1996 Silver and Green

T

h e

Cover

gy Danielle Jry avid Julia Howell

For this year's theme, 'Unity and Diversity', we began brainstorming as we wanted to represent what both Silver and

Green and MLC are about. The globe was used to represent international students, communication around the world via

the Internet and unity in the MLC community. Various parts of the school were added to this image in a striking and

creative way. Our cover became very original using a space theme which connects with the MLC star. This allowed us to

place flying images showing aspects of the curriculum. To depict both technology and tradition, we came up with the

MLC tower/rocket. We chose gouache as the medium to achieve a bright and vibrant effect of diversity in the college.

"thank

you

A number of individuals put a huge amount of time and effort into this magazine, as well as the invaluable assistance of Ms Walsh and Ms Deriu. Thankyou to everyone who contributed articles and photographs, and to the Year 11 and 12 Business students for typing.

Special thanks goes to those who devoted the whole first week of their September holidays to the execution of the finished piece - this year's Silver and Green.

LAYOUT DESIGNERS

TEACHERS

Emily Barnes

Laura Deriu (Editorial assistance)

Joeiene T e e

Tara Walsh (Graphic Design) John Rawson (Computer and typing assistance)

COMPUTER LAYOUT/ARTWORK Emily Barnes

Mrs Mason

JoeleneTee

MsTemby

BelndaConti

MsBracfceer

Catherine Copley MirandaTumer

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS

Judfth Graham

Amelia Cassidy (Photography) Annalise Newell (Photography)

PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR

Catriona Giver (Artwo*)

Caroline Van Gemert

Elise Houghton (Artwori<)

Contents

tentorial We were thrilled to discover that we had been chosen as the 1996 Silver and Green Editors. We found ourselves faced with the task of collecting and editing enough material to fill a whole magazine. A sobering thought indeed! Our

Editorial

1

Introductions

2

Prefects

8

House

10

Sport

17

Religion

26

Debating

27

Subjects

28

Music

31

Drama

38

Creative Writing

40

Marshmead

52

Language and Exchange

54

Trips

58

Dances

62

Year 7 Life

64

Art

66

Boarders

72

VCE

74

Junior School

76

Environment

77

Community Service

78

Teachers' Quotes

80

first job was to select a theme. We decided to look at a typical day at MLC, hoping this would provide us with some inspiration ...

On arriving at 7:30 am, the oval is dotted with energetic hockey players.

Walking past the Assembly Hall, the melodious strains of House Choral groups can be heard, while BJ Hall is set up for Year 10 Cabaret rehearsals. At recess Year 7s are busily selling donuts at a Social Service stall. At lunchtime the Aerobics teams limber up and classrooms fill with Debating meetings. After school, students gather for Orchestra rehearsals, Athletics training, or for InterSchool Badminton matches.

As we looked at the huge variety of activities at MLC, we realised just what diverse opportunities the school offers. The choice of 'Unity and Diversity' as a theme was designed to incorporate both the wealth of activity and variety within MLC, and the sense of 'community' the school encourages.

Then came the difficult part - eliciting hundreds of articles from scores of people. We managed to obtain nearly everything, for those who didn't submit things we asked for, we know where you live!

This year there has been a new emphasis upon layout and design. Visual media is increasingly important in today's world. Therefore we have tried to combine both the outstanding artistic talents of students, and their proficiency with new computer layout technology.

After everyone's hard work, we are extremely proud of the finished product.

We hope you enjoy it.

Editors: Sarah Norman Kathryn James Annabel Hart (Layout and Design)

Kathryn, and

Sarah

Annabel.

/ Editors

1996

Principal's

Reflections

In need of inspiration on the subject of 'Unity and Diversity',

economically, were viewed by Aboriginal groups as a move

I ventured to the Net to see what I could find. Two Australian

away from the commitment to this recognition and an attempt to

sites furnished me with two items on which I thought I could build

revive a view that denies to minority and marginalised groups the

some meaningful and relevant comments. In the first, a senior

right to exist and be heard for fear that they may threaten the

official of the Immigration Department expressed the view that

control of the majority. The term 'multi-culturalism' immediately

"Australia had successful immigration and multicultural polices

suggests Australia's diversity; but this diversity is easily and

that had created unity out of diversity." The second set out the

instantly devalued by attitudes and programs which imply the

present Government's policy of "maintaining and further

superiority or control of one group over the others, and which fail

enhancing Australia's unique and enriching cultural diversity

to promote and encourage understanding and mutual respect

within the framework of national unity." My immediate thoughts

between all sections of society.

were that these views nicely summed up what we have As I continued to reflect on this undesirable situation, I recalled

managed to achieve in the environment at MLC.

that the 'control model' with which we were most familiar in And yet, as I pondered these worthy statements further, I was

Australia was one which vested social, political and economic

troubled. What troubled me was that on the larger national stage

power in the hands of white Anglo-Saxon males. Surely, I

there seemed to be a gap between the rhetoric and reality. For

thought, Australia could not revert to such a model, and neither

when I turned to my newspaper on 20th August, I read about

should it! And to prove the impossibility of such a development I

what has been described as the worst day of political violence in

need only reflect on our situation at MLC. For here we have a

Australia's history. In the days preceding the 'Parliament House

community which demonstrates powerfully such principles as

Riot', the Federal government had announced considerable

gender equality and cultural harmony, and we are not

funding cuts to, amongst other things, Aboriginal Affairs,

unrepresentative of Australian society.

prompting angry responses from Aboriginal leaders. One such Thus, it seems to me that Australia's social and cultural diversity

leader was even moved to announce an end to the reconciliation

must be acknowledged as an immutable fact. Ours is now a

process between white and indigenous Australians that had

culture that pivots at the intersections of race, gender and class.

begun some years earlier. It caused me to reflect that, despite all

The real question then is how do we ensure that this diversity

the rhetoric about the unity of our diverse multicultural society, the

brings us closer to a sense of national unity rather than national

unity to which we aspire is a fragile and tender plant.

fragmentation. The answer must surely be that it is only through On the face of it, the violence and protests were about a significant

recognition of, and mutual respect for, our differences that can

cut in funds to a minority and somewhat marginalised group in

map the road to unity.

society. But unity is not dependent upon the allocation of mere dollars; rather, unity is dependent upon the recognition that diverse groups and different points of view have a right to free existence and development within the fabric of our society! It occurred to me that the cut in funds, justifiable as they may

5 <

David Loader >

—

Senior —

School

Our Assembly in Multi-Cultural week revealed just how diverse we are in Senior School at MLC. Our forebears came from all werthe

Mrs McKenzie

world. We are in origin, a truly diverse international oommunity, yet

We all need to develop

we are united in being Australian and in being members of MLC.

our strengths and deepen our interests to grow to

As a country, our strength is both in our diversity and in our unity.

As a Colege, our strength is both in our diversity and in our unity.

our fullest capacity. So we need, and MLC

In Senior School, we are ethnically diverse andreligiouslydiverse.

provides, a wide range

M o s t of us see the world from a Christian background

of opportunities: spotting opportunities- rowing, kayakrig, swimming,

and perspective, but some of us are rationalists, some agnostics,

water polo, athletics, hockey, badminton, cricket, softball, netball,

some Buddhists, and a few Muslims. This diversity and a tradition

aerobics, gymnastics, weights; drama opportunities; musical

of open discussion allows us to hear, to question, to reevaluate -

opportunities and community service opportunities.

and it prevents us becoming too complacent. So we are united in valuing open discussion and that discussion is intensely interesting because of our diversity.

It is important to have the opportunities to be involved, to participate, to work with others in a unified endeavour - be it a sausage sizzle, a House play, or the Year 11 and 12 Dance

It is the same in discussions in humanities classrooms - in English,

Committees. But it is also important to aspire to excellence, to

in Politics, in Literature, in History, in Legal Studies, in Australian

stretch yourself to see how far you can go. And then, if you fail or

Studies - there are always diverse view points. And again this is

make a mistake, you need to forgive yourself, not judge yourself

because MLC students come from different parts of Meboume,

too harshly, but just pick yourself up and bounce back

different parts of Victoria, different parts of the world; we are from MLC Senior School is diverse. We are diverse in our ethnicity, different economic and social backgrounds; we have different our religions, our backgrounds, our capacities, our interests, our political views and attitudes. In fact, MLC Senior School students skills, our characters, our personalities and our aspirations. But are very individualistic, independent people, but united in a we are united in these things - in our belief in democracy and confident determination to shape our future and contrbute justice, our pride in being Australian, our respect for all people in positively to society. all their diversity and variety; our confidence in ourselves as A huge diverse range of subjects and courses is offered at Senior

independent women forging a splendid future for ourselves and

School in MLC. VCE siiDjects, dual credit TAFE subjects

for our society; and our sheer enjoyment in being alive, relishing

in Business Studies, in Hospitality, TAFE Art, several LOTEs,

the friendships and challenges of our Senior School years. In the

several Maths, several Sciences. (Is Psychology or Biology or

juxtaposition of diversity and unity is the heart and strength of

Chemistry or Physics your preference?) We need a diverse

MLC Senior School.

offering of subjects because-we are different in our capacities, in our interests, in our skills and in our aspirations.

Mrs Judy McKenzie Head of Senior School

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In two days time I will be in Indonesia with fifteen Year 10

commitment displayed by our resident staff. New initiatives for

students, and I am frantically trying to write a piece for Silver and

Year 9 have included the 'Contribution to the Community'

Green. This frenetic pace is exactly how the year has been for

program, in which students gave up their time to foster links

most students and staff. Middle School is hectic, but our activity is

with people in the local community. We have emphasised

usually manifested in vbrant and positive ways. There' is certainly

that making a contribution to the community is a 'learning

no time to slow down.

exchange' program, and that by giving one also receives.

Students have also been encouraged to develop a Personal

Each Middle School student has their own memories of 1996.

Portfolio, an ongoing record of their achievement For me, it has been very satisfying. I have seen students gain and involvements. confidence, become more independent and discover their strengths and personal qualities, and watched them strive to take

Year 10s were able to build upon the skills developed at

control of their future. In Middle School, students learn to assert

Marshmead. Many became more internationally aware, through

their needs in acceptable ways, successfully negotiate and

visiting another country or hosting students from overseas. Such

communicate, and understand the need for compromise.

opportunities will hopefully increase our knowledge and understanding of other cultures. Work Experience was

At times life is turbulent, as students try to balance their personal wants and the expectations of others. Pressures come from

also valuable as our students focused upon the opportunities available to them in the community beyond MLC.

peers, from parents, from school. Students quickly realise they do not wish to be moulded nor manipulated by others. They try

An enormous amount of growth occurs in the Middle School

hard to bounce back after disappointments as well as celebrating

years. 1996 has been no exception and I have journeyed with

their successes.

the students and staff with pride. Much learning has occurred.

Opportunities have been seized and challenges met with

Looking back over the year, I remember guest speakers determination, responsibility and the desire to succeed. Thank emphasising the importance of students following their dreams. I you to staff and see the bright colours of House Sports and hear the House students who

have

Music. The Year 10 Theatre Cabaret was undoubtedly a contributed to my personal success, while House Drama is yet to occur as I write. I visualise journey. I look forward to the exceptional Art Work produced. I recall the Year 10 students continuing this journey thrashing the Staff in Netball, and vow that next year we will issue into 1997. the challenge to our Year 9s instead!

Year 9 is often viewed as the in between" or "difficult" years, but for the MLC community it is thought of as the Marshmead year!

I am constantly reminded of the enormous impact of Marshmead Term on our students. The success of this program is due

Ms

Rosa

Store!H

to the enthusiasm of the students who attend and to the

Head of Middle

School

fl

^umior Secondary School Jeel

Smell

The tightness of new shoes; the crisp touch of

Fresh, new books; jasmine blossom against a grey stone

the uniform; the hard edge of the chair and

wall; the pungency of candles at Chapel service; orange

the press of the desk; the weight of the

peel and banana skins in classrooms after recess; the

computer clutched tight; the drag of the bag

sharpness of whiteboard markers; cut grass when playing

against one's shoulders; the e n v e l o p i n g

in the front garden at lunchtime; perfume of deodorant in

silkiness

of t h e swimming pool; the

the Cato c o r r i d o r s ; a c r i d s m e l l s in the S c i e n c e lab;

squelch of grass and mud as one pounds after

acids and bases and formaldehyde from rats for dissection;

the hockey ball; a hard, smooth l i z a r d ' s

sawdust in the Woodwork room; fried rice and muffins

back at the Zoo; the sweating tension of

cooking in Home Eco.; early morning Milo with Mrs. Putt;

hand on rope while abseiling down a climbing

antiseptic in the Health Centre; the g r e a s e - p a i n t and hair

wall; the clammy coolness of clay.

spray of "Truth or Dare".

Laste New faces which become old friends; green carpets and grey walls; gigantic murals against

Sweet, cloying Easter eggs

golden wood - "For God and For Home"; the glow of the computer screen, fading to dullness

from friends; sweat on the

in the bright afternoon sun; books to read and words to write; a brolga stalking by at

lips after Phys. Ed.; burnt

Serendip; eels dipping through the scummy water of the Botanic Gardens lake; maths

sausages at Bush Survival;

problems to solve; snow scrunching against skis; a poetry pavement, ceramic butterflies and

crunchy green apples after

spiders in webs.

soaring on the Jane swing; chicken noodle soup before late a f t e r n o o n gym; a

Hear

welcome, savoury, hot pie

Laughter and chatter; a teacher's

from Tuck.

voice explaining, exclaiming; the murmur of busy work in a

Ruth

tSaker

Humanities classroom; deafening House cries and songs resounding

Headof^mbr

round the Swimming Centre; wattle birds and parrots' calls at Devil's

Secondary School

Cove; stifled giggles and whispers from tents and dormitories; the hush as a poem is read; strange incomprehensible words of Japanese visitors; the richness of violin, viola and cello; sweet flute and ringing harp; the flip and splash of canoe paddles against the pull of water; the hum of a lathe.

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In Junior School, we celebrate diversity and acknowledge that individuals will have different strengths and areas of success. As we come to understand more about teaching and learning and explore the notion of multiple intelligences, we are able to identify differences in learning styles and demonstrate that intelligence may be represented

Ms

Toni Q r a i)

Head of Junior School

and assessed in at least seven different ways - from mathematical representations to interpersonal forms. Each of our students is encouraged to know herself and to be a responsible, independent learner. She is helped to develop personal organisational skills; she leams to work alone and with others; and she learns the obligations of leadership and community membership.

During this year our students have been given opportunities to participate in a wide range of activities. For those with strong mathematical interests, there have been extension groups, various competitions, the Maths Olympiad and the Tournament of Minds. Our students' expertise in computing has continued to amaze visitors from around the world, including senior computer company executives form Japan. Each Junior School student has

Our students hawe participated in Inter-House, Inter-School and Open sporting competitions. For those who preferred to read a good book, or perhaps write one, there were Reading Adventures, the Writer-in-Residence, Reading Challenge, Book Week, short story writing competitions, visiting illustrators and authors and the YABBA.

her own e-mail address and the accessing and authoring

The spatial and visual strengths of our students and staff were

of multimedia presentations is becoming part of each

highlighted during Art Week. I suspect the field of scarecrows

student's program.

with the flock of birds hovering overhead will be long

The tradition of a strong music program for all continues.

Over two-thirds of our students learn an instrument

remembered by all who saw them. The JS Gallery and the painted tram are a dailyreminderof the talent amongst us.

and there are numerous performance opportunities

Whilst celebrating our differences, we also recognise that we

- at school assemblies, in ensembles, at recitals,

have much in common. This has been explored in our weekly

at music mornings and evenings, with the JS Band

Chapel sen/ices and assemblies. There has been the joy of

or with the JS Orchestra.

sharing so many special times, such as the breakfasts for

Physical education and sports continued to be the passion for

parents and when we had grandparents visit. There also has

many.

been the shared satisfaction of Social Service. I am pleased to

There have been outstanding performances in the pool, on the ski slopes, in the gym, on the courts and on various ovals.

report that our students continue to be mindful of the needs of others.

Mr David

Loader

Shock! Uproar! This was the reaction to the unexpected news students received on 31 July 1996 - that Mr. Loader, our beloved principal, was leaving for Wesley in 1997 after 18 years at MLC. However, it also made us realise that although we had been here for 6 years, there was much we didn't know about the man at the top of MLC. So we approached him for an interview, hoping to discover a little more about him and his life as our princpal.

Bom in Brisbane and educated at Sydney University, Mr. Loader was principal of a small co-ed private school in Orange for eight years before coming to MLC. He decided to change schools because he felt decisions were often being made for financial reasons, ralherlhan educational purposes. Wihout such restrictions, he hoped that MLC could become an inno/ative leader in education, not afraid to experiment. As we sit in Mr Loader's homely office surrounded by photographs of young students immersed in computer programs, girls returning from hikes at Marshmead, and the enormous, innovative structure of the new Music School, he

completed, such as the new Music Academy being planned,

must certainly feel he has achieved his aims.

and a program of sending students to Indonesia.

Mr Loader's first impressions of MLC would have been of a very

MLC is certainly a very different place to the school Mr Loader

different school to the one we see today. Firstly, the buildings

cameto18 years ago. At thet time, teachers wore the black academic

were different - Centenary building, the PEC and the new Music

gowns every day. At his first meeting with staff, Mr. Loader was

School were but a twinkle in the eye of the School Council.

very surprised to find that the staff stood up for him - this tradition

Renovations to Wood had not even been considered. The concepts

was soon left behind. Students have also changed - Mr. Loader

of Junior Secondary, Middle and Senior Schools did not exist.

has been glad to witness the increased interaction between staff

Neither did such revolUionary ideas as laptops for every student

and students. Certainly (as he was quick to point out), we were

and a residential campus like Marshmead.

perfectly relaxed conducting an interview in what was, after all, the principal's office.

Having accomplished so much, the obvious question is - why a change of schools? Should we take it personally? On the contrary,

We wish Mr Loader luck in his new position at Wesley, and know

apparently - Mr Loader believes a change will be good for both

that his contribution to MLC will be valued for many years

him and MLC. While he had felt 'a bit restless', he will find it diffi-

to come.

cult leaving the people he has worked with. He will miss the interaction with students, especially through camps and the Boarding House. He also regrets leaving the projects which are not yet

Sarah Norman and Kathryn James Year 12.

Senior Prefect's Report After my daily holiday dose of the

The delicious spread of food was

It has been an exciting and reward-

delightfully trashy "Ricky Lake Show", I

eagerly devoured - primarily by us

ing year for all of us. A special

noticed the mail on the dining table. One

to replenish our energy reserves!

thank you to Mrs. McKenzie,

envelope was addressed to me and

The effervescence of our Grade 1s

perpetually bombarded with our

was from MLC with the inevitable star

was a welcome break from the quite

p r o p o s a l s and i d e a s , for her

imprinted in the comer. 'Doomsday' - the

erratic and bizarre antics of Year

direction and insight.The Deputy

first day of Year 12 - was nearing and

12s with CAT-syndrome.

Senior Prefects, Dawn, Kate and

rryritialthoucfl was 'Oh no! Its rry report."

Corrposhg mysef, I opened the envelope.

The cultural variance among the prefect body motivated us to

No words can illustrate the thoughts that

highlight and celebrate diversity by

went through try head as I read the letter

organising a multicultural week. It

which informed me of my election as

included a concert with students

Senior Prefect. All I can say is, I was

performing Indian, Chinese and

happily hysterical to the point of insanity.

