Student News

Student Leadership

The process of selecting the 2021 student leaders is well underway with the entire process online this year. Regardless of the students all being at home they are still keen to lead their peers and actively contribute to the school. We had 266 applications for student leadership this year which is outstanding. I would like to congratulate all the applicants for putting themselves out there and for wanting to make the school the best school it can be. In week 7 the panel interviewed for Whole School Captains via zoom and I am pleased to announce our 2021 Whole School and Vice Whole School Captains.

Whole School Captains: Alice Dennis & Karan Singh

Vice Whole School Captains: Chaahat Kadian & Sanka Marasinghe Balagallage.

In week 8 the Whole School Domain Captains were interviews and some very tough

decisions were made by the staff and student panels. During week 8 all the shortlisted

House Captain and SRC applicants created videos for their peers to watch and vote. A big

thank you to Ms Nguyen for creating the websites. Voting for the remaining house domain captains is currently being finalised.

I look forward to announcing all our 2021 student leaders very soon.

Ms Breed

School Colours

Wow Suzanne Cory students have been busy getting involved in as much as they can while in lockdown. I am amazed with how many student applied for school colours this year against the covid edition school colours rubric. Our students have been getting involved in lots of community initiatives and have been maintaining their student clubs and engagement to the school while at home.

Like all years verifying and awarding school colours is a very hard job so I would like to

thank the staff and students panels for their work.

I would also like to commend all the students who took the time to apply for their school

colours, you never cease to amaze me!

I look forward to awarding the special covid edition school colours to you soon. (there’s no

special covid badge just the rubric is a special edition).

Ms Breed

VCE Drama Ensemble

For their Unit 3, Outcome 1 Task, the year 12 drama students at Suzanne Cory devised and performed an ensemble piece. With their stimulus material being graffiti around the world that represents common global issues including the recent COVID-19 and work from anonymous graffiti artist, Banksy, the performance incorporated these ideas to impact the audience on the importance of having a voice. 

Following Vanessa, a social media influencer, we watch as she tries to catch the new anonymous graffiti artist in Canvas Avenue. Through staking out, the graffiti comes to life and she meets a few unusual friends. Using non-naturalistic techniques, Vanessa and the audience are taken through the lives of the  Rat, a mischievous guy from the wrong side of the tracks, Gary, a business man with lost dreams of being a pilot and an obsession for conformity, Elaine, a 1950's housewife who has been silenced by her husband, and a strange man who is afraid of his own story and just wants to be heard. 

These characters show a world where being different is judged and how Vanessa should use her social media platform to spread awareness and speak up for those who don't have a voice. Although unsuccessful in catching the Canvas Avenue graffiti artist, Vanessa took away a great lesson and so did the audience. 

By Libby Knights, Year 11 K9

Virtual Co-curricular

Term 3 has been like no other. Creativity has been at its peak with lot’s on new initiatives and ideas. With the school working remotely we aimed to keep as much of the engagement program going as possible. This term saw a virtual Co-curricular where both external instructors and students ran sessions on a wide range of activities. These sessions included a wide variety of activities and allowed students to be active and most importantly interact with their peers in a non-academic setting. I am very impressed with the students who volunteered to run sessions for their peers and I hope those who have participated in the program have enjoyed it.  It’s really important for students to engage in the school community and practice self care by doing activities for their well-being.  Just some of the activities that have been offered through the virtual Co-curricular program are below. 

Some of the moments captured during the first Co-curricular - keep scrolling to see more pictures

Some snap shots from the third Co-curricular - keep scrolling to see more pictures

Ms Breed 

High Notes Term 3, 2020

Dear Families,

High Notes!

Welcome to Music and another edition of High Notes!  Even though there has been lockdowns and Covid there has still been plenty of music-making here at Suzanne Cory High School. 

A hive of musical activity

As you would expect the music-making has been more of the “cottage industry” sort with students and their friends exchanging musical ideas from home and online.  In year 9 music classes, our new cohort from the beginning of term three has not even been in the same class as each other but that hasn’t stopped them from participating in music-making.    Through performance vehicles such as their instruments with their instrumental music teachers, or though the imaginative use of programs such as Garageband to tell their musical stories, our students have demonstrated how much music exists in their lives.  Some students have even been able to collaborate online to complete their version of “virtual choir”. 

Elsewhere our year 10 cohorts have been developing their performances and compositions around protest songs and film music.  The important premise around these explorations in music are that students can choose their own formats and vehicles for their self-expression.  This leads to some amazing, original and at times, unusual offerings but none the less very worthwhile. 

Our VCE Music Performance classes had also been busy. By this time, they are now experts in using online video technology for their lessons and their recitals, getting used to how things sound online and through Zoom.  They will be going to their recitals early in term four and they will be keen to organise full recitals, either online or in person in the new term, so please lend them your support.

Online Open Mic

Last week, The School held another online Open Mic featuring many of our talented students who sent in recordings from home.  Many thanks to all of these students, from different year levels who have kept music alive here within our school student cohort. It was also great to see many of their supportive friends and staff who joined in the online show.  Big thanks to the Music Captains Alexi and Krystelle and their team, especially Lara Crotty who hosted the event.

What new?

We have been very fortunate to secure the services of Dr Sharon Lierse, a well-regarded music teacher and music specialist to undertake our Cello students’ tuition. Dr Lierse is a very respected and experienced teacher who also has many other facets to her resume including being charged recently with writing the Music Curriculum for Afghanistan Schools which she has had to shelve because of the current world wide Covid situation.  On behalf of the School, I would like to welcome Dr Lierse to Suzanne Cory High School.

Although we have been in lockdown for longer than we have been in class this year, it has not dimmed the musical spirit and life of our students and staff.  Music has again been championed by our students, staff and Mr Axup as being something important to our values.  Many thanks to all for improving our School life through music and for recognising that this is a most important aspect of our School lives.

Wellbeing News

During the Term 2 holidays and throughout this current lockdown, the Student Support Services (SSS) team has been supporting students via E-Counselling in line with our online mode of learning.  A secure site which has been specifically developed for and owned by our school is currently being utilised.  We have had a busy time, with our E-Counselling operating successfully to service our students during this time.  As part of E-Counselling, students are able to utilise chat (via messaging), video call or audio chat (with no image) to engage in counselling once they gain access with an ID and password.  This service will continue to operate from the beginning of Term 4. 

Therefore, going into Term 3 holidays, E-Counselling will not be operating as the SSS team will also be getting a much deserved break.  For further information, you can contact Manager of Student Support on Bec.Cavanagh@education.vic.gov.au 

And now for some fun news: 

Our Suzanne Cory therapy canines have been eagerly waiting for the day when they can meet back up with their therapy canine co-workers and especially interacting with the students back at school.  Meanwhile, they have been keeping busy having completed part of their official online training with the purpose of obtaining full qualification shortly.

Arlo, Yoda and Zaija have been enjoying running about the farm, playing in the dam and sleeping. One of the challenges of remote learning for them has been that they are not getting as many pats and cuddles as they are normally used to. This has resulted in some un-appreciated behaviours such as:

• Barking at the postman (Yoda)
• Chasing the sheep (Arlo)
• Not letting anyone go anywhere without whining to come too (Zaija)
• Helping with the bills by eating them (Yoda)
• Digging a big hole in the driveway (Yoda)
• Getting into the bin (Zaija)
• Chewing the lap top cord (Arlo)

Tessa has been taking regular walks and exercising for 1 hr each day along the beach which is her most favourite place to be.  She has also been seeking added attention.

Clearly the puppies are bored and keen to get back to work!!