4 minute read
Join the club
Amy Xiao, Isabella Zheng and Rebekah Fullarton make paper cranes as part of the Global Committee club.
Aside from co-curricular offerings across sport, music, dramatic arts and visual arts, MLC students in Years 7 - 12 can choose from more than 30 lunchtime clubs.
One such club is PRISM, standing for ‘People Really Into Science @ MLC’. This year the club had a membership of 50 ‘PRISMatists’, led by a committee of three Year 12 students. “Clubs give students an opportunity to get involved in their favourite subjects beyond the classroom environment,” says Harriet Waymark, one of the PRISM committee leaders. “For me, the most rewarding part of MLC clubs was meeting students from other year levels and holding discussions with equally passionate people that I might not have befriended otherwise.” PRISM had planned an impressive Interschool Science Conference for 2021, with several medical research scientists agreeing to share their insights with students. While COVID-19 forced this main event to be postponed until 2022, PRISM was able to host several fortnightly meetings, and its ‘students versus teachers’ debate was a hit with the entire student body. Growing in number and popularity every year, MLC’s clubs are usually led by Senior School students with teacher support. Humanities teacher Molly Murphy facilitates the Amnesty International club and the Creative Writers’ Guild. “By leading or being a member of a group, students develop their voice and the ability to advocate for themselves, their peers and others in the wider community. This could be about their own personal beliefs and interests or connected to their academic classes,” Molly explains. “Teacher facilitation helps students strengthen their communication and collaboration skills. We also support the events and activities that students design.” The Amnesty International club is focused on community and societal issues and finding ways students can support those in need. Its 2021 fundraising initiatives included a fun run and lunchtime stall.
The Creative Writers’ Guild created an anthology of student writing. Fortunately, this club was able to continue meeting online during remote learning. “Students shared their writing with their peers for feedback and I gave them additional support,” Molly explains. “Students found writing to be a cathartic way to express the complex emotions they faced being in lockdown.”
Student leaders explain their clubs
Tech Club
“Students who are interested in any aspect of technology can come together and be active in the things they are passionate about. We have access to the school’s excellent resources, including the 3D printers.” Thea Bosco, Year 12
PRISM (People Really Into Science @MLC)
“Many members enjoyed our meetings with science games and deep discussions. Students enjoy gathering together with like-minded people who are passionate about science. We can develop our ideas as a group and make them happen.” Chloe Wang, Year 12 “The PRISM students vs. teachers debate was a highlight of the year, on the topic of ‘We should fear the rise of artificial intelligence’. Encouraged to be as farfetched and comedic as possible, the debaters entertained many members of the broader school community. We run events like this to encourage more girls to become involved in science, which is still a largely male-dominated field.” Harriet Waymark, Year 12
Amphitheatre
This club aims to facilitate discussion on political issues, ranging from conflicts in Iran to climate change. We try to challenge each other’s views to make for rich discussion, which simultaneously gives us a better understanding of issues. We set up a Microsoft Teams channel to continue our meetings during lockdown. In our last meeting for 2021, we discussed the conflicts in Myanmar. It was great to hear the views of the younger students and learn from their perspectives. Steph Gordon, Grace Garriock, Nicola Anderson and Gabby Walker, Year 12
Amnesty International
As a club, we have three key objectives: raising awareness, raising funds, and taking action. We believe the club gives students a sense of empowerment and gratitude, gleaned from the opportunity to lead and be a part of grass-roots initiatives that have a tangible impact. Students always bring a smile along to our fortnightly meetings. Clare Beaton-Wells and Jacinta Li, Year 11
Pictured from top: Students enjoyed exploring the different clubs at MLC through our ‘Clubs Carnival’ held earlier in 2021.
A PRISM meeting takes place in MLC’s Science labs at lunchtime.
The Global Committee learns to make paper cranes.
Makerspace is a popular lunchtime club, where students can get creative through tech or crafts. Students enjoy developing their own creative projects in Pottery Club.
