mentone girls’ secondary college newslettermgsc.vic.edu.au/uploads/2014/11/may292014.pdf ·...

MENTONE GIRLS’ SECONDARY COLLEGE

NEWSLETTErEdition 8 | 29 May 2014

MENTONE GIRLS’ SECONDARY COLLEGECnr Balcombe & Charman Roads (PO Box 52), Mentone VIC 3194

tel: (03) 9581 5200 | fax: (03) 9585 [email protected] | http://www.mgsc.vic.edu.au/

Principal’s ReportHouse Music was the highlight of last week! All four houses performed

very well, with Jackson coming out the overall winner. Each house presented a soloist, an instrumental ensemble, their chant, choral singing of the set song and a choir for their own choice of song. House Captains, accompanists and conductors all threw themselves into the occasion and the feeling of the day was very much of positive energy. Congratulations to the House teachers, students and the amazing music staff.

This week some of our girls competed in the Beachside Cross Country competition, and all our girls were a credit to the school. This is the time when students are preparing for exams and assessments prior to semester reports being written. All girls should spend time revising their work if they have exams, or completing work set for assessment. A reminder to parents, reports will not be sent out in hard copy, but will be able to be accessed online.

Unfortunately last week Mr Justin McMaster, teacher of Accounting, Business Management and Humanities, was knocked off his bike on the way to school. His injuries mean that he will take quite a while to recover, and I’m sure everyone joins me in wishing him all the best for his recovery.

I ask all parents to remind their daughters of the need to observe safe practice when crossing the railway lines – some of our students were seen at Mentone Station crossing the line and going under the boom gates while the red lights were flashing and the bells were ringing. As well, students need to cross the road at marked crossings, rather than trying to dodge traffic. All our girls are important to us, so please remind them to be safe at all times.

Ms Deborah M. LehnerPrincipal

Available online at http://www.mgsc.vic.edu.au/

IN THIS EDITIONCollege Matters

Senior School NewsMiddle School NewsJunior School News

MusicVisual Arts

SportMathsEnglish

Key Dates

Remember: SCHOOL ATTENDANCE – EVERY

DAY COUNTSFor more information and resources to help address

attendance issues, visit:www.education.vic.gov.au/school/parents/behaviour/

Pages/studentattendance.aspx

WORKING BEE!Sat 31st May 9am to midday

Phone Bronwyn Moline on 0417 164 102

2 MENTONE GIRLS’ SC NEWSLETTEREdition 8 | 29 May 2014

College MattersTravelling To and From School

A reminder to students to take care when crossing the road and be on the lookout for emergency vehicles which may need to come through the intersection. Students should also look out for other pedestrians and allow them room on the footpath to pass.

Parents are asked not to park across driveways when dropping off or picking up their daughters. A neighbour from Marina Road contacted the school recently to say that vehicles sometimes block their driveway as they are trying to get in or out. Thank you for your consideration.

Mrs Carol DugganAssistant Principal

World Environment DayOn Thursday 5th June World Environment Day is celebrated with many countries involved such as Kenya, New

Zealand, Poland, the US and Spain. World Environment Day was established in 1972. The main colours that represent the day are softer shades of green, brown and blue. Each year the Environment committee at MGSC chooses a slogan and theme to recognise the different environment problems across the world. This year the committee decided that the 2014 theme would be ‘anti-waste’ with the slogan ‘Think, Eat, Save’. We hope that on 5th June you can wear a green accessory to celebrate World Environment Day.

Isabella Cree 7A & Jade Munro 7H

Poster CompetitionStudents are invited to design a poster that promotes caring for the environment. Entries are to be submitted to

Ms Moline by Friday 30th May. There is a prize.Also on 5th June consider:• Bringing a nude food lunch• Not printing or photocopying• Ensuring there is no rubbish left on the ground

Ms Bronwyn MolineAssistant Principal

International Student ProgramWelcome Rita

We welcome Rita Zhu who has commenced with us for Year 10 after completing two terms at English Language School. Rita comes from Shenzhen, China and she has already made lots of fantastic friends. Thank you to all the lovely students who have made her feel so welcome. Thank you also to the family of Kate and Nikita Hine for hosting Rita this term.

