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VCAL Western Health Community Partnership

The Year 12 VCAL students began their beautification project of the Ward 3B at Footscray Hospital on Tuesday 29th May.

The class spent the day getting to know the patients on the ward, building relationships and learning about their lives both inside and outside of the hospital. The students prepared surveys to find out what they could do to improve the health and wellbeing of the patients over the next few months.  While quite an overwhelming experience for some students, the stories students shared afterwards about the patients they had interviewed were heart-warming and inspiring.

The students, who have successfully received a $2000 grant from the Catholic Education Melbourne to contribute towards this project, will now put together a proposal for the transformation and beautification of Ward 3B’s common space before visiting the hospital once a month to put their ideas into action.

Stay tuned for monthly updates on this exciting new project.

Marine Education Program

The Year 12 VCAL students have been participating in a Marine Education program throughout the month of May and many are now eligible to receive their boat licence and jet ski licence through Vic Roads.

The class participated in two theory sessions across four hours, learning all about transport safety on the seas, before embarking on several marine education experiences to put their knowledge into practice.

Throughout the last month the students have been sailing on Albert Park Lake, participated in a Surf Life Saving Victoria safety session, taken a ride on a ferry from Williamstown to Docklands, toured the Melbourne Harbour Tower and even got a behind the scenes look at the Alma Doepel restoration, a supply vessel used in World War II.

The Year 12 VCAL class, and Mount St. Joseph Girls' College, would like to thank Hobson's Bay City Council for allowing the students to participate in this program through a generous grant, and Coral and Ray Allen who delivered and participated in the program with us.

Natasha Feore

VCAL Learning leader

Rise Year 9 Program Joy Project Expo

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Zoo Biology

On May 14, the Year 11 biology students went to the Werribee Zoo to further our understanding of how animals adapt to their surroundings to survive. It started off with a short bus trip from school to the zoo where we walked the far side of the zoo to attend Zoo School.

At Zoo School, we learned about animal skulls and how to identify a carnivore, omnivore or herbivore, adding to our knowledge by filling out a worksheet while analysing skulls on our own. The second lesson was about animal faeces. Learning about some animals being ruminant and non-ruminant as well as the fact that you can learn a lot about the animal’s health by analysing their faeces and the experiences they may have had overnight.

For example, they may be stressed, dehydrated or have an infection. After Zoo school, we had 20 minutes before needing to meet at the safari station so we had a bit of fun taking a quick look at the hippos. Meeting at the safari station, we boarded the bus with excitement and off we went. Going through the water where the hippos reside, we were lucky to get a close-up view of them as well as many other animals. Then continuing on we saw some camels and then heading over the Werribee River we reached the giraffes, rhinos and zebras. The giraffes got so close to the bus that we had to stop the bus until they moved out of the way. Getting back to the safari station and off the bus, we were given free time for a little while to go and explore the rest of the Zoo on our own. There was a lot of excitement as we got to look at our favourite animals including the meerkats! After the day spent at the zoo having fun, it was time to head back to school on the bus and we almost got on the wrong bus with a primary school but we still made it back in the end.

By Layla West Senior Kincumber 3

Design Workshops

On Thursday 24 May 2018 we held an incursion workshop here at the College for Year 11 & 12 Visual Communication Design students and Year 10 Product Design Technology students.

The visiting presenters were from Whitehouse Institute of Design Melbourne, which has been ranked the number one private fashion institution in Australia. The incursion was 3 hours in duration, with students participating in interior and fashion drawing and design activities.

At the conclusion of the session, one student from each group, was awarded a Young Designer of the Day Award. This gives them VIP access to a three-day free special School holiday workshop program, valued at $470 at Whitehouse Institute.

Congratulations to the recipients of the award:

Shevin Polat  - Year 12, Visual Communication Design

Lisa Nguyen  -  Year 10, Product Design Technology

Clare Kubacki

Senior Wellbeing leader

Open Day

On 20 May, we were given the opportunity to assist the ‘product design in food technology’ teachers in presenting MSJ life in the kitchen at the Open Day.

Eleven Year 10 Students and one Year 11 student, all currently studying Food Technology, worked in partners to produce shortbread biscuits using different processing methods. The three methods included; rub-in, creaming with wooden spoon and creaming with electric hand held beater. The ‘rub in’ process meant that students had to use their finger tips to rub the butter into the sugar, also being mindful not to melt the butter with warm hands. The ‘creaming with the wooden spoon’ process meant that students had to use a wooden spoon when combining the butter and sugar. The ‘creaming with electric hand held beater’ process meant that students mixed the butter into the sugar using the electric beaters.

At MSJ we are fortunate to be able to cater to all dietary requirements. In saying this after completing a few batches of shortbread using plain flour, we moved on to making gluten-free shortbread by using the same methods but using gluten free flour.