Jewish traditional dances, and

After my initial excitement, it dawned on

ethnic culinary delights.

me, t h a t I w o u l d have to be responsible, mature and organised for the entire year - I certainly had a challenge ahead of me!

enthusiasm and support throughout the year and even with the copious amounts of work, our senses of humour have survived! To the other twenty prefects, well what can I say? The cohesion and focus in such a diverse group was amazing

against the Scotch College prefects

t h e caffeine highs and sleepless VCE nights!

during Term Three. Scotch turned

So much has happened since then. The

to display our prowess on the court

1996 will have a special place in

year commenced with a holiday meeting

and willingly challenged them to a

MLC's history; in a sense, we will be

for the 1996 prefects. The prefects were

game. We put our tactics and game

the end of an extraordinary era. In

brimming with inspiration and generating

strategies to play and believe we

any case, our d e d i c a t i o n and

a plethora of ideas for the year ahead.

came out victors, but there are two

ability to endure the VCE is an

Since this introductory meeting, the gear

sides to every story. I want to thank

achievement in itself, and we have

has not once shifted from full speed.

the MLC girls for their outstanding

much to treasure from our final year

support. We know they all turned up

at the school. I can sincerely say

in the name of school spirit, their

that my time at school has given me

presence having absolutely nothing

many memorable experiences. So

to do with athletic boys running

now that our school life has almost

around in tight shorts.

ended, from here on, it will be an

with all the attractions of the school - the tuckshop was the most common destination. The annual Teddy Bears'

Senior Prefect, Nadeeka Arambewela

and i n s p i r i n g - even with all We played the annual netball match

With Mr. Loader leaving, Year 12

new Senior students, familiarising them

t

Lizzy, have exhibited endless

up unannounced, but we were keen

Our first official task was orientating the

c

p r e

Picnic was next. We were reminded

Even with the exhausting demands

how enjoyable it was to play Scarecrow

of the VCE, the ongoing tram duty,

Tiggy and hunt for Easter eggs,

bus duty, uniform blitzes and

although the Grade 1s were relentless

seemingly endless meetings and

and after a few games, it was not they

forums, our vitality and commitment

who were exhausted.

has not faltered.

open book. Although we may not know what exactly lies ahead of us,

1996 Prefects

we will continue writing our new

TOP L-R: Georgia Hopkins, Astrid Gray, Julianna Leslie, Natalie Evans, Samari Jayarajah, Rebecca Smith, Kate Huntington.

2nd ROW L-R: Melinda Hall, Jenny Clark, Jane Holroyd, Catherine Turner, Sarah Davies, Gene-Siew Ngian, Leah Bloch.

3rd ROW L-R: Libby Swan, Melissa Cafasso, Tanzeel Jabbar, Kate Cunningham, Naomi Smith, Michelle Liu BOTTOM ROW L-R: Kate Dobson (Deputy Senior Prefect) Dawn Senathi-Raja (Deputy Senior Prefect) Mrs Judy McKenzie (Vice Principal) Nadeeka Arambewela (Senior Prefect), Lizzy Skinner (Deputy Senior Prefect)

experiences in it ... and ultimately this book will become our own unique story.

Nadeeka Arambewela

s

House

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MS

Throughout this year, Cato has shown

Middle School CATO has shown its

a huge amount of team spirit and great

strength this year through enthusiasm,

Catoites - we have gone from success

loud cheers and plenty of blue cake! We

to success. Pooh Bear got so excited

sportsmanship. During the many sports that have occurred this year, Cato has

t

were especially successful in Table-Tennis,

proven to be both a challenging and fair house! To those girls who have participated in the many house

coming top of the lot, and also in

o

ss

1996 has been a huge year for

that he lost his right arm for Cato!

Swimming was a huge success thanks to Nidhi, 'Crackers' and Kate

Badminton, coming equal first.

On the track, Emily, Nat and Christina

events and to those who have taken

We showed good teamwork in Softball

the challenge to try a new sport and

and a sporting effort in Cross-Country.

place. Our Drama performance was

support their House, we thank and

Although our performance in the track

also stunning (Marnie and Trish).

commend you for your efforts.

and pool was not enough to top

Dawn and Virginia trained us well

We all had a great time at the

Fitchett's, we beat them hands down

for House Music - with great results.

Swimming Sports early this year, and

with our creative fashion! Too bad there's

swam with the Cato spirit. The Athletics day was fantastic, and the whole House

not a cup for most creatively dressed!

In Tennis, Softball, Rowing and Netball we eliminated Fitchett early in the competition, and in Debating

Well done to our netballers and hockey

worked together to achieve third place.

The supporters and competitors did a

helped us hop, skip and jump to third

players who were also enthusiastic. Most

Trish won the hearts of the audience (also charming the adjudicator) to be

of all we'd really like to congratulate the

victorious. Thanks to our Recorder,

and decorations stood out from the

whole Houseforone of our best wer perfor-

Nat Evans, and to Ms Phillips who

other teams. Catoites are all-round

mances in the House Music Festival. Our

kept us all smiling.

participators in all the events.

special item Mr Sandman did especially

ON YA, CATO!

We would like to take this chance to

well, and we came a close second in

thank Mrs James and Mrs Ginsberg for

Massed Singing with Book of Days and

SS Captains:

Immortal Invisible.

Michelle Liu and Kate Cunningham.

great job, and our original costumes

being great House Teachers, helping us in Cato to do our best and to have

We'd Sketothank all of our Team Captahs

fun in all the activities throughout this year. A big thank you also to all the captains who have done a great job this

for their efforts throughout the year, Ms Warren for her help and support, and

year. Cato is a great House and we are

Jessica for keeping us organised. Most

very proud to be a part of t Keep ip the

of all we'd like to thank MS CATOITES!

good work and remember that CATO IS THE BEST

JSSCspfahs: JaoqiiWetbard ZbeSoo^o

MS Captains: Zbe Lene and Clare Looker

House

A/

v

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/

e

7ss

MS

ss

My first House meeting in Year 7 was

The Nevile house spirit has been in full

As captains we had inspiration

very daunting - looking up at the House

flight this year. The dedication and

To write in verse for variation.

Cgptains conducting the meeting. To be

encouragement of the girls has been

So this we did, we made a scramble,

elected House Captains for this year

ed in some great results. Mandy,

To try escaping a dull old ramble.

the ultimate desire - to attend the first

Emily and Mamey did a fantastic job as

And now to speak of House affairs,

House Meeting of 1996, this time starting

Swimming

Fitchett gave us quite a scare:

before a sea of pink t-shirts. Once again,

a gutsy effort

Swimming was poor for those in pink,

Mrs Putt was smiling from the sidelines.

Nevile legends swim to victory. We did

But our spirit was great....we didn't sink!

Swimming Sports was the first major

equally well in the .

s. An exhausting

We showed our stuff on track and field

event. Tutus and pink lipstick were

day of fun and laughter, our Cheer

But our third place fate seemed all

dragged out of drawers, chants remem-

Squad urged our

bered, and the Pink Panther was

great performances. Fiona, Vi

As for House Music, we found we'd won,

unearthed. Results were all commend-

Holly were fantastic Captains and

With thanks to Adelaide's "conduction"!

able.

brought home a well-deserved third

Our thanks to Ms. Ray, and pianists too,

placement.

And those in "Variety",

The war-cry is a big part of JSS Nevile.

on to some

sealed.

"Chorals"

and "Instrumental" who,

At the end of the meeting, anybody trying to go early to lunch is dragged back.

Al the hard work that Louise and GeneLyn

With great enthusiasm and dedication

Everyone stands up, groaning to begin

put into House Music really paid off with

Had our house in jubilation!

with, however, by the time we get to N-E-

an exceptional performance gaining first

Our Cross-country team ran hard and fast,

V-l-L-E - NEVILE, people outside are

place in the Proficiency cup and coming

stopping to see what all the noise is about.

a close third. Drama was also a success.

We have had many victories this year,

Athletics were also a great success, and House Drama was very exciting.

Nevilites.

We both agree that all the work paid off in all areas. So... "GIVE ME AN N-E-Vl-L-E!

... WHADDA YA GOT?"

Though the Rowing was a flop, Our Drama girls came out on top.

Other sports were squash and cricket,

the biggest and best being the excellent

With Rebecca starring at the wicket.

turn-out to every sport. As Nevile

Our netball team nearly ended up losing

Captains, we are proud of the effort put in

But Leah, as orator, was quite amusing.

by all girts this year and hope that it wil

Thanks to "the committed" who

continue in years to come.

gave their support,

MS Captains: Katie Davies and

In all Nevile matters, from chess to sport.

Alysia Hill

To all house officers, both big and small

Rehearsal schedules were held during lunchtimes, making for many busy

Emerged the victors - far from last!

Our thanks from the heart to one and all!

"NEVILE!!"

JSS Captains:Kate Robson and Cynthia Nolan.

T H I N K

P I N K !

SS Captains: Sarah Davies and Gene Ngian.

House

KIIi|§S

e

6 JSS

Well, 1996 has flown by, and what a year it has been for JSS Berry! From the excitement of the Swimming and

r

SS

Beny Mdde School has been vay suxessfU

Berry started the year off well with a

and exciting this year. It took us a whie to

wonderful, fresh' House Teacher - Ms.

stir into life, but once we did there was no

Medhurst. Although at first uncertain

turning back. We started the year off wel at sporting c a p t a i n s , everything been

important

to

all

Berryites. The achievement and

y

MS

Athletics S p o r t s to v o t i n g for

has

r

the Swimming Sports, coming an easy

whether she was doing "the right things", she was soon seen to be a great leader. The year started well,

second. Many thanks to Nb, Penny and with

Berry

coming

second

in

enthusiasm of JSS Berry has been

Louise for their great work with organising

outstanding and we have all done well

the day. Next, it was time to swap bathers

in every aspect of the House program.

for sneakers and go to Olympic Park.

Fitchett in the Senior section of

Every House meeting was running

Once again Beny came second overall,

the Aths, coming second overall

overtime as time was taken up by

reflecting the efforts of Katherine,

and WINNING Proficiency for this

Velvet and Lara.

carnival! Mr. Loader's run for us

giving out House Colours and Redates. What would we have done

After a day cf running, throwing and jurnpng

without our Recorder, Claire Darby? came a day of singing and dancing with the As the Year 8s move on to Middle School next year, we are proud to hand over to the Year 8s of 1997.

Swimming. But the highlight of the year was definitely Berry beating

wearing a purple tutu was also a spectacle. Rowing was 'interesting', as was Drama during which we

House Music. A huge amount of work was broke a $ 1 0 0 Chemistry flask done especially by Pam and Katrina, who

replaced by selling doughnuts!

Many of the Year 7 girls are true

not only choreographed the dancing and

leaders and voting for Captains and

singing but also taught us al the songs fa-

(Tanya and Nadine) were successful,

the Recorder will involve tough

Massed Singing. Other successful teams

and we claimed both the Gymnastics

choices. We wish all girls luck and

included Debating, led to victory by

Aggregate and Proficiency Cips (Sarah

Simona; the Rowing stroked by Pam; and

and Kristin). Last but not least, we WON

the netball team headed by Lauren.

Chess! THANKS BERRY!

hope they make decisions wisely, so that Berry remains a strong House

Cross-country (Irene) and Music

in the years to come. Never let the Part of Berry's success this year is owed JSS Berry spirit die! to our fabulous new House Teacher, Ms

SS Captains: Mel Becroft and Catherine Turner.

JSS Captains: Shona Stewart and Nicole Rothberg.

Smith, who has been wonderful. Lastly, thanks to all the girls for making the year so enjoyableforal. Good luck, a/etybocfy!

MS Captains: Belinda Martin and Jane Berry.

House r

m

o

e

yss

MS

ss

As Captains, we would like to say well

As Middle School Krome Captains, we

The year began with a splash as Krome

done to JSS s t u d e n t s for a very

would like to take this opportunity to say

enthusiasts gathered for the traditional

successful year. We've been a fantastic

thank you very much to all Kromerians

pre-swimming sports breakfast by the

House in 1996, and everyone has

for being such a great, supportive team.

Yarra. Our enthusiasm and team spirit

participated enthusiastically in all of

All our activities were very successful

was encouraged by captains Penny

the different sports and activities.

with Kromerians really getting into the

Cottle, Amelia Gourley and Elizabeth Jesse.

Thank you to all of the captains, and

Krome spirit at the Athletics and

especially our H o u s e R e c o r d e r ,

Swimming sports. The performances in

Melissa Costa. Also thank you

House Music reflected the sensational

to M r s Brown - our terrific House

effort put in by all.

Teacher, who has helped us in all

We'd like to say a special "thank you" to

of the House meetings.

all the girls who made an extra special

Next on the agenda was the Athletics Sports. Despite the enthusiasm and dedication of captains Libby Swan, Michelle Oxley and Liz Short, we perhaps

effort in getting involved in all the other

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s Kromerians for the effort put into the Swimming and Athletics Sports and well done also for the House Drama.

sports such as netball, badminton and tennis. We would also like to thank the captains, our Recorder, the girls who supported Krome from behind the

Overall, Krome has been the best

scenes, and Ms latrou for all the time

House to be in and I'm sure we will

she spent helping us with the House

continue

activities.

to

be

proud

to

be

Kromerians. Well done!

did not demonstrate our full potential!

In Rowing, Krome came a creditable third thanks to Penny Cottle, and came fifth in SS Gym under captains Bridget Penny and Shelly Wickham. Krome traditionally excels in Drama and 1996 was no exception. Captains Susie Gwyn and Georgie Amott were amazing - as both directors and script writers! The Debating Team made all Kromerians proud, with

As

your

Middle

School

Krome their winning performance in Assembly.

JSS Captains:Julia Fetherstonhaugh Erin Mitchell

Captains, we would like to take this opportunity to say thank you very much for being such a great, supportive team.

In House Music, Krome performed their little amphibian hearts out, coming second. Captains Bridget Penny and Steph

Good

luck in the future - We

hope

Andrews put in a superhuman effort.

that we can do as well or even better in our senior years. On ya, Krome !

Many thanks to our House Teacher, Ms Pateras.We have loved leading Krome

MS Captains: Danette Elicer Felicity Robb

this year and wish the House good luck in'97.

'The FROGS RULE!"

SS Captains:Astrid Gray Naomi Smith

J

i

t

c

h

e

t

t

JSS

MS

SS

As Fitchett House Captains, we are proud

Fitchett has done exceptionally well in

1996 has been yet another successful

to say that Fitchettites have given their

Middle School this year, winning

year for Fitchett. Swimming captains

absolute best in every area. Within all the

both the House Swimming and Aths. In

Felbly Hume and Angie Reiter led us to

different sports we have had both success

House Music we won the Massed

overall victory in the pool, where we won

and defeats, but most importantly, we have

Singing in which we performed O Happy

both the Senior School and the

shown ourteam spirt the whole wsy through.

Day from Sister Act 2, and the great

Aggregate cups. The Fitchett spirit

Two of our most memorable wins were at

Fitchett spirit lived on to perform our

continued at Olympic Park a few weeks

the Athletics and Swimming Carnivals. I

Variety item, You're Never Fully

later. Captains Jane Holroyd and

would like to congratulate the Swimming

Dressed Without a Smile.

Miranda Turner inspired all participants

and Athletics Captains who worked

Many thanks to all our captains who

extremely hard and encouraged Fitchett to

have done a fantastic job, especially

perform its best.

Danielle Lynch and Sally Nation our Aths

Fitchett teams participated in many other sports during the year Tennis, Netball, Badminton, Softball, Hockey, Gym, Volleyball, Soccer, Cricket, Water Polo, Basketball and Squash. We also did brilliantly in House Drama and the cast, led by Megan O'Heir and Julia Matthews with the help of a great behind-the-scenes crew, were part of a wonderful play called Truth or Dare.

Overall, Frtchett had a great year. All our House meetings were fun and enjoyable, and our House recorder Eleanor Davis did a wonderful job receiving and distributing many House colours andredateforms.

captains; Kim Boyd, Clare Houseworth and Libby, our Swimming captains; Music captains; Alice Forsyth and Shannon Martinez; and Drama captains, Catherine Tan and Toni Jones. We

as we sprinted and jumped our way to the Aggregate trophy, coming second in Senior School. We kept our spirited style strong as we headed inside for drama.

Oh, What a Tangled Web, directed

by Annabel Hart and Marzena Godecki, was a hilarious play and one to be proud of.

couldn't have done any of t h i s without the much needed help of Katherine Bonney, our House Recorder, and our dedicated House teacher, Mrs Partenti.

The departure of our House Teacher Mrs McKie at the end of Term Two was saddening. Although new to the job she was always enthusiastic and highly supportive. Her departure, however, saw

MS Captains: Claire Beeton and

thereturnof Mrs Rawlings just in time f a

Kate Wilcox

House Music. Her experience was invaluable as she helped our t a l e n t e d music captains Miranda Turner and Emma Perlstein produce some fantastic performances.

We are all proud of our Fitchettites for their

We would like to thank all Fitchett mem-

enthusiastic participation, great house

bers for their contributions in 1996 and

spirit, and for continually giving 100 %!

wish everyone the best for 1997.

JSS Captains: Lexie Denby and Vicky Unger

SS C a p t a i n s : A n n a Rix and Claire Dinakis.

A

o

w

I

n

Over the summer holidays whilst most of you were working on your tans, both the

Junior

and

Senior Rowing Squads were sweating it out on intensive training camps the Seniors in Bairnsdale and the Juniors on the Yarra

combined once more to win the Senior First Quad, the Junior

River. This is one example of the hard work and determi-

First Quad and the Junior First Four.For most rowers this was

nation of the MLC Rowing S q u a d , w h i c h

the end of the season, but ten seniors kept training for the Pacific

was

reflected in the o u t s t a n d i n g

Age Championships at Penrith Lakes, Sydney. The five day

success of all crews.

competition saw the MLC First Eight, Under 17 Fours and Under 19 Fours become the Pacific Age Champions. The First Quad

The first regatta was the Head of the Yarra, in which both the

came a dose second.

First and Second Eights placed second in their divisions. We The success of all crews throughout the season is partly due to the support we received from parents, family and friends. And who could forget the devoted work of our coaches? A special thank you to Dee Fraser, Brenton Terrall and Minnie Cade for propelling us to victory. Good luck to everyone next year and I'm sure you will continue MLC's fine rowing tradition.

Captain of Boats: Astrid Gray

bettered these results the following weekend at the Victorian Universities Regatta, coming first in the First Eights, Second Eights and the First Quad. We achieved the same result in the Scotch Mercantile Regatta. At the Australian Henley Regatta, held over two days on the Yana, the MLC First Eight and First Quad became the Australian Schoolgirls River course champions.

The gold medal haul did not stop there. At the Barwon Regatta, at which the Junior and Senior Squads combined, the First Eight and First Quad won again and became State Champions. At the annual Head of Schoolgirls Rowing Regatta, involving over 1200 competitors from 35 schools, the Junior and Senior Squad girls

8611®

A t h I e t i c s Specialist coaches, compulsory training at Olympic Park

In the Victorian Cross-Country Relays, Team 1 of the

and holiday training programs were newly introduced for

under-17s ran exceptionally well, winning gold

the 1996 Athletics Squad. During Term One, the MLC

medals

Athletics Squad trained twice a week at Olympic Park or

champions. Team 1 of the u n d e r - 2 0 s also ran

MLC, under three specialist coaches. The vast facilities at

well,winning silver medals. The same under-17 team

Olympic Park catered for all squad members, and training

came third at the Victorian Schools Road Relay

at the venue of all our competitions was of great benefit.

championships. All other teams that competed ran well.

and

helping

MLC

become

under-17

As the GSSA and The hardest course

G P S V S A

we were faced with

Inter-School

all season was the

competitions were

3.5 km, extremely

after the Easter

hilly course of the

holidays, we had to train

Lisa

together

Cross-Country.

during our break.

