Learning  

As we wrap up this semester, I would like to congratulate all students on their efforts, particularly over the past few weeks when Year 10 and Year 11 students completed their exams and all students finalised assessments to demonstrate their understanding, skills and knowledge across subject areas.  I hope students are proud of their achievements this semester.  For those who feel they could have done better, the upcoming holidays provide an excellent opportunity to reflect on their approach and set goals for next semester.  Subject teachers and Mentor Group teachers will be available to help students establish these goals.

The end of semester allows us to reflect upon and celebrate the diverse learning opportunities our students have experienced:

Camps and Special Days:

• Year 7 and Year 9 Camp
• Years 10, 11 and 12 Reflection Days
• Year 8 Medieval Day, organised by the Year 8 Humanities team
• Year 9 Language Day 

Cultural and Educational Visits:

• Author visits to Year 9 and 10 English classes by Alice Pung and Tony Birch
• Year 12 students watched a performance of Oedipus and saw a Drama screening of Robot Dog
• Students enjoyed watching our 2024 dux, Harper Smith, perform in Top Acts
• Year 9 students visited the MCG and Mary Glowrey Museum as part of enhanced Melbourne connections in PE and RE to support the new Synergy program
• A group of Year 9 students presented at the Antarctica Kids Conference
• Year 7 and 8 students visited the NGV during Art lessons
• Year 7 students will visit Melbourne Museum as part of their Science classes next week

I also want to wish all Year 10 students good luck with their upcoming Year 10 Community Action Program.

It's wonderful to see so many students participating in our diverse extra-curricular activities, including:

• DAV Debating 
• Art Academy
• Dante Alighieri Italian Poetry Recitation Competition
• CGSAV Sports (Athletics, Hockey, Basketball, Swimming, Tennis, Badminton, Cross Country and AFL)
• STEM programs and competitions such as GROK Website and Coding, Computational and Algorithmic Thinking, and Bebras competitions
• The Plug In and Drive Future Engineers activity
• A conversation with Anna-Maria Arabia, Academy Alumna and CEO of the Australian Academy of Science
• Our wonderful College musical, Frozen Jr, that delighted young, old and everyone in between!  

As part of our continued commitment to developing confident, compassionate and courageous learners, students from 9 Barak and 9 Mackillop presented passionately about their innovative products and apps designed to improve the lives of Melburnians. Their presentations demonstrated innovative thinking, compassion and a strong sense of service.  Congratulations to these outstanding Year 9 students!

A personal highlight this semester, was having the privilege of accompanying twenty Year 10 and Year 11 students, along with Ms Natalie Dickson (Languages Learning Leader) and Ms Mara Atkins, to France in March and April.  We had a wonderful time exploring Parisian art galleries, visiting the Marais and Montmartre districts, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, and creating our own perfume at Madame Fragonard.

The students expanded their French language while exploring the historic town of Rouen, visited significant World War I and II sites in Normandy, marvelled at the Bayeux Tapestry and toured magnificent châteaux and cathedrals in the Loire Valley.  It was remarkable to watch students forge new friendships, grow in confidence while navigating a different country, and their excitement at Eurodisney at the trip's conclusion.  Wonderful memories were made by all, and it was a privilege to travel with such an amazing group of young people.

Thank you to all our staff, particularly the Learning Area Leaders, for planning and organising these wonderful learning opportunities that continue to engage our students in meaningful ways and bring learning to life.

Wishing everyone a restful and rejuvenating holiday break.

Ms Lucy Neil

Deputy Principal - Learning & Teaching