Newsletter No.7 20 March 2013

School Captain 1999 Meets School Captain 2013 at Movida On Wednesday, 20 March the Year 11 and Year 12

Food Technology and Design and Technology students

attended Top Designs at the

Melbourne Museum. The Design and Technology

students also vis ited Domayne Furniture with Mr

McIntyre. The Food students

visited Movida, a Spanish tapas restaurant in Hosier

Lane where we were met by David Roberts, head chef at

Movida and who was College Captain in 1999. He told us

about his experience in the

food industry and his experiences at Movida where

he did his apprenticeship and is now head chef and

has appeared in Frank Comorra’s cook books. His apprentices made three

different tapas for us to try—Miguel chicken in crispbread, smoked cod balls and croquettes with cuttlefish and black squid ink. We were given a

tour of the kitchen and cool-room where we saw beef cheeks that had

It is hard to believe but term one is almost complete, it seems to have flown by. So much has occurred in such a very short time. We still have two major events that will bring us to the end of this term. They are, of course, the Parent/Teacher interview evening on Wednesday, 27 followed by our House Athletics carnival on the last day of term. I encourage all student and their parents to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity at Parent/Teacher evening to discuss with their teachers their learning journey so far this year. What have you achieved? What are your

goals? What are areas for improvement in term two and for the rest of this year? This is a chance for all students, with the support of their parents and teachers, to really set themselves up for a successful and rewarding 2013. Good luck to all participants in the Athletics carnival. I look forward to seeing all students, both participants and spectators, in their house colours on the day. What a fun and enjoyable way to end such a busy term. Go RED. Finally I would like to wish everybody a safe and relaxing break. Come back refreshed and ready to go on Monday, 15 April for what is sure to be an exciting and challenging term 2. Mr Kevin Osborne, Assistant Principal

1 Station Street, Mordialloc 3195 Australia Telephone (+613) 9580 1184 Facsimile (+613) 9587 5443 email mordialloc.co@edumail.vic.gov.au www.mcsc.vic.edu.au

Mordialloc College staff and students share and proudly demonstrate our agreed values of Personal Best, Integrity, Respect and Responsibility

Important Dates Monday 15 April Term 2 Commences Monday 15 to Friday 19 April Year 7 & 8 Student Led

Conferences Wednesday 17 April Year 12 Studio Arts Excursion to

Top Arts Year 11 Studio Arts Excursion to

National Gallery Thursday 18 April Year 12 English Seminar (David

White) Friday 19 April Year 12 Food Excursion to

Bunnings SMR Senior Golf (Korumburra) Saturday 20 April Open Afternoon (2 to 4pm) Tuesday 23 April Open Night (7 to 9pm)

Assistant Principal’s Update

Parents and students are reminded that winter uniform is to be worn in Terms 2 and 3.

been cooked for eight hours, a

Spanish delicacy and a very popular dish at Movida. It was

great to see behind the scenes and try some unique food. The

bright and colourful work in Hosier

Lane added to the beautiful atmosphere for the students’

experience. For our studies it was amazing to have an experience

first hand rather than just reading our textbooks. Although the

portfolios at Top Designs were the

best of the best, we got excellent examples and inspirations of what

we could all strive to achieve. All Year 11 and 12 students took

something positive and creative

away from the experience. Morgan and Michael

Newsletter No.8 28 March 2013

Newsletter No. 8 2

Year 10 to 12 Excursion Last Wednesday the Year 10 to 12 French classes travelled to the city to watch a French film. The film w a s e n t i t l e d ‘ T h é r è s e Desqueyroux’ and told the story of a young woman living in 1920s France. The film itself gave us some insight into 1920s France, the actions Therese took to escape her life and her ‘imprisonment’ w i t h i n h e r h om e a s a consequence. As well as being an interesting story, it was an enjoyable day for all us. This gave us a chance to test our listening skills as well as learn some new vocabulary. Caley, Year 12

French Film Excursions

Year 8 French Excursion On 8 March, the Year 8’s went to see a French film at the Como cinema in South Yarra. The film w a s c a l l e d ‘Asterix & Obelix in Britain’. The movie went on for an hour and a half. After we were out of the c inema, we went to the Jam Fa c t o r y o n Chapel Street where we had a v a r i e t y o f choices for lunch. It was pleasant looking around the Jam Factory complex before we headed back to school. Everyone loved the movie because it was funny and enjoyable. It was a great day! Leila, 8B

