Outside the Classroom
Careers & Pathways
Agnes Fenech is the Career & Pathways Coordinator at Coburg High School.
Agnes has worked in a variety of youth work settings and in careers and pathways for more than 20 years in schools located in the eastern, western, and northern regions.
Agnes holds the qualifications of
- Diploma of Youth Work (Welfare)
- Bachelor of Arts Youth Affairs
- Certificate IV in Career Development
- Graduate Certificate in Careers Development
The Careers Newsletter is posted on Compass and available to the school community fortnightly highlighting a diverse range of information about careers, courses, scholarships, apprenticeships, traineeships, and features career insights, competitions, and much more.
Year 10s have commenced working on organising and preparing for their Work Experience placement.
The inaugural VCE VM class have also commenced their preparation and organising of their Structured Workplace Learning placement.
Congratulations to the Year 9 students who had a successful week and high participation rate with the Morrisby testing and career counselling sessions.
If you require more information, you can contact Agnes either via email at agnes.fenech@coburg.vic.edu.au or by calling the school directly.
Agnes Fenech
Career & Pathways Coordinator
STEM Centre of Excellence
In Term 1, our Year 12 students had an incredible opportunity to visit the University of Melbourne's STEM Centre of Excellence. Students from VCE Art Marking and Exhibiting, Software Development and Algorithmics were able to participate in a variety of subject-related activities.
Software Development and Algorithmics students were able to program and control small drones to complete simulated tasks that model the real world. Art Making & Exhibiting students experienced the 'Break the Binaries' exhibition which explored the ways in which STEM intersects with art, culture, and society. The students had the opportunity to engage with interactive exhibits that challenged their assumptions about traditional STEM disciplines and highlighted the ways in which STEM can be used to create positive change in the world. Our Software Development and Algorithmics students were able to work together and use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to create programming codes and manoeuvre their drones through a variety of simulated tasks.
The students were excited to learn more about the different uses of drones in real world contexts, as these technologies are used in a variety of fields and industries today. What was most impressive about the experience was how it encouraged our students to think beyond the classroom and apply their skills to real-world situations. They learned about the importance of collaboration, communication, and adaptability as they worked to complete each task.
Overall, these experiences were fantastic opportunities for our students to engage with STEM subjects in meaningful and impactful ways. We are so pleased to have had the opportunity to visit the STEM Centre of Excellence and expose our students to the cutting-edge technology and learning experiences available there. We hope to continue to inspire our students to pursue their passions in STEM and look forward to future opportunities like this.
Selina Dennis
Learning Area Leader Digital Technology
The STEM Centre of Excellence provided Software Development students with a fantastic opportunity to experiment with otherwise inaccessible technology and experiment with new programming interfaces. We were able to write scripts for drones and wirelessly deploy our programs for automated execution - it was so exciting to watch our code come to life in real time. We were able to explore different programming techniques in a variety of different challenges navigating pretend scenarios, such as managing aerial navigation through elevation and heading to put out fires! We also visited the Amplified Anthropomorphic Machine, a living sculpture several meters tall. Utilising AI tracking it could detect where groups of people were standing in relation to the sculpture and execute various routines causing creepy expansions and contractions of its metal limbs. As well as providing valuable new programming experience, the day helped us reflect on what future programming applications will be like with physicalised systems. Our first exposure to real world use cases was revolutionary in our perspectives on systems design.
Liam
The visit to the STEM Centre of Excellence was a thrilling experience. Algorithmics students got the chance to dive deep into the world of programming and used our mathematical knowledge to program drones. In our first application of using drones, seeing it with our own eyes was very exciting, and it has made our group realise how much of an impact it can have on everyday lives. I can see myself using this knowledge in the future as it not only has given me ideas of academic pathways but also opens up a lot of career options with regards to mathematics and algorithms. Coming back from this trip, I have aspirations of incorporating such extensive technology with wide applications in the real world. I would love any opportunities to revisit the Stem Centre of Excellence and broaden my knowledge.
Alice
Debating
CHS welcomed a number of different schools from the area for the first round of the Debaters Association of Victoria (DAV) schools debate, for the first year hosted here at CHS. We had three teams debating, and I'm very pleased to report all three teams managed to win against their opponents. Congratulations debaters, well done! The next round is Wednesday 3 May in week 2 and spectators are welcome with VCE and C grade from 7pm, and D grade from 8pm. The debates are being held in Building A - the more the merrier! Thanks to those staff, students, and families who support the debating program - we couldn't do it without you!
VCE - “That Australia should not provide military support to foreign conflicts.”
C Grade - “That compulsory voting should be abolished in Australia.”
