Happy holidays from Mr Baker
As this is my last Messenger article for 2022, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our families a very merry Christmas and a Happy New year.
As I prepare today’s message, I have had time to reflect on what has been a successful year, and a year full of optimism and hope for the future. Personally, 2022 has been my first full year at Woodleigh, without interruption from pandemic-related matters, and my first chance to see everything this school has to offer.
It has also been a year to set our direction for the future, to determine our vision and be clear about the school we want to be and become. Our Learning to Thrive strategic plan is ambitious, hopeful, and most importantly provides clarity about our purpose as a school: the purposeful development of creative, compassionate, skilful and resilient young people who can thrive in an ever-changing world.
This document, while incredibly ambitious, provides the reference point we need to progress as a school and ensure that we continue to challenge the current norms about education, making courageous choices about how best to engage and purposefully develop the young people in our care.
This is an exciting time, yet in 2023 the hard work begins. This work starts with developing a shared understanding within our community about the projects we are embarking upon, a shared commitment to ensuring we deliver on what we promise, and a core belief that our actions will significantly benefit our students. Building capacity, building practice, and building community will be at the heart of these efforts.
In the interim, we will all stop, take a deep breath and enjoy some downtime with our families over the summer break. In order to be effective in the new year, we need to be refreshed and energised by some time away from school.
My hope is that all of our families will have a great Christmas break, will enjoy time together that is joyful and nourishing for the soul. Enjoy some time to read that book, ride that bike, or surf that wave.
Merry Christmas and take care,
DAVID BAKER
Principal
In Year 10 Language and Literature, students have been doing a unit on the idea of ‘Play’. They had to look at various adaptations of texts and consider what is lost or gained in adapting for different audiences.
Analysis of Stolen and Rabbit-Proof Fence
Both the play Stolen, and the film Rabbit-Proof Fence are obviously revolutionary pieces as they are now used in the Victorian school curriculum, helping to teach Victorian students about empathy and raising awareness of the horrendous acts which have happened in the past.
The raising of awareness, ‘walking in someone else’s shoes’ and the nature of true stories being emotionally gripping, means that they have more of an impact on us and influence us in ways that change the world. One of the main effects of true stories is that they help us understand and build empathy. Much like how ‘play’ helps children grow people skills and empathy, ‘plays’ or theatre still does that for adults, just in a different form that changes along with the growth of maturity.
The role of true stories is complex. They are often stories with emotional and traumatic events which help the reader live in the moment of the writing, being able to see the lives that others have lived and allow people to see their own privilege. Afterward, it is hoped that readers want to act or spread the message of what they have learned.
MAX LITTLE
Year 10
LACHY SAVAGE
Year 10
During Week 7 and 8 of Term 4, the Year 9 Indonesian class, along with a few Year 8s, all went to Penbank and Minimbah for their Indonesian day – Pesta Indonesia! We acted as the teachers for the day, and in pairs or trios, we taught the students many different things like Indonesian fruits, clothes, animals and sports.
It was such a cool experience to teach younger kids about what we have learnt throughout our years of learning Indonesian. Our MYP unit of learning was focused on the Celebration of the Indonesian Language and was designed to help us to be creative language learners and to bring our school community together via our common connection as learners of Indonesian.
We all had so much fun interacting with the students, playing language games, and getting to know some of the younger students. We were all surprised by how knowledgeable the students were and their ability to adapt and learn quickly. Every student supported each other and listened; this made our jobs much easier. Both days we were provided with dadar gulung, which are green coconut pancakes with a sweet palm sugar and coconut filling. We also had nasi campur (mixed rice with satay and rendang) which was a delicious Indonesian lunch. Overall, the day was really fun, and we all learnt a lot about the life of a teacher and how to much fun learning (and teaching) a language can be!
LILY LAWSON
Year 9
For Year 8 French, students were required to choose a city in France, and write descriptions about the place.
These included:
- Where they are going
- Listing activities they will do in their chosen city
- The facilities available
The following students, Tobi C, Juliette L, Alice S, and Andy H produced outstanding Powerpoint presentations on their chosen cities. Bravo!
MADAME K
Teacher of French
This term the Year 7’s completed their wire stocking sculptures. They explored the art elements of shape, form, colour, and pattern through developing a variety of decorative designs. They began their artwork by molding their wire coat hangers into their desired shape, followed by stretching a nylon stocking over the top. They then applied paint and Posca markers to add decorative patterns resulting in eye-catching sculptures.
The year 8 art class explored artistic inspiration through artwork by ceramic artist Vipoo Srivilasa. The students designed and hand built a “super character” in clay that represented a meaningful idea to them. The results were fun and colourful.
