Alba Newsletter – October 2023

Welcome back to Term 4

We would like to welcome everyone back for Term 4. A special welcome back to our staff who were on leave, Ms Effie Goulas and Ms Judy Blum.

Term 4 is a busy term for all of us, with assessments, exams and reports all happening.  Students should be working hard, and preparing for their final assessments to best prepare for 2024.

A couple of important dates:

• Thursday 16 November will be a pupil free day for staff planning and assessment.
• Monday 4 December is also a pupil free day for Report writing.

Liz Hedger Garden

Liz was a long standing member of staff who passed away last year after a battle with cancer. In recognition of her work in the facilities and finance of the school as Business Manager, the garden outside Nindethana was named in her honour. Last week we held a short ceremony to remember Liz and officially name the garden. We were joined by one of her sons, Andrew.

Year 12 Graduation

This year we returned to Moonee Valley Racecourse to celebrate the Graduation of the Class of 2023. It was a wonderful evening, full of music, joy and speeches, celebrating the schooling and achievements of our Year 12 students. Our guest speaker, Lydia Tesema spoke about her journey of success from school, to where she is now.

A special congratulations to the major award winners.

These were:

• Ampol All Rounder – Kelly Chen
• Y12 ADF STEM Innovators Award – Victoria Au
• Year 12 Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award – Karli Keskin
• VET Excellence Award – Onesemo Brown.
• VCAL Excellence Award – Tracy Nguyen
• VCE Excellence Award (Dux) –Victoria Au

The full list of subject awards can be found later in this newsletter.

We would like to congratulate all of the VCE VM and VCE students of the Class of 2023 and wish them well in their future endeavours.

Congratulations to the Senior Sub School team for their organisation of the event, and to all those staff who volunteered their time to support the students.

Fashion Awards

Congratulations to our fashion students and their teachers. This was the first year since COVID that the schools’ fashion awards have run. Traditionally, SASC has done extremely well in the fashion awards and this year was no exception. The school took out the major award, the Claringbold Cup, and several other individual awards. Make sure you read the full article written by Mr D’Aglas. Thank you to our dedicated and talented fashion teachers Mr Michael Bowden and Mr Nick D’Aglas for their vision and tireless efforts. Thank you also to Ms Della Butler and Ms Kristy Le who accompanied the team to the fashion awards on Friday 13 October.

School Captains 2024

Our 2024 school leaders were announced at Monday’s whole school assembly. The process to become a school captain was quite rigorous with a written application including references, an interview, a formal speech to peers and a video. Thank you to all students who applied to be a school captain. It is wonderful to see so many students putting themselves forward for leadership positions and wanting to contribute to the school community in such a positive way. Thank you also to Ms Avril Good for her comprehensive coordination of the selection process.

Congratulations to our School Captains for 2024 Kevin (Long) Nguyen and Sally (Xin) Li.

Whole School Assembly

Each Whole School Assembly held is an important part of our school calendar and it was wonderful to be able to celebrate our Year 12 cohort and wish them well as a whole school community on their last day on Monday 16 October. This assembly provided a valuable opportunity to farewell the Year 12s as they make their way onto the next part of their journey.  It was also an opportunity to showcase our school values of Respect, Integrity, Leadership and Excellence. The assembly included rituals such as the passing on of time capsules and the handing over to the next group of leaders. Both outgoing School Captains Kathleen Phan and Karli Keskin, and incoming School Captains, Kevin (Long) Nguyen and Sally (Xin) Li,  addressed the school community and it was clear that both sets of leaders felt a sense of pride in their school. The rest of the school student leadership team for 2024 was also welcomed, Kelly Lam, Sarah Mai, Jessica Thompson and Angela (Wren) Truong.

Phuoc Le and Trang Ngo from Year 7 responded to the leaders and thanked the Year 12 cohort on behalf of Year 7 and the rest of the student body.

Awards

Dr Jozica Kutin Psychology Award & Helen Papadimitriou English Award

During the award presentations we heard from two alumni from Dr Jozica Kutin (class of ’84) and Helen Papadimitriou (class of ’83).   Jozica presented the $250 Psychology Award she donated to go to a student who has shown commitment, potential, and is continuing their studies in Psychology into Year 12.  This award went to Elizabeth Tran of 11F . Helen presented the $250 English Award she donated for a Year 10 student who shows outstanding growth and achievement in English, this was awarded to Ricardo Vom of 10D.

Roger Martin Science Award

Also presented was the Roger Martin Science Award which is $120 donated by the Martin family in recognition of Roger who was a previous Science teacher and Assistant Principal of the school. This is awarded to a student who shows outstanding achievement in Science and is continuing their Science studies into VCE. This year this award went to Haybel Verma of 10E.

Joseph and Clare Sheen Community Service Award

The Joseph and Clare Sheen Award for Community Service that has been donated by Mr Greg Sheen, a recently retired teacher of the school naming the Award in honour of his parents.  Greg wishes to acknowledge those students who contribute to improving their community and is awarded to one or more students for voluntary and active tasks benefitting the community.  This year there were 3 recipients Paul Mifsud 9I, Stephanie Truong 9C and Sally Li 11C.

ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership & Team Work Award and ADF Future Innovators Award

The Year 10 and Year 12 Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Awards are awarded to one student from each of year 10 and year 12 who demonstrate leadership and teamwork within both the school and the broader local community. These students must display strong values, such as doing one’s best, respect for others and “mateship”, characteristics that are integral to Australian society.

The Year 10 Long Tan Award was awarded to Minhthu Huyn of 10E and the Year 12 Long Tan Award was awarded to Karli Keskin of 12B.

The Year 10 and Year 12 ADF Future Innovators Award which recognises student achievements in STEM areas was awarded to Ethan Shaw of 10E and Victoria Au of 12A.

