PARENT
POWER
PARENT PORTAL GETS A MAKEOVER
APC has relaunched its Parent Portal with a range of important educational and support services for parents and carers.
The portal is designed to provide parents with information necessary to help guide their child through their high school life.
Acting Assistant Principal Nicole Kelly said she hoped all parents and carers would take a moment to delve into the revamped portal and explore its content.
“Parents play a critical role in the success and happiness of their child’s high school years and the portal gives them the information and tools they need to help their child flourish,” Nicole said.
“It’s also a great way to keep up to date with the curriculum being taught in Positive Education classes each week and access helpful resources to assist you in discussing these topics with your child.”
KEY FEATURES OF THE NEW LOOK PORTAL
KEY FEATURES INCLUDE:
• Videos from leading educational specialists and organisations on a range of topics published monthly on APC TV.
• Weekly updates on what students are learning in Positive Education classes with links to relevant resources for parents
• Fortnightly updates from APC’s wellbeing team on the most relevant topics affecting young people.
• Links to support services for students and parents.
You can find the Parent Portal on the APC website in the Community section. Or use the link below.
PARENT PORTAL
• IMPORTANT DATES
THURSDAY 5 SEPTEMBER IB Visual Arts Exhibition 3pm - 5pm Studio 120 Campus
THURSDAY 5 SEPTEMBER –FRIDAY 6 SEPTEMBER APC Dance Show “Ends of the Earth” Malthouse Theatre
MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER – FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER Year 9 Expeditions
TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER Year 12 Drama Showcase 6.30pm - 8pm Gasworks Studio Theatre
WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER Year 12 Dance Showcase 6.30pm - 8pm Gasworks Studio Theatre
WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER APC Book Club 6pm - 7pm Danks St Library
THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER Instrumental Music Evening 5.30pm Drama space, Danks St campus
MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER Instrumental Music Evening 5.30pm
Drama space, Danks St campus
MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER –FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER VCE Unit 3/4 Practice Exams
FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER Last day of Term 3 Students dismissed at 2.02pm
MONDAY 7 OCTOBER First day of Term 4
THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER Instrumental Music Evening 5.30pm Drama space, Danks St campus
MONDAY 14 OCTOBER –THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER Year 10 Camp
THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER Year 12 Last Day
FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER Year 12 Breakfast
TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER –MONDAY 11 NOVEMBER IB Exams
TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER –WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER VCE Exams
COMMUNITY IS EVERYTHING TO US
What an amazing community we have at APC!
In the past few weeks there have been a number of outstanding events that you will seldom see in other schools.
Our Music Show and our High School Musical were great successes, drawing sellout crowds. Now they have been joined in quick succession by ALPACCA’s gala fundraiser and our literary festival.
Our Eurovision Gala Night was incredibly well organised and attended. More than 180 parents got into the swing of it, creating
some amazing costumes, with parent bands and Eurovisionthemed songs specially written for the event.
That’s not to mention the musical chairs, silent auction and dancing. Such a great time was had that I understand several attendees are still in recovery mode.
Our LitFest 2024 was another great success, with around 130 or so attendees who heard not just from well known big name authors but our own student and staff talent.
We’re certain one of our alumni will be a big name author in the
near future. By the way, our 2024 Student Anthology was launched at LitFest and there are still copies available to purchase from the college.
And still to come is our amazing Dance Show this week!
It is a truism that a school is only as good as the community it represents and we are incredibly lucky that our community is so engaged in everything we do.
At every event, we receive incredible support from our parents and the broader community.
Special mention goes to Oliver Bruce and Ben Manolitsas from Marshall White Port Phillip, who recently joined the APC community to sponsor our creative arts events this year and, as always, to the Albert Park Rotary Club, so ably run by Ken Hall, whose book fair raised significant funds for our Library.
Community is everything to us. So thank you for your contribution.
YEAR 10 STUDENT MAX VUCIC READS HIS FICTION PIECE TO THE LITFEST AUDIENCE.
LITERARY CROWD HANGS ON EVERY WORD
A big crowd of around 130 turned up to the Danks Street Library recently to be part of LitFest 2024.
Over the two days, they heard from some big names: authors Ella Baxter, Katherine Braybon and APC’s very own Dennis Glover, and musician Ruby Gill. The subjects ranged from coping with adversity, to the war in Ukraine.
The guest speakers were interviewed by senior students Leah and Phoenix, Fletcher and May, and Lucy and Elih. It was also great to see so many boys involved in the event this year.
Apart from the great food produced by our Hospitality Club students, other highlights included a reading from our freshly released Anthology by Jill Rymal, and readings from our Creative Writing Award winners Amanda Nagel and Max Vucic.
