APC Newsletter Edition 8 2022

Year 12 students hard at work during the English exam.

ENGLISH KICKS OFF A TESTING THREE WEEKS

Nervous students, nervous parents and nervous teachers can mean only one thing – the start of VCE exams.

More than 200 Year 12 students sat the English exam, which kicked off three weeks of stress and challenge for them and the APC community.

Almost 200 Year 11 students are also tackling a VCE subject this year, so our best wishes are with them all!

After the English exam was completed, a Channel 9 journalist and film crew came into the gym, shot some vision for their VCE coverage that night and interviewed some students about their experience.

Given they had just finished a three-hour exam, their responses were measured and thoughtful.

IMPORTANT DATES

WEDNESDAY 16 NOVEMBER

Report Writing day - No formal classes

YEAR 12 PRESENTATION EVENING AT ST KILDA TOWN HALL

17-25 NOVEMBER Year 10 Exams

18-20 NOVEMBER

APC Art Show

Gala evening to open the show will be held on 18 November

FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER

Final Day for Year 11 students

SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER

Victorian election voting booth open at Danks St campus

WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER

Secondhand uniform sale 3.15pm - 4.30pm Danks St Courtyard

FRIDAY 2 DECEMBER

Final day for Year 10 students

5-9 DECEMBER

Year 10 Work Experience

Years 7 and 8 Camps

WEDNESDAY 7 DECEMBER

Year 9 Da Vinci Exhibition

FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER

Final day for Year 9 students

TUESDAY 13 DECEMBER

Year 6 to 7 Orientation Day

THURSDAY 15 DECEMBER

Positive Education Excursions

FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER

Sailing Day

MONDAY 19 DECEMBER

Whole Staff Professional Day No formal classes

TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER

Final day of Term 4

MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2023 Years 7 & 12 commence

TUESDAY 31 JANUARY 2023 Years 8, 9, 10, & 11 commence

COVER: Our 2023 leaders Alex, Tamar and Sam with Foundation Principal Steven Cook.

THEIR INFLUENCE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MEASURE

Steven Cook Foundation Principal

One of the sad parts of the approaching end of the year at APC is saying farewell to our school captains. I’m certainly going to miss working with Alyssa, Maddy, Ella, Jitse and Sofia.

What a pleasure it has been to watch their growth and development, as it is with all our students.

Recently I’ve been helping put together the 2022 Yearbook, with all its photographs of our current year-12s as they have made their way from Year 7 to VCE and the IB.

It’s not only nostalgic, it reminds us of the great nurturing role our school has, preparing the children of our community for the future.

Our student leaders have had such a deep influence on the college, not just this year but during their whole education, promoting awareness about environmental sustainability, First Nations issues and student diversity among other issues.

This often manifests itself in concrete actions, like Alyssa’s English Channel swim to raise money for koala welfare, and the sustainability leaders’ efforts to complete the solar array on the roof of the Danks Street campus.

This project was in fact championed some years ago by an earlier generation of student leaders and it demonstrates how their leadership can begin traditions and leave a legacy.

Now we have a new generation of leaders to introduce: captains Molly Dalziell and Alex Dahlberg, and vicecaptains Mia Dourlay, Samiksha Kumar, and Tamar Storey. You will find more information about our captains in the following pages.

I know from my early discussions with them that they will continue the legacy of their predecessors as well as striking out in new directions, facing up to fresh new issues, like supporting relief efforts in the war-torn nation of Ukraine –something close to the heart of one of our captains.

As a school, we have a duty to stand up for the things we believe in and promote respect and cooperation, and I know our new leaders will continue that great APC message.

Steven Cook chats to 2023 student leaders Alex, Tamar and Sam.

A VOICE FOR ALL

Kate Merakis Assistant Principal Student Voice

Student Voice is about giving students a say in how their school is run to help develop their leadership skills. It’s a big priority at APC. Every year our school elects new student leaders to speak with and for them.

As well as captains and vice-captains we have ambassadors at every year level and portfolio captains in areas like STEM, Maths, Liberal Arts, Environment, Performing Arts, Hospitality and so on.

These students combined make up the Student Representative Council (SRC). This group hears directly from students and gives voice to their ideas.