The kitchen was very busy all day with many happy faces from potential Year 7 students and their families coming through. We  presented delicious shortbread biscuits which were enjoyed by all. Families, students and staff were happy to observe, taste our food and also ask many questions.

It was a struggle to keep up with the hungry guests, which only meant that they were enjoyed by all.   Many families took their own copies of the recipe to try at home and no one left the kitchen without giving a compliment to the students or teachers.

Overall, the day was a success and we were very glad to be given the opportunity.   Everyone enjoyed themselves, we were well taken care of and the shortbread biscuits were delicious!

By Martina Minutoli & Amelia Papa Year 10

MSJ Voices – Sacred Music Concert

On Thursday 10 May, eighteen of our MSJ Voices students participated in the Western Region Sacred Music Concert.  This amazing event was held in the auditorium at Thomas Carr College and involved approximately 400 students from Colleges in the area, including Caroline Chisholm Catholic College, St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, Sacred Heart College Geelong, CRC Caroline Springs, Marion College Sunshine and Thomas Carr College Tarneit.

This spectacular and inspiring event was the culmination of much hard work.  The challenging musical program saw our MSJ Voices students involved in two rehearsals a week for 10 weeks, and it included works by Handel, Vivaldi, an African folk song and some contemporary songs of praise.  This wonderful opportunity saw our girls singing and performing in 4 part harmony as well as a cappella.  Our MSJ Voices conductor, Mrs Ann Fichera, also rehearsed and conducted the 400 massed choir on stage.

Congratulations to all those students that were involved.  Music of this standard takes energy, commitment and practice.  The evening was greatly appreciated and enjoyed by the audience and such was its success, that it is to become an annual event.  This is sure to be an event that our girls will remember for the rest of their lives.  Congratulations to:

Philomena Baw Baw, Sarvleen Kaur, Lucky Mao (Kun), Jessica Virk, Niral Deshmukh, Anika Singh, Amber Wilson, Augustina Baw Baw, Ngan Truong, Genevieve Lee, Alvie Chu,  Pooja Chelimela, Oriana Marshall, Tam Maryoe, Lauren Wakfer, Penny Voudiotis, Romy Tokovic, Nicole Parulan.

Mrs. Catherine Hills & Mrs. Ann Fichera

Music teachers

Italian Poetry Competition

The Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 students had the opportunity to compete in the Dante Alighieri Italian Poetry competition at the University of Melbourne on the 29 May. It was an educational yet fun-filled experience and a day to remember.

The competition was very professional and we were able to experience it in a great environment. Although nerve racking, the poems for each year level went quite well and the day was a success for all. This day also allowed students to experience university life on campus and opened many minds to the possibilities of the future.

As a reward of our hard work and efforts, Signora Morlin and Signora Mustica organised a Brunetti tour and taste testing of many delicious cakes and gelato. The girls were able to experience a real Italian service by being able to order any drink of our choice and picking it up at the bar. Fabio, one of the many owners of Brunetti, was our guide for the day. We all had the wonderful opportunity to hear about him and his family’s history as well as learning about the history of Brunetti. It was a great Italian atmosphere to be a part of especially with all of the delicious food. Despite a few bumps with train timetables on the way home, and the year nines nearly ending up in Craigieburn, the Italian Dante Alighieri Poetry Competition excursion overall was fun, educational and cured our cravings for delicious Italian food!

By Martina Minutoli, Amelia Papa and Daniela Papa Year 10

Musical Performance Invitation

On behalf of the Year 11 and Year 12 Music students, I would like to invite the MSJ College community to attend an end-of-semester performance at Kindred Studios this Friday night, 8th June.

Kindred Studios is located at 3 Harris Street, Yarraville. The night will start at 7pm and will conclude by 9:30pm.

There is a gravel carpark about 100m up from Kindred - turn right at Cowper St (off Harris). The bar and kitchen will also be open. Entry is free!

The following students will be performing:

Y11 VET Music 

1. Lulu Guo
2. Lily Riggs
3. Allana Ross
4. Naomi Thorpe
5. Amber Wilson
6. Ashleigh Zibell

Y12 VET Music

1. Charlee Appleby
2. Alannah Attersall
3. Georgia Bach
4. Chelsea Broad
5. Ellie Carter
6. Kelly Chan
7. Hannah Clarke
8. Leah Johnston
9. Jyuri Kim
10. Maxine Moss
11. Etsub Tadesse
12. Maxine Tang

Plus other talented music students

1. Alexia Kyriazopolous (Y10)
2. Olivia Gatt (Y12)
3. Laura Hegarty (Y12)
4. Gwyneth Lee (Y12)

We hope to see you there!

Nick Tresize

Music Teacher