Tear Fan Visits Government HouseRecently Tear Fan was invited by the governor of Victoria, His Excellency

the Honourable Alex Chernov, for a morning tea for international students. Tear met other international students, listened to the Governor speak and explored Government House. Tear found it a fabulous experience and was impressed by the grandeur of the house and beautiful gardens.

Ms Megan GattInternational Student Coordinator

Senior School NewsYear 11 Exams

Unit 1 classes are suspended from June 2nd to 6th when all Unit 1 subjects will have exams. The exams are all one hour long with a 10 minute reading time except for the two hour exams in the English domain. Please note special arrangements for DT&T and Accounting exams to be held on the Beaumaris campus.

All students are expected to be punctual and attend the exams of all their subjects. Students must ensure they bring


all required materials. Only clear pouches are acceptable for carrying pencils, pens, erasers and highlighters. Water is acceptable to take to the exam but must be in a clear bottle. Where a dictionary is allowed, it cannot have a thesaurus or any markings. No phones or other electronic devices (other than prescribed calculators) are permissible in the exam.

Unit 3 classes will run this week and Year 11 students will attend their Unit 3 class if there is not a clash with one of their Unit 1 exams. Students are required to wear school uniform but need only attend school for their exams and Unit 3 classes this week. Uniform is not required for the GAT. Students should arrange to be at school no less than 15 minutes prior to the exam. There will be no opportunity to reschedule any missed exam.

GAT Last Friday, Year 11s who will be doing the GAT were familiarised with the tasks on the paper and how to approach

them. Thank you to Ms Rees and Mr Hughes who explained how to go about English and Maths questions for the GAT. If you have any queries about the GAT please refer to the brochure your daughter received. Year 12s will also have a GAT Familiarisation session tomorrow afternoon.

Applications to Change Unit 2 ClassesApplications to change any classes for Unit 2 close today. It is anticipated that your daughter will be notified if it has

been possible to make the change early next week. She should check her pigeonhole daily for updates.Senior School Team

Middle School NewsSome of our students attended the Bayside Future Gen Leadership Conference, a whole day event, on Friday 16th

May at the Brighton Town Hall. These included the Year 9 form captains: Victoria Edwards (9A), Jess Hooper (9B), Doha Alateya (9C), Tara Graves (9D), Alyssa Hopkins (9E), Nikita Hine (9F), Georgia Hunter (9G) and India Clarke (9H).

The SRC Leaders from this year level will also be attending another whole day event, Year 9 Altitude Day, on Tuesday 3rd June at the Rydges Hotel Melbourne.

We were pleased with the number of girls in this sub-school who wore liberal splashes of pink on Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Wednesday 7th May.

The Year 10 cohort has returned from their week of work experience and the comments have been positive with many saying that it has informed their future career pathways.

Both Year 9 and 10 conducted spot competitions to encourage the students to use their school email addresses and there will be further ones throughout the course of the year. We were pleased with the response from the students.

Rhianne Manners 10B won first prize and $300 in a competition which involved taking a picture of your favourite place in Bayside. One was allowed to enter five pictures and she entered five taken around the Ricketts Point area. This is the first competition she has ever entered and she is overjoyed.

Students have received details regarding the upcoming Melbourne City Experience camp which involves Year 9 students. The aim of the camp is to provide girls with the opportunity to meet and mix with their peers as well as to offer an ‘immersion’ experience before they complete a City Project in their Term 3 LAS (Language and Society) studies Students will be travelling in groups of 25 students on the following dates: Year 9 A, B, C, D from Wednesday 30th July to Friday 1st August and Year 9 E, F, G, H from Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th August. For more details on what the girls need to bring, please refer to the notice the students have received.

