IDEATION
Great minds do not think alike
Thursday 19 January – Tuesday 24 January 2023
LORETO ACADEMY
Loreto Academy is an experiential and academic program that provides challenge while fostering excitement in learning. Complementing the School’s core academic program, the Loreto Academy develops curious, independent and capable intellectuals who will leave Loreto Toorak ready to be the leading thinkers, innovators and achievers of their generation.
Open to all students entering Years 10 and 11 in 2022, and Year 9 by nomination, and facilitated by Loreto
Toorak subject experts, Loreto Academy offers a suite of rich learning experiences to extend curiosity and add depth to learning programs covered at Loreto Toorak. Scholars participating in the Loreto Academy will:
• Deepen their curiosity and excitement for learning and intellectual endeavour;
• Cultivate enhanced knowledge of a subject area or field of inquiry;
• Develop soft skills such as verbal communication, interpersonal and collaborative skills, problem solving and analytical skills; and
• Foster character strengths and growth mindset.
What kind of learning experience will scholars enjoy?
Learning and knowing go hand-in-hand: Scholars develop a disposition to learn and make smart choices about what, how, where and why they learn. This disposition will be evident in their relentless curiosity, their command of a range of knowledge and ways of thinking and their desire to grapple with unclear and thorny problems.
Low threat, high challenge learning experiences:
Scholars are made to feel supported, not afraid or inferior. Tasks are designed to allow students to ask better questions, not just give concrete answers – support is high, but so are expectations and challenges. Scholars are liberated by their learning; their experience opens their minds to new worlds. Learning is not fixed to a specific time or place. Scholars take what they learn and apply it to any and all contexts.
Learning is personally significant:
Facilitators focus on how the learning is personally significant for the student. They make thoughtful decisions about learning and prioritise deep, prolonged engagement. Facilitators enable learning that allows students to build their capacity to self-manage their learning. Inquiry guides the learning and scholar engagement – there is no assessment.
What can scholars expect to learn?
Courses in a range of fields including STEM, Humanities, Art and Literature are offered. Scholars will receive Micro-Credentials that will be recorded on their Loreto Toorak academic transcripts.
Loreto Academy will be held at Loreto Toorak from 9.00am – 3.30pm on Thursday 19 to Tuesday 24 January.
Each scholar will receive an email in December, detailing the courses they will undertake; this will determine their schedule for the Program. The students participating are required to make their own way to and from School. They will be required to wear neat casual clothes and bring lunch and snacks. Scholars will have the opportunity to go offsite to purchase food and drink during break time. There is no additional cost to participate in the 2023 Summer Loreto Academy program.
Ideation
Ideation is the exploration of the creative process of GENERATING, DEVELOPING, and COMMUNICATING new ideas.
“It’s not about coming up with the ‘right’ idea, it’s about generating the broadest range of possibilities.”
- Hasso Plattner, Institute of Design, Stanford.
Ideation:
Taking an idea that can be either visual, concrete, or abstract through the stages of a thought cycle, from innovation, to development, to actualisation.
Objective: To promote the understanding that Ideation:
• is a creative process which promotes open thinking and risk taking to create strong and unique ideas.
• involves planning sessions which allow independent thinking and collaboration.
Discomfort and the unfamiliar are embraced:
Scholars are comfortable with ‘the grey area’ and are okay with ‘not yet’ being able to do something, they tolerate discomfort and welcome complications of error-making, rather than playing it safe through memorisation.
• instils the value of combining multiple ideas and sharing different perspectives.
• does not involve judgement; participants are encouraged to push their ideas and imagination far and wide.
SCHEDULE SCHEDULE
Session time Thursday 19 January Friday 20 January Monday 23 January Tuesday 24 January
Session 1
9:00 – 10:30
Germ Theory
Dr. Sharmini Kuma
The International Development of MWIA
(Mary Ward International)
Ms. Nicole Gibson
Writing Perspectives
Ms. Emily Brewin Author / Educator
Big Ideas; Think Tank
Ms. Caterina Chng
Design and power: how might design confront the challenges of global inequality?