Leading this group are our college captains. In 2023, we are incredibly

proud to introduce Molly and Alex as the college captains and Sam, Mia and Tamar as the college vice captains.

The captain group is responsible for setting the agenda for the SRC and helping this large group of student leaders to function as effectively as possible.

Throughout the selection process, we emphasised positivity, respect, excellence, and an ability to lead hearts and minds. In these five students, we have young people who embody these values and dream with optimism about our future directions.

We look forward to seeing the results of their hard work in 2023 and look

forward to working with the entire SRC to continue to build a world-class school for our community.

For students starting Year 7 next year, keep an eye on Compass early in Term 1 for details about how to apply for an ambassador role.

Any current students who would like further information about the program, or their representatives, should contact Fiona Wright, Student Leadership Coordinator.

Student Leadership Coordinator FIona Wright, with the 2022 and 2023 leadership teams.

KEY PRIORITIES FOR ALEX AND MOLLY

My three priorities

• Continuing our march towards a net carbon negative school

• Creating an inclusive space where everyone feels valued and respected

• Help for students struggling with the mental pressures of schooling

I want to…

“...break up school terms with more frequent special days such as casual clothes days and multicultural days to give students positive events to look forward to throughout the year.”

“...ensure APC is seen as a role model to other schools when it comes to sustainability.”

DALZIELL

My three priorities

• Increased First Nations perspectives in our curriculum to by continue APC's Reconciliation Action Plan

• Empowering students to develop an appreciation of the environment and its relationship to the world

• Fostering a stronger student voice

I want to…

“...create more opportunities for students to have their voices heard even if they are not part of the leadership team. I feel it is important to listen to students' ideas and opinions about APC's actions so we can strengthen the respectful environment of the college.”

“...find more opportunities in APC's curriculum to educate students about First Nations peoples' perspectives as well as history.”

ALEX DAHLBERG

MOLLY

VICE CAPTAIN MIA DOURLAY

VICE CAPTAIN TAMAR STOREY

VICE CAPTAIN SAMIKSHA KUMAR

OUR LEADERS FOR 2023

COLLEGE CAPTAINS

Alexander Dahlberg, Molly Dalziell

COLLEGE

VICE CAPTAINS

Mia Dourlay, Samiksha Kumar, Tamar Storey

HOUSE CAPTAINS

WINTON

Luca Mercuri (Year 10) Liam McKeefry (Year 8)

FLANNERY

Poppie Wilson (Year 12) Aliina Free (Year 8)

FREEMAN

Abudi Suleiman (Year 10) Hannah Angus (Year 8)

PORTFOLIO LEADERS

INSPIRE

Sterling Baird (Year 11) Claire Seear (Year 9)

CURRICULUM

Ava Hamilton (Year 10)

POSITIVE EDUCATION

David Dang (Year 12)

ENVIRONMENT

Agnes McCallum (Year 11) Ashby Seabrook (Year 10)

MEDIA

Will Chen (Year 12) Roxy Diamond (Year 12)

LIBERAL ARTS

Gemma Nguyen (Year 9) Agnes McCallum (Year 11)

MUSIC

Luke Mason (Year 12) Matilda Lester (Year 11)

STEM

Louise Nguyen (Year 9) Arabella Young (Year 8)

ENVIRONMENT

Agnes McCallum (Year 11) Ashby Seabrook (Year 10)

SCIENCE

Aidan Sinclair (Year 11) Nerissa Burns (Year 12)

PERFORMING ARTS

Tristan Carr (Year 12) Mia Kamarinos (Year 12)

DRAMA

Mads Wallace (Year 12)

HUMANITIES Freeke De Jong (Year 11)

LANGUAGES Xiaoyu Zhang (Year 12)

SPORT

Cameron Milias (Year 12) Erin Williams (Year 12)

LIBRARY

Joe Stacey (Year 12) Leo Wu (Year 8)

HOSPITALITY

Maisie Bailey (Year 8) Millie Andrich (Year 8)

MATHS

Alice Uhm (Year 10) Samay Mallya (Year 10)

VISUAL ARTS

Akoko Minifie (Year 11) Ashley Loong (Year 10)

