Secondary School

Hope

I have this bookmark stuck on my office wall beside me to refer to when needed. It was given to me by a mentor at the beginning of my teaching career, over twenty years ago. 

It came with a simple message that I continue to remind myself when things aren’t going as planned; ‘when all seems lost, there is always hope’. Some standard definitions of the word hope are: 

• the feeling of wanting something to happen and thinking that it could happen or a feeling that something good will happen or be true
• the chance that something good will happen. 
• someone or something that may be able to provide help or may give you a reason for hoping.

Would any of these statements fill you with confidence in your time of need, when you may feel the pit is too deep or the valley too dark? I personally wouldn’t think so as they all appear to come with a sense of expectation that’s placed on chance, a feeling or another individual. 

When we’ve walked life’s road for a while, we begin to learn and understand that this approach is fraught with uncertainty. Often, we are left feeling disappointed that our hope and expectation placed on others does not necessarily lead to a solution. Which leads me to think, there has to be more to the meaning of the word – “hope”.

What does it mean to have hope or be filled with a sense of it? According to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word for “Hope” is, ‘elpis’ which means, “to anticipate usually with good pleasure, expectation of good, the author of hope, or the thing hoped for.” In this meaning there is a sense of something greater than us, ‘an author’ who we can place our trust in. This author is God. 

The Christian viewpoint of hope is that it’s a confident expectation based on our trust and/or faith in God. This viewpoint contrasts with the common or standard definition of hope, which indicates less certainty about the fulfillment of one's wishes.

At our whole school assembly this week, students witnessed and listened to various elements of the Christian Easter message. This was unpacked through stories, bible readings, a puppet show about Easter symbolism such as Hot Cross Buns, a message from our Principal, Mr. Manning, and responding to the live question “What does Easter mean to you?”. 

It was lovely to hear a variety of responses from many different ages as students shared their experience or viewpoint. Of course, chocolate got a mention but many students demonstrated that they understood the true meaning of Easter, the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

To me, the Easter message is full of hope. As we head into this holiday period, I encourage all of us to put our hopes (and expectations) in God. You will not be let down. If our hopes and expectations are solely placed on our family, our friends, our work, or our abilities, we will get disappointed. Furthermore, we place immense pressure on those we love. If we expect others to excel and always provide answers where we couldn’t, it puts an unnecessary burden on them that they can’t carry. God needs to be our provider and our source of hope. 

However, God may choose to use others to provide the answers we seek, but ultimately it is God who cares for us. He loves us so much that he sent his only son to die for us so that we can share eternity with him. What an amazing example and message of hope! Let’s prevent frustration and disappointment by placing our hope and our trust in God alone. Have a great holiday and God Bless.

James Kumnick, Head of Secondary

Staff V Students: Volleyball

During the lunch break today Year 12 students took on the teachers in a Staff v Students Volleyball game. Teachers won the first two sets with students taking the third. The match was declared another win for the teachers who remain undefeated 5-0.

Whole School Cross Country

A reminder that Whole School Cross Country Carnival is coming up on Tuesday 9 May in Week 3 of Term 2. All year levels will be participating in this event at different times. Students are expected to wear either their PE uniform or house colours. More information to follow early Term 2. 

Period 2 - Year 7

Period 3 - Year 8

Period 4 - Year 9

Period 5 - Year 10

Period 6 - Year 11 & 12

Interschool Swim Team 

Congratulations to the students listed below that have been selected to represent Bayside at the upcoming SIS Swimming Carnival at MSAC on Wednesday 3 May. Please keep an eye on Sentral for more information to follow. 

Year 7: Nathan Williams, Emily Buchanan, Cody Teramoto, Noah Beeching, Tyler Zwiersen, Eloise Forster, Scarlett Duff-Rickards and Elise Hallam

Year 8: Eve Lynch, Oscar Straub-Rogers, Ashlyn Richardson, Aiden Snow-Cole, Mitch Hooper, Jocob Ogley, Penny O’Brien, Zahra Pistone and Reed Watson

Year 9: Joseph Gaskell, Dylan Waixel, Ollie Hallam, Izzy DeHann, Joel Berry, Elana Hughes , Asha Manning, Summer Buckley and Ashton Murphy.

Year 10: Oliver DeHann, Alex Cardona, Kayden DeHann and Sam McDonald

Year 11: Tom Van Der Zwaard, Owen Mathews, Sam Nassar, Kayne Snow-Cole, Marcus Aucamp and Nathan Brunetto.

Year 12: Jacob Dale, Lachlan Dumicich, Pascal Veerman, Caitlin Buchanan and Charlotte Bixler.

The Overcoat Issue #13

Welcome to 2023! We’ve been waiting here for ages! What took you so long? Well, we’ve got some brand new stories and poems and art, just like always, and they're amazing – just like always! But, we, at The Overcoat, have decided to shake things up a little bit for the new year. Now, we have international submissions! That’s right, this issue opens with two articles from Mizuki and Minae, sharing their passion for Japanese writing crafts with us!

