friday 7 August for the Spirit of Australia Foundation commemorative service honouring Sir John Monash.

Held in the Legislative Assembly Chamber, the service gave students the opportunity to reflect on Monash’s legacy as a scholar, engineer, soldier and nation builder, and particularly his belief in the value of education, leadership and camaraderie.

Students also met Colonel Scott D’Orazio (MOC1996), who spoke at the service representing the Chief of Army. Colonel D’Orazio reflected on Monash’s philosophy and the qualities that continue to shape leadership and service today.

Our students also had the opportunity to speak with Nick Felstead, the 2024 Victorian Government John Monash Scholar.

Thank you to all involved in giving our students the opportunity to take part in such a meaningful civic and educational experience.

Volleyball Victoria Schools Cup 

Mazenod Volleyball continued its strong year at Volleyball Victoria Schools Cup (VVSC) #2, with Year 8 and Year 11 teams achieving excellent results across the competition.

Highlights included Gold for Year 8 Honours, Silver for Year 11 Honours, and multiple podium finishes across Year 8 divisions. 

Congratulations to all students who represented Mazenod with focus, teamwork and commitment.

Fight MND Fundraiser Campaign

Throughout August, Mazenod Student Leaders are selling lolly bags to raise funds for FightMND, supporting vital research and care for people impacted by Motor Neurone Disease.

The initiative also honours the legacy of Neale Daniher and his continued work to raise awareness and support for those affected by MND.

From preparing the lolly bags to running sales, our students have taken on the cause with generosity, teamwork and purpose. Together, we can help make a difference.

The Shaka Project

On Monday July 27, our Year 12 VCE Vocational Major students took part in a powerful and engaging mental health and suicide prevention workshop delivered by The Shaka Project, followed by a breakfast gathering that provided an opportunity for further conversation and connection.

The session was facilitated by Sean Phillip and Adam Looker from The Shaka Project, an organisation dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, resilience, and help-seeking behaviours among young men. Through personal stories, practical strategies, and open discussions, our students were encouraged to reflect on the importance of looking after their mental wellbeing and supporting those around them, especially as they enter the workforce in 2027.  

Joining Sean and Adam were Duncan St Baker (Class of 1998) and Melissa St Baker from Anthem Workwear. Anthem Workwear is an Australian workwear company that provides quality apparel and branding solutions for tradespeople, apprentices, and a range of industries. Duncan and Melissa are passionate about supporting young people as they prepare for life beyond school and have partnered with our Year 12 VCE VM students on an exciting project this term.

As part of their Personal Development Skills (PDS) studies, these students will explore ideas for the incoming VCE VM cohort. This collaboration will focus on workwear branding and developing a strong identity that reflects the values and culture of the VCE VM program.

The workshop encouraged students to recognise the signs that someone may be struggling, understand the importance of seeking support, and build confidence in having meaningful conversations about mental health.

We thank Sean, Adam, Duncan, and Melissa for their time, honesty, and commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of our students. We look forward to seeing the creativity and innovation that emerges from this exciting partnership.