His... appine ss The Mentonian 2015 www.mentonegrammar.net The Mentonian2015
Please
Thank
our
EST.EDITORS1923 Labore
AS
In the year when we celebrated 10 years of a shared journey there have been many highlights, successes and adventures beyond the classrooms. you to everyone who has been a part of the happiness. thank all 2015 Valedictorians who have led with such joy and enthusiasm this year. enjoy the history and memories that have been made this year.
WE ALSO
Jen Blackburn and Joanne Kamp et Honore A SCHOOL WE, TODAY, PAY TRIBUTE TO THE GIRLS WHO HAVE COME ON THIS JOURNEY. ACKNOWLEDGE THE BOYS WITHOUT WHOSE ACCEPTANCE OF THIS SIGNIFICANT DECISION, THE ROLL OUT OF COEDUCATION AT MENTONE GRAMMAR, WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THE SPECTACULAR SUCCESS IT HAS BEEN. ARE ALL VERY FORTUNATE TO BE THE AMBASSADORS OF THE HISTORY OF MENTONE GRAMMAR. AS WE CREATE THE HISTORY OF THE FUTURE, LET US ENSURE, COLLECTIVELY, THAT THE HISTORY WE ARE CREATING IS AS RICH AS THE HISTORY WE HAVE INHERITED.
WE
We particularly
JAMESPREFECTSSPENCER AND NATASHA HUTTLEY FOUNDERS’ DAY 2015
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 1 93 Page 02 - 18 -LEADERSHIPHeadPrefects-Board - Principal - Deputy Principals - Chaplain Page 19 - 56 --EBLANAHeadofEblanaMaryJonesEarly Learning Centre - Eblana Classrooms Page 57 - 92 -BAYVIEWHeadofBayview - Years 5-8 Page 93 - 104 ---GREENWAYSHeadofGreenwaysGreenwaysCaféProgramLearningJourneys Page 105 - 168 -FROGMOREHeadofFrogmore - Houses - Faculties - Cocurricular Page 169 - 192 -ARTSPerforming Arts - Visual Arts Page 193 - 206 --COMMUNITYFounders’DayGuests&Gatherings Page 207 - 256 -SPORTSwimming - Touch Rugby - Aerobics - Athletics- Cross Country - Sailing - Summer Sport - Winter Sport Page 257 - 264 GROUP PHOTOS Page 265 - 274 STAFF Page 275 - 283 AWARDS Page 284 - 292 VALEDICTORIANS Front cover Pictured: Peronel Taylor Year 9 – Greenways Learning Journey, Mount Arapiles. (Photo courtesy of Catherine Poulton, Greenways) 19 57 169105 193 207 02 Contents
2 | THE MENTONIAN Welcome2015 Back!
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 3
But at the end of the day, it is something far more than these achievements, that makes the two of us so proud to have been the 2015 Head Prefects. It is the way that, in every corridor, everyone greets each other with a smile. At Mentone Grammar, we celebrate those who give 100 per cent effort in whatever passion inspires them. The support that we have for one another and from our teachers, as well as the belief we have in ourselves, makes this place so special to be a part of. We cannot thank the School enough for the countless opportunities and experiences that we have been given, which has allowed us to develop in so many ways. Our School has provided us with a far richer, far more valuable education than just academia. For those continuing at Mentone Grammar beyond 2015, we wish you all the very best for your future years, and we look forward to continuing to watch the culture of Mentone Grammar grow.
Tom Goodwin and Monique Maitland HEAD PREFECTS 2015
Our Cadet Unit also had an exciting year, not only moving the Annual Camp to the last week of Term 2, but by performing commendably at several functions commemorating the Centenary of the ANZAC Gallipoli landings. We have also seen the culture of the Performing Arts continue to grow at Mentone, which was so evident in our August whole school production of Seussical. It is very warming for us to see this, as it not only shows the amazing talent of our students, but also highlights what girls have brought to Mentone
4 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
This year marks the 10th Anniversary of coeducation at Mentone Grammar, and it has been a pleasure for us to lead our School in this special year. We have been proud to see that the place of girls at Mentone has grown immensely in our time, and this year we have been lucky enough to celebrate some of the achievements, born from hard work, from all of our students; 2015 has been a year of remarkable success and many highlights across all areas of the School. On the sporting field, our senior students have led by example after being inspired by Mr Cater’s rousing “opt-in” speech, before the beginning of the sporting season. The Boys’ Basketball Team made history by playing in its first ever AGSV grand final, while the Swimming Team celebrated 50 years of swimming at Mentone Grammar in style, becoming the first team to win back-to-back Boys’ and Girls’ Premierships. Our Touch Rugby Girls’ Team also won its first ever AGSV competition and then the State Championships, after defeating its rivals
PrefectsHead
SCHOOL HAS PROVIDED US WITH A FAR RICHER, FAR MORE VALUABLE EDUCATION THAN JUST ACADEMIA. from the
The Peninsula School in a thriller. In the Winter Season, our Football Boys had their best season for years, winning five matches, and our Boys’ Soccer Team also made the finals. Our combined Athletics Team, with students from Years 5-12, performed better than they had the year before and the success of the Aerobics teams from both Bayview and Frogmore should be celebrated, as they competed at the National Championships in Queensland this year.
Grammar.OUR
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 5
I am pleased to announce that construction of the Creativity Centre commenced in October and is well on schedule. The structure will be completed for commencement of the 2017 school year. The Creativity Centre will provide a wide range of educational offerings, described by the Principal in his Report.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I report on the 2015 year. The School Community can be very proud of the progress of the coeducation model over the 10 years since introduction. Student numbers have progressively increased to over 1,400 and the proportion of boys and girls is most pleasing.
Finances
In September, Board and Executive members met at a Retreat to discuss a revised Strategic Plan for the School. The Retreat included a tour of the School “in operation” with Directors being briefed on features of the Teaching and Learning Togethermodel. with regular Board staff presentations, Directors are continually updated on education directions for the School. These interactions have proved most valuable in delivering a clear appreciation of School initiatives and workings.
Simon Appel OAM CHAIR
At the same time, our education philosophies and strategies continue to evolve in combination with a need for individual care and encouragement. The Principal, Mal Cater, and his supporting Executive provide a contemporary education facility based on extensive research and commitment by teachers and operational staff.
The infrastructure developments over this time have been extensive, and the Board congratulates teachers and operational staff on the management of this development process.
The resources required to ensure extensive and contemporary education facilities are available and considerable.
Infrastructure Developments
Board Directorsof
The Board continues to receive frequent presentations from senior staff describing the focus on contemporary education models and people management across the School. The detail involved in the application of researched advantages in pedagogy are often complex, but the objective is always to enhance the students’ opportunity to succeed.
The School continues to maintain a secure financial position, and has negotiated suitable funding to enable the building of the Creativity Centre. The Board again acknowledges the Principal, Business Manager and Executive team for their valuable contribution in management of budget and funding requirement levels.
Board Presentations and Developments
The Directors acknowledge the substantial contributions being made by teachers and operations staff in development of such a leading education model at Mentone ContinuingGrammar. professional education is a hallmark of successful professionals, and Mentone Grammar emphasises this component.
from the Chair of the
6 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
At our Keysborough Playing Fields major works have been completed to enhance the drainage of the fields, improving the playing surface for all participants. Across all the properties of the School our beautiful landscapes have been maintained and improved. Most recently, The Creativity Centre commenced in October and will be ready for occupation in 2017. All of this and debt free. Good buildings, however, are only as good as the people in them. Our staff register has grown both in number and expertise, including tutors and professional sports coaches, and our students impress all who come into contact with them as happy, healthy, high achieving young people. The School Values, underpinned by our heritage as an Anglican School, stand all members of the community in good stead for success: Integrity, Endeavour, Caring, Discipline, Resilience, Service and Respect.
It is hard to believe that 10 years have now passed since Mentone Grammar became a coeducational School and that, a school of humble beginnings, is now 92 years of age.
Ten years ago 110 daring girls joined our School Community and with it Mentone Grammar began a change process of moving from a traditional boys’ school to a contemporary coeducational school. Along with the dual gender platform much change has occurred in our School and, l feel confident, that all who observe and interact with the School today would be confident that this major strategic decision was well and truly the right one. Our well-researched model of coeducation, Together-Apart-Together, has proven not only to be popular but also educationally and pastorally sound. We finish this year with 485 girls and will start 2016 with over 500 girls. Alongside the growth in girls’ numbers has come continued growth in boys’ numbers. We now have over 900 boys in the School and to house this increasing population we have completed close to $30M of major capital works including: a new Science building refurbished Gregory Fish and Finlay Anderson Libraries a new Eblana Campus Learning Centre the Thorold Hall and McBeath Lecture theatre having been transformed into the Greenways Campus for Year 9 refurbishmentstudentsof the Year 7 learning upgradesspacetothe
Don Ingram Centre development of the glass classrooms in the Frogmore Campus completion of the Sports and Function refurbishmentCentreof the Mary Jones Early Learning Centre enhanced staff spaces increased car parking being provided adjacent to St Augustine’s church To accommodate the needs of this increasing population the School has also made several property purchases in Naples Road converting one into a basketball court and dedicating another of these houses for Counselling and Alumni needs. At our Shoreham camp the dining hall has been refurbished and a much needed classroom has been installed. Artificial turf has been laid at both Mentone on the Bayview / Eblana Oval and at Shoreham outside the dining hall.
The other element of progress which has underpinned the high level staffing and capital improvements is the program from the
Principal
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 7 development. We now have a clearly articulated Teaching and Learning Framework and an Explicit Improvement Agenda – Visible Learning and the roll out of the RULER Program. The School is transitioning its language program from Japanese into Mandarin Chinese. Our classrooms are places of genuine learning and both their layouts and what is being covered within them are evidence of this. Our students can now more clearly articulate their learning and this is enhanced with the provision of Before and After Hours Study Centres across the School staffed by our staff and Mentonian Tutors. The Greenways’ Learning Program has been developed along with rigorous data tracking of students. Research now underpins teaching and learning at the School and we model what is being done in other high performance organisations. We are fortunate to be building on ‘strong foundations’. In light of this I pay tribute to the former Deputy Chair of the School Board, Mr Peter Royston, who retired after 30 years of service and to former Deputy Headmaster, Mr Brian Lewis, who passed away earlier this year. We are creating the history of the future and we must always be grateful and respectful of those who have come before us. Thanks go to the Chair of the Board, Mr Simon Appel, and his Directors who provide valuable expertise as volunteers. THE SCHOOL LaboreSchooland,together–contributionThanksSERVICEDISCIPLINE,ENDEAVOUR,SUCCESS:INOFSTANDANGLICANOURUNDERPINNEDVALUES,BYHERITAGEASANSCHOOL,ALLMEMBERSTHECOMMUNITYGOODSTEADFORINTEGRITY,CARING,RESILIENCE,ANDRESPECT.toallwhohavemadeatotheSchoolthisyearwhenallofthecontributionscomesomethingverypowerfulisformedinthisinstance,itisthewonderfulthatisMentoneGrammar.etHonore Mal Cater PRINCIPAL
What makes Mentone Grammar special for our students? Prior to my interview at Mentone Grammar for the position of Head of Bayview, I watched students, staff and families arrive at and leave the School. Aside from one student who was a little upset as she left the car to enter the Venice Street gates, I was struck by how happy people looked as they arrived and the lack of urgency when leaving. In the five years since, I am still struck by the fact that our community seems to love being around the School.
Pleasingly we jumped 50 places in the school rankings for VCE results for 2014. We hope to continue this positive improvement this year and in subsequent years. Our Student Performance Manager, Wayne Reed, rolled out the second version of our student data collection system, linking this to the online reporting that was also rolled out in 2015. Data and research continue to inform our decisions on both cohort and individual teaching.
In the centenary of the ANZAC, some students, parents and grandparents attended a Battlefields Tour to visit the major battlefields of the two world wars.
Before and after school tutoring improves the connectedness to the School, where students choose to spend more than the traditional 8.30 – 3.30 hours at the School and school hours have become blurred. Cocurricular activities allow our students to shine in areas they least expected. Sport allows families to come together and students to develop not only their physical and tactical skills, but also their resilience, perseverance and ability to work as part of a team.
8 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Two students, a current and past parent and a teacher addressed the Executive at the Executive Retreat on their experience of Mentone Grammar. Overwhelmingly the words used were: community, village and family. To so many people in the Mentone Grammar community, Mentone Grammar is an important extension of their family.
The RULER program was rolled out to all Eblana and Bayview classes. Greenways also developed a class charter. Those staff trained in delivering the RULER program in both these campuses (Emma Heine, Tracey Pate, Kirsty Petschel, Leonie Redfern, Justine Hamilton, Kris Little and Jackie Liepa) took part in the second level of training to link the RULER program to literacy. They were also responsible for rolling out the training to other staff in Bayview and Eblana and I thank them for their efforts in this.
THE ONLY SURE WAY TO AVOID MAKING MISTAKES IS TO HAVE NO NEW IDEAS.
- ALBERT EINSTEIN from the
StrategicPrincipal-Deputy
Explicit Improvement Agenda In 2015 we continued to work on our Explicit Improvement Agenda, in working on the next stages of Visible Learning and a more widespread roll out of the RULER program. In Visible Learning, we choose those aspects of teaching that assist the students to learn the most effectively and work on our skills as teachers to continue to improve. In 2015, we have consolidated our use of learning intentions and success criteria to ensure students understand the purpose of the lesson and what they need to be able to do to achieve this purpose. We also introduced the work of Dylan Wiliam on formative assessment, where we worked on providing effective feedback to students to improve their learning prior to submission of the final project or the sitting of the end of unit or topic test.
Deb Frizza DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – STRATEGIC
Battlefields Tour
A wonderful way to explore Australia’s history in war, with the stories and legends of these wars brought to life for all participants.
The program has, at its heart, the School’s Value of Service and also helps to foster our core Values of Respect, Endeavour, Integrity and Caring. Through the School’s Social Service Program, our School motto ‘by work and with honour’, is lived out in the lives of our young people. There can be no more honourable labour than that which seeks to bring comfort to those in need. Through the opportunities and experiences of this program, students are encouraged to expand their horizon of care and to develop a lifelong passion for serving others.
The best a school can offer is a holistic education that not only provides students with myriad opportunities to allow them to find their passion, but also enables students to be their best. Such an education allows students to go on to lead meaningful and rewarding lives.
To continue to broaden our support beyond the classroom, the introduction of Mentone Stories has been a most encouraging initiative. Presentations that address the key parenting issues affecting our Community have been very well received. In 2015, presentations by renowned experts on Cyberbullying, Raising Happy Children, Successful Study Techniques and Drugs and Alcohol have been very well supported. The focus of these nights has been to not only provide parents with practical tips and advice, but also to provide a forum for our families to learn from each other. Through the power of storytelling, Mentone Stories is about providing opportunities for families to learn from each other as they share their experiences, challenges and successes. We look forward to continuing this initiative in 2016. With best wishes Jarrod O’Neill
Mentone Grammar’s Social Service mission is to educate and encourage lifelong empathy and action in our students. The Program focuses on providing our students with opportunities and experiences that enable them to look beyond their own concerns and engage with the needs of others. Students are encouraged to develop an awareness of the needs of others and are empowered to find ways to help disadvantaged members of the community. This whole School program fosters relevant and age-appropriate engagement at the local, national and international level.
Opportunities exist in the classroom, on the sports field, on stage, on a learning journey or in the service of others. In 2015, an audit of our Social Service initiatives highlighted the need to create a more cohesive, focused plan to continue to develop our strong commitment to serving others.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 9
As part of our Anglican ethos, we continue to build connections with groups and organisations that help those in need. We support our local community and organisations that have a focus on education and the needs of young people at a national and international level. In response to times of need, the program will also facilitate students’ desire to give by channelling funds and resources to the appropriate organisations.
OperationsPrincipal-Deputy
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – OPERATIONS WE WORK VOLUNTARILY TO HELP OTHERS WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN. - MENTONE GRAMMAR VALUES CHARTERfrom the
10 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Roger’s love and passion for PNG is well known and we benefitted immensely from the exposure he gave to many students and staff of life in PNG and the Australian connections, particularly through the Kokoda Track. I worked with Roger for 11 years and couldn’t figure out how he could manage going to PNG during two to three school holiday periods a year, every year. But one trip with him and I realised that some things you can only learn when you see, hear and feel through your own senses. Roger’s passion for the Track and his deep respect for the actions of Australian soldiers in WWII were matched by his passion for Melbourne students to see real life in PNG and appreciate the sacrifices of our troops and get a real perspective on their own lives.
Another big thank you is to all the students and staff who have been involved with our weekly visits to Yarrabah School and for those who organised the Siblings Camp for Yarrabah students at Shoreham. It has been a pleasure to see our relationship with Yarrabah develop as our students show care and friendship to their students and their students challenge us with their strength and resilience.
Let me conclude with an image from one of Jesus’ stories that we looked at in our House Services. The father greets with open heart and arms his rebellious and selfish son on his return home; reminding us that above all God loves us and desires to be in relationship with us. Rev. Michael Prabaharan CHAPLAIN
Having farewelled Roger with a rapturous standing ovation at Frogmore Assembly we then welcomed the Rev. Andrew Stewart from the beginning of this year.
Andy has been running a Christian student discussion group which is a time open for anyone to come and discuss matters of faith and religion, in the Chaplaincy Centre. Andrew comes in one lunchtime a week and is an established presence now with lots of hearty discussion and chatter.
Andrew who is married to Penny and has two daughters, lives locally. He was Chaplain at Caulfield Grammar for 14 years and is a passionate reader and movie buff, as our Bayview students will attest. Andrew has hit the road running getting to know the Mentone Community and culture with great enthusiasm. This year we commenced having voluntary communion services twice a term. These are run before school on a Wednesday morning at St Augustine’s and are open to staff, students and parents. They have been well attended and well received. It’s been great to have Rev. Andrew Lake on the team. He’s always present at our communion services and often pops in at our Eblana Chapel services. Andrew has initiated a lot of family friendly services like Pizza Church and Messy Church which are fun things to explore if you’re looking at different ways of doing church. My thanks also go to Andy Mitchell, Youth Minister at Beaumaris Baptist Church.
After 17 years of colourful service, we farewelled our much loved Chaplain “Rev” Roger Williams and in his stead welcomed Rev. Andrew Stewart. from the Chaplain
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 11 student Leadership 2015 HEAD PREFECTS Monique Maitland, Mr Mal Cater (Principal), Tom Goodwin 2015 PREFECTS Row 3: Mats Manallack, Andrew Todd, Joseph Eddy Row 2: James Spencer, Jaidyn Muhandiramge, Nicola Leahy, Natasha Huttley, Amitty Edgeworth, Nicholas Meehan Row 1: Georgina Gore, Edward Hall, Monique Maitland (Head Prefect), Mr Mal Cater (Principal), Tom Goodwin (Head Prefect), Brayden Morrow, Laura Cox 2015 HOUSE CAPTAINS Edward Hall (Finlay Anderson), Georgina Gore (Anderson), Brayden Morrow (Jones), Alexander Shermon (Lionel Large), Timothy Rossi (Deighton), Justin Green (Drinan), Lachlan Dawson (Were), John Papasimeon (White)
12 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 2015 SENIOR COCURRICULAR CAPTAINS Natasha Huttley (Community Service), James Spencer (Public Speaking), Nicola Leahy (Community Service), Maxwell Morison (Performing Arts), Caitlin New (Performing Arts) Absent: Yuangyuan Xia (International Students) 2015 SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP CAPTAINS Row 3: Jessica Paterson, Casey Harrop, Conor Beveridge, Ryan Chand, Casper Bjarnason Row 2: Teaghan Avery, Georgia Petfield, Lauren Zahra, Tahnee Streatfeild, Emma Doyle, Emily Keogh Row 1: Siam Campbell, Gabrielle Burton, Natasha Huttley, Nicola Leahy, Jessie Ryan-Taylor, Caibiran Deas, Putri Marsh Absent: Brittany Chambers, Sarah Cimino, Nattha Ellis, Tom Goodwin, Maddison Musgrove, Alexander Shermon 2015 SENIOR COCURRICULAR SPORTS CAPTAINS Todd CaibiranBlasse,Deas student Leadership
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 13 2015 BAYVIEW CAPTAINS Mr Michael Martin (Deputy Head of Bayview), Bronte MrBenjaminReark,Pertich,JohnTwist(Head of Bayview) 2015 SENIOR PREMIERSHIP SWIMMING CAPTAINS Jonathan Koh, Nicholas Capomolla, Georgina Gore 2015 BAYVIEW ACADEMIC & COCURRICULAR CAPTAINS Row 2: Ms Joanne Kamp, Karly Georgantis, Benjamin Pertich, Torey Bernamoff, Mr John Twist, Mr Michael Martin Row 1: Isabella Daddo, Bronte Reark, Jakob Sloan, Nicholas Thiele, Tessa Styles, Mia Watkins
14 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 student Leadership 2015 BAYVIEW COMMUNITY SERVICE CAPTAINS Row 2: Mr Michael Martin, Elyssa Osianlis, Ms Joanne Kamp, Mackenzie Howe, Mr John Twist Row 1: Holly Svojtka, Emma Rothberg, Stephanie Giccominato, Dekota Mark, Jacquie Mendel
Row
Row
Row
HOUSE AND
2015 BAYVIEW SPORTS CAPTAINS 3: Cate Rausz, Damon Rimanic, Dominique Taylor, Joshua Cooley 2: Ms Joanne Kamp, Thomas Dyer, Erin Porter, Abby Leonard, Alexandra Sheppard, Emma Scherger, Mr Michael Martin, Mr John Twist 1: Tarn Smith, Sienna Bolton, Bridie Wilson, Amelia Vise, Phoebe Wearne, Ruby Timms 2: Mr Michael Martin, Nicholas Berry, Ms Joanne Kamp, Vincent Thai-Chan, Mr John Twist Row 1: Charlotte Pate, Helena Papasimeon, Megan Bresnehan, Alexandra Richards, Zoe Lancaster, Alexandra Watkin
2015 BAYVIEW PERFORMING ARTS AND PUBLIC SPEAKING CAPTAINS Row
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 15 2015 EBLANA LEADERS 01 Eblana Captains William Nish, Emily Zallmann 02 Eblana House Captains Row 2: Lachlan Smith, James Dennis, Alyce Kerr, Finn Vorrath, Declan McNamara Row 1: Stefan Somogyi, Hamish Roberts, Nicholas Di Rosato, Jada Stephens, Jack Rimanic, Patrick Riley, Toby Straw Absent: Baxter Wollen 03 ISIC Ambassadors George Fennessy, Makenzie Flower, Alexander Barrett, Samuel Morgan 04 Reading Ambassadors Brandon Veza, Matthew Scott, Lachlan Adams, Harrison Cowan, Michael Krol, Anirudh Hariram 05 Social Service Captains Luke Weeks, Adam Sabih, Peter Natsioulas, Christian Howe, Keira Richmond, Keira Patron 06 Performing Arts Captains Nichola Di Tirro, Ruby Samild, Mrs Debra McLeod, Nicholas Saunders, Madyssen Kalogerakis 07 Sports Assistants Hayden Cooley, Lewis Wagstaff, Sean Lai, Joshua Lai 060402 01070503
James Spencer James, you have been appointed as a School Prefect due to your contributions and service to five areas in the life of the School and as a result of your genuine leadership. You have made major contributions and shown leadership in the areas of academic work, Public Speaking, House activities, Cadets and Sport. You are an exemplar in academic work, always striving to do your best. You are Captain of Public Speaking and have been active in promoting and modelling this activity in the school for a number of years now. You have always been ready to help organise and to participate in all and any House events. You are an elite standard golfer and have represented the School over many years in this sport, alongside being a member of the First Tennis team. from the
Monique Maitland Head Prefect 2015 Monique is heavily involved in School Sport – Swimming, Aerobics, Athletics, Cross Country, Netball and Touch Rugby. She has represented Victoria in Touch Rugby for three years. She undertakes private music lessons. She has been involved in the School’s productions of Bugsy Malone, Alice in Wonderland, A Christmas Carol and Grease. She is a leader in our Cadet Unit, has been involved in Zaidee’s, Public Speaking and School Tours. She has represented the School at conferences and over the holidays, Lady Somers Camp. Outside of School she is a member of a dance school where she works on not only improving her own dance performance but in assisting younger dancers to improve their dance. She is a referee for Touch Rugby outside of School. Her academic performance is always of the highest order. Tom Goodwin Head Prefect 2015 Tom represents the School in First Basketball, First Football and Athletics. He plays the clarinet and has been involved in numerous school bands and orchestras. He is a champion debater having won one of the Debating Association of Victoria’s most prestigious awards, a Swannie, on three occasions. Last year he was awarded the DAV Best Year 11 Speaker in the State. He has represented the School in a number of public speaking competitions. He is a member of our Tournament of Minds Team where he not only brings his own great intellect to the table but he also mentors younger students. He plays in a Basketball team outside of School. He also plays Football outside of the School. He has been involved in the School’s Community Service program. He always posts extremely strong grades and effort ratings.
CitationsPrefectPrincipal
Another principal ‘raison d’etre’ of the School is to develop academically high achieving students. You work extremely hard, you have excellent study habits and, up until this point in time, you have produced outstanding academic results. By your demeanour, behaviour and actions you epitomise what is needed to be an excellent student. Rather than detailing all of the areas you are currently involved in, this citation is focused on you, the person. I am delighted to appoint you as a School Prefect of Mentone Grammar.
16 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Andrew Todd Andrew, one of the principal ‘raison d’etres’ (reason for being) of a school such as Mentone Grammar is to develop well-rounded, honest, thoughtful, kind and compassionate young people who can go out into the community to become model citizens. Your character epitomises the type of young person the School Values aspire to develop. Your character is exemplary and does reflect very closely the School Values – making you a great role model for other students to follow and making you an obvious choice for the leadership role of School Prefect.
In Cadets you are a Cadet Under Officer. In character you are sincere, thoughtful, caring of others and hard-working – all aspects of character that mirror one or more of the School Values. These examples of leadership and contributions to the life of the School, together with your personality, well qualify you for the position of School Prefect at Mentone Grammar. Natasha Huttley Natasha, your public speaking skills were on show at Founders’ Day this year and alongside your involvement in Cadets where you are a Cadet Under Officer, your leadership of the Girls’ First Tennis, your strong involvement in Community Service programs around the School, the leadership you display in your House and in our classrooms; you have shown yourself to be a true leader in our School Community and beyond. You represented the School at Lady Somers Camp earlier this year where the leaders of the camp spoke about you in glowing terms. You are highly organised and you genuinely care about other people. You display the School Values and l am delighted to appoint you as a School Prefect. Jaidyn Muhandiramge Jaidyn, you are driving academic success within your peer group and, therefore, within the School in a determined, quietly effective manner. Your peers hold you in great esteem as do the staff for the way in which you approach school in general. You are unselfish in supporting others. Your commitment to Music, Public Speaking and Debating, School Sport, House activities, role modelling to all and ensuring that high standards are set in all that you undertake make you a suitable person to be appointed as a School Prefect. You ‘set the bar’ very high and you always meet the challenges put in front of you.
Nicholas Meehan Nick, your leadership is most on display within our Music Program where you are very heavily involved and a strong, positive influence on not only your peers but also on those younger than you. You are involved in a number of musical groups, always the first to volunteer to assist others and, in activities such as the Mount Gambier jazz tour you were more like having an extra member of staff on board than an additional student. You involve yourself enthusiastically in Sport, House activities and your reports reflect favourably on you. I am delighted to appoint you as a School Prefect.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 17
Laura Cox Cadets, Hockey, Community Service, House leader, excellent role model. Laura, you exhibit the School Values in all that you undertake. You are an encourager of others and, despite coming into this year with health issues, you have set a ‘cracking’ pace in leading others both within and outside of our classrooms. You display genuine leadership in all that you undertake and l am delighted to appoint you as a School Prefect.
Georgina Gore Well l remember watching you at the 2014 AGSV Swimming Sports making your way down to the blocks on crutches where, with a seriously injured ankle, you hopped onto the blocks and represented the School with distinction. That quiet determination underpins you as a leader and in Cadets, leading your House
18 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 and in your academic work you are an outstanding role model for others. You set yourself high standards and you strive to achieve them. This style of leadership makes a significant difference within our School and l am, therefore, delighted to appoint you as a School Prefect.
Edward Hall Woodie, you go about your business in a cheerful manner and you make our School a better place by the example you set. Your involvement is broad and, in all that you undertake, you set high standards not only for yourself but also for others. Your influence is significant both within the classroom and outside of it. Your devotion to the School is noticeable and it is through your strong soft skills that you endear yourself to others in such a positive manner. I am delighted to appoint you as a School Prefect. Mats Manallack Mats, you are a high performing student but what stands out in the sphere of leadership is the support you give others, the example you set and the impact you have as a ‘quiet achiever’. You are evidence that sometimes the best leaders say little but do lots. Your personal demeanour both within the School and outside of it makes you a fine young person. I am delighted to appoint you as a School Prefect. Amitty Edgeworth Amitty, you are viewed by others and myself as a young person who strives to achieve their potential through dogged determination. This is evident in the various activities you are involved in and it makes you an excellent leader within our Community. You role model the School Values and your participation in a variety of activities highlights the genuine leader that you are. People like you make our School a better place and l am delighted to appoint you as a School Prefect.
Brayden Morrow Bray, over the years you have not only shown great passion for this School and all that it does but your actions have strongly supported this. By doing, as you have done, you have demonstrated great leadership. Your application in our classrooms and outside of them with your study practices, your high level of organisation and commitment to excellence, your leadership of Jones House, your involvement in our Sport Program alongside of being a polite, well groomed, pleasant young man makes you an ideal candidate for the position of School Prefect. I am delighted to appoint you as a School Prefect of Mentone Grammar.
Nicola Leahy Recently you led, along with a number of other students, our first ever Yarrabah Camp. This camp is a milestone event for the Community Service program of our School in showing that we do things rather than just raise funds for organisations. Not only were you a significant leader of this program but you have been a driver of our Community Service program. You display high levels of organisation and initiative. You also display the School Values to a high level. Your involvement has been broad and your contribution to the Academic Program of the School has been sound. I am delighted to appoint you as a School Prefect of Mentone Grammar. Joseph Eddy Joe, your nominees use words such as “a young man of outstanding character and integrity.” They describe you as “refreshingly honest yet superbly sensitive, caring, thoughtful.” They comment on your leadership in our classrooms and in the development of a stronger academic culture within the School, in Debating and Oratory, attending Communion Services, participating in House activities, School Sport and caring for others. You display the School Values and your role modelling around the School is noticeable. You go about your business in a quiet, effective manner, sensitive to the needs of others and l am delighted to acknowledge this with your appointment as a School Prefect.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 19 His... appine ss EBLANA THIS YEAR HAS SEEN EBLANA DEMONSTRATE THE DYNAMIC NATURE OF OUR SCHOOL, A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AND A RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF ACHIEVING ‘OUR BEST’, OR AS THE STUDENTS OFTEN SAY, ‘BETTER THAN OUR BEST’. - JOHN NOLAN
The term cacophony might sound harsh. If we speak literally, cacophony infers a mix of harsh and inharmonious sounds. In literature the term refers to words with sharp, harsh, hissing and unmelodious sounds primarily those of consonants, to achieve desired results.
20 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Head of Eblana
However, in everyday life, an example of cacophony would be the amalgamation of different sounds you hear in a busy classroom or playground. You hear sounds of conversation, laughter, debate, announcements on loudspeakers, music, chatter, a narrator, the ping of computers, the shuffle of pages, the scratching of pencils, voices reading aloud, the kick of a ball, a tumbling block tower, the shriek of delight, the cheer of achievement, the silence of a puzzle, the joy of laughter, the melody of songs, the clapping of hands and the stamping of feet - all at the same time and without harmony. This year has seen Eblana demonstrate the dynamic nature of our School, a commitment to excellence and a relentless pursuit of achieving ‘Our Best’, or as the students often say, ‘better than our best’. Visible Learning has seen our teachers both reflective and responsive to student needs in preparing them for the future, as they supported students to reach their full potential academically, socially and emotionally. I thank our committed, proactive and dedicated staff who worked hard to help each child reach their potential. Our team has high expectations and adopts a wide variety of innovative teaching practices. We continued our clear vision and purpose and focused on excellence in teaching and learning to Our classroom walls opened up as staff and students enjoyed numerous excursions and visitors at all year levels, thus adding to our learning with meaning in inspiring environments. These included trips to: Yarrabee Yesterday’s World, Scienceworks, Werribee Zoo, Melbourne Zoo, The Botanic Gardens, Port Phillip Bay foreshores, marine parks, the Dolphin Research Program with our ISIC Ambassadors, Healesville Sanctuary, IMAX, Ashcombe Maze, Ricketts Point, Puffing Billy, Melbourne Aquarium, the MCG and Sports Museum, Melbourne Museum, Chesterfield Farm, Myuna Farm, the CSIRO, Gardens Ceres Environmental Park and the Lego Education Centre. Ongoing development of our curriculum saw students gain valuable insights into Australia’s indigenous cultures. Our Shoreham camp site was again the venue for our Years 3 and 4 camps, where further outdoor adventure learning and social development strengthened amid a fun-filled Celebratingprogram.specialdays and events created memorable highlights this year. They included Harmony Day, Chinese Culture Day, our Cross Country run at Keysborough Playing Fields, a Mother’s Day Morning Tea, a Father’s Day Breakfast, a Dads’ Footy Morning, Book Week - where books lit up our world and the Eblana Christmas Pageant, just to help our students to be both adaptable and responsible in their learning. Our classrooms continued to promote and embrace harmonious, respectful relationships. To this end, we adopted the RULER program: Recognise emotions in self and others Understanding the causes and consequences Labelling emotions accurately Expressing emotions appropriately Regulating emotions effectively. In Eblana, these fundamental RULER tools have assisted individuals’ ability to understand and regulate their own emotions and to consider and empathise with how others are feeling and, in doing so, foster the kind of healthy emotional climate essential to personal growth. Quality teaching and learning is evident at all times of the day reaching crescendos on many exciting occasions, none more so than in our performing arts program of musical soirees, instrumental concerts, Wakakirri, assembly and chapel performances and, of course, our beautiful Christmas Pageant. The emphasis on enjoyment through dance, song, speech and presentation resulted in great moments of entertainment, skill acquisition and personal development.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 21 Sports Assistants: Joshua Lai, Sean Lai, Hayden Cooley and Lewis Wagstaff. Their willingness and initiative to be involved was commendable and I thank them sincerely. We were supported by many parents, grandparents and family friends who enriched our programs through their involvement, which included sharing of their knowledge, interests and skills. They have all assisted in strengthening the real life learning of students of all year levels. I sincerely thank the parents and grandparents in our community who, along with extended family and friends, enrich Eblana through their support, praise, hard work and positivity. Your energies, interests and knowledge in the classroom, on excursions, at sport, back stage, as costume and make-up artists, as ‘fixers’, ‘makers’ and ‘doers’, as chefs, botanists and readers have been immeasurable and deeply appreciated, we applaud you!
I congratulate our student leaders of 2015 and commend them for their involvement, dedication and achievements. They are: Eblana Captains Emily Zallmann and William Nish, Eblana House Captains, Hamish Roberts and Toby Straw (Anderson), Finn Vorrath and Jada Stephens (Deighton), Patrick Riley (Drinan), Stefan Somogyi and Lachlan Smith (Finlay Anderson), Baxter Wollen and Alyce Kerr (Jones), Nicholas Di Rosato (Lionel Large), Jack Rimanic (Were) and James Dennis and Declan McNamara (White), ‘i sea, i care’ Ambassadors: Alexander Barrett, George Fennessy, Makenzie Flower and Samuel Morgan. Performing Arts Captains: Nichola Di Tirro, Nicholas Saunders, Ruby Samild and Madyssen Kalogerakis, Social Service Captains: Keira Patron, Keira Richmond, Peter Natsioulas, Christian Howe, Adam Sabih and Luke Weeks, Leading Reading Ambassadors: Lachlan Adams, Anirudh Hariram, Matthew Scott, Harrison Cowan, Michael Krol and Brandon Veza and THIS IS EBLANA - A HAPPY CACOPHONY OF BUSY, PRODUCTIVE AND LIVELY EDUCATION IN ACTION.
Finally, I thank all contributors to the adventures experienced by the Eblana Campus community - another most wonderful year. To the Eblana staff, those valuable educators, I say thank you for a productive, exciting and successful year! Together as a vibrant community, we can look forward to the happy cacophony awaiting us in 2016.
John Nolan HEAD OF EBLANA name a few. These events allowed us to learn cooperatively across year levels, beyond the classroom. We continued to develop leadership qualities in our young students, supporting growth in confidence, self-worth, personal ability, talents and responsibility. Year 4 students led our student body as they encouraged and promoted social awareness and service activities through fundraising for our annual Red Cross Appeal and Brotherhood of St Laurence Appeals. Their involvement as hosts on occasions such as our Mother’s Day Morning Tea, Grandparents’ Day and Orientation Day activities was both delightful and inspiring.
Over the year our staff has implemented programs to see all children exposed to a rich variety of activities, all planned to challenge and engage the children whilst ensuring the children’s voices were heard. A classroom charter was established that individually met the needs of the children in the group, and visible learning and success criteria were documented throughout the rooms, so that families could be active participants in their child’s learning. With every child having a living document in the form of a portfolio for the family to view and add to throughout the year enabled everyone to see the growth of their child across all five learning outcomes as well as providing a way of sharing what occurred in the classes.
22 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
It has been a pleasure to visit all the rooms throughout the year and see the children playing, communicating their thoughts and needs to their peers and teachers alike. They have celebrated their achievements and enjoyed the sense of belonging to a community, outside of their family.
What a joyous year it has been in the Mary Jones Early Learning Centre. We started the year by welcoming the birth of Ms White’s baby Charlie, the arrival of Ms Leahy to our dynamic team and we welcomed 70 new families to the ELC.
Mary Jones Early Learning Centre
Over the year the Early Learning Centre has had many memorable occasions, starting with Sportacus at the start of year which taught the children about healthy foods and exercise. Next came our special Mother’s Day sports day at our Keysborough Playing Fields, then a visit to the Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra along with their special show of Stan and Mabel. We also had visits from fire fighters, paramedics, the dentist, an emergency room physician, the dads came along for a Father’s Day breakfast and to play footy, we enjoyed Moonlight Sanctuary and we concluded the year with a visit from Chester the Bear. Every room has had families visit and assist to extend our program, whether it be cooking, specialist art activities, assisting with pyjama day, Book Week to name just a few. Without this generous support it would not be possible to do so many exciting activities across the curriculum. We are most grateful. Each room in the ELC undertook a special art project for our Eblana Art Show, which is held every two years. It has astounded me what beautiful Asian art has been created by the children, and I am sure all our visitors were impressed by the quality of artwork on display from all our children in Eblana.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 23
WE CANNOT WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR WHAT PATH THEY FOLLOW AND TO SHARE IN FUTURE ACHIEVEMENTS AND KNOW THAT WE HELPED PROVIDE THEM WITH THE NECESSARY BUILDING BLOCKS TO ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.
I know I speak on behalf of all the ELC staff by saying that it has been a pleasure to teach your child, to become a special part of their life for the year, and each and every one has stolen a tiny piece of our heart and will always be remembered. We cannot wait to see or hear what path they follow and to share in future achievements and know that we helped provide them with the necessary building blocks to achieve their dreams.
This year saw the inaugural Pre-Prep Swimming Program held over two weeks. The children learnt many skills from this program, whether it be improving their swimming skills, learning to listen to instructions from another adult to undressing and dressing themselves.
It was amazing to see how much they improved over this time and it will certainly continue next year.
Libby Chislett DIRECTOR
24 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Mary Jones Early CentreLearningKinder IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO VISIT ALL THE ROOMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND SEE THE CHILDREN PLAYING, COMMUNICATING THEIR THOUGHTS AND NEEDS TO THEIR PEERS AND TEACHERS ALIKE. THEY HAVE CELEBRATED THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AND ENJOYED THE SENSE OF BELONGING TO A COMMUNITY, OUTSIDE OF THEIR FAMILY.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 25 class photos Kinder KINDERGARTEN O Harrison Arendarcikas Linpeng Fu Joseph Habib Addison Hamilton Harry Knott Summer Lettieri Kaylee Lyons Siara McCarthy Thomas Newman Harrison Nuttall Lucy Piper Sophia Pipito Callum Tzounos Ryan Wagner Lily Walker Jaki CO-EDUCATORAtwell Tammy CO-EDUCATORFrankland Vikki KINDERGARTENTEACHEROctiganLMONDAY – WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY – FRIDAY GROUPS Sophie Apostolidis Zac Bainbridge Mia Basin Harry Bowers Hudson Chan Luke Colliver Harrison Edwards Dylan Falvo Nathan Jones Isla Lettieri Jordi Poulios Owen Roach Amelia Shimmin Violet Winestone Samantha CO-EDUCATORCunnington Tammy CO-EDUCATORFrankland Alana TEACHERLeahy Sally TEACHERSmith Helena Chorianopoulos Levi Dayaseela Pippa Leonard Liam Nassau Maxwell O’Connor Hudson Park Xavier Petrou Elke Plevritis Hudson Swifte Charles Weber Ella Wloszczak Not pictured: Harry Hodgetts Issa Sabin
26 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Mary Jones Early Learning Centre Pre-Prep
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 27 I KNOW I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF ALL THE ELC STAFF BY SAYING THAT IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO TEACH YOUR CHILD, TO BECOME A SPECIAL PART OF THEIR LIFE FOR THE YEAR, AND EACH AND EVERY ONE HAS STOLEN A TINY PIECE OF OUR HEART AND WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED.
28 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 class photos Pre-Prep PRE-PREP B PRE-PREP C Sheikh Aneeb Christian Benson Oscar Cox Christopher Hobbs Jack Lawson Ava Lucas James O’Connor Diesel O’Leary Stella Black Sophia Bradd Harrison Coulson Lachlan Davey Samuel Dickinson Ashanah Griffith Lily Kerr Sonny Mckinnon Parker Owen Jonah Russell Ashlee Schultz Jack Wall Ella Weber Penelope Whelpton Vicki TEACHERBeaumont Veronica CO-EDUCATORByrnes Brandon Milat Eli Murphy Levi Patrick Samir Rahhali Patrick Reynolds Ava Vij Kaiden Waring Caroline CO-EDUCATORHegarty Christene CO-EDUCATOROrchard Haley TEACHERCotton Not pictured: Maxwell Czarnota
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 29 PRE-PREP CF Archer Armstrong Kallis Bernasconi Chloe Britter Charlotte Carroll Charlotte Ellix Ava Glotzer Jim Garnett Sam Mibus Monti-PlummerGiuseppe Alexia Pipito Harrison Sheedy Monty Tucker Benjamin Watson Harry Watson Jonah Wong Susan CO-EDUCATORBennett Libby TEACHERChislett Miriam Floyd TEACHER PRE-PREP M Caeden Adams William Baker Evyn Boettcher Ruby Castello Edward Forkes Harrison Gumbrell Connor Jackson James Kerr Mya Kilany Lachlan Majstorovic Hudson Nicholson Claudia Piotrowski Astrud Richard Anish Saigal Lucy Sweeny Jacqueline Buchan CO-EDUCATOR Ken TEACHERMorrish
Foundation2015
H&S
Everything was new, we settled into the routines of school, met our teachers and played with new friends. We shared stories about our families and personal history and researched creatures with claws, scales and tails! A wildlife ranger even came to visit and brought in his furry, feathery and scaly friends for us to meet and hold. We also began to read and write! We labelled diagrams and traced sentences with capital letters and full stops.
Meg Hayes and Laura Savage AND ALL THE FOUNDATION CHILDREN
The 2015 Foundation classrooms have been such an exciting and engaging place! This first year of formal schooling has been one crammed with new learning experiences from start to finish. The skills, knowledge and understanding students have developed since that very first day are enormous and it has been a privilege and a thrill to be a part of their learning journey.
Term 3 Our second semester began with investigations into Our Community, including visits from police officers and fire fighters as well as a Mentone community walk and an excursion to the LEGO Education Centre, where we designed and built our own cities. Tying in with this unit, we explored mapping and location in Mathematics, as well as creating graphs and tallies, investigating weight and capacity and continuing to build our number and place value knowledge. Complementing our Literacy focus on writing persuasive texts and poetry, along with improving reading fluency and expression, our wonderful Book Week activities included a parade of book characters and a visit from author and illustrator Mitch Vane.
Term 2 We arrived back at school full of energy and with an eagerness to learn. We dived into studying farms and the importance they have in our lives. To consolidate our learning, we took a trip to Chesterfield Farm, where we fed hungry animals, rode on a tractor, milked a cow and discovered the food and materials that farms give us. This term also had a Numbers focus. We used songs to help us count forwards and backwards, and identify numbers before and after. We identified odd and even numbers and were introduced to addition and division concepts.
Term 1
Term 4 Term 4 saw us scurry into the world of Minibeasts, where we loved discovering all about insects, bugs and other creepy crawlies. As part of this unit, we also enjoyed our third exciting excursion for the year, visiting the Melbourne Museum Bugs Alive exhibition and watching 3D Flight of the Butterflies at IMAX. Back in the classroom, we consolidated our understanding of addition, subtraction and division and explored 3D shapes, patterns and money. We also developed our imaginative writing and informative writing skills. The year culminated in our Eblana Christmas Pageant, where we entertained everyone with our cheerful rendition of favourite Christmas songs.
30 | THE MENTONIAN
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 31 EVERYTHING WAS NEW, WE SETTLED INTO THE ROUTINES OF SCHOOL, MET OUR TEACHERS AND PLAYED WITH NEW FRIENDS. WE SHARED STORIES ABOUT OUR FAMILIES AND PERSONAL HISTORY AND RESEARCHED CREATURES WITH CLAWS, SCALES AND TAILS!
Year 1 Little & Richards enjoyed an amazing year together with many Beginninghighlights.theyear the students completed their very first grown up project, each creating a timeline of their lives to share with their peers. These were presented proudly, sharing milestones and cute baby photos as well as learning about the importance of sequencing events. These timelines were used as an anchor for the Recount writing unit. The children zoomed into their timeline and wrote in detail about an important event in their lives so far. A great start to the year.
The children were able to compose their own free verse poems after experimenting with alliteration in Tongue Twisters. In August we celebrated Book Week, with plenty of us sharing books and enjoying our talented illustrator visit from Mitch Vane. The week was filled with books and reading events complemented by our dress up day and a great complement to our ‘Authors as Mentors’ unit on Nick Bland. After the relaxing holiday break our last term of the year was full of wonder. The Year 1s were lucky enough to visit both the Werribee Open Range Zoo and the Melbourne Zoo. The children were able to compare the two types of zoos and delve into the different habitats the two zoos used to house their animals. With educational sessions, safari bus rides, nature walks and exhibit visits, the children gained an amazing amount of knowledge to include in their PowerPoint presentations. Taking pride in their achievements, the children were keen to share what they had produced, doing so with much excitement.
It has been a fantastic year and we wish all the Year 1 children all the very best. We look forward to them coming back to visit and share their achievements with us.
Jessica Richards, Kris Little, John Nolan and Anastasia Antoniadis life today. We celebrated Chinese Day and enjoyed all the activities on offer for the day, with the most popular being the Chinese Dragon dance. The Cross Country event was held in May along with the Mother’s Day morning tea, the weather was beautiful for our trek out to our Keysborough Playing Fields and we all tried very hard to do our best, especially for our mums. We also embarked on a ‘Spot the Difference’ Science with Food unit which produced some remarkable results. Looking at changes in food, the children enjoyed freezing, heating, and stirring foods then predicting and observing the changes. Making ice cream in a bag was the highlight from this unit. Term 3 saw Mr Little jet off on his amazing trip and Year 1 welcomed Mrs Antoniadis to the team. This term began with immersion in poetry.
Over Term 2 we went back in time to look at family life when our parents and grandparents were young. We travelled to Yarrabee – Yesterday’s World dressed in our olden days clothes and saw how tough school was all those years ago. Some of us even experienced the dunce hat and the cane, all agreeing we were glad they don’t have a place in our school
32 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Year 1
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 33 IT HAS BEEN A FANTASTIC YEAR AND WE WISH ALL THE YEAR 1 CHILDREN ALL THE VERY BEST AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THEM COMING BACK TO VISIT AND SHARE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS WITH US.
This year proved to be a busy but exciting one for all.
34 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Another exciting day was Chinese Day. We dressed in Chinese attire and participated in activities from traditional Chinese culture, like calligraphy, tai chi, cooking and music and afterwards we lunched together on Chinese food. During Term 3 many of us had the opportunity to participate in Wakakirri for the first time. We danced in front of a panel of judges and a huge audience at the Frankston Arts Centre. It was a wonderful experience and we were thrilled to receive such excellent feedback from the Anotherjudges.first came at the end of July when five brave Year 2 girls competed with 70 other students at Toorak College in their first chess tournament. They represented our School in the first ever girls’ chess team and acquitted themselves very well indeed. Our History topic was Indigenous Australia. We participated in a Contemporary Art Workshop in which we looked at the use of dots, colours, lines and symbols and the storytelling behind an artist’s work. We then used Aboriginal art to create our own stories. Next was the Dance Workshop where we learnt As part of our History topic, Australia our Home, we studied famous Australian landmarks so our first fun-filled excursion was to the MCG. We loved viewing the players’ change rooms, the cricket room and indoor practice facilities, the media centre and the famous Long Room as well as the National Sports Museum. Then, in April our annual ANZAC Day Service commemorated the 100th Anniversary of Gallipoli. April also saw us participate in the popular Cross Country event at our Keysborough Playing Fields and a special Mother’s Day morning tea. Our Science topic during Term 2 was Growth and Change. We planted radish, alfalfa and bean seeds and recorded the changes we observed. Our results were mixed, however, we learnt that environment affects growth. Continuing on, we chose a marine animal to study before visiting the Melbourne Aquarium in May. We became researchers on our quest to discover information. We met giant spider crabs, the world’s largest saltwater crocodile and the amazing Elephant shark, to name just a few.
Year 2
Early in Term 1 we celebrated Harmony Day in March, a day of cultural respect celebrated worldwide. Wearing orange clothing we released white doves and reflected on how to make the world a more tolerant place.
In the final term it was a thrill to spend the morning with our Grandparents who not only visited our classroom, but became part of the learning activities. As usual our year culminated in the colourful Christmas Pageant where we entertained everyone with our cheerful renditions of favourite Christmas songs.
Mrs Binge, Mrs Walker, Mrs Walsh and Mrs O’Flaherty AND ALL THE YEAR 2 STUDENTS
We all agree that 2015 has been jampacked with learning experiences that have entertained and educated us from start to finish!
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 35 WE ALL AGREE THAT 2015 HAS BEEN JAM-PACKED WITH LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE ENTERTAINED AND EDUCATED US FROM START TO FINISH! about traditional Indigenous dancing and how it tells a story. We worked in groups to create a dance about a chosen animal and ended with a corroboree. Book Week was another special celebration with staff and students dressed as storybook characters. We enjoyed the parade and performed a favourite poem at Assembly. Mitch Vane, a talented book illustrator, visited and gave us tips about drawing. Finally we were entertained with a performance called Shine a Light, a smorgasbord of colour, creativity and music.
36 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
There have been many highlights throughout the year that some or all of us have been involved in including, Book Week, Wakakirri, the Chess Tournament, Maths and Science Competitions, NAPLAN, Father’s Day Breakfast, Buddies and the Christmas Pageant! These exciting extracurricular activities ensured that we were active participants in Eblana. This year has been outstanding and we would like to thank all of the amazing parents who have been so encouraging of our program!
What a wonderful Year 2015 has been! Each day has been filled with exciting learning opportunities and new challenges that we have faced whilst embracing the School Values and our classroom charters. We were encouraged to develop our inquiring minds and to develop our ideas using new tools. We created a wonderful community of supportive learners and we celebrated the success of others with enthusiasm.
Whilst we will be sad to say goodbye to Year 3, we are now ready to embrace Year 4 and become the leaders of Eblana!
Mr Evans and Mrs Liepa
We have many wonderful memories of Year 3 that we will always cherish. Our term topics have been vast and varied and allowed us to develop our knowledge and skills. Celebrations, Birds, Biological Sciences, The Human Body, The Past and the Present, Chemical Changes and Space have shaped our year and supported our literacy and numeracy programs. To coincide with these units of work we visited Scienceworks and Healesville Sanctuary. Camp was certainly a highlight this year as it was the first time that we visited Shoreham. With a Winter and a Summer camp we were involved in a large array of fantastic activities including, art projects, swimming, body boarding, hut building, bush walking and star gazing to name a few. Each day was filled with something new to try and delicious food to eat. We can’t wait to return next year!
Year 3
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 37 THERE HAVE BEEN MANY HIGHLIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT SOME OR ALL OF US HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN INCLUDING, BOOK WEEK, WAKAKIRRI, THE CHESS TOURNAMENT, MATHS AND SCIENCE COMPETITIONS, NAPLAN, FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST, BUDDIES AND THE PARTICIPANTSTHATACTIVITIESEXTRACURRICULARPAGEANT!CHRISTMASTHESEEXCITINGENSUREDWEWEREACTIVEINEBLANA.
Term 3 saw the inclusion of additional student leaders. Our inquiry topics for Term 3 were Earth’s Changing Surface and Aboriginal Lifestyles. We immersed students in their learning with an excursion to the Melbourne Museum and IMAX Theatre. This term saw the culmination of many hours of rehearsing and hard work for Wakakirri. The Year 4 students were outstanding role models and thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Finally, as a part of our writing program, students turned their focus to poetry writing. Students developed their understanding and appreciation of poetry, learning about different crafting tools.
Stephanie Freeman and Justine Hamilton
Year 4
Term 4 was an exciting and reflective time as students prepared to transition to Year 5. We returned to Shoreham Camp and particularly enjoyed finally meeting our pen pals after writing to them and getting to know them all year! Students learnt about natural and processed materials during Science, and built bridges to specifications to test their strength. Students learnt about how to persuade an audience and developed written and oral skills, which culminated in passionate debates. In Maths, Fractions were a particular focus this term and students enjoyed learning through real life, edible Weapplications.witnessed wonderful progress and development in our students and have loved being a part of their learning this year!
38 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
It was a remarkable year in Year 4! Our students were eager and ready to learn. Students embraced all opportunities, including taking on leadership roles, enhancing academic and social skills, performing confidently on stage and shining brightly on the sporting arena. One of the major highlights of Term 1 was the selection of the Eblana Leaders and students eagerly took on their responsibilities with great enthusiasm. We wrote letters to our pen pals in Year 4 at The Peninsula School and were introduced to our younger Foundation Buddies. Enthusiastic learners, the students thoroughly enjoyed the introduction of Book Club and cultivating a writing community through the Writer’s Workshop and Notebook. Term 2 began with much excitement as we received response letters from our pen pals. During Science, we conducted many experiments as we investigated the properties relating to Force, and students thoroughly enjoyed creating magnetic racing cars. We visited Shoreham Camp and enjoyed beach walks, stargazing and building huts. The students wrote a ‘Dreamtime Story’ for their Foundation Buddy and presented it as a gift during the last week of term. During Mathematics, students enthusiastically tallied, graphed and analysed data during their ‘Jelly Bean Investigation’.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 39 WE WITNESSED WONDERFUL PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT IN OUR STUDENTS AND HAVE LOVED BEING A PART OF THEIR LEARNING THIS YEAR!
All year the discovery of hidden hearts has delighted our younger students. Each class from Foundation to Year 4 have participated in a weekly session in the Library where students have had the opportunity to discover how the Library and its facilities are able to support them in their learning and recreational reading. Some of our activities included the Foundation students looking at Australian animals in fiction, Year 1 students creating their own Grug-inspired adventure stories and the Year 2 students encountered the delights of Charlotte’s Web. Years 1 to 4 participated in read-aloud sessions, discovered new books, new authors and were introduced to Australian classic characters such as The Muddle-headed Wombat and Blinky Bill. To encourage the development of consistent reading habits, students were enrolled in the Premier’s Reading Challenge and it was pleasing to see that so many chose to put in the effort to complete the task.
40 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Children’s Book Week in August was one of the highlights of the school year in Eblana. The theme for Book Week 2015 was, Books Light up our World, and to support the theme students were encouraged to think about how books and stories can make a difference to not only their reading life, but life beyond a book. The Eblana activities started with the announcement of the Book of the Year winners and a fabulous storytime with Miss Deed. Throughout the week, students joined in reading rotations, participated in a literary character parade which saw the students resplendent in a wide array of costumes. The week also included a presentation by the fantastic The Finlay Anderson Library has been a busy place for Eblana students throughout 2015. The year began with a celebration of Library Lovers’ Day in February and students were encouraged to place a ‘secret heart’ inside their favourite book for their fellow students to discover as they browsed the library collection.
Books Readingand
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 41 ...EBLANA STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO COME IN TO READ BOOKS, BROWSE THROUGH MAGAZINES, DRAW OR PLAY GAMES. IT IS ALWAYS PLEASING TO SEE STUDENTS TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF OUR WONDERFUL LIBRARY. illustrator and artist, Mitch Vane. Mitch showed the students an entertaining step-by-step method for developing their own distinctive characters and she took the time to speak with every student about their drawings. Mitch’s passion and enthusiasm for her work was infectious and the students thoroughly enjoyed the visit. The Book Week celebrations concluded with the performance incursion, Shine A Light, which featured many of the books nominated for Book of the Year and explored how books can remain a consistent way to light up your world.
Beverly Ross and Library Staff
During Term 4 we welcomed the 2016 Foundation students as part of the Eblana transition program and hosted the grandparents of our current Foundation students on Grandparents’ Day where they had the opportunity to see our young students in ‘action’ during their weekly Library session.
The Finlay Anderson Library continues to be a busy place during lunchtime on Tuesdays. Eblana students are welcome to come in to read books, browse through magazines, draw or play games. It is always pleasing to see students taking the opportunity to make the best use of our wonderful library.
42 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
The day began with a Lion Dance performance run by Hung Gar Shu Yau Kung Fu School. The students were enthralled by the drama, movement and music of the troupe as a giant lion danced and darted at every angle. The audience also had the opportunity to learn moves from the dance’s Kung Fu origins. Following a parade of Chinese inspired costumes the students spent the day immersed in sessions that complemented their learning of the Chinese language. Chinese Language teacher, Ms Yan Ma, then introduced the students to the basics of Chinese calligraphy, a beautiful, traditional art form. The students enjoyed creating their own artwork with special brushes and colours. The results were very impressive.
Master Chinese instrumentalist Wang Zheng-Ting came equipped with a collection of traditional Chinese instruments, including dizi (bamboo flute), sheng (Chinese mouth organ), ruan (Chinese guitar) and erhu (two-string fiddle). His demonstration concluded with students trying out some percussion rhythms with gongs and drums. It was a noisy and fun workshop for all.
Master Han Jinsong from Tai Chi Australia brought an air of calm and focus to Eblana, with Eblana teachers highly impressed by an amazing display of concentration from the students as they followed Master Han with his graceful display of the ancient art.
