Student News
Middle School Leaders | Welcome Back!
Welcome back students of WHSC. It must feel different being back at school, but don’t forget, we are all in the same boat. Being back at school may be a little different now, but it is still a place for friends and learning. As you all know we are back to face to face learning and we are glad to see everyone has been settling in well. We are seeing nothing but good attitudes towards being back and are so thrilled that this is going to plan. If you have been feeling uneasy or overwhelmed during the return to school, there are plenty of students and teachers here to help, us included. Feel free to come up and say hi or just have a friendly chat.
Middle School Leaders
Theatre Studies | Radio Play Website Launch
What happens when your VCE Outcome require you to produce a Theatrical Production, but you’re being forced into lock down, theatres are being closed and deadlines are approaching? Why – you make Radio Plays!
Check out the incredible work of our VCE Theatre Studies students on their very own Radio Play Website! Look through costume and set designs, listen to incredible voice acting skills and be transported into weird, grotesque and wonderful worlds they created – in complete isolation! Be warned, though - with capsizing ships, demonic dentists, and an extremely large industrial mincer, these blackly comic plays are not for the faint hearted!
To visit the Radio Play website, click here.
English Domain | Student Work & Reflections
In each Newsletter we would like to show off what our students are doing in English. We will focus in on two year levels each time so we can allow our students to share the spotlight. In this Newsletter, we present reflections and work from students in Year 7 and Year 11.
Year 7 One-Sentence Book Reviews
Our Year 7s have been busy bees with the Independent Reading Program. Students are filling out their reading log and are now extending their thoughts and understanding of the text they are reading by responding to reading stems. We have turned some of these into one sentence reviews.
Elai B : Showboat
"Showboat is a really interesting book about how Kobe Bryant’s Basketball career started, what he went through throughout his basketball journey and then how it ended. I give it 5/5 so far."
Grace C: One of Us is Lying
"A suspenseful, action filled book like One of us is lying, is exactly the kind of enjoyable you may be looking to read, especially for amusement and to leave you on edge whenever you stop! I rate this 5/5."
Jordan P: The Jordan Rules
"The Jordan Rules has full insight into the miracle season of the Chicago Bulls in 1991, where the greatest player of all time took it to the next level and solidified himself as a champion. This book deserves a 5/5 hands down."
Kristian S: Just Macbeth
Just Macbeth is about three friends who are practicing a script (making a potion) and they drink the potion so now they are kings and queens (Macbeth and his wife, and best friend). 4/5.
Year 7 IRP Reviews
We like to give our students a voice in English, we want to know what they think about our programs and we would like to share their thoughts on the Independent Reading Program.
"My name is Daniel G and I don’t really enjoy reading but sometimes I might have a favourite book and I would read that for a while. In IRP you can really focus on your book without any distractions. I like the online reading log better because it’s easy to access and you can’t lose it. The purpose of IRP is to improve your reading skills. My goal is to try to read more." - Daniel G.
"I like independent reading because I can have no one distract me in my own time. I prefer the online version of the reading log because the teacher can see where you’re at with your reading. With the independent reading it will expand your vocabulary and reading skills and will challenge you to read more difficult books. To challenge myself I would try not to get distracted." - Zac M.
"One thing I enjoy the most about the Independent Reading Program is “reading for enjoyment”. I like how we can read any book we enjoy reading. I like the reading log because at first it was a physical copy of the books we read but now it is digital which is way more efficient and accessible for anyone. The purpose of the Independent Reading Program is to become better readers but at the same time build our stamina, gain more possible knowledge, better our vocabulary, build a specific skill etc. The independent reading program could set you up for big life lessons in life." - Aphroditi A.
"I like the independent reading program because it a time where you get to read for enjoyment and get a break from your school work for 20 minutes. I like the online reading log because your teacher can have a look at your process and make sure you are keeping up to date. The purpose of the independent reading program is to become a better reader and to work on your comprehension skills. To challenge myself more I ask myself questions throughout my reading to make sure I understand what is happening in the book, if I don’t understand I will just re-read." - Shayna B .
"At first I disliked the independent reading program. I thought it was going be super boring, but when we started doing the program I actually kind of liked it. It was pretty good to have 20 minutes at school just to read. I don’t really read at home much so this was good for me. I read around 5 books over this program and am excited to read more." - Ashton N .
