1997 Silver and Green

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Front Cover Design C a t h e r i n e Copley C a t r i o n a Oliver ( P h o t o g r a p h y ) This year the theme for Silver and Green highlights all of the different options and activities that are available at MLC. S o m e h o w , the word 'multiness' was created to c o m m u n i c a t e this. The mirror ball has many facets which c o m b i n e to make a whole image, much like MLC. The b a c k g r o u n d has many images illustrating different aspects of MLC. There is the idea of reflection c r e a t e d using dark black on black and reflecting gold areas, which links the concept of MLC's multiplicity to the mirror ball. The set of 'multi' words in the s u b h e a d i n g s y m b o l i s e different areas of 'multiness' and reflect off the mirror ball creating d y n a m i c m o v e m e n t .

Thank You Thank you must of course go to Ms Walsh w h o has contributed an e n o r m o u s amount of time and effort to the m a g a z i n e this year. T h a n k s to Ms Deriu for time spent on o r g a n i s a t i o n and her efficient and concise editing (or proof reading as the editors would like to think!) It is very true that without them we would not have been able to compile and publish Silver and Green.

Mr R a w s o n ' s expertise has h e l p e d us realise that there is more to c o m p u t e r s that just w o r d processing!

T h a n k s also needs to be d e l i v e r e d for his energetic courier skills.

Not many people realise the extent of time c o n t r i b u t e d by students to c o m p l e t e Silver and Green. We are grateful for their c o m m i t m e n t , especially those of the Layout T e a m w h o d e v o t e d the first w e e k of their S e p t e m b e r holidays. T h a n k s to Catherine for a fantastic and innovative cover design.

We hope you appreciate and enjoy this year's edition of Silver and Green, and hope it s u r p a s s e s all expectations!

From Your Editors, Laura Fitzgerald Melissa Wei Emily Barnes

Page Layout Design Louise Kent Mel Wilshire Alysia Hill

Layout Team Emily Barnes Judith G r a h a m Louise Kent Ms Tara Walsh Alysia Hill Marianne Tai Mel Wilshire Catherine Copley

Photography Stacey R o s e n g r e n Catriona Oliver Laura Fitzgerald

T h e Layout T e a m (L-R): Mel Wilshire, Marianne Tai, Judith Graham, Emily Barnes, Louise Kent, Alysia Hill

Graphic Images J o e l e n e Tee Catherine Copley Emily Barnes Alysia Hill Louise Kent

Staff Ms Laura Deriu Ms T a r a Walsh Mr J o h n Rawson

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Editorial S e p t e m b e r 13th, 1997 Saturday a f t e r n o o n , 3 : 0 1 p m We're sitting here in the sun, thinking, struggling to create an eloquent editorial.

What can we say, "It's brilliant!" "What is brilliant," we hear you cry? For crying out loud- it's the 1997 edition of 'Silver and Green'!

Our w o n d e r f u l Principal, Ms Rosa Storelli, spoke of MLC girls being more like a slice of multigrain bread rather than the traditional white bread. However, what ingredients are needed to make up this deliciously exciting c o m b i n a t i o n of grains? " M u l t i n e s s , " c r i e s Laura, "a sort of multifaceted outlook!"

"What?" exclaims Melissa. "Since w h e n was 'multiness' a word Laura? Give me that dictionary..."

"Sorry about the mess ... Hang on, I'll just make my bed."

"Don't worry, it doesn't matter. I'm just excited about being here. I've never been to the Boarding House," marvels Laura.

Out c o m e s the computer, out c o m e the articles and down sit the editors. Melissa's r o o m - m a t e is s t r e s s i n g about her d e a d fish, talk of pimples begins, loud music e m m a n a t e s from the next room and in walks Deena D h a b h e r (Year 12 boarder).

"Deena! Maybe you can help us! We need a theme for Silver and Green, s o m e t h i n g s u r r o u n d i n g the t h e m e of 'multiness.'"

"How about ... multistars?"

Laura and Melissa look at each other in astonishment.

"That's it!"

"Hey, that's my idea! Do I get to be in 'Silver and Green'?"

Of course she c o u l d be in the m a g a z i n e .

That was the w h o l e point. Take one look around MLC and you'll see a multitude of multiness in everything that constitutes the MLC community. We are a multifaceted school, as the cover suggests.

S e p t e m b e r 13th, 1997 Saturday a f t e r n o o n , 3 : 2 9 p m "Is Emily going to ring us today, Laura?"

"Yeah, I'm sure I gave her my number."

"She's not still doing her Graphics CAT?" "No, no that's over with now."

We both know that Emily is w o r k i n g hard, d e s i g n i n g the p a g e layout, d r a w i n g graphics and m e t i c u l o u s l y cutting out the

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B j i 1997 Silver and Green Editors: (L-R) Emily Barnes, Melissa Wei, Laura Fitzgerald

photos n e e d e d for those double spread collages, and working on her CATs! Two days before p r o d u c t i o n starts. The articles are written, the photos have been taken and we sit and wait....

"But I'm sure multiness is a word!"

"Look," responds Melissa, slightly more f r u s t r a t e d this time.

The s a g a continues...

We received our first article before the article deadline. The highlight of our day was running to each other c o m m e n t i n g on the n u m b e r of disks we'd just collected from the box at Staff Centre. This year the process of handing in articles was slightly different to what had happened previously.

Girls w e r e asked to hand their articles in on disk and this was to save time for the layout team who g e n e r o u s l y gave up the first week of their S e p t e m b e r holidays to prepare the layout of the m a g a z i n e , led gallantly by Emily, our G r a p h i c s Editor.

S e p t e m b e r 13th, 1997 Saturday, early evening, 4 : 0 0 p m Still here, in the not so sunny sunshine, the cool w i n d starts to blow. We start to w o n d e r how the m a g a z i n e will result. It's been a long haul, but there's a sense of satisfaction lingering over us. We have aspired to relay our vision to you so that you too may obtain an u n d e r s t a n d i n g of what it takes, and at the end of a long day, what it m e a n s to be a m e m b e r of this "multistar" community.

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Principal Ms Rosa S t o r e l l i Explore the curriculum, see the faces, hear the languages, witness the pace, feel the excitement. At a single glance, the diversity within our College is evident. A multiplicity of t h o u g h t and opinions and the belief that great minds think differently enables Methodist Ladies' College to be proud of its breadth and variety.

T h e u n i q u e f e a t u r e s of MLC are w i d e s p r e a d . A College located in the city, but which also has a remote wilderness campus.

A College which values residential experiences existing a l o n g s i d e f a m i l y units. A College which utilizes expensive technology, but equally values the time spent giving and gaining from numerous Community S e r v i c e Programs.

A C o l l e g e p r o v i d i n g for rural V i c t o r i a n s as well as I n t e r n a t i o n a l s t u d e n t s . A College which values and preserves past traditions, but also has the c o n f i d e n c e to create its own future.

A College which provides a s e c u r e e n v i r o n m e n t for its s t u d e n t s , but also e n c o u r a g e s the e x p l o r a t i o n of the w i d e r w o r l d . A College w h i c h provides structure, security and comfort, but also d e m a n d s s t u d e n t s become i n d e p e n d e n t and resourceful.

A College which e n c o u r a g e s contact and involvement in our local c o m m u n i t y and w h i c h also provides global learning opportunities in both Europe and Asia. A College which e n c o u r a g e s our c o m m u n i t y to view the w o r l d with a broad vision and to question and challenge issues. Such is the "multiness" of MLC. In e d u c a t i n g our s t u d e n t s for the 21st C e n t u r y and in order for them to be well p r e p a r e d for the inevitable c h a l l e n g e s they will face, our s t u d e n t s need this diversity of e x p e r i e n c e s . For us all to be confident and caring learners and leaders in a society which is increasingly ethnically diverse, and w h e r e respect for the dignity of the individual and the rights of all are critically needed, this diversity is viewed as our strength.

We will continue to cultivate and celebrate the diversity which m a k e s our College s t a n d apart and we a c k n o w l e d g e that this "multiness" gives our College our p u r p o s e , our energy and obviously contributes to our vision.

F u n d a m e n t a l to our ethos is the sense of our College being united by our convictions that a b r o a d e x p o s u r e to o p p o r t u n i t i e s and e x p e r i e n c e s will p r o v i d e us w i t h focus and d i r e c t i o n for all f u t u r e p l a n n i n g ; and foster q u a l i t i e s of u n d e r s t a n d i n g , r e s p e c t and a c c e p t a n c e of d i f f e r e n c e s that unite us as a c o m m u n i t y and contribute to our u n i q u e n e s s .

T h e r e is no doubt that Multiness Links Community.

W e l c o m e to MLC, an i n d e p e n d e n t Girls' S c h o o l of 2 2 0 0 lively s t u d e n t s w h o are busily c o n s t r u c t i n g the future.

At MLC we believe in providing a huge range of o p p o r t u n i t i e s so that their potentialities are liberated and they f l o u r i s h as innovative, energetic, thoughtful young w o m e n who have a global focus and w h o are c o n f i d e n t a n d c a p a b l e of c r e a t i n g t o m o r r o w ' s w o r l d and care about improving

MLC is a school if ideas and i m a g i n a t i o n ; of science and technology. All students f r o m Grade 5 upwards own laptop c o m p u t e r s so t h e r e are 2 0 0 0 l a p t o p s in the C o l l e g e .

A c c e s s to the Internet is from 650 points a r o u n d the C o l l e g e . Physics, C h e m i s t r y , Biology, Psychology, Science and Ethics, Environment Science, General Science are offered in the science program. L a n g u a g e s include J a p a n e s e , Indonesian, French and German. Visual Arts includes Ceramics, Painting, Graphics, Woodwork, and Drawing. Vocational Education and training courses are offered. Drama, Sport, Debating, M a r s h m e a d - an outdoor c a m p u s w h e r e Year 9 students go for eight weeks. The list goes on.

MLC values diversity; each person matters. The school is large, but the t e a c h i n g staff make it small.

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Head of Senior School Mrs Susan J a r r e t t W h e n I was asked to reflect on the 'multiness' of MLC, my mind was moved to mull over a myriad of m o m e n t s .

T h e organisation s e e m s to consist of a multitude of ideas - new ideas, old ideas, well tried ideas, stimulating ideas. At the core of the organisation is the m u l t i - d i m e n s i o n a l nature of learning that is taking place. All of us, students and t e a c h e r s are learning together, in small groups, in large groups, independently, visually, aurally, orally, verbally, numerically, spatially - in as many different ways as there are people living and w o r k i n g together here.

We are all m u l t i - t a l e n t e d - as w r i t e r s , artists, scientists, m a t h e m a t i c i a n s , technologists and business people. And each of us is multi-skilled - using our writing skills to craft scientific reports as well as the most sensitive r e s p o n s e to an emotive issue; a d d i n g facts and data to support a persuasive argument and using computer skills to hone and shape material until it shines like a jewel in the sun.

We are a multicultural c o m m u n i t y - wherever we were born or from whatever family backg r o u n d we originate, we can all c o n t r i b u t e our individual e x p e r i e n c e s and p e r s p e c t i v e s to enrich and b r o a d e n our s h a r e d lives.

T h e r e is a multiplicity of courses and p r o g r a m s that Senior School students can put together. There are 620 s t u d e n t s in Senior S c h o o l and very few are t a k i n g exactly the same program. One of the s t r e n g t h s of MLC is that no-one is forced into a p r e d e t e r m i n e d pattern.

S t u d e n t s can select a course, a m e n d and modify, shape and direct their program in r e s p o n s e to their c h a n g i n g needs and interests.

We can think of MLC as a multi-sited c a m p u s , with four schools, M a r s h m e a d , e x c h a n g e s and excursions, overseas expeditions and the world available to e v e r y o n e via the internet on their own laptop. Work and learning are not c o n f i n e d to when we are within 'the old grey walls' - it goes on at home, on the train and tram - almost with every breath that we take.

In fact, if our lives were not so multifarious, they would s e e m very monotonal and monotonous. We like our 'multiness'.

Head of Middle School M

Mrs Debbie Dunwoody "Multiness" in the Middle School is a very multifaceted issue. Under the surface of the Middle School c o m m u n i t y is an intricate array of people, relationships and programs.

It is the c o m b i n a t i o n of these that create very diverse and vibrant learning o p p o r t u n i t i e s for our students.

My first and strongest sense is about our special multicultural community and the w o n d e r f u l o p p o r t u n i t i e s that we have to celebrate our diversity. In the programs at both Kew and M a r s h m e a d , in House activities, Music a n d D r a m a , a n d on C u r r i c u l u m Fieldtrips, we c o n s i s t e n t l y find ourselves in p o s i t i o n s to l e a r n a b o u t o t h e r s .

Our strength as a c o m m u n i t y is to e m p o w e r each of us to share with others our experiences and our beliefs. I can readily recall many special m o m e n t s as a teacher in both the c l a s s r o o m at Kew and the 'classroom' at M a r s h m e a d w h e r e in a group we have learnt about other people and cultures and that this o p p o r t u n i t y has been one to cherish.

Tolerance and c o m p a s s i o n are often outc o m e s of such e x c h a n g e s as is a sense of building a stronger community.

The m u l t i - c a m p u s nature of our Middle School is definitely a strength of our program.

Students are able to learn in a variety of settings, the most obvious of which are at Kew and M a r s h m e a d . The b o u n d a r i e s of our program extend b e y o n d our site to allow students to learn from activities such as Work Experience, Contribution to the C o m m u n i t y and e x c h a n g e s in countries such as France and Germany. C u r r i c u l u m Fieldtrips may take s t u d e n t s to Wattle Park, Brighton Beach or even Indonesia. At M a r s h m e a d , b o u n d a r i e s may also be extended into C r o a j i n g o l o n g National Park and into the forests of New South Wales.

Our multifarious c u r r i c u l u m has been d e s i g n e d to provide students with c h a l l e n g e and breadth. Middle School is an ideal time to try new s u b j e c t s as well as c o n s o l i d a t i n g learning in key areas. T h e c u r r i c u l u m is d e s i g n e d to be relevant to assist the d e v e l o p m e n t of the individual. As e d u c a t i o n is a lifelong process, students are e n c o u r a g e d to gain e x p e r i e n c e in a wide range of areas as well following their own interests. Middle School is ideal time to try new subjects as well as c o n s o l i d a t i n g learning in key areas.

The m u l t i t u d i n o u s array of co-curricular activities offered f u r t h e r e n h a n c e s our Middle School community. SRC, Debating, Rowing, Softball, Basketball, Choir, Orchestra, C o n c e r t Band, Social Service, Drama, G y m n a s t i c s , Athletics and Ecocare are only a few of many different activities available. Many s t u d e n t s extend their f r i e n d s h i p groups and grow in c o n f i d e n c e and self-reliance t h r o u g h their p a r t i c i p a t i o n in these types of activities. It is a chance to broaden one's horizons.

The "multiness" of the MLC Middle S c h o o l c o m m u n i t y is its strength and a foundation for learning for all w h o choose to take the opportunity.

Head of Junior Secondary School Mrs Ruth B a k e r Multiness - 2070 young lives - their interests their hopes , their expectations. That is the n u m b e r of s t u d e n t s I h a v e i n t e r v i e w e d as they entered JSS during my time as Head of S c h o o l . S o m e lived just a c r o s s the road; o t h e r s w o u l d be out before 7 am w a i t i n g for a bus to begin their daily trip to MLC; others had left their family in Hong Kong or T h a i l a n d or Taiwan or Korea or Indonesia to be with us.

Each brought her own gifts to MLC. For some it was their highly d e v e l o p e d intellectual abilities; s o m e it was t h e i r c u r i o s i t y , t h e i r questioning minds; some their musical talent or sensitivity to language and literat u r e ; some their sporting prowess or creativity in art; s o m e their i n t u i t i v e , s y m p a t h e t i c interest in others; some their laughter; some their deep concern for other less fortunate.

W h a t e v e r they brought e n r i c h e d the MLC community.

W h a t a w a i t e d t h e m was the o p p o r t u n i t y to explore - experiences, ideas, values, behaviours, knowledge, f r i e n d s h i p s , beliefs. School (whatever s t u d e n t s may feel about) is a safe place to try out living. Try your hand at w o o d w o r k . W h o ' s for a birdhouse or a deck chair or a cockatoo mobile? Ever sung a song in G e r m a n or g o n e s h o p p i n g in J a p a n e s e ? W h a t in the w o r l d is a p o t o r o o and and w h o killed the M i n o t a u r ? A n y o n e for water polo or q u i c k - t i m e k e y b o a r d ? E-mail, web page, intranet, internet, text box, flip side, cut and paste, select, delete , spread sheet, data base - you name it: we do it! Friendships b e g i n n i n g and c h a n g i n g - resolving conflict - self image - w h o am I ? - c h a l l e n g i n g - e x p e r i m e n t i n g maturing.

T h e story doesn't end there. W h e r e are they heading? W h e r e have they arrived?

More diversity! For every life is a different story, a different path and a different destiny.

T h e s e are the young p e o p l e of the new millneium - the leaders, the thinkers, the shapers, the mothers, the givers, the adventurers. T h e brave new world of the twenty-first c e n t u r y is theirs. I salute them.