We’ll also be introducing a new interactive element to our magazine, thanks to our newest recruit to the team, Lachlan Dean! Find this opportunity on page fourteen... We’ve got entries from Xander Bevis, the blistering ballads of the Buchanan sisters, the latest from Keeley Butcher’s desk, and much much more!

Congratulations to Alicia Ryall and Alycia Hermawan for our back and front covers!

Hang on a minute... The Overcoat is in its teens now?! How crazy! We’re all so grateful for everyone who submits to and reads this magazine! Maybe you’ll be around for Issue 18, when the magazine can drive ... legally.

Anyway, I’ve gone on blabbering for long enough. Please enjoy Issue 13! And maybe look closer than you have before. You never know what may be hiding between the lines...

Sincerely, 

Xander and the rest of The Overcoat team 

Exchange Student Presentation

Mizuki, Sakura and Minae presented a parting gift to the College at the launch of The Overcoat #13. They gave a speech recognising the student connections they’d made here at Bayside, and opportunities for learning they’d been provided. The three students have been a blessing to our community for the duration of Term 1, and now prepare for their journey back to Japan. 

Their special gift included three kinds of popular Japanese artistic expression: origami; calligraphy and kirigami. Minae, Mizuki and Sakura all contributed to The Overcoat #13 — you can find their work on pages 4-6! We pray that they can have a safe journey home, and that they might remember the best of their experiences here. 

Mr Sam Waldron, Secondary Teacher

Intermediate Boys Handball

During term one the year 9 and 10 boys handball team competed in the SIS competition. Despite this being an unfamiliar sport, the boys took to training well and applied themselves during the competition. The team played a total of four games against some strong opposition including Nazareth, Woodleigh, Balcombe and Hillcrest. At the end of the four rounds Bayside was declared the wining school. Congratulations to all the players involved, it was fantastic to see everyone get involved. 

Mr Peter Zwiersen, Secondary Teacher

Year 8 OES: Kayaking

Year 11 Art - Printmaking

The Year 11 Art class have just finished their printmaking folios. This required them to research and explore a range of different printmaking processes, and to refine their skills in the creation of their first finished artwork for Unit 1. They are now busy preparing for a resin pouring demonstration, which will take place during the Open Day on Saturday 6 May.

Year 8 Art - Impressionism Painting

The Year 8 Art Elective have been exploring Impressionism Painting throughout Term 1. They practised a range of watercolour techniques in refining their own landscape painting completed in an Impressionist style. Here is a sample of the amazing work they have completed so far.

Year 8 VCD - Photography

The Year 8 Visual Communication Design, students have been exploring photography, and how to use a DSLR camera. Their task was to find photo opportunities around the college where they could use objects to abstractly represent the letters of their name. These photos were then edited in Adobe Photoshop, and they were required to create a presentation layout in Adobe Illustrator. The class has done an excellent job at learning new skills, and creatively representing their names.

Mr Chay Williamson, Secondary Teacher

Year 9 Business Studies

During their entrepreneurship module this term, 9A prepared several successful businesses that ran really well at our recent community market. The businesses designed by our year 9’s included hair accessories, spiders and jellies, 3D printed dog photo taking sticks, oreo cake pops, toasties and lemonade, mini pizzas, baked goodies and scented candles. 

Overall, the 8 businesses raised over $800 for their respective charities as well as making a $80 donation to Compassion Australia. Well done to the Year 9’s on the success on their businesses.

Mr Joel Williamson, Secondary Teacher

Years 9/10 Volleyball

This term for SIS, volleyball for years 9 and 10 girls was a great learning experience and we had lots of fun whilst playing. All of us improved our skills and we came a long way from where we started. Even though we didn't win any games, we still had lots of fun. Thanks to Mr Goschnick for being a great coach, loved the patience and teaching us how to play. Hopefully next term we are able to win some more games! Chloe Kidney, Team Captain

Years 9/10 OES URBN Surf

Year 9 Careers Expo

The Year 9 Hubs students recently organised and hosted a career exposition for students across Year 7 and 8, providing them with an opportunity to learn about the various career pathways and explore their interest and options for the future. The exposition was held in the Primary gym and featured a wide range of booths to exhibit business and career opportunities available to students after high school. 

The event was organised as part of students Hubs studies. The aim of the event was to help students make deeper connections between their current studies and areas of interest for future careers. This expo allows students to be exposed to the skills and qualifications they can develop that will be needed for them to pursue those careers. 

Having conversations with students about their interests can help to continue students thinking about their future and the expo’s they would be interested in attending. By exposing them to their potential career and the knowledge and skills needed to pursue those paths we hope to help our students succeed in becoming all that God has made them to be.

Mr Jay Johnstone, Secondary Teacher

Year 10 Science

In Year 10 science, we have been studying Genetics. Students have been learning about DNA, genes and we are about to study inheritance and pedigree. This photo shows the “vegetable person” which the students made.

