Achievements & Results
Chess 2018
2018 is a year where our chess program went through an exponential growth. For a start, the Chess co-curricular program was reviewed and now includes lessons that cater for students at different levels of their Chess journey, secondly, the school purchased outdoor Chessboards, which helped make Chess part of the students’ everyday life.
However, the biggest achievement of our 2018 Chess journey was achieving the 6th place in the 2018 Victorian state finals.
The Chess team from Suzanne Cory High School took part of the Victorian State Inter-zonal schools final held at Brighton Grammar School on the 15th of October, and of the Victorian State Inter-zonal schools, girls division on the 16th of October at St Catherine's School, Toorak. All students displayed their great talent and skill of the game chess against opponents from other schools playing eight games in a space of six hours. To qualify into the state final, one has to be in the top 30% of a zonal qualifier, which is easier said than done. This year we have had thirteen students qualifying to (and eleven of them participating in) the state final, a significant improvement from 2017, where only four students did so. All games were played with a great competitive nature, and our students were humble in victory, and gracious in defeat, and displayed our school values in their interaction, and in their dedication and preparation.
The state final was a perfect way to finish a great year displaying Suzanne Cory High School’s excellence in chess. The efforts of our students have been exceptional this year.
Students who represented the school at the state finals are: Sead C, Bob D, Brendan G, Vaibhav J, Nidhi M, Malachy P, Kisara P, Sharveshvar S, Suvasini T, Alexander T, John V.
Mr. Isaac Ryan, Chess Coach
Fencing Fun
This fortnight the gym was out of use for the Fencing Co-curricular program due to the VCAA exams, however the students made good use of the new outside basketball court and balloons were introduced to help hone their point precision. The competitiveness (and cunningness) of our students was evident early on, as few of them actually blew their balloons up enough to be at risk of popping! Still, fun was had by all. Touché!
Ms. Alex Carroll (Fencing Coach)
High Notes! News from Music
It has been another challenging and exhilarating term from the Music Program with our programs settling back into work after the success of Presentation Night. Our next event will be the ADT Showcase where all facets of the Music program will once again be on display. We hope to see as many of our families on Monday November 26 in the T-wing and auditorium to close out our successful year. All groups will be represented as well as our Year 10 Music class presenting It’s a Hard Knock Life from the musical Annie as a part of their unit studying Opera.
Our Year Nine cohort has successfully completed their Unit Walkin’ to New Orleans, a study of the Blues and are now busily preparing their own creations in a unit where they are required to design, construct, calculate and build their own musical instruments.
2019 Music Captains
It is with great pride that I introduce our Music Captains for 2019 Chloe T and Damien H. Chloe and Damien will be fine ambassadors for Music advocacy throughout the School and the School Community and they have graciously shared their thoughts on the roles that they will play.
Mr. Tony Paye (Director of Music)
Chloe T (Year 12)
The overwhelming emotions of Cory kids. The stress, the anxiety, the fear and the expectations. All these emotions never fail to make its presence evident within us. Sometimes words fail to express what we feel, and when that happens, music takes it place. That’s what I believe anyway. There is a value and importance in music and an enjoyment in surrounding yourself with the satisfying harmonies and sweet melodies. As the 2019 Whole School Music Captain, I encourage all of you - whether you are starting in year 9 or finishing your last year in year 12, to leave the study centre once in a while and step inside the world of music. Pick up an instrument, pluck the strings of a guitar or press the key on a piano. Open your mouth and sing a melody, belt notes like no one is watching. Pick up a pen and write some lyrics or compose a masterpiece. Be curious. Be innovative. Be creative. Make music a part of your life - Whether that is joining the many ensembles the school has to offer such as the school choir, or taking that leap of faith to audition for the school musical. Let all the stress and expectations of being a student at SCHS be released through music. You never know of the opportunities until you choose to seize them. So, on behalf of my music co-captain Damien H and I, we’d like to encourage you to be involved and support the music program so that it can reach its highest peak and to give music the chance that it’s willing to give you. I wish you all the very best in your musical endeavours and hope that you will all approach us if you have any questions or concerns about the music program.
Damien H (Year 12)
For many of us at Suzanne Cory High School, music has become much of our fortnightly lives. (if you’re wondering why I say fortnightly, we run an event every 2 weeks call Open Mic for all kinds of performances). For some of us, music has become a large part in our weekly lives, attending bands and orchestras or taking lessons. For even less of us, it has become part of our daily lives, practising at home for private lessons and goals, or preparing for upcoming performances. Personally, I believe music plays a part in everyone’s lives in one way or another, and the effect it can have on anyone is sensational. As somebody who loves to attend recitals, concerts and all things music, countless times I have seen a performance wow the audience leaving them astounded in what seems to be an impossible feat of talent. However, many a time I have seen an audience brought to tears, even the performer themselves. I can confidently say, on behalf of all musicians, if the best part is not being praised of an amazing performance, it's knowing that every note, melody or harmony has left an effect on the audience. this is the reason I am a musician, and my biggest word of encouragement to those who wish to be, or already are musicians. There are countless other benefits to incorporating more music into one’s life, as my fellow music captain Chloe has stated already. So together, we encourage everyone to embrace music and its benefits. If you are a student at our school reading this, then join us in making an impact on Cory’s music program, making it the best it can be, and let us help you with the power of music.
Around the Bay in a Day!
Congratulations to the following students and teachers for completing the 135km Geelong-Melbourne leg of the Around the bay bike ride on Sunday October 7th:
Jay G (9R2)
William L (10R1)
Nikita D (10B1)
Vishal K (11K1)
And fellow teachers: Ms Nagel, Ms Breed, Mr Kemp, Mr Moden!
