PUT TO THE TEST
COMMUNITY
EXCITEMENT BUILDS FOR SHOW
The 2024 APC Art Show is going to be bigger and better than ever.
More than 500 student, emerging and professional artists will have their work on display - a record number.
• IMPORTANT DATES
MONDAY 18 NOVEMBER - FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER Year 10 into Year 11 Orientation
WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER
Da Vinci Launch
5.30pm, 40 Bay St Campus
FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER Year 12 Presentation Evening
The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne
The three-day event kicks off with a special opening night on Friday, November 29. A highlight will be a special auction of a work (above) generously donated by renowned artist Lewis Miller.
This is a unique opportunity to win a work by one of Australia's foremost artists and support the college in the process. You must be at opening night to bid.
The art will be auctioned by Marshall White director Oliver Bruce. Oliver and fellow director Ben Manolitas are proud sponsors of the art show.
Tickets for the opening night are $40 and can be bought here.
ART SHOW - IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Fine wine raffle: Be sure to purchase your raffle ticket for a selection of fine wines. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased when booking your Opening Night ticket or purchased at the Art Show.
Free entry: Entry to the APC Art Show is free on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December.
Student awards : Students Awards will be presented at 2pm on Saturday 30 November. Students are encouraged to visit over the weekend when awards are announced.
Volunteers: The Art Show committee needs volunteers to help set up the exhibition, for various roles on opening night and across the weekend, and to help pack down the show. If you can spare a few hours, please provide your details here.
FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER Year 10 & Year 11 Final Day
MONDAY 25 NOVEMBER - FRIDAY
29 NOVEMBER Year 10 Work Experience week
FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER - SUNDAY
1 DECEMBER
APC Art Show, Studio 120 Bay St, Port Melbourne
COVER: YEAR 11 STUDENTS DURING THEIR EXAMS THIS WEEK.
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER
Da Vinci Exhibition 5.30pm
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER
APC Book Club
6pm - 7pm
Danks St Library
THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER Year 9 into Year 10 Orientation
MONDAY 9 DECEMBER –THURSDAY 12 DECEMBER Year 7 and Year 8 camps
TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER
Parent Information evening Year 6 into Year 7 and Orientation Day
FRIDAY 20 DECEMBER Last day of Term 4
WE SHINE DURING TESTING TIMES
As I write, we are in the middle of exams. Not just the year-12s completing VCE and IB but years 10 and 11 too.
I mean it very literally when I say there is a quiet buzz about the place – a low-level humm rather than the more raucous noise of competing voices in lively classrooms.
Across our senior campuses, groups of students are sitting around tables in designated quiet spaces doing practice exams and swapping answers to essay and mathematics questions and working out chemical reactions and final velocities.
The Danks Street Library is a particular zone of energy – what a great job our library staff do to
create a welcoming and productive space.
I love especially seeing the year 12s in their rugby tops coming back to school to study together and consult their teachers.
In just another week their schooldays will be well and truly over, but we all need to cling together in times of pressure and the sight of them leaning on each other for support is one of the things that makes you glad to be a teacher.
The exams make this a busy and hardworking time of the year. While the VCE and IB exams are largely organised externally, years 10 and 11 exams are put on internally.
Across the school – in the spare space behind the library, in staff rooms, lunch rooms and tables in the sunshine of the courtyard – teachers and support staff are compiling, organising and marking. It’s a huge and essential job and we salute them for it.
Now we sit and wait for the results with fingers crossed – confidently – that our students’ hard work will pay off again.
Steve Cook Foundation Principal
NEW LEADERS SET FOR ACTION
APC HAS ANNOUNCED ITS STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR 2025. CONGRATULATIONS TO SOPHIA AMIN, JAMES KEATING, TEXA BLANCHY, AND OLLIE O'CONNOR.
SOPHIA - SCHOOL CAPTAIN
I want 2025 to be a year that will be action packed with initiative, student voice and agency! As college captain I am looking to work alongside all the student leaders to take tangible action and harness a culture of leadership here at the college.
Key action items involve collaborating with the APC sustainability sub-committee to work on our progress as a resource smart school, developing fundraisers where APC students can give back to the community in innovative ways, and creating a mindset of reconciliation with First Nation cultures through activities such as hosting a smoking ceremony.