Student Recognition Award

The student recognition Prize is awarded at the end of each year to a student from each Sub School who exemplifies the school values of Respect, Integrity, Leadership and Excellence; this includes having over 90% attendance, always behaving respectfully to other students and staff and in accordance with expectations including always being punctual.  The students who were drawn from the pool of those eligible for each Sub School are:

• Junior Sub School – Afsana Abbasi of 8K,
• Middle Sub school – Gabrielle Olinares of 10C, and
• Senior Sub School – Deniz Daymen of 11A

Fashion Award

There was a parade of the fashion items created by our Senior Fashion classes assisted by Mr Michael Bowden and Mr Nick D’Aglas.  This year, after a 3 year hiatus, the Fashion Awards returned and took place on 13 October, the school won or placed in all categories and brought home the overall Cup. 

The Crocker House Cup Award

The Crocker House Cup was awarded, by Mr Ian Crocker, to the winning House which was Rosewall who last won the House Cup in 2013.  Final House points for the year were:

Well done to Rosewall House and all the students who received awards; all were thoroughly deserved.

We also thank and congratulate our Facilities and Music Teams who worked behind the scenes to ensure the effective set up and presentation of the event that we experienced, well done to all involved. Thank you to our special guests and all the student speakers and musicians.

Class of 2023

Congratulations to our class of 2023, we wish you all the best for your upcoming exams and placements and look forward to hearing about your accomplishments beyond school.  Each of you will forever be part of the
St Albans Secondary College community and we hope to see many of you return as part of our alumni program.

General Office Hours 

8:15am to 4:15pm   

Compass Communication

Any important information will be sent to parents and families via the Compass News Feed.  Parents are asked to ensure that they have access to Compass.

General Office Payments

Preferred method of payment for School Events and Curriculum Contributions is via the Compass school management system.  Parents will log in to this system using their allocated unique User ID and a temporary password.  Payments can be made through the Action Centre from the home screen.  Please contact the General Office on 9366 2555 should you need further information. 

ID Cards

Students are reminded that they require their ID cards with them when they present to the front office.

Lost or Damaged Id Cards

• go the ‘Organisation’ menu (grid icon)
• select ‘Identity Cards’.
• in the ‘Orders’ section, click ‘Individual Orders’.
• complete the details to order the card

A payment will be required when placing your order.

When the card arrives, it will need to be activated.  Follow the steps below to activiate the card.

• go the ‘Organisation’ menu (grid icon)
• select ‘Identity Cards’
• click on ‘Individual Activation’
• complete the information on the screen to activate the card.

The office will no longer be taking payment for replacement cards.  Please contact the office on 9366 2555 if you have any queries.

Student Lunches at the General Office

Families are advised that the General Office is unable to accept lunches for student collection.  Please discuss and prepare for a different course of action with your child, should they forget to bring their lunch to school.

If your child has forgotten their lunch at home, parents can leave money in an envelope for their student to collect at the office.  The canteen has an array of choices for your child to purchase their lunch.

College Expectations 

Attendance, Uniform, Punctuality  

We greatly appreciate the support we receive from parents to make sure that your child attends school regularly and punctually, is in full uniform, and is well prepared for all classes with books and equipment.

 Attendance  

Students must have a minimum of 90% attendance in all classes at each year level.

Uniform  

Full uniform must be worn to and from school, at school and on all school excursions, including interschool sports.

Punctuality  

Students are expected to be punctual at the start of each day and for all classes. Any student who is late more than 4 times will have a Friday detention from 3:20pm to 5:20pm. 

Sustainable School Shop

The Sustainable School Shop website is available to purchase and/or sell second-hand uniforms and used textbooks.

 Parents can log in or register at any time at  www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au

When selling items, click the Sell Uniforms button and follow the prompts. Assistance is given to construct your “For Sale” ads including a pricing guide.

To see the ads for items currently on sale or to obtain the seller details, you will need to log-in to the Sustainable School Shop website, click the blue Stocktake button and then click the item you need. Buyers contact the seller directly.

 Sellers are asked to delist For Sale Ads as items sell.

Student Absence 

Parents and guardians are now able to leave student absence messages directly with the relevant Sub School.

Follow the telephone prompts to be connected to the Sub School needed.

• Wait for the beep before leaving a message
• State who you are, eg:  I am the parent of ……..  and clearly state your child’s name and home group
• Clearly state the reason for your child’s absence and how long they will be absent for

Please ensure that your message is audible (not on speaker phone) and there is no background noise.  

Camps, Sports, Events Fund (CSEF)

Parents with a valid Health Care Card may be eligible to apply for the CSEF.  The CSEF is a yearly payment for each child in the family attending our College.  This payment is to assist with the cost of Camps, Sports and Excursions for your child to attend.  Applications for 2023 are now closed.

State School Relief (SSR)

Should you have a valid Health Care Card and require assistance to purchase school uniform and/or school shoes; you may be eligible for SSR. Health Care Card holders with students enrolled in the VCAL program may also be eligible for assistance with the purchase of personal protective gear. Please enquire at the General Office.