Holiday

However, the hills

training

ddnt seem to bother

was conducted at

the MLC squad,

MLC. This certainly helped us, as r the School

Knockout

Wardle

who won the Senior

Athletics squad

and Intermediate Division trophies,

Competition in the first week back, M_C was the only school to have teams from all age groups in the finals. In the two major competitions - the GPSVA and the GSSA - we camefoirthand sixth respectively- However, many girls recorded personal best scores, indicating that our intensive training paid off. With more

and came a very good second place overall. The GPSVA Cross-Country was held at Norton's Park on a very muddy and demanding course, and MLC came second. We also came second at the GSSA Cross-Country at Yarra Bend Park.

vigorous training and with the assistance of specialist

:h the MLC Athletics and Cross-Country Squads would not

coaches, the MLC Athletics Squad is sure to be even

have been as successful without our dedicated coach, Miss

more successful in the future.

Warrick, who supported, organised and encouraged us the whole year Judgng from exciting performances and

When the athletics season finishes, the Cross-Country season begins. Training together two mornings per

to training, there is no doubt that the urntry Squad will go on to further glory in 1997.

week helped the 1996 MLC Cross-Country Squad increase stamina and improve general fitness. This year saw many new faces, with greater numbers than ever before. The squad was very successful this year.

:helle Liu Year 12 ain: Liz Short Year 11

s

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m

/

n

0

The MLC fish have had, yet again, a very successful season in 1996. Triumphing in the GPSVSA, the GSSA and the a i important All Schools, we proved to the other schools that we meant business. Not even imported Singaporean Olympians could stop us. After visiting PLC Sydney in 1995, it was our turn to host the PLC swim team in late February. Penpals were reunited and many friendships formed. Thank you to Mrs Armstrong, Mrs Dal, Matt Byrne and Steven Cleaiy for organising the weekend and for their continued dedication to the team.

In March, we attended the Bendigo All Schools competition. Several friendships' were formed here also, although they were with members of the male teams! It was a great day - sun shining, clear sky ... and a 4 ° C pool. Apart from the Scotch, Ivanhoe, Wesley etc distractions, the waterslides were a populi Individual performances throughout the meets were good, with three MLC swimmers qualifying for the National Titles in Brisbane at Easter. All swimmers achieved personal best times. We thank every member of the swim team for their determination, tenacity and enthusiasm. We are also grateful to parents and supporters who

Without the

ongoing roar from the grandstand, the results could never have been accomplished.

Finally, we would like to give our best wishes to the team next year. We have

Captain: Felicity Hume

(Scotch in'97!

Vice-Captain: Georgie Waldie

H

k

c

o

e

y

The Senior Hockey team completed a fairly successful season. Training began late in Term One under Mrs Orr, before Mr Nelson became our official coach. We won three of our six matches, but were unfortunately defeated by our mainrivals,PLC. Our best result for the season was a 7-1 win against Camberwell Girls' Grammar.

The B team also completed a fantastic season, defeating Strathcona, PLC and MGGS. We ended our season with a match against a New Zealand Girls' School. Their intense training in the lead-up to their tour left us with a slight disadvantage, and we were beaten.

We would like to thank Mr Nelson for the great job he did in coaching us. We also want to thank all players for their dedication and team spirit throughout the season, and wish next year's Senior Hockey teams the best of luck.

Captains: Anna Rix and Catherine Turner

b

a

d

m

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h

i

e

s

I'm sure few MLC students would welcome the chance to expose their bodies in tight lycra cossies, stretch their limbs beyond the pain threshold and maintain cheesy grins throughout.

However, this year's aerobics teams did all this with style.

Performing a fully choreographed two minute routine might sound simple, but it involves jumping at 120 beats per minute, changing positions, and arm and leg movements every four beats - while all the time maintaining co-ordination! Its a short burst of colour, music, movement and energy.

Training several mornings a week at 7:30 am, the teams choreographed complex routines which included high leg kicks, push-ups and yes, that tortuous pose - the splits.

We trained and trained for the ultimate goal: the Victorian Championships at Dallas Brooks Hall in May. With a bit of fake tan and a lot of make-up, the smiles came naturally on competition day. Maybe we were laughing at ourselves, perhaps the other teams, or maybe just the very serious judges who examined our every move. We all shared the excitement as we bounced to the beat of the music, which was just about in sync with our rapid heart-beats. Unfortunately our cossies weren't bright enough and our make-up wasn't thick enough for us to advance to the finals. Nonetheless, we all enjoyed competing.

Aerobics Captain: Claire Dixon P & V

Back Row:Claire Dixon (B Team Capt.), Libby Brest, Nata;ie Evans, Brooke Robinson Middle Row:Penny Opie, Lexi Judge, Lucy Schroder, Nada Zito Front Row: Li I Hudson (B Team VC), Michelle Oxley (A Team VC), Ava Vujovich, Ainslie Woods, Sarah Norman Absent: Marzena Godecki (A Team Capt.), Kristy Leigh, Kate Buckley

i m

Sport

5

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1996 Softball - what can I say? We played, we won, we were great! The fantastic A team players were Liz Robinson, Sarah Davies, Catherine Turner, Jane Holroyd, Penny Forsyth, Alison Wilcox, Olivia Kinnnear, Christina Dickinson and Tressie Nortan. The season was very successful. We had only one loss-to PLC. Some very dodgy umpiring let us down. Sometimes we were also distracted

by Olivia's underwear-or lack of it! [??? - Eds], Some of our exciting training sessions i n v o l v e d wet g r a s s , s u p e r b s l i d i n g abilities and saturated, itchy clothing for the rest of the day. Thanks to our coach Mr Shipp, and to the even more successful B team players, who won all their matches.

It was a great season.

Captain: Fiona Charles.

Vice Captain: Liz Robinson.

N

e

t

b

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I

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1996 has proved to be one of the best years for Netball at MLC. The enthusiastic and dedicated squad has trained almost every week since the start of Term Two. They have helped out at trainings for younger girls, and also umpired a few of their matches. Our teams have reaped the rewards of their hard work and won most matches in the Inter-School competition.

This year, as well as inter-school match

played against extra teams from around Melbourne. The Senior

School's A Team

win against) a team from New Zealand. The A Teams from all

schools had a gri

Schoolgirls competition, with the Middle and Senior School teams coming

second. Although

und, all team members played superbly and it was a great effort to

come so close - wel Netball is a great sport

of spirited netballers have been a great team. I wish the teams

of 1997 the best Of luck

Captain: Kate Dobson

22)

f

e

n

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g

Of the many sports that MLC offers, Fencing is one of the least

extremely uncomfortable in summer, believe me, you feel much

known. But it is one of the few sports in which the primary aim is

better wearing it when your "she's a beginner too" opponent starts

to fatally injure your opponent - and you're even supplied with a

displaying some uncanny skils.

sword to do it. So, after my friend Liz and I convinced ourselves Like al sports, one of the important things about fencing is to never that beginning an extra-curricular activity in Year 12 was take losing seriously, but to learn from your losses and enjoy the sensble, we signed up for Fencing lessons. fights. And, since my doctor has reassured me that "the human body Before the first class, I had visions of The Three Musketeers

can reverse perforation", there is nothing better than fencing for a

battling against evil. Unfortunately, sword-fighting according to a

break from CATs.

Hollywood script is very different to fencing in the PEC corridors.

Like all sports, fencing has preliminary steps which must be

LilCheong Year 12

learnt before anything dramatic can be attempted. We mastered the basic en garde, then learnt how to move around en garde.

We were taught lunges and attacks, balastras, parry and ripostes, fleches and compound attacks. Of course when we

t

e

n

n

i

s

started bouting, all the above was ignored with most of us opting for the "just stab her" approach [With friends like these... - Eds], Fencing is much more than just a stabbing game. It's not who scores a hit the fastest which is important - Fencing involves instant planning and changing your fighting strategies,

Tuesday morning training and hot Thursday afternoon matches brought the tennis team together for a very successful season. The team played extremely well, with only one very close defeat by Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar.

anticipating your opponent's actions and psyching hinVher out

Throughout the season, many girls participated eagerly in extra

with your moves, calculating the right movement to attack and

competitions. Our top eight girls were fortunate enough to play at

the moment to defend. All of these require speed, concentration

the National Tennis Centre against several schools, finishing a

and coordination, skills which take time and practice to acquire.

commendable second. Another competition was the APS versus

This was the primary reason that Liz and I decided to postpone

GPSVSA where Lil represented MLC Unfortunately the APS won,

ourtrp to the nationals and head for Sydney 2000 instead.

but we did

While fencing sometimes lacks the edge of scripted sword fights,

On behalf

to thank our coach Mrs Peters

there is always continuous action. And of course,

for her terrific

throughout 1996

there's the glamorous side of fencing - the jacket, breast-plates, gloves and mask which must be worn to protect the body from the swords. Fencing is not a sport for those queasy about occasional body pain. A useful rule to remember when bouting is never to assume your opponent is wearing protective plates (I leamt that lesson the painful way). While all the heavy gear is

Captain: Lil Hi

struggle.

Q y m n a s t i c s Inter-School Gymnastics is held in September, and is also an important event for MLC gymnasts. MLC traditionally gains outstanding results in the competition; this year was no exception. For those not still in training, it was an opportunity for a relaxed bit of fun. For the others, it was good competition practice. MLC won all divisions, with individuals taking out most of the available medals. Well done to everyone.

Captain: Sarah Norman The House Gymnastics competition in is held each year in August, and is one of the largest and most exciting House events. Involving students from Junior School through to Secondary School, the competition itself is a spectacular display of cobuful leotards and choreographed routines. However, the day would not be possble without the hard work put in by all Gym captains in the weeks leading up to the event. JS and MS captains are responsive for coaching their peers during lunchtimes, while SS captains have the added responsibility of taming hyperactive armies of Junior School children into vaugely disciplined gymnastics teams - no mean feat.

This year, Berry was successful in winning both the Proficiency and Aggregate Cups. Yet for me, the most memorable moments of the day involved taking the 'Juniors' around their competition. Their serious faces set between pig-tails put smiles on the faces of coaches and judges alike.

Berry Gymnastics Captains: Sarah Norman Kristin Badger

Vice Captain: Angela Sharp

Wm]C

y K

a

y

a

k

i

n

g

This year the MLC Kayak Team has become stronger and more well known within the school. The team consists of girls in years 10,11 and 12 and has increased from approximately 16 girts in 1995, to 44 girls in 1996.

We train and race TK2s (touring kayaks for two people) and occasionally in TK1s. Training consists of weights sessions once a week before school, and a session on the Yarra River in the city on Sunday mornings. Training began in Term 1 instead of Term 2 as it usually does, so capsizing was a slightly warmer experience!

This year the team competed in sprint events for the first time, as well as the customary marathon races. In May we took part in the Inter-Schools Canoe Marathon and Sprint Championships. In the sprints section we came a very pleasing 6th out of 28 schools, while we won both of the marathon divisions we entered. The Kayak Team also participated in the Echuca Mini-marathon and the Murray Marathon. The Echuca Mini is a practice event for new team members, giving an insight into what to expect at the Murray Marathon. This internationally recognised Marathon is five days long and covers 404km, attracting thousands of competitors every year.

The team this year was both strong and very enthusiastic, and gave everything their best shot. Gook luck to all the girls next year - we hope the team becomes even stronger.

Kayaking Captain: Susie Gwynn.

RE

i n

M i d d l e

&

S e n i o r

S c h o o l

In R.E we've had the privilege of some interesting visitors addressing us about their particular religion.

Mrs. Allys Andrews, our first visitor, gave us an insight into Buddhism. She converted from a Catholic to a Buddist around the age of 25, after travelling through Nepal. She took us through a number of activities, one was a five minute meditation.

The second group were three Year 11 students from a Jewish school, Mt. Scopus College (in Burwood). They demonstrated a number of traditional Jewishrituals,one being the beginning cf the Sabbath, which goes from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday.

They gave us a first hand look at the Jewish community in Melbourne and around the world.

These were enriching experiences and made us think about our own expressions of belief.

Building

fridges

By Katie Davies and Coco Pinnts, Year 10 With a bridge slung across the chapel, those attending the 1996 Senior School Chapel Service were enoouraged to consider the bridges we build in our lives. For Year 12 students, this was our last formal church service as part of the MLC community.

Many girls activley

participated in the service by leading prayers, reading Scriptures and performing in the drama and music.

Looking from a different angle, Year 12 drama students prepared a piece focusing on the gaps which exist r our relationships.

The Music School was represented by a choir and orchestra. These performances enhanced the messages presented in the Scripture readings.

Trish Westmore Year 12

Winter-School

Debating

Ignoring the sweat tricking down your back, you stand to speak

Five evenings a year, we traipse over to Camberwell Grammar

"Good evening, adjudicator, ladies and gentlemen." That was the

and go through the above process, as well as spending

easy part. Clearing your throat nervously, you launch into your

countless hours preparing for each debate. Why? Well, if s not all

rebuttal, hoping to amaze everyone with your wit and brilliance. If

trauma and embarrassment. Debating gets easier each time,

only it was that easy! The few words you scrawled onto your

and the feeling you get when you thrash your opponents is

palm cards during the other team's speech no longer make any

excellent! Along with the glory of winning, debating gives you a

sense, and you receive the blank stares from the audience, as

chance to learn about current issues, often leading you

well as hearing sighs from your own team. Trying to ignore them,

to support viewpoints you would never have considered before

you move into the main part of your speech, hoping you are at

the debate.

least coherent. You listen desperately for the bell marking the end of your speech and pray that the adjudicator understood some of your points. Then the bell comes and sighing with relief, you sit back down, avoiding the smug, self-satisfied glances d the opposition. If s over - for a coiple of weeks.

Debating also helps you to overcome nervousness, although many debaters still get the shakes before their speech. Aside from this, debating is a great way to widen your social scene.

"Arent you a debater?" is a pick-up line I've heard is successful, although personal/, I'd be wary of relying on it too heavily!

Does this sound like a form of torture devised by teachers when they were particularly bored? Not quite. Believe it or not, Inter-School Debating is a voluntary exercise, performed by girls from Year 9 to Year 12

Kate Thwaites Year 11

C

o

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e

s

VCt Catering Course The Catering School Course is slightly different to most VCE programs - involving both VCE and introductory TAFE modules. In order to complete VCE, students must study four Year 12 VCE subjects, wlrie TAFE study consists of two sitojects the practical Principles of Cookery, and a theoretical subject.

The theory component teaches about hygiene, receiving orders and other necessities. Principles of Cookery teaches commercial cookery involving traditional French methods.

After completing Principles of Cookery, students are kept busy with various functions. Catering students also spend the remainder of the year catering for dinner functions with up to 200

The members of the MLC Catering Course.

guests. On 2nd August, the Staff Winter Celebration was held

VCE business Course

which meant serving nachos, hamburgers and fudge sundaes for 200, for the 1950s theme. For each function, a student is

To many students, the Business Course sounds like too much

appointed head chef and is in charge of the function, and we

hard work - extra subjects and no free periods. However, for the

learn to delegate and lead capably. Being part of the Catering

students of the Business Course, the main reason for undertak-

School also involves wearing a full chefs uniform including chefs

ing the extra subjects and hard work is so that at the end of Year

coat, apron and hat.

12 we have a choice about what we are going to do. The course gives us the option of going to University, to TAFE, or more

An advantage of completing the Catering Course is

importantly, going to work.

the experienceyou gain. Not only is this great if you want to join the industry, but it gives you a chance to decide if you actually

The course is aimed at preparing students for life in the work-

do want to be in the industry, before committing yourself. You

force straight after Year 12. We do fun-filled activities such as

also learn to cook really delicious food!

interview assessments and creating letters and memos. We also have 3 - 4 weeks of actual employment in the wori<place

The course teaches skills that can be applied every day, even

putting to use all the wonderful information imparted to us by our

if you do not enter a career in hospitality. The only real disad-

teachers Mrs Miller and Mr Rawson.

vantage is the irregular and long working hours. After completing the Catering Course there are a number of options. Students can continue their study at a University or TAFE, take an apprenticeship and learn further skills first-hand or many other options.

The Course has lead many students to successful careers in the hospitality industry.

Melinda Hall Year 12.

Being such a smal grxxp we have got to know each other very well, and have leamt much from others' experiences. Doing this Course has been one of the most positive experiences I have had throughout my entire education. I am sure that both past and present students of the Business Course would agree with me.

Denise Golding Year 12

University

Subjects

Uni. Literature

Uni. Accounting

Most Year 12s dawdle home on Friday afternoons to be met

Huddled in freezing classrooms as accounting terms

with an expanse of weekend. They eat, watch TV, maybe go out

and financial information flies over our heads, we often

to a mcvie or party. Mostly they just crawl into bed for some well-deserved sleep. But every Friday afternoon, one group of Year 12s prepare for the social event of the week - Uni. Lit.

wonder why we bother. Is it the minimal workload? A CAT-free sixth subject? Sheer stupidity? The opportunity to spend 2 and 1/2 hours a week with Carey and

As soon as the last bell rings, weary students appear, slumping

Camberwell Grammar boys? No, it's for the food. Each

into the cushioned comer of the Common Room for posstfy the

week we are provided with an interesting array of

first moment of peace they've had all week. Some are uniformed

sandwiches, party pies a n d p i z z a , and if we're

- others gleefully escape the monotony of their school's garb. We

especially lucky some cake or a doughnut. Running

are the picture of teenage angst.

comparisons of food and facilities at different schools fill

The conversation quashes this stereotype, rushing loud and fast

our breaks, as well as questions like 'Did you understand a

from smiling faces and interspersed with laughter. After the first

word of that?" (mostly answered with cries of "No!")

lecture and tutorial in March, we'd already become tentative

Seriously though, undertaking one semester of Uni. in

friends. Now we are a sturdy bunch of disparate Lit. freaks, eager

Year 12 has been a refreshing break from the more

f a the gossip and jokes of each week.

stressful VCE subjects. We have been introduced to the

Oh yes, and we do some work, too. Conversations are interrupted by Kevin, our lecturer, who hauls us in for an hour of literary theory and hilarity. Most sit back and enjoy the lecture,

Uni. format of lectures and tutorials, and to various accounting subjects ranging from Company Formation to Managerial Accounting.

curious as to how Kevin will relate street signs and the word

Doing Accounting 1B has been a beneficial experience,

'supertanker' ("Soopahtankah," he whispers. "Sounds loohvety,

although end of course exams are still to be sat at the

doohsn't eht?") to Australian short stories.

time of writing ...! I would recommend Uni. Accounting to anyone, as an easier alternative to doing a sixth VCE study.

After an hour of guzzling pizza, we trundle off to our tutorial with either Ms Gariick or Ms Daley. We share our thoughts and opinions freely, often disputing traditional readings of works by iterary geniuses such as Shakespeare, Donne and Bronte.

At the end of the night we rarely go our separate ways. Together we board a train to the city. Unlike other enhancement subjects, which sound like sheer hard slog in comparison (and they don't get pizza), Uni. Lit. is fun, laughter and some interesting learning along the way.

Emily Porter Year 12

Libby Brest Year 12

Music

University

Literature

I'm not sure when House Music practices officially started,

Instruments set up, voices primed, costumes prepared - we

but somehow Cato, at least, didnt really get into gear until

were ready for anything.

the beginning of Term Two. Turning up to practices on the

First up was the Instrumental section. We considered that

first days of term, I was only just getting the hang of school

despite the curtain being opened too soon, our saxophonist

Throughout the course, a chance to

again. Then the realisation hit - in less than three weeks we

breaking her reed, the drum kit being set up wrongly, the

meet the "proper students" was also

would be performing on the Assembly Hall stage, in front of

synthesizer having no sound and the tambourine losing its

provided, and we journeyed twice to

all of Senior School (and the odd parent). The holiday frame

shakers, we did pretty well. Unfortunately the adjudicator didnt

of mind was shaken off very quickly, and I and much of the

agree, giving the prize to Nevile's more traditional (and brilliantly

rest of Senior School began frantically preparing for the

performed) Eine KJeine Nachtmusik. I think, however, we were

Senior Inter-House Music Contest, on Friday 2 August.

crowd favourites. And Mr Loader himself had given our

Scene One.