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Head of Junior School Mrs Toni Bray Planinsek Junior School strives to be a caring community in which each girl feels valued. We believe it is vital to create an e n v i r o n m e n t in w h i c h each child's self e s t e e m flourishes. Each student is e n c o u r a g e d to give t h o u g h t f u l consideration to her own learning and analyse her personal strengths and w e a k n e s s e s in a constuctive manner. In Junior School we e n c o u r a g e girls to be openly proud of their achievements and we have e s t a b l i s h e d a culture in which there is no s t i g m a a t t a c h e d to seeking help w h e r e and when needed.

The girls are accepting when d i f f e r e n c e is o p e n l y a n d honestly a c k n o w l e d g e d in a safe and loving e n v i r o n m e n t . The s u c c e s s of our program for hearing impaired girls is an excellent example. If an i n d i v i d u a l feels good about herself she is more likely to deal positively with others. There are tensions at times, but overall I am very proud of how respectful and caring our girls are to each other. We recognise that each of our s t u d e n t s has a unique c o n t r i b u t i o n to make to our school community.

School life is not i m m u n e to the rest of society and, unfortunately, the racial disquiet which has been evident in the wider c o m m u n i t y has found its way into Junior School this year. We took up the challenge and openly discussed what it means to be Australian. I am sure it is no surprise to learn that the parents and grandparents of many of our Australian-born students come from a large number of E u r o p e a n , African, Asian, North A m e r i c a n and South A m e r i c a n countries. T h e r e are also many in our c o m m u n i t y who, t h o u g h born e l s e w h e r e , have b e c o m e A u s t r a l i a n s by c h o i c e , even a m o n g s t the staff we have A m e r i c a n , C a n a d i a n , English, New Zealand and South African born Aussies. So we have taken the time to identify and celebrate those things about us that are the s a m e and equally we have identified and celebrated what is different.

Our younger girls have had great fun learning bits of the l a n g u a g e s of their grandparents.

T h r o u g h visits of g r a n d p a r e n t s and listening to a variety of oral histories, our girls have had very rich e x p e r i e n c e s of what families and friends mean to each other all over the world.

W h e n one w i t n e s s e s the innocent a c c e p t a n c e and open love these small children show to one another, one c a n n o t help but w o n d e r what h a p p e n s to this o v e r w h e l m i n g goodwill to others, as they grow.

Our older s t u d e n t s have reflected on their own feelings and their e x p e r i e n c e s with lack of mutual respect and with a variety of prejudices. Some of their thoughts have been very powerfully p r e s e n t e d in poems and articles. It has been c h a l l e n g i n g , but I believe our Junior S c h o o l c o m m u n i t y has b e e n s t r e n g t h e n e d by the o p e n e x p l o r a t i o n of what r e s p e c t i n g diversity really means in our everyday life, both in school and in the broader community.

Principal's I n l m i p w Do you find it d a u n t i n g to be the first w o m a n Principal of M L C ?

I think the fact that I'm the first w o m a n d o e s n ' t make any d i f f e r e n c e at all, and I would be confident in saying that I got the job because I was the best person, not t h e ' b e s t female. It's only daunting in that it's a new challenge, but I think that I'm very ready to give it my best shot.

In t a k i n g on such an e n o r m o u s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y as Principal, what are you afraid of?

I actually don't know what I'm afraid of. I know before I went for the job and w h e n I was thinking about a p p l y i n g , I was afraid of following Mr Loader, because he has such a reputation.

I can't be afraid of doing that, because I am my own person and I am not going to be a 'Mr Loader', and I don't want to be a 'Mr Loader'. So, I think that once I had decided I had to walk my own footsteps, confidently, doing it my way, I actually wasn't afraid anymore.

How could girl's e d u c a t i o n prepare t h e m to c o m b a t the problem that there is still a major i m b a l a n c e for w o m e n in high m a n a g e m e n t p o s i t i o n s ?

I do think there is an imbalance of w o m e n in high m a n a g e m e n t positions. I don't know if there's much more that we can do in schools, but there is c e r t a i n l y a lot more we can do in society to counter that imbalance, and I think it c o m e s down to how families are s t r u c t u r e d .

For me the whole child raising issue is a huge variable that o r g a n i s a t i o n s u n d e r e s t i m a t e .

But until s o c i e t y ' s e x p e c t a t i o n s c h a n g e , a n d we put in s t r u c t u r e s - child care close to working organisations, helping men realise that there is a lot of benefit in being a dual carer of children - I actually think that we're not going to get through that 'glass ceiling 1 as quickly as we'd like.

In such a school as MLC, which promotes the equality and independence of women, when does it become too much of a 'female thing 1 , and a situation of inequality for men?

I think whatever organisation you look at should have a balance of males and females. Our society is now much more conscious of the necessity of having strong female role-models, but under my Principalship I would also be hoping to have strong male role-models in certain areas.

C o - o r d i n a t i n g new P r i n c i p a l s h i p and m o t h e r h o o d at the s a m e time, must have t a k e n a lot of planning! How do you plan to s u r v i v e , and even t h r i v e ?

I plan to thrive on it. It wasn't necessarily p l a n n e d that way, but the fact that both o p p o r t u n i ties h a p p e n e d to me at the same time is life. I was pregnant, and the job came up. I couldn't c h a n g e the p r e g n a n c y and didn't want to - I was delighted, excited. Then the position c a m e up and I thought, "That's the job that I've been aiming for, for a long time". I have a very s u p p o r t i v e husband, who, while he has his own career, is going to s u p p o r t me e m o t i o n a l l y and I think that is vital.

W h a t do you regard as the benefits and d i s a d v a n t a g e s of s i n g l e sex s c h o o l s ?

I believe strongly that we need to offer p e o p l e a choice. They, the parent, together with the student, decide what's best - and not every situation suits everybody. Given that, I think there is no doubt that in a single sex e n v i r o n m e n t , our students, w h o happen to be girls, are e m p o w e r e d to be involved in absolutely everything that h a p p e n s a r o u n d the college. You're not c o m p e t i n g and I think that's very i m p o r t a n t . Teachers can put their energy into learning and t e a c h i n g instead of w o r r y i n g about a whole lot of other issues that come up. So it's quite liberating, in some ways, to come into a single-sex e n v i r o n m e n t . Given that, I think that its important that we offer o p p o r t u n i t i e s to socialise. We need to have male t e a c h e r s on staff, we need to have o p p o r t u n i t i e s for the boys to c o m e across, to keep that balance.

W h e r e do you see yourself in 18 years t i m e , and what do you have hoped to achieve?

In 18 years time, it w o u l d be very, very unlikely that I would still be the Principal of MLC. And I think that's actually c o n n e c t e d with how o r g a n i s a t i o n s have c h a n g e d too. In 18 years time...

I'll be fifty-six! Hopefully, I'll be having a life of luxury.

Claire Finkelstein & Kate C a m p b e l l Year 12

Prefers

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Senior Prefect's Report The Year Twelves of 1997 are a group of girls with a multitude of talents. We have come to appreciate our individual differences and our human similarities.

A c k n o w l e d g i n g and embracing individuality has been crucial in our attempt to understand each other.

Many of us are grateful for the opportunities we've had at M L C to d e v e l o p o u r talents and explore our potential.

The Prefects this year have worked hard to create an atmosphere throughout the college that encourages participation, and choice.

Leading this group has been one of the most challenging tasks I have ever undertaken. It is not easy to respond to the needs and opinions of over 300 students and maintain a democratic approach to decision making. The changes that have occurred in the Senior School's administration this year have obliged us to take on the responsibility for our own functioning as a Prefect body. Earlier this year, I attended the Fourth Annual School Captains' Conference with the two Deputy Senior Prefects, Brooke and Sophie. We discovered that at MLC, we have a very unique Prefect system in that we are elected entirely by our peers. We came away from the conference motivated and full of ideas for the year ahead.

In April, the Prefects and House Leaders took part in a thought provoking leaders h i p s e m i n a r led by Dr.

Janet Hall. The seminar inspired us to run a leadership workshop of our own for the Grade Six leaders of Junior School. The girls participated eagerly and maturely in discussions and teamwork games. As a result, the event was a great success. To maintain our contact with the Junior students, we organised a Teddy Bear's picnic with the Grade Ones. None of us can deny that we enjoyed that sickly sweet lunchtime of fairy bread, party games and lolly hunts.

The role of the Prefects has involved serving the MLC community, and in particular, representing the senior students. The wintry weather and heavy workload of Term Three prompted the "Prefects' Funky Month".

The multicultural food day exposed students to a range of exotic cuisine and raised money to support Amnesty International. Perhaps the highlight of Funky Month was the celebrity visit. Ryan Moloney (better known as

" T o a d f i s h " f r o m "Neighbours") had girls scrambling for autographs and at the same time helped raise money for Melbourne City Mission. We also supported the Lion's Club of Melbourne and the Spastic Society of Victoria through several casual clothes days.

A highly publicised and popular event was the annual Scotch versus MLC netball match. The game raised money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, but was as good an excuse as any to see the boys in skirts and make-up.

Our most important task, however, has been to provide good role models for younger students, and inspiration and encouragement for our peers. We are currently in the midst of intense end of year preparations. It certainly has been an exciting, industrious and rewarding year.

Ann Hatjiandreou Senior Prefect

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Prefects MLC vs S c o t c h N e t h l l Match The A n n u a l Scotch Prefects versus MLC Prefects Netball match took place late in S e c o n d Term. We c o u l d not let t h e t r a d i t i o n , or our r e p u t a t i o n s as skillful s p o r t s w o m e n slip!

The match began with our ranks being slightly depleted, however there were many MLC s u p p o r t e r s w h o t u r n e d up to cheer us on, which had nothing to do with t h e S c o t c h g u y s w e a r i n g d r e s s e s of course! Despite the fact that a number of our team were still singing our hearts out at M a s s e d S i n g i n g p r a c t i c e , the g a m e began, with the MLC team s u p p o s e d l y a t t i r e d in S c o t c h ' s s u g g e s t i o n of 'hot pants.'

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This did not last long, and t h o u g h our dress may not have been what the boys expected, we still m a n a g e d to c o n f o r m to their theme. T h o u g h the s c o r e b o a r d may have f l u c t u a t e d during the game, it was good to know that our talent did not go u n r e c o g n i s e d with the game e n d i n g in a draw. It was a fun match and we hope that next years prefects continue tradition and beat those boys outright!

Penny Evans Year 12 Prefect

Junior School House Captains

House Captain: Anna Jennings-Edquist Vice Captain: Caroline Kronborg Athletics Captain: Samantha Charlton Music Captain: Georgia Bejamin Social Service Captain: Lizzie Oppy

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House Captain: Lauren Wheatley Vice Captain: Helen Fedderson Music Captain: Alicia Alizzi

Athletics Captain: Sarah Stawell Social Service Captain: Ginny Atkins

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\ \ House Captains F i t c h e 11 House Captain: Kasey Morris Vice Captain: Emma Sumington Athletics Captain: Tanya Hendy S w i m m i n g Captain: R e b e c c a Young Music Captain: Felicity Sincock Social Service Captain: Kristine Howe

Nevile House Captain: Jessica Clarebrough Vice Captain: Isabel Gutierrez Athletics Captain: Verity Woinarski Swimming Captain: C a m i l l a Inman Music Captain: Celine Young Social S e r v i c e Captain: J o a n n a Shift

Krome House Captain: Philippa J o h n s o n Vice Captain: Ostiane G o h - L i v o r n e s s Athletics Captain: Felicity Halsall S w i m m i n g Captain: Eline Kotaridis Music Captain: Julia Kilpatrick Social Service Captain: Lucy C u t h b e r t s o n

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Music JS Concert (llioir At the start of the year Miss Price and Mrs Kenway a u d i t i o n e d the Year 5 and 6 girls for Concert Choir. In the following w e e k s Miss Price told us w h o were the 1997 Concert Choir m e m b e r s .

We rehearsed in Flockart Hall on Tuesdays at 9:50am. S o p r a n o s also r e h e a r s e d on Thursday at L u n c h t i m e in the JS Hall and Altos rehearsed on Friday at L u n c h t i m e in the JS Hall. Now and then we had double rehearsals.

Ms Shewan is our concert a c c o m p a n i s t a n d Miss P r i c e is our day to day accompanist.

Our first song that we learned was "All T h i n g s B r i g h t a n d B e a u t i f u l " by J o h n Rutter, followed by a "Cats" Medley by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was hard work

a n d v e r y t i r i n g . Our first c o n c e r t was t r e a t e d like a rehearsal at Open Day in March, w h e r e we sang both of our songs.

After O p e n Day we had the Junior School Church Service, then we had the MLC Gala C o n c e r t on 23rd June, where we sang "Cats." At both the G a l a C o n c e r t and the Junior School Service we had to wear our red C o n c e r t Choir d r e s s e s with white c o l l a r s . All of J u n i o r S c h o o l had to p a r t i c i p a t e in the Junior S c h o o l Music Evening on 25th July and the Concert Choir s a n g the "Cats" Medley again.

On G r a n d p a r e n t s ' Day in O c t o b e r we sang the World Premier p e r f o r m a n c e of a new choral piece called " M u s i c a l Lingo" by Melbourne composer Cenarth Fox. C o n c e r t Choir certainly is very c h a l l e n g i n g and has been very enjoyable t h r o u g h o u t the year.

G e o r g i a B e n j a m i n & Kim Elmore

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Junior School My Dad is special because:

What is a principal?

he takes me to the park and I give him p r e s e n t s and he takes me riding on my bike. Astrid Mulder

A principal is s o m e o n e who looks after the children and the school. Melissa Coleman

he is silly and he gives me ice-cream and he takes me to the park. Grace Russell he says to Mum "I'm going to take Adele to the Hardware", but he doesn't take me to the Hardware he just takes me to the i c e - c r e a m shop. Adele Vartdermeer he takes me to school and he buys me clothes. Gia Truong he takes me to school and he loves me and he takes me to c h u r c h and he thinks I'm lovely. Hannah Wallace he takes me to school and he always buys me lots of toys and he buys me lots of stickers. Erica Wilkinson he helps me do my h o m e w o r k . Melissa

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I go back to Hong Kong to see him and I go to O c e a n Park. Annie Chan he plays games and he plays and he plays scrabble with me.

Lizzie Stockdale-Williamson

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he made a great violin for me and he works hard. Rachelle Moors-Chantry he takes me to the park. Alexandra

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he plays and helps me with chess and scrabble and lets me go to see the twins.

Alexandra Harper he helps me ride my bike and he takes me to the park and he helps me do sums and helps me on the monkey bars.

Laura Robson he takes me on a bike ride and he helps me on the c o m p u t e r and cooks dinner.

Olivia Bakyew

14

A principal is s o m e o n e who takes care of the kids. Karina Ganesh A principal is s o m e o n e who is a boss of a school. Kathryn Andrews A principal is s o m e o n e who looks after the school and cares about the children in it.

Cecily Tiernan A principal is s o m e o n e w h o is a good worker and she looks after the school and she cares for the school.

Geetanjali Lamba A principal is s o m e o n e w h o works hard and looks after children and looks after Junior School. Scarlett McNab A principal is s o m e o n e who w o r k s and looks after p e o p l e and looks after children. Zoe Read A principal is s o m e o n e w h o looks after girls and w h o w o r k s a lot and m a k e s people work at MLC and gets money.

Nicolette DeSanctis A principal is s o m e o n e who takes care of Junior School and does lots of work.

Jessica Fairley

•hiiiiiii' School Grade 1 On Thursday Ms Storelli came to year 1V and 1H and had a tea party with us. It was fun we had scones, quiches and hot chocolate.

Harriet Fitzgerald

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Once there was a little girl and it was her birthday and from her dad and mum she got a puppy. She was very happy. The puppy was digging in the garden and the little girl came out and said "Stop digging in the garden."

So the puppy stopped digging and went inside and made foot prints, the little girl was very angry. The end.

Samantha Shell

My mum is going to get a new car today.

Ashlea Chong

Once upon a time there was a rainbow fish and a very selfish fish because one day a little blue fish said, "Can I have one scale please?"

"No way" said the selfish fish!

Alyssa Goy

On Thursday Ms Storelli came to 1V and 1H. We had scones and quishes and baby Benjamin was really cute. We made a book for her.

Nicola Quah

I had a dream about Hannah Barrie. It was a windy day.

She was running round the corner and the bricks were loose. She stepped on it and fell head first saying "Help".

Everyone stopped we put a ladder down she got out and was covered with dirt.

Stephanie Rowe

The sumo wrestlers were very big and funny and they said not to trust a skinny cook and I liked it. He is 10 Annas big and I would say he would have muscles and they would have to be strong to play.

Anna Pitliangas

Once upon a time there was a tree not just an ordinary tree it was a magic tree. In the tree there lived a fairy her name was Side.

Annabelle Warren

On Thursday we had a dress rehearsal for Cinderella and Ms Storelli came with Benjamin and we had scones with jam and cream.

Sian Lacy

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Junior School Grade z Octopuses

Delightful Dolphins

O c t o p u s e s have so many legs I don't know how they go to bed!

Maybe they tie their legs in a knot!

Or maybe they cut them right off!

I think they are rather funny!

They make me feel funny in my tummy.

Dolphins, d o l p h i n s all around Up and down they are always found.

Dolphins' lives can be so free Fresh air and the sea.

Anne-Marie O'Brien

My Hermit Crab

A Lost Fish

My hermit crab's name is Snouty, We love to play all day, We always look for a d v e n t u r e s , Out in the deep blue sea, One day we found a t r e a s u r e , A n d took it home with pleasure.