Kitchen Garden Update This term has seen the start of students using the kitchen garden after last year’s mammoth task of creating it. At the end of last year a number of fruit trees were planted including lemons, limes, apples, pears as well as olive, raspberries and blueberry bushes. They seem to have survived the hot summer and are long time projects which will hopefully result in some bumper crops showing the fruits of our labour (no pun intended). We have just completed reconstructing a greenhouse which will allow us to propagate plants from seeds saving money and providing us with another tool for engaging students in various curriculum areas. Years 7 and 8 have been utilising the garden as well as some of the VCAL students planting a variety of herbs and vegetables; hopefully this will continue and interest will grow throughout the year. There are still lots of projects that we would like to pursue, including creating our own compost and worm farms, creating more garden beds and improving our water catchment. We intend on starting an after-school gardening club for all students who are interested so watch this space. Finally, the Food Technology students will be running a sausage sizzle on Friday, 19 April at Bunnings Warehouse in Mentone to help raise money to support the project, so if you happen to be in the neighbourhood, pop by for a snag and say hello. Have a great break and happy gardening! Mr Stuart McIntyre

Newsletter No.8 3

VCE French Immersion Camp From the evening of Friday the 15th until the afternoon of Sunday the 17th of March, Kayla Enez and I, Year 12 French students, participated in a VCE French Immersion Camp held by the Alliance Francaise de Melbourne. We applied eagerly for a generous $300 subsidy from the DEECD to attend the event, and gratefully received it, two of twenty students in the state to do so. On Friday, students arrived at the Portsea camp at around 6pm where we were greeted by two chatty French women who encouraged us to speak only in French. We were installed in our rooms, greeted our fellow students and then proceeded to head to the main hall for dinner. On this night we were served French delicacies such as pâté and Quiche Lorraine. Prior to this, the hosts had presented themselves, and now we were directed into some ice-breaking activities. A while later we returned to our rooms to get a good night’s sleep ready for a big day ahead. On Saturday morning we were roused by a gentle wake-up call from a male host – and, about half an hour later, ate breakfast. This day was to be based around four different workshops focusing on the different components of our final exam – grammar, written expression, oral expression and oral comprehension – listening. The sixty or so students were separated into four groups based on ability determined by a placement test taken by the camp – I was fortunate enough to be placed into group one and our friend Kayla in group two. It was sure to be an enriching one and a half days ahead. Each

of these workshops were well presented, organised and, without doubt, increased my confidence in each of the different areas. Our hosts were accommodating and friendly and made the entire day a pleasant experience. I only felt stressed when I was required to perform a role play with two partners in front of our group. After our eventful and tiring day we dined, and at about 8 o’clock an interesting French movie was screened for our enjoyment – and simultaneously for our potential benefit as a we were each handed a slip with a quiz to complete on the movie. The movie was about a man whose family had died due to a terrorist threat and who was forced to migrate from Algeria to France. He became a school teacher - filling the position of a teacher who had hanged herself in a classroom – having trouble keeping the kids’ emotions in check. Eventually they become sensitised to his methods and begin to like him. But, the film ends as he, Monsieur Lazhar (also the title of the movie) is forced to move back to Algeria because he has overstepped the boundary in attempting to resolve the emotions of the deceased teacher’s colleagues. Finally, on the Sunday, our task was clear, but surely a challenge – we were to complete a mock examination which contained listening, reading comprehension and written elements. We rose early once again and at about 9 o’clock commenced the difficult task. After a difficult two hours we emerged from the rooms so relieved to have the exam over and done with. All in all the camp was a highly enriching experience, from which Kayla and I feel we have benefited greatly. We are approaching our French studies with growing enthusiasm as we see our capabilities increase and will, of course, spread this enthusiasm to our classmate Caley Govender. We would most definitely recommend this camp to future VCE French students who want to have a fun, memorable and fulfilling experience making new friends and practising their French at the same time. Merci beaucoup – thank you very much. Good luck in your studies. Justin, Kayla – Year 12.

Newsletter No. 8 4

Work Experience Placements – Can you help??? All Year 10 students are reminded that they are required to complete four days work experience from 11 to 14 June. Students need to complete the paperwork by the end of the first week of Term 2. We still have a few students looking for placements in a wide range of industries. If you are able to help one of our students with a placement, we would love to hear from you. The various student’s interests range from Architecture to Zoology and everything in between. We also have a small number of Year 11 and 12 VCAL students who would like to work for 1 – 2 days per week. Their preferred industries include Automotive, Childcare/Nanny, Ha i r d r e s s i n g , Hosp i t a l i t y , Equestrian, Sport and Recreation. If you are able to offer a placement or have a question regarding Work Experience please contact Jane Jamieson, the Careers and Pathway Coordinator

Suite 1/128 Balcombe Rd Mentone VIC 3194 Australia

Tel: +61 3 9585 3800 Fax: +61 3 9585 2800