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Melba Voice
22 May 2015
Principal
Terry Bennett
Assistant Principals
Ms Carol Ashton
Mr David Lees
Junior Campus
Croydon Rd, Croydon Vic 3136
Ph:
9725 8277
Fax:
9723 6375
www.melba.vic.edu.au
melba.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au
Senior Campus
Brentnall Rd, Croydon Vic 3136
Ph:
9870 4551
Fax:
9870 1784
www.melba.vic.edu.au
melba.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au
Absence line – both campuses
9539 2345
Important Dates
26 May – Year 7 Pancake
breakfast
10 June - - G.A.T.
12 June – Report Writing Day –
No students required.
School Term dates 2015
Term 2 13 April - 26 June
Term 3 13 July - 18 September
Term 4 5 October -18 December
From the Principal
Mock Parliament
All our Year 9 students were involved in a Mock Parliament this week which was chaired by Michael Sukkar,
Federal Member for Deakin. The Bill that was debated was “That Homework should be Banned”. It was narrowly
defeated after some great debate.
A more detailed report is included in the newsletter. Congratulations to all the students who were involved and
in particular those who took on various roles in the debate.
Michael Sukkar has highlighted the event on his own website. https://www.facebook.com/Michael.Sukkar.MP
Year 7 German Showcase
Our Year 7 students held their German Showcase this week. The evening was again a wonderful celebration of
our language program and the students had done some amazing work and research in finding out about their
famous German person. Congratulations to all the students and thank you to the parents, guardians and families
that came along and celebrated. Thank you also to the Language staff who organised the evening.
NAPLAN
Our Year 7 and 9 students undertook their NAPLAN assessments last week covering Literacy and Numeracy.
Individual reports go directly to families later this year.
Staffing changes
Mr Andrew Spencer has resigned from the Department to pursue other interests. He wanted to pass on his
thanks to all the students and families that he has had contact with over the years. On behalf of everyone
associated with Melba College we wish Andrew all the best for the future.
Terry Bennett – Principal
College Captains’ Report
Hey everyone this term has been busy as we had the school house athletics, superhero day and a mock parliament. We're already halfway
through the term, which means that mid-year exams are getting closer as the GAT for Year 12 as well as students doing enhancement subjects.
Hopefully everyone's doing some studies and getting there work done.
Congratulations to Waratah (Red) House for winning the house athletics. I would also like to congratulate all the students that participated in the
competition and helped with the field events though it was a cold day. I hope we all enjoyed ourselves as much as I did. As long as you are
participating it doesn't matter about winning. Thank you to all teachers that made it possible.
Recently we also had a superhero day where we raised money for children who suffer from autism, and thank you to all the students who
dressed up for the cause as well as students that came in casual dress and donated money. We were supposed to have the Battle of the Bands,
however it was postponed due to the unfortunate rainy weather.
We look forward to a busy second half of this term.
Esther Boih – College Captain
It was wonderful to be recognised for everything I have done in my Magic in the Maroondah Youth Awards in April. The Maroondah Youth
Awards are a great way to recognise young people doing great things in Maroondah. I have been performing magic for 10 years now and I won
the Australian Junior Championship of Stage Magic in 2012. I now run my own children's entertainment business and I am putting on my own
one man Magic Show, "Once Upon a Rhyme" at the Melbourne Magic Festival this year on July 4th and 5th. The Melbourne Magic Festival is a
wonderful event and this year there are over 250 events and shows including International Guests, A Wizards Chess Tournament, Free Shows,
Magic Story Time and many, many shows. It's great that I can show off my skills and love of Magic and Fairytales/Nursery Rhymes with my show,
and I look forward to performing it.
It's also great to know that the cast list for this year’s musical, "Singin’ in the Rain" has been announced. Two rehearsals have happened and with
the leads being announced by the end of the week we are well on the way to another great show!
David Chandler- College Captain
Student Voice and Co-Curricular Programs
On Tuesday the 21st of May Melba had it's first
Superhero day to raise money for Irabina. Irabina is a
local organisation that provides support for children with
autism based in Bayswater. The Melba senior Student
Voice team decided to support this important local
organisation and worked during terms one and two to
develop a fun superhero themed day for the students at
the senior campus. The day included a superhero themed
free dress day for a gold coin donation and various
activities such as tug of war and a costume parade that
were unfortunately cancelled due to a range of different
reasons. A big thank you to everyone that who came
dressed as a superhero and donated money to such a
great and worthy cause. We can't wait to see what the
Junior students will do for their superhero day which will
be held the future.
