海角大神

鈥橳is the (exams) season

As this edition of the Lighthouse is being published, our Year 12 VCE students have just concluded their second week of exams. Our Year 11 VCE and Year 10 students are only a week and two weeks, respectively, from starting their examination periods. While these are a concentrated period of assessment, they should be the culmination of 6 (or 12) months of preparation and study. While debates have raged for many years about the benefits and drawbacks of exams as a form of assessment, the realities of many occupations are that times for quick decision making and detailed responses to urgent tasks are commonplace. The pressures of an exam situation help us to distil knowledge and skills learnt over a long period to determine which are most appropriate to apply under a pressure situation. I鈥檝e met only a few who relish the months of study to prepare effectively - there鈥檚 always a more entertaining distraction - but as E.M. Gray notes:

"The successful person has the habit of doing the things failures don't like to do.

They don't like doing them either, necessarily.

But their disliking is subordinated to the strength of their purpose.鈥�

Remembrance Day

Next Monday 11 November our College will commemorate Remembrance Day. This year marks the 110th anniversary of the start of the misnamed 鈥榃ar to End All Wars鈥�.The Gospel from Luke (17:3-4) on Monday includes Jesus鈥� words to the disciples 

'If your brother does something wrong, rebuke him and, if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, "I am sorry," you must forgive him'.

It is testimony of the society we are privileged to live in that so many have come to Australia or are descended from those considered to have done 鈥榮omething wrong鈥�, i.e. from 鈥榚nemy鈥� nations in wars across the last 110 years.

I grew up in the post-Vietnam War era where popular songs about the tragedy of war were commonplace, from 鈥楢nd the Band Played Waltzing Matilda鈥� to 鈥業 Was Only 19鈥�, 鈥楰he Sahn鈥� and the much-misunderstood 鈥楤orn in the USA鈥�. Each of these laments both the tragedy of war and the struggles faced by returned service persons adjusting back to 鈥榗ivilian鈥� life. This poetic tradition is as ancient as war itself. At each remembrance service the Ode of Remembrance is recited to commemorate those lost in war:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

While most of us will be familiar with this stanza, the Ode is just one stanza from Laurence Binyon鈥檚 : I encourage you to read the full poem at

War is always tragic and it is important for us to take the time to stop and remember those who have served to stop aggression and preserve peace, democracy and human rights, and to pray for peace for those currently suffering due to war. 

David Broadbent
Principal

The Value of Respect

鈥淥ur youth now love luxury, they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders, and they love to chatter instead of exercise. Children are now tyrants not servants of their household. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up their food and tyrannise their teachers.鈥�

This sentiment was expressed by Socrates over 2,400 years ago. I recall sharing this statement with our staff a couple of years ago, to highlight that when teaching our youth, we must always consider the delays in brain development which can impact their capacity to learn and behave in ways that we consider appropriate. So why is respect so important to be taught explicitly?

At 海角大神, we consider Respect to be a fundamental value that fosters harmony and positive interactions among individuals, as they positively contribute to their communities and as they form part of our general society. Psychologists argue that respect involves recognising the intrinsic worth of others, regardless of their background, beliefs, experiences, and most importantly, their differences. We believe that by practising respect, we create an environment where people feel valued and heard, leading to stronger relationships and mutual trust. This virtue promotes empathy, compassion, understanding, and cooperation, which are essential for resolving conflicts and building inclusive societies, and are key aspects of Catholic Social Teaching. The value also contributes to personal growth, as it encourages individuals to consider perspectives beyond their own, fostering a culture of acceptance and shared identity, which promotes the dignity of each person as the most precious gift we receive from God.

Unfortunately, it is well documented in research that many youth today struggle with respect due to a variety of social, cultural, and technological influences. One significant factor is the rise of digital communication, which often lacks the nuance of face-to-face interactions and the appreciation of the person as a dignified child of God. Online platforms can promote impulsive and dismissive behaviours, where the consequences of disrespectful actions are less immediate or visible. This digital dynamic erodes the practice of empathy and mindful communication, which are key to understanding and showing respect. Each time that our children have access to social media platforms, they are subjected to the possibility of harassment, disrespect and bullying. Equally, they may also be encouraged to carry out such actions.

