Senior School

Year 12 Physics

Interactions of Light and Matter

Our Year 12 Physics class headed out to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) on Friday 23rd August for a workshop. Hands-on lab sessions with specialised equipment allowed students to explore how waves can explain the behaviour of light, and how light and matter are similar. The excursion also included a tour of the Australian Synchrotron where they learned about the important research outcomes achieved by ANSTO.

Ace KPIs and Earn KFC!

Last week the Year 12 Business Management class were treated to a round of KFC as they were able to improve their overall performance and increase their class average, surpassing my expectations. 

As we learnt about Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in Unit 4 of Business Management, students were given KPI’s of their own to achieve in class for our most recent SAC. The KPI’s were a success and students achieved a prize for grade levels A, B+, C+ and D+. 

Nalisha Kumarasinghe

Humanities Teacher

A Day in the Lab: VCE Biology Students Explore Real-World Science at Melbourne University

Earlier this term, our VCE Biology students made their own way to Melbourne University to experience the thrill of working in a real laboratory setting. They completed two fascinating experiments:

1. Drosophila Study: students explored the impact of phenotype changes on offspring using Drosophila flies, connecting classroom concepts to real-world genetics.
2. ELISA Antibody Testing: they conducted ELISA antibody testing to understand immunity responses to disease, vaccination, and boosters, bringing immunology lessons to life.

The hands-on experience allowed our students to link theory to practice and hopefully inspire a future career in science. They absolutely loved this opportunity to work within a professional lab environment!

Year 10 Revive Day

On Wednesday 14th August, our Year 10 Revive Day focused on problem solving skills, emotional resilience and respectful communications. Students enjoyed games, reflections and student-led activities across the day. A highlight of the day was a presentation by inspirational speaker, Steve Baker, former AFL player. Read the tab, Grit Talk, in this newsletter and find out about the Grit Strategies he gave our Year 10 students. 

Inspiring Young Learners at Greythorn Primary

On Tuesday July 23rd, Mme Allen’s Year 10 French class visited Greythorn Primary School.

The students had worked on a variety of mini lessons to deliver to the grade 6’s. These ranged from Pictionary, memory games, matching words & images, Simon dit (Simon says) to name a few. Topics covered were: animals, body parts, colours, general vocabulary.

The primary school students were fully engaged in the activities which is a testament to the work prepared and delivered with such enthusiasm by the YR 10’S.

Tres Bien!

Luisa Allen

Languages Teacher

Italian ‘Year 10 Big Day Out’!

CHE GIORNATA MAGNIFICA! What a ‘GRANDE’ day out indeed, organised by COASIT, for our year 10 students of Italian!

The day commenced with a very informative introduction of the benefits of pursuing the language in the senior years followed by practical educational classes, (more like university lectures and tutorials). Our Doncaster SC participants were then placed into small groups with students from other schools and had to communicate/converse in Italian with their newly introduced peers. 

The enthusiastic year 10 groups walked curiously around Lygon Street Carlton completing an organised treasure hunt filled with Italian historical/cultural information with a mix of students from both private and non-private schools. 

Wandering through the fascinating Italian Museum in Faraday Street Carlton, reading the interesting historical facts, viewing many historical Italian artifacts and amazing images was quite an eye opener for all. The library visited was filled with an abundance of accessible Italian related resources. 

This was followed by the Year 10 Doncaster Secondary College students of Italian enjoying delicious pizzas and a very social atmosphere at a local restaurant with the other 90 students from other schools. What a culturally enlightening day! A little glimpse of Italy in our own backyard in Carlton. 

Let's embrace the beauty of the Italian language and culture together, and let it inspire us to explore new horizons, broaden our perspectives, and forge lasting connections. 

Alla prossima! Till next time! CIAO!

- Prof Brogno 😉

Year 10 Careers Experience Week

At the end of Term 2, our mighty Year 10s embarked on a week of Careers Experience, gaining invaluable insight into the world of work. Here are few student reports.

