- Quarantine Dreaming
- News from the First Aid Room
- The Value of a Strength-Based Approach
- An updated IT space for all
- Year 7 Activities Reflections – Term 1 2022
- Year 12 Formal
- Year 11 and 12 Studio Arts NGV Excursion
- Gettin' cold in Staff vs Students Netball
- Year 10 Work Experience
- Almost, Maine – Sound/Music
- 2022 Victorian School Team Sailing Championships
- Term 1 Design – Year 7, 10 and 11
- Homestead Athletics Carnival
- Field Gnats Trip to Mount Rothwell – April 2022
- Woodleigh Snow Sports Race Team for 2022
- Recovering Long Overdue Library Items
- Year 12 Drama Ensemble Performance – Christmas Down Under
- Mother's Day Out 2022
Quarantine Dreaming
I write this week's Messenger Article four days into seven days of quarantine after contracting COVID sometime early last week. While I've been lucky and had only mild cold symptoms, being locked in the bottom end of our house and having food left at the door three times a day has not been a fulfilling experience. This lacklustre time has been further amplified by the lack of televisions in this part of our house and, to top it off, poor quality wifi. I need to own the internet issue... my daughters have complained about the internet down here for years, and I've done precious little to fix the problem.
Tom Ryan's Y8 Humanities Class Exploring the history of the Battle of Hastings
During my time incarcerated with the Labradors, I've been disappointed to miss out on key events during the last two weeks of term. However, it has given me the chance to reflect on our term here at Woodleigh.
I was beginning to celebrate my first lockdown-free term at Woodleigh, thinking that the great state of Victoria would not consider such measures again. However, I sadly overlooked my own circumstances, and as such, my dream of an uninterrupted term continues to elude me. Nonetheless, I hope to return to School this week, healthy and COVID-free, to defend the honour of the Senior Campus staff in the Fight MND staff-student netball game happening Thursday at lunchtime. I can already feel my calves and hamstrings twinging.
Staff vs Students Netball Match. Raising funds for Motor Neurone Disease Research
A Very Successful Term 1
Outside of my short spasms of self-pity, I managed to reflect on what has been an incredibly positive term for our School. Despite a rapid surge in COVID numbers, our weekly case numbers have remained relatively controlled. My colleagues at other schools have endured far greater positive cases in staff and students. We have also managed to run an almost normal calendar of events. While some slight variations were made to minimise risk, we managed to conduct Camps, Activities, Inter-School Sports, Excursions, Incursions, School Meetings, Assemblies and large community gatherings – all of which were incredibly successful and healing for our community.
I have particularly enjoyed spending time with our students as they move away from their virtual worlds and re-engage with each other and the School in the physical world. Our children seem more appreciative of these opportunities than ever before – each experience bringing a joy and excitement that many of us have not seen or felt for some time.
4Y0 Early Childhood Students working with Lionel Lauch from Living Culture
Relationships and Experiences Set Us Apart
I have often said that relationships and experiences give meaning and purpose to our School. The full range of experiences offered during Term 1 have enhanced and developed our students' relationships with their peers and teachers alike.
As parents, teachers and school leaders, we all have a moral purpose to do the best for the students in our care. To encourage them, support them and guide them to be the best person they can be. Every day across our campuses, I see wonderful young people who love learning, love interacting, and want to be the best version of themselves. I also see teachers and staff members working alongside our students, encouraging them and supporting their growth and development. As a Principal and a teacher, nothing is more inspiring, which is why I come to work at Woodleigh every day
Charlie Stevering Y10 completed the World's Greatest Shave, raising nearly $1400 to go toward beating blood cancer.
Happy to be at School
Our students and community have a new sense of appreciation for school, the experiences we all take part in, and our relationships with each other.
I want to thank and congratulate our students for being themselves and engaging with our school in such a positive and purposeful manner. I also want to thank our families for continuing to support our school and entrust us with your children's education. The old adage, 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree,' is very true at Woodleigh. Great kids come from great families.
Thank you to our staff, who have worked tirelessly to ensure our students have had as normal a term as possible. They have covered for each other when we have often experienced staff shortages. They have planned for and implemented great learning experiences to ensure our students are engaged and motivated. Most importantly, they continue to be committed professionals who love their students and love working at Woodleigh.
I would like to wish every member of our community a very restful holiday period with friends and family, and I hope to see all of our students again in Term 2, safe and well.
Take care over the break,
DAVID BAKER Principal
News from the First Aid Room
As we move into 2022, there are several key changes that will be occurring across the First Aid rooms. These changes are to ensure we maintain a best practice approach and to ensure we meet evolving risk management and compliance requirements.
1: Medication Administration
The school is moving towards paracetamol being the only over the counter medication that will be supplied to students (and only when parent permission has been provided via Operoo). All other medication will need to be supplied from home, in the original packaging, with the student's full name, the medication dosage, administration advice, and parent name and signature supplied. The medication will then be stored in the First Aid room and will be provided to your child when the need arises. (my comment – perhaps this is via Operoo form).
We understand that this is a change from existing practice; however, external consultants have advised that this is the best course of action for all parties. If your child requires any over the counter medication, we ask that you complete the Operoo Medication Authority form available here as soon as possible and deliver the medication to the relevant First Aid Officer.
2: Questions to be removed from Operoo Medical form
We are also writing to advise that we will no longer request Medicare numbers, ambulance cover status or private health cover information. This information is not critical to an emergency response and does not impact our emergency treatment protocols, and, in keeping with our Privacy Policy, we believe we should not hold this data as a matter of course. If particular camps, excursions, or activities require this information, we will request it on the Operoo form specific to the event and only hold the data for as long as it is required.
3: Staying Current
When providing first aid to your child, the information you provide via Operoo is critical. We ask that all parents review and update their child's Operoo Profile regularly, particularly when there is a change in health circumstances. If your child requires a Health Management Plan (i.e., asthma, allergy, anaphylaxis, diabetes, epilepsy), we ask you to check their expiry dates and upload updated plans onto the Operoo platform.
4: Anaphylaxis: EpiPen versus Anapen
Woodleigh staff have just completed their six monthly Anaphylaxis briefing. The training we undertake is related to the use of EpiPens rather than Anapens, so we ask that parents of anaphylactic children provide the school with an EpiPen rather than an Anapen.
As always, if your child has health issues that you wish to discuss, please get in touch with the School Nurse, Di Mold, on 5971 6100.
The Value of a Strength-Based Approach
In the last two years, our young people have spent increased amounts of enforced time with their parents and have relied on parents for vital sources of social support during school closures. This increased time and reliance on parents means that the style of parenting received during lockdown is likely to have a significant impact on the degree to which an adolescent can grow through the stress they are experiencing.
(Evans et al., 2020).
As we end Term 1, 2022, let's be grateful for our first full term back on campus for two years and acknowledge becoming a vibrant community again. It has been a very full calendar so far, which has included camps, Homestead night, activities, in-real-life classes, excursions, swimming & athletic carnivals, the year 12 formal and more.
However, navigating this welcome change is not without its challenges. There is the ongoing impact of COVID, increased separation anxiety from home and family, and the self-regulation and cognitive focus required by each individual to re-enter shared spaces such as classrooms and Homesteads. We see students with reduced capacity to concentrate for extended periods, navigate and calibrate changes to social networks and peer groups, and be with and around people most of the day. We have also noted some students struggling to enact an increased degree of independence and organization, and so it goes.
Keep in mind that for our young people, their brain architecture and physiology are simultaneously having some significant overhauls and renovations, which can make it harder for them to think logically and rationally. We – the grown-ups in their lives – need to know that at any point, we can help them or hinder them from getting back on their feet and moving forwards – gently and steadily.