Assoc. Prof. Gene Bawden, Head of Design, Monash University
Session time Thursday 19 January Friday 20 January Monday 23 January Tuesday 24 January
Lunch
12:45 – 1:30
Session 3
1:30 – 3:30
Aviation: From Idea to Actualisation
Pompeii in a Day Session 2: Disaster to Design
The Importance of Creativity
Design and Power
Mandeville
Break
10:30 –10:45
Session 2
10:45 –12:45
The Art and Science of Crystal Creation.
Session 1: Redox chemistry, growing crystals with electrolysis, and other seedcrystal-making experiments.
Ms. Janelle Thirard OR Aviation: From Idea to Actualisation
Ms. Elizabeth Piacquadio
The International Development of MWIA
(Mary Ward International)
Ms. Nicole Gibson OR Pompeii in a Day Session 1: Disaster to Discovery
Ms. Kirsty Graham OR Why Write?
Ms. Rose Clurey
The Empire Strikes: race and colonialism in 19th century English literature.
Dr. Sharmini Kumar OR The Art and Science of Crystal Creation. Session 2: Photographing and using crystals for artistic purposes.
Ms. Janelle Thirard OR An Introduction to Algorithms and Pseudocode Session 1
Ms. Natalie Caruso
Design and Power Mandeville
Contemporary Assoc. Prof. Gene Bawden, Ms. Sue Burke, Ms. Felicity Gilbert OR From Idea to Marketplace.
Ms. Ella Kee
Ms. Elizabeth Piacquadio OR Ideation in Science: Great Minds Do Not Think Alike
Mr. Eric Friedman
Ms. Josephine Fagan OR Putting YOU in the Driving Seat of Change
Mr. Tom Watson
Ms. Sandra Jane OR An Introduction to Algorithms and Pseudocode Session 2
Ms. Natalie Caruso
Contemporary Assoc. Prof. Gene Bawden, Ms. Sue Burke, Ms. Felicity Gilbert OR From Idea to Marketplace.
Ms. Ella Kee
COURSE GUIDE
From Idea to Marketplace
Ella
KeeThis course will allow scholars to explore the concept of ideation through product creation and commercialisation within the business space, providing scholars with the ability to analyse the steps taken by brands/businesses globally in idea/product development. Scholars will have the opportunity to plan and develop their own products, providing both independent thinking and collaborative possibilities throughout the session.
Ideation in Science: Great minds do not think alike.
Eric FriedmanThe most useful discoveries in the world of science have come about using the principles of ideation. The creative process involves thinking outside the box, exploring new concepts, and testing hypotheses. Scholars will explore the ideation principles used by some of the most famous scientists.
An Introduction to algorithms and pseudocode
Natalie
CarusoHave you ever wondered how your calculator works out the decimal approximation for the square root of 3? Or how income tax is calculated? Or how SEQTA awards grades for your assessments? An algorithm is a sequence of instructions for performing a specific task. These are often written as flow charts. Pseudocode not actually a programming language but rather a way of writing instructions for an algorithm in a way that is closer to writing in English than in a programming language. These instructions can then be translated into a specific programming language.
Writing pseudocode is fun! Scholars will learn to write pseudocode for some familiar and some unfamiliar mathematical algorithms. You will be able to choose your own adventure.
Putting YOU in the Driving Seat of Change
Tom Watson
Have you ever felt like the world is against you? That the systems which are meant to uphold and protect you working against you?
In this course Scholars will deconstruct and then analyse the society in which they live, exploring a range of social and human rights issues.
Largely driven by the scholars themselves, the course will also have a focus on gender inequality, the dispossession of First Nations peoples, incarceration in Australia, and climate action.
In Empowering Equality over Equity, Driving Social Change in the Courts, scholars will examine famous legal activists who have used the courts to provoke necessary social change, such as Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Eddie Mabo, and School Strike 4 Climate Students.
In turn, scholars will ponder and investigate their own activist movements, develop their own voices, and recognise their ability to influence courts, laws, and the structure of their society. The course will conclude with the opportunity for students to vocalise their cause for action and deliver it to members of parliament, in the hope of enacting change.
