Ivanhoe Co-curriculars

BroMasterTech Experience During Out of Class 

By Harry Sze, Year 9, University Campus

The MasterTech experience is a program during the out-of-class (OOC) experience provided to Year 9 students. It is an invitation only program, and for a good reason. The program collaborates creative minds with the use of advanced technologies for students to explore. Some of the cutting-edge equipment include Microsoft Hololens, and Cisco Webex Hologram, one of the five in the world, which was a lucky experience for me and others to use. Professor Jeff Jones, a leading expert in interaction design, co-facilitates the program along with Mr Steve Brophy, the Ivanhoe Director of Digital Transformation. As the Digital Hub Manager, Jeff has kindly lent the 5-day opportunity in the Digital Hub in the Latrobe University. Students are tasked to develop new tech ideas whom they will share with at the end of the week. They are given a variety of resources to explore and improve programming, specifically in 3D models, animation, and virtual worlds.

Some students have focused on Unreal Engine 5, whilst others experienced virtual worlds through the Hololens. I myself utilized the Godot Game Engine to construct my own 2D game. It was an entertaining program where I could interact with my friends virtually and progress my coding skill. Furthermore, it introduced me to parts of La Trobe University which I haven’t explored and it was especially nice to eat lunch at the Agora every day. Along with other students, I encountered many issues during the week, however the experience is all about trial and error much like the real life. Overall, the MasterTech program was an enriching and rewarding experience which I had the pleasure to participate in. 

Service and Outreach Committee 

By Chloe Thomson, Year 11,  Ridgeway Campus

The Ivanhoe Grammar School Service and Outreach Committee meets once a fortnight to discuss what the Ivanhoe Grammar School community can do to provide for people and services from the wider school community. The committee organises and plans ideas, bringing them to life, which other people can then partake in to help others, bettering themselves. Initiatives such as 300 Blankets, Big Group Hug and the World to Dinner take place which are fundamentally organised by Ms. Brown and prefects. However, acts of change within the school are take place such as toiletry drives for 300 blankets and casual clothes days in which donations are collected and BBQs take place to raise awareness for a particular organisation, such as R U OK day and raising money for the first nations scholarship.

Recently, the committee has diverged into sub committees so individuals can work tailored to their interests, such as environmental and international. At the moment, the environmental subcommittee is planning to implement recycling bins throughout the school and create a veggie patch, possibly working with Buckley House as they have already started this initiative.

Towards the end of the year and leading into next year, the annual Cambodia raffle should take place which can only happen due to students asking for donations from local businesses. A sleepout is in the works in which students from Year 7-12 will sleep in the carpark to raise awareness for homelessness.

IB CAS Portfolio 

By Matthias Lillias, Year 12, Ridgeway Campus

Part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma requires students to complete a major CAS project which embodies aspects of creativity, activity and service with an emphasis on collaboration. Over the last 7 months, I have been working on my CAS project, which was to create a cookbook with my family’s recipes, alongside my grandmother and friend. My goal was to create and publish a professional standard recipe book completely personalised with my family’s recipes and photos as well as an accompanying video which documented some of my journey learning to cook the dishes.

Over the course of the project, I not only learnt how to cook some delicious food but more importantly I got to collaborate with my grandmother and produce something that will be passed along through my family for years to come. From the early stages of planning and writing the recipes, learning how to use the software, and cooking the dishes to the final steps involving design, paper-choice and publishing, this project has required an extensive amount of time, effort and work, however what has come out of it is amazing. Having this cookbook is significant to my family to recognise our past, and the culture that defines my family. Often, cultural links can be lost in a new country however food remains an aspect of my family that has, and I hope will continue, to retain my strong cultural connections.

Senior Netball 

By Ava Verrier Year 8, Ridgeway Campus

During three lunches a mixed netball tournament for the seniors was held at the sport centre. I thought that only a few people would show up as I didn’t realise how big an interest students, both girls and boys, had in netball. The event was run by Edward Redlich and other students. Students kept pouring in either to play or just watch. There were so many students that we even had to use the bottom courts. Everyone was participating and everyone was having a great time. Many of the students who came to play didn’t even know the rules, as they were running with the ball all the way down the court. However, it did not matter as everyone was having so much fun, and everyone laughed when someone tried to shoot a half court shot.

Over the three days the event was held, each day more and more student showed up. For a non-compulsory event I have never seen so many interested students. It was truly inspiring. In the future, I hope to see mixed netball grow through Ivanhoe Grammar School, and then one day it can be a AGSV sport!

Debating Reflection 

By Isabella Ciavarella, Year 9, University Campus

Throughout the 3 years I have participated in the debating program at Ivanhoe Grammar School I have developed an arsenal of skills that continue to help me in various aspects of my life. Participating in debates has been a transformative experience for me, shaping not only my communication skills but also my ability to think critically and engage in a variety of topics.

One of the most significant aspects of debating is the development of critical thinking skills. I have learned to examine complex issues from different angles, dissect arguments, and identify logical mistakes. Debating has taught me to question assumptions, seek evidence, and evaluate the credibility of sources. Moreover, debating has greatly improved my research skills. The need to back up my arguments with solid evidence has pushed me to delve into a wide range of sources and gather relevant information. Through this process, I have learned to distinguish between reliable and biased sources, synthesise information, and present well-rounded arguments. These skills have enhanced my ability to construct compelling arguments whilst encouraged me to consider other’s arguments and points.

Another invaluable skill I have developed through debating is public speaking. As students, we frequently find ourselves in situations where we need to present in front of our classmates, speak at assemblies, or engage in similar instances that demand us to harness the skill of public speaking. With the practice and feedback, I have received from debating it has helped me become more confident in expressing my ideas clearly, coherently, and persuasively. Debating has taught me the art of engaging an audience, using a range of techniques and devices as well as adapting my communication style to suit different contexts. These skills have not only enhanced my ability to present arguments in debates but have also become a valuable asset in presentations, interviews, and everyday conversations.

Overall, my experience with debating has been transformative and enriching. It has equipped me with a range of valuable skills, including critical thinking, collecting research and public speaking. Beyond the academic or competitive arena, these skills have become an integral part of my personal development. Debating has empowered me to confidently express my ideas and engage in meaningful discussions but at the end of the day it is a very fun extracurricular that I truly recommend all students to try, especially if you want to improve in other aspects of your life.