This helps them understand how different traits show genetically and therefore how their physical characteristics are related to the genetics of their parents.

Mr Chris Alley, VCE Coordinator

Year 10 Health & Wellbeing

Year 10 students have been exploring the importance of ‘Self Care’ at Senior Secondary level. We have researched, discussed and engaged with concepts including sleep, nutrition, connecting with community, and intentional gratitude, control and boundaries. Students worked on their own individual ‘Self Care Plan’ and created a promotional tool to support others in their journey toward great self care. Next term we will discover how we can create and enjoy respectful relationships, as Jesus taught us. Here are some examples of the creative pieces on Self Care:

Year 11 English

Year 11 students are pictured scattered around the dam. They are being inspired by the sights, sounds, smells and feelings of this beautiful place, as part of the process of writing a creative piece.

Mrs Rachelle Cooper, Secondary Teacher

Year 12 Physics

We have been studying motion and in this practical activity, the students are aiming to find the maximum range and optimum launch angle for a ball bearing fired from a spring-loaded projectile launcher. 

In the photo, the launcher is on the chair so its barrel is level with the desk. The students watch and mark the position where the projectile hits the desk. The students worked together to collect results and then analysed these. Many of them found that the optimum angle was not exactly the same as what they predicted!

Mr Chris Alley, VCE Coordinator

VCE OES Phillip Island 

Our intrepid 8 students did an awesome job walking and touring around Phillip Island and the Bass Coast. We visited lots of different places and undertook a range of activities to help the students to connect theoretical concepts with real life examples. They worked hard to support each other and we received several compliments from others about the positive attitude and nature of our students. This camp was a glorious opportunity to breathe in God’s creation. 

A massive thank you goes to Andrew Manning for helping to run the camp and Mrs Steinbergs, Ms Scouller and Ms McCann for coming each night to cover our supervision requirements.

VM Balnarring Beach Camp

Our Year 10, 11 & 12 VCE VM students ran activities and cooked up a storm on the camp at Balnarring Beach. We were truly blessed with the best weather we have ever experienced on this camp and the students did a great job running games and competitions for the rest of the group. A massive thank you goes to James Siede and Ulli Austermann for helping to run such a marvellous camp.

Compassion Community Market

Thank you so much to everyone who helped bring together such a beautiful celebration for the Bayside family. This was a sensational start to the year of markets and the VCE VM stalls were able to send $600 to Compassion to sponsor both Krisna and Anton.

Mr Ken Berry, Secondary Teacher

Indonesian Update

“Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples." - Psalm 117:1

Why learns a language? 

According to the Lead with languages in today’s increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, proficiency in other languages is a vital skill that gives people the opportunity to engage with the world in a more immediate and meaningful way. 

There are at least 10 benefits of learning languages, to: connect, advance your career, feed your brain, strengthen your decision-making, see the world, improve communication skills and multiply vocabulary in your first language, gain perspective, and boost your confidence, also better preparing you to compete and succeed in the global economy.

Why Indonesian? 

Asia Education Foundation published the reasons:

• Indonesia, our neighbour is already the most populous and resource-rich nation in Southeast Asia.
• It’s the world’s fourth-largest country by population behind the United States, India and China. Its trillion-dollar economy has been growing at a rate of 5%, compared to 2% in Australia. 
• It is pictured that in 2030, Indonesia will be the fifth-largest economy in the world. with its population of 296 million, 10 times the size of Australia. It is a regional heavyweight and a global power, and its language is the sixth most spoken in the world.
• Its young population outnumbers the old, driving vibrant megacities powered by innovative new technologies.
• Indonesia's environment and sustainability are tied to our own. Indonesia's creativity and cultures have a lot to share too.
• Indonesia and Australia are tied together by geography and history.
• Australia’s largest embassy is in Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital. When President Joko Widodo stood up in the Australian parliament in 2020, he called Australia, Indonesia’s closest friend, even comparing our friendship to that of the superheroes in the Marvel Avengers films.
• There is a lot of work cooperation between Indonesia and Australia, Indonesia’s armed forces assisted our rural fire services during the 2019-2020 bushfires, and have cooperated with Australia on defence activities since the 1960s. 
• The Indonesian language is relatively easy to learn compared with other languages.
• Generously increase the ATAR Score when students learn a second language (Indonesian) to the VCE level.
• Building our important friendship with Indonesia is essential to preparing young Australians for the future that lies ahead. 

Internal news from Indonesian Department

Indonesian students have embraced the privilege of studying Indonesian in Room K1 which is partially used to conduct most Indonesian classes.  Education Perfect Program can be assessed from home for students to revise and expand their language skills is available to every student who learn Indonesian.

With the border has started to open, I am looking forward to extending the learning of the Indonesian students beyond the classroom and country. What an amazing opportunity to learn a language in the immersion setting in its original country, Indonesia. This will give students the opportunities to: enhance their language skills, experience the first hand authentic Indonesian cultures, build long-lasting friendships in Christ beyond the continent.

Bu Schokman, Indonesian Teacher