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Newsletter Mount Eliza Secondary College

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<strong>Newsletter</strong><br />

<strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong><br />

Canadian Bay Road <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> 3930 Tel: 9787 6288 Fax: 9787 9888<br />

Email: info@mesc.vic.edu.au Internet www.mesc.vic.edu.au<br />

Website http://www.mesc.vic.edu.au/Information/<strong>Newsletter</strong>s/<br />

newsletters_homepage.htm<br />

Editors: Janice Tallarida & Heather Hiam 1 November 2012 Volume 8/2012<br />

This <strong>Newsletter</strong> is available in colour electronically on the <strong>College</strong> website and on the <strong>College</strong> intranet.<br />

Dear Parents, Students, Teachers and Members of the Wider School Community,<br />

The start of Term 4 has been very busy! Having completed their final revision classes and<br />

undertaken practice exams in the first week of the term holidays, the 2012 Year 12 cohort was<br />

farewelled by the rest of the school at an assembly on Thursday 25 th October. The following night<br />

parents and friends joined with the students and their teachers at the Valedictory Dinner, this year<br />

held at the Kingston City Hall. Dressed up for the occasion in their formal attire, our students looked<br />

the confident, happy young men and women that they are, as they were presented one by one to<br />

receive their graduation portfolios. I felt very privileged to be able to shake hands and wish them<br />

well for the future. Likewise, I am sure that their families would have felt very proud of their son/daughter/brother/<br />

sister on this occasion.<br />

Brittany Roberts Australian Defence Force Award– Leadership & Community Service<br />

Xavier Campbell Outstanding Participation & Effort<br />

Marnie Bell Outstanding Participation & Effort<br />

Timothy Drummond Outstanding Student All Rounder<br />

Morrison Bent Proteads Award<br />

Mark Jenkins Outstanding Academic Excellence Award<br />

Megan Swannell Outstanding Academic Excellence Award<br />

Hollie Rosenberg Coordinators Award<br />

Wesley Hart Coordinators Award<br />

Hayden Whitelaw VCAL Excellence Award<br />

Madeleine Francis VCAL Dux<br />

AWARD PRESENTATIONS<br />

With the start of the 2012 VCE exam period, I know that I speak on behalf of all of the teachers who have worked with this<br />

group during their six years at the college in encouraging them to give their all for the exams. I hope that our students<br />

remember that the final results, when they are published, are not the measure that we will use to judge their worth as people.<br />

As I said to the Year 12s at their farewell assembly, although it often seems that the primary function of secondary school is<br />

to provide students with skills and knowledge in the various academic disciplines, it is just as important that they leave<br />

<strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong> with a deeper understanding of themselves, with a knowledge of their own strengths and<br />

weaknesses and a perception of themselves as life-long learners. Being able to demonstrate resilience when they encounter a<br />

setback, courage in the face of adversity, and being able to provide support to others when they are in need, are all<br />

behaviours that we hope our students have developed in their time with us here at <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong>.<br />

-1-


Annual Art Exhibition<br />

The school’s Annual Art Exhibition opened on Friday 19 th October, to great acclaim. As usual, the student work on<br />

display was of a very high quality and the students themselves are to be congratulated on their creativity as well as their<br />

achievements in producing such a diverse array of work. Of course the support and inspiration that our teachers have<br />

provided underpins this wonderful work. Many thanks are due to the teachers who have put in many hours, both in class<br />

and after school, to ensure that their students were provided with every opportunity to produce the best work of which<br />

they are capable. Thank you to our sponsors Cavalier Art, Mt <strong>Eliza</strong> Deli, David Morris MP and Rotary for their support.<br />

Jumpstart Program<br />

We will be introducing a Jumpstart Program for the first time this year. This will mean that starting on the 26 th<br />

November all students will move up to their next year level and commence the work for that year level in their new class.<br />