The value of Strength‐based parenting
Professor Lea Watershas researched and written extensively on the subject of Strength-based parenting, which she describes as,
"an approach where parents deliberately identify and cultivate positive states, processes and qualities in their children. It's about connecting your kids with their inborn strengths such as strengths of character (eg. humour, kindness) as well as their talents such as writing or sporting ability. These strengths are the inner resources contained within our kids that help boost their life satisfaction."
Even before COVID, it was well documented that adolescence is a time when life satisfaction drops off. This is especially significant as we know that life satisfaction acts as a buffer against the development of psychological disorders during adolescence. Research identifies that young people with higher levels of life satisfaction have stronger emotional, academic, and social skills.
Hence, it may be more important than ever for parents to find deliberate ways to boost their child's life satisfaction, and Strength-based parenting is one such approach.
Research shows that children and teenagers who have strength-based parents:
- Have higher levels of life satisfaction
- Have a better understanding of their own strengths
- Cope with conflict in more proactive ways
- Use their strengths to help them meet homework deadlines
- Have lower levels of stress.
- Have enhanced a sense of self‐efficacy, which is a factor that assists young people to cope and be adaptive
Strength-based parenting doesn't just benefit our children; it also improves our life satisfaction and confidence as parents and promotes a shared understanding and value of each family member's wellbeing.
Practical tips for parents to apply to strength-based parenting
Strengths spotting: Think about the strengths that underpin your child's actions and let them know what you see. Spot the kindness that underpins their sharing with their friends, their self-control to finish homework on time rather than watch TV and the persistence they're using in sports training.
Strengths letter: Write a letter to your child letting them know about the strengths you see in them and how these strengths will help them cope with challenging times as well as helping them to thrive during good times.
Strengths surveys: There are many online surveys that children can take to help them identify and think about their strengths. The Gallup Institute has the StrengthsExplorer for children aged 10-14 and the StrengthsQuest for children aged 15-25.
If parents and children are interested in identifying personality strengths, they can go to The Values in Action Institute and complete the free online VIA-Youth survey. This is something that most of our students have undertaken at school.
Strengths role model: It always helps to see how other parents and kids are using their strengths. Visit the The Strengths Exchange and discover how parents and children of all ages apply character strength to every day.
For now
As a community, we have much to be grateful for as there continues to be much adversity occurring in our world right now (the war in Ukraine, natural disasters, climate change). And it can be a sad and overwhelming time for our students, our children and ourselves. We may not be able to control the things that happen in the world, but the value of a Strength-based approach can influence a young person's capacity to cope and potential to grow through life's stressors. And can help us all be stronger as we navigate the next stage together.
In kindness,
DONNA NAIRN
Director of Counselling – WOODLEIGH SCHOOL
Acknowledgements & further reading:
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/the-value-of-strength-based-parenting
https://www.leawaters.com/the-...
https://www.leawaters.com/sbp-quiz
https://woodleigh.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-conflict-ukraine-au
An updated IT space for all
IT4 and IT3 have had a mini makeover over the past few weeks, adding to the ongoing effort to encourage Woodleigh students to engage with technology and design. Posters featuring important women in STEM decorate the walls, and a new hydroponics unit lights up the space in IT4. New flexible seating has been introduced in IT3 to encourage collaboration and innovation, including whiteboard tables that students have well utilised to plan out their next big ideas. A compact but functional media lab with green screen and studio lighting has been added between the two classrooms for students to use in a variety of subjects.
The space has been a hive of activity over the past few weeks, with Year 7 and 8 students creating educational video games, custom game controllers and laser-cut 3D sculptures for their Design and Coding subjects. Additionally, a new lunchtime club has been launched for students to push their skills further outside of class time.
Year 7 Design Studio in IT4
Year 7 students have been flexing their creative muscles this term with a subject new to Woodleigh Senior Campus. Design Studio combines design principles and technology know-how to encourage problem-solving and divergent thinking. Every term, a new class of Year 7 students will learn how to prototype and create 3D forms, create digital illustrations to print on the laser cutter and solve design challenges using innovative circuitry and computing. The newly refurbished IT4 supports students to independently plan their solutions and try out technology like 3D printing, laser cutting, digital designing and physical prototyping.
Designs from left to right: Alby Moorhouse, Nicholas Mollett, Gracie Watson and Catherine Arthur Y7
Don't forget to join us at STEAM Club! Thursday lunchtimes in IT4.
Year 7 Activities Reflections – Term 1 2022
Short Film Production
I chose the Short Film Production Activity as I am interested in film production. I learnt how to edit well, and the film we produced at the end was amazing.
JULIETTE W
Snorkel Diver
I chose this Activity because I love the ocean and all the cool things in it. I learned all the ways to enter the water and saw all the good animals in the water. It was really fun, and I would love to do it again.
BRODIE G
I chose snorkelling for my first Activity, and I really enjoyed it. I never really had a "passion" for snorkelling; I just thought it would be fun to do. I learned how to do a duck dive with a snorkel, which I didn't know how to do before. I had my friend snorkelling as well, and it was nice to chat to her a bit and swim around looking for sea creatures. One of my memories during this Activity was when we were swimming over a rocky patch in the ocean, and I was about to put my feet on the ground when my friend pointed out a stingray.
ZOE D-B
I knew it was the Activity for me because I love the ocean and the marine plants and animals that call it home. I dream of becoming a marine biologist when I grow up. Despite having a snorkel and mask, I hadn't learnt the proper skills on how to use it, so therefore I wanted to challenge myself and learn. The skills I learned were independence, trust, identification of marine life, proper snorkelling techniques, patience and resilience. The amazing snapshot it gave me of what opportunities I have at this school has ignited a passion in me. Thank you to all the teachers throughout Activities this term for the great guidance they have given me.
CHARLOTTE R
Futsal – Indoor Soccer
This Activity was great as I really like soccer and futsal. I learnt how to work better in a team, and my favourite memory was when I saved a goal and people were surprised. The funniest thing I saw was someone scoring an own goal.
ANDREW S
Circus Skills
I chose Circus Skills as I have never been able to juggle, and I thought it would be cool to learn. In the end, I learned it in the first session! I learnt how to walk on stilts as well, which was for me, the highlight of the Activity. The funniest memory was when all of the balloon animals were popping! Everyone was startled when they popped, and I don't think there were many survivors in the end. Activities are a really fun and creative way to engage kids and get them to learn in ways that they may not have before.
CHARLOTTE C
I chose to do Circus Skills because when I was younger, I had this book, and they rode a unicycle. Since then, I've always wanted to learn how to do it. During the sessions, I learnt how to do tightrope walking, ride a unicycle, balloon animal making, juggling, how to balance, teamwork, and patience. Our teacher was always kind, helpful and patient. Activities is so fun, and I can't wait to do more.
MORIAH E
Make Your Own Laser Cut Jewellery
My favourite Activity this term was Laser Cut Jewellery. I learnt how to use a laser cutter to make cool stuff, such as some Megamind jewellery.
MAEVE C
Archery
I have always wanted to do archery, so I jumped at the chance when it was available through Activities. I learnt about the different types of bows and how to stand while you shoot.
ROSE M
Photography, Lightroom and Photoshop
I chose the Photography Activity because my cousin is a photographer, and I love what he does, and I wanted to see if I could do things he does and maybe more. I learnt how to edit and take amazing photos of basic things. My favourite memory was of the photos I edited and my cousin's face when I showed them to him.
TIANA H
The Woodleigh Farm
I love animals and want to work with them when I am older, so this was a great Activity to be involved in. I want to start horse riding, so I thought it would be good to get to know the horse, Max. During the sessions, I learnt how to walk the horse and donkey and how to wash them. I really loved the farm, and it has definitely inspired me to start riding.
