IONA 15

School Choice for Girls

This link will take you to a blog that summarises key outcomes from research into the impact of single-sex schools on girls’ education. The research is a wonderful endorsement of the important work that the staff at St Columba’s College undertake on behalf of our students to ensure that each student has the opportunities to allow them to be their best.

Yesterday saw the release of the final report Women’s Economic Equality: A 10-year plan to unleash the full capacity and contribution to the Australian Economy. Seven recommendations emerged from the report that can be used to evaluate the success in delivering improved economic equality for women. Sam Mostyn AO, Chair of the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, who delivered the report writes in her introduction to the report:

We have arrived at a moment of consequence where a genuine commitment to respecting women, and valuing and nurturing their economic contribution by removing systemic barriers, is vital.

At St Columba’s College, we promote and champion the full flourishing of women. The recommendations in this report provide hope for a future where the opportunities and voice that girls have at St Columba’s will be experienced in every pathway they may choose for life.

Spring Music Concert

Congratulations to our musicians, and their teachers for a superb night of entertainment on 16 October. An amazing showcase of musical talent was on display, pointing to the dedication and commitment of all our musicians to their craft.

Parent Resources Available from the Sophia Library

A reminder about the parent resources that are available to parents via the button on the SEQTA Engage Welcome Page. You will be asked for the password, SCCparentresources, that takes you to a page where you can browse the collection, and contact Suzanne Hemming, one of our wonderful Sophia Library staff members, if you have any questions. We add to this collection on a regular basis.

As we commence our exams, let us pray.

Lord, it often feels like our lives are an endless series of tests, where we are constantly being weighed and measured by the standards of the world. During this challenging time of exams, we ask for your guidance and grace to help us see beyond the pressure and stress.

Remind us, dear Lord, that while exams are important and a significant part of our educational journey, they are not the sole measure of our worth. Life is more profound and beautiful than a mere exam score. Help us recognise that these tests are opportunities to reflect on the knowledge we’ve gained, the hard work we’ve put in, and the wisdom imparted by our teachers.

While we wish for success in our exams, we also understand that true success lies in loving and serving you and one another. Grant us the wisdom to prioritise love, kindness, and compassion over grades and competition. Teach us to appreciate the richness of life’s experiences and relationships, for in these, we find the real treasures of our existence.

Lord, we pray for your guidance and strength during this exam season. May your presence be a source of comfort and confidence as we navigate these academic challenges. Help us to remember that life is a gift filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and love, and that if we centre our lives on love for you and one another, everything will fall into place.

In your name, we offer this prayer, trusting in your boundless love and grace. Amen.

From Monday the 9th of October to Friday the 13th of October, 9.5 went on Urban Experience. When we first heard about Urban, we felt pretty nervous but nevertheless excited. Walking into the hall was daunting as the group of boys seemed just as surprised to see us as we were to see them. 

The start of the day was more of an introduction to not only our program but the groups we were working with for the rest of the week. For our ice breaker, we got put out into the city into an amazing race style activity. We had to find various locations and take selfies at each one before our designated time ends. 

On our second day, it was just the St. Columba’s girls and our teachers. We met at St. Vincent’s and half of our class went to the Cathedral and the other half stayed for a tour of St Vincent’s Hospital. At the cathedral we had another amazing race style game. We had to make our way around the cathedral and find specific locations. When we switched locations and made our way to the hospital, we got an in depth tour about the history and connection between St. Vincent’s and St. Columba’s through Mary Aikenhead ministries. 

After our delicious sandwich break, we travelled to the organisation, Front Yard, where we met Belinda who gave us an insight into youth homelessness in Victoria. We got shown some of the spaces that people our age have slept rough in which included car parks and small, confined spaces. Hearing about these people’s experiences made us feel grateful for what we have and sympathy. On our final day, we made our way to Queen Victoria Market to explore and learn what the market had to offer. Our groups had to find different locations and answer questions about the history. Our favourite part of the experience was getting churros at the market and exploring St. Patrick’s Cathedral. 