Mrs Katherine Nish and her Year 9 Greenways Café team gave students a delicious taste of Chinese cuisine, making both meat and vegetarian dumplings in a fun, edible session in the Greenways ItCampus.wasamemorable day full of colourful Assurprises.inevery year, Eblana students competed in the Language Perfect World Championships for 2015. Our champion class was 4H, with Toby Straw scoring the most points for the whole of Eblana. To celebrate, 4H had a Dumpling Party, where they learnt to make (and then eat) traditional Chinese jiaozi. To finish off the year, Eblana classes made puppets to practise and perform plays including Ba Luobo (the Enormous Radish), Xiaoji (Chicken Little) and San Zhi Xiaozhu (the Three Little Pigs) - entirely in ItChinese!hasbeen another wonderful year of new experiences for our Eblana linguists.
Aaron Richard TEACHER OF CHINESE A Day in China
In June, Eblana students dressed up and enjoyed a taste of Chinese culture, including traditional art, music, Tai Chi and food.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 43 ...THE STUDENTS SPENT THE DAY IMMERSED IN SESSIONS THAT COMPLEMENTED THEIR LEARNING OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE.
awards for: • Overall Costume Design • Group Dance • Choreography • Set Change • Well-rehearsed Performance • Best Teamwork
It was a great occasion and all those involved enjoyed this amazing opportunity and energising experience that gripped the applauding and appreciative audience. Full congratulations and loud applause are extended to the students, staff, parents and grandparents involved. Keep dancing!
44 | THE MENTONIAN
Once again Eblana students performed magnificently on stage at this year’s Wakakirri.
Linking areas of the curriculum, along with a major focus on Literacy, Mentone Grammar’s 2015 entry had links to the wonderful work, Once upon a Crime. Our story was born from a huge brainstorming session with the Wakakirri team, where many ideas were thrown around. It was agreed that we should create an idea that the students could really understand, was loads of fun for them and something they could really ‘get into’. Our initial idea of a fractured fairy tale had students reading many different books that told stories from a different perspective. From there the students launched excitedly into many ideas and questions about how we could put it all together – music dance, storyline and characters… and so the idea was born. Our tale began in Storybook’s jailhouse where the Wolf was anxiously awaiting his fate. Wolf tells the story that in actual fact, Wolf and Grandma were great friends but Red Riding Hood never gave him a chance. She always ignored him and despite Wolf wanting to be friends, he just couldn’t convince her he was not a villain. Then one day Wolf is caught in a difficult situation. He was at Grandma’s house doing some maintenance for her while she was away on holidays, when he sees Red on her way to visit. Wolf panics and pretends to be Grandma. When Red realised it is the Wolf, she overreacts. The Huntsman overhears her scream, sees the Wolf and attacks, cutting off his tail. Just as the Judge is about to make his final judgement, Grandma rushes in to save the day. We conclude our story with the Wolf and Grandma reuniting and sharing the message that some days we are all misunderstood… but we should always be our best selves. was recognised with
Our performance
Wakakirri2015
WAKAKIRRI IS A WORD FROM THE MEANINGWANGAAYPUWANABORIGINALPEOPLE“TODANCE”.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 45 WAKAKIRRI IS AN AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL STORY SHARING FESTIVAL FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS THAT HAS BEEN RUNNING SINCE 1992.
46 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Instrumental music continued to thrive, with every student in Eblana given the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. Our instrumental concerts once again treated audiences to a wonderful array of solo and ensemble performances. Our two major ensembles, The Eblana Singers and the String Ensemble, rehearsed every Thursday and Friday morning. There were regular Assembly performances for these enthusiastic musicians as well as performance opportunities at our instrumental concerts and varied whole school events. We held our first ever musical performance Assembly during Term 3. There were many enthusiastic young musicians from Eblana eager to perform. The Assembly also provided performance opportunities for the Bayview orchestra and the cast of Seussical The Years 2 and 3 Instrumental classes treated our ELC children to a concert as a prelude to their visit to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The children provided a lovely concert for the ELC, with many inquisitive questions following as the ELC children discovered that stringed instruments are bowed and plucked; wind instruments make a sound by blowing into them and percussion instruments are played by shaking, scraping or striking them.
The Eblana Performing Arts program continued to flourish in 2015. Thank you to our Performing Arts Captains, Nichola, Ruby, Nicholas and Madyssen, for their leadership in introducing performers at Assemblies and Soirees as well as organising stage crews to help set up and pack away equipment.
This year was an exciting and productive one for Performing Arts in Eblana. The students once again showcased their talents in singing, dancing, acting and in playing a variety of musical instruments.
Performance opportunities throughout the year were many. Assemblies and Instrumental Concerts provided every student with the opportunity to perform for friends and family. In the classroom, students tapped out tunes with the boomwhackers, composed music, created musical instruments, danced and sang. The Year 1 Music class students jumped at the chance to demonstrate their bush dancing skills to The Low Flying Emu during Assembly. The smiles on their faces as they danced were priceless as they encouraged all of Eblana to dance along with them.
Debra McLeod
EBLANA MUSIC
Semester 2 was buzzing with excitement as the Eblana staff and students began rehearsing for Wakakirri. Many weeks of lunchtime rehearsals eventually paid off as the students performed the story of Little Red Riding Hood (from the wolf’s perspective) at the Frankston Arts Centre. What an amazing experience for our students from Years 2 to 4. During Chinese Day festivities, the students enjoyed learning about a variety of traditional Chinese musical instruments, with some students lucky enough for the opportunity to play some of them. Perhaps the most unusual of these was the Chinese mouth organ, which looked more like a cocoon than a musical instrument.
Eblana ArtsPerforming
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 47 IN THE DANCEDINSTRUMENTS,CREATEDCOMPOSEDBOOMWHACKERS,OUTSTUDENTSCLASSROOM,TAPPEDTUNESWITHTHEMUSIC,MUSICALANDSANG.
Eblana Art Show A walk through Asia
The Art Show also helps students learn to share and appreciate their own and others’ art work in a non competitive and rewarding way. It is amazing what children can learn from each other! Jillian Watkins
48 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
The Visual Arts program in Eblana is aimed at students experiencing a range of art forms in a fun and rewarding environment. It also engages and challenges students to explore and develop ideas with confidence and enjoyment. Students are empowered with the knowledge of how to produce creative and individual artwork of which they can be very proud.
This year, students have had the opportunity to create artwork for the Eblana Art Show: A Walk Through Asia. Together, they also created a group three-dimensional Chinese Dragon. Through such collaborative works, Art teaches students that there can be more than one solution to the same problem and gives students the opportunity to share their artistic skills and talents with varied age groups.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 49 THE ART SHOW ALSO HELPS STUDENTS LEARN TO SHARE AND APPRECIATE THEIR OWN AND OTHERS’ ART WORK IN A NON COMPETITIVE AND REWARDING WAY. IT IS AMAZING WHAT CHILDREN CAN LEARN FROM EACH OTHER!
50 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
BOYS: 1st Ben Fraser; 2nd William Adams; 3rd Christopher Lucas GIRLS: 1st Brooke Bernasconi; Annalise Tirro; Hall What a wonderful morning Eblana families had at our Keysborough Playing Fields for our premier sporting event, the annual running of the Cross Country and ELC Games; in honour of Eblana mums for Mother’s Day. Ben Jackson; Lachlan
Eblana Sport Year 1 BOYS: 1st
Glotzer; 3rd Cooper Armstrong GIRLS: 1st Alice Fletcher; 2nd Taj Reynolds; 3rd Olivia Apostolidis OUR YEAR LEVEL CHAMPIONS: OVERALL HOUSE PLACEMENTS: 1st Lionel Large 2nd Anderson 3rd White 4th Deighton 5th Finlay Anderson 6th Were 7th Drinan 8th Jones
All students should be proud and encouraged for their involvement. It was promising to note the improved fitness and enjoyment levels of so many. I commend all those involved for their sporting behaviour, friendly participation and encouragement of others. The medals and ribbons were bonuses – the participants were all winners.
2nd
Di
3rd Amelia
2nd
Congratulations to Lionel Large athletes – Nicholas Di Rosato (Captain), Fredrick Liu, William Nish, Keira Patron, Luca Pinzana, Dimitri Rellos, Jordan Pyszczek, Callum Orr, Holly Nish, Ellie Newman, McKenzie Hood, Marlon Turco, Kai Mitchell, Jack Newman, Flynn McEneaney, Montana Cheers, Beth Mibus, Jack Messina, Lachlan Glotzer, Sam Colliver, Campbell Brown, Mia Antoniou, Blake Schultz, Jake Pyszczek, Benjamin Nish, and Brooke Bernasconi who were the overall winners of the Cross Country morning! Foundation
Year 2 BOYS: 1st Blaise Telford; 2nd Angus Jackson; 3rd Nate Trowell GIRLS: 1st Siobhan Phillips; 2nd Grace Sibbald; 3rd Emma Adams
All students demonstrated tremendous endeavour and the discipline required to perform to the best of their abilities. The skill acquisition and obvious development throughout the year has enabled our students’ strong foundations to build upon. With the impressive school and district competition results recorded this year, our Eblana students have certainly established themselves as fine athletes.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 51
Year 3 BOYS: 1st Ayden Roos; 2nd Kyle Roos; 3rd Tomas Barlow GIRLS: 1st Sara Zohdi; 2nd Sophie Frost; 3rd Holly Nish
T.A. Drinan EBLANA SPORT
Year 4 BOYS: 1st Jack Rimanic; 2nd William Nish; 3rd Toby Straw GIRLS: 1st Keira Richmond; 2nd Jada Stephens; 3rd Nichola Di Tirro I congratulate all Eblana students who have eagerly involved themselves in a range of sports including Cross Country, Soccer, Swimming, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Cross Country and Netball.
52 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 class photos Foundation FOUNDATION H FOUNDATION S Emaan Ahmed Rhys Basin Jack Bowers Baxter Chan Stevan Dakic Annalise Di Tirro Oskar Edwardes Paolo Fragale William Adams Myra Arya Brooke Bernasconi Alexander Burrows Vishnu Easwar Benjamin Fraser Angela Hooker Oscar Karras Ariana Goralski Elliot Grant Amelia Hall Alexandra Hooker Jonathan Kalogerakis Viktor Kirsta Dash Leonard Christopher Lucas Elise Lewell Nikolas Lynch James McGrath Zara Measures Isabella Mirhom Sullivan O’Donnell Blake Schultz Sophie Shing Jada McLean Benjamin Nish Leahm Orfanidis Jake Pyszczek Dr Meg Hayes TEACHER Levi Svec Max Tan Henry Walker Miss Laura Savage TEACHER
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 53 Diesel Reid Taj Reynolds Mohammed Sabih Lucas Wagner Mrs Jessica Richards TEACHER Mr John Nolan TEACHER Jae Hadjiyannakis Ben Jackson Sienna Lyons Jack Messina Reahn Orfanidis Ava Pregnalato Kate Pregnalato Zakaria Rahhali Olivia Apostolidis Cooper Armstrong Winter Baker Kristof Buschkuehl Sam Colliver Joseph Compton James Evans Lachlan Glotzer class photos Year 1 YEAR 1 L Mia Antoniou Campbell Brown Byron Castello Hudson Close Sarabjeet Dawar Lachlan Dwyer Alice Fletcher Liam Gumbrell Riley Hamilton Abigail Lloyd Beth Mibus Natalie Nomikos Alitsia Piotrowski William Richardson Patrick Saunders Cooper Topp Josh Turner Harrison Tzounos Oliver Tzounos Tyler Veza Jaslyn Wong Mr Kris Little TEACHER YEAR 1 R
54 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 class photos Year 2 YEAR 2 BW Montana Cheers Anika Cherney Hugo Flower Cooper Gallant Edward Hall Luca Hayes Robert Hodgetts Angus Jackson Emma Adams Thomas Burton Flynn McEneaney Chase McLean Jack Newman Zoe Nixon Siobhan Phillips Zoe Richmond Grace Sibbald David Sprung Blaise Telford Nate Trowell Marlon Turco Flynn Walker Andrew Wang Atahan Yildiz Mrs Leonie Binge TEACHER Mrs Briana Walker TEACHER YEAR 2 OW Abigail Barrett Luke Bennett Panayiotis Bountroukas Aaron Britter Rio Campbell Sarah Chun William Clayton Michael Di Tirro Jenson Flower Jake Frankland Lachlan Hecker Madeleine Lewell Indy Mannix Scott Marrow Oscar Mentiplay Kai Mitchell Samaara Nakra Ben Parr James Salisbury Poppy Samild Morgan Shearer Matthew Shing Jaxon Stephens Thomas Wale Sara Weeks Mrs Julee O’Flaherty TEACHER Mrs Sheree Walsh TEACHER
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 55 class photos Year 3 YEAR 3 E Tomas Barlow Sienna Edwardes Isabel Ellix Michelle Fong Jatin Ghela Elise Laws Felix Lichte Ella Michell Ellie Newman Callum Orr Justin Pregnalato Dimitrios Rellos Alice Roberts Noemi Sniezek Eleni Somogyi Sally Stevens Benjamin Stockdale Jake Vorrath Hannah Wagner Jasper Zdanius Mr Greg Evans TEACHER YEAR 3 L Charli Bucci Mia Castello Charlotte Cowan Lachlan Fraser Sophie Frost Nicholas Harris McKenzie Hood Ashleigh Hopkins Thomas Kurta Aimee Lancaster Maddox Lewell Anthony Mirhom Holly Nish Lachlan O’Hara Nina Pertzel Jordan Pyszczek Ayden Roos Kyle Roos Barlow Telford Ayden Tezay Maria TheophilopoulosAnna Sara Zohdi Mrs Jackie Liepa TEACHER
56 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 class photos Year 4 YEAR 4 F Alexander Barrett Hayden Cooley James Dennis Nicholas Di Rosato George Fennessy Anirudh Hariram Christian Howe Alyce Kerr Michael Krol Peter Natsioulas William Nish Olivia Parkes Luca Pinzana Hamish Roberts Adam Sabih Ruby Samild Nicholas Saunders Jada Stephens Gabriel Truelove Brandon Veza Luke Weeks Emily Zallmann Miss Steph Freeman TEACHER YEAR 4 H Lachlan Adams Harrison Cowan Nichola Di Tirro Makenzie Flower Madyssen Kalogerakis Joshua Lai Sean Lai Nate Leonard Frederick Liu Declan McNamara Samuel Morgan Keira Patron Keira Richmond Patrick Riley Jack Rimanic Matthew Scott Lachlan Smith Stefan Somogyi Toby Straw Finn Vorrath Lewis Wagstaff Tim Wang Baxter Wollen Mrs Justine Hamilton TEACHER
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 57 His... appine ss BAYVIEW BAYVIEW STUDENTS HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN A NUMBER OF CHALLENGING, WELL-DESIGNED LEARNING JOURNEYS THROUGHOUT 2015. THESE EXPERIENCES AWAY FROM SCHOOL AND FAMILY HELP PROMOTE TEAMWORK, COMMITMENT, COOPERATION AND RESPONSIBILITY, WHILST PROVIDING AN OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY TO APPRECIATE NEW ENVIRONMENTS. - JOHN TWIST
Mentone Stories Seminar – Successful Study Techniques - where an interactive panel of talented staff and senior students shared their thoughts with parents and students on how to study effectively.
After School Study Centre: large numbers of Bayview students took advantage of the Study Centre conducted in the Finlay Anderson Library; supported by tutors and teachers. There is clear evidence that students who attend these sessions and maximise their time in these settings are improving their learning to a higher level.
58 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 following reflections highlight a number of events and activities experienced by our diverse community throughout 2015.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
Apart from delivering programs related to both the curricular and cocurricular offerings of the School, ensuring the best outcomes for students, all academic staff have been involved in a demanding professional learning program to improve their skills. Additionally, staff are involved in an all-encompassing appraisal program, which has included receiving valuable feedback from students, who were asked to complete a survey, giving feedback to teachers on their learning experience.
In line with our Teaching and Learning Framework, the 2015 Middle Years Program has aimed to focus and sustain the interests of our students who are making the important transition from childhood to adolescence. Much of our decision making and the development of our Teaching and Learning Framework is based on the collection of valuable data and research. This ensures that we make decisions about using programs and structures that have been shown to work in relation to ‘value adding’ for each and every one of our students.
In Bayview, we have continually challenged every student to be the best he or she can be. From an emotional perspective, staff have been involved in the work of Professor Mark Brackett, Yale University, and the RULER program in relation to the identification and regulation of emotions. This year, Bayview moved to an online reporting system via the School’s Learning Management System, for its students. Research has shown that effective feedback is one of the most significant drivers of student learning. An online continuous reporting system allows teachers to provide feedback to students and parents about a student’s progress as it happens; issues can be identified and addressed early. Additionally, end-of-semester summary reports have been provided to complement our online Ireporting.commend our Bayview staff and students on the work they have undertaken throughout the year.
Many Bayview students have distinguished themselves with a strong commitment to their studies and have been congratulated on their effort and attitude. Numerous awards such as Certificates for Academic Excellence and Academic Merit Awards were awarded to successful students at Bayview assemblies. Additionally, many students excelled in other external challenges, such as the: Maths Talent Quest, Language Perfect Competition, Science Talent Search, Mathematics Challenge For Young Australians, Australian Maths Competition and 2015 NAPLAN Assessment.
All students have been involved in an exciting learning environment which is underpinned by the School’s Values: Integrity, Respect, Caring, Resilience, Service, Discipline, and Endeavour. The Staff, students and parents have worked in a positive manner towards building strong partnerships aiming to achieve what we’d expect to find at a high performing school such as Mentone Grammar.
At our first School Assembly this year I challenged all Bayview students to “Dare to Succeed.” I am so pleased to report that our Bayview students embraced that challenge and enjoyed an outstanding year.
From an academic perspective, Bayview staff have focused on the work of Professor John Hattie, as part of his Visible Learning research, challenging students with three questions: Where are they now? Where do they need to get to? How, or what strategies, will we use to get there?
Head of Bayview The Bayview community has experienced a very successful year.
IMPROVING STUDY HABITS
Apart from their normal study and homework routines, other initiatives were organised for Bayview students throughout the year to improve their study habits:Years 7 & 8 students attended outsourced workshops organised by Elevate Education, which introduced students to the fundamental skills that they need to build on in order to develop a strong study skills platform.
John Twist HEAD OF BAYVIEW
Bayview students were encouraged to find ways to help the disadvantaged at a local, national and international level. Special activities designed to assist included: raising funds for the underprivileged school communities being visited during the Year 8 International Learning Journeys; involvement in the World’s Greatest Shave in support of research into prevention and, hopefully, a cure for leukemia; supporting the Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation by raising awareness and discussion of tissue and organ donation.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 59 Australia’s system of Federal Government along with an opportunity to take in the sights of Canberra. Our Year 7 boys and girls were flown to Central Australia where they experienced life in a remote indigenous community and visited the wonders of our universally acclaimed Red Centre. Our Year 8 students were given a remarkable opportunity to embark on a tenday International Learning Journey in either China or Cambodia – a truly enriching, unforgettable experience!
EXCURSIONS AND INCURSIONS
The Bayview student body has been competently led by School Captains, Bronte Reark and Ben Pertich; I thank them for their outstanding efforts throughout the year. Ben and Bronte were ably supported by the School’s Year 8 Student Leadership Team. To assist students to develop their leadership skills, the School invited the STRIDE organisation to deliver a leadership workshop for Year 8 leaders.
SPORT Sport plays a major role in the lives of all Bayview students. Our students had opportunities to proudly represent the School in a variety of sports in the AGSV, APS and local Cheltenham District Competitions, in addition to State and National Championships. Some outstanding results were achieved during each of the sporting seasons. Many impressive individual and team efforts were noted throughout the year by our dedicated coaches and staff. Furthermore, the School’s inter-house Sporting competitions challenged many of our students in a number of sporting activities.
SPECIAL THANKS
Bayview students had opportunities to participate in a number of challenging, well-designed Learning Journeys. These experiences away from school and family help promote teamwork, commitment, cooperation and responsibility, whilst providing an outstanding opportunity to appreciate new environments.
PERFORMING ARTS Mentone Grammar’s Performing Arts Program is an integral part of life at the School. Polished performances were presented by Bayview students in Drama, Dance, Instrumental and Vocal Music. Students impressed appreciative audiences at the following excellent productions: Seussical, Bayview Soirees, Music Concerts and the Bayview House Arts Competition. Our students prepared themselves very well for these events – rehearsing hard and paying attention to their stage presentation while others assisted ‘back stage’. Congratulations and thanks are extended to all students, staff and parents involved with Bayview’s Performing Arts Program this year.
LEARNING JOURNEYS
All Years 5 to 7 students spent time at our unique Shoreham camp involving themselves in appropriate learning activities and experiences. As part of their Humanities Program, Year 5 students visited Sovereign Hill, where they were able to gather first hand what life was like during the discovery of gold in Victoria. Year 6 students visited Canberra where they gained an insight into
Bayview students had opportunities to represent the School in Chess and Debating in 2015. Our Years 7 and 8 Debating Teams performed very well during their competitions. Students grew in confidence and experience, improving their analytical, critical, persuasive speaking, note-taking and research skills as the year progressed. At their inter-school Chess Tournaments, Bayview students sharpened their decision-making and analytical skills, whilst improving their concentration and self-discipline. Consequently, our students qualified for the State Finals – an excellent effort!
INTER-SCHOOL CHESS AND DEBATING
Excursions and incursions relate to the holistic development of our students. They are valuable external learning experiences that are linked to curriculum, encourage independent and cooperative learning, giving students a broader perspective of the real world and nurture their self-esteem, friendships and communication. Many worthwhile experiences included: the Year 8 Humanities Medieval Incursion and Market visits; the Year 5 visits to the Immigration Museum, the Mentone Aquarium and the Mornington Peninsula, the Year 6 visits to Parliament House and an Afghani Restaurant, and the Year 7 visits to the Healesville Sanctuary.
SOCIAL SERVICE As an Anglican School, Mentone Grammar seeks to provide its students with opportunities and experiences that enable them to look beyond their own concerns and engage with the needs of others.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Many people have worked extremely hard to make Bayview so successful in 2015. I thank all teachers, staff, students and parents who have contributed to make Bayview such a special place of learning. I particularly would like to thank Principal, Mr Cater, and Deputy Principals, Ms Frizza and Mr O’Neill for their wise counsel and leadership; Mr Martin for his first-rate work as Deputy Head of Bayview; and Mrs Eklund-Allan for her remarkable efforts as my Personal Assistant. I thank the Bayview Year Level Coordinators and Assistant Year Level Coordinators, Ms Kamp, Mr Chislett, Mr O’Gorman, Mrs Long, Mrs Harrison, Mr Essing and Mrs Cartwright (Term 3) on their wonderful support and leadership. Special thanks to our Business Manager, Mrs Bradshaw, Property Manager, Mr Teasdale and the grounds, maintenance and cleaning staff, who have worked tirelessly to provide us with an excellent school environment.
SOPHIE SIBBALD 5A
As we reflect on the year, we can only admire the development of our students who are now ready for their next year of transition, whether it is into Year 6 or Year 7.
Experiencing poetry in Term 3 came easily to me. It was like a light being switched on. I was able to write extremely complex, deep meaningful poems. I adore writing poetry.
Shoreham was a standout moment for me. It was really fun because we got to do beach triathlons, art, life saving and first aid training and we ate and we slept! We played games of cricket, soccer and touch rugby. We learnt about waves, tides and reefs. We all had an awesome time and I reckon it was the best camp this year.
The curricular programs, led by a group of expert teachers, provided opportunities for the students to be thoroughly immersed in a wide range of educational learning journeys and day adventures to complement the programs on offer.
60 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
At Sovereign Hill I found gold. I took it out of the muddy river. There it was, beaming at me, the shiny gold I found. It was sparkling in the light. I could hear my heart beating. I thought finding gold at Sovereign Hill was just a myth!
Leadership played a significant role in the program with students taking responsibility for the planning and sharing of events, achievements and service, through the forum of a fortnightly Assembly for the Years 5 and 6 students. Ultimately, the best comments come from the reflections and standout moments from the students themselves:
CHARLIE DADDO 5C We used tables to figure out algebra equations. It was really interesting to try to figure out the equations with only just enough information to find the answer. It was fun, challenging and exciting!
Again the Year 5s ventured to Sovereign Hill, with a new-look, exciting program that provided a vivid insight into life on the goldfields, The Eureka Stockade battle and the beginning of democracy for Australia. The all too real Sound and Light show is sure to be a lasting memory.
A highlight for many in Year 6 was the Learning Journey to the Australian Capital to explore, to learn about Federal Government, voting systems and the Australian War Memorial. A unique night visit to a Reptile Farm, which allowed students close contact with a range of wildlife, including pythons, was an added extra, as was the trip to the Australian Mint to see robots making our money!
RHIANNE BROWN 5A
A sense of community and a strong culture of learning developed over the year with the introduction of the RULER program, in Mentor lessons. Each class created its own charter of values that they considered vital to learning and one that was based on the contributions and consensus of all class members.
Throughout the year, students readily accessed the online Learning Village for news, updates and reminders, class work, feedback and their results through their chosen device. A strong focus developed across Years 5 and 6 to create visible learners who could articulate and reflect on what they were learning, why they were learning and the next steps forward.
Years 5&6
JACK LITTLEFORD 6C
MAX ATHANAS 5C
I loved the gold panning because it gave me a rush of adrenaline because I knew I had a chance to find gold. The cabins where we slept were pretty good because they had queen beds, blankets and even a TV.
SCARLETT TRUDGEN FRANCES 6A
ADAM PERSIC 6D
SIMON STEVENS 6D One of the best experiences in my school year so far, or even in my life, was definitely visiting Canberra. The beautiful city stretched out among the bushland, with the majestic Parliament House overlooking the stunning views of the city. One of the standouts was by far going into Parliament House. The corridors were lined with glass and everything you could wish for in $1,000 000 mansions!
My English and writing drastically changed and I have improved by a mile! My handwriting is neater, I choose sophisticated words and I am better at making a storyline. Before Year 6, I had actually never written a feature article, informative text or a picture storybook. All these things were very new to me. I also learned the ‘writing process’ and reciprocal reading strategies. I can now write any type of genre and read a wide variety of books.
A standout moment I had was when I was doing my hip hop solo at Stagecraft and in the middle of it everyone started clapping to the music and I got a standing ovation at the end of the dance. That was a big moment this year for me.
LIVINIA STOCKDALE 6A
5 & 6 CURRICULUM COORDINATOR
Jenni YEARS AT THE START OF THE YEAR I HAD A TONNE OF TROUBLE WITH THE CONCEPT OF ALGEBRA AND ADDING AND
PRIYA GILL Humanities5Astood out for me this year simply because of the projects. Finally we got to learn about other countries. In previous years we have learnt all about Australia but learning about other countries has helped us understand different cultures and how lucky we are to live in a country with so much to offer. I especially loved writing my realistic fiction story about a refugee escaping Rwanda. I liked this project because I got to develop my own refugee story which gave me an understanding of what children as young as me are going through to escape war and find peace.
For me, learning about Meta Moments and learning to decipher different emotions has made a huge difference to my social skills, especially when I feel DuringDANIELangry.PATE6Dtheshort time that I’ve been at Mentone Grammar, I think that my musical tone and ability to sight read music has improved a lot due to the extensive music program. I enjoy being in the Bayview and Senior bands because I’m given many opportunities to play in amazing concerts and go to places like Mount Gambier to represent the HARDYSchool.D’ALQUEN 6D
I think all of the Seussical cast would agree that this was an amazing opportunity. Being in Year 5, I learnt valuable lessons from funny jokes backstage to meeting senior students. Being on stage was a fantastic experience and I now know students from Greenways and Frogmore.
BROOKE MCNAMARA 6A
My standout moment this year was definitely Interschool Skiing. I went into an event called Ski-X which is pretty much one run with twists and turns. At the start of the race my nerves were pumping and the heat increased inside me dramatically in those few seconds. Then whoosh! I’m off, over the bumps, around the bend, weaving in and out of the flags, over the last mogul and past the flag. 42.25 seconds. Not my best but I was still proud that I served my School well.
First we got a special tour of The Senate that is the higher of the two Houses (The Senate and the House of Reps). The chairs that lined the room were laced with a lovely velvet red that the room itself was draped everywhere with. We had the same with The House of Representatives. Except everything was green! Overall I had the time of my DANIELlife.MATTHEW 6C
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 61
Harrison
MAXATWELLIMPROVEDIMMENSESUPPORTFRACTIONS,SUBTRACTINGBUTTHEHASBEENANDIHAVEINSANELYANDAMGREATITNOW!HINE6B
My standout moment in English would have to be the picture storybook. I was really proud of my pictures, storyline and layout. I was really happy with how the first page hooked you right in and how something interesting was always happening.
LEONARD LIU 6B
As a student who was new to Mentone Grammar this year, I loved being welcomed into the School by my classmates. They were extremely accepting of me and I soon made good friends with many of my peers who I am still friends with today.
Other highlights of the Mentor program were the inaugural Year 7 ‘Amazing Race Around the School’ whereby, in small groups, students raced each other around the school interpreting clues and completing challenges, and a year level BBQ which celebrated the completion of Semester 1. The focus on personal development and transition from childhood to adolescence to adulthood remained a consistent theme that formed the basis of many valuable discussions throughout the year. Similarly, incursions such as Susan McLean’s presentation on Cyber Safety and our Maths presentation, It All Adds Up, added value to the less formal, yet incredibly valuable, part of the Year 7 program.
This year was no different as we welcomed 156 students, the majority of which were coming to Mentone Grammar for the first time. Comprising five boys’ and two girls’ Mentor groups, the students were welcomed with a strong focus on ‘getting involved’ in the myriad activities and opportunities on offer.
Two annual highlights of 2015 were the Year 7 Learning Journeys, the first to Central Australia and the second to the School’s Shoreham Camp. Visiting Shoreham on multiple occasions serves as a ‘rite of passage’ during a student’s time at Mentone Grammar; in Year 7, this trip is specifically aimed at encouraging the students to think through the various changes they will experience in the coming years, from a physical, social and emotional perspective. It was terrific to watch the collaboration in Mentor groups, the willingness to look out for others and the
Year 7
As the year progressed, it was terrific to watch the individual and collective growth of all students across the year level, many of whom achieved a variety of personal firsts throughout the course of 2015. Our Mentor program was centred around the introduction of the RULER program in the Middle Years, aimed to ensure that, in conjunction with their academic pursuits, the students also developed appropriate emotional intelligence. Introduced to the four anchors, the Charter, Mood Meter, Meta-Moment and Blueprint, it is hoped
The beginning of the secondary years of schooling always brings with it a great deal of excitement, enthusiasm and often a healthy dose of nerves (from both students and parents alike!). that this additional layer of learning will further assist their educational journey and help them deal with the ups and downs they encounter along the way.
62 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Year 7 provides a variety of challenges as lots of new friendships are made, routines are established, organisational capabilities are challenged, various transport options both to and from school are explored, uniforms are worn with pride and electronic devices become part of the daily routine both inside and outside of the classroom.
Mr Peter O’Gorman YEAR 7 COORDINATOR AS THE YEAR PROGRESSED, IT WAS TERRIFIC TO WATCH THE INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE GROWTH OF ALL STUDENTS ACROSS THE YEAR LEVEL, MANY OF WHOM ACHIEVED A VARIETY OF PERSONAL FIRSTS THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF 2015.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 63 creation and strengthening of friendships across both Learning Journeys and the experiences of all will, no doubt, last much longer than the time spent away. The students were ably assisted by a fantastic group of dedicated subject teachers and Mentors, who led the cohort with care and enthusiasm. On behalf of the students, I thank Ms Susan Carlson, Mr James Rainey, Mr Callum Endacott, Mr Rob Patterson, Mrs Tracey Pate and Mrs Leonie Redfern for their work throughout the year in so effectively guiding and assisting our students throughout 2015. In addition, special thanks to Mrs Amy Long, who provided terrific support and guidance for students and staff in her role as Assistant Year 7 Coordinator.
Mr Peter O’Gorman YEAR 7 COORDINATOR
Flying in to Yulara airport mid-afternoon, students were given some amazing views of Uluru, gaining a sense of what was to come over the ensuing week. Boarding the now famous ‘purple bus’ operated by tour guide Reg, a visit to one of Australia’s most famous landmarks was first on the agenda, and a slow walk around the rock enabled the students to not only appreciate its size but more importantly, its significance, as Aboriginal elders explained to the students the history of Uluru and its surrounds.
A highlight of the trip is the visit to a remote indigenous community, Lilla, where students spent two nights and participated in activities such as dot painting, boomerang and spear throwing, jewellery making and most importantly, a chance to learn more about the indigenous culture of our great country.
AustraliaCentral
64 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 During Term 2, the annual Year 7 Learning Journeys to Central Australia took place, again proving to be a stunning highlight of the year.
The connection with our past and the challenges of the future were presented for all to see, and the students returned home with a fuller appreciation of their country’s history, and an understanding of the vast landscapes and differences that exist in our own backyard.
Once the initial shock of learning that bus boarding time at Mentone Grammar was 4.30am had subsided (for staff, students and parents alike!), feelings of excitement took over as the reality of visiting one of the truly unique parts of the world set in.
The walk around nearby Kings Canyon provided truly stunning views, well worth the incredibly steep climb at the beginning of the Returningwalk.to Yulara later in the week, watching the sunset over Uluru and sunrise at Kata Tjuta, not only provided great photo opportunities but also incredible memories that students will have for their lifetime.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 65 ...FEELINGS OF EXCITEMENT TOOK OVER AS THE REALITY OF VISITING ONE OF THE TRULY UNIQUE PARTS OF THE WORLD SET IN.
Year 8
66 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
At the end of Term 1 we had a whole year level Quiz Afternoon where the stakes were high and competition was fierce. However, Year 8 wasn’t all fun and games! Students were challenged academically and had a wide array of subject material to cover throughout the year. Students collated their work and set personal goals. They then presented tests, assignments and other pieces of work, completed during the year, to their parents at the Student-led Parent Conferences. These certainly helped students take more responsibility for their learning. Students then knuckled down and studied for their exams for each of their core subjects. Along with other school activities such as House sport, Saturday sport, and personal challenges and highlights this year has once again seen the Year 8s transition into responsible young people, with the skills required to tackle the challenges of Year 9 and life beyond. Leadership was also a focus throughout the year. All Year 8s as the most senior students in Bayview, were encouraged to be leaders, whether they wore a badge or not. At the beginning of the year several students attended a leadership conference and during the year a number of students were badged at assembly for their contribution to, and leadership in, Bayview. Congratulations must go to all students who did an exemplary job at leading whether they were formally recognised with a badge or not. Particular thanks must go to Bronte Reark and Benjamin Pertich for their excellent leadership as Bayview Captains.
Throughout the year our Year 8’s participated in our Mentoring program; students immersed themselves in the RULER program and each Mentor group came up with their own agreed charter of values.
In Year 8 we focused on relationships; relationships with themselves, their peers, friends, family and community. School values and global issues were addressed and emphasised in both Mentor and Chapel, as their journey along the path called adolescence continued. All students were encouraged to lead by example and to instill within themselves a sense of pride and responsibility for their own actions.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 67 Across these pages are snippets of personal highlights written by Year 8 students. I would like to thank the Year 8 Mentors of 2015 for their dedication, support and enthusiasm: Mrs Lisa Turner 8A, Miss Holly Loughran 8B (Semester 1), Mrs Gennie McNair (Semester 2), Mrs Heather Stone 8C, Year 8 Assistant Coordinator Mr Leigh Chislett 8D, Mr Steve Kuruc 8E, Ms Sabrina van Dort 8F, Mr Gary Colling 8G and Mr Jon Wever 8H. Last but not least, a huge thank must go to the students of Year 8 for the interest they have shown to their studies and the way they conducted and challenged themselves all year. The Year 8 Mentor Team would like to wish each and every one of you much success as you transition into Greenways. Ms Joanne Kamp YEAR 8 COORDINATOR ALL STUDENTS WERE ENCOURAGED TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND TO INSTILL THEIRRESPONSIBILITYOFTHEMSELVESWITHINASENSEPRIDEANDFOROWNACTIONS.
68 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 YEAR 8 WAS FUN AND ENJOYABLE AND A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
When you think you’ve studied enough, study InSTEVENmore.CHANDLERYear8Ienjoyed school sport because we could play the sport with our friends and have fun.
-
NATHAN HARBUTT
NICHOLAS THIELE
CARL SIMONDSON My highlight of Year 8 was winning the AGSV Swimming carnival for the second time in a row. The AGSV carnival was my highlight as Carl Simondson, Spencer Blain-Bartle, Trenton Johnson and I broke a Mentone Grammar record that had been there for 28 years.
This year was great and I have many great memories. The greatest memory would have to be going overseas to China. It was really good going overseas and seeing new things. But also the everyday things and, overall, a great time in Year 8.
JACK WILLIAMS
THEODORE POLITIS
Year 8
FINLAY MCKINNON My Year 8 highlight was winning the AGSV Swimming title, and being privileged enough to compete as well. This was a highlight as it’s a great feeling to win a team premiership. And of course another highlight was finding out Mr Wever was to be my Mentor, Science and Maths teacher.
I think that Year 8 was enjoyable and taught me more about how to study for exams later in my school years.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 69 THIS YEAR WAS GREAT AND I HAVE MANY GREAT MEMORIES. THE GREATEST MEMORY WOULD HAVE TO BE GOING OVERSEAS TO CHINA. IT WAS REALLY GOOD GOING OVERSEAS AND SEEING NEW THINGS. BUT ALSO THE EVERYDAY THINGS AND, OVERALL, A GREAT TIME IN YEAR 8. - FINLAY MCKINNON
Once again, classroom walls disappeared, textbooks were brought to life and learning taken to a new level. This year 176 Year 8 staff and students travelled to China Beijing, China Guangzhou and Cambodia. Our intrepid students traversed the globe with respect for each other as well as the cultures they visited. They gained invaluable insight and perception into how others live and how privileged they are. Their core values shone through; they were excellent ambassadors for Mentone DependingGrammar.onthedestination, students were able to walk the Great Wall, visit Angkor Wat, see the skyline of Hong Kong, help plant rice in the rice fields, shop for a bargain at the markets, travel on the bullet train from Hong Kong, trek the rice terraces of Guangzhou, learn traditional Cambodian dances, cycle the hutongs of Beijing, raft the river of Yangzhou, visit local schools in each of the regions and help teach English for a day. The smiles on the faces and messages home to parents while away said it all.
70 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
The year began with students choosing their ideal destination from a number of options and towards the end of Term 2, they met weekly in their Learning Journey groups to familiarise themselves with each other, the cultural differences, geography and currency of their chosen country. All groups learnt some basic greetings and how to count in the language of their destination.
– F Scott Fitzgerald
Year 8
It’s a funny thing coming home. Nothing changes. Everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. You realise what’s changed is you.
The quote by F Scott Fitzgerald sums up how the students of Year 8, 2015, felt when they returned home from their Cultures, Communities and Civilisations International Learning Journey.
As part of the lead up to the main trip, students enjoyed a day trip into Melbourne in their groups as a ‘test run’ to travelling together, catching public transport, working together as a team to get from place to place, visiting a market, or walking the ‘thousand steps’ in Ferntree Gully as well as dining on the cuisine of the country they were to visit. In order to complete the community service aspect of the Learning Journey, students held a BBQ fundraiser, a chocolate drive and casual dress day to raise funds for the local schools they were to visit whilst away. They used this money to purchase stationery supplies or other material needed by each of the schools.
Cultures, Communities and Civilisations International Learning Journey
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 71
OUR INTREPID STUDENTS TRAVERSED THE GLOBE WITH RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER AS WELL AS THE CULTURES THEY VISITED. THEY GAINED INVALUABLE INSIGHT AND PERCEPTION INTO HOW OTHERS LIVE AND HOW PRIVILEGED THEY ARE. THEIR CORE VALUES SHONE THROUGH; THEY WERE EXCELLENT AMBASSADORS FOR MENTONE GRAMMAR. Upon return, students put together a Travel Expo event for their parents, Board members and other students to attend. The classrooms came alive with their learning and understanding of the places they had visited. Visitors had a number of activities to complete in order to receive a ‘stamp’ in their ‘passport’ as they too ‘travelled’ in the footsteps of the Year 8s. The benefits and outcomes of such journeys are immeasurable. The goals set by the School for this Learning Journey to occur were met and exceeded. Each student returned to Australia with a very different perspective and understanding of their own way of life, the life of others as well as a comparative element of gratefulness for all that they have. Each student was challenged in his or her own way, for some travelling to another country and being away from family was a huge challenge. Across the following pages you will find a pictorial summary of each of the trips along with captions and quotes from the students. Remember that “The best education is one you experience” and as our inaugural coloured travel T-Shirts say –#Real Learning. Our students have certainly experienced real learning this year. Ms Joanne Kamp YEAR 8 COORDINATOR
I really enjoyed visiting all the temples and seeing the monks as it gave me a great insight into Cambodian culture and ILACHLANreligion.Nreallyenjoyed seeing how happy the kids can be with so little they have; it teaches a good life lesson. BeingOSCAR able to experience a different, developing nation was really awesome. Seeing the children’s delight over small gifts really lifted my spirits, and it gave me a whole new outlook on our society’s life. Being able to give was a great feeling, it felt like a cleansing of our souls.
PHOEBE W One of the highlights for this year has been the Learning Journey to China and building new friendships.
PARIS PAPAYIANNERIS
Communities and Civilisations International
JACINTA R
AARON M My highlight of this year’s learning journey was visiting the Great Wall of HEBEChina.B
Journey
REFLECTIONS Sometimes in life, one must reach out with outstretched arms and embrace the moments presented to them, step up and take the challenge, push themselves beyond their comfort zones, returning with an open mind to the endless possibilities. By doing so, they gain an inner strength so powerful – the ability to see the world through new eyes.
Their way of life was incredibly different. I will never forget it.
A wonderful experience, and a great way to see their culture and how they lived. MIA WATKINS I wouldn’t trade this trip for the world.
Year 8
Cultures, Learning
72 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
TheZAC Learning Journey to Cambodia this year was one of the best experiences of my life. I really enjoyed going to all the temples and seeing all the unique features of them. I also really enjoyed going to the school and helping out the IHARRYkids.Swentto Cambodia and I really enjoyed how different their culture was to our own here in Melbourne. My highlights were seeing Angkor Wat and going to the school to help teach the children things about our culture and in turn, learn things from them.
LANI HEIDECKER
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this trip.
BRIDIE W My highlight from Year 8s Learning Journey was being closer to people that I wasn’t so before.
MyJMK highlight of this year has been going on the Learning Journey. In particular, to the school where students who had barely anything, but could have been the happiest people I have ever seen.
CARL S I was in Cambodia Group 2 and it was an amazing journey to experience other cultures and learn just how lucky we are in Australia. My highlights from Cambodia were Angkor Wat and going to the school. Angkor Wat was so big and amazing because of the detail and history behind the buildings.
ABBY LEONARD
A trip of a life time. I’ll never forget the memories we made.
ByJOSHtravelling to Cambodia, I was able to learn about the country and also the lives of people who aren’t as fortunate as us. It taught me not to take things for granted. I also had an awesome time with my friends alongside this.
CALLUM BEACH For me the best part of the trip was definitely going to visit the two schools. It was rewarding to see the smiles on the children’s faces when we made them laugh and to see how little they have in material things, yet they still go on and live a happy life.
LACHLAN FRASER The bike ride stood out for me as one of the highlights; being able to experience the countryside from the ground. However, the school was the best part because they did not need a device to have a good time. The kids were all having a ‘go’.
VINCENT THAI-CHAN The places where I found myself most influenced were the markets because of their high intensity and infectious vibe, as well as the restaurants where there was so much foreign food that I had never explored before. All up, this trip is definitely an unforgettable experience that I hope will stay with me for a long time to come.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 73
THIS YEAR HAS BEEN AMAZING. I HAVE MADE MANY NEW FRIENDS AND THE LEARNING JOURNEY WAS THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.
ETHAN HUNT From this trip I learnt to appreciate all the opportunities that I have been given in my life so far. The biggest thing that I am grateful for would be the fact that I have a good school and home to grow up IBENin.LEEMBRUGGENlearntthat,inthe rice terrace region, the kids often leave school before year 6 to go to work on the family farm or to earn money.
My highlight was walking the Great Wall of AALLYChina.Shighlight for this year would be going to China and having the experience of walking along the Great Wall of China.
- ERIN P Overall, going to China was an amazing experience. We learnt a lot about the traditions and lifestyle of the people. As a result I loved the night markets. The environment was great. There was traditional food and things for sale. People constantly wanted you to buy their things. We learnt a lot about their culture from the markets.
JAYLEN MURE
KEGAN TIMMS
HELENA P
What I found most rewarding on the trip was when we were given an opportunity to watch the young children in their rural society. It was a great experience to see the children smile and laugh at our activities. To be able to compare our society gives us a sense of appreciation for our lives in Australia.
BAYVIEW TEACHER LIBRARIAN
we held competitions to celebrate Library Lovers’ Day and Book Week. Hudson Bucci from Year 5 was the winner of our first competition whilst Bethanie Bridge, Finnbar Reinehr, Max Tulloch, Steven Chandler and Austin Parker were the students with the greatest number of correct guesses in the Match the Staff Member to the Book competition. This year’s Book Week slogan was, Books Light up our World, and staff members were asked to name the book that had lit up their world as a middle school student.
Congratulations to the 152 Bayview students who completed the Challenge and to all students who continued to read regularly. After all, one of the main aims of the library is to encourage our students to read, read, read!
Our after school sessions attracted a regular crowd, some who came to complete homework before heading off to sports training and some who waited to be collected after school. Our regular tutors provided assistance for those who needed help with their homework and encouraged those attending to stay on Thistask.year
Library
Finlay Anderson
This year has been quieter than last year as far as extra activities in the library are concerned. However, that does not mean that the library has been quiet! It continued to be extremely popular with the lunchtime crowd as students came to work, catch up on homework, print, read books, play games and generally socialise. Our numbers always increased on extreme weather days but, for the most part, it is a place that students like to visit each day.
74 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Alison Barnett
As part of our Book Week celebrations we also had visiting author Andrew McDonald come and talk about writing in general as well as his two books, The Greatest Blogger in the World and Son of Death The students who came to hear Andrew speak were interested in discovering how experiences in his life have been incorporated into his stories as well as advice with regards to their own writing. Bayview students again participated in the Premier’s Reading Challenge and it was pleasing to observe that more students were actively recording what they read. As Middle Years students begin to read longer books, it can be difficult to complete 15 books in one year and so I particularly challenged our students to note how many books they did read in 2015 and to try and read one or two more books next year.
Kim Wootten FACULTY COORDINATOR –VISUAL ARTS BAYVIEW ART
Starting with the theme of landscape, the Year 7s were influenced by Vincent Van Gogh and took on elements of his style creating artworks using acrylic paint. The students’ work was presented as a group mural in the Mentone Grammar Art Exhibition. These artworks won the Packers’ Prize for 2015 and will be displayed in the Bayview Campus.
The results of our students work were put up on display at the annual Mentone Grammar Art and Design Exhibition and once again showed how diversity in the Visual Arts is celebrated.
It has been an exciting year in Bayview for all students with a wide range of Visual Art making taking place.
Our Year 6 students had the wonderful opportunity of visiting the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra and were treated to a special tour of the amazing collection of artworks on display, which included a collection of Pop Art. This assisted in consolidating their knowledge of the art movement when creating their Pop Art inspired ceramic sculptures.
Year 8 students developed their drawing, printing and construction techniques by looking at the art movement of Surrealism. They produced ceramic sculptures, lino prints and automated prints. In Semester 2, the girls explored fashion and street art. One group designed and sewed Boho bags that were embellished with a variety of textures. The other group produced designs that were hand painted onto calico bags.
Early in the year, Year 5 students were involved in clay workshops while they were on their Learning Journey at Shoreham. They were also involved in painting a group mural on radial balance, using a limited palette of tinted colours. This installation is on display in the Don Ingram Centre.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 75 Bayview Art
A much anticipated highlight of the Bayview calendar, the annual House Arts competition pitted House against House in a battle for supremacy on the dance floor, in vocal talent and 80s fashion faux pas. For the teachers it was a 2015 back-to-the-future moment...OnTuesday,2June, the air was abuzz with excitement. It was the day of the Bayview House Arts Competition. Since the start of Term 2, Houses had been gathering in Roll Call and Mentor Periods to brainstorm, learn and rehearse choreography and lyrics of songs from the 80s. Each performance was accompanied by Mentone Grammar’s very own 80s rock star band with Mr Gavin Cornish and Mr Frank Recchia on guitars, Ms Lidia Mancini and Mr Anthony Bingham on keyboards, Mr Reave Moloney on bass and Mr Ben Bruin on Andersondrums.House started it off with a bang with, We’re Not Gonna Take It, using loud guitar chords and ear-ringing drumming to really give the audience a message of defiance directed towards Mr Chislett, who acted the part of an angry teacher in Chapel. The audience was mesmerised and we eagerly awaited the rest of the Deightonperformance.showed us a favourite with I Love Rock & Roll, impressing us with various solo dancers and frightening devil costumes. The Year 8 boys in the front having a good old muzz (dance move), much to the delight of the audience.
Lionel Large cut loose with, Footloose With sparkly head ties, a great attitude and amazing aerobatic tricks, this was a sight. Their volume and enthusiasm were a perfect representation of people cutting footloose. To top it all off they had streamers flying through the air in a fantastic ending.
Drinan sang, Hey Mickey, with great choreography and singing. The dancers out the front impressed everyone with their amazing flexibility and versatility. The girls in front did a terrific job of leading Drinan with the lyrics, and the involvement of all the students of the House in every dance move was well Finlaydone.Anderson’s take on Spin Me Right Round looked dazzling in their bright yellow clothes, face paint, ribbons, and to top it all off they were waving the enormous Finlay Anderson Flag. The moves were a great reflection of the songs title, as it included various types of spins and twirls that were truly dazzling.
Bayview
House Arts
76 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Jones House performed a cult favourite with Eye of the Tiger. With their onesies and claw-mark face paint, they definitely looked the real deal. Impressive volume of singing and fearful dancing were a perfect reflection of the song. Soloists out the front kept the audience entertained, while the background singers kept a steady pace and rhythm.
Were House sang, Wake Me Up Before You Go Go. With great choreography and awesome dance moves made this song an amazing privilege to watch ... and the little group dance made this piece even better to watch. With their dazzling sparkly clothes, it was amazing.
White House sang, What a Feeling The dazzling hats and great use of the circle dance (where people dance in the middle) was a huge success. The in-sync choreography and loud singing made this performance a very entertaining Whilespectacle.theawesome judges added up their scores, Mentone Glee sang Riptide and Battle Scars ; they were both a beautiful mix of amazing voices making up two terrific songs. In the end Jones House was the clear winner although scores were close and the competition fierce. A huge thank you to our judges, who dressed the part; we had Ms Deb Frizza as Cyndi Lauper, Mr John Twist as Daryl ‘Dazza’ Braithwaite, Mrs Eklund Allan as Lil Pepa from Salt-N-Pepa and guest judge Mr Andrew Strano, as himself.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 77
Josh Cooley and Jaiden Watts 8G
78 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Bayview CupThorold
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 79 ANDERSON DEIGHTON DRINAN ANDERSONFINLAY LIONELLARGE JONES WERE WHITE ATHLETICS 7 3 5 6 1 8 4 2 SOFTBALL 4 7 3 8 1 6 2 5 SOCCER 3 2 7 6 8 4.5 4.5 1 CROSS COUNTRY 7 4 2 7 5 8 3 1 DRAMA 4 5 6 3 1 8 7 2 AFL 6 2 7 8 3 1 4 5 SOCCER 3 2 7 6 8 4.5 4.5 1 ULTIMATE FRISBEE 4 7 7 5 1 3 2 7 CRICKET 1 3.5 7.5 5.5 3.5 1 5.5 7.5 SWIMMING 4 1 6 5 2 8 3 7 HANDBALL 1.5 4.5 6 7 1.5 3 8 4.5 TUG OF WAR 5.5 3.5 5.5 8 3.5 2 1 7 VOLLEYBALL 2 8 6 4.5 4.5 3 7 1 HOUSE ARTS 4 5 6 3 1 8 7 2 TOTALS 56 57.5 81 82 44 68 62.5 53
80 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 YEAR 5A Emma Bennett Camille Brewer Madison Brown Rhianne Brown Emma Burton Lily Clements Catherine Galati Priya Gill Ella Heidecker Ava Ivanov Maddison Moore Madeleine O’Hara Amelia Pritchard Maylin Roy Sienna Salisbury Sophie Sibbald YEAR 5B Sarah Connell Alexandra Djurovic Victoria Gelbak Mia Georgantis Jasmin Hadjiyannakis Grace Laidlaw Daisy Laws Summer Leonard Sasha McLennan Zali Morris Hayley Parr Zoe Pertzel Eleni Rellos Lily Riley Shani Russell Riley Spence Holly Wale Hannah Watkins Mikayla Watson Karen TEACHERSheehy Elizabeth King TEACHER Not pictured: TheofilopoulouAfroditi Monique Zahra Kate TEACHERFrazer class photos Year 5
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 81 YEAR 5C Max Athanas Cameron Berry Adam Binmore Hudson Bucci Charles Daddo Ethan Esakson Ethan Gorringe Lachlan Harrington Alexander Hopkins William Hughes Thomas Jackson Zaine Leonard Tony Liu Tully McKinnon Henry Mentiplay Alex Morgan Tao Morgan Ashton Phillips Kai Reed Dennis Tezay Riley Wollen Tyrus Zdanius Kate TEACHERLang YEARMichael5DAlford Hamish Berry Thomas Byrne Cooper Friso Hamish Hughes Oliver Hughes Samuel Ingram Jordan Kurta Angus Marcombe Sam Murphy Phong Phan Jaden Prabaharan Joshua Rabak Carlos Reynolds Ethan Robertshaw Zachary Sniezek Carter Staggs Darcy Tadich Christopher Vorster Ro TEACHERRichter class photos Year 5
82 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 YEAR 6A Kate Bowcock Bethany Bratuskins Taya Brooks Mia Causer Milana Cherney Mikaela Cummins Mia Declase Mia Derham Tiana Dimits Ellen Fletcher Brayden Johnson Chanel Kilpady Chyna McGilvray Brooke McNamara Grace Myles Cassandra Newman Zali Reynolds Abbey Samild Livinia Stockdale Georgia Terry Isabella Terry TrudgenScarlett Frances Jenna Wale Jacqueline Cartwright TEACHER YEAR 6B Heath Belt Theodore Bountroukas Brandon Bridge Binh Dang Le Alex de Vos Samuel Dyer Christian Fowler William Frost Akshaye Ghela Oliver Halbish Simon Hall Maximilian Hine William Jackson Leonard Liu Jordan Michell Angus Perkins Peter Somogyi Oscar Tulloch Jenni TEACHERHarrison class photos Year 6
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 83 YEAR 6C Daniel Althoff-Dowell Nicholas Casa Samuel Chaplin Cameron Connell Jacob Edwards Matthew Harris Lachlan Hopkins Patrick Horne Lachlan Jones Jack Littleford Lloyd Macmillan Hugo Marcombe Finn McCall Bailey Oregan Peter Papadopoulos Ethan Pate Marcus van Straaten Kane Wilson Wayne Essing TEACHER YEARDouglas6DAllan Yanni Anastasiadis Liam Beach Hardy d’Alquen Jack Doulgeridis Luke Gold Alex Hassan Harrison Huber Karson Kilpady Thomas Litsios Daniel Matthew Brayden Mitchell Daniel Pate Adam Persic Edward Phillips Angus Reark Thomas Riley Simon Stevens James Villanti Mandy Chamberlain TEACHER class photos Year 6
84 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Not pictured: Alyssa Stuart YEAR 7A Matilda Appel Bethanie Bridge Ava Castle Yasmin Duffin Jessica Dunkerley Annabelle Eustice Eliza Ewart Tayla Fox Alyssa Hardy Jamieson Howe Luca Jeffs Emily Kerr Isabelle Leonidas Eliza Leydin Brooke McCullough Charlee Peachey Sophie Peachey Madeline Rickard Hannah Schmidt Claire Syme Stephanie Warmuz Tara Whittingham Ellie Wilson Susan TEACHERCarlson YEAR 7B Matilda Armstrong Drew Barclay Jenna Binmore Lily Bowles Anna Caley Rose England Grace Felsenthal Chloe Garifalakis Ruby Gonis Lilyana Gorringe Cassidy Hardy Sophie Hennig Charlotte Holland Tayla Langenfelds Claudia Levey Meg Magennis Ella Mairs Lauren Malby-Luke Chelsea McNamara Georgia Povah Amy Scopel Kira Walters Amy TEACHERLong class photos Year 7
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 85 YEAR 7C Jarrod Abell Daniel Alston Angus Armstrong Harrison Boys Simon Coubard Beau Forster Matthew Goedheer Valdis Guppy Jack Heaven Joshua Jackson Alexander Jones Lachlan Leason Henry Lewis Trent Meakins Carson Mumford Kosta Osianlis Oscar Page Liam Rolleman Blake Rosenberg Lucas Rowbury William Roworth Finn Wheeler James Rainey TEACHER YEARMitchell7DCallahan Jeremy Campbell Adam Carnegie Joshua Culley William Currey Jeremy Di Rosato Kieren Dyer Dougal Etheridge Tom Grant Adam Halliday William Hibbs Xavier Hogios Lawson Jones Joshua Madden Adam Marrow Thomas Mutton Felix O’Neill-Pugh Oskar Phillips Tarlis Reed Remus Reynolds Archie Rose Samuel Ursprung Frankie Varsamis Blake Williams Callum Endacott TEACHER Peter TEACHERO’Gorman class photos Year 7
86 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 class photos Year 7 YEAR 7E Myles Brown James Bull Harrison Dart Sam Davie Alexander Fennessy Jack Gardner William Gentle Michael Giannioglou James Gowan Kevin Helmerson Euan Hood Mitchell Kershaw Adam Laws Marcus Le Gear Ethan Murray Jack Pavlidis Callum Prior Angus Rimanic Archie Rowlands Calum Sargeant Thomas Shepherd Thomas Spencer Koby Thomson Rob TEACHERPatterson YEAR 7F James Carson William Filer Christopher Green Lachlan Howard Nelson Jaden Timothy Koulouris Max Leaver Thomas Meldrum Benjamin Murphy Jake O’Brien Archie Padley Denzil Paranihi Harry Pertzel Ethan Prabaharan Bailey Reed Joel Rotar Lachlan Rundmann Akul Saigal Spencer Smith Sam Tucker Charlie Webster Sebastian Zahra Tracey TEACHERPate Not pictured: Javier Rodriguez
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 87 class photos Years 7 & 8 YEAR 7G Jason Bartonek Ace Brodie Bodie Carter William Durston Thomas Fitzgerald Richard Jiang Alexander Joynson Peter Katsouranis James Mooney Tomas O Callum Roberts Samuel Rose Blake Sharp Lachlan Sinclair Sarthak Singh William Skinner Matthew Stoupas Oliver Straw Tighe Taylor Alexander Zhu Leonie Redfern TEACHER Not pictured: Logan Kwan YEARCharlotte8ABratuskins Isabella Daddo GiccominatoStephanie Alanah Heidecker Mackenzie Howe Cyanna Ilic Alana Jones Sophie Leonard Jacquelyn Mendel Elyssa Osianlis Paris Papayianneris Grace Phillips Tiffany Spitzer Holly Svojtka Dominique Taylor Ruby Timms Amelia Vise Mia Watkins Lisa TEACHERTurner
88 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 class photos Year 8 YEAR 8B Hebe Best Sienna Bolton Bonnie Boys Olivia Dickson Madeleine Ghent Ellinor Humphreys Abby Leonard Yilin Ma Helena Papasimeon Georgia Papayianneris Charlotte Pate Erin Porter Cate Rausz Jacinta Reading Bronte Reark Emma Scherger Alexandra Sheppard Tarn Smith Phoebe Wearne Bridie Wilson Holly TEACHERLoughran Genevieve McNair TEACHER YEARMekhala8CBera Megan Bresnehan Grace Bunting Tess Campbell Imogen Davis Abbey Dykas Karly Georgantis Zoe Lancaster Dekota Mark Sarah Petfield Alexandra Richards Eleanor Roberts Jessie Rosaia Emma Rothberg Tessa Styles Remi Trigg Alexandra Watkin Heather Stone TEACHER
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 89 class photos Year 8 YEAR 8D George Algeri Zachary Angus Nicholas Berry Tyler Denton-Gillespie Jai Florent Lachlan Fraser Hugo Gill Mitchell Henry Lachlan Hiscock Jonah Howell Sean McCubbin Max McCulloch Jeremy Miao Lachlan Milburn Mitchell Newman Pascal Ryszka Julius Schulze Samasidh Siva Ram Ethan Staggs Vincent Thai-Chan Zac Vallis Leigh TEACHERChislett YEAR 8E Callum Beach Michael Byrne Christopher Dikranis Samuel Dimits Patrick Distefano Riley Friso Angus Grant Ethan Hunt Blake Ibrhaim Dylan Johnson Aiden Koniuszko Andrew Lancaster Declan Latchford Lewis McLachlan Tomoya Owens Mitchell Pattinson Luke Ray Damon Rimanic Benjamin Ryan Finn Ryan James Stavropoulos Kegan Timms Steve TEACHERKuruc
90 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 class photos Year 8 YEAR 8F Jake Adderley Lucas Bartlett Jefferson Bauer Spencer Blain-Bartle Frixos Bountroukas Daniel Carruthers Steven Chandler Cian Curley James Gold Nathan Harbutt Charlie Howell Chris Perkins Theodore Politis Hayden Richards Jakob Sloan Harvey Smethurst Timothy Syme Nicholas Thiele Jacob Tinker Sabrina van Dort TEACHER YEAR 8G Torey Bernamoff Oscar Clarke Joshua Cooley Thomas Dyer Finlay Heath Angus Henry James Hornibrook Aaron Jones Benjamin Jones Edward Kent LeembruggenBenjamin Jayde Maluga Alexander McCann Jaylen Mure Lachlan Nott Nicholas Opie Benjamin Pertich Dylan Tomlinson Jesse Turner Jaiden Watts Ryan White Jeremy Williams Jiaqi Zhou Gary TEACHERColling Not pictured: Max Pedder
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 91 class photos Year 8 YEAR 8H Lucas Armstrong Joseph Childerley Joel Cummins Lachlan Hughes William King Nathan Klein Finlay McKinnon Aaron Moore Charlie Officer Austin Parker Dylan Perry Brett Poll Samuel Pritchard Ben Putamorsi Finnbar Reinehr Matthew Scott Harry Siemering Carl Simondson Benjamin Sorrenson Harrison Terry Max Tulloch Jack Williams Jon TEACHERWever
92 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Bayview Year 8 Graduates
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 93 WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO BE PREPARED FOR A FAST-PACED, CHANGING WORLD. INDEPENDENCE AND CREATIVITY ARE KEY SKILLS TO SUPPORT THEIR TRANSITION BEYOND SCHOOL. - NATALIE MCLENNAN His... appine ss GREENWAYS
Head of Greenways
94 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 supports growth. This development occurs at different times and, sometimes, as a result of different experiences and environments. This year, Greenways has provided our students with a dynamic and interactive environment. The space is inviting and allows academic staff to use the Centre as an important part of their teaching practice. We want our students to be prepared for a fast-paced, changing world. Independence and creativity are key skills to support their transition beyond school. At Mentone Grammar, we have done this well for some time. In 2015, we have taken this to a new level. The program that underpins Greenways and the physical environment are being discussed amongst educational leaders. Our diverse academic program is supported by exciting learning journeys that develop our students’ personal growth. These journeys are designed to challenge our students and take them out of their comfort zone. These are all vital ingredients in keeping Year 9s developing and learning to their full potential. Our Teaching and Learning Framework underpins our learning culture. This year, we have continued to embed John Hattie’s Visible Learning concepts within our classrooms and beyond. Teachers provide students with clear learning intentions at the beginning of a lesson, so that they can establish their individual learning goals for a specific lesson or task. Students and staff also focus on the success criteria for specific lessons or tasks. How will the students know they have achieved the learning intentions? In fact, this is what defines my job as a vocation. I have the privilege to see the Greenways experience change the direction and focus of adolescent lives every year. There is nothing more rewarding than a student shaking my hand at the end of a year with a heartfelt thank you. This is when I know I have not only done my job, but the Greenways experience has provided students with the platform for positive growth and change. One of our goals is to provide each student with an abundance of opportunities available to succeed and thrive. The challenge with Year 9 is to continue to engage and extend students in a dynamic learning program that embraces personal development and Our third year in Greenways has been nothing short of busy, engaging and full of opportunity to say the least. As educators, we are involved in one of the most rewarding vocations - the development and, on some occasions, the transformation of young people.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 95
What does success look like? Parents also play an important role in embedding these concepts and routines at home. We encourage you to continue the dialogue and ask the following sorts of Whatquestions:areyou learning at the moment? What feedback did you get today? These types of questions can assist in establishing a stronger relationship with your adolescent child because you are showing a keen interest in their day. What conversations are you having over the dinner table? Constructive feedback is also a very useful tool. John Hattie states that ‘feedback is among the most powerful influences on achievement’. It is the chance to reflect upon and evaluate progress. Hattie also says that ‘for feedback to have a positive effect, we need transparent and challenging goals (learning intentions), an understanding of current status (knowledge of prior achievement) and transparent and understood criteria of success. In Greenways, we have continued to work towards this in 2015. Through regular reflection and collaboration with staff and parents, students can now determine the strategies they need to employ to improve their personal best in subject areas.