HARPER L
I wanted to do this Activity, so I could understand how to look after animals. During the sessions, we learnt about feeding, walking, and preparing animals for show.
NICHOLAS M
Brian Henderson Reserve
I love animals and want to work with them when I am older. I thought this Activity would be good to see what it was like working in a reserve. I learnt what Kangaroos, Wallabies, Quolls and Emus eat and what plants are weeds and what aren't. My favourite memory was getting to feed the animals each session.
ALANNAH D
Skating at the Shed
My favourite Activity this term was Skating at the Shed. I chose this because I love skating. During the sessions, I learnt how to ollies, gain the confidence to skate on bigger ramps and do airs.
NATE W
I chose this Activity because I already skate a little bit, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to improve my skills. I learnt how to rock the fake and how to drop into the bowl and how to give things a go. It was great to learn how to skate with my friends as well as meet new people.
GRACIE W
Cross Country Running
I chose Cross Country Running as I wanted to work on my running skills. During the sessions, I learnt about warming up and warming down and how fast to go in various races.
What I will remember from this Activity is how much my running improved over the unit.
THOMAS M
Mixed Media
My favourite Activity this term was Mixed Media as I love doing art and I enjoy exploring different art. What I learnt was that just because stuff isn't perfect doesn't mean it doesn't look good. It doesn't matter if your art doesn't look completely amazing; the point is to have fun with it and not compare your art to others.
AVA C
Music and Theatre Technology
I wanted to do this Activity because I really liked music and technology, and it sounded like my jam. During the sessions, I learned how to rig and patch a light fixture and how to make a show. What I will remember from this Activity is that you don't want to be hit by that mirror ball.
OSCAR M
Year 12 Formal
At long last, and for the first time since 2019, our Year 12 students were able to celebrate the Year 12 Formal and on Friday 1 April, they did so in style at The Epicurean in Red Hill South.
The Year 12 Formal is a significant "rite of passage" event that has sadly been denied to Year 12 students over the last two years, and its absence has been sorely missed. So, with a real sense of gratitude, our Year 12's hit the dance floor Friday evening to come together and celebrate as a cohort.
All students dressed in their finest for the occasion, looking amazing with style and individuality in abundance. Former Woodleigh student Jack Smart DJ-ed the event, punctuated with a guest appearance from our own guest DJ Rex Thorp who, with a thumping set, had everyone dancing. The food was delicious, and the venue was superb. The Epicurean staff were full of praise for the students, their conduct, and the positive atmosphere that permeated the event.
Everyone had a great night, and the already strong sense of community was further developed – one that will support the students through the coming year and its many highlights and challenges.
HAYDN FLANAGAN
Director of Pastoral Care Senior Homestead
Year 11 and 12 Studio Arts NGV Excursion
During this term, the Year 11 and 12 Studio Arts students got the opportunity to visit the Top Arts exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria.
This exhibition was an inspiring and helpful experience. The opportunity to see the exhibition gave amazing examples of both final pieces, as well as how folios should look. In the actual exhibition, each artist's pieces were set up in a cohesive way that made it clear who created each artwork.
Each artwork came with an Artist's Statement that clearly outlined their intentions. After having time to walk through the exhibition, we got a chance to view the folios. Each folio detailed the process of creating their artworks and where their ideas came from. It was very interesting to see the artist's connection to their artworks as they progressed through making them.
It inspired me as many of the artists involved their culture in their artworks. Those artworks felt very personal, and it was moving to know that the artists felt proud of their culture and comfortable sharing it with the public. The excursion was eye-opening and gave some insight into what will be expected of us in the years to come.
Olivia Simpson Y11
Gettin' cold in Staff vs Students Netball
The Big Freeze was ON in the Woodleigh Gym on Thursday 7 April.
Staff vs Students Fundraising Netball, winner takes all, in support of the fight against Motor Neurone Disease.
What the Staff gave away in age, they made up in wit, guile, and determination to win through in the end, with a narrow 9-8 victory over their Year 12 opposition.
Congratulations to all players and officials and to the student organising committee, led by Tessa Cox Y12, who wore a very refreshing bucket of ice-cold water for her troubles! 🥶🥶🥶
Year 10 Work Experience
In Week 6 of this term, 61 Year 10 students were fortunate enough to secure a week of work experience with an employer of their choice. This was a difficult thing to do in these COVID times, and we congratulate all students who managed to do this. We also send a big thank you to the employers who were able to commit to this week.
The student experiences were very diverse this year. TV show production, dairy farming, construction and even general practice medicine were on our books, among many other vocations. The feedback given by work experience students indicates that they gained a great understanding of their chosen industries and have used the week to help guide their future work and study options. The feedback given by employers has shown our students to be attentive and willing to try new things, showing great employability skills.
For students who could not secure a work placement, all is not lost. We know that many of you tried so hard, but employers in some industries were hesitant due to COVID restrictions and business impact. If you are still interested, you will have the opportunity to do work experience at the end of Term 2 in the first week of the holidays. Investing a week of your holidays could be the best investment you have ever made and lead to an amazing career pathway.
DEREK KIRK
VET Coordinator
Almost, Maine – Sound/Music
This year's production, 'Almost, Maine,' is shaping up to be a massive team effort. Original music is needed to link the scenes and the transitions between the episodes. The playwright, John Cariani, also calls for some magical phrases to musically represent the appearance of the northern lights. We recorded these part way through Term 1.
At the start of this year, five students formed a band to begin work on the project.
We began brainstorming different ideas about how to create a magical atmosphere. Preliminary ideas focused on using a harp glissando – a sound that audiences often associate with magic.
However, as we improvised additional musical phrases, we decided against using the harp. We realised that it might feel too much like a perfect, predictable, happily-ever-after, cliched "Disney" love story, and that was not the musical atmosphere that we wanted to create.
We also explored playing different harmonics on the violin, cello and guitar. This created a high-pitched scratching dissonance that we thought initially might conjure a prickle effect, like when the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. However, we eventually abandoned this idea in favour of a purely vocal sound.
In our rehearsals, we aimed for clashing harmonies. We layered in single, sustained notes to form an atmospheric, dissonant cluster chord. This was much easier to practice than to record, as we were only able to record single voices at a time. It was great to be able to work with the sound team, who were able to run the technical side. To record, we took turns to sing our note, working with headphones, so we could pitch our notes correctly in the evolving arpeggiated chord.
Once the seven parts had been recorded, we also incorporated the unison sound of breath and soft whistling. This was quite a challenge to record, but something that we wanted to pursue to create the feel of a cold landscape.
We look forward to hearing the final product and seeing how it will complement the changing lights onstage in the performance.
AMELIA EVENDEN Y11
Student Musical Director
I'm studying Sound Production as a Year 11 Vet subject and was in the Hall Tech Activity with Mr Bingham in Unit 1. It was great when Ms Wharington approached us to record some music for this year's Senior Production, Almost, Maine. A group of seven students, who had limited recording experience, jumped at the opportunity to learn and make something using Woodleigh's recording software.
Bingas showed us how to use Cubase, which we used to record and remix the audio. I have to admit, we struggled with the program at first, as it was our first time working with the software, but we enjoyed the practical side of setting up microphones and adjusting audio levels as the girls sang.
During the recording session, students took on the role of sound engineers, connecting the different leads for headphones and the microphone to the sound desk. Mr Bingham taught us how to operate the desk, which allowed us to monitor and adjust the amount of sound coming from the microphone. He also taught us how to stop, start, replay and trim the recordings. For each singer, we adjusted the microphone stand to suit their height and recorded each voice on a separate track so we could manipulate them in post-production.