During LitFest, the amazing Albert Park Rotary Club also held its secondhand book fair and raised serious money to buy books for the college and to support people in need in our community.
Our thanks to Liberal Arts Coordinator Joe Hindi for his great effort overseeing the event.
THE VOTES ARE IN. EUROVISION A WINNER!
More than 180 APC parents and friends glammed up and let their hair down for the Eurovision gala at Studio 120 last month.
The dance floor was packed, the trivia event pitted country against country, and the photo booth got busier as the night grew longer.
The food, catered by parent Sally Thornton from Slow Cooked Sisters, was sensational and didn’t stop coming, while raffles and the silent auction ensured valuable money was raised to help fit-out APC’s planned youth arts precinct in Gasworks Arts Park.
Bravely MC’d by comedian Mike McLeish, the night was a feast for the senses and helped raise more than $15,000.
A massive thank you to the hardworking ALPACCA committee, led by co-presidents Ruth Allen and Anna Vermooten, and the incredible community sponsors who donated products and services for the night.
As Principal Steven Cook said to the crowd in his welcome speech, APC is blessed “with the best school community in the country”.
For pictures of the incredible evening, go to the ALPACCA homepage on the APC website.
DANCE TELLS THE STORY OF LOVE, DANGER AND LIFE
Don’t miss the chance to see APC’s sensational dancers this Thursday and Friday as they take to the stage in Ends of the Earth, an explorative contemporary work based on the lyrics of Lord Huron’s 2012 song.
The three shows – Thursday at 7pm, and Friday at 2pm and 7pm – will be staged at the Malthouse Theatre in Southbank.
Ends of the Earth brings Lord Huron’s song lyrics to life through innovative, expressive choreography which showcases the technical and expressive skills of our amazing dancers.
The show tells the story of an adventurous soul with a desire to explore all the sights and experiences the world has to offer.
It’s a story of love, danger, wonder and life and features songs such as ‘Sweet Disposition’ by Temper Trap, ‘I Am Here’ by P!nk, ‘Pan’ by Luke Howard and ‘Strange’ by Celeste.
Get your tickets here before it’s too late.
Marshall White Port Phillip is the principal sponsor of APC’s major creative and performing arts events, which includes the Dance Show. We are grateful to directors Oliver Bruce and Ben Manolitsas for their support.
BAY PLUNGE IS A WAKE-UP CALL FOR TESTING TIMES AHEAD
At APC the early arrival of spring meant one thing above all: our year-12 students and teachers didn’t contract hypothermia during our annual Jump in the Bay event.
For those new to the college, to mark the approach of the “business end of the year”, our VCE and IB students put on their swimmers and plunge into the sea in front of the South Melbourne Life Saving Club.
A selection of their teachers, often recognisable by their high thermally-rated wetsuits, joined them. (As always, we thank the life saving club – one of our important partner organisations – for their support).
And why would students do such a crazy thing? Why would APC invent such a mad tradition (now into its sixth year)? Well, we have a few reasons:
"We can do hard things together and still have fun!"
“Wake up! Exam revision begins now! Time to hit the books!”
“We’re all in it together, team!”
“We just enjoy seeing you suffer!” (That’s a joke, by the way!)
Once dried off, the students, filled with coffee and pastries, are able to get warm by putting on their new year-12 rugby tops, before bounding off to classes filled with the will to succeed.
Good luck!
SPENCER AIMS FOR THE STARS
Most people look up and simply see the sky. Spencer Holt looks up and sees a future in space.
Spencer, who is in Year 10, has taken a giant leap towards a career in the aerospace industry by winning a $5000 scholarship to visit the US to learn from experts in the field.
Spencer was one of three high school students in Australia to win a scholarship from One Giant Leap Australia Foundation and Electro Optic Systems (EOS). A letter of recommendation from APC supported his application. Spencer will visit the California Science Centre, Northrop Grumman and the Griffith Observatory.
He will also be part of activities led by One Giant Leap’s STEM expert, have dinner with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists and engineers, and then spend a week at the world renowned Space Camp USA in Alabama.
Spencer, who hopes to study engineering at university, said he has always had an interest in space.
“I’d like to work in the Australian space industry, and then maybe at NASA,” he said.
“This trip will give me a better understanding of how I can do that,” he said.
And he’s definitely aiming for the stars. “It would be great to be an astronaut,” he said.
STAFF AND STUDENTS
COMPETITION UNEARTHS AUTHORS OF THE FUTURE
APC continues to burst with budding young writers, if the results of our recent creative writing competition are anything to go by.
The competition was organised by writer in residence Jess Zanoni, who commended all the entrants for their creativity.