There once lived a lost fish in the sea He w o n d e r e d w h e r e his mother could be.

"Aren't fish meant to live in s c h o o l ?

I'm not s w i m m i n g by the rule!"

J a n a Tsiligiannis

I used a t e l e s c o p e I had found in a ship I found my m o t h e r and I swam a flip "Oh darling I haven't seen you in a week You are so beautiful and so sweet."

Alex Drucker

Waves Lovely waves s p l a s h i n g on the shore, I can't count them all, T h e r e are so many more, T h a n I've ever c o u n t e d before!

I'm so puzzled as can be, I n e e d s o m e o n e else to help me, You can find out how puzzling in is, If you try it like me.

Eliza Lockhart

Junior School Grade 3 Rapunzel

A description of the sea

Rapunzel has s u c h stringy hair, It's blonde and soft and very fair.

The witchy cried, "Oh let me in, or I'll walk the stairs and chew your skin!"

Rapunzel cried, "I will not, you're not cool and I am hot" And with that she simply shot the witchy in the nose.

"YOWEE!" yelled the witch.

"Alas, Alack. S o m e t i m e in life I'll get you back!"

She took an axe and she did hack the castle walls all down.

The witch she did get angry and she b e g a n to roar.

She ruined her black hiking boots by kicking at the floor.

The field mice got mad and they began to gnaw until Rapunzel just e s c a p e d by running out the door.

W h e n I am at the sea I can see... shells s p a r k l i n g in beautiful rock pools, shining blue water with elegant dolphins leaping in the air, children with their friends, playing in the s m o o t h , soft sand beautiful fish s w i m m i n g past my feet, tiny little s a n d crabs s c u r r y i n g along.

Grace J e n n i n g s - E d q u i s t Stephanie Judge

W h e n I am at the sea I can hear... the wind swooping a r o u n d in and out of the palm trees, children's happy laughter while they play, joyful adults swimming.

W h e n I am at the sea I can smell... foul s m e l l i n g s e a w e e d the d r e a d f u l smell of dead fish the c o c o n u t s , the fresh smell of the sea water.

W h e n I am at the sea I can taste... salty, strong sea water, crunchy, foul tasting sand, the slimy, sloppy taste of s e a w e e d , the food just cooked on the BBQ. W h e n I am at the sea I can touch... the soft s a n d running through my hand, the waves as I j u m p over t h e m .

Lauren D o n n a z z a n

Pinocchio You know Pinocchio that funny fellow, he always w e a r s c l o t h e s that are yellow.

Every time he'll pass my window by, I shout, "Be careful not to lie."

He shouts back, "I will, I'm not a silly dill."

A l t h o u g h he wants to be a child, his lies are s o m e t i m e s very mild.

And though he is my very good friend, his lies drive me round the bend.

Alexandra Reid

Junior School Grade li A thing I could change about the world...

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I c o u l d change the way people thing of black and Asian people, t's unfair how t h e s e people get rude remarks about their colour, eyes and language. Some people like Pauline Hanson just don't look inside t h e m , feeling s o m e t i m e s she's right. Just b e c a u s e they are different on the outside doesn't mean they are different on the inside!

Katrina B l a u b a u m

A Mouse in our House!

I was s t a n d i n g by the sink really needing a drink.

W h e n from b e h i n d the microwave came a little m o u s e all ready for a game.

I let out a s c r e a m , the mouse looked so m e a n .

I called mum my whole body was numb.

Cheese is what we need to catch the m o u s e with speed.

It s n e a k e d out for a look, and mum s q u a s h e d it with a book.

Goodbye little mouse, No longer will you live in my house!

Abhi Patel

If I could change one thing about the w o r l d I w o u l d make no one a racist. I would make it s e e m not important about colour, race or what country you c o m e from. There would be no one like Pauline Hanson b e c a u s e a n y o n e c o u l d go to any c o u n t r y t h e y please at any time and not worry about immigration laws.

Melinda Inserra

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Junior School Grade 6 Autumn Fall Once a year leaves fall off the trees, gold and brown they c o m e t w i n k l i n g down, as I look out through my window, at the peaceful wind blowing through the old oak trees.

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Living in the City The city at night, is a beautiful sight.

The lights do glisten, and you can listen, To the toot of a horn as a car rushes by, Its destination r e a c h e d w h e n light is in the sky.

Advertisements flash, their bright colours shining.

They're mixed with the sound of distant trams whining.

The buildings, I see, stand tall and straight, For until the m o r n i n g , they have to wait.

The pavement is c o v e r e d f r o m top to bottom, with red, gold and brown leaves.

As an old lady rakes them up, the w i n d spreads them out even more, such is life.

The cold A u t u m n day is c o m i n g to an end, it sends a shiver down my spine, gold, red and brown leaves glistening in the wind, as the night grows dim.

The c h i l d r e n play out in the chilly weather as they throw leaves up in the air, the leaves go crunch b e n e a t h their shoes, as the children's voices echo in delight, as they await the morning's frosty bite.

The grass is no longer green, first it was covered with leaves, now t h e r e ' s a t h i c k layer white snow, Autumn has disappeared another year.

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A l e x a n d r a Hanson A n d t h e n ; at t h a t t i m e , t h e action will start.

Each a n d e v e r y p e r s o n , will t a k e a small part, Of the hustle and bustle, of the daytime, they will, Until night falls again, and everything's still.

A n o n y m o u s people, working at night, Behind millions of g l o w i n g windows of light.

For them no rest, while we are asleep.

As over the city the s h a d o w s creep.

Brie Hughes Elissa Blake

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House Berry J S S BERRY It has been a great year for JSS Berry girls.

We w o n v i r t u a l l y all the m a j o r s p o r t i n g events that were held!

We would like to t h a n k all the C a p t a i n s w h o have contributed to the team sports this year. They have e n c o u r a g e d people to do the best they could. A special thank you to our S w i m m i n g , Cross Country, Aths and House Music C a p t a i n s who have done an extremely g o o d j o b at preparing the teams. A special thank you to Mrs Tinsley w h o has been a terrific and suppor H o u s e Teache

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MS BERRY rry Middle W h a t a year it's been pleasec School! We've been re nd all the effor e v e r y o n e ' s enthusias year.

Our House that's b e e n put in th as been an absolute Teacher, Mis a i r B e r r y girls strut legend, ensuring th their stuff to the best of their ability. On top of that, all the "not so good" jobs w e r e taken care of w i t h o u t complaint. T h a n k s Conlon also to our ace recorder, Eliss ithout. w h o we could not have m a n e who Overall, we'd like to t h a n k eve so well h e l p e d Berry Middle S c h o o l do this year.

The Berries are BACK! This year there has been a surge of Berrites willing to participate in anything and everything. The new SS House Teacher, Ms Walsh, a d d e d to this e n t h u s i a s m . She was a l w a y s s u p p o r t i v e and stayed after school with the MS Berry House Teacher, Ms Smith, to m a k e our new r e v i t a l i s e d M u r t l e . T h e b e g i n n i n g of our reign of success began at the S w i m m i n g S p o r t s w h e r e our purple C h a m p i o n s blitzed the field, with brilliant swims taking records t h r o u g h o u t the day.

O u r SS S w i m m i n g C a p t a i n s , Cassie Williams, Emily Hynes and Nicole Kee, received the S w i m m i n g Trophy in purple power fashion.

It has been an excellent year for Berry. We would like to t h a n k everyone who participated.

We also collected the P r o f i c i e n c y a n d J u n i o r S c h o o l Trophy.

At the Athletics Sports our l o n g - l e g g e d purple sprinters strutted across the finish line c l a i m i n g first place in a number of events. The SS Aths Captains, Amy Hirst, Fiona Ramsey and Georgia Berry, contributed to these winnings. However, this was not e n o u g h to claim victory and we settled for third place. / e s s in s p o r t has a l s o b e e n illustrated by w i n n i n g the SS divisions of Cross Country, Softball, Hockey, B a d m i n t o n and Table Tennis. As JSS also won the Cross Country, we were entitled to yet another trophy. Berry's superiority has been e x e m p l i f i e d by winning Oratory and 3. We also won Chess! A n d to think l a t the H o u s e s haven't even f i n i s h e d c o m p e t i n g in Volleyball and Basketball!

Our C a p t a i n s of the various s p o r t s and activities have lead with true purple power p a s s i o n .

Our SS Drama Captains, Zahra Huntingford and Suzi Taylor, d i r e c t e d a s t a r - s t u d d e d cast of skilled Berry actors in 'Make Mine May Fair 1 . It was a hilarious play and Berry took it to new d i m e n s i o n s .

Thank you to our SS Music C a p t a i n , Sarah Aird, as we were able to learn the majority of " D o n ' t S t o p Me Now." Our f e l l o w c o m r a d e s in MS won House Music.

We'd like to thank everyone w h o helped B e r r y MS do so swell t h i s year. We couldn't have d o n e it without you! We hope that next year's Captains have as much fun as we did ... g o o d luck for 1998!

SS Captains: Rachel Najjar & Sarah C o l b a n MS Captains: Alex Patrick & Jane Crowe J S S C a p t a i n s : Alex O ' S h a u g h n e s s y & Rachel Grenfell

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"Dicko, I think we're in for a top year," a n n o u n c e d Claire as she arrived at the first House meeting of the year.

"Macca, I reckon you're right," Christina r e s p o n d e d with her ever present air of enthusiasm.

And so it has proven to be - 1997 has been an a w e s o m e year for us and the entire Cato House. The year kicked off in usual f a s h i o n with a b r e a k f a s t by the Yarra, attended by many creatures of the blue variety. So the year began with the fired-up swimming team led by Cath and Cate.

Although we provided tough c o m p e t i t i o n , we d i s c o v e r e d that our real prowess lay in the novelty pool. We found that s w i m m i n g with mats, tyres and t - s h i r t s was just our thing. Middle School e m e r g e d the biggest s u c c e s s of the day, with a fantastic 2nd place. After the blue treats for breakfast again by the Yarra, Aths day was another m e m o r a b l e event, with our stars on the field as well as c h e e r s q u a d in the stands. We were a w a r d e d third place overall - a huge credit to Cato and SS c a p t a i n s , Tia, Tricia and C o c o . M i d d l e School t r i u m p h e d again, with a fantastic first place. (We're expecting big things f r o m that M i d d l e S c h o o l c r e w ! ) . O t h e r sporting highlights included a win in the R o w i n g , a n d t o p p l a c i n g s in S o c c e r , C r i c k e t , S o f t b a l l , Tennis, Table Tennis, Squash and Basketball. A huge thank you to all C a p t a i n s and team members, w h o s e e n t h u s i a s m a n d d e d i c a t i o n m e a n t that Cato had c o m p e t i t v e teams at all levels.

T h e D r a m a and M u s i c F e s t i v a l s s p e c t a c u l a r events, both y i e l d i n g places.

were third

Many t h a n k s to Imogen, Sam, Anne and Cathy, and the inspired variety t e a m who e a r n e d a w e l l - d e s e r v e d s e c o n d place with "Officer Krupke".

D e b a t i n g Captain and orator Rosa also d e s e r v e s a huge clap, after her brilliant s p e e c h - "We are what we d r e a m " .

All in all it's been a fantastic year, and we c o u l d n ' t have m a n a g e d it w i t h o u t the s u p p o r t of every single Catoite w h o has p a r t i c i p a t e d . We h o p e t h a t everyone involved has had heaps of fun, as we have, and those in lower year levels will continue to be involved. To Kaia, our loyal redate m a c h i n e w h o has been kept busy with the a m a z i n g a m o u n t of redates SS girls have been e a r n i n g , a massive t h a n k you - your time has been hugely a p p r i e c i a t e d . Also to Mrs James, Mrs Warren and Ms Phillips - "Wendy", thanks for all your s u p p o r t and time in a t t e n d i n g s e e m i n g l y e n d l e s s Music and D r a m a rehearsals!

SS C a p t a i n s : Christina Dickinson & Claire Macdonald MS C a p t a i n s : A n g e l a M o o r e & A n n i e Dobson JSS C a p t a i n s : Emily Doyle & Kate Hopkins

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House Fitchett SS In the c o n t i n u e d tradition of excellence, o n c e again Fitchett swept the field. Under the guiding roars of our beloved T o u g h Stuff 1 , we had an e v e n t f u l and h i g h l y enjoyable year. The c o n t r i b u t i o n of all year levels in House activities was o u t s t a n d i n g and the c o m m i t m e n t of our House Leaders h e l p e d to make our 1997 Fitchett team a t r i u m p h a n t one. In the House S w i m m i n g c o m p e t i t i o n , Fitchett c a m e a close s e c o n d to Berry, and c l a i m e d the P r o f i c i e n c y trophy by a c o n v i n c i n g margin.

Fitchett then p r o g r e s s e d to claim the victory cup at the House Athletics for the sixth year running. The day was extremely tense with the lead c h a n g i n g hands frequently, however with a vital last minute dash we c a m e f r o m behind to claim first position. T h e r e w e r e some brilliant athletic p e r f o r m a n c e s f r o m girls of all y e a r levels and t h e t e a m events were a p p r o a c h e d with the c u s t o m a r y Fitchett spirit.

Fitchett's p e r f o r m a n c e in the Term Two D r a m a F e s t i v a l a w a r d e d us a f o u r t h placing, with all of the cast displaying excellent acting ability.

The efforts of the backstage and technical helpers c o m p l i m e n t e d the action on stage and all p a r t i c i p a n t s should be proud of being part of such an e n t e r t a i n i n g day. Our other 'off the field' event was House Music in w h i c h Fitchett performed very well and c r e a t e d a new singing t e c h n i q u e ; s t o p p i n g halfway t h r o u g h m a s s e d s i n g i n g to c r e a t e

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dramatic t e n s i o n . T h a n k s to the variety item c h o r e o g r a p h e r s who w o r k e d hard on 'Rhythm of life' and to participants in both the choral and instrumental items.

Our excellent results were not only restricted to the major events.

Fitchett p e r f o r m e d exceptionally well in all other activities.

T h a n k s to Ms. Carrol who was a fantastic House Leader and made sure that House Meetings were kept under control. T h a n k s to all p a r t i c i p a n t s and C a p t a i n s for their energy, loyalty and efforts.

MS T h a n k s to all our captains this year for all their efforts and to all the girls w h o participated in activities s u p p o r t i n g Fitchett. A big t h a n k s to our recorder, Chi-sze Ooi and House Leader, Mrs Mackenzie.

JSS For House Music MS Fitchett won the House Spirit Trophy, blitzed the field winning their d i v i s i o n at the Athletics Sports and came s e c o n d in the S w i m m i n g Sports.

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s to all Fitchett lions and well d o n e to all p a r t i c i p a n t s in t h e i r efforts to once again make Fitchett simply the best!

SS Captains: Michelle Eastwood & Allison Wilcox MS C a p t a i n s : K a t e P e r l s t e i n & E m m a Robinson JSS Captains: Sally Gates & Jess Taylor

House Krome ss 1997 has been a year of s u c c e s s for Krome. To start off the year, we took to the pool as true a m p h i b i a n s in the S w i m m i n g Sports and even t h o u g h the trophy was out of reach we swam our little h e a r t s o u t .

T h e n to t h e w o n d e r f u l , but tiring Aths day, w h e r e we c h a n t e d , c h e e r e d , ran, hopped and threw to the fullest potential.

We were truly proud of the efforts of the Green House.

Krome's acting talent shone t h r o u g h as we took to the s t a g e in style c o m i n g Runners-up to Nevile with the Australian play "Away." With a c o n t i n u o u s l y depleting cast, the stress of House Drama came to a climax, which our e x p e r i e n c e d captains Kate Foskett and Justine Little handled with class. Well, what can we say about our e n o r m o u s wins in House Musicfirst in Massed Singing; first in proficiency; and s e c o n d in instrumental. T h a n k s to our lovely SS C a p t a i n s ; Liz Sloane and Olivia Ostojic.

With lunch time s p o r t - Volleyball, Soccer, Badminton, Hockey, Tennis and Rowing, e v e r y o n e put in h e a p s of e f f o r t w h i c h s h o w e d in the n u m e r o u s wins and s e c o n d placings. T h a n k s to all the C a p t a i n s and everyone who p a r t i c i p a t e d .

On behalf of K r o m e we would like to give an e n o r m o u s t h a n k s to our SS H o u s e

Teacher, Ms Pateras; and, of course, Ms Pilioglou, w h o gave us s u p p o r t at the most vital time of the year. We w o u l d also like to t h a n k all the w o n d e r f u l a c h i e v e r s a n d funky green K r o m e r i a n s for all e x c e l l e n c e .

JSS - The Meeting.

C l a p p i n g and c h e e r i n g , K r o m e House rose as one. The C a p t a i n s had arrived.

With a s i m p l e wave of the hand, the crowd was h u s h e d . 150 pairs of eyes stared intently a n d admirably at the leaders. They s m i l e d , c o o l , c a l m a n d c o l l e c t e d as always. Just as they b e g a n to speak, the House uplifted once again. Repetitive worshipping and h a i l i n g b e g u n . T h e House Teacher, Mrs. Brown had entered.