Our groups for the majority of the week were made up of 2 girls and either 2 or 3 boys. Each group varied in strengths, we had to overcome many challenges such as directions, ideas, maps,  not being cooperative and communication between group members. Some of the most enjoyable parts of working with the boys included making jokes, creating friendships, and talking about past and present experiences. After this experience, our opinions and views had shifted and we became more knowledgeable on working with different people and travelling around our large city, Melbourne. We are sad to see it go, but grateful for the experience.

During the week of October 9th to 13th, our students engaged in a variety of activities. The week commenced with a visit to RMIT for our Year 9 and 10 students, where they participated in a stimulating STEM taster day. This day began with informative sessions that guided our students on potential pathways after secondary school, shedding light on their prospects. Subsequently, they engaged in hands-on experiences at taster stations, where they explored algorithms, Makey Makey circuits, thermal cameras, and ozbots.

On Thursday 12th, twenty-six of our students had the privilege of attending the STEM MAD Showcase which is not only a stage for students to present projects addressing pressing community and global challenges but also a platform for celebrating their exceptional achievements. At this event, our students showcased their projects and brought home four prestigious prizes:

NGV – Artful Ingenuity Design Award: Our Year 9 students were recognised for their Sensory Lightboxes, exemplifying their creativity and innovative design skills.

Akorn Education – Most Innovative Assistive Device Award: Once again, Year 9 students were honoured, for their Lightbox projects, which demonstrated their ingenuity in creating an assistive device.

Immersive Education Future is STEM Award: Year 10 students earned this award for their outstanding work during PBL week. ‘Vida Glasses’, showcased the forward-thinking approach to STEM solutions relating to visible/invisible disabilities.

Makers Empire – STEM in Space Award: Year 7 students received this award for their Holobike project, underscoring their excellence in creating solutions for space-related challenges.

In addition to these impressive wins, both the Vida Glasses and the Light Sensory Boxes were recognised as finalists for the VicHealth Young Health Innovator Award. This recognition further solidifies their standing as innovators in the realm of health-related solutions.

These remarkable accomplishments have earned our students a spot at the National STEM MAD Showcase scheduled for November 9th, where they will have the opportunity to present their projects on a larger stage and continue to inspire with their dedication to making a difference in the world.

The week concluded with a celebration for three of our students – Elizabeth B, Ace D and Ruby W, who had been mentored by the Bionics Institute, celebrating the culmination of their mentorship journey. This gathering was a testament to their unwavering commitment, hard work, and dedication to excellence within a STEAM field. It showcased how our students are actively making a difference and taking practical actions to tackle the world’s challenges.

Congratulations to all our students, teachers and mentors for the extraordinary accomplishments that make STC shine.

Only a few days left to get your tickets, click here to secure your spot.

On Tuesday the 10th of October, the Year 10 and 11 Italian classes were lucky enough to visit the Kino Cinema to experience the Italian Film Festival in person, as part of a ‘school session’ for students of Italian organised by Palace Cinemas. We took the train to Parliament Station and enjoyed the brisk walk to Collins Place. Upon our arrival, we had time to explore the various shops and cafes and buy a few snacks before the movie began. 

The film that we watched was called ‘Noi anni luce’ (‘Supernova’), a coming-of-age adventure that was filled with romance, drama and many heartfelt moments with a few tears shed. The movie was in Italian which allowed for thorough engagement with the language. Once the movie ended we had the opportunity to purchase lunch from a variety of different stores until we made our way back to school.

Being surrounded by the Italian language enabled us to embrace the culture, and watching a movie completely in Italian really deepened our understanding and connection. In the film, the Year 11 students saw a typical Italian festa that directly connected to their current cultural unit of work. For the Year 10s, the film touched on young people’s aspirations for the future which is our current topic for Term 4. 

Grazie to Signorina Grando and Signora D’Astoli for allowing us to have this unforgettable experience.

Information regarding Bahay Tuluyan can be found here.

To donate and support our bike riders and Bahay Tuluyan, click here.