The winners were:
JUNIOR:
1st place: Amanda Nagel from Year 9, for her fiction piece: Echos of a Message in the Tide
2nd place: Linh Nguyen from Year 7 for her fiction piece: And I Love Her
SENIOR:
1st place: Max Vucic from Year 10, for his fiction / experimental piece: Colour and Shapes
2nd place: Nina Buchler from Year 10, for her fiction piece: Cardigan
Amanda and Max read their pieces to an appreciative audience on the opening night of LitFest, and received sustained applause for their work.
Click on the links above to read their work.
AMANDA NAGEL READS HER PIECE AT LITFEST (TOP) AND (FROM LEFT) MAX VUCIC, NINA BUCHLER AND LINH NGUYEN.
ANIKA HAS A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB
Year 8 student Anika Bentley is preparing for the challenge of her life.
In October, Anika, her dad Rohan and her younger sister Elke will climb Africa’s tallest mountain –the awe-inspiring Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
The mountain is just under 6000m tall and temperatures can range from 30C at its base to -20C at its snow-capped peak.
Anika said she was both “nervous and excited” about the climb.
“I love hiking and trekking,” she said.
The family has been undertaking lots of hikes and sleeping out
overnight to prepare for the gruelling climb. Mt Kosciusko and Mt Donna Buang have been among their training climbs.
Anika said the trek was to raise money for the Miracle Babies Foundation, a charity very close the family’s heart, as Elke was born nine weeks premature.
The family hopes to raise $50,000 and would love the APC community to help.
For details go to Miracle Babies Foundation website
Good luck, Anika. What an inspiration you are! We can’t wait to hear all about your adventure.
ANIKA, HER DAD ROHAN AND SISTER ELKE ARE TRAINING HARD FOR THEIR BIG CLIMB.
ART STUDENTS LOOK TO THE FUTURE
Year 11 art students had the opportunity to visit the Future Remains exhibition at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) recently.
The exhibition features new artworks by emerging and mid-career artists from across Australia.
These artists explore various aspects of history, culture and materiality through diverse media such as ceramics, printmaking, video, sculpture and textiles.
The students were able to see how artists such as Kim Ah Sam, Andy Butler, Teelah George, and others used their work to reflect on the past and imagine new possibilities for the future.
APC COMMUNITY
STUDENT LEADERS HONOR LEMNOS CONNECTION
APC was thanked for its involvement in the annual Lemnos Gallipoli service, which was held at the memorial near the Danks St campus last month (August).
APC student leaders Agnes McCallum (Year 12) and James Keating (Year 11) read the special Lemnos poem to the gathering, which was also attended by Acting Assistant Principal Duncan Box.
Secretary of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, Jim Claven, said APC’s involvement was “very much appreciated by our committee and all in attendance”.
The committee was formed in 2011 to raise awareness of the Greek island’s involvement in the Gallipoli campaign as well as the Hellenic connection to the Anzacs in both world wars.
The committee continues to raise funds to tell the story of Lemnos'
link to Gallipoli and Australia's Anzacs. For details contact Jim on 0409 402 388.
STUDENTS PITCH TO COUNCIL
Students from the Year 11 IB program recently attended the Port Phillip Council’s first ever Youth Seminar.
They were among students from a number of schools who listened to talks on issues such as health and well-being, transport and sustainability, arts practice and diversity and inclusion.
They then worked together to pitch potential youth programs to the mayor and councillors, who listened intently.
We will have to keep our eyes peeled to see if their ideas bear fruit.
JOURNEY DIVES INTO THE WORLD OF CODING
JOURNEY LU-SPENCER HAS FOUND HER PASSION AT UNIVERSITY IN COMPUTER SCIENCE.
WHAT YEAR DID YOU COMPLETE VCE?
I finished in 2021 after taking the IB Diploma Programme.
WHAT DID YOU STUDY IN VCE?
As part of the program I had to study a variety of subjects, including English (naturally), physics, mathematics: analysis and approaches, psychology, French, and music. I really enjoyed taking all these different subjects as they gave me so many options on what to pursue in tertiary study.
WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF LIFE AT APC?
My best memories of APC come from the friends I made theremost of whom I’m still very close with, and all of the extracurricular performances that the school did. I was a music kid so Vaudeville was one of the highlights of my years.
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE FINISHING VCE?
Since finishing high school, I’ve been studying at Melbourne University and unexpectedly found my passion in computer science. Since then I’ve just dived right in to learning about coding and software design, which I’ve chosen as my major.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS?
In 10 years I’d like to be a software engineer of some sort, possibly working with AI as that is a field that I find incredibly exciting.
DO YOU STAY IN TOUCH WITH APC?
I keep in contact with APC through tutoring and occasionally help out with the music program as an alumni. For example, last year I was able to participate in the musical as a pit singer.
WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO THIS YEAR’S VCE?
The best advice I can give to the VCE students is to utilize your friends to make studying more
enjoyable. Do practice tests together, compare answers, ask questions and teach each other. Trust me, it makes getting through the year a lot easier.
