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Around MLC
MLC
AWARD FOR NICHOLAS LEARNING CENTRE
In late 2020, the new Nicholas Learning Centre was the Winner of the Best Education Facility in Victoria awarded by the Association for Learning Environments. Opened in 2019 for our Year 7 and 8 students, this building was the first project emerging from the 2015 College Masterplan – a vision for the 10-year development of the Kew campus. The building includes 24 configurable state-of-the-art learning spaces, plus outdoor learning and recreational areas.
Feedback from our students has been the essential proof of success; however, we are proud to receive external recognition that the learning centre provides exceptional learning spaces to ensure our students have the tools and facilities for dynamic 21st century learning.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE GLOBAL COMMITTEE
The Global Committee is a student-run organisation with support from the International Student Coordinator. Open to students at all year levels, the Global Committee embraces diversity and promotes cultural awareness through activities such as food days (crepes, dumplings, challah bread etc) and arts and crafts days (origami, calligraphy, mask painting etc). We provide a platform for students to share stories and to delve deeper into a variety of cultures and traditions.
We organised College-wide festivities for Lunar New Year with lion dance performances, poster competitions, making paper lanterns and guessing riddles from different languages in Term 1. There are plenty of opportunities for members to promote their own initiatives and ideas within the committee, where students can just come along, meet new people and enjoy a fantastic lunch! Isabella Zheng, International Relations Prefect
HEAD OF THE SCHOOLGIRLS ROWING
After the interruptions of 2020, it was with great relief and celebration that this year’s regatta could go ahead in mid-March. Held on the Barwon River in Geelong, it is the largest single-sex schools’ regatta in the Southern Hemisphere and is considered the pinnacle event of the schools’ rowing season.
MLC has always had a strong presence, this year with 22 crews competing from Years 9 -12. Of these crews, an outstanding 17 made the A final (top 4), and 11 crews made the podium with five gold medals, three silver and three bronze. Following on their success, our 1st VIII and U17 VIII crews represented MLC at the National Rowing Championships in Tasmania, both winning bronze.
“The students’ achievements were particularly significant considering the limited training they were able to do through lockdowns,” says Tim Dolphin, MLC Rowing Program Manager.
NEW SUSTAINABILITY LEARNING FOR YEAR 9
How could we increase access to green spaces for workers in inner city Melbourne? How could we help Melbourne’s smaller food chains to redistribute their leftover food to the hungry? These are just two of the questions explored by Year 9 students as part of the Local Urban Project, an innovative new learning unit that uses design thinking methodology to explore the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in our local urban context. Complementing the MLC Marshmead curriculum, it includes several forum style days, where students interrogate the SDGs and formulate a question they want to investigate. Tasked with researching and creating a prototype to tackle their chosen issue, students then present their work to an expert panel for feedback.
“With its strong focus on real world learning and student agency, the Local Urban Project has been embraced by our Year 9s. The projects that have been presented so far have been incredibly creative,” says co-ordinator, Kate Lafferty.
LEARNING AND EXPLORING IN MLC KINDLE
Exploration of the natural world is ever present in learning at MLC Kindle. Towards the end of 2020, sunflower seeds were planted in Yetta, the MLC Kindle outdoor space. When the children commenced at the beginning of this year they were delighted to see sunflowers in abundance. Children across all age groups (0–5 years) have benefited from their presence. The sunflowers provided many possibilities in classrooms. Children looked closely with microscopes, and represented them in many artistic ways including painting, drawing, sculpture and collage. They harvested seeds, discovered symmetry in nature and discussed the different parts of the plant and why we need them; wondering and fact finding together. Sally Polson, MLC Kindle Program Leader
CONNECTING TO COUNTRY: THE TRADITION CONTINUES
At the start of each year, Connecting to Country hold a Welcome to Country with the Ngurungaeta (head person) of the Wurundjeri people, Murrundindi. This includes a Smoking Ceremony which is an ancient Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practice where native plants are smouldered to create a white herbal smoke that billows up cleanly. The ceremony welcomes people to Country whilst also cleansing the bad energy as we embark on a new year. Murrundindi often uses the cherry ballard plant which represents the energy of young people and pays respect to the process of growth. We also practice the traditional Bunjil and brolga dance and song. Lucy Amon, Indigenous Programs Co-ordinator
YEAR 12S TAKE CENTRE STAGE
The 2021 Year 12 Play Heavy Weather by Lizzie Nunnery is a contemporary piece centred around the protagonist Mona, a 16-year-old activist. Mona struggles with the societal ignorance towards climate change and harbours strong fears about the cataclysmic ramifications for future generations. The play deals with topics regarding mental health, shedding a sensitive light on anxiety and helplessness. The role of social media acts as an integral theme, lending itself to vigorous ensemble pieces that highlight the prevalence of online platforms and how ‘media eyes’ have the power to instigate change.
The rehearsal process saw many actors overcome challenges and understand the importance of collaboration. A special thank you to Ms Dana Duncan, our dedicated director and Mr Simon Corkeron and the technical crew for being a fantastic production team. Rachel Rockman, Year 12 student