"What I like about the IRP is that I can read in my free time, for me it home it’s a big struggle to find time to read, it’s also very quiet, it’s very easy for me to concentrate on my reading. The new online reading log is very simple, I just have to logon to MS teams and fill in. it’s a lot more easy to fill in and it only take 2 minutes. I believe the purpose of the IRP is to help with our vocab, build our reading stamina, build creativity and a lot more. If I could challenge myself, I would read bigger books." - Kiran S.
Year 11 Book Review: Montana
"Montana 1948 is a classic coming of age story of loss, family, and doing what is right.
Our narrator, David, speaks his memories of 1948 – the summer when his Native American caretaker, Marie Little Soldier, fell ill. This event triggers the end of David’s family as he knows it, with his previously thought brave and honourable uncle being revealed as an opportunistic, evil man that took advantage of the Native American women in his care.
"David’s father, the sheriff of this small town, grapples between helping his brother escape charges and doing what he knows is right. David loses the innocence he had before as he tries to figure out what has happened through broken conversations. Everything in this young boy's life will change, including his views of his own family.
"For our creative SAC on this novel, we were to write a piece inspired by a prompt about a character or story moment. It was written in a specific style, such as a monologue or short story – depending on the prompt given. You then had to justify these choices at the end of the piece.
"I personally found this task interesting, as you got to flesh out moments in the story or characters that previously hadn’t been given too much time or care in the original novel." - Chelsea G.
Classroom Music in Remote Learning
Year 7 and 8 students were still able to participate in practical music classes, despite the online learning environment. This provided students with the opportunity to step away from their computers for a while and learn some new skills. Some students had access to a guitar or keyboard at home and were able to learn new pieces on their instruments.
Those students who did not have an instrument were still able to participate by learning to play drumkit beats through chair drumming, using Musical Futures resources provided by the school. Some would practice outside, some would find a spot inside where they weren’t disturbing the rest of the family! Drumsticks were often replaced by wooden spoons or chopsticks! Students were able to join Teams meetings and play for each other during online lessons to demonstrate their progress. They were also able to submit videos so that they could receive advice throughout the unit on what they were doing well and areas for improvement. This resulted in some great performances and progress by the end of the unit. Well done to my classes 7A and 8C, who participated so well during online lessons!
Ms. Kirsty Mechielsen, Classroom Music
Instrumental Music In Remote Learning
Instrumental music lessons are amazing! The opportunity to learn an instrument of your choice and express your passion for music alongside your fellow students, improving your skill and just having a great time in general! That’s why it was so important for me to continue my instrumental music lessons from home! Learning piano over a Teams call was tricky, but fun at the same time! Listening to my fellow piano group members Amy and Sinead playing the songs they had worked on almost felt like it had back at school. Playing for each other was definitely a highlight, seeing each other’s progress through a computer screen. They both adapted to the situation so well, and they put such an incredible amount of effort into their music with a determination to improve, even if we were stuck at home. Even though it was harder to give advice and feedback, we pulled through and, to be honest, we progressed so much further than I thought we would, given the circumstances!
Overall, I had such a great time sitting in my bedroom at the keyboard playing Joy to the World (amongst other songs) and hearing my groupmates progress alongside me. Another experience of remote piano was the online concert we held for all of Ms Mechielsen’s piano students on Thursday the 4th of June. I played Joy to the World, Sinead played Got Those Blues, Amy played Oh When the Saints, Liam played What Can I Share, Matilda played I’m a Believer and Miguel played the Interstellar Theme. Everyone did such an incredible job playing their chosen song. I couldn’t have been happier to be there listening to everyone play. It was probably one of the most meaningful concerts I’ve ever been to. Just incredible!
Thanks so much to Ms Mechielsen for continuing to teach Piano remotely, and really inspiring me to do my absolute best and pour my heart and soul into the music I play (not an exaggeration, I love piano)! Also a huge thanks to all of the other Instrumental Music teachers for continuing to teach I.M lessons from home, Miss Lentini for organising and supervising the Instrumental Music program (she rescheduled several of my music lessons because of inconvenient timing, which I really appreciate!) and to all the I.M students for persisting through this time!
Shay C, 8D
Percussion Team Song
A little bit of isolation won’t stop the Percussion Group students from collaborating and making music together! With objects around their very home they were able to produce their very own song! Have a listen and see if you can guess what objects they use to make this Percussion Iso Jam!
Monash Tech School Programs
Our students did a fantastic job of engaging with STEM focused learning both during remote and now that we are back in face to face teaching this term! See below some student perspectives of what they learnt and what they enjoyed.