Both attendance and work undertaken during this period will be assessed and reported on in the 2013 Semester One<br />

reports. Traditionally, valuable learning time was lost in the last weeks of the school year and the introduction of this<br />

program will provide a great opportunity for our students to demonstrate a commitment to their own learning by making a<br />

strong start in their new year levels.<br />

Janice Tallarida, Acting Principal<br />

Dear Parents/Guardians<br />

You will have been aware that our principal, Geoff Petrie, has been absent from school due to ill-health for a number<br />

of weeks. Geoff has now decided to resign his position as principal of <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong> and the<br />

DEECD has appointed Angela Pollard as the school’s new principal. Angela will commence in the position on the<br />

2 nd November.<br />

An experienced principal, Angela Pollard comes to <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> from McClelland <strong>College</strong> with an outstanding<br />

record of achievement throughout her educational career. Having worked in primary schools for many years before<br />

moving into the secondary school sector, she has a depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise in the education<br />

sphere that is second to none. We are indeed fortunate to be welcoming Angela as our new principal.<br />

-2-


HANDS ON THE ENVIRONMENT<br />

Year 12 VCAL students at the <strong>College</strong> have focused on<br />

the theme of sustainability this year, with the<br />

emphasis on the need to reduce, reuse and recycle. It<br />

is fitting that after a year of studying sustainability in<br />

the environment that they have been named as State<br />

finalists in the Active Schools section of the Resource<br />

Smart Victoria Awards.<br />

Amongst the programmes that they have instituted is<br />

the monthly Home Harvest Event on the last Friday of<br />

the month at the <strong>College</strong>. They provide a welcoming<br />

venue for anyone in the community to swap excess<br />

produce and homemade preserves that they might<br />

have for other foods and supplies that others might<br />

have.<br />

Under the Earthwatch-TeachWild Programme the<br />

students have been trained by the CSIRO in beach<br />

monitoring for marine debris and now record readings<br />

of debris washed up on Canadian Bay Beach, as part of<br />

a worldwide study. Their Teacher, Susan Bollard attended a 7 day training course during the holidays at North Stradbroke<br />

Island hosted by the University of Queensland and the CSIRO to further develop her professional skills in this area.<br />

The students have been teaching their unit “Plastic Not Fantastic as Marine Debris” under the Australia Post Kids Teaching<br />

Kids sponsorship and most recently delivered this to all grade 5 and 6 students at Kunyung Primary School and to all of the<br />

Year 7 students in the <strong>College</strong>. This brings the total number of students taught by the year 12’s to well over 350.<br />

The VCAL students have gained a lot of recognition this year for their initiatives, including being named of Australian<br />

<strong>Secondary</strong> School of the Year for their environmental work by Canon Australia with a prize of $5,000 of photographic<br />

equipment. They were also State Finalists in the Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns Awards in two sections. Although we<br />

didn’t win, our students were thrilled with reaching the finals in such a prestigious event. Representatives attended the<br />

State dinner on behalf of the <strong>College</strong>.<br />

The <strong>College</strong> has been successful in gaining funding for VCAL students in 2013 to undertake the Resource Smart Victoria<br />

Biodiversity Module, thanks to Sustainability Victoria. The Gould League are helping CERES deliver ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic<br />

in the Southern Metro Region and this will mean that we are on our way to achieving our first star for the <strong>College</strong> in this<br />

programme.<br />

The Year 12 VCAL class of 2013 have already started work on one of the projects for next year, the development and<br />

rehabilitation of the remnant bush at the rear of the college adjoining <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> Way. Year 11 students, Liam Rafeld and<br />

Thomas Hartley attended a Professional Development activity at the Gould League recently to undertake training as part of<br />

the “Students Futurescaping Schools Programme”. The <strong>College</strong> was fortunate to gain acceptance into this programme,<br />

funded by DEECD, which provides support from experienced Gould League Staff over a twelve month period to develop or<br />

enhance a wild scape habitat.<br />

Students will use inquiry-based strategies for planning, building and maintaining their garden, and work to engage the<br />

whole school community in supporting and celebrating their success. The program also supports the whole school<br />

community in environmental management planning, integrating sustainability into the curriculum and linking to<br />

government initiatives to ensure that the garden can be maintained long after program completion.<br />