Over the session, we learnt how to apply audio filters to their voices and experimented with adding basic effects like reverb and compression. Recording each voice required us to set different levels for each track, and as the voices had quite unique timbres, we had to make adjustments as we went along.
It was more difficult to record the breathing lines as they were significantly quieter. We had to watch the gains on the audio desk and had to adjust them accordingly so that the audio was loud enough to be heard in the hall/cluster chord but not so loud that they distorted. Recording the breathing allowed us to add ambience and atmosphere to the track.
Overall, it was an amazing experience to be able to work with the singers and be part of the sound team. I know this will be really useful as I continue to study my Vet Music course.
As the student in charge of sound for 'Almost, Maine', I also look forward to manipulating the recorded music, sound effects, and the actors' microphone audio throughout the performances, as sound is a very big part of the show.
TOMMY LEWIS Y11 – Sound
2022 Victorian School Team Sailing Championships
The 2022 Victorian School Team Sailing Championships were recently held at Mornington Yacht Club. Three full days of sailing made for a busy weekend. There were 150 students competing from 21 teams. The teams racing was undertaken with pacers using an S-shaped course. Woodleigh was in Division 1, which meant tough competition.
Day 1 started at 7:30am with windy, cold weather. By the last few races of the day, there were bullets of wind reaching 20 knots. This meant a lot of capsizing, even for our Woodleigh Sailing team! Moving into Day 2, the weather was still chilly, with many gusts blowing through the course. At one point we had a visit from a pod of dolphins, who came to play near the finish line. Unfortunately, our team had a hard day; with capsizes on both the start and finish lines. Unfortunately, our final day of racing was short-lived for our team, as we were eliminated early in the knockout finals. At least this enabled us to get home early that day to catch up on schoolwork!
For the finals, race organisers moved the course closer to Mornington Pier so spectators could see the racing – we could certainly hear the cheering on the water! While the results didn't fall our way, our team is growing, and next year Woodleigh will be striving for a place on the podium!
Some highlights of the weekend included catching up with sailing friends from other schools; some of the friendships go a long way back from the days of Tackers and GreenFleet in Opti's. Mornington Yacht Club did a great job hosting the event – thank you to the many volunteers. The BBQ was a highlight, serving egg and bacon rolls for breakfast and burgers for lunch. This kept us, cold sailors, warm.
On behalf of the whole Woodleigh Sailing Team, I would like the thank our coach Will McKenzie, Mr Angelico, for assisting us, Mornington YC for hosting us and all the parents and volunteers who made this possible. This Wednesday, we are back training and building towards next summer's competition!
Daniel Laverty Y11
Term 1 Design – Year 7, 10 and 11
Homestead Athletics Carnival
After missing out last year, the Homestead Athletics Carnival returned on Wednesday, March 30. This year's event was held at Casey Fields Regional Athletics Centre in Cranbourne.
It was amazing to see so many students decked out in Homestead colours, cheering loudly, with wonderful levels of participation and support for one another. The track and field events were hotly contested, and credit is due to all students who took part and gave it their best shot. There were many highlights on the day, Homestead 7 taking on all comers and winning the Tug of War event, the thrills and spills of the Sack Race, and the first-time experience for both Year 7 and 8 students at this carnival, to name just a few. Special mention to the Homestead 4 Year 10 Tutor Group, who have gone through four years undefeated, winning the Tutor Group award at all Homestead Swimming and Athletics Carnivals.
100m Invitational Sprint Championship
These races pit the fastest two male and female sprinters from each year level against each other to determine our fastest Junior Homestead sprinter. Students qualify for the race based on their times in the 100m age group races earlier in the day. Both races were showcase events with all students involved impressing. The boys' race was won by Tahran Holmes Y10, followed by Kieran Marshall Y10 and Harry Holder Y9. Marlo Jones Y10 won the girls' race impressively, having also won the event in 2020. Issy Hammock Y8 and Juliet Whinney Y7 filled the minor placings and showed that they will be hard to beat in the years to come.
1500m Middle Distance Championship
This event is open to all middle-distance runners, with the top three finishers across Years 7-10 awarded medallions. The girls' 1500m was the race was dominated by Year 7 & 8 students, with Daisy Black Y8 finishing first, ahead of Aggie D'Antoine Y7 and Lucy Laverty Y8. The boys' fought out a terrific race, with Orlando Clark Y8 getting the better of Harvey Bedford Y8 and Max MacGowan Y9 in the concluding stages.
Overall Results
It was very exciting to see Homestead 2 come out on top this year and break a ten-year drought. When the results were announced, the entire Homestead raced down to collect the trophy and share in the moment. Well done to Mr Macindoe and all of Homestead 2.
BEN DAVENPORT
Director of Sport
Field Gnats Trip to Mount Rothwell – April 2022
Last weekend (2-3 April) was the first trip to Mount Rothwell Conservation Reserve by the Woodleigh School Field Gnats for 2022.
Mount Rothwell is a 400-hectare property located near the You Yangs. Surrounded by an electrified fence that keeps out foxes and cats, it aims to provide a sanctuary for endangered species such as the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Eastern Quoll, and Southern Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby. Woodleigh School's Field Gnats have been long time associates of Mount Rothwell.
We departed Woodleigh School at 8:30am on Saturday with everyone excited about returning to Rothwell. For some, this was their first time visiting; for others, it was the first time back in a year. Joining Dr. Simpson were Ms Taylor, Mr Hennessy and some ex-field gnats, Alex, Callum and Liam. At close to 10:30am, we approached the great green gates of the reserve, and once we had parked and established ourselves at the volunteer building, the Rothwell staff came and allocated some tasks for us to complete throughout the weekend. We set to work at once, cleaning out the pens that are part of the captive breeding program for the endangered Bush-Stone Curlew. Some lucky students also took the two Dingoes out for some exercise, taking them on short walks.
After some lunch, we took a short drive out to the perimeter fence. Mount Rothwell is in the process of upgrading their predator-proof fence. Our job was to pin down the skirt; this prevents animals like foxes from digging in. We returned to the visitor's centre where we prepared dinner and set up camp. Soon after, we had a roaring campfire, board games and some good camp food. We all finished the night off with a long night walk up onto the granite rises overlooking the plains to Melbourne. We all had a blast pointing our torches and seeing various endangered species going about their business. Soon hot milo and cake were in order before exhaustion took over, and we all turned in for the night.
Sunday was another productive day. We returned to our work on the perimeter fence, going further than we thought we ever could. We all put in a lot of effort, and when we finished, we had laid down 1.3km of skirt along the new fence. We returned to the centre; while lunch preparations were underway, some of us went for a small hike up the granite rises, where we spotted Black Kites, and Southern Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies perched high on their boulders. After lunch, we packed up and boarded the bus returning to Woodleigh. This was a highly productive weekend, and every one of us feels very proud of the work we have achieved over the two days at Mount Rothwell.
THOMAS HENNESSY
Land and Animal Management Assistant
Woodleigh Snow Sports Race Team for 2022
Woodleigh enters a team each year in 'The Victorian Interschool Snow Sports Championships' held at Mt. Buller and runs a training camp for the group before the event in the Term 3 Activities Week Camp program.
In 2022 the secondary schools' Victorian Interschool Snow Sport Championship events run from Monday till Sunday, August 22nd to 28th.
This year the training camp will be at Mt Buller. The camp is limited to 20 students. Students will travel up to Mt Buller on the afternoon of Sunday of Week 5, August 14th, and return on Friday, August 19th.