Katie Smith – Student Voice Chairperson
Student Voice Update
Last week, the Junior Student Voice met to discuss upcoming events and possible activities. They have started planning for the Junior Superhero
Day, which will take place this term. It was a very productive meeting and students were able to offer possible ideas and opinions. Katie Smith,
the Student Voice Chairperson helped run the meeting and it was a great opportunity for the Junior Students to get together and discuss a
variety of topics. Jo Kirby also presented the students in relation to Melba’s Resource Smart Project. Some of the Student Voice members will
assist with the Sustainability audit that is required on both campuses as part of this project. As this was a lunchtime meeting, I organised Pizza’s
for the students. Many thanks to My Mates Pizza in Croydon for continuing to support our school community.
It has been a busy period over the last two weeks and there have been many different activities at Melba. The Mock Parliament was a highlight
for the Year 9 students. The Year 9s that had speaking roles performed extremely well and all students gained an insightful understanding of
how the Federal House of Representatives operates and how Acts of Parliament are passed. Due to the bad weather, the Battle of the Bands
had to be postponed. This event will still take place, but at a later date.
Cathie Lange – Student Voice & Co-Curricular Leader
Junior School
Year 9 Mock Parliament
Year 9 students were privileged to have the opportunity to be involved in the Parliamentary Education Office initiative Mock Parliament.
Students have worked
over the past 3 weeks to
prepare a role play of
the parliamentary
process when a bill is
presented, debated and
vote upon. The bill being
presented by the
government in this case
was that “Homework
should be abolished.”
There were, of course,
many strong opinions on
this topic and the debate
was fierce! Whilst all
Year 9 students were
involved as Members of
Parliament, some
students were charged
with more specialised
roles. These students
worked very hard to
prepare their speeches
and develop their
understanding of the
parliamentary process
supported by pre-service
teacher Mrs Virginia
Abbott. We are extremely grateful for her expertise in this area and her skilled support of the students.
The students did an exemplary job as was confirmed by the speaker of the house Federal Member for Deakin, Mr Michael Sukkar. It was a
wonderful, authentic way for students to develop their knowledge of the Australian parliamentary system and how laws are passed in this
country.
It was lovely to have some of our Year 12 Legal Studies students join us for the event.
Students who played key roles were:
Jessica Scott
Nathan Dugdale
Leisi Seviua
Sean Sanderson
Jung Wu
Teagan Wood
Luke Perry
Alicia Randle
Jonathan Chandler
Jodah Briggs
Claudia Foulis
Josh Smith
Jaye Donohue
Sam Thomas
Year 7 German Showcase
Year 7 students once again put on an amazing display of their learning in German this week in the annual German Showcase. The costumes and
displays from our students reflected a great deal of time and effort but also a superior knowledge of their chosen German personality. Well done
to the students on such an engaging demonstration of their learning and the teachers who support them in this.
Alison Steele – Junior School Leader
Year 9
It’s been a busy couple of weeks for our Year 9’s! For those students who participated in the NAPLAN testing last week, it’s the last time that you
will have to do that! While these tests are in no way an indicator of your value as a member of our Melba community, they can help you to
know what areas of the Maths and English curriculum you have strengths and weaknesses in. Striving for improvement is a skill that we
encourage in all of our students, whatever the level of ability.
Our Year 9’s participation in the Mock Parliament session with Michael Sukkar was absolutely fantastic! The students involved in the
presentation worked very hard, in quite a short time frame, to provide an interesting insight into the workings of Parliament life.
Sarah Cultrera – Year 9 Leader
Senior School
Mid-Year Exams
The mid-year exam period is fast approaching. To forewarn students and their families, these exams will occur in early June and will affect
students in Years 10, 11 and 12. It is an expectation that ALL students participate in the exam process.
Mid-Year Exams for Year 10 and 11 students will begin on Thursday 4th June and will run until Thursday 11th June. The final day for
Semester 1 subjects for Year 10 and 11 students is Wednesday 3rd June.