As the current Year 12 Team VCAL graduate this week they will take with them a strong understanding of the value of<br />

teamwork and the role that they can play in improving their environment.<br />

KEEP AUSTRALIA BEAUTIFUL- TIDY TOWNS DINNER<br />

Susan Bollard, Danielle Crapper, Chelsea Price Dan Walls.<br />

Toby Bae , Susan Bollard, Bronte Seager, Haden Whitelaw, Zoe Evans,<br />

Sam Christie Samantha Clarke<br />

-3-


The VCE Arts Exhibition<br />

The VCE Arts Exhibition for 2012 was once again attended by a large number of parents, students and the local community. Our<br />

guest speaker for the evening was renowned Melbourne sculptor Frederick White who has been involved in our Artist in<br />

Residence Program. The winner of the Ron Barron Acquisitive Award for 2012 was Stephanie Hosking who produced a grey<br />

lead pencil and marbled ink illustration. The quality of all work produced by our students in Art, Studio Art, Visual<br />

Communication & Design, Media, Food and Technology Wood shows that <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong> has a wide range of<br />

talented young adults who have presented a variety of work using assorted techniques, mediums and skills. Thank you to our<br />

sponsors Cavalier Art, Mt <strong>Eliza</strong> Deli, David Morris MP and Rotary for their support.<br />

Ron Barron Acquisitive Award 2012<br />

Stephanie Hosking<br />

Mr Moncrieff Memorial Design Award Technology<br />

Jack Heriot-Mulholland<br />

Ron Barron Acquisitive Award 2012 $500.00 -<br />

Stephanie Hosking<br />

Subject Awards - $100.00 each – two Studio Arts Awards<br />

Studio Arts Award - Madison Clifford & Hannah Coates<br />

Media Award - Madison Cranwell<br />

VCD Award - Kate Hornblow<br />

Food Technology Award - Mollie Coward<br />

Kate Hornblow VCD Award<br />

-4-<br />

Hannah Coates<br />

Studio Arts Award<br />

Rotary Awards @ $25.00 each<br />

This is an endeavour award<br />

Mollie McIntyre - Studio Arts<br />

Georgia East - Studio Arts<br />

Faheem Naqshbandi - Art<br />

Abby Nation - Media<br />

Jessica Tyler – Visual Communication<br />

Christina Beres – Food Technology<br />

Madison Clifford<br />

Student Arts Award


school District Athletics<br />

On Thursday 6 th of September the school District Athletics was held at Ballam Park. The whole Southern Peninsula<br />

District competed against each other. The weather was a little cold and windy at the start but ended a sunny day giving<br />

us warmth on our backs and a smile on our faces. Every student that competed on the day represented our school<br />

brilliantly with outstanding results. All of our U18/20 year boys won their events resulting in us winning the aggregate<br />

award, well done; Lachlan Freestone, Matthias Schwellinger, Hayden Whitelaw, Samuel Forster, Timothy Drummond<br />

and Chris Sanderson.<br />

26 students made it through to the next Southern Metropolitan region competition. This was held at Knox Athletics<br />

Track. The day was cold and rainy but every student still performed fantastically. Our First place winners were<br />

Lachlan freestone- 1 st U18/20 boys Shot-put, Discus and Javelin, Marnie Bell- 1 st U18/20 Girls Long Jump. They<br />

represented our school in the state finals at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park. Well done to you Lachlan for coming 1 st<br />

in Javelin, 2 nd in Shot-put and Discus.<br />

Our second place winners were Cahal Freestone- 2 nd U15 Discus, Marnie Bell- 2 nd U18/20 Triple jump, Philip Boyle-<br />

U17 boys Discus, and Claire Cooper- U14 Girls 400m.<br />

Our third place winners were Hayden whitelaw-3 rd U18/20 800m and Claire Cooper- 3 rdU14 girls 800m, and the<br />

U18/20 boys relay team (Timothy Drummond, Chris Sanderson, Matthias Schwellinger and Hayden Whitelaw.<br />

Lachlan Freestone broke 3 new records in shot-put at the District athletics and another in SMR- Southern<br />

