Senior School
VCE Health and Human Development Robot Baby
We are proud to announce a new edition to the school - Bambino José, our very own robot baby! Students studying the VCE subject Health and Human Development are learning about the human lifespan.
As part of their study of postnatal development, they have the opportunity to care for José during one or two evenings, or a weekend. He is programmed with the routines of actual babies and requires rocking, feeding, burping and, yes, nappy changing! Students have found caring for José an interesting and worthwhile experience.
Jo deMeester
VCE Health and Human Development
Yr 12 Get Into Genes
On Monday 24th August, the Year 12 Biology class attended Get Into Genes Workshops at Melbourne University. Whilst there, they had opportunity to learn about and perform some techniques in DNA manipulation such as PCR and Gel Electrophoresis.
They also began looking at the various issues that arise in relation to genetic technologies such as: “What exactly are genetically modified organisms?” “Is it acceptable to put human genes into other organisms in order to make human proteins?” and “Would you feed your baby human-like milk that was produced by a cow?”
Natalie Farmer
VCE Biology Teacher
Developing Leaders by Influence
Last week our School Captains, Sophie and Daniel, had the privilege of attending a lunch with a guest speaker from the US brought out by the Australian Christian Lobby, Ryan Anderson. They were part of a select group of 40 to have lunch with him, hear him speak on the issues surrounding the marriage debate and ask their questions as representatives for Victorian secondary students. Others at the lunch included Ministers from many big churches, University student leaders and ACL representatives. Daniel and Sophie also recently attended the Christian Schools Leaders Camp with senior students from a variety of Christian Schools. They attended workshops and heard speakers aiming to train and inspire them in their leadership. All our Year 11 students have been part of the Strengths Potential program this term and those with leadership roles also spent extra time discovering how to use their own strengths to compliment the strengths of those around them. Two more of our young leaders will have the opportunity of touring State Parliament with our local representative Nick Wakeling who is eager to hear the concerns and views of young people in the community. Year 10 students Yang and Lucy spent a week completing the Knox Young Leaders course and you can read Lucy’s report to find out more about that.
These are all recent examples of how our students can lead, serve and influence both inside and outside of the school boundaries. We are in the process of selecting students to hold the formal leadership roles for 2016. Please encourage any students you see with leadership potential to prayerfully consider serving in this way.
Greg Crotty
Head of Senior School
Knox Young Leaders
From the 3rd-7th August, Yang Chao and I attended the Knox Young Leaders Program. We were able to connect with other young people within the community and make lots of friendships. The biggest challenge was being confronted with my true self, and working out who I really am as a person, not just who I think I am or how I want others to see me. I have developed rapidly over the week and discovered so much about the mannerisms and characteristics of myself and others my age.
During the week, the program equipped us with skills that can be used in all situations in life and gave us the capability to deal with certain circumstances. For example we learned about the PIPS strategy: telling someone something Positive, an Improvement, another Positive and a Summary. This allows them not to feel attacked and want to take on your feedback. Overall it was a phenomenal program and I highly recommend it for others who are considering it in the future!
Lucy Potter Yr 10Y
Cambodia 2016
In December next year we are planning to take a small group of students from Years 10, 11 and 12 to visit Cambodia with Samaritan’s Purse to see, in person, the impact of our fundraising.
It will be a fantastic adventure and a life changing experience. More details will be out soon so register your interest with Mr Crotty.
Greg Crotty
Head of Senior School