Year 12 students will continue classes until the end of term. Their exams will be conducted during scheduled classes. The only
interruption to Year 12 classes will be the GAT on Wednesday 10th June. This is compulsory for ALL students undertaking a Unit 3&4
subject in 2015.
Students should expect to complete exams for all of their Semester One subjects (Year 10s do not complete exams for VPYC, P.E or My
Career My Future). These exams are a valuable opportunity for students to reflect on the knowledge and skills gained in these subjects in
the first half of the year; and particularly for those students undertaking Unit 3 subjects, to provide insight into the areas of improvement
needed before the end-of-year VCAA exams.
Student-free days will occur on Monday 8th June (Queen’s Birthday Holiday) and Friday 12th June (Report Writing Day). No exams are
scheduled on these two days.
Please note that Unit 2 & 4 subjects will commence on Monday 15th June.
SAC & Exam Preparation
We are seeing students finding the pressures of multiple SACs difficult to manage at the moment, and would like to take this opportunity
to remind students of some strategies that may prove useful in balancing workloads – both now and for the exam period:

Avoid working more than 10-15 hours per week (part time jobs)

Reserve time on weekends designated to homework and study

Implement a study timetable. This does not have to be rigid – it can change depending on the demands in any given week; but the
intention is to set designated ‘times’ aside for homework and study.

‘Make it visual’ – we encourage students to record their commitments and homework tasks in written form and to prioritise
their workload depending on the urgency of each piece.

SLEEP!!! Too many students are ‘cramming’ their work at the last minute and staying up late (e.g. 2am) to complete work for the
following day. Not only does this disrupt sleep patterns, but evidence has shown that the work is rarely of the highest standards
students are capable of, nor are students able to perform at their peak in classes the following day. We encourage all students to
aim for a minimum of 8 hours sleep per night.
If families have concerns about the way their child/ren are coping at the moment, I encourage you to contact either one of the Year Level
Leaders, Sue Lees – the Wellbeing Coordinator, or myself on 9870 4551 to further discuss the ways we can manage this and support our
students.
Adriana Box – Senior School Leader
Year 10
MAROONDAH YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAM
On Friday 8 May I attended the Presentation or Celebration Evening for the Maroondah Young Leaders Program for 2015. During the evening
students from local government and independent schools presented to an audience of their peers, teachers, parents, Maroondah Youth Workers
and local members of council. The focus of these presentations was on issues relating to young people in the Maroondah area. Each student has
set themselves a goal relating to improving the provisions of services for young people in this area. The Melba College students participating in
this program were Rebekah Wynne, Steven Laurie-Sanders and Liam Ball. I wish to highly commend these students for the manner in which they
conducted themselves during evening.
CHALLENGE WEEK
A completed program of events for Challenge Week (Monday 15 June to Friday 19 June) will soon be distributed to Year 10 students and
parents/guardians. All relevant information about the nature and ordering of events for the five days will be included as will information about
transportation/dismissal arrangements, clothing and costings. Permission slips will also be forthcoming shortly.
WORK EXPERIENCE- Students who have yet to arrange Work Experience placements need to do so as a matter of urgency. If you have organised
your placement, please ensure that you have completed all relevant sections of the appropriate paperwork. Once this have done all of this,
please lodge this paperwork with Mrs Arambasic. Work Experience will be held in the last week of term (Monday 22 to Friday 26 June).
EXAMS
As Semester 1 Exams are rapidly approaching, all students need to ensure that they are up to date with homework and assessment tasks, that
they properly prepared for exams and that they conform to all exam expectations. Exam schedules will be distributed shortly. With the exception
of the two hour English exam, all Year 10 exams will be of a ninety minute duration.
UNIFORM AND PUNCTUALITY
Students are reminded of the College’s expectation that they arrive at school punctually, attend all lessons and be appropriately attired at all
times. If out of uniform, please see me prior to the commencement of the school day to obtain a uniform pass. Students should also bring a note
from a parent or guardian explaining why they are out of uniform and for how long they will be out of uniform. These notes should be dated and
be accompanied by the name and signature of a parent or guardian.
Michael Benjamin – Year 10 Leader
YEAR 10’S TASTY
TREATS
An amazing selection of
cup cakes decorated by
students in the Year 10
Foods class.