DEBATING

Beatrix Bradley (Year 10) Zamina Parker (Year 9)

PEER TUTORING

Arnika Wain (Year 12)

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

YEAR 12 AMBASSADORS

Dilan Goode Arnika Wain Sharon Wang Erin Williams David Dang

YEAR 11 AMBASSADORS

Luca Hooke Lily Hall Leilani Seabrook Gopal Pingili Hannah Lawrence Ruya Akbas

YEAR 10 AMBASSADORS

Sophia Amin Kate Spiteri Vihaan Dowwray Ashby Seabrook Will Henderson Ollie O’Connor

YEAR 9 AMBASSADORS

AJ Barton Scarlet Grieve Nina Buchler Radha Buyya Louise Nguyen Thy Mai Alice Reid Rodrigues

YEAR 8 AMBASSADORS

George Richardson Erin Bradley Veer Chaudry Madeline Lawson Lily Pearce Arav Patel Adele Roche Anna Lill

STUDENT VOICES HARD AT WORK

Student Voice is big at APC and in addition to selecting new school captains, we’re encouraging potential leaders to learn the art of leadership by getting involved in outside events. Here are some of the activities our leaders have been involved in:

YOUNG LEADERS PITCH TO BE FREE OF FAST FASHION

At the recent Junior SRC event hosted by the City of Port Phillip, a selection of APC’s future leaders made a pitch for a world free from fast fashion.

After arguing their case in front of the elected councilors and other schools, they are now trying to organise a clothing swap and donation event at school. We’re always happy to see our students become leaders in sustainability to protect the world they are going to inherit.

SOPHIA EARNS A STATEWIDE ROLE

Sophia Amin of year 8 has recently been elected to represent all Victorian school aged students as a member of the 2022-23 Student Executive Advisory

Committee for the Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC).

The VicSRC was created by students to be their voice at the highest levels of decision making in the Victorian education system.

The Executive Committee is led by 15 secondary school aged students to make decisions collaboratively with VicSRC’s adult Board of Trustees.

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

APC students at the City of Port Phillip.

The Executive Committee is an extremely important position in the Victorian education system and gets to meet with the Minister for Education to advise on decisions that affect students.

Well done Sophia, we know you will use the leadership skills you develop to give a louder voice to APC students too.

FORUM BRINGS NETWORK TOGETHER

Our 2022 student leaders were fantastic and we’re sad to see them go, but we know we’ll likely be seeing them again on the national stage. One of their final school assignments was hosting a leadership forum with students from our City Edge network schools.

The forum was the idea of the students themselves who at the start of 2022 decided they wanted to bring students from local schools together to discuss their leadership lessons and their dreams for the future.

Students from Melbourne Girls College, VCASS, Melbourne High and University High participated in the event.

Each participant came away from the morning vowing to continue the tradition - all agreed how powerful it was to work as a collective towards a better future for all.

Our student leaders should be incredibly proud of their work putting this event together and having the courage to start something new - something we hope will continue to foster the leadership and aspirations of our incredible young people.

THE FORUM WAS THE IDEA OF THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES WHO AT THE START OF 2022 DECIDED THEY WANTED TO BRING STUDENTS FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS TOGETHER

Sophia Amin (top left) and our leadership team at the APC forum (above).

GOODBYE YEAR 12, WE'LL MISS YOU!

On 19 October we farewelled our year-12 students with a breakfast for parents and families at The Park by Albert Park Lake.

Parents were treated to fantastic music, singing and a wonderfully funny short film.

Our school captains, who led the official proceedings, did us proud once again.

The final VCE and IB exams finish today, after which we get to see them all again at their official graduation ceremony on tonight.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER HOLIDAY, TEAM.

PARENTS PUT ON A BREAKFAST FOR OUR STARS

At APC we're fortunate to have an extremely supportive parent group.

Recently, APC Families organised a special breakfast to show their thanks to all the college's staff for three Covidinterrupted years at APC.

As in every school, our staff were tested during the pandemic, moving seamlessly to remote online teaching, working tirelessly to support the students and continue their learning.

The Education Support Staff and the IT team were amazing too.