Design and Power: How might dedsign confront the challenges of gloibal inequality?
Mandeville Contemporary
Assiociate Professor Gene Bawden
Sue Burke
Felicity Gilbert
The session will be the launch of the Mandeville Contemporary 2023 program and will respond to the ideas presented by the guest speaker from Monash.
It will involve stimulus from ACCA, our long-term partner, and a private commercial gallery curator, to discuss how ideas and decisions are made about bringing about new exhibitions into the private and public space. It will also consider audience and community engagement with works and the ways in which contemporary art stimulates critical thinking and a dialogue with the viewer. Ideas that emerge can be explored through contemporary art, curated, and become an agent for change.
The Art and Science of Crystal Creation
Janelle Thirard
Students will be introduced to the crystallisation of ionic substances using a supersaturated solution and simple redox electrolysis. A straightforward description of the chemistry behind these processes will be included. In the first session, students will experiment to start forming crystals by both processes. In the second session, students will observe and photograph the crystals and use these to create a visual display of the crystals formed.
Why Write?
Rose Clurey
It is theorised that humans have been writing for more than 5000 years. Despite changes to the mode in which individuals express themselves in a written format, the need and desire to write are as strong as ever.
This workshop will delve into the benefits associated with the craft of writing, along with the role that written communication has played in the lives of some well-known individuals. In the spirit of ‘Ideation,’ we’ll examine ways to develop ideas for writing projects and enjoyment.
Aviation: From Idea to Actualisation
Elizabeth Piacquadio
The first recorded flight of a powered aircraft occurred in 1903 when the Wright Flyer achieved the best time of 59 seconds to cover 226 m. Since then, aircraft and their designs have undergone substantial changes.
All students will begin by building the same model plane. After observing and collecting data during the flight-testing phase, students will then choose to either adjust their plane to fly higher or faster Research and discussions of the designs of aircraft will aid in providing the opportunity to design an aircraft able to fulfill the design brief. Multiple tests and adjustments will be made to create the optimum plane.
The International Development of MWIA (Mary Ward International)
Nicole GibsonMWIA is the development agency of the Loreto Sisters in Australia and South-East Asia. MWIA works in partnership with the Loreto sisters and their colleagues in local communities to develop capacity, particularly for women and children in the developing world, with a strong focus on education in a broad sense.
This is a process, in a relationship, with constant review and many iterations. This is done with a vision to effect structural changes in societies rather than the traditional idea of charity, or relief.
The Importance of Creativity
Sandra JaneThis course will explore the idea of the importance of creativity in our world, looking at advertising and media. Following a presentation by a guest speaker, scholars will visit the National Gallery of Victoria, to view the Rigg Design Prize 2022 exhibition, the first major exhibition of advertising and communication design in the NGV’s history. The Rigg Design Prize 2022 highlights the creativity underpinning the work of eight leading Australian-based agencies. For the exhibition, each agency has developed a suite of campaign assets. The 2022 Prize exhibition showcases the capacity of advertising and communication design to influence how we consume, act and behave as a society while drawing attention to the creative minds behind the campaigns working across graphic design, typography, digital media, film, psychology, and creative writing.
Big Ideas – Think Tank
Caterina ChngIt is thought that humans have been writing for more than 5000 years. Despite changes to the mode in which individuals express themselves in a written format, the need and desire to write are as strong as ever.
This workshop will delve into the benefits associated with the craft of writing, along with the role that written communication has played in the lives of some well-known individuals. In the spirit of ‘Ideation,’ we’ll examine ways to develop ideas for writing projects and enjoyment.
Pompeii in a Day – Session 1: Disaster to Discovery
Kirsti GrahamThe eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD lives in infamy, even today. But what happened on that day? What decisions did residents have to make? How did what the Romans knew of the world impact their choices? Why were things so different a mere 14 kilometres away at Herculaneum? And – given how well-known the event is – why did it take so long for the site to be uncovered? Scholars will examine all of this and more while deciding for themselves – would you stay, or would you flee?