Metropolitan region again in shot-put and finally one at state. Outstanding efforts Lachlan well done.<br />

Congratulations to all who put their hard efforts into athletics this year, a BIG THANKYOU to all the staff who helped to<br />

make the day possible; Casey Howell (Head of sport), Jason Darlington, Mike Symons and Laura Collard for their<br />

amazing efforts and support.<br />

Our first place winners in district were:<br />

Timothy Drummond-1 st U18/20 boys Triple<br />

Jump/400m/High Jump and Relay<br />

Kayla White- 1 st U15 Girls 90m Hurdles<br />

Natalie Bouwmeester- 1 st U17 Girls 100m<br />

Hurdles<br />

Cahal Freestone- 1 st U15 Boys Javelin/Discus<br />

Lachlan Freestone- 1 st U18/20 boys Discus/<br />

Shot-put and Javelin<br />

Phillip Boyle- 1 st U17 Boys long Jump/Discus<br />

and relay<br />

Matthias Schwellinger- 1 st U18/20 boys 110m<br />

Hurdles and relay<br />

Tanzin Ramsay- 1 st U17 Girls Javelin<br />

Marnie Bell- 1 st U18/20 Long Jump/Triple<br />

Jump<br />

Conor Zyskowski- 1 st U17 boys 100m and relay<br />

Hayden Whitelaw-1 st U18/20 100m/Long<br />

Jump/Relay<br />

Claire Cooper- 1 st U14 Girls 800m and 400m<br />

Emily Langenhoff-1 st U17 Girls Long Jump<br />

Nelson Felsinger-1 st U17 boys 800m, relay and<br />

200m<br />

Sharnee Warren-1 st U18/20 800m and 400m<br />

Samuel Forster-1 st U18/20 800m and 1500m<br />

Louise Bellsmith-1 st U15 Girls Javelin<br />

James Carrick-1 st U17 boys Shot-Put<br />

Bronte McCoy-1 st U16 Girls High Jump<br />

Alannah Lewis-1 st U15 Triple Jump and 400m<br />

Lachlan Hewitt-1 st U14 Boys Long Jump<br />

Matthew Sestanovich-1 st U17 boys relay<br />

Chris Sanderson-1 st U18/20 boys relay<br />

Bianca McIntyre (Sports Trainee)<br />

-5-


YEAR 7 DANCE INCURSION: SCHUHPLATTLER<br />

The Schuhplattler is a lively Alpine folk dance with its origin before 3000 bc. Its inventors were farmers, hunters , woodsmen<br />

or maybe even children from Bavaria and Austria. Leaps, stomps and slaps are part of it. Rowan and Stefanie are touring<br />

Australia at the moment and have done a fantastic job teaching the Schuhplattler and other spins and Polkas to all our year 7<br />

students. They challenged the students to a competition of fitness and also packed many words of wisdom into the exciting<br />

show.<br />

All students were keen to learn the steps and try out entertaining and energetic moves.<br />

Even some senior students joined in. A special thank you to Julia Gabrielson for filming the show!<br />

Irene Treadwell<br />

ALPINE SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP 2013 – OPPORTUNITY FOR CURRENT YEAR 8 STUDENTS<br />

It is with great enthusiasm that we can offer at <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong><br />

<strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong> the opportunity for our students to attend<br />

the Alpine School for Student Leadership in 2013.<br />

Opened in April 2000 as an innovative specialist setting for<br />

leadership education, The Alpine School is unique within the<br />

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development<br />

(DEECD). Situated at 1600 metres above sea level near Dinner<br />

Plain Village in the Victorian Alps, the school provides an<br />

intensive, high quality leadership and enterprise program for<br />

small teams of Year 9 students selected from Victorian<br />

government schools.<br />

Students who will attend the Alpine School, will do so for a nine<br />

week period in Term 4 of 2013 (Snowy River Campus). The<br />

students live on campus developing their leadership skills.<br />

There is a great deal of independence offered to the students. The students are responsible for helping maintain the<br />

school, organizing rosters, for doing various jobs around the school and generally controlling the nature of their home<br />

and place of learning.<br />

Only six students (three boys and three girls) will be selected. There is a cost to parents of approximately $1050 dollars<br />

some of which can be subsidised through fund raising through <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong>.<br />

