Senior School
Head of Senior School
SHARRON FRAME
Head of Senior School
Life in the Senior School appears to always revolve around the endless assessments and preparation for examinations. But every now and then, the quiet preparation for tasks and the not so quiet movement between classes gives way to student action that truly gives life to the school theme for 2018.
Students become challenged by many opportunities and most rise to the occasion producing personal bests in sport, achieving unexpected top grades, and most importantly giving of themselves without hesitation. Recently, we have had students participate in the National Schools Event, Debating, the Certificate of Attainment in Greek, the Spirit of Hellenism Awards, the Monash All Schools Leadership Program and the Mother’s Day Classic. This is by no means a complete list, but it does indicate the diversity of opportunities available to our students. Success for each student participant is not assured but then it doesn’t have to be, as long as students accept the challenge and dare to be all they can be.
Mother’s Day Classic
This is the second year students in Year 11 have been involved in this event. The Mother’s Day Classic was chosen as a fundraising focus because, as a school, we have experienced first hand incidents of this disease. We are fortunate that those people touched by Breast Cancer are still with us, but without continued research the disease cannot be prevented. The funds raised by this activity not only assist to raise awareness about the need for early detection, but also, to support ongoing research for a cure. Breast Cancer is not a female only disease. With the increased awareness these events promote and improve treatment and detection regimes, it is a cancer that has seen an increase in survival statistics.
On the Thursday before Mother’s Day, Year 11 students, under the careful management of Head Chef Andrew Phillips and Sous Chef James Gobbo, set up the BBQ for a pop-up Sausage Sizzle for the Middle and Senior Schools. The day was less than friendly with cold and bitter conditions and rain threatening; but not to be deterred, students lined up for a brilliantly prepared and cooked sausage sandwich. Thank you to the community for the donation of the sausages.
Mother’s Day arrived and despite the chilly start to the morning, a group of students and staff boarded a school bus to participate in the 4 km walk around the Botanical Gardens in the Mother’s Day Classic. The sun did come out just before the start, and despite some gross over exaggerations, the group completed the 4 km easily. Thank you to the staff who assisted with the day: Andrew Phillips, Jacqui Thomas, Manoj Patel, Natasha Spanos, Hui Harvey, Peter Dickinson and Gillian Daniels.
Business Breakfast
A group of students from Years 9 to 11 braved the cold and early start to their day on Thursday May 10, to act as ushers and greeters to members of the Business Network. They met visitors to the School with warm smiles, and moved efficiently to escort them to their tables. Well done to those involved.
Monash All School Leadership Program
Congratulations to Anastasia Soumplis and Katherine Demirgelis, who participated in the week-long program run the Monash Youth and Family Services. The program focuses on developing individual resilience, tolerance, understanding and leadership qualities. The students who attend come from different schools within the Monash area, and are not always those that currently wear a badge. The presentation evening highlighted the personal growth each student had experienced over the week.
Monash Forum Report - Claudia Ciempka
On Friday the 20th of April, Anastasia Anastopoulos and I attended the day long Monash Youth Forum. 53 students from 17 schools attended the day. On the day we explored the causes and impacts of stress to do with education, career planning and skills to help us navigate careers in later life. We talked in small groups with people of various different ages and shared stories of what stresses us, and what we do to deal with stress. I found it really enjoyable as it was a really open environment and we were free to share what we thought. Then a speaker came in to talk about careers and I found it very interesting because it’s estimated that teenagers today will have approximately 17 jobs in five different fields, compared to our parents who would have an estimated five jobs in two different fields. Overall, it was a very enjoyable day and I made some really good friends.
Student Free Day
Parents are reminded Friday June 8 is a student free day to allow staff to complete Semester 1 Reports that will be distributed at the end of the term.
Semester 1 Examinations
Senior School students will commence examinations on Tuesday June 12. The examinations will run until Monday June 18, and will include the VCAA GAT examination on Wednesday June 13 for students completing a Unit 3/4 VCE sequence this year.