Students would be at school in Week 6 on at least Monday and Tuesday before travelling to Mt Buller for the Victorian Interschool Snow Sports Championships. Depending on the division entered and the event, some students would not need to be at the mountain till Thursday, Friday or Saturday for their races. Divisions are linked to school year levels; Div 3 – Years 7 and 8, Div 2 – Years 9 and 10 and Div 1 – Years 11 and 12. Therefore, Year 12 VCE students who choose to compete would miss very little school with Division 1 running on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More details of the events and a provisional timetable can be found at the following website, including complimentary insurance for students competing via this snow racer link. All competitors must have a Snow ID.
This year there are only two options for students.
- Training camp and competition – recommended for students who are serious about improving their skill and technique and who will compete in the championships. Students must already be able to board or ski at an intermediate level to apply.
- Competition only – for past members of the team who want to represent the school and have been on a training camp in past years.
If you are interested in your child being part of the Woodleigh Snow Sports Team in 2022, please ask them to see Mr Higgins for an information letter and forms in Week 1 of Term 2 and to check morning notices for any of the updates and further information.
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me early in Term 2.
BILL HIGGINS
Snow Sports Coordinator
Recovering Long Overdue Library Items
Dear Parents,
Whilst the last two years have been less than ideal, it is now time to start sorting out some of the overdue items that have accumulated over that time.
To give you some background about the processes we undertake prior to requesting a replacement cost through family accounts:
- Students receive at least three automated reminders about books that are overdue – an email on the first day that the item is overdue, a second email 14 days later, and a third and final reminder 14 days after that.
- In addition to these automated emails, the library has sent out specific, targeted reminders during 2020 and 2021 and early in 2022.
Items that are placed on to family accounts as a replacement cost are very, very overdue. Although many students have only one or two items, the total cost of replacing these items is almost $7,500 – a significant sum, I am sure you will agree.
MIFFY FARQUHARSON
Head of Library Services
Year 12 Drama Ensemble Performance – Christmas Down Under
Live theatre is back at Woodleigh!
The Year 12 Drama Class of 2022 is presenting their VCE Ensemble Drama performance,
‘Christmas Downunder.’
‘Christmas Downunder’ is an original piece of theatre devised by the students. It is an entertaining, family-friendly show focusing on different perspectives of Christmas.
Seating is limited. Book your tickets today and don’t miss out!
Gold coin entry – all proceeds to our Community Partnerships.
Book NowMother's Day Out 2022
Attention Mothers, Grandmothers, and Special Ladies! Woodleigh School invites you to join us for a very special Mother's Day event.
Join us for a beautiful day out with fellow Woodleigh ladies from our school campuses.
Cost: $80 per person
RSVP by Thursday 28 April – places are limited – so be quick!
We'd love to hear from you if you would like to promote your business with a gift bag or door prize donation.
Please click here to help support us in making this a special event for our Woodleigh ladies.
Book Now
As we move into 2022, there are several key changes that will be occurring across the First Aid rooms. These changes are to ensure we maintain a best practice approach and to ensure we meet evolving risk management and compliance requirements.
1: Medication Administration
The school is moving towards paracetamol being the only over the counter medication that will be supplied to students (and only when parent permission has been provided via Operoo). All other medication will need to be supplied from home, in the original packaging, with the student's full name, the medication dosage, administration advice, and parent name and signature supplied. The medication will then be stored in the First Aid room and will be provided to your child when the need arises. (my comment – perhaps this is via Operoo form).
We understand that this is a change from existing practice; however, external consultants have advised that this is the best course of action for all parties. If your child requires any over the counter medication, we ask that you complete the Operoo Medication Authority form available here as soon as possible and deliver the medication to the relevant First Aid Officer.
2: Questions to be removed from Operoo Medical form
We are also writing to advise that we will no longer request Medicare numbers, ambulance cover status or private health cover information. This information is not critical to an emergency response and does not impact our emergency treatment protocols, and, in keeping with our Privacy Policy, we believe we should not hold this data as a matter of course. If particular camps, excursions, or activities require this information, we will request it on the Operoo form specific to the event and only hold the data for as long as it is required.
3: Staying Current
When providing first aid to your child, the information you provide via Operoo is critical. We ask that all parents review and update their child's Operoo Profile regularly, particularly when there is a change in health circumstances. If your child requires a Health Management Plan (i.e., asthma, allergy, anaphylaxis, diabetes, epilepsy), we ask you to check their expiry dates and upload updated plans onto the Operoo platform.
4: Anaphylaxis: EpiPen versus Anapen
Woodleigh staff have just completed their six monthly Anaphylaxis briefing. The training we undertake is related to the use of EpiPens rather than Anapens, so we ask that parents of anaphylactic children provide the school with an EpiPen rather than an Anapen.
As always, if your child has health issues that you wish to discuss, please get in touch with the School Nurse, Di Mold, on 5971 6100.
In the last two years, our young people have spent increased amounts of enforced time with their parents and have relied on parents for vital sources of social support during school closures. This increased time and reliance on parents means that the style of parenting received during lockdown is likely to have a significant impact on the degree to which an adolescent can grow through the stress they are experiencing.
(Evans et al., 2020).
As we end Term 1, 2022, let's be grateful for our first full term back on campus for two years and acknowledge becoming a vibrant community again. It has been a very full calendar so far, which has included camps, Homestead night, activities, in-real-life classes, excursions, swimming & athletic carnivals, the year 12 formal and more.
However, navigating this welcome change is not without its challenges. There is the ongoing impact of COVID, increased separation anxiety from home and family, and the self-regulation and cognitive focus required by each individual to re-enter shared spaces such as classrooms and Homesteads. We see students with reduced capacity to concentrate for extended periods, navigate and calibrate changes to social networks and peer groups, and be with and around people most of the day. We have also noted some students struggling to enact an increased degree of independence and organization, and so it goes.
Keep in mind that for our young people, their brain architecture and physiology are simultaneously having some significant overhauls and renovations, which can make it harder for them to think logically and rationally. We – the grown-ups in their lives – need to know that at any point, we can help them or hinder them from getting back on their feet and moving forwards – gently and steadily.
The value of Strength‐based parenting
Professor Lea Watershas researched and written extensively on the subject of Strength-based parenting, which she describes as,
"an approach where parents deliberately identify and cultivate positive states, processes and qualities in their children. It's about connecting your kids with their inborn strengths such as strengths of character (eg. humour, kindness) as well as their talents such as writing or sporting ability. These strengths are the inner resources contained within our kids that help boost their life satisfaction."
Even before COVID, it was well documented that adolescence is a time when life satisfaction drops off. This is especially significant as we know that life satisfaction acts as a buffer against the development of psychological disorders during adolescence. Research identifies that young people with higher levels of life satisfaction have stronger emotional, academic, and social skills.
Hence, it may be more important than ever for parents to find deliberate ways to boost their child's life satisfaction, and Strength-based parenting is one such approach.
Research shows that children and teenagers who have strength-based parents:
- Have higher levels of life satisfaction
- Have a better understanding of their own strengths
- Cope with conflict in more proactive ways
- Use their strengths to help them meet homework deadlines
- Have lower levels of stress.
- Have enhanced a sense of self‐efficacy, which is a factor that assists young people to cope and be adaptive
Strength-based parenting doesn't just benefit our children; it also improves our life satisfaction and confidence as parents and promotes a shared understanding and value of each family member's wellbeing.
Practical tips for parents to apply to strength-based parenting
Strengths spotting: Think about the strengths that underpin your child's actions and let them know what you see. Spot the kindness that underpins their sharing with their friends, their self-control to finish homework on time rather than watch TV and the persistence they're using in sports training.
Strengths letter: Write a letter to your child letting them know about the strengths you see in them and how these strengths will help them cope with challenging times as well as helping them to thrive during good times.
Strengths surveys: There are many online surveys that children can take to help them identify and think about their strengths. The Gallup Institute has the StrengthsExplorer for children aged 10-14 and the StrengthsQuest for children aged 15-25.
