NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
Contents 2
Principal’s Say
3 IT and eLearning Heroes Looking forward to a great 2021 4
Goodbye Year 12, hello Year 7
5
And hello to a fifth APC campus!
6 Better Waste Management at APC 7
Student leaders plot out 2021
8
APC Musical
9
New intake arrives
10
Year 12 Exhibition
12
Sweeten up Xmas
Award winners
13
A word from Tim Walsh
14 Financial Assistance 15
Happy Holidays
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 1 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
Important Dates Friday 18 December Last day of School Thursday 28 January First day for Years 7 and 12 students Friday 29 January First day for Years 8,9,10 and 11
Principal’s Say What a year! What can I say? That we survived would have been good enough, but we did more than that. We thrived – because we embraced innovation and because we started well ahead of the curve by being prepared for an almost instantaneous transition to online learning. As a result, we have so much to celebrate.
Monday 1 February APC Welcome Picnic Wednesday 3 February School Photos Monday 8 February Swimming Carnival Tuesday 16 February Year 12 Information Evening
BACK TO CONTENTS
A great year-12 group
Dedicated teachers
Our year-12 students rapidly adjusted to the unforeseen conditions and studied hard. They are an incredibly strong year group, and we have every confidence that this will be reflected in their end of year VCE and IB results. The moral leadership they have displayed throughout the pandemic has been exemplary and they have already done us proud. We were pleased to be able to give them a proper graduation evening which was a major success.
Our teachers supported them brilliantly. While they all possessed high-end digital skills, no one thought those skills would be needed so much. Working from home, as you likely know, has its own pressures and issues and they coped with distinction. We really do owe them a massive debt of gratitude for sticking to their jobs with such dedication throughout the long periods of school closure – and for going that extra mile to support students and colleagues. We have been blessed.
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 2 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
BACK TO CONTENTS
IT and eLearning heroes
Looking forward to a great 2021
So many heroes… but let me single out one group: our IT and eLearning team of Jack Sperling, Mat Sullivan, Josh Howard, Jackson McInnerny, Marcus Crisanthi and Angus O’Callaghan. This year has proven that IT and eLearning specialists are essential to the running of contemporary schools. Without their constant technical expertise, IT support, innovative responses to teachers’ needs and immediate responses to crises, education this year literally couldn’t have happened. One example shows what they are capable of. Faced with the need to put our socially-distanced graduation evening online for parents, and finding a lack of technical infrastructure at the quickly organised venue, they managed to run the event without a hitch, via a single mobile phone. The phone threatened to (very literally) melt during the night, but they made it through. Well done team. Amazing!
We started this year with the intention of celebrating our tenth year of serving the local community – something we’re rescheduling for next year. While we didn’t get to celebrate with parties and special events, we celebrated in a different way – by looking after each other so well. The Covid-19 pandemic made us stronger. Armed with the knowledge we can take on any problem and beat it, we can look forward to 2021 with confidence. Merry Christmas and have a wonderful holiday.
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
Steven Cook Foundation Principal
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 3 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
Goodbye Year 12, hello Year 7 As we say goodbye to one year group, we say hello to another – our biggest yet.
BACK TO CONTENTS
While we’re sad to see our year-12 students leave us — in style as you can see — we’re excited to be welcoming another generation to APC. With around 320 new students enrolled for 2021, social distancing rules meant
we had to be flexible. So this year, the students came in two lots and their parents got all the information they needed via a pre-recorded presentation. We’re looking forward to seeing our eleventh intake in the new academic year. The fact that so many families are choosing APC stands as a tribute to our success. Our original year-7 intake of 150 students has more than doubled. Families vote with their feet and the huge yearupon-year growth in enrolments suggests we are meeting their demand for a great education for their children.