The School for Student Leadership programs are supported with WANNIK. Consequently, we actively support your inclusion<br />

of Koorie Students. We have an Inclusion Policy that reduces some impediments for Koorie Students. Koorie students will<br />

not attract the $1050 contribution. <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong> will run a selection process.<br />

For further information please visit the website:<br />

http://www.alpineschool.vic.edu.au/ or contact Elena McLuskie on 9787 6288.<br />

-6-


Year 9 Community Minded-Ware<br />

Term 4 at Mt <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong> is the Community Service<br />

term where Year 9 students go out into the community and offer<br />

their assistance and time to various community organisations.<br />

However, this year, Mindware students have had a real focus on<br />

being Community minded and have assisted and been part of<br />

many organisations where they have offered their skills, time and<br />

a willingness to help others.<br />

The <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> Neighbourhood Centre has played an important<br />

role in inducting our students into the world of charity and<br />

community under the wonderful guidance of manager, Marilyn<br />

Pelman. Marilyn has been overwhelmingly helpful and<br />

supportive, in showing our students the need for community<br />

based activities and charity, throughout the entire year.<br />

All Year 9 students visited the Neighbourhood Centre earlier in<br />

the year where they were shown the activities provided by the<br />

Centre and told about the need to be community-minded.<br />

Students used their Individual Project work to organise and<br />

present an Italian Meal for a disadvantaged group as well as a<br />

“Kid’s Cafe ” for a playgroup at the centre.<br />

4 students assisted the elderly during Senior’s Week, with<br />

computer and ipad usage and throughout Term 4, half a dozen<br />

students, over 6 weeks, will assist more people at the Centre in<br />

bingo, bowling and computers. Marilyn and the Neighbourhood<br />

Centre have been an integral part of Mindware this year and a<br />

part of our students’ lives and interests. It has been a remarkable<br />

relationship and very much appreciated by the Mindware Office.<br />

The students have leapt at every invitation offered by Marilyn<br />

and this has been great to see.<br />

Another amazing relationship and extraordinary experience the<br />

Mindware team has been involved with is the Mt <strong>Eliza</strong> CFA. With the eagerness and willingness to be part of the<br />

Mindware Program, Karen Wands from the CFA, has designed programs that our students have enthusiastically<br />

participated in throughout this year. Over 50 students have participated in “mini” CFA programs, highlighting to the<br />

students the work of the CFA and the need to foster community awareness and volunteering. Once again, our students<br />

have found such programs interesting and incredibly worthwhile.<br />

We have also had over 50 students participate in the Iconnect Program, organised by Youth Worker, Sarah De Neef<br />

through the Mornington Shire Council. Here 3 separate groups of students have worked, as a team, on a community<br />

based program, under Sarah’s guidance, as well as, many other community members.<br />

Mindware students have raised money for Cambodia through a Community Skate Competition, held a sausage sizzle at<br />

<strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> Safeways for the Children’s Hospital, worked on Sports Programs at Moorooduc, Mt <strong>Eliza</strong> and Mt <strong>Eliza</strong><br />

North Primary schools, as well as conducting the Youth Forum for the Shire at all Peninsula high schools. Our students<br />

are giving their time and their skills at all the Salvation Army stores in Mt <strong>Eliza</strong> and Mornington, at the Moonlit<br />

Sanctuary and School Camps at the Briars and Manyung.<br />

Our Year 9 students have been out there all year (and are still at it) working in the community, helping the community<br />

and displaying such incredible maturity, selflessness and thoughtfulness. They should be thanked and congratulated<br />

for their wonderful contributions. The Mindware students of 2012 have been nothing but outstanding in their<br />

willingness to embrace the idea of charity and community-mindedness and the Mindware Office (and the school) is<br />

very, very proud of them.<br />

Congratulations Year 9 for all your amazing assistance to the Community and all delivered with a smile.<br />