IF YOU GET OPPORTUNITYTHETO VISIT THE CAMPUS, YOU WILL SEE AACHIEVEDTHISLEARNINGHANDS-ONINACTION.WOULDNOTBEWITHOUTFANTASTICTEAM.
We will continue to provide our students with a variety of learning contexts that are engaging and relevant in 2016. These learning contexts take place in a number of different situations: a combination of explicit learning and inquiry-based learning, students working independently and collaboratively. If you get the opportunity to visit the Campus, you will see hands-on learning in action. This would not be achieved without a fantastic team. I would like to thank the Greenways staff and the Mentone Grammar Community. Without you, the continued success of this Campus would not be possible. We continue to reflect and evolve this fantastic initiative. And to the students – I ask you to continue to strive for the very best in your learning journey at Mentone Grammar. Only expect big things. Natalie McLennan HEAD OF GREENWAYS
This year we opted to do the Food Hygiene and Safety training in-house. This provided a greater insight into planning the lessons taught into our own kitchen.
Week 1 of the Café Program began with a trip to William Angliss Institute of TAFE in the city. The ABCs of Espresso were delivered to the students by two trainers with many years of industry experience. The course teaches the students how to texture milk and brew espresso, both important when making a great coffee. When the students returned to school their skills were put into practice making coffees for staff, students and our School Community. This can be quite challenging for students but by Day 5 they had overcome their nerves and produced some fantastic coffee.
96 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
When teaching the program I was able to direct students to the appropriate safety and hygiene requirements that were relevant to them and our kitchen while participating in the program.
In Week 2 of the program students completed what’s known as the Market Stall Challenge. In groups of two, students market, cost, prepare and sell a product from their own market stall.
The 2015 Year 9 cohort produced 80 market stalls and some of the amazing items produced for these stalls included: souvlaki, pizzas, pulled pork rolls, chicken schnitzel rolls, sticky date pudding, banana splits and lolly cookies, to name just a few. We constantly pushed boundaries by making sure students prepared all menu ideas from scratch and by taking in a steady stream of functions from the different Faculties, Houses and parents groups. It is always hard work during Café week but a rewarding one as we try to simulate a commercially run café as best we can. We are now moving into our fourth year of the Greenways Café Program and we are still producing new and nourishing products on a daily basis. Follow us on twitter @MGGreenways to see what we do!
It has been another successful year in the Greenways Café where our program has grown along with the skills and enjoyment of creating and serving food and great coffee.
This year we intensified the market stall challenge by having more focus on advertising with the help of Mrs Christine Altidis who teaches VCE Business Management and planning. We used the following two philosophies to iterate the importance of planning: The 5 Ps - ‘Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance’ and, ‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail’.
CaféGreenwaysprogram
Katherine Nish GREENWAYS CAFÉ MANAGER
JAMES HUTCHINSON 9E
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 97 WE CONSTANTLY PUSHED BOUNDARIES BY MAKING SURE STUDENTS PREPARED ALL MENU IDEAS FROM SCRATCH AND BY TAKING IN A STEADY STREAM OF FUNCTIONS FROM THE DIFFERENT FACULTIES, HOUSES AND PARENTS GROUPS.
Café has been the highlight of my Year 9 experiences. It gave me the opportunity and freedom to make and create food by myself, with the guidance of Mrs Nish and Mr Stembridge, following recipes and at times creating our own. The Café Program gave us the ability to try new things and to have a go at simple and difficult recipes that didn’t always turn out so well JAMIE-LEE MUNN 9C Café provided us with the opportunity to use cooking equipment that I have never used before including a Thermomix and coffee machine, earning us our barista licences. It gave students the ability to cook and learn how to cook for those who hadn’t had the opportunity prior to this program (as was evident in the food) as well as new techniques to take onboard in the future and possibly as a career.
A big thank you to the Year 9 Class of 2015, it was a marvellous year. A year that would not be possible without the culinary skills of Mr Mark Stembridge and the wonderful hardworking Ms Jess Galloway – Thanks again! Looking forward to serving you in 2016.
The City An important aspect of the Learning Journeys program is spending time in Melbourne. During the City Week, students were completely responsible for themselves – whether this be meeting at a variety of locations around the city or representing Mentone Grammar at the Anglican Schools Church Service, our students were always great ambassadors for our School. Experiences in the City of Melbourne varied for each class.
The Program is designed to ensure that Learning Intentions throughout the Program test our students and enable them to cope with a vast variety of physical and emotional challenges. We aim to provide students with a number of skills that can be transferred across all aspects of their lives. This Program takes students out of Greenways with the focus of a hands-on approach to the Year 9 curriculum. This immerses them in a range of different environments they may not otherwise experience; 2015 has been challenging, stimulating and fun.
The Year 9 Learning Journey is a unique and exciting aspect to the year in Greenways. Each class spends a four-week block out of the classroom and while some experiences for these groups are the same as others, some are unique to a specific class.
98 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
A highlight for each group was a classroom session with The Big Issue. This is a magazine produced and sold by people in Melbourne facing marginalisation and disadvantage. This opened our eyes and showed us the difficulties some people face every day. Another feature of the City Week was a day at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, or AMCI. This saw our students, some of whom we can now see as budding newsreaders or sport reporters, develop a news program as they worked together to make a live TV show. The culmination of these activities allowed students to gain an appreciation of Melbourne while challenging them geographically and giving them independence.
LearningGreenwaysJourneys
From learning about the Old Melbourne Gaol to the Shrine of Remembrance to the Street Art of Melbourne, our students were able to see a side of the city they may not have otherwise been aware of.
Shoreham The time at Shoreham during the Learning Journey is different from all previous experiences at Shoreham for Greenways students, with activities focusing on sustainability and human impact on the bay. Activities included scuba diving, bike riding, bush walking, tree surfing, snorkelling and even flying a plane. While many of the days in Shoreham centred on how we can use the bay, our other focus was teamwork, communication and learning about one another. The living quarters relied on the classes working together to ensure we were in a safe and supportive environment that was well maintained. The cooking of our evening meals was a priority, with groups of students required to cook for the community every night.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 99
Longerenong Longerenong Agricultural College provided classes with a unique opportunity to work together and learn the characteristics of their classmates while spending time on a fully operational farm. Learning about life on the land showed our students just how much work goes into providing the food that ends of up our tables. Whether it was working together to move pigs from one pen to another, deciphering one type of seed from another and just how much goes into producing these seeds or sorting and classifying wool from sheep, our students now have an appreciation of farming life.
Brotherhood of St Laurence Two of our classes were able to undertake an Urban Camp with The Brotherhood of St Laurence in Brunswick. This program seeks to educate and influence a new generation of young people to understand the issues facing disadvantaged Australians. Through a variety of observation, discussion and practical activities, our students were able to delve into the issues of social inequality, injustice and social exclusion. They engaged with Brotherhood clients and contributed to the welfare of disadvantaged people, both young and old. The Urban Camps had a positive impact on our students. Through the camps, Greenways students were given an opportunity in which they expanded their knowledge and improved their wellbeing through appreciation of their own lives and the experience of helping others.
The Learning Journeys Program allows our Year 9 students to participate in a wide variety of activities that they may not otherwise experience.
100 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Catherine Poulton LEARNING JOURNEYS FACILITATOR
Our students also learnt about the Social Enterprise of The Brotherhood of St Laurence, which relies on donations from the public in the form of goods. These donations help them to stock their 20 stores throughout Victoria, where they raise much needed funds for the organisation. Donations are always welcome, and a member from the Brotherhood of St Laurence can collect from your home, or you can donate at their stores. Information can be found on their website (www.bsl.org.au) or you can call them at 1300 DONATE. Collections can also be organised by emailing them
Thecustomerservice@bsl.org.auat:LearningJourneysProgram allows our Year 9 students to participate in a wide variety of activities that they may not otherwise experience. While the four-week program is full with a variety of experiences, it flies by. Luckily, the time away from Greenways provides a number of lifelong learning experiences and outstanding opportunities.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 101 class photos Year 9 YEAR 9A Holly Adams Tia Botakis Michaela Burgess Sarah Caley Daisy Causer Emma Coubard Kate Derham Kiara Devers Maya Dunne Charlotte Fryer Ella Hassan Isabella Houlahan Lara Huttley Anna Laidlaw Jiyeon Lee Anna Lofthouse Nicole Moore Tara O’Brien Imogen Schwarz Tatum Sfameni Megan Siedle Chloe Stone Peronel Taylor Jewel Whittingham Ms Julia Hicks CLASS COORDINATOR Ms Sarah Forster-Muir CLASS COORDINATOR YEAR 9B Ruby Athanas Caitlin Baxter Lucy Bowman Emily Bresnehan Claudia Brown Natalie Clucas Madison Daley Ashley Dandoulis Eden Filikotzias Jordan Fox Grace Goodman Rebecca Hayes Kimberley Henricks Emily Hill Eliza Hollingsworth Stephanie Kelly Annabelle Kidd Belle Leonard Gemma Mottram Angelica Nicolas Georgia Rowan Miss Vanessa Moore CLASS COORDINATOR
102 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 class photos Year 9 Alison Ahern Nina Alston Pamela Bardis Elly Blasse Madelyn Brooks Samantha Cooper Jessica Ewart-McTigue Lauren Fagan Lotus Jeffs Cayla Le Gear Emma Maggio Jamie-Lee Munn Isabella Parker Olivia Pukallus Jamie Riddell Arabella Scanlon Cara Scott Alexandra Siedle Alleisha Stephens Katherine Tsihlakis Emma Vear Isabelle Verrills Rachel Watson Sasha Widelski Ms Tanya McAllister CLASS YEARYEARCOORDINATOR9C9DMinaAttia Jordan Baxter James Bouwmeester David Fogarty Thomas Goodman Alexander Grant Geordie Hore Luqi Huang Joshua Johansson Matthew Kerr Matthew Kolivas Corey Lawton Harry Littleford Adam Mahmoud Callum Matthew Patrick Myles Lochlann Owen-Tucker Cameron Rowbury Maurice Smith Emile Tait Miles Thomas Kai Tifere-Price Luke Turnbull Mr Stuart Cleeve CLASS COORDINATOR
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 103 YEARAlexander9EAridas Joshua Barclay Harrison Bridge James Campbell Peter Cotsopoulos Jeremy Davie Kerry Feng Troy Flavell Angus Goodwin Jamie Hordagoda Harry Kingston Jude Lowe Joshua Miller Lachlan Newman Damian Papadopoulos Nathan Paykin Rudy Porter James Rosaia Luke Shi Benjamin Stone Kiaan Storti Guy Witherow Mr Michael Woolhouse CLASS COORDINATOR YEARNicholas9FArchibald Sean Butler Zeyang Chen James Eustice Scout Glennon James Grey Lochlan Hennig James Hutchinson Trenton Johnson Jacob Koniuszko Tyler Milburn Nicholas Milledge Adam Pitt Leonard Shepherd Angus Spargo TheodoropoulosTheodore Henry Wang David Xinan Jingqi Zhou Mr Umut Ersezer CLASS COORDINATOR class photos Year 9
104 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 class photos Year 9 YEARMatthew9GBorys James Bowles Noah Brooks Max Bull James Cardamone Quayd Duffin Marcus Etheridge Kieran Fagan Beau Glennon Harry Goakes Yu Gong Callum Holland Thomas Jones William Leeds George Litsios Jai Magennis Aiden Renshaw Benjamin Sheridan Thomas So Ethan Tribe Konstantinos Tsaousis Ari Zigouras Mr Henry Kiss CLASS COORDINATOR YEAR 9H Billy Bromidis William Carter Bradley Chick Brandon Demura Matthew Doyle Timothy Edwards Sean Enright Dylan Field Stefan Gerrard Jasper Gordon Ethan Gough David Helmerson Harrison Houlahan Lachlan Howe Andrew Kennedy Markos Koulouris Kai Lindsay Jack McGindle Conor Murray Oliver Pontifex James Rickard Peter Varsamis Braden Watts Mr Craig Best CLASS COORDINATOR
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 105 THE PASTORAL ROLE OF THE HOUSES IS FUNDAMENTAL IN FACILITATING THE WELLBEING AND HAPPINESS OF OUR FROGMORE STUDENTS... - CAMERON LANCASTERHis... appine ss FROGMORE
Our students are indeed fortunate that the rigour of our academic program is well supported by nurturing pastoral programs, most notably through the House system, and challenging cocurricular programs. The pastoral role of the Houses is fundamental in facilitating the wellbeing and happiness of our Frogmore students and I commend our House Coordinators and Captains for the role they played in establishing the nurturing and supportive environments within our Houses this year. Frogmore students enjoy a strong sense of allegiance and pride in their House, which is always on show at the many House competitions. The House Championship is always keenly contested and this year was no exception. High levels of participation and skills were evident in all activities, ensuring a very close finish. Congratulations to Jones House, including House Captain Brayden Morrow, whose high level of endeavour and persistence earned the House the Championship plate for Congratulations,2015. and thank you, also to Mr Rohan Murphy who has declared his tenth year will be his last as Lionel Large House Coordinator. Throughout the past decade Mr Murphy has made an excellent contribution to both Lionel Large House specifically, and our pastoral program in general, and we wish him every success moving forward.
106 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 While their focus is rightly directed towards their academic pursuits, our senior students also enthusiastically engaged in the numerous opportunities that abound within the Campus, targeted toward the development of each individual. It has been wonderful to reacquaint myself with our senior students during these final stages of their educational journey, to see how much they have learned and have grown throughout these past few years, and to now share their successes with them as they complete their VCE studies and celebrate their final years at Mentone Grammar.
Head of Frogmore
The Cadet Unit continues to thrive under the leadership of Commanding Officer Major Jon Wever, as evidenced by the large numbers of students involving themselves in the program as well as The Frogmore Campus continues to provide our students with a diverse range of opportunities and experiences as they look to develop their interests and character throughout their final years of schooling.
Our Cocurricular program continues to provide students with a diverse range of opportunities to develop character, leadership and skills.
Students have continued to utilise the Village Square, our online Learning Management System, to support them in their learning while, for the first time, parents have also had access to timely data regarding their child’s academic performance. This added dimension of up-to-date student performance data has certainly impacted the focus of communication between students, staff and parents, providing a level of transparency that has both enhanced the conversations regarding student understanding and assisted in the development of purposeful strategies to achieve learning goals. Within our Visible Learning Framework, with a focus on Formative Assessment, the continued development of online resources via the Village Square, alongside our BYOD program, ensured we continued to develop and enhance learning opportunities for Frogmore students.
Our educational program, informed by modern educational research and incorporating the effective use of ICT and data, provides excellent learning opportunities for our students and I commend our talented team of teachers for the time and effort they have provided to ensure our students are academically well prepared to perform to their personal best. All staff are regularly engaged in professional development regarding our Teaching and Learning framework, with a focus on Visible Learning and Formative Assessment, resulting in vibrant discussions and various initiatives which are implemented within the classroom. Throughout those classroom lessons, and within small group tutorials and additional seminars, staff have developed strong learning partnerships and incorporate meaningful feedback to assist our students.
The Gregory Fish Library continued to be a popular venue for students looking to undertake study and revision beyond the end of lessons each day and I commend our wonderful team of teacher-librarians and tutors who support our students in these study sessions. In addition, and under the guidance of Mrs Miffy Farquharson, our library staff continued to introduce programs designed to enhance the study skills and literacy standards of all, including numerous competitions, clubs, literary groups and workshops from visiting authors and illustrators.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 107 IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL TO REACQUAINT MYSELF WITH OUR SENIOR STUDENTS DURING THESE FINAL STAGES OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY, TO SEE HOW MUCH THEY HAVE LEARNED AND HAVE GROWN THROUGHOUT THESE PAST FEW YEARS... the ever increasing number of students seeking leadership positions via promotions courses. Our Cadet program, overseen by a dedicated core of Officers and CUOs, offers students an array of leadership and skills based learning while the Annual Camp, held during the final week of Term 2, again provided our students with unique opportunities to demonstrate that learning and apply their skills as they overcame an array of challenges. Our Performing Arts program encourages students to express their creative talents and continues to grow within the School, culminating in the wonderful School production of Seussical and our Spring Concert at the end of Term 3. Led by Mr Gavin Cornish, Ms Louise Daly and our talented and endlessly enthusiastic staff, our Performing Arts department continues to mentor students who produce entertaining and exceptional performances. Our Public Speaking and Debating teams have enjoyed excellent success in various competitions this year and our thanks go to Mr Mark Smith, who stepped up to take on the role of Mentor to our students, and James Spencer, our Public Speaking Captain. Our Debating teams, in particular, enjoyed significant success, with our Year 10 team, comprising Harry Austin, Ryan Buckler, Austin Hollingsworth and Tom Siedle, finishing in the top 16 in the State. Congratulations also to Victor Ding on being awarded a DAV Swannie Award as Best Speaker in the region. Our sporting teams represented the School extremely well this year, producing numerous highlights and personal best performances. In particular, the efforts of our swimmers, with both our Boys and Girls’ teams winning premierships this year to make it back-toback victories. Our very strong Senior Girls’ Touch Rugby team, who won both the AGSV and State titles, deserve a specific mention. Our thanks go to the numerous coaches and managers, and in particular Ms Leah Percy and Ms Erin Hunt for their leadership and organisation this year.
Cameron Lancaster HEAD OF FROGMORE
Frogmore has also been well served by its student leaders in 2015. Led by our Head Prefects, Tom Goodwin and Monique Maitland, our student leaders have made a wonderful contribution to raising School spirit. Covering areas that include Academics, Community Service, Cross Campus activities, International Student involvement, Public Speaking and Sporting and Cocurricular activities, our leaders have developed and implemented numerous initiatives throughout the year, stimulating interest and enhancing student engagement within our School.
Finally, congratulations and farewell to our wonderful Year 12 students who have contributed much to our campus this year. They have been excellent role models for our younger students and we wish them all the very best for their lives beyond Mentone Grammar.
In particular, our Academic Team, led superbly by Christopher Scrob and Jaidyn Muhandiramge, have been instrumental in implementing a number of initiatives designed to assist our Year 12 students in their academic pursuits, while Community Service Captain Nicola Leahy, Ryan Chand and Ms Emma Heine, along with a dedicated team of staff and students, are to be commended for their initiative to run a camp for disabled students from Yarrabah School.
While Years 7-9 have always had text choice through their Literature Circles, our senior students were also given greater control of their own learning this year, with our Year 10 course offering them the opportunity to select an option for a comparative unit. While some were encouraged to Seize the Day or found their Little Voice, others engaged in a study of Power and Prejudice or sensed the Seeds of Change in the air. This last unit in particular, looking at Of Mice and Men alongside the lyrics of Dylan and Springsteen, was an eye opener for many students who were dragged from the safety of modern pop lyrics to some classic rock and roll angst! English Language also continued to prove a popular option for many students, the visit to the ELC as part of the Unit 1/2 course providing a highlight once more.
James Walton FACULTY COORDINATOR – ENGLISH
Occurring during Term 2, the Year 11 students observed the stage of language It has been another productive year in the English Faculty, with our programs continuing to grow and adjust to further foster student engagement.
Faculty Report
IMPROVING THE ABILITY TO READ TEXTS AND INFER MEANING, ALONGSIDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A INIMPROVEMENTTOCANEFFORTTHATSOKEYWRITINGSOPHISTICATEDSTYLEISTHETOSUCCESSINMANYSUBJECTSINCREASEDINENGLISHTRANSLATEASIGNIFICANTALLAREAS.
108 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 acquisition of the young children attending the Centre. While the children played, the Year 11s watched their interactions and wrote a report in which they discussed the students’ language development. This was an outstanding way to combine their theoretical knowledge with practical examples and the senior students thoroughly enjoyed their visit. Visits from external speakers also added to the students learning experience in 2015. Alongside the regular lectures from experienced VCE speakers and dramatic performances from theatre companies, students also benefitted from a creative writing afternoon organised by the GFL staff. Inviting in five published authors, Year 10s had the opportunity to participate in small workshop activities, learning from the experts what it takes to be a successful writer. As English evolves in the School, we must continue to recognise the importance of the skills taught in the subject for other courses. Improving the ability to read texts and infer meaning, alongside the development of a sophisticated writing style is the key to success in so many subjects that increased effort in English can translate to a significant improvement in all areas. With that in mind, we look to 2016 and new opportunities to make our prose sing.
English
The GFL is a vibrant and engaging place to study and read. Make sure to come and ask us how we can help you to improve in your studies next term! What to know more? Destiny Quest onhttp://mgslibrary.wordpress.com;MGhttp://oscar.mentonegrammar.net;on:LibrariesBlog–Twitter-@libraryhelpMGS.
Miffy Farquharson HEAD OF LIBRARIES
Another jam-packed year in the GFL!
Library Literatureand
This year we saw the introduction of a structured Wide Reading program for Year 10s, where students have explicitly investigated how creative writing is structured and analysed. Year 9s also had a new program, looking at genres of writing including Graphic Novels and BookPoetry.Week of 2015 saw four wonderful guest artists to our Library: Marc McBride, Jacqui Grantford, Serena Geddes, and Kevin Burgemeestre. All fascinating speakers, they presented their techniques and tips to enthralled audiences. In the following months, Year 10 students were treated to presentations about Creative Writing from Nicole Hayes, Fiona Wood, Amie Kaufman, and George Ivanoff. Our current students benefitted greatly from have more former high achieving students join our Mentonians After School Tutor Program across the Bayview, Greenways, and Frogmore Campuses. This provided students with access to mentoring assistance across a broad range of subjects along with practical study skills and advice. From Monday to Thursday each evening, more than 100 students across the three campuses took advantage of this wonderful program. Since September 2014, almost 2,500 new items have been added to the GFL and Faculty Collections, with just over 1,000 outdated items removed to make way. New items have included Fiction and Non-Fiction books, power adapters, cameras and other AV equipment, textbooks, graphic novels, picture books, games, and more.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 109
Humanities
110 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
asylum seekers. An excursion to Pamir, a traditional Uzbek and Afghani restaurant was organised for students to experience and appreciate a traditional cultural experience while reflecting on their learning.
Our Year 11 History class visited the Jewish Holocaust Museum and Research Centre, an organisation dedicated to the memory of the six million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators between 1933 and 1945. Students participated in an extremely valuable educational program and had the privilege of meeting Mr Abram (Abe) Korn a survivor of Auschwitz. Mr Korn shared his experience during this time and engaged students with oral histories. As a result, the Faculty’s objective is to facilitate student learning by developing a sense of appreciation, respect and understanding of human experience and diversity that connects social, cultural, environmental, economic and political contexts at an individual, local, national and international level. Our Students were encouraged to identify and analyse the challenges that we as a society may face in the future.
Year 8 students were taken back in time to the Medieval period during an all day incursion. Students trained as squires, and took on a fighter (with Medieval armour), participated in weapons and armour events and learnt about the customs, laws and sciences using roleplaying with stocks, whips and torture instruments. They also participated in Medieval dances, which date back to the Renaissance period.
This year our students were engaged in many unique, exciting and challenging learning experiences to support key knowledge analysed in the classroom.
Year 5 Humanities students visited the Eureka Stockade, Ballarat where they explored the rich history and legacy of the Chinese miners during the 1850s Victorian Gold Rush, and the birthplace of Australian Democracy. Year 6 students unravelled the reasons for and effects of international migration in Australia by identifying and analysing the main types and patterns of international migration, with a particular focus on refugees and Humanities explores the study of human behaviour and interaction in social, cultural, environmental, economic and political contexts. At Years 7-10 students study History and Geography while senior students are offered the opportunity to explore additional disciplines including Accounting, Business Management, Economics, Geography, History - Revolutions and 20th Century, Legal Studies and Politics. Faculty Report
This excursion allowed me to get a deeper sense of the human impact of the Holocaust. The excursion was valuable as it was an enriching experience to understand firsthand the social tribulations of the Jews during the Nazi regime.
Year 11 Business Management students ran their annual Market Day. Students worked during Term 3 to develop a Business Plan that reflected key business knowledge studied in Semester 1 and measured their success against criteria outlined in the plan. All profits were donated to the Zaidiee’s Rainbow Foundation. Students demonstrated excellent preparation, customer service, communication and selling techniques during their hands-on approach to the learning experience.
Reflections from the Year 11 Jewish Holocaust Museum and Research Centre Excursion: What impacted you most about the excursion? Actually meeting a survivor who went through the torture of the Nazis. It made the event seem completely real and not so distant. Also seeing the names and faces of the Holocaust victims made me realise that they aren’t just a number anymore. Abe’s story touched my heart, and made me so grateful for where I live and the great conditions in Australia.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 111
FELICITY WARREN
THIS YEAR OUR STUDENTS WERE ENGAGED IN MANY UNIQUE, EXCITING AND CHALLENGING LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO SUPPORT KEY KNOWLEDGE ANALYSED IN THE CLASSROOM.
Sebastian Pena Late in Term 3 all Year 10s undertook a field trip to Point Nepean in the Mornington Peninsula National Park. During the field trip students gathered data on the natural processes and human activities that have shaped both the Quarantine Centre and Fort Nepean. They also learnt about the management techniques that can be put in place to sustainably manage these coastal environments into the future. Students produced a major assessment itemthe Field Trip Report - for their Semester 2 assessment in Humanities. The weather was kind on most of the four days of the excursion and students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to undertake some experiential and ‘real’ geography.
Humanities staff have worked endlessly this year to ensure learning in the classroom is visible. They have challenged student-thinking processes and aimed at transitioning their classrooms by analysing and implementing Professor Hattie’s ‘effect-size’. They continuously reflected on their teaching practices and adapted various Visible Learning strategies to optimise student learning.
Mrs Christine Altidis FACULTY COORDINATOR - HUMANITIES
Students of languages in Years 2 to 12 continued to enjoy the challenge and excitement of the online language learning program, Language Perfect. Competition continued throughout the year but became particularly intense during the 10 days of the Language Perfect World Championships in May, as individuals and classes vied for coveted prizes. For the second year in a row Kerry Feng (Year 9) was the top scoring Mentone Grammar student, receiving a Gold Award and a $50 iTunes voucher. Overall, Mentone Grammar placed 40th in the world in our category of schools and 7th for German in StudentsVictoria.also participated in the annual Assessment of Language Competence (ALC) competition conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). At the time of writing, the results had not yet been received.
The LOTE Faculty had another full and busy year. An important new initiative this year was the employment of native speaker language assistants as an additional resource for Year 12 students as they prepared for their oral examinations.
112 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Competitions and Awards
Expanding Program
Faculty Report LOTE
During much of Term 3 students committed to giving up a study period once a week to meet for one to one conversation practice with the assistants. So successful was this initiative, that by popular demand it continued into Term 4 right up until the final written examinations. Based on positive student feedback this initiative will be expanded in 2016.
The number of students studying Mandarin Chinese continued to grow in 2015 as the language was extended into Year 6. To facilitate this growth, the department welcomed to the staff a second Chinese teacher, Ms Yan Ma.
LOTE Week in Term 3 was an opportunity to celebrate the four languages taught at the school and their associated cultures. Students and staff enjoyed the various international foods that were on sale during lunch times throughout the week.
In June, Eblana students celebrated Chinese Day with various colourful and exciting activities including a Lion Dance. Then, Oktoberfest, with all its festive colour and fine food returned to Mentone Grammar in Term 4.
Exchange Events In March the school hosted groups of exchange students from both our German partner school, Markgräfin-WilhelmineGymnasium (MWG), and from our Japanese boys’ partner school, Nagoya High School.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 113
Festivals and Celebrations
David Barber FACULTY COORDINATOR – LOTE Tour of Japan
We began our journey late at night in Melbourne Airport, and said our goodbyes to our families. Some of us would see them in a few weeks, whereas others wouldn’t be seeing their parents for months. Nevertheless, we checked in our baggage, and after a few security/immigration checks, found ourselves walking onto the plane. Our first stop was a layover in Hong Kong before continuing on to Tokyo. It is an absurdly large airport, and with the number of gates moving into the three digit mark, we all knew getting lost was more than a possibility. A few hours later we jumped on our next plane and set off for Japan’s capital.
An opportunity for selected Year 9 students to participate in an extended exchange to Japan was a new initiative in 2014. Three students were selected in 2015, departing at the start of the September school holidays to participate in the two week Japan Study Tour, before their extended exchange until early November. Jacob Koniuszko and Sean Butler did their exchange at Nagoya High School and Annabelle Kidd at Hakata Girls’ High School in Kyushu. Students were hosted by Japanese families and attended classes with their host siblings. Such a rich variety of activities and opportunities for our students is made possible only through the talents and commitment of the team of dedicated teachers who make up the Mentone Grammar LOTE Faculty. I thank my colleagues for their individual and collective efforts that have gone into creating such a range of exciting and successful programs through which our students are challenged and equipped.
114 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
This year’s one-year exchange student from Nagoya was Hidetaka Ko in Year 10, also known by his Chinese name of Ying-Chieh Kao as he is originally from Taiwan. In addition the School also welcomed two Nagoya exchange boys into Greenways in Term 1: Keita Atsumi and Yuta Yamada. As always, grateful thanks go to the large number of families who so generously supported these exchange visits by hosting the students: the Buckler, Grey, Hollingsworth, Koniuszko, Samarapathi, Scherger, Wang and Zhou families.
We arrived in Tokyo, and made our way to our accommodation with the help of a train and bus. Following a tour of the inn, many felt anxious about the showering situation, given it involved stripping down naked and entering a communal bathing area. But insecurities aside, we had to accept the new culture. Our stay in Tokyo featured many fantastic things, from the immense numbers of people to Sumo wrestling; there was never a dull moment. Our next destination was Kyoto, the old capital of the country. Although our stay was short, we jammed as much in as possible. Kyoto’s rich history and heritage gave us an insight into Japan a long time ago, and highlighted how much the country has changed yet stayed the same. Although it took quite a time to get to, The Golden Temple was definitely a highlight. Following Kyoto, we boarded another Shinkansen bullet train to a city with a history of quite a different natureHiroshima. We travelled to the Peace Memorial Park, in memory of the Atomic Bombing during World War 2. It was confronting to say the least, as the museum failed to hold back in terms of displaying the effect of the bomb. The entire day truly depicted how Japan has changed since the bombings, and how they have decided to look back on such a historic time in their past. We then transferred to Nagoya, where we met the representative of our brother school, Mr Willson. He accompanied us to the school, where we met our host families for that weekend. The boys then left the group, and went home with their host families for the afternoon ready for school the next day. As many of the boys had met their host families when they themselves had come to Australia on exchange, there was little awkwardness, and we all got along fantastically. The weekend featured the boys being treated to whatever their host family had planned for them. For some this included going to a school festival and while others enjoyed trips to other parts of Japan. Monday saw us make a Japanese lunch, then travel to Nagoya Castle to take in the enormity and once huge importance of the structure in feudal Japan. That night featured a farewell party, to both Sean and Jacob, who were staying on for another two months, and our host families. The next morning began our relaxation segment of the trip, with a stay in the quiet town of Yufuin. Surrounded by mountains, we made our way there via a Shinkansen, and an old train with frustratingly wrong signage of free wifi. Our accommodation was very homely, and was only occupied by us. It featured two indoor, and one outdoor onsen (hot springs), free for us to use at our discretion. It was a very peaceful experience, and we spent more than our fair share of time in those springs. Whilst in Yufuin, we embarked on a scavenger hunt throughout the small town, with the aim of getting as much done as possible in the most stylish way possible. It required us to use our Japanese speaking skills to ask for directions, and the occasional photo or two. Sadly, we had to leave Yufuin, and make our way back home. On the way to Fukuoka Airport, we said our goodbyes to Annabelle, who was also staying on for an extra few months. Leaving Japan sparked a number of emotions in each other, but an underlying feeling was one of happiness, knowing we had had such a memorable time. Following the same flight path, we landed in Melbourne around midday to our awaiting families.
Austin Hollingsworth YEAR 10
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 115
We would all like to thank Mr Yule and Mrs Chislett for looking after us throughout the trip, and I’m sure we are all looking forward to seeing our Japanese friends again in both Australia and Japan.
AN UNDERLYING FEELING WAS ONE OF HAPPINESS, KNOWING WE HAD HAD SUCH A MEMORABLE TIME.
In Digital Technology – students used electronic media to resolve solutions to specific problems. Year 8s undertook an introduction to coding and web design using HTML and CSS. They also completed a programming unit in Robotics where they used Lego Mindstorms NXT’s to carry out specific programmed instructions.
Year 9 students had two courses toselect from, Digital Storytelling and Systems. In Digital Storytelling students used a range of techniques including stop motion and rotoscoping. They captured their own images and resized then to fit within a sequential animation sequence. They also imported moving image and then used tracing techniques to create their rotoscoping. Finally they created interactive stories that required the use of some coding to create user navigation.
Students continued to experience a range of activities within the Technology Faculty in 2015. They had the opportunity to undertake specialist Technology education in Years 7 to 12. Students were able to effectively: explore and investigate, design, produce and finally evaluate. Throughout the processes, students reflected on: processes, techniques, tools and products.
116 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
In Year 7 3D Printing, students captured a 3D model of themselves to be 3D printed. This saw the students troubleshooting, problem solving and coming up with innovative ways to address issues that hindered the capture and creation of their 3D self-model. This included lighting, movement, assisting the software to recognise unique points, taking photos from awkward places in order to get the right distance/angle from the subject so as to obtain the mesh to create their 3D model. They then attempted to fix the created 3D model, ready for print. This served as a gentle way to introduce them to 3D modelling and prepared them for the next task that involved creating, from scratch, their own 3D “ID” using 123D Design software. This “ID” included their face from the previously created model, the School’s crest and text listing their personal details.
Faculty Report Technologies
Year 10 students extended their accumulated knowledge to produce a range of functional furniture, exploring: design, construction and finish.
In Design Technology – Woodwork, students continued to explore design and construction techniques in order to create a variety of works.
Year 7 students worked on developing their own unique clock designs. This involved undertaking effective research and using that research to develop their own concepts. Students had to complete the difficult tasks of refining design drawings and creating cutting lists prior to production. They then cut and combined timbers to produce their concepts before applying finishes. Greenways students discovered the intricate nature of creating finger joints and dowel joints. They then proceeded to use their developed skills on a personal project or chose to undertake a group project. In the group project students designed and produced planter boxes using recycled materials. These planter boxes have been placed as permanent, functional fixtures in the Greenways Campus and in the Early Learning Centre.
Our Units 1–2 VCE VET Interactive Digital Media students worked on developing skills in a range of Industry Standard software. They designed, manipulated and produced assets including: logos, photographs, animations, websites as well as developing theoretical knowledge. For a major task, students worked in teams to produce an animated group documentary to be shown as part of Lil’ Flicks Kingston Youth Services annual short film competition at the Shirley Bourke Theatre in Parkdale.
In the Systems unit students utilised Excel to present data. They used several Excel functions and formulae. Students also completed a web unit where they refined their understanding of HTML and CSS.
A new Robotics Club started for Bayview students. Various groups were formed and each worked on a different project of their choosing. They were fortunate to be able to use the new EV3 robotics kits. Students were enthusiastic to share their experiences from external robotic activities. Food Technology had decreased classes in 2015 due to preparation for the building of the Creativity Centre.
In Year 9 Food Technology, students completed studies in theory and production of food. Students followed the design process to investigate, design, produce and evaluate. The Greenways elective was called Tastes of the World and took the students on a journey around the world. They began with a study of the development of Australian food culture. Students utilised lemon myrtle, bush pepper and other indigenous ingredients in producing an “outback” pizza. They then explored food from England, Ireland and Italy. This included making fresh pasta and cooking it with a Napolitano sauce. They also made a delicious Tiramisu. Later the students began an exploration of foods from Thailand, Japan, Indonesia; as well as Mexico, Greece and Germany.
Year 10 students continued to focus on both theoretical and practical issues relating to food. With a greater amount of time available they were able to design more complex dishes and refine their production and presentation skills.
The practical curriculum began with an introduction to indigenous Australian ingredients and how to incorporate them into modern dishes. The students used lemon myrtle, mountain pepper, native mint and bush tomatoes as well as oats and coconut in recipes like indigenous pizzas and ANZAC biscuits. After exploring indigenous cuisine they moved to UK and Irish food where recipes such as the Cornish Pasty and Apple Crumble were modernised, but the basics remained true to their origins.
All this was made possible through the dedication of the talented and enthusiastic staff within the Technology Faculty. How lucky Mentone Grammar students are!
Students in Year 10 addressed gaming in web based platforms as well as several programming options. Students experienced programming and project management skills whilst using HTML5/ JavaScript game design. They also looked at data and data protection and presented their finding using Excel.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 117
Peter Zerman FACULTY COORDINATOR - TECHNOLOGIES
IN THE GROUP PROJECT STUDENTS DESIGNED AND PRODUCED PLANTER BOXES USING RECYCLED MATERIALS. THESE PLANTER BOXES HAVE BEEN PLACED AS PERMANENT, FUNCTIONAL FIXTURES IN THE GREENWAYS CAMPUS AND IN THE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE.
The Mathematics department continued to integrate the School’s Visible Learning program using formative assessment to improve our teaching and learning. We welcomed Mrs Mandy Chamberlain, Ms Kate Frazer, Ms Elizabeth King and Ms Arena Nilsson to Mentone Grammar to further strengthen our department.
118 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Maths Challenge and Maths Challenge Enrichment Stage Students in Years 5-9 participated in the Australian Mathematics Challenge as part of their Maths Enrichment program. This involved answering a wide array of difficult problems using a variety of problem-solving skills, a lot of effort and many mathematical tools. High Distinction certificates were awarded to Brad Chick (Year 9) and Mekhala Bera (Year 8). Congratulations also to Samasidh Siva Ram and Imogen Davis for achieving a Distinction for finishing in the top 25 per cent of students Australia-wide. It was also pleasing to note the excellent results of Mekhala Bera, Jakob Sloan, Akul Saigal, Callum Roberts, Blake Rosenberg, Oscar Page and Oskar Phillips as they solved several difficult problems in this challenge. Special thanks to Mr Tony McCrae and Mr Mark Smith for their excellent work in leading the Enrichment program this year.
Faculty Report Mathematics
Dr Paul Matthew FACULTY COORDINATOR - MATHEMATICS
Our 2014 VCE results were highlighted by 21 per cent of Specialist Mathematics students, 19 per cent of Mathematical Methods students and 9 per cent of Further Mathematics students achieving study scores of 40 or more. In Specialist Mathematics Fred Lu (Dux 2014) scored 49, Dhamsara Samarapathi 47, Yimiao Wang 43 and Andrew Ji 40.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 119 Australian Maths Competition and UNSW Maths Competitions In total, 205 Mentone Grammar students from Years 3-12 entered this year’s Australian Mathematics Competition and 231 students from Years 2-12 entered the UNSW Mathematics Competition. Our students’ results across both competitions were excellent: 34 per cent of our students gained a Distinction or higher and 77 per cent gained at least a Credit. Alexander Jones from Year 7 won the AMC Prudence Award for the highest number of consecutive correct answers. Joshua Nung from Year 10 also won an AMC Prize. High Distinction certificates were awarded to Matthew Shing, Jason Bartonek, Akul Saigal, Ethan Prabaharan, William Currey, Callum Roberts, Ethan Murray, Vincent Thai-Chan, Luke Shi, Lachlan Howe and Xinyi Liu and Distinction certificates were presented to Michelle Fong, Ayden Roos, Kyle Roos, Jasper Zdanius, Ella Michell, Callum Orr, Maddox Lewell, Jaxon Stephens, Aaron Britter, David Sprung, Eleni Somogyi, Jatin Ghela, Ellen Fletcher, Cameron Connell, Akshaye Ghela, Daniel Matthew, Hardy d’Alquen, Leonard Liu, Joel Rotar, Sarthak Singh, Akul Saigal, Ethan Murray, Richard Jiang, Kieren Dyer, Hannah Schmidt, Josh Madden, Ella Mairs, Peter Katsouranis, Oskar Phillips, Angus Rimanic, Alex Zhu, Mekhala Bera, Jiaqi Zhou, Alanah Heidecker, Kegan Timms, Grace Bunting, Jakob Sloan, Torey Bernamoff, Charlie Officer, Tessa Styles, Zachary Angus, Jaiden Watts, Imogen Davis, Mia Watkins, Jack Williams, Josh Cooley, James Hornibrook, Zachary Angus, Harry Terry, Alexandra Sheppard, Jeremy Miao, Samasidh Siva Ram, Hebe Best, Nick Berry, Megan Siedle, Callum Matthew, Matthew Doyle, Lachlan Newman, Luqi Huang, James Bouwmeester, Guy Witherow, Fraser Angus, Sam Ralph, Sarah Caley, Alex Siedle, Victor Ding, Thomas Siedle, Sophie van Vliet, Sahishnu Siva Ram, Xinyi Liu, Courtney Munn, Dhamsika Samarapathi, Chengzhi He, Adam Bouwmeester, Jessica Paterson, Michael Demura, Galina Enright, Sam Thiele, Piermon Schwarz, Dawei Cao, Xuanming Liang, Bray Morrow, Yunzhong Hu, Jaidyn Muhandiramge, Isabel Shurlin, Yunzhong Hu and Michael Briggs. Congratulations to all students who achieved such fine results in both Mathematics competitions.
Many thanks to all Mathematics teachers for their efforts in assisting our students to achieve their best in their mathematics.
VCE Mathematics Results
MANY THANKS TO ALL MATHEMATICS TEACHERS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN ASSISTING OUR STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR BEST IN THEIR MATHEMATICS.
The high achieving students in Mathematical Methods were Luke Sun 46, Mats Manallack 46, Andrew Todd 45, Tom Goodwin 44, Bray Morrow 44, Jaidyn Muhandiramge 44, Eric Yu 44, Tyler Bradley 43, Anna Qin 43, Isabel Shurlin 41 and Ashley Bardis 40. In Further Maths Jemma Ford 46, Yicheng Ling 43, Mitchell Moody 43, Yimiao Wang 41, Eric Yu 40, Luke Tarlinton 40 and Trent Vu 40 all achieved strong results.
120 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
The Years 7 and 8 students also competed in the NSW University Science competition and the results were outstanding. In addition, the information gained from this competition reflected the average scores of these students was significantly above the State average and also above like independent schools. This places Mentone Grammar in a good position when these talented students move to the senior classes in the years to come.
The Science staff has also been very active in professional learning. The Visible Learning mantra of Professor John Hattie and Formative Assessment by Dylan William has occupied many sessions and has brought about significant changes and Faculty Report Science
Perhaps another Year 11 Mentone student in 2016 will represent the School next year? Please keep an eye out for the information.
It has been an industrious and enthusiastic year for the Science team, both students and staff alike. At the senior end of the School the number of Biology, Physics and Chemistry classes has grown and we await the results of the VCE examinations with great expectations.Year 11 student, Wes Flavell, has been accepted into the National Youth Science program to be held in Canberra in January. Wes was a successful applicant from the Beaumaris Rotatory Club and after several interviews, won his place to represent Mentone Grammar. The program looks to bring the youth of today with a keen interest in Science together at the National University for a variety of activities and guest lectures.
Just as successful were a number of junior scientists from Eblana and Bayview in the Science Talent Search. These students won an amazing number of monetary bursaries for their presentations and are to be congratulated on their mighty efforts.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 121 modifications to the teaching strategies in the Science Faculty. Learning intentions, success criteria, white boards, coloured hats, traffic lights, exit surveys, hinge questions, quizzes and the like are now becoming second nature and will bring about a change in the learning patterns of the students as these practices are embedded into every class. From a staffing perspective the Faculty welcomed Arena Nilsson and Steve Kuruc ...AVERAGE SCORES OF THESE STUDENTS WAS SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE THE STATE AVERAGE AND ALSO ABOVE LIKE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS. to the team. Their extensive experience further adds to an already talented and dedicated team. We also wish Tanya McAllister the very best as she takes up a position as a senior biologist at her new school. We wish Emma Phillips all the best as she leaves us to take maternity leave in 2016. Finally I wish to thank the Science team for its enthusiasm and support throughout the year.
Michael Wilton FACULTY COORDINATOR – SCIENCE
The structured programs for Years 5 & 6 students see them all participate in a wide range of activities from compulsory swimming lessons during Term 1 in which vital skills are taught, to participating in structured fundamental motor skill programs that are designed to enhance individual physical development.
Our Year 10 Health and Sport Science subject continued to grow and evolve from its inception in 2014. The subject continues to be popular among our Year 10 group as it is a great opportunity to really focus on our VCE subjects within the HPE faculty. The course is designed to develop the practical and theoretical skills necessary for future VCE studies in Health and Human Development and Physical Education. With this as the focus, students also visited the Victorian Institute of Sport to gain firsthand knowledge of how professional athletes train and what it may take to work in the sport science field in the future.
HPE
Years 7 & 8 students continued their Physical Education classes by following a Game Sense approach to teaching in which students learnt new skills through playing different types of categorised games. Each approach can be placed into one of four categories: Net/Wall, Striking and Fielding, Invasion and Target Games. Students became really engaged in trying to improve not only their skills but their knowledge of the different tactics involved.
Students also engaged in varied athletic events and participated in skipping lessons whilst learning more about the Jump Rope for Heart campaign.
122 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Year 9 Greenways students also participated in a variety of Game Sense categories and again displayed a very good knowledge of the tactical awareness involved. A lot of the teaching and learning during game sense units is done via questioning by the teacher. Instead of telling students exactly where they should be and why, games are stopped and students are encouraged to solve in-game problems via questions such as ‘what could you have done to draw your defender?’ and ‘What areas should you have moved to make more space for your team?’. This method of teaching is designed to develop higher order thinkers who can understand that there are tactical similarities across a wide range of sports. If students’ tactical knowledge improve, so too should their enjoyment levels. Basic skills of the game are not ignored in the game sense model but they are developed within the game context.
The Year 10 program focused on developing the interpersonal skills of each of the students – encouraging them to take on more responsibility for the way their PE lesson was run. Student led programs such as SEPEP Volleyball and Netball were again implemented which allowed students to develop their interpersonal and problem solving skills. Students completed their final compulsory PE classes by participating in an elective program during Term 4. This program aims to expose students to a wider range of physical and recreational activities. This year students had the opportunity to do Self Defence, Zumba or Personal Training classes and the students enjoyed these experiences very much.
The Health and Physical Education Department in Bayview has continued to motivate students to approach physical activity with confidence and enthusiasm. Report
Faculty
Andrew Hayes FACULTY COORDINATOR – HPE
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 123
This year in VCE Health and Human Development, students explored factors that influence health and human development in developing countries. Rather than reading about the 785 million people worldwide who don’t have access to clean water, students spent a lesson carting heavy buckets of water around the school to gain a little insight into how physically demanding this daily task is for many girls, and to appreciate how it causes many to miss out on getting an education. With 65 million girls in the world missing a basic education, there is an increased likelihood they will live in poverty or die young. With a rigorous schedule of assessment tasks and end of year exams to prepare for, students were also kept very busy learning about the determinants of health in Australia and the range of health promotion programs to address some of these. They can tell you about the eight millennium development goals and the role of the United Nations, The World Health Organisation and a variety of aid agencies working around the world to improve health and human development.
After experiencing excellent VCE results in 2014, this year again saw the Units 3 & 4 Physical Education students take up the various opportunities to enhance their knowledge of this subject. Students were able to fitness test their class mates and to learn about the different energy systems that fuel sporting performances. Again, all students visited the Exercise Research Australia facility in Thornbury for a series of lectures and laboratory testing. Students experienced lectures on Energy Systems and Fatigue Mechanisms – both major areas of study for their course. Students participated in running and managing laboratory testing in Student Body Composition Profile, Anaerobic Capacity Test, and VO2 max Test (treadmill) with Blood Lactate. This practical program enhanced each student’s knowledge and understanding of the subject matter covered.
In Term 4 both staff and students also participated in a lecture series presented by leading teachers within the Physical Education field. This was aimed at greatly enhancing each student’s knowledge prior to sitting their final examinations.
The Performing Arts at Mentone now transcend the very buildings in which it is housed. Growth, interest and involvement continue with inexorable pace. Currently one third of all students are actively involved with the Performing Arts at any time through the school year. An increased number, and variety, of solo and ensemble tuition is now available in a program that offers diversity of style and genre across Music, Dance and Drama. Added to this, increased performance opportunities have been created with the inclusion of small scale soirees and involvement in external festivals and competitions in our calendar. The Drama Centre and its surrounds were demolished during the mid year break ahead of the highly anticipated and exciting development of the Creativity Centre. This new facility will house the Performing Arts as well as other creative domains.
Highlights from the Winter Concert include ensembles such as the Jazz band, Froggers, the jazz choir Cat’s Meow, the Senior Orchestra, SuperSax, the Flute Ensemble, the Senior Vocal Ensemble, Mr.Ms, and Kamikaze Crash Helmets. Also, soloists such as Henry Wang with Faculty Report
ArtsPerforming
This year, our large scale musical production, Seussical, involved students from three campuses. This musical, a brilliant retelling of several combined stories by the famous writer Theodor Geisel aka Dr. Seuss, captivated and enchanted all those involved. Although his work appeals directly to young people his ideas are deeply philosophical and revolve around moral issues such as sustainable living, pluralism, acceptance and tolerance. Those who were fortunate enough to experience the production will no doubt have memories of their favorite moments and characters. Not wishing to push platitudes completely aside, this particular musical production without question represents a high point in our program of productions and stage musicals. Close to 100 students were involved on stage, back stage or in the technical support areas, ably assisted and supported by motivated staff. All key elements came together for this production. The audition process, the rehearsal process, solo voice training, ensemble voice training, instrumental music preparation, staging design, stage lighting, stage audio, costumes, makeup and administration all worked together seamlessly to produce a stunning result. All involved are warmly commended for their efforts and achievement.
The Winter Concert, held for the last time in the Drama Centre, prior to demolition, clearly demonstrated the broad nature of our Performing Arts program. It was a sell out event, featuring large and small ensembles from across the School, as well as chamber ensembles and selected soloists. A broad variety of styles and genres were presented, with an emphasis on high standards of preparation and performance. Each item, carefully prepared by the students with helpful guidance of their teachers and tutors was successfully staged. It is worth considering the effort that underpins a concert. Students may attend several weekly rehearsals, often commencing the first week of first term, continuing through to the very last week of the year. Rehearsals are scheduled before school, at lunchtime and after school, and generally run for 60 minutes. Given the busy schedules our students must navigate, their participation in our program is a testament to their enthusiasm, drive and commitment.
124 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
The Bayview instrumental program, a classroom based program, provides an opportunity for students entering the School at Year 7 to learn an instrument and become involved with music and the Performing Arts in general. All students at Year 7 experience one semester of tuition on a selected instrument in the context of regular classroom music. If they wish to continue instrumental tuition after the semester, students may take private lessons on their instrument. Private instrumental tuition is a central feature of the Performing Arts at Mentone; students find the experience rewarding and the access to teachers convenient.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 125 his piece Butterfly Lovers by He ZhanHao Chen Gang and Bridgette Kelsey’s beautiful Amarilli, Mia by Caccini made outstanding contributions. The finale item, the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from the Opera Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi, performed by the combined forces of the Senior Vocal ensemble and the Senior Orchestra, brought the Winter Concert to a poetic close.
The Spring Concert, the major senior concert of the second semester, is intended as a farewell concert for Year 12 students. This year the concert was expanded to reflect, and to emphasise, the depth and breadth of the developing music program and to accommodate the larger numbers of students requesting performance time. Held in the Bayview Gym, performers easily overcame acoustic difficulties to project their performance to a full house. Bayview ensembles were included along with senior ensembles and soloists from Greenways and Frogmore to complete a varied and interesting concert program of diverse styles and genres. Highlights from the Spring Concert include the senior ensembles such as the Cat’s Meow, Froggers, the Senior orchestra and Senior vocal ensemble. Two piano soloists, Alex Hazelbank and Elizabeth Algeri, enthralled the audience with their interpretation of two pieces with evocative nocturnal references, Debussy’s Clair de Lune and Chopin’s Nocturne No.9. Caitlin New delivered a beautiful and moving performance of Disneyland from the stage musical Smile, and Xiwen (Maggie) Mai amazed the audience with her virtuosic rendition of La Flute de Pan. Contemporary and Rock ensembles also featured strongly as Charlotte Goodman joined forces with The Haze, along with GLTCH performing an original composition, and the rock sensation Adam and the Prats provided some fine music and choreographed entertainment.