To my mind, the parallels were immedi-

Lively tutorials lead by Mrs. Garlick

A room on the third floor of Centenary

ately obvious.

and Ms. Daley often helped us to

The part of Frank was enacted briliantly

'see the light'.

Building on the west side of Methodist Ladies' College. There is a large bay

by our lecturer, Kevin, whose amusing

window with a rucksack placed on the

English accent and sense of humour

inside still. Twenty-five or so chairs are

kept t w e n t y f i v e b u d d i n g

arranged in vague rows in front of a

entertained non-stop during the weekly

Ritas

whiteboard. Voices can be heard. When lectures. Although perhaps not being

'scenic' Monash to attend lectures and tutorials.

the curtainrises,a Uni Lectrer enters the

'bleedin' mad" or threatening to throw

room, followed by around twenty-five

students out of the window, Kevin also

While Uni. Lit. may not have left us all

students in varying attire.

seemed to share Frank's peculiar

with the great sense of choice Rita is left

At the risk of offending the Arts Faculty at Monash University, or alternatively Willy Russell, I think it would be fair of me to draw an analogy between the Uni. Lit Enhancement program, and the play Educating Rita.

Senior School House Music

Commitments Megamix his approval when he visited our final Being in all t h r e e of t h e items, Variety, C h o r a l and

problem with doors: students sometimes

with at the conclusion of Educating Rita,

found they had been 'accidentaly' locked

we have certainly appreciated the oppor-

Instrumental, I had rehearsals before and after school and at

out of the room There were those of us

tunity to escape the monotony of CATs

lunchtime every day. Any pretence at a social life I had ever

In the choral item, Krome prevailed with Let It Be, Cato coming a

who, during these lectures, became

and criteria sheets, and indulge in some

had evaporated.

close second with Bohemian Rhapsody. Nevile and Fitchett

infrequently lost by concepts such as

enjoyable education.

rehearsal - what more could any performer ask for?

shared the glory for Variety, performing The Wizard of Oz and As the day drew closer, tempers frayed and arguments over

"Structuralism' or the 'Genesis Two Theory.

Sarah Norman Year 12

Little Shop of Horrors respectively. But Cato also had a victory, venues and schedules erupted.

The Music Captains winning the Massed Singing with Anytime You Need a Friend

became involved in complicated peace negotiations - "We're (yes, Mariah Carey again), ahead of Krome's

Where

supposed to be in Room 3.01, but our instruments weren't Everybody Knows Your Name.

Berry also got a mention,

moved from the Assembly Hall because it's raining, and we coming equal first with us in Proficiency. However Nevile were know you haven't had a practice in there yet, but could we the overall winners, a fact we were made all too aware of take it and then you could swap with Berry tomorrow because we shared a change-room with them afterwards. because they kicked us out last Wednesday...?" Afternoon rehearsals stretched on, with conductors pleading, "Let's go

While everyone in the house was involved to a greater or lesser

through it just once more," as girls began to examine watches

degree, undoubtedly the Captains worked harder than anyone in

and train timetables. The staging rehearsals gave us a taste

those three music-ridden weeks. Special thanks must also go to

of the competition we were up against, and were also an

the House Teachers, music staff and maintenance staff.

opportunity for Mrs Elton Brown to give all the houses "a few pointers". Oh well, we could only improve.

Once the contest was over, it was nice to be able to 'sleep in' until 6.45. However I did have a few twinges of sadness when I

The day dawned and we were in high spirits. The Assembly

realised my last House Music ever had finished. My advice to

Hall had been magnificently decorated with streamers,

those who will be here in years to come - get involved! On that

balloons and posters. Members of every house had a servi-

final day, it's worth all the work.

ette in the blazer pocket', as well as blue/pink/green etc badges and hair ribbons. The traditional game of 'spot the misspelled name in the program had begun.

Kathryn James Year 12

Music

St

Concert

Orchestra S e n i o r Madrigals Orchestra this year has been an extremely enjoyable experience

HOW

TO /ISSEJVU^CE

/1JV

OKeHEWl

IngrecKents: -100 girls and their respective instruments - 1 conductor - 2 cips of inspiration

under the leadership of Mr Fitzgerald. The focus of this year has, as usual, been the Gala Concert. Here we performed Intermezzo

by Kodaly, Andante

from Spartacus by

Katchaturian and The Thieving Magpie by Rossini. Our schedule also included a performance at the MLC Open

- 1 block of dedication Day, and a visit to Scotch College.

- a large portion of enthusiasm As well as providing an opportunity to play with other musicians, Orchestra has furthered our understanding of different music Step 1 - assemble every Friday afternoon 3.30 - 5.00pm Step 2 - create a cacophony of sound Step 3 - throw in a couple of weekend rehearsals and voia! the

head?' This question is often asked of the three Madrigal Leaders, and it's not an easy one to answer. Indeed, when we first began leading the Senior Madrigal group earlier this year, we often had great difficulty cueing entries or indicating a change of dynamics using only a subtle nod or a raised eyebrow. However, we soon got used to

- a sprinkling of talent

Method:

"| don't get it. How, exactly, do you conduct with your

styles and oomposers. Our thanks go to Mr Fitzgerald and the many tutors who have provided us with their invaluable assistance. Good luck to those continuing next year. We wish you all the best.

MLC Concert Orchestra is ready for serving.

thisspecial conducting technique, and began preparations for the Gala Concert. Our pieces Whitsuntide (conducted by Nik Wood), Beach (con-

all sorts of encouragement as we recorded and re-recorded.

ducted by Sarah Norman) and Chocolate

(conducted

Richard also came in to provide Mrs Elton Brown with a carpet

by A l e x O t z e n ) w e r e all well received. However,

(so that she could conduct "energetically" without

rehearsals did not end after the concert! Next came our CD

making a noise.)

recording. Our programme comprised four pieces from the Tanya Jayasuria and Gene-Siew Ngian Year 12 (Two of the Joint Leaders of the Concert Orchestra)

Lifestyle Suite by George Dreyfus. The recording session itself

Good luck to all Madrigals in 1997!

was a lot of fun - George Dreyfus was present and offered Joint Madrigal Leaders: Alex Otzen, Sarah Norman and Nik Wood Year 12

Senior Magheals in action

Music

fesL

7 s

e h o i r

Junior School Concert Choir is a group of about sixty

We also performed at the Junior School Chapel Service

girls from Grade 5 and 6. The choir is divided into two

and MLC Open Day. Earlier in the year we sang at

halves Sopranos and Altos. The Sopranos meet on

the wedding of our Chaplain, Mrs Sterner. We are now

Thursday lunchtime and the Altos meet on a Friday

preparing for the Junior School Music Evening and the

l u n c h t i m e . Everybody rehearses on Tuesday.

In

Junior School Heads' Association Biennial Festival.

Concert Choir rehearsals we start with a warm-up, and then

Overall Concert Choir is great, and we have lots of fun!

practice the songs that we are performing at our next

We would like to thank Miss Price and Mrs Kenway for

concert

a l l t h e i r h a r d w o r k c o n c e r n i n g t h e Concert Choir.

So far this year we have sung on four occasions. The latest performance was the Gala Concert where we sung a medley from 'Sister Act' and 'Song of Peace'.

Bree Sandley and Kathryn Madden Grade 6

We

were really nervous before the performance, but once we began,we enjoyed it.

Junior School Choir

•<J>

L

Music C

h

o

i

r

On the 16th April this year, ninety girls from the MLC Concert

polo shirts with the AFL Centenary symbol printed on them (real

Choir and sixty boys from Camberwell Grammar were fortunate

collector's items, we were told, since there were only 150 made).

to have the opportunity to perform at the AFL Centenary Ball.

Jeans and white runners completed the new choir 'uniform' - a

This event, one of the highlights of the Centenary celebrations,

welcome change from our usual long green skirts, white blouses

was held in a huge marquee which covered two-thirds of the

and ties [for the girls - Eds],

MCG.

We were holed up in the North Meboume change room inside the MCG for quite a while before our performance. Although the

Rehearsals for the performance began in March, and created many bleary-eyed students in first period due to the early morning starts. The singing progressed well, we thought, but Mrs Elton

entertainment also included such celebrities as John Famham and Kate Ceberano, we did not get to meet anyone really famous (discounting the Prime Minister and the Premier, of

Brown just couldn't pass up

course). That was reserved

the opportunity to disagree

for those who had paid their

(not in so many words!).

$500 for the privilege of

We were singing the theme songs of each of the clubs, but with a slight twist - all of

.1//

'

.1/'\ •

1

' t ^ S J ^ -

A i t -IX1

attending this event.

After so many rehearsals,

them had been re-written

the actual performance went

into different styles. There

off

was the "Richmond Rap"

fantastic to see the number of

(complete with black and

people from the audience who

yefcw caps wan backwards),

joined in with the songs, many

the "tango-ing Swans" and

getting to their feet when the

the "can-canning Lions",

finale, 'Up There Cazaly',

just to name a few.

without a hitch. It was

began. Afterwards, I spoke to several people who were at the event, and the feedback was most encouraging. Everyone

Just when we finally thought it was all under control, we learned that we were also expected to dance. Ms Osboume-Smith and Leida Waker came to teach us their version of a simple dance routine. Simple, maybe, for those people who had learnt dancing before, but tricky for some (dare I say most) of us. At least I got

thought that our act, which included footy players and celebrities as the lead vocalists,

professional dancers, and of course the

150 students who made i p the backing choir, were the best of the night - it was entertaining and also involved the audience in the singing and clapping.

my daiy aerobic wortout [feels great at 8 am - Eds], Eventualy, after many long and hard rehearsals, we managed to get the

The AFL Centenary Choir performance was extremely

dance together as well.

successful, and an experience we shall not soon forget.

The big night was finally upon us. We had all been given white

Jenni Bushby Year 12

f &0

Drama

House Drama

festivals

55 The role of House Drama Captain brought with it many responsibilities: choosing a play, editing, auditioning, casting, blocking, rehearsing, organising sets, props, costumes, makeup, lighting...

I can't deny that when catching the tram at 7.15am to get to morning rehearsals, I experienced moments of doubt, (ie.

Why on earth did I get myself into this?) Our cast included a range of pergonal i ties who provided many entertaining diversions during rehearsals of our play, Oh, What a Tangled Web. As the performance grew cbser, the dialogue which Marzena and I had initially found so hilarious was becoming somewhat gratingly familiar. Nevertheless, we got our play together.

Performance night came and brought with it a funny, twisted feeling in my stomach. What if no-one laughed? What if they forgot their lines? We had come this fan now it was out of our hands, and we could only watch. Then, to our amazement, the audience laughed. Rather than cringing, Marzena and I found ourselves in stitches in the wings.

The adjudicator Robert Morgan was impressed by the high standards presented. The winning play was Nevile's French comedy Brothers in Crime, with Emily Porter being awarded best actress'. Awarded second place was Cato's sensitive performance of My Daughter, My Son, which looks at famous characters through their mothers' eyes. Berry's adaptation of Lovesick was the controversial play of the festival, a bizarre, yet fascinating drama. The evening finished with Krome's comedy, Nothing Legal, with a brilliant singing performance by Nik Wood. The night certainly included everything: from a poignant speech by the mother of Marie Antoinette, to a psychologist curing homophobia by induced vomiting!

As the Assembly Hal dssolved nto the noisy war-cries and charts of the Houses, al invoked could feel proud of their achievements.

Annabel Hart Year 12

7 S S The JSS House Drama play was an original script, Truth or Dare? The script follows the life of Jane Hardy, a Year 8 student, as she attempts to fit into a new home and a new school with new friends. Urfortunately, Jane just does not seem to fit in a n y w h e r e and r e s o r t s to e x t r e m e m e a s u r e s in o rd e r to achieve popularity.

The JSS students, Drama staff and House staff are to be commended for their dedication and

enthusiasm.

Congratulations to Fitchett in achieving the Proficiency Award.

VGE Drama

Production

After returning from a relaxing summer to stress and study, most

Opening Night was a black tie affair. Audience members were

students returned to their books somewhat grudgingly and

treated to champagne and finger food as the MLC String Quartet

started the countdown to Term One holidays. The Year 11 and

strummed melodiously in the background. The performances

12 Drama students, however, began to bite their nails and

seemed successful and well-received - on one niglit we were

memorise lines in preparation for the 1996 Senior School Play.

seating people on the floor to accomodate them. As we took

Each year the VCE Drama students perform a play to showcase

down the scaffolding and dismantled the set after the final night,

the talents of the girls and the drama department. This

we realised how lucky we had been to be involved.

year, students performed the modernised script of Antigone, in

Months afterwards, when still trying to remove the stage make-up

many ways a break from the traditional scripts often produced at

from our eyebrows, all Drama students looked back on

Senior School level. Antigone is the story of a girl wlx> buries her

Antigone with fond memories and we now look to the future for

dead brother against the wishes of her uncle Creon, King of

even bigger and better things for MLCs Drama Department.

Thebes. The penalty for attempting burial is death and Antigone must decide whether to take responsibility for her actions or allow her uncle to grant her safety. Antigone chooses to face death, but before she can be killed she hangs herself.

Those who came to view Antigone saw the smiling faces of relieved girls after a polished performance. For the actors, it had been a long (and at times arduous) task of dragging ourselves through weekday rehearsals, only to wake up on Saturday and head off again to MLC. It is at these times that we forgot dreams of a life on the stage.

Helping us through such times was a support network of students all as stressed and busy as each other. In Year 12, there were only eight girts studying drama and we became a bit of a second family to each other, especially over production weeks. Antigone also gave students in both year levels a chance to meet and work with one another.

Under the direction of Ms Jackson and Ms Duncan, we went through our paces in the early weeks of Term One. .for the play.

Trish Westmore Year 12

Senior

School

Winner-

h a v e n

Writing

Competition

The city always seems rather sane to me. Neat and packaged,

from the nightmares that wrack her brain. The staff member

brimming with bustle and ordered movement, like a crate of fruit,

wholed me here taps her gently on the arm, almost afraid to chip

jostling, healthy, popular. The streets smooth themselves into a

her porcelain fragility. Her thin wrists are bandaged tightly in

grid, coated like syrup with shining cars. The trees are linear.

gauze, hiding the incident a few nights ago when this frail porce-

Buidings are sure of themselves. The Rialo stiffens its ego with

lain child crouched under a shower of hot water and struck at her

theriseof the sun and glows contentedly against the night sky.

wrists with broken glass. She showed me those wrists many

The city is no place for insanity. So in all its order, in all its

weeks later. Scar tissue littered the paper-thin flesh like

deliberation, the city has a house for middle-class loonies, a

scrawls of

sensible building fortified with reception desks and smiling,

scribbled crayon, baby pink and beginning to fade into the folds

wary staff.

of memory. I know that every time she looks at her wrists, she sees a way out. Every time I look at them, I cringe.

We troop into the marbled foyer with our sunny flowers and brave, stupid grins, gathering awkwardly in the elevator as it

Sunlight creeps wanly into the room, some of its weak winter

grinds us 143 to the silence of the depressed. Thought processes

warmth penetrating through the window stained with the

are almost visfcle in the eyes of the visitors, as they compose

permanence of locked out city fumes and musty indoor odours.

fragments of lyrical chatter and cliched goodwill which will

On the wall hangs an abstract painting of jagged dark lines, j

persuade the patients to be happy again.

stressed and furious. I stare at it and wonder at its purpose here.

There are threefloors.The groundflooris the communal dining room, now empty during mid-morning. The topflooris for aduls,

I can't see how my friend would find its presence comforting or peaceful.

who are in therapy for depression, anger, or simply wanting to

After she wakes and we have gasped our breathless,

die. I wonder who visits them.

high-pitched greetings, my shopping list of questions rolls out like

The second floor is in two sections. One side houses mothers and their babies, the tangble object of their depression. The other side is for adolescents. My destination. It looks like the floor of a modest four-star hotel, except you can't use the pool table because someone rammed the cue through the glass door a few days ago. The bedrooms are small cells laminated with comfort in neutral tones. I peek in on my way down the corridor at stuffed toys, CD players posters,flowersstiffened on window sills. In one room lies the skeletal form of an anorexic, her thirteen meagre years sustained by the ruthless spike of an IV drip. Her sunken eyes gape. I blink and hurry on.

My friend is curled on her bed like a frightened child, huddling

an incoming tide of curiosity. What's it like in here? What are the people Ike? Have you made friends? Are you albwed to swear, cry, scream, abuse? What do you do all day? Can you go outside? I want to ask her, whafs it like to be mad? But I know my friend isn't mad. Only depressed, depressed to the point where she can't swear, cry, scream, abuse. For her, she tells me, everything is black. Sometimes the darkness in her mind overwhelms her and even suicide becomes physically irrpossfcle.

Harm is done consciously, lucidly. I feel useless, looking down from iry stable sunny ledge at her pleading eyes.

She seems to have pride in introducing me to the other people in the ward. These people, a collectbn of anger, shouts, tears, silence, are her friends. I am told in tones of authority and

nonchalance of their reasons for being here.

"She's doing anger management, after she hit her mum."

'She can't stop crying."

'He's been readmitted for trying to run a way."

Rumerup - the Once upon a midnight dreary, as I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a CAT and work requirement, thinking it a bore -

'Sherefuses to eat."

While I nodded, nothing stirring, suddenly there came a whirring, We walk past an open door, and she points into the room. 'He

As of some strange creature purring, purring at my chamber

wouldn't tak until I came here. He only speaks to me." I look in at

door." Tb rry backLp cisk', I muttered, as my oomputer flashed on

the figure by the window, a wiry shadow slumped sadly in a chair,

'store' Only this and nothing more.

staring at nothing and never moving an inch.

Ah, distinctly I remember, I was dreaming of December Her parents arrive and take us to the tea rooms at the Botanical

When each long and loathsome CAT would be a ghost and

Gardens. It is tense because no-one knows what they can say. So

nothing more

we avoid disruption and glaze the tension with talk of England,

But deeply did I dread the morrow, vainly had I sought to borrow

houses, weather. It istoomuch. We wak alone and I am allowed a

An extension for my 'Lit* CAT, going to my final score -

smal knowledge of her feelings. After her initial fear of a psychiatric

To that large and looming honor that they call thefinalscore.

ward, she admits she feels safe there. I understand. Who

After that, peace ever more.

wouldn't? The hospital is a silent haven, solid and uninterrupted.

The outside world is sterilised and tempered at the entrance. I wonder what will happen when she leaves, like a child forced again from the warmth of the womb. As we tak, sitting together and clinging like barnacles on the sprawling grass, her mother

And with many a dejected howl, dreamt I of each bright beach towel Haunting - taunting with fantastic freedom never felt before.

So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating Get a perfect TER and it is summer ever more Uni calls me from the distance and it's 'bludge' for evermore;-

takes a photo.

Tutes and lectures, nothing more.

Mum drives me home that night and, on the way, buys me fish and chips for dinner and comfort. I can't express to her what the day means to me, on^ that it came as a shock All the people I met, the adolescents, are just ike me, tryingtocope and breathe in a world which shrugs its shoulders at the faults it has given us.

These people merely find it harder to deal with. Some wil never

But from deep wihri rry snoozing (learning of my summer 'boozhg", And the endless days of tanning, like a lobster thermidor I was woken with a jerk on remembering my work Loathsome CAT, oh dreaded essay v\hich had made me ioudy snore Cursed Lit CAT which did haunt me ike the ghost of Elsinore.

It depressed me more and more.

leamhow.

A year later, and the memory remains of that first visit to the haven stubbornly surrounded by city and sanity, captured within the glossy photo on my dressing table of twD tiny girts holding fast to

Open here Iflingthe shutter, when, wth many a grumble and mutter In there stepped a ragged feline, its head the sign of VBOS bore And with wail of feine glee, in one jump leaped up and stayed he And oh, sorrow, erased my essay, hitting keyboard with his daw

one ancther in an ocean of sunny grass.