It was a wonderful and moving event that demonstrated the power of community and the importance of acknowledging everyone's efforts and supporting each other.

The staff thank the APC Families group from the bottom of their hearts.

PANEL FACES THE HARD QUESTIONS

Congratulations to Rhonda Shamoail and the Environmental Inquiry team for putting together an amazing and diverse panel of professionals for a Q&A session for our Da Vinci students.

Panellists were Tim Watts (former chief revenue officer of Compass, CEO of Pivot Education and Chief Operating Officer of Stile Education as well as co-founder of FlexiCar), environmental activist Rob Beamish (the founder and Creative Director of Rouser), and Ed Ashley (Coles executive member of the meat and poultry industry).

It was great to hear the insightful and tough questions put to the panel by our students, leading to a wide-ranging and illuminating discussion around “active hope” and the environment.

The panel Q&A was designed to support the students as they work towards completing their final summative assessment for the year.

Students are now finalising their action project, which is due to be presented to family, teachers and the community in December

OLYMPIC GOLD BECKONS FOR MUSO MATT

We are fortunate to have incredible musicians teaching our students at APC, so we are delighted (but not surprised) that guitar teacher Matt Dixon has released his debut album, “On Olympic”.

Matt is a core part of our music program, not only teaching our guitarists of the future, but running many of the college’s bands and ensembles.

Matt is a heavyweight session player on the Melbourne music scene, but after working on so many other artists’ projects, he was eager to create his own music.

He said “On Olympic” aimed to “capture both the vastness of the Australian landscape, as well as Australia’s difficult relationship to its identity on a world stage".

As one critic said: “The result is a stunning cinematic debut that speaks directly to time and place, captured by the band performing live, all in one room without headphones or overdubs.”

Matt launched “On Olympic” with his band to a sold out crowd at Clingan Guitar Tone’s first live show.

WHY WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET

On Remembrance Day this year we began what we hope will become a new tradition – marking the moment with an original piece of art from a member of the college.

This year, staff member Jackson McInerney, well-known as our resident poet, read his poem "Why Not and Never Again". It is a moving appeal for peace in today's world.

You can hear Jackson reading it here, along with an introduction by Principal Steve Cook.

We aim to be creative and original in everything we do.

Matt Dixon in action

EUROPEAN EXCHANGE RATE ON THE RISE

EUROPEAN EXCHANGE RATE ON THE RISE

STAFF AND STUDENTS

EUROPEAN EXCHANGE RATE ON THE RISE

Languages

DÉFILÉS DE MODE A CROWNING

DÉFILÉS MOMENT

At

Joni Soller is being hosted by Liam and Kat Egan, who will head to Germany on exchange in Term 4.

There’s been an international flavour to APC in recent months as we welcomed international visitors back to our school and bid adieu and auf wiedersehen to students heading overseas on exchange programs.

Charlotte Nezeys has come to us, thanks to information provided by the French Embassy.

In Term 3 we welcomed Joni Soller from Germany, who was hosted by students Liam and Kat Egan and their family.

Charlotte is enrolled in a specialist design high school in Paris, Lycée MaximilienVox, and was keen to be involved in our Create programs at Studio 120.

Kat headed to Germany this term and is now being hosted by a family in Munich. Read all about her adventures on the next page.

We are also thrilled to welcome Lisanne Médou, whose older sister Manon came to APC in exchange from our sister school, Lycée Sainte Marie du Port in 2018.

French student Charlotte Nezeys came to APC in Term 3 after hearing about Studio 120’s programs through our strong contacts in the local French community.

Lisanne is being hosted by Georgia Skate, whose older sister Emily is now on exchange at the sister school.

on exchange from our sister school Lycee Sainte Marie du Port.

At the end of Term 2, year-8 French students had the amazing opportunity to use all of their knowledge from their ‘La Mode et Nous’ (Fashion and Us) unit by designing their own fashion show outfits for a fashion parade.

Over the four-week unit, students learned how to describe the colours and fabrics of articles of clothing, as well as key figures within the development of fashion

Over

For

Charlotte

For the ‘défilé de mode’ (fashion parade), students were able to work with their peers to create an outfit for the runway, where some of them would walk and strut their stuff, while their teammates presented a description of the outfit in French.