I am ecstatic to be in this position and I cannot wait to work with the college captain team on each step of the 2025 student leadership journey.
OUR 2025 LEADERS OLLIE, JAMES, TEXA, AND SOPHIA.
JAMES - SCHOOL CAPTAIN
I’m honoured and excited to be one of your College Captains for 2025. I love basketball, playing piano and global studies. I plan on creating more lunchtime events next year, including house-based sporting activities and bandfests.
I will also audit the charities we currently engage with to ensure all students have the opportunity to do community service as it is so important. With my passion for psychology and learning, I also want to work on providing memory and study skills.
I can’t wait to hear your ideas and take them to the principal team so that they may become a reality.
OLLIE - VICE CAPTAIN
I look forward to working with the student leadership team and the wider Albert Park College community.
I have heard what issues students have and what changes need to be made and I look forward to working with my co vice-captain and our college captains to deliver the best that our college has to offer and to help make students' voices heard.
I am looking forward to representing Albert Park College and representing all the students.
TEXA - VICE CAPTAIN
I’m thrilled to take on this role and have ideas to strengthen our APC
community and build connections beyond our school.
Education, especially languages, is a passion of mine, and I want APC students to have opportunities to immerse themselves in language learning. I plan to create a portal and forum to guide students and parents on exchange programs, including steps to apply, helpful organisations, and the benefits of cultural immersion.
Additionally, I’d like to increase community involvement through regular volunteer drives and fundraisers.
Looking forward to a fantastic 2025!
COMMUNITY
ANIKA
CONQUERS AFRICA'S TALLEST MOUNTAIN
Year 8 student Anika Bentley has conquered Africa’s tallest mountain.
Anika, her dad Rohan and younger sister Elke took part in a special climb to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise money for the Miracle Babies Foundation.
Despite the exhaustion, the freezing cold and the extreme altitude, they made it!
To cap off the family’s amazing climb, they also reached their goal of raising $50,000. And it was APC’s casual clothing day, which raised just over $1000, that helped them achieve their total.
Well done to Anika and the Bentley family. And well done, APC for supporting such a worthy cause.
GOLD MEDAL RUSH KICKS OFF ROWING SEASON
‘Wow! What a weekend and fabulous start to the 2024/25 season for the APC Rowing Academy.
The academy launched its 10th season with an amazing six gold, three silver and two bronze medals at the Lauriston Regatta recently on the Barwon River.
Coach and Olympian Virginia Lee said the outstanding result was due to the efforts put in by everyone in the build-up to the season.
“The Academy rowers have been training over the winter months and enjoyed the rewards for their hard work,” Virginia said.
The academy is still looking for coxswains to join the team, particularly for the senior boys. If you can help, please contact Virginia on 0411 044 332.
GOLD:
• Snr girls quad Div 1: Meikayla Stambolziev, Ella Strangward, Koko Jones, Jocelyn Doig, Indigo Brown
• Snr girls quad Div 2: Naami Hibberd, Farrah Hall, Julia Kwiatkowska, Bea Bradley, Romy Sekulich
• Snr boys quad Div 1: Luca Mercuri, Hugo Everitt, Daniel Tappenden, Noah Gray, Josh Hall
• Snr boys double: Jack Yiangoulli, Ari Rassias
• Jnr girls quad Div 2: Coco Gleeson-Payne, Elise Doig, Lillian Hinneberg, Thais Blevin, Mirrin Huish
• Jnr boys quad Div 2: Jordan Singh-Woolf, Ewan Barnes, Charlie Jepsen Lion, Travis Stubbs, James Cotter
SILVER:
• Darcy Ludlow, Max Mongui, Max Hall, Nic Cresp, Daisy Merrett
• Summer Busuttil, Lily Johnson, Elise Doig, Anna Lill, Daisy Merrett
• Tilly Finlay, Matilda Gray, Arli Keenan, Olivia Stambolziev, Jeevana Fofandi
BRONZE:
• Oscar Sterkenburg, Leo Stepancic, Nathan Ruhl, Jasper Jones, James Cotter
• Arabella Young, Aliina Free
4TH:
• Jasper Jones
• Jack Devereux, Josh Hall, Daniel Simpson, Sam Roberts, Elijah Loong
B FINAL:
• Elias Huish
• Lucia Hamilton, Ruby Miller, Hridaya Fofandi, Millie Drack, Jeevana Fofandi
OUR ROWERS FLY THE APC FLAG AFTER THEIR SUCCESSFUL REGATTA
WHY OUR CAMPS MATTER
GARIWERD
QUEENSLAND
"N o o N e will protect what they do N ’ t care about ; a N d N o o N e will care about what they have N ever experie N ced ."