"Just what do you think your game is, stipid cat?' I budy swore Emily Porter Year 12

Quoth the feline, "Final soore".

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken, "Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is only stock and store Leamt from some unha[[y master whom unmerciful a marker

j u n i o r

S e c o n d a r y

Winner-

seur$A

School

D9wwg

gave a gade, which speled D-saster, t i his songs one buden boreOf "Oh that final - final score."

I sit on the edge of the boat. I see the sky turn above me, the droplets of water blur my vision. Suddenly al I can see is water. It

Much it startled this ungainly cat to hear discourse so plainly

is all around me, caressing my body, lifting my arms.

Though its answer too much meaning - too much relevancy bore

A rainbow of fish glides past me, an octopus lies lazily in the

But before me was unfolding, writing most attention holding,

shadows, too contented with the tranquil surroundings to catch

As like monkeys penning Shakespeare, the feline typed with tal

food. I see a splash in the distance. I drift towards it, my hand

and claw -

trailing over a veil of slimy seaweed. It lifts ip, displaying a circus d

Resurrecting rry lost and essay and much imprcving with its daw Only daws and nothing more Presently my soul grew stronger procrastinating then no longer, and I put my head down to it, the CAT markers to implore.

For it's true that I was napping when we del that concepl mapping so now the pages I sentflapphg- in hope of good gadestorestore and now I worked all nigh like fury for my good gradestorestore Adding to my final score

tiny animals, rushing to get away from the sudden light.

As I near the place of the movement, I see a huge body cutting through the still water. The blue whale stares at me through puny eyes too small for its majestic body.

I am suspended in the water, too awe-struck to move. Abruptly, the whale slides into action, slowly at first and then faster and faster. It jumps out d the water, creating a phenomenal undertow.

I am sucked into the spiralling waterpool, my breath is being powerfully squeezed out of me.

For this feline's imperfections I had developed great affedion

Sharp objects cut through the scuba dive appard, piercing my

And with the curious incarnation I had built a great rapport

skin. My mask becomes heavy, and my mouth fills with the ran-

So unto its presence eerie, I beseeched it with a query

cid taste of sal water mixed with sand and blood. My lungs are

"What excitement does await me when I leave the school

bursting, and my body is aching. All I see is water strewn with

house door?

debris all around me.

What dizzy heights will my life soar to, once I'm out the schod

I am wrenched into a world of blankness. I sway into welcome

house door?"

darkness. I can see trees and aeroplanes and sheep, going

Quoth the feline, "Final score".

round in crazy ancles, perhaps triangles. I don't care. I am trulF

'Be those words o r siyidparling, CATorfiercf, I shrieked, ipstarlrigand with boot the CAT was ushered, ushered out my chamber door, "Leave no mark or score astokenof that lie thy soul has spoken!"

Take your word count and your marks scheme. Haunt my presence nevermore.

But still my mind it dimly echoes with the burden that it boreOf the cursed "Final score".

Sarah Broadberrt Year 12

free. For days I keep travelling round in the same pattern. It is broken. Someone or something is shaking the beautiful web I have created away from me.

My eyes rdl open. I see white, white, white. The nurse is stardng over me her face fractured with creased lines of worry.

But etoriptly they change into lines d joy. My parents come rushing in. 'You're awake!!" They cry out in amazement. 'We're going scuba diving as a special treat tomorrow!!!!"

Elissa McNamara Year 7

C&VDJQQ

WDTH

THE O t t y

The train is always full on a Friday evening. Everyone is going

charm of the blowing wnd. They areforeverstuck in the monotony of city life.

home after a long hard week. There are men in business suits,

Sylvia Kauer Year 12

reading newspapers and comic books. Some of them appear

%/lKEDJDSH

lost in thought, staring out the window: until the wires of their

There's an elderly man who comes into the supermarket where I

Walkmans become visible. Teenagers in ugly school uniforms

work on Saturdays. He talks a lot; must be lonely. One particular

can be seen almost glowing in anticipation of the holidays. They

day he bought some fresh fish. A rainbow trout, I think it was. He

stand in groups of three or four, trying to look cool to impress

places it on the belt and giggles as he does like a young boy.

those of the opposite sex. Women stand or sit with briefcases.

"Having some fish for tea tonight, are you?" I ask him, thinking

Their business-ike short skirts, high heels and bright lipstick are

he'd enjoy some conversation.

reminiscent of vacuous fashion models. A few people dressed in

"Yes ...I've cooked many fish over the years, but I'm really going

nondescript clothing sit on the floor, slumped against the train

to experiment with this fella,"

doors, cigarette packets in their pockets and tattoos poking out

"Do you know who you'll cook it?"

from under their sleeves.

"Oh, I'm not too sure... probably stuff it with tomatoes and onions

The faces on the train seem as decrepit as this beloved city. The

and things like that, and put it in the oven. I s'pose thafs what

scenery from the train is dull and gloomy. The tops of the tallest

you'd cal a baked fish, wouldn't you?"

buildings are enveloped in the thick smog that fills the sky. The trees that stand beside the flowing river climb high, and many

"I just wish I had someone to enjoy it with..."

leaves wave in the breeze. The river looks radiant compared to

Theaxwessiion desoerdsas he peysard ga(her h^

the stark glass and concrete of the city. Yet to someone used to

"Enjoy the fish." I smile as he replies:

fresh country air and unpolluted surroundings, these trees look

"I hope I do!"

weary and lifeless, their leaves sick. The river is stained by the

I watch him leave, and sigh as I realise he must be all alone.

strain of city life.

Perhaps his vwfe ded a few years ago. Maybe he has some children,

The train rumbles towards the end of the line, stopping intermittently.

a boy and a giri perhaps. They probably married thirty years ago. He

People rise from their seats as they come to their stations.

might even have some grandchik±en. Or maybe he never married.

Businessmen unhook their Walkmans and go home to their

He wears an old brown jacket, checked, and some fawn slacks.

wives and children and conservative white houses with lawns

This scraggy white hair is fine, and needs a cut. He probably didnt

that are always neat. On the way, they check the maiboxtoooKect

it this morning. I'll bet he goes home to a dog. He lives in a

bills and letters from long-forgotten friends. Women go back to

small house in the streets nearby and walks to the shops each

their apartments and slip high-heeled shoes off blistered feet as

day to but bread and

they feed their cats. Teenagers run, focused on changing out of

more, his dog is a small fox

uniforms into jeans and shirts. They call their friends and make

old now, almost as old as him in dog years. She walks slowly,

plans to go out.

doesn't go around the streets with him of a morning anymore.

on Saturdays, he buys a little he loves her to bits. She's

At the end of the line, those still on the train get off. They stare at

He likes to keep fit. He was a great runner, seventy odd years

their feet as they walk, not seeing the beauty of the day. They

ago. His dream was to make it to the 1936 Olympics.

ignore the birds thatflyabove them, and the cotton-like clouds do

Its his eighty-sixth birthday in a month. Unfortunately, I don't think

not arouse their curiosity. When they lift their heads it is to see if

anyone will be with him to celebrate it.

f

traffic is coming, not to admire the green of the grass or the

Dasha Robinson Year 11

MEjVlORy

faded blue numbers tattooed on her left forearm move He didn't ask her why they were digging, and Leah had not told him.

After his great-aunt died, Ben didn't feel sad. In fact, he couldn't

"... and she wil be received into His heavenly kingdom..."

stop laughing during her funeral. He and Rebecca barely managed to keep straight faces during the eulogy, though Mum

She would always kept her doors and windows open, even in

blew her nose. Dad seemed more uncomfortable than grieved.

winter. When Ben had asked her why she never cbsed her

He kept loosening his tie, swallowing loudly and patting

doors, she'd poked up and sat him on her lap and said in her soft

Mum's hand.

voice, 'To walk outside."

"We are thankful for having been part of Leah's life..."

"So what?'

Ben breathed in deeply and started to focus. Nothing was

Leah told him that she didn't like locked doors because they

particularly funny, but once he'd started laughing it was hard to

reminded her of cages. "Sometimes," she explained, resting her

stop. Everyone was being so serious! Of course he was sad

chin on his head, "You hear maybe a small sound, or smell a

about Great-Aunt Leah dying, but it wasn't as if she'd been very

particular scent, and yourememberthings that happened to you

important to him. Still, laughter was definitely not tactful when she

once. Because that noise or that smell happened with it."

was lying in a coffin. Ben concentrated on the yellow wreath of

"Like the smell of chicken soup." Ben had wrinkled his nose. "It

flowers on the coffin, and tried to be respectful and

reminds me of when I was sick and had to stay in bed."

remember Leah.

'The sound of feet, marching," she'd said, stomping her feet on

"... and we will all cherish these memories..."

the ground and nearly throwing Ben off. 'Guards ... or the sound

He couldn't say they had been close, even if he had seen her

offirecrackling. Burning books and papers and photographs..."

almost every day after school. Dad would order him to "go and

"Glass breaking," he said in a small voice." Michael

keep Leah oompany, she's lonely now with Mark gone and the

Hartley throwing the ball in the window and the glass breaking

kids all grown up." He tried to remember her face, and one

over me. And then the nurse that kept wiping my face."

picture surfaced: Leah, all wispy grey hair and sad brown eyes,

Leah put her arms around him. 'You still remember that?'

standing in a garden. As the rabbi droned on, the memories

"Yeah."

camefloodingback

"Does it still frighten you?'

"A little bit." Ben huddled into her arms.

Ben remembered a bitingly cold winter afternoon, so cold that he had seen his breath rising before him when he exhaled. Leah was in her garden. It had seemed strange to him that she was outside on such a cold day, even stranger that she wore nothing but a light sleeveless cotton dress. She was digging furiously into a patch of soil, and when he had picked up a shovel and joined her she had smiled and smoothed his hair back

"It was a bad experience, yes." She traced his scars with herfinger,one on his forehead and one on his arm. 'But you can still stand in front of windows and not be scared?'

"Yeah."

"And this boy - you are still friends with him?

"Yeah."

"So you have no need to worTy. It has a bad memory, it is over

Ben remembered now Leah's resigned expression and the way

Remember it if you like, tell the story to your friends, but do not be

the muscles in her arms worked under her skin, making the

frightened. As I always say, you must keep on living."

A

Ben felt her pulling away slightly and he turned and looked at her.

Her eyes were solemn and she was looking at the wall, not him.

"You must keep on living," she repeated.

2nd February 1992

"I wasn't scared," Ben insisted, confused at her sudden-

So old, so traditional. All my life, I've lived within these walls of

ly serious tone. "Only after I woke up, because the stitch-

tradition. I thought I'd escape them in my marriage, but once

es were in."

again, tradition has outwitted me. Why didn't I run away?

She chuckled and put him on his feet. "Lets go see what flavour

Tradition sapped my strength, my wil to rebel. It put me in this

of ice-cream I have in the freezer today."

cold, unreal marriage.

How many little memories about Leah had he forgotten, Ben

I should have run away, to find David, to be with him again. But

wondered? The ice-cream. The way she would say "Ben" with

he put me in this situation. He left me, with no explanation. I tried

her accented pronunciation and the way her eyes wrinkled when

to live without tradition, but it didn't work. I couldn't resist when my

she smiled. How she had buried her collection of old newspaper

parents married me off to this cold, old man.

clippings in that hole they'd dug in her yard, after she thought he had gone. Leah had kept the papers in a cupboard and Ben had only seen them once. He didn't actually read them, but he'd glimpsed some headlines. "Angel of Death located', 'Mengele found in Spain", "Nobel for Night". These little memories slip away so easily, Ben thought. The bad ones tend to hang around longer, until you learn to deal with them.

Now I want to fight. A few weeks of this marriage has put the fight back in me. I can't take his stupidity, his expectation of my obedience and acceptance of his ideas, even when I know they're wrong. My mother tells me I should be grateful to him.

"What other respectable man would take you after you'd been with that foreigner? You should be grateful he's so forgiving, so modem in his ideas!" Forgiving and modem! Mama, you have no

Mum suddenly nudged him. "Bow your head," she hissed.

idea. It's not modern to scowl at your wife every time she

"So let us remember Leah Talmann, beloved wife, mother, aunt,

expresses an idea you don't agee with. It's not forgiving to find a

grandmother and friend, who touched the lives of each of us in

thousand cutting ways of reminding your wife she is lucky you

different ways..."

stooped to marry her. He's not a husband, he's a figure of authority - someone who wants the respect given to a father, not

Ben stared at the wooden coffin and thought of her soft voice

the intimacy given to a husband.

and the blurry numbers on her arm. He pictured the deep hole waiting for her at the cemetery and felt a lump somewhere at the

I've got to go - he's calling. I feel like I'm trapped in the

base of his throat. He was relieved that all other eyes were

seventeenth century.

closed, because he found he had to wipe his own.

9th February 1992.

Oh, the joys of being married to an old, rich, Italian! Let me count

By Lil Cheong Year 12

my blessings, as my mother would say. Let me see ... one .. Uh uh, time's up Kat. Self pity - it's a wonderful thing. It's so comforting to be able to pour out my sorrows. My last outburst reads like something from a bad romance novel.

I've got all the elements for a great Mills and Boon - girl

They wonder why Benito lowered himself to many me. They

meets handsome, charming boy; boy and girl fall in love; boy

know he was 'captured by my beauty", but can't understand why

runs off on girl leaving her heartbroken (and pregnant); girl's

he sullied his respectability. They don't understand that Benito is

traditional parents, shocked by her fall from grace, many her off

a collector. His house is filled with objects of beauty, and I am

to a respectable but uncaring older man; girl submits because

part of his collection. It doesn't matter to him that I'm pregnant,

her heart is broken. Now al I need isforthat charming boy to come

only that I'm the most beautiful Italian girl around here. (I can say

and rescue me. Not bloody Ifoely! I have to remember that he left me.

that without being vain, it is an established fact.) I have become a

That makes him the bad guy. I'm not supposed to want him back

museum piece, simply to be looked at.

You're probably wondering, dary, why I let myself be forced into

17 February 1992.

this position. Apart from a broken heart (not a very good excuse

I love being a martyr in this diary. Ifs the only place I can be. Wh

in this day and age), why did I many this old man whom I detest?

would anyone else listen to my sorrowful outpourings? They

I have a very 90s answer for you, diary. It was money. Cold, hard

have sorrows of their own to engross them. Diary, I'm turning into

cash. My parents were going to throw me out if I didn't many

a cynic. I used to think life was like a romance novel. Back then,

Benito. I'm just eighteen, how could I possbly find myself a job to

could still believe in happy endings. I dreamed cf the day when,

support myself and a baby? I can't even finish school because

without even a backward glance, I would walk out the door,

I'm pregnant.

straight into David's arms. The only possible ending for a romance novel.

My friends all told me I should have had an abortion. This is where the tradtion comes into it. I ignored my Roman Catholic

Now I have to face thefactthat happy endings don't just happen,

origins long enough to get pregnant, but I can't get past the belief

they're created. YouVe got to have strength, belief in yourself, fo

that abortion is murder. The Pope and my parents have a lot to

a happy ending. I lost that strength - perhaps I never had it. All I

answer for.

know is thatrightnow, no happy ending is in sight.

II February 1992.

This doesn't mean that I'm going to give ip. I can't win the war a

I'm slowly going crazy. If I stay inside his dark, gloomy house, it

the moment, but I can sure as hell win the battles. Maybe it's the

oppresses my mind unti I'm ready to scream. If I go out I'm sure

battles that count. By winning them, surely I'm getting closer to

to meet someone I know, and thafs worse that staying inside.

winning the war? Perhaps I'm not such a cynic after all. I think I

My school friends are uneasy and embarrassed around me.

can believe in a happy ending, one day. I know that it won't

They can't understand our traditions. When I meet someone

involve meridingoff into the sunset with David. But I'm not sure

who does understand them, like one of Mama's friends, they are

that would satisfy me anyway.

so hypocritical that I want to spit in their face. They talk about how lucky I am to get Benito with all his money, how happy I must be. But they know I hate Benito and all he stands for, that my maniage is a patched-up affair.They are nice to me only because it makes them feel superior, since their daughters didn't

Then again, I could just be fooling myself. Life seems more bear able when I can believe in my own personal Utopia. It could just be an escape I've created, not something which actually

exists.Enough brooding, Kat. No matter which way I look at it, life has to be lived.

ruin their reputations by fooling around with a foreigner.

Kate Thwaites Year 11

:

afterthought His rough lips brushing hers, she remembered. But more, shedisease. Was he really going to leave, without saying anything? enjoyed his warmth. He held her, arms f irm, secure, holding it inHe turned, and then, he did look at her. She swam in the luscious and together, locking out all the bad. So warm, she was, so

sea-green of his eyes, pleading. But they were hard, fibreglass,

safe ...It was impossble to be unhappy.

and he only stared, unseeing. Light drops of perspiration forming,

She awoke, the bright white shuttered light shootting daggers across the bed and blinding her eyes. She blinked, the world slowly swimming into focus. She was alone, it seemed, the warm sheath evaporating, his hollow in the bed cool andfading.Was he gone?

She turned over, and across mountains of white sheet he stood.

His eyes wouldn't meet hers, and he struggled to buckle his jeans quickly, as if, as if he had something to hide. From her?

standing out and glistening on the stubble of his upper Ips, his lips moving finaly, and the words came. Scornful, harsh, mimicking, all the money and gloating in the world floating in his voice.

I'll pay... just... return the key, cant you And unformed wordsfloatedin the air, a stale stiff breathless air.

He ripped his glance away, she screamed in pain. Then he was gone, away, out of her life forever. Only the pale green peeling remained, staring back.

When hours before, they'd been one, their flesh melting and moulding, limbs entangled, their bodies and lives intertwined? He wouldn't look at her, and as he slipped his shirt over his head, as

Anonymous

Deception

she took in, in a seconds glance, the tanned smoothness of his muscular trunk, begging for hands to smooth and touch, all at

Reflections bounce off the smooth water,

once, she knew. Her mind groping desperately, shut off, and

He smiles,

drew her body in protectively, legs curled to her chest, arms

A warm caring smile

wrapped around knees. The sheet was stil there, white rumples

Full of memory.

everlasting, the mountain ranges covering an immense expanse

His hand touches the silky water,

of lonely bed, while she lay, curled and alone in the centre.

It quivers, He returns his hand to the pocket of his dark jacket.

Still he wouldn't look She wanted to touch, to feel his warm live flesh, to grip and grasp, and feel alive, but he wouldn't. Last night,

Slowly he turns

he had known her, a physical, passionate, gropingfleshyher, but

As if to leave,

now, discarded, used up, the goodness was sucked out of her.

But is pulled back

Only an empty shel left on the bed. She wihctew fulher inside herself.

He looks across tl

But she maintained her blank look in case he was looking. He

She is dancing on the opposite bank,

wasnt, he was painfully not looking. Slipping on boots now,

She is beckoning him to cross,

jacket slung casually over shoulder, only the hurried grab for his

Her slender hand is reaching out to him.

bag to give himself away. He opened the door, she could see the light green stained the wall in the dilapidated corridor outside. A vomit-coloured, putrid green, peeling spreading like a vile

He stares at her Entranced, Her familiarfaceis pale,

rj,

•

T i l l

you are...

Rain Jo rest

You can bloom so quickly,

Green lush forest plants, the dark

He is intrigued by her,

Yet sometimes you fail to even bud.

grainy soil

He steps into the cold water

You can survive anything,

Bubbling brooks abundant with

His feet push through the weed.

Or die and shrivel away at the icy

glimmering fish,

Her white dress shifts delicately in the wind.

touch of doubt.

She stops dancing.

A green canopy of vines and trees.

You can make us immortal,

Snaking, turning, in the undergrowth

Her long brown hair ruffles in the

Yet you can kill us at the hands of fate.

breeze

You can drive us to suicide,

There is no breeze.

Or urge us to hold on.

She smiles,

You are more powerful than life or death,

deep green canopy above.