Mr. Joel Moden (PE)
2018 SCHS Ecocore Environmental Conference
The SCHS Ecocore hosted students from both Melbourne High and MacRobertson High School for the 2018 SCHS Ecocore Environmental Conference. Over 80 students completed many activities, workshops and listened to talks on climate change, sustainability, reusability as well as the war on waste. Students also completed an Amazing Race where they helped clean up the SCHS school grounds of rubbish for prizes.
Mr. Bruce Drummond (Eco-Core Coordinator)
SCHS Year 9 Sunshine Hospital Visit
Last term students from Year 9 went to Melbourne Uni School of Medicine/Sunshine Hospital to visit the Western Clinical School and complete workshops run by medical students on the diagnosis and treatment of illness.
Mr. Bruce Drummond
State Athletic Champions
Sophia A and Aagaash M represented the school in the State Athletics at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. It’s a terrific achievement to make it into the State Athletics and experience competing against the state’s best performers.
Aagaash competed in discus and he won the state final with a throw of 32m. It is reported that he can throw 40m! Obviously a lot of hard work and training goes into these types of results and a huge congratulation to you - very well deserved!
Sophia competed in the 400m event, which in known to be one of the most challenging events to race in. Sophia went all out giving 100% in the first 250m which had her in 4th place, but as she hit the bend heading for the home straight it was hard to maintain that intensity - she ran a very good race, congratulations again.
Thank you to both Aagaash and Sophia’s parents for attending and supporting them both!
Ms Guastella
WMR Cricket
Inter-Girls: Congratulations to all the girls who competed in the WRM cricket competition on Tuesday 30th October at Fairbairn. The cricket tryouts needed to run over several days to select the team as we had a large number of girls wanting to represent the school in cricket. It was pleasing to see all the girls regularly attending training and discussing game plans and tactics. We had amongst us a diversity of talents in batting, bowling and fielding and we felt equip to compete against Maribyrnong. The girls started off batting, we had a great batting line-up but Maribyrnong’s fielders were strong, we managed to make 68 all out from 19 overs. A highlight was Mehak’s batting. A strength was definitely our strong bowlers with both Joeline and Anamika bowling out two of the top batters. A special mention to Anushka and Joeline for spectacular catches! Maribyrnong retired successfully at 15 overs but it was a great match.
The team made the school very proud, celebrating achievements, supporting players and respecting the opponents. A particular thank you to our team Captain Anamika and Vice-captain Joeline. A thank you to Ms Sullivan for her coaching and encouragement.
Ms Guastella
WMR INTER Boys Cricket: Today marked an important day for our inter school boys cricket team. After some exceptional performances in the earlier rounds, including a decisive win over Werribee SC. we earned the right to play in the regional semi-final against our old adversary Maribyrnong College. In the past they've dominated the competition, with many of their players involved in elite cricket sporting programs. But this year we set ourselves to defeat them, and we nearly did, just missing by a few wickets!
Varad was exceptional with both ball and bat making an brilliant half century and taking a very positive approach to hit the ball out of the ground whenever given the opportunity. His searing pace was too much for a few of the Maribyrnong batsmen too, one particular delivery being worn on the batsmen's upper arm! Neil's captaincy was first class, as was his accurate line and length bowling. We batted well and we had reason to have great enthusiasm with our total of 4 for 131 from 20 overs. At 7 for 90, the opposition were seriously worried. Could this finally be the end of their reign? Unfortunately not, as they scraped home making 7-132 from 17 overs. We pushed them though, and have all committed to going one better next year.
Well done boys! I'm proud of you all :)
Mr. Stewart
WMR Intermediate Hockey
Inter Girls: On the 1st of November, the intermediate girls played at the regionals hockey tournament at Footscray Hockey Centre. Alongside the Cory girls were the girls from Williamstown High School who had a shortage of players. As a show of good sportsmanship, some of our girls volunteered to join the team and successfully aided them in winning 4-0 against Strathmore. 3 of the goals were scored by Harjot who unfortunately sustained an injury to her head that took her out for the rest of the competition. However the girls persevered through the 30 degree heat and their shared exhaustion, putting up a good fight against Strathmore that led to a penalty shootout. Although the girls lost, the bonds formed with those inside and outside of their team was a greater victory than the one winning the competition would have garnered.
Isabelle M, Minhal S & Nina K
Inter Boys: On the 1st of November, the intermediate boys played in regional hockey against Bayside and Strathmore. We were faced by many many obstacles, the first being the extreme heat. In addition, our team was plagued by injuries to many of our players. The Suzie Boys managed to give it their all in both games winning the first game 10-2 against Bayside thanks to goals from Matt N, Jason L, Khush T, Nevain F and Raveen in one of the most unusual games of hockey ever played. Unfortunately, we were unable to continue the same momentum against Strathmore, losing 4-0. Special thanks to Ms Fenby and Ms Breed for organising numerous training sessions and for coaching both teams. Well done intermediate boys and good luck for next year.
Matt N and Jason L (Captains)
WMR Intermediate Table Tennis
On November 1st, our Intermediate Boys and Girls Table Tennis team travelled to Geelong to compete in regionals. Though they fought valiantly, our boys team unfortunately missed out on moving through to the next round. Our girls team also performed extremely well, making it to the finals but found it very tough to come through in a very close game. This is the end of the road for our teams this year, but hopefully we'll be back next year even stronger.