The shifting of societal norms have contributed to changes in how authority and tradition are perceived. While questioning norms and advocating for individual expression can lead to positive social progress, it may also blur the lines between healthy assertiveness and dismissiveness of others' perspectives. The idea of healthy debate may now be hindered by a perspective that the loudest voice wins, taking away the scope for rationality and new considerations to emerge from such interactions. The influence of media that prioritises sensationalism over substance can also shape attitudes that undervalue the importance of respectful discourse. All we need to do is consider how much of this has been viewed in the last few years with the wars in the Ukraine and Gaza, where many of our kids now look at the images and consider them to be the norm for others.

Finally, family structures and community interactions also play a key role in why disrespect can be displayed by young people. If they are not exposed to environments that model mutual respect consistently, they may lack a clear understanding of its importance. Challenges such as socioeconomic stress and a high-paced world can make it difficult for youth to prioritise reflective and respectful interactions when they are preoccupied with other pressing concerns. Living in a world that promotes competition and an obsession with greatness is conducive to this.

Respect is a value that we must uphold at 海角大神 because our students and staff deserve all interactions to be Safe, Fair and Kind. As parents, you play a vital role in ensuring that your child understands that respect is a responsibility that we must all uphold. Like in the days of Socrates, we are yet to find a simple method to ensure that young people are always respectful. Of course they won鈥檛 be, but not pulling them up on this or accepting the behaviour as normal is actually a big part of the problem.

It is imperative that parents and teachers, and other role models explicitly teach students the value of respect by maintaining clear expectations, setting high standards and valuing the young person as a dignified child of God. It is when we display respect and we encourage the young person to be respectful within the boundaries we set, that we explicitly teach them to take responsibility for their personal growth.

I hope that your child continues to form part of the great majority of our students who display respect as a natural part of their persona. Respect is a key value of the College, something that we expect and promote as highly relevant to their development.

Nap Rodezno

Deputy Principal

Spiritually Speaking: Pilgrims of Hope

Pope Francis has declared 2025 as a year of Jubilee for the Church with the theme Pilgrims of Hope. A Jubilee year is particularly special as it involves pilgrimages, holy doors, significant times of prayer and liturgical celebration and other Jubilee events. In the words of the pope, 鈥淲e must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.鈥� The Jubilee year begins on December 24. We are asked to focus particularly on hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and a climate crisis.

While we may not all be able to follow a pilgrimage to Rome, there will be opportunities in Melbourne to participate as pilgrims of hope. For our students, later in 2025, the Australian Catholic Youth Festival will be held in Melbourne which will see thousands of students participating in celebrations of hope. Our themes for many of our liturgical celebrations next year, will incorporate hope within the celebrations. In the next editions of Lighthouse, I will provide some discussion on hope and also hope in advent.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind families about the family mass and BBQ coming up on November 27. Everyone is welcome and please note, it will start earlier than normal to allow for people to partake in the BBQ before heading to other events such as the Yr 12 Parent Info night or the 2025 Yr 7 parents meeting. Please refer to the notice in the Life at 海角大神 section of this newsletter.

Tania Grace

Assistant Principal Mission

Senior Years Report

At 海角大神, students are encouraged to see themselves as global citizens, equipped with the capability to understand and appreciate diverse perspectives. To achieve this students have opportunities to learn through a range of subject areas; from language and culture classes through history, religion, texts studied in English to name a few - students gain valuable multicultural competencies that allow them to see the world in new ways. Special celebratory events such as Harmony Day and unique opportunities like international study tours further enrich their understanding and foster a genuine appreciation for different cultures and lifestyles.

Exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives broaden one鈥檚 awareness of the world around them, helping them become more open-minded and adaptable. Being open-minded and adaptable to multiple perspectives enriches students' lives. Enabling students to strengthen their problem solving, critical thinking and reasoning skills while also fostering empathy, understanding, and a deep appreciation for differences.

At the end of this month, Year 10 and 11 students studying French and Hospitality will embark on an exciting study tour to northwest France, visiting our sister schools, Notre Dame du Roc and Lyc茅e Sainte Marie. Shortly after, another group of Year 10 and 11 students will travel to Malay Borneo for a World Challenge expedition. We know they will have the wonderful opportunities to see spectacular landscapes and architecture, indulge in new foods and I am sure the Borneo trip will never forget the Orangutans. However, the tours provide so much more than these sensory experiences. These immersive experiences are invaluable, offering our students first hand insights into new cultures, concepts, and environments, helping shape them into informed and compassionate global citizens.