Monday, 23 October 2023

08:35AM – 03:10PM Yr 8K/8J Strathbogie Camp

08:45AM – 03:10PM Yr 9 Drama Excursion

10:30AM – 01:30PM Leaders of the Pack

Tuesday, 24 October 2023

All Day Yr 12 VCAA Exams Start

08:35AM – 03:10PM Yr 8K/8J Strathbogie Camp

Wednesday, 25 October 2023

08:35AM – 03:10PM Yr 8K/8J Strathbogie Camp

01:30PM – 02:20PM S.T.O.M.P

Thursday, 26 October 2023

08:55AM – 10:35AM Strength

11:00AM 12:40PM SHINE

Friday, 27 October 2023

All Day Yr 11 Last Day of Classes

03:30PM – 04:30PM Drama Club

Monday, 30 October 2023

All Day Yr 11 Exams Start

All Day Yr 11 VCE VM Work Placement

10:30AM – 01:30PM Leaders of the Pack

11:00AM – 12:40PM Yr 9C Frontiers of Young Minds

Tuesday, 31 October 2023

All Day Yr 11 VCE VM Work Placement

Wednesday, 1 November 2023

All Day Yr 11 VCE VM Work Placement

08:35AM – 03:10PM Yr 8C Strathbogie Camp

01:30PM – 02:20PM S.T.O.M.P

Thursday, 2 November 2023

All Day Yr 11 VCE VM Work Placement

08:00AM – 05:00PM WMR Yr 7 Boys Baseball

08:35AM – 03:10PM Yr 8C Strathbogie Camp

08:55AM – 10:35AM Strength

11:00AM – 12:40PM SHINE

Friday, 3 November 2023

All Day Yr 11 VCE VM Work Placement

08:35AM – 03:10PM Yr 8C Strathbogie Camp

Monday, 6 November 2023

All Day Yr 11 VCE VM Work Placement

10:30AM – 01:30PM Leaders of the Pack

Tuesday, 7 November 2023

All Day Melbourne Cup Public Holiday

Wednesday, 8 November 2023

All Day Yr 11 Last Day of Exams

All Day Yr 11 VCE VM Work Placement

08:35AM – 03:10PM Yr 8H Strathbogie Camp

11:00AM – 11:50AM Diversity Champions

01:30PM – 02:20PM S.T.O.M.P

Thursday, 9 November 2023

All Day Yr 12 VCE VM Orientation Begins

All Day Yr 11 VCE VM Work Placement

08:35AM – 03:10PM Yr 8H Strathbogie Camp

08:55AM – 10:35AM Strength

11:00AM – 12:40PM SHINE

11:00AM – 12:40PM Yr 8 GAT

Friday, 10 November 2023

All Day Yr 11 VCE VM Work Placement

08:35AM – 03:10PM Yr 8H Strathbogie Camp

Monday, 13 November 2023

All Day Yr 9 Semester 2 Tests (Core Subjects Only)

All Day Yr 12 VCE VM Orientation

10:30AM – 01:30PM Leaders of the Pack

Tuesday, 14 November 2023

All Day Yr 12 VCE VM Orientation

Wednesday, 15 November 2023

All Day Yr 12 VCAA Exams Last Day

All Day Yr 12 VCE VM Orientation

08:35AM – 02:20PM Birrarung Wilam Stories

08:55AM – 03:10PM Yr 8A/8G Strathbogie Camp

01:30PM – 04:30PM S.T.O.M.P

Thursday, 16 November 2023

08:55AM – 03:10PM Yr 8A/8G Strathbogie Camp

08:55AM – 10:35AM Strength

11:00AM – 12:40PM SHINE

Ethan Man

Hello all, my name is Ethan, I’m excited to be joining St Albans Secondary College and its community this term. I have previously worked at a Primary School and I am still somewhat new to education as this is my 3^rd year and constantly learning new things.

In my spare time I like to sit back and relax, watching shows or movies more specifically comic related. I also enjoy playing games when possible with my mates or siblings. Occasionally I do enjoy drawing as a way to distress from the day.

I look forward to meeting and working with you all at St Albans Secondary College.

Phuong (Fiona) Do

Hi my name is Fiona and I am currently being appointed by St Albans Secondary College as part of the Individual Needs team in Term 3 this year.  During the past 2 years, I’ve successfully completed a short course at Vic Uni and was fortunate to receive an offer (ES position) right from the school I conducted my work placement with. 

From there I was able to pick up a vast knowledge and experience in supporting students with their learning needs.  As soon as I joined St Albans Secondary College, I discovered my true passion in helping those with different individual needs and supporting them along with their learning journey, in itself was really rewarding.

My favourite thing to do was spending time with families and friends.  I enjoy a good cup of coffee and take a solo walk around our beautiful Melbourne city where possible.

I am looking forward to meeting and working with you all.

A huge welcome back to our students in Junior School for Term 4.

The start of Term 4 sees our Year 8 students attending class camps and enjoying time with their classmates before they move into Year 9 next year.

Year 8 are also attending the Indigenous Science workshops over the next few weeks. It has been a wonderful learning experience for the students. Students will learn about how Indigenous people use science in everyday life and compare the sustainability of past practises with current ones. They are also attending the Dark Matters exhibition to explore the fundamental essence of life and the universe and how much of it remains unknown to us.

Our Junior Assemblies held a focus on Giving Back. This term our CPR theme is “Giving Back.” This theme is about fostering a community at the college that practices gratitude and kindness to others and grow strong connections across our community. It is also about modelling to students how to grow and strengthen our community through giving to others.

Year 7 and 8 Students are competing in the Junior Baseball and Softball competitions this Term. They have been keenly practising, and will attend competitions in the western suburbs and in Geelong with Ms Phyland. Thank you to Ms. Phyland for all the time you are putting into the preparation.

Students are reminded to be Prepared for Learning every day with equipment, devices, uniform and being on time to class.  

Remember to always communicate with your teachers if you are having and is

sues or difficulties with your work and submitting assessment.

Have a successful Term 4 and “Finish Strong!”

Ms Lauren Honeycombe – Junior Sub School Leader

As we welcome back our Middle School students to the final term of 2023, we also welcome a new Connect, Protect and Respect theme. At Middle School assemblies held in week 1, we encouraged students to take part in the Kindness Challenge. As part of our ‘Giving Back’ theme this term, students can say thanks and give back to our school community through small acts of kindness.

