Senior News

EA OF HEARTS BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN A POWERFUL ACT OF RECONCILIATION

The Sea of Hearts event brought members of the community together in a meaningful and reflective gathering, centred on unity, respect, and a shared commitment to reconciliation.

Held at Early Learning Victoria Ngawak, the event welcomed McClelland Students into the Community Room where a vibrant collection of handmade hearts formed a powerful visual representation of connection, empathy, and hope. Each heart symbolised an individual voice contributing to a collective message of understanding and respect.

The afternoon gathering commenced with an Acknowledgement of Country, setting a respectful tone and grounding the event in the importance of recognising and honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Attendees were encouraged to reflect on their role in supporting reconciliation and strengthening relationships within the broader community.

A standout element of the event was the involvement of McClelland College students undertaking the Certificate II in Community Services. Through their participation, students demonstrated strong values of compassion, inclusivity, and social responsibility. Their engagement highlighted the importance of young people actively contributing to community initiatives and deepening their understanding of cultural awareness.

The Sea of Hearts continues to serve as a powerful symbol of unity and shared responsibility. Events like this provide an opportunity for individuals and groups to come together, reflect, and take meaningful steps toward a more inclusive and respectful future.

SHARK TANK

Who could convince the Sharks to invest? Year 12 VCE VM students recently stepped into the world of Shark Tank, pitching innovative ideas they had researched, developed, and refined throughout the term.

Students passionately presented initiatives designed to make a positive impact on the community. Ideas included mobile shelters for women experiencing homelessness, a driving simulation program aimed at saving the lives of young drivers, care packs for women and children escaping domestic violence, and Pit Stop Pets, an initiative supporting the rehoming of abandoned animals.

Students worked incredibly hard to research community needs, develop business concepts, and prepare persuasive presentations. On presentation day, they faced tough questions from the Sharks, who challenged them to justify their ideas and demonstrate their potential impact.

The standard of presentations was outstanding, showcasing not only creativity and innovation, but also the compassion and determination of our Year 12 students to create positive change.

CAREERS & PATHWAYS EXPO

The Careers and Pathways Expo provided VCE VM Year 12 students with an exciting opportunity to explore and showcase their future aspirations. As part of the event, students researched an industry or career pathway of interest, investigating training requirements, employment opportunities, and future career prospects.

Students then presented their findings to the wider school community through creative and engaging stalls. To capture the interest of younger students, many incorporated interactive elements such as games, quizzes, demonstrations, and hands-on activities into their displays. These interactive experiences encouraged participation and sparked curiosity about a wide range of career options.

The expo was a fantastic success, highlighting the diverse ambitions of our Year 12 students while inspiring younger students to begin thinking about their own future pathways.

ATHLETICS DAY

Athletics Day was full of energy, colour, and plenty of fun! Senior students made the most of their final Athletics Day by dressing up in some incredibly creative and hilarious costumes, bringing an amazing atmosphere to the day.

Students threw themselves into every event, whether it was on the track, in the field, or cheering from the sidelines. The positive vibe throughout the day was fantastic, with students showing great teamwork, sportsmanship, and house spirit.

One of the highlights of the day was seeing students come together to raise money through the Senior Student BBQ. It was great to see so many students supporting the fundraiser and giving back to the school community.

Overall, it was a memorable day filled with laughter, friendly competition, and lots of school pride.

YEAR 11 STUDENTS SHOWCASE THEIR VOICES & OPINIONS @ THE  #TechTalkTruth! EXPO

On Tuesday 23rd June, our Year 11 VCE VM Personal Development Skills students proudly hosted the #TechTalkTruth! Expo, showcasing the culmination of weeks of research, planning and campaign design.

The expo explored the Inquiry Question, "What effects does technology have on our physical and mental health and wellbeing?" Students designed interactive awareness campaigns on a range of contemporary topics including cyberbullying, doomscrolling, sleep, social media, gaming, online safety, digital footprints and the impact of technology on mental health.

Throughout the day, Year 7 and Year 8 classes visited the expo, engaging with the campaigns, asking thoughtful questions and learning practical strategies to develop healthier relationships with technology. The event provided an authentic opportunity for our Year 11 students to communicate their learning to a real audience while developing their presentation, communication and leadership skills.

One Year 7 student commented,

"It was really interesting and I learnt a lot about how technology can affect people.”

 A huge congratulations to all of our Year 11 VCE-VM students for the effort, creativity and professionalism they demonstrated throughout the project and on the day of the expo. We would also like to thank our Year 7 and Year 8 students and teachers for taking the time to attend and support this fantastic learning opportunity.

EXPLORING MELBOURNE THROUGH THE GENERATIONS

On Thursday, June 25th, Year 11 VCE VM students, caught a train from Frankston into Flinders Street Station for the Generations City excursion.

Recently, the Year 11 Literacy classes have been exploring different generations and their unique relationships to culture, conflict, and communication. This fieldwork serves as preparation for an upcoming project where students will interview someone from a different generation about their life in Melbourne, tracking their journey from birth to the present day in order to write their biography.

First stop was ACMI in Federation Square to explore their permanent exhibition on the evolution of the moving image. Students were able to see the very beginnings of moving expression, literally spinning a lever to bring static images to life, before moving on to classic 1980s stand-up gaming consoles (including a crowd-favourite game of Ms. Pac-Man) and tracking technology all the way through to modern film and digital media.

Next, students  headed to the Eureka Tower and Skydeck. Students started with an immersive VR tour of the city, which even included a virtual ride on Luna Park’s famous Big Dipper. We then zoomed up to the 88th floor to take in a stunning 360-degree view of Melbourne and beyond, with students openly sharing just how thrilling they found the height and vista.

Equally thrilling was how wonderfully responsible students were throughout the day. Navigating trains, ACMI, the Skydeck, and busy city crowds can be challenging, but students  handled it beautifully and were an absolute credit to McClelland College.

CERT II COMMUNITY SERVICES VENTURE INTO REAL LIFE SUPPORTS & SERVICES

Students recently visited the Frankston Youth Centre, Frankston Library, and Headspace Frankston to learn about the important services available within their local community. The excursion provided students with valuable insight into how these organisations support young people and promote wellbeing.

At the Frankston Youth Centre, students discovered a welcoming and inclusive space where young people can participate in recreational activities, develop new skills, and build positive social connections. Frankston Library showcased the many educational resources, technology, and community programs available to support lifelong learning and personal growth.

A visit to Headspace Frankston highlighted the vital role mental health services play in supporting young people. Students learned about the free and confidential support available for mental health, physical health, education, and employment.

Overall, the excursion increased students' awareness of community services and reinforced the importance of seeking support, staying connected, and actively engaging with their local community.

‘DRESS FOR SUCCESS’ - HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR YEAR 12 VCE VM GALS!

A select group of our Year 12 VCE VM female students have recently participated in the Dress for Success Victoria program, delivered in partnership with Bendigo Bank. This valuable initiative supports young women as they prepare to enter the workforce by providing personalised styling sessions, including professional work-appropriate outfits and accessories for interviews and employment settings, as well as professional headshots.

Over the past three weeks, students have also engaged in targeted coaching, receiving expert guidance on interview skills and techniques. 

Opportunities such as this provide a significant advantage in an increasingly competitive job market, equipping students with the confidence, presentation, and practical skills needed to successfully transition into the workforce.