Calling the c u s t o m a r y c h a n t , "Alligators, crocodiles..." Mrs. Brown abruptly brought the praise to a halt. Smiling, as always, she r e m i n d e d the girls who the best House was, K r o m e (of course). K r o m e is the best at s u p p o r t i n g and e n c o u r a g i n g one a n o t h e r . We are also e n t h u s i a s t i c and h a r d w o r k i n g and were never afraid to try s o m e t h i n g ne

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SS C a p t a i n s : S t e p h A n d r e w & S a r a h Shorland MS C a p t a i n s : S a r a h B r o w n & S i a n a Einfeld JSS C a p t a i n s : Catherine Dow & Rivkah Stanton

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House Nevile J S S Nevile won the A g g r e g a t e Trophy for the 1997 JSS House Music Festival; the M a s s e d Hymn with e v e r y o n e doing a great j o b s i n g i n g ' F a t h e r We A d o r e You'.

Nevile's Massed Song 'Whistle a Happy Tune' was the j u d g e ' s top item. Nevile won Variety too, d a n c i n g to 'Vogue' by M a d o n n a . What a Festival!

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s to all C a p t a i n s and Mrs Putt.

W i t h o u t all the e n t h u s i a s m a n d s u p p o r t of our Nevile girls we could not have had such a s u c c e s s f u l and enjoyable year in all events.

Middle School Nevile has left its mark on every aspect of Inter-House C o m p e t i t i o n so far this year - t h a n k s to all Nevilites! It has b e e n f a n t a s t i c to see e v e r y o n e ' s p a r t i c i p a t i o n and e n t h u s i a s m pay off with s o m e excellent results.

The year of 1997 has drawn to an end, A n d Nevile has t r i u m p h e d once again.

So we'd like to thank many different people, For their o u t s t a n d i n g effort and none that was little.

Your contribution to the House, has been very great,

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And you're very kind for putting in that special effort for your mates.

Starting from S w i m m i n g and Athletics, As these times were grand in the way of Kinetics.

Everyone's e n t h u s i a s m and c o n c e n t r a t i o n was at its peak, As N e v i l e ' s S w i m m i n g w a s v e r y fast and elite.

In the time of hot faints and e x h a u s t i n g a m o u n t s of heat, Each competitor, cheerer, and participator didn't go down in defeat.

At the A t h l e t i c s t h i n g s w e r e a little more fun, But unfortunately Nevile was a little outdone.

Rowing, W a t e r p o l o were both victorious, As everyone s t o o d out like a chorus.

G y m n a s t i c s didn't seem to sing so loud, As t h e r e w e r e n ' t too m a n y p e o p l e in the crowd.

A special shout out to the future C a p t a i n s and girls, Try to lead Nevile into the biggest and best sports world!

SS Captains: Alicia Benson & Sally G e n t l e MS Captains: A n n a Smith & Anna Ryan JSS Captains: Joanna Leach & Emily Ryan

Aerobics MLC's a d v a n c e d A e r o b i c s Team included Nada Zito and Ainslie Woods from Year 12 and Penny Opey and Lexie Judge from year 11. The girls began their hard training session all the way back in 1996.

The team c h o o s e to do their routine to the catchy tune of 'Wham Bam' by the C a n d y Girls and d e c i d e d on a team name, The Candies. They even d e s i g n e d their very own aerobics c o s t u m e s which were, by the way, very spectacular, with lots of s e q u i n s and a silver star. The girls trained four times a week. The team c h o r e o g r a p h e d its own routine and p e r f o r m e d it to the Junior S e c o n d a r y and Middle School s t u d e n t s before the c o m p e t i t i o n . Their friends didn't get to see them struggling to retain the fake smiles t h r o u g h o u t the routine while a t t e m p t i n g o n e - h a n d e d p u s h ups a n d excruciatingly painful splits and presses.

The team practiced and polished the

routine until it was almost perfect. The i n t e r - s c h o o l s a e r o b i c s c o m p e t i t i o n was held on the 5th May. C o n s i d e r i n g that Nada and Ainslie had their Year 12 formal the night before, w h i c h meant they only had 3 hours sleep before the competition.

However they m a n a g e d to arrive at Dallas Brooks hall 9.00 sharp on Sunday morning and p u l l e d off a great routine for the judges. It was however very d i s a p p o i n t i n g to hear that the girls received a 10 point d e d u c t i o n for an illegal move. The girls missed out on 5th place and had to settle for 10th place. It was very d i s a p p o i n t i n g to hear that they would have made the finals, but 10 out of 40 t e a m s was a great effort.

T h e a e r o b i c s t e a m a l s o c o m p e t e d in V i c t o r i a n Aerobics C h a m p i o n s h i p s Open Schools Team and c a m e seventh. Overall, the girls had a great year and their hard work paid off in the end.

Captain: Ainslie Woods

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A t h l e t i c s & Cross Country The athletics s e a s o n s t a r t e d at the end of 1996, with specialist c o a c h e s used for a variety of events. During terms 1 and 2, the athletics s q u a d trained 4 times a week, with general fitness at 7.15am twice a w e e k , and specific event training at lunch times on the other 2 days. It was great to s e e so m a n y e n t h u s i a s t i c a t h l e t e s c o m m i t t e d to their sport.

The first of our c o m p e t i t i o n s , the G P S V S A c o m p e t i t i o n , o c c u r e d during the s e c o n d week of term 2 - the day the Maths CAT was handed out! With virtually no Year 12 athletes present, the team tried their hardest for the school, resulting in many excellent p e r f o r m a n c e s . The s e c o n d of our c o m p e t i t i o n s was two w e e k s later the day t h e M a t h s CAT w a s d u e ! A g a i n , w i t h hardly any Year 12s, the team p e r f o r m e d valiantly.

Hopefully next year the c o m p e t i t i o n and Maths CAT will not clash a n d t h e MLC t e a m w i l l p r o v e m o r e successful.

As s o o n as t h e a t h l e t i c s season finished, Cross C o u n t r y started.

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The cross c o u n t r y squad trained twice a w e e k , b u i l d i n g up e n d u r a n c e for t h e i r competitions, the first being the G P S V S A at Jell's Park. O r g a n i s e d by MLC - the whole team ran extremely well - c o m i n g first overall and taking home a shield.

A couple of days later, the team ran in the Victorian Schools Road Relay C h a m p i o n s h i p . T h e team were ready to win again but unfortunately, were beaten by a mere 2 points. Two w e e k s later, there was the GSSA c o m p e t i t i o n . In this the team c o n t i n u e d its e x c e l l e n t f o r m - c o m i n g s e c o n d overall by a margin.

Much of the s u c c e s s of t h e a t h l e t i c s and c r o s s c o u n t r y s e a s o n s must be a t t r i b u t e d to the e n d u r i n g s u p p o r t and e n c o u r a g e m e n t of our coach Miss Warrick, assissted for the first half of the year by Mr. B u l l o c k . H o p e f u l l y , next y e a r both teams will be even more s u c c e s s f u l , winning a few more shields.

Captain: Liz Short

Sport Badminton The 1997 Senior School B a d m i n t o n Team consisted of twelve pairs of talented Year 11 and 12 players. With Miss J a m e s as our coach and number one fan, our Tuesday early morning training sessions were exciting with c h a l l e n g e s between ranked pairs, drills and preparation for the g a m e s against the surrounding schools. This is w h e r e t h e MLC B a d m i n t o n T e a m performed to their fullest, standing out from

the rest with our skill, tactics, reflexes and t e c h n i q u e . We were extremely successful in our m a t c h e s , r e m a i n i n g u n d e f e a t e d t h r o u g h o u t the season. I was very proud of the team and would like to thank them for their efforts and a c h i e v e m e n t s . I would also like to thank Miss J a m e s for her e n t h u s i a s m and s u p p o r t . Well d o n e girls, and g o o d luck for next year!

Captain: Sarah S h o r l a n d

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Sport Gymnastics Terms 3 and 4 are very busy t e r m s in the gym as I n t e r h o u s e takes place on S e p t e m b e r 10th and Interschool b e t w e e n October 13th and 15th. Interhouse is the first competition, and probably the most e n j o y a b l e b e c a u s e it involves s t u d e n t s from Prep to Year 12. With 22 g y m n a s t s in each House the c o m p e t i t i o n allows 110 g y m n a s t s to c o m p e t e . That is a lot of g y m n a s t s c o n s i d e r i n g that in t r a i n i n g s e s s i o n s leading up to the c o m p e t i t i o n there are just 20 C a p t a i n s (four from each House) trying to t e a c h 100 or so kids three full routines and a vault.

Interschool G y m is a bit more relaxing than H o u s e G y m as MLC is r e n o w n e d for g a i n i n g o u t s t a n d i n g r e s u l t s . Last year, MLC won all divisions as well as taking away most of the individual medals. But MLC g y m n a s t s who are Level 5 and above, have the major advantage of being able to c o m p e t e in their own g y m n a s i u m whilst the rest of t h e c o m p e t i t i o n is h e l d at St Catherine's. Over the three days the talent ranges from t h o s e who have just s t a r t e d to those who 'retired' from g y m n a s t i c s some years ago, c r e a t i n g not only a competitive, but also an e n t e r t a i n i n g a t m o s p h e r e .

The day of the c o m p e t i t i o n is stressful, starting at 8am with presentations finishing about 4pm. T h e r e are five Cups to be p r e s e n t e d , t h e J u n i o r S c h o o l Cup, J u n i o r S e c o n d a r y S c h o o l Cup, M i d d l e S c h o o l Cup, S e n i o r S c h o o l C u p a n d A g g r e g a t e Cup. This year the A g g r e g a t e Cup was won by Cato.

A l t h o u g h training for I n t e r s c h o o l has not yet begun, I am sure that the MLC School G y m n a s t i c s Team will do just as well this year t h a n k s to the a s s i s t a n c e of many c o a c h e s in t h e gym, e s p e c i a l l y K a r e n Myers and the dedication of every m e m b e r of the team.

Captains: Kristin Badger & Ingrid Lim

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Hockey proved to be a very popular sport this year, f i e l d i n g two v e r y s u c c e s s f u l senior teams. The A-team c o m p l e t e d a t r i u m p h a n t s e a s o n beating M G G S (5-0), t h r a s h i n g C a m b e r w e l l (7-0), f l o g g i n g IGGS (7-0), a n d c r u s h i n g S t r a t h c o n a (4-0).

However, we were s o m e w h a t h u m b l e d by a m i d - s e a s o n loss to our arch rivals PLC (0-2), and a draw with G e n e z z a n o (1-1).

The B - t e a m b e g a n the s e a s o n with a draw to M G G S (0-0) and e n d e d with a convincing victory over Ruyton (4-0).

For the A - t e a m , perhaps the most thrilling event on the hockey c a l e n d a r was the B u c h a n n a n Cup. Rounds 1 and 2 took place at Essendon Hockey Club's synthetic ground.

Decked out with matching "MLC" h e a d b a n d s , the team took on a n d defeated Altona (4-0) and N e w c o m b (3-0).

The f o r w a r d s w e r e c o n s t a n t l y s u p p l i e d with goal o p p o r t u n i t i e s set up by our s p e e d y w i n g e r s , F i o n a G a l b r a i t h and Kathryn Savage. Kirstin Guy e s t a b l i s h e d herself as a highly skilled half-back and a c e a s e l e s s d i s t r i b u t o r of the ball, while Penny Watts was an exceedingly d e p e n d able defender. Other stalwarts of the team included Christina Dickinson and Olivia

Kinnear, whose unconventional styles instilled fear into any opposition player.

Defenders Sarah Shorland, Greta Costello, and Veronica Loras demonstrated an abundance of team spirit and endeavour.

Our back line, Sarah J a m e s and Fiona Ramsay, were steadfast in defence; Sarah proving herself a cool full back with a very strong hit. Forwards, Natasha Ward and Katie Davies, always showed competitive energy.

Rebecca Brown, in her archaic goalie gear, was sterling in her defence of the goal.

It was a privilege to play out the final rounds of the competition on the State Hockey Center's water based ground. Despite being a little dissipated by injury, the team managed to beat Ballarat (1-0) In the semi-final, we lost to Ruyton (0-2) who in fact went on to win the Cup. On behalf of the hockey teams, I'd like to thank our coach Mr Shipp (fondly known as "Shippy") for his support, encouragement, and commitment to the team. Thank you to all the hockey players for their dedication and enthusiasm throughout the season - best of luck for 1998!

C a p t a i n : Ann H a t j i a n d r e o u

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Waterpolo

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Snort iWliall Once again MLC's Junior, Middle and Senior Netball Teams found t h e m s e l v e s c o m p e t i n g in the Interschool C o m p e t i t i o n for 1997, w h e r e all t e a m s w e r e q u i t e successful. The Senior A Team won 4 out of 6 games, with the B Team winning all 6.

The Senior A Team also had the privilege of p l a y i n g a g a i n s t t h e t e a m f r o m St Catherine's School which was visiting f r o m England. This g a m e was extremely close, w i t h t h e lead c h a n g i n g s e v e r a l t i m e s t h r o u g h o u t the game. In the end, MLC lost by just one goal, but were gallant in defeat and joined in the s a u s a g e - s i z z l e w h i c h followed.

Our greatest s u c c e s s came in the annual Schoolgirls' Netball C o m p e t i t i o n held at the State Netball Centre at Royal Park.

The JSS team f i n i s h e d a creditable f o u r t h in the first round; while both the Middle and Senior S c h o o l Teams finished

first in the first round, making it through to the finals in late August. C o m p e t i n g with the best schoolgirl t e a m s in Victoria, both M i d d l e a n d S e n i o r t e a m s m a d e the Q u a r t e r Finals. Unfortunately, the tough q u a r t e r final games e n d e d our run with Middle and Senior Teams finishing fifth and eight in Victoria respectively out of 150 schools. Credit and t h a n k s must go to the s m a l l n u m b e r of s u p p o r t e r s w h o t u r n e d up to cheer us on, braving the cold weather.

Lastly, a s p e c i a l t h a n k s g o e s to Miss Nankervis, Miss James and Mrs Davies for c o a c h i n g the three squads. We wish the 'new wave' of Senior Netballers (and the y o u n g e r ones) the best of luck in 1998.

C a p t a i n : J e n n y Wood Vice C a p t a i n : Trudi W o n g

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A l t h o u g h the MLC Senior Rowing S q u a d was s o m e w h a t small, this lack in size was c o m p e n s a t e d by the dedication and enthusiasm expressed by all squad m e m b e r s . During the S u m m e r break the r o w e r s w e r e in t r a i n i n g d o w n on t h e Mitchell River in B a i r n s d a l e , at the annual camp. However, rowing for the 15 Senior S q u a d m e m b e r s began in the Term Two holidays of 1996.

MLC in the 1996/7 rowing season had a record number of girls p a r t i c i p a t i n g with 115 r o w e r s in the S e n i o r and J u n i o r S q u a d s . Our first regatta for the season w a s at C a r r u m w h e r e all MLC S e n i o r C r e w s took first place, including the First Eight, Four and Q u a d and the S e c o n d Four. The MLC Senior Crews c o n t i n u e d t h e s e s t u n n i n g results in the V i c t o r i a n Universities, S c o t c h - M e r c a n t i l e , B a r w o n , Yarra Yarra and Banks Regattas.

T h e major highlight of the season, was the H e a d of the S c h o o l g i r l s R e g a t t a h e l d annually on the B a r w o n River, in w h i c h both the Senior and Junior squads competed. It is the largest regatta of its kind in the S o u t h e r n H e m i s p h e r e and MLC won many events. Junior Crews including

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Fours and Q u a d s also took the major prize. For the first time ever MLC e n t e r e d Year 9 crews with all making finals and the s e c o n d division w i n n i n g their final.

Our Docklands w i n d training proved futile a g a i n s t t h e m i g h t of the s u b - a r c t i c gale force w i n d s that greeted us down in T a s m a n i a for the 1997 National C h a m p i o n s h i p s . Many of the 2 0 0 0 m races were reduced to 1000m due to d a n g e r o u s conditions at the start, never the less MLC m a n a g e d a creditable fourth in the Eight, and all Fours m a d e it through to the final.

Thank you to all the c o a c h e s especially Brenton, George, and Jess for their unwav e r i n g s u p p o r t . A l s o to Dee Fraser, Director of Rowing who will be leaving MLC this year after many years of dedicated organising, supporting, coaching, and c o u n s e l l i n g .

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s to all who p a r t i c i p a t e d in the Silver Star Rowing Club in 1996-7 and g o o d luck to all f u t u r e r o w e r s and coxswains for the future.

Catriona Oliver Year 12

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The MLC Ski Team has had one of its most successful years so far, and expectations are still high as the National Interschools' Competition approaches. MLC's Skiers a n d S n o w b o a r d e r s p a r t i c i p a t e d in dry training t h r o u g h o u t Term 2, in p r e p a r a t i o n for the snow s e a s o n .

The t r y - o u t s w e e k e n d on the 1 - 3 r d of August was a great success, with sunny skies and fast times, although there was a considerable lack of snow on most runs.

The Victorian Interschools' took place from Sunday 2 4 t h - W e d n e s d a y 27th of August and all were o v e r j o y e d at the dump of snow we received just in time for the competition. The Interschools' are a very large a n d c o m p e t i t i v e event, a t t r a c t i n g over 3,500 c o m p e t i t o r s , not to mention stars such as Plucka Duck and Mel Gibson.

Overall, MLC came in a very impressive t h i r d p l a c e , a h e a d of m a n y t a l e n t e d schools.