At the assemblies, a number of students were presented with certificates for their work on the MAC production held in term 3. We congratulate all students who participated on and off the stage for their hard work, effort and commitment.

The school calendar has already been full of events and opportunities for students. 11 year 10 students participated in the Melbourne University GTAC excursion early this term. This provided students with the opportunity to explore the GTAC facilities, talk to current students about their research projects and get a first-hand experience of what it is like work and learn in the Biomedical Sciences Digital Learning Hub.

Our year 10 Politics students visited Government House as part of their study of the Australia Political system, where they were taken on a tour to get a first-hand look and experience the lives of those that work there.

Students are currently completing work which will be reflected on the next round of Progress Reports. These will be available in week 4 and 5 for year 10 and 9 respectively. We remind all Middle School students to continue to be proactive in their learning, arrive to class on time with their equipment and finish the year of strong.

The Middle School would like to welcome our school community back to term 4 and we look forward to celebrating our students’ successes as we near the end of the year.

Mr Andrei Alexandrescu – Middle Sub School Assistant Leader

Year 12 VCE VM Portfolio Interviews

On Monday, 10 October and Wednesday 12 October, the Year 12 VCE VM students had their formal interviews where they showcased their portfolios, including work completed in the VCE VM program, work placement and VET. The students spoke about the skills, knowledge and experiences they gained through the program and their plans for 2024. The interviews were a wonderful celebration of their personal and academic growth and outstanding contribution to the community.

Last Day of Classes & Year 12 Awards Evening

Year 12 classes finished classes on Friday 13 October at 12:00pm. Students were dismissed at lunchtime to prepare for their Year 12 Awards Evening, which was held in the Celebration Room, at Moonee Valley Race Course.

Our 2023 Awards Evening was a joyous occasion, with a full house of students, families, friends and teachers, coming together in a celebration of the College’s culture of success and life-long learning. Our Guest Speaker was Lydia Tesema – a Global Thought Leader, Entrepreneur and Community Leader. Lydia, inspired the graduating students to consider non-traditional careers, and to be “true to themselves” with what they hope to achieve in the future.  She delivered a motivation speech with the key themes of perseverance and positive thinking, which resonated with the students. We thank Lydia for taking the time to address our school community.

The school captains Karli Keskin and Kathleen Phan shared memorable moments of their secondary school journey, and best wishes for the class of 2023. Karli and Kathleen, along with vice-captains Kelly Chen, Crystal Nguyen and Jennifer To prepared a presentation which was shared with the audience. The Senior Sub School would like to thank the School Captains for all their work and leadership during the year. It has been a pleasure working with them.

One of our international students, Thuong Tran, spoke from the heart about the strength, kinship and sense of belonging he found through the St Albans Secondary College community.

Many students were recognised for their academic achievements, and/or contribution to the school and wider community.

The major Award recipients were:

• ADF Future Innovators Award – Victoria Au
• Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award – Karli Keskin
• Ampol All Rounder – Kelly Chen
• VCE VM Excellence Award – Tracy Nguyen
• VCE Excellence Award – Victoria Au

A new award was also introduced this year – the VET Excellence Award, which was awarded to Onesemo Brown for his work in Certificate II in Screen & Media.

The following students received subject awards:

Year 12 Celebration Day

The morning started with a whole school assembly, where students paraded their costumes to music. The Year 11 SRC and Year 7 representatives wished them all the best during the assembly.  After the assembly the students continued their celebrations in the gymnasium and took photos in the photo booth. Finally, they read their “Year 7 First Day of Secondary School” reflection, while enjoying pizza with their friends in Nindethana.

The Senior Sub School would like to thank the Year 12 students for their excellent behaviour during the celebrations, and wishes the class of 2023 all the best with their upcoming exams and all their future endeavours. 

Last Day of Year 11 classes & Exams

Year 11 exams will commence on 30 October and conclude on 8 November 2023. We wish the Year 11 students all the best with their exams.

Year 12 Orientation will start on 9 November and will run through to the 23 November 2023. Last day of classes for Year 11 students is Friday 23 of November. The Year 11 students will have their final assembly period 6.

Year 11 CHASE Program

Year 11 VCE VM students presented their projects for the Community Health Advancement and Student Engagement Program ‘CHASE’ to the school community. The purpose of the CHASE program is to empower young people through health education and community engagement. The CHASE partnership has been an integral component of VCE VM (formerly the VCAL program) for many years. It has provided students with project management skills and an understanding of the benefits of giving back to the community. We are excited to be welcoming special guest MP Natalie Suleyman, who will be attending the CHASE Showcase in the Performing Arts Centre on Friday 20 of October 2023.  

 Year 11 VCE VM Work Placement and Orientation Program

Year 11 VCE VM work placement starts Wednesday 30 October to 10 November 2023, where students will have a taste of their future industry. The VCE VM students will complete their orientation program from Monday 13 of November to Wednesday 15 of November 2023.

Crime Stoppers – “Cut the Violence” campaign

Our VCE VM students have recently been in the media for their incredible work on the ‘Cut the Violence’ campaign. Crime Stoppers Victoria invited students from Scoresby Secondary College and St Albans Secondary College to take part in consultations across an eight-week period, exploring topics including laws related to violence, the perception of knife crime in the community, and the messaging that would resonate with them when it comes to reducing knife crime. The students were recognised for their work in a formal awards presentation at the State Library in Melbourne on Wednesday 18 October 2023, which was attended by our Assistant Principal Mr Coulson who accepted a recognition award on the VCE VM’s students’ behalf. Congratulations to all the students involved and a special thank you to Ms Gough for organising and leading the work with the students.

