"LEST WE FORGET"

ANZAC DAY ASSEMBLY

The ANZAC day week was once again a great success. Following the annual commemorative assembly, school captains Lili Williams and Ryan Coppard accompanied by student leaders attended both the Mount Eliza and Mornington services where they read the poem ANZAC Day Thoughts by Patience Strong and The Ode of Remembrance and In Flanders Fields. All students from years 7-12 attended the ANZAC commemorative assembly at school held on the 24th, which this year had a particular focus on remembering Aboriginal and Indigenous ANZAC'S. We were also very fortunate to have Barry Smith, decorated Navy veteran, speak to us about his experiences in an interview conducted by year 7 student leaders Izabella Bou -Ghosn and Ella McCann.

Year seven and eight students began the ceremony with flag bearing and it came to a respectful close the Ode, Last Post and a minute of silence. The school singing group also sang ‘I am Australian’, with excellent harmonies. The hall was decorated by the year eight students who made an interactive poppy memorial display that invited students to commemorate past ANZAC'S or any service men or women who had participated in combat by writing their name on the memorial wall. Student leaders also spoke at the assembly and shared personal stories about relatives that all reflected the ANZAC values of bravery, comradeship and loyalty.

We would like to thank Eden Gardens for donating the lovely plants and Mrs Hammet for organising the assembly.

Lucaya Rich

LEADERSHIP CAMP

Early in March, the Mount Eliza Secondary College leadership team made their way down to Portsea for the 2017 leadership camp. The purpose of the camp was to develop our leadership skills and create strong bonds between student leaders ranging from years 8 to year 12.

Prior to the camp, each of us were allocated to a meal group that included a student representing each year level. Within the group, we planned, budgeted and shopped for a meal that we then prepared for the whole group. This provided a great opportunity for us to get to know each other and work together while demonstrating our different leadership styles.

Upon arrival, we were given a presentation on mental health from two school Psychologists. We were taught techniques on effective problem solving; how to deal with day-to-day issues that we may face as students, as well as ways to overcome these issues in a healthy and productive manner.

Throughout the camp we participated in many fun team-building activities some of which included snorkelling, a hike to London Bridge Rock Pools a bike ride to Fort Nepean and a mini ‘amazing race’ style town challenge in Sorrento.

While away we developed an acronym that we felt represented the values of our leadership group, providing us with a reminder of how we want to conduct ourselves as student leaders. The acronym is FIERCE; Friendly, Inspiring, Encouraging, Responsible, Communication, Enthusiastic.

This camp was a great opportunity to build new friendships and strengthen our bond as a team and we each feel very grateful for the wonderful experience.

Alanna Jackson

MUNA

From the 5th - 7th May, Ella Whistlecroft and I attended MUNA, a model United Nations conference for students aged 15+. We were sponsored by our local Rotary Club to attend as the delegates of a country of the United Nations, as were many other students from schools as far as Gippsland. We chose to represent France.

After many early mornings of preparation, we found ourselves at Phillip Island Adventure Resort for the weekend, debating the resolutions that would determine the fate of the world. There was a lot of backroom bargaining and the USA might have traded away their entire country, but all of the resolutions were passed and most countries were satisfied with the decision.

We may not have come away with any awards, but the experience was reward enough. We made many friends, with whom we are keeping in touch, and many memories too.

We thank Mount Eliza Rotary Club for sponsoring us to attend, we had a fantastic time.

Heather Mackay