If parents and children are interested in identifying personality strengths, they can go to The Values in Action Institute and complete the free online VIA-Youth survey. This is something that most of our students have undertaken at school.
Strengths role model: It always helps to see how other parents and kids are using their strengths. Visit the The Strengths Exchange and discover how parents and children of all ages apply character strength to every day.
For now
As a community, we have much to be grateful for as there continues to be much adversity occurring in our world right now (the war in Ukraine, natural disasters, climate change). And it can be a sad and overwhelming time for our students, our children and ourselves. We may not be able to control the things that happen in the world, but the value of a Strength-based approach can influence a young person's capacity to cope and potential to grow through life's stressors. And can help us all be stronger as we navigate the next stage together.
In kindness,
DONNA NAIRN
Director of Counselling – WOODLEIGH SCHOOL
Acknowledgements & further reading:
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/the-value-of-strength-based-parenting
https://www.leawaters.com/the-...
https://www.leawaters.com/sbp-quiz
https://woodleigh.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-conflict-ukraine-au
IT4 and IT3 have had a mini makeover over the past few weeks, adding to the ongoing effort to encourage Woodleigh students to engage with technology and design. Posters featuring important women in STEM decorate the walls, and a new hydroponics unit lights up the space in IT4. New flexible seating has been introduced in IT3 to encourage collaboration and innovation, including whiteboard tables that students have well utilised to plan out their next big ideas. A compact but functional media lab with green screen and studio lighting has been added between the two classrooms for students to use in a variety of subjects.
The space has been a hive of activity over the past few weeks, with Year 7 and 8 students creating educational video games, custom game controllers and laser-cut 3D sculptures for their Design and Coding subjects. Additionally, a new lunchtime club has been launched for students to push their skills further outside of class time.
Year 7 Design Studio in IT4
Year 7 students have been flexing their creative muscles this term with a subject new to Woodleigh Senior Campus. Design Studio combines design principles and technology know-how to encourage problem-solving and divergent thinking. Every term, a new class of Year 7 students will learn how to prototype and create 3D forms, create digital illustrations to print on the laser cutter and solve design challenges using innovative circuitry and computing. The newly refurbished IT4 supports students to independently plan their solutions and try out technology like 3D printing, laser cutting, digital designing and physical prototyping.
Designs from left to right: Alby Moorhouse, Nicholas Mollett, Gracie Watson and Catherine Arthur Y7
Don't forget to join us at STEAM Club! Thursday lunchtimes in IT4.
Short Film Production
I chose the Short Film Production Activity as I am interested in film production. I learnt how to edit well, and the film we produced at the end was amazing.
JULIETTE W
Snorkel Diver
I chose this Activity because I love the ocean and all the cool things in it. I learned all the ways to enter the water and saw all the good animals in the water. It was really fun, and I would love to do it again.
BRODIE G
I chose snorkelling for my first Activity, and I really enjoyed it. I never really had a "passion" for snorkelling; I just thought it would be fun to do. I learned how to do a duck dive with a snorkel, which I didn't know how to do before. I had my friend snorkelling as well, and it was nice to chat to her a bit and swim around looking for sea creatures. One of my memories during this Activity was when we were swimming over a rocky patch in the ocean, and I was about to put my feet on the ground when my friend pointed out a stingray.
ZOE D-B
I knew it was the Activity for me because I love the ocean and the marine plants and animals that call it home. I dream of becoming a marine biologist when I grow up. Despite having a snorkel and mask, I hadn't learnt the proper skills on how to use it, so therefore I wanted to challenge myself and learn. The skills I learned were independence, trust, identification of marine life, proper snorkelling techniques, patience and resilience. The amazing snapshot it gave me of what opportunities I have at this school has ignited a passion in me. Thank you to all the teachers throughout Activities this term for the great guidance they have given me.
CHARLOTTE R
Futsal – Indoor Soccer
This Activity was great as I really like soccer and futsal. I learnt how to work better in a team, and my favourite memory was when I saved a goal and people were surprised. The funniest thing I saw was someone scoring an own goal.
ANDREW S
Circus Skills
I chose Circus Skills as I have never been able to juggle, and I thought it would be cool to learn. In the end, I learned it in the first session! I learnt how to walk on stilts as well, which was for me, the highlight of the Activity. The funniest memory was when all of the balloon animals were popping! Everyone was startled when they popped, and I don't think there were many survivors in the end. Activities are a really fun and creative way to engage kids and get them to learn in ways that they may not have before.
CHARLOTTE C
I chose to do Circus Skills because when I was younger, I had this book, and they rode a unicycle. Since then, I've always wanted to learn how to do it. During the sessions, I learnt how to do tightrope walking, ride a unicycle, balloon animal making, juggling, how to balance, teamwork, and patience. Our teacher was always kind, helpful and patient. Activities is so fun, and I can't wait to do more.
MORIAH E
Make Your Own Laser Cut Jewellery
My favourite Activity this term was Laser Cut Jewellery. I learnt how to use a laser cutter to make cool stuff, such as some Megamind jewellery.
MAEVE C
Archery
I have always wanted to do archery, so I jumped at the chance when it was available through Activities. I learnt about the different types of bows and how to stand while you shoot.
ROSE M
Photography, Lightroom and Photoshop
I chose the Photography Activity because my cousin is a photographer, and I love what he does, and I wanted to see if I could do things he does and maybe more. I learnt how to edit and take amazing photos of basic things. My favourite memory was of the photos I edited and my cousin's face when I showed them to him.
TIANA H
The Woodleigh Farm
I love animals and want to work with them when I am older, so this was a great Activity to be involved in. I want to start horse riding, so I thought it would be good to get to know the horse, Max. During the sessions, I learnt how to walk the horse and donkey and how to wash them. I really loved the farm, and it has definitely inspired me to start riding.
HARPER L
I wanted to do this Activity, so I could understand how to look after animals. During the sessions, we learnt about feeding, walking, and preparing animals for show.
NICHOLAS M
Brian Henderson Reserve
I love animals and want to work with them when I am older. I thought this Activity would be good to see what it was like working in a reserve. I learnt what Kangaroos, Wallabies, Quolls and Emus eat and what plants are weeds and what aren't. My favourite memory was getting to feed the animals each session.
ALANNAH D
Skating at the Shed
My favourite Activity this term was Skating at the Shed. I chose this because I love skating. During the sessions, I learnt how to ollies, gain the confidence to skate on bigger ramps and do airs.
NATE W
I chose this Activity because I already skate a little bit, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to improve my skills. I learnt how to rock the fake and how to drop into the bowl and how to give things a go. It was great to learn how to skate with my friends as well as meet new people.
GRACIE W
Cross Country Running
I chose Cross Country Running as I wanted to work on my running skills. During the sessions, I learnt about warming up and warming down and how fast to go in various races.
What I will remember from this Activity is how much my running improved over the unit.
THOMAS M
Mixed Media
My favourite Activity this term was Mixed Media as I love doing art and I enjoy exploring different art. What I learnt was that just because stuff isn't perfect doesn't mean it doesn't look good. It doesn't matter if your art doesn't look completely amazing; the point is to have fun with it and not compare your art to others.
AVA C
Music and Theatre Technology
I wanted to do this Activity because I really liked music and technology, and it sounded like my jam. During the sessions, I learned how to rig and patch a light fixture and how to make a show. What I will remember from this Activity is that you don't want to be hit by that mirror ball.
OSCAR M
At long last, and for the first time since 2019, our Year 12 students were able to celebrate the Year 12 Formal and on Friday 1 April, they did so in style at The Epicurean in Red Hill South.