LISA MacDONALD
Art Teacher
Despite the Senior Debaters ‘debate journey’ finishing for 2022, the Woodleigh Junior Debate team has continued to delve into the world of debating. Consisting of Allegra Moloney, Hywel Matthews, Innes Thistletone and Andy Hutchinson the group of Year 8 debaters has gone from strength to strength and finished the DAV (Debaters Association of Victoria) Junior program without losing a single debate; one of only two schools to do so.
Over three Monday evenings during Term 4 the young debate team has tackled topics such as ‘Capping the Salaries of Professional Sports people’, ‘the Schools Spectacular is a waste of money’ and ‘that we should ban public smoking and vaping in public spaces.’ I really enjoyed working with this younger debate group as they were asked to argue on sides of an argument that they did not necessarily agree with. There was a great deal of mind twisting, deciphering of topics, research, decision making and speech writing. A massive thank you to Char Palmer and Lillian Carter for helping during the last-minute planning sessions. They were an invaluable assistance to the team.
The whole team deserves a massive congratulations, with special mentions for Allegra and Andy who both received Best speaker awards. Allegra was awarded two.
We are looking forward to 2023.
MARNEY POPE
Debating Coordinator
Junior Debating Team L to R: Hywel, Innes, Andy and Allegra (Year 8).
Inspired by their Unit 6 Barista activity, Lilly Lawson and Matilda Butt wrote this rap, featuring their legendary instructor Eden (pictured).
Legendary Coffee
ft. Eden
It’s bitter yet sweet,
Homestead One always smells like a treat!
Our coffee is fire
fuelled by our passion and desire.
Each bean is cared for perfectly grown,
Our coffees be tasting like 24-karat-gold.
We tamp our coffee like there’s no tomorrow.
Pour our heart and souls into the perfect cup of gold.
Make sure you only do a little twist,
'cause Eden says you might break your wrist!
After each session we clean like a mad machine,
'cause we don’t want Madams getting mean.
Our barista be reals are super fire,
but not as good as our Common Folk coffee supplier.
I see you’re feeling fancy
so let’s spice things up a little.
Forget long blacks,
let’s move on to the triple stacks.
Latte art is our style.
It’s a privilege.
It’s a lifestyle.
Some of us still learning the ropes,
but Matilda be slaying cause she’s a pro.
First you gotta make your shots,
froth the milk,
keep the steamer clean.
But make sure your milk don’t scream,
'cause this ain’t Halloween!
Next we gonna pour.
Hold your jug up high,
but don’t be shy
'cause if you spill a little milk we got more in the fridge.
Just don’t tell Madams cause he don’t like the wastage.
Once you’ve filled your cup,
Get down real close,
Mmm this latte is the opposite of gross.
Pour a bubble of milk,
Two then three,
Then pull through the stacks nice and clean.
LILLY LAWSON and MATILDA BUTT
Year 9
Many thanks to Tony Spring and the generous folks at Frankston North Rotary Club, who have donated an amazing $515 for our annual Cambodian Fundraiser. This money will go towards a computer for our community partners, Chumkriel Language School in Kampot, Cambodia and support their valuable teaching work.
ROSIE CIAN
Teacher
We are seeking your help and support for what we hope will be an ongoing Service activity in 2023. A group of enthusiastic Lego builders will be re-assembling and repackaging pre-loved Lego pieces and forming them into their original sets or creating new models. The plan is to donate these to various schools and support groups locally to use in their programs.
If you have tubs big or small of unsorted Lego that you would be willing to donate, with or without instruction booklets, then we’d love to have them.
Please drop off at Senior Campus Reception for the attention of Mr Mills.
IAN MILLS
Teacher
Join us for our annual Perkerkoong celebration on the evening of Wednesday 30 November, in the beautiful surrounds of the Bush Chapel.
Perberkoong (a Boon Wurrung word meaning 'come together') is a Woodleigh end-of-year celebration that includes reflections and performances by students from all Woodleigh School campuses, as well as the Nativity Story performed by Minimbah Campus Foundation students.
This annual tradition is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate as a community after a particularly full year of rich learning. It's also an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of traditions and spiritualities within the Woodleigh community.
We hope to see as many Minimbah, Penbank and Senior Campus families as possible on the night. Let us know you're coming at the link below.
Please enter via the main school gate on Golf Links Road and park as directed by the attendants.
Let us know you're coming!
It's been a long time between cordials, but the Woodleigh Arty Market is back after 3-years in hibernation!
A quintessentially Woodleigh occasion, the Arty Market is a celebration of all things handmade, artisanal, and quirky. Pop along to buy artworks, jewellery, food, and homewares designed and/or made by our budding young entrepreneurs and clever community of creatives! Paired with delicious food and drinks from local Mornington Peninsula producers, it's always a beautiful event.
The twilight market will be held next Friday 2 December from 4pm - 8pm at Senior Campus.
Carparking will be available in Gate 1 and Gate 2.
We look forward to seeing you there!
