Holiday adventures

AFL

Holidays reunite us with family and enable us to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors and say “I am Home”.

During the school holidays, St Kevin’s College students Kendyn Brown, Malakai Wright, and Waylon Huddleston joined over thirty other Year 10 &11 Footballers for a week-long trip to experience both football and culture in the Northern Territory. This trip gave St Kevin's staff and peers valuable insight into life in the Territory, an understanding of where the fellas come from, and how important their education journey is.

Part of their experience involved running a clinic for young footballers on the Tiwi Islands. All three young men have strong Tiwi connections which allowed them to introduce their peers to family members on Tiwi where they were regarded as stars! Malakai also shared his knowledge of Darwin life, and tips on the opposition players style and skillset.

Whilst on Tiwi the boys presented a St Kevin’s Indigenous guernsey to Sister Anne Gardiner AM. Sister Anne, who will be turning 94 this year, moved to Bathurst Island in 1953 and has dedicated 72 years of her life enriching the community and supporting Tiwi life.

Clayton Ison, St Kevin’s Indigenous Education Officer, accompanied the lads and commented that the trip was such a beautiful experience.

Congratulations to Kendyn, Malakai, and Waylon for doing your School and your Culture proud!

School Camp

Prior to departing for holidays, Waylon attended the St Kevin’s College Year 10 Camino camp. The camp involved weeks of planning, strategic grocery shopping, and what can be best described as pre-camp cooking experiments. Waylon and his peers traversed the Victorian High Country climbing the lofty heights of Mt Bogong, cooking on Trangia’s, and experiencing a cool but sunny Victorian Autumn.

Netball

Our very own netball star Des Morgan participated in the 2025 Australian Men’s & Mixed Netball Association (AMMNA) National Championships held at the State Netball Centre in Parkville during the holidays. The competition was fast and furious, and Des’s team took top spot in the Mixed Reserve Division. Congratulations Des!

Des’ networking skills are something to be admired and he was able to establish statewide, national, and international connections; meeting and having a photo with the Team Fiji. Check out the great pics!

Homework

Homework has started well this term with great attendance and a big effort every Monday and Wednesday. The boys have been supported by our amazing team of boarding staff, volunteers, and tutors from The A Team. Each session begins with breathing exercises, then moving quietly into the homework space, and beginning work. Deep breathing is helpful to set the tone for homework, and it sends more oxygen to our brain and other organs, which is calming and allows students to increase their focus.

Since returning the Year 8 students have completed a range of activities focusing on Where we find Strength, Body Systems, Brainstorming ideas for paragraph writing, and Math’s!

Senior students in Year 9 and 10 are focusing on a range of subjects including; English, History, Science, Sports Science, Product Design, Geography, and vocational subjects. Moving into senior years requires discipline to manage sports, work and schoolwork, so students must ensure they use their diary, prioritise tasks and set boundaries around social media use/screen time.

Careers

Work Experience

At the end of Term 2, Zaya Hood spent time with big MITS supporters A.G. Coombs working at The Royal Children’s Hospital. Work experience is a great way to prepare for your future, especially when having to wake up at Trade’s hours. Despite the early starts the benefits include understanding your trade better, a feeling of connectivity to others and to society, and work experience informs a young person’s future career choices.

Thanks to A.G. Coombs for this great opportunity!

Vocational Education

Keira Manning, Year 11 at Methodist Ladies College (MLC), successfully blends education with work and is in her second year of employment with Coles Supermarkets.

MLC offers a range of programs that support students’ futures and independence, enabling students to complete the Victorian Certificate of Education and a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Certificate. Keira’s is enrolled in a VET Hospitality program which involves Structured Workplace Learning industry placement of 40 hours in her first year. Rowena Corner Store, long-time supporters of MITS, are supporting Keira’s placement this year, and Keira follows in Sam Warrior’s (Pirlangimpi Community, Tiwi Islands) 2024 footsteps.

We thank Con, Nat, Keeley and the entire team at Rowena Corner Store for supporting Keira’s placement and their continued support of MITS Mob.

Careers

Year 10 is a pivotal time in choosing future study and career pathways. All Year 10 students complete a range of career profiles including Morrisby, and Career Avenue, to name two. As Alumni Learning and Careers Mentors, Allira and I (Rei) work hand-in-hand with students, Pathways Schools, and Annie Carruthers (Alumni Transition Manager) and MITS boarding staff to explore future career and academic options, as well as discussing VCE subject selection considerations.

We encourage all MITS parents of Year 10 students to have a discussion with your student and encourage them to have a conversation with the Careers team at their school.

It’s also totally normal, and OK for your son or daughter to not know what they want to do just yet. However, it is important that they choose subjects wisely. Allira and I are always on hand to chat.

Term 2 is also the season for Careers Expos, the first and possibly biggest is held from 25 – 27 July at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre; https://www.careerexpo.com.au.

There will be seminars, workshops and employer/career stalls for students to interact with.

Pathways Schools are also holding Careers Expo this term for Years 10, 11, and 12; VCE Booths for subject selection, and Annie has organised an amazing range of guest speakers for MITS Mob.

Reihana Haggie

Alumni Learning and Careers Mentor

MITS Family Newsletter 2025

Respect, Courage, Culture & Care

May · 16 May 2025

In this issue