A little closer to home, this coming week we wish the Year 11 VCE VM group well as they set off to Phillip Island. The week promises to be filled with opportunities to develop their perseverance and teamwork skills as they hike, camp, cook and paddle together.

Safe travels to all our adventurers. We look forward to your pictures and stories when you return but most importantly we look forward to your new perspectives and sense of global awareness these moments will bring.

Rachel Crawley

Head Senior Years

Middle Years Report

I must be officially old. I was giving an assembly on 鈥楻espect鈥� last week and my first slide stated 鈥楻-E-S-P-E-C-T鈥� and I then said, 鈥渓et鈥檚 find out what it means to me.鈥� No-one found it amusing. Mind you, nor did they bat an eyelid when I said that it was a little rhyme I made up myself.

This month the theme for Student of the Month in the Middle Years was 鈥楻espect.鈥� We told students and teachers that the qualities of a respectful person often include:

Active Listening: They listen attentively to peers and teachers, showing that they value others' opinions and ideas.

Empathy: They try to understand how others feel, supporting classmates and teachers.

Open-mindedness: They are willing to consider different viewpoints and appreciate diversity in thoughts and backgrounds.

Politeness: They use respectful language and manners, both in person and online, to create a positive environment.

Inclusiveness: They make an effort to include others in activities and discussions, promoting a sense of belonging.

Like all our monthly topics, they are areas we value highly and invest a lot of our time and effort into ensuring these themes are developed. It is wonderful to see so many students helping us out by also demonstrating these qualities in abundance.

We honoured the following students on Wednesday with a muffin and commendation for being students of the Month in October for 鈥楻espectfulness.鈥�

Ted Wardle, Emily Forder, Jack Beckett, Eylah Peppas, Jay Troth, Mila Tzilves, James Dye, Ella Van Gulik, Jack Armarego, Georgia Davis, Jake Podnar, Aidan Walsh, Mila McDonald, Mabel van Marle, Chloe Moore, Hayden Ennor, Alanna Califore, Austin Puddy, Zahra Maimoon, Kate Langford, Flynn Logan, Matilda Baker, Evangeline Parsons, Heath Lamborn, Mia Shine, Chloe Jones, Olivia Laurence, Sharla Young, Kyan Campbell, Lily Ryan, James Farrar, Anique Sango, Lily Peace, Chloe McKernan, Amelia Loukidis, Mikayla Robinson, Ben Thomson, Olivia Alexandropoulos, Deon Jito, Zack Cruz, Leah Anderson, Matilda Shine, Amelia Cosette, Bailey Faulkner, Charlie Sidebottom, Joe Vardy, Aaron Jobish, James Gagnon, Elsa Castellino, Zac Kimball, Nathan Armstrong, Ethan Lasrado, Ryley Corcoran, Hugh Mercuri, Isabella Loukidis, Sophia Clinton, Fynn Svrakov, Jackson Tankosic.

Congratulations and thanks to all. They all help make 海角大神 a great place to come each day.

Phil Box
Head Middle Years

Junior Showcase
Our Junior Ensemble members shone at the Junior Music Showcase, which was held on Monday 28 October. A full house in Mahon Theatre enjoyed performances from our Junior Concert and Stage Bands, Guitar and String ensembles, Choirs and Rock Bands. The night opened with the epic James Bond Theme medley, and we thank all the Senior students who came to play in this combined item alongside their younger counterparts. See photos below!

Soirees
Emily McKenzie's vocal students created a beautiful occasion at their soir茅e on Thursday 24 October. Upcoming soir茅es include:

• Woodwind - Monday 11 November
• Guitar - Tuesday 12 November
• Brass - Tuesday 19 November
• Drums / Percussion - Tuesday 19 November
• Piano (Jermaine Wong) - Wednesday 20 November
• Voice and Piano (Natalie Carolan and Adrian Perri) - Wednesday 27 November.

We thank all the families who come to these events, as well as members of the school leadership. The students enjoy displaying the results of their hard work over the year, and being able to take their moment in the spotlight. It's not easy to perform in a small venue in front of family and friends, and we congratulate them all for their courage and perseverance.

Upcoming performances:
Our students performed at the Our Lady's Fete on Saturday 26th October, and we will also support the St John's Fete on Saturday 16th November. In addition, music students will perform at the Mass on Wednesday 13 November, and upcoming year level Assemblies.
As a department, we are proud to contribute so frequently to the life of the College, and help solemnise and celebrate important events throughout the school year.