Please return ALL forms to the Middle School Office (Room 15) by Wednesday 18th June and ensure payments are made either by B-PAY or to the General Office. We do not recommend students carry large amounts of cash to school.

Middle School Team

Junior School NewsYear 8 Camp

The Year 8 camps were a huge success. The girls loved the food, the activities, the opportunity to be with friends and make new friends. The Giant Swing and Leap of Faith tested some and everybody will remember the Monster Challenge. We were incredibly lucky with the weather and many girls took the opportunity to wash off the mud on the waterslide into the freezing lake – very brave! A huge thank you to the staff who went on camp. They volunteer to spend time away from their families and must leave work for classes they miss.


The JLC and iPadsMany girls are spending time on their iPads in the yard and JLC. Whilst that is commendable if they are doing school

work, most are playing games. We have been concerned that girls are not actually talking with each other because they are so engrossed on their iPads. We are also concerned that if iPads are outside there is a greater chance of them being damaged. With this in mind, Ms Witt has spoken with all of the girls about the importance of friends and communication. Girls are not to use iPads outside. If they do so, they will be confiscated. They are able to use them in the JLC for school work only. Fridays is the only day girls are allowed to play games on their iPads in the JLC.

Late to SchoolA reminder that if your daughter is late to school, she must go to the General Office to obtain a late pass. If you

have not provided a note or called to explain her lateness, she will need to attend a detention in the JLC at lunchtime.Junior School Team

MusicMGSC House Music Competition:

…they came, they sang, they won!!!On Thursday 22nd May, every student and teacher assembled

in the College gymnasium for our annual House Music Competition which was adjudicated by singing sensation, Ms Danielle Matthews. This was the second year that the whole College was involved in the competition and there was an air of anticipation as students bustled excitedly into the gym.

The Competition commenced with the House Soloist and Instrumental Ensemble performances. The soloists were selected as the best individual performers from each house, and their performances encompassed a range of instruments and genres including an original shredded guitar solo over a live loops backing, two vocalists – with one performing her own composition, and a classical pianist. The entire student body was hushed in awe as our four soloists took to the stage and it was wonderful to see each of their performances celebrated with rapturous applause and cheering. Only 1½ points divided the performers, with Monique Kuhn claiming victory for Jackson House with her stirring rendition of Liszt’s Allegro Grazioso.

The Instrumental Conductors have all worked diligently, rehearsing with their ensembles for seven weeks during lunchtimes. They chose pieces that would complement the preferred style and ability of their ensemble. These included two Lady Gaga hits, Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Clocks by Coldplay. The competition was tight, but Jackson was once again victorious under the direction of Monique Kuhn.

The Choral Competition followed, which included every student and staff member in the College. Each house rehearsed for five weeks under the direction of their House Captains, who taught them a House Chant, the Set Song – Brave, and a new addition this year – an own choice Choral piece selected by the House Captains.

Kenny House performed their House Chant with vigour and accentuating arm choreography led by Ellie Davidson and Megan Lewis, which saw them take out first place for this category.

Jackson House was once again led to victory by Monique Kuhn with their energetic singing of the set song, Brave.

For the Own Choice Choral piece, it was time for Melba House to shine singing Shake It Out, under the direction of Emily Harley. The Melba choir impressed our adjudicator with their featured soloists and beautiful harmonies.

When it was time for the adjudication results, the audience erupted with cheers, applause and feet stomping as the winners of each category were announced. None was louder though than the cheers that came from Jackson House, who took out the Competition quite convincingly and celebrated their first victory in five years. Results were 1st place Jackson with 84½ points, 2nd place Melba with 75 points and tied for 3rd place were Kenny and Mackellar with 72½ points.

Congratulations must go to the House Captains, Conductors, members of the Featured Choirs and Instrumental Ensembles, House Soloists, Staff House Mentors


and the Music staff, as well as every student and staff member who sang or chanted on the day representing their House. It was wonderful to see such a strong House spirit alive in the College and we hope that this event will continue to grow as a positive one within our College community.