Year 11
Every two weeks as I sit down to write this newsletter article the same thought comes to my head - already, it doesn’t seem like 2 weeks since
the last newsletter. As the thought came to me this time I realised that we are now in Week 6 and that means only another 5 weeks to the end
of term. More importantly our Year 11 students are heading towards the end of Unit 1 of their VCE studies and the exams that come with this. It
is a very busy time for students and it is essential that all students have a study timetable in place to help ensure that they have enough time
allocated to study and, as importantly, that they have time set aside to not study. Free time is an important part of being refreshed, alert and
able to study effectively. A recent addition to the Year 11 Study Class Compass resources is a document titled Study Guide. Too often we hear
‘I’ve done the homework, there’s nothing else to do’. The Study Guide is a document containing study suggestions, from all subjects, to help
students study effectively after the homework is completed.
th
On Thursday 28 May we will be holding the Fit 2 Drive program. All Year 11 students should now have paid the $7 for this day of presentations
aimed at preparing students for the much desired ‘P’ Plate. It is aimed at making students aware of the dangers faced by newly qualified drivers
in the first years of driving.
Andy Lockey and Greg Mellow – Year 11 Leaders
Year 12
Week 6 of Term 2 is now upon us. That means mid-year exams and the GAT are fast approaching. This is a busy time for students, with
preparation for final assessment tasks and revision for exams. It is important that VCE students take their exams seriously and prepare as best
they can. Whilst the grades of these exams don’t contribute directly to student’s end of year result, they are an invaluable learning experience to
gauge how effective student study regimes have been throughout the year and their overall understanding of the Unit 3 content.
Richard Allan – Year 12 Leader
Business Management Year 12 Yakult Excursion
th
On the 28 of April, the entirety of the Year 12 Business Management student cohort, attended an excursion to the Yakult factory in Dandenong.
This opportunity was given to us, with the intention to enhance understanding of our current area of study which focuses on operations
management and its elements. The staff showed us the workings of the factory. This included an impressive system of producing and packing the
entire product on sight in a time efficient and resource effective, well planned, system. We were shown the entire workings of the making of
Yakult, from the beginning where the gigantic vats brew the mix of milk power and safely grown bacteria, right to the end where the tiny bottles
are printed, filled, sealed and packed ready for delivery. And in the middle of this impressive process, behind the massive viewing window, we
observed the delicate process of monitoring quality control. This is where official looking employees in lab coats stared expertly into
microscopes. It was an enjoyable experience which was both educational and full of free samples! With the information we collected, the Year
12 Business Management students must complete a report, focusing on the operations management of Yakult, including specific elements of the
business, all to complete our required class work, demonstrate our knowledge and pass the course with flying colours!
Dylan Drew
Jahrgangsschulausflug zum “Cuckoo” Restaurant
- Friday 22nd May 2015
In readiness for the sumptuous feast to come, Years 9 and 12 German
students deprived themselves of food for an entire morning before
accompanying Frau Bate, Frau Halpin and Frau Bannicke to the “Cuckoo”
Restaurant in Olinda!
Students enjoyed a self-serve buffet comprising of: Schnitzel, Bratwurst
mit Senf, Gurkensalat, Kartoffelsalat, Pflaumenkuchen, Streuselkuchen
and yes the inevitable ... Sauerkraut.
A cabaret [with
Melba students on
the cowbells],
dancing and
yodelling
competitions
featuring Frau
Bannicke followed,
before driving back to school.
Many thanks to all the students who made the day a wonderful experience for us all with
their good nature and readiness to sample the delights of sauerkraut and other German
specialities. As ambassadors of Melba College, the students were to be commended on
their outstanding behaviour and manners.
Frau Bate
College
Individual
Citizen
Learner
Melba College ICL Awards
The ICL Awards are intended not only to recognize student achievement in a wide variety of areas, but also to build and strengthen
our relationships with the local community. The awards are divided into three categories:
Individual: a student who demonstrates positive behaviour and good habits that facilitate the development of their character
strengths as a person.
Citizen: a student who acknowledges and acts on their responsibilities as a member of our community through active involvement in
programs that improve our school, local or global community.
Learner: a student who demonstrates dedication to their learning that results in growth in knowledge and understanding of their
studies beyond that expected of a student at their level.
What makes these awards different and an exciting prospect for the College is the opportunity for nominations for these awards. We
are highly interested in learning more about our students and the activities they undertake outside of their school time, and as such,
are looking for nominations for these awards from students and members of the local community.