A cold smile

Nothing can stop you,

Fresh geen spring grass beneath rry feet

Yet nothing can grow on its own.

The song of the birds is enchanting.

I can't live without you,

Sunlight finally filters through a gap

He loses his footing,

Yet you can bring metothe brink of despar.

in the vines

The water sucks him under

You grow in me and others

His leg is snagged,

But eat at hateful hearts.

Panic invades his body.

You are my only hope ...

Full of deceit.

She begins to giggle His energy drains away,

I can lean on you,

No sun finds its way through the

A cool, green glade.

Light green ferns sprout from the damp, brown soil Soft green moss, gentle silk beneath

You are love.

the feet of rainforest creatures, Fiona Birlev Year 9

His will fails,

Cold, damp air, oolourful bush birds shging,

His lifeless body sinks into its

The roaring song of the waterfall Clear blue cascades, trickling in a

weedy grave.

Space Poem

A pale figure dressed in white

Sizzling, hot ball of fire

Hitting the soft, clear water of the stream,

emerges from the water,

Unbelievable heat

ight bounces off on the stream,

He takes her hand

Nobody ventures up there &

langing it to a brilliant gold

And together they disappear into Magically shimmering in the sky

the trees.

Orbiting round the Earth Ebony Balaz Year 11

ibling fall

^s the water hits the stream, tiny rubbling crystals r

alling and bouncing to the velvet

Old man in the moon

loss, which lies beneath my feet

Natural source of light.

As I walk through the rainforest.

Luisa Frederico Grade 6

Fiona Doig Grade 3

§reen

Twist again, and again. Why can't I breathe? Soft flutters of breath come from the sleeping forms next to me. Daisy

Thinking green

and Gracey sleep easily, untroubled by the heavy atmos-

Traffic lights telling me to go,

phere, but I twist and turn in my bed. I feel out of place in

The colour of croaking frogs on lily pads,

this silent dormitory. The row of beds stretches along to

Rustling reeds bordering lakes and ponds,

my right, their silent occupants already cowed by this

Or simply the leaves and grass growing in our gardens.

place. Much as I need my strength, I can't sleep here. I lie staring at the ceiling, counting the cracks until the

Luscious green meadows, paddocks and fields

moonlight disappears.

Cover the countryside, Calling me to visit them,

I slip out of the inflexible bed and wake Daisy and

Like the vast green ocean from above.

Gracey. They stare at me sleepily, and Gracey demands

Many gems and crystals are treasured and admired,

to know where we are going. "It doesn't matter." I start

But not like the precious green emeralds,

pulling them roughly out of bed, trying to collect my

Glistening in the sun.

thoughts. I just have to get out of there, home to Jigalong!

Green makes me think of springtime, When the air is crisp and sweet, Filled with the smell of nature's bright blossoms.

Though other colours may be beautiful, none can com-

"We're going home," I tell them. "Get a move on!" I want to leave before my fierce whispers wake anyone up.

"But how will we find the way?"

"The rabbit-proof fence, of course. Now shurrup." I'm not sure what they do to girls who escape, but it might be

pare With the lively refreshing feeling of green!

Tahlia Cocks and Sarah Loo Grade 5

best not to think about it too much.

We slink along the corridor in bare feet and nightgowns, holding our breaths while the door swings open. It's early

Roadtojigctiong

morning, my head feels fuzzy and events blur. I'm not sure how it happens, but I find myself travelling east, my

One bleak day in 1931, three aboriginal cousins were taken from feet moving steadily. Cold wind cuts at me like a knife their homes and families in Jigabng, and brought to Moore River through my thin nightgown, but the moon is appearing in Native Settlement. Molly Kelly was fourteen at the time.

the beautiful, wide open sky and my lungs fill with clean air. "Home! Home and freedom are surely just around the

The bars on the window press in on me, suffocating the life out of me. The oppression in the heavy air weighs down on me like a

corner," I say to myself, as my tough brown feet skip across the hills.

load, seeming to push me into the dust. I must get out of this place! The bed is stiff and sharply tucked in, the mattress hard. I

Three figures dance over the hills, their shadows falling

swear I will not spend another night in this place as long as I live.

back over Moore River as they disappear into the dis-

As I turn my shoulder folds underneath me, but the bed refuses

tance.

to give way.

Cathy Glen Year 9

1 felt your fear

METERS

1 felt mine

Move this looming meter

A child

This parking meter

1 hear you Jim

like you said

This monolith

1 understand

is like a flower

Licking up the loser's last loot

The Indians

His head is just floating

Sucking him dry

1 saw them

floating in the breeze

Sending him home,

scattered

1 know

Littering the landscape

like you said

It's OK

Like monstrous mechanical lollipops

Just like you said

Be calm

Measuring time.

Scattered on Dawn's Highway

1 saw the souls of the ghosts

They are money clocks

Dawn's Highway?

Two, maybe three

Swallowing clockwork money.

Only because it was dawn

Screaming silently

They should be jackpots

Highway?

They saw you

Then we too could win wastelands

Because you were in a desert

Delicate you

of wealth

1 hear you Jim

They wanted your soul

For still standing steel

1 felt the ghosts too

Why?

But alas

They were flying

Why not?

There is yet no need

and like you said

They took it

For needle-sized camels.

they were freaked out

They changed you Jim

They crowded you

they changed you forever

your young, fragile, eggshell mind

1 hear you Jim

1 heard it crack

1 know

1 saw it

Ask them

1 know

Ask them, Jim

1 know they were bleeding

"Indian, Indian

They were bleeding to death

what did you die for?"

Blood everywhere

"Nothing at all," says the Indian

Blood in the streets of New Haven

It was just like you said

like you said

1 hear you Jim

Blood up to your thighs

1 hear you

You tasted fear

Anon - A special thank you to

So did 1

J.D.M who greatly inspired me.

d/iwm's Hvgnw/iy CJUST C9KE yOU SA9D).

SCOTCH Procrastination eats my time A soporific sedative The television infects the air Infiltrating ears Sucking thoughts

Suspending them on the tip of an overhang Just out of reach.

If only entertainment was less inviting Less enticing Less mesmerising Something productive might evolve.

TECEPHOflE

POEM

The telephone sits,

I say I hate you, I don't think thafs true,

Monstrous in its mechanism,

I say I'd kill you, if only you knew,

Knowledgeable and safe.

The emotions I have, they way that I feel,

Bubous threatening buttons connect to

I wonder, I worry, I don't know whats real.

Cream coloured cord-like tentacles

I don't think you meant the things that you said,

That dive through the hole in the wafl,

How gullible the people were that you lead,

Through dark tunnels,

The gossip, the stories, the lies that you told,

Dank and drpping,

Maybe in time the truth will unfold.

To another universe.

For now in my heart I can try to forgive,

So singular we sit

And hope you havefaithin the lies that you live,

Scared and sweating

For me, all I SCO is a friendship thafs lost,

Heart beating

But really, my dear, was it worth such a cost?

Eyes blinking In our own stone sticky well.

TO A JOKJVIEK

JKDEJVD

WcsieK People say that black is sad,

sywup Tendrils of syrup deliriously sweet caress

It makes them feel claustrophobic and mad, They say black is a sign of pain, Closing in on you, it screams out your name, Inner fears come out and fight, They rip you apart until you die and say goodnight.

linger and droo oop

JOREVEK It seems I've known you all my life,

from my

Eight years thafs all, but I'm sure it wil be forever,

languid fingers.

I tell you all my secret thoughts,

Sweet suffering

And I know you'll keep them to yourself forever.

as the sticky substance

You trust me with things, thafs really nice,

straps

I'll keep them to myself FOREVER.

sucks and clings

I appreciate you help and advice,

surrendering not

And I know I wil forever,

staying so that I

You're there for me, and I'm here for you forever,

must lick, lick

And ever.

and unstick it.

(Four poems) Michelle Wyatt Year 12

Written for my friend Ella Hot (Three poems) Brodie Pint Year 7

farmhouse

Dreaming

The old farmhouse at Marshmead could have been a special

There never was much time to be alone, to think, to resolve life's

place for me. The worn carpet and mismatched furniture made it

difficulties and learn to smile again. Only twice was I ever

the comfy sort of place Grandma and Grandpa would live in.

alone in the lamhouse Wefchrg fie gaden's colours fade to hon-

One of the house rules was that shoes be removed before entering.

eyed greys, I supported myself and my failures against a grow-

This ensured a cowpat- free zone and softened the footsteps

ing verandah post until darkness was my friend. There I found

through the kitchen, so that all one could hear of intruders was

the tranquillity which helped me love the next spring day.

the muffled blur of explorer socks on gently creakingfloorboards.

Another time, I explored the old bunkhouse and untangled an

There were always intruders, though perhaps it was I who

enormous kite that was caught between the beds like a trapped

disturbed the sleeping farmhouse. Enveloped in its dreaming, I

butterfly . It was warm in that little room, with the sun streaming

breathed in the warm smell of taking bread and curled up by the

yellow through the windows. The dustyfloorboardswere supple

fire with a copy of Little Women. The sweet murmuring of

under my feet, and there was a pleasant musty smell one could

sleeping children drifted to my ears from the bunkhouse, as the

almost see in the air. I touched the bunk; it was solid under the

Southern Cross kept a loving watch.

peeling red paint and was bolted to thefloor.One person's memory is insignificant when compared with the memory of a build-

It could have been the place I always went for comfort when the world was against me, when I wanted to be alone . My sorrows would have been absorbed by the ancient wood of the kitchen table, each tear a new knot in its grainy surface.

ing. The farmhouse holds the memories from all generations; a passing child feels but the echo of time past. The farmhouse remembers.

Adelaide Worcester Year 12

Magic Mother Nature is at work, putting al her effort into every detail of the landscape. Her pallet has every single colour. She binds together the magic of life! The hills are bathed in sunlight, its warmth licking my face.

She curves the trees so they are gnarled and twisted like my grandma's fingers. She blows the grass about with her cold, crisp breath. The trees in the rainforest billow in waves. The beUbirds song rings through.

I close rry eyes and taste the cool, sweet air. My taste buds tingle as a small droplet of rain lands on my tongue and dances in my mouth.

The once deep blue sky is now covered the angry grey clouds, about to yell down thunder and scream down rain. I am a prisoner - trapped in its beauty.

Siana Einfeld Year 9

Marskmead

Au s I an

Gamp

Australian Sign Language - Auslan - is one of the most theatrical

Dinner was not memorable - pasta and water, yummo! But we

and cultured languages of all. Consisting of hand movements,

had our junk food to savour, so after watching Party of Five, we

facial expressions and body postures, Auslan is used by over

hurried back to the cabins. The teachers' window-banging

50,000 Australian citizens as a means of communicating with

escapade around the camp a little later was the signal for 'lights

deaf and speech impaired people.

out'. On most camps, D&M conversations would now begin before the lids drooped and the journey to dream-land began ...

On June 22, Year 11 and 12 Auslan classes from MLC and

but not on Auslan Camp. Signing after lights-out proved too

Monash Secondary College piled onto a bus taking them to a

difficult a problem for us to solve, so we used our vocal chords for

weekend of silence. An entire weekend without Triple J - who

the first time in 12 hours. We were joined by one of our deaf

would cope? A few hours later, we arrived at the bushy surrounds

friends, who had left her hearing-aids on and was trying to

of Dehuntie Park. After unloading our bags onto muddy terrains,

decpher our words. Goodbye D&Ms and helb hysteria, as we

our teacher signed to us our first instructions: 'You ali now group,

circled the room to see how many voices and words she

group. About 10, 11. Then will in house. Understand?"

recognised. We fell asleep to the sounds of laughter, only

(Meaning: Now all get into groups of 10 or 11 and each group wil

saddened by the knowledge that tomorrow we would have to

be assigned to a cabin. Understand?) I was a little apprehensive

leave it all.

about being in the same cabin as some of the Monash students, Lisa Doueal Year 12

but as we all set out for Cabin No. 1, we began signing to each other as if whether we were deaf or hearing, or from Monash or MLC, was irrelevant.

Dumping our stuff in the accommodation unit, we headed to the

involved in

first Group Meeting where we were signed the campus rules.

Then, to our surprise, we were set free to whiz around on the flying-foxes and attempt to drown in the freezing lake. After being

Japanese

#i All those at MLC with blonde hair, raise your hands. Feel like you

introduced to the manager of the camp, we were told that we couid earn money by completing fun activities andridingon four-

blend into the crowd? Don't despair - if you want attention, go to

wheeled motorbikes, and by complimenting each other. This

Japan. In Japan, people with blonde hair always get noticed - just

sounded good in theory, however the man willing to supply all

one of the many ways in which Australia and Japan differ.

prizes didnt understand Auslan, so our attempts to compliment each other were simply a waste of time.

Next came an activity in which we were all supposed to hold hands in a tangled manner and, without talking or unlinking hands, create a circle. Any game is fun if you can find a way of cheating, but we couldn't talk and our hands were otherwise occupied. The game became only a frustrating failure!

•

Discovering the differences between Australian and Japanese jf l culture is one of the great things about going on exchange to Japan. As well as giving you a totally different aspect on the world and introducing you to some of the delicacies of Japanese cuisine (such as seaweed or fried eel), exchanges are a great way to improve your Japanese and make lots of new friends.

txchange

to

Jrance

Each year, MLC runs exchanges to our sister school, Tsushima

Over the 1995 / 96 summer holidays, while my friends were

Girls' School. Every two years students also visit Chikushi High

relaxing on beaches in the hot Australian sun, I and four other

School in Fukuoka and Tsushima in Nagoya, for about three

Year 12s were experiencing life in Grenoble, France, as part of

weeks. I took part in one of these visits, and found it

a two month exchange.

very rewarding.

Although I was a bit apprehensive about going overseas on my "The tour started in FJ<uoka, where the MLC groip was something of

own for two months, my exchange gave me the opportunity to

a novelty. We had our pictures published in the local paper and

improve my French and allowed me to experience life in a

were thereafter recognised on the streets of Fukuoka. We grew

culture very different to my own. I found my eyes opened to a lot

used to the glances and smiles directed towards us, and had a

of problems that we at MLC are fortunate enough to be sheltered

wonderful time at Chikushi High for a week. We even amazed

from. One of the things that shocked me about Grenoble was

ourselves by managing to convey our thoughts in Japanese on a

that there were homeless people sitting outside every third building,

variety of subjects!

begging for food or money. I've never fe* so helpless before, nor have I ever seen so clearly the presence of poverty and how

The tour then moved to Hiroshima, travelling on the Bullet Train.

This was a very moving part of the trip as we visited the Peace Park in Hiroshima. This is dedicated to the memory of those who died when the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima during World War II. We also managed to 'lose' large amounts of

many people it affects. Also concerning was the fact that in Paris all the bins were sealed, because of the numerous bomb threats the government had received in reaction to France's nuclear testing policy. For the first time in my life, violence and terrorism were made real to me.

money in the big department stores in Hiroshima.

On a lighter note, everyone in France was friendly and helpful.

Our last stop was Nagoya, where we spent a very enjoyable week at Tsushima Girls' School. Then, all too soon for most of us, it was time to return to Australia. We came back with wonderful memories, new friends and improved Japanese skills.

Being Australian, I was a bit of a novelty and got the usual questions about whether we ride kangaroos to school. One individual asked me how I learnt to speak such good English! Grenoble was freezing. It took me a while to get used to going to school in

While exchanges are great fun, hosting a Japanese student is

negative temperatures, not to mention the different school hours

also beneficial and enriching. This year, MLC has had many

8am to 6pm! However, I was lucky enough to experience a real

Japanese students - some of whom stayed for a couple of

'white Christmas' in the French countryside, staying with my host

weeks, some for as long as a year. While hosting can definitely

family in a 15th century house. I also went to Paris for a few

be challenging (there are times when you feel you'll never be

days and, as Grenoble was only a short drive from the

able to explain to a Japanese student that although that tree over

magnificent Swiss Alps, tried to improve my skiing!

there is a gum tree, there are no koalas in it), ifs also great fun.

Hosting will leave you with wonderful memories, and a new friend.

Kate Thwaites Year 11

I treasure all my French experiences, and would recommend the exchange program to anyone interested. It's an experience you'll never forget!

Belinda Glass Year 12

year 12 Qerman at MUG In general, every non-LOTE student I talk to marvels at my Year

There are also opportunitites to utilize one's German skills in the

12 pursuit of a Language Other Than English, namely German.

wider community. This year, for example, we sacrificed a

I remember in Year 9 being told by a Year 11 student doing Unit

Thursday night at home with all our other homework to dine in

3/4 German that "German was one of [her] easiest subjects". Of

High St. Armadale at the Alt Wien (Old Vienna), an authentic

course I branded this girl a compulsive iar, and immediately rec-

Austrian restaurant. Although the food left a little to be desired,

ommended this great therapist I knew. However, she has since

the chance to use German in a real-life situation (we had to order

been proved to be completely sane. Having completed VCE

in German and speak German the whole night) was greatly

German, I now realise that German, in fact any LOTE at VCE

appreciated.

level, is one of the most straightfoward and rewarding subjects students can do [WHAT!! - Eds],

Other extra-curricular activities included the annual GoethePoetry Competition, in which students memorised and recited a

This year there were two Year 12 German classes containing

poem in front of a judge at Melbourne or Monash Universities.

about 11 students each, taught by Frau Freeman and Frau

MLC always does well in this competition, fielding several finalists

Corstorphh. Frau Corstorphin is new to MLC this year, having

every year.

replaced Frau Tarran as head of the German Department.

Although initially overwhelmed by MLC's size (her previous place

Finally, there is everyone's favourite extra-curricular activity:

of employment was Ruyton) she has since settled in and has

authentic German cake sampling, guaranteed to ensure full

proved to be every bit as good as her predecessor.

attendance at German class. If nothing else youVe read here convinces you that Year 12 German is not so bad after all, then

Ensconced in the ancient but much loved [not - Eds] Nicholas

just visualise a slice of luscious black forest cake, melting in your

House classroom of Language 4, Year 12 German proceeded at

mouth as you sink your teeth into its dark chocolate, cherry-

a leisurely pace. Our lessons centred around either one of the

liqueur filled sponge, encased in high-fat whipped cream. Aaaah!

many cultural themes that the course encompasses, including

Absolute heaven! The stuff that Year 12 German was made of.

'The Environment', 'Love', 'Food or 'Foreigners in Germany'.

Nikki Young Year 12

Oral lessons, while initially daunting, were great practice for the oral CAT 2. Speaking of CATs, VBOS are uncharacteristically kind to LOTE students. They have implemented a CAT program that is anything but stressful. It consists of a CAT 1 Writing Folio, containing work completed throughout the year, and two exam CATs in Term 4 - CAT 2 is an oral while CAT 3 is a 1 1/2 hour written exam. Students do plenty of practice and preparation for these thoughout the year.

However, Year 12 German is not just about jostling for the best position in front of the heater in Language 4.

Our Jinnish

Jriend

Irene (li-re-nay) Pendolin arrived at MLC at the beginning of

attended the Year 12 Formal, and was the only Year 12 student

August 1995. She snuck into Year 11 classes quietly and, at first,

to hand in the English Issues CAT without having to (and

convinced us she was just a shy Rotary exchange student from

achieved an A grade for it!) Out of school, Irene learnt karate,

Finland. How wrong we all were! Everyone has a story to tell

swam regularly, and practised her English with anyone who'd

about the first time they met Irene. Whether it was at her first

stand still for more than two minutes, particularly if they were

Choir rehearsal when she burst in late and wrapped Mrs Elton

male, tall, dark and had muscly shoulders!

Brown around her little finger, or simply when they saw her bounding around the school, Irene was noticeable. I only really got to know her six months after she'd arrived. Following the summer holidays, I heard a boisterous account of a holiday at Philip Island, roller-blading and water-skiing with a few Brad Pitt look-alikes. Of course, I followed the voice, and met Irene. Little did know what I was in for.