Lesson Re-Enrolment
Thank you to all the families who have enrolled for music lessons in 2025. If this has slipped your mind, please sign up here:

Alison Bellew and Emily McKenzie
Music Program Coordinators

News from the chooks

Chook Observations

 They love enjoying their day spa鈥檚 (dust bath). We loved feeding, finding and cuddling them. They add to the school a lot and they have a really good home to stay in with shelter, food and water. I can ensure that they will brighten the school yard each day. It is great to see how the chooks are going every day and good to know they are having a good time. - James, Toby and Karthik from 8 GOLD

Recycling batteries

There is no need for batteries to be put in your household recycling or garbage bin. They can be taken to most supermarkets for recycling. Sticky tape must be put over the terminals before you can recycle them to prevent fires and ideally stored at home in glass.

Karyn Myers

Sustainability Coordinator

From the first service on Sunday, 10/11/2024, route 380 will be replaced by routes 668 and 669.
Due to these changes, 海角大神 college鈥檚 designated services will be replaced with R669 that will operate to/from Ringwood Station & to/from Croydon Station. Please read the details below for more information. Also check the  for up to date information.

English Beyond the Classroom: Engaging with the World of Words

At 海角大神, we鈥檙e passionate about immersing students in English both within and beyond the classroom. In today鈥檚 interconnected world, we believe students learn best when they experience literature and language as a vibrant part of life, not just a subject to study. It鈥檚 inspiring to see our curriculum extend into real-world experiences that deepen students鈥� understanding and spark their curiosity about the world of words.

Connecting with writers and literary professionals is one of the ways we bring English to life. Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting acclaimed author Kate Constable, who shared her journey as a writer and offered a look into Crow Country, a Year 7 set text. Kate鈥檚 exploration of identity, place, and belonging struck a chord with students, encouraging them to think deeply about themes in literature and consider how storytelling shapes our sense of self.

Excursions also form a significant part of our English program, and we鈥檝e had some memorable ones this year. Our Year 11 Literature

students recently attended a powerful performance of Frankenstein, which brought Mary Shelley鈥檚 complex exploration of ambition and humanity vividly to life. Experiencing this classic story on stage added a new dimension to their understanding, helping them see connections between the themes of the book and our own time. 

A visit to the Victorian State Library also gave students the chance to handle manuscripts, rare texts, and experience the rich history of Victorian storytelling. These excursions help students view literature as part of a larger cultural conversation and inspire them to see their own place within it.

These experiences outside the classroom encourage students to become curious, critical thinkers. Author visits and theatre performances help students question, interpret, and connect their learning to real-world issues, developing skills they鈥檒l carry with them long after they leave school.

To help reinforce our English curriculum at home, we encourage parents to:

• Discuss what students are reading and ask open-ended questions that allow for reflection.
• Watch film or stage adaptations of the books they鈥檙e studying, and talk about how these versions shape the story.
• Visit local libraries or bookstores to explore works by the authors they鈥檙e studying or discover new ones.
• Encourage journaling for personal reflection, creative expression, or as a way to engage with what they鈥檙e learning

These activities not only support academic growth but help students see English as a subject that鈥檚 deeply connected to the world around them. Thank you for helping make English a meaningful and transformative journey for all students at 海角大神.

Sam Warren

English - Learning Area Leader

On Thursday, October 24th, I went to the Mission to Mars Excursion at VSSEC to try a simulation of what it would be like to be on Mars and to be in mission control talking to the people on Mars. There were 2 groups mariners and Vikings, I was part of Vikings which was the first group to do the Mars Simulation. We were brought into a room that looked like the inside of a spaceship, and we got a rundown of our roles and what we had to do. Once we knew what we were doing we put on our spacesuits and helmets. When we were brought onto the Mars surface I got straight to doing my job which was the biologist, I had to get rocks from the dried-up river and test them to see if water was once actually in the area. As I was about to finish reporting to mission control the room went dark and a sandstorm was going to arrive so my group had to evacuate from Mars. After escaping from the sandstorm we swapped roles with the other group. My role in mission control was to keep track of the vitals of the astronauts and if the spacesuits had enough air. The second astronaut group were doing fine until a solar flare was headed straight for them and had to evacuate. Once they evacuated both groups got together to test the objects we had collected throughout the day like rocks, sand, and dry ice. Since I was a biologist my role in the lab was to simulate a terrain, with a water source on one end slowly eroding the area to see if Mars鈥檚 terrain looked like it had been eroded by water. Our trip to VSSEC was very fun and interesting as we got to learn about Mars鈥檚 surface and if water was actually once on Mars, I learnt a lot during the excursion such as the different types of rocks that form in rivers, how they formed and what it's like to be an astronaut and a person in mission control.  - Fergus Coghlan

