From the Principal

It has been a particularly busy term with students involved in a broad range of activities, which will be evident as you read this newsletter.

GEC Students Win 1st Prize in the Dis-Moi Dix Mots International Competition

Students in the Year 9 Immersion class, Year 7 and 10 CNED class submitted a project on the '10 words of the Francophonie' and won 1st prize in the Dis-Moi Dix Mots Annual International competition organised by the French Ministry of Education in partnership with the French Ministry of Culture and Foreign Affairs.

The students worked on the ‘10 words’ in class with their teacher Ms Narayanen. Then, they interpreted the words in their own way and brainstormed ideas on how they could represent the words using the theme ‘LA TOILE’ which means ‘the web’. One of the instructions by Ms Narayanen was for students to ‘let your imagination travel to different horizons’.

The students’ creations were amazing and Camille Lancelin, our intern from Telecom Lille, helped students to create a website that hosted all the projects.  Here is the link to our project:

https://camlancelin.wixsite.com/dismoi10motsgec

It was my privilege to attend the awards assembly at the Acadamie Francaise in Paris last month with Ms Narayanen and three students - Tiphaine Chevalier Freyeisen, Tahlia Delaney-Murnane and Leah Sandow.  The students had to make a presentation at the Acadamie in French and they were wonderful – outstanding representatives of the college.

We were delighted to welcome Bertrand Pous, Cultural Counsellor Embassy of France, to the college for a special assembly to present certificates and gifts to all the students involved.

Congratulations to Loveena, Camille and all of the students involved in the project.

Year 7: Noah Bennie, Tiphaine Chevalier Freyeisen, Alexine Dubois, Estelle Laville, Baptiste Mazuel, Emily McLenaghan, Ael Menard, Constance Thevenon, Lucas Vaidie, Jarrod Wisdom

Year 9:  Kahiya Ali, Mitchell Bennie, Oscar Crick, Tahlia Delaney-Murnane, Kirra Foster, Lily Gordon, Rachel Hoch, Louis Jacobe de Naurois, Morgan Jaulin, Estelle Lipovetsky, Dominique Liu-Hervo, Julian Mansfield, Isabella McFarland, James McLoughlin Parsons, Pamela Parvakis, Aurelie Personnier, Christopher Rudel, Leah Sandow, Bridie Skinner, Kei Someda, Louis Villeseche, Cooper Walters

Year 10:  Alice Sabouraud

Capital Works

We have now moved in to the new General Office, Conference Room, Wellbeing Centre, First Aid room, one Food Technology room and the pantry.   It has been quite a big task and I am very grateful to all the work of the staff and students in assisting with the move.

The next phase to be completed will be the new Arts / Technology wing which includes Visual Arts, Visual Communication, Ceramics, Dark Room, Digital Media, Robotics and Physics.  These will be ready for the start of term 3.  This will also provide an additional student entrance to the ground floor.

The builders are now commencing work on the next two science rooms, staff offices and the second Food Technology room.  At the start of term 3 they will commence the last 2 science rooms.

We are looking forward to the handover of new student entrance / staircase in mid-August.  

You will see that work is really moving along in the gym which is due for completion in October.

Staffing

We have several staff on or commencing leave and we welcome:

Brenton Hale replacing Melanie Mattsson on Long service Leave until the end of term.

Kathy Moutsos replacing Mary Maniatis currently on Long Service Leave until the end of the first week of August.  Dorit Tane has taken on the role if Year 11 Coordinator.  Edgar Bonne will be sharing the teaching of Year 9 Maths with Ms Tane during this time.

Kathy Moutsos is also replacing Keira McLean currently on Long Service Leave until the end of July.  Any questions or concerns concerning the Junior School can be directed to any of the Junior School Year Level Coordinators.  

Brenton Hale replacing Deborah Cordingley who is working in another area of the Department of Education for 12 months from the start of term 3 2017.

Gary Bottomley replacing Lou Tsarpalas who is on Long Service Leave for term 3.

Georgette Pontikis replacing Tina Boutselis who is on Long Service Leave for term 3.  Georgette is currently fulfilling the role as our receptionist until our new receptionsist, Kelli Lawson joins the College at the start of term 3.

Finally

Congratulations to all students who are participating in the Government Schools Spectacular.  I am very proud of all students involved and appreciative of the work of our performing arts and instrumental music teachers.  Please see the Performing Arts section later in the newsletter for full details.  

Congratulations to Tahlia Delaney-Murnane who was successful in applying for The Melbourne School of Engineering Girl Power in STEM program which will be held in the school holidays.

Thank you to Erin Cavanagh for the huge job in organising the upcoming trip to New Caledonia.  It is a huge task taking close to a year to arrange.  It is set to be a wonderful experience for all involved.

Thank you to all families who will be hosting a student from our sister school in New Caledonia in term 3.  It is a wonderful opportunity for the entire family.

Sheereen Kindler

Principal