Our Year 6 girls’ group played Count on PRIVATE INSTRUMENTAL TUITION IS A CENTRAL FEATURE OF THE PERFORMING ARTS AT MENTONE; STUDENTS FIND THE EXPERIENCE REWARDING AND THE ACCESS TO TEACHERS CONVENIENT.
The Semester 1 Bayview Soiree featured 7 ensembles, 12 soloists and an oboe duet. The Bayview Orchestra played their interpretation of the title theme from Pirates of the Caribbean, Bayview Band played Pep Rally rock and the Bayview Singers performed Some Nights by Fun.
Instrumental program involved students from in Years 2 and 3. Throughout the year instrumental tuition was undertaken on a weekly basis in a classroom context. Two concerts were held at the end of each semester to provide a moment for students to demonstrate their learning to parents and staff. Our small-scale concerts have increased performance opportunities. The Singers’ Soirees have been created for those students wishing to gain experience in front of an audience. In their first year, this concert series has proved very popular. Also a first, the Greenways Cabaret showcased the dramatic skills of our Year 9s and foreshadowed the great talent about to enter our very successful Drama program including VCE Drama and Theatre Studies. Our annual Sunday Afternoon around the Piano is a regular feature of our performance calendar which features piano and instrumental soloists from both current and past students. Our dance concert, Stagecraft, was a great success. Although a long list of soloists apply for positions in the program, several established dance ensembles also prepared pieces. Fabulous costumes, glitter and impossible flexibility are often considered de rigueur at this event.
126 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Me by Bruno Mars and the flute ensemble played Mary in the New World. The Year 7 Super String ensemble and Year 7 mega brass and woodwind students demonstrated their recently acquired skills, as part of the Year 7 Bayview instrumental Theprogram.Eblana
Mentone musicians attended the Mt Gambier Generations in Jazz festival and competition in greater numbers this year. Froggers, in its fifth year as participants, performed three pieces. The Jazz Police by Gordon Goodwin, How Much Sleeps by Nick Mulder and Skylark by Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael. The Cat’s Meow, our very own jazz choir performed So Far So Good by Nick Begbie and Drowning in the Sea of Love. The journey to Mt Gambier is an intense experience for all students, no matter their previous involvement. An unhurried drive to Mt Gambier, the mystery and inevitable surprise of the accommodation, the friendly welcome by festival staff, the first evening meal, served with impressive efficiency in enormous marquees alongside 4,000 fellow Jazz enthusiasts, the evening concert featuring James Morrison that presumes too much Jazz is never enough; the competition, the amazing Saturday night concert featuring a Capella group The Six …then the six hour drive home with energised students singing and comparing experiences all the way home. Our Carols Service at St Paul’s Cathedral is a memorable and fitting end to our year. It will feature our Carols Choir, comprising students selected from all Campuses and soloist, Adam Pratt, with Panis Angelicus made famous by, among others, Pavarotti. The Choir, apart from leading the Carols, will perform the Flemish Carol arranged by John Rutter, Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfent and the Gloria from Schubert’s Mass in G. This Service brings the school year to a close in a beautiful setting and in fitting style. School musical and drama productions in 2016 will create quite a buzz. Bayview will launch into the African styling of the Lion King. Frogmore and Greenways students will be looking towards American college for Legally Blonde. Those students ready for a musical and dramatic challenge will plunge into the Orlando project. A chamber opera by Handel based on a classic medieval story by Ariosto, to be staged in May.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 127 However, it was exciting to see the inclusion of a greater variety of forms and styles, as well as some very impressive male contributors to this event. This event provided a performance opportunity for numerous solo dance performers who are involved in dance studies at School and with external studios. This year, two Improvisation troupes met on a weekly basis. These classes are a great deal of fun, yet key dramatic and performances skills are at the core of their work. Students worked through scenarios with stimulus drawn anywhere from currant social events, personal experience, political issues and classic dramatic tropes.
Gavin Cornish HEAD OF PERFORMING ARTS DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Interest in Music Theatre continues to grow as students from all campuses were welcome to join this inspiring class that offers performance skills to engender greater confidence on stage. These classes offer entry-level experience and training for younger students wishing to develop skills that will lead to performance opportunities in the school productions. The students presented their work at soirees through the year to practise and demonstrate their new skills in authentic settings. We wish our VCE Performing Arts students all success with their studies and beyond. This year has seen an increasing number of students tackle these very challenging performance subjects. Music Solo, Music Performance and Drama Solo Performance involve studying the theory and practice of performance. Assessment involves performance and written work. VCE Drama Performance soirees were held throughout the year, enabling students to present their work in front of a friendly but critical audience as well providing useful assessment opportunities.
128 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Year 9 students completed an exciting new art installation consisting of 84 eyes to replace the Greenways Café butterfly paintings. The finished artwork was unveiled on the eve of the 2015 Mentone Grammar Art and Design Exhibition. At Year 10, students explored their own creativity within Art, Studio Photography or Visual Communication Design resulting in outstanding works exhibited at the end of the year. Excursions are fundamental at VCE level; during Term 1, Year 12 VCE Art and Studio Art students undertook Kickstart Your VCE 2015, organised by the Dax Centre and Arts Education Victoria. Then in April, VCE Studio Arts and Art students embarked on an excursion to the NGV to see the annual Top Arts exhibition. Students were able to view visual diaries. This intimate encounter gave the students further insight into the art making process and what is expected to achieve a place in Top Arts. Years 11 and 12 Visual Communication Design students went to Top Designs at the Melbourne Museum. Senior photography students visited three gallery spaces in Fitzroy; the Centre for Contemporary Photography, Strange Neighbour and Colour Factory.
Students in the Visual Arts, Years 5 to 9, have been encouraged to allow themselves to make plenty of mistakes as they worked through units of drawing, painting, printmaking, 3D and mixed media.
Faculty Report Visual Arts
- SCOTT
Kim Wootton FACULTY COORDINATOR – VISUAL ARTS CREATIVITY IS ALLOWING YOURSELF TO MAKE MISTAKES. ART IS KNOWING WHICH ONES TO KEEP. ADAMS
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 129
All of these spaces have a particular focus on photography and provided our students with the opportunity to view a vast range of contemporary works whilst being able to engage with the Directors of each space.
This year we have been most fortunate to have artist, Jonathan Gooley, join the Visual Art Faculty as our Art Technician. He has worked alongside Years 11 and 12 students in Art, Studio and Visual Communication Design, helping them to solve technical problems and provide professional advice. Finally, I would like to include a quote from Joseph Eddy, (Year 12 VCE Art and VCD), taken from his address at this year’s Art and Design Exhibition opening: “Arriving at Mentone Grammar broadened my horizons and was such a critical factor in the development of my journey as an art student. I have developed a greater appreciation for the Visual Arts and consequently been able to express myself in a number of ways, to truly be myself with no limitations.”
Cadets
The full measure of the impact of programs we run in this school are sometimes only realised many years after our students leave. It may be years before a Mentonian pauses in his or her life to reflect on how their conduct as an adult was shaped by their experiences at School. However, as the reflections our Year 12s have shared demonstrate, the impact of the Cadet program on their lives is both immediate and apparent. As I have said on many occasions this year, there is really no comparable program available to our students that so deliberately sets out to foster the values of courage, initiative and teamwork while developing the very particular skills of functional leadership. The devotion to task, the commitment and diligence, the time and resource management habits our senior Cadets have acquired and demonstrated is truly commendable. To these students I offer my heartfelt thanks. They have met and then exceeded the demands of organising and caring for the younger recruits in their platoons. It is not an easy job to impart important information to people not much younger than themselves, and I’m particularly grateful for their tenacity and diligence.
130 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
The annual camp week is a tiring one for these senior students and with the dates of the exercise moved this year, to the end of the first semester, they had very little respite before plunging back into revision activities held during the break. Nevertheless, they met every new day with unrestrained enthusiasm and determination. I am so very proud of their efforts and have no hesitation in congratulating and thanking, too, their parents for the not insignificant part they have played in supporting the choices these students made to pursue a very demanding, voluntary activity. I hope that, like me, they see the benefits that will be taken into the future by these young men and women. At Mentone Grammar we work hard to provide a variety of personally challenging and rewarding educational experiences. The continued growth of Following a series of training days and bivouac field experience, the Cadet Unit’s annual field exercise to Puckapunyal Military Base was a challenging one, with adverse weather and a demanding activity tempo in an environment quite unlike that of recent years.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 131 voluntary participation in the Cadet unit speaks to the appeal of such a program to our students - the camaraderie evident amongst the senior Cadets is wonderful to see.
I am also buoyed by the feedback I have had from the Year 9 recruits who have now experienced the program, its challenges and all its possibilities.
I am indebted to the Senior Cadet Leaders of 2015 and HQ - without whom the Unit could never have achieved the standards of which we are now so proud. The contributions they have made within their portfolios of responsibility produced arguably one of the most satisfying improvements to an important School activity. MGACU goes from strength to strength in no small part due to the professionalism and diligence of the students who lead it. It was a pleasure to have CUO/WO1 Tim Rossi receive the Mr Ken Smith AO, perpetual trophy for 2015. A local identity, Mr Smith was instrumental in the establishment of a number of school and community-based Army Cadet Units across Victoria in the 1970s and ‘80s. He donated a perpetual trophy to MGACU to acknowledge exceptional student leadership, interpersonal and management skills in the context of a busy senior study program. Tim was recognised for his enthusiastic leadership in multiple facets of the Unit’s activities and is a worthy recipient of such a coveted award. As we renew the ranks and welcome new leaders to the unique opportunities that the Cadet unit offers, I congratulate the following Cadets who successfully presented as candidates for the VIC AAC Brigade courses camp during their holiday break: (CadetCUO/WO:Under Officer/ Warrant Officer)
Adam LucindaLouiseSarahEmmaKateFrazerDylanElizabethSeanNathanPrattBoothCunninghamAlgeriMannKempMeehanDoyleCiminoSolomonidesMcIntyre (SeniorSNCO: Non-Commissioned Officer)
Ryan IPatrickDanielEmilyEvanNicholasBucklerSheppardMazurKeoghHolmanBankinthankallmycolleagues, the Officers of Cadets, for their time and commitment to the delivery of this unique educational experience. Their training programs, support roles and guidance on training days, bivouac and annual camp deserve recognition, in particular, Mrs Deborah Heath for her pivotal role as the Unit’s Quartermaster.
Jon Wever MAJ(AAC) Commanding Officer MGACU
Many have indicated their enthusiasm in continuing into leadership training through our promotions course.
132 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Year 12 ReflectionCUOs Tash Huttley and Laura Cox Cadets is an experience unlike anything else offered by the School. It has allowed us to grow both as individuals as well as leaders, in an environment beyond the school grounds. Cadets has given us the ability to develop key skills such as how to work as a team, accept personal responsibility and also encouraged us to develop organisational skills. But the problem faced is how do you condense four years of cadet experiences into just a few paragraphs? How do you describe both the highs and the lows? The truth of the matter is that you can’t summarise every event, experience or emotion felt throughout the four short years, because there is just too many to Beingcount.introduced into the Cadet Unit in Year 9 was a new and exciting opportunity. We had heard all about ‘cadet experiences’ from students in the year levels above, and for those of us with older siblings, we were also able to gain information from them. Most of what was said was extremely positive, which only increased the excitement felt by all of the Year 9s, as we were told that it was an experience that we would never forget. And well, they were right. Year 9 camp was filled with great ‘first time’ memories, such as the first time
LOOKING BACK ON OUR FOUR YEARS OF CADETS, WE CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT WE FEEL SO LUCKY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO BE PART OF SOMETHING AS SPECIAL AS THE MGACU.
However, for those of us who continued Cadets into Year 10 were able to create new memories, but this time from a different point of view. In that year we had more responsibility, with our roles in ensuring that the Year 9s learnt a lot and had an enjoyable time. Although, this increased responsibility did not reduce the amount of stories that we would continue to tell for the following two years. As the unit grew, so did we and we were given the opportunity to advance in the ranks of the unit by having to attend a week long SLC promotion course at Puckapunyal over the Term 4 holidays. This promotion course shed a whole new light on Cadets for those of us who attended, because it opened our eyes to how other Cadet Units worked, and consequently, how much more we all needed to learn and develop.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 133
In Year 12 we formed our fondest and last memories of our involvement in the MGACU. This last year of Cadets has truly been something we will never forget. Whilst there are many pressures and increased responsibilities involved in being of a high rank, we feel as if this has actually prepared us for the future. Being in Cadets in Year 12 is an entirely different experience because it is no longer about you; it is about you ensuring that all Cadets enjoy their time and that they too will continue on through the ranks, contributing the unit, as we have done.
Not only were we the leaders of the platoon, but we also had to pass on our knowledge to next year’s leaders.
The best part of our Year 12 Cadet camp was getting to help the Year 9 recruits participate in activities, and assist with radio calls when groups were lost on navigation, because we all have fond memories of the many times we needed help with navigation exercises. But most of all we loved hearing about the Year 9s experiences on the buses back to school because we heard about how they were able to overcome adversities on camp yet still maintain high morale and a positive outlook about their Cadet experience. Just like every Cadet camp there are always challenges and obstacles to overcome, whether it is flooded hutchies or blocked toilets, but through our time we have all learnt to deal with these situations whilst keeping morale high, so it was really great to see how the Year 9s were able to handle these situations.
Following the SLC promotion course and our new rank of Sergeant, we took on more responsibility which took some time to adjust to. Our Year 11 annual camp brought some new challenges for us to overcome, such as the flooding of campsites on the Year 9s first night at Puckapunyal, which took some serious effort to boost morale during the following day. This year was the point in our Cadet journey where we were expected to really start taking responsibility within our platoons.
Looking back on our four years of cadets, we can honestly say that we feel so lucky that we were able to be part of something as special as the MGACU. Cadets for us has been an experience like no other, and while there were moments of sadness, thinking about all the last times, our memories made throughout the years can be looked back on with great fondness, as all of them are filled with joy and excitement. We, the Year 12 Cadet cohort, would like to thank all the teachers who have been involved in Cadets over the years, as well Mentone Grammar for giving us the opportunity to partake on this amazing journey. There is never a boring moment on Cadets. we shot a rifle, or getting lost on navigation (the first of many for some people), for others it was the first time sitting around a camp fire and sharing stories.
After a year of saving and preparing for our journey to Laos, it was incredible to finally be in the midst of the country’s simple and sunny way of life. The locals greeted us warmly wherever we went and made sure we were happy at every place we stayed.
134 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
CommunityChallengeWorldService
There were only three weeks to be totally enthralled by the country’s lifestyle that is so different from our own; we dived into each and every day with our only goal being that of experiencing something unfamiliar and going on a new adventure. We journeyed around northern Laos, stopping at different cities and areas as we went. We used tuk tuks as our preferred way of travel, making sure to cram into the small vans at every chance we could get. Laos is one of the most unspoiled and beautiful countries in SE Asia, the French influence on the country is apparent through the rich food, stunning architecture and kind hospitality that the locals never failed to provide, time and time again. Our acclimatisation phase of the trip was spent in Vientiane. Here; we tried the local food, walked around the night markets and were hit with the realisation of how independent we were expected to be on the trip. We were in charge of the budget, accommodation and finding fun activities that we could all do while over there. The trek was not as physically demanding as we had all expected, but the hot weather drained us of our energy and got us working up a sweat in the first few minutes of the hike. We slept in hammocks at night and played games like checkers using sticks and stones with the guides during the day. After our two nights in the jungle, a village welcomed us back with a small ceremony. In the town of Vang Vieng we were surrounded by gorgeous mountains that looked like something only seen in an adventure movie or documentary. The sunsets were spectacular, it was in this beautiful area that we swam in the misty blue lagoon and stumbled around a cave that tore into the mountainside. This town (especially the surrounding scenery) was one of the most beautiful areas that we stayed in during our whole trip. We were here for a short two nights before moving on to the heritage listed city of Luang Prabang. Every morning we would walk down to the main strip to get the city’s famous fruit shake and eat a baguette sandwich. We also discovered that there was a night market that came alive every night, which gave us the opportunity to buy gifts for our loved ones back home. From here we took a boat down the Mekong to our project village; Ban Kok, which was extremely remote and could only be accessed by river.
Cambodia
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 135
At the village, we spent six days working hard to build a toilet for the local school.
Exploring this former French colonial city it is easy to see why it is a UNESCO world heritage listed town, from the surrounding hills, to the peaceful Nam Khan and Mekong river peninsula that is located in the centre of town. In the last four days of our phase, we delved into the city’s cultural heritage and some amazing activities; like fishing on the river with the locals, observing amazing waterfalls, a local cooking class, browsing through the night markets and many other things, trying to make the most of our last days in Laos. The very last part of our trip was definitely the one we struggled at the most, acclimatising to Melbourne’s weather when we returned!
There were only 43 families who made up the village and almost half of the people who lived there were kids. The kids adored us; they held our hands as we walked up from the beach to our sleeping area, grabbing our bags off us so we didn’t have to carry them. We slept on the floor of their small, open aired hall and the kids welcomed each of us with a paper cone filled with native flowers and leaves. We worked hard every day, digging holes, rolling the septic tanks in and carrying up what felt like thousands of sandbags from the beach so that there would be enough concrete for when we put the 150kg poles in and started laying the bricks. At the end of each day we were exhausted, but the kids were always a welcome relief, dragging us down to the river to swim, play and wash off the layer of dust that covered us all from head to toe. They would cling to our hips and shoulders, hugging us at every opportunity they could get and learning to play with the Frisbee and soccer balls.
AT THE END OF EACH DAY WE WERE EXHAUSTED, BUT THE KIDS WERE ALWAYS A WELCOME RELIEF, DRAGGING US DOWN TO THE RIVER TO SWIM, PLAY AND WASH OFF THE LAYER OF DUST THAT COVERED US ALL FROM HEAD TO TOE.
I think everyone in our group can agree on one thing, if you are thinking about participating in World Challenge next year, have a go! It is a journey that will stay with you forever.
Lucas Waters and Piper Rausz 10 WORLD CHALLENGE 2015
Leaving the village was definitely sad, but it was also the start of our rest and relaxation phase in Luang Prabang.
YEAR
Many of our senior students visited the Sacred Heart Mission to help prepare and serve lunches for the disadvantaged.
136 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Thanks to Georgina Phillips, Stephanie Sanderson-Pearce, Renee Verginis, Kirra Pemberton, Siam Campbell, Putri Marsh, Conor Beveridge, Gabrielle Burton, Matthew Pertich, Adam Bouwmeester, Marc Shermon, George Smethurst, Dhruv Rodrigues, Aman Prasad, Charlotte Wiffin, Tiana Storti, Teaghan Avery, and Jessica Paterson. All students found it a busy, challenging and rewarding time.
Perhaps, however, the team’s greatest achievement this year was the organisation of the Sibling Camp, where Years 11 and 12 students hosted 21 students, brothers and sisters from the Yarrabah school at our Shoreham Camp. We hope that this will be the first of many as the bonds between our schools continue to grow. Led by Nicola Leahy, all students involved worked tirelessly to set up the camp and to prepare and share in the fun activities over the weekend.
Once again it has been a busy year of Service for all Campuses this year. The senior leadership team inspired and capably lead by Nicola Leahy and Natasha Huttley organised many activities and were ably supported by our younger Campus leaders from Eblana and Bayview.
ServiceCommunity
Emma Heine
Our annual whole School events, World’s Greatest Shave and Zaidee’s 24 Hour Treadmill Challenge, headlined a list that also included raising much needed funds for the Nepalese earthquake victims, organised by Casper Bjarnason, Charlotte Wiffin and Ryan Chand; Connor’s Run organised by Maddy Musgrove; a group of senior students donated blood, thanks to Alex Shermon, the 40 Hour Famine was run via House Leadership groups and a Can Drive was promoted by Siam Campbell and Putri Marsh. The Red Cross and the Brotherhood of St Laurence were well supported by Eblana and Bayview along with all International Learning Journey targetted appeals to aid the needy of each destination. Our Greenways students were given their opportunity to help others as an embedded part of their urban Learning Journey program. They were admirable ambassadors for Greenways.
Thanks to Sarah Cimino, Gabriel Burton, Brittany Chambers, Emily Fiddes, Emma Doyle, Jasmine Rossborough, Siam Campbell, Putri Marsh, Conor Beveridge, Jessica Paterson, Teaghan Avery, Laura Cox, Tom Goodwin, James Shaw-Driver, Georgie Gore, Lauren Zahra, Ryan Chand and Natasha Huttley.
PASTORAL SERVICES
The annual Mentone Grammar Zaidee’s 24 Hour Treadmill Challenge is a fantastic event and, once again, it was an exciting and successful, if not exhausting, Thechallenge.Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation is about creating awareness of tissue and organ donation and inspiring discussion around this.
On Friday 14 August at 4pm we started the treadmills and finally turned them off at 4pm the next day. In between we had 180 students continually running sessions of 20 minutes on four treadmills. All Friday was Rainbow Day and students were asked to wear a splash of rainbow colour for the day. Merchandise was available at all campuses and the school looked like a sea of rainbows. Greenways held a Rainbow Market Day with all profits going towards Zaidee’s.
As the students were dismissed at 3.30pm they raced to Greenways to start the Challenge. The atmosphere was exciting as the speeches concluded and the giant countdown clock was turned on with the treadmills. 24 hours to go! Rosters were checked, runners were ready, pizzas were delivered, table tennis challenges were on, video games were played, indoor netball games, sleeping bags were rolled out, breakfast was cooked for us; what more could we want? Just on 110 students stayed overnight and those who had the 3am shifts had back-ups in case they slept through. No one missed a shift and, although tired, everyone had a great time. This really is a great event to be associated with and all students who participated would attest to this. Along with our great sponsors we raised $26,073.55. That means that for the five years we have been supporting this Foundation we have raised over $102,000 which is an amazing result. I would like to encourage everyone to think about helping out next year. I would also like to thank everyone involved in the organising of this year’s event in particular Mr Jarrod O’Neill, Mrs Janine Mayer and the energetic Year 12 team of: Laura Cox, Ed (Woody) Hall, Georgie Gore, Stephen Clarke, Mitch Chudleigh, Bray Morrow, Caibiran Deas, Tash Huttley, Nick Henricks, Issy Hore, Lauren Zahra and Justin www.zaidee.orgGreen. Kaylen Kornberg
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 137
Zaidee’s
138 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Debating 2015 Year 11s missed out narrowly by just one win of participating in finals. Regardless, there were countless strong performances from this vibrant team featuring Andrew Persic and Frazer Kemp. They are a strong prospect for 2016. For the Year 10s, they made Mentone Grammar History. Year 10 Mentone Grammar 2 consisting of Tom Siedle, Harry Austin, Ryan Buckler and Austin Hollingsworth not only made the finals, they progressed through them to finish in the Round of 16, from a starting pool of almost 800 teams. The other team, Year 10 Team 1 also had some success, with Victor Ding winning a Swannie Award for being best speaker overall in the Zone.
After a Preparation Tutorial at Mentone Girls’ Grammar School in early August our Years 7 and 8 Debating students launched into three intense but enjoyable competition rounds. This was the first inter-school Debating experience for these students but they took to it like experienced campaigners. From week 1 they defined their topics, set their views with persuasion, provided evidence based on valid, credible research and rebutted the opposition. From round to round they argued with confidence from affirmative and negative perspectives. Much was learned through preparation sessions, and adjudicator feedback and personal reflection. Improvement was rapid.
2015 speakeragainTomCongratulationsduringbeingfinalsYearUnfortunately,winwithtoaForearlyconcludedSeniorAssociationDebatingofVictoria,DebatingseasonfortheyearinSemester2.ourYear12Debaters,sixyearfocuscameanendinterrificstyleamassive8pointoverMtHiraCollege.neither12teammadethein2015despitehighlycompetitivetheseason.toGoodwin,whooncehadmanybestperformances.
Public Speaking and Debating
The
The Rod Hardy Trophy for Year 12 Debating was won by Lionel Large, with Connor Bourke winning best overall speaker at Year 12. The Greg Hosna Trophy for best Year 12 Oratory was won by Tim Rossi. Congratulations to Deighton on their 2015 victory overall, and thanks to all whom participated to support this important event.
The combined overall House Debating and Oratory results were as follows:
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 139 Year 7, Team 1 consisting of: Jeremy Campbell, Joshua Madden and Adam Carnegie had two very good wins from three rounds, including an excellent win against Sandringham College to finish. Our Year 8 Team performed exceptionally well. From three rounds they remained undefeated having excellent wins against strong opposition. This team included: Mekhala Bera, Nicholas Berry, Samasidh Siva Ram and Tessa Styles. The Junior Debating finished their competition in late Term 3. A significant highlight of Debating this year was the consistent support of James Spencer – Debating and Public Speaking Captain and Tom Goodwin, Head Prefect. Both of these senior students regularly provided their time to support and assist our Debating teams. James also contributed to this article for which I am grateful. Both boys are to be congratulated on their fine work in this area. Thanks also to Mentone Grammar Staff: Ms Deb Frizza, Mr John Twist and Mrs Penny Redgrave for their attendance at debates and their support of our teams.
House Oratory & Debating 2015 On Wednesday 12 August, Frogmore Houses competed in the House Oratory and Debating competition across six school venues. Approximately 75 Oratories were presented and 12 Debates, with 72 individual debaters. Overall students were well prepared and presented, and speeches were predominantly of a high standard. It was excellent seeing Debating teams practising together during their breaks in the lead up to the competition, and individual Orators collaborating with members of their Houses to achieve best outcomes by way of result. Student support was ever present throughout the afternoon as Houses battled for the most convincing arguments or the most novel and creative oratory.
Mark Smith TIC DEBATING & PUBLIC SPEAKING
Although Ms Hicks left the School earlier in the year, I wish to thank her for her work as Teacher in Charge of Debating and Public Speaking over many years. The student passion for this area has in many cases started from her past commitment and enthusiasm to it and for this I thank her.
1st Deighton 2nd Jones 3rd Anderson 4th White 5th Were 6th Drinan 7th Lionel Large 8th Finlay Anderson
Careers
140 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Year 12 students individually met with the Mr Marrow and Ms Carey in Terms 1 and 3 and attended the Tertiary Information Service seminar, in preparation for tertiary selection in 2016. We also hosted a number of guest speakers at the School, with presentations from Monash University and RMIT, as well the opportunity to hear from other Australian and New Zealand universities in lunchtime seminars. A large number of parents attended the VTAC Information Evening assisting them to understand the process current Year 12s undertake for the options beyond school. Detailed information about transition from school, scholarships, GAP year programs were also provided to students both individually and in group forums.
Year 11 students attended the VCE and Careers Expo at Caulfield Racecourse. Our students were able to access information and attend specific sessions run by Australian and International Universities, TAFEs, private colleges and Government departments. Over 150 exhibitors were present at the Expo. This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn more about their future courses and careers and speak directly to course advisers about their programs. A follow-up one-on-one interview with Year 11 students encouraged them to attend the numerous Tertiary Open Days to explore options more fully and discuss subject choices for Year 12.
Over the course of the year our Years 9 to 12 students have had the opportunity to engage in numerous Careers activities and individual counselling sessions; facilitating Work Experience; attending Careers awareness classes as well as being provided with resources to assist in the transition to life beyond school.
Year 10 students undertook an extensive Career Development Program delivered through the House Mentor structure culminating in the Morrisby Assessment testing and subsequent Our Careers program is tailored to provide one-on-one counselling sessions with all Years 10, 11 and 12 students, culminating in transition to life beyond Year 12 whether that be: further study or employment.
On Success Day, the first day of Term 3, Year 10 students spent the morning with our regular motivational presenter Darren Pereira who provided them with a framework to understand what drives and motivates them and discover what they are passionate about.
STUDENTS LEARNED HOW TO PRESENT THEMSELVES FOR AN INTERVIEW INCLUDING HOW TO PLAN AND PREPARE; HOW TO VALUE THEIR OWN SKILLS AND IDENTIFY TRANSFERABLE SKILLS FOR EMPLOYMENT...
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 141 report. The Morrisby Program is a series of psychometric tests where students answer questions about their interests and future occupations. The Morrisby Report is used for careers advice and guidance; the parent feedback evening was followed by individual sessions to discuss the report in conjunction with VCE subject selection.
Max Marrow and Sue Carey CAREERS COUNSELLORS
It was extremely encouraging that over 95 per cent of parents were involved in this process this year. In many cases both parents gave of their time to attend, taking the opportunity to discuss VCE subject selection options.
In 2015 we placed around 100 students on a variety of Work Experience work settings to assist in their career planning; this included a number of Years 11 and 12 students who also took the opportunity to undertake placements.
Darren also ran a session with parents giving them an opportunity to understand the content delivered in the morning session which focused on assisting the students with their career planning. Around 100 parents attended Darren Pereira’s parent session. This was followed by the distribution of the Morrisby Report and a presentation by Barry Darnell who interpreted the Report.
In order to help Year 10 students prepare for work experience and or part time work, we invited James Lynch, a recruitment specialist, to give a very informative lecture on Interview Skills. Students learned how to present themselves for an interview including how to plan and prepare; how to value their own skills and identify transferable skills for employment (including skills gained in part-time jobs and sporting teams); and how to answer behavioural - based interview questions through a number of mock interviews.
The Year 9 program has given students skills and resources necessary to help them navigate their way through the career decision making process and prepare them for subject selection and work experience in Year 10.
In Term 4, Year 9 students undertook an introductory careers program delivered by their classroom teachers over a six-week period during MDU, as a formal part of their Year 9 transition to Frogmore. Students were introduced to the concept of career development and completed an online career assessment which gave them information about their personality style, including strengths and talents. They then identified how personal attributes such as interests, skills, values, beliefs and behaviours may influence future life and work opportunities.
Roadwyz and Life Style Education - at school with Mr Vic Evans, Ambulance Paramedics and Victoria Police. Students took part in discussions regarding positive lifestyle choices and gained information with regard to the responsibilities of driving a motor vehicle, which included practising in a simulator.
Mental Health Education and Indoor Rock Climbing & Bouldering - held at School with School Counsellors and Health Education staff and at Bayside Rock where students undertook physical challenges and received demonstrations and instruction by an Australian Champion Indoor Rock Climber.
METEC - at the Driver Education Centre where students had the opportunity to drive cars with qualified instructors and to learn practical safe driving skills.
142 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Year
Students participated in four activities with their House groups: Party Safe - at the Mordialloc Surf Club with School Nurses and Health Education staff.
Vic Evans COCURRICULAR COORDINATOR
It is hoped that all students who undertook the program gained valuable knowledge enabling them to make safe lifestyle decisions.
The Year 10 Life Skills Program encourages students to participate in a variety of activities that enables positive interaction and discussion whilst undertaking new challenges, gaining new information and learning new skills to assist them with positive decision making. 10 Life Skills
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 143 The Duke of Edinburgh Award eachconsistenteachStudentscommitmentandtowardsfromThewhicharealso(YearSarahthePresentationbe12soinvolvedthisLauraThiswithDukeWeandActivity,Volunteering,exercises,seriesadultsadolescentsrecognisesandyoungforcompletingaofself-improvementincludingPhysicalSkillDevelopmentanExpedition.havehadanexciting2015withtheofEdinburghAwards,culminatingLauraCoxreceivingherGoldAward.isatremendousachievementandistobecongratulatedonachievinglevel.ThelevelofcommitmentintheGoldAwardisintense,tosuccessfullycombinethiswithYearstudiesisafeatinitself.LauraistoofficiallypresentedataRoyalGalaeveninginDecemberbyGovernorGeneral.Cimino(Year11),FrazerKemp11)andCasperBjarnason(Year12)achievedaSilverAwardthisyearandnowworkingtowardstheirGoldAwardtheyshouldallcompletenextyear.DukeofEdinburghAwardisofferedYear9wherestudentsinitiallyworkaBronzeAwardthenontoSilverGold,applyingdifferentlevelsofastheymoveupeachlevel.selecttheirowncomponentforoftheexercisesandmustshowcommitmentthroughoutlevel.Theprogramisdrivenbythe students themselves and can very often push them out of their comfort zone. This is all aimed at building resilience, discipline, integrity and respect. These qualities are very important and form a major part of our Mentone Grammar Values. I look forward to seeing many more students working through the levels to achieve the ultimate Gold Award.
‘Duke of Edinburgh Award is an amazing experience. It teaches commitment and discipline all while enjoying yourself. I was lucky enough to be able to complete my volunteering at my Hockey club and Little Devils Circus Studio and completed both my residential and adventurous journeys at various Cadet experiences. Not only has this award helped me to develop life skills and make friendships that will last a lifetime, but it has enabled me to be accepted into an early admissions program at University based on my volunteering experience.’
Kaylen Kornberg DUKE OF EDINBURGH COORDINATOR
Laura Cox
Duke of Edinburgh
Best of luck to all the Year 12s of 2015; we will continue set the tone that you established.
Louise Daly ANDERSON HOUSE COORDINATOR
POSITIVE OUTLOOK, ON
I asked myself this question at the beginning of the year and as the year progressed I challenged the students in the House to contemplate the following questions: What are the indefinable qualities that do, indeed, define the House as a collective unit? How do we approach the sharing of common goals – when as individuals we can be quite diverse? How do we stay motivated when our successes are not what we had hoped that they would be? What is true leadership? How can we be a united front?
What does it mean to be a part of Anderson House in 2015? YEAR WITH A WHAT WE COULD
ACHIEVE ENSURING THAT WE ALWAYS GAVE IT OUR BEST...
144 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
A big thank you goes to our House Captain Georgina Gore for her leadership this year. She was a true testament to the ethos of “leading by example”.
ANDERSON HOUSE WE STARTED THE
Being part of a House is not just about participating in the House activities. The activities are a vehicle for greater learning – they help us to reflect on who we are as individuals, what we stand for and how we treat others with whom we share a common purpose. It helps us to build resilience when we aren’t victorious, which in turn, shifts our focus to more higher learning. How we respond to our competitors is vital– to be a gracious winner is important, but even more telling is how we respond when the cards don’t fall our way. I have been so proud of how the Anderson House students have worked together this year. They have approached their undertakings in a cohesive and positive manner. They took on all challenges before them and we had participants in every event across all the different activities. Anderson House students, I am very proud of your efforts as you demonstrated courage when it was needed, resilience when it was required and patience when dealing with others. Anderson United was our motto and we strove to be united on the field and off and we will continue to build on this philosophy in 2016.
ANDERSON HOUSE CAPTAIN 2015
Georgie Gore
Throughout the year Anderson House has grown closer, across all year levels. This has allowed us to form strong bonds and provide much needed support to each other during roll call, mentor periods and House events. Ms Daly’s strong leadership and commitment have had a significant impact on unifying the House. The hard work of the Anderson House mentors and students meant that we became more encouraging and supportive of each other and as a result, more involved.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 145
This year has been an inspiring one for Anderson House. We started the year with a positive outlook, on what we could achieve ensuring that we always gave it our best and put in one hundred percent at all times. Through the range of House events we have learnt how to work together as a team, and how to encourage each other to strive to do their best.
It has been a pleasure to be Anderson House Captain this year. I have enjoyed getting to know all members of the House throughout the year. The House competition has had a range of highlights and I have enjoyed watching the members of Anderson always have a go and try their best. Some of the most memorable events were House Music and Drama where it was great to see the hard work of the members involved pay off by producing entertaining performances.
Another highlight was Cross Country where all the members got involved and ran the course with pride.
146 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 HOUSE Kye Gakovic Henry Green Jasmine Grey Grace Howell Ben Landgraf Ben Lofthouse Bianca Malby-Luke Mia McCulloch Lachlan Moorhouse Olivia Pattinson Adam Pavlakos Ranjith Prasannan Zac Scherger Daisy Shurlin William Spinner Nicholas Spitzer Harrison Burgess Tim Cansdale Eliza Crane Anna Daly Adam Cansdale Mitchell Chudleigh Stephen Clarke Matthew Cooper Joshua Daly Luke Endall Georgie Gore Miaolin Huang Emma Stephenson Charles Styles Oliver Ball Georgia Bowen Jamie Brown Brittany Chambers Jack Crane Jack Cunnington Bridie Easton Edward Fisher Thomas Fisher Daniel Holman James Humphreys Mia Labozzetta Jack Laidlaw Haoran Liu William McCann Becca Mendel Cameron Moorhouse Courteney Munn James Pearman Ella Ryan Riley Sawyer Max Stammers Joshua Stephenson Nicholas Stephenson Samuel Thiele Sarah Thompson Daniel Watt Patrick Anderson Hamish Brown Joshua Burgess Xueren Li Robert McKenna Caitlin New Bill Park Georgia Petfield Isabel Shurlin Oliver Strong Louise Daly HOUSE COORDINATOR
COMING TOGETHER IS A BEGINNING; KEEPING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS; WORKING TOGETHER IS SUCCESS.
It is never all about the win, though. We grew closer as a House this year. Lifetime bonds and friendships have been struck within this House, and the Year 12s of 2015 will hang onto these relationships for many years to come.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 147 We fought hard and strong all year, every event we lined up for we strived to be the best we could be; we strived to walk out champions. In another closely fought year of competition Deighton, again, won more events than any other House and we cheered on many Age Champions across a wide range of disciplines. Credit is owed to all members of Deighton for their incredible efforts throughout the year. Our victories came in Tennis, Drama, Chess, Soccer, Netball, Volleyball and Oratory and Debating. The wide range of successes highlights the diverse skills and talents in Deighton and we pride ourselves on celebrating each person’s individual best, no matter the result. These great team and individual efforts left us agonisingly close, once again finishing in second place.
‘A wish changes nothing, a decision everything’.changes
2015 started with great promise for Deighton. We finished the 2014 competition only half a point behind winners, Were House, and falling just short provided the motivation to go one step further this year. So, come 2015 we weren’t wishing, we were doing.
DEIGHTON HOUSE
148 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
We endeavoured to create a culture around Deighton that people wanted to share in. We aimed for an environment that was exciting, enjoyable and entertaining to be around. We shared memories in the form of pet yabbies, inspirational speeches from Mr Pate, and even some enjoyable ‘reference section’ banter. We want to acknowledge the recipients of this year’s Student Awards, voted by the members of Deighton to honour students in each year level who best embodied the participation, enthusiasm, encouragement and initiative we value so highly. The Year 10 Award went to Ryan Buckler. The Year 11 Award went to Frazer Kemp. The Year 12 Award and Michael Wilton Cup went to Tim Rossi. It has been a pleasure leading Deighton House throughout 2015, and I will treasure the memories we shared and the relationships forged for years to come. I thank my fellow Year 12s for their support and friendship during our time together and wish them good luck in the next chapter of their life. To the future talented and energetic Deighton members‘Give ‘em Hell’ GO DEIGHTON!! ‘Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.’
Tim Rossi DEIGHTON HOUSE CAPTAIN 2015 Andrew Pate DEIGHTON HOUSE COORDINATOR 2015
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 149 HOUSE Jacob Althoff-Dowell Fraser Angus Will Armstrong Lauren Bartlett Keegan Brooks Sarah Bryant Ryan Buckler Bailey Clarkson Rees Emsley Raymond Fair Samantha Fifer Jeffrey Fong Jeremy Gonis Yinuo Li Evan Mazur Deng Pan Samantha Gilliver Mitchell Johnstone Dillon Khaira William Lancaster Mats Manallack Maxwell Morison Colin Reeves Timothy Rossi Xiyan Zhang Sterling Bold Kentaro Bowden Ellen Chick Steven Daly Lucas Filikotzias Oliver Florent Molly Ford Emmanuel Garifalakis Riley Ghent Eliza Harvey Matthew Heath Trent Jones Frazer Kemp Emily Keogh Yuqi Meng Matthew Pertich Kyle Solterbeck Charlotte Wiffin Max Williams Hollie Wright Yue Yu Boyuan Zhang Sammy Abdalla Tyler Bradley Nicholas Capomolla Morgan Carter Philip Chandler Holly Clayton Georgia Devereaux Dongcheng Ding Amitty Edgeworth Jessie Ryan-Taylor Andrew Pate HOUSE COORDINATOR Not pictured: Alexander Wong
In particular, the long serving and highly talented Year 12 group led by example. They organised themselves and they helped to motivate the younger members of the House to perform at their best. The determination of the students was palpable as the year kicked off with a great start with the Summer Sport competition. Nicholas Henricks led the House Cricket team admirably and received enthusiastic support from talented newcomers Lewis Diggins, Owen Leonard and James Kerr. One outright win was in the bag. Likewise, Anthony Tamborriello’s tennis skills helped lift the Tennis team to a strong result. All the boys’ and girls’ teams performed well to achieve a shared first placing overall.
House Swimming and Badminton day was a particular highlight for members of Drinan. With outstanding individual and team performances, Drinan managed to achieve the rare feat of winning both events on the same day. This included Samantha Kerr putting in many great swims to be crowned Open Girls’ Champion whilst Justin Green, Angus Hill, Jack Brooks and Todd Blasse asserted their dominance in the pool to win the Open A Relay by a full lap. That Michael Briggs, Nicholas Gibbs, Morgan Downie and Matthew Musgrove were able to follow up with a win in the Open B Relay showed the depth of the team. It was not all about natural swimmers and the members of the House were grateful for all efforts. That included Tiana Storti making good on her promise to overcome her own fears and swim an event this year. Such was the spirit at Drinan in 2015. It has been a great year for the Drinan Dragons as they achieved highly across a broad range of activities. Indeed, the members of the House really performed on the big occasions producing strong results in most events.
DRINAN HOUSE
150 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
IN PARTICULAR, THE LONG SERVING AND HIGHLY TALENTED YEAR 12 GROUP LED BY EXAMPLE. THEY ORGANISED THEMSELVES AND THEY HELPED TO MOTIVATE THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE TO PERFORM AT THEIR BEST.
I commend all members of the House for their wonderful team effort over the year. Special mention to Isabelle Hore, Nicola Briggs and Nathan Booth for their enthusiasm and particularly to Year 12s, Angus Hill and Nicholas Henricks who made sure that they participated in absolutely everything and so were joint winners of the prestigious J.L. Wyatt medal for 2015. Thank you to House Captain, Justin Green, for his gentle leadership and assistance this year.
Laz Moutafis DRINAN HOUSE COORDINATOR 2015
The Athletics Carnival was another “big” participation activity and the members of Drinan House again rose to the occasion. That included taking to heart the instruction to sing well or, at least, to sing loudly in the House Chant competition. After winning the inaugural chant last year, it was still great to back that up with a fine second place this year. With the day’s busy schedule underway, Drinan students supported each other in ensuring they all got to their eventsincluding our youngest students. Out on the track, Nick, Angus, Justin and Todd again asserted their dominance in the Relay winning by a great margin. Bec Leonidas, as always, led her peers with participation and determination in many events. Sean Cunningham and Riley ran around in the Dragon costumes helping to keep team spirits high. By the end, a third place result in Athletics added to earlier great efforts to give Drinan the overall lead in what was proving to be a very competitive House Championship year. The Music and Drama performances were wonderful for the way in which students took charge of all aspects and had a lot of fun along the way. Seasoned musicians from diverse backgrounds combined for a spirited rendition of, Don’t Blame it on the Boogie. Justin Green, as House Captain, deserves special mention for undertaking the Solo Performance with his self-taught guitar solo. For House Drama, Issy Hore managed to bring together a disparate group of performers with little experience to again push their own boundaries and have fun in the process. By the middle of the year, we had posted some great results in the Winter Sports of Hockey and Soccer, however, the Football and Netball competitions proved a stretch too far. The Dragons then took on board the physics lessons in preparation for the almighty Tug of War. A ‘best ever’ was achieved for the House as they won all but one event across all boys’ and girls’ teams. Going in to the Cross Country, the last event for the year, Drinan was locked in third place with no chance of bettering the position nor even losing it. Nevertheless, it was a fitting testament that with nothing to gain or to lose, everyone ran at their best and finished in a fine second place to Jones House, that went on to be the overall winning House.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 151
152 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 HOUSE Nicola Briggs Lewis Diggins Riley Greenwood Chelsy Hardy Amy Hunt James Kerr Thomas Lapa Owen Leonard Emma Littlejohn Ellen Mooney Winnie Panczel Matthew Ray Timothy Silvester Jacques Steedman Max Tucker Sophie van Vliet Nicholas Henricks Angus Hill Isabelle Hore Panhaboth Hun Samantha Kerr Harrison Leitch Rebecca Leonidas Stuart Mills Nicholas Walliser Lucas Waters Tara White Christine Zhong Mitchell Booth Nathan Booth Dawei Cao Miaomiao Chen Jinhong Cho Lewis Cotsopoulos Sean Cunningham Matthew Dunkerley Galina Enright Tomas Gamble Jiin Jeon Rhys Mahoney Dylan Mann Andrew McDonald Sebastian Pena Jessica Robson Hannah Sinclair Tiana Storti Anthony Tamborriello Luc van Vliet Tianyi Yuan Todd Blasse Michael Briggs Jack Brooks Morgan Downie Nicholas Gibbs Justin Green Maximilian Grimm Maddison Musgrove Matthew Musgrove Ewan Scott Alexander Ung Yuanyuan Xia Laz HOUSEMoutafisCOORDINATOR
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 153
FINLAY ANDERSON HOUSE THIS
ALL STUDENTS CAN FEEL JUSTIFIABLY PROUD OF THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS
Finlay Anderson House has had a terrific year in 2015. With regard to the inter-House Championship, all Finlay Anderson students represented their House with great pride and commitment, enjoying success in many events, whilst at the same time sharing our defeats in a supportive, honourable and good humoured fashion as a good team should.
YEAR AND THEIR STRONG SENSE OF TEAM SPIRIT.
Vic Evans FINLAY ANDERSON HOUSE COORDINATOR
I have felt it a privilege to be the House Coordinator of our fantastic House team this year. Congratulations and well done to all, particularly to Edward (Woody) Hall for his excellent leadership as House Captain for 2015.
154 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
The Finlay Anderson themes of enthusiasm, support and participation were evident throughout the year and were demonstrated by all members of the House. This resulted in Finlay Anderson House once again demonstrating a positive and inclusive team culture during all events that were part of the Frogmore House FinlayChampionship.Anderson House members participated in numerous activities and it has been pleasing to see all members of Finlay Anderson House competing to the best of their ability, with a record of competition of which to be proud. Finlay Anderson House is proud of the efforts of all students whether they finish first at the right end, finish first at the wrong end or finish somewhere in between and I commend all members of the House for the way in which they conducted themselves throughout the many activities. All students can feel justifiably proud of themselves and each other for their achievements this year and their strong sense of team spirit.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 155 HOUSE Harry Austin Joshua Bowles Will Burmeister Austin Hollingsworth Mingjie Jin Ying-Chieh Kao Samantha Kershaw Isabelle Koh Kaibo Ma Charlie McGilvray Jamieson McKinnon Jacob Michaelides Kai Owens Lexie Paterson Edward Paton Daniel Pearce Joshua Dunne Jayson Greenfield Edward Hall Natasha Huttley Damaris Kaukesa Jonathan Koh Georgia Lee Belinda Mok Piper Rausz Jack Ryder Zheyuan Shi Alexander Tzimokas Emily Webster Owen Adams Elizabeth Algeri Tyler Anderson Sophie Antonellis Riley Baxter Adam Bouwmeester Santiago Chaparro Chaparro Yuxuan Chen Sarah Cimino Abhijit Das Tanner Dawes Emma Doyle Lachlan Hart Keenen D’UnienvilleMarrier Dhamsika Samarapathi Sumbaro Sarigari Julian Sasson Caitlin Shepherd George Smethurst Zachary Stagg Sienna Trigg Max Watson Michael Banks Samuel Barron Ryan Chand Alec Christopoulos Laura Cox Mikaela Morgan Lachlan Palfrey Bianca Ryder Samuel Zerman Vic HOUSEEvansCOORDINATOR
TO SUM UP JONES HOUSE IN 2015, WINSTON CHURCHILL’S FAMOUS QUOTE –“ATTITUDE IS A LITTLE THING THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE” – SEEMS APPROPRIATE. WELL JONES!DONE
156 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Jones House seems to be developing a pattern – winning this competition in the odd years – 2011 and 2013 and now 2015. Congratulations to all members of Years 10, 11 and 12 Jones House, 2015. I thank each and every Jones House member for a sensational year of consistent efforts. The job of House Captain was made that much easier knowing that the House had enthusiastic, friendly individuals who chose to opt in, rather than opt out. When called upon, members performed their best, whether they had outstanding expertise in the event or not; and if they lacked real talent in an event they certainly made up for it in courage and were prepared to go outside their comfort zone. A broad spectrum of House events reflected Jones House’s true values. Creditably the House succeeded in winning four events. Firstly, Cross Country running, in which the House showed its competitive character and secondly Academics, which illustrates the House’s intellectual rigour and strong effort in the ‘main game’ of school life. By contrast in the sporting area Jones House won Table Tennis and Football as well, thereby demonstrating a diversity of skills. The House competition results also included six second Fifty-eight members – twenty events –immeasurable talent – and one determined House. All this led to Jones House winning the Frogmore House Competition by seven points in 2015.
JONES HOUSE
Full participation and involvement in all House affairs was a watchword for Jones House during 2015. These values were behind our overall success. Winning the 2015 House Competition was no mean feat. It required an abundance of help and support from a range of people as well as the students.
Best wishes to Jones House in 2016. To sum up Jones House in 2015, Winston Churchill’s famous quote -“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference” - seems appropriate. Well done Jones! Brayden
Morrow JONES HOUSE CAPTAIN 2015
The two Vice Captains, Liam Hiscock and James Spencer, assisted throughout the year with House events where needed.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 157 placings, two third placings, four fourth placings, three fifth placings and one seventh placing. These excellent overall performances can be largely attributed to very low absenteeism in House events.
The Mentors (for Year 12) Ms Kara Baxter and Mr John Horler, (for Year 11) Ms Lidia Mancini and Mr David Barber and for Year 10s Mrs Miffy Farquharson and Mr Michael Wilton were always busy supporting House members and helping and advising on a daily basis - so a big ‘thank you’ for all their time and effort. Finally, significant mention must go to the Jones House Coordinator, Mr Adrian Payne. Being a House Coordinator is a time-consuming and demanding job, whether it be organising House events or running the House on a daily basis or, most important of all, looking after the pastoral needs of individual students. Much of this goes on behind the scenes so a very big thank you to Mr Payne for all his quiet, effective leadership over the years. Finally all credit must go to the students themselves for choosing to give 100 per cent to House affairs and thus supporting the School Values that underpin the House system.
158 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 HOUSE Sophie Appel Alexandra Boys Makenzie Boys Hannah Brailsford Devlin Brereton Leina Cato Caitriona Erskine Samuel Hutcheon Anna Mallows-Zejak Pieran Pachiyannis Max Rothberg Harrison Scopel Nicholas Sheppard Thomas Siedle Harrison Spencer Kristan Stober-Taing Alexander Hazelbank Liam Hiscock Yunzhong Hu Liam Leegel Yangyan Lin Brayden Morrow Antonia Pachiyannis Lachlan Pittard Callum Strack Xichen Sun Michael Todd Yaohui Wang Amelia Brooks Gabrielle Burton Benjamin Charnley Keling Chen James Davidson Wesley Flavell Linzhi Fu Liam Grant Matthew Grigoriou Charlotte Hamilton Chengzhi He Chang Liu Lucy Mangion James Mullan Andrew Persic Jesse Reed Alexander Shepherd Benjamin Thompson Yulian Wang Felicity Warren Junlin Yan Casper Bjarnason Jackson Charnley Alexander Clark William Davis Nattha Ellis Mengyun Fu James Grant Mackenzie Sheridan James Spencer Andrew Todd Adrian Payne HOUSE COORDINATOR Not pictured: Darcy Rush
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 159
THE PERFORMANCES OF STUDENTS IN A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES OUTSTANDING.WERE HOUSE
The performances of students in a wide range of activities were outstanding. Sporting, academic and in the performing arts, our Year 12 students were exceptional. The Debating team of Connor Bourke, James Shaw-Driver and Alex Shermon was again named best debaters. Undefeated over the past four years, they have been the benchmark for all debaters. Joe Blain, Josh Harris, Oliver Richards-Grubb and Michael Weberruss always contributed, with Joe giving a great oration. Calvin Hingle and James Wake were active in House activities, giving their best performances this year. It was very pleasing to see James Litsios contribute and display fine effort on a number of occasions. Academically, Matilda Maher and Jaidyn Muhandiramge were both high achievers who displayed a fine commitment and effort to their studies. Fionn MacRedmond performed exceptionally well again in House Cross Country. Madeline Stewart and Lin Qi were The 2015 year in the Lionel Large House was set up for a very successful year. The House was led by an intelligent young man, Alex Shermon, who set the academic tone, to a very high standard. The Year 12 team was a very talented group of individuals who were outstanding role models for the younger members of the House.
LIONEL LARGE
Monique Maitland was named Head Prefect an appointment that was well received by the School Community. The Year 12 group was well mentored over many years by Gavin Cornish, Connie Skipper and more recently, Emma Heine. These fine mentors supported and cared for this group both pastorally and academically and I know the students are very appreciative of their guidance and support.
Benjamin Awad, Taneesha Crowe and our newest member Annabelle Cosgrove, were all active members. Harrison Smyth and Charlotte Sutton were both strong academically and Alexander Harris, Josh Furneaux and Oisin MacRedmond were fine contributors. Special mention to Brian Fan who stepped to give a fine oration. The Year 10 class was well supported and mentored by Hamish Yule and Ursula Erdelyi-Götz. This was my tenth and final year of being the Lionel Large House Coordinator. It has been a wonderful journey where I have really enjoyed the day-to-day challenge of working with young people. I am very thankful to have worked with such supportive and encouraging mentors in Hamish Yule, Ursula Erdelyi-Götz, Sylvia Ponnusamy, Siew Lim, Gavin Cornish, Connie Skipper and more recently, Emma Heine and Robyn Fuerst. I leave the Lionel Large House with many fond memories and experiences and I thank every Lionel Large student who has been on this journey with me.
The Year 11 House members have had a fine year with all students committing to the many varied events. Our Year 11 Mentors of Sylvia Ponnusamy and Siew Lim guided this group to many individual and team successes. Marc Shermon, a talented individual, received the Year 11 House Contribution award. Marc was supportive and encouraging to all his fellow House members. Fittingly he was named House Captain for the 2016 year. I am sure Marc will continue the fine tradition of outstanding leadership.
May the Lions continue to roar…..
Emily Giddens, Aman Prasad, Dooyeon Lee and Iris Liu set the standard academically, each with very solid study habits and achievements that set the bar very high.
LIONEL LARGE HOUSE COORDINATOR 2015
Rohan Murphy
Dean Zaharopoulos, Jacob Watson, Amy Gowan and Bryn Walker always stepped up when needed, working actively as members of the Year 11 group.
Dhruv Rodrigues Chico was new to Lionel Large and had an immediate impact on all events. His relaxed personality certainly added to the positive tone of the House. Teaghan Avery was a fine contributor who has been named Vice-Captain for next year. Her leadership will be invaluable in 2016. Both Lucinda and Robert McIntyre performed very well at House Music and at the House Service. They are both very talented with Lucinda also winning the House Oratory competition. Will Avery, Emily Fiddes, Joanne Donaldson and Gail D’Souza were always active in both House activities and during mentor periods. They all have so much to offer and I am sure they will continue as leaders of Lionel Large.
160 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 active in setting a happy and positive tone to the House. Nic Gabsch, Ciara Scott, Lauren Zahra and Tahnee Streatfeild have all been positive role models over many years and always contributed and mentored our younger members. Their commitment and efforts were outstanding.
Jessica Balleggi started the year well winning the Year 10 Champion Swimmer award. Joel Amartey, Mitchell Scott and Shane Zahra were fine performers in a number of events. Patrick Bankin, Brooke Carson and Lola Oswald always displayed enthusiasm and vigour at both House events and in mentor period.
The Year 10 Lionel Large students had a challenge in front of them. Not only to make their mark as new members, they also had the added challenge of incorporating the Year 9 students into certain House events.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 161 HOUSE Joel Amartey Benjamin Awad Jessica Balleggi Patrick Bankin Brooke Carson Taneesha Crowe George Dikranis Yinchun Fan Joshua Furneaux Alexander Harris Oisin MacRedmond Lola Oswald Mitchell Scott Harrison Smyth Charlotte Sutton Daniel Vise Monique Maitland Jaidyn Muhandiramge Lin Qi Oliver Richards-Grubb Ciara Scott James Shaw-Driver Alexander Shermon Madeline Stewart Duo Xu Shane Zahra Teaghan Avery William Avery Joanne Donaldson Gail D’Souza Drew Evans Emily Fiddes Emily Giddens Amy Gowan Dooyeon Lee Xinyi Liu Lucinda McIntyre Robert McIntyre Aman Prasad Dhruv Rodrigues Chico Marc Shermon Cooper Vallis Bryn Walker Jacob Watson Wujie Xu Dean Zaharopoulos Shengjun Zhang Yuanyuan Zhang Joseph Blain Connor Bourke Nic Gabsch Joshua Harris Calvin Hingle James Litsios Fionn MacRedmond Matilda Maher Tahnee Streatfeild James Wake Michael Weberruss Lauren Zahra Rohan Murphy HOUSE COORDINATOR Craig Best (Term 2) ACTING HOUSE COORDINATOR Not pictured: Annabelle Cosgrove
162 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
The Were House season began with a friendly dodgeball match on a warm summer afternoon in December 2014. This was a perfect way to embrace the House’s theme for the year, ‘We’re one, We’re many’, providing an opportunity for new students to be welcomed and the House to unite within our school ‘family’.
WERE HOUSE
IT WASN’T, HOWEVER, THE LUNCHEONS OR THE COMPETITIONS THAT MADE THIS WERE YEAR GREAT. FOR US IT WAS THE GROWTH OF LASTING FRIENDSHIPS WITHIN THE HOUSE, THE ‘WERE FAM’ FACEBOOK GROUP AND THE CARE OF OUR INCREDIBLE MENTORS THAT MADE IT SPECIAL.
Relaxation in the afternoon sun with an ice-cream and conversations about the long-awaited summer holidays topped off a perfect start to the Were Year. The House competition, however, was anything but relaxing. Were’s involvement in event after event this year was commendable, ranging from the early Indoor Cricket competition to Oratory and Debating. We always had someone willing to step up and get the job done, even in the dreaded 6km Cross-Country event. One of our personal highlights this year was watching the team pull together during the Summer Swimming Carnival, filling events whenever necessary and even jumping into the pool as races began to make sure we never left a lane empty. The dedication we saw that day reminded me that we have outstanding individuals within our House who have a great deal to offer. At the end of each event it was our pleasure to award certificates and prizes to those students who performed beyond our expectations or who took on a challenge well out of their comfort zone. These presentation roll calls quickly became a highlight in our week, not just because the stress of the event
On 13 July, the first day back of Term 3, Were and Drinan combined to celebrate House leadership. What began as a small idea turned into a magnificent afternoon, where both houses were privileged to hear from former Olympic sailor Krystal Weir about what it means to be a leader. We enjoyed a delicious lunch of noodles along with over 20 past House Captains from Were and Drinan, some of whom were at the school in the 1980s. They unveiled the long awaited House Captain Honour boards as a reminder of the longstanding legacy of leadership in the School and throughout our lives. It wasn’t, however, the luncheons or the competitions that made this Were year great. For us it was the growth of lasting friendships within the House, the ‘Were Fam’ Facebook group and the care of our incredible mentors that made it special.