T h e r e were a number of very good individual results in cross-country, s n o w b o a r d i n g , moguls and alpine. The Junoir t e a m s were p a r t i c u l a r l y sucessful this year, and they will c e r t a i n l y be a force to reckon with in the e n s u i n g years.

We would like to c o n g r a t u l a t e all 67 MLC c o m p e t i t o r s , and thank their parents for all the s u p p o r t and e n c o u r a g e m e n t on and off the m o u n t a i n . It was greatly appreciated.

We w o u l d also like to thank all MLC staff who h e l p e d us this year and especially Mrs Dahl, w h o has made this all possible.

Captains: Jacqui Parkinson & Fiona Ramsey

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Sport Softball T h e y e a r o p e n e d s u p e r b l y with t h e Senior Softball Team having a fantastic undefeated season.

The team of champions were Allison Willcox, Olivia Kinnear, Tressie Norton, R e b e c c a Brown, R a c h e l N o r t h , Ruth C a l d w e l l , K a t h r y n Savage, Laura C r o m m e l i n and Christina Dickinson. C o a c h e d by Mr Shipp and with t h e help of our b a t t i n g b o n a n z a , the " T H U M P E R " , we were fired up and ready to t a k e on any o p p o n e n t s that w o u l d c h a l l e n g e us. Our first match set the trend for the rest of the s e a s o n with a 28-7 v i c t o r y against G e n a z z a n o ; followed by games against Melbourne, Ivanhoe, S t r a t h c o n a , and C a m b e r w e l l . The s e a s o n highlight was

when we played PLC, who we d e f e a t e d by the narrowest of margins, with our pitcher and h o m e - r u n s e n s a t i o n , Ruth, saving the day with a final innings bash into the outfield. As well as the successful efforts we had in the g a m e s , we had heaps of fun at training and the Softball S e a s o n was a great b e g i n n i n g to the y e a r ' s s p o r t i n g activities. In the fun game against the staff, the students were again victorious.

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s to the B Team who also had a very s u c e s s f u l season, w i n n i n g all of their matches.

Captain: C h r i s t i n a Dickinson Vice Captain: Allison Willcox

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Sport Swimming Eleven and a half months a year, rain, hail or o c c a s i o n a l l y shine, the MLC Swim Team are put t h r o u g h their paces in the MLC pool at dawn, and at the H a w t h o r n e pool as the sun sets.

Prior to the excitement of the All Schools the MLC Swim Team c o m p e t e d in two meets, the GPS and the GPSSA, achieving outstanding results. Along the way to All Schools a number of our team m e m b e r s picked up individual victories with Jacquie Harbig, Lucy H o g s o n and Sarah C o l b a n being selected to c o m p e t e for Victoria in the Pan Pacific S c h o o l G a m e s late last year; and the likes of Jacquie Harbig, Louise Colban, Lucy Hodgson and Beth Davidson c o m p e t i n g in the National Titles in Term Two of this year. Every s w i m m e r p r o d u c e d p e r s o n a l best times and played an important role in the overall victory of the team w h o s e m e m o r y will live on for years to come.

W h e n MLC c o m p e t e d in the All S c h o o l s this year, not only did the t e a m s l a u g h t e r the o p p o s i n g female s c h o o l s , but they t o r t u r e d the f o r m e r c h a m p i o n s , S c o t c h College, to take out first place in both the female and overall division for the first time in MLC's history!

The MLC swim team c o m p l e t e d a fantastic season this year, o u t - d o i n g all of the top Victorian school swim teams. Team morale on the fantastic evening was high spirited.

The introduction of a team banner, capes and hats, saw our cheer s q u a d rocking!

Best of luck to Claire H o l d s w o r t h and M e l i s s a W o n g , the 1998 S c h o o l Swim C a p t a i n s and to the rest of the team, we wish you the best of luck and hope you make our 1997 victories a tradition!

Captains: Sarah Colban & C a s s i e Williams

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7 Sport Tennis A high amount of skill and e n t h u s i a s m c o n t r i b u t e d to the s u c c e s s of this year's Senior Tennis Team. A p p r o x i m a t e l y thirty girls p a r t i c i p a t e d this year, the team being u n d e f e a t e d at the end of the season. It was great to have so many girls regularly a t t e n d i n g 7 . 0 0 a m t r a i n i n g s e s s i o n s at Grace Park, which e n a b l e d everyone to play due to having 10 courts. Our first m a t c h was against G e n e z z a n o , which we won c o m p r e h e n s i v e l y 9 sets to 1. Our other victims were: C a m b e r w e l l , 32 g a m e s to 24; MGGS, 88 g a m e s to 46; PLC, 8 sets to 1 and Strathcona, 46 g a m e s to 21. The highlight of the s e a s o n was our defeat of Ivanhoe Girls' G r a m m a r , 45 games to 32, Ivanhoe being the only loss last season.

As well as these matches, a number of girls p a r t i c i p a t e d in wider c o m p e t i t i o n s .

Ros, Alicia, Claire, Kate, Eliza, Catherine, Alice and Felicia played a doubles round robin at Flinders Park against different s c h o o l s s u c h as Carey, W e s l e y a n d Lowther Hall. MLC p e r f o r m e d well given the sweltering c o n d i t i o n s (40 degrees!), but Wesley eventuated the victors. A

singles and d o u b l e s t o u r n a m e n t was also held b e t w e e n s c h o o l s in the A P S and G P S V S A at C a u l f i e l d Grammar. MLC had t h r e e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s in t h e G P S V S A team: Ros, Steph and Catherine, w h o all played well against tough o p p o s t i o n . The APS won the day, proving just too strong.

The s e a s o n overall, however, was very successful, and a huge thanks to everyone w h o played and h e l p e d out also with junior development. The team in its entirety was: Ros F r e d e r i c k , S t e p h A n d r e w , C l a i r e Macdonald, Kate Franklyn, Eliza O ' S h a u g h n e s s y , Felicia Brown, Elizabeth Jesse, Alicia Tucker, Stacey R o s e n g r e n , Lucilla M c C a l l u m , Elizabeth Kotsis, E m m a Satori, Rachel King, Ainslie W o o d s , A i m e e W h i t e , Lucy Rayner, C a t h e r i n e Copley, Jane Moran, Alison T h o m p s o n , Francine Ng, Nicci H o w a t t , T i a Starey, Kate Campbell, Jo W i l s o n , Nada Zito, Claire Holden and Sarah Wilson. T h a n k s to these girls and also to Ms Nankervis for her help and support. I w i s h the team well in 1998!

Captain: Claire M a c d o n a l d

Sport Volleyball With many fresh faces in the Senior Team this year, we were set for a lot of fun and f a b u l o u s p r o w e s s e s on t h e V o l l e y b a l l court. With training on Tuesday a f t e r n o o n s and matches on T h u r s d a y a f t e r n o o n s , our two weekly doses of Volleyball p r o v i d e d us the chance to confidently take on any of the o p p o n e n t s that came our way. T h e A Team players w e r e Michelle E a s t w o o d , Ruth C a l d w e l l , P e n n y W a t t s , R e b e c c a Brown, Laura C r o m m e l i n , Alice Forsyth, A m y Hirst, a n d C h r i s t i n a Dickinson.

Our first match against M e l b o u r n e proved that the s e a s o n a h e a d w o u l d be v e r y successful with a 3-1 victory also providing us with many laughs.

The next match against PLC was

our first t o u g h m a t c h , with both sides s h o w i n g a lot of skill and drawing at two sets all. We defeated G e n a z z a n o 3-0 and drew with Ivanhoe at one set each, due to a time constraint.

The B Team of Coco Pinnis, Ainslie Woods, Claire H o l d e n , Kate Franklyn, Veronica Partowidjojo, C a t r i o n a Oliver were also very s u c c e s s f u l in their m a t c h e s a n d v e r y c o m m i t e d in t h e i r t r a i n i n g .

Thanks a lot to Mr Nelson w h o coached us.

C a p t a i n : Christina Dickinson Vice C a p t a i n : Amy Hirst

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P - r t e M t l ? ^

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Drama College Play 'THE TAMING OF T H E S H R E W ' Was S h a k e s p e a r e a c h a u v i n i s t i c old bard?

Did he really believe w o m e n were to be c a u g h t a n d t a m e d like w i l d a n i m a l s ?

S h o u l d there be such a thing as a male d o m i n a t e d marriage? Participants in the recent MLC College Production, William S h a k e s p e a r e ' s The Taming of the Shrew have had these q u e s t i o n s and more on the tips of t h e i r lips for t h e past t h r e e months; and yet after three successful p e r f o r m a n c e s on the 4th, 5th and 6th of S e p t e m b e r , they still remain unanswered.

Perhaps the degree of uncertainty s u r r o u n d i n g the issues raised in the play was what kept the c o m b i n e d cast of sixty s t u d e n t s from MLC and Scotch College intrigued and unfazed by the s e e m i n g l y e n d l e s s rehearsals.

Either that or the s e n s e of fun, c o u n t e r b a l a n c e d perfectly with professionalism and enthusiasm, director Stephanie Bohni provided us with every Tuesday and T h u r s d a y night since June.

But t a c k l i n g old W i l l i a m w a s n ' t always as bright and loud as the final product s u g g e s t e d . A s s i s t a n t director Deborah Field-Farago placed a s t r o n g e m p h a s i s on the i m p o r t a n c e of the language of the play and extensive vocal c o a c h i n g was required for the huge cast, many of w h o m had never e n c o u n t e r e d S h a k e s p e a r e before.

The MLC Assembly Hall was t r a n s f o r m e d into a modern town of Padua and student

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band "Fetish" took their place to the side of the stage each night looking rather like travelling buskers. The cast, decked out in c o n t e m p o r a r y gear, made e n t r a n c e s left, right and centre, s o m e t i m e s mid flight, s o m e t i m e s on foot, s o m e t i m e s on hands and knees and s o m e t i m e s . . . on a lawn mower. Overall, The Taming of the Shrew was a bright, lively, e n g a g i n g and e n t e r t a i n i n g two hours. There w e r e girls d r e s s e d as boys, boys d r e s s e d as girls, loud a n d h a r s h c h a r a c t e r s , q u i e t and w i t h d r a w n c h a r a c t e r s and of c o u r s e , a shrew. The cast s e e m e d to be d o m i n a t e d

by Year 11 s t u d e n t s mainly b e c a u s e this would be the last o p p o r t u n i t y for t h e m to be involved in the College Play b e c a u s e they are p r o d u c e d biannually. It's not hard to imagine why MLC c h o o s e s to do this; the time and effort required from both staff and students is e n o r m o u s , and unless the Dramatic Arts D e p a r t m e n t holds s a u s a g e s i z z l e s on a d a i l y basis, t h e b u d g e t certainly doesn't get any smaller. In keeping w i t h g e n e r a l r e s p o n s e s to MLC productions, the a u d i e n c e feedback has only been positive, so, having m a t u r e d out of our c o m p l a i n t s of worn out bodies and tired brains, everyone involved has simply been left with a w a r m , fuzzy feeling inside.

Perhaps we have been tamed...

Katy B r o o k s b a n k Year 11

Drama II I! Drama Tour I n Sydney (The space is bright with an anticipation of good things.

All are happy and enthusiastic) The MLC D r a m a t i c Arts D e p a r t m e n t certainly never leaves the icing off the cake.

This year, a program has been offered to V C E Drama students that w o u l d have S t a n i s l a v s k y t u r n i n g in his grave counting his frequent-flyer points.

Every a l t e r n a t e day, us w o u l d - b e , could-be actors rock up to our classes.

(Offstage, there are routine groans and squeaks of nervousness) We are greeted by either S t e p h a n i e Bohni, Felicity Donnoli or Dana D u n c a n , a l l of whom wear 'dramatic' earrings c o u p l e d with at least one article of clothing in the traditional d r a m a black. We expect to be required to s p o n t a n e o u s l y involve ourselves in a strange, symbolic d a n c e or an e m b a r r a s s i n g i m p r o v i s e d scenario.

Both of which could possibly s e n d most Maths and Science s t u d e n t s running into a nearby c u p b o a r d , but no, bravely, us w o u l d - b e c o u l d - b e e s s p i l l through the Dwyer Hall door and face the challenges.

(Bags are slammed down, doors are rattled and general murmur can be heard now.)

However, o n e l e s s o n our e x p e c t a t i o n s were to be proven drastically incorrect.

Strewn a c r o s s the floor, the 1997 V C E d r a m a s t u d e n t s w e r e t o l d a b o u t an exciting, e d u c a t i o n a l and a m a z i n g l y enjoyable e x p e r i e n c e c o m i n g up at the end of the year. We sat up quickly, g o g g l e eyed, and listened attentively to an e x p l a n a t i o n of a 17 day D r a m a tour of E n g l a n d and Ireland that would take place in December.

(SFX: song - 'Come Fly With Me') Twenty lucky p e o p l e will be flying off to London and Dublin to visit dramatic institutions, see live t h e a t r e shows, and most importantly, s h o p at Harrods and do the Irish pub r o u n d s ( o r d e r i n g l e m o n a d e s , naturally). R u b b i n g s h o u l d e r s with members of RADA, e x a m i n i n g S h a k e s p e a r e ' s Globe Theatre, dining at The Ritz and boarding overnight with an Irish family are prospects not all s t u d e n t s are able to look forward to. O r g a n i s e d by Felicity

Donnoli and Dana Duncan, the trip requires several fundraising events (including pocket money raises across the b o a r d ! ) w h i c h have a l r e a d y b e e n kick started by a s u c c e s s f u l 'Rose and S h a m r o c k ' dinner and a u c t i o n earlier in June. All students a m a z i n g l y now leap into d r a m a c l a s s e s hoping to be told of other f o r t h c o m i n g world wide tours. There aren't many Chekovs' being p e r f o r m e d in India at t h e m o m e n t , but we now live in a n t i c i p a t i o n of s u c h t h i n g s . T h e f i r s t overseas Dramatic Arts trip ever, MLC is excited and very fortunate to be involved in such an e d u c a t i o n a l and character building experience.

(A tableaux of enthralled students, centre stage. The music fades.)

But we're a dab hand at plane trips. We're used to excursions over 2 5 0 k m long. We have previously had to dial STD to reach home.

We've already spent days away f r o m M e l b o u r n e in t h e n a m e of MLC D R A M A . Yes - we all went to Sydney this year; a sort of entree to the main course really. Spending three days within w a l k i n g d i s t a n c e to the B e l v o i r Street Theatre, the Sydney O p e r a House, and a mere bus ride from NIDA, was all par for the course.

A l t h o u g h , admittedly, most t h o u g h t the free time at Manly was the best bit, the excursion a i m e d to e n h a n c e our k n o w l e d g e of theatre and build our c o n f i d e n c e in p e r f o r m i n g .

A two hour m o v e m e n t w o r k s h o p at t h e National Institute of Dramatic Art basically covered all that and so we could all relax, guilt-free and do lunch with f r i e n d s without feeling obliged to analyse the dramatic tensions of a focaccia.

(A series of symbolic movements to Enya music. All very stylised.)

So, Circular Quay, N e w t o w n and Belvoir Street - there we've been. Stratford-UponAvon, Bath, London and Dublin - here we come. T h e r e ' s never a dull m o m e n t at the Dramatic Arts Department.

Perhaps Paramount will buy our story (Lights down, curtain closes, 'There's No Business Like Show business' fades up.)

Katy B r o o k s b a n k Year 11

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Drama Year 10 Cabaret On Friday A p r i l 11, a s m a l l crowd g a t h e r e d a r o u n d the Year 10 D r a m a n o t i c e b o a r d , waiting in anticipation to see w h o was a s s i g n e d to what parts in the Year 10 Cabaret.

Over the following w e e k s the cast and c r e w put their h e a r t s and s o u l s into c r e a t i n g an o u t s t a n d i n g prodution of "Hiss the Villain," which focuses on a d i s h o n e s t bank manager n a m e d Snaker, who robs the Noble family of their life savings. This poor family is forced to go begging for mere survival. The story unflolds w h e n Bowler, the bank clerk, dedicates himself to helping the Noble family retrieve the money which is rightfully theirs.

T h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u r s e of the play, a n u m b e r of r o m a n c e s u n f o l d , a n d not s u r p r i s i n g l y there is a happy ending. As the play is m e l o d r a m a t i c , we all enjoyed " h a m m i n g " up our c h a r a c t e r s , c r e a t i n g e x t r e m e l y h u m o u r o u s m o d e l s of o n c e realistic people.

As the p e r f o r m a n c e dates drew nearer and the rehearsal s c h e d u l e s increased, e v e r y o n e began to get a little anxious.

There was work to be done and only a small a m o u n t of time to do it in. The promotional squad put hours into d e s i g n i n g p o s t e r s and s t i c k i n g them around the school. Our focus was not only on getting the play together, but making sure we had as many people c o m i n g to w a t c h as p o s s i b l e . Long lost r e l a t i v e s were getting unexpected calls and friends were told to put their lives on hold for just one night. In the end, all the b e g g i n g and p e r s u a d i n g paid off, as we p e r f o r m e d to a packed a u d i e n c e on both T h u r s d a y and Friday nights.