Paula Harris, Mindware Coordinator & Lynette Sherman , Mindware Assistant<br />

“Our School Raffle 2012”<br />

We would like to thank all parents, students, staff and<br />

community members who supported our major fundraising<br />

activity for this year. Our participation in the Scouts Australia<br />

“Our School Raffle 2012” was a great success with <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong><br />

<strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong> being named the one of the highest ticket<br />

selling schools – 5 th out of 255 schools!<br />

<strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong> raised $3200 towards building<br />

projects that include the final fit-out of the VET Music Centre<br />

and modernisation of existing classrooms. Congratulations to<br />

our highest ticket book sellers Grace Schultz 7D who received<br />

an iPad and Sarah Rogers 8A who received an iPod Dock.<br />

-7-


Mrs Davies<br />

Our Teacher Interviews<br />

What was your dream job when you were younger? I wanted to be a Physiotherapist.<br />

Why did you decide to become a teacher?<br />

I like working with kids and I like to be outside. I thought it would be challenging.<br />

What kind of student were you at school? I was a “Goodie Goodie Two Shoes” and I never had a<br />

detention or got told off. I was very well behaved.<br />

How long have you been teaching for? I have been teaching for seven years and <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong><br />

<strong>College</strong> is the only school that I have worked at.<br />

What has been one of your memorable moments at this school? My relationships with kids, I see<br />

them and talk to them outside of school and also enjoy seeing my year twelve students achieve good results.<br />

If you had three wishes what would they be? My first wish would be for my mum and dad to live closer (They live near<br />

Mildura), my second wish would be that I could eat anything that I wanted (Gluten intolerant), and lastly no poverty.<br />

Mr Piper<br />

What was your dream job when you were younger? I wanted to be a Fireman or drive a garbage<br />

truck.<br />

Why did you decide to be a teacher? I wanted to work outside (Sport) and not be stuck inside an office.<br />

What kind of student were you at school? In the early days I was terrible, I was very unfocused up<br />

until year ten.<br />

How long have you been teaching for? I have been teaching for over thirty years. Three years at John<br />

Paul <strong>College</strong> then Brauer <strong>College</strong> and lastly <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong>.<br />

What has been one of your memorable moments at this school? When I was sports coordinator for<br />

<strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong>, when the senior boy’s football team beat Melbourne <strong>College</strong> in the Grand Final (they went<br />

on to win the State Grand Final) and also a helicopter landed on the school oval.<br />

If you had three wishes what would they be? My first wish would be for my children to grow up to be happy, healthy<br />

and just have fulfilling lives, my second wish would be to have no Poverty, and thirdly live long enough to be a grand pa/<br />

see my grandchildren.<br />

Mrs McLuskie<br />

What was your dream job when you were younger? I wanted to be a Geologist.<br />

Why did you decide to be a teacher? I enjoy working with kids.<br />

What kind of student were you at school? I was diligent and conscientious.<br />

How long have you been teaching for? I have been teaching for thirteen years and this is my fifth<br />

school.<br />

What has been one of your memorable moments at this school? Working with the Police Corps<br />

program (year eights), and when the students marched on ANCZA Day.<br />

If you had three wishes what would they be? One would be to go for a year to Tahiti, second would be<br />

to have a big house with a swimming pool, and thirdly to go to the moon as a tourist.<br />

Mrs McMullen<br />

What was your dream job when you were younger? I wanted to be a librarian.<br />

Why did you decide to be an office staff member? I worked in real-estate for two years and got bored.<br />

I didn’t look for a job here but someone mentioned that there was a job at <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong><br />

<strong>College</strong>.<br />

What kind of student were you at school? I was quite a good student, I did very well but I think I could<br />

have done better, I was conscientious.<br />

How long have you been working at the school for? I have been working for sixteen years at <strong>Mount</strong><br />

<strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong>.<br />

What has been one of your memorable moments at this school? When the school had a bomb scare (Happened more<br />

than once), I answered the phone.<br />

If you had three wishes what would they be? First wish would be to win tatslotto, second would be for peace all over<br />

the world and lastly for Mt <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong> <strong>College</strong> to have the most successful students ever in the whole of Victoria.<br />