Lachlan Dawson WERE HOUSE CAPTAIN Terry Matthew WERE HOUSE COORDINATOR
2015
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 163 was over, but because it was a time when we could celebrate the fantastic efforts displayed and share stories of a crazy goal or a beautiful moment of leadership. Roll call was also the time when we celebrated people’s birthdays, told jokes and completed quizzes. Most of all, roll call was the time of the day when we could celebrate the fact that while we are one House, we include many interesting and valuable people.
2015
Thank you to Mr Bingham, Ms Gill, Ms te Lindert, Ms Wootton, Mr Stevens and Mrs Agetzis for everything that you have done for us this year.
164 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 HOUSE Alexander Bardoel Mackenzie Bascombe Annabel Best Jingxuan Cheng Jack Feng Jemima Gordon Paul Holland Luke Huber Joshua Jaden Kristi Lenton Daniel Liacos Diah Marsh Harrison McFarlane Edward Newman Jonas Schulze Sahishnu Siva Ram Daniel Malyaris Putri Marsh George Mavrogiannis Nicholas Meehan Stuart Pesudovs Harrison Smyth Alexander Verrills Terry Matthew HOUSE COORDINATOR Brannan Smith Benjamin Waterson Stephanie Wilson Tom Zallmann Lachlan Brown Sean Callaghan Samuel Callahan Riley Causer Finlay Dodson Harrison Edwards Matthew Hennig William Howroyd Bridgette Kelsey Xuanming Liang Nanthgwat Magee Kate Meehan James Miller Zoe O’Neill-Pugh Jessica Paterson Kirra Pemberton Tessa Petrie Adam Pratt Thomas Vear Haili Wang Zhao Zhang Harrison Cramer Lachlan Dawson Joseph Eddy James Edwards Charlotte Goodman Nicola Leahy Xiwen Mai Not pictured: Natasha Skinner
Our
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 165
AMAZING TO WITNESS OUR WHITE HOUSE TOVISIONPERFORMANCES.ANDACHIEVEMENTSWOLVESCONSISTENTOURFOR2015WASREACHFORTHESKY! WHITE
Throughout 2015
It has been amazing to witness our White House Wolves achievements and consistent performances. Our vision for 2015 was to reach for the sky! This year we eagerly welcomed our Year 10 White cubs into the fold. Chloe McLennan joined the Wolf pack in Year 11, whilst Zhihan Tan and Zhou Ying started Semester 2 in Year 10. As our House family increased we were reluctant to say farewell to Zoe Maggio and Johanna Sawford who took up exciting opportunities as exchange students to Spain and the United States respectively. Highlights for the year included our Vertical Mixing afternoon tea at Greenways Café, our White House Quiz-off, ‘Discovering White House, Frogmore and Beyond’ Scavenger hunt, our special Year 12 lunches and the popular pizza meals prior to big events. These events further strengthened the connection across year levels and provided our younger Wolves with an older “go to” person should they feel the need. Caring is one of the seven School Values and it was pleasing to witness the commitment of so many of our White House IT HAS BEEN HOUSE our White House family enjoyed a very successful year. connectedness and House spirit have continued to develop and fromChampionshipascentculminatingstrengthen,inourontheHousetable8thto4th.
Finally, we wish to thank our House Captain, John Papasimeon, for his enthusiasm and passion displayed throughout the year. To our Year 12s who have supported John and provided our younger Wolves with high expectations, we wish you the very best for life after Mentone Grammar.
Hanni Alston and Belinda McNeil
WHITE HOUSE COORDINATORS 2015
White House’s campaign for victory in 2015 was going to be a tough one, having finished in 8th place for the last three years. However, with our Year 12 team of natural born leaders, White House was filled with enthusiasm and passion from the beginning. Having sporting superstars such as Caibiran Deas, we knew that 2015 was going to be a big year for our special House. The highlight of our year was when our senior Tug of War teams, both boys and girls, went undefeated. This was a true testament of the capability and willpower that we had this year as White Wolves. Everyone in the House was very eager to do better than we had in previous years, and needless to say with everyone’s hard work and dedication to the House, we all managed to impress and make everyone proud of each other. White House this year has proven itself to be more than just a House, because when you’re part of White House, you’re part of a family. On behalf of the Year 12 White House team I would like to wish the current White house Wolves, mentors and House Coordinators, Ms McNeil and Mrs Alston, all the best for 2016.
John Papasimeon
166 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 students to Community Service. Siam Campbell and Joe Bosa continued their dedication to this cause, whilst Year 11 students Conor Beveridge, Georgia Tarlinton, Renee Verginis, Stephanie Sanderson-Pearce, Chloe McLennan and Georgina Phillips assisted at the Sacred Heart ThankMission.youtoour Mentors for their ongoing support and encouragement that they have provided for our Students: Year 12 John Pascoe, Bernadette McGill Year 11 Natalie Morgenstern, Andrew Hayes Year 10 Aaron Richard, Odrey Tour, Kym Willett
WHITE HOUSE CAPTAIN 2015
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 167 HOUSE Jack Athanas Jack Bunting Madison Capsalis Victor Ding Samuel Hoggett Mitchell Ligeti Zoe Maggio Corbin McCullough Euan McTaggart Jack Milligan Joshua Nung Adele Oyarzun Massey Parker Sam Ralph Matilda Reilly Johanna Sawford Hunter Griffin Casey Harrop Karla Horne Matthew Lucas Alyssa Maggio Jack Oyarzun John Papasimeon William Pickles Zhihan Tan Aidan Taylor Ying Zhou Aleisha Bernamoff Conor Beveridge Evan Bibby Haoluan Chen Luke D’Alessandro Michael Demura Lachlan England Chanel Galgano Jingyuan Jiang Fanglei Li Samuel Lucas Marcus Marinelli Chloe McLennan Scott Moore Zachary Murphy Jackson Palmer Georgina Phillips Stephanie SandersonPearce Piermon Schwarz Louise Solomonides Georgia Tarlinton Renee Verginis Patrick Blay Joe Bosa Siam Campbell Caibiran Deas Joshua Freney Lachlan Fryer Tom Goodwin Jasmine Rossborough Christopher Scrob Andrew Verginis Emily Wood Belinda McNeil HOUSE COORDINATOR Hanni Alston HOUSE COORDINATOR
168 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 ANDERSON DEIGHTON DRINAN ANDERSONFINLAY JONES LIONELLARGE WERE WHITE CRICKET 5 1 8 4 6 3 7 2 TENNIS 1 8 6 3 7 2 5 4 SOFTBALL 2 5 3 6 4 8 1 7 VOLLEYBALL 3 7.5 7.5 1 5 3 3 6 BASKETBALL 1 5 3 4 7 6 2 8 ATHLETICS 4 7 6 8 5 3 1 2 SWIMMING 5 7 8 6 4 3 2 1 TABLE TENNIS 1 4 6 3 8 5 7 2 DRAMA 4.5 8 3 1 6.5 2 4.5 6.5 CHESS 2 8 1 7 5 3 4 6 MUSIC 6 2 5 3 7 4 8 1 SOCCER 1 8 6 3 5 4 2 7 HOCKEY 4 2 6 1 7 5 8 3 BADMINTON 7 6 8 5 4 3 1 2 ACADEMIC 4 2 6 5 8 7 1 3 FOOTBALL 2 7 4 5 8 1 6 3 NETBALL 5 8 3 1 2 6 4 7 ORATORY & DEBATING 6 8 3 1 7 2 4 5 TUG OF WAR 1 5 8 4 6 2 3 7 CROSS COUNTRY 3 4 7 6 8 2 1 5 TOTAL 67.5 112.5 107.5 77 119.5 74 74.5 87.5 RANKING 8 2 3 5 1 7 6 4 House Championship
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 169 OH THE THINKS YOU CAN THINK WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT SEUSS! His... appine ss ARTS EVENTS&
ConcertsEblana
Thank you to our Performing Arts leaders Nicholas Saunders, Nichola Di Tirro, Ruby Samild and Madyssen-Elana Kalogerakis who all did a magnificent job hosting our concerts and announcing performers. Thank you to all the Eblana musicians who practised hard to perform to their very best.
170 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Throughout the year there have been many opportunities for the students of Eblana to perform, and whilst there were always performance opportunities at our formal Instrumental Concerts, many Eblana students also enjoyed the experience of performing in front of an audience during our Assemblies. Our Instrumental Concerts were held toward the end of Semester 1 and Semester 2. They provided a formal opportunity for our many ensembles and solo performers to demonstrate their hard work in preparing their pieces. Our concerts featured the strings, woodwind and brass players from the Years 2 and 3 instrumental programs, the Eblana String Ensemble and soloists from Foundation right through to Year 4. Our ELC students were treated to a very special concert by the Years 2 and 3 instrumental classes as a prelude to their visit to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. This was an exciting experience for all the students, with group and solo performances and many enthusiastic questions. The ELC audience discovered that stringed instruments are bowed and plucked, wind instruments make a sound by blowing into them; percussion instruments are played by shaking, scraping or striking them and the double bass is by far the coolest instrument. Eblana Assemblies provided our musicians with many opportunities to perform and we were never short of enthusiastic young performers keen to sing, play a musical instrument or dance in front of a welcoming crowd. The Eblana Singers enjoyed many opportunities to perform; small ensembles were formed with the specific aim of performing at assembly and the Eblana String Ensemble played the National Anthem.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 171 EBLANA ASSEMBLIES PROVIDED OUR MUSICIANS WITH MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO PERFORM AND WE WERE NEVER SHORT OF ENTHUSIASTIC YOUNG PERFORMERS KEEN TO SING, PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OR DANCE IN FRONT OF A WELCOMING CROWD.
We host two Bayview music performances a year. There is one at the end of Term 1 and the other shortly into Term 4. They offer a fabulous opportunity for any Bayview music student to share the joy of performing music with their teachers, family and friends. Our Years 5 to 8 musicians work together striving towards a common goal: excellence in performance. All the early morning rehearsals pay off when they stand there before an appreciative audience singing or playing their hearts out. It is truly a beautiful thing to be able to express yourself through music. This is joy enough for some as they practise in their bedrooms at home or the family lounge. But performing for an audience is icing on the cake. It brings us together as a community. It transcends all barriers of culture and identity. New talents emerge. The concerts feature solo items, small groups and large ensembles. Some of the items are organised and rehearsed by the students themselves, others with the help of our vast team of specialist private instrumental tutors. The resulting evening of entertainment is a fast-paced showcase of many different styles of music from opera, rock, pop, jazz, indie, classical, multicultural to Broadway. There are as many different styles as there are individuals performing! We even get our Year 7 instrumental classes up, fresh and green from only weeks new to their Congratulationsinstruments.toall the students who have participated on stage this year.
ConcertsSoireesBayview&
172 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 173 IT IS TRULY A BEAUTIFUL THING TO BE ABLE TO EXPRESS YOURSELF THROUGH MUSIC.
Thank you to Performing Arts Captains Caitlin New and Max Morison for performing and hosting the event and to all who entertained us on the night.
The audience loved them all and the judges were challenged to separate the best from the best. Congratulations to the musical stalwarts of Were House on their close win over the much fancied Jones House talent.
HouseFrogmoreMusic
Frogmore House Music showcased a brilliant array of musical talent, some new and unexpected amongst our perennial favourites. It was a night where joy and nervous participation met sublime talent as each House brought forth their best in a hotly contested celebration of House spirit.
Alicia Gerasimou PERFORMING ARTS
The eight ensembles were a curious mix of infectious high energy and bold talent and produced and eclectic mix of fun, entertaining mash ups and remixes.
All Houses presented a soloist and an ensemble piece to a panel of industry professionals. All eight brave, talented soloists: Caitlin New, Eliza Harvey, Justin Green, Jonathan Koh, Alex Hazelbank, Lucinda McIntyre, Charlotte Goodman and Louise Solomonides impressed their peers and won new fans with flawless performances. Special mention to Jones House soloist and eventual winner Alex Hazelbank who earned a standing ovation for his exquisite rendition of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, and a near-perfect score.
174 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 175 IT WAS A NIGHT WHERE JOY AND NERVOUS PARTICIPATION MET SUBLIME TALENT AS EACH HOUSE BROUGHT FORTH THEIR BEST IN A HOTLY CONTESTED CELEBRATION OF HOUSE SPIRIT. – ALICIA GERASIMOU
The senior Dance students not only modelled exemplary standards but also assisted many of the younger students to choreograph and polish their routines.
The program showcased an exciting mix of contemporary styles including hip hop, theatrical, character jazz and lyrical solos and ensembles along with vocals from Glee.
In particular, Keegan Brooks assisted the Boys’ Dance Crew and some of our up and coming Hip Hop dancers, while Head Prefect Monique Maitland demonstrated great leadership and passion for the Performing Arts, leading by example. Senior dancers Bridie Easton, Renee Verginis, Anna Mallows-Zejak, Lucy Mangion and Emily Keogh also worked with our younger students to create cohesive performances.
Vanessa Moore DANCE
It was evident from the generous applause at the end of the night that this show was the best so far. The expectations had been set high and the bar was raised. With such positive feedback and support from the Mentone Grammar Community our dancers can barely wait to dance their way onto the stage of the new Creativity Centre in 2017. My congratulations to all our aspiring dance artists for the attitude, colour and grace they bring to our stage.
176 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
AND DRAMA TEACHER Stagecraft
On Thursday 30 April Stagecraft took to the floor with the theme: Stagecraft in Style. The night was hosted by our 2015 Performing Arts Captains Caitlin New and Max Morison; who took style to a new level, complete with flair and sequins.
The 48 talented dance students rehearsed for long hours in the lead up to this performance. Our Senior Dance Ensemble led the way by performing technically difficult contemporary numbers and sassy Jazz items all of which inspired the younger students to keep raising the bar with Dance at Mentone Grammar.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 177 THE SENIOR DANCE STUDENTS NOT ONLY MODELLED EXEMPLARY STANDARDS BUT ALSO ASSISTED MANY OF THE YOUNGER STUDENTS TO CHOREOGRAPH AND POLISH THEIR ROUTINES. – VANESSA MOORE
178 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
The first sweet tones of the evening were a pleasant surprise. The Cat’s Meow, in their short time together, has established themselves as a choir of ability and distinction. So Far so Good, a competition piece performed in May at the Mt Gambier Generations in Jazz festival is a somewhat dry witted series of observations of life’s travails by Nick Begbie, from Idea of North. Their second item, Drowning in the Sea of Love, an R&B hit from 1972 for Joe Simon, is a song where gospel resonances abound, despite the secular lyrics. This piece featured rich and blended choir voices, producing an undeniable soulful and plaintive feeling. The enduringly popular jazz band Froggers, also presented music performed at the Generations in Jazz festival. Nick Mulders How Much Sleeps is an instrumental blues piece cast as a medium tempo no-nonsense Shuffle featuring all parts of the band. The shuffle feel became popular in the 1940s and continues to fascinate composers in the blues area through its tough and gritty bounce, just think of those detective movie and television themes. The second item has a change of pace but is connected by theme. The Jazz Police by Gordon Goodwin is, as it suggests, a detective theme, featuring the de rigueur exciting guitar solo. With or without his signature ‘beanie’ Ben Lofthouse’s guitar solos are always brilliant. Solo, duet and small group items are musical jewels in the concert. An intimate
The Winter Concert, held in the Drama Centre for the last time, was another sell out event. As soon as it was known that this concert would be the last for the Centre, our musical community was determined to make it the finest.
ConcertWinter and perhaps conversational mode of expression, chamber music has been referred to as ‘the music of friends’. This concert featured soloists Tom Siedle, Henry Wang, Bridgette Kelsey, Xiwen (Maggie) Mai, Robert McIntyre and small ensembles SuperSax, Vibe, The Frogmore Trio and The Flute Ensemble. Maggie and Robert played Maya by Ian Clarke, a dreamy and contemplative piece reminiscent of the early 20th Century French impressionists, with notes that flow like the ripples in a stream, layered with glorious soaring melodies replete with bended notes and stuttering locutions. This flute duet left us with a hint of spring in the air. Henry Wang’s solo, Butterfly Lovers by He Zhan-Hao Chen Gang, was simply stunning. His tone varied from delicate to rich, and he played across the range of the instrument with astounding dexterity. The piece concluded by floating off into the Leroystratosphere.Andersonis a composer best known for his tuneful yet humorous orchestral
The Winter Concert is the peak musical performance event of the school calendar. It features large and small ensembles from across the school, as well as chamber ensembles and selected soloists. A broad variety of styles and genres are always presented, with the emphasis on a high standard of preparation and performance. Each item, carefully prepared by the students with helpful guidance of their teachers and tutors, demonstrates this commitment. Given the busy schedules our students must navigate, their participation in our program is a testament to their enthusiasm, drive and encouragement.
Mozart lives. Certainly, the Flute Ensemble would have us believe he wrote its piece yesterday. The Magic Flute medley, a miscellany of familiar melodies from Mozart’s Opera The Magic Flute, was given a fresh interpretation. Although often interpreted as a fairytale opera, it does consciously contain and convey deeper meaning. However, the Flute Ensemble, unencumbered by text, played this item with high spirits and gentle charm. Flauti e tutti. SuperSax seemed to bounce as they played the march from Wallace and Gromit. What a lot of fun they must have preparing their pieces. Vibe, a string ensemble that specialises in contemporary material, performed a medley of themes from Lord of the Rings movies. The Frogmore Trio performed one movement from the sonata in F major by Loeillet. A series of contemporary and rock items are always a welcome part of the Winter Concert and Charlotte Goodman’s Champagne Supernova item by Oasis lived up to our expectations. Her unique approach to interpretation of her own and other’s material has made Charlotte a popular concert attraction. Mr.Ms, also a popular concert attraction led by Xiwen (Maggie) Mai, played their song Hug, receiving deserved energetic applause. Kamikaze Crash Helmets are a rock and roll sensation. They play their music with a take-no-prisoners attitude which was very exciting and entertaining. The Senior Vocal Ensemble sang the rousing song Sunday from Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George followed by the popular Uptown Funk. The Senior Orchestra performed excerpts from Pictures at an Exhibition by Mousorgsky, a famous Russian composer of the late 19th Century, and the theme from HBO’s Game of Thrones by Ramin Djawadi. Following this, the Senior Vocal Ensemble returned to the stage to join the Senior Orchestra in the finale for the evening, the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves by Giuseppe Verdi. It was a moving and poetic farewell to the Drama Centre, the venue of many fine performances and many wonderful memories.
Gavin Cornish HEAD OF PERFORMING ARTS DIRECTOR OF MUSIC GROUP ITEMS ARE
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 179 pieces that on occasion incorporate typewriters or sandpaper. Tom Siedle performed the Trumpeters Lullaby by Anderson. This piece sounds very elegant and indeed has the quality of a serenade about it, but if one listens closely, it really is just a sleepy bugle call. Bridgette Kelsey performed the beautiful Amarilli, Mia by the notable Italian composer of the early Baroque, Giulio Caccini. Although sung in Italian, the meaning of this song was certainly not lost in translation. Bridgette’s angelic song about one lover’s assurance to another, is a sweet Italian madrigal, or art song, in which the composer gives expression to the various emotions held within each line of text.
SOLO, DUET AND SMALL
MUSICAL JEWELS IN THE CONCERT. – GAVIN CORNISH
Notwithstanding a Hot August Night in September, the Bayview Band combined with the Bayview Singers to perform Sweet Caroline, one of the memorable songs by superstar songwriter Neil Diamond. Following this, the Bayview Band played the iconic Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple. Other vocal groups featured were the Cat’s Meow and the Senior Vocal Ensemble. Both groups are regular contributors to concert programs and differentiate themselves mainly through repertoire choice. The Cat’s Meow has developed at pace, and have established themselves as an ensemble of quality and skill. Their repertoire, drawn from the jazz and gospel areas, requires careful attention to part-singing and rhythmic feel.
180 | THE MENTONIAN
The French composer Jules Mouquet wrote La Flute de Pan in 1906 intending to create an impressionist story in music of the Pan myth from Greek Mythology. Maggie’s performance of the third movement, a VCE work, was confident, expressive, and detailed. Duets are a form that is growing in popularity. This concert featured three duets, Caitlin New and Nick Meehan on saxophones, Louise Solomonides voice and Jackson Palmer guitar, Santiago Chaparro Chaparro guitar and Becca Mendel voice. Though a simple format, a duet can be a highly rewarding yet exacting artform. The performers are deeply reliant on each other’s skill; a performance can easily fall apart. However, it is hoped that students will continue to emulate these fine examples.
Caitlin New performed Disneyland from the stage musical Smile, in which her character dreams of a beauty pageant in Disneyland, and of going there in person. Yes, it’s the stuff of Broadway.
ConcertSpring2015
The Senior Vocal Ensemble on the other hand is well known for its exploration of contemporary choral repertoire with an emphasis on folk music, classical and stage musicals. European art songs are also within their range. Two piano soloists are always better than one, don’t you think? Swooning, or fainting in coils as Lewis Carroll would have it, seems to be the program choice du jour for our piano soloists. Elizabeth Algeri performed the Nocturne No.1 Op.9 by Chopin. This arrestingly beautiful piece has an air of intimacy and of reverie about it. Far from a lullaby, Nocturne No.9 is a poetic musical picture of night images; the moon, brooding shadows all drawn with dramatic and romantic expressiveness.
Usually cast as a farewell concert for Year 12 students, this year’s Spring Concert was expanded to reflect, and to emphasise, the depth and breadth of the developing music program at Mentone. Held in the Bayview Gym, several Bayview ensembles, joined senior ensembles and soloists from Greenways and Frogmore to complete a varied and interesting concert program featuring music from a diversity of styles and genres.
Alex Hazelbank, also chose a work with nocturnal references, Clair de Lune by Debussy. Translated as moonlight, this piece commences in such a peaceful manner but builds through a succession of small waves of intensity towards an expected and satisfying peak. Intensity sustained, we are gently brought to earth with a few unexpected twists along the way, and so beautifully interpreted by Alex. The audience, wishing to savour every moment, delayed applause until the very last tones drifted away.
The solo flute item by Xiwen (Maggie) Mai was certainly figurative and colourful music. Notes cascaded in waterfalls of sound, phrases chased each other as if to mimic the play of Pan and his minions.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 181
On this occasion
For Caitlin this was a tour de force performance. Her command of the stage is impressive, her voice carried the song and her presence carried the meaning. Caitlin is a highly valued and highly skilled performer. Caitlin has made a significant contribution in all areas of the Performing Arts through Bayview to Frogmore; in her final year accepting the position of Performing Arts Captain. Rock and contemporary groups are a regular feature of all major concerts.
Gavin Cornish HEAD OF PERFORMING ARTS DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Charlotte Goodman joined forces with rockband The Haze with an interpretation of Crowded House’s Fall at your Feet. GLTCH performed its own composition Before you Leave featuring Tessa Petrie on lead vocals and Ukulele. As expected, Adam and the Prats were a rock sensation. The very entertaining and redoubtable back line guitarists, Ben Lofthouse, Lead guitar, and Ben Landgraf on Bass guitar, proved that they certainly have the spirit of showiness in their bones with their pared back but effective choreographed moves. The small ensembles were well prepared, and indeed, provided some small surprises. The Woodwind group played selections of music from Bach, Pachelbel and Tchaikovsky. This group is a welcome addition to the program and their work on these pieces in particular proves their growing skill and versatility. The Flute Ensemble played two short pieces of Dvorak and Mozart. SuperSax played the well known Cantina Band Music from Star Wars as well as Pirate Tales by Ken Whitcomb. Frogmore Trio played an elegant interpretation of Loeillet’s Sonata in F and Vibe Played two movements from Company by the American minimalist composer Phillip Glass, also famous for his film scores. The Brass ensemble played two fantasias by Adriano Banchieri and the Year 9 Trio played the well crafted March Militaire by Frank Bridge. The senior orchestra performed three instrumental items. The first, House Baratheon, theme music from HBOs Game of Thrones by Ramin Djawadi. Seemingly a sequel to the Winter Concert orchestral item by the same composer, this instalment featured an introductory solo from Imogen Davis in the style of a Celtic folk melody. The musical imaginary evokes a mysterious and perhaps medieval distant land and culture, we know all too well to be brutal and bloodstained. The second item featured was a debut for Robert McIntyre’s music writing and arranging skills. His work on The Greatest Change was highly appreciated by the Senior Orchestra, which played it faithfully and with great feeling. The third item was the Bregamasca from Ottorino Respighi’s Ancient Aires and Dances Suite No.2. This piece featured all sections of the orchestra. The music is based on an elaborate series of variations layered over a repetitive bass figure, popular in the Italian Renaissance, which slowly gathers intensity and builds towards a bold and brassy conclusion and a fitting finale item to the Spring Concert.
THE AUDIENCE, WISHING TO SAVOUR EVERY MOMENT, DELAYED APPLAUSE UNTIL THE VERY LAST TONES DRIFTED AWAY. – GAVIN CORNISH Dreams, passion and insurmountable odds to overcome, what do you suppose could happen? Why of course, Success!
THINKS
Amanagement.bigthankyou also goes to the backstage crew – Gavin Cornish, Stuart Bainbridge, Andrew Pate, Gennie McNair, and the many students involved, in making the show run so smoothly. A big thank you goes to the Orchestra for bringing the magical score to life! Our performing arts students are incredibly committed and talented and we thank them sincerely for all for their fine efforts! We look forward to building on our program in 2016.
Seussical
182 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Seussical – based on the characters and stories of Dr. Seuss – was staged at the Drum Theatre in Dandenong to large audiences over three nights. It was a showcase of talent, energy, skill and true commitment. Our students outdid themselves this year by putting on a highly polished and professional show, which had a sophisticated and complex score. Seussical follows the story of Horton the Elephant who through his undying faith and sense of hope saves a world of people who live on a small speck of dust. He triumphs over great odds in order to do this and he finds himself as an unlikely hero. It is a touching and beautifully constructed piece of theatre. Many engaging and stylised performances stood out: Patrick Anderson as the heartfelt Horton, James Pearman as the over-thinking JoJo, Adam Pratt as the subversive Cat in the Hat, Tessa Petrie as the unlucky-in-love Gertrude, Lucy Mangion as the irresponsible Mayzie, Aleisha Bermanoff as the stunning Sour Kangaroo, Max Stammers and Becca Mendel as the well intentioned Mr and Mrs Mayor, Isabelle Hore as the kooky Grandma Mayor, Jackson Palmer as the tunnel visioned Genghis Khan Schmitz, and Tim Rossi as the highly comedic and cheeky Grinch – who could forget his antics at interval? However, the supporting cast and ensemble were outstanding with each and every actor and dancer executing their role superbly. Congratulations to Anthony Bingham and Lidia Mancini on their expert musical direction, Vanessa Moore and Holly Loughran for their specialist choreography, Kirsty Petschel for the impeccably artistic make-up, Rondel Ferret for her incredible costumes, Belinda Moore for her hair expertise and Alicia Gerasimou for her production
Louise Daly DIRECTOR THE YOU CAN THINK WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT SEUSS!
OH
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 183
184 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 OUR STUDENTS OUTDID THEMSELVES THIS YEAR BY PUTTING ON A HIGHLY POLISHED AND PROFESSIONAL SHOW, WHICH HAD A SOPHISTICATED AND COMPLEX SCORE. – LOUISE DALY
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 185 THE SUPPORTING CAST AND ENSEMBLE WERE OUTSTANDING WITH EACH AND EVERY ACTOR AND DANCER EXECUTING THEIR ROLE SUPERBLY – LOUISE DALY
The students involved in the performance; David Fogarty, Brandon Demura, Tyler Milburn, Peronel Taylor, Elly Blasse, Emma Maggio, Anna Lofthouse, Sasha Widelski, Madison Daley, Claudia Brown and Lara Huttley showed such professionalism throughout the performance, captivating the audience through the deep portrayal of the themes and highlighting these with comedic moments such as the backstreet boys take on When the Lights go Out and the use of LED Congratulationsgloves.toallon exploring a new style of performance and for accomplishing so much in such a busy year in Greenways.
Vanessa Moore GREENWAYS
An inspired group of Greenways Dramatic Arts students worked fortnightly, from the beginning of the year to the performance in Term 4, in order to refine their expressive and physical skills within the style of Cabaret. This was the first time Greenways students had come together to create their own campus based performance.
186 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Cabaret is a form of entertainment featuring music, song, dance, recitation or drama. It is mainly distinguished by its intimate performance venue, which encourages performers to break down the fourth wall. The creation of the cabaret performance titled, Perception, Reflection and Perfection, focused on expectations set by individuals and outsiders and the impact these can have on our lives. The script was created using various scenes from Designing Women, Moulin Rouge, Burlesque, Sweet Charity and songs such as: When I get my Name in Lights – The Boy from Oz, Up Where we Belong – An Officer and a Gentleman, When the Lights go Out – Five, The Voice Within and Bound to You –Christina Aguilera, Reflection – Mulan and Seasons of Love – Rent The students thrived throughout the rehearsal process as they were encouraged to step beyond their comfort zone to become ‘triple threats’, learning to sing, dance and act. The students gained various insights into the characters they were playing through working with specialist teachers such as Miss Moore, Ms Mancini, Ms McNair, Ms ForsterMuir and Mr Bassett.
CabaretGreenways
thearoundAfternoonSundayPiano
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 187
In keeping with a long tradition, the School opened its doors on a wintery Sunday for an afternoon around the piano. Music lovers from near and far enjoyed a diverse musical program, beautifully put together by Ms Kate Friend. Students from Year 1 to Year 12 along with some past Mentonians delighted the audience with a soothing classical collection of piano, violin, ‘cello and classical voice solos and dramatic combinations. The Greenways round was a perfect setting and the Greenways Café a lovely venue for the afternoon tea that followed. Alicia Gerasimou PERFORMING ARTS
As per each year we had our team of highly adept mocktail-mixers behind the bar. What?! You say a bar in Greenways? Rest assured they served only mocktails. The team, as well as all of the musicians, dressed up in costumes from the 1920s: many a burlesque get-up, feather boa, artdeco pattern, suspenders, bowtie and hat.
Natalie Morgenstern HEAD OF WOODWIND JAZZ CABARET CURATOR Jazz Cabaret
The Jazz Cabaret is a crazy undertaking that the students look forward to every year. Squeezed some time after the Term 2 Mt Gambier Generations In Jazz festival and before the Term 3 Spring Concert, it overlaps the Production rehearsals and preparations for the Winter Concert. It is a demanding time for these all-singing, all-dancing musicians. Fortunately the students were very well organised and came to rehearsals on time and knew their material well. It is by no means an easy feat to learn 24 songs in just eight weeks. Considering exams, work experience and Cadet Camp were also thrown into the mix, I am proud of all that was brought to the stage. Our featured vocalists this year were Caitlin New, Yunzhong Hu, Anna Lofthouse, Louise Solomonides, Chloe Stone, Emily Keogh, Lucy Mangion, Eliza Harvey, Aleisha Bernamoff, Adam Pratt, Becca Mendel, Nick Sheppard, Ryan Buckler and, for the first time featured with Froggers, the Cat’s Meow -our very own Jazz Choir! We love this night. It is a celebration of the love of performance through music. Through jazz! The relaxed yet intimate atmosphere allows the students to take chances with expression, try something that they always wanted to but thought maybe next time, crack a joke on the bandstand and own the event.
188 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
The Jazz Cabaret had a slight migration this year. We turned up in Greenways. Who would have thought that a rockin’ swingin’ night could be had in a multipurpose study space? We stretched the boundaries of the word multipurpose and transformed the venue into an atmospheric, white-linen, candles and fairy lit nightclub.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 189 WE LOVE THIS NIGHT. IT IS A CELEBRATION OF THE LOVE OF PERFORMANCE THROUGH MUSIC. THROUGH JAZZ! – NATALIE MORGENSTERN
On Wednesday 21 October it was my privilege to present the work of students from Bayview, Greenways and Frogmore at the annual Art and Design Exhibition. There were more than 1,000 diverse artworks on show, all created during the year, and reflecting different styles and the use of a broad range of media.
190 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
The works were displayed through Frogmore and Greenways buildings allowing the exhibition to infiltrate the heart of the senior campus. Staff and students across the School were exposed to a variety of visual stimuli, creating much discussion and debate.
Opening night was a huge success with an impressive gathering of parents, staff, students and friends in the Denyer Courtyard. Year 12 artist, Joe Eddy, presented the keynote speech to open the show. The night acknowledged students who received awards in a variety of categories. These included the Paint Brush Awards, Technologies Awards, The Principal’s Award for Art, The Old Mentonian’s Acquisitive Art Award, and the Packers’ Prize. The People’s Choice was awarded at the end of the exhibition to Year 11 student, Cameron Moorhouse, for his stunning sculpture made from recycled metal, cutlery and wood on mild steel frame, titled E Pluribus Unum (From Many, One). I would like to congratulate the exhibitors: our young artists whose extraordinary work was on display. Their work reflected the strength of the Visual Art and Technologies programs, and showcased their willingness to embrace the rich learning opportunities presented to them.
(All Art and Design Exhibition Award Winners 2015 are listed in the Awards Section of this publication)
Kim Wootton FACULTY COORDINATOR - VISUAL ARTS
Art and ExhibitionDesign
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 191
192 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 193 His... appine ss COMMUNITYOUR THE YEAR STARTED WITH MANY MORNING TEAS AND BARBEQUES TO WELCOME OUR NEW FAMILIES...
Mal PRINCIPALCater Founders’ Day A Celebration of Coeducation
The Board also initiated a competitor analysis of boys’ schools operating in the “catchment” area. The research analysis indicated doubt on the possibility of any substantial increase in boy enrolments. At the same time, education surveys indicated that future pedagogy would require substantial investment in resource development and maintenance.
The Board had received results from demographic and council surveys describing future projections for families in the School “captive” area. At this time we had approximately 800 boys enrolled.
Following, are excerpts from the students’ interviews: In 2005 the Board of Mentone Grammar, after extensive research, consultation and discussion, made the decision, in consultation with the then Headmaster, Mr Tim Argall, that as of the start of 2006 Mentone Grammar would become a coeducational school.
The Mentone Grammar Board has always maintained a focus on quality education. A quality education facility needs resources which are comprehensive and contemporary, and which are complemented by the best teachers.
194 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
On Founders’ Day in March Mentone Grammar celebrated two milestones in its wonderful history; its 92nd birthday and 10 years of coeducation. The gathering paid special attention to all those who have helped establish the success of coeducation at Mentone Grammar. In an engaging format, current students led the Assembly and interviewed some who were part of this most formative time in history.
Whilst the School had previously enrolled girls earlier in its history and, for a long time had enrolled girls in the Early Learning Centre, the decision to become a coeducational school was a significant strategic change.
Mr Simon Appel OAM Chair of the Board of Directors Interviewed by Amitty Edgeworth (Year 12) Mr Appel, you were Chair of our School Board when the decision to enrol girls across all levels of the School was made. What prompted this decision?
The only option was coeducation.
Once the girls arrived the boys actually grieved for their old School realising that things were going to change. It was powerful time for the boys as they came to grips with the new environment in which they found themselves … we had to work with the boys and the girls to ensure a smooth transition to coeducation.
Charlotte Wiffin was, for three years, the only girl in her year group in Years 2, 3 and 4. Fortunately, given our model of education, a number of other girls arrived when the gender-based class was opened up in Year 5.”
It was a day where the whole School was called together early for a whole school assembly. People knew, therefore, that there was a big announcement coming. The whole school, in those days fitted into the Thorold Hall which is now the Greenways Campus. On stage there was the Headmaster, Mr Argall, Mr Warwick Dean, the other Deputy Headmaster, and myself. I watched where the Year 9 boys were because I suspected they might be the most excited group in the gathering. Mr Argall announced that from the start of 2006 girls would be enrolled in all year levels. There was initially silence and then, from the Year 9 cohort out, the Hall erupted in elation. Whilst the ELC students didn’t know what they were clapping for they joined in with the cheering. It was an amazing gathering!
It is fair to say, Mr Appel, that the Board was under a great deal of pressure in relation to the decision. Was there ever a time you and the Board thought that you might have made the wrong decision? No. The Board unanimously supported the decision which was based on sound research and discussion. While the reaction was seen as extraordinary, Mentone Grammar was certainly not the first boys’ school to change to coeducation. We could appreciate the wide variety of opinions on a matter of such parental importance.
Once people had processed the decision and girls arrived for the first time are there any significant memories you have of the first few days / weeks?
Finally, the surveys demonstrated that the local community could not afford such fee levels.
Without substantial increased enrolments, the required investment in these resources could only come from very high school fees.
Mentone Grammar was up and running with the Together-Apart-Together model of education...
MC Natasha Huttley (Year 12 - Prefect) “Whilst all of this was going on the School was preparing for the arrival of girls in all year levels and the boys were being educated in relation to the change. Our current Principal, Mr Cater, was Deputy Headmaster at the time and, along with other members of the School Executive was helping manage this massive change.”
MC James Spencer (Year 12 - Prefect)
“And so, Mentone Grammar was up and running with the Together-Apart-Together model of education which, interestingly, a number of schools have adopted as part of their decision to become coed since. In all, 106 girls started in 2006 adding to the total of 940 students from 3YO Kinder to Year 12. Girls were enrolled in all year levels. One of our founding girls has had an interesting journey.
Principal Mr Cater Interviewed by Austin Hollingsworth (Year 10) Mr Cater, there was a lot going on in the School at this time. Can you reflect on the initial announcement to the staff and students and how they responded?
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 195
So, to continue with the best resourced facility we needed more students.
Moving from a public school at the end of Year 1, where the majority of my friends were girls, to being the only girl in my class was daunting and I still believe to this day that I would not have made it here and wouldn’t be who I am as a person if it wasn’t for the collective effort of the Mentone Grammar community.
Charlotte Wiffin (Year 11) Interviewed by Rebecca Mendel (Year 11)
Charlotte, what are your memories of your journey through the School?
There have been many times when I have had to face change as the school changed and moulded into the dynamic coed school it is today. Change as a Year 4 is very daunting. Moving from a coed class to a class of only girls was an experience in itself, wondering whether there would even be enough to make a class. With each new adventure my teachers were there for me. Looking over their shoulders allowing me to take on the challenges myself but always providing a nurturing backstop if I struggled.
MCNatasha “In their first year our Girls’ Swimming Team almost pulled off the impossible, leading for much of the night at the AGSV only to be defeated in the last few relays. They achieved a credible second place much to everyone’s pleasant surprise.
Today when I see the Eblana boys and girls moving around the school, there are so many girls starting their Mentone Grammar journey and I know in some way my class back then has helped pave their way. The boys with their acceptance, the teachers with their nurturing nature; I’m sure they feel that sense of belonging that I felt. That feeling of inclusion and belonging stays with me today. Mentone Grammar has been a place where I have been able to develop a strong sense of who I am, develop values and a moral compass that will endure when I leave. Mentone Grammar has become a strong vibrant coed school and watching the girls create their own history at the school is something that makes me proud that I have been a part of this.
As we all know our girls went on to win our first Girls’ AGSV Premiership last year in Swimming. Girls’ sport in the early days of coeducation was tough as a small number of girls had to fill the places… The founding girls also laid a very strong foundation in the Cadet Unit. We now have a very strong contingent of girl leaders in our Cadet Unit.”
196 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Mrs Sewell made my introduction into Mentone Grammar feel as if I was walking into a home where I had always belonged. From the days where my classroom door was turned into a cave and we all had to crawl into class, to the annual Eblana plays of Jungle book and Star Wars. Mrs Sewell never failed to make me feel included and happy to be at school.
I must also pay respect, where respect is due, and acknowledge the boys in my class for their willingness to accept a GIRL into their fold. They made me laugh and listened to my book readings patiently.
Founders’ Day A Celebration of Coeducation
“As a School we, today, pay tribute to the girls who have come on this journey. We also acknowledge the boys without whose acceptance of this significant decision, the roll out of coeducation at Mentone Grammar, would not have been the spectacular success it has been.”
– TRACEY PATE
Mrs Tracey Pate Staff Reflection Can it really be 10 years since we started to enrol girls? Sometimes it seems only a couple of years since we were an all-boys school and, at other times, it seems a lifetime ago. When I first arrived at Mentone Grammar I was in charge of a class of boys who wore shorts throughout winter, got changed for sport in their classrooms and who lined up in the quadrangle every morning (no matter the weather) to say the Junior School Prayer. I remember hand-writing reports on carbon paper and wearing my academic gown to Chapel and assembly every week. How things have changed. This School is almost unrecognisable in some respects, while its traditions and values remain largely unchanged, ensuring it continues to be a coveted place to receive an education. My memory of the announcement to begin enrolling girls is vivid. The whole school was called to an assembly in the Thorold Hall and I walked there with my class of Year 7 boys. No one knew what was coming. The announcement was made and there was a hush for a moment, followed by the most deafening, thunderous cheer and spontaneous round of applause I have ever heard. At the time it was a monumental decision, fraught with worry about the ‘what ifs’ – not to mention the boys-only bathrooms. Now, we can’t imagine the School without girls and I feel privileged to have taught, mentored and spent time with the Mentone Grammar girls who have developed into strong, independent women with exciting futures ahead of them. There are the girls who sang and danced their way into our lives, girls who swam their way to a premiership, girls who influenced decision-making and girls who showed us what a positive work ethic looks like. They also taught us about the perils of fake tan, the importance of leggings and can explain definitively why the pout is so important for a great selfie.
As our female enrolments have continued to surge we no longer have to struggle to fill teams for Saturday sport, we can have productions with girls playing the female roles and the use of coloured pens to create headings has risen dramatically.
To the young women who have graduated I give my thanks for the ice skating, Builda-Bear, the Pandora bracelet, the onesies and the critique of my shoes. To our current girls I give my best wishes for the rest of your time at Mentone Grammar; treat each other well, know your goals and make the most of every opportunity. I also thank you for the critique of my shoes.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make this historic day one to remember.
As a School we, today, pay tribute to the girls who have come on this journey. We also acknowledge the boys without whose acceptance of this significant decision, the roll out of coeducation at Mentone Grammar, would not have been the spectacular success it has been.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 197
Mr Mal Cater PRINCIPAL
TMA Swimmers’ Breakfast: with guest speaker OM Nick Owen, English Channel swimmer
ANZAC Day: commemorations at School and at local RSL venues Sunday Afternoon around the Piano: a boutique piano recital by our extraordinary musicians Community Golf Day: a combined TMA and P&F fun event at Woodlands
Guests Gatherings&
198 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Our Community has enjoyed a festive year of gatherings and inspiring guests as we celebrated milestones, successes and great performances. Once again, it was standing room only at all our celebrations and we are grateful to our supportive friend-raising Parents and Friends Association, Natalie Wilson our Events Manager and to Greg Wilkinson and Fiona Dallas from The Mentonians Association along with staff who all helped create many memorable moments in 2015. P&F EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2015 P&F Executive Mia Le Fevre Taylor President Andrea Dyer Vice President Events Julie Ahern Vice CommunityPresidentRelations Renee Rimanic Vice MerchandisePresident Neerie Widelski Vice President Retail Charly Turco Eblana Coordinator Karen Kemp & Rowena Thiele Treasurers Jo Howe Secretary Grant Holland Dads@MG Belinda Gourlay & Ros Carruthers Bayview Coordinators Christine Davie CoordinatorFrogmore/Greenways Andrea Schwarz Newsletter Editor It seemed that Mentone Grammar was the place to be in 2015. We hosted a number of prominent, inspiring speakers throughout the year as we celebrated and acknowledged the great moments that make up the life of our School. Amongst the many morning teas and barbeques to welcome our new families, other gatherings and notable guests included... Our annual Parents Welcome Function in Bayview Guest speaker Tristan Miller: author and marathon runner who inspired our Year 12s to give it their all Founders’ Day: a celebration of 10 years of happy coeducation
TMA Community Sports Day: a showcase of old and new sports stars Breakfast with the Stars: AFL Season Launch with Sam Mitchell, David Armitage, Matt Finnis and Anthony Daniher Mentone Stories guest speaker: Susan McLean on staying safe online Hawthorn star Luke Breust: First XVIII School Ambassador Swimming Premierships Dinner: Back-to-back again!
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 199 We hosted a number of prominent, inspiring speakers throughout the year as we celebrated and acknowledged the great moments that make up the life of our School. Mother’s Day: a morning tea and a hug at our Keysborough Playing Fields for Eblana mums A visit from New York rappers: Nubian Gents Mentone Stories guest speaker: Steve Biddulph on Raising Happy Children The Keith Jones Oration: guest speaker and war hero Mark Davidson VC Winter Sports Awards Evening: with Kangaroos footballer Nick Dal Santo and Australian netballer Renae Hallinan P&F Winter Gathering: a starry night out at Sandy by the Bay Zaidee’s: Our colourful 24-hour marathon fundraiser for organ donation awareness Our annual Parents Welcome Function Founders’ Day Guest TristanspeakerMiller
200 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 A visit from international tennis player OM John Peers: straight from Wimbledon WGS: courageous students and staff shave their heads for charity A visit from Australian swimming sensation Mack Horton Father’s Day: a giant breakfast and footy morning for Eblana dads with Blues players Nick Graham and Fraser Russell Mentone Stories guest speaker: Paul Dillon - Drugs and Alcohol Oktoberfest: Prost! A celebration of language, music and sausages Grandparents’ Day: A special day with A LOT of hugs for Eblana students Remembrance Day services: at School and in our local community ... just to name a few. TMA BreakfastSwimmers’TMACommunity Sports Day
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 201 Mentone Stories guest speaker: Susan McLean Hawthorn star Luke Breust Breakfast with the Stars
202 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 ANZAC Day Swimming Premierships Dinner
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 203 Sunday Afternoon around the Piano Community Golf Day Mother’s Day
204 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Winter AwardsSportsEvening A visit from New York rappers P&F Winter Gathering The Keith Jones Oration Mentone Stories guest speaker Steve Zaidee’sBiddulph International tennis player OM John Peers
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 205 Swimming sensation Mack Horton WGS Father’s Day Mentone Stories guest speaker Paul Dillon
206 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Grandparents’ Day Oktoberfest Remembrance Day services
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 207 ...WE WERE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO SWIM LIKE GODS. - GEORGINA GORE SPORT His... appine ss
208 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
On Thursday 10 September, Mentone Grammar celebrated Sport, success and commitment acknowledgedandthose who achieved their best in their chosen sport. A large number of students were fittingly presented with Full Colours, Half Colours, Distinctions or Commendation awards. AWARD
The Sports department also introduced Coach’s Awards, to acknowledge those students who had excelled for the season in their chosen sport, across all grades. Introduced and interviewed by Sports Captains, Caibiran Deas and Todd Blasse, the audience enjoyed hearing from two great guest speakers who also presented the awards. Stars, Nick Dal Santo, current North Melbourne player (former St Kilda player) and Renae Hallinan, Australian Diamond Netballer and recent World Cup Netball Champion shared how they have reached their goals, as well as highlighting with students the importance of juggling studies with sports commitments.
Some of the major awards presented on the night included:
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Sport
Mr Trevor Stevens - for 30 years of service to Sport at Mentone Grammar. FEMALE SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR Amitty Edgeworth (Year 12) MALE SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR Liam Hiscock (Year 12) TEAM OF THE SEASON First XVIII Football TONY DUNKERLEY AWARD (BEST SOCCER TEAMSPERSON) Mitchell Callahan
Leah Percy thanked Caibiran and Todd and all of the current Year 12 students, a year level that has offered an extraordinary array of committed athletes, across all sports. Their collective enthusiasm and leadership will be greatly missed.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 209 ...SPORT MENTONEATIS ON THE PRECIPICE OF GREATNESS...
It was a fitting end to a year that saw a number of sports improve across all grades, adding to the momentum that Sport at Mentone is on the precipice of greatness in a number of sports.
Leah also thanked staff, parents, coaches and all volunteers for their support of the Mentone Grammar Sports Program throughout 2015. We all look forward to an exciting future for both the Girls’ and Boys’ competitions.
210 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
AGSV
The 55 students who represented the School swam beyond all expectations.
Stuart Bainbridge SWIMMING COACH
PremiershipsSwimming
The 2015 AGSV Swimming Carnival saw history created. Mentone Grammar became the first school to successfully defend AGSV Premierships in both the boys and girls competitions – the first double, back-to-back premierships are ours. Forever.
The Boys’ team finished in the top three placegetters in 29 out of 39 events. The Girls’ team finished in the top two placegetters in 26 out of 31 events. The Boys’ team claimed victory in six individual events and five Relays, whilst the Girls’ team was victorious in nine individual events and in eight Relays. To win 13 of the 22 Relays on offer, whilst finishing in second place in seven more was simply incredible. Our Girls’ team, quite simply, annihilated its opponents. The girls’ lead was established in the Medley Relays and then increased throughout the evening, culminating with the team achieving 164.5 points, defeating second place by 43.5 points. In all, eight School records were broken, including Hannah Schmidt setting a new AGSV record for the U13 50m Freestyle, and Emily Bresnehan setting a new AGSV record for the U14 50m Backstroke.
Our Boys’ team entered the evening anticipating a fight from beginning to end. This anticipation, and their response to it, saw the boys jump out to a surprising but comfortable lead that continued to grow as each event finished. The final score saw Mentone achieve 280 points, 38 points clear of second place. One School record was broken – it had stood since 1987. The U14 Medley Relay team of Jack Williams, Spencer Blain-Bartle, Carl Simondson and Trenton Johnson set a new mark of 2:11.69s, shaving 0.07s off the former record. Thank you to all parents, staff and coaches for your efforts in supporting the swimmers. To the students, thank you for everything that you contributed to season 2015. It was the most remarkable achievement – and one that you deserve. All of the schools in the AGSV have talented students, pools in which to train and staff to guide the sessions. No school can match the spirit of Mentone Swimming. As one of our Year 12 students put it: they can’t overcome the whole school.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 211 CAPTAINS’ CelebrationREPORTSDinner25 March 2015 Jonathan Koh: The four individual swims at the beginning of the night set the tone for the evening. Brannan Smith, Max Williams, and Jess Balleggi took on the best swimmers in the AGSV over 100m of Freestyle. All three swimmers performed strongly in these events, setting best or near best times. Frazer Kemp tackled the Open 200m Freestyle. He finished in 5th place. That is not the achievement. Recording a time of 2:07 was astonishing, given the small number of attempts that he had made in this event previously. This determination set the standard for our team. The Medley Relays followed. Of the 11 events, Mentone collected six First places. These results highlight the depth and strength of our teams. The Boys teams dominated the U16 and U17 events posting victories. The top three teams in the Open Medley Relay were separated by less than 0.4 seconds. The Mentone team refused to accept defeat, claiming a barnstorming victory. The Girls teams AS ALWAYS, THE RELENTLESSNESS OF THE MENTONE SWIMMERS OVERWHELMED THE OPPOSITION FROM THE FIRST EVENT UNTIL THE LAST. - STUART BAINBRIDGE
claimed First place in U15 and U16. The Open Girls team finished a full 7 seconds ahead of their nearest rivals. After the Medley Relays: Boys ahead by 9 points and Girls ahead by 4 points. The individual Breaststroke events followed. In the six Boys events, six season best times were recorded.
Highlights were Ben Putamorsi claiming victory in the U14 event with a 1.5 second PB, and James Kerr proving stronger than his more fancied rivals on the way to winning the U17 event: Boys ahead by 11 points. In the Girls program, Mentone finished in the top three in all events with fantastic swims across the board. Jordan Fox and Tarn Smith won their respective events, Jordan with a decisive touch on the wall and Tarn by an exceptional 2 seconds: Girls ahead by 5 points.
212 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 MENTONE FINISHED IN THE TOP THREE IN ALL EVENTS WITH FANTASTIC SWIMS ACROSS THE BOARD. AGSV
PremiershipsSwimming
Nicholas Capomolla: Ben Putamorsi, Josh Cooley and Max Williams each won their individual Butterfly swims with Ben breaking the 31 second barrier for the first time, along with Josh and Max going sub 28. We knew two weeks ago that Jono Koh would need to tackle the Open 100m Fly. Taking this event on, without having swum it competitively in years, was a big ask. We had our fingers crossed for a 1:09 and 5th place. It turns out we sold him short – 1:06 and 4th: Boys by 19 points. Hannah Schmidt, Emily Bresnehan and Jess Balleggi each won their individual Butterfly swims, whilst Lotus Jeffs finished second and Georgie Gore third. Hannah flew sub 32 for the first time and Emily broke the 30 second barrier. Jess faced the same challenge in each of her events – the best IVH swimmer in the next lane. In the Fly, she beat her opponent by over a second. The Girls led by 12 points at this stage. The individual Freestyle events saw some incredible performances with all 11 swimmers equalling their season best times, or setting new ones. Notably, performances from Stefan Gerrard winning the U15 Freestyle and Josh Cooley finishing 2nd in the U16 event, both set National Qualifying times. Hannah Schmidt equalled her PB in the U13 event, breaking the AGSV record by 0.4seconds in a time of 28.91 seconds. Emily Bresnehan also broke the 29 second barrier and Jess Balleggi won the U16 50m Freestyle. The Boys led by 27 points and the Girls led by 22 points. Things were looking up. For the Boys, the Backstroke events always looked the most challenging owing to the strength of the opposition. We finished these races placed between 2nd and 5th to extend our lead. Quite simply, this should not have happened. Why did it happen? Because Tighe, Jack, Spencer, Brannan, Frazer and Max produced really strong swims at the end of the program, when others wilted. Brannan and Max were asked to swim their fifth event as Backstroke for the team – both delivered. The Boys were up by 30 points heading into the Freestyle Relays.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 213
Georgina Gore: Hannah, Emily, Jordan, Jess and Molly tackled the Girls Backstroke events. All swam strongly, with Emily and Jordan claiming victories. Emily broke the U14 Backstroke record by 0.79 seconds setting a new time of 32.01 seconds. The Open Backstroke was a hotly contested event with all girls capable of sub 34 second swims. Molly went in as the 6th ranked swimmer. She improved on this ranking claiming 5th, relegating the highly fancied IVH swimmer to 6th. The Girls lead by 29 points.
Row 1: Angus Hill, Ms Kate Frazer, Belinda Mok, Todd Blasse, Mrs Natalie McLennan, Jack Brooks, Georgina Gore, Ms Amanda Barnhoorn, Mr Stuart Bainbridge, Nicholas Capomolla, Jonathan Koh, Mrs Kaylen Kornberg, Samantha Kerr, Ms Kate Lang, Justin Green, Mrs Amy Long, Stephen Clarke
214 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 AGSV
AGSV - WHOLE SQUAD
On behalf of the Captains and the swimmers, we would like to thank our enviable cheer squad, our parents and everyone who supported our campaign to go double back-to-back. Thank you.
The Boys of the U13 Age group fought valiantly against highly regarded opponents throughout the night. This was highlighted in the Freestyle Relay as Trinity broke the unbreakable record with four other schools going sub 2.06. Our Boys took 6th place with all swimmers acquitting themselves exceptionally well. The U14, U15 and U16 Boys Freestyle Relay teams claimed second place, with the U17 and Open teams winning their respective races. The strength of these results shows the depth of our team, the hard work that everyone put in to their training and a focus on producing on the night. Boys win by 38 points!
Row 4: Jude Lowe, Emma Rothberg, Brannan Smith, Spencer Blain-Bartle, Emily Bresnehan, Oskar Phillips, Jess Balleggi, Kai Lindsay, Nick Archibald, Chloe Garifalakis, Grace Howell, Jack Williams, Emma Scherger, Sam Thiele, Corbin McCullough, Stephanie Sanderson-Pearce
Row 5: Trenton Johnson, Jessica Ewart-McTigue, Ben Putamorsi, James Rickard, James Kerr, Jamie Brown, Quayd Duffin, Max Rothberg, Max Williams, Tom Lapa, Tim Silvester, Jesse Reed, Guy Witherow, Kyle Solterbeck, Frazer Kemp, Jordan Fox, Joshua Cooley
Row 3: Sam Pritchard, Isabelle Koh, Simon Coubard, Sophie Appel, James Carson, Emily Webster, Bronte Reark, Bridie Wilson, Phoebe Wearne, Emma Doyle, Charlie Webster, Samantha Fifer, Felix O’Neill-Pugh, Molly Ford, Denzil Paranihi
SWIMMING
The Girls U13 Freestyle Relay team won. The U14 team won. The U15 team ...First place. The U16s? Well they came First too. Open Girls, first to finish. Five events, five victories. Hannah’s anchor leg of the U13 team was amazing. The U14 team of Tarn Smith, Bridie Wilson, Phoebe Wearne and Emily Bresnehan set 4x PBs and an overall time of 1:59.71seconds to set a new AGSV record. In all, 20 awesome swims. The girls win by 43.5 points!
If you cast your minds back to before the competition, we were given an opportunity to swim like Gods. To go out and give it absolutely everything; to be heroes. Heroes we are. Well done to all of you for producing for our team and our School.
PremiershipsSwimming
Row 2: Valdis Guppy, Luca Jeffs, Xavier Hogios, Kira Walters, Tayla Langenfelds, Benjamin Sorrenson, Lily Gorringe, Brooke McCullough, Ella Mairs, Natalie Clucas, Carl Simondson, Tarn Smith, Tayla Fox, Kieren Dyer, Lotus Jeffs, Jack Heaven
Row 2: Lotus Jeffs, Tarn Smith, Natalie Clucas, Ella Mairs, Molly Ford, Isabelle Koh, Brooke McCullough, Sophie Appel, Tayla Fox
Row 1: Ms Erin Hunt, Samantha Kerr, Ms Kate Lang, Mrs Kaylen Kornberg, Mr Stuart Bainbridge, Georgina Gore, Ms Amanda Barnhoorn, Mrs Natalie McLennan, Belinda Mok, Mrs Amy Long
Absent: Mr John Counsel, Ms Kate Frazer, Mr Cameron Lancaster, Ms Leah Percy, Hannah Schmidt
Row 3: James Kerr, Tim Silvester, Tom Lapa, Max Williams, Max Rothberg, Quayd Duffin, Jamie Brown, Ben Putamorsi
Row 3: Phoebe Wearne, Samantha Fifer, Jess Balleggi, Grace Howell, Bridie Wilson, Emily Bresnehan, Emily Webster, Bronte Reark
Row 4: Emma Scherger, Jessica Ewart-McTigue, Jordan Fox, Chloe Garifalakis, Stephanie Sanderson-Pearce
AGSV SWIMMING – BOYS
Row 2: Carl Simondson, Brannan Smith, Spencer Blain-Bartle, Nick Archibald, Joshua Cooley, James Rickard, Frazer Kemp, Trenton Johnson, Jack Williams, Sam Thiele, Oskar Phillips, Kieren Dyer
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 215
Row 1: Angus Hill, Todd Blasse, Ms Kate Lang, Justin Green, Mrs Kaylen Kornberg, Jonathan Koh, Mr Stuart Bainbridge, Nicholas Capomolla, Ms Amanda Barnhoorn, Jack Brooks, Mrs Natalie McLennan, Stephen Clarke, Mrs Amy Long
Absent: Mr John Counsel, Ms Kate Frazer, Stefan Gerrard, Ms Erin Hunt, Mr Cameron Lancaster, Ms Leah Percy, Samuel Rose, Tighe Taylor, Ethan Tribe
AGSV SWIMMING – GIRLS
216 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
If ever there was a year for our Senior Touch Rugby girls to win the Grand Final, it was 2015. With the timely appointment of Leah Percy, current Australian Touch Rugby representative, as coach, then appointed full time in the Mentone Grammar Sports Department, coupled with a superb team of athletes, expectations were rightfully high.