I would say that during this roller-coaster ride, we have been drawn closer t o g e t h e r as a group, l e a r n i n g things that other e n v i r o n m e n t s c o u l d never teach us. Of course there were times when this roller-coaster took a plunge, but t h r o u g h the s u p p o r t and e n c o u r a g e m e n t within our close-knit group, we were able to aim for the stars, and that we did!

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A slice of the m o o n h a n g i n g low in the sky in my last b r e a t h i n g m o m e n t , kiss me g o o d b y e for a star s h i n i n g brightly above of my t o m b please p r o m i s e to mind me, to leave me s o m e room.

Turn west with the sunset, don't look in mine eyes in the mirrored lake waters - the stars in their skies take time on a j o u r n e y to w h e r e d a r k n e s s falls in the t u n n e l s of shadow, the eve of my calls.

With waters b e h i n d you, with nothing before keep travelling f o r w a r d , don't fear a n y m o r e in a s e c o n d , a h e a r t b e a t , an instant of pain you'll see all my o c e a n s all over again.

So keep to the pathways, still stare at the moon w h e n its slice hangs like silver, the t i m e will be s o o n then w i s d o m and knowledge, and law will abide with stars in the o c e a n s , and you by my side

M

J a s m i n e Barker Year 10

My Undying Love for You S'

K I wait in the d a r k n e s s .

Frozen w i n d s pierce my face.

In the cover of d a r k n e s s I can make Believe it's you.

I feel you like the rain, I feel you like A short c l o u d building in my heart.

I w o n d e r if you know the pain to Want the one t h i n g you haven't got.

A hand b r u s h e s by my love A smile fuels my steel inferno.

I'm just a fool to believe In the d e a t h of night a n d can you Don't leave me in the d a r k n e s s Take all the pride, all the dignity That's b u r n i n g inside.

Can't you see I'm s t a n d i n g naked I'll bear all the c r o s s e s and t a u n t s W h e n the m a d n e s s stops we will

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Waiting Here it c o m e s !

S t a n d a n d w a v e in c a s e it m i s s e s you.

Hurry and climb the steps.

"Fares please!"

•JClick, click "Thank you."Look to grab a seat 1 T h e r e are none.

All are filled with giggling Year 10s, 11s and 12s Talking in loud voices about the latest goss Who did what to w h o m• and whenv. ~ A n d what h a p p e n e d at Maccas last night So you grab a t r i a n g l e and sway 3 to the n Lurching , •s Screeching ^ :Y Seasick feeL Oh, no.

•J? T h e Station. f*>£•> A mass of t e e n a g e r s Moving in a bunch t o w a r d s the already full tram Aughhh!

No... room... can't... breathe....

T h a t ' s better.

Squished right down the very end.

A sea of s c h o o l b a g s looms

A n n a Smit Year 10

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Creative Writing A Winter Storm T h e wind whistles as it gently blows t h r o u g h the tree tops. To a n d fro, to and fro.

T h e first sign of a s t o r m .

T h e fog c o m e s swiftly, full of mystery, a new surprise a r o u n d every corner.

Greyness . . .

T h e w o r l d is bleak, filling you with a feeling of e m p t i n e s s . . . draining away all your energy.

T h e clouds are alive, they are evil, g l a r i n g down.

A s u d d e n burst of t h u n d e r makes you j u m p , it is an e x p l o s i o n in the sky. . .

T h e first drop of rain is an icy tingle on your hand.

T h e rain is heavy. . .

A cold trickle runs d o w n your neck and a bead of water settles on the tip of your nose.

T h e feeling of being truly wet.

O p e n the door with cold, numb fingers.

At last Hit by a blast of w a r m air and the s m e l l of hot soup on the stove.

T h e fire crackles and spits.

T h e feeling of e m p t i n e s s is gone. 4' Listening to the gentle pattering of the rain outside, you are filled with a feeling of cosiness, c o m f o r t and w a r m t h .

, Katie Molloy Year 7

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Other World Journeying In M e m o r i a m C h a r l o t t e Fisher

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Quivering, h u m m i n g , like to a harp's string gently plucked by the musical hands of fair O r p h e u s , I quietly bide.

Vision is fled, O long, long since; for an age have I been alone in the dark, with the beat of my heart, the beat of my heart; a harp's d i m i n u e n d o floats quietly with me, e a c h s o u n d rings more soft, e a c h s o u n d rings more clear t h a n the previous t r e m b l i n g note.

Let go... Let go... (no!)

W h e r e there is d a r k n e s s , Lord...

O Lord, send You. Verity Fisher Year 12

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Y e s t e r d a y - A Day in the Life of a Year Seven V'.

J ' m in Year 7, and life in Year 7 can get pretty hectic if you're s o m e o n e like me, that is, s o m e o n e w h o c r a m s so much into her day that t h e r e ' s only just e n o u g h room left to breathe. Just wait a s e c o n d and I'll o p e n my diary, and then I can tell you my definition of a 'typical' day.

Right. Day 3, a Wednesday. At 8 am I'm through the school gates, straightening my blazer as I hesitantly trot past a prefect. I turn left at the entrance to the library and trudge through the doors, hoping feverishly that there'll be a c o m p u t e r ^that's free. \ Luckily there is, and I sit in front of the1 bright screen, typing in my network password with cold, less-than-nimble fingers. Hurrah, I'm t h r o u g h . Any e - m a i l ? None, t h a n k goodness, or I'd be c o m p e l l e d to read it a n d then obliged to write a reply, and today 1 just don't have the time. I hastily type my message- a t h r e e s e n t e n c e a p o l o g y to a teacher w h o I'd a r r a n g e d to meet in period 1, but after realising later that I'd b e e n 0 reading my t i m e t a b l e upside dow.n I was forced to cancel.

A whisper from a f r i e n d c o n f i r m s that we have PE first p e r i o d .

I haven't even c h a n g e d , so the minute Roll Call is over f ifer d a s h out a n d grab my sports g e a r t dive into it, put the rest of my stuff into my locker, slide my bag onto the shelves and swan down to the PEC, where Volleyball awaits me. For an hour and a half I can relax, running a r o u n d on the c o u r t a getting sweaty (the smell in the C h a n g Rooms isn't exactly pleasant, and I j i say I'm t o t a l l y r e s p o n s i b l e e i t h e r ) b* wouldn't you know it, it's my turn to put the nets away.

After heaving them into the storeroom I race back into my classroom and drop into a chair.

Every minute has to be used effectively in order to finish w h i c h e v e r a s s i g n m e n t it is that's been s h o v e d forward in the list of d e a d l i n e s ; I pull on a j u m p e r on and get to it. How time flies w h e n y o u i d rather it be crawling ... before I know it, the period's over and I still haven't printed a n y t h i n g , so although the w o r k ' s d o n e there's no

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T h e d i a r y is flipped shut a n d I'm out to li recess.

On passing my locker I grab an apple and a gulp of water.

Then it's back into the classroom to get my laptop, t h e n back out to t h e p r i n t e r q u e u e to p r i n t out my a s s i g n m e n t , then it's into t h e c l a s s r o o m again b e c a u s e I've f o r g o t t e n my paper, f o l l o w e d by a m i n o r m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g about w h e r e I was s t a n d i n g before I left.

Once that's sorted out, I print as fast as technology will let me (a speedy 25 seconds) and as the bell rings smugly, I know I've got e v e r y t h i n g under control.

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Drama, a r o u n d F i t c h e t t Hall for 80 minute let t h e m u s i c your eyes, girls, a n d just l e a d you") discreetly, clutching a n o t h ear n das.t h e n exit ment.

What's nexf?"

House m e e t i n g s ? i No, they're og^Monday. A s s e m b l y ? Not today.

I know: f o r m group, and I have to hand in that a s s i g n m e n t . Right, off we go.

Soon form group is over. J hunt a r o u n d in my locker for my diary, find it under a scarf a n d a t u b e of s u n s c r e e n a n d t h u m b t h r o u g h it until I reach the timetable. Gym, athletics, hockey, choir or c h e s s ?

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Choir I can miss, seeing as I've already told them that I might not come today.

Aths training...hang on, wasn't that yesterday?

Fine, so I can't tell the w o r d s "Day 2" from "Day 3". Gym...I've already been to five tiees, a n d that's the r e q u i r e m e n t . So, hockey or c h e s s ? Well, c h e s s is at 1:00 a n d hockey s t a r t s at 1:25, a n d with a bit of luck INI s q u e e z e in a g a m e of both.

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It's only l u n c h t i m e and I'm e x h a u s t e d . The day in the life of this year 7 is no way near over. "y -

Sarah W o n g s e e l a s h o t e Year 7

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Observation 1

Observation 2

She is perched,

She sits silently,

Balancing precariously at the top of the tree, "The thin e d g e of the wedge."

Cross l e g g e d in the corner, Bodies swirl a r o u n d her.

Her nails are getting shorter, j a g g e d Perpetually in her mouth, T h e white skin m u t i l a t e d - ripped

Her eyes - o p e n , honest, C a l m l y s u r v e y the room, Her head - tilted slightly upwards.

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Her hair sits unruffled, Framing her placid face, An e x p r e s s i o n of serenity.

Her hair sticks up, A f f e c t e d by the c a c o p h o n o u s m u m b l i n g s of voices.

It is blonde. It has b e e n black, b r o " " 1 orange, red, short, long, layered.

But she k n o w s that people are w a t c h i n g , L a u g h i n g , snickering, Harsh w h i s p e r s brush against her ears.

/'s 1 Her laugh, loud, harsh - will it cover h e r ?

Does she feel h a p p y ? Is she 'in'?

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Or can they see the c o n s t a n t rumblings in her s t o m a c h ?

She feels t h r e a t e n e d ,

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She is a n outsider Her t h r e a t e n i n g presence, S h u n n e d by groups of others.

They glance in her direction^ Pity in their eyes,

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Her body rigid with years of false pretence, She knows I see t h r o u g h her.

f t But s i m u l t a n e o u s relief also w a s h e s over their faces.

She averts her eyes, She must have c o n t r o l , Dominate, m a n i p u l a t e

They are glad they are not like her, Alone, d e t a c h e d ,

ft Living a solitary existence.

She knows I see t h r o u g h her.

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f But she likes her w o r l d of silence.

Her whole life - g r o p i n g at the ladder, Clawing, grasping, splinters, the rotten wood C o l l a p s i n g at her feet,

All her life, At the bottom of the ladder, Content to watch those c l a m b e r i n g furiously above.

She will not fall - she will not go back down.

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She d o e s not have to pretend, Force her face into d i s t o r t e d e x p r e s s i o n s of h a p p i n e s s ,

Is she getting there? Is she at the top?

C a n they see her? Hear her?

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\ Push her body into d e f o r m e d s h a p e s of conformity.

Will they let her in?

W h a t did she see w h e n she finall s c r a t c h e d at that last door?

She is c o n t e n t .

Nothing but a c h i n g fingers, empty stomachs, v a c a n t smiles

Satisfied to be herself, Living in a place of tranquillity, Others only h o p e to touch.

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Observation 3

Contemplation

She struts, Confidently along the corridor, Meeting the gaze of others with smug satisfaction.

I sit and o b s e r v e , Contemplation, C o m f o r t a b l e in my pla

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"Look at me," she implores, Her lips curl, Into a polite recitation of "Thank yous".

She is p e r c h e d , B a l a n c i n g precario at the t o p of the "The thin e d g e

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She looks a r o u n d her, E v e r y t h i n g s e e m s so small, A n t s s c u r r y i n g at her feet.

I w o n d e r how t Do they feel n S c a r e d of pe

Now, She hides b e h i n d her pocket, Secure under her new cover.

She feels t h r e a t e Her body rigid with y e a r s of false p r e t e n c e , , She k n o w s I see thr

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But her h i d d e n insecurities, C o m e closer to the surface, As she c l u t c h e s wildly at her authority.

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She has c l i m b e d the ladder, Grabbing the rungs two at a time, It begins to wobble.

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Do they w a t c h their T o r m e n t e d by those b e n e a t h t h e m S c a r e d if they can't co'fitrol Bony f i n g e r s pull t h r o u g h her hair, Heavy h e e l e d shoes stamp on her feet, Pointy e l b o w s jab at her chest.

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What does she d o . n o

T h e r e are few w h o are happy, Few w h o are content, Few, w h o are free to be w h o they please

Bony fingers pull Heavy heeled sho Pointy elbows j a b

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She does not have to p r e t e n d , Force her face into d i s t o r t e d e x p r e s s i o n s of h a p p i n e s s , Push her body into s h a p e s of conformity.

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S o m e t h i n g begins to prick her storm Pricking, piercing, poking Penetrating b e n e a t h her exteriof

But they are the ones w h o are s c o r n e d , S h u n n e d for their a s s u r e d s e n s e of self, P e r s e c u t e d for their h a p p i n e s s .

What does she d o now?

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She stands taller. | |

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L a u g h i n g , snickering.

D o m i n a t i n g all w h o s t a n d a r o u n d her.

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She k n o w s that people are w a t c h i n g ,

L a u g h s louder, m o v e s faster.

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Harsh w h i s p e r s brush against her ears. ' \r~ , i M ^ I sit and o b s e r v e , s m Contemplation, Now, u n e a s y in my place.

Hoping to fool t h o s e w h o know.

S o p h i e Kelly Year 12

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Creative Writing Sandy M e m o r i e s

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T h e car crackles into the car park, bullying itself into the hotly d e s i r e d shade. G r o w l i n g and objecting as we w h i n e in the heat, its doors laboriously creak open. One out, all out!

Forgotten t h o n g s t e a s e me as my feet are burnt and s t a b b e d by the u n r e l e n t i n g bitumen.

Quickly now, watch the road! Even r e a c h i n g the s a n d is no relief, it laughs as its searing heat makes me dance.

Towels fly and t u m b l e to the s a n d , t h e u m b r e l l a l u r c h e s d r u n k e n l y in the w i n d a n d our s h a d o w s stretch to the cool of the sea. Before we even settle down, s h i m m e r i n g s a n d has already begun to shift over our haven, c a r r i e d by t h e throatily laughing wind. We rapidly shake it from our towels, but it s o o n returns a n d we l e a r n to a c c e p t its tingling brush on our skin.

• -^k/i Here I am s m a c k e d with the grdasy s u n s c r e e n , p e p p e r e d with the grit of one too many days in the sand. Stay still, or you'll get it in your mouth. "Ope c a r t o o n of my mother's face plays before me, t a l k i n g g i b b e r i s h as the s o a r i n g b e a c h t i m e rabble swallows her voice.

Now don't go out too far!

I cartwheel and laugh my way to the lappin threats.

e, my cries of delight drowned by its roaring

•A C o m e closer! J u m p in!

Its bellowing p r e s e n c e , sharply punc Yet enticing. It steals the s a n d f r o m

by the a g r e e i n g s q u e a l s ot s e a g u l l i , is terrifying, r my feet as its waves roll away. ¥

I feel the bubbling blue d r e a m engulf me, as its heaving sighs t o s s me high above a n d I laugh in its playful e x c i t e m e n t . T h e n I slip w i t h i n it and its salt bites my throat. W h e r e ' s the sun? I d e s p e r a t e l y p a d d l e a n d fight up to its w a r m t h again. My b r e a t h sticks as I gulp sweet, sweet air, and it kisses my mouth and I'm new again.

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Waves cradle and c a r r y me momentarily, t h e n s m o o t h l y melt into the s i m m e r i n g shore.

S o m e t i m e s J a m hastily flung to the d o u g h y sand. I silently stare at the sky as water laps my body in a w h i s p e r ; stay in the shallows, its safer. But its s i g h i n g d a r k n e s s still calls me.

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T h e sun glowers as I defy the s l a p p i n g surf, its spite a c r e e p i n g blush on my skin. Soon I o b s e r v e the i m p a t i e n t r f i g u r e of a parent, w a v i n g madly f r o m the glaring shore. We've had e n o u g h , out now! See my brother^and I excavate the towels a n d toys, w a t c h us giggle and smirk the suntil t u b b omy r n father umbrella^ 'fights at e a c hasother ^ m mwith m ^ my ^ ^ father.

D J ^ Bloody nuisance. They crankily swear

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T h e n here we are on our l a b o u r e d hike back up the dunes. I a m e x h a u s t e d but g l o w i n g from my e n c o u n t e r with the elements. My skin, not yet a c k n o w l e d g i n g its burn, has b e e n w h i p p e d c l e a n by the sea's spittle and spray.

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Look at my hair, Mum; m e r m a i d d r e a d l o c k s ! Baby drags her heels, s o u v e n i r i n g t h e sand, and I already long for the o c e a n ' s caress. But as we draw away f r o m the day, the w a t e r ' s s p a r k l i n g m o n t a g e nestles b e h i n d bitten rocks and grass, and s e e m i n g l y disappears.

Gin Loftus Year 12

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Creative Writing

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So, as the bard continues his yarn, I see the w o m e n mend and darn, A delicate action with swift hands, As n e e d l e s repair fraying strands.

Youth's Folly A sole bard s i n g i n g to tell his tale, To boastful warriors, d r u n k e n f r o m ale.

Amidst the v i c t o r i o u s shouts of joy, Lies the destiny of a single boy.

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The prince w h o s e right yet u n c l a i m e d , With bright y o u n g heart, still u n t a m e d .

A reign of mutiny lies ahead, One which s o r c e r y c a n n o t stead.