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 4 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
And hello too to a fifth APC campus! Our growing enrolments require more space. We can now announce something that has been bubbling along behind the scenes all year: a fifth campus called Studio 120. This new addition to APC is a wholly new type of venture: a visual arts studio at 120 Bay Street Port Melbourne – which some of you may have visited in its previous incarnation as a Goodlife Gym. The transfer of painting, drawing, photography, makerspace and other disciplines to the new campus frees up much needed learning spaces at Danks Street. This incredibly exciting facility creates what we think is the first ever
BACK TO CONTENTS
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
high street art studio run by a school. It is going to be a wonderfully innovative new addition to APC and like all our facilities will be at the service of the whole community. We expect it to create big waves and create much interest in the education sector. As we continue to attract more students, we will need to approach additional space with imagination in ways that mesh with APC’s focus on creativity. The Station Pier passenger terminal, where our graduation evening was held, is another amazing location we are hoping to make more use of.
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 5 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
Better Waste Management at APC We are determined to improve waste management at APC. Therefore, we recently set out to review current waste stream systems, understand behaviour patterns and evaluate the impact these have on waste management costs and practices. This will enable the recommendation of solutions to reduce our school’s costs and environmental footprint.
On Tuesday 1 December, a group of students conducted a waste stream assessment at Danks St, where they sorted samples of waste from bins around the campus. This allowed us to see how well we are sorting our rubbish. It seems the organic waste bins are being used quite well. However, around 75 per cent of the waste we saw in our landfill bins could be recycled. We also noticed that there was more organic waste in landfill than in the organic waste bins. Some of the things we found in our waste samples included a pack of 100 unused forks, batteries and lots of uneaten food!
With the data collected from our assessment, students will have the opportunity to develop an improved waste system. This is not only great for the environment, but will save the college money. Keep an eye out for some exciting new changes in 2021, as we continue to reduce our environmental foorprint at APC.
Alyssa Seckinger-Crow BACK TO CONTENTS
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
Ella Travis
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 6 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
Student leaders plot out 2021
Recently the school leadership team got together for a leadership seminar at the South Melbourne Lifesaving Club. We were lucky enough to talk to one of the founders of Taboo Sanitary, a social enterprise that sells organic cotton pads and tampons, with all profits dedicated to ensuring that all women around the world have access to sustainable sanitary health care and education. We discussed the various qualities of a leader,
as well as how best to approach projects. As the morning progressed, we took part in activities that reflect leadership qualities, such as public speaking. We concluded the session by splitting off into groups to discuss and brainstorm ideas for leadership in 2021. Seeing the ideas of our peers has really inspired us captains, and we think that it will be an amazing year next year to really get our ideas off the ground! From the 2021 Captains and Vice-Captains
BACK TO CONTENTS
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 7 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
APC Musical As the craziest of school years draws to a close, our Writing Team for the first ever APC Musical is still hard at work! With an almost complete draft of our script and original score, our world is taking shape and our characters coming to life! Throughout the year, our team of 18 students across Years 8-12 have been working closely with our Artists in Residence, Christopher Harley and Nick Hedger, to create a completely original piece of musical theatre as a celebration of our school’s 10-year anniversary. While we haven’t been able to perform this year, we will be performing in Term 3 of 2021.
BACK TO CONTENTS
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
The team is looking forward to workshopping our script and songs when we return in 2021, before holding auditions late in Term 1 — so keep an eye out!
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 8 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
New intake arrives! On Tuesday 8 December we were delighted to welcome next year’s batch of students from local primary schools to their transition day.
BACK TO CONTENTS
This will be our eleventh group, though it seems just yesterday that our first sevensies were starting. (Many of that group completed their first university degrees this year. Can you believe it?)
school – makerspace, dance, music, camps, sports academies and more – and their parents met their teachers and the principal via Zoom (hopefully one of the last times we will have to meet with them this way).
Things were a little different this year, naturally. They came in two groups to see the exciting things they will be doing at secondary
We’re looking forward to seeing you all on 28 January.
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 9 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
Stephanie Tanousis
Harriette Christie
Devon Spilecki
Year 12 Studio Art End of Year Exhibition We were lucky enough to be allowed to host a small exhibition of the Studio Arts Graduating Class of 2020’s final artworks on Friday 27 of November. The exhibition was a true testament to the toughness, determination and positivity which our Studio Arts students demonstrated throughout this year, many of whom had to make significant adjustments to their planned ideas, or make their entire final works completely from home using their own or borrowed art materials.
