Year 11 News

Stress Down Day

Last Friday, the 26th of July, the Year 11 Wellbeing Committee conducted the annual Stress Down Day for 2019. Many activities were run during the day embracing awareness around our wellbeing. During Lesson 2, Year 7 were guided to the hall for a lesson of learning about mental health and the resources available at MCC that could assist them when transitioning into High School, as well as managing their mental health for their future at secondary school.

The lesson consisted of 4 activities,  Year 7 students were placed into groups. The activities included a balloon juggling game outlining the importance of time management and seeking help, becoming aware of phone apps which can assist students with organization skills, a fun laid back game of soccer, and a session with Isabella from Headspace where she spoke about the importance of mental health as well as forming study support groups. Later in the day, Period 5 consisted of the whole school community participating in meditation, drumming, games group and mini-Olympics activities. The response from the year groups was highly positive and the committee hopes that everybody enjoyed the day.

During lunchtime, the committee also held a cake stall and sausage sizzle, and we are thankful to the support from the whole school community. From this, Mrs Val Woodland from the Griffith Suicide Prevention and Support Service was presented with our proceeds from this event, going towards an excellent local community organisation. On behalf of the Wellbeing committee, we would like to express our extreme gratitude to those who contributed and participated in this year's Stress Down Day for a great cause. Special thank you to the teachers for their support through the day’s events.

Thank you! :)

Year 11 Wellbeing Committee 

YMCA Youth Parliament Program

Greetings,

During the holidays, I was fortunate enough to have participated in the YMCA Youth Parliament Program for NSW. During this time, myself and another great participant from Leeton High School were chosen to be Youth MPs for the electorate of Murray in the Youth Parliament. In this role, young people from across New South Wales aimed to be representatives of young people in their region and electorates, debating issues in parliament and playing the role of State Parliament MPs, dealing with critical issues of our state.

All Youth MPs were members of a certain committee. Here myself, I was the member of the Transport and Infrastructure committee, and myself along with the other committee members drafted and gladly passed a bill in the youth parliament aiming to develop the transport and infrastructure capabilities of NSW outside the CBD of Sydney. Here our focus was to grow all areas of New South Wales, and as a young person from Griffith, it was glad that so many others agreed that regional areas deserved the same respect too.

Among other committees, other issues for bills (all of which passed) included free sanitary service for Homeless women, responsible environmental standards, a boost in young people’s voices through more Youth Advisory Councils and a bill aiming to reform after-pay services at businesses for consumers.  All of the bills having passed will be advocated by the YMCA in cooperation with Youth Advisory Groups to be considered by the NSW Government (with success too, Youth Parliament bills having been implemented in reality before!)

I am extremely fortunate to have participated in the program, with the process extending all the way from January to now in July, including two camps. I am proud to have represented MCC at such a governmental level. With around 60 participants across NSW, having privileges as meeting the Governor of New South Wales, meeting numerous federal and state politicians and embracing our State Government is a lifelong honour myself and everyone who participated will appreciated. More thanks goes to Helen Dalton MP for supporting our representation for our region’s causes as young people. In addition, MCC for being a great source of encouragement. I found it my sincerest honour to take part in the program, and its personal benefits in friends you form for life.

Samuel MacRae

Year 11 Student

National Leadership Camp

On the 10th of July, after being selected as three of the few hundred students, who were chosen to attend the National Leadership Camp, we all set off to Sydney very excited for this experience. The National Leadership Camp is a highly interactive, challenging and motivating program that brings together students from across Australia and New Zealand. We focused on developing our personal character and finding our sense of value, identity and purpose whilst also enhancing leadership and character resiliency skills. We were able to participate in fun activities such as game shows, tropfests and a social night as well as discuss our life experiences and challenges with mentors and other delegates. At the end of the four jam-packed days, we were all able to say that it was one of the best experiences of our lives, where we met many amazing people and formed lifelong friendships and created memories that will always be remembered and cherished!

 Nayani Navaneethan, Darian Le Cornu and Julia Forner