The boy with r i g h t e o u s hand in place; A hard, firm grasp upon his mace, S o l e m n eyes to p e n e t r a t e the soul, S e a r c h i n g for s e c r e t s of the 'ole,

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Sights are s o a r i n g beyond his realm, He girds himself in battle helm.

The w a r b a n d w h i c h shall s o m e d a y die, Under the flag of Prince Gerniye.

Surrender he shan't, for loss of pride, -.-J *' It is this, that c r e a t e s the great divide, From father to son, and mind to matter, Foolish pride to fuel the latter.

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T r u l y magic', s o m e do say, I shake my head, and frown nay, "Nowadays s c i e n c e still appears, Forming the magic of yesteryears..."

Yet, u n c o n v i n c e d they pace away, 'An u n f o r t u n a t e soul,' I hear t h e m say.

Simply laughing, they plainly stare.

What I u n d e r s t a n d they wouldn't dare.

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A t t e n t i o n is not with s e w i n g alone, But rather to the q u e e n ' s royal t h r o n e , A l o n g i n g grows within the heart, To s u m m o n desire and be rid of this part,

C o u n t l e s s times intrigue c a u s e d pain, Blamed on the king, the ultimate reign.

A son is t r a i n e d - loyal and g o o d , But this poor heir's m i s u n d e r s t o o d .

He sees the light, like no other, An eternal flame, without cover.

Yet within his soul lies greater power, Discovered in his t r i u m p h i n g hour.

L a d y G w y n with locks of gold, Eyes of blue, as rumours told.

A c e r t a i n power lies in t h o s e eyes, Hungry for d o m i n a n c e , a perfect guise.

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As m e r e l y one lady of the court, To one as ruler - wise, well t a u g h t .

Intelligence she has, as d e t e r m i n a t i o n , Her betrothal could be an o r d i n a t i o n .

She g l a n c e s at the Prince G e r n i y e , T h e sole man she w o u l d s t a n d by.

In s o m e f a s h i o n she w o u l d achieve, Her sole passion - to receive.

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So c o m p l e x , in its royal traditions, Yet t e d i o u s , in its royal c o n d i t i o n s .

Flaws in rules; a rise in taxes, Execution; death by battle axes.

C o n t e m p t , treason, trust and faith, One's true personality hidden with scathe.

Yet I have found my own true magic, Life - t r u t h f u l , honest, plain and tragic.

Laura Downie Year 10

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Creative Writing

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Hills march by as the car gains speed. H u r t l i n g a r o u n d a s h a r p corner, gravel s p e w s out from u n d e r n e a t h the wheels, sending a s h u d d e r t h r o u g h the o t h e r w i s e still interior.

The gradual hum of the air c o n d i t i o n e r is replaced by a w h i n i n g siren, steadily i n c r e a s i n g in volume. An o r a n g e suited figure, eyes o b s c u r e d by heavy g o g g l e s , blocks the road, waving an indicator light. T h e familiar Authority u n i f o r m instils a s e n s e of dread, c a u s i n g c h u r n i n g in the pit of my s t o m a c h . Slowly, the car glides to^a standstill. T h e window slips fluidly into the door cavity, e x p o s i n g the glaring raw suhlight. S q u i n t i n g , I wait for the figure to s p e a k . " W h e r e are you h e a d i n g ? " she d e m a n d s in a raw, harsh voice.

I reply simply, "To the shelter hut, just over tl)e rise." I motion with my head t o w a r d the shiny structure a short d i s t a n c e away. "Why?" I She reluctantly explains the situation. "Population control. We've had a p r o b l e m with illegal aliens evading p l a c e m e n t s , e s c a p i n g to rural areas For s p m e reason t h e y don't like the city t e n e m e n t s . " Her t o n e b e c o m e s s u s p i c i o u s as she g l i m p s e s a pack on t h e seat beside me.

"It's a picnic set - n o t h i n g illegal: I w a s p l a n n i n g to turn a r o u n d and leave w h e n I was finished eating." I mock the s e r i o u s n e s s of t h e situation.

"As long as you stay in sight there won't be a problem. Don't go any f u r t h e r - we've got a potentially d a n g e r o u s situation a n d I w o n f have you c o n t r i b u t i n g to il." Eyes n a r r o w i n g , she partially removes the blockade, a l l o w i n g e n o u g h s p a c e to drive through. T h e car edges t h r o u g h the gap and continues along the t a r m a c .

I raise the window®, shikti-ng out the p e n e t r a t i n g rays. T h e e n g i n e purrs into gear as I swing the car off the asphalt and onto the gravel'Shoulder. P u s h i n g operv the door, I stride toward the shelter shed, forcing o p g n ^ | e ^ e n t r a n c e with one elbow.

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T i n t e d w i n d o w s reveal a p a n o r a m a of the s u r r o u n d i n g scenery, d a r k e n e d to a pale grey by the perspex. B e n c h e s line aft f o u r J v a i l s at waist height. S t a n d i n g , pinheads of unfiltered light strike my face, s e a r i n g my skin with their intensity. T h e vista of ancient, skeletal eucalypts greets my eyes, n e s t l e d between dusty brown p a d d o c k s d o t t e d with livestock. My mind w a n d e r s as my eyelids slowly sink t o w a r d the ground.

I wake up startled. Disoriented, I g l a n c e a r o u n d the shelter frantically. I s o o n recall w h e r e I am, and notice the sky is painted a dirty grey, h i g h l i g h t e d with g l i m p s e s of c r i m s o n . Suddenly, I recall the p r e s e n c e of the suited w o m a n . I gaze in her d i r e c t i o n ; the blockade remains but she is gone. The only s o u n d is t h e faint hum of a retreating motor. G a z i n g t o w a r d the barricade, I detect the o r a n g e c o v e r a l i y t lies in\a c r u m p l e d heap, s h r e d d e d a n d stained. I am alone.

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A distant rumbling grows louder as I collect my bags, w a r y of the time. A fleet of vehicles s u d d e n l y clears the c u r v e in a gruiBbfing stream. The convoy is headed by a t h r e a t e n i n g bulldozer, travelling swiftly d e s p i t e its bifIk. A f o r m a t i o n of cars a n d vans follow. Lastly, mammoth lorries c a r r y t h o u s a n d s of p e o p l e p- d e l i n q u e n t s f l e e i n g the confining city.

I s t a n d inside the shelter, the cfround s h u d d e r i n g as t h e caravan a p p r o a c h e s . T h e bulldozer slows as a van a c c e l e r a t e s to take the lead. Slowfy, I preep from the shelter, my pack c l u t c h e d to my side. I face the van with s h i e l d e d eyes.

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T h e door swings o p e n , revealing a fapmiliar m a s c u l i n e figure, i l l u m i n a t e d by h u n d r e d s of pairs of headlights. I s p e a k .

"How many this time?"T h e only r e s p o n s e is a w i t h e r i n g g l a n c e , as the driver r e s t a r t s t h e engine.

Sighing, I c l a m b e r into tire cab. I switch on the CB radio, a c t i v a t i n g the m o u t h p i e c e . " R e n d e z v o u s c o m p l e t e , checkpoint clear. We're bringing t h e m in."

Emily Barnes Year 12

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Music Choir Report The C o n c e r t Choir led by Mrs Jane Elton Brown has successfully completed another exciting year of the Gala C o n c e r t , Church Services and other special events. Our very special and most beautiful event for 1997 was the p e r f o r m a n c e of M o z a r t ' s Requiem at St Paul's Cathedral in the city.

The chorus began at 3 : 1 5 p m on Sunday 22nd June and had the a u d i e n c e of over 1000, of which both m e m b e r s of the MLC community and the general public attended, in awe and s o m e w h a t , totally a b s o r b e d for approximately 1 hour. The height of the Cathedral ceilings and the a b s o l u t e massiveness of the space was not the only contributor to the success of the p e r f o r m a n c e , for it was the a t m o s p h e r e of such a t r e m e n d o u s location that was the true scene-setter. *

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T h e c h o i r of 3 0 0 or so f e m a l e v o i c e s , students and staff a c c o m p a n i e d by the smaller, but certainly louder, male voice choir had been rehearsing since the beginning of the year, including w e e k e n d and evening r e h e a r s a l s whereby both choirs, orchestra and soloists were brought together to perfect the m a s t e r p i e c e . Prior to the Requiem, the choir had performed in the SS School Church Service

held on MLC Open Day, s o m e t h i n g that had previously never been done. By then p r e p a r a t i o n s were well underway for the a n n u a l Gala C o n c e r t on 23rd June at the C o n c e r t Hall.

On this o c c a s i o n t h e C o n c e r t Choir sang, for the s e c o n d half of the p r o g r a m , a s h o r t e n e d score of M o z a r t ' s Requiem. This p e r f o r m a n c e was t h o r o u g h l y e n j o y e d by t h e e n t i r e audience.

T h e n the Middle School (Years 9 and 10) began rehearsing for their Church S e r v i c e s , w h i c h have, more recently been followed by rehearsals for the SS Speech Night, w h e r e b y all m e m b e r s of the Concert C h o i r w i l l s i n g at D a l l a s B r o o k s Hall, b i d d i n g farewell to 1997's Year 12s. This year has b e e n a c o l o s s a l year for the C o n c e r t Choir, with much effort involved on behalf of Mrs Elton Brown, Mr Horowitz a n d Ms A s h t o n Smith. However, next year has only just begun, and w h o knows what l e n t , enjoyment and fulfilment it will and remain with the next group of Concert Choir m e m b e r s for many a year to come.

Laura Fitzgerald Year 12

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Music Ensembe ls JSS Chamber S i n g e r s

JSS O r c h e s t r a

Yr 9 M a d r i g a l s

Concert Band

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Music

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Ensembles Senior M a d r i g a l s

Senior S t r i n g s

Symphonic Band

Male Voice Choir

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Concert O r c h e s t r a 1997 has been, as ever, a busy and fruitful year for the MLC C o n c e r t Orchestra Our year kicked off with a j o i n t o r c h e s t r a l venture, in which the concert O r c h e s t r a combined with the Scotch Symphony O r c h e s t r a for a s e r i e s of r e h e a r s a l s c u l m i n a t i n g in a p e r f o r m a n c e of an excerpt from Prokofier's " R o m e o and Juliet" at the end of February. A s i d e from the valuable orchestral e x p e r i e n c e , many new friendships were made, along with much surreptitious a s s e s s m e n t (on both sides) of each others new desk p a r t n e r which inevitably occurs when an all-female orchestra joins with an all-male one After recovering from this shock to the system, we were given the privilege of in R o t a r y ' s " S c h o o l s in H a r m o n y " M u s i c Festival, in which Senior Madrigals and the Senior String Q u a r t e t also took part The work then began in earnest, with the focus swinging to the Gala C o n c e r t p r e p a r a t i o n s with many rehearsals under the g u i d a n c e of our conductor, Mr. Fitzgerald, and with the assistance of our tutors, we t u r n e d

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in a fine p e r f o r m a n c e of the first movement of S c h u b e r t ' s "unfinished" s y m p h o n y and a music m a k i n g experience new to many Sun Music III" by Australian c o m p o s e r Peter S c u l t h o r p e .

Both pieces were e n t h u s i a s t i c a l l y r e c e i v e d by the larqe C o n c e r t Hall audience, and our eternal thanks go to Mr. Fitzgerald a n d all the s e s s i o n a l tutors.

Term t h r e e saw a p e r i o d of m u s i c a l e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n in r e h e a r s a l with music played ranging from G e r s h w i n to Vaughan Williams to "Mission Impossible." The iddle of t e r m also saw the sad d e p a r t u r e of Mr Fitzgerald, w h o p a s s e d the baton (excuse he pun!) to the capable hands of Mr Loughlin, w h o in his short time at the helm has already i m p r e s s e d us with his skill and experience, not to mention a s o m e w h a t sardonic wit. Under his guidance, the MLC C o n c e r t O r c h e s t r a looks set for c o n t i n u e d s u c c e s s and musical growth - g o o d luck for 98 guys!

Q u y n h - N h u Nguyen Year 12

Environment Ecocare Ecocare has helped clean up Australia w a t c h e d and learnt about the platypus in its natural habitat, spoken by satellite to s t u d e n t s in Japan about the environment and has taken visits to the Zoo, (as part of our s p o n s o r s h i p of t h e Southern H a i r y - N o s e d Wombat), to listen to Jazz Ecocare is now looking f o r w a r d to our w e e k e n d fieldtrip to Point N e p e a n where we will begin working on an M L C - d e s i g n a t ed site by pulling noxious w e e d s out. We will also be going on a bushwalk before c o m i n g back to think about how we can inspire, not only other s t u d e n t s , but each other, m a k i n g everybody feel like they can make a difference to our e n v i r o n m e n t .

Georgie Arnott Year 12

1997 has been Ecocare's first full year of e x p e r i m e n t i n g with e n v i r o n m e n t a l issues both in and o u t s i d e of MLC. It has been a valuable year for the Ecocare Executive w h o have been striving to find practical solutions to e n v i r o n m e n t a l hazards within the s c h o o l and ways of i n f o r m i n g and activating s t u d e n t s a r o u n d these.

This year we have f o c u s e d on issues such as p a p e r r e c y c l i n g (not j u s t for p r i n t i n g p a p e r ) , c o m p o s t a l t e r n a t i v e s for MLC's food scraps and the p o l y s t y r e n e 'plague' O v e r t h r o w i n g the use of p o l y s t y r e n e at MLC has been our goal and to achieve this, we have made both e d u c a t i o n a l and practical inroads. We talked to all levels of the school about why waste, p a r t i c u l a r l y w h e n it isn't b i o d e g r a d a b l e , is so bad and invited them to voice their s u p p o r t by signing our c o m m i t m e n t of aims. We are c u r r e n t l y i n v o l v e d in the s p o n s o r s h i p a r r a n g e m e n t s for the p r o d u c t i o n of 800 c e r a m i c m u g s w h i c h will h o p e f u l l y be u s e d i n s t e a d of p o l y s t y r i n e c u p s at p a r e n t - t e a c h e r interview nights and such o c c a s i o n s w h e r e t h e toxic s u b s t a n c e s e e m s to spring up.

mmammmmmm

Concert O r c h e s t r a 1997 has been, as ever, a busy and fruitful year for the MLC C o n c e r t Orchestra. Our year kicked off with a joint o r c h e s t r a l venture, in which the concert O r c h e s t r a c o m b i n e d with t h e S c o t c h Symphony O r c h e s t r a for a s e r i e s of r e h e a r s a l s , c u l m i n a t i n g in a p e r f o r m a n c e of an excerpt from Prokofier's " R o m e o and Juliet" at the end of February. Aside from the valuable orchestral experience, many new friendships were made, along with much surreptitious a s s e s s m e n t (on both sides) of each others new desk p a r t n e r which inevitably occurs w h e n an all-female o r c h e s t r a j o i n s with an all-male one.

After recovering from this shock to the system, we w e r e given the privilege of in R o t a r y ' s " S c h o o l s in H a r m o n y " M u s i c Festival, in which Senior Madrigals and the Senior String Q u a r t e t also took p a r t . T h e work then b e g a n in earnest, with the focus swinging to the Gala C o n c e r t p r e p a r a t i o n s with many r e h e a r s a l s under the g u i d a n c e of our conductor, Mr. Fitzgerald, and with the assistance of our tutors, we t u r n e d

in a fine p e r f o r m a n c e of the first movement of S c h u b e r t ' s "unfinished" symphony, and a music m a k i n g e x p e r i e n c e new to many "Sun Music III" by Australian c o m p o s e r Peter S c u l t h o r p e .

Both pieces were e n t h u s i a s t i c a l l y r e c e i v e d by t h e large C o n c e r t Hall audience, and our eternal t h a n k s go to Mr. Fitzgerald and all the s e s s i o n a l tutors.

Term t h r e e saw a p e r i o d of m u s i c a l e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n in r e h e a r s a l with music played ranging from G e r s h w i n to Vaughan Williams to "Mission Impossible." The iddle of t e r m also saw the sad d e p a r t u r e of Mr. Fitzgerald, w h o p a s s e d the baton (excuse the pun!) to the capable hands of Mr. Loughlin, w h o in his s h o r t time at the helm has already i m p r e s s e d us with his skill and e x p e r i e n c e , not to mention a s o m e w h a t sardonic wit. Under his g u i d a n c e , the MLC C o n c e r t O r c h e s t r a looks set for c o n t i n u e d s u c c e s s and musical growth - g o o d luck for '98 guys!

Q u y n h - N h u Nguyen Year 12

Environment Ecocare Ecocare has helped clean up Australia, w a t c h e d and learnt about the platypus in its natural habitat, spoken by satellite to s t u d e n t s in Japan about the environment and has taken visits to the Zoo, (as part of our s p o n s o r s h i p of t h e Southern H a i r y - N o s e d Wombat), to listen to Jazz.

Ecocare is now looking f o r w a r d to our w e e k e n d fieldtrip to Point N e p e a n where we will begin w o r k i n g on an M L C - d e s i g n a t ed site by pulling noxious w e e d s out. We will also be going on a bushwalk before c o m i n g back to think about how we can inspire, not only other students, but each other, m a k i n g everybody feel like they can make a difference to our e n v i r o n m e n t .

Georgie Arnott Year 12

1997 has been Ecocare's first full year of e x p e r i m e n t i n g with e n v i r o n m e n t a l issues both in and o u t s i d e of MLC. It has been a valuable year for the Ecocare Executive w h o have been striving to find practical solutions to e n v i r o n m e n t a l hazards within the school and ways of i n f o r m i n g and activating s t u d e n t s a r o u n d these.

