Secondary News
Dear Families,
Last week the Year 8 and 9 students went to camp. The Year 8 students went to The Summit in Trafalgar and the Year 9 students went to Camp Jungai in Rubicon. Please see reports and photos below from both camps. Both camps ran smoothly and the students had a great time. We would like to thank the following staff members for attending camp and giving up time with their own families to provide a wonderful camp experience for the students.
Year 8 Camp - The Summit
Miss Rochelle Rabba, Mrs Carolyn Niewand, Chaplain Fiona, Miss Ruth Page, Mr John Glover nd Mr Gabriel Njuho
Year 9 Camp Jungai
Miss Tayla Entwistle, Mrs Joanne Rothwell, Mrs Rowena Kohinga, Mr Michael Bonsall and Mr Darren Moyle
On Wednesday, we held an assembly to present Term 3 awards to students. These awards are for students who consistently demonstrated one or more of the following during the term:
- Making positive uniform choices
- Engaging positively with peers and staff
- Punctual to school and classes
- Puts in maximum effort
We congratulate all students who received awards and encourage all students to strive for exellence in the above areas in Term 4.
Please note the dates for the following important events for Term 4:
- Tuesday 3rd October- Students commence Term 4
- Thursday 5th October- Secondary Regional Athletics (select students)
- Thursday 12th October- Year 12 Pastoral Excursion
- Friday 13th October- Year 12 Graduation (Year 12 last day)
- Tuesday 24th October- Year 9 Science Excursion
- Thursday 26th October- Year 9 and 10 Regional Basketball
- Friday 3rd November- Mid-term check point reports released to families
- Monday 6th November- Student free day
- Tuesday 7th November- Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
- Thursday 16th November- College Orientation Day
- Thursday 16th November- Year 12 Valedictory Dinner
- Monday 20th November- Current Year 10 & 11 commence Headstart
- Tuesday 21st November- Year 7 Parent Information evening (for 2024 entry) 6-7pm
- Friday 1st December- last day of term for current Year 10 & 11 students
- Friday 8th December- Last day of term for all students and end of Semester reports released
On behalf of all the staff at at the College we wish all our students and their families a safe and enjoyable holiday break, and we look forward to seeing you all in Term 4.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Joanne Rothwell Mrs Amanda Trewin
Head of Middle School Head of Senior School
Year 8 Camp - The Summit
Our Year 8 students have returned from 'The Summit' Camp, and what an incredible journey it has been! Over five days, they embraced challenges, developed teamwork, and found their inner strength. Our students embraced challenges through a wide array of activities, such as the exhilarating mud run, giant swing, flying fox, and the leap of faith. These activities pushed them out of their comfort zones, whilst fostering resilience and self-confidence.
Beyond the adrenaline-pumping activities, students set 'target, stretch, and super-stretch' goals, encouraging them to aim high and push their limits. These goals provided a framework for personal development and encouraged each student to strive for excellence.
In the spirit of encouragement and support, students wrote 'Great Moments in Camp' (GMIC) notes for each other. These heartfelt notes, read aloud each morning, celebrated the achievements,
gestures, and positive attitudes of their peers. It was a beautiful display of camaraderie and uplifted spirits, creating an environment of encouragement and positivity throughout the camp.
This transformative experience has not only created lasting memories but has also equipped our students with newfound confidence, resilience, and skills that will serve them well in their academic and personal lives.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff at 'The Summit' for their commitment to our students' growth.
Ms Rochelle Rabba
Year 8 Homeroom Teacher
Year 9 Camp Jungai
Last week the year 9’s and accompanying staff enjoyed their experience at Outdoor Education Group’s, Camp Jungai! It was jam packed with activities such as; high and low ropes course, orienteering and team initiatives, whilst also immersing ourselves in nature through bush walking and cultural experiences.
Below are some comments from our year 9’s themselves!