Media Links:

https://x.com/9NewsMelb/status/1709834173635018986?t=qG_l8tQ5cVBX160pD4NIiA&s=08

https://fb.watch/nML9Al64Sn/?mibextid=2JQ9oc

Ms Marlene Cassar – Senior Sub School Leader

Year 8 Science Excursion “Science Gallery Melbourne”

During Term4, between Weeks 1 and 3, all Yr 8 Science students will get to participate in an all-day excursion to “Science Gallery Melbourne” 114 Grattan St, Carlton.  https://melbourne.sciencegallery.com/ 

8A and 8D, supervised by Mr. Micallef, Ms. Hodgson, and Ms. Borle, attended on Friday 6 October 2023.

Upon arrival, staff accompanied students to the “STEM Centre for Excellence”; where University student leaders introduced themselves and ran an Indigenous Science Workshop. Students learned about how Indigenous people use Science in everyday life. Sustainability of past practices were compared with current ones. This session also included how Indigenous Australians used the star constellations, constellation orientation and animal behavior to facilitate safe and sustainable food gathering, and for navigation.

Students were then taken on a guided tour of the current “Dark Matters” Physics based exhibition, where they got to explore the fundamental essence of life and the Universe, and how much of it remains unknown to us.

Our students are to be congratulated on the way they worked together and represented SASC values in such a positive manner.

Thankyou to Ms. Angela Hanley, Science Learning Area Leader, for organising the day.

Ms Lynne Borle – Tutor

Yr 9 & 10 Women in STEM Science Gallery

On the 6 September, seven girls from years 9-10 travelled to the Science gallery and University of Melbourne to experience career opportunities in STEM and be inspired by some leading female researchers in various fields. 

I recommend this program to others as the speed dating sessions inform you about different career options in STEM areas while even giving you examples of what real people experienced and how they chose which path was right for them.  The Future Foods workshop is a great opportunity to learn about sustainable and natural food options and the dark matters exhibit is an interesting insight into dark matters and physics. – Taneesha Jeyanthan

During the day we did a myriad of different workshops. We did a workshop called Future Foods, about sustainable and natural food options. We also got to look around science gallery’s latest exhibition called Dark Matters. Finally, we got to participate in a speed dating session, where we got to meet 6 different women in STEM and ask about their experiences and passions. – Han Luong

Ms Clara Campbell – Science Teacher

Yr 10 & 11 Biomedical Science Day

On Thursday 5 October, fifteen selected students from years 10 and 11, along with Mr Nguyen & Ms Miskovic, attended the Biomedical Sciences Day at the University of Melbourne & GTAC. 

At the beginning of the program, students were welcomed by Professor Jennifer Wilkinson-Berka, Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Melbourne. Following this, they learnt about the special entry schemes available to them when applying to study at the University of Melbourne. Then, they heard from 3^rd year Bachelor of Biomedicine students about their university experiences in a Q&A panel.

After a short break, they worked in groups at GTAC to view and photograph research samples using light, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopes.

The final session was on campus where students visited the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology and the Digital Learning Hub, a new immersive technology-learning studio with a range of VR interfaces within the Melbourne Medical Building.

Below are various students’ accounts of the day:

If we were to describe the Biomedical Sciences Day in three words, we would call it inspiring, fascinating, and eye-opening. The day began with a very inspiring and motivational speech delivered by Professor Jennifer Wilkinson-Berka on her educational and personal journey to becoming the current Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences. Afterwards, we were lucky enough to meet with a number of highly intelligent and passionate PhD students, who were very kind in sharing their fascinating research and experiences with us. To finish off our day, we were honoured and beyond grateful to have the opportunity to visit the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy & Pathology, and experienced our cardiovascular system through VR. While the anatomy and pathology museum was a confronting experience, it was also very insightful, and we acknowledge that entering is an opportune event. We will always be thankful for those who have donated to our education. – Minhthu Huynh (10E) & Haily Le (10E)

The entire day was really informative and interesting, full of unique opportunities we would not have otherwise experienced. We got to use equipment that we wouldn’t be able to use at school like electron and fluorescence microscopes. We also got to go to the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology, Australia’s largest collection of real human displays. – Andrew Nguyen (10E).

Opportunities like these don’t come by often. From meeting the renowned Biomedical head who worked in one of the largest Biomedical precincts in the world, to visiting a private museum that showcased fascinating (yet gory) human specimens, and being able to interact with many knowledgeable insiders, were experiences I will never forget. – Amy Le (11C)

The Biomedical Sciences Day at GTAC and Melbourne University was really enjoyable. We got to use different types of microscopes to look at different types of specimens. My personal favourite was the electron-scanning microscope which produced a black and white photo of a Drosophila fly. We also had the chance to explore the museum of anatomy and pathology, where most, if not all specimens in the museum were real. It was quite an amazing experience but at the same time also very confronting (especially when viewing the pathology specimens). Overall, the Biomedical day was very different to other science excursions and was very insightful. Would recommend for anyone who is given the chance. – Caelan Nguyen (11D)

I had a really fun day and it was a great experience to explore more of Melbourne University and the biomedical field. We got to talk to uni students about their areas of research which was genuinely super interesting. My favourite part of the day was definitely the VR experience and I learnt so much about the field of bio-med! – Sophia Le (10E)

The Biomedical Sciences Day at GTAC and Melbourne University was a really fun and amazing day which gave insight into life at Melbourne Uni as a Biomed student, through their QnA section and presentation. The highlight of the day was definitely visiting the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology as everything included in the museum were real body parts donated for science. – Ricardo Vom (10D)

I really enjoyed the day at GTAC. I felt that we were able to get a broad sense of many branches that stem from biomedicine and different ways they incorporate technology into the work and research they do. My favourite part of the day at GTAC was looking at the zebra fish under the microscope where I was able to see them hatch in real time. The day out on this excursion definitely solidified my passion for science and interest in continuing doing this path for the future. – Tiana Stepanovski (10E)

Mr Myers Nguyen – Science and Mathematics Teacher

This semester the year nine humanities students have studied the environmental and human impact of mobile phone production as part of their trade and tourism unit. This term the humanities team is working with MobileMuster to help collect as many old and unused mobiles to be recycled. 