Pompeii in a Day - Session 2: Disaster to Design
Josephine FaganNearly 2,000 years ago, Pompeii was a bustling Roman city located in what is now southern Italy. But in the summer of A.D. 79, the nearby Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted. It spewed smoke and toxic gas 32kms into the air, which soon spread to the town. Almost overnight, Pompeii—and many of its 10,000 residents—vanished under a blanket of ash. Explore the rich culture of the lost city of Pompeii through the analysis of remaining artworks and artifacts. Investigate cultural norms, religious beliefs, society, social hierarchy, and daily life through the myriad of existing artistic works. Design and create your own ceramic artwork in response to your analysis and discussion. Vessels, plates, amphora, and mosaics are a way for you to artistically respond to the material presented in this course.
Design and Power: How might design confront the challenges of global inequality?
Gene Bawden Assoc. Professor, Head of Design, Monash University Faculty of Art, Design, Architecture.
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD lives in infamy, even today. But what happened on that day? Design and power: how might design confront the challenges of global inequality? Design‚ especially the poster, is a powerful public communication tool, as seen in the rich history of political activism. This workshop will encourage students to explore the potential for visual design practices to address and challenge issues such as global inequity, political power imbalances, and models of oppression, along with the systems that enable them. Utilising co-design processes, participants will create a response to a given global challenge that they will realise within the workshop time frame.
During the course, there will be a focus on how MBA students are taught with some additions from Assoc. Prof. Gene Bawden’s research lab on gender equality, sensitivity, and identity.
A Writer’s Perspective
Emily Brewin
Author – Hello, Goodbye (2017), Small Blessings (2019) Writing Educator
Emily Brewin is a Melbourne author and educator. Her first novel, Hello, Goodbye, was published in 2017, and her second, Small Blessings, in 2019, both with Allen & Unwin. She is also the founding educator of the online writing courses platform, Writing Sparks.
Emily has been awarded an Australian Society of Authors Emerging Writers’ and Illustrators’ Mentorship for her fiction writing and has been shortlisted for Hachette Australia’s Manuscript Development Program and Varuna’s Publisher Introduction Program. In 2018, she was awarded a Bundanon Trust artist residency as well as a Moreland Writers residency, to develop her third novel. Emily’s short stories have been shortlisted for a number of literary awards, including the 2019 Margaret River Short Story Competition, the 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize, the Alan Marshall Short Story Award, Overland’s Fair Australia Prize, and the Elyne Mitchell Writing Awards. She has written for publications, The Age, Meanjin, Kill Your Darlings, Archer, Feminartsy, The Victorian Writer, Mamamia, Shine, Metro, and Screen Education magazines. In this presentation, Emily will share her knowledge and experience with aspiring young using the online education platform, Writing Sparks, which is used to teach creative writing in schools and in the community.
Germ Theory
Dr. Sharmini KumarHow did the idea of Germ Theory come about? How has it changed medicine? Why were people slow to believe it?
For hundreds of years in the ‘western’ world, the dominant medical theory was that illness was caused by bad air. How did people arrive at the idea of germs (bacteria, viruses, etc) and how did they test their theories? How did they convince other people to go along with these ideas? And what can we learn from the scientific processes of the past?
This is a process, in a relationship, with constant review and many iterations. This is done with a vision to effect structural changes in societies rather than the traditional idea of charity, or relief.
FACILITATORS
Facilitator Biography – Ella Kee
Ella is focussed on encouraging young people to develop their thinking when it comes to business and health to broaden their skills, understanding and questioning beyond the face value of what they may be told. She is committed to the importance of feedback to enhance student academic performance.
Ella holds Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Health Sciences degrees from Monash University. Upon completion of her undergraduate degrees, she was a tutor for a 3rd year Health Sciences subject and worked for MonCOEH (The Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health) researching and assisting with database development for core morbidities. Subsequently, she completed her Master of Teaching (Secondary Education) focussing on both Business and Health Education at Monash University.