Over the next six months I was led on a whirlwind tour of Melbourne and the surrounding areas. It was incredible how much of Australia Irene saw during her twelve month stay. She toured Canberra and Phillip Island with Rotaryfamiliesfrom the Hawthorn club. She then went to Queensland and Central Australia with about forty other exchange students, under the guise of helping strengthen international relations. I've heard tales of many internationalrelationshipswere formed on to tour, but perhaps now isn't the time for such details... When she returned, we headed off to Daylesford for a Rotary weekend with about 100 other VCE students, which was an incredible experience. We also toured Belgrave and rode Puffing Billy (in the middle of winter) visited the National Gallery, partied the night away at the Metro and spent innumerable hours drinking coffee and discovering how much we had in common. All this in between school and Irene's weekends away with friends in Bendigo, and without breaking any of the Rotary 'dont's' - No Drinking, No Driving, No Dating and No Drugs!

Throughout her stay, Irene was involved in MLC activities. She sang as part of the Choir in the 1996 Gala Concert. She

And then in July, Irene had to leave. At Tullamarine Airport, as we were trying to convince ourselves she wasn't really leaving us, what was Irene doing? Still trying to convince me that Santa Claus lived in Finland, a debate which had been running for the past six months. I guess I'll just have to go over there sometime, and make sure that he's looking after my wonderful friend.

Wendy Hughes Year 12

t h e y E / w 11 J9ECD

psyenocogy yE/W?SK9TKDp.

TWDP

During August, three Psychology groups headed to a Monastery in Croydon. Spending a weekend at a Monastery didn't sound iike an ideal weekend - from the rumours we had heard, it sounded ghastly- However, we had a ball! The field trip wasfilledwith laughter and excitement.

I think it was the sense of the mystery surrounding the field trp that initially ooncemed the Year 11 s most of all. Although we had no idea whatsoever of what to expect, once on the trip we learned a lot about ourselves and our behaviour through different experiments.

It was winter, the slopes were beckoning and skiing seemed much more enticing than a day at school with the books. So once again, the Year 7 girls headed for Mt Buller on the annual Year 7 Ski Trip.

After a couple of hours in the bus, everyone was fired up and ready for action. By 9:30am, 50 students had managed to squeeze into 50 pairs of uncomfortable ski boots, and each had acquired a pair of 2 metre skis. For the beginners, just standing on slippery snow was a challenge, while more experienced girls were tempted by the slopes. Within 15 minutes my group was off and skiing. The only problem was that when the teachers started

The first night we were asked to sleep in a room by ourselves. I

screaming at us to snow plough, we had no idea what they were

was so enthusiastic about the whole event, I didn't get to sleep

taking about - we couldn't stop! Eventually we all managed to

until 3 am! But the second night was a completely different story.

stop ourselves, mainly by falling or by skiing straight through a

During the second afternoon I was told that my room (we each

group of unsuspecting males. By lunch time we had all had a

had separate rooms) had sprung a leak. Out of 40 rooms, mine

lesson and were able to ski down at least part of the slope.

had to spring a leak! Not a tiny little drizzle, but enough so that my sleeping bag was wet through and the floor was soaked.

Because of this disaster I had to share a room with afriend, and it wasn't until the next day that we realised that the whole corridor was leaking and there were buckets everywhere!

I had a fabulous time, and I hope that the Year 11s next year have just as much fun as I did.

After a nice warm lunch in a nice warm kiosk, we were out in the freezing cold again. We now had a few hours of free time to perfect our skiing skills, and everyone put this time to good use.

By 3:00 pm nearly everyone had managed to ski down the slope, master the ski lift, and be back on a bus that would take us down the mountain. By the time we were down and back on the school bus, everyone was exhausted. We weren't too sad to see

Catherine Nesci Year 11.

the back of the slopes. Every bone in our bodies was aching.

After we had stopped for dinner and watched a movie in the bus. everyone was very close to sleep. But the ski trip proved to be a lot of fun for everyone - even the people who didn't come back in one piece! Congratulations to all the teachers who accepted the challengedof taking 50 giris to the snow. They showed much talent on the slopes.

Rebecca Alizzi Year 7.

Art

Tour

to

Staly

c

Lhecuip.^

During the first term holidays I spent a month in the beautiful Italian

With twelve four-hour practical art sessions undertaken in

city of Florence. This opportunity arose in the form of an Art Tour

Print Making and Photography Studies, there was ample

conducted by the school in which sixteen students, accompanied

opportunity to produce artwork in Italy. Emphasis was given

by Mr. Savage and Ms. Medhurst, eagerly particpated. As an Art

to two print making styles, namely etching and mono printing.

Tour, this aspect was accentuated, and by actually living in the

Different aspects of Florence inspired me to produce artwork

heart of Florence a total experience was achieved. I was greatly

based on images of the city. I was particularly impressed with

influenced by being surrounded by exquisite art works and this

the detailed architectural finishes visible all around the city and

was very much reflected in the art work I produced. As wel as

took particular note of pilars and columns. In comparison to

gaining an understanding of the city and its present culture, history

the crowded busy townships, the countryside was a place

came to life. My visual diary was my constant companion and was

of great beauty and vast open space. The countryside

a primary source for recording daily activities, it contains sketches

around Florence was magical and the sweeping hills

and impressions gained throughout my stay. I spent a great deal of time drawing pictures of different items which interested me during my travels. Museums and Churches were the main destinations each day with the occasional short day trips made to Lucca,

and little villages are depicted in some of my sketches and paintings. The bright vibrant colours and dean cod air was superb and i n s p i r e d me to i n t e r p r e t t h e s e features in my finished folio.

Sienna and Pisa, all towns near Florence, each with their own individual character.

The month abroad was a wonderful highlight - the

Visiting and seeing great artworks in The Uffizi, The Bargelk)

best month of my life. Looking back, I realise it was a

Museum, The Academia Gallery were certainly highlights for me

unique experience. My artwork, my visual diary, postcards

as it enabled me to study at first hand these art works.

and photos bring wonderful memories flooding back. I

Viewing originals displayed in their historical settings was

have attempted to provide a glimpse of what our time

an amazing experience. Santa Croce, The Cathedral

away was like. It is difficult to relate every aspect,

(Duomo), The Vatican and Sistine Chapel were visited

however the time away provided me with the basis

and displayed an equally remarkable array of famous art

and inspiration for all of my V C E art work, giving

works.

it a unique and special focus.

The tour also included visiting the cities of Venice and Rome which

the sights and»the opportunity to produce art in and

added an extra dimension to the overall experience. The dif-

of this famous city were all aspects which made the

ferent cultural elements that each contained all added to the

month in Italy very special. A time which will stay

total encounter and provided a wealth of inspiration for future

locked in my heart forever.

artistic endeavours.

Miranda Turner Year 12

The friendships,

^

Art

Tour

^

A

to

Staly

A Jtorentine Church Service Earty in the year, sixteen Year 11 and 12 photography students went on a study tour to Italy, staying in Florence and visiting Venice and Rome. Of the many experiences of that trip, the Good Friday Easter celebration at the church in the Piazza San Marco, Florence, was one I shall never forget. A small group of us decided that after a week of being in a foreign country, we wanted to have a good of sing-a-bng to some hymns. What better way than to go to church on Good Friday? We were aware that the service would probably be in Italian, but nevertheless ventured into the small church with fading frescoes on the walls of the foyer, the images barely visible. It was the same church that Michelangelo had attended, and where his brother had become a monk.

We found some seats relatively close to the front. From where we sat, we could see the covered up glass ooffin containing the 500-year-old body of a monk. Three priests came in, and two sat

T h e

Q

i r

I s

9

i n

t a

/ y

down while one talked into a microphone. He looked remarkably similar to one of the two Ronnies, [which one? - Eds] whilst one of the other preachers looked like Pavarotti. We listened calmly, and soon realised that we were witnessing a proper Italian Church service.

We tried our best to follow the sen/ice from the book, waiting to hear the organ start playing... when suddenly, the church was filled with sound of a Gregorian Chant. I could not believe my ears. This music was beautiful and would have been more so had the microphone been absent. It was a sound I had never expected to hear, especially while sitting in a little church in Florence. It was truly amazing. That night in the ancient church in Florence, was perhaps the most memorable Good Friday I will ever have.

Stephanie White Year 12

m mim A / A

A

Trips

i

isftfii

Senior

School

Trips

SEjwonpoc&uDescavDP

TOe/WtfEWVL Can you think of anything that would motivate you to arrive at

We visited Question Time in the House of Representatives -

school at 5 am on a Monday? For thfty-five Year 11 srd 12 students,

unfortunately many of us were rather tired by this point. Despite

and our long-suffering teachers Mr Bel and Ms Philips, something

the riveting speeches of the politicians, more than one person

did - the Senior Politics trip to Canberra on 9 - 1 0 September.

drifted off to sleep. A security guard suggested tactfully to Mr Bel

Despite being able to spend only two days there and having to

that this showed a lack of respect and that we should perhaps

wear our school uniforms, it was afantastictrp. Never have so

leave. We managed to stay awake for most of the Senate

many photos been taken by so few, in so little time... And despite

Question Time the next day though, refreshed by our night in

Ms Philips' refusal to count us at any stage, no-one got lost.

Rydges Resort. Apart from their insistence that 17 and 18-year-

We hadfamousencounters - we met Gough Whitlam during our tour of Old Parliament House (there are dozens of photos to prove it) and caught glimpses of our favourite politicians including Cheryl, Gareth and Amanda, during Question Times. While trooping around the back rooms of Parliament as 'escorted visitors', we spotted Peter Reith in the Cabinet Room. He provided us all with signed pieces of paper from the official Cabinet Room writing pads.

Our whirlwind bus tour included seeing the High Court in session,

olds needed a 10.00 curfew, this was quite an acceptable motel.

Much of Canberra's female population seems to be made up of Old Colegians. Drawing on this connection, we were able to talk to Senator Judith Trothe, MHR Charmain Stone and a member of the Women's Electoral Lobby.

Our last act in Canberra was to unfurl the MLC banner used in the infamous student march in Meboume, which Asha and Yas had brought along. Then it was time to farewell our friendly bus

the old and new Parliament Houses, the War Memorial, the driver - Tone-with-the-phone - and fly back to Meboume, taking Electoral Education Centre, the embassies and the National with us many memories and even more photos. Many thanks to Gallery, where we checked out exhbits containing such things as sump oil and finches, as well as more conventional 'works of art.

Ms Philips and Mr Bell for organising the trip.

Kathryn James Year 12

The

P o l i t i c s

b t u d e v t s

in

Canberra

L) r

12

f o r m a l

Held at the CaHton-Cnest Hotel on the 27 April, the Year 12 Formal

dates. However no matter who accompanied who, the majority

was eagerly looked forward to by many girls. Whie for some it

of people enjcyed the night.

was simply an occasion to meet with friends and have dinner, for many, it was a competition as to who could display the best-looking partner, wear the prettiest dress and dance the most energetically and wildly. The preparation and anticipation surrounding this event was enough to make teachers weep, as students forgot their studies for weeks before the event. For some, the terrifying step of calling their prospective partner sapped them of the energy to plan further until a few days before

Although everyone cannot be expected to like the choice of music, few would agree that Nirvana or Pearl Jam were appropriate music to dance (or mosh) to when wearing high heels! [Why not? - Eds] Girls hobbled around school for days afterwards, bruised feet caused by both ill-fitting shoes and oblivious moshing from others. Carefully styled hair collapsed when the music began.

the big night. For others, questions of partners, fashion

As the evening concluded and couples began to leave via the

and partying dominated their lives. The number of inane phone

sweeping staircase that had led us up to this evening full of

calls asking what eyeshadow someone was wearing or if they

expectations, the night was still young. The music was

were going to fake tan today or tomorrow, was staggering.

still playing and strobe lights still flashing as many piled into

When the day of the Formal finally arrived, ten girls from the Dance Committee decorated the Carlton-Crest Function Room with purple and pink balloons, scattered gold stars across the tables and placed a pink rose on each girl's folded serviette. The overall effect was magnificent, with the formal setting of a dinner dance, but the atmosphere of a party.

The fashions displayed were varied - some girls were adventurous with plunging necklines or creeping hemlines, while others went for elegance, in long, black evening dresses. A Gothic theme was present at many tables, black dresses accessorised with black handbags and black make-up. Others were more colourful, some dyeing their hair to match their attire.

Partners also displayed daring clothes - some wore audacious coloured suit coats or hats, others arrived with a rose between their teeth and a cane.

Partners were not just of the opposite sex - some girls chose to be accompanied by friends and other classmates. A few onlookers found it difficult to accept the concept of same-sex

scarce taxis and limousines to continue partying at other venues.

However, the Formal had been the final opportunity for us to officially socialise as a year level. For Year 12 1996, the partying was over, not just for the night, but forever.

Julianna Leslie Year 12

Dances

Ljr

tleven Lj r

Tem

During Term Two, a twelve week cult possessed a normally

'Camberwell Grammar! Lucy, I can't believe you invited them!

sensible year level. Of course, it was the Year 11 Formal!

Are you insane?'

There are three components to Formals: the hype, the occasion

'Why didn't you invite Marcellin? They always invite us and we

and the post-event depression. Phase one involves finding the

never invite them!"

dress. Whilst some discovered in Granny's cupboard a dress

"My life is ruined! My dad has volunteered to be a bouncer and

that was not only the epitome of fashion, but also fitted

my mum wants to serve drinks!"

flawlessly, others searched fruitlessly for the ultimate creation. If you could put up with dozens of insincere compliments, Memphis on Chapel Street was the answer. Others found refuge in a friend's cupboard, Chadstone, or dependable old Myers.

These were the sort of declarations ringing through the corridors of Nevie in the weeks leading up to the Year 10 Social, held on Saturday 15th June 1996. Standard questions soon developed: "Are you going to the Social?" and 'What are you wearing?'

The dress was only one of many problems. Shoes were another

More often then not, the answers, respectively, were "Yes" and '1

dilemma, as were hair, stockings, make-up, and finding a

have no idea, I'm going to Chadstone on Saturday with my dads

discreet bra to wear under the backless, strapless, creation you'd

wallet." Lucy Anderson and Nat Hale (Middle School SRC) were

bought. Then it was time to work on the partner. Of course, some

appointed organisers of the Social, and had to put up with

were more concerned about their partner's appearance,

constant questions, complaints and requests from most of Year

intelligence etc. than others. Many were desperately trying to find

10. After careful consideration and selection, the following

someone to plonk in a suit and tie - preferably a male.

schools had been invited: Camberwell Grammar, Carey (guys

Phase two- the day. This involved two components. The first was

only), Ivanhoe, Meboume High and Trinity.

transforming students into stunners - some relied on their own

On Saturday night, girts and guys started arriving from all over

abilities, whilst others turned to professionals. Various pre-dinner

Melbourne. The ladies of the evening had plucked, pulled,

parties occurred throughout Melbourne, before the beginning of

washed, scrubbed and waxed all day long while the guys... well,

the Formal at Chaucer's. On arrival, we were awed by the razzle,

guys will be guys! Soon enough, the music was pumping, the

dazzle and splendour. Dinner was edible - who eats at a Formal

crowd was sweaty and the drinks were flowing. After you've

anyway? Most of us were distracted by the music, the dancing,

been grooving for three hours, you'll drink anything - even watery

and the "You look unreal!" comments.

cordial! Eventually some girls paired off with guys and the others

At the conclusion of the Formal, we all raced ... home - to have a drink of... hot chocolate - with ... Mum and Dad - of course.

were fired up to "shake that groove thang". We'll never forget the brightredvest the DJ wore.

All those months of dieting, shopping, dreaming... for what? The

Monday came and we were still bleary-eyed after the weekend's

sense of purpose was gone. The Monday after the Formal, we

event. The Social was most definitely a success, and proved to

were left staring pathetically into our lunchboxes with no

be a plentiful source of gossip for the last couple of weeks of

conversation. A bleak vision of a Formal-less Term Three

Term Two. Thanks again to Nat and Lucy for their efforts. I'm

stretched before us. Ah well, time for Phase three:

sure everyone had a fantastic/interesting/good/badtiorrible ...

countdown to next Formal!

unforgettable time.

Claire Finkelstein & Rebecca Howie Yr 11

Olivia Ostojic Yr10

Being New in Ljear 7 "What am I doing here?' I asked myself those first few days at

Sometimes teachers stand up the front and rave on about some-

MLC. I remember going into the Assembly Hal with Mum and

thing you have never heard of before in you life, but if you don't

hoping that I would find someone to hang around with. I think that

understand after they have finished, they will always explain to

everyone was hoping the same thing, that someone would just

you afterwards and make sure you understand. They never

come up to them and say "Hey, do you want to hang around

leave you if you don't 'get something. All of the teachers I have

together for lunch?' After the first few weeks I got to know people

this year are very understanding and helpful. They are all great

and people got to know me, and our friendship groups started

and they explain things well.

forming. It was all so different to my Primary School. There,

Alice Clement Year 7

everyone was friends, and people there were just so different to people at MLC. The only similarity I can think of is that everyone isreallynice and friendly.

The first person I saw was a tall girl who had obviously been in Junior School, because she had about five other friends walking around with her giggling and mucking around, and we hadn't

Alews of the

Library

even been put in our form groups yet. She kept on laughing in a It has been busy for many weeks in the Ibrary, with kids of all really fake and stipid way, and I thought, is this what everyone is ages coming in to do research, projects, and use the Internet. going to be Ske here? If they are, I donl think I w i fit in too quickly.

Internet is now becoming very big at MLC, with tons of people Luckily, everyone turned out to be completely different, and I setflooding in to use a computer. Lately this has been a problem, tled in well. because of girls' passwords were not working. The hard working During the first few weeks we had orientation, which was a program organised for Year 7 classes so that everyone could get

crew at the Dungeon are getting to it. But for the meantime, girls are using COMMED!

to know each other. We played name games, and games in The Lbrary recently had Ms Boyd, Ms Gully and all the library which you said things about yourself, your pets and the things gang working hard to make the 50th Annual Children's you liked or enjoyed doing. I suppose it was so that other people Bookweek just perfect. There have been stories, a cartoonist, could see what you were like. charades, TV, 50 baloons each day and even a party... all in all, After we all got to know each other pretty well, it was time to get

it was a good week.

to know our teachers and our way around the school. Getting to

The Walton Lbrary if fun, exciting, and full of informatbn. Why

know the teachers was the hardest part - they were all so differ-

don't you come and see it for yourself!

ent from what I expected. Some of them are really strange but

Susie Scholem, Year 7

funny at the same time, they almost made schoolwork fun!

After about three weeks we had to stop doing fun stuff like games and going on excursions, and start work. That was fine, because all the teachers were nice and the stuff we had to do wasn't boring!

]Qig Sister

Program

Coming into MLC secondary school can be very nerve- racking, as it's so huge-especialy if you are new to the school! But luckiy, MLC has a great program called 'The Big Sisters Program". The program is designed to help both new and continuing girls in Year 7 feel more secure, by helping us with anything we dont feel we can talk to a teacher about. The big sisters are a group of Year 12s who are heaps of fun and great to talk to. The program is only meant to be in First Semester as our big sisters come whenever they can, but they still visit us even in Second Semester!

By Rachael Grenfei Year 7

Nicole DeGaris, Year 7 Art

Qeorgina Sowers with her 'little sisters' Rachael, 7ess, Megan, Kate, Renee and Nicole

Nicole DeGaris

7D - Collage/Photocopy/Painting/Drawing

Joelene Tee - Yr 11 Painting Yr 8 Teddy Bears

TANO

The theme of this year's Art Week was 'Artsurroundsus'.

Throughout the week of festivities, student installations called 'Eye Sights' were placed in the grounds of the school to encourage a greater awareness of art and the visual impact it has when included in our environment. Feature artworks included a spider web and ceramic impressions of famous paintings, namely Van Goghs and Picassos. Butterflies and scarecrows invaded the Junior School precincts, with ceramic head sculptures adding variety and impact.

