The Mazenod Gazette

Faculty News

August is an exciting time of year for all subject faculties, not just Commerce. Subject selection is upon us for all Year 9, 10 and 11 students, and each faculty eagerly anticipates its numbers and new classes for 2023. For the Commerce Faculty, 2022 has been an exciting year with the introduction of an Enhanced Business Management subject at Year 10. For those students looking to potentially fast track into Business Management Unit 3&4 in Year 11, this is an excellent subject to gain a grasp of what VCE studies require. This year has also seen the introduction of the department’s VET Small Business subject, allowing students the opportunity to experience business studies “hands on”. Mr Josh Hunter has done an excellent job with his students this year and we look forward to expanding the programme in 2023.

 

In other news around the faculty, our Year 11 Business Students have experienced a real life business simulation programme as part of a revamped Business Week to support their Business Management Unit 1&2 studies. Business Week was part of all Year 11 activities for many years and was much loved by students and teachers alike. It was fantastic to see the programme relaunched in 2021 as an important part of Business Management studies. Students have experienced manufacturing a product, marketing and selling a product, and managing an organization in a virtual environment. Students also present their business case and showcase their results as part of the hands on nature of the project. Hopefully the revamped Business Week is again going to be a part of Business Management studies in future years.

 

It is sad to announce the upcoming retirement of one of our commerce mainstays, Mr Alan McAlister at the end of this year. Alan has had a highly distinguished 34 year career at Mazenod, commencing in 1989. Here is a list of just some of Alan’s achievements during this time;

 

  • Commerce Coordinator – 12 years (1989 – 2001)
  • IT Coordinator – 5 years (1991 – 1996)
  • Year 12 Assistant Coordinator (2002 – 2011)
  • Year 12 Coordinator (2012 – 2020)
  • Introduced Business Week as a whole Year 11 program in 1997. Continued as a major year level activity for over 20 years. Students ran simulated businesses for one week with no other classes. Students ran these companies in teams of 8-10 students and completed marketing videos, computer simulations, annual reports, trade displays and oral presentations. Numerous guest speakers and mentors brought real life experiences to the program.
  • Coached senior cricket for many years, including winning the Inaugural Oblate Cup held in Brisbane.
  • Coached the Mazenod Old Collegians Cricket Club and played in the first eleven and veteran’s teams.
  • Coached the ACC chess team for several years and organised the ACC chess tournaments held at Mazenod.
  • Staff Social Club treasurer for 30 years.
  • VCAA assessor – Business Management

Congratulations Alan on a magnificent teaching career. I’m sure we’ll get plenty of time to farewell you later in the year.

 

Finally, should any of the elective subjects on offer from the Commerce Faculty at Years 10 and 11 interest any students, please have a chat to our commerce staff, or email me cwindley@mazenod.vic.edu.au. All the best with subject selection.

 

 

 

 

Mr Chris Windley

Commerce