The annual St Columba’s College Spring Music Concert was held on Monday 16 October at The Clocktower. Ensembles and bands from all year levels, showcased their efforts and talents in musical performances that delighted the audience. The evening culminated in a rendition of Toto’s Africa, where all musicians and singers performed together. Congratulations to the staff and students who made the night a memorable one and to Hannah Tranter, Annie Jones, Charlotte Mollica and Lucia Ragnanese on winning the evening’s awards.

Located on the eastern side of Melbourne is Swinburne University. Swinburne is a place where innovation and ideas come to life. The tour at Swinburne University Hawthorn was absolutely amazing. We got to explore the beautiful campus and see all the incredible facilities they have to offer. We got to engage in some very creative activities like creating inventions that would benefit our world in the next 15 years. One of our inventions was an unfoldable DJ stand so you can “party on the go”. Another activity we did allowed us to engage our brains, making a toy suitable for 6-8 year olds. Our group invented “the busy box” which keeps kids distracted for hours and lets parents take a break from parenting. The staff and student guides were also super friendly and knowledgeable, making the experience even more enjoyable. We were so impressed by the state-of-the-art labs, modern classrooms, and the vibrant student community. One of our favourite parts was getting to see the oldest building built on the campus in 1908, which had a wide range of history and amazing architecture. Overall, the tour gave us a great sense of what life at Swinburne University Hawthorn is like, and we’re even more excited about the possibility of studying there in the future.

Visiting Deakin University was an amazing and surprising experience. When I arrived the improved architecture captured my attention with its motivating and inviting surroundings. The different buildings, cafes, learning resources and scenery definitely would help students thrive and improve on a regular basis. After walking around we visited the different art, science and sport facilities and got to go inside the university’s moot court. I believe if I were to attend this university I would flourish and enjoy coming to class due to its welcoming atmosphere.

Something that stood out to me was the range of opportunities to be able to pursue and the different pathways to get into the course. I also liked how there are lots of study groups and tutors to help with work-load. In the end I believe that attending this school would help to benefit and grow us all in an inviting environment.

On Tuesday the 17th of October, the year 9 students got to go on excursions to different universities for future directions. My class went to William Angliss institute, Which specialises in hospitality, tourism and culinary arts. At the institute, we got to participate in 2 different activities. A tour of the campus and a coffee making course.

The first thing we did was a coffee making course. We learnt how to make 10 coffees in total and learned how to work a coffee machine. After we made each coffee we were able to try them to see if we did everything right. We learnt how to measure the perfect amount of coffee for each different type. Everyone had heaps of fun and learnt plenty of new skills. 

After this we had the second part of the excursion. We got to go on a tour of the institute. We learnt all the different courses they offer and we saw some of the students in class demonstrating their skills. They offer a course in hospitality, tourism and hotel management, and different jobs surrounding that, and they have a whole floor set up like a hotel with different rooms based on different places around the world. We went to the chocolate lab, and got to see many different amazing sculptures made out of chocolate. Walking around there were different cakes made by students on display. On the tour we learnt about many different skills and requirements needed for jobs in hospitality. Overall, we had a fun, it was an informative day and we learnt a lot of new skills and information.

Wednesday 25 October – Year 8 Altona Beach Fieldwork Excursion, English Language Exam

Thursday 26 October – SYN FM Schools on Air Excursion, Physical Education Exam and Literature Exam

Friday 27 October – Bahay Tuluyan Bike Ride, Victorian Courts Excursion, Biology Exam and General Mathematics Exam 1

Monday 30 October – Psychology Exam and General Mathematics Exam 2

Tuesday 31 October – Australia’s Vanishing Species Incursion, Applied Computing Data Analytics Exam and Economics Exam

Wednesday 1 November – Australia’s Vanishing Species Incursion, Mathematical Methods Exam 1, Business Management Exam and Year 10 & 11 Recital

Thursday 2 November – Art Creative Practice Exam and Mathematical Methods Exam 2

Friday 3 November – Specialist Mathematics Exam 1, Health and Human Development Exam and Accounting Exam

Monday  6 November – Student Free Day for Years 7-11, Dance Exam, VET Health Exam, Media Exam, Specialist Mathematics Exam 2, History Revolutions Exam

Tuesday 7 November – Melbourne Cup Public Holiday