D Grade - “That it should be compulsory for students to partake in extracurricular activities.”
Participating Schools:
Santa Maria College
Ilim College
Australian International Academy
Pascoe Vale Girls' Sec College
St Mary's Coptic Orthodox College
Gladstone Park Secondary College
St John's Greek Orthodox College
Coburg High School
Kelly Harper
Future Schools Forum
On Friday the 24th of March, many extremely enthusiastic students from years 7, 8, 10 & 11 attended the STEM Centre of Excellence for a Future Energy/ Future Schools Forum. At this event they heard from many prevalent speakers in the STEM and climate activist field. After hearing some extremely interesting people speaking, they heard from a scientist, who shared with them two extremely creative and innovative inventions. One was a glass panel, which conducts energy to the sides. The second invention was a solar strip, which has been in the making for around 15 years. The strip, when connected to wires, can provide power that can be sourced for charging devices, and powering things like it. After all of this, students involved were instructed to create a poster and a prototype for an innovative design using either of the materials that could be utilized in school. Some of the notable designs done by students from CHS included a gazebo and a skylight! Students collaborated with peers from other schools that included Glenroy College, Pascoe Vale Girls College, and John Fawkner College. This activity and opportunity was an amazing opportunity for students to learn more about climate change, sustainability and develop a deeper understanding for designs that in the future, could be incorporated as a more sustainable way of everyday living.
Samira P
Year 8
Rockwiz
Recently Yr 12 student Peter D who studies Art making and Exhibiting and Media was on Rockwiz!
It is a great honour to have been the youngest contestant in all 15 seasons on 'Rockwiz'. I never expected that a chance encounter with the series' executive producer at a record fair would lead to me actually appearing on tv, but that's how I got there. Of course, I had to go through the audition process, and I have to say I was taken by surprise when I made it into the finalists. When it comes to my actual appearance on the show, I can't take the pleasure of saying I was in the winning team, but I like to see it as more about the experience than the final score. I've learnt more than I ever thought I would at this age about the tv industry through this, and I hope my spot on 'Rockwiz' is only the first of many jobs I'll have on television to come.
Entrepreneurs Club
Swimming Carnival
At the Swimming Carnival, the entrepreneurs club assisted by EJ, Edward, Jaan, Chantelle and Chloe ran the recurring barbecue. Despite a few setbacks the day was a great success with lots of students assisting, including sticking up posters, cooking the sausages and serving the long line of customers. The students managed it amazingly and everyone pitched in to help set up and pack up. Thanks to the house captains for assisting throughout the day as well.
Tabby B
Term 1
In Term 1 The Entrepreneurs Club has been hard at work, brainstorming enterprise opportunities for our members beyond the confines of the classroom. We have been fundraising for training opportunities at William Angliss Institute through small business ventures at the swimming and athletics carnivals.
Additionally, the Coburg Cafe Collective had its first successful day of trade with sausage rolls and golden gay time brownies prepared and served by members of our team.
Some of our lucky members even attended leadership camp where we were challenged to develop skills in public speaking, product pitching, and communication.
We can't wait to see what Term 2 brings for the Entrepreneurs Club. If you are interested in getting involved please contact EJ @ emma-jane.hogan@coburg.vic.edu.au
Jemma O & Zara W (Year 8)
Library
Congratulations to Deborah P, winner of this Term's Library Trivia Master Award! Deborah is no stranger to the bright lights and fame of Trivia success, will she be able to keep her winning streak for Term 2? (I think she might!)
State Schools Spectacular
Congratulations to Holly and Charlotte of Year 8 who have successfully auditioned for the Victorian State School Spectacular. Holly has been cast as a circus/aerial performer and Charlotte has been selected for the choir. They are very excited about the coming months of preparation/rehearsals ahead!
Kool Skools
Kool Skools is an amazing opportunity for those young and are keen to get their music out there and into an album. Coburg High had the chance to record all original songs from a range of bands that the students have worked so hard on. We had formed our band late last year and experimented with a few songs to figure out what we worked best with.Our lead singer, Romany, came to us with this song idea called ‘Precipitation’ and we loved it. We would continuously practise at lunches in the music rooms and in our own time to perfect our song. We all worked hard to come up with our parts to contribute to the song and in the end, it sounded more than great. The recording process was an awesome experience, some had already done it the year prior but some were relatively new to the process. The staff were super friendly and incredible to work with. Each band then had their photo taken to go on the album cover.
Each Kool Skools band sounded amazing and we can't wait for everyone to hear the final album! We would really like to thank April and Anna, our amazing teachers who helped guide and helped every band song out there and for the opportunity.
R!SK