The Mission to Mars Excursion was a very exciting experience that I was glad to be a part of. The day was broken into 3 parts. The first 2 parts were spent with the class split into 2 groups with one being the astronauts on mars and the other, Mission Control. I was a part of the first to be on Mars. My role on the planet was a Geophysicist. I had to set up seismic equipment, use a Geiger counter to look for radiation and conduct a thermal survey. In Mission control, I was the PDSE (Payload Deployment Systems Engineer). This required me to record data that the Geochemists on the ground discovered and assist them. In the lab work during the last session, we were finding out what the terrain on Mars would have been based on the rocks and substances found and how old they were. This information was collected and presented in a slideshow that displayed the types of rocks found in each section of the surface. Overall, the aim of the day was to learn more about Mars and what we might do when we are able to put astronauts on the surface. I found that a lot of effort and preparation would be required in order to make a sustainable place for people to live on Mars. - Ryan Martin

At the mission to Mars excursion, we got to put on space suits and explore Mars. My role was as an engineer. First, I had to set up the weather recording system, which told us the wind speed and radiation levels. Then, I set up the camera, which gave a live feed of Mars to mission control. Finally, I searched for rock samples drilled by a rover and took them back to the lab where we analysed the environment on mars. In mission control, I was a mission director. I had to instruct the commanders on what to do and get information from other crew members. The aim of the day was to teach us about Mars, space travel and how scientists research space. It was lots of fun and we learned things from it. - Jay Kannegiesser

The Year 11 VM Recreational Numeracy trip to Hardrock Climbing in Nunawading was an exciting and challenging day. Students navigated the train from Ringwood to Nunawading and then walked to the climbing centre.

After a quick intro to climbing and belaying, everyone chose their own routes, tackling climbs of different difficulty levels. Each student pushed personal limits, with lots of sore arms and shoulders to prove it! The day was also a great chance to practice communication, teamwork, and leadership as students supported each other and built confidence on the walls.

Kane Henden
Teacher

After two terms of hard work on the Sustainability Initiatives, Design Compassion Mural, and Adventure Camper Projects, our Year 11 VM WRS students enjoyed a well-deserved activity day. The day kicked off with Splatball at Oakleigh, where students demonstrated agility, teamwork, communication, and leadership. Later, at Morack Golf Course, they took part in a longest drive competition and an 18-hole mini-golf challenge. It was a fantastic reward for their dedication, commitment, and professionalism throughout these major 2024 projects!

Kane Henden
Teacher

On Tuesday the 29th of October 海角大神 Dancers performed at the 'Let's Dance Year 9 and 10 Performance Night' in the packed Mahon Theatre. There were three different whole class dance works performed which were choreographed by Ms Owen. The Year 9's performed 'Destination Unknown' a Jazz Dance about Flight Attendants while the Year 10's performed a Contemporary Dance 'People Help the People' portraying a narrative about homelessness and an additional Jazz Dance '100% Pure Love' focussing on technique and artistry.

Also on the night students performed their own choreography in Solos, Duos, Trios and Quartets showing off skills, athleticism and creativity. For some students it was their first time on stage which was quite nerve wracking however the audience was super supportive and encouraging. The experience of a performance night is always wonderful with fun times behind the scenes, getting into costumes, socialising and of course getting on stage to show your passion for dance!

Sam Mugamu (Year 10 Dance)

On the 31st of October our Sport class took a trip to URBNSURF. We learnt how to surf and everyone in our class got up. We played fun life saving games to save our mates. After a few attempts of funny fails of surfing we all got in the spa to finish off the day - Seb

At URBNSURF we practised how to get out of a rip with life jackets on. We got to practice Lifesaving skills with real lifeguard flotation devices. This was a really fun day, but I also applied a lot of knowledge from class content - James

To introduce us to the day we did a quick brief lesson going over safety life skills that can not just be used during our day at URBNSURF but also at school, in public and at home. We went through the safety strategy known as D.R.S.A.B.C.D and even practised some CPR on dummies - Shevan

The Year 11 VM Recreational Numeracy trip to Werribee Gorge was an unforgettable experience. We tackled the 10km Circuit Walk in an impressive 2.5 hours鈥攚ay faster than the expected 4.5 hours! The trail threw plenty of challenges at us with steep, uneven ground and tricky rock crossings, but reaching the top and taking in the stunning views made it all worth it. 