DAVID ATTENBOROUGH
QUEENSLAND BORNEO
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The APC camps program is a critical element of our Positive Education program, where all students are encouraged to challenge themselves to be their best and to contribute in a positive way in new environments.
There was an incredible variety of options in the 2024 camps program - everything from mountain biking in Bright and horse riding in Gunnamatta, to living in France as part of our student exchange.
Year 10s again loved their sunny camp in Somers, while Year 12s
benefited enormously from the Study Retreat in Campaspe Downs as well as the Year 12 Outdoor Ed hike at Wilsons Promontory.
Year 8s are soon to head off on a high adventure camp in Emerald and our year 7s will be camping around Lake Eildon to end their year in one of Victoria's most beautiful natural environments.
In year 9, the Da Vinci Expeditions add another important element to the camps program by extending classroom studies so students can fully immerse themselves in a new environment.
In 2024, our year 9 Da Vinci Expeditions allowed students to:
TREK in the forests of Borneo and learn about habitat protection for orangutans and other native animals.
TAKE part in a homestay in a rural Vietnamese village and aid in building projects.
LEARN from environmental scientists on the Great Barrier Reef.
STAY in a traditional Marae house and learn about Maori culture in New Zealand.
HIKE to the top of the peaks in the Gariwerd National Park in the Grampians and take note of our unique biodiversity.
EXPLORE vast swathes of South Australia from Kangaroo Island to the Flinders Ranges and to interact with those various environments while abseiling, hiking and interacting with indigenous communities.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND GARIWERD
VIETNAM
NEW ZEALAND
LEIF WEINGOTT AND EVIE MCGINLEY DURING REHEARSALS.
STAFF AND STUDENTS
HEARTWARMING SCRIPT MOVES AUDIENCE TO TEARS
Recently, APC staged its student-written production, ‘Til The End Of Time, at Gasworks Theatre.
Marking the return of APC’s Drama Production, ‘Til The End Of Time centered on Sunny Towers Nursing Home, documenting the past love and heartache experienced by one of its residents; John Whittiger (yes, that’s Whittiger not Whittaker!)
The play was written by APC’s supremely talented Year 10 Drama class, with the help of Artist in Residence Amelia Evans.
Impressively, in over just 15 weeks, the Year 10 students were able to write a heartwarming 90-minute script that did, actually, move some audience members to tears.
As a cast of 21, we began rehearsals back in August, all working together to develop
our new characters. With our characters ranging from dementia-ridden to newly pregnant, there were certainly some fun rehearsals to be had.
We also had a dedicated stage crew team who worked tirelessly to bring this production together, APC’s amazing group of performing arts teachers, Ms Alers, Ms Sabatino, Ms Macafee and Ms Schneider who all devoted themselves to this show, and Year 10 student Max Vucic who joined the creative team as anhear Assistant Director.
After our two shows, the feedback we received from audience members was so positive and we are overjoyed to know that people enjoyed our show.
I say with the utmost sincerity that staging this production has been an absolute joy and working with APC’s brilliant performing arts
students and teachers has been a privilege.
I cannot recommend APC’s productions enough. The experience of working with enthusiastic, talented people is so rewarding and offers a much needed break from the stress of school life.
Thank you to everyone who came to see the show and we can't wait for you to see what we have in store for next year!
Ivy Glenfield Drama Captain
FRENCH AMBASSADOR AND CONSUL GENERAL VISIT APC
Many of our French students had the chance to discuss diplomacy and politics with French Ambassador, His Excellency Monsieur Pierre-André Imbert (on crutches above) and the French Consul General Madame Paule Ignatio (white blazer) on their recent visit to APC. Frenchspeaking City of Port Phillip Councillor Serge Thomann was also welcomed to the event.