The Empire Strikes: race and colonialism in 19th century English literature
Dr. Sharmini KumarPortrayals of England’s past often leave us thinking it was populated entirely by white people. But it was the centre of a massive empire and people of all backgrounds lived there. Some of the ‘classic’ authors of English literature even wrote about race and colonialism - people like Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and Charles Dickens. What did they see? How did they depict people of colour? How do we see their time differently today? And what can we learn about our present-day multicultural society from them?
Facilitator: Eric Friedman
Eric Friedman has taught Chemistry, Science and Maths at many different Government, Independent and Catholic schools during a long teaching career. He is still passionate about inspiring young people to explore the world around them and achieve their own personal goals.
Eric completed degrees in Science and Commerce, as well as a Master’s degree in Education. He also was seconded to Monash University as a Science Method Lecturer. His fascination for the universe started at an early age and as there were few astronomy courses at the time, he taught himself from books and by talking to people, later from the internet. Lifelong learning is an important part of his life.
In the 2021 Summer Loreto Academy, Eric presented a popular course titled Cosmology: The Origin and Evolution of the Universe. In the 2021 Winter Loreto Academy, Eric organised a group researching Galileo’s scientific inventions and discoveries.
Facilitator: Natalie Caruso
Natalie Caruso has a passion for mathematics and is dedicated to sharing this passion and her knowledge with students. She has been quoted as saying ‘I feel like numbers are my friends, and they snuggle on my pillow next to me at night when I go to sleep.’
Natalie has a Bachelor of Science Education (Mathematics) from Melbourne University and a Graduate Diploma of Science Education (Mathematics) from Curtin University.
Natalie has broad experience as a VCAA assessor and has been on the Mathematical Methods exam panel as a vetter for Units 3 and 4 examinations. She has taught Mathematics at the University level as part of the MUPHAS program, taking tutorials at Melbourne University and teaching this course to students in schools. She is the author of numerous Mathematics textbooks, study guides, and the Checkpoints series for all VCE Mathematics studies.
Natalie is a lifelong learner with a passion for reading and audiobooks, theatre, science and nature, history, and travel.
FACILITATORS FACILITATORS
Facilitator: Tom Watson
Meet the law school graduate who wants to inspire you to go to law school, and become a lawyer, politician, or advocate, despite having zero ambitions to ever practice himself. No, Tom Watson is not sick of hearing the question- ‘why are you teaching me when you could make “bank” practicing as a lawyer?’ The answer lies in the fact that whilst completing his Bachelor of Laws and Master of Teaching degrees, he coupled his studies with coaching sports, including athletics at numerous schools, and it was here where he discovered the most satisfying part of his day- mentoring and supporting young people to achieve what they wanted out of their lives. In the classroom, Tom believes learning is best achieved and most enjoyed when it involves taking a magnifying glass to the world and critiquing what is seen. It is for this reason that Tom teaches, desiring to see students become activists in their worlds and drive the social change that is necessary to improve the world for generations to come.
Facilitator: Janelle Thirard
Janelle Thirard loves patterns and colour and is excited by Chemistry and Mathematics where she can explore these further. Also studying Art and Graphic Communication in her own VCE, she enjoys art, architecture, and music.
Janelle holds a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Science in Chemistry and Mathematics and a Master of Education (IT and Education Administration) from the University of Melbourne. She also undertook further postgraduate study completing a Master of Educational Leadership (Leading Learning) from the Australian Catholic University. Janelle has held various positions of leadership during her teaching career, such as Assistant Head of Science, Head of Mathematics, VCE Coordinator, and Daily Organiser, and is looking forward to her new role as Head of Science.
Janelle loves to spend time with her family and enjoys reading crime, science fiction, and historical fantasy. She enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures and countries.
Facilitator: Sue Burke
Ms. Sue Burke As a visual arts educator and artist, Sue Burke is committed to engaging in the theories that underpin contemporary practice. She seeks to share her passion and insight with scholars, so that they, too, can be creative, critical, and reflective thinkers in the visual arts. Having completed a master’s in visual arts from Monash University several years ago, her practice has been predominant as a painter, although more recently she has explored the art forms of printmaking and mixed media. In 2018, she was the recipient of an art residency from the Skopelos Art Foundation and worked in studios on the Greek Island of Skopelos; it was hard not to be inspired by the view over the Aegean. Sue’s interest in the ways in which artists and their practice are influenced by their personal and cultural context, and the ways in which they continue to find new ways and means of expression to generate contemporary practice are a consistent fascination.