When? Mobiles will be collected all of Term 4, 2023.

Where? Drop your phone into the cardboard box at the school office 

Why Recycle? 

• Reduce the amount taken from the Earth. By recycling, we can reuse finite materials instead of mining for new materials. Mining for new materials greatly impacts both the environment and the people working in unsafe mining conditions to retrieve the metals. 
• Improve air quality by reducing the demand for power used in the mining, refining, processing and shipping of raw materials. 
• Prevent hazardous e-waste from entering the environment. E-Waste has both a great impact on the environment and people living near it as toxic chemical components leak into the soil and water.

What Can be Recycled from Your Mobiles? Through our recycling process over 95% of the materials in a mobile phone are recovered, including: Glass, Aluminium, Gold, Silver, Palladium, Platinum, Copper, Cobalt, Nickel, Lithium, Graphene, and Plastic 

More Resources about Mobile Muster and Recycling your Mobiles can be found at: https://www.mobilemuster.com.au/about-us/

MobileMuster is a division of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), and is accredited under the Australian Government’s  Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020.

Ms Katelyn Smith – Humanities Teacher

To support the study of the political system in Australia, Yr 10 Politics students travelled to the City and toured Government House on Friday 6 October. We were able to see the amazing Victorian Architecture of Government House, while learning about the role of the Governor and the ceremonial requirements of her position. It was a great day to be outside exploring our City. Thank you to Ms Lau for accompanying us.

Ms Jill Donaldson – Humanities Teacher

This week I had the pleasure of attending Ms Alex Chan’s Year 10 Law class and was amazed by the scene that I encountered upon my arrival. The classroom was meticulously arranged to represent the lower house of Parliament, complete with member place cards, government and opposition benches, clerk, and speaker’s chairs. The student ‘representatives’ were sitting quietly in their rows, shuffling their papers and pens, deeply engaged in their scripts and enactment of the law-making process.

As I took my place in the mock press gallery at the back of the room, the Minister for Education cleared her throat and stood up to introduce the ‘Abolish School Uniform’ bill;

“Hhhmm…Mr Speaker, how often have families been promised a ‘free’ public education only to find themselves paying exorbitant bills for their child’s school uniform…”, she went on. After the general principals of the bill had been outlined, the speaker, with the perfect look of composure and control, called upon representatives from both sides of Parliament to speak their minds about the bill in question.

The member from Cooper stood up and spoke against the bill, stating that school uniforms were a powerful tool to minimise class-based bullying at school, to which a government backbencher immediately and passionately retorted that schools should be focused on the prevention of bullying behaviours, not on removing the elements that make children different. His point was met by raucous cheers of support from other members, their animation betraying just how much fun they were having in class today. After the speaker commandingly called the room to order, the house proceeded vote on the proposed bill- 14 for, 10 against. The government had the numbers; the bill was passed.

As I was leaving the students were shuffling around and getting ready to go around again for their second bill, ‘No homework’, having swapped roles and positions with each other. In their excitement to continue the roleplay, they did not even notice me congratulating them on a job well done- too immersed in the process.

Well done to all the Y10 Law students for applying themselves so fully to this task and participating meaningfully in the role play. Congratulations also to Ms Alex Chan on designing and narrating this incredibly engaging learning experience for her students. I saw at least 3 lawyers and politicians in the making and it’s inspiring experiences like this that set those fateful wheels in motion.

Mr Dane Stammers – Psychology and Commerce Teacher | Commerce Learning Area Leader

Our little school camp in Strathbogie has undergone huge improvements over the past 5 months. We are now sporting new windows and doors, beautiful new decking as well as carpet in the bedrooms and repainted inside and out. Students will enjoy our camp for many years to come. If you haven’t been up to the camp you are missing out on beautiful countryside and great facilities.

Ms Roz Willis – Camps Coordinator

Fashion Awards Australia staged their first post covid schools competition on Friday 13 October. Our fashion students made a triumphant return to the competition. Awards were given for Calico, Sustainable (recycle and upcycled garments), Day Wear, Evening and Long Gown.

Year 10 designers Cynthia Dinh, Minh Pham and Aliya Rustiawan were first in the winners’ circle, with a clean sweep of the Calico Award. They were followed by Jessie Tran Tuyet Mai, Cynthia Dinh and Megan Truong first, second and third in Day Wear. Amy Vo won Evening Wear against an extensive field from several prestigious private schools. She was joined at the podium by Cynthia Dinh who won third prize in the Award.

Jackie Tran led the 11/12 Awards with second prize in Costume. First prize Costume went to our VET Fashion student Kathleen Pham. Long Gown is nationally recognised as the Australian Gown of the Year. Jackie Tran won the Australian Gown of the Year, becoming the first secondary school student to have achieved this accolade.

During covid, Australia lost an icon of the fashion world, Ross Weymouth. In the 1950s, he and his contemporary designer John Claringbold, introduced contemporary couture in Australia. The national Gown of the Year awards were launched in 1953 by the Australian Mannequins and Models Guild to elevate local brands and encourage innovative design. Ross Weymouth and John Claringbold were staunch supporters of the Award. In their memory Heather Marcus, the convenor of Fashion Awards Australia, has created two Awards that acknowledge innovative design and excellence in production. The John Claringbold Schools’ Cup and the prestigious Ross Weymouth Young Designer of the Year.