Employing impressive French, our students spoke of their persistence in maintaining their study of the language and how their hard work has finally paid off. They also spoke of their love of the French language and French culture.
Principal Steve Cook outlined how French was a foundational subject of the college, chosen to make a strong statement about our love of culture and commitment to high academic standards.
It wasn’t all polite small talk. The students asked quite difficult questions. School Captain Sterling Baird put the ambassador on the spot, asking whether the French Government was still annoyed over the Australian Government’s
cancellation of the conventional submarine contract with France that enabled the creation of the AUKUS agreement.
The Ambassador, a former political adviser to President Macron, replied with the appropriate level of diplomacy!
We were honoured to welcome our French guests and look forward to ongoing collaborations to continue APC’s wonderful French language program.
BON VOYAGE TO SENIOR STUDENTS
We wish bon voyage to our senior French students as they head off on their seven-week exchange to France on 8 December.
From 2025 we will alternate a three-week exchange and a sevenweek exchange for year 10 and 11 French students. Those interested in the three-week exchange in September 2025 should contact the Head of Languages tashabrown@albertparkcollege. vic.edu.au
UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAMS COMPLETED
Also, félicitations to our French Immersion Program (FIP) students at year 9 who have completed their exams for the DELF B2 exams.
That is the standard required for university entrance in France. Chapeau! Well done!
INSPIRED BY SCIENCE
Recently, many of our FIP students had the chance to meet with fellow bilinguals and senior research scientists at the Alliance Française Fête de la Science hosted by Swinburne University of Technology.
It was inspiring to see the many international collaborations in areas as broad as Cosmology, Astrophysics, Water Science, 3D imaging and Civil Engineering.
STAFF AND STUDENTS
WAY TO GO, RYAN AND JESS
Speaking of great new music, APC staff members Ryan Basil and Jess Zanoni and their band Arbes released their debut album Counterways last week.
Ryan, who works in the library, and Jess, who is APC’s writer in residence, have worked on this album for the past five years, so are understandably elated to finally release it.
Asked to describe the album, Ryan said: “Sonically, it's a combination of dream-pop and post-punk.”
STAFF AND STUDENTS
THE SHERIFF COMES TO TOWN
APC's very own Mansplainers have launched their debut single The Sheriff
Huge congratulations to the bandLibby Homer, Matilda Lester, Lucy Ellenberger, Lily Hall and James Keating (left) - on this exciting release.
Mansplainers recorded The Sheriff at Collarts in Collingwood, as the
result of a Battle Of The Bands prize.
Even though Mansplainers didn't take home first place, the winning band loved their music so much, they gave them the prize!
The band formed in 2022 as part of APC’s rock and contemporary band program. Libby, Matilda and Lily are in Year 12 and Lucy and James are in Year 11.
Mansplainers are launching The Sheriff at The Tote Upstairs, on November 24. Tickets are available here. The gig is 18+.
Listen to 'The Sheriff', leave a review on Triple J Unearthed , and follow Mansplainers on socials here
The album launch will take place this Saturday (November 16), at The Grace Darling Hotel in Collingwood.
“We'd love to see everyone there – we're looking to make it as magical as possible,” Ryan said.
If you're a Spotify user, you can listen to it here . If you're a Bandcamp fan, you can buy it here
MORE SPORTING HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR YOUNG GUNS
FOOTY ACADEMY KICKS ITS FIRST GOALS
The inaugural AFL Academy Gala Day was a fantastic showcase of talent, sportsmanship, and community spirit among the participating academies from APC, Patterson River and Mordialloc.
In the round robin competition, Patterson River emerged as the standout team of the day, winning both of their matches decisively.
But APC finished full of running, securing second place with a solid victory over Mordialloc. In a great team performance, the skills of
Thomas Cotter, Oliver Cannington, Cruz Jamieson and Lenny Critch stood out and left a lasting impression on spectators and opposing teams alike.
This gala day marks a promising beginning for what we hope will
SNOW
be many future clashes among these rival schools.