Facilitator: Rose Clurey
Devouring iconic texts such as ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ whilst a student at school, Rose became aware of the power of the written word to transport individuals through time and across cultures. After completing a Bachelor of Education degree, Rose worked as a teacher and co-ordinator for several years before travelling to Italy to pursue her studies of the Italian language. She later returned to Monash University to undertake a Bachelor of Letters, enrolling in subjects including academic and professional writing. Rose’s passion for the sounds and forms of English words led her to complete a Master of Education, specialising in Language Intervention and Hearing Impairment. She enjoys assisting students to develop their mastery of the written and spoken word and is currently contemplating her next ‘academic adventure.’
Facilitator:
Felicity Gilbert
Felicity Gilbert is busy. Seriously, don’t @ her. She has a Bachelor of Communications –Advertising Creative, Literature, and Philosophy major, from RMIT University which she mostly uses to rant about the first season of Mad Men, and over 18 years of experience in public libraries. During her tenure as New Technologies Coordinator for a regional library, she was responsible for designing community learning programs and developing creative learning spaces and labs in nine branch libraries and two mobile libraries. Creativity is Felicity’s first and greatest love and she is here to tell you no cats were ever harmed in the pursuit of curiosity, but she has also been known to be extremely nerdy and write and present papers for IFLA, VALA, and ALIA. When she is not lecturing you on the importance of community access to creative development and life-long learning, you can find Felicity over-analysing pop culture, reading, designing jewellery, reading, painting, reading, and writing terrible pulpy manuscripts.
Facilitator: Elizabeth Piacquadio
Elizabeth’s imagination and curiosity have always fuelled her desire to understand the world around her. After changing her VCE subjects on deadline day, she joined physics and fell madly in love with it. She contemplated a career in engineering but felt that her passion for physics would be put to better use in a classroom, where she could share this joy and sense of wonder with future generations. Elizabeth has completed a Bachelor of Science (Physics) – with Distinction, at RMIT University, and a Master of Teaching (Secondary) at the University of Melbourne. She is incredibly passionate about supporting and engaging students in their endeavours of pursuing STEM pathways, particularly in fields that are underrepresented by women.
FACILITATORS FACILITATORS
Facilitator: Nicole Gibson
Gibson is a committed educator with a sincere passion for developing the minds and characters of young women. Graduating Dux of Loreto Mandeville Hall, she holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours - Australian History), and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne and her postgraduate studies include a Master of Teaching from the University of Melbourne where she was awarded the HTAV Graduate Teacher prize in the learning areas of Historical Thinking and Historical Inquiry. Nicole has practiced commercial law and has also worked in the field of commercial compliance and advice. Nicole has led significant local community development projects and led Loreto Mandeville Hall’s Development Committee which culminated in the establishment of the school’s Bursary fund. She is Deputy Chair of Mary Ward International Australia, having also chaired its Projects and Operations Committee. She enjoys sharing with her students the realities of the work of the Loreto Sisters and their project partners around the world. It is important to Nicole for Loreto students to graduate with knowledge of the world’s travails and wonderment, together with a firm sense of their own capacities to effect change.
Facilitator: Sandra Jane
Facilitator: Sandra Jane
Sandra Jane prides herself in her ability to encourage and develop the creativity of her students. In her 36-year career teaching art and photography she has taken great delight in igniting the imagination of her students and encouraging them to be brave and ambitious in their approach to art making, her key phase being ‘Fortune Favours the Brave’. Jane has published four successful Art and photography textbooks and presented and run workshop to Art teachers at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne University and state, national and international conferences. Her students have consistently achieved excellent results with many achieving some of the best results in the state. Numerous have also had their artworks selected for inclusion in major exhibitions such as the NGV’s Top Arts and the Monash Gallery of Art’s Top Shots. Throughout her career Jane has worked closely with VCAA including being on the panel for the Year 12 Art Examination for over 9 years and being involved in course writing and assessment and the verification of student practical folios across the state. Jane has organised visual arts tours for her students nationally to Tasmania and Canberra and internationally to Italy and America.