(left) and Laly Coignard (second from right) enjoy a taste of Aussie treats with students and teachers at the French bilingual class party.

As

While here, Lisanne and Laly invigorated and inspired all our French language students across every year level.

The Languages Team is delighted that the Department of Education has given us the green light to organise future exchanges again.

Charlotte is enrolled in Lycee MaximilienVox, a specialist design high school in Paris and was keen to be involved in the Create programs at Studio 120.

We were also thrilled to welcome Lisanne Medou to the school in Term 3. She knew all about APC because her older sister Manon came to APC in 2018

So watch this space for news of our eight-day exchange for year-8 students to New Calédonia (September 2023) and our seven-week exchange to France for our senior French students (December 2023).

Lisanne was hosted by Georgia and Emily Skate and their family, and Emily is now on exchange at the sister school.

Soon after Lisanne's return to France, Laly Coignard flew in from our sister school to stay with Charlotte Kerwin and her family. Charlotte will head to Les Sables d'Olonne this summer to complete the exchange experience.

As the photos show, the students looked absolutely stunning in their couture outfits, and the laughter and support they showed one another could be heard from all classrooms nearby!

They helped to really bring French alive for our learners and many are now planning to take part in either next year’s New Caledonia French Immersion Study Tour (Year-8) in September, or the senior student France exchange to go and see Lisanne and Laly in Les Sables d'Olonne.

Contact Head of Languages, Hamish Pope for more information on the exchanges.

students have been excited to meet three international visitors who have started with us last term

Charlotte Nezeys, and Lisanne Médou with Georgia Skate.

the end students use all of Mode et Nous’ designing for a fashion

the how to describe of articles figures within in France.

the ‘défilé students peers to create where some strut their presented French.

the photos absolutely outfits, and showed one all classrooms

Languages students have been excited to meet three international visitors who have started with us last term

Joni Soller is being hosted by Liam and Kat Egan, who will head to Germany on exchange in Term 4.

Charlotte Nezeys has come to us, thanks to information provided by the French Embassy.

Charlotte is enrolled in a specialist design high school in Paris, Lycée MaximilienVox and was keen to be involved in our Create programs at Studio 120.

We are also thrilled to welcome Lisanne Médou, whose older sister Manon came to APC in exchange from our sister school, Lycée Sainte Marie du Port in 2018.

Lisanne is being hosted by Georgia Skate, whose older sister Emily is now on exchange at the sister school.

The Languages Team is delighted that the Department of Education has given us the green light to organise future exchanges again.

So watch this space for news of our eight-day exchange for year-8 students to New Calédonia (September 2023) and our seven-week exchange to France for our senior French students (December 2023).

Clockwise Soller and Charlotte Nezeys, Georgia Skate.

Kerwin

Joni Soller (above centre) with Foundation Principal Steven Cook and Liam Egan.

Lisanne Medou (above left) with Georgia Skate, and (below) Charlotte Nezeys.

POSTCARD FROM MUNICH

Kat Egan sent an email to Tasha Brown in the Languages team this week to update her on her time in Munich. Here’s some of what Kat had to say:

Hello Mrs Brown,

“I hope you are well. I just thought to give you a little update on how things are going over here, seeing that many French students are leaving for their exchanges this week.

“Next Thursday I have officially been here for two months (still cannot believe it). My host family have been absolutely traumhaft (wonderful), making sure that I have everything, and generally just checking in on me.

“They have two children, Ella who is 16 and Lasse who is 14. Ella and I have grown extremely close and I absolutely adore them.

“Ella and I go to the same school which is called Edith-Stein Gymnasium and is in inner Munich. I have 14 subjects and school days vary depending on the day.

“The longest school day I have is a Monday which starts at 8:05 and ends at 16:50 with a total of 11 subjects. They don’t just have the traditional subjects but also have a range of mandatory social and political subjects and offer French and Latin as languages.

“To say I am impressed with their English would be an understatement, seeing that they are writing full essays in both English and French. My class is extremely welcoming, and they have shown a huge interest in Australia and especially our schooling system.

“I went to the Oktoberfest three times, dressing the part with dirndls and lederhosen (traditional folk festival attire). We have gone to the Alps and have done an overnight hike, went clubbing with friends in the middle of Munich and lots of other things.

