Junior School News

Year 7 News

Reaching the end of term 2, we would like to acknowledge how resilient all the Year 7s have been through challenging (but pretty familiar!) circumstances with our short lockdown this year. Students were able to share some of their positive experiences from learning from home in our assembly last week:

In CNED French we did a musical comedy called 'Fourberies de Scapin' by Moliere and got to wear costumes and added moustaches.

I enjoyed my science class, including making my cell model, and learning more about cells. 

I learnt how to do things a bit more independently while working and how to make a character for Dungeons and Dragons with my friend.

I learned how to make pancakes from Food Tech.

I had online netball training which I have never done before. 

All the students looked so happy to be back on the Friday, and they were able to name many positives to being here to learn in person.

Just in terms of bad news, unfortunately we were unable to go out for Year 7 interschool sport this week due to the restrictions on excursions, but we are looking forward to next term. There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved at GEC next term in sport and otherwise, as the restrictions hopefully loosen.

Semester 2 will hopefully feel like a bit of a fresh start for the students. It might be worth making sure that you have all the equipment you need ready to learn. You should also check your timetables on XUNO before you start term 3, to make sure you know which classes you have. Year 7s will be changing some subjects as well, to different semester-long arts and technology subjects.

Finally, a reminder to make sure that you contact the school when you’re going to be absent, to explain the reason. You can call the school, but you can also write a note for the students to hand in the following day. If you are out of uniform, you should also always bring a note from a parent to the junior school office, so we can organise a uniform pass.

We wish you all the best holidays and can’t wait to see you next term!

Jake Sherman & Deborah Cordingley 

Year 7 Coordinators

Lucas Kennedy 7C

Lay Down Sally is the name given to an infamous Australian Olympian that gave up. In the 2004 Athens Olympics, Sally Robbins, Australia's top rower, competed in the final. Representing Australia, in the last 400m, Robbins suddenly stopped rowing and slumped backwards in exhaustion or because she did not believe her team could win. Our country was mortified and incredibly embarrassed about how we were represented and the Lay Down Sally's story was born. We can compare this to one of the Glen Eira 5: "Seize opportunities to participate and learn.” The context of this means that we should find opportunities and grab them and put them to our advantage. Sally was in an opportunity to keep going and finish but instead gave up and chose to not keep participating. What we learn from this experience is to keep going whatever the circumstances and you may reap the awards soon.

Leo Clarke 7H

Last week at GEC in the Connections program, we learned about being our best at GEC. During the Connections program we learnt about two people whose nicknames were ‘Lay down Sally’ and ‘Bradbury’, two Olympians with very different careers. Sally was a rower competing in the 2004 Olympics. At the last 400 metres in spite of losing, Sally gave up and laid down in the lap of her teammate causing Australia to come last. While Bradbury was competing two years earlier, he was a speed skater and even when all hope was lost he raced to the front causing him to win Gold. Now you may be wondering why we learnt this? Well doing a ‘Bradbury’ relates to the GEC 5, which are the 5 traits that we hope to see through the students. Bradbury, even though coming relatively last, pushed forward and came on top to represent his country. And at GEC we all must try our hardest, never give up, seize opportunities and represent our school like Bradbury once did.

Year 8 News

Ms Ballingall and I are proud of all Year 8 students and how they have applied themselves to their studies during semester one. Even during challenging times, such as the recent lockdown, students in Year 8 remained engaged in their learning despite the challenges imposed by an online learning environment.

With semester two only just around the corner, it is important that all Year 8 students reflect on what they have done well in semester one as well as how they can improve. Often simple things, such as completing homework on a consistent basis and making sure that one brings the correct materials to each class, can have a very positive impact on one’s learning.

Year 8 students are reminded that there are many opportunities to become involved in different aspects of school life such as joining one or more of the various clubs at the College. The Breakfast Club is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. The Chess Club is open every Wednesday at lunchtime and meets in room 110. There are also many other clubs that students can access through the GEC Hub.

Ms Ballingall and I wish all Year 8 students and their families a relaxing forthcoming holiday period together. A reminder that we are here to provide support, so please feel free to contact us should you have any concerns.

Chris Zuccala & Jess Ballingall

Year 8 Coordinators

Year 9 News

It has been great to see the cohort back at school after remote learning. Since we are coming to the end of Semester 1, it is a good time to reflect and set new goals for next semester to plan ahead for VCE or your chosen pathways. It is important to stop, celebrate and reflect to see how far you have come.

Have you:

1. Seized all opportunities to learn?
2. Are you proud of your academic efforts this term?
3. What have you learned about yourself this semester?
4. What are some new goals you can make for yourself moving forward next semester?

Reflecting on the above can help you establish goals and motivate yourself for the second semester. You will begin a new set of electives and experience more academic and personal growth in semester 2. 

Well done to 9B for completing your first lot of exams. I am sure it proved to be a worthwhile learning experience, challenged you academically and helped you refine your revision technique. 

For those that are fortunate enough to be attending camp, please make sure you are checking your emails daily for important information. 

Keep it up! 

Sasha Byrnes & Parminder Kaur

Year 9 Coordinators