Mr. Pedro Mello, STEM Leader
"During the TinkerCAD excursion I learnt how to make my 3D Model much better. I have always wanted to be an engineer of some sort. Being a doctor is also one of my dream jobs. Why not get both interests in one project?" - Jay K, Year 7
"In the TinkerCAD virtual excursion I learnt that there were things I could do there I could manage easily and used skills that I didn't know I had. I wanted to have my design 3D printed because it was a great reminder that "I made that" and be happy with what I did and because I really enjoyed this TinkerCAD activity." - Daniel W, Year 7
"The program let you have a free mind and you can create whatever you want in TinkerCAD. It was a lot of fun!" - Kiran S, Year 7
"I liked that we were able to do something different and play around with Minecraft and build an eco-house." - Hannah W, Year 8
"My creation is based off things that would help a house to keep the environment clean and to stop it from dying. I learnt that the Earth’s wind and the sun rays can help people sustain a livable life. The program that Monash Tec school gave us Year 8s helped us understand the possibilities of Eco friendly power sources and how it can change the future." - Jack N, Year 8 (Check out a tour of Jack's eco-friendly house below!)
"In addition to the success students had during the above remote programs we have also had a group of three year 9 students being selected to participate in stage 2 of the Young Change Agents Coronavirus Design Challenge for their design and pitch of the Covid-Food App. These students will be undergoing mentoring and will be pitching their idea to industry partners. See below about what these students have already learned and what they are excited about! I had a great time finding a way to help people while in isolation. I also learnt the best way to set up pitch idea for an app. I am looking forward to creating our app to used by everyone." - William M, Year 9
"I enjoyed being able to help the people who are in isolation and be able to find a way to help them. I learned a lot of things about how to make an app or how to think of an idea that can solve some problems for people. I am excited to make our app." - Pelin K, Year 9
"In the Young Change Agents project, I enjoyed learning about the problems other people are facing at the moment in isolation, as I have a deeper understanding and be able to try our best to come up with new solutions with the rest of our group. Through this experience, I was given the chance to learn how to collaborate with my teammates and combine our ideas to create a solution that we all agree on. I’m looking forward in creating the app with my group and test it out to learn what we can improve on in the future." - Kiara T, Year 9
Library News
Library staff have been busy upon return to face to face learning, with many returns from our remote learning period being brought back by students. If you still have anything outstanding please return it.
We have also made a new genre called Staff Reads because staff like to read too! Staff and students are preparing themselves for the holidays by borrowing some more reading materials to enjoy over the break.
Our BookFlix display was inspired by a quote we saw “Books to reel them in”. The Library has an enormous number of books which have been made into films or TV shows, and we highlighted these titles in our display.
June is Pride Month so our display inside the library reflected that in our collection of books in the Pride genre. Pride Month promotes acceptance and awareness of the LGBTI community within the wider community.
Another display outside the library was curated by Molly P (Yr 12):
“With all that’s happening in the world today I made this display to highlight the idea of equality, inclusion and diversity to go along with National reconciliation week that took place from May 27 to June 3rd.” - Molly P.
International Student Program
A Special ‘Thank You’ to All Homestay Families!
On behalf of the International Student Program, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our homestay families for their kind support to our international students during this particularly difficult and uncertain period.
Our homestay families supported our international students’ safety and wellbeing during lockdown and remote learning time. They have put in extra effort to ensure our students effectively undertake the remote and flexible learning at home. Some homestay families have upgraded their internet data plans. Some homestay families have gone out of their ways to learn to cook different/Asian meals to support their students.
The additional care and help offered by homestay parents is very much appreciated by our school, the students and their parents.
“I would like to say that my home stay is the best ever, for not only the delicious dinners she made, but also for she treats us like her own kids, honestly, it is a wonderful experience in my whole life!” - Calvin X (Year 11)
“I feel happy when I live in Marilyn's home, she always spend some time to have a chat with me about school and things, and also Marilyn celebrates and gives me gift on my birthday.” - Danny D (Year 11)
Reflection on Remote Learning & Homestay
“Even though I think it is difficult to study at home without seeing friends and teachers but it was also great since I had more time to do my work and had more time to rest. I had a lot of help from my teachers when I was stuck on my studying as well as supports from my homestay family. They gave me a quiet environment to focus on my online classes.” - Annie Q (Year 12)
“All teachers did their best to help and support us. Most difficulties (problems) can be answered in one-to-one sessions during free periods. Group activities in Teams maintain a sense of in-class collaboration.” - Amber L (Year 12 International Student Captain)
Ms. Jane Xing, International Student Coordinator