We spotted a huge variety of flora and fauna along the way, which really added to the experience. Beyond the physical test, the hike gave us a chance to build skills in orienteering, navigation, teamwork, and leadership as we helped each other through the course.

Kane Henden & Emily Campiciano

Teachers

Fashion Design and Textiles classes supporting 鈥楶inchapoo鈥�

Pinchapoo is an Australian not-for-profit organization that supplies hygiene products to those in need. They collect unused toiletries from hotels, businesses, and individuals and redistribute them to vulnerable communities, including people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence survivors, and those in crisis situations. Their cheeky name is inspired by encouraging people to "pinch" (take) hotel toiletries to help support their mission. Pinchapoo collaborates with various charitable organizations to distribute these essentials across the country.

Our Year 9 Fashion Design and Textiles class has been sewing hair scrunchies which are to be donated to Pinchapoo at the end of the year. The scrunchies will be included in some of their hygiene packs that are given to people in the local area who are experiencing challenging circumstances.

This project provided our students an opportunity to use their skills and resources to help others, demonstrating their developing intercultural competencies. In particular, being an equaliser who advocates for social justice and shows empathy for others, and an inquirer who contributes in matters of global significance. Additionally, the project was really a community effort with the fabric and elastic being kindly donated by staff members earlier in the year.

If you would like to support Pinchapoo, you can find further information on their about the types of donations they need as well as all their Victorian collection points.

Natalie Zuccon

Intercultural Learning Coordinator

鈥淟et us not grow weary in doing what is right...whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all..鈥� (Galatians 6:9-10)

It is hard to believe we are talking about Christmas already!

It has been tradition at 海角大神 that we have our own 鈥榃ishing Tree鈥� and support the local St Vincent de Paul Conferences with collecting donations or goods for Christmas gifts. It鈥檚 always heart-warming, and a wonderful end to the year to see the outpouring of generosity to ensure that those who are doing it tough are still able to have gifts under the tree for their families.

We hope you can join us in continuing this tradition, and each contribute something small and meaningful to help us end the year with a focus on service and generosity.

How can you get involved?

Buy A Gift

If you鈥檙e out shopping over the weekend, perhaps you could pick up a small gift to leave under the Wishing Tree in the ARC?

Gifts will be for young children and families, and only need to be between $15-$20.

No need to wrap the gifts, as Vinnies will collect it all and wrap up small parcels to give to families.

Cash Donations or Gift Vouchers

Envelopes for cash donations can be found hanging on the Christmas Trees in the ARC foyer, the Senior Years building (upstairs) and the Middle Years building (downstairs).

Simply place your donation into the envelope and hand it in to the Catholic Life Office (located in the Year 9 Quad, next door to IT Support). 

Gift Vouchers are also a great option, especially for teenagers and adults. Please keep these to a maximum of $20 for easier distribution by Vinnies. These can also be handed in to the Catholic Life Office.

Please ensure all gifts and donations are delivered to the school by Friday 29th November (or your last day onsite).

Bake Sale Fundraiser

We鈥檒l also be hosting bake sales at the school on Friday, November 8th, 15th, and 22nd, and we鈥檙e looking for contributions of baked goods from our school community. All proceeds from these bake sales will go towards purchasing gifts for the Wishing Tree.

Instructions and guidelines for how you can help: 

• All baked goods must be nut-free to ensure the safety of all students.
• Please provide a list of ingredients with your items to assist those with dietary restrictions.
• If your item is gluten-free, please clearly label the container to help our customers make informed choices.
• 罢丑别谤别鈥檚 no need to individually package your items; simply place them in a suitable storage container.
• Baking can be dropped off at the Catholic Life Office on the Thursday before each sale, or on the Friday morning of the sale.

This is a delicious and fun way to contribute, and we encourage you to come by, grab a treat, and support the cause!

Thankyou in advance for your participation in our 2024 Christmas Appeal. If you are after any further information, please contact me on mugamumn@aquinas.vic.edu.au

Martha Mugamu

Justice & Outreach Coordinator

 What a challenge!