Facilitator: Ms Caterina Chng
As Head of Loreto Academy, Caterina Chng has directed the delivery of the Summer and Winter Academy programs and the Loreto X suite of programs. In 2021 and 2022, she was a co-collaborator with Xavier College of the Your Voice. Eyes Open and the Your Voice. What Matters programs. Caterina is an avid Italophile, passionate about fostering a love for the Italian language and culture. She has extensive experience in developing curricula, including the Middle Years Program of the International Baccalaureate, and strives to promote in scholars a life-long love and curiosity for learning across multiple disciplines. A recipient of two Australian government scholarships, she has completed the Diploma Dante Alighieri at L’Isitituto Dante Alighieri, Firenze, and an Endeavour Fellowship at Cà Foscari, Università di Venezia. Caterina has a Bachelor of Arts degree (Italian, French, and English), with Honours in Italian, and has completed a Graduate Certificate in Teaching Religious Education. She holds the C2 level qualification (Native Speaker) in CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and has completed studies in Interpreting and Translating at NATI. Caterina is currently completing her Masters in Interpreting and Translation. She is a presenter at the University of Melbourne VCE Winter School, the VATI (Victorian Association of Teachers of Italian) conference, and a VCE Italian Oral examination assessor for VCCA. Caterina enjoys volunteering at Heide MOMA and loves combining her love of art, culture, and language by organising Study Tours of Italy.
Emily Brewin is a Melbourne author and educator.
Her first novel, Hello, Goodbye, was published in 2017 and her second, Small Blessings, in 2019, both with Allen & Unwin. She is also the founding educator of online writing courses platform, Writing Sparks.
Emily has been awarded an Australian Society of Authors Emerging Writers’ and Illustrators’ Mentorship for her fiction writing, and has been shortlisted for Hachette Australia’s Manuscript Development Program and Varuna’s Publisher Introduction Program. In 2018, she was awarded a Bundanon Trust artist residency as well as a Moreland Writers residency, to develop her third novel.
Emily’s short stories have been short listed for a number of literary awards, including the 2019 Margaret River Short Story Competition, the 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize, the Alan Marshall Short Story Award, Overland’s Fair Australia Prize and the Elyne Mitchell Writing Awards. She has written for publications, The Age, Meanjin, Kill Your Darlings, Archer, Feminartsy, The Victorian Writer, Mamamia, Shine, Metro and Screen Education magazines.
Emily runs the online education platform, Writing Sparks, and teaches creative writing in schools and in the community. She is currently working on her fourth novel, Indie. When she isn’t hunched over her computer, she enjoys cycling and letting loose with her wonderful children, family and friends.
Facilitator: Kirsti Graham
Ms. Kirsti Graham Kirsti Graham is passionate about sharing her love of history and reading with others to support lifelong learning. She loves nothing more than helping students find books to ignite their interest in literature. An avid reader of both fiction and nonfiction, she holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from La Trobe University majoring in archaeology, and a Graduate Diploma of Arts in museum studies and collections management from the Australian National University. After working at the National Museum of Australia as a curator, she returned to Melbourne to complete a Master of Information Management at RMIT and commenced a career in school librarianship.
Facilitator: Josephine Fagan
Flexibility, integrity, and compassion –are the foundations of Josephine Fagan’s practice. She prides herself on her professionalism, practical skills, pedagogical knowledge, wealth of experience, collegiality, and ability to inspire. Through individual, project-based, and collaborative approaches to Art and Design production, Analysis, and Education, Josephine endeavours to develop both the practical and meta-skills that will enable her practice and those with whom she works, to foster a variety of approaches to navigate the future challenges of changing work environments and act as creative agents, ethical global citizens, and leaders.