Ms Anna BerlingeriDirector of Performing Arts

Visual ArtsArt Smocks/Aprons/Old Shirts needed

If you have any old aprons or large shirts, send them along with your daughter to the Art Office. We can use them in class to keep our uniforms clean while painting.

Ms Gemma JohnsonTechnology Domain Leader

SportPierre de Coubertin Award

This year’s Pierre de Coubertin award was given to Kiara Wedderburn (Year 12) for outstanding participation and leadership throughout her time at MGSC. Along with Olivia Purcell and Zoe Purcell who received the Olympic Academy nominations for demonstrating leadership qualities, Kiara represented MGSC at the MCG where they met past Olympians, learnt about technology and leadership in sport, and had a tour of the prestigious Sports Museum. Congratulations to Kiara for receiving the Pierre de Coubertin award, and to Zoe and Olivia for representing their school as excellent ambassadors.

Mr Anthony BruhnInterschool Sports Coordinator

Interschool Cross CountryWell done to the 60 girls who competed as part of our Interschool Cross Country team

on Monday. All girls competed well displaying not only great levels of fitness but also wonderful sportsmanship and team spirit. Both our Year 7 and 8 girls won the team aspect of the competition. Well done to all girls.

Mrs Jackie MatthewsHealth & PE Domain Leader

Sporting SuccessCongratulations to Kiele Dale (Year 11) who will be representing Victoria in the 2014 School Sport Australia

Swimming Championships to be held in Melbourne in July. Kiele will be swimming in a number of events.Ms Bronwyn Moline

Health & Physical EducationIntroducing Dance at MGSC in 2015

We are very excited to confirm that Dance will offered as both a Year 9 and Year 10 elective in 2015. Look out for these two new subjects in the Performing Arts section of the elective handbook you will receive later in the year. Both these electives will cater for girls with little or lots of dance experience. Dance will continue to be part of the creative movement section of our Physical Education program.

Upcoming SportsOur Year 7 and 8 girls are just finishing their gymnastics units in their PE classes. The Year 7s will finish the term with

either Soccer and Netball, whilst the Year 8s will finish with an action packed Footy Codes unit.The Year 9 girls are looking forward to commencing sessions of Zumba in the upcoming weeks. The girls have had

lots of fun participating in both minor games and Badminton. It was terrific to see so many of these girls try out for the Intermediate Badminton team. By all reports they made team selection incredibly difficult!

Mrs Jackie MatthewsHealth & PE Domain Leader

We still need homestay families for the Nakamura (Japanese sister school) visit 29th July – 8th

August. See Mr T ASAP if you want to be involved.


Maths @ MGSCPreparing for Mid-Year Exams – Maths “How To Guide”

We are only days away from the start of the mid-year examination period for our Year 9-12 students. If students are getting a bit nervous this is generally a good sign. It normally means they would like to perform well in their exams and recognise they have to finalise their preparations. So what can they do to perform well in their exams?

Here are some hints:• Review their course material and identify areas of weakness.• Prepare additional revision notes and practice questions/answers to address these areas.• Make sure they know the scope of the work covered in their examinations and compile sample questions/answers.• Undertake trial exams under exam conditions to help simulate the real situation.• Set a study timetable that accounts for all their subjects and the revision required.• Form a study group of friends that will actually help them to prepare for the exams.• Make sure they take breaks and where possible, participate in sports or other outdoor activities. History shows the

best students have a good balance between studies and other activities in their lives.• Develop routines that allow them to control any feelings of tension. This may be listening to music, taking walks or

just “chilling”.• Last, but not least, do their best and have some fun.

2014 NAPLAN Testing Our Year 7 and 9 students were involved in numeracy testing as part of the annual NAPLAN testing program run

on 13th-15th May. Resultant individual student reports will be sent to parents/guardians in September via the VCAA administration authority. Each report will show student’s results on their NAPLAN tests against the national average and the middle 60 per cent of students nationally. These reports will contain a description of what was assessed in each of the tests and provide information about what students can typically do.