The 2023 Ross Weymouth Young Designer of the Year was awarded to St Albans SC Cynthia Dinh.

St Albans SC was also presented with the John Claringbold cup and acknowledged as the only school in the thirty-year history of the Awards to have won the Claringbold cup eight times.

Mr Nick D’Aglas – Art and Fashion Teacher

On 8 September, two St Albans Secondary College students represented our school at the VicSRC Congress: Haily Le (Year 10) and Meera Mansukhani (Year 12). The VicSRC  Congress is an entirely student-run event, and teachers are not permitted to attend. Below is Haily’s report of her experience.

As one of the key events of VicSRC, Congress is an opportunity for students from across Victoria to collaboratively discuss their perspectives, thoughts, and concerns about our educational system. The ideas and solutions shared at Congress will become VicSRC’S new advocacy platform with the Executive Committee, who are working diligently to ensure everything addressed at the event will result in visible changes within the next year for our education system, benefitting all students. I was fortunate and honoured to be selected as one of the representatives for our school, and to put it briefly, it is one of my most amusing, fulfilling and insightful schooling experiences. Among all the students at Congress, there was an incredibly passionate attitude towards their education and its future, creating an inspiring atmosphere. Each year four advocacy themes are chosen to be the centre of discussion for the event and for 2023, they include: student mental health and wellbeing, inclusive education, definitions of success, and greater investments for students, schools and teachers. The event allowed me to meet a number of bright minded and ardent students, and I was able to form new friendships and connections with so many. I would like to greatly thank the VicSRC Student Executive Advisory Committee, who attentively organised and ran the event, allowing all delegates to have a wonderful day. – Haily Le 10E

Ms Avril Good – Curriculum and Assessment Coordinator

Led by Ms Amy Lee, Ms Jill Donaldson, and Ms Ly Tran, on Monday 9 October the Year 10 Geography class visited Port Melbourne and the Melbourne CBD to investigate the use and management of these regions. Students investigated how and why people use these places and considered how their management could be improved.

At Port Melbourne, students conducted a beach quality assessment. They also completed a field sketch of the study area, and made observations and notes on coastal management strategies used here. Working in groups, they conducted surveys to better understand how people use this region.

In the Melbourne CBD, students explored Southbank. They investigated the different land uses in this area of the city and completed land use activity tallies. They took photos of the area as part of their evidence, and filled in an environmental bipolar analysis. They also surveyed passersby to collect information on why people were in Southbank and how this area could be improved, with a focus on managing the impacts of climate change.

Plenty of useful data was collected throughout the day and students will now analyse this in class as part of their Field Report assessment task.

Ms Amy Lee – Learning Specialist – Formative Assessment and Feedback | English & Humanities Teacher

A selection of Yr 10 and Yr 11 students recently took part in the Biomedical Science Day at Melbourne University.  Below is the media release from the university.

St Albans Secondary College students step inside the southern hemisphere’s largest biomedical precinct

Budding scientists embrace Biomedical Sciences Day at the University of Melbourne

Year 10 and 11 students from St Albans Secondary College were among 120 students from across regional and rural Victoria to attend the Annual Biomedical Sciences Day at the University of Melbourne.

Local students and their teacher had the exciting opportunity to experience life as a biomedical scientist at the event presented by the University of Melbourne’s School of Biomedical Sciences and the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC).

The University’s Head of School of Biomedical Sciences, Professor Jennifer Wilkinson-Berka, encouraged the students to think about the science behind what creates, sustains and threatens people’s lives in Australia and beyond.

Professor Wilkinson-Berka spoke of the revolutionary work underway at the school, and the Gene Technology Access Centre— including biological processes to better understand human health, computational biology, 3D printing to replace bones, genomics: new tools for cancer treatments, and new vaccines to combat disease.

Professor Wilkinson-Berka encouraged students to apply to the Bachelor of Biomedicine after completing their VCE studies. “When you come to Melbourne, you don’t just come to the School of Biomedical Sciences,” she said, “You have access to the whole of the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, a collaboration of hospitals and research institutes that are right on our doorstep, not to mention the diverse range of career opportunities upon completion of your studies.”

Students worked alongside researchers in the Gene Technology Access Centre Laboratories to photograph specimens using light, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopes, and had the opportunity to enter the images into their own Under the Microscope Coverslip Competition.

They also took a behind the scenes look at the University’s Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology and uncovered real tissue specimens and historical anatomical models, and a tour of the Digital Learning Hub which allowed students to experience how innovative digital technology is used to study the human body.

“Holding a beating heart in VR was really cool” said one student. Their teacher said the students had a wonderful learning experience, and the use of all the great technology and scientific equipment was a real highlight for them.

University students Karam Matloob, 2nd year Bachelor of Biomedicine, and Sandra Lin, 3rd year Bachelor of Biomedicine, spoke about their courses, the diverse research topics they are pursuing, and life on campus and in Melbourne.

The St Albans Secondary College students also learned about Access Melbourne, a program that helps students from rural or regional areas gain entry to undergraduate courses at the university. Each year, 20 per cent of domestic undergraduate places are reserved for Access Melbourne applicants.

Mr Myers Nguyen – Science & Maths Teacher

During term 3, twenty Year 9 students were selected to participate in a GOALS program delivered by ABCN – Business Partnering with Education. The 4-session program focused on Enterprise and Employability to empower our students with invaluable skills and mindsets that will pave the way for their future success. It focused on building students’ confidence, the importance of setting goals and continuing their education to Year 12 and beyond. Students worked with mentors from Evan and Partners on Collins Street on activities that include goal setting, communication, values, and personal strengths.