The Year 12 Formal is a significant "rite of passage" event that has sadly been denied to Year 12 students over the last two years, and its absence has been sorely missed. So, with a real sense of gratitude, our Year 12's hit the dance floor Friday evening to come together and celebrate as a cohort.
All students dressed in their finest for the occasion, looking amazing with style and individuality in abundance. Former Woodleigh student Jack Smart DJ-ed the event, punctuated with a guest appearance from our own guest DJ Rex Thorp who, with a thumping set, had everyone dancing. The food was delicious, and the venue was superb. The Epicurean staff were full of praise for the students, their conduct, and the positive atmosphere that permeated the event.
Everyone had a great night, and the already strong sense of community was further developed – one that will support the students through the coming year and its many highlights and challenges.
HAYDN FLANAGAN
Director of Pastoral Care Senior Homestead
During this term, the Year 11 and 12 Studio Arts students got the opportunity to visit the Top Arts exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria.
This exhibition was an inspiring and helpful experience. The opportunity to see the exhibition gave amazing examples of both final pieces, as well as how folios should look. In the actual exhibition, each artist's pieces were set up in a cohesive way that made it clear who created each artwork.
Each artwork came with an Artist's Statement that clearly outlined their intentions. After having time to walk through the exhibition, we got a chance to view the folios. Each folio detailed the process of creating their artworks and where their ideas came from. It was very interesting to see the artist's connection to their artworks as they progressed through making them.
It inspired me as many of the artists involved their culture in their artworks. Those artworks felt very personal, and it was moving to know that the artists felt proud of their culture and comfortable sharing it with the public. The excursion was eye-opening and gave some insight into what will be expected of us in the years to come.
Olivia Simpson Y11
The Big Freeze was ON in the Woodleigh Gym on Thursday 7 April.
Staff vs Students Fundraising Netball, winner takes all, in support of the fight against Motor Neurone Disease.
What the Staff gave away in age, they made up in wit, guile, and determination to win through in the end, with a narrow 9-8 victory over their Year 12 opposition.
Congratulations to all players and officials and to the student organising committee, led by Tessa Cox Y12, who wore a very refreshing bucket of ice-cold water for her troubles! 🥶🥶🥶
In Week 6 of this term, 61 Year 10 students were fortunate enough to secure a week of work experience with an employer of their choice. This was a difficult thing to do in these COVID times, and we congratulate all students who managed to do this. We also send a big thank you to the employers who were able to commit to this week.
The student experiences were very diverse this year. TV show production, dairy farming, construction and even general practice medicine were on our books, among many other vocations. The feedback given by work experience students indicates that they gained a great understanding of their chosen industries and have used the week to help guide their future work and study options. The feedback given by employers has shown our students to be attentive and willing to try new things, showing great employability skills.
For students who could not secure a work placement, all is not lost. We know that many of you tried so hard, but employers in some industries were hesitant due to COVID restrictions and business impact. If you are still interested, you will have the opportunity to do work experience at the end of Term 2 in the first week of the holidays. Investing a week of your holidays could be the best investment you have ever made and lead to an amazing career pathway.
DEREK KIRK
VET Coordinator
This year's production, 'Almost, Maine,' is shaping up to be a massive team effort. Original music is needed to link the scenes and the transitions between the episodes. The playwright, John Cariani, also calls for some magical phrases to musically represent the appearance of the northern lights. We recorded these part way through Term 1.
At the start of this year, five students formed a band to begin work on the project.
We began brainstorming different ideas about how to create a magical atmosphere. Preliminary ideas focused on using a harp glissando – a sound that audiences often associate with magic.
However, as we improvised additional musical phrases, we decided against using the harp. We realised that it might feel too much like a perfect, predictable, happily-ever-after, cliched "Disney" love story, and that was not the musical atmosphere that we wanted to create.
We also explored playing different harmonics on the violin, cello and guitar. This created a high-pitched scratching dissonance that we thought initially might conjure a prickle effect, like when the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. However, we eventually abandoned this idea in favour of a purely vocal sound.
In our rehearsals, we aimed for clashing harmonies. We layered in single, sustained notes to form an atmospheric, dissonant cluster chord. This was much easier to practice than to record, as we were only able to record single voices at a time. It was great to be able to work with the sound team, who were able to run the technical side. To record, we took turns to sing our note, working with headphones, so we could pitch our notes correctly in the evolving arpeggiated chord.
Once the seven parts had been recorded, we also incorporated the unison sound of breath and soft whistling. This was quite a challenge to record, but something that we wanted to pursue to create the feel of a cold landscape.
We look forward to hearing the final product and seeing how it will complement the changing lights onstage in the performance.
AMELIA EVENDEN Y11
Student Musical Director
I'm studying Sound Production as a Year 11 Vet subject and was in the Hall Tech Activity with Mr Bingham in Unit 1. It was great when Ms Wharington approached us to record some music for this year's Senior Production, Almost, Maine. A group of seven students, who had limited recording experience, jumped at the opportunity to learn and make something using Woodleigh's recording software.
Bingas showed us how to use Cubase, which we used to record and remix the audio. I have to admit, we struggled with the program at first, as it was our first time working with the software, but we enjoyed the practical side of setting up microphones and adjusting audio levels as the girls sang.
During the recording session, students took on the role of sound engineers, connecting the different leads for headphones and the microphone to the sound desk. Mr Bingham taught us how to operate the desk, which allowed us to monitor and adjust the amount of sound coming from the microphone. He also taught us how to stop, start, replay and trim the recordings. For each singer, we adjusted the microphone stand to suit their height and recorded each voice on a separate track so we could manipulate them in post-production.
Over the session, we learnt how to apply audio filters to their voices and experimented with adding basic effects like reverb and compression. Recording each voice required us to set different levels for each track, and as the voices had quite unique timbres, we had to make adjustments as we went along.
It was more difficult to record the breathing lines as they were significantly quieter. We had to watch the gains on the audio desk and had to adjust them accordingly so that the audio was loud enough to be heard in the hall/cluster chord but not so loud that they distorted. Recording the breathing allowed us to add ambience and atmosphere to the track.
Overall, it was an amazing experience to be able to work with the singers and be part of the sound team. I know this will be really useful as I continue to study my Vet Music course.
As the student in charge of sound for 'Almost, Maine', I also look forward to manipulating the recorded music, sound effects, and the actors' microphone audio throughout the performances, as sound is a very big part of the show.
TOMMY LEWIS Y11 – Sound
The 2022 Victorian School Team Sailing Championships were recently held at Mornington Yacht Club. Three full days of sailing made for a busy weekend. There were 150 students competing from 21 teams. The teams racing was undertaken with pacers using an S-shaped course. Woodleigh was in Division 1, which meant tough competition.
Day 1 started at 7:30am with windy, cold weather. By the last few races of the day, there were bullets of wind reaching 20 knots. This meant a lot of capsizing, even for our Woodleigh Sailing team! Moving into Day 2, the weather was still chilly, with many gusts blowing through the course. At one point we had a visit from a pod of dolphins, who came to play near the finish line. Unfortunately, our team had a hard day; with capsizes on both the start and finish lines. Unfortunately, our final day of racing was short-lived for our team, as we were eliminated early in the knockout finals. At least this enabled us to get home early that day to catch up on schoolwork!
For the finals, race organisers moved the course closer to Mornington Pier so spectators could see the racing – we could certainly hear the cheering on the water! While the results didn't fall our way, our team is growing, and next year Woodleigh will be striving for a place on the podium!
Some highlights of the weekend included catching up with sailing friends from other schools; some of the friendships go a long way back from the days of Tackers and GreenFleet in Opti's. Mornington Yacht Club did a great job hosting the event – thank you to the many volunteers. The BBQ was a highlight, serving egg and bacon rolls for breakfast and burgers for lunch. This kept us, cold sailors, warm.