An interesting, feature entrance to the art exhibition was a dragon mouth tantalisingly inviting visitors to enter and view the artwork of students from Prep to Year 12, in Betty Jackson Hall.

On Wednesday evening the Hall

was abuzz with excitement for the official opening of the exhibition by Mr. Loader. The works were from various areas of the arts:

textiles, graphics, photography,

painting, ceramics, drawing and woodwork.

While Mr. Loader was rounding off his speech, fashion girls were preparing for the Fashion Parade in Fashion Hall, which included garments from girls in Year 8-12. This event was smartly choreographed with appropriate lighting and music, providing a wonderful spectacle. The participants enjoyed the experience and the audience applauded loudly Everybody involved was elated by the quality of the performance and garments displayed.

During the week, Junior School girls produced some wonderful visual effects. These included the creation of a pond with ceramic fish and flowers, overhead fabric butterflies for the tree and scarecrows to frighten the birds away.

The new scheme of placing students' artwork around the school grounds encouraged a greater diversity of artwork to be displayed. It is hoped that this has furthered an understanding of Art throughout the school. Art Week was an exciting and enjoyable experience for all who participated.

Miranda Turner, Year 12.

" •

•

Arf

m i l

'Artsurroundsus' Art Week this year was very imaginative and original. It included many different aspects of art - fashion, photography, painting, graphics - and showed the works and talents of students from Junior School to Year 12.

I really enjoyed the Art

Exhibition and felt very inspired as I walked around viewing the work. There was a obviously a great deal of effort put in by all students who exhibited work, and the week was very successful.

hoarders'

Birthday

Night

It has been an MLC Boarding House tradition for many years

Boarding House theme (this year we received a Tiddeman

that all the boarders celebrate their birthdays on the same day.

house hat). We alsoreceivea present the whole House

Every year, the Boarding House staff secretly plan a special night

can share.

for this celebration. They choose a theme, often a musical or a fairytale. They dress up, decorate our dining room, plan the food and organise a skit and a song which both works with the theme

Dinner folbws, and the food is always specially prepared and delicious. An additional bonus is that we are served by the mistresses of the house and do not have to do kitchen duty.

and isrelevantto Boarding House life.

Following dinner we have a concert in the dinning room, where Along with the secret theme, there are several other traditions.

the students take-off the staff and the staff take-off the students.

The youngest girl in the Boarding House gets to blow out the can-

Boarders' Birthday Night is always a very memorable occasion

dles out on the cake, and the girl who has been in the Boarding

for all boarders - a unique birthday celebration.

House the longest gets to cut the cake. The youngest girts get Ingrid Richardson Year 12. special presents, while every one else gets something in the

Life

in the

tfoarding

House

19 9 6 Boarders'

play

The Boarders' Play this year was So Much To Tell You by

After ten hours of weekend rehearsals the weekend before the

John Marsden. After doing Grease in 1995, rt was a huge

performances, the boarders were ready for opening night. They

change - from a 1950s musical to the story of a girl who doesn't

were prepared for showing their ability off to friends and family

talk. It was particularly interesting for the boarders to perform this

on two nights, Friday 16th August and Saturday 17th August,

play, as it is set h a Bcarcfrrg House. Otviousty, the cjls ware experts

which was also the Boarder's Family Night.

at performing roles in dorms, but some found it a bit more difficult

On both the Friday and Saturday nights the girts performed to

to play the part erf a Boarding House mistress!

their capability. They showed professionalism and great potential,

With the help of the producers, Sister Brown and Pam Mullan,

particularly on the Saturday when families were there. Many

and the director, Penny Evans, we got to work on auditions in

encouraging comments were made, and on both nights the

Term One. The cast members were given their scripts.

Assembly Hall held over 200 people. It was huge success and

Rehearsals began at the start of Term Two. The cast included

everyone, even after all the rehearsals, were glad they had

both nervous debut actors and more experienced actors, providing

been involved. It is something I'll be proud of doing forever. The

an interesting contrast.

Boarder'sPlay is now a tradition of five years and I'm sure it will

Rehearsals continued every Monday and Thursday night

continueformany more. It brings out many good points in people,

throucfiout Term Two in Dwyer Hal. In Term Three ws progressed to

and is a great way for the boarders and Boarding House staff to

the Assembly Hall for our practices, which brought the reality of

work together.

an audience and a large venue.

Christina Dickinson Year 11.

The Boarding

House

bedroom

MUG and

the

13 years at MLC

THt Methods CAT

For every Year 12 student leaving MLC is a momentous occasion, but for an elite group it means a lot more.

Eleven out of the 350 Year 12 students have both begun and finished their schooling at MLC.

For this group,

leaving school means leaving a place in which over three

VCE

'You know, it says here that the Maths CAT should only take about twenty hours and you've already done four times that," my mother tells me, attempting to be helpful.

"ITS NOT MY FAULT. ITS A STUPID CAT. WHY DON'T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE!"

quarters of their lives have been spent.

Conversations like this can only mean one thing - I'm the Victim

Thirteen years ago these young girls entered MLC,

of a Cruel Experiment. The busy CAT time in May brought out

unaware of the years to follow. They were schooled

the worst in us, as life disappeared beneath a pile of paper.

under Mrs Dale's leadership for five years, then handed

Every day, someone was bursting into tears over lost work and

over to Mrs Dettman. These girls changed uniform in

lost sleep. Leaving school or dropping a subject which I knew I

Grade 4, were the last year level to have Year 6 with the

needed for my future aspirations suddenly seemed quite

big girls in Senior School and the first to have computers.

logical, as I struggled with hallucinations caused by

They also w i t n e s s e d an a b u n d a n c e of structural

sleep deprivation.

changes - they saw the PEC move from the Chapel car park to where it is located now; the Wood building renovations;

Rumoured breakdowns over CATs; comparisons over how

Junior School being dramatically changed; and the new

many days since the last sleep; best methods for staying awake

Music School being built.

and how long it was since we last went out became favourite topics of conversation. We were a depressing lot

This group saw out their childhood and adolescent years, Then there was that homicidal feeling which appeared which are among the most important years in anybody's whenever a draft came back from the teacher covered in life, within the safety of the MLC community. MLC played red pen, with "This really needs a bit more work" a great part in their lives, providing them with the safety scrawled across it. I wanted to kill, I wanted blood! Didn't to explore, and the space to question and improve. From they realise this meant another night with no sleep? their beginnings as innocent young girls, they have been Even worse, I wanted to murder those annoyingly transformed into strong-minded, politically correct young organised people, the ones who had finished their third women. draft by the time I'd just got my first one back. Fabulous Some people in this elite group have recently reflected

though, was the smug superior feeling when I realised that one

on Mr.Loader's decision to leave at the end of this year.

girl in my class hadn't done anything with only three days to go.

We have concluded that without doubt, he was simply

No sympathy or consolation, just relief that I wasn't her. Ah, the

just too sad to see this fantastic group leave and could

CATs bring out the best in us!

not imagine the school without them.

I certainly know

that we can't imagine life without MLC. Asha Holmes Year 12

Anna Trahair Year 12

Trials

of year

12

Ljear 12

txperiences...

Reasons Year 12 prompts bizarre conversations. Students begin desperately searching for reasons - why are they being put through this torture? This is one of the funnier discussions heard, recorded for posterity.

Your entire thirteen years of school are all geared to one purpose: passing Year 12. It is in this year that you suddenly realise - maybe there is a point to school. There are many common e x p e r i e n c e s s h a r e d by Y e a r 12 here are just a few examples. Do any of them sound famil-

"VCE is the government's way of controlling us."

iar?

"Why, so we don't notice all the alien conspiracies?"

-The local milk bar owner knows you by sight and orders an

"Wei, sometimes a UFO could landrightin front of me and I

extra bcK of Cacburys mikdxoolate bars a/ery week, just for you.

wouldn't notice."

-You single-handedly supply enough waste paper to support

"I know! It's the coffee companies! What a way to make money!"

your council's recycling program.

"Don't forget No-Doz!"

-You twitch involuntarily at the words 'CAT, 'double spacing'

"How could I forget No-Doz?"

and *word limit'.

"Electricity companies. I bet Kennett, when he sold the SEC,

-The mere mention of 'Bike Track next to the Yarra River' (the subject of the Maths Methods CAT) causes something to

told the buyers that due to the VCE, there would be at least implode violently inside your brain 14,000 lights on all night!"

-You ntendtoset a lynch mcb on the next person who cracks a joke "Ifs to counter over-population. More people commit suicide during the English CAT than at any other time of the year."

about CATs and connects it with dogs. And then thnks ifs funny.

-Really corny, dumb, unfunny jokes [except about CATs - Eds]

"Paper companies! Don't forget to photocopy that CAT!"

tend to make you laugh hysterically. This behaviour surfaces

"Ifs to give first year Uni students jobs - as tutors."

mostly on days when written CATs are due.

"All I wart to know is WHY?" "Why not?"

-Billy mincing around the swimming pool shirtless (Melrose Place) is the highlight of your social life. NB: prolonged exposure to this may be harmful.

"My boyfriend alwaysringswhen I'm about to start working."

-Saying, "Mum, Dad, I forgot to hand in my CAT' induces a

"I dumped Ben the day my Specialist Maths CAT came out. I

more violent response that saying, 'Mum, Dad, I'm pregnant."

said I'd give him a call when it was due."

- Y o u r p a r e n t s h a v e m o r t g a g e d t h e h o u s e to

"See, I told you VCE was to stop over-population"

finance your chocolate/caffeine addiction.

"It just keeps going on and on. Will this ever end?"

-You have been the target of many enthusiastic salespeople trying to offload their CATbusters, GATbusters,

"One day, you'll look back and laugh."

"No I wont"

Exam Guides, etc. on you. All areridiculouslyexpensive but "well worth what you get - worked solutions, examples of essays...."

Gian Sampson-Wild Year 12

By Lil Cheong Year 12

You have been warned.

junior School Activities Qrade

6 Internationa!

Qrade

Luncheon.

6 Scienceworks

visit.

^ Tanya Mylvaganam and Penny Spicer

Sarah McNicol Grade 6 On Wednesday 26 June 6 S and 6J

Grade 6

had an international luncheon. W e

On Tuesday 27 August 6S and 6J went

have recently done projects on a

to Scienceworks. We had been studying

country, and had to dress up in the

Inventions and so we went to the

national d r e s s a n d m a k e s o m e

machines area. W e studied Inclined

food from that country. W e all had

Planes, Wheels and Levers in detail,

a delicious lunch and no-one could

then looked at the general exhibits.

say that they left hungry!

W e had a great time moving and

W e all had a good look at other's p r o j e c t s a n d

experimenting with the weird and

each

wacky inventions.

everyone

became involved - parents, teachers

After lunch we had a go at Sportsworks.

and students. It was an exciting,

There were many activities - wheelchair

creative and fun conclusion to our

races, rowing and lots more. We had a

study of various countries.

very exciting day at Scienceworks. We would like to thank the mothers for coming along and to say a very big t h a n k you to t h e t e a c h e r s , for organising the excursion.

Quotes

from

the

Preps:

"Why do we have to learn about all these letters and stuff?' -Victoria Appleton. '"Is that God on the window?" - Heidi Speer at Chapel.

"I like Prep because you can colour in.

When you're big, you don't get to colour in." - Shamilla Galbally.

Preps visit the Melbourne Zoo (22 March).

Reflections of Qrade TV on Camps

"I liked seeing the lions and hearing them

"Last week the 4s, 5s and 6s went to camp.

roar." - Zoi Zapantis.

It was great without rry sister. On Monday

"The butterfly house was beautiful

we had a day off. On Tuesday we had special

because it had so many colourful

activities. On Wednesday we had a teddy

butterflies." - Artemis lonnides.

bears' pcnc." - Rebecca Brody,

"We saw a polar bear, he looked really,

"I Sked the big girls being away. I liked the

really white!"- Andrea Bunn.

teddy bears' picnic and the food. I liked

Week:

"Done! I like those Cs must better than

the aerobics." - Siobhan Tremaine.

the As." - Annabel Warren.

"I liked Camp Week. I liked the food at

"She's the boss." - Nicole Blanks,

the teddy bears' picnic and after that

pointing at Mrs Gray.

we went to see Mr Loader. The Preps and Grade 2s and us watched some of The Lion King." - Emily Bkyew.

E c

o

c

a

r

e

The introduction of the structure of an

In T e r m T w o Mr M a c D o n n e l l

Each member is in change of one of these.

Executive Committee in 1996 - portfolios,

introduced the idea in Assemblies.

MLC girls not on the committee can buy

meeting protocol, agendas, minutes

Girls interested in being on the

Ecocare badges or memberships.

and projects - was enough to make

Executive Committee then had to

M e m b e r s h i p includes a badge,

anyone think the Politics students

go through an application process.

monthly newsletter (printed on recycled

were starting up a government at MLC. However, this was not the case. Rather, it was the beginning of the brand new Methodist Ladies' College environmental group, 'Ecocare.'

Our inaugural meeting was held on on Thursday 25 July, where we met other members of the committee, discussed the organisation of the

paper), to which anyone can contribute, and priority for events and activities.

All money raised by Ecocare goes directly into helping the environment towards the Ecocare-sponsored

committee and began planning our Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat, to Ecocare was initiated by Mr Ian M a c D o n n e l l , a Senior

Biology

teacher new to MLC. In Term One he met with Year 12s who were on the Environmental Committee in 1995,

and

the

idea

of

an

environmental group consisting of portfolios

and

an

Executive

Committee was discussed.

first activities. The Executive combuy materials for our projects and to mittee consists of Mel Micheletto pay for education and production costs.

(President), Sally Summers, Georgie Arnott, Kate Guest, Simone Lewis,

Our first c a m p a i g n was a litter

Angela Harper, Nicole Kee, Suzi Young,

awareness program, presented in

Siana Einfield, Sonya Lewis, Mr

Assemblies by Committee members

MacDonnel, Ms Greenall, Mrs Ginsberg

during Term Three.

Our first event

and Ms Parlanti. Within the Committee

was

at

there are four portfolios.

Reserve in Heidelberg on Sunday

tree-planting

1st September, 1996. very successful,

Banyule

This was

even

scoring a mention in the Age. We h o p e to s e e all b u d d i n g environmental e n t h u s i a s t s in MLC

the

c o m m u n it y getting

involved in next year's activities.

Sally Summers Year 12.

Members of the tcocare Qroup

M y Ct

Tutoring

% I Ooa Ba

MYLE is a joint program undertaken by MLC and the Hawthorn

It was that time of year again- the Red Cross Mobile Blood Bank

Community Centre, aimed at assisting primary school children

had arrived at MLC for the day. As usual, horrific rumours were

who are disadvantaged at school both academically and socially,

circulating:

due to cultural and language barriers. Often these children are

"They put a needle like a straw into your arm, dont they?'

new migrants to Australia, and their parents cant help them with

"Yes, and then they take out a whole litre of blood!"

homework as they themselves are struggling with the English

Despite such rumours, I was lining up along with about 140 other

language. This can be a very difficult and frustrating experience

staff and students to have 450 mL of my blood extracted (no, not

for these children, who endeavour to cope not only academically,

with a straw-sized needle).

but culturally as well.

When I walked into Betty Jackson Hall, it had been transformed

The tutoring sessions, undertaken by Year 11 and 12 students

into a busy donation centre. Portable booths, couches

from MLC, are beneficial for both the children and their tutors.

and medical equipment were set up. Nurses in blue gowns

Each child receives personal attention, explanations of Australian

walked around tending girts on couches. The atmosphere was

expressions and celebrations, and verbal and written English

surprisingly relaxed. A radio played softly, and people read or

practice. MLC students gain satisfaction from encouraging

chatted as bloodflowedfrom their arms.

growth and self-confidence in a young child, and the chance to

After filling out questionnaires about my health, my

come into contact with other cultures.

blood pressure was taken. A haemoglobin test revealed that I

The student

I am tutoring, Nufitriwita (Fitri for short) is

currently in Grade 3 at Glenferrie Primary School. She migrated to Australia from Indonesia late in 1995 with her parents and younger sister. Both she and her sister are gorgeous children, who are fascinated by many Australian customs and expressions. Fitri is obviously anxious to catch up, and makes the most of our tutoring sessions. They have both picked up the language quite quickly, and are now concerned with understanding many social situations they find themselves in. Fitri's stories of playground politics often remind me of my primary school days, and things I thought I'd forgotten.

was not anaemic, and fit to donate. Then I was taken over to a banana-lounge type couch. A nurse inserted a needle into a vein, and before I realised what was happening, my blood began flowing down a tube into a bag.

Nurses kept asking me if I was okay. I assured them I was fine, and wondered why there was such concern. Then I noticed some activity on the other side of the room. A girt lay limply on a couch, while somebody fanned her and put a cloth on her forehead.

"You seem to have lost someone over there," I said to a nurse.

"Oh, yes," she replied casually. People faint all the time."

However, this was my third donation and I had no intention of fainting. I suffered no ill effects from the process, which lasted

Since I have begun visiting Fitri every week, I have become more aware of the problems of migrant integration in foreign countries. I've realised that it takes a lot of courage to be able to leave a culture that you've been familiar with all your life, and have the determination to change to a new one. Through this program, I have not only gained a young friend, but insight into a culture I might have never known.

Emily Chew Year 11

about 40 minutes.

While this may sound a little gruesome, I dont want you put off from donating blood. If you're over sixteen, you can donate the next time the Mobile Blood Bank comes around. There are also two city Blood Banks. And by the way, if you get through the donation, the Red Cross supplies biscuits and Chuppa Chups to help you recuperate.

Kathryn James Year 12

Music

for

People

It is not often that music students have the chance to

When I first approached the Nursing Homes with the

play for an a u d i e n c e that is consistently patient,

idea of giving some short musical concerts, I was

understanding, appreciative, and more than willing to

amazed at the response. Staff were anxious for students

overlook minor (even major) slips during performances.

to visit, and went to no end of trouble preparing suitable

Indeed, many budding musicians often find it hard

performing areas and advertising our concerts to the

to persuade parents, even the family pet, to sit quietly

residents. Our humble programme was well received and we

and appreciate the product of the many hours of practice

were even requested to perform an encore. Having exhausted

required in perfecting

our

a musical piece.

repertoire,

Others

may

be

decided to put our

blessed

with

an

attentive

^

home

audience, but (like me) may lack in

5

4.

f» ft > A

X

collective

Assembly

we

vocal

training to good use.

As we attempted to look somewhat

performing confidence

angelic,

and

therefore

Jesus, Shine was

continually avoid

sung with great

public performances

volume and fervour.

Shine,

for fear of something going wrong. For

We hope the Nirsng

one group of MLC

Home r e s i d e n t s

students, however,

continue to enjoy

the opportunity to

our music, and that

play new pieces,

the

run through exam

c o n t i n u e to be

programmes,

or

beneficial

to

just have a good

students

and

old sing along with

residents alike.

the School Hymn

Thankyou to all

concerts

Book, has been offered by residents of the Eva Tilley

students involved: Belinda Glass, Steph and Lizzie White,

and Carnsworth Garupna Nursing Homes.

Adelaide Worcester, Denise Ho, Jemy So, Jaimie Shuen and Georgina Way.

Arriving early on our first visit, we were delighted to see residents happily making their way by walking stick or wheelchair to the designated performance area.

Sarah Norman Year 12.

Quotes

teachers

caught

out

Ms Temby: Have you noticed how the missing men are always absent?

55

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Mr Koch: ( r e f e r n n g t o a n o r m a l distribution) 12-

<D s

year-old girls a n d 17year-old girls will have different curves...

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^

Mrs Jarrett: You can put cold cream on your face or anywhere else that needs lubrication.

^

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-V

Mr Kennedy: If you haven't got your socks on you can't pull them up.

AS><

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