“Camp to me was a fun experience to get away from school and make new memories with my peers” - Shakira D
“My positive thoughts on camp are about my group leader, I thought that she was a very nice person and helped everyone when they needed it. We even traded bracelets and I taught her my bracelet handshake.” - Sav S
“Camp Jungai provided a remarkable experience! The activities and cabins were incredible and the camp team was so friendly. I really enjoyed the surreal atmosphere that the camp had to offer” - Shaurya N
“Camp was fun and I enjoyed listening to all of Aunty's stories” - Rylan B
“To me, camp was a new, nice and different experience. The area Jungai is located in is beautiful, as were our accommodations, dining service and most of the activities we had completed. The Culture activity was beautiful.” - Jeremy S
“The camp food was delicious, and I enjoyed the breakfasts’ the most.” - Abby K
“I loved how we all used teamwork.” - Leila H
“Camp was a great way to discover things about Indigenous history and cultures. Learning from Aunty was a great way to discover new things.” - Blayne M
“I loved the games that we played on camp. 'Camouflage' and 'Where's my Chicken' were
my favourite games.” - Ella D
VCE Formal
On Friday 25 August, the senior classrooms were transformed with drapings, fairy lights and balloons so our Year 11 and 12 students could attend a formal hosted by the School. In suave suits and gorgeous dresses, our eldest students danced the night away, enjoying the music, the photobooth and the candy bar!
Awards in numerous categories were voted on the night and presented by Mr Tassoni.
A wonderful night was had by all!
ART Excursion
Students involved in Unit 4, and Unit 2 Art Making and Exhibiting, and Year 10 Advanced Art attended NGV International to see the Rembrandt: True to Life exhibit.
Students were led through the exhibition by Leah from the NGV, who discussed the printing techniques behind many of Rembrandt's earlier works, explaining that as much as he was a fantastic folio artist, he was also an avid collector and a bit of a spendthrift.
Students explored the exhibition, taking photographs of the works, and participating in talks with Leah, delving into the world of Rembrandt and his life's work.
Miss Ruth Page
Visual Art, and Media Teacher
Year 9 Excursion - Shrine of Remembrance
Our recent visit to the Shrine of Remembrance was a truly profound experience for our students. It was a day filled with reflection, learning, and a deep sense of gratitude. As we gather to share our experiences, we are reminded of the importance of honouring those who sacrificed so much for our nation.
Walking through the hallowed halls of the Shrine, our students were met with stories of heroism, sacrifice, and resilience. The Galleries of Remembrance, in particular; the WWI gallery, left a lasting impression as they showcased the personal accounts and artifacts of those who served in war. Our students demonstrated remarkable maturity and empathy during the visit.
They asked thoughtful questions, absorbed the historical
context, and engaged deeply with the exhibits. It was heartwarming to witness the respect and gratitude they showed for those who served and continue to serve our nation.
Our students left the Shrine with a newfound appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today, thanks to the sacrifices of others.
Ms Rochelle Rabba
Year 9 Humanities Teacher
English Lab Incursion
Our Year 12 students were thrilled to welcome back Ben Taylor from The English Lab yesterday. Ben visited us earlier in the year to ensure all students completing a VCE Unit 3/4 study were ready for the GAT.
Yesterday, Ben's session was tailored specifically to the texts our Year 12 English students have been studying throughout the year, ensuring they had the most relevant and insightful guidance possible.
Students were already a fan of Ben's work on his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@TheEnglishLab), so were grateful for the opportunity to learn from his experience as a VCAA examiner in person.
Year 7 Zoo
On Tuesday 12 September, the Year 7's took to the Melbourne Zoo to enjoy some fantastic weather and culminate their learning about ecosystems and habitats.
Students divided themselves into teams, and competed in an Amazing Race around the zoo, taking photos and gathering as much information about animals, conservation efforts, and ecosystems!
The butterfly house, Trail of the Elephants, and the Tiger Exhibit were among the favourites and the students had a great day out!
Mr Jacob Keirnan
Year 7 Homeroom Teacher