Our students learnt the art of setting SMART goals. Through the program, they gained insights into the importance of having a clear vision and a roadmap for their future. By developing the skill of setting and tracking goals, they are laying a strong foundation for success. They were also encouraged to think critically, analyze situations, and make informed decisions. This skill not only enhances their employability but also makes them thoughtful and responsible members of our community.

Our students’ participation in the ABCN Goals Program showed their commitment to personal growth. They gained skills that will support them through their education journey and make them productive citizens in our community.

We look forward to seeing the positive impact of these skills on our students’ academic achievements and future careers. Thank you to the ABCN Goals Program and Evans and Partners, for providing this incredible opportunity for our students.

Ms Emily Dickinson – Middle Sub School Coordinator | Science & Biology Teacher

On Tuesday on the September 5, ten Interact Club members took on the exciting responsibility of becoming educators and role models for approximately 50 primary school-aged students. Our students visited the Brimbank Bicycle Education Centre to help deliver the Traffic Awareness Program and Learn to Ride Program.

The Traffic Awareness Program was a hit among the primary school students. Our students led discussions on the rules of the road, safety tips, and the importance of responsible cycling. The children learned valuable lessons about sharing the road and ensuring their safety.

Meanwhile, during Learn to Ride Program, our SASC students guided the primary school children to take their first steps (or pedals) towards mastering the skill of cycling. It was inspiring to witness the patience and encouragement that our students provided as they helped their younger peers overcome their challenges and fears.

This event is an example of the positive influence our students can have on the community. By sharing their knowledge and experiences, they not only instilled a sense of responsibility and awareness but also made the learning process incredibly enjoyable.

Thank you to the following Interact Members for volunteering their time:

• Fathi Abdirahman 9K
• Kaitlyn Au 9C
• Tali Bui 10D
• Aiden Duong Le 10G
• Taneesha Jeyanthan 9J
• Bao Nguyen 10G
• Gabriella Orellana 7D
• Erica Shaw 7C
• Stephanie Truong 9C
• Angela Vu 9C

Ms Emily Dickinson – Middle Sub School Coordinator | Science & Biology Teacher

Over Term 3, the Interact Club took action to make a difference in the community by promoting international understanding.  The executive team decided to build “Solar Buddies” – compact, solar-powered lighting devices designed to bring light and hope to communities living in energy poverty.

The students’ project, aptly named “Solar Buddies,” focused on a simple yet impactful solution – providing solar-powered LED lights to communities in need. The process of building these Solar Buddies involved assembling solar panels, batteries, and LED lights into portable, rechargeable units. These lights are not only energy-efficient but also environmentally friendly, harnessing the power of the sun to illuminate homes after dark.

The Solar Buddies project was not just about constructing lighting devices. It was about creating a brighter future for communities facing energy poverty. Through donations and fundraising, the students secured the resources needed to manufacture and distribute the solar buddies to communities in need. These efforts exemplify our school’s commitment to fostering global citizenship and social responsibility.

Ms Emily Dickinson – Middle Sub School Coordinator | Science & Biology Teacher

A “BIG” week doesn’t quite capture the true enormity of all the happenings for the alumni program during the week that was Mental Health Awareness Week Oct 9 – 13.

We started off the week by continuing with our Green Gift Initiative. With the aim of fostering future alumni engagement, the program presented our current Year 12s with the thoughtful gift of a plant—a symbol of their enduring connection to the school community. These plants serve as tokens, reminding them that this is a place where roots were formed, and a place that stands ready to support their growth and flourishing in the years ahead.

While not exclusively tied to alumni, the program represented during the Wellbeing team’s Movement for Mental Health Monday walk around the oval. The aim was to advocate for regular physical activity, emphasising its positive impact on mental well-being. We successfully gathered a significant group of participants who joined us in spruiking this crucial message. A HUGE thank you to all the students who joined us at the beginning of such an important week.

Tuesday October 10 we once again teamed with Wellbeing to invite Hao Lu ’17 to speak with students about her experience as a young carer. Hao talked about the responsibilities she was charged with as a teenager and how these impacted her physically, mentally, and emotionally. She also spoke to the toll the role had on her mental health and the ripple effect that impacted her siblings.  Yet, despite the many challenges Hao has had to endure, she was such a positive force; full of sage advice about seeking support, setting personal boundaries, and finding your passion and outlet. Her story is one of courage and resilience. Thank you, Hao, for a truly unforgettable Q&A, and thank you also to the students who came for the lunch but stayed for the deep and meaningful.

Friday 13 October (nothing ominous about that) saw the year 12s come together to celebrate their graduation at Moonee Valley Racecourse. This year the captivating Lydia Tesema was the guest speaker. Lydia’s life is a fusion of diverse experiences and boundless creativity. Her passion for the arts, coupled with an insatiable curiosity, led her on a journey of self-discovery and connection. A staunch advocate for social justice, and for embracing the richness of life; her story unfolded as a testament to resilience, empowerment, and a commitment to making the world a more inclusive place. Lydia urged the Year 12s to believe in themselves and to follow their dreams; such inspiring words to leave them with. Thank you, Lydia, for sharing your story and motivating reflection in us all!

Lastly, Monday October 16 saw the entire school come together for the 2023 awards ceremony and for one final send off for the Year 12s.  Award contributors, alumni Helen Papadimitriou ‘83 and Dr. Jozica Kutin ‘84, attended the ceremony to present their awards for excellence and achievement in English (Helen) and Psychology (Dr Joz). Congratulations to Ricardo Vom (10D) and Elizabeth Tan (11F) for their commitment, dedication and passion for English and Psychology, respectively. Helen and Dr. Joz, we appreciate you making the trek down the mountain and across the city to be with us, your benefaction is truly impactful, and we cannot thank you enough!

Ms Nicole Gurd – Alumni Coordinator