With such enthusiasm and passion displayed, it’s clear that our AFL Academy is set to foster talent and build lasting relationships within the local sporting community.
TEAM SHOWS THEM
HOW
The APC snow team represented the school with distinction in the Victorian Interschool Snowsports held at Mt Buller during the ski season.
Over 220 schools and almost 6500 competitors participated.
The team consisted of Flynn Abroms, Kobi Axtens, Otto Beeby, Ava Bond, Ben Iatropoulos and Finn Meehan who represented APC in cross country, alpine, alpine challenger, skier cross, moguls,
slopestyle, snowboard cross and snowboard giant slalom.
Kobi and Finn performed brilliantly to qualify for the National Interschools Ski Competition at Mt Perisher.
In tough conditions, Kobi placed 13th in Australia in the Division 2 (Year 9 and 10) Moguls while Finn finished 6th in Australia in the Division 3 (Year 7 and 8) Classic Cross Country event.
KOBI GETS SOME SERIOUS AIR DURING HIS RUN.
BASKETBALL STARS STEAL THE LIMELIGHT
The basketball season at APC is off to an incredible start, with our talented athletes putting on a show at the Southern Metropolitan Regional finals after securing victory in the Bayside regional rounds.
Intermediate Girls:
Our Intermediate Girls team went into the finals as the ones to beat. And they delivered! The team of six – Madelin Eliadis, Ruby Jones, Sienna Katsis, Victoria Peterson, Lily Hazel and Hannah Angus –demonstrated superb coordination and resilience on the court.
Madelin set a strong defensive tone, anchoring the team’s fast-paced transition play led by Ruby and Sienna. Victoria and Lily provided sharp shooting, while Hannah’s hustle and commitment to the "one percenters" gave the team the edge they needed. This talented line-up has the skill and drive to make a real run at the state title!
Year 8 Boys and Intermediate Boys:
The Year 8 and Intermediate Boys demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork, with standout performances from Fraser McCallum and Jay Westerbeek. Despite their impressive efforts, they narrowly missed out on topping their pool.
The Intermediate Boys faced fierce competition in their round, ultimately falling short. A special mention to Riley Stafford-Tarrant and Thomas Bekis, who were instrumental in leading the team’s scoring efforts.
STAFF AND STUDENTS
GIANT DINOS CELEBRATE THEIR FINAL DAY
During our recent Celebration Day (alternatively known as the final day of school, although many of you may have called it ‘Muck Up Day’ when you were young!) we were expecting our year 12s to turn up full of fun, only to find ourselves being visited by giant bananas and dinosaurs.
We’re not sure what the collective noun is for Tyrannosaurus Rex, perhaps ‘a murder of T-Rexes?’
We’re glad to report they were friendly and well behaved tropical fruit and killer reptiles, who got into the spirit of the day. Major damage often follows when dinosaurs descend – we found none.
The students’ thoughtful redecoration of the school brightened the place up and, years from now, a piece of glitter spotted in a place neglected by the cleaning company’s vacuum cleaners will remind us of the fun farewell antics of the class of 2024.
APC COMMUNITY
BREAKFAST OF ACADEMIC CHAMPIONS
The scissors were out and the sewing machines were hard at work before the Class of 2024 came together for their year-12 breakfast.
As expected, everyone looked fabulous in their deconstructed uniforms – something which has become a great APC tradition.
We love this one morning of the year when we get to celebrate our departing students with their parents, whose love and devotion has kept them studying during the long final year.
The entertainment was fantastic, thanks to music students Matilda Lester, Libby Homer, Lucy Ellenberger (Yr 11), Owen Wilkins, Greta Nusimovich Mateo and Hannah Lawrence, who played to the appreciative audience.
The students had a great - and we hope memorable - day off before hitting the books for the exam period.
RESERVE A SEAT
THE
DA VINCI EXHIBITION
ALBERT PARK COLLEGE PRESENTS
Join us for our annual Year 9 Art Exhibition showcasing the unique talents and imagination of our young artists. Through a vibrant mix of painting, sculpture, digital art, and mixed media, students respond to the environmental and social challenges that face them in the years ahead This exhibition celebrates their creative growth, encouraging self-expression and innovative thinking.
Come and be inspired by the next generation of artists!