BACK TO CONTENTS
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
The artworks produced this year were extremely diverse and highly skilful across a broad range of mediums, materials and concepts explored. Please click here to see a quick video walk through of the exhibition.
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 10 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
Angus Kennedy
Sophie Bass
Sophie Bass
Alex Playfoot
Ginger Clement
BACK TO CONTENTS
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
Elena Ioannou
Ishbel Brown
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 11 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
Sweeten Up Xmas For The Homeless Rotary, who are great supporters of APC, are helping out Launch Housing with their new Christmas appeal and you can help. Do you have any chocolates, cakes, lollies or other sweet things to contribute? Rotary has placed a box at the college Reception where you can leave a donation. Please give generously.
Award winners announced The 2020 Foundation Principal Excellence Awards were announced at on Friday 11 December in the Drama Space and livestreamed to parents. All our students are congratulated on their hard work and amazing academic achievements throughout the year. Students are selected by staff within a specific learning area or as a leading contributor to college curriculum or programs. The awards are given on the basis of academic excellence, work ethic and an ability to strive continuously for the highest academic outcomes within a subject area. They also recognise outstanding leaders in initiating, collaborating or furthering the implementation and development of a college program.
BACK TO CONTENTS
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
Mathematics Award
Aarikaa Lavania
English Award
Lucy Ellenberger
Science Award STEM Humanities Award French Award Da Vinci Award
Adrian Molla Ami Farthing Justin Tan Wong Alice Uhm Elizabeth Arnott
Leadership Award Sport Award Art Award Media Award Music Award Dance Award Drama Award
Julian Galbally Phoenix Lachal Phoenix Lachal Ruya Akbas Saskia Chatfield Mia Kamarinos Milan Belic
Design and Technology Alexander Herbert Makerspace Award Design and Technology Angus Moore Food Award Design and Technology Arabella Bailey Textiles Award Principal’s Angel Malhotra, Speakers Award Year 7 Lead Create Pia Martyn Inspire Award
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 12 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
END OF YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT As a foundation parent, with ten continuous years of connection to APC, I can safely say that this has been the toughest year yet for everyone at the college: students, teachers, support staff and the Principal Team. With my own son doing year-12 in 2020, I know what every family has gone through. On behalf of the School Council, I want to thank all our teachers and support staff, students and families for sticking it at it so well, working hard at their studies, supporting their children and colleagues, and keeping a positive attitude. We’re expecting excellent results this year, but regardless of what the exam results show, we’re learned important lessons and passed some really big nonacademic tests. After this, our children are going to be able to get through anything.
After a decade of involvement with the college, I’m incredibly proud to have been associated with the school and to have witnessed its success. We started with 150 students in 2011 and next year will have well over ten times that. To have created a community school that is so creative and academically successful is utterly extraordinary. By deciding to stick together and trust our children’s education to a totally new public school, we have all, collectively, achieved something special. In our own small way, we’ve contributed to a better society. My heartfelt thanks to my colleagues on the School Council and everyone who makes up our school for all the support they have given to me in my term as School Council President. Enjoy your holiday. You’ve deserved it. Tim Walsh School Council President
BACK TO CONTENTS
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 13 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION FOR PARENTS Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and the Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes. CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF)
School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors, excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works and sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership. All are part of a healthy curriculum.
HOW TO APPLY
New applicants should contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from www.education.vic.gov.au/csef
The annual CSEF amount per student is:
If you applied for the CSEF at your child's school in 2020, you do not need to complete an application form in 2021 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred: • new student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools in 2021 or you did not apply in 2020. • changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2021.
• $125 for primary school students
Check with the school office if you are unsure.
CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities. If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.
• $225 for secondary school students
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the CSEF visit www.education.vic.gov.au/csef
BACK TO CONTENTS
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 14 OF 15
NEWS
Edition 9 – December 2020
Happy holidays!
Happy holidays and a happy new year from the staff and students of Albert Park College!
BACK TO CONTENTS
83 DANKS ST ALBERT PARK MELBOURNE VICTORIA
T +61 (3) 8695 9000 F +61 (3) 869 9099
WWW.ALBERTPARKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU ALBERT.PARK.CO@EDUCATION.VIC.GOV.AU PAGE 15 OF 15