What a team!
In late 2013 Mentone Grammar signed Leah as Head Coach of the Touch Rugby program with the intention of adding Mentone Grammar to the trophy, currently the domain of The Peninsula School. Over this development period, eight of our nine Senior A girls represented Victoria at some level:
With high level skills, knowledge and experience evenly spread across the team, the girls were well prepared for the back end of the season, it was always a matter of whether it would be enough to overcome the might of The Peninsula School and the pace of last year’s grand finalist Haileybury.
Touch Rugby Champions
The turning point of the season came after the girls were able to easily account for Haileybury (8-2). They then decided to leave nothing to chance and so increased their training program to take on The Peninsula School; previously undefeated for three years. With this encounter, nerves were high and their depth was tested but the girls played a standout tactical game to win 6-2 and stamp their authority on the competition. With newfound confidence, the girls were excited to play ‘finals footy’. After further wins the team found themselves, as predicted, in the Grand Final against The Peninsula School, who was searching for a fourth straight title.
Amitty Edgeworth (Victoria 15s & 18s) Monique Maitland (Vic Opens - Vic 15s & 18s) Ciara Scott (Vic Opens - Vic 15s & 18s) Lauren Fagan (Vic Opens) Kim Henricks (Vic Opens - Vic 15s) Belle Leonard (Vic Opens - Vic 15s) Anna Laidlaw (Vic 15s) Stephanie Kelly (Vic Madison15s)Capsalis is a player who could easily represent Victoria in Touch Rugby, but is a current Netball star with ANL Club Southern Saints. The early stages of the Final saw the girls’ game go to script; good structures and a 2-nil lead. TPS evened the score before half time. The girls knew they had fewer subs, less big game experience and more doubt. It took the leadership of Amitty and the energy of Monique to lift spirits at half time and to re-focus. The second half was all about raw skill and plenty of resilience to overcome fatigue. Something needed to be done; step in Madison Capsalis. A smart and unexpected quick tap allowed her to score before Amitty then intercepted to create another score to put the team 4-2 up with 10 minutes to play. Intensity and fatigue brought plenty of tears from all. With three minutes remaining, the team switched off too early and Peninsula showed its experience and scored twice to take the game into extra time. Fatigued and desperate, extra time seemed endless until Amitty found one last burst of speed to Soscore!exhausted were the girls they could hardly embrace each other after the game. They had achieved the impossible!
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 217 TOUCH RUGBY Row 2: Lauren Fagan, Anna Laidlaw, Belle Leonard, Monique Maitland, Mr Elies El Chaar Row 1: Stephanie Kelly, Ciara Scott, Amitty Edgeworth, Kimberley Henricks, Madison Capsalis Congratulations on an incredible Premiership and many thanks again to Leah Percy for her vision and to all staff and parents. It has been a team effort on many levels, so thank you. The future is certainly bright for Touch Rugby at Mentone Grammar. Elies El Chaar TOUCH RUGBY HEAD COACH
SEASON PreliminaryRESULTS:Championship Results: Mentone Magic (Open A) – 6th Mentone Mystics (Open B) – 1st Mentone Megastars (Stage 2 Team 1) – 9th Marvellous Mentonians (Stage 2 Team 2) – 2nd Manic Mentonians (Stage 2 Team 3) – 6th Magnificent Mentonians (Stage 1) – 17th Mini Mentonians (Stage 2 Primary) – 3rd Mentone Marvels (Stage 1 Team 1 Primary) – 13th Mentone Monkies (Stage 1 Team 2 Primary) – 17th Wild Card Final Teams Results: Mentone Megastars (Stage 2 Team 1) – 1st Magnificent Mentonians (Stage 1) – 17th Mentone Marvels (Stage 1 Team 1 Primary) – 4th Mentone Monkies (Stage 1 Team 2 Primary) – 7th It’s been a year of dedication, fun and improved results for our growing squad of talented Aerobics. For a number of years now Mentone Grammar has been involved in Aerobics competitions. The squad consists of 58 students, both male and female, ranging across Years 5 to 12.
The main aim of this season was to improve the students’ confidence and fitness through participation in a healthy and fun competition such as Aerobics. During the 2015 competition season all the teams did just that; they worked extremely hard to get their routines ready in time for the Preliminary Championships held in Geelong on Saturday 16 May for Primary students and Sunday 17 May for Secondary students. After some great performances, one Primary team and four Secondary teams made it straight through to the State Finals. Another two Primary and two Secondary teams were fortunate enough to make into the Wild Card round. For the teams that missed out on going straight to the State final the Wild Card round was another chance for them to gain a place. The winner of each section got a second chance in the State Finals to be held that afternoon. With nine teams of The girls all gave 100 per cent and produced amazing performances against some really tough competition all season and they should all be very proud of themselves. We are all planning to be just as successful in 2016.
Aerobics
218 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 very competitive girls and boys, the Wild Card and State Final competition came around in no time. This competition was also held at The Arena in Geelong.
These students make up nine very strong teams, made up of athletes, most with extensive dance experience. Our Bayview Campus has six teams made up of 41 girls and boys. Greenways and Frogmore have three teams made up from a squad of 17 dedicated girls who combine study with a rigorous training schedule.
The long weekend in June came and the Primary and Secondary teams were set for another intense day at The Arena. For the Wild Card section Mentone Marvels and Mentone Monkies represented the Primary levels and Mentone Megastars and Magnificent Mentonians represented the Secondary competition. All four teams went into the Wild Card round eager to improve on their previous performances with the hope of taking out the Wild Card. All teams produced great performances and our Mentone Megastars received a place in the State Final. Their routines were followed by the State Finalist teams: Mini Mentonians, Mentone Magic, Mentone Mystics, Mentone Megastars, Marvellous Mentonians and Manic Mentonians who also produced fantastic routines. Mentone Magic, Mentone Mystics and Marvellous Mentonians in particular showed that all their early morning, lunch time and after school trainings were well worth it. Not only did they improve their score but they also gained an invitation to the Nationals on the Gold Coast.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 219 AEROBICS – SECONDARY Row 3: Alexandra Sheppard, Ms Caitlin Rizzo, Renee Verginis, Ms Maddie Christo, Lucy Mangion Row 2: Charlotte Bratuskins, Alexandra Richards, Sarah Caley, Emma Rothberg, Chloe Garifalakis, Anna Mallows-Zejak, Isabella Houlahan, Ms Lisa Turner Row 1: Maya Dunne, Helena Papasimeon, Lexie Paterson, Monique Maitland, Alyssa Maggio, Zoe Lancaster, Lara Huttley Premiership State Final Team Results: Mentone Magic (Open A) – 3rd Mentone Mystics (Open B) – 2nd Marvellous Mentonians (Stage 2 Team 2) – 2nd Manic Mentonians (Stage 2 Team 3) – 7th Mini Mentonians (Stage 2 Primary) – 4th Coaching Team: Lisa Turner, Caitlin Rizzo, Maddie Christo, Chloe Otten and Katie Sawford Congratulations to all involved on an enjoyable and successful season.
It was a fantastic carnival which saw both the Boys’ and Girls’ teams compete alongside each other and the Mentone Grammar students can be tremendously proud of the way they performed as individuals and as a team.
The day saw the culmination of many training sessions come together for this one event. It is always a tough season due to the many commitments that the students have at this time of the year. However, the team worked extremely hard and performed with great distinction on the day. There were many personal bests across a variety of events, so well done to all.
The team approached the day with great enthusiasm and the students should be proud of their performances as both the boys and girls teams improved significantly from the previous year. This resulted in both the Girls’ and Boys’ team finishing 5th. This is the best finish that the Boys’ team has achieved for many years and the Girls’ team scored more team points than ever before. They should be very proud of what they all have achieved as a team.
On Wednesday 9 September, the Mentone Grammar Athletics Team competed against the other AGSV schools at the Lakeside Stadium at Albert Park.
terrific
220 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Miss Jenna Oliver, Mr Michael Martin, Mr Henry Kiss, Mr Craig Best, Miss Natalka Kostraby, Mr Michael Woolhouse, Ms Robyn Fuerst, Miss Natasha Chrysanthou, Mrs Ursula Erdelyi-Götz and Mr John Twist – your contribution has been fantastic. A special thank you also goes to Leah Percy and Erin Hunt of the Sports Department for their support.
Girls’ Results Overall 1 Peninsula 283.5 2 Ivanhoe 276.5 3 PEGS 259.5 4 Yarra Valley 249 5 Mentone 244 6 Assumption 187.5 Boys’ Results Overall 1 Trinity 498 2 Marcellin 420 3 Peninsula 417 4 PEGS 415 5 Mentone 392 6 Ivanhoe 354.5 7 Camberwell 346.5 8 Assumption 294 9 Yarra Valley 276 AGSV Athletics
I would like to thank the following staff members for their efforts over the season. Staff members put their own time in to coach and to offer a program for students to improve as best they can, so their efforts should never go unnoticed.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 221 GIRLS TOP 3 RESULTS Age Group Event Name Position Open 1500m Mikaela Morgan 2nd 100m Hurdles Caibiran Deas 2nd Shot Put Caibiran Deas 2nd Triple Jump Maggie Mai 1st Long Jump Maggie Mai 1st 100m Amitty Edgeworth 3rd 4 x 100m Amitty HollyEllaMoniqueEdgeworthMaitlandRyanClayton 3rd U17 High Jump Ella Ryan 2nd U16 100m Anna Laidlaw 2nd 200m Anna Laidlaw 2nd 400m Anna Laidlaw 2nd Discus Jamie-Lee Munn 1st 4 x 100m Anna BelleMiaRebeccaLaidlawHayesMcCullochLeonard 1st ...THE MENTONE GRAMMAR STUDENTS CAN BE TREMENDOUSLY PROUD OF THE WAY IN WHICH THEY PERFORMED BOTH AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A TEAM.
222 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 BOYS TOP 3 RESULTS Age Group Event Name Position Open Long Jump Liam Hiscock 2nd 3000m Corbin McCullough 2nd Discus John Papasimeon 3rd 110m Hurdles Liam Hiscock 2nd Triple Jump Liam Hiscock 3rd Shot Put Tim Rossi 2nd U17 800m Luke D'Alessandro 3rd 100m Dhruv Rodrigues-Chico 1st 200m Dhruv Rodrigues-Chico 1st 400m Dhruv Rodrigues-Chico 3rd 4 x 100m Dhruv Rodrigues-Chico Stefan TomGeorgeGerrardSmethurstSiedle 2nd U16 Discus Matthew Kolivas 2nd 800m Will Carter 2nd 400m Will Carter 3rd Triple Jump Aidan Taylor 2nd Shot Put Ben Awad 2nd High Jump Aidan Taylor 2nd 4 x 100m Aidan PatrickLachlanMatthewTaylorKolivasNewmanMyles 2nd AGSV Athletics
Row 4: Brady Watts, Chloe Garifalakis, Spencer Blain-Bartle, Lachlan Newman, Chris Perkins, Finlay Heath, Ben Charnley, James Gold, Matthew Kolivas, Joshua Cooley, Aaron Moore, Aaron Jones, Luke D’Alessandro, Trenton Johnson, Amelia Brooks, Ethan Prabaharan, Thomas Siedle
Row 2: Archie Padley, Riley Spence, Peter Papadopoulos, Summer Leonard, Megan Bresnehan, Alison Ahern, Natalie Clucas, Phoebe Wearne, Bronte Reark, Brooke Carson, Brooke McCulloch, Stephanie Kelly, Mia Derham, Jenna Wale, Sebastian Zahra, Alyssa Hardy, Jack Littleford, Cassandra Newman
Row 5: Jeremy Campbell, James Kerr, James Rickard, Guy Witherow, Timothy Syme, Nicholas Henricks, Max Watson, Timothy Rossi, Aidan Taylor, Wesley Flavell, George Smethurst, Todd Blasse, Damian Papadopoulos, Conor Murray, William Carter, Corbin McCullough
THE MENTONIAN 2014 | 223 AGSV ATHLETICS
Row 3: Samantha Fifer, Lauren Malby-Luke, Grace Felsenthal, Mia McCulloch, Declan Latchford, Lauren Fagan, Georgia Rowan, Patrick Myles, Rebecca Hayes, Jamie-Lee Munn, Geordie Hore, Anna Laidlaw, Lexie Paterson, Emma Doyle, Ella Mairs
Row 1: Mr Michael Woolhouse, Ms Robyn Fuerst, Mr Michael Martin, Ms Natalka Kostraby, Dominique Taylor, Dhruv Rodrigues-Chico, Mr Henry Kiss, Ella Ryan, Liam Hiscock, Mr Andrew Hayes, Ms Jenna Oliver, Jesse Reed, Jessica Ewart-McTigue, Mr John Twist, Harrison Edwards, Belle Leonard, Mr Craig Best, Ms Ursula Erdelyi-Götz
224 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
CountryCross
The AGSV Cross Country season comprised seven races at various venues ranging from Ballam Park in Frankston to Brimbank Park in Keilor. Our runners performed well in these races and finished in 5th place this season.
The coaching staff comprising Paul Matthew, Terry Matthew, Sabrina Van Dort, Chris Minton and James Murphy were grateful to all runners who trained enthusiastically and did their best each week. These students were fantastic to work with and our overall 3rd in the final race of the season promises success for the Cross Country team in the future. Congratulations and thank you to all involved.
Paul Matthew
Several of our team also competed in the All Schools Cross Country Championships at Jells Park and the Victorian Cross Country Championships at Bundoora. Our Girls’ Cross Country team finished 3rd in the single AGSV Girls’ event at Yarra Valley and we had several outstanding individual results including a Year 12 Gold Medal for Mikaela Morgan, a Year 9 Silver Medal for Anna Laidlaw, a Year 8 Bronze Medal for Phoebe Wearne and a Year 7 Bronze Medal for Brooke McCullough. Brooke and Phoebe were also selected for the AGSV team and ran extremely well against the APS team on a slow course at Jells Park, while Mikaela was selected as an emergency for this race. Our Senior team of 26 runners from Years 11 and 12 was the largest in the AGSV competition. Alex Hazelbank (best finish 15th) led by example, running every race to the best of his ability. This resulted in his selection as a runner for the AGSV team. Kyle Solterbeck (best finish 14th) also ran with pace and stamina to ensure that he was also selected as a runner for the AGSV team. We were very grateful to Tim Silvester, who bravely ran in six senior races despite being in Year 10. Jamie Brown, Keenen Marrier D’Unienville, Peter Liang, Luc van Vliet and Mikaela Morgan also ran well. Our Intermediate team of 18 runners from Years 9 and 10 was our most consistent and successful team this season as they finished 2nd, 3rd or 4th in most races. Leading the way was the Year 10 silver medalist Corbin McCullough who finished 2nd in five races. He is commended for having a tremendous season both on a personal level and for the team. Brady Watts (best finish 7th), Lachie Moorhouse (12th), James Rickard (21st), Callum Matthew (22nd), Zac Scherger (23rd), Brannan Smith (33rd), Ben Stone (33rd) and Matt Doyle (40th) ensured the team was highly competitive each week. Our Junior team of 16 runners, most of whom were new to the team this year, for the first time included five runners from Years 5 and 6. What this team lacked in experience they more than made up for with enthusiasm and raw speed. Our Juniors generally finished 4th each week, highlighted by the excellent performances from Carl Simondson (best finish 9th), Spencer Blain-Bartle (13th), Jesse Turner (21st), Brooke McCullough (24th), Angus Reark (26th) and Hannah Schmidt (30th). Other strong performers were Hudson Bucci (ran two races including a strong 23rd), Finlay Heath (34th), Daniel Matthew (36th) and Tom Byrne (44th).
Row 3: Kyle Solterbeck, Lauren Zahra, Galina Enright, William McCann, Jamie Brown, Luc van Vliet, Leo Haoran, James Rickard, Samuel Callahan, Emily Wood, Ms Sabrina van Dort
Row 2: Holly Wale, Angus Reark, Jasmine Rossborough, Brooke McCullough, Ben Stone, Callum Matthew, Jenna Wale, Siam Campbell, Tom Byrne, Hudson Bucci
Absent: Avery Dell, Mr James Ewart-Murphy, Alex Hazelbank, Samantha Kerr, Anna Laidlaw, Fanglei Li, Kaibo Ma, Mr Chris Minton, Edward Paton, Emma Scherger, Tim Silvester, Brannan Smith, Xichen Sun, Shawn Wang, David Xu, Joe Zhang
Row 5: Daniel Matthew, Patrick Distefano, Hannah Schmidt, David Cao, Scott Shi, Keenen Marrier D’Unienville, Charlotte Hamilton, Emma Doyle, Carl Simondson
Row 4: Zac Scherger, Lachlan Moorhouse, Brady Watts, Kirra Pemberton, Robert McIntyre, Finlay Heath, Casper Bjarnason, Matt Doyle, Jesse Turner, Peter Liang
Row 1: Chloe Stone, Spencer Blaine-Bartle, Emma Scherger, Hollie Wright, Dr Paul Matthew, Mikaela Morgan, Mrs Terry Matthew, Finlay Dodson, Hebe Best, Corbin McCullough, Phoebe Wearne
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 225 ...WE HAD YEARRESULTSOUTSTANDINGSEVERALINDIVIDUALINCLUDINGA12GOLDMEDAL... CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
The 2015 Sailing season has been
The Victorian Schools Teams Sailing Championships were held over a two-day span at the end of March at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron alongside St Kilda pier. As a Division One team we were placed in a group with schools such as Trinity and Scotch; we performed reasonably well considering they were renowned as strong schools in sailing in 2015, with state and national sailors in their squads. Although we put in our best efforts on the first day, it wasn’t enough for us to make it into the gold fleet and as a result we narrowly missed out on the finals by one point on a count back. We managed to place 7th overall, which is still a good result from a field of 30 schools. This coming year in Sailing, the team is determined to succeed at the State Championships with both Julian Sasson and Molly Ford entering their final year
Our Saturday racing results were strong, with our team managing to pull off a win rate of roughly 70 per cent. We were feeling confident with our teams’ racing ability! Just prior to the Victorian Championships we competed in the regatta at the Melbourne Grand Prix on Albert Park late March. This was a very mixed bag of racing as Albert Park isn’t the ideal place to sail with many wind shifts, making it quite hard to have consistent racing. The end result saw Mentone place in the top 5.
226 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 To provide experience in a Teams Racing environment for our younger sailors in Years 7 to Year 9 we competed against a number of schools on Wednesday evenings at Black Rock Yacht Club. Although the results didn’t reflect our Saturday performances, it was seen as very much an investment in the future for our young squad. Yachting Victoria also provided two regattas for our Year 7 and Year 8 sailors at Albert Park, competing against a number of schools from across Victoria. We performed particularly strongly, and were favourites to win, but the events were abandoned due to poor weather conditions. A hazard of this sport!
AGSVtendingwithallSailingotherVictorianintoconfidentfromanWithStateforpreparingregattasquadMentonesuccessfulreasonablyfortheTeamsSailingwithourSaturdayscheduletheteamtheMarchVictorianChampionships.prettymuchunchangedteam2014,wewereofdevelopingacontenderforthetitle.Unlikeschoolsport,competesagainstschoolsinVictoria,themaincontenderstobeAPSandschools. Sailing
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 227 SAILING Row 2: Grace Phillips, Lachlan Hughes, Nicholas Berry, Patrick Distefano Row 1: Patrick Myles, Hugo Gill, Molly Ford, Julian Sasson, Brandon Demura Absent: Morgan Carter, Mr Max Marrow at Mentone Grammar. Hopefully we can emulate our Championship win of 2012 and progress to a successful National Championships in South Australia in 2016. It is great to see three girls now in the team and a number of younger students pushing to enter the squad. We have the skill and determination to do it; we just need the resolve. Julian Sasson Year 11 Team Captain MR MAX MARROW SAILING TIC
We closed the season with three wins from four games with the final game being quite convincing. The ability to play as a team and to each individual’s strengths was a sign that each team member improved their game throughout the season. I was extremely impressed with the sportsmanship of the team. We not only lost graciously, but were respectful winners. The team represented Mentone Grammar in excellent fashion.
BASKETBALL 10 C BLUE Coach: Paul Khazaal Team Members: Jacob Althoff-Dowell, Rees Elmsley, Henry Green, Joshua Bowles, Samuel Hogget, Daniel Vise, Daniel Pearce, Nicholas Spitzer
ReportsSportSummer2015Basketball
The 2014-15 summer season was a very enjoyable and successful one for the team. We ended the season 6-2 defeating Assumption, at Assumption, to finish the season. From the first session we had I was pleasantly surprised with the attitude and commitment the boys had to give 100 per cent. Our first game sent us all the way out to Ivanhoe Plenty Campus, I wasn’t sure how the boys would go after a long journey but we won 34 – 16 starting our season off with a bang. After the holidays we had six games to go, and up to this point we were undefeated. We concluded our season the same way had started, with a long, long journey out to Assumption. This was the most enjoyable game of the year, with James Davidson pulling off one of the best moves all year, a pass fake over his head fooling the defender into thinking he had shot the ball, unfortunately he didn’t convert but the whole stadium was in stitches. I would like to thank the Sports department for giving me the opportunity to coach a great bunch of boys and for their efforts throughout the whole season. I wish them all the best for the future.
228 | THE MENTONIAN
The season started with a close 1 point loss, yet the team was extremely positive with the way we played together for the first time. We trained hard, and worked on our deficiencies each week. In these sessions we also worked on fundamentals of the game, in which the team members grasped efficiently and effectively. This led to the team playing a disciplined style of basketball. There was improvement seen throughout the next three games, yet unfortunately no wins came from these. In the new year when the team came together, the positivity and willingness to learn and play as a team came to the fore. Our first win was a hard fought 1 point win at Doreen, a four hour round trip which really brought the squad together.
Cricket YEAR 8 WHITE Coach: Luke Hull The Cricket season for Year 8 White was thoroughly successful but more importantly, it was enjoyable. At the start of the season all I asked of the boys was to play to their full ability and have fun with their mates. After finishing the season as the second best cricket team at Mentone Grammar I think the boys did exactly what they were asked to do. We had a few leaders in the group with Chris Perkins being extremely impressive as Captain, wicket keeper and batsmen. He finished the year with an overall average of 149 with the bat. Declan Latchford also was impressive with the willow averaging 105 for the season. Austin Parker finished as our most successful bowler, finishing with 14 wickets. Every player in the team played their part during the year with either the bat or the ball. Kegan Timms, in particular, was a superb team player and would bowl or bat wherever he was asked. He finished the year opening the bowling with his leg spin. I would like to thank the eleven lads who I looked after this summer for their effort throughout the season. All the best for your future years at Mentone Grammar.
SENIORS THIRDS BLUE Coach: Arran Battish Team Captain: James Davidson Vice Captain: Harry Edwards Team JamesMembers:Davidson, Harry Edwards, James Humphreys, Matt Grigoriou, Luke Endall, Joe Bosa, Josh Stevenson and Conor Beveridge
Row 2: Joshua Nung, Michael Weberruss, Stuart Pesudovs, Philip Chandler, Hamish Brown, Riley Sawyer, Edward Fisher
YEARS 9/10 DIVISION 1 Coach: Adrian Payne Team JoshuaMembers:Jaden,Brady Watts, Brad Chick, Peter Varsamis, Jack Ryder, Ben Lofthouse, Ben Landgraf, Jeffrey Fong, Henry Wang and Eddy Zhou continued overleaf
HockeySummer
Row 1: Fionn MacRedmond, Joseph Blain, Lachlan Dawson, Michael Briggs, Morgan Downie, Nicholas Sheppard
Each week Mentone had to field a slightly different team to ensure everyone got a game and each week both senior and junior players, with the help of Stuart Pesudovs in goals, overcame the different line-ups and changes to positions. Everyone played well together and thoroughly earned their first placing. Special mention goes to Michael Briggs, for scoring Mentone’s goal of the season, and to Stuart Pesudovs for stepping up to be the team’s goal keeper.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 229
SUMMER HOCKEY
Coach: Edward Fisher Team Captains: Todd Blasse and Laura Cox
Softball
The Summer Hockey Team had a very successful season, finishing in first place overall. This was the result of all team members training hard and efficiently each week to ensure that they had a strong offensive and defensive stance. Because of all their efforts, the team was victorious with a total of 52 goals scored and only 7 goals conceded for the season.
JUNIOR B
Coach: Connor McMorran Team AnnabelleMembers:Eustice, Hebe Best, Matilda Appel, Tayla Fox, Lauren Malby-Luke, Madeleine Ghent, Jacinta Reading, Luca Jeffs, Abbey Dykas, Bethanie Bridge, Ellinor Humphreys and Sophie Leonard
The girls had an amazing season with starting in a new team and with a new coach in January. From day 1 of coaching the girls they have all improved a great deal. We started with a few losses but won our last four games. I am glad I was given the opportunity to coach such an enthusiastic group and hope that our ‘work in progress’ can continue.
TennisTable
230 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Season Result: Games For: 270, Rubbers For 76, Matches Won 5 Games Against: 207, Rubbers Against 59, Matches Lost 4
Tennis OPEN Manager:2NDSPeter
Numbers 1, 2 and 3,Josh Jaden, Brady Watts and Brad Chick respectively, were extremely strong, skilled players and gained impressive statistics. Josh Jaden won 13 of his 14 Singles matches, Brady Watts won 10 out of 10 and Brad Chick 12 out of 16. These three players formed the backbone of the team. Peter Varsamis, mainly playing at Number 4, also performed strongly winning seven out of his 12 Singles matches. Jack Ryder, Ben Lofthouse, Ben Landgraf, Jeffrey Fong, Henry Wang and Eddy Zhou all played in the Numbers 4, 5 or 6 spots. All players are to be commended for invariably playing with good sportsmanship, good heart and good spirit – regardless of winning or losing. Josh, Brady and Brad all increased their already considerable skills. Peter, Jack, both Bens, Jeffrey, Henry and Eddy all improved greatly in skill as the season progressed. All matches were played at Kilsyth Sports Centre – a long drive to and fro each Saturday from school. Despite this long drive and the early start all players turned up and played enthusiastically and competitively to all matches. Many of this year’s team will again be playing for the same team in the 2015/2016 season which bodes well for an even stronger performance next year.
TABLE TENNIS YEARS 9/10 DIVISION 2
Coach: Adrian Payne Team Members: Ben Landgraf, Ben Lofthouse, Jeffrey Fong, Peter Varsamis, Eddy Zhou, Henry Wang, Sean Butler, Luke Huang and Lenny Shepherd Season Result: Games For 168, Rubbers For 43, Matches Won 3 Games Against 273, Rubbers Against 92, Matches Lost 6
The Years 9/10 Table Tennis Division 2 team met with moderate success, winning three matches out of nine in the 2014/2015 season. Victories were achieved against Ivanhoe (first match), PEGS Red and Yarra Valley. However, PEGS Blue (both matches), Camberwell Gold and Blue, Trinity and Ivanhoe (second match) were too strong and had too much depth in their teams. Peter Varsamis (won 3 out of 4 Singles Matches), Jeffrey Fong (4 out of 14), Ben Landgraf (3 out of 10), Ben Lofthouse (5 out of 6 ), Eddy Zhou (9 out of 18 – the only player to play every single Saturday) and Henry Wang (7 out of 14) all played at one or more of Numbers 1, 2, 3 or 4 throughout the season. Also playing, usually at Numbers 4, 5 or 6, were Luke Huang, Sean Butler and Lenny Shepherd. An impressive aspect to the team’s play was that, win or lose, they always played with good spirit and enthusiasm. Another striking feature of the season was the sometimes very great improvement in skills as the season progressed. All matches this season were played at Kilsyth Sports Centre – a long drive to and fro each Saturday from school. Despite this long drive and the early start all players always turned up and played keenly and competitively to all matches. I look forward to seeing many of this year’s Years 9/10 Division 2 team back again next year for the 2015/2016 season.
The Years 9/10 Table Tennis Division 1 team had a successful season, winning more matches than they lost, five to four. Victories were achieved against Trinity (both matches), PEGS Gold (both matches) and PEGS Blue. However, PEGS Red (both matches) and Camberwell (both matches) were too strong, particularly in the lower ranked players area.
Zerman Team AndrewMembers:Todd,Scott Moore, Wesley Flavell, Samuel Barron, George Mavrogiannis, Dillon Khaira, Max Grimm, Thomas Fisher, Thomas Veer, Daniel Malyaris, Edward Fisher, Alex Verrills, Constantinos Zaharopoulos
Season Result: won 4 / lost 3
The Open 2nds Tennis team had a reasonable season winning four matches and losing three. The team played with spirit and displayed good sportsmanship throughout the season. We had a large squad, which allowed us to be able to rotate players and give many players the opportunity of representing the School at a Seconds level. For us, the season had only one washout round and hence we managed to finish seven rounds.
Dillon Khaira won all his singles matches, as did Andrew Todd with his doubles. Sam Barron and George Mavrogiannis both had some long determined matches. Tom Fisher played most rounds with several doubles partners, as did Scott Moore. Andrew Todd supported the team but played most rounds in the First team. Max Grimm continued to improve over the season and finished off displaying powerful returns. Thomas Veer was very enthusiastic to play in the Seconds and recorded 83 per cent wins in his doubles matches. Alex Verrills, Daniel Malyaris and Edward Fisher played some good games. Dean Zaharopoulos,
ReportsSportSummer
The girls have shown marked improvement in their skills level. The advice has been to play more, especially during the summer break in preparation for tennis season. Annabelle and Isabella, in particular, have been outstanding tennis players and Nina, Emma and Jamie have held the competition together for the team, showing how much of improvement they have made between seasons. Sacha has been our ‘organiser’ and nothing is too hard for Maddie, Nicole, Elly, Ella and Eliza. I would like to thank each one of the girls for their commitment and willingness to make changes whenever need be.
YEAR 8A TENNIS Coach: Michael Martin I enjoyed coaching and mentoring the Year 8A team last year and this year. Their love of tennis was evident and close relationships and keen support given by each member made it even more special.
TENNIS INTERMEDIATE A
Row 2: Rebecca Leonidas, Samantha Gilliver, Putri Marsh, Emily Wood, Matilda Maher Row 1: Brittany Chambers, Caibiran Deas Wesley Flavell, Harrison Cramer played a match or two and we were grateful for their Thankscontributions.gotoallplayers for the spirit in which they represented themselves, the team and the School.
FIRST VOLLEYBALL - GIRLS
The leadership at the top of the team from Jaiden Watts and Mitchell Pattinson gave assistance to more inexperienced players in the team. There were so many close matches this season but I was glad for the team that we won more matches than we lost. Some weeks doubles was our strength; other weeks the depth of our singles order became an important factor. We worked hard during training on consistency and playing the opponent’s weaknesses rather than their strengths. Players over time became better at constructing and thinking through a point making them tougher opponents. I thank the team for their camaraderie and friendship throughout the season and I hope they enjoyed the season as much as I did.
Volleyball
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 231
FIRST VOLLEYBALL - GIRLS Coach – Luke Campbell The First Volleyball team started the season with a bang by coming second at the pre-season tournament held by Caulfield Grammar. This meant we entered the season with some real confidence in our ability to compete with all teams and improve on our three wins in the previous season. Both of those objectives were definitely achieved which was a big step for the girls and Volleyball at Mentone Grammar. Our defensive system and strong service kept us in many rallies and continually frustrated the opposition players who were used to getting cheap points. In offence we introduced a more positional system by having a full time setter for all rotations in Sam Gilliver. This was a big step for the team and came with much confusion to start with, but after a few matches we were well into the swing of it and scoring many more points in attack than in the past. Having three players invited to AGSV selections was impressive and having our first selection, Co-captain Brittany Chambers, was a credit to her and the team as to how much well we had all improved. Six of our seven players finished Year 12 this year so next year’s team will be a whole new ball game. We look forward to the challenge.
Coach: Sylvia Ponnusamy
VOLLEYBALL JUNIOR B Coach: William Crawford I was very impressed this season with the girls’ overall improvement in training and especially in gameplay. All the Junior B girls have worked hard in implementing what they have been practising in training and bringing this into game situations, which has resulted in a lot more positive results and wins by the girls. The greatest improvement has been their ability to serve into court with more and more consistency, which again has been key to winning many games. Serving-wise it was very impressive to see Alana still working hard and getting more and more serves in throughout the season, despite an elbow injury.
Throughout the season it was pleasing to witness the development in skills of our Intermediate A team under the
ReportsSportSummer guidance of coach, David Joseph. Whilst over the Summer season we lost more games than we won, it was the spirit in which the game was played that was most noticeable. Often our team chant, prompted by Jo Sawford, “As the wavebeats search the shore…” resounded at every time out, our girls supported and encouraged each other. Admittedly we often found ourselves playing catch up, losing the first set but, despite losing, our team responded and rallied by winning the second set, forcing a third with “Game On!”
Cass and Ellie were the most consistent with their playing throughout the season and it has been pleasant to notice how they listen well in training and take on advice in their playing. Alex was a key motivator on court and was always the first to encourage others as well as bringing some noise and leadership on court. It was great to have Eliza join the team and she has been key in the front court for the girls and has served well throughout the season. Steph has played well in all aspects this season, covering other girls on court and working hard to bring spiking into her game as well as serving overhead consistently. It has been a pleasure to coach the girls this season and see their considerable improvement from the start to the end of the season. They easily surpassed the expectations I had for their games, even beating the Junior As in practice, while always supporting each other and having fun while on court. I hope they continue to keep this sort of culture through their sport.
VOLLEYBALL INTERMEDIATE A
Season Result: Undefeated The standard of Volleyball throughout the junior and senior levels is improving immensely each and every year. This team was no exception, being undefeated at the end of a fantastic season. It was great to see the girls become closer as a team as the season progressed. They constantly encouraged each other and helped each other, all the while being able to have fun as well. The girls all worked hard to gain new skills and were always enthusiastic to play higher level teams for more of a challenge. I hope they continue on next year and strive to develop their skill base, have fun and take up the challenge to make the First team as I believe they all have to potential to do so. It was a privilege to coach such a great team and I am proud of how far each and every one of them has come; from their first game of 2014 to the final game of 2015, they should be too.
232 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
The highlight of the season was definitely Round 9 when the girls played against Caulfield White. Convincingly winning the first set, our girls were outplayed in the second set thus the third set became critical. With a gargantuan effort our team became vocal, communicated and started to implement our coach’s advice – set the play up, three touches. Coming from behind the girls snatched victory with a very popular and enjoyable win. Our best servers Tara, Lauren, Chelsy and Diah were our powerhouse. Bianca took some incredible dives, Tatum remained strong up at the net and Jasmine was one of our consistent players. Anna qualified as our most vibrant player, whilst Olivia and Peronel played with great heart. We look forward to next season with another opportunity to hone our skills. Thanks again to David for his gentle encouragement and support to the girls.
Coach: David Joseph and Belinda McNeil
VOLLEYBALL THIRDS Coach: Maddie Christo Team CharlotteMembers:Hamilton, Mia Labozzetta, Charlotte Wiffin, Courtney Munn, Georgina Phillips, Kate Meehan, Hollie Wright, Elizabeth Algeri and Chloe McLennan
Result: 5 Wins / 3 Losses –Finished 4th on AGSV Ladder
The First XVIII Football team enjoyed a successful season in the AGSV competition, and eventually finished in 4th position on the ladder with 5 wins and 3 losses. The season started early in Term 1 with many of the players undertaking a solid pre-season under the guidance of Asst Coach Pete O’Gorman. We started our campaign with a big win over the Old Mentonians U19s, before also defeating St Bede’s/Mentone U19s, along with both Yarra Valley and Trinity Grammar’s Senior teams to round out a strong preseason that had us looking forward with confidence to the season proper. Prior to the season commencement we were lucky to have six players make the Sandringham Dragons final squad. Congratulations to: Liam Hiscock, Mitchell Johnstone, Angus Hill, Oliver Florent, Max Williams and Matthew Hennig. We also kicked off the season with our Football Launch that was attended by our new Football Ambassador in Luke Breust from the Hawthorn Football Club. Luke announced the five-man Leadership Group of: Liam Hiscock (Captain), Jonathan Koh (VC), Mitchell Johnstone, Nick Henricks and Lachlan Palfrey. To all of you I want to say, well done! You have supported the coaches and led your fellow teammates with aplomb. Round 1 saw us take on an extremely strong PEGS team, and after a bit of an arm wrestle for two and a half quarters, Mentone kicked away to win by 40 points. This was a pleasing result. Mitchell Johnstone did a fine job of negating their dangerous Captain and Sam Ralph kicked five goals on debut. Next up we overcame The Peninsula School on their home turf, before a three goal loss to Ivanhoe at home in what was possibly our best performance of the year, albeit in a losing match. That we kicked seven goals and 18 behinds that day, certainly came back to haunt us later in the season, in terms of making the final ‘top two’.
Season
Coach: Danny Ryan Assistant Coach: Peter O’Gorman
Row 2: Mr Greg Evans, Mr Danny Ryan, William Avery, James Davidson, Nicholas Gabsch, Matthew Lucas, Max Williams, Nick Walliser, Harrison Edwards, William Pickles, Samuel Lucas, Mr Peter O’Gorman
Row 3: Edward Hall, Angus Hill, William Lancaster, Nicholas Henricks, Nicholas Capomolla, Harrison Smyth, Edward Newman, Hunter Griffin
Absent: William Burmeister, Matthew Hennig, Jack Laidlaw, Kai Owens
FOOTBALL FIRST XVIII
Row 1: Oliver Florent, William Armstrong, Matthew Grigoriou, Jonathan Koh (Vice-Capt), Liam Hiscock (Capt), Lachlan Palfrey, Sam Ralph, Mitchell Johnstone, Brayden Morrow
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 233 FootballReportsSportWinter FOOTBALL – FIRST XVIII
I would like to thank EVERY boy who played in the First XVIII team this year, for your effort and skill that you brought to the team on match day. This year we have improved the standing of Mentone Grammar significantly, but next year we need to continue trending upwards to further establish this. Many thanks also go to: Peter O’Gorman for being the Asst Coach and Greg Evans for his outstanding Team Managerial skills. I thank Leah Percy and Erin Hunt for all the ‘back office’ support and to Mr Mal Cater for being such a strong supporter of the Football program at Mentone Grammar.
FOOTBALL 8A Coach: Peter Ryan Season Result: Played 9 / Won 5 / Lost 4
Danny Ryan FOOTBALL INTERMEDIATE B Coach: Glen Evans It was a terrific start to the Intermediate B’s Football season, with a convincing win over PEGS and the outlook for the rest of the season was very promising. After the first game the competition intensified and the games were much harder to win. Despite a few hard fought matches and close games in terms of all round play, the season ended with the boys securing only one win. The players are to be commended for the way that they carried themselves during the season, during both Wednesday’s trainings and at Saturday’s games. It was a tough season in many respects; however, despite this the players showed a real toughness of character and never gave up during any part of the season. Standout players for the season: Michael Todd, Ari Zigouras, Matthew Ray and Jordan Baxter. The Year 10s should certainly be looking to work hard and try for a position in the First XVIII team next season. The Year 9s should be looking to push into the Intermediate As for next season, if not the First XVIII, they all have the talent. Well done on a great season and good luck to the boys in their future at Mentone Grammar.
FOOTBALL INTERMEDIATE C Coaches: Daniel Baron and Rachael Baker Team JamesMembers:Bowles,Noah Brooks, Quayd Duffin, Kieran Fagan, David Fogarty, Angus Goodwin, Ethan Gough, Alexander Grant, James Hutchinson, Matthew Kerr, Jack McGindle, Conor Murray, Aiden Renshaw, Angus Spargo, Luke Huber, Ying-Chieh Kao, Victor Ding, William Spinner, Alexander Bardoel, James Bouwmeester.
Against the eventual premiers, Marcellin, we were totally outclassed and reminded that we still have a considerable gap to breach if we are to become a top school football team. But, to the players’ credit, they bounced back and had three convincing wins in a row, against Yarra Valley, Camberwell and Trinity Grammar; before going down to Assumption College in a hard fought game at Kilmore. Standout players across the season were: Liam Hiscock and Oliver Florent (who both played in the AGS Representative match), our tireless Ruckman in Matt Lucas, prolific onballer in Ed Newman, and sharpshooter Sam Ralph who kicked a goal in every match, finishing with 24 for the season.
Season Result: 3 Wins / 3 Losses
The Year 8A game plan was very simple: tackle, handball to a receiver and switch the play, and the boys stuck to it. It was offensive, attacking football. A style people liked to watch. The boys received many compliments from their parents, as well as opposing parents on their ability to execute the game plan. As individuals, they continued to cultivate and fulfill the ‘Trust, Belief & Respect Each Other’ philosophy commenced in Year 7.
Until next year!
ReportsSportWinter2015
234 | THE MENTONIAN
With this being our first season coaching, we weren’t sure what to expect. But after meeting the boys in the team and seeing their dedication for their School, it was easy to fit in. Our first game of the season was a great starting point, we managed to scrape through with a win and from there we only got better. We fought our way to a three-game winning streak, including a 10 goal win against Trinity Grammar. But then came the hardest part of the season. Our last three games were our hardest, but no matter what our boys battled hard until the very end, coming away with a one-point loss in the dying seconds, against a very tough Camberwell side. We unfortunately lost those games but our Mentone boys showed great sportsmanship and ability until the siren sounded. Each and every one of the players in the team has improved tenfold since the beginning, all of them doing their part for the team. I have no doubt that all of them will become even better footballers next year, and we are extremely delighted to have had the privilege to help with their development thus far.
overran by an excellent Assumption team. This great game was sure to be the start of a fierce rivalry throughout the respective teams’ school years. It was efforts like this that holds the Mentone Grammar Football program in good stead for the next few years as the newest members of the program showed real determination and skill throughout a very exciting year of Football.
FOOTBALL 7B Coaches: Lee Cormie and Rob SeasonPattersonResult:
6 wins / 2 losses
The Year 7B Football team enjoyed a remarkable season, finishing the season with a record of 6-2. Commanding the majority of games in a manner more befitting of a senior team, they were aided by the fact there were very few personnel changes throughout the season, thus providing a chance for the boys to mesh as a cohesive unit. The opening round against Assumption College was an encouraging display of team football, albeit marred by a brief lapse of concentration in the final minute of the game. We unfortunately conceded two goals in said final minute to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, a shattering 2-point loss. To the boys’ credit, they were spurred on by the disappointment of this loss and barely put a foot wrong for the remainder of the season. Our success can well be attributed to a very talented midfield brigade, consisting of Beau Forster (our in and under tackle busting rover), Archie Padley (our speedy excitement machine), Josh Culley (damaging and inspiring ruckman) and Charlie Webster (ball-extracting contested ball winner). These four individuals showed magnificent courage and endeavour throughout the season and are to be commended for their hard work. Not to be outdone, the backline had to stand up under regular attack, and did so with skill, class and composure. Tighe Taylor and Tom Mutton were our no-frills reliable defenders, who never failed to
The margin of our losses against the bigger schools was less than last year, so we improved and succeeded. That improvement and success has come from a combination of individual personal development and their unquestionable commitment and dedication to each other, which was transferred onto the oval and delivered each Saturday morning.
FOOTBALL 7A Coaches: Michael Woolhouse and Clinton Jones Season Result: 6 wins / 3 losses
SEASON RESULT: 3 WINS / 5 LOSSES
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 235
The boys have now completed the second year of a six year journey, so they are a third of the way through, if they continue to develop as individuals and a team each year, as in 2015, I look forward to seeing each year’s growth and in particular when it culminates in Year 12, when fulfilling that elusive dream of a Football premiership for Mentone Grammar, could be a reality. Finally, to our team runner Josh; thanks for your efforts in delivering the messages. Also, the parental support each week was fantastic and everyone’s willingness to fill time keeper, scorer and goal umpiring duties was much appreciated. I can only say: ‘bring on 2016 so we can see the next chapter of this journey unfold for these wonderful boys.’
As it was the second year together as a group, they took the game plan to the next level. This was achieved by their commitment to the School, being part of a proud team and being selfless individuals, in pursuit of improvement and success.
FOOTBALL 8B Coaches: Ben Rossi, James Mc Neil and Andrew Stewart Team GeorgieMembers:Algeri,Jefferson Bauer, Callum Beach, Oscar Clarke, Joel Cummins, James Gold, Angus Grant, Charlie Howell, Lachlan Hughes, Ethan Hunt, Dylan Johnson, Benjamin Jones, William King, Max McCulloch, Mitchell Newman, Mitchell Pattinson, Ben Pertich, Brett Poll, Luke Ray, Finn Ryan, Ben Sorrenson, James Stavropoulos, Kegan Timms, Max Tulloch, Ryan White and Finnbar Ryan
It was a season of mixed fortunes for the 8B footballers with some strong wins and some close losses. While individual skills were consolidated what was particularly gratifying was to see the way the boys developed and honed their team skills. Ben and James worked with the wider Year 8 boys’ group at training and had the 8B playing group well prepared for match day. Particular highlights included the strong opening game of the season at home where we beat PEGS by 60 points. Back to back wins in Rounds 3 and 4 against Ivanhoe and Marcellin were both character and team building. Hard fought games in Rounds 5 and 7 against Yarra Valley and Trinity showed the team’s grit and each time we were unlucky to come away without a win. Another commendable area of note was the number of students on the playing list. Each week Mentone had a full team and a full bench demonstrating the enthusiasm of the playing group and this was also reflected in the positive attitude of the boys before the start of each game. Also gratifying was to see some of the students’ individual hard work and perseverance rewarded with runs in the 8As.
It was a very pleasing start for the latest influx of Mentone Grammar footballers with the year 7s producing an excellent season of strong and skillful football. With a bit of luck they could have even sneaked a few more wins. Perhaps the most exciting game of the season came in the penultimate round against a traditionally strong Marcellin outfit. After a bruising three quarters, scores were level going into the final change. On an oval that was a lot bigger than what the team was used to, the Mentone boys out ran and out tackled the Marcellin team to record a stirring two-point victory. A week later in their final round the team showed excellent composure and teamwork but were just
FIRST XI Coach: Edward Fisher Team Members: Todd Blasse (Captain), Michael Briggs (VC), Laura Cox (VC), Joseph Blain, Elly Blasse, Hamish Brown, Adam Cansdale, Philip Chandler, Will Davis, Lachlan Dawson, Morgan Downie, Phillip Kofluk, Fionn MacRedmond, Stuart Mills, Stuart Pesudovs, Riley Sawyer, Thomas Siedle
Lee Cormie
Row 2: Jason Bartonek, Archie Padley, James Gowan, Bailey Reed, Thomas Mutton, Ethan Murray, William Gentle, Beau Forster
Hockey HOCKEY
Row 1: Callum Prior, Tighe Taylor, Jarrod Abell, Mr Rob Patterson, Jack Pavlidis, Mr Lee Cormie, Samuel Ursprung, Bodie Carter, Adam Marrow
Season Result: 5th Overall W3-1 Bye W4-3 L0-2 L1-6 L0-6 L2-5 Bye Goals:W4-2T.Blasse 10, Briggs 1, Blain 1, E. Blasse 1, Kofluk 1
7B
The team’s preseason efforts were rewarded with two wins from the opening
236 | THE MENTONIAN ReportsSportWinter2015 provide a contest and clear the ball out of dangerous territory. The phenomenal football these boys played then supplied our forwards with the best opportunity to kick goals. Our spiritual leader and high marking full-forward Ollie Straw didn’t let a troublesome foot injury hamper his scoring ability, ending up comfortably leading the goal-kicking with a bag of five goals and a couple of four-goal games. His goal-kicking nous and desire to stamp authority on matches was the difference in numerous games. We also uncovered a gem in the mercurial James Bull, who was our most improved player. Deceptively quick with pace to burn, he provided nothing but headaches for the opposition, particularly in an exhibition of opportunistic football against Marcellin in Round 7. To those players not mentioned, it was a pleasure to watch you improve your football and enjoy the spoils of being a part of one of the more successful football teams in Mentone Grammar’s recent history. Good luck with your progression in sport throughout your time at the School.
Absent: James Bull, Jeremy Di Rosato, Henry Lewis, Samuel Rose
Row 3: Marcus Le Gear, James Carson, Finn Wheeler, Alexander Joynson, Joshua Culley, Max Leaver, Charlie Webster, Oliver Straw, Koby Thomson
FOOTBALL
FIRST HOCKEY
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 237 two games. Round 1 was a learning game for the team against Marcellin, following a few from the previous season. Through strong team plays and multiple short corners, Todd Blasse earned a hat-trick for a win. Round 3 had the team play an evenly matched Ivanhoe and both teams went goal for goal, with Mentone inching ahead in the last few minutes of the game. Again through strong plays and multiple short corners, Todd earned another hat-trick, and he assisted an amazing deflection goal from Michael Briggs for another win. Round 4 saw another evenly matched game, against PEGS, however, the team unfortunately was not able to link up as well and PEGS seized their chance with two late goals. Round 5 was always going to be a tough match against Yarra Valley, but the team prepared well at training and gave it their all at the game. While the end result didn’t show just how well the team played, each member of the team was able to leave the game with their head held high, knowing that the game would have been a lot closer, had Yarra Valley not played their National representative. Round 6 was a long trip to Bulleen to play against Trinity. Sadly Mentone players couldn’t find their focus and Trinity was able to secure a win. Round 7 against Camberwell was a game that the team needed to win or draw to get into the finals. The game was close, with Camberwell just in front towards the final parts of the game. Mentone wanted to push for the win, but unfortunately Camberwell secured their win with two quick Mentonegoals.finished the season playing against Ivanhoe for 5th place. Mentone started slowly, but found its groove and gave their all. Todd levelled the score on half time and Mentone stayed strong for the whole second half and with goals from Todd, exchange student Phillip Kofluk and Elly Blasse, Mentone well and truly earned the win. Finally, special mention must be made of our goalkeeper Stuart Pesudovs, who showed amazing talent in the net and who kept opposition goals to a minimum.
HOCKEY YEARS 9/10 A Coach: Edward Arnold Season Result: 3 Wins / 1 Draw / 3 Losses
Row 3: Riley Sawyer, Joseph Blain, Stuart Pesudovs, Morgan Downie, Lachlan Dawson
The Combined Years 9/10 A Hockey team had a good winter season. Over the course of the season the boys improved in leaps and bounds and they also had fun along the way. For each game the boys approached it with enthusiasm and determination to come away with a win. Although there was a large number of players in the team due to some injuries and players being away with other commitments, most of the players played each Ranjithweek.Prasannian played in goals and was close to the best player in each match. He was able to keep Mentone in the game when under pressure with some really great saves, whilst upfront Daniel Liacos was making the opposition defence worried with his speed and skill, which was shown in the final game for the season with a great goal. Nick Sheppard and Tim Cansdale provided strength and leadership down the middle of the ground and the surrounding players thrived from their actions. Often the players would learn from these two and would then use the same skills that they had seen by Tim and Nick. Throughout the season all of the boys’ skills improved which was due to a great effort in training and at the games. They were gracious when they did lose, and tried right through to the end of each game. They also never complained when they may have felt a decision did not go in their favour. They should be very proud of the way they have improved and how they conducted themselves throughout the season.
Row 2: Adam Cansdale, Hamish Brown, Phillip Chandler, Thomas Siedle, Mr Ed Fisher (Coach)
Row 1: Elly Blasse, Michael Briggs, Todd Blasse, Laura Cox, Stuart Mills Absent: Will Davis, Ed Fisher, Phillip Kofluk, Fionn MacRedmond
Season Result:
I believe the outcome was quite successful, winning multiple games, (some more convincingly then others), but what I must mention was that the team was able to adjust quite effectively to variations of conditions, including new members, structural changes but also to the occasional loss.
The solid leadership group of experienced players was a great addition to the side, as they were not only able to assist the team in general skill development, but also aided in other areas such as structure based work and general support to those around them.
The Year 7 Hockey team, despite their winless season and score line, was an enthusiastic team that along the way showed a lot of progression and improvement as young Hockey players. It is a tough sport to pick up and for the boys whom had never picked up a stick until this year, were all able to hit, push and trap (stop) a hockey ball successfully and do it well. If the boys are committed to Hockey for the rest of their schooling they all have potential to become effective players. Despite their enthusiasm to play on a Saturday mornings, they lacked a bit of on
/ 7 losses / 1 draw
Kim Wootton Best and Fairest Jeremy Davie Coaches Award James Eustice Most Improved Matthew Bor ys HOCKEY 8A Coach: Jordan Rees Team Members: Jake Adderley, Nicholas Berry, Daniel Carruthers, Steven Chandler, Nathan Harbutt, Dylan Tomlinson, Nicholas Opie, Jakob Sloan, Joseph Childerley, Dekota Mark, Tern Smith, Pascal Ryszka, Andrew Lancaster, Phillip Kofluk, Jeremy Miao, Nathan Klein
238 | THE MENTONIAN ReportsSportWinter2015 HOCKEY YEAR 9/10 B
Coach Josh provided the team with passionate direction and the development of improved skill level and cohesion became evident.
Coach: Hayden Mitchell
The season opener against Trinity Gold and our team was supplemented by three outstanding Year 7 players, Javier Rodriguez, Harry Pertzel and Josh Madden. Despite the great support, Trinity just managed a win. Our second match provided us with our first encounter with PEGS, a team that was going to dominate the fixture and deliver our greatest challenge. By the third match the team had acquired the outstanding coaching skills of Josh Ephraums, (a State U21 team player), but unfortunately experienced a further loss to PEGS. Our first goals for the season were delivered by James Eustice and Jeremy Davie against Trinity Green, which was a thrilling match resulting in a narrow defeat 2-3. Camberwell travelled to Keysborough and provided the crowd with an evenly matched game and once again James Eustice scored, followed by a great goal delivered by Thomas So. Cameron Rowbury was an outstanding goalie, under pressure every match but able to provide constant support to our defence line. Although the season was challenging the boys consistently approached each match with enthusiasm and all players contributed to every match.
Coach: Josh Ephraums and staff support
HOCKEY 7A
The highlight of the winter season was our final match against Trinity Green which resulted in our first win, with Luke Huang scoring his first goal for the year, despite the absence of Matthew Borys who had dominated our defence line during the season.
The young and ambitious group of Year 8 Hockey participants had a wonderful progression throughout the stint of Winter sports. In my first session with the group I was made aware that the team they had played in previously had yet to taste victory on the hockey pitch, so I was determined to help them reach their desires. We had multiple sessions before the actual season started, so it was a good period to gauge skill level and dedication levels and I was pleased to see the basis of a great young side. Their commitment was very encouraging to see. Their eagerness to learn new things, not only individually, but also in team based environments showed the maturity and the makings of great sports people.
Kim Wootton Team Captain: Sean Butler Team MatthewMembers:Borys,Sean Butler, Jeremy Davie, Lachlan Howe, Luke Huang, Jude Lowe, Thomas So, Eddy Zhou, Evan Mazur, Cameron Rowbury, Guy Witherow, Nathan Paykin, Thomas Miles, Ben Lofthouse, James Eustice, Henry Green 1 win
It was a pleasure to coach such a wonderful bunch of players who shared a passion and love for the game as I do.
Row 2: Mr Jordan Rees (Coach), Joseph Childerley, Steven Chandler, Andrew Lancaster, Nathan Harbutt, Jeremy Miao, Jakob Sloan
8A
In Mentone Grammar’s first semi-final appearance since 2009, a daunting trip to a Marcellin side with seven wins from seven games awaited. Mentone came in with its strongest side with everyone returning from injury. An early goal from Smethurst saw Mentone take a 1-0 lead into the half time break. After soaking up the incessant Marcellin attacks, finally the ladder leaders prevailed, scoring to make it
Absent: Mr Michael Linahan, Tarn Smith
Coach: David Gibson The First XI Soccer season commenced against reigning premiers PEGS. Despite a strong start by the home side, PEGS ran out comprehensive winners 7-0. A trip to The Peninsula School followed and Mentone was dominant, leading 3-1 at half time before scoring 4 in the second half to win 7-1. Another top-four side in Ivanhoe visited Keysborough and after trailing 2-0 early on, Mentone produced some exquisite football to lead 3-2 with 20 minutes to go. Unfortunately the Mentone boys were unable to hold on and Ivanhoe scored the final three goals of the game to win 5-3. Next up was a visit from Yarra Valley and Mentone played its best football of the season and won 6-0. Halfway through the season and sitting 5th with 2 wins and 2 losses, Mentone hosted 4th placed Trinity in what was billed as a season defining game. Despite losing Nanton Magee and George Smethurst to injury, a fine goal from Jack Athanas opened the scoring and after Trinity was reduced to 10 men before half time, the game was as good as over. Two goals in either half saw Mentone cement its spot in the top four with a 4-0 victory. After the Queen’s Birthday weekend a visit to Marcellin saw the Mentone boys on the end of an 8-0 drubbing. The final game of the home and away season was a must-win game against bottom placed Camberwell. In a tight defensive game, Aidan Taylor prodded home from 6 metres to secure a 1-0 victory. A regular season record of 4 wins and 3 losses equalled a 4th place finish and a trip to top side Marcellin on the other side of the Term 2 holidays.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 239 field cohesion but this will come over time as they play on together; getting to know the game, its strategies as well as the strength and weaknesses of their team mates as well as their own. All this will help them improve both individually and as a team.
Felix O’Neill-Pugh was an effective goalie throughout all matches, and was well supported by the team, defending when more goals could have been scored.
Row 1: Dylan Tomlinson, Nicholas Opie, Nicholas Berry, Dekota Mark, Jake Adderley, Daniel Carruthers, Nathan Klein
Soccer SOCCER FIRST XI – BOYS
HOCKEY
Harrison Dart, Thomas Meldrum, Tomas O and Jake O’Brien were some of the major improvers from the beginning to end of the season along with every other player, who contributed and played their role. Since they have this enthusiasm and with the right skill development and understanding of the game this year and for future years to come they will become a great team if they stick together. It was a pleasure to coach such an energetic group of boys and I really enjoyed it.
Absent: Mr Tim Macdonald, Kiaan Storti
Row 1: Jack Athanas, Joshua Daly, Aidan Taylor, George Smethurst, Dhruv Rodrigues Chico, Marc Shermon, Luke D’Alessandro
SOCCER FIRST XI BOYS
–
240 | THE MENTONIAN ReportsSportWinter2015 1-1. Despite creating a number of chances throughout the game Mentone was unable to capitilise, and due to the AGSV rules of the highest placed team qualifying for the Grand Final we were knocked out with the 1-1 draw. This would be the only time all season that Marcellin didn’t collect the maximum points, as they went on to win the GF 3-1. A third versus fourth playoff with PEGS followed and with a mixture of line ups and personnel PEGS won 6-1. Season 2015 has been a strong season for the First XI, handing debuts to three Year 9 players that will be the back bone of the team for the next three years. Two players were selected to the AGSV Representative team in Robert McKenna and George Smethurst. Lewis Cotsopoulos was named as the back-up goalkeeper, despite missing the first three games with serious illness. The draw against eventual premiers Marcellin in the Semi Final, the strong wins against Trinity and Peninsula stand out as highlights. Sixteen of the nineteen man squad will be returning in 2016 as Mentone looks to make the next step and win their first premiership since 1993.