“I have found a fencing club where I am training three days a week. We recently had a tournament in partnership with a club out of Jerusalem to commemorate the 1972 Olympic Games.

“The girls and boys were split and I represented Australia, winning the final 15-8. I even got the Israeli coach’s number who said that if I am ever in Jerusalem to let them know.

“I am planning on competing in a state comp as well as a World Cup in the next couple of weeks which is exciting.

“I am extremely excited for winter (even with the energy crisis going on) and to once again experience a white Christmas. The Christmas markets have started setting up and there is definitely a change in atmosphere.

“It’s getting dark at 4:30 and I have started wearing my winter coat since the weather is finally getting colder. Six weeks left and I cannot believe it.

Kind regards, Kat

Kat with her friends from Edith-Stein Gymnasium, and some of the pictures she has taken on her adventures.

NICK’S SIMPLY OARSOME

Anyone who went to APC with Nick Neales would know that as well as being a high achiever, he also had a very serious competitive streak.

So, it wouldn’t surprise his former classmates to learn that Nick competed at the World Rowing Championships at Racice in the Czech Republic in September and came home with a silver medal.

Nick and his rowing partner James Talbot competed in the PR3 Pairs event. Nick, who now works in Canberra, is also the current national champion in the PR3 singles, pairs and fours.

To compete at elite level, he trains 2-3 times a day and around 35 hours a week. When he’s not training and competing, he works as an IT strategy consultant in the private sector.

Nick, who began rowing at APC in 2015, was college captain in 2018, and also Captain of Boats for rowing and sailing captain.

He has great memories of his six years at APC.

“To be able to row at a public school and be coached by world champions Minnie Cade and Virginia Lee was a great opportunity,” Nick said.

“I absolutely loved my time there. The chance to be part of a young school and help create a new culture was very special.”

The Rowing Academy athletes have been training hard over winter and are now preparing for the upcoming racing season.

FIVE YEARS OF CATCHING UP TO DO

The Class of 2017 gathered last Saturday night in Prahran for their five-year reunion.

The event was supported by APC, and Foundation Principal Steven Cook, AP Kate Merakis and several other teachers attended to say hi to their former students.

Teachers had many fond memories of the Class of 2017, but having to catch several chickens that were released at the Danks St campus on Celebration Day that year was probably not one of them.

But it may explain why Steven Cook took a rubber chicken to the reunion.

APC is slowly building its Alumni program and former students can go to the alumni page on the APC website to register their interest in staying in touch with old classmates.

Nick competes at the world championships and shows off his silver medal with rowing partner James.

SKI TEAM STRUTS ITS STUFF AT NATIONAL TITLES

Our Cross Country ski team did us all proud at the Snow Australia National Championships at Perisher in September.

The relay team - Leuwin Harridge, Clancy Merrick Harvey and Boris Stanish - won their Division 1 event, while Borish Stanish also came first in the Division 1 Cross Country Classic race, followed closely by Clancy Merrick Harvey who came in fourth.

A special mention also goes to Kobi Axtens for finishing eighth in the Division 3 Moguls. Well done, Kobi, that’s an amazing result.

In all, seven of our athletes represented the school across eight disciplines:

• Clancy Merrick Harvey and Boris Stanish in the Cross Country Classic

• Clancy and Boris plus Leuwin Harridge in the Cross Country Relay

• Josh Gomes in the Snowboard Cross

• Kobi Axtens in the Slopestyle and Moguls

• Saska Paine in the Ski Cross

• Tommy Debien in the Snowboard GS and Snowboard Cross

DANE QUALIFIES FOR NATIONAL TITLES

Year 7 student Dane Greig is on a fast track to athletics stardom.

Dane recently represented APC at State Schools Victoria Track and Field qualifiers at Lakeside Stadium and qualified for the 100m in the under 12 age group.

He will now represent both APC and the state at the SSA Track and Field National Championships in Brisbane later this month.

Given more than 2000 schools were invited to take part in the qualifying events, it’s a wonderful effort by Dane.

Dane (above) shows rivals a clean pair of heels at Lakeside Stadium.