Senior Secondary

Can we bake 80,000 biscuits? Yes, we can!

This week my Year 11 and 12 Legal class along with some other Senior School students joined in on the annual Easter Biscuit Bake. Together we made around 80 biscuits. (The target of 80,000 biscuits will be reached through the participation of other organisations.)

Each year Prison Fellowship provides every Victorian inmate with 10 home-made biscuits, together with a card that explains the meaning of Easter. By baking biscuits our MECS students will once again show Victorian prisoners that they aren’t forgotten.

See below for reflections by prisoners on the Biscuit Bake.

Some prisoners are not good at delayed gratification and so the biscuits can disappear in one sitting. I (a Prison Fellowship volunteer) asked one elderly inmate how he had enjoyed the biscuits. He said, “Oh, I haven’t touched them yet. My family is coming to visit me next weekend. I never have anything nice to give them so I am saving the biscuits to share with them when they come. I am really looking forward to it!”

Many of the inmates who receive the biscuits are moved, even humbled, by the fact that people around the State are willing to go to a lot of trouble to provide them with a treat at Easter. 

During the time when I (a Prison Fellowship volunteer) was able to hand out biscuits to prisoners, I found that the disorganisation was such that I did not know how many times inmates came and collected biscuits. On one occasion, an inmate came in and humbly apologised for coming twice to collect a biscuit pack. He returned his second pack of biscuits. It was a bit of a turning point for him.

Sharon Payze

Secondary School Teacher

Year 11 Biology Excursion

Reflections from Students

On 14 March, our Year 11 biology class went on an excursion in Queenscliff. The bus ride was about a 2 hour drive from MECS. When we arrived, we were given an hour to explore around the streets and time to eat lunch so we would be energised for the swims. After, we drove to the docks where we met the welcoming staff as they introduced us to the activities and instructions. We then put on our wetsuits, chose our flippers and snorkels and boarded the boat. During the boat ride, the staff gave us safety instructions and we got to explore the boat and enjoy the ride to the first stop. The first stop was at Chinaman’s Hut, where we swam with the seals. We all got into the water and swam around as we spotted stingrays and fish, it was a fun activity. During the ride to the second stop, some people jumped from the roof of the boat, others relaxed on a net and a few went on the roof to enjoy the view. The staff were very friendly and easy going. 

The second stop was at Pope’s Eye, and we got to swim again and explore the corals and look at the fish. Unfortunately, we did not get to see the dolphins, but on the way back the staff allowed us to do one last fun activity. We had the chance to surf while the staff helped us, and everyone cheered each other on, and the majority of the girls gave it a shot and did not fall off, so the girls won. The main highlight for me was definitely getting in the water and meeting the seals, even though it was scary at first. This excursion helped me overcome my fear of deep waters thanks to the brilliant staff members, and all the support and encouragement from each other. We were so lucky to have such an amazing group of people and this exciting opportunity.

Afia T

Rising up to the surface, blasting water out of our snorkels, we frantically wave our hands in delight. Our muffled mask covered voices yell and shout between us. We can’t contain our excitement. Seals! On 14 March, our Year 11 Biology class went to Queenscliff for a seal and snorkeling experience. Our class bubbling with excitement, clad in wetsuits clambered onto a boat and headed out upon the Queenscliff harbour, there we got to swim with seals at Chinaman’s Hat, snorkel in the Popes Eye mini reef and surf alongside the boat. Our class will hold many fond memories of the day we spentd out on the harbour.

Acacia S

The 14th March marks the date of the Year 11 Biology Snorkelling Excursion at Queenscliff. Travelling along the bay in a small boat, our first stop was a small structure called Chinaman’s Hut, where seals spent most of their time. We were able to swim up close to the seals and observe their playful behaviours and flighty characteristics. We were also given the opportunity to visit Pope’s Eye, an abandoned military base, now an artificially made reef with many types of corals, fish and birds of great biodiversity. Alongside the snorkelling, students were able to jump and surf next to the boat as a small fun extra activity to fill in the spaces between the trips. Arriving back at school at 8:30pm at night, we were all exhausted but had all very much enjoyed the experience and very grateful for the fantastic experience we were given.

Jasmine B

https://vimeo.com/812247385/84ab5b2c0b

A Visit from Guide Dogs Australia

On Tuesday we were privileged to have Kirsty from Guide Dogs Australia come and share with our Senior Secondary students information about how to assist someone with low vision in their community. Kirsty spoke at an assembly to all our Year 10-12 students. She then did a more intensive session with our Year 10 students. She showed the students how to guide someone with low vision, including specific techniques and tricks for getting through tricky spaces. The students were given an opportunity to practice this using a cane. 

Kirsty was also able to share some interesting information about what it means to be blind or have low vision and what this can look like for different people. She also equipped our students with things that they can say to someone with low vision that they might meet, that will be helpful, not only in assisting them practically but also in helping them to feel welcome and a valued part of the community.

Amelia Koole

Senior Secondary, Careers & VET Coordinator

A Visit to the Market

What do Australian made socks, brie cheese and kangaroo fillets all have in common?...

Year 11 Business Management students recently visited the Queen Victoria Market as part of their ‘Planning a Business’ outcome. Students were given a guided tour of the market in which they learned about the history of the market. Did you know that the site of the Queen Victoria market was originally a cemetery? Students also had the opportunity to talk to business owners in which they were able to find out about a typical day for a market business owner and what some of the advantages and disadvantages of this type of location. Students enjoyed taste testing from a variety of specialised produce stalls, including a shop that specialised in Australian animal meats. Students voted that kangaroo fillets were tastier than kangaroo sausages. This particular business allowed students to examine the social responsibility a business has when considering sustainable farming practices and innovative ways that can be explored when thinking about how to source food in the future.

It was a wonderful learning opportunity for students to engage in real life application of the concepts they had been studying.

Shannon Jenkins & Sharon Payze 

Secondary Teachers - Business Management