And remember... “Maths makes a real difference”Maths Domain Team

EnglishRostrum

Last Sunday, Odessa Turk (Year 7) and Emma Hawkless (Year 9) presented their speeches before an audience of students, parents and adjudicators at Rostrum Voice of Youth Heats. It was an electrifying day as students from a variety of schools were there to compete, each determined to achieve a place in the State Finals. For Odessa and Emma, it was their first time as speakers in this event and they were both nervous and excited to be representing our school.

Emma was in Heat 1 and her speech was entitled, ‘Climb Every Mountain’; she vividly described the “mountain” she faced whilst sailing her minnow through difficult conditions in the National Titles. Odessa, on the other hand, was in Heat 4 and she fervently argued as to why Nelson Mandela was ‘A Most Valuable Legacy’. Both students were well prepared and confident in the delivery of their speeches; in fact, the standard of all the speeches was so high that one adjudicator actually stated before many that he was in awe of the speakers and the calibre of their speeches.

At the end, both students insisted that they were determined to return and win next year. We would like to wish them all the best and to congratulate them for a fantastic effort.

Ms Ekaterina Xanthopoulos

English Students of the WeekHarhini Sundaram of Year 7 for showing the learning Habits of Mind of ‘Applying Knowledge to New Situations’ and

for ‘Thinking and Communicating with Clarity’. Jessica Daly of Year 12 for ‘Persisting’ and ‘Taking Responsible Risks’. Ms Nola Rees

Head of English and Literacy


TEEN FRIENDSHIPSMichael Grose

Having a supportive group of friends is important for an adolescent. Peer groups help teenagers learn to negotiate relationships and make the journey from childhood, where they are reliant on parents, to adulthood, where they need to stand on their own two feet.Peers give young people a sense of belonging, and an increased sense of self-confidence. They also provide young people with testing grounds for attitudes and values outside their family at a time when young people are trying to define their identity. Most modern teenagers are incredibly supportive of each other; however they can be judgemental and the cause of heartache when conflict or alienation occurs.

Resisting peer pressureTeenagers need to learn to deal with peer pressure. We all experience some degree of pressure to conform to the behaviours and norms of our social groups, yet this pressure is heightened in adolescence, when wanting to fit in and belong is paramount. Ostracism is unthinkable, which makes teenagers susceptible to being overly influenced by their peers, who don’t always make wise choices.Parents can help young people deal with peer pressure by being open and frank about the subject. Let them know that while much of the influence of their friends is positive, some of it is not in their best interests.Help young people resist peer pressure by giving them strategies to say no, while saving face. For instance, saying ‘No, not now’ is a simple face-saving strategy that all young people can learn when they are pressured by peers to engage in behaviours that aren’t in their best interests.Young people who are heavily reliant on the approval of others are particularly susceptible to peer pressure. In adolescence, adult approval is often replaced by peer approval. Help young people become self-sufficient and not dependent on others for their self-esteem.

Where do parents fit in?Get to know your children’s friends and take an interest in their lives. Make them welcome in your home. Enquire about their well-being, their learning and their relationships without being too nosy. Provide space and privacy for your teenager and friends in your home. Set some house rules regarding what’s acceptable in your house, but don’t be too heavy-handed as you want your home to be a welcoming place for young people.Keep some food available and encourage them to make their own snacks and clean up their own mess. Be firm about your views about acceptable videos, alcohol use and sexual activities at home.

Negative InfluencesIt is common for parents to disapprove of their young person’s choice of friends, because of behaviour, poor reputation or the adverse influence they have on their teenager. Young people take criticism of their friends personally so you need to be careful how you handle these issues. If you have worries about your child’s choice of friends, check that your concerns are real. Try to get to know the friends you’re worried about. Discuss your concerns with your young person, but talk about the behaviours that worry you, rather than the character of their friends. Discuss the immediate and long-term consequences of their behaviours that may concern you. It also helps to promote diversity of friendships as kids do best when they belong to more than one friendship group.It is important for parents to understand the value of peer groups for young people and also remember that peers can be positive influences.