I was fortunate to work at Bunnings Warehouse Doncaster for the duration of my work experience. Bunnings is a hardware retail store, comprising plumbing, electrical, paint, hardware, gardening, wood, safety, and even pet supplies along with an extended list of services and products.

 

For the duration of the week I stacked shelves, gave whatever little advice I knew to many customers (working 50/50 to either success or embarrassment), I collected trolleys, cleaned up aisle shelves, and occasionally would climb the tall ladders to stack product.

 

On the first day, I was joined by my co-worker Jacob (a great lad), where I learnt the basics of shelve-stacking. Later however, we went upstairs for a meeting, where logistics were said of input/output, satisfaction results among customers, and the weekly/monthly criteria expected. It concluded with a bizarre paper plane competition between the staff.

 

One of the challenges was when I was required to serve customers whose first language was not English. A challenge that customer service workers must also face often.

 

An important feature I learnt from Bunnings was the depth that goes behind every product placed on the shelves, and the use of ‘Zebra’s (a phone used for scanning and locating). I was also able to speak with the kind Bunnings staff, of which I can conclude they weren't bitter or rude.

 

I eagerly enjoyed Bunnings, from the aspect of being on my feet, socialising with customers (those who spoke English and Greek to make it aware), and the aspect of retail and responsibility. Thank you. 

- Aristidis

I was able to complete my work experience at The Manningham Art Gallery. The purpose of the gallery is for artists to be able to express themselves through their work and promote their work for others to see. 

 

My experience within the art gallery involves planning and budgeting, going to meetings and exploring each studio and their purpose. I enjoyed my time sculpting in the pottery class with the other kids and being able to learn something new. I also enjoyed talking with the other staff members and what their jobs were and how they were able to manage. 

 

This experience will help me understand how I am able to manage while working in an art gallery and how I am able to help within the community. I am happy to say that I enjoyed my time exploring and talking with the staff members and learning about the environment. 

- Sophie V., Year 10

I completed my work experience placement within the Arts, Culture and Local History sector of the Manningham Council. This placement provided me with the opportunity to explore how the Arts sector interacts with the local community to provide workshops, and the installation of sculptures and murals within the public domain. 

 

During my weeklong placement I attend meetings, explored how workshops are organised, attended workshops, toured the playhouse theatre, and researched gallery paintings. I really enjoyed being able to interact with members of the Council during meetings and understand how their decisions influence our community. 

I am grateful to the Arts and Culture staff for hosting me in a quality placement within the Council which helped me to explore my future aspirations. 

- Eden M., Year 10

My Work Experience was carried out at Prostructure Carpentry, it is in the buildingand construction industry. I was given various tasks such as cutting and measuring timber, chiseling, glue off walls and putting up timber as well as general cleaning. I also learnt how to cut wood with a drop saw I really enjoyed cutting the wood to specific measurement and using the nail gun and ensuring the timber was in place. 

Picking up heavy objects was difficult. Working in carpentry, I discovered that you are always working hard, and you have to keep persevering. I also learnt the correct techniques on how to approach tasks. 

 

I really enjoyed my work experience and I can see that it might be a future pathway for me. 

- Lachlan P., Year 10

I did work experience at Vets On Parker which is a Vet and Cattery clinic combined into one. I got experience and involved in numerous jobs including getting to watch over cats in the cattery, taking photos to send to all their owners and a lot of cleaning! 

 

In the vet clinic, I got to observe numerous surgeries while managing orders and stock. I found it interesting to see the jobs that are involved in a vet clinic that you would never think of. During supervising the cattery, it came with lots of cleaning, I found it challenging to keep up with all the cleaning as there was around 43 cats to look after. 

 

I learnt that in a workplace there will always be jobs to do, and it’s important to take the initiative to constantly make sure all tasks are done. Overall, working at a vet clinic helped me become more comfortable with the environment to take into consideration for a future job. 

- Laura D., Year 10