Other than that, just remember that VCE isn’t everything. After this year (or next if you’re a year 11) you’ll be able to laugh about it. There are still so many paths to do whatever you want regardless of your ATAR - it just might take a little longer.
Good luck to you guys, you’re almost at the end of the tunnel.
JOIN OUR ALUMNI
STAFF AND STUDENTS
OSCAR ADDS TO AUSSIE MEDAL COUNT
You probably thought that the track and field medal count ended with the Paris Olympics. Wrong!
APC is extremely pleased to announce that Oscar Woodhouse of year 8 competed in the Australian Cross Country Championships at Symmons Plains Raceway in Launceston, Tasmania on the weekend.
In the wild weather, mud, and 40km/h winds, Oscar (Men's U14) came 2nd in the closest finish of the day to win his first National
individual medal. This placing also led Victoria to secure a silver medal in the teams event.
As you can see, Oscar may be weighed down by success – those medals are heavy – but is looking forward to more future long distance victories.
Well done Oscar.
NEW MEMBERS WELCOME AT SOUTH MELBOURNE LIFE SAVING CLUB
We love to support our partner organisations, so this edition of the newsletter we ask: Why not join the South Melbourne Life Saving Club?
It has a beautiful new clubhouse with a vibrant community, and is welcoming new members.
In Nippers, children learn vital water safety skills and gain confidence near the water.
Our teenagers form strong friendships and have many opportunities to learn and develop their life skills and leadership skills.
As a 13-year-old, you can complete the entry level Surf Rescue Certificate, and this allows for active participation in a patrol group. Bronze Medallion and First Aid courses teach the skills that literally save lives and provide valuable qualifications that are attractive to any future employer.
Our competition teams are passionate about their sport and are strongly competitive at state and national levels. Come join us!
Patrolling, Awards & Competition Pathway
STAFF AND STUDENTS
ART SHOW ENTRIES
OPEN SOON
It’s time for students, parents and friends to get their entries ready for the 2024 APC Art Show.
We welcome artwork across a range of mediums including painting, photography, printmaking, water colour, digital created artwork, illustration, sculpture, ceramics and textiles.
The APC Art Show boasts a range of cash prizes that total more than $5000. One outstanding entry
membership@southmelbournelsc.com.au
will be awarded $2000 and will become part of the Albert Park College Collection.
Entries open on Friday, 20 September. For entry details go to the Art Show website here Entries close on 20 October, with successful entrants notified by 8 November.
This year’s art show runs between Friday, 29 November and Sunday,
1 December at Studio 120, Level 1, 120 Bay St, Port Melbourne. The weekend also includes a big opening night celebration, live music, raffle and gourmet food.
For details, contact Melinda Rochford at artshow@ albertparkcollege.vic.edu.au
JOIN HERE
$5,000
We invite entries across a range of mediums including: painting, photography, printmaking, watercolour, illustration, digital art , sculpture, ceramics and textiles.
ENTRIES OPEN 20 SEPTEMBER – 20 OCTOBER
(Exhibition: Friday 29 November – Sunday 1 December 2024)
APC Book Club
Term 3.2 2024
Albert Park College is excited to invite students, their families and our broader community to take part in APC’s Book Club. The APC Book Club will run once a term in the College’s Library at the Danks Street campus Light refreshments will be provided
OUR BOOK WILL BE
The End and Everything Before It by Finegan Kruckemeyer
Emma watched her mother’s kayak disappear among icebergs in the Arctic Sea. Six years later, her brother, who had not spoken since their mother was lost, warns Emma of the curse of death that she brought to anyone who looked on her face before tragedy befalls him too.
Emma consigns herself to a solitary life at sea, where she can do no more harm After years alone, she is mysteriously drawn to land. And she docks at an island, afraid of what her arrival might mean for the welcoming man and his daughter waving from the jetty
But who knows where our stories begin and end or how they are entwined? Who knows whether now, on the island, she begins a new tale or takes a role in a story that began generations ago with a feast in the forest, or a chest of gold coins plunged into the sea, or an orphan in a bookshop beguiled by an elusive and troubled woman?
Finegan Kruckemeyer’s astonishing debut,The End and Everything Before It, is a sweeping, joyous novel about love, loss and the power of stories an uplifting journey into our deepest humanity.
11 September 6pm to 7pm
The Avenue Book Store on Dundas Place stocks the novel
Please consider purchasing your copy of the novel at The Avenue. Albert Park College now has an Avenue Bookstore Frequent Buyer account. When purchasing books, cards and/or gift vouchers simply mention you’re part of the Albert Park College community and 10% of your purchase will turn into credit the library can spend Every purchase can accumulate ‘points’ and every $250 spent, the library will receive a $25 voucher
RESERVE A SEAT
RESERVE A SEAT