The OETTA (Outer Eastern Hospitality Trade Training Alliance) Interschool Culinary Challenge was hosted by 海角大神 College again this year in our fantastic Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre.

The competition is open to students undertaking Units 1 & 2 in VET Certificate II in Cookery at Eastern region schools. Students work in teams and must design, prepare and cook three plates of a main dish and three plates of a dessert dish within a specific time frame. Students must use the feature ingredients of Chicken Maryland, and the native Australian ingredient in their dishes.

The Interschool Cooking Challenge aims -

• Community of excelling students to showcase their talents and expose them to the demands of the industry that they will encounter after the course.
• To test students' organisation, teamwork, and ability to work under pressure. To assist them to benchmark themselves against other students.

Again this year 海角大神 College, Ranges TEC and Belgrave Heights Christian schools were involved. The judges were blown away by the high standard of the restaurant quality dishes the students produced.

The winner for 2024 was 海角大神 College and the winning team included Laura Blackman and Joaquin Nunez

鈥淚t was good to see all of our hard work paid off. The other teams were really kind and supportive. The other teams dishes were really good with unique presentations鈥� Laura, year 10

鈥淚t was a good challenge, it pushed my limits and we did a great job鈥� Joaquin, year 10

The Competition was filmed by a professional film crew in 2022 - See the video

Owen Stott

Director, Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre

Congratulations to these students who won the best player and coach鈥檚 awards for Season 2 in Yr 10 EISM.

TABLE TENNIS A - GIRLS

Best Player - Kiah Singh

Coach's Award -Aria Conway

ULTIMATE FRISBEE - GIRLS

Gabby Hooper

TABLE TENNIS A - BOYS

Coach's Award - Garcia McKrell-Bonacci

NETBALL

Coach's Award - Gallagher Robertson

The Spirit of 海角大神 section will focus on one core value from our mission statement and ways this value has been demonstrated at school.

Perseverance: We are challenged to continually strive for excellence in all aspects of our learning.

Perseverance is shown by a continual act of trying, in spite of obstacles. A steadfast attitude, no matter how difficult a task might be. This value is one the year 9s at 海角大神 strive to have and hold up. It can be seen during public performances, whether it be students speaking at assemblies, or at music and dance concerts. There are times where students are visibly nervous and scared, maybe even second guessing themselves in the moment, yet they persevere. Pushing themselves to  continue on until the end of their performance or speech.

This is very inspiring to both teachers and students alike, specifically to Year 9 Captain Dulcie White who spoke very highly of these students who are steadfast and persevere amidst their fears. It can also be seen within the classrooms and between peers, when assignments or classroom content becomes tricky. The students and teachers of our school persevere, no matter the difficulty, in order to finish the assignment or understand the subject material. Year 9 Captain, Deon Jito and Dominic House Captain, Abbey Bruni both spoke how they鈥檝e experienced, and witnessed this exact form of perseverance themselves and with their peers, both inside and outside the classroom. They both spoke highly of how beneficial persevering can be to their learning and their life at the college. It is great to see how much the year 9s have embraced this, and are excited to see them hold onto it during the rest of their schooling careers.

The campaign is over for 2024. The dice have been packed away and the character sheets stuffed into the pocket of an already stuffed Bag of Holding. It has been an action packed year and I hope it will continue next year under the watchful gaze of a new teacher.

To recap: the club is the brainchild of Adeline Dods, who has been curating it since Year 8. When I arrived at the school, I agreed to open a couple of rooms for the club and we were suddenly inundated with role-playing aficionados.

For the last few years, we have concentrated on providing gaming experiences for whoever wants to partake. We've trained up a number of Dungeon Masters and on any given week there will be the sounds of battle (and other assorted trickery) happening from at least three different campaigns.

We've defeated trickster warlocks and vanquished cultist leaders. We've rescued farmers and the spirits of a village's children. I've introduced them to other role playing games such as Munchkin and Superfight, Goblin Quest and Paranoia. And much fun has been had by all.

To finish the year, we had a party. To eat some food, players had to defeat the associated monster. Jubes were gelatinous blobs. Jellybabies were zombies. Black Cats were baby displacer beasts. And I handed out prizes in thanks to my student Dungeon Masters: Adeline Dods, Christian Usak, Lachlan Collins, Charlie Sidebottom and Pip Wilhelmsen

I am honoured to have been part of this club during my time here. I absolutely recommend it to whichever teacher can support them next year.

Damian Perry

Teacher