Senior School News 

GREAT EXPECTATIONS 2021 - SAILING EXPERIENCE

The Great Expectations Program has kicked off for 2021 with five students taking the opportunity to participate in obtaining an Australian Sailing Certificate through the Mordialloc Motor Yacht Club.

Peter, Mitchell, Jye, Luke and Ashley have worked impressively in gaining competency in being crew on a Keel Boat and have even been able to take the helm on many occasions.

The sailing experience has taken three years of consultation with the yacht club and Australian Sailing to get off the ground and has been worth the effort. All five students involved have found the experience to be a most enriching one.

A huge thank you must be given to the Mordialloc Motor Yacht Club and their main trainer Steve Beashel. Steve has also engaged a number of members of the yacht to assist in a voluntary capacity. I cannot speak highly enough about the quality of this learning experience.

Great Expectations is a program that targets young men in Year 10 to further their capacity to achieve excellence. Young men have been consistently under-performing in the western world for more than a decade and this program seeks to address this issue. Studies have also shown that improving these outcomes for young men also has a positive effect on the results for the female members of the school community. We have already been able to track some improvement in those who have been a part of the program in the past. Covid restrictions prevented the program from being available in 2020.

The program involves working with a team of male teachers within the College who act as their educational coach. An absolutely outstanding camping experience on a farm in Loch forms a critical part of the program and will take place towards the end of Term 3 (Covid permitting). A number of other challenges will be used to encourage their problem solving and critical thinking during Term 3. It is inspiring that the teachers involved in this program all do so voluntarily. The first parent/student breakfast for the program will take place toward the end of term 2.

If you have any questions about this program contact Craig Waldron at the College.

YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE

This May, we had over 70% of our Year 10 students out on work experience, which is amazing considering the number of companies still under Covid-19 restrictions.  

Their placements were varied. Several visited a number of Primary Schools and Kindergartens and a variety of trades and services, but there were a number of unique work places too. Organisations such as the CSIRO, A2 Milk Company, Byrner's Suzuki, Coleman Rail, City of Kingston Arts Program, and two of our students spent the week with our local member of parliament, Sonya Kilkenny.

Reports from employers were glowing, and some students have tried more than one work experience opportunity. A few have even managed to secure a part time job from their experiences.

Work Experience is a valuable part of the Year 10 program and provides students with the opportunity to “try before they buy” – test what they may like to do or the environment they may like to work in, before they commit to Senior School pathways and beyond. We were very fortunate this year to be able to have such a positive experience and I am thankful for the support of the school community, especially the employers for their willingness to participate in our work experience program.

Karen Talbot

Work Experience Coordinator

Work Experience Review

SHARKMEN FISHING CHARTERS MELBOURNE

"This week we had the pleasure of young Ryan Gazzola joining us on his work experience placement. Whilst his other class mates were at other schools and retail outlets, Ryan chose to come down to Portland and see what the fuss was all about. 

We were all a bit sceptical about how he would go... well let me just say that he absolutely SMASHED it. Myself and Luke Ford put him through the paces in some of the worst conditions imaginable and Ryza only got better and stronger day after day. 

Well done Ryan, you should be very proud of your efforts and commitment as we sure as hell were."

YEAR 11 MARKET DAY

The first ever Patterson River Market Day was an extraordinary success for the Year 11 VCAL and Year 11 VCE Business Management Students. As a collective team, students raised $680 for the Ronald McDonald Charity and had one of the most memorable experiences in the process.

Students sold items including: Milkshakes, HSP’s, muffins, cakes, scones, sausages, coffees and numerous other treats. There was even a stall that was highlighting a student’s artistic abilities. There were also a range of carnival games, a virtual reality experience and a video game competition. There was an electric buzz in the air as students and staff moved around the market. Overall the day was enjoyable and a challenging experience that taught us a lot about OHS, procedures, food handling protocols, finances, performing under pressure and above all running a successful business.

Clinton Le, Year 11

VCAL EXPO

Year 12 VCAL Students visited the BGKLLEN Industry Expo at Beaumaris Secondary College on the 11th of May 2021.

The event focused on giving students the opportunity to physically try a range of industry-based activities and explore a variety of careers. The event was localised to the bayside area to give students a chance to connect with local youth services and organisations.