Further details about the ICL Awards including nomination forms, are available on the College website.
If you know (or can point us in the direction of someone who might know)
about the activities our students are taking part in that may deserve
recognition, please contact us at the College at ICLawards@melba.vic.edu.au
or on 9870 4551.
Melba College Mid Year FONO Music Concert:
Wednesday 17th of June
th
The Melba College FONO is scheduled for 7.00pm on June 17 and will be held in the Senior
Campus Theatre Brentnall Rd, Croydon (accessed off Maroondah Hwy). Parents, family and
friends of performers are most welcome to attend and there is no charge. Please note that
this year’s FONO is a whole school event and is not separated into junior and senior
concerts.
FONO means For One Night Only and is a concert that showcases the musical talent of
students at Melba College. Acts at FONO are quite varied and can include rock bands, solo
guitarists, groups that have come from classroom music and rap artists. We also have many
singers who like to showcase their skills backed by either acoustic guitar or piano. If you
think you have an act that would be suitable for FONO then you need to see Mr Mifsud at
the Junior Campus as soon as possible because places are limited.
Regards
Mr Mifsud
BATTLE OF THE BANDS – POSTPONED UNTIL TERM 3
Melba College is holding a competition to find the best musical band in the school. The competition is open to any group of students who would
like to form a band. The band can play any kind of music: rock, jazz, pop etc
The bands will perform in Term3 on a date to be advised at the Senior Campus and a trophy will be presented to the band
that is judged the best.
So, get together with some friends and start rehearsing!!
You can register your band at the General Office and GET INVOLVED!!
Careers
Year 10 Work Experience
A reminder to all Year 10 students and their parents/guardians that work experience forms are now due. Students should be organising
placements for the week of 22 June – 26 June 2015. All Year 10 students are expected to take part in this program.
Experience La Trobe
Experience La Trobe is designed especially for Year 10, 11 and 12 students and their parents to get a taste of what it is like to be a university
student for a day and get the inside scoop on what really happens after high school. Students may participate in workshops of their choice, find
out about student life and also check out the Melbourne campus, including student accommodation. Melbourne Heart Football Club will be in
attendance to showcase a skills workshop and participate in a new session ‘Professional jobs in sport’. Experience La Trobe is a free event with lunch and entertainment provided!
Date:
Time:
Venue:
Thursday 9 July 2015
9.30am – 4.00pm
Melbourne Campus
To register, visit Experience La Trobe Melbourne, or email study@latrobe.edu.au for more information.
To find out about the dates and times of Experience La Trobe at its other campuses, visit Experience La Trobe
News from RMIT University
 RMIT Experience Days
Places are filling up fast for the upcoming Experience Days. These full day programs include hands-on activities and presentations aiming to give
Year 10 – 12 students an introduction to campus life. There are still limited places available in Tuesday 30 June - Health and Medical Sciences (Bundoora)
Wednesday 1 July - Justice and Legal OR Music, Sound and Live Production OR Science
Register at Experience Days
Students who may be interested in working with animals, or just want to learn more about how
to care for their pets, might like to take up one of these.
RSPCA Short Courses - RSPCA Short Courses
The following 1 day courses are on offer:
Introduction to working with Dogs
Introduction to working with Cats
Introduction to working with Small Animals
First Aid for Pets
Visit RSPCA Education and Learning to find out more!
The Department of Education and Melba College do not endorse the products or services of any private advertiser. No responsibility is
accepted by the Department of Education or Melba College for the accuracy of information contained in advertisements or claims made by
them
Entertainment Books Are Now Available For Sale For Chaplaincy Fundraising
Only 2-3 vouchers need to be redeemed to cover the cost of the book $65.
When ordering your book over the Internet where it asks about postage (click on pick up) it can be picked up from the school when a
copy of the receipt is shown or we can organise delivery by contacting Chris Atkinson on 9726 6769, 0432546591 email:
incatkinson@gmail.com.
If you do not wish to use the Internet you can purchase a book from the school offices or contact me as above.
From every Entertainment™ Book and Entertainment™ Digital Membership we sell, $13 goes towards
Chaplaincy Committee Fundraising! The more Memberships we sell, the more we raise – so please forward this
email to your family and friends.
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The new Memberships are available now and are packed with thousands of up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers.
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