RAINBOWS FOR KIDS AND TEENSDo you sometimes feel sad because your family

has changed? Do you feel out of place when you see friends with Mum and Dad together? Do you feel you must keep your parent happy, especially when they are sad? Is there some

other painful loss in your family? There is finally a time set aside just for you to get together with

other children your age, to talk about what is happening in your life.

Rainbows for the Children of Australia is offering a 13-week, non-denominational, small

group support program for grieving children (Sunbeams aged 4-6 years; Rainbows aged

7-12 years and Spectrum aged 13-5 years) at the Keysborough Learning Centre, Corrigan

Road on Thursdays from 4.30-5.15pm (except during school holidays). Next Program starts

Thursday 15th May at 4.30pm.Cost: $2 per session.

You can join Rainbows at any time. Contact Gemma: 9587 4535

OR Nathan 9798 7005Email: [email protected]

MORDIALLOC NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE: TAI CHI

Tuesday: 1.30 – 2.30pm$10 per session

For more information – bookingsPlease phone: 9587 4534

Suitable for all ages. New students are welcome to join any time during the term.

FREE STUDENT EXCHANGE INFO EVENING IN MELBOURNE

Hear from returned students, find out about discounts and scholarships and ask questions.

Thursday 5th June - 7.30pmRadisson on Flagstaff Gardens, 380 William St

Visit www.studentexchange.org.auor call 1300 135 331 for more information

HOMESTAY HOSTS NEEDEDOur International Student Program is looking for

families in our local area to host international students. The students are mostly from China and usually between 15 and 18 years of age.

The students’ parents’ pay a weekly fee to cover costs.

If you and your family are interested in learning about another culture and enjoy

sharing our Australian way of life with others please contact Megan Gatt, International

Student Coordinator on 9581 5200 or by email at [email protected]

KEY DATES | JUNE 2014 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

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2 3Yr 9 Altitude Day (selected Yr 9 students)

4Yr 7 & 8 ICAS Science competition (P1)

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9Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday

10REPORT WRITING DAY (student free day)

11SEMESTER TWO COMMENCES GATYr 7 Museum Excursion

12 NEWSLETTER #9Yr 8 Winter Round Robin

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17Report Verification (early finish 2.30pm)College Council

18Yr 7 Winter Round RobinReport Verification (early finish 2.30pm)

19Yr 10 Incursion (P2&3)

20Yr 10 Keys Please (P1)Yr 7 Incursion (P4)

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23 249OED Rock Climbing excursion (P3 & lunch)

25 26 NEWSLETTER #10 27Last Day of Term 2 (early finish 2.15pm)

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Year 10 Camp; The Summit

Year 9 Exams

Term 2 Holidays

Yr 10 Exams

Yr 9 Exams

Year 11 exams


Aerobics Competitions; The Arena - North Geelong

Cheerleading Competitions; State Basketball Centre,

Wantirna South

Term 2 Holidays

KEY DATES | JULY 2014 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

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15 16 17 18Year 12 TIS incursion (lunch or P4); Lecture Theatre

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219am College TourYear 9 into 10 Info Evening

229OED rock climbing excursion (P3 & lunch)Year 12 PE Excursion - Monash Penninsula (P2-4)VCE Info/Expo Evening

23Yr 12 Biology incursionYear 8 into 9 Info Evening

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Vic Schools’ Volleyball Cup (selected students); Dandenong Volleyball Centre

Term 2 Holidays

9ABCD City Camp (until 1st August)

Japanese visitors at MGSC (until 8th August)


Term 2 Holidays

mentone girls’ secondary college newslettermgsc.vic.edu.au/uploads/2014/11/may292014.pdf ·...

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