SOCCER THIRDS Coach: Kyle Conlon Team Members: John Papasimeon (C), George Mavrogiannis, Alec Christopoulos, Alex Ung, Max Morison, Ewan Scott, James Edwards, Alex Shermon, James Edwards, Daniel Malyaris, Alex Verrills, Sammy Abdalla, Dillon Khaira, Nick Meehan, Josh Burgess, Patrick Blay, Oliver Strong, James Litsios, Andrew Verginis, Kingston Panhaboth Hun, Josh Daly, James Shaw, Nick Gibbs
Row 2: James Shaw-Driver, Robert McKenna, Lewis Cotsopoulos, Alexander Tzimokas, Nicholas Gibbs, Mr David Gibson
Row 3: Bradley Chick, Jacob Michaelides, Riley Ghent, Nanton Magee, Evan Bibby
Conceded)
Season Result: 5 Wins / 4 Losses / 0 Draws (23 Goals Scored, 19 Goals
The season threw up many highlights and the top three are as follows: 1. Pat Blay’s header goal against Camberwell, bouncing as if he was on a pogo stick, above the other players, to slot it into the back of the net. 2. Would be the amount of times George Mavrogiannis hit the cross bar, whether he was trying to or not I think it is safe to say he is the cross bar challenge King. However, top place goes Alec Christopoulos for his incredible goal against PEGS. Striding down the left wing he beat countless players and calmly beat the keeper near post to keep our hopes of beating them alive. A thoroughly enjoyable year, I couldn’t imagine coaching a better bunch of people and I hope that you all do well in your finals exams.
The boys worked hard and played hard, perhaps none more so than Stefan Gerrard who was scarily imposing for a younger member of the team, but for this year at least, it wasn’t to be. However, as this season closes and we turn our attention to next year, we can already look forward to more of the rapidly improving Mahmoud and Edwards in 2016, alongside some new talent from our Year 8 pool.
The team was a young squad of mostly Year 9 players. Our first two games were against the two toughest teams in the entire league, and after two very tough losses, the “Killer Bs” settled into their game, and started competing very well against the older teams. After narrow losses to Yarra Valley and Trinity, the boys finally tasted their first win, emphatically beating Peninsula 5-0. They followed this with another win against Ivanhoe by a large margin. The Bs didn’t enjoy another win, but came close several times.
Entering their final season of winter sport for Mentone Grammar ever, the Thirds Soccer players were full of confidence that they would recreate their stellar form of two years ago and again go undefeated. However, it turned out the season would not play out for them the way they had hoped. With schools such as PEGS and Marcellin seemingly bolstering all of their senior teams en route to successful seasons for all senior teams. Their composed players and well set plays were too much for the Thirds boys as those two schools handed us three of four losses for the season. On the other hand the boys proved to be too strong for every other opposition they came up against and made easy work of Peninsula and Camberwell, winning big on both occasions.
Best and Fairest: James Edwards Most Improved (runner-up): Alec Coach’sChristopoulosAward (third ): Ewan Scott and George Mavrogiannis
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 241 Goal Scorers: Alec and Ewan 5, George 4, Andrew 3, John 2, Alex Ung 1, Josh 1, Pat 1
Best and Fairest 3, 2, 1: 3 – Paul Holland 2 – William Carter 1 – Rees Emsley Coach’s Award: Paul Holland Most Improved: Tim Edwards
We started the season full of optimism about what lay ahead. With a new injection of pace from our Year 9 cohort and the skills to match, it was looking like we were about to have a great season. Indeed, in our first match, out beneath the flight path to Tullamarine and with planes a few hundred metres overhead, we started well and looked lively.
Will Carter and Markos Koulouris looked damaging going forward and our midfield, led by captain Paul ‘Dutchy’ Holland, was creating opportunities. The backline was well marshalled by the robust Emsley and we were fiercely competitive with a strong PEGS side. Unfortunately, a couple of goals were conceded with momentarily lapses in concentration and before we knew it, we had lost the game. This turned out to be the recurring tale of our season. While we were able to play well and match the best sides, at times outplaying them, we weren’t able to sustain it for the whole 60 minutes.
SOCCER INTERMEDIATE A Coach: James Walton Team AlexanderMembers:Harris, Adam Mahmoud, Stefan Gerrard, Rees Emsley, Daniel Vise, Paul Holland, Kiaan Storti, Harry Austin, Joshua Jaden, Peter Vasarmis, Markos Koulouris, Sahishnu Siva Ram, Timothy Edwards, Joshua Furneaux, Brandon Demura, Max Bull and William Carter Season Result: Won 2 / Drew 1 / Lost 5
SOCCER INTERMEDIATE B Coaches: Nick Grose and Henry Kiss Team TheodoreMembers:Theodoropoulos, William Leeds, Nick Milledge, Sean Enright, Mina Attia, Damian Papadopoulos, Josh Barclay, Josh Johannson, Trenton Johnson, Jamie Rosaia, Peter Varsarmis, Pat Bankin, Jasper Gordon and Nick Archibald Season Result: 2 wins / 6 losses
The most endearing quality of the Bs was that they were all looking to improve. Even though they lost several games, they still tried to improve on the second half, and they never gave up in their search for the win. The most telling example of this was that we lost to Marcellin by a huge margin early in the year, but when the two teams met again, it was an even game, and Marcellin only narrowly escaped with the win after the game was cut short due to injury. This typified the killer Bs, where even in a loss they were always trying to improve, and they never gave up. After a long season, all of the players developed themselves as star players, and worked hard together as a team. I am sure all the players will be promoted to the Intermediate A squad next year.
242 | THE MENTONIAN ReportsSportWinter2015
YEAR 8A SOCCER Coach: Jordan Stapleton Team Members: Lucas Bartlett, Frixos Bountroukas, Riley Friso, Alexander McCann, Jonah Howell, Aaron Jones, Zac Vallis, Aaron Moore, Theodore Politis, Julius Schulze, Samasidh Siva Ram, Ethan Staggs, Vincent ThaiChan, Jaiden Watts, Christopher Dikranis Season Result: 1-0-8
Most Improved: Ethan Staggs SOCCER Coaches:8BJordan Johnson and Hamish Yule Season Result: 1 draw / 1 win / 6 losses
The team showed flashes of great potential throughout the season but struggled to give a consistent start to finish effort. However in our final game of the season it all finally came together with a dominant 4-1 victory fueled by a complete team effort. This team will only get better with more age and experience and will be a dangerous team in future seasons.
BestAwards:and Fairest: 3 – Julius Schulze 2 – Frixos Bountroukas
Coach: Mark Stembridge Team ThomasMembers:Fisher,Will Howroyd, Bryn Walker, Sean Callaghan, Lachlan Brown, Lucas Filikotzias, Nathan Booth, James Mullan, Nicholas Stephenson, Conor Beveridge, Abhijit Das, Sean Cunningham, Edward Fisher (C), Kentaro Bowden, Matt Dunkerley, Alex Wong, Mitch Booth, Riley Baxter, Lachlan Hart, Tianyi Yuan, Michael Demura, Julian Sasson, Zach Stagg, Shengjun Zhang, Boyuan Zhang, Linzhi Fu, Junlin Yan, Owen Adams Season Result: 7 wins / 1 draw / 1 loss
The boys had a good start to the season playing PEGS with a 0-0 draw. However, the following five weeks were tough, playing a mixture of A teams in the Boys B league, and A players in opposition B teams. Despite the team’s exceptionally hard work at training, going over complex drills and tactics, the boys were still unsuccessful. However, in the final game for Term 2, Mentone played Trinity in a convincing win of 4-2. The win was due to the extra effort the boys put into training that week, along with them playing as a team rather than individually. Following the three-week break and a bye, the team was ready to outdo themselves again, playing their final away game against Marcellin. The final match of the season was played exceptionally well in the first half, the score being kept to nil all. But in the final five minutes of the second half, two goals were kicked against Mentone and, unfortunately, a loss for the final game. In comparison to last year, Marcellin
We started slowly in our first game against Trinity, conceding two goals in the first five minutes but the team showed fantastic spirit and with clinical finishing from Mitchell Booth (4) and Nathan Booth (2) we ran out 6-4 winners, scoring three goals in the last three minutes. This set the tone for the rest of the winter season; our next three score lines were 6-0, 7-0 and 9-0. Riley Baxter, Sean Callaghan, Will Howroyd, Bryn Walker, Sean Cunningham and others worked hard in training on defending as a unit and on support play and they implemented these tactics in the games. Our defence and solid goalkeeping from Thomas Fisher had opposition teams finding it very difficult to score against us. A mixture of mean defending and accurate and clinical attacking proved too much for most teams as we scored 48 goals and conceded only 15. Most of our goals came from Mitchell and Nathan Booth and Lucas Filikotzias but Conor Beveridge, Abhijit Das and Lachlan Brown also chipped in with their share. James Mullan, Ed Fisher and Nicholas Stephenson linked our play well and broke down the opposition play from midfield. Many of our goals came from excellent defensive midfield play from either of these players.
The players of Mentone 4th White played every game with intensity and respect for the opposition, the referee and Mentone Grammar; they trained hard on Wednesdays and applied the tactics to match situations on Saturdays. I would like to congratulate and thank them for a very satisfying season.
SOCCER OPEN 4TH WHITE
1 – Chis Dikranis Coach’s Award: Aaron Moore
It was a tough season for a team that was at the disadvantage of having a group of defenders that had little experience playing together and at a high level. However, they were fast learners and keen to improve, encouraging each other and working to get better each and every week. Although there weren’t many positive results on the scoreboard, this was an unfair reflection on a season filled with promising signs for the future. The boys were competitive in all but one game and could have easily won multiple games if not for bad luck and injury. Losing Aaron Moore, the team captain and keeper to injury was a tough blow but Julius Schulze and Alexander McCann filled in admirably in his absence.
As each week passed, the team’s decision making, basic passing and game awareness drastically improved; evident from the great performances put in by each and every player on game day. By the end of the semester break, the team had accumulated five wins from seven games. A great result from a team that was beginning to play some quality soccer. With only two games to play after the term break, the disruption of not training, losing a player and playing two excellent soccer schools proved to be a contributing factor during our first game back. Although taking a 2-0 lead against Trinity, the boys were unable to finish off the game after Trinity netted 3 back-to-back goals in under 10 minutes to give them a much deserved win. Our last game was against Marcellin who beat us a convincing 0-6 only five rounds prior. The boys knew it was going to be a tough game and started off on fire going 2-0 up against a team that had only been beaten once this year. Although losing the game 3-2, it is a credit to the boys on how far they’ve come in only a short period of time.
SOCCER 7B WHITE Coach: Elies El Chaar
BASKETBALL SECONDS Row
BASKETBALL SECONDS Coaches: Arran Battish and Kate Hore Season Result: 9 wins / 1 loss For the 2015 winter season we would be placed into the Second division. With a young side comprising of one Year 12, one Year 11, one Year 10 and 6 Year 8/9 and in a new division we had no idea how the season would shape. Unfortunately we would not find out until the second round due to a fixture error. Come the second round we were ready and raring to go, and we didn’t look back. After 9 rounds and 9 consecutive wins we had gone undefeated. No matter, home or away, we showed up to win, understanding a successful year would set us up for next season. All nine players have or do play basketball outside of School Sport, which gives us the experience and required skills that are required to compete at the next level. With only our Captain Issy Hore leaving us next year, we believe we have laid the foundations for years to come, to make a competitive stand in the First Division. Kate and I would like to thank Leah and Erin for all their support this year and wish all the girls all the very best for Summer Sport. 2: Ms Kate Hore, Stephanie Kelly, Ella Ryan, Eliza Hollingsworth, Isabelle Leonidas, Mr Arran Battish Row 1: Sophie van Vliet, Isabelle Hore, Lucy Bowman Absent: Madison Daley, Jamie Lee Munn
After a difficult first game away to PEGS, which ended in a disheartening loss, the team quickly regrouped and was eager to start training properly after the majority of the boys returned from their trip to central Australia. With a well-rounded squad whose talents equally matched their passion and commitment towards training and the games, coaching the team was a pleasure with certainly more highs than lows.
The 7B White Soccer team was never going to be a results driven team. For this group it was about learning how to be positive and participating to the best of their ability, regardless of the score line. There were a few blow out score lines although these boys kept turning up and improving weekly. They saved their best game until the last with a 1-0 loss to a more fancied Camberwell whilst playing one man short.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 243 won 8-0, so the boys should be very proud of their effort and the vast improvement.
SOCCER 7A Coach: Jamie David Moody
Thanks to Hamish Yule for his support in coaching the team last year and this year. I wish the boys all the best in their future sport at Mentone Grammar.
Basketball
I would like to thank Anna from the Intermediate C team for playing in this game as we had an injury and illness. The girls played well as a team, supported each other and worked hard at training to improve their game all season. Jess was a standout for the team using her size, strength and endurance to great effect, her best games were against the A Grade teams. Charlotte and Nicola played some outstanding games and both showed great leadership. Jordon, Sophie and Annabel were the biggest improvers, Jordan was fantastic around the basket using her height to rebound and shoot, Annabel played great defence and used her size to advantage, Sophie improved her shooting and was in the top scorers at the end of the season. Natalie and Madelyn who were new to basketball did many good things and really improved as the season went on. Natalie was great in transition using her speed to advantage and Madelyn, if my memory is correct, scored our only 3-point shot. Well done girls you should be proud of your effort and improvement.
244 | THE MENTONIAN ReportsSportWinter2015
I would like to thank Olivia and Tilly from the Inter C team for stepping up to the Bs to make up five players. The girls worked really hard all game but eventually ran out of steam and were overrun late in the game recording a 10 point loss.
All in all it was an enjoyable season, with all of the girls bonding and having a good time on and off the court. The improvement seen in all the girls was outstanding and we were very excited to get a few wins for the season. Every team member contributed and tried their hardest at all times.
BASKETBALL INTERMEDIATE C
Coach: Mark Linnett Season Result: 7 wins / 2 losses
The girls of Thirds Blue Basketball have had quite a successful winter season, only losing two games. They have competed each game with a great attitude of not just trying their best to perform but also to enjoy themselves and have fun. This has been the environment that I, as Coach, have tried to create, and the girls have taken it on board and run with it. Each player has their own strengths and weaknesses, and as a group we found how these fit together – whether it be shooting, passing, rebounding, defence (or fouling). Each of the players played their role to the best of their ability which was of great satisfaction to me as coach. I wish all of the girls the best for the future and hope that they enjoyed their basketball experience this year.
BASKETBALL - INTERMEDIATE B/A Coach: Brian Moyle
BASKETBALL THIRDS BLUE
Coach: Taylor Mason Team Members: Michaela Burgess, Daisy Shurlin, Olivia Pukallus, Sarah Bryant, Emily Hill, Emma Stephenson, Anna Daly, Samantha Kershaw, Charlie McGilvray and Emily Bresnehan
For our last game before the holiday break; in the original fixture we were due to have a bye but in the preceding week the fixture was changed and we were given a game against Carey Gold. With most of the team already booked in for holidays we were left with three players.
For the two games after the break we were moved up to A grade which was a huge step up in the class of the opposition. In the first A grade game the girls were a little overawed and Haileybury won comfortably. The last game of the season was against Wesley, for this game the girls believed they could compete at this level, after a close game, with a few minutes left Wesley went on an 8-nil run which ended up being their winning margin.
BASKETBALL JUNIOR A
When we picked this team at the start of the season we decided it was going to be a development year and that’s what is was. The girls were really up against it physically, against the bigger Year 8 girls but they kept fighting and really improved as the year went along and I think they will be better off next season for the experience. We had mixed results throughout the year but the thing with these girls is they listened to what I was telling them and
The season began on a high, with the winning margin of our first three games against Geelong College, Peninsula and Wesley being 30 plus points. Our next game against Carey Blue was a hard fought game, with the scores close with five minutes to play the girls displayed great teamwork and strong defence as we pulled away to record a 17 point win. Our next game against PEGS was the highlight of the season, with a few minutes to play we were 4 points down. The girls responded to the challenge and with 12 seconds remaining the scores were level. Jess received a pass under the basket and was fouled on the shot, she stepped up to the foul line and calmly made both foul shots, resulting in a 24-22 win.
Coach: Nathan Crosswell
Highlights for Mentone’s goalers were the composure allowing them to shoot accurately against very tall opposing defenders and move swiftly to create space. The mid court players had speed and worked well in any combination. They connected the court well and improved their timing each week. Defensively the team was very strong and won endless turnovers in the circle. The defenders rotated together matching up against opposition goalers well.
We started this season in the Junior C division and played so well that we had won every game by at least 36 points. Other schools requested that we move up to Junior B, which we did for just the last two rounds of the season. In the Junior B division we lost one, but won the last game of the season by 4 points. Throughout this season our teamwork skills got a lot better and we shared the ball around so everyone got a chance to shoot and dribble. Our coach Emily taught us to have fun and be competitive at the same time. We thank Emily because she helped us believe in ourselves and realise our potential, making our team ‘undefeatable’ whilst in the C division. The team was the best junior Basketball team Mentone has had in the Years 7-8 winter school sports. It was a perfect winter season, we only realised we missed playing the games on the holidays, when we didn’t have to wake up so early. Thank you so much to Amy Scopel and Drew Barkley for sometimes playing with the B/C team. You were a great help and we appreciated it.
Coach: Kristie Beames Team SamanthaMembers:Gilliver, Madeline Stewart, Damaris Kaukesa, Kate Meehan, Gail D’Souza, Gabrielle Burton, Emily Keogh, Emily Giddens, Sarah Cimino
NETBALL SENIOR THIRDS
BASKETBALL JUNIOR C/B Coaches: Nathan Crosswell, Emily and team manager Jacqueline Cartwright
A big thank you to the coaches and all the parents for their help and support. Let’s not forget the bus drivers who often had to put up with our wonderful singing.
Good luck girls.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 245 they went out onto the court and tried to do it to best of their abilities. It was such an enjoyable experience for me because even though we were losing games, the girls still had fun and enjoyed each other’s company on and off the court. I really look forward to seeing these girls develop between now and next season and am looking forward to seeing improved results next year. Last but not least I would like to thank Mandy and Jacquie for all their help throughout the season, you made my job really enjoyable.
The team started with a strong win and looked towards the season with optimism. We met some tough and very tall opposition, and the girls faced each team with a positive attitude and put in a strong effort. The last game was a highlight, with scores even all through the last half; Gabrielle’s goal after the final siren won the game and was an exciting end to the season.
By Stephanie Warmuz Netball NETBALL SENIOR 2NDS Coach: Monica Clarke Our Senior Seconds Netball had an enjoyable season. The team played competitively each week providing a few big wins, many close games and some challenging losses. The season started slowly, coming up against some strong opposition, however, the girls were able to bring their best to the court each week. The bulk of the season brought out a desire to win providing competitive games and some were very successful.
The Seconds were well bonded all season and developed strongly, both individually and as a team. Trainings brought intensity, focus and humour which enabled every player to improve their skills. Both home and away games were fun. The bus ride banter and pre game warm ups added to the great team bonding and netball development throughout the season.
3. Eliza Coach’sCraneAward: Taneesha Crowe
The mid-court team of Gail, Emily K and Kate worked tirelessly every week and really developed their skills throughout the season. Team captain Gabrielle kept the team motivated as she stepped up to work with Emily G in attack. The injured Sarah came along each week to offer support and encouragement, while doing a great job as our score keeper.
246 | THE MENTONIAN
This winter season I had the pleasure of coaching this group of lovely young ladies. We had an extremely successful season both on and off the court. Over the entire season, the girls improved both individually and as a team. The girls grew together, their newly strengthened team ethic reflecting well on the court and into their netball skills. With some well-deserved wins early in the season, I saw the girls competitiveness grow and not only did they impress me with their willingness to listen and learn, their independence and commitment to the game grew, as they began to proactively seek assistance on how to better themselves as netballers.
I am extremely proud that our team remained undefeated for the entire 2015 winter season. This season, as a coach, was extremely successful. It makes me so happy to be part of the girls’ netball success, but also see the friendships that were formed, beyond the game.
BestAwards:and Fairest: 1. Tatum Sfameni 2. Tara O’Brien
NETBALL INTERMEDIATE B Coach: Maddie Knott This year the Intermediate B squad came out firing, winning games by forty plus goals. The girls had one match against Wesley that in the second half Wesley had been given every centre pass, and Mentone players were out of position and still beating their opposition by almost 50 goals. Up until Term 2 holidays, the girls had only lost one game. The team proved themselves as a strong unit, and a team that supported each other all over the court. Good luck to the Year 10s for next year, hoping to gain a place in the First squad and the Year 9s I’m sure will be great leaders for the upcoming year levels. Congratulations to all the girls on such a great season.
The players proved themselves as a team of fighters. After their original coach had had to leave the program due to work commitments, the girls took it upon themselves to bring the team together. With many players with little netball experience, their final game against Haileybury saw a team that had fought together all season to be the best that they could be. Beginning the game, Haileybury and Mentone were even for the first five or so minutes, however, Mentone out played the opposition and came together as a team to win their second game for the season by 12 points. Congratulations girls, despite the difficulties, you truly proved yourselves in your final game. Good luck with your future netball endeavours.
Most Improved: Grace Howell
The girls are congratulated on their efforts this season. They worked well as a team, supporting each other, with the more experienced players helping the newer players learn new skills and tactics. It was a pleasure coaching the girls this season, we had fun as a team and left every game with a smile.
NETBALL INTERMEDIATE C BLUE
Maddie and Sam kept up a strong defence in every game and were able to lend some tips to Damaris who improved all season to become one of the team’s key defenders.
NETBALL INTERMEDIATE C WHITE Coach: Maddie Knott
I’d like to thank the girls for a wonderful season, I could not be more proud of each and every one of you.
Coach: Melissa Cunnington Team Members: Eliza Crane, Taneesha Crowe, Grace Howell, Ruby Athanas, Kate Derham, Tara O’Brien, Tatum Sfameni and Angelica Nicolas Season Result: ‘Undefeated’.
As the girls started experiencing success on game days I saw them develop into a more cohesive unit, this support making winning that much more enjoyable. With some back-to-back wins early on, the girls became increasingly competitive aiming to keep our ‘undefeated’ label alive. We experienced some varied games across the season; some very impressive wins where the girls really dictated the play and some more challenging ‘close’ games where the team had to show discipline and composure, proving themselves as worthy winners.
ReportsSportWinter2015
The Junior B netball team had an amazing winter season leaving us undefeated. The girls worked very hard to create a strong team dynamic and learnt that they needed to play as a team to achieve high results. Not only did we want them to play as a team, we wanted them to become friends and be able to support one another. We had some nail biting 4th quarters but the girls took on every bit of advice and used it to their advantage. We aimed to make trainings as intense and demanding as possible as we believe that the way you train reflects the way you play. We also had a balance of serious drills and fun drills as we didn’t want the girls to lose focus and we wanted them to enjoy playing netball rather than seeing it as compulsory Saturday Sport. The girls frequently came to us and asked us how they could improve. They were willing to take on our advice and it showed when they played.
JUNIOR B
NETBALL JUNIOR B Coaches: Natasha Harrison and Taylah Fiddes
Row 2: Ms Taylah Fiddes (Coach), Luca Jeffs, Abby Leonard, Elyssa Osianlis, Meg Magennis, Ms Natasha Harrison (Coach)
The season started off with some extremely promising results, with 4 wins and a draw to round off the first five matches. This was backed by our strong firepower upfront averaging 5 goals a game with Rebecca Hayes, Daisy Causer, Makenzie Boys and Chelsy Hardy all leading the way. The second half of the season provided a greater challenge for the girls, gaining 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss with strong defensive efforts from Annabelle Kidd, Nicole Moore, Lola Oswald, Adele Oyarzun and Eden Filikotzias. A particular highlight of the season was our trip to Geelong which saw us defeat a competitive Geelong College outfit with only nine players on the pitch. This was a token match in terms of our hard working midfield consisting of Cate Rausz, Nina Alston, Georgia Rowan, Jamie Riddell and Lotus Jeffs. It was incredibly rewarding coaching a team with such skilled and even talent,
We are very proud of the girls and their constant drive and effort over the whole season and we hope we have the opportunity to coach this great group again in the future.
SOCCER INTER B Coaches: Michael Knott and Elies El Chaar Team Members: Daisy Causer, Rebecca Hayes, Makenzie Boys, Cate Rausz, Annabelle Kidd, Nicole Moore, Lola Oswald, Nina Alston, Adele Oyarzun, Chelsey Hardy, Georgia Rowan, Eden Filikotzias, Lotus Jeffs and Jamie TheRiddell2015 season for the Girls Inter B squad was one of great achievements, seeing us finish the season with an admirable 7 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss. The squad yielded much young talent ranging from Year 8 to Year 10 which fed numerous players into the First team. Despite often playing with an undermanned squad, the girls showed great courage and determination to play no matter the challenge nor opposition. More often than not they were able to overcome these hurdles and get the winning result.
NETBALL
Row 1: Annabelle Eustice, Ellie Wilson, Matilda Appel, Olivia Dickson, Bridie Wilson, Sienna Bolton, Tayla Fox
Absent: Mr Michael Linahan, Tarn Smith
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 247
SOCCER INTERMEDIATE C Coaches: Giancarlo Leung and Michele Gill Team Members: Isabelle Verrills, Pamela Bardis, Grace Goodman, Cayla Le Gear, Isabella Parker, Carla Scott, Winnie Panczel, Christine Zhong, Ruby Gonis, Sophie Hennig, Tayla Langenfelds, Eliza Leydin and Alana Heidecker
The Inter C Soccer Team was a combination of Years 7 to 10 students. This posed a few challenges with the girls training at different times but they came together as a united team each Saturday. The team’s focus was to develop and build upon their skills and gain a greater confidence and understanding of positional play. Giancarlo discussed, demonstrated and put into action different strategies each week. The position of goalie was shared by most of the team. It was great to see the girls all giving it a go and trialling this important but sometimes feared position. They took turns to trial this position. The girls played against Assumption, Ivanhoe, PEGS and Haileybury in home and away games where they always showed enthusiasm and great sportsmanship. It was pleasing to see the girls apply the coaching feedback given in games and they all improved their own individual skill levels. The most valuable player award was tied between Pamela Bardis and Isabella Parker whose efforts were always solid in defence. Striker, Isabella Parker, scored the most goals over the season (with four) for the team.
248 | THE MENTONIAN ReportsSportWinter2015 depicted by our season goal tally which included all but one player. With the girls showing what amazing potential they have, the Mentone Grammar Soccer program has a bright future.
TABLE TENNIS OPEN Coaches: Jonathan Kuhn and Siew Ping Lim Team Members: Miao Miao Chen, Yue Yu, YuXuan Chen, Yunuo Li, Yangyan Lin, Louise Solomonides, Xinyi Liu, Mengyun Fu, Miaolin Huang, Chang Liu, Jinhong Cho, Jiin Jeon, Yulian Wang, Haili Wang, Yuxuan Chen, Lin Qi. The start of the Table Tennis season was challenging once again. Having lost many of the Year 12s from the previous season there was a lot of newcomers within the team in which many had never held a table tennis bat in their life. Thankfully there were still a few students from the previous season who helped in explaining and coaching the group of girls which mainly consisted of international students. Due to the number of students we had three teams each consisting of two girls, where the girls all played through a rotation system. This allowed each girl to experience what is was like in order to play in a competition and go out on Saturdays in order to represent the School. The season started out well and quickly went by. Thankfully there were no incidents and every Saturday we always had the right number of girls arrive and play. I would like to say thank you to Louise Solomonides for filling in many times in order to make up the teams when we were short. I would also like to say thank you to Ms Lim for organising the teams every Wednesday for training for the Saturday games. We would like to also wish the Year 12 girls Yangyan Lin, Mengyun Fu, Miaolin Huang and Lin Qi all the best and good luck for their future studies.
TennisTable
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 249 Sport 1ST BADMINTON Row 2: Lucas Filikotzias, Keling Chen, Liam Grant, Alan Chen, Ms Margaret Lee Row 1: Haoluan Chen, Dooyeon Lee, Yunzhong Hu, James Wake, Kingston Panhaboth Hun 1ST BASKETBALL Row 2: Mr Stephen Hoare, Sam Ralph, Nicholas Gabsch, Matthew Lucas, Kai Owens, Tom Goodwin Row 1: Jackson Charnley, Samuel Lucas, Mackenzie Sheridan, Samuel Callahan, Casper Bjarnason, Benjamin Charnley 1ST CRICKET Row 3: Stephen Clarke, Matthew Hennig, Samuel Hutcheon Row 2: Edward Newman, William Avery, Joshua Freney, Aman Prasad, Lewis Diggins, Abhijit Das, Mr Everard Fenton Row 1: Lachlan Palfrey, James Grant, Jack Cunnington, Lachlan Fryer, Stuart Mills, James Shaw-Driver, Nicholas Henricks Absent: Mr Trevor Stevens
250 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
1ST TABLE TENNIS
Row 2: Ms Leah Percy, Madison Capsalis, Mackenzie Bascombe, Sarah Thompson, Lauren Bartlett, Monique Maitland
Row 1: Tiana Storti, Samantha Fifer, Piper Rausz, Rebecca Leonidas (VC), Caibiran Deas (C), Stephanie Giccominato, Alexandra Boys
Row 2: Yuanyuan Zhang, Dhamsika Samarapathi, Chengzhi He, Mr Jonathan Kuhn
1ST GIRLS SOCCER
Sport
Row 1: Teaghan Avery, Megan Siedle, Amitty Edgeworth (C), Ellen Chick (VC), Hannah Sinclair, Emily Fiddes
Row 1: Bradley Chick, Joshua Jaden, Tyler Bradley, Brady Watts, Matthew Dunkerley
Absent: Holly Adams, Caitlin Baxter, Nattha Ellis, Lauren Fagan, Charlotte Fryer, Sasha Widelski
1ST GIRLS NETBALL
Row 2: Ms Theresa Deas, Sophie Antonellis, Stephanie Sanderson Pearce, Natasha Huttley, Brittany Chambers, Bianca Malby-Luke, Ciara Scott, Ms Deb Frizza
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 251 1ST TENNIS Row 2: Brady Watts, Zac Scherger, Andrew Todd, Wesley Flavell, Trent Jones, James Spencer Row 1: Jason Bartonek, Sahishnu Siva Ram, Anthony Tamborriello, Oliver Florent, Jaiden Watts 10A CRICKET Row 2: Paul Holland, Thomas Siedle, Aidan Taylor, Harry Austin, Owen Leonard, Mr Everard Fenton Row 1: Jamieson McKinnon, Oisin MacRedmond, Massey Parker, Tom Zallmann, Callum Strack Absent: Emile Tait 9C BLUE BASKETBALL Row 2: Harrison Houlahan, Ari Zigouras, Aiden Renshaw Row 1: James Cardamone, Marcus D’Alessandro, Lochlan Hennig Absent: Joshua Barclay, Harry Goakes, Ethan Gough, Adam Mahmoud, Damian Papadopoulos
Row 2: Liam Grant, Colin Reeves, James Wake, Will Davis, Joshua Dunne, Samuel Zerman
Row 1: Alexander Clarke, Mr Laz Moutafis, Mr Sam Brewster, Matilda Maher, Fionn MacRedmond
Row 3: Jack Bunting, Jeremy Gonis, Xichen Sun, Jack Feng
HOCKEY THIRDS
Sport
Row 3: Piermon Schwarz, Dylan Mann, Steven Daly
Absent: Sterling Bold, Joe Bosa, Cameron Moorhouse, Jackson Palmer, Adam Pratt, Oliver Richards-Grubb
252 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
Row 2: Amelia Brooks, Sophie van Vliet, Aleisha Bernamoff, Lucinda McIntyre
Row 1: Stephanie Wilson, Ella Munro, Amy Gowan, Charlotte Sutton, Annabel Best
Row 2: Kristian Stober-Taing, Benjamin Waterson, Tim Cansdale, Raymond Fair, Edward Paton, Ms Bernadette McGill
Row 1: Harrison McFarlane, Victor Ding, Harrison Spencer, Michael Todd, Jonas Schulze, George Dikranis
10B TENNIS
3RD TENNIS
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 253 BOYS SOCCER INTER D Row 3: Ben Waterson, Ben Xu, Jack Ryder Row 2: Pieran Pachiyannis, Daniel Pearce, Charles Styles, Max Tucker, Kristian Stober-Taing, Adam Pavlakos, Mr Umut Ersezer Row 1: Harr y Scopel, Josh Bowles, Nick Spitzer, Jonas Schulze, Raymond Fair Absent: Jeremy Gonis, Jacques Steadman SOCCER JUNIOR B/C Row 2: Mr Simon Crosbie, Jessica Dunkerley, Remi Trigg, Karly Georgantis, Alanah Heidecker, Mia Watkins, Tayla Langenfelds, Bonnie Boys Row 1: Charlotte Pate, Alyssa Hardy, Eleanor Roberts, Lilyana Gorringe, Tiffany Spitzer, Cassidy Hardy, Cyanna Ilic Absent: Yasmin Duffin, Ruby Gonis
Row 1: Emma Burton, Toby Straw, Maddison Moore, Keira Richmond, Ava Ivanov, Ms Steph Freeman, Emma Bennett, Nichola Di Torro, Brayden Johnson, Hayden Cooley, Holly Wale
Absent: Lachlan Adams, Mr Stuart Bainbridge, Cameron Connell, Tiana Dimits, Ms Kate Frazer, Oliver Halbish, Daisy Laws, Monique Zahra
CHELTENHAM DISTRICT SWIMMING
Absent: Mr Stuart Bainbridge, Cameron Connell, Ms Kate Frazer, Lachlan Harrington, Monique Zahra
Row 4: Sasha McLennan, Cooper Friso, James Dennis, Matthew Harris, Luke Gold, Madison Brown, Sarah Connell, Bailey Oregan, Kane Wilson, Alexander Barrett, Ashton Phillips, Riley Spence
Row 1: Holly Wale, Ethan Gorringe, Nichola Di Torro, Ella Heidecker, Ms Erin Hunt, Monique Zahra, Emily Zallmann, Alexander Hopkins, Brayden Johnson
254 | THE MENTONIAN Sport2015
AGSV SWIMMING - JUNIOR
Row 5: Grace Laidlaw, Sienna Salisbury, Zali Reynolds, Kate Bowcock, Alex Hassan, Marcus van Straaten, Simon Hall, Jacob Edwards, Thomas Riley, Jenna Wale, Summer Leonard, Amelia Pritchard
Row 2: Isabella Terry, Ethan Gorringe, Ruby Samild, William Nish, Alex Hopkins, Monique Zahra, Georgia Terry, Jaden Prabaharan, Michael Krol, Emily Zallmann, Hudson Bucci, Ella Heidecker
Row 4: Summer Leonard, Zali Reynolds, Alex de Vos, Simon Hall, Jenna Wale, Tiana Dimits Row 3: Sienna Salisbur y, Alex Hassan, Sarah Connell, Alexander Barrett, Sophie Sibbald, Grace Laidlaw, Amelia Pritchard Row 2: Hayden Cooley, Tao Morgan, Angus Reark, Ashton Phillips, Jack Doulgeridis, Joshua Rabak, Kane Wilson, William Nish
Row 3: Tao Morgan, Tully McKinnon, Livinia Stockdale, Carlos Reynolds, Lachlan Jones, Alyce Kerr, Jack Doulgeridis, Angus Reark, Sophie Sibbald, Jordan Kurta, Chris Vorster
Row 4: Jack Littleford, Grace Laidlaw, Amelia Pritchard, Jenna Wale, Scarlett Trudgen Frances, Summer Leonard, Sienna Salisbury, Sarah Connell
MENTONIAN 2015
CHELTENHAM DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY
Row 1: Sean Lai, Catherine Galati, Hudson Bucci, Hayley Parr, Keira Richmond, Brayden Johnson, Cameron Berry, Holly Wale, Toby Straw
CHELTENHAM DISTRICT ATHLETICS
Row 5: Tiana Dimits, Angus Perkins, Zali Reynolds, Alex de Vos, Mia Causer
Absent: Bethany Bratuskins, Emma Burton, Ellen Fletcher, Ms Kate Frazer, Daniel Matthew, Zali Morris
Absent: Bethany Bratuskins, Daniel Matthew, Zali Morris, Peter Papadopoulos, Lachlan Smith
Row 1: Holly Wale, Peter Natsioulas, Hayley Parr, Keira Patron, Cameron Berry, Ms Jenni Harrison, Hamish Berry, Keira Richmond, Victoria Gelbak, Toby Straw, Brayden Johnson
THE |
Row 3: Angus Reark, Riley Spence, Max Athanas, Heath Belt, Alyce Kerr, James Dennis, Daisy Laws, Cooper Friso, Ashton Phillips, Grace Myles, Carlos Reynolds
Row 2: Hudson Bucci, Jada Stephens, Sean Lai, Joshua Lai, Kai Reed, Monique Zahra, Cassandra Newman, Zac Sniezek, William Nish, Jack Rimanic, Emily Zallmann, Tom Byrne
Row 5: Daisy Laws, Summer Leonard, Zali Reynolds, Brayden Mitchell, Alex de Vos, Riley Wollen, Jenna Wale, Taya Brooks
255
Row 4: Ashton Phillips, Sarah Connell, Sienna Salisbury, Jack Rimanic, William Nish, Grace Laidlaw, Riley Spence, Ethan Gorringe Row 3: Livinia Stockdale, Max Athanas, Angus Reark, Jack Littleford, Alex Barrett, Hugo Marcombe, Lachlan Jones, Charles Daddo, Cassandra Newman
Row 2: Alexander Hopkins, Adam Persic, Monique Zahra, Nichola Di Torro, Jada Stephens, Victoria Gelbak, Angus Marcombe, Tom Byrne, Kai Reed
256 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 CHELTENHAM DISTRICT VOLLEYSTARS Row: Adam Persic, Simon Stevens, Liam Beach, Alex Hassan, Edward Phillips SNOW SPORTS Row 2: Simon Stevens, Sean McCubbin, Charlie Webster Row 1: Abbey Samild, Sally Stevens, Ruby Samild, Poppy Samild, William Richardson Absent: Holly Adams, Owen Adams, Nick Archibald, Casper Bjarnason, Joanne Donaldson, Victoria Gelbak, Sophie Hennig, Ms Erin Hunt, Josh Stephenson Sport
Row 2: Charlotte Goodman, Lucy Mangion, Jaidyn Muhandiramge, Adam Pratt, Ryan Buckler, Lucinda McIntyre, Louise Solomonides, Peronel Taylor, Maxwell Stammers
ORCHESTRA
Row 3: Callum Matthew, Jude Lowe, Meg Siedle, Sarah Cimino, Alex Siedle, Caitlin New
SENIOR VOCAL ENSEMBLE
Row 1: Claudia Brown, Jeffrey Fong, Aleisha Bernamoff, James Pearman, Elizabeth Algeri, Nicholas Sheppard, Eliza Harvey, Callum Matthew, Bridie Easton
Cocurricular – Performing Arts
Row 4: Helena Papasimeon, Tia Botakis, Tessa Petrie, Chanel Galgano, Emily Keogh, Anna Lofthouse, Becca Mendel, Charlotte Pate
Row 1: Nathan Paykin, Austin Hollingsworth, Robert McIntyre, Stuart Pesudovs, Eliza Harvey, Tom Siedle, Luc van Vliet, Nicholas Meehan, Dawei Cao
Absent: Jackson Palmer, Renee Verginis
Absent: Holly Adams, Sarah Bryant, Miaomiao Chen, Alexander Grant, Xinyi Liu, Xiwen Mai, Tyler Milburn, Ben Sorrenson, Zachary Stagg, Henry Wang
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 257
Row 3: Charlotte Bratuskins, Caitlin New, Benjamin Landgraf, Kiara Devers, Patrick Anderson, Anna Mallows-Zejak, Bridgette Kelsey
SENIOR
Row 2: Miles Thomas, Mr Matthew Cohn, Markos Koulouris, Luke Shi, Kai Lindsay, Samuel Zerman, Imogen Davis, Jayde Maluga, Mr Gavin Cornish, Ms Natalie Morgenstern
258 | THE MENTONIAN Cocurricular2015 – Performing Arts FROGGERS Row 3: Benjamin Stone, Tom Siedle, Kai Lindsay, Hardy d’Alquen Row 2: Miles Thomas, Robert McIntyre, Andrew Persic, Ben Lofthouse, Luke Shi, Ben Sorrenson, Ms Natalie Morgenstern Row 1: Caitlin New, Austin Hollingsworth, Nicholas Meehan, Luc van Vliet, Dawei Cao Absent: Tyler Milburn THE CAT’S MEOW Row 3: Claudia Brown, Becca Mendel, Emily Keogh Row 2: Helena Papasimeon, Caitlin New, Ryan Buckler, Adam Pratt, Zoe Lancaster, Ms Lidia Mancini Row 1: Anna Lofthouse, Lucinda McIntyre, Nicholas Sheppard, Charlotte Bratuskins, Chloe Stone Absent: Megan Bresnehan
Row 4: Livinia Stockdale, Denzil Paranihi, Mekhala Bera, Zoe Lancaster, Lachlan Howard, Chanel Kilpady
Row 2: Peronel Taylor, Anna Mallows-Zejak, Lucy Mangion, Bridie Easton, Ms Vanessa Moore
Row 3: Mia Declase, Helena Papasimeon, Tessa Styles, Jamieson Howe, Lani Heidecker, Tiffany Spitzer, Valdis Guppy
Absent: Renee Verginis GLEE
Row 1: Emily Keogh, Lara Huttley, Zoe Lancaster, Alexandra Richards, Helena Papasimeon
Absent: James Gowan
Row 2: Chyna McGilvray, Charlotte Bratuskins, Bronte Reark, Alexandra Shepherd, Olivia Dickson, Kate Bowcock, Mia Watkins, Miss Holly Loughran
Row 1: Isabella Terry, Kira Walters, Imogen Davis, Karly Georgantis, Ruby Gonis, Charlotte Pate, Georgia Terry
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 259 DANCE ENSEMBLE
260 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 BAYVIEW ORCHESTRA Row 3: Simon Stevens, Hardy d’Alquen Row 2: Nicholas Casa, Tarn Smith, Adam Halliday, James Hornibrook, Jayde Maluga, Mrs Debra McLeod Row 1: Daniel Pate, Zachary Sniezek, Ella Heidecker, Daniel Matthew, Ethan Pate Absent: Jason Bartonek, Rhianne Brown, Victoria Gelbak, Zaine Leonard, Callum Roberts, Riley Wollen BAYVIEW BAND Row 3: Jacquie Mendel, Ethan Hunt, Tarn Smith Row 2: Hardy d’Alquen, James Hornibrook, Ryan White, Jiaqi Zhou, Lewis McLachlan, Hamish Berry, Ms Natalie Morgenstern Row 1: Ben Sorrenson, Alex Hassan, Hugo Gill, Ella Heidecker, Samasidh Siva Ram, Charlie Officer, Zachary Sniezek
Absent: Jason Bartonek, Adam Binmore, Ben Leembruggen, Ethan Staggs
Cocurricular – Performing Arts
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 261 BAYVIEW SINGERS
Row 4: Zachar y Sniezek, Taya Brooks, Priya Gill, Chyna McGilvray, Sophie Sibbald, Kira Walters, Maylin Roy, Georgia Terry, Livinia Stockdale, Samuel Dyer
Absent: Cameron Berr y, Harrison Dart, Mia Derham, Tiana Dimits, Sophie Leonard, Sasha McLennan, Tomas O, Hayley Parr, Callum Roberts, Vincent Thai-Chan, Scarlett Trudgen Frances, Mikayla Watson
Row 2: Chanel Kilpady, Madison Brown, Akshaye Ghela, Denzil Paranihi, Charlotte Bratuskins, Myles Brown, Alexandra Sheppard, Emma Rothberg, Nicholas Berry, Zali Reynolds, Alex Hassan, Callum Prior, Paris Papayianneris, Ms Lidia Mancini
Row 4: Jasper Zdanius, Noemi Sniezek, Eleni Somogyi, Jatin Ghela
Row 2: Nicholas Di Rosato, Elise Laws, Baxter Wollen, Matthew Scott, Charlotte Cowan, Stefan Somogyi, Mrs Debra McLeod
Row 3: Lachlan Howard, Zoe Lancaster, Sienna Salisbury, Jamieson Howe, Jenna Binmore, Bronte Reark, Kate Bowcock, Alanah Heidecker, Mia Watkins, Helena Papasimeon, Blake Rosenberg
EBLANA
STRINGS ENSEMBLE
Absent: Nichola Di Tirro, Sophie Frost, McKenzie Hood, Alice Roberts
Row 1: Mia Castello, Poppy Samild, Nicholas Saunders, Emily Zallmann, Anirudh Hariram, Ella Michell, Michelle Fong
Row 1: William Frost, Emma Bennett, Daniel Pate, Ruby Gonis, Isabella Terry, Charlotte Pate, Camille Brewer, Ella Heidecker, Leonard Liu, Emma Burton, Ethan Pate
Row 3: Keira Patron, Charli Bucci, Makenzie Flower, Alexander Barrett, Declan McNamara, Hannah Wagner, Lachlan O’Hara
MUSIC THEATRE
Row 1: Aimee Lancaster, Flynn McEneaney, Zoe Richmond, Keira Patron, Mia Castello, Callum Orr, Michelle Fong Absent: Jordan Pyszczek, Alice Roberts, Sara Zohdi
Row 1: Sophie Shing, Indy Mannix, Olivia Apostolidis, Sarah Chun Absent: Jordan Pyszczek, Jaslyn Wong
Cocurricular
Row 3: Keira Patron, Ella Michell, Madyssen-Elana Kalogerakis, Isabel Ellix
Row 2: Ella Michell, Nichola Di Tirro, Emily Zallmann, Ruby Samild, Charlotte Cowan, Madyssen-Elana Kalogerakis, Ms Lidia Mancini
Row 4: Noemi Sniezek, Grace Sibbald, Emma Adams, Sally Stevens, Indy Mannix, Poppy Samild
Row 2: Leahm Orfanidis, Taj Reynolds, Abigail Barrett, Reahn Orfanidis, Miss Holly Loughran
262 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 EBLANA SINGERS
Row 3: Holly Nish, Abigail Barrett, Jada Stephens, Nicholas Saunders, Elise Laws, Hannah Wagner, Isabel Ellix
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 263 DEBATING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING YEAR 12 Row 2: Alexander Clark, Andrew Todd, Joseph Eddy Row 1: Isabel Shurlin, Tom Goodwin, James Spencer, Brayden Morrow Absent: Connor Bourke DEBATING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING YEAR 11 Row 2: Nathan Booth, Michael Demura Row 1: Piermon Schwarz, Luc van Vliet, Andrew Persic, Robert McIntyre Absent: Frazer Kemp, Matthew Pertich, Dhamsika Samarapathi DEBATING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING YEAR 10 Row 2: Victor Ding, Alex Shermon (PB), Timothy Rossi (PB – Photo bomber), Austin Hollingsworth, Ryan Buckler Row 1: Sahishnu Siva Ram, Thomas Siedle, Zac Scherger, Michael Todd, Harry Spencer Absent: Harry DEBATINGAustinAND PUBLIC SPEAKING YEAR 9 Row: Braden Watts, Sean Enright, Brandon Demura
264 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 DEBATING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING YEAR 7 Row 2: Lilyana Gorringe, Joshua Madden, Jeremy Campbell, Sarthak Singh Row 1: Adam Carnegie, Thomas Meldrum, William Currey, Akul Saigal, Blake Rosenberg EBLANA CHESS CLUB Row 2: Thomas Kurta, Kyle Roos, Jake Vorrath, Ayden Roos, Ayden Tezay, Mr Michael Prabaharan Row 1: Leonard Liu, Ethan Pate, Jaden Prabaharan, Jordan Kurta, Daniel Pate, Frederick Liu Absent: Mr Thomas Feng DUKE OF EDINBURGH Row 2: Thomas Siedle, Casper Bjarnason Row 1: Lucinda McIntyre, Laura Cox, Mrs Kaylen Kornberg (Duke), Sarah Cimino Absent: Frazer Kemp OFFICERS OF CADETS Row 2: Deborah Heath, Gavin Cornish, Craig Deakins, Michael Wilton, Jennifer Blackburn Row 1: Laz Moutafis, Trevor Stevens, Jon Wever (Commanding Officer), Anthony Bingham, James Farquharson Absent: Stuart Bainbridge, Kaylen Kornberg
Acting Lionel Large House Coordinator (Term 2) Binge Dip (Primary Teaching), GradDipEd Year 2 Teacher Bingham BMus, DirectorDipEdofChoral Studies Blake (Term 4) ELC Co-Educator
Fran Burgess Food Technology Assistant Sarah Byrne (Sem 2) BA (Early Childhood Studies) BTEC Higher National Diploma Early Childhood Studies Certificate in Nursery Nursing (NNEB) CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Childminding Practice ELC Co-educator Byrnes ELC Teaching Co-educator Caley BA, CertLLB,III(Education Support) Learning Enhancement
Veronica
Leonie
Michelle
Kara Baxter BA, Dip Ed (Secondary ACU) Psychology/ Humanities Teacher
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 265 Executive Malcolm J. Cater B Bus(Acc), DipEd, MACE, MACEL, MLM PrincipalEd Deborah Frizza MEd, StrategicDeputyBEdPrincipal Jarrod O’Neill B.App.Sci(PE), GradDip. Sports Sc. MSL (Master School Leadership) Deputy OperationsPrincipal Wayne Reed MSc, BSc (Education) Student Performance Manager Cameron Lancaster BASc (Digital Technology), DipEd, HeadMLMEd,of Frogmore Natalie McLennan BEd(Visual Arts), Cert IV (Workplace Training and Assessment) Head of Greenways John Twist MEd, BEd, GradDip (Ed. Admin) DipTeach (Primary) Head of Bayview John Nolan BEd, Dip (Primary Teaching) Head of Eblana Tim Macdonald BComm (Hons), BIS, MTeach Director of Teaching and Learning Emma Heine BEc, GradDip (Education) Head of Pastoral Care Frogmore Teacher Nicole Bradshaw BBus (Acc) CPA Business Manager Richard Keely Dip Teach, BEd GradDip (Human Resources HumanDevelopment)Resources Manager Teaching and Support Staff Debbie Agetzis BEd (Secondary) Cert IV (Training & Assessment) Business Management/Legal Teacher Hanni Alston BSc (Hons), MTeach WhiteMathematics/Science(Secondary)HouseCoordinator Christina Altidis B (Mgt), DipEd, CPE, Cert IV Assess and Workplace Training Faculty Coordinator – Humanities Business Management/Economics Teacher Jaki Atwell ELC Co-educator Stuart Bainbridge MLM Ed, BA, BEd Daily Organiser / Timetabler Head of Swimming (Ret.) Acting Deputy – Greenways (Term 4) David Barber BA, MA, PGCE, DipRSA Faculty Coordinator – LOTE/ International Exchange Alison Barnett Dip Teaching, MAppSc (Teacher BayviewLibrarianship)Teacher Librarian Amanda Barnhoorn B Comm, Grad Dip (Education) Commerce Teacher Head of Swimming 2015/16 Lisa Barton BEd (Secondary), BSc Maths Teacher – Frogmore Marina Basin (Term 4) Certificate III (Children’s Services) ELC Co-educator
Megan
Anthony
Kristie Beames B Eng (Hons) (Electronics) BEd (Secondary), MSc (Education) Mathematics/Science Teacher Vicki Beaumont BA (Early Childhood Education) ELC Teacher Susan Bennett ELC Co-educator
Eblana
Kerryn Bosdorf CertEd (Education Integration Support) Integration Aide Bradley BSc, DipEd Cert IV Assess and Workplace Training Science/Chemistry Teacher Brent Bachelor of Education (Primary). Diploma of Teaching (Primary). Bayview Teacher
Mark
Ben
(Library & Information Services) Eblana/Bayview Library Assistant Sue Carey BA, Dip Ed, Grad Cert Careers CareersEducationCounsellor Susan Carlson BA, GradDip(Psych), DipEd Bayview Mentor/Teacher Jacquie Cartwright DipT (Primary), GradDip Special Education (Hearing Impairment), GradDip Deaf studies (Auslan) Year 6 Bayview Teacher Mandy Chamberlain DipTeach (Primary) GradDip (Information and Communication Technology) Bayview Year 6 Mentor Leigh Chislett BSc (Education), GradDipBus (Comp), GradDipSpSc, FHR Bayview Mentor Libby Chislett MEd (Special Ed) Dip Early Childhood Ed, DirectorELCBEdTeacherofELC Nicky Chiswell BA (Hons) Psychologist/SchoolPsychologyCounsellor Natasha Chrysanthou MA (Teaching: Secondary) BA (Maths) Bill Cleary BEd (Science) Secondary Greenways Learning Journeys Facilitator Stuart Cleeve BEd (Secondary) M GreenwaysTeach Class Coordinator Matthew Cohn B.Mus, M.Ed, Cert IV (Workplace Training and MusicHeadAssessment)ofStringsTeacher Gary Colling BA, Maths/Science/TechnologyBayviewDipEdMentor Teacher Gavin Cornish BMus, GradDipEd, Cert IV (Assess. and Workplace HeadTraining)ofPerforming Arts Director of Music Staff Register
Craig Best BSc Dip Ed Grad Dip (Outdoor Education) Greenways Class Coordinator Maths/Science Teacher
Jodie Campain Registered Nurse Div1 Cert IV in Training and Assessment School Nurse Colleen Carapetis Dip
Jo
Meredith Brown BEd (Home Economics) Food Technology Teacher Bruin BA (Arts and Humanities), BEd, Diploma (Creative Writing) Senior English Teacher Jacqueline Buchan BEd (Early Childhood) ELC Teacher