Interviewers/By: Louis Cooke, Kyle Small and Jack Ahern<br />

Mrs Holderness<br />

What made you become a teacher? Because I love art and it was a way of earning a living through it<br />

Have you had any other job? Many other part time jobs at a winery, in retail, at factories and in the<br />

surfing industry.<br />

Have you ever travelled overseas? Yes, many times.<br />

Do you have any pets? Not at the moment but I have always had dogs.<br />

Do you have any children? 3 sons.<br />

Do speak any other language? No.<br />

-8-


Education Maintenance Allowance - information for parents currently receiving EMA<br />

Changes to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for 2013:<br />

The EMA continues to help families on lower incomes with financial assistance to cover the<br />

cost of educational expenses including textbooks, stationery, uniforms and excursions for<br />

their child up until the age of 16.<br />

From 2013, the Victorian Government is restructuring the EMA to better target financial<br />

support to families on lower incomes. Payments made direct to parents will be increased<br />

for eligible recipients at all year levels up to age 16, with an additional increase for parents<br />

with students in Years Prep and 7 in recognition of the additional costs at these transition points.<br />

In 2013 the annual EMA payment for families with children in primary school (years 1-6) will receive a payment of $150. Families with<br />

children in secondary school (Year 8 up until the age of 16) will receive an annual payment of $250.<br />

The School Start Bonus which was previously received by EMA families has been discontinued as a separate payment from 2013.<br />

However, additional funding has been incorporated into the EMA meaning that parents of children in Prep and Year 7 will recei ve<br />

boosted EMA payments of $200 and $300 respectively in those years.<br />

From 2013, the EMA will no longer be paid 50/50 between the parent and the school. The 50% school portion of the EMA will no<br />

longer be paid to schools on behalf of parents. However, $62 million over four years will be redirected to the State’s most n eedy<br />

schools to assist families on lower incomes. These funds will form part of the school Student Resource Packages to be allocat ed at the<br />

local level.<br />

New EMA payment option<br />

From 2013, on the EMA application form you can choose to have your EMA payment;<br />

� Paid by direct deposit (Electronic Funds Transfer) into your nominated bank account or<br />

� Paid by cheque which will be posted to the school for collection or<br />

� Paid to the school to be held as credit which you can use towards education expenses<br />

The introduction of the new payment option to have the EMA payment directed to the school provides parents with<br />

extra flexibility to assist with budgeting towards education expenses.<br />

Eligibility:<br />

To be eligible for the EMA in 2013, you must:<br />

� be either a parent or guardian of a primary or secondary school student up to the age of sixteen; and<br />

� be an eligible beneficiary of a Centrelink pension, allowance or benefit within the meaning of the State<br />

Concessions Act 2004* or be a Veterans Affairs (TPI) pensioner or be a temporary foster parent.<br />

� * i.e – the parent/guardian must be the holder of a valid Health Care Card or valid Pension Card.<br />

� The eligibility criteria must be met as at 29 January 2013 (Instalment One) and 15 July 2013 (Instalment Two).<br />

*Student year level (or age for ungraded and special school students) will determine the amount payable. Parents of students<br />

turning 16 years in 2013 are paid on a pro rata basis.<br />

Contact: School Office for an EMA application form and to lodge your application. The closing date for EMA application<br />

forms to be submitted to the school is 28 February 2013.<br />

Prep Years 1 - 6 Year 7 Year 8 – Age 16<br />

Instalment One $140 $105 $210 $175<br />

Instalment Two $60 $45 $90 $75<br />

Annual Total $200 $150 $300 $250<br />

SECOND HAND BOOKS<br />

We have had a number of enquiries in regards to second hand book sales. Last year we<br />

moved to a new online system called “Sustainable School Shop.” There is a link on our<br />

website with instructions on how to use this facility. We understand the financial difficulty<br />

some parents are having with the purchasing of new books for 2013, balanced by the need<br />

that their child has all the educational equipment for the start of school. Our booklist<br />

supplier, Landmark, suggest that Parents can order all new books at the moment to make<br />

sure they get something. If, when they come to pick up the book pack they have been able<br />

to pick up second hand books, Landmark staff will take out the unwanted articles and reinvoice.<br />