On behalf of the whole Woodleigh Sailing Team, I would like the thank our coach Will McKenzie, Mr Angelico, for assisting us, Mornington YC for hosting us and all the parents and volunteers who made this possible. This Wednesday, we are back training and building towards next summer's competition!
Daniel Laverty Y11
After missing out last year, the Homestead Athletics Carnival returned on Wednesday, March 30. This year's event was held at Casey Fields Regional Athletics Centre in Cranbourne.
It was amazing to see so many students decked out in Homestead colours, cheering loudly, with wonderful levels of participation and support for one another. The track and field events were hotly contested, and credit is due to all students who took part and gave it their best shot. There were many highlights on the day, Homestead 7 taking on all comers and winning the Tug of War event, the thrills and spills of the Sack Race, and the first-time experience for both Year 7 and 8 students at this carnival, to name just a few. Special mention to the Homestead 4 Year 10 Tutor Group, who have gone through four years undefeated, winning the Tutor Group award at all Homestead Swimming and Athletics Carnivals.
100m Invitational Sprint Championship
These races pit the fastest two male and female sprinters from each year level against each other to determine our fastest Junior Homestead sprinter. Students qualify for the race based on their times in the 100m age group races earlier in the day. Both races were showcase events with all students involved impressing. The boys' race was won by Tahran Holmes Y10, followed by Kieran Marshall Y10 and Harry Holder Y9. Marlo Jones Y10 won the girls' race impressively, having also won the event in 2020. Issy Hammock Y8 and Juliet Whinney Y7 filled the minor placings and showed that they will be hard to beat in the years to come.
1500m Middle Distance Championship
This event is open to all middle-distance runners, with the top three finishers across Years 7-10 awarded medallions. The girls' 1500m was the race was dominated by Year 7 & 8 students, with Daisy Black Y8 finishing first, ahead of Aggie D'Antoine Y7 and Lucy Laverty Y8. The boys' fought out a terrific race, with Orlando Clark Y8 getting the better of Harvey Bedford Y8 and Max MacGowan Y9 in the concluding stages.
Overall Results
It was very exciting to see Homestead 2 come out on top this year and break a ten-year drought. When the results were announced, the entire Homestead raced down to collect the trophy and share in the moment. Well done to Mr Macindoe and all of Homestead 2.
BEN DAVENPORT
Director of Sport
Last weekend (2-3 April) was the first trip to Mount Rothwell Conservation Reserve by the Woodleigh School Field Gnats for 2022.
Mount Rothwell is a 400-hectare property located near the You Yangs. Surrounded by an electrified fence that keeps out foxes and cats, it aims to provide a sanctuary for endangered species such as the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Eastern Quoll, and Southern Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby. Woodleigh School's Field Gnats have been long time associates of Mount Rothwell.
We departed Woodleigh School at 8:30am on Saturday with everyone excited about returning to Rothwell. For some, this was their first time visiting; for others, it was the first time back in a year. Joining Dr. Simpson were Ms Taylor, Mr Hennessy and some ex-field gnats, Alex, Callum and Liam. At close to 10:30am, we approached the great green gates of the reserve, and once we had parked and established ourselves at the volunteer building, the Rothwell staff came and allocated some tasks for us to complete throughout the weekend. We set to work at once, cleaning out the pens that are part of the captive breeding program for the endangered Bush-Stone Curlew. Some lucky students also took the two Dingoes out for some exercise, taking them on short walks.
After some lunch, we took a short drive out to the perimeter fence. Mount Rothwell is in the process of upgrading their predator-proof fence. Our job was to pin down the skirt; this prevents animals like foxes from digging in. We returned to the visitor's centre where we prepared dinner and set up camp. Soon after, we had a roaring campfire, board games and some good camp food. We all finished the night off with a long night walk up onto the granite rises overlooking the plains to Melbourne. We all had a blast pointing our torches and seeing various endangered species going about their business. Soon hot milo and cake were in order before exhaustion took over, and we all turned in for the night.
Sunday was another productive day. We returned to our work on the perimeter fence, going further than we thought we ever could. We all put in a lot of effort, and when we finished, we had laid down 1.3km of skirt along the new fence. We returned to the centre; while lunch preparations were underway, some of us went for a small hike up the granite rises, where we spotted Black Kites, and Southern Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies perched high on their boulders. After lunch, we packed up and boarded the bus returning to Woodleigh. This was a highly productive weekend, and every one of us feels very proud of the work we have achieved over the two days at Mount Rothwell.
THOMAS HENNESSY
Land and Animal Management Assistant
Woodleigh enters a team each year in 'The Victorian Interschool Snow Sports Championships' held at Mt. Buller and runs a training camp for the group before the event in the Term 3 Activities Week Camp program.
In 2022 the secondary schools' Victorian Interschool Snow Sport Championship events run from Monday till Sunday, August 22nd to 28th.
This year the training camp will be at Mt Buller. The camp is limited to 20 students. Students will travel up to Mt Buller on the afternoon of Sunday of Week 5, August 14th, and return on Friday, August 19th.
Students would be at school in Week 6 on at least Monday and Tuesday before travelling to Mt Buller for the Victorian Interschool Snow Sports Championships. Depending on the division entered and the event, some students would not need to be at the mountain till Thursday, Friday or Saturday for their races. Divisions are linked to school year levels; Div 3 – Years 7 and 8, Div 2 – Years 9 and 10 and Div 1 – Years 11 and 12. Therefore, Year 12 VCE students who choose to compete would miss very little school with Division 1 running on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More details of the events and a provisional timetable can be found at the following website, including complimentary insurance for students competing via this snow racer link. All competitors must have a Snow ID.
This year there are only two options for students.
- Training camp and competition – recommended for students who are serious about improving their skill and technique and who will compete in the championships. Students must already be able to board or ski at an intermediate level to apply.
- Competition only – for past members of the team who want to represent the school and have been on a training camp in past years.
If you are interested in your child being part of the Woodleigh Snow Sports Team in 2022, please ask them to see Mr Higgins for an information letter and forms in Week 1 of Term 2 and to check morning notices for any of the updates and further information.
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me early in Term 2.
BILL HIGGINS
Snow Sports Coordinator
Dear Parents,
Whilst the last two years have been less than ideal, it is now time to start sorting out some of the overdue items that have accumulated over that time.
To give you some background about the processes we undertake prior to requesting a replacement cost through family accounts:
- Students receive at least three automated reminders about books that are overdue – an email on the first day that the item is overdue, a second email 14 days later, and a third and final reminder 14 days after that.
- In addition to these automated emails, the library has sent out specific, targeted reminders during 2020 and 2021 and early in 2022.
Items that are placed on to family accounts as a replacement cost are very, very overdue. Although many students have only one or two items, the total cost of replacing these items is almost $7,500 – a significant sum, I am sure you will agree.
MIFFY FARQUHARSON
Head of Library Services
Live theatre is back at Woodleigh!
The Year 12 Drama Class of 2022 is presenting their VCE Ensemble Drama performance,
‘Christmas Downunder.’
‘Christmas Downunder’ is an original piece of theatre devised by the students. It is an entertaining, family-friendly show focusing on different perspectives of Christmas.
Seating is limited. Book your tickets today and don’t miss out!
Gold coin entry – all proceeds to our Community Partnerships.
Book NowAttention Mothers, Grandmothers, and Special Ladies! Woodleigh School invites you to join us for a very special Mother's Day event.
Join us for a beautiful day out with fellow Woodleigh ladies from our school campuses.
Cost: $80 per person
RSVP by Thursday 28 April – places are limited – so be quick!