266 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Staff Register Haley Cotton Bachelor of Education Early Childhood Education ELC Teacher Jacqueline Crothers (Term 3) Humanities / ESL Teacher Samantha Cunnington Dip (Children’s Services) Cert III (Children’s Services) ELC IntegrationCo-educatorAide Louise Daly BEd (Drama Dance Sociology) Senior Drama Teacher Anderson House Coordinator Rhonda Deed DipTeach (Primary), GradDip (Library and Information Studies) Cert (Reading Recovery) Reading Recovery Teacher Eblana Literacy Coordinator Melanie Di Rosato ELC Co-Educator (Term 4) Troy Drinan BAppSci (Hons), DipEd Eblana Sport Teacher Frogmore Teacher Angela Eaton GradDip Library and Information BachelorManagementofFine Art (Hons) Library Technician (Audio Visual) Barbara Edgar BAppSci (Library and Information Services), GradDipSci (Arc Rec) Frogmore Librarian Callum Endacott (Sem 1) BEd (Middle School) Bayview TechnologiesMentorTeacher Ursula Erdelyi-Götz LLB, BA, Bayview/FrogmoreGradDipEdLOTE Teacher Umut Ersezer BSc (Biology Major) Greenways Class Coordinator Science Teacher Wayne Essing BEd BayviewYears(Primary)5&6CoordinatorMentor/Teacher Greg Evans BEd Eblana(Primary)Year3 Teacher Vic Evans GradDipSocSc (Student Guidance & Welfare) Cert IV (Workplace Training & CertCertCertCertAssessment)IV(HROperations)IVOH&STraining(ProfStudies)(Youth&Adolescent Dev) Student Services Officer Finlay Anderson House Coordinator Cocurricular Coordinator International Student Coordinator James Farquharson BEd (Secondary) Librarianship Cert II (Resource Operations) Deputy Head of Greenways Cadets – Training Myfanwy Farquharson BEd (Secondary) Librarianship Frogmore Teacher/Mentor Head of Libraries Miriam Floyd Bachelor Early Childhood Studies Diploma Social Science (Child Care CertServices)Applied Social Sciences (Child Care Studies) ELC /Pre Prep Teacher Sarah Forster-Muir (Sem 2) BEd (Drama Media & English) Dip (Arts, Music Theatre) Cert (Performing Arts) Greenways Class Coordinator English Teacher Tammy Frankland ELC Co-educator Kate Frazer M Teach (Primary/Leadership), BComm (Journalism) Bayview Mentor Stephanie Freeman BEd Eblana(Primary)Year4 Teacher Catherine Friend BMus(piano/singing), AMusA (piano/ singing theory), MIMT GradDipEd VCE Music Teacher School InstrumentalPianist/AccompanistMusicTeacher (Piano, Singing, Theory, Accompaniment) Robyn Fuerst DipArt & Design (Ceramics), GradDipEd, GradDip (Visual Arts), Cert IV (Workplace Training) Visual Arts Teacher Michele Gill BEd FrogmoreVisual(Design)ArtsTeacherandBayview Heidi Gilmour (Term 1) DipEd, GradDip (Computer Ed), GradDip (Sports Science) Head of Girls’ Sport HPE Teacher Amanda Gluyas Laboratory Manager Jonathan Gooley Bachelor of Fine Art (Painting) Victorian College of the Arts PostGradDip Teaching (secondary) Visual Arts Technician Hugh Green BA, DipEd, GradDip (Lib & Info Sc), ArchivesALAA Coordinator Justine Hamilton BA, B Eblana(Teach)Year4 Teacher Jenni Harrison Dip (Teach), BEd Years 5 & 6 Curriculum Coordinator Bayview Mentor/Teacher Andrew Hayes BAppSci (Human Movement), GradDipEd (Secondary) Faculty Coordinator- Health and PE (5 to 12) Meg Hayes BEd (Hons) Dip (Modern Languages DoctorMEd-Indonesian)(Research)ofPhilosophy (PhD) Prep Teacher Caroline Hegarty Dip (Children’s Services) Cert III (Children’s Services) ELC Co-Educator Julia Hicks (Sem 1) BA (Hons), DipEd Public Speaking Coordinator Greenways Class Coordinator English Teacher John Horler FrogmoreBEd Teacher Mary Howard Cert IV Dis Work (ACRACS), Cert III Integration(Education) Aide Joanne Kamp BEd (Science) Year 8 BayviewCoordinatorMentor/Teacher Elizabeth King BEd (Primary), BA Year 5 Mentor Henry Kiss BA (Rec Management), DipEd, MEd (Experiential Learning) Cert IV Workplace Training & GreenwaysAssessmentClass Coordinator Kaylen Kornberg BEd (Art & Craft), PASE Technology Teacher Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator Natalka Kostraby DipEd (Secondary), BA (Economics) Economics Teacher Frogmore Mentor Ev-Kathrein Kreppert (Term 3) German Teacher Hong-Yi Kuhn Welfare Officer/Homestay Manager Steve Kuruc BSc.DipEd (secondary) Science Teacher Bayview Mentor Jenny Lamb BAppSci, CertAppSci Science Technician Kate Lang MTeach (Prim), BA(Media and CertCommunication)III(Sportand Recreation) Year 5 Mentor Sarah Lang BAppSc, Human Movement and Health Studies BEd (Middle and Secondary) HPE Alana Leahy BEd (Early Childhood) ELC Teacher Jackie Liepa BEd (Primary & Secondary) Eblana Year 3 Teacher Siew Pyng Lim BA, Frogmore/BayviewDipEd EAL/Humanities Teacher
Katherine Nish BEd (Secondary), B (Health Science) Cert IV Training and Assessment Greenways Café Program Coordinator Norton (Term 2) Maths Teacher Novak DipTeach (Primary), Trained Teacher’s Teacher of the Deaf (TTCTD), BA, MA (Education Hearing Impaired), Grad DipEd (School FrogmoreLibrarianship)Teacher Octigan of Early Childhood Studies AssocDipSocSc (Childcare) Teacher Odrey Comb.B Arts and Education French Teacher O’Flaherty DipEd (Primary) Grad Dip
Julee
Bev
ELC
Natalie Morgenstern GradDipEd, BFA (Jazz Studies) Head of Woodwind Music Teacher Ken Morrish BEd, ECE ELC Pre-Prep Teacher
(Special Ed) Eblana Year 2 Teacher Peter O’Gorman MEd (Leadership and Management) BAppSciBEd (Human Movement) Year 7 EnglishBayviewCoordinatorMentorandHumanities Teacher Jenna Oliver B Teach (Physical and Health HPEEducation)Teacher Christene Orchard Dip (Early Childhood), Certificate III (Community Services, Children’s Services), Integration Aide ELC Co-educator Chloe Otten Bachelor of Primary Education, Diploma of dance (Ballet & Performing Arts) and Certificate 3 in Dance/DramaDance Teacher Michelle Palfrey BA, EnglishDipEdHumanities Teacher John Pascoe BA EnglishDipEdTeacher Andrew Pate BEd, CertIV Program Technologies Deighton House Coordinator Tracey Pate BA, GradDipEd, PostGradDipPsych Literacy Coach English Teacher Bayview Mentor Rob Patterson DipTeach(Primary), BEd Bayview Mentor Tanja Pausenberger BA/BSC (Hons), PGrad Dip Psych, MPsych (Counselling) MAPS Psychologist/ School Counsellor Adrian Payne BA(Hons), GradDip TESOL Jones House Coordinator Leah Percy Diploma (Personal Training) First Aid Management (Anaphylaxis) Sports Administration Manager Kirsty Petschel BA (Visual and Media), GradDipEd CertIV(Secondary)(Training and Assessment) Visual Art Teacher Bayview Mentor Emma Phillips BSc (Psych), GradDipEd (Sec) MEd (Student Wellbeing) eLearning – Frogmore Frogmore Teacher Sylvia Ponnusamy MA (Writing and Literature) BA (Writing), Dip Ed Frogmore English/EAL Teacher Catherine Poulton BA, BTeach (Primary and Secondary) TCRG: An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha (TCRG) Learning Journeys Facilitator and GreenwaysTeacher Campus Rev. Michael Prabaharan BTh (Hons), DipMin, MEd Dip(Counselling)(Training & Assessment) ReligiousChaplain Education Teacher Jessika Rabe 1st and 2nd State examination for Primary and Secondary School Teaching – Germany German Teacher Natalie Radin (to Term 3) BA (Hons) Paediatric Nursing Registered Nurse Div 1 Cert IV (TAE) School Nurse James Rainey BA (Classics), GradBEd (Secondary) Bayview Mentor World Challenge Coordinator Leonie Redfern BEd Maths/ScienceBayview(Secondary)MentorTeacher
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 267 Michael Linahan BSc (Hons), PGCE, Cert IV (Workplace Assessment) Senior TeacherPhysics/Mathematics/IT Kris Little BEd (Primary), BAppSc (Human EblanaMovement)Year 1 Teacher Amy Long BA, BEd (Secondary), DipLang Assistant(French) Coordinator Year 7 Year 7 EnglishMentorTeacher Holly Loughran BA, EnglishCertCertGradDip,MusicTheatreIV(DancePerformance)Dance/DramaTeacher Yan Ma BA, Dip Ed Chinese Language Teacher Lidia Mancini Bachelor of Music (Hons) (Education) Classroom Music Teacher Max Marrow GradDipEd, GradDip (Careers Ed) GradDip (Bus PolicySt), AssDip (Art VETSailingCareersSculpture)CounsellorCoordinatorCoordinator Michael Martin DipTeach, GradDip (Curric Admin) Deputy Head of Bayview Paul Matthew BSc (Hons), PhD, GradDipEd, MACE Frogmore Mathematics Teacher Faculty Coordinator – Mathematics Cross Country Coach Terry Matthew BEd (Hons) B Primary Ed Were House Coordinator English Teacher Cross Country Coach Tanya McAllister BSc, GreenwaysDipEd Class Coordinator Science Teacher Bernadette McGill BSc Mathematics(Education)Teacher Colin McGill MA, BSc (Ed), CertEd (Int) Foundation Maths Teacher Debra McLeod BEd (Secondary) A Mus A (Violoncello) Suzuki Piano/Violoncello Eblana Music Teacher Eblana Instrumental Music Coordinator Genevieve McNair BEd (Sec Arts) Cert IV (Training & Assessment) English and Drama Teacher Bayview Mentor Belinda McNeil MEd (Special Education), BA, DipEd White(Secondary)House Coordinator Tony McRae BEd (Hons) Mathematics Frogmore Maths Teacher Hayley Meeking (Term 4) Registered Nurse Div1 Cert IV (Training and Assessment) School Nurse Vanessa Moore BA (Music Theatre), MA (Teaching) Cert III (Community Recreation) Greenways Class Coordinator Drama and Dance Teacher
Adele
Bachelor
Laz Moutafis BE (Mech), BBus (Banking & Finance), GradDipEd Drinan House Coordinator Physics and Science Teacher Rohan Murphy BHealthSc, GradDipEd Lionel Large House Coordinator Frogmore PE Teacher Arena Nilsson BEd Sec Graduate(Hons)DipGenetic Counselling Maths and Science Teacher
Certificate
Librarian Vikki
Marianna
VCE
Simone White (Leave) BEd (Early Childhood Studies) ELC Teacher Beth Wilcock Bachelor of Psychology, PostgradCert (Prof Psychological Practice), DipEd Teach School(Primary)Psychologist/ Counsellor Kym Willett MHRM (Training and Dev), BEd, Cert IV (Assess & Workplace Training) HPE and English Teacher
Staff Register
Hamish
268 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Penny Redgrave BA, DipEd, MEd (Special Ed) Learning Enhancement Facilitator –Frogmore Aaron Richard BA, BSc, GradDipEd French, Chinese and German Teacher Jessica Richards BEd, B EblanaCurriculum(Teaching)CoordinatorYear1Teacher Rosemary Richter DipEd, BEd, GradDip (Maths BayviewLeadership)Year 5 Mentor Bridgitte Roberts M (Psych), GradDip (Adolescent & Child Psych), BA (Psych/Comm) Psychologist/SchoolMediator Counsellor Dean Rogers (Term 1) Accounting/Commerce Teacher Barbara Rolfes German/FrenchBEd Teacher Beverly Ross BA, DipEd (Secondary), MEd (Teacher Eblanalibrarianship)Teacher Librarian Kerry Rowan Cert III (Education) Cert IV (Integration Aide) Cert IV (Assessment and Workplace IntegrationTraining) Aide Leigh Rowlands VisualBEd Arts Teacher Natalie Ryan (Sem 1) Visual Arts Technician PhD (Fine Art), BFA (Hons), BFA Laura Savage BEd Eblana(Primary)PrepTeacher Deb Sewell EblanaBEd Year 4 Teacher Karen Sheehy (Term 1) BA/BEd (Primary and Secondary) PostGradCert (Education – Maths BayviewLeadership)Mentor/Year 6 Teacher Rosanna Simonetta (Term 3) Science Lab Technician Connie Skipper (Term 1) CertEd (Integration Aide), Adolescent Counselling(Ed), Dip (Counselling & Comm), Counsellor Dip (Education Support) Learning Enhancement Mark Smith MEd, GradCert (Gifted Ed) BEd, Dip (Teaching) Gifted and Talented Coordinator Sally Smith ELC Co-educator Amin Soufi Dip Ed, Masters Ed. (ICT in education), B.Eng. ICTCommunicationsTeacher Mark Stembridge GradDip Tech Ed Cert IV (Professional Cookery), Cert IV (Training & Assessment) Assistant Cafe Manager Food & Technology Teacher Rebecca Stembridge MEd (Specific Learning Difficulties), BA, GradDipEd (Middle Years) GradDip (Journalism) Learning Enhancement Teacher Eblana and Bayview Lauren Stent (from Term 4) DipEd (Secondary), BExSc Physical Education Teacher Trevor Stevens BSc, FrogmoreHEd Science Teacher Rev. Andrew Stewart BEc, MA, BDiv, AdvDip Theo, DipEd ReligiousChaplain Education Teacher Paul Stockdale BEd (PE & Health), MEd (Leadership, Policy & Change) Deputy Head of Frogmore Heather Stone
DipEd
Cameron McCormick (VCE Tutor) Catherine Narayan (Suzuki Violin/ Strings)
Reave Maloney (Guitar/Bass/Double Bass)
Michelle Lewit (Suzuki Violin)
Andrew Strano (Voice/Speech and Drama/Improv) Serena Thean (Clarinet/Piano) Angela Wasley (Voice)
Bayview Year 8 Mentor Cross Country Coach
Eblana Visual Arts Teacher
Eblana Jonathan Wever BSc, MEdMgt, GradDipEd, CertIII (Outdoor Recreation) Bayview Mentor/Maths/Science eLearningTeacher
Chris Bieniek (Guitar) Justine Clark (Suzuki Violin/Violin)
Jennifer Yoffie BA, B Teach (Secondary), MEd (Special and Inclusive Education) and Humanities Teacher Yule BSc, JapaneseMTeachTeacher
Stephanie Evison-Williams (Musical Theatre/Voice)
Hetty van Eck BA, DipEd (Student Welfare) English Teacher Briana Walker BA, B EblanaTeachYear 2 Teacher
Michael Woolhouse
Susan Batten (Oboe/Piano)
Victoria Landy (Flute/Piano)
Bayview Facilitator Monika Tifere (Term 1) BTeach (EC) ELC Teacher Lisa Turner BA (Psychology) BEd (Primary & Secondary) Aerobics Coordinator Bayview Year Mentor/Teacher8 Sabrina van Dort MSc (MedBiol), MSc (CommEd) Maths and Science Teacher
Danielle Wolff (Term 4) School HonoursBachelorCounsellorofArtsinPsychology Social Science
English
Kim Wootton BA Fine Art Faculty(Secondary)Coordinator – Visual Arts
B.Com (Economics), BA (Indonesian), A.Mus.A (flute), STCA Int. (Suzuki flute)
Sessional Music Tutors
Higher Maths/YearBayviewDipEd8MentorScience Teacher Chris te Lindert BA, GradDipEd (School Librarian), FrogmoreDipEd Mentor Teacher/ Librarian Frogmore English Teacher Madeleine Thomas BAppSc, GradDipEd, MEd (Special LearningEducation)Enhancement
MentoneCommandingCoordinatorOfficer(MAJ-AAC)GrammarArmyCadetUnit
Fiona Watts DipEd (Primary) BEd, MEd (Special Education) Learning Enhancement Facilitator
Sheree Walsh B Teach (Primary) BEd (Primary) Eblana Year 2 Teacher
Niran Dasika (Brass)
Frank Recchia (Drums/Guitar/Bass/ Rock Band Experience) BA (Mus), GradDipEd, Grad. DipHum, GradDipArts (Mus) Kirra Sebbel (Music Theatre)
Kirstin Drew (Strings)
Peter Zerman BA, GradDipEd, MMM, CertIV (Assessment & Workplace FacultyTraining)Coordinator –Technologies
James Walton BA (Hons) English Studies, PGCE Secondary English Faculty Coordinator – English Jillian Watkins BTeach, GradDip (Children’s Services)
Sarina Walter (Term 1) Music Teacher
Michael Wilton BSc, DipEd, GradDip (Health Ed) Faculty Coordinator – Science
B AppSci (Human Movement), GradDip Greenways(Ed)Class Coordinator HPE Teacher
Master of Counsellor/PsychologistPsychology
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 269 Operations Melanie Angliss Bachelor Exercise Science GradDip Ed (Secondary) PE and Outdoor Education PA to Head of Frogmore Robyn Baldrey PA to Business Manager HR Coordinator Sharon Bates Accounts Receivable Officer Jillian Baxter School Receptionist Bonnie Bester BBus (Acc), CPA Finance Manager Jennifer Blackburn MA (Prof Comm), PublicationsDip(Communications),GradDip(ProfWriting&Ed)Manager Isabella Blair Catering Services Judy Cleverley PA to Teaching and Learning Fiona Dallas Alumni Office Manager Craig Deakins Double Dip (Network Engineering and Internet working), MCE, MCP Systems and Network Administrator Liz Dimitriadis Cert PayrollAccounts(Accounting)PayableOfficer Pernilla Eklund Allen PA to Head of Bayview Julliet Eksiyan AdvDipBusiness (Acc) Management Accountant Judy Ellis (to Term 4) AdvDipBusiness (Acc) Cert.Phys Fitness Accounts Receivable Everard Fenton Director of Cricket Claire Forbes Accounts Assistant Alicia Gerasimou BA (Fine Arts) (Technical Production) Performing Arts Coordinator Jessica Galloway Certificate of Hospitality Diploma in Tourism Greenways Café Assistant Jan Gazzard (to Term 4) AdvDipBusStud,DipHealth Sciences Registrar Nicole Gray BA (Social HR(PsychologyScience)&Marketing),Coordinator Yana Hall BA (Business Administration) MA (Ergonomics, Health and Safety) Risk and Compliance Coordinator Gwen Harper International Administration Deborah Heath Cert IV (Frontline Management) Facilities Manager MGACU Quartermaster Diana Henderson Archives Administration Brigid Hicks PA to Head of Eblana Erin Hunt Bachelor (Sport and Recreation SportsManagement)Administration Assistant Ben Ioannidis IT Trainee Kathryn Lawlor PA to Principal Brian Lewis (Sem 1) Archives Administration Jan Longworth Secretarial Diploma PA to Registrar Janine Mayer MPRIA, ManagerMarketingAdvDipBus(PR)andCommunications Man-Chi Nguyen DatabaseBAppSc Administrator Cat Martin (Term 1) BA (Graphic Design/Multimedia) DipEd Teaching (Primary) FXA Senior Graphic Designer Colleen Robinson School Receptionist Greg Schneiders (Term 2) FAIM BAppSciMACHPER(Human Movement), GradDipEd, GradCert (RE) Karen Sherburn Cert III (Business Administration) PA to Deputy Principal Fiona Slocombe PA to Head of Greenways Brian Smith BAppSc, DipEd Registrar of International Students David Song ITBScAdministrator Ken Tilbrooke IT Technician Paul Watson Cert III (Printing and Graphic Arts) Dip (Printing and Graphic Arts) (Digital Production) Xerox Printing Services Tim Welsford (Term 1) BAppSc (Human Movement) Director of Sport Greg Wilkinson BEd, GradDip Curric Admin Alumni Director Natalie Wilson D Dip (Business Management and Event DipManagement)(Tourism,Meetings and Events) Events and Catering nager Danny Yardis Dip (Art & Design – Graphic Design) FXA Senior Graphic Designer Alex Zolkover Associate Dip Engineering Computer Technology and Electronics PRINCE2 Practitioner ITIL V3 ICT Manager Bayside Aquatics Chris Dixon BEd Years P-12 Physical Education & Outdoor and Environmental Studies Aquatic Centre Manager Reyna Johanson (Sem 1) Learn to Swim Coordinator Wendy Davidson Schools Program Coordinator Eric Du Learn to Swim Coordinator Bayside Aquatics Grounds and Maintenance David Teasdale Property Manager Barry MaintenanceWatts Supervisor Steven Petrellis Maintenance and Technical Support Security Graeme Mitchell (Security) Ben Sterck (Sem 1) (grounds) Grant Thompson (grounds) Henry Zalega (grounds) David Coghlan BEd, DipEd, Dip (Educational ShorehamAdministration)Camp Caretaker Keysborough Tom Donnell Keysborough Supervisor Wayne Fuller
270 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Debbie Agetzis Hanni Alston Christine Altidis Melanie Angliss Jaki Atwell Stuart Bainbridge Robyn Baldrey David Barber Alison Barnett Amanda Barnhoorn Lisa Barton Jillian Baxter Kara Baxter Kristie Beames Vicki Beaumont Susan Bennett Gary Colling Gavin Cornish Haley Cotton Jacqueline Crothers Samantha Cunnington Fiona Dallas Louise Daly Wendy Davidson Craig Best Bonnie Bester Leonie Binge Anthony Bingham Jennifer Blackburn Isabella Blair Kerryn Bosdorf Mark Bradley Nicole Bradshaw Meredith Brown Ben Bruin Jackie Buchan Fran Burgess Sarah Byrne Veronica Byrnes Jo Caley Jodie Campain Colleen Carapetis Sue Carey Susan Carlson Jacqueline Cartwright Mal Cater Mandy Chamberlain Leigh Chislett Libby Chislett Nicky Chiswell Natasha Chrysanthou Bill Cleary Stuart Cleeve Judy Cleverley David Coghlan Matthew Cohn Staff
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 271 Craig Deakins Rhonda Deed Liz Dimitriadis Chris Dixon Tom Donnell Troy Drinan Eric Du Angela Eaton Barbara Edgar Pernilla Eklund-Allen Julliet Eksiyan Judy Ellis Callum Endacott Ursula Erdelyi-Götz Umut Ersezer Wayne Essing Diana Henderson Brigid Hicks Julia Hicks John Horler Mary Howard Erin Hunt Ben Ioannidis Joanne Kamp Greg Evans Vic Evans James Farquharson Mifanwy Farquharson Miriam Floyd Claire Forbes Sarah Forster-Muir Tammy Frankland Kate Frazer Stephanie Freeman Catherine Friend Deb Frizza Robyn Fuerst Wayne Fuller Jessica Galloway Jan Gazzard Alicia Gerasimou Michele Gill Heidi Gilmour Amanda Gluyas Jonathan Gooley Nicole Gray Hugh Green Yana Hall Justine Hamilton Gwen Harper Jennifer Harrison Andrew Hayes Meg Hayes Deborah Heath Caroline Hegarty Emma Heine
272 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Richard Keely Elizabeth King Henry Kiss Kaylen Kornberg Natalka Kostraby Ev-Kathrein Kreppert Hong Yi Kuhn Steve Kuruc Jenny Lamb Cameron Lancaster Kate Lang Sarah Lang Kathryn Lawlor Alana Leahy Jackie Liepa Siew Pyng Lim Julee O’Flaherty Peter O’Gorman Jenna Oliver Jarrod O’Neill Chistene Orchard Chloe Otten Michelle Palfrey John Pascoe Michael Linahan Kristopher Little Amy Long Jan Longworth Holly Loughran Yan Ma Tim Macdonald Lidia Mancini Max Marrow Michael Martin Paul Matthew Terry Matthew Janine Mayer Tanya McAllister Bernadette McGill Colin McGill Natalie McLennan Debra McLeod Genevieve McNair Belinda McNeil Tony McRae Vanessa Moore Natalie Morgenstern Ken Morrish Lazaros Moutafis Rohan Murphy Man-Chi Nguyen Arena Nilsson Katherine Nish John Nolan Bev Novak Vikki Octigan Staff
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 273 Andrew Pate Tracey Pate Rob Patterson Tanya Pausenberger Adrian Payne Leah Percy Steve Petrellis Kirsty Petschel Emma Phillips Sylvia Ponnusamy Catherine Poulton Michael Prabaharan Jessika Rabe Natalie Radin James Rainey Leonie Redfern Penny Redgrave Wayne Reed Aaron Richard Jessica Richards Rosemary Richter Bridgitte Roberts Colleen Robinson Dean Rogers Barbara Rolfes Beverly Ross Kerry Rowan Leigh Rowlands Natalie Ryan Laura Savage Deb Sewell Karen Sheehy Karen Sherburn Fiona Slocombe Brian Smith Mark Smith Sally Smith David Song Amin Soufi Mark Stembridge Rebecca Stembridge Lauren Stent Trevor Stevens Andrew Stewart Paul Stockdale Heather Stone Chris te Lindert David Teasdale Madeleine Thomas Grant Thomson Monika Tifere Ken Tilbrooke Odrey Tour Lisa Turner John Twist Sabrina van Dort
274 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Hetty van Eck Briana Walker Sheree Walsh James Walton Jillian Watkins Barry Watts Fiona Watts Tim Welsford Jonathan Wever Simone White Beth Wilcock Greg Wilkinson Kym Willett Natalie Wilson Michael Wilton Michael Woolhouse Kim Wootton Jennifer Yoffie Hamish Yule Henry Zalega Peter Zerman Alex Zolkover Staff Not pictured: Marina Basin (Term 4) Megan Blake (Term 4) Michelle Brent Melanie Di Rosato (Term 4) Everard Fenton Reyna Johanson (Term 1) Brian Lewis Cat Martin (Term 1) Hayley Meeking (Term 4) Adele Norton (Term 2) Greg Schneiders (Term 2) Rosanna Simonetta (Term 3) Connie Skipper (Term 1) Sarina Walter (Term 1) Paul Watson (FXA) Danielle Wolff (Term 4) Danny Yardis (FXA)
The Good Samaritan Prize
Awards
Special Valedictorian Awards
2015 Academic Merit Awards –Certificate of Excellence
The Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership Awards
recognise students in Years 10 and 12 who demonstrate leadership and teamwork within both the School and wider community and who display strong values such as “doing one’s best”, “respect for others” and “mateship”, that are integral to Australian society. Our award winners for 2015 are: Year 10: Thomas Siedle Year 12: Monique Maitland Ken Smith Perpetual Trophy
Alexander Clark
Laura
2015
Ryan Chand
The Gibson-Roberts Memorial Prize (Awarded to the best all-round sports person in Frogmore in 2015) Edgeworth
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 275
Tuckwell Scholarship Awardee – Australian National University (2016) Tom Goodwin ADF Long Tan Awards
Monique Maitland
Academic Merit Awards are based on the ranking of students from all classes as judged by their various subject teachers. The two criteria considered for an award are general excellence in a number of subjects and outstanding results in particular subjects.
The W.S. Leslie Memorial Medal Awarded to the Year 12 student(s) who has been most outstanding in their final year in Scholarship, Leadership, and TomMoniqueSportsmanship.MaitlandGoodwin
2015 The Ken Smith Perpetual Trophy is an annual award made to the member of Mentone Grammar Army Cadet Unit who is judged by the Officer Commanding to be the highest performing cadet and who demonstrates the following qualities: – Exceptional leadership of peers, including the ability to maintain an appropriate and professional distance when exerting authority, – Diligence, conscientiousness and flexibility while managing responsibilities, – Superb performance under the pressure of multiple demands during Unit activities, – A caring and patient manner in all interactions with younger cadets, and respectful, cooperative interactions with Officers of the Unit.
Artissimo Award for Music
Valedictorian Awards
Nicholas Meehan Artissimo Award for Dance/Drama
The Principal’s Award for Art Hunter Griffin Art and Design Acquisitive Prize Bianca Ryder
Amitty
Patrick Anderson Casper Bjarnason Tyler NicholasBradleyCapomolla
RSM Tim Rossi (Year 12) (pictured with his Commanding Officer (MAJ-ACC), Jon Wever)
ColinAndrewIsabelAlexanderJaidynBraydenMaxwellMatsMatildaMoniqueJonathanNatashaYunzhongEdwardGeorginaTomSamanthaNicholasJosephLachlanCoxDawsonEddyGibbsGilliverGoodwinGoreHallHuHuttleyKohMaitlandMaherManallackMorisonMorrowMuhandiramgeShermonShurlinToddReeves
276 | THE MENTONIAN Awards2015The Spirit of Mentone Grammar Award Awarded to the Year 12 student who based on a peer vote demonstrates ‘the spirit’ of what our School stands for. Tom Goodwin Semester 1 – 2015 Academic Awards Year 12 Full Academic Colours Tyler Bradley Tom AndrewIsabelAlexanderJaidynMatsJonathanEdwardGoodwinHallKohManallackMuhandiramgeShermonShurlinTodd Half Academic Colours Casper ColinBraydenMaxwellBelindaMoniqueMatildaSamanthaYunzhongNatashaJustinGeorginaSamanthaNicholasJosephLachlanLauraAlexanderMichaelBjarnasonBriggsClarkCoxDawsonEddyGibbsGilliverGoreGreenHuttleyHuKerrMaherMaitlandMokMorisonMorrowReeves Year 11 Adam DooyeonBouwmeesterLee Certificate of Academic Excellence Year 10 Joshua ChristineTomSophieMichaelCharlotteEmmaSahishnuTimothyNicholasJonasZacJohannaPiperAdeleEllenIsabelleJoshuaAustinJasmineJemimaJeffreyVictorAnnaLeinaRyanHarryFraserThomasNungSiedleAngusAustinBucklerCatoDalyDingFongGordonGreyHollingsworthJadenKohMooneyOyarzunRauszSawfordSchergerSchulzeSheppardSilvesterSivaRamStephensonSuttonToddvanVlietZallmannZhong Certificate of Academic Endeavour Year 10 Caitriona Erskine Tara StephanieWhiteWilson Greenways – Academic Excellence and Merit Awards Semester 1 2015 Academic Excellence Award Megan Siedle Academic Merit Awards Holly Adams Nina Alston Ruby SashaChloeAlleishaAlexandraLukeImogenGeorgiaOliviaIsabellaTaraNicoleCallumJiyeonHarryStephanieLotusLuqiElizaDavidAngusJessicaSeanSarahJamesAthanasBouwmeesterCaleyEnrightEwart-McTigueGoodwinHelmersonHollingsworthHuangJeffsKellyKingstonLeeMatthewMooreO’BrienParkerPukallusRowanSchwarzShiSiedleStephensStoneWidelski Academic Endeavour Awards Matthew Borys Kate PeronelDerhamTaylor Semester 2 Year 9 Academic Excellence Alexandra Siedle Megan Siedle Year 9 Academic Merit Awards Holly Adams Nina Alston Ruby ElizaAngusJessicaMatthewSamanthaBradleySarahJamesAthanasBouwmeesterCaleyChickCooperDoyleEwart-McTigueGoodwinHollingsworth Isabella Houlahan Lachlan Howe Luqi SashaKatherineChloeAlleishaLukeGeorgiaJamesOliviaIsabellaLachlanCallumAnnaKaiJiyeonCaylaHarryStephanieHuangKellyKingstonLeGearLeeLindsayLofthouseMatthewNewmanParkerPukallusRosaiaRowanShiStephensStoneTsihlakisWidelski Subject Awards Year 9 French Language Emma Coubard Year 9 Japanese Language Sean Butler Year 9 Dance Isabella Houlahan Year 9 Drama Michaela Burgess Year 9 English Alexandra Siedle Year 9 Design Technology Food Technology Rachel Watson Year 9 German Language Megan Siedle Year 9 Humanities Alexandra Siedle Year 9 IT: Digital Storytelling Megan Siedle Year 9 IT: Systems Lochlann Owen-Tucker Year 9 Mathematics Bradley Chick
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 277 Year 9 Music Anna Lofthouse Year 9 Science Jessica Ewart-McTigue Year 9 Visual Arts Harry Kingston Year 9 Design Technology Wood Callum Matthew Greenways Special Awards Artissimo Award for Performing Arts Anna Lofthouse Greenways Sportsmanship Award Lauren Fagan Braden Watts Greenways Learning Journeys Award Peronel Taylor Harry Kingston Roly Wettenhall Medal for Scholarship, Leadership and Teamsmanship Alexandra Siedle Non Academic Colours Cadets Full Colours Stephen Clarke Timothy Rossi Nicholas Henricks Laura CaibiranNatashaCoxHuttleyDeas Half Colours Mitchell JamesMoniqueJamesJacksonStuartJackWilliamAmittyGeorginaChudleighGoreEdgeworthLancasterBrooksMillsCharnleySpencerMaitlandShaw-Driver Community Service Full Colours Nicholas Henricks Ryan SiamPutriNicolaNatashaChandHuttleyLeahyMarshCampbell Half Colours Brittany ConorJessicaLaurenJamesEmilyTeaghanGabrielleCasperEmmaSarahCharlotteGeorginaChambersGoreWiffinCiminoDoyleBjarnasonBurtonAveryFiddesShaw-DriverZahraPatersonBeveridge Drama Full Colours Patrick JacksonTessaLucyIsabelleEmilyJamesRebeccaAndersonMendelPearmanKeoghHoreMangionPetriePalmer Half Colours Caitlin AlexanderLouiseAleishaAdamLucindaTimothyMaxwellElizaMaxwellNewStammersHarveyMorisonRossiMcIntyrePrattBernamoffSolomonidesVerrills Music Full Colours Patrick Anderson Caitlin New Eliza RobertHarveyMcIntyre Xiwen StuartNicholasMaiMeehanPesudovs Half Colours Rebecca Mendel Bill SantiagoLucRebeccaDaweiEmilyMaxwellJamesParkPearmanStammersKeoghCaoLeonidasvanVlietChaparro Chaparro Samuel Zerman Lucy LouiseJacksonAleishaAdamBridgetteJaidynLucindaXinyiAndrewMangionPersicLiuMcIntyreMuhandiramgeKelseyPrattBernamoffPalmerSolomonides Public Speaking Full Colours Isabel PublicTomJosephConnorAndrewJamesAlexanderShurlinClarkSpencerToddBourkeEddyGoodwinSpeaking Half Colours Frazer AndrewKempPersic Year 10 Commendation Drama Ryan Buckler Tara PatrickNicholasWhiteSheppardBankin Music Ben AustinJeffreyRyanLofthouseBucklerFongHollingsworth Nicholas Sheppard Thomas Siedle Public Speaking Ryan Buckler Harry VictorBrandonThomasAustinAustinHollingsworthSiedleDemuraDing Sports Colours Athletics Full Colours Liam AmittyCaibiranMaggieDhruvHiscockRodrigues-ChicoMaiDeasEdgeworth Half Colours Corbin McCullough Tim MoniqueHollyMikaelaEllaBradyTomTomGeorgeStefanLukeJohnRossiPapasimeonD’AllessandroGerrardSmethurstSiedleGoodwinWattsRyanMorganClaytonMaitland Aerobics Half Colours Anna SarahMallows-ZejakCaley Basketball Full Colours Nicholas Gabsch Kai MatthewOwensLucas Half Colours Eliza TomBaileyJacksonSophieHollingsworthvanVlietCharnleyClarksonGoodwin
278 | THE MENTONIAN Awards2015Cricket Full Colours William Avery James Grant Stuart Mills Half Colours Edward Newman Jack LachlanJoshuaCunningtonFreneyFryer Cross Country Full Colours Alexander Hazelbank Kyle MikaelaSolterbeckMorgan Half Colours Timothy Silvester Emma Doyle Football Full Colours Liam NicholasLachlanMitchellJonathanOliverHiscockFlorentKohJohnstonePalfreyHenricks Half Colours Matthew Lucas Sam EdwardRalphNewman Hockey Full Colours Todd MichaelLauraBlasseCoxBriggs Half Colours Stuart Pesudovs Adam Cansdale Philip Chandler Netball Full Colours Maddi Capsalis Amitty Edgeworth Half Colours Ellen Chick Emily Fiddes Sailing Half Colours Julian Sasson SnowSports Full Colours Casper NicholasBjarnasonArchibald Soccer Full Colours Caibiran Deas Rebecca GeorgeRobSamanthaLeonidasFiferMcKennaSmethurst Soccer Half Colours Tiana MarcDhruvLewisAlexandraStortiBoysCotsopoulosRodriguez-ChicoShermon Swimming Full Colours Samuel Thiele Thomas Lapa Jamie Brown Frazer Kemp Angus EmilyBelindaStephanieSophieGraceGeorginaSamanthaMollySamanthaJessicaIsabelleJamesBrannanJustinMaxNicholasToddJonathanHillKohBlasseCapomollaWilliamsGreenSmithKerrKohBalleggiFiferFordKerrGoreHowellAppelSanderson-PearceMokWebster Table Tennis Half Colours Louise JoshuaTylerYuanyuanYangyanSolomonidesLinZhangBradleyJaden Tennis Full Colours Anthony Tamborriello Half Colours Bianca Ryder James Spencer Trent Jones Touch Rugby Full Colours Amitty CiaraMoniqueEdgeworthMaitlandScott Half Colours Madison Capsalis Volleyball Full Colours Brittany Chambers Half Colours Samantha Gilliver Australian CompetitionMathematics (Sponsored by Commonwealth Bank) In 2015, 205 Mentone Grammar students from Years 3-12 participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition. Competing against school students worldwide, 34% of our entries gained a Distinction or higher in the competition and 75% of our students gained a Credit or higher. Prize Winners (Name and Year Level) Alexander Jones 7 Joshua Nung 10 High Distinction (Name and Year Level) Jason Bartonek 7 Akul Saigal 7 Ethan Prabaharan 7 William Currey 7 Callum Roberts 7 Lachlan Howe 9 Xinyi Liu 11 Distinction (Name and Year Level) Michelle Fong 3 Ayden Roos 3 Kyle Roos 3 Jasper Zdanius 3 Ella Michell 3 Callum Orr 3 Maddox Lewell 3 Jatin Ghela 3 Ellen Fletcher 6 Cameron Connell 6 Akshaye Ghela 6 Daniel Matthew 6 Hardy d’Alquen 6 Joel Rotar 7 Sarthak Singh 7 Ethan Murray 7 Richard Jiang 7 Kieren Dyer 7 Hannah Schmidt 7 Joshua Madden 7 Ella Mairs 7 Alex Zhu 7 Mekhala Bera 8 Zhou Jiaqi 8 Alanah Heidecker 8 Grace Bunting 8 Vincent Thai-Chan 8 Jakob Sloan 8 Torey Bernamoff 8 Charlie Officer 8 Tessa Styles 8 Zachary Angus 8 Jaiden Watts 8 Imogen Davis 8 Nicholas Berry 8 Mia Watkins 8 Matthew Doyle 9 Lachlan Newman 9 Luqi Huang 9 Callum Matthew 9 James Bouwmeester 9 Luke Shi 9 Guy Witherow 9 Fraser Angus 10 Sam Ralph 10 Courtney Munn 11 Dhamsika Samarapathi 11
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 279 Chengzhi He 11 Adam Bouwmeester 11 Jessica Paterson 11 Michael Demura 11 Galina Enright 11 Sam Thiele 11 Piermon Schwarz 11 Dawei Cao 11 Xuanming Liang 11 Bray Morrow 12 Yunzhong Hu 12 Jaidyn Muhandiramge 12 Isabel Shurlin 12 Michael Briggs12 2015 Enrichment Stage: Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians: Sponsored by the Australian Mathematics CongratulationsTrustto all of our Years 7, 8 and 9 students who participated in this year’s Enrichment Stage of the Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians. Students had two months to create and develop their solutions for 8 to 12 challenging, extended problems. Distinction (Name and Year Level) Callum Roberts 7 Akul Saigal 7 Credit (Name and Year Level) Blake Rosenberg 7 Oscar Page 7 Kieren Dyer 7 Oskar Phillips 7 Ethan Prabaharan 7 Joel Rotar 7 2015 Maths Challenge Results High Distinctions (Name and Year Level) Bradley Chick 9 Mekhala Bera 8 Distinctions (Name and Year Level) Samasidh Siva Ram 8 Imogen Davis 8 Credits (Name and Year Level) Hebe Best 8 Ella Mairs 7 Jakob Sloan 7 Ethan Prabaharan 7 Akul Saigal 7 Sarthak Singh 7 Mia Watkins 8 Grace Bunting 8 Callum Roberts 7 Alanah Heidecker 8 2015 University of NSW Mathematics Competition A total of 231 students from Years 2 – 12 participated in the UNSW Mathematics Competition. Mentone Grammar students achieved: 7 High Distinctions (3% of our students in the top 1% ) 57 Distinctions (27.7% of our students in the top 10% ) 80 Credits (62.3% of our students in the top 25%) All Year levels performed well above the national average: Prize Winner (Name and Year Level) Matthew Shing 2 High Distinction (Name and Year Level) Callum Roberts 7 Ethan Prabaharan 7 Ethan Murray 7 Vincent Thai-Chan 8 Luke Shi 9 Joshua Nung 10 Distinction (Name and Year Level) Jaxon Stephens 2 Aaron Britter 2 David Sprung 2 Ayden Roos 3 Ella Michell 3 Jasper Zdanius 3 Kyle Roos 3 Maddox Lewell 3 Eleni Somogyi 3 Cameron Connell 6 Leonard Liu 6 Kieren Dyer 7 Jason Bartonek 7 Ella Mairs 7 Akul Saigal 7 Sarthak Singh 7 Alex Zhu 7 Peter Katsouranis 7 Oskar Phillips 7 Hannah Schmidt 7 Richard Jiang 7 Angus Rimanic 7 Joel Rotar 7 Jakob Sloan 8 Torey Bernamoff 8 Mia Watkins 8 Kegan Timms 8 Grace Bunting 8 Imogen Davis 8 Jack Williams 8 Josh Cooley 8 James Hornibrook 8 Zachary Angus 8 Harry Terry 8 Alexandra Sheppard 8 Jeremy Miao 8 Samasidh Siva Ram 8 Hebe Best 8 Nick Berry 8 Megan Siedle 9 Callum Matthew 9 Lachlan Newman 9 Luqi Huang 9 Sarah Caley 9 Alex Siedle 9 Fraser Angus 10 Victor Ding 10 Thomas Siedle 10 Sophie Van Vliet 10 Sahishnu Siva Ram 10 Xuanming Liang 11 Dawei Cao 11 Xinyi Liu 11 Adam Bouwmeester 11 Dhamsika Samarapathi 11 Michael Briggs 12 Yunzhong Hu 12 Maths Talent Quest Maths Talent Quest is an inquiry based Maths competition run by the Maths Association of Victoria. High Distinction (Name and Year Level) Aaron Britter 2 Emma Adams 2 Matthew Shing 2 Distinction (Name and Year Level) Chase McLean 2 Jack Newman 2 Sarah Chun 2 Nate Trowell 2 Madeleine Lewell 2 Maddox Lewell 3 Eleni Somogyi 3 Hannah Wagner 3 Callum Orr 3 Lachlan Adams 4 Cameron Connell 6 Daniel Matthew 6 Credit (Name and Year Level) Ella Michell 3 Ayden Roos 3 Kyle Roos 3 Michelle Fong 3 Zali Morris 5 Maddison Moore 5
280 | THE MENTONIAN Awards2015
6
6
Ethan Pate Daniel Pate Ellen Fletcher Peter Somogyi Maths Olympiad 2015 Maths Olympiad is a challenging problem solving Maths competition that runs across Australia and New Zealand. The competition involves high ability Maths students completing 5 challenging Maths Problems in a set time period. There are 5 rounds over 5 months starting in May and finishing in September. The competition is extremely challenging with problems requiring formula and algebraic mathematical solutions. During 2015 Mentone Grammar had 4 teams compete in Maths Olympiad, with a team of approximately 15 students in each year level from Year 5 to Year 8. Our teams performed well overall but the performance of our Year 7 team should be highlighted. This team competing against much older teams finished in the top 20% of all competing Secondary teams. They were just one of a tiny minority of Year 7 teams to achieve a top 20% finish. Callum Roberts was the top performer in our Year 7 team. His individual score of 19 out of 25 placed him in the top 2% of all individual participants in the Secondary competition. Below are the 15 Year 7 students who were part of the Official Year 7 Maths Olympiad Team in 2015: Callum 7 students competed as individuals in Maths Olympiad during 2015.)
5
Charlie Daddo Wollen
5 Riley
(PleaseOscarValdisBlakeJoshuaPeterJoelOskarWilliamKierenJasonSarthakEthanAkulAlexanderRobertsJonesSaigalPrabaharanSinghBartonekDyerCurreyPhillipsRotarKatsouranisMaddenRosenbergGuppyPagenote:12additional Year
NationalScience Youth Science Forum (JanuaryInvitees2016) Andrew Persic 11 Wesley Flavell 11 National Chemistry Quiz Aleisha Bernamoff Lachlan Brown Dawei AdamRhysXinYiDooyeenFrazerAdamAndrewLouiseSamMarcusDylanEmilyWesleyJoanneCaoDonaldsonFlavellGiddensMannMarinelliThieleSolomonidesPersicBouwmeesterKempLeeLiuMahoneyPratt ICAS NSW CompetitionScience Year 7 High Distinction Ella AlexanderMairs Jones Jason SarthakBartonekSingh Distinction Adam Halliday Ethan Murray Ethan Prabaharan Akul AlexanderCallumSaigalRobertsZu Credit Tayla JamesJoshuaBlakeSimonLangenfeldsCoubardRosenbergMaddenGowan Kevin Helmerson Euan AngusAdamHoodLawsRimanic Merit Xavier Hogios James LachlanThomasBullShepherdHoward Participation Lauren Malby-Luke Nelson Jaden Peter Katsouranis Year 8 Distinction Jake MiaJakobCharlieJoshuaAdderleyCooleyOfficerSloanWatkins Credit Alanah Heidecker Jack Williams Hebe CarlBenjaminElyssaJeremyMackenzieIsabellaCharlotteSiennaBestBoltonBratuskinsDaddoHoweMiaoOsianlisPertichSimondsonSamasidhSivaRamHarrisonTerryVincentThai-Chan Merit Zoe TarnBronteLancasterRearkSmith Participation Alexandra Sheppard Bridie Wilson Science Talent Search 2015 Major Bursary Joshua Madden James PeterXavierAlexanderMadelineBlakeAlexanderAdamMinorLaurenLachlanHannahMooneySchmidtHowardMalby-LukeBursaryHallidayJonesRosenbergRickardFennessyHogiosKatsouranis Credit Jack Pavlidis Akul LilyTaylaSaigalLangenfeldsBowles Acknowledgement James Bull Science Talent Search Years 2 – 6 Major Bursary Abigail Barrett 2
6
6
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 281 Hannah Wagner 3 Riley Wollen 5 Jack Littleford 6 Minor Bursary Poppy Samild 2 Emma Adams 2 Grace Sibbald 2 Lachlan Adams 4 Daniel Pate 6 Cameron Connell 6 Language Perfect World Championships Gold Awards Robert McIntyre 11 Luc van Vliet 11 Kerry Feng 9 (Highest Achiever – Mentone Grammar) Torey Bernamoff 8 Alanah Heidecker 8 Mia Watkins 8 Jaden Prabaharan 5 Silver Awards Aleisha Bernamoff 11 Jack Bunting 10 Lara Huttley 9 Mackenzie Howe 8 Zoe Lancaster 8 Lauren Malby-Luke 8 Callum Roberts 7 Angus Marcombe 5 LOTE AWARDS Students awarded High Distinctions and Distinctions in the 2015 ALC (Assessment of Language Competence) Competition. Certificate 1 French Distinction: Listening Sahishnu Siva Ram Certificate 1 Japanese High Distinction: Listening B Ryan J Maluga T Owens Distinction: Listening A Heidecker A Koniuszko A Vise B Reark D Mark E Porter G Bunting H Richards I Daddo J Gold J Hornibrook L TTSONMMMcLachlanHoweWatkinsThieleDicksonDimitsOwensStyle Certificate 2 French High Distinction: Listening High Distinction: Reading Harrison Smyth Distinction: Listening Joel Amartey Distinction: Reading Chelsy Hardy Casper Bjarnason Certificate 2 Japanese High Distinction: Listening High Distinction: Reading Leina Cato Ying Chieh Kao Distinction: Listening Xinan Xu Sam Ralph Distinction: Listening Distinction: Reading Joshua Nung Certificate 2 German High Distinction: Listening Daisy SahshnuShurlinSiva Ram High Distinction: Listening High Distinction: Reading Emma Stephenson Distinction: Listening Jess Ewart-McTigue Distinction: Listening Distinction: Reading Alex Harris Distinction: Listening Lachlan Howe Edward Paton Alex Siedle Michael Todd Sophie Van Vliet Certificate 3 French Distinction: Reading High Distinction: Listening Sahishnu Siva Ram Distinction: Listening Aleisha Bernamoff Distinction: Listening Distinction: Reading Luc van Vliet Certificate 3 Japanese High Distinction: Reading High Distinction: Listening Richard Jiang Distinction: Reading High Distinction: Listening Dhamsika Samarapathi Bayview 2015 Academic Awards 5A Maddison Moore 5B Daisy Laws 5C Charles Daddo 5D Jaden Prabaharan 6A Livinia Stockdale 6B Leonard Liu 6C Cameron Connell 6D Hardy d’Alquen Citizenship Awards 5A Emma Burton 5B Holly Wale 5C Henry Mentiplay 5D Carlos Reynolds 6A Cassandra Newman 6B Peter Somogyi 6C Jacob Edwards 6D Alex Hassan Sportsmanship Awards 5A Monique Zahra 5B Zali Morris 5C Alexander Hopkins 5D Thomas Byrne 6A Jenna Wale 6B Angus Perkins 6C Kane Wilson 6D Angus Reark 7A Hannah Schmidt 7G William Skinner Cameron Baker Memorial Prize for Endeavour Jordan Michell John and Jenni Fisher Zenith Prize for Leadership, Scholarship and Teamsmanship Jack Littleford Mark Dreyfus Community Spirit and Leadership Award William Frost Year 7 G.R. Leone Prize (English) Nelson Jaden P. Smart Prize (LOTE) Blake Rosenberg Cheeseman-Johnstone Prize (Mathematics) Alexander Jones T. F. Scott Prize (Science) Akul Saigal A. Gulbis Prize (Humanities) Akul Saigal Academic Excellence Award Akul Saigal R. L. Patterson Good Samaritan Prize Hannah Schmidt Appel Family Prize for Scholarship, Leadership and Teamsmanship Lauren Malby-Luke Year 8 J. C. Doyle Prize (English) Isabella Daddo H. Horowicz Prize (LOTE) Jayde Maluga and Julius Schulze I. Webster Prize (Mathematics) Mekhala Bera Bob Brailsford Prize (Science) Zachary Angus A. W. Brown Prize (Humanities) Alanah Heidecker L. A. Large Prize for Academic Excellence Isabella Daddo Artissimo Award – Performing Arts Charlotte Bratuskins Don Ingram Cup Sports Award Boys: Joshua Cooley Girls: Dominique Taylor and Phoebe Wearne
282 | THE MENTONIAN Awards2015Albert and Doris White Cup for Scholarship Leadership and Sportsmanship Bronte Reark Parents and Friends Award for Honest Endeavour Vincent Thai-Chan Eblana 2015 Awards Academic Foundation H – Rhys Basin Foundation S – Alexander Burrows Year 1L – Alice Fletcher Year 1R – Kate Pregnalato Year 2BW – Emma Adams Year 2OW – Matthew Shing Year 3E – Ella Michell Year 3L – Jordan Pyszczek Year 4F – William Nish Year 4H – Keira Patron Citizenship Foundation H – Amelia Hall Foundation S – Brooke Bernasconi Year 1L – Alitsia Piotrowski Year 1R – Olivia Apostolidis Year 2BW- Edward Hall Year 2OW – Indy Mannix Year 3E – Alice Roberts Year 3L – Nina Pertzel Year 4F – Christian Howe Year 4H – Nichola Di Tirro Sportsmanship Foundation H – Christopher Lucas Foundation S – Sullivan O’Donnell Year 1L – Campbell Brown Year 1R – Lucas Wagner Year 2BW – Thomas Burton Year 2OW – Kai Mitchell Year 3E – Jake Vorrath Year 3L – Nicholas Harris Year 4F – Peter Natsioulas Year 4H – Lachlan Smith Visual Arts Year 4 Ruby Samild Musical Excellence Year 4 Declan McNamara Speech Year 4 William Nish Drama Year 4 Keira Richmond Cashion Brothers Writing Award Year 4 Matthew Scott Foundation Awards 2015 Year 3 Callum Orr Writing Year 4 Peter Natsioulas Soccer Year 5 Ethan Gorringe – Lifesaving Alexandra Djurovic – Tennis Year 6 Scarlett Trudgen Frances – Dance Jordan Mitchell – Basketball Brayden Johnson – Lifesaving Year 7 Brooke McCullough – Triathlon Year 8 Josh Cooley – Swimming Nic Thiele – Writing Jaiden Watts – Tennis Zoe Lancaster – Calisthenics Year 9 Eliza Hollingsworth – Basketball Harry Kingston – Visual Arts Matthew Borys – Photography Year 10 Nick Sheppard – Performing Arts Anna Mallows-Zejak – Performing Arts Year 11 Wes Flavell – Science Emma Doyle – Triathlon Emily Keogh – Dance Cameron Moorhouse – Building Year 12 James Shaw-Driver – Performing Arts Monique Maitland – Touch Football Caitlin New – Performing Arts Performing Arts Senior Awards Artissimo Award (for outstanding commitment to the performing arts) Monique Maitland (Dance/Drama) Nick Meehan (Music) Senior Brass Award Tom Siedle Senior Chorister Award Caitlin New Senior Contemporary Award Pat Anderson Senior Percussion Award Ben Stone Senior Piano Award Xinyi (Iris) Liu Senior String Award Eliza Harvey Senior Woodwind Award Xwien (Maggie) Mai Senior Vocal Ensemble Leader Aleisha Bernamoff Senior OrchestralOrchestraManager Eliza Harvey Senior Orchestra Woodwind Leader Robert McIntyre Senior Orchestra Brass Leader Tom Siedle Senior PercussionOrchestraLeader Ben Stone Froggers Leader Miles Thomas Greenways Awards Greenways Artissimo Award (for outstanding commitment to the performing arts) Anna Lofthouse Bayview Awards Bayview Artissimo Award (for outstanding commitment to the performing arts) Charlotte Bratuskins Bayview Brass Award Hardy d’Alquen Bayview Chorister Award Charlotte Pate Bayview String Award Imogen Davis Bayview Woodwind Award Tarn Smith Bayview Piano Award Riley Wollen Bayview Singers Leader Callum Prior Bayview Band Leader Carson Mumford Bayview Orchestra Leader Daniel Pate Bayview Percussion Award Hamish Berry Eblana Awards Eblana Singers Leader Callum Orr Eblana String Leader McKenzie Hood Art and Design Exhibition Award Winners 2015 Year 5 Paint Brush Award Visual Arts Maylin Roy Year 6 Paint Brush Award Visual Arts Brayden Johnson Year 7 Paint Brush Award Visual Arts James Mooney
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 283 Year 7 Design Technology – Wood Ella Mairs Year 7 3D Printing Hannah Schmidt Year 8 Paint Brush Award Visual Arts Sean McCubbin Year 9 Paint Brush Award Visual Arts Harry Kingston Year 9 Design Technology – Wood Matt Kolivas Year 9 Digital Storytelling David Helmserson Year 10 Paint Brush Award Art Jasmine Grey Year 10 Paint Brush Award Studio Photography Isabella Koh Year 10 Paint Brush Award Visual Communication Design Ellen Mooney Year 11 Paint Brush Award Art Cameron Moorhouse Year 11 Paint Brush Award Studio Arts Marc Shermon Year 11 Paint Brush Award Visual Communication Design Liam Grant Unit 1/2 VCE VET Interactive Digital Media Liam Grant Unit 3/4 VCE VET Interactive Digital Media Connor Bourke Year 12 Paint Brush Award Art Bianca Ryder Year 12 Paint Brush Award Studio Arts Hunter Griffin Year 12 Paint Brush Award Visual Communication Design Joe Eddy Packers’ Prize Mr Rowland’s Year 7 Mural Principal’s Award for Art Hunter Griffin The Mentonian’s Acquisitive Art Award Bianca Ryder Chancellor’s Scholars Pilot Program 2015 – Australian National University Robert McIntyre 11 Lions Youth of the Year Awards –Representatives (2016) Gail D’Souza Luc van Vliet Emily Keogh Sarah Cimino Please note that not all award recipients are listed as some, had not been decided at the time of publication. Additional awards and competition winners have also been noted in the School’s newsletters, available on the Mentone Grammar website: www.mentonegrammar.net
284 | THE MENTONIAN
Passing through Eblana was a great time. Having a bearable amount of homework and having frequent sessions with the boys on Mathletics were just some of the highlights. Life was good, I was cruising. Then Year 3 came around. Girls! A whopping two of them, by the names of Lauren Zahra and Belinda Mok. Lacking some serious social skills back in the day, I struggled to interact with the new introduced gender, and continued to spend the rest of my Eblana career as a
Valedictory Speech
2015Valedictorians2015Lifers
Affectionately referred to as ‘lifers’, nine valedictorians have spent their entire school life at Mentone Grammar, some 15 years. This year we acknowledged: Joshua Burgess, Tyler Bradley, James Grant, Liam Leegel, Alexander Shermon, Jonathan Koh, Oliver Strong, Patrick Anderson and Todd Blasse. They have all made a strong contribution to the School, particularly in the areas of Academia, Cadets, Sport, Music and Drama. Thank you for all the highlights.
A Reflection – Jono Koh
Fifteen years. Fifteen years of my life I’ve spent at Mentone Grammar, and now I stand here at my final assembly, ever. It has gone so quickly. It only felt like yesterday that I arrived at the Early Learning Centre in my Mentone Grammar turtle neck and Mentone Grammar hat, with my excitement levels equal to that of Bray Morrow in a Specialist Maths class. I can still vividly remember the days of Kinder, spending all my time with Jack Abbott, Pat Anderson, Ollie Strong and Liam Leegel listening to stories, sleeping, or running. Across my journey, I’ve made some good decisions, I’ve made some poor decisions, but most importantly, I’ve made some of the best memories of my life. Whether they were made on camps, in the classroom, or during the countless lunchtimes, these are the memories that I will cherish forever.
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 285 lonely child, feeling as emotional as Mitch Johnstone when he came third in the 400m at House Athletics. Next up, Bayview. I remember the day Mum bought me my first blazer and first real tie. I was finally a big dog. The first couple of years in Bayview flew by. Next thing I know, I’m in Year 7, where there was an influx of over a 100 new kids. For the first few weeks, every person in the year level stood around on the oval at recess and lunch attempting to make friends. It was awkward, very awkward. Eventually everyone got along, and I reckon it was the starting point of our year level becoming as close as we are today. The remaining year of Bayview went fast, almost as fast as Angus Hill when his mum tells him to get off the PS3 and go to bed. In this year, I was stoked to be a part of the ‘footy boys’ finishing second on the ladder, back-to-back swimming flags and I was also lucky enough to meet a crazy pom by the name of James Fitzgibbons. We then moved into Greenways. Just kidding. We didn’t. We had 9^4. Year 9 created some of the funniest and memorable moments I have had in my life. Whether it be Harrison Cramer almost shooting a bullet through his foot, or Pat Nguyen sprinting into a flywire door he simply could not see, it was a year I definitely could not have missed out on. When people told me your last school years go quickly, they didn’t lie. Years 10, 11 and 12 have flown by and although I am very relieved it is over, I am also extremely sad. I will miss seeing my best mates five days a week. I will miss the countless games of seven square and wallball. I will miss the Monday morning recaps of the weekend. I will miss the cold Saturday mornings playing footy with my brothers. And I will miss the glory from winning multiple Swimming Premierships. But most of all, I will miss the little things like the cheeky banter at lunchtimes and in the corridors, or the sleepless nights at Shoreham in The Lodge. I would just like to thank all my teachers and staff who I have become close to over the years and everything they have done for me in and out of the classroom. I’d like to thank my parents and entire family for all the support they’ve provided me with and for giving me the opportunity to go to this School. But most importantly, I’d like to say a huge thank you to the group of Year 12s sitting in front of me right now for every moment and every laugh and for making my 15 years at this School something I will never ever forget. Thanks for listening.
286 | THE MENTONIAN 2015 Anderson House Patrick LukeJoshuaMatthewStephenMitchellAdamJoshuaHamishAndersonBrownBurgessCansdaleChudleighClarkeCooperDalyEndall Georgina Gore Miaolin Huang Xueren Li Robert McKenna Caitlin New Bill GeorgiaPark Petfield Isabel Shurlin Oliver Strong Deighton House Sammy Abdalla Tyler AmittyDongchengGeorgiaHollyPhilipMorganNicholasBradleyCapomollaCarterChandlerClaytonDevereauxDingEdgeworth Samantha Gilliver Mitchell Johnstone Dillon JessieTimothyColinMaxwellMatsWilliamKhairaLancasterManallackMorisonReevesRossiRyan-Taylor Finlay Anderson House Michael Banks Samuel Barron Ryan Chand Alec NatashaEdwardJaysonJoshuaLauraChristopoulosCoxDunneGreenfieldHallHuttley Damaris SamuelBiancaLachlanMikaelaBelindaGeorgiaJonathanKaukesaKohLeeMokMorganPalfreyRyderZerman Drinan House Todd IsabelleAngusNicholasMaximilianJustinNicholasMorganJackMichaelBlasseBriggsBrooksDownieGibbsGreenGrimmHenricksHillHore Panhaboth Hun Samantha Kerr Harrison Leitch Rebecca Leonidas Stuart YuanyuanAlexanderEwanMatthewMaddisonMillsMusgroveMusgroveScottUngXia
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 287 Were House Harrison Cramer Lachlan Dawson Joseph Eddy James XiwenNicolaCharlotteEdwardsGoodmanLeahyMai Daniel Malyaris Putri AlexanderHarrisonStuartNicholasGeorgeMarshMavrogiannisMeehanPesudovsSmythVerrills Jones House Casper LiamAlexanderJamesMengyunNatthaWilliamAlexanderJacksonBjarnasonCharnleyClarkDavisEllisFuGrantHazelbankHiscock Yunzhong Hu Liam AndrewJamesMackenzieLachlanAntoniaBraydenYangyanLeegelLinMorrowPachiyannisPittardSheridanSpencerTodd White House Patrick Blay Joe KarlaCaseyHunterTomLachlanJoshuaCaibiranSiamBosaCampbellDeasFreneyFryerGoodwinGriffinHarropHorne Matthew Lucas Alyssa Maggio Jack Oyarzun John EmilyAndrewChristopherJasmineWilliamPapasimeonPicklesRossboroughScrobVerginisWood Lionel Large House Joseph Blain Connor JaidynMoniqueMatildaFionnJamesCalvinJoshuaNicholasBourkeGabschHarrisHingleLitsiosMacRedmondMaherMaitlandMuhandiramge Lin OliverQi Richards-Grubb Ciara MadelineAlexanderJamesScottShaw-DriverShermonStewartTahneeStreatfeildJamesWakeMichaelWeberrussLaurenZahra
288 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 289
290 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
THE MENTONIAN 2015 | 291
292 | THE MENTONIAN 2015