If the books have been prepaid they will issue a refund.<br />

Parents will only pay for what they need.<br />

If you have any queries or want to ask any further information please feel free to call me on<br />

9787 6288 or email me at plarkins@mesc.vic.edu.au<br />

-9-


-10-


State School Spectacular<br />

On Saturday 8 th September a group of<br />

students from <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Eliza</strong> <strong>Secondary</strong><br />

<strong>College</strong> performed with 3000 other<br />

students from across Victoria in the State<br />

School Spectacular. After months of<br />

strenuous rehearsals the students;<br />

accompanied by a full choir and orchestra<br />

were given the amazing opportunity to<br />

perform a huge extravaganza that<br />

incorporated dance, mime, acrobatics and<br />

singing to portray a story based on a classic<br />

love story.<br />

It was a remarkable experience for both the<br />

students and myself. To be involved in such<br />

an event with top professionals in their field<br />

of Performing Arts was an experience that<br />

will remain with us for a long time to come.<br />

I would like to thank all the students that<br />

were involved in the production for their<br />

hard work and dedication. I would also like to thank all the parents for their support throughout the entire process.<br />

Miss Nightingale – Dance Department<br />

The State School Spectacular was such a wonderful experience. All the rehearsals we went to made it all worth it!<br />

Miss Nightingale put in so much effort for all of us & we all loved the dancing. If you see signs ups for the State<br />

School Spectacular you should do it, it is a memory I will keep forever. I would like to thank Miss Nightingale for<br />

putting in so much effort for all of us, thankyou. Sophia Beardmore<br />

The State School Spectacular was a fantastic event to be a part of, not only do you make some great friends but you<br />

also have a ball! It's a great opportunity to meet new people and it gives a little insight on career choices into<br />

concert management and singing/dancing professionally, I look forward to be able to participate in it again! All in all<br />

a great show girls! Jordan Barnes<br />

-11-


<strong>Newsletter</strong> Update<br />

Please note that our newsletter will now only be sent by<br />

email distribution to the email address that has been<br />

provided to the <strong>College</strong>. If you need to update or check<br />

your details can you please email<br />

hhiam@mesc.vic.edu.au or call<br />

9787 6288.<br />

If you wish to receive a hard copy<br />

please let us know and we will be happy<br />

to post you out a copy.<br />

It is important that we have the<br />

correct details so that you receive<br />

important information on upcoming events and<br />

activities.<br />

IMPORTANT DATES TERM 4<br />

Thursday 1 November– 22 November VCE Exams commence<br />

-12-<br />

TERM DATES 2012<br />

Term 1<br />

2 February - 30th March<br />

Term 2<br />

16th April -29th June<br />

Term 3<br />

16th July -21st September<br />

Term 4<br />

8th October -21st December<br />

“You can now follow us on Twitter and Facebook to find out about upcoming events at the <strong>College</strong>”<br />

http://twitter.com/mtelizasc<br />

http://on.fb.me/zWNp06<br />

**ABSENCE LINE**<br />

STUDENT ABSENCE LINE<br />

PHONE NUMBER IS<br />

9788 6290<br />

Access 24 Hrs a day, 7 days a Week<br />

UNIFORM SHOP<br />

The New and Second Hand Uniform Shop<br />

Opening Times During School Term:<br />

Wednesday<br />

8.15am—10.30 am<br />

& 1.00pm—3.45 pm<br />

First Sat of each Month - 9.00am – 12.00 pm<br />

Telephone: 9788 6240<br />

Orders can be completed online<br />

Email: sales@fcw.comlau<br />

www.fcw.com.au<br />

PLEASE NOTE THAT CHEQUES ARE NOT ACCEPTED<br />

Tuesday 6 November Melbourne Cup Day—Public Holiday<br />

Wednesday 14 November Year 10 & Year 11 Exams<br />

Monday 19 November-Tuesday 20 November Career Discovery Day<br />

Friday 23 November Report Writing Day—Pupil Free Day

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