Senior School News 

Fit2Drive - Zana

FIT2DRIVE Incursion targets young and novice drivers, outlining the importance of common road safety hazards and ways to prevent them. As an accredited road rescue agency in Victoria, FIT2DRIVE has a clear understanding of the very real cost of road trauma to individuals within our community.  

FIT2DRIVE engaged with our Year 11 cohort, using inclusive group discussions, having us students take responsibility for our choices as Victorian road users and challenging our values. FIT2DRIVE was a worthwhile and fun experience, influencing our attitudes and behaviours towards driving in a positive manner.    

Zana, Year 11 Leader 

Fit2Drive - Abbie

A few weeks ago the Year 11 cohort participated in the Fit2Drive incursion. This was a really educational and rewarding experience that I think we can all say, we learnt a lot from. 

First we did an introduction to road safety and what the day would look like, before getting split up into breakout rooms to do more interactive, intimate lessons. 

In these groups we discussed the dangers of being on your phone while driving - a major issue for young people today - and talked about the distractions that may occur and how to deal with them. 

After this we all came back together as a cohort, where we learnt more about the dangers of the roads. Some chairs were set up in a car like formation and students were asked to sit in them at the front; they were acting out two real life scenarios of teenagers just like us, some with their license, some without, who put themselves in very dangerous situations. This was a very eye opening experience, we learnt about the rules of both P and L plate licences and why they are in place - protecting not only our lives, but the lives of those around us. We were talked to about drug and alcohol use while driving and how it was totally unacceptable, the dangers being life threatening. 

We were also lucky enough to have some emergency service visitors who shared their stories with us. The police teaching us all of the rules and explaining the safety behind it. As well as a fireman who came in sharing some of his terrifying stories of road crashes of people just like us he had to save. This really put things into perspective for us and made us all a lot more aware of not only the dangers of the roads, but the danger we bring to the roads. 

This incursion was very beneficial, everyone learnt a lot from it; this information is not only helping us learn to drive, but is education we will take with us through our entire lives. 

Abbie, Year 11 Leader 

World Challenge

It is that time of year again where a group of outstanding  Year 10 and 11 students set off on their World Challenge experience. This year they are tackling Cambodia. 

We wish them the best of luck and safe travels on their journey ahead.

World Challenge Snippet - Tessa

After a long day of travelling, we arrived in Phnom Pehn and our adventure began. Our conservation at Free the Bears was a blast. Everyone worked hard cleaning poop, raking leaves and preparing the food and enrichments for the bears. It was great to learn about the work Free the Bears do and we ended the day off with a tour of the other incredible animals they rescue.

Our second day in Phnom Pehn consisted of a tour of S21 and the killing fields. Whilst it was very confronting it was something we all needed to learn to truly understand the history of Cambodia.  We were lucky enough to talk to 2 survivors of Khemer Rouge and hear their stories, something we will all be grateful for. 

We returned from the Killing Fields and explored the royal palace. The architecture was incredible and the gardens so beautiful. We were so fortunate to have that experience. We ended the night off with a river cruise and a stunning rooftop bar.

We are about to head off on the next part of our journey, the Elephant conservation, we all can’t wait to see what the rest of the trip holds.

Tessa L.

VCE VM Zoo Excursion - Isabelle

On Tuesday the 15th of August, Year 11 VCE VM students partook in a Zoo excursion to learn about conservation and animal welfare, which relates to what we had been learning in class. Conservation is a plan for avoiding the unnecessary use of natural materials such as wood, water or fuel and it is important that we learn what conservation is so we can spread awareness to others and help protect our planet as much as possible. 

For the day, we could walk freely around the Zoo with whoever we wanted and just had to meet at a certain time where we checked in. I walked around the zoo with Kaylan, and we had to fill out a sheet along the way which had questions relating to conservation. Kaylan and I really enjoyed walking around and seeing all the animals and just getting to relax and talk about what we saw and thought about the conservation in Melbourne Zoo. Melbourne Zoo has so many animals such as reptiles, elephants, giraffes, turtles, birds, butterflies, monkeys and much more! Melbourne Zoo takes great care of their animals and provides enrichment for them, although, the amount of space and care they provided for their tigers was a concern! 

After walking around and looking at animals for a while, Kaylan and I decided to stop off at the café and get some lunch and have a quick rest. Melbourne Zoo provides biodegradable coffee cups, which is great for conservation! 

We also had an information talk with a worker from the zoo about conservation and biodiversity. He took us into a room which had a variety of items such as rubbish, a turtle shell and other items relating to the environment. He told us to pick one item which we think influences biodiversity and then we all discussed the items and had a laugh. Plastic bags and rubbish affect environments because they get stuck in the ocean, as well as other ecosystems and affect the wildlife and biodiversity. 

After that, Kaylan and I continued our walk around the zoo until it was time to leave. 

At the end of the day all of us met back at the meeting point and waited until it was time to head home on the train. I enjoyed the day because I got to learn about conservation at Melbourne Zoo, see and learn about all the animals and have fun doing it. 

Isabelle K

VCE VM Term 3 Review

Our recent zoo excursion was a fantastic blend of education and adventure. Visiting the zoo offers a unique opportunity to witness a diverse array of animals up close, from the majestic lions to the playful penguins. But beyond the spectacle, zoos play a crucial role in conservation efforts. Many zoos are involved in breeding programs for endangered species, habitat preservation and educational outreach. 

Our guided tour highlighted the zoo’s commitment to these initiatives, showing how they contribute to global conservation efforts. We learned about the innovative practices being employed to mimic natural habitats and how our visit supports these vital programs. We also learned about how different communities work together to achieve common goals.  

Upon return we turned our focus to the kitchen and the impact of our food choices. Palm oil, commonly used in many processed foods, is linked to deforestation and habitat destruction. By choosing alternatives, we can support sustainable practices and reduce our environmental footprint. Students enjoyed making date and coconut balls.  

Our final highlight this month is the art of storytelling. Writing children’s books that focus on conservation is a powerful way to instil environmental values from a young age. These stories can spark curiosity, empathy and a sense of responsibility towards our planet. 

We delved into the process of creating, engaging and educational stories that bring conservation topics to life. Whether it’s a tale about a young explorer saving endangered animals or a magical adventure in a thriving rainforest, these books can inspire the next generation to become passionate advocates for the environment. With our storybooks complete, we made two visits to the local kindergarten and read through our stories. Students loved the engaging stories and use of imagery. After reading, we stayed and played games and danced with the kindergarten kids. It was such a rewarding experience for all involved.  

Melissa Stokes  

VCE VM Community Projects

Throughout Term 3 the VCE VM group completed our community project assessment. The aim of the project was to bring awareness to local issues and try to help out some local charities. A couple of groups decided to collect donations for MSFIN (Mums Supporting Families in Need) and Salvation Army. We collected non perishable foods and clothes to donate, hoping that we could make a difference. As well as some groups focusing on the environment working on cleaning up the local wetlands and trying to better our school recycling. I think we all had a great time knowing that we were making a difference and being able to bring our school community together to do so. Super grateful for this experience!

Lily O