Community & Student Engagement
School of Leadership Opportunity
HPSC has been accepted to enrol 5 students into the School of Leadership Term 4 2020. This is an amazing opportunity for students who aspire to leadership or who are looking to challenge themselves in a variety of ways. This opportunity is open to current Year 8 students only.
What does this mean for me?
In Term 4 2020 you will be enrolled at the School for Leadership Gnurad Gundidj. It is an 8 week term and you will live away from home, doing innovative hands-on lessons, completing outdoor challenges and pursuits and looking after yourself (including doing your own washing, cooking etc). You will also be completely without access to social media, phones, tv - unless it is part of your learning. In other words, you are going back to how it used to be without distractions and noise. There is a financial cost of $1050.00 per student however this will pay for all tuition, food and accommodation for the term, with no additional costs.
If this is interests you please visit http://www.gnurad-gundidj.vic.edu.au , speak to Ms Vanstan in the Engagement Office or email vanstan.fiona.l@edumail.vic.gov.au . You must fill in an application form to be considered for this amazing adventure which can be found on your Compass NewsFeed.
FedUni Casey Project
Recently two teams of students attended the launch day for the FedUni Casey Project. This project provides Year 9 students an opportunity to engage in university life.
Students attend lectures and use these ideas to investigate a problem that affects our local community and then create solutions to address their problem. Students have the term to write and submit an essay which outlines their problem and solutions. The focus of the project was based on the question, “What makes a smart city?”
Congratulations to our Year 9 students – Kaira Te, Chelsea Skey, Alyssa Pedersen and Nikita Brito – who were selected as finalists in the FedUni Casey Project. They investigated road safety in the City of Casey and ways to reduce accidents in the local area. Their technological solutions included using Artificial Intelligence to calculate how long it will take people of different ages to walk safely across the road, phone blocking technology near walkways and pathways that light up when the lights change.
The girls presented their ideas to Federation University lecturers and City of Casey Councillors. They spoke articulately, clearly and passionately, sharing the knowledge that they had gathered throughout the research process.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank Ms Amy Johnson, Ms Melanie Larcombe, Ms Jasmine Keough and our partners at Salesforce for assisting the girls in this project.
Illuminate
Recently two groups of students across Years 8 – 10 participated in the Illuminate Challenge at Casey Tech School.
The illuminate:nextgen Challenge is a week-long immersive experience, that provides an opportunity for students to be the confident, creative and capable young people they have the potential to be in an authentic learning opportunity. Facilitated by skilled facilitators and with the support of the local community, students work in teams to explore what it takes to get a new project or business idea off the ground, developing key skills in the following areas;
- Communication (Speaking, Writing & Presentation Skills)
- Understanding (Critical Thinking, Inquiry, Digital & Financial Literacy)
- Solve Problems (Creativity, Problem Solving & Reflection)
- Work Smart (Collaboration, Organisation & Perseverance)
The students thoroughly enjoyed their experience, developing their business idea through a range of supported activities including a one-minute elevator pitch – the time taken for the students to step into an elevator, share their idea, go up and down one floor and step out of the elevator. The two groups were recognised for their work during their experience.
One of the student groups has been offered the opportunity to go into partnership with an existing business which is currently being explored at the moment.
Thank you Ms Priyanka Dixit, Ms Cassie Tucker and Ms Leah Green for supporting the students throughout this process.
Mission Gravity
Did you know that HPSC is a partner with Casey Tech School? Casey Tech School delivers high-tech, leading edge courses to students.
On Thursday 10 October a mixed group of HPSC student across years 7 to 12 were lucky enough to attend a Mission Gravity session at Casey Tech. During the session they flew a virtual trip to the stars with immersive virtual reality.
Students found out about different kinds of stars with various masses and how black holes distort light around them. Exploring the latest scientific discoveries of gravity, students also learned about how gravity waves (first theorised to exist by Einstein) are created and how they are detected on earth through the use of lasers.
Thank you to Ms Podsytnik and Mr Pelecanos for taking the students on the day.
Casey Tech School also runs school holiday programs and other student programs.
See the information below for one of these programs
VR Gaming (Year 8 - 10)
A session for participants to interact with a variety of virtual reality programs and games.
When: Monday October 28th & December 16th
Time: 4.00pm to 5.30pm
Cost: Free of charge
Bookings: 03 9212 4700 or admin@caseytechschool.vic.edu.au
Peer Sport Mentors
The 2019 Peer Sport Mentors continue to show leadership and initiative in supporting the sporting programs of the local schools. At the recent Middle School Assembly Shanae Muleta and Andre Capito shared the benefits that they have experienced being part of this program, including the opportunity to work with the local students.
At times the weather can be poor, so students need to be prepared with jackets and umbrellas or sunscreen and hats or there might be a late cancellation of the event. It is important that the mentors are regularly checking their emails, and Compass to ensure that they attend where and when they are needed.
Applications for the 2020 Peer Sport Mentors are now open to students who are currently in Years 8 and 9. Forms can be found on student’s Compass News Feed, in the Middle School Office or by speaking to Ms Vanstan.