This year we have f o c u s e d on issues such as p a p e r r e c y c l i n g (not j u s t for p r i n t i n g paper), c o m p o s t a l t e r n a t i v e s for M L C ' s food scraps and the polystyrene 'plague'.

O v e r t h r o w i n g the use of p o l y s t y r e n e at MLC has been our goal and to achieve this, we have made both e d u c a t i o n a l and practical inroads. We talked to all levels of the school about why waste, p a r t i c u l a r l y when it isn't biodegradable, is so bad and invited t h e m to voice their s u p p o r t by signing our c o m m i t m e n t of aims. We are c u r r e n t l y i n v o l v e d in the s p o n s o r s h i p a r r a n g e m e n t s for the production of 800 c e r a m i c m u g s w h i c h will h o p e f u l l y be u s e d i n s t e a d of p o l y s t y r i n e c u p s at parent-teacher interview nights and such o c c a s i o n s w h e r e t h e toxic s u b s t a n c e s e e m s to spring up.

57

"Rock Lobster" Group Project Year 10 Ceramics (Semester One)

Alex andra James Year 12 TD&D

Catherine Copely Year 12 Art

Susannah Good Year 7 Art

I

Julie Chiang Year 11 Graphics

d

Sally Reiter Year 10 Ceramics

Year 7 Woodwork

Karin Skipworth Year 12 TD&D

Photography

I

Art Week

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I m a g e s from King Neptune 's B a n q u e t

.!

62

a

•M

Art Week King N e p t u n e ' s B a n q u e t

On the night of the 6th of August, the air was filled with the smell of sea water as MLC's Betty J a c k s o n Hall had u n d e r g o n e a h u g e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n f r o m an o r d i n a r y school hall into a w o r l d of the sea and the creatures within. It was the evening of the Grand O p e n i n g of King Neptune's Banquet and all had c o m e to view the installation d e s c r i b e d as a "visual and musical feast".

Such a t h e m e had never been a t t e m p t e d before. In fact the idea of having a t h e m e had never been done before, but it proved to be a huge s u c c e s s as people left with an e n c h a n t e d i m p r e s s i o n of t h e A r t D e p a r t m e n t ' s d y n a m i c innovation.

A life size model of King N e p t u n e greeted people in an e n t r a n c e hallway lined with viewing boxes c a p t u r i n g the a t m o s p h e r e of the underwater world. The use of Year 7s skills on Claris W o r k s c r e a t e d slide s h o w s of underwater t h e m e s , such as m e r m a i d s and fish. On the other side the creative use of s h o e s s w a m a r o u n d t h e s e a e n v i r o n m e n t . P r o c e e d i n g next into a c e l e b r a t i o n of the sea, b a n q u e t t a b l e s centered the room and were t o p p e d with food, most c o m m o n to the u n d e r w o r l d .

Despite this unreal imaginary food, w a i t e r s paraded a r o u n d with the likes of sushi, calamari, scallops and chips. T h r o u g h the exhibition the c o m b i n e d

f o r c e s of J u n i o r s c h o o l to Year 11 c o m m e m o r a t e d their works and c a p t u r e d your fishy instincts, p r e p a r i n g people for the p a r a d e ahead. Soon, the talents of the Cato p e r c u s s i o n ensemble w e r e heard and led to a c h o r e o g r a p h e d p r o c e s s i o n of m e r m a i d s and sea creatures. The music t u r n e d into a suitable song "Underwater love" followed by a Year 11 fashion show inspired by the theme which could easily p a r a d e t h e c a t w a l k s of professional f a s h i o n shows, providing they a c c e p t e d t h e m e s of crabs, clams and fish!

As the night ended, people w h o d e p a r t e d into the foyer noticed a huge f o r m a t i o n of c e r a m i c fish. As they took a closer look at individual fish which had been c r e a t e d by every t e a c h e r at MLC they l a u g h e d and cried at their ironically creative outlets using feathers, sparkles, electronic pieces and bright colours reflecting the exhibition.

The s u c c e s s of the evening has p r o d u c e d an art extravaganza never to be forgotten by those w h o visited the sea world of King N e p t u n e and every person involved must be c o n g r a t u l a t e d on the exhibition of sea art.

C a t h e r i n e Copley Year 12

63

Languages Herman G e r m a n in S e n i o r S c h o o l has b e e n exciting, c h a l l e n g i n g , and enjoyable for all those involved. During LOTE ( L a n g u a g e Other T h a n English) Week we e n j o y e d Berliner Donuts with lovely G e r m a n cakes in class for special o c c a s i o n s .

For the Year 12 class, the focus has been on i m p r o v i n g e v e r y o n e ' s conversation skills for CAT 2, an oral exam; and also being a c c u s t o m e d to writing in G e r m a n for a variety of d i s c o u r s e forms and t h e m e s .

The class has been lucky to have lessons with other G e r m a n teachers, w h e r e the class practises their oral skills, d i s c u s s i n g colloquial German terms and other phrases which e n h a n c e the G e r m a n

c o n v e r s a t i o n . T h e t o p i c s that we have studied this year include Love, Environment, Migrants living in Germany, and an intensive look at Young People's Hopes and D r e a m s for the Future, in order to p r e p a r e for CAT 3. A few of the students in the class had been on trips to G e r m a n y d u r i n g their s u m m e r break and so it has been interesting to hear about their e x p e r i e n c e s in the c o u n t r y that many of us d r e a m of visiting some day.

Year 12 G e r m a n has b e e n t h o r o u g h l y enjoyable, d u r i n g which s t u d e n t s have improved dramatically and have proved to be excellent a m b a s s a d o r s for Australia on visiting G e r m a n y in the future.

Laura Fitzgerald Year 12

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Languages French Exchange Hosting Student

a

French

Exchange

"Look, her plane has landed. Dad, hold the sign higher so she can see it. Hey, do you reckon that's her?

She looks kinda French!"

That's how our six w e e k s with Emilie, our French e x c h a n g e student, began. Her first day in Australia w a s the last day of Term Two, so after a long sleep-in we made our way over to MLC to see the school and buy the uniform. This was a huge c h a n g e for Emilie, who said in France they don't care what you wear to s c h o o l , "As long as y o u don't come naked."

During the holidays we m a n a g e d to fit in trips to Sydney, C a n b e r r a and Adelaide.

An Adelaide Wildlife Park we visited even allowed us to hold the koalas there - one of the highlights of Emilie's stay (and mine, b e c a u s e I'd never held a koala either!). We also hand fed w a l l a b i e s and

k a n g a r o o s . At the M e l b o u r n e Zoo, Emilie had the guts to hold a snake all by herself!

Emilie was not looking f o r w a r d to going to school after the holidays, but once she arrived she realised how different A u s t r a l i a n s c h o o l s are f r o m t h o s e in France. S c h o o l hours are much longer in France, and they don't have any elective subjects. Emilie took a d v a n t a g e of this at MLC and her subjects included Cooking, D r a m a and Photography, w h i c h was her favourite. Emilie really enjoyed school and p a r t i c i p a t e d in many activities including School Volleyball, Choir and House Music.

She e s p e c i a l l y liked the "formal festivities".

Six w e e k s went by very quickly and our w h o l e family was sad to see her go. I can't wait to see her again w h e n I stay with her over C h r i s t m a s !

Sarah Patterson Year 11

65

I

Languages French anil J a p a n e s e Being a Host Sister At the airport: "No M u m , t h a t ' s not her, s h e isn't blonde... No Mum, she's not part of the A m e r i c a n Hockey Team ... No Mum, that's a boy!"

Geraldine and I w e r e friends right from the start. OK, so there were times w h e n we'd look at each other in total c o n f u s i o n and dive for a Dictionary, but who cares? After s o m e sign l a n g u a g e or a r t w o r k , t h i n g s were always clearer.

(Yes, hosting s o m e o n e can improve you Pictionary skills as well as your French!)

She arrived in the Term Two break, so we had the perfect e x c u s e to go on a family h o l i d a y ! We s t a y e d in C a n b e r r a a n d Sydney, being classic tourists. (We even swam at Bondi Beach, despite it being 10 degrees Celcius outside!)

Exchange s t u d e n t s are a great reason to avoid h o m e w o r k Fairy p e n g u i n s and koalas are, after all, much more interesting than a n a l y t i c a l essays.

Geraldine made me think about my own identity. S u d d e n l y , I saw Melbourne through the eyes of a stranger. I c o u l d appreciate our history and our culture. We take so many things for granted, like the sculptures on street corners or the fairy l i g h t s in our t r e e s . B r e a k f a s t b e c a m e exciting, b e c a u s e of the Weetbix and the Vegemite. G o i n g s o m e w h e r e by tram was an adventure.

I also learnt f a s c i n a t i n g stuff about life in France, such as: People eat their oysters ALIVE!!

(Yuk) They go skiing in PE classes (Cool) T h e r e ' s no s c h o o l uniform! (Woohoo!)

They don't have Bananas in P y j a m a s (Doh!) They do have Pizza Hut (Thank g o o d n e s s ) I taught Geraldine h e a p s of useful expressions, such as "This sucks" and

66

"Pretty cool". (Her English t e a c h e r wil no doubt be very i m p r e s s e d with me!)

She in turn taught me all the t r e n d y French e x p r e s s i o n s . (And if you're always making mistakes, so is the textbook!)

Geraldine is back in France and I will go to G r e n o b l e with her over C h r i s t m a s . I can't wait to see her again!

Alison T h o m s o n Year 11

Japanese It was the beginning of J a p a n e s e and Mrs. Taylor c a m e up to me and asked if I w a n t e d to model a Kimono. I said, "Yes." I was asked to wear nothing but stockings and a t-shirt. First, I had to put on these really different shoes that made my feet hurt but that was just the b e g i n n i n g . There were towels and bows and ribbons and boofy t h i n g s that made you look really large. After I had the whole kimono on, I was so hot that the lady w h o was teaching us that day had to keep t a k i n g out her fan a n d f a n n i n g me. It w a s really e m b a r r a s s i n g . The most e m b a r r a s s i n g part of all was t r y i n g to sit down and I couldn't!

It was really funny at the end b e c a u s e it had taken an hour to put on but it only took 4 minutes to take it all off again! Overall, I enjoyed d r e s s i n g up in a k i m o n o !

S t e p h a n i e Huggett Year 7

Languages Suinos v i s i t MLC Could

you

ever

get

sick

of

the

Sumo

hype?

Over 1000 p e o p l e c r a m m e d into t h e Assembly Hall and b u m p e d elbows with international media in an attempt to enrich our learning and see if the stage which normally holds t e a c h e r s could really take the weight of a 2 7 0 k g man and friends.

When the S u m o w r e s t l e r s visited MLC, students from s c h o o l s all over V i c t o r i a were invited and there were security guards and police to match.

As these J a p a n e s e idols d e s c e n d e d the stairs of the bus in their traditional attire and p r o c e e d e d up the rather steep looking stairs of Cato, Year 1 s t u d e n t s g r e e t e d them in J a p a n e s e .

The entire occasion had a great atmosphere, with the Assembly Hall decorated with posters and w e l c o m e s

w r i t t e n in J a p a n e s e to c a t e r for the sumos, for only one could s p e a k English.

T h e r e was also an MLC flag in prime position, appearing on every news c h a n n e l along with the s u m o wrestlers in Australia and Japan.

For the students who don't study J a p a n e s e and could not m a n a g e to sneak into t h e hall, g e t t i n g to c l a s s w a s a c h a l l e n g e , with all the school gates locked and a large area f e n c e d off a r o u n d the hall.

For the Year 12 J a p a n e s e students, it was a c h a n c e to obtain a better u n d e r s t a n d i n g of J a p a n e s e s p o r t s in J a p a n . To the q u e s t i o n , could you ever get sick of Sumo hype, the awe struck faces of the younger s t u d e n t s down the front s u m m e d it up with inquisitive innocence, of course, no.

Rachael Kirby Year 12

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International Student Report Fresh from Malaysia and eager for new experiences and challenges, I landed in MLC in 1996. As eager as I was to c o m e to MLC, I was terrified of having to go through the t e r m in a drastically different envir o n m e n t a m o n g s t total strangers. My first hurdle definitely had to be surviving the first day of s c h o o l . A l t h o u g h I had been to the O r i e n t a t i o n Day earlier in the holidays, I had still b e e n left as lost as ever. Even now, I can still r e m e m b e r vividly how it went.

I walked slowly, faltering with each step I took.

Weaving my way t h r o u g h the c r o w d , I s e a r c h e d desperately hoping for a f a m i l i a r face. I s p o t t e d two people standing awkwardly at the Centenary entrance amidst the confusion.

Relief w a s h e d over me.

My heart p o u n d e d as I a p p r o a c h e d t h e m . They w e l c o m e d me w a r m l y just as e a g e r as I w a s to make c o n v e r s a t i o n with someone.

T h e first day h a d not b e e n a 'bed of roses'.

The school was a maze and even now I still have no idea w h e r e M i d d l e School is. It was difficult having no family to provide emotional and moral s u p p o r t during my first few w e e k s at school.

I returned daily to a small room in the MLC B o a r d i n g H o u s e to a r o o m - m a t e who was a

68

total stranger. However, one relief was that I have not e x p e r i e n c e d any form of racial d i s c r i m i n a t i o n in MLC. Before coming, many Malaysians and S i n g a p o r e a n s held or still hold the belief that A u s t r a l i a n s are racist, particularly against Chinese. On the contrary, M L C w a s like a h u g e melting pot.

Students c a m e from all over the globe.

Lesson time was an interesting aspect of MLC life. T h e t e a c h e r - s t u d e n t relationship was definitely different. The t e a c h e r s h e r e w e r e like f r i e n d s , ever-ready to help. Back home, teachers never spent extra time assisting s t u d e n t s , that w a s t h e tutors' job. However, as helpful as the t e a c h e r s were, I faced great difficulty in the t e c h n o l o gy field. In a d d i t i o n to a d j u s t i n g to the new syllabus, I had to learn about laptop technology, s i n c e w e never used c o m p u t e r s in Malaysia. I still r e m e m b e r h o w a handful of girls and I struggled, particularly through Accounting c l a s s e s trying to keep up with the rest.

Leaving all those problems aside, the hardest and sometimes most nerve-racking part of coming to MLC was e n d u r i n g the c o n t i n u a l process of trying to fit in.

For s o m e o n e like me,

w h o s e first language is English, I f o u n d myself c a u g h t in the m i d d l e .

O v e r s e a s s t u d e n t s from the s a m e c o u n t r i e s tend to click t o g e t h e r due to the common mother tongue, and I could not u n d e r s t a n d their conversations. Australian lingo was hard to decipher and there was an initial cultural barrier. I u n d e r s t o o d that most overseas students felt more comf o r t a b l e t a l k i n g in their mother tongue.

As for the A u s t r a l i a n s , f r i e n d ship g r o u p s had already b e e n f o r m e d . However, with time, I did find my place, a l t h o u g h it is not as c o m f o r t a b l e as I would like it to be.

It did get really frustrating at times. Australia is not my home and it is not where I grew up. C o m i n g m e a n t h a v i n g to give up the securities of Malaysia. I realised that c o m i n g in Year 11 would be h a r d as everyone would already have their own g r o u p of f r i e n d s .

However, there were p e o p l e out t h e r e w h o made an effort to make me feel comfortable.

Those people really made a difference and I will be grateful to them always.

J e a n Mei Lim Year 12

Debating Inter-School Debating They say that d e b a t e r s love to hear the s o u n d of their o w n v o i c e s . Why else would they c o m m i t t h e m s e l v e s to year after year of team meetings, the pressure of having to 'perform' in front of an audience (without the luxury of weeks of rehearsal), having to 'think on your feet', the adrenalin pumping e x p e r i e n c e of a s e c r e t topic or a d v i s e d debate, where it all has to come together in one hour?

'The Great Kate Debate" on Friday 5 S e p t e m b e r in the MLC A s s e m b l y Hall may have a n s w e r e d this question for many people.

It s e e m e d f i t t i n g that I n t e r s c h o o l D e b a t i n g at MLC for 1 9 9 7 should draw to a close with the s u c c e s s of t h i s e v e n t .

A co-production with S c o t c h C o l l e g e , it saw Y e a r 12 students p a r t i c i p a t i n g in a d e b a t e which scrutinised Shakespeare and his w o r k s for e v i d e n c e of misogyny. S p e a k e r s exercised the many d e b a t i n g skills they had d e v e l o p e d over 3 or 4 y e a r s in Interschool D e b a t i n g and e n t e r t a i n e d their sizeable a u d i e n c e in the process.

T h e r e was no extrinsic r e w a r d , or c o m p e t i t i o n points, at stake. So what was in it for them?

Perhaps their obvious e n j o y m e n t of the occasion was attributable to the a d r e n a l i n r u s h of debating under pressure?

Or was it the social interaction? I draw attention

to this event, not b e c a u s e it w a s more i m p o r t a n t than any other inter-school debate the girls have c o m p e t e d in this year. Not at all.

Rather, this debate typified the attitude and the integrity of MLC Interschool Debaters this year. All s e a s o n , f r o m M a r c h to A u g u s t , g i r l s had to work as a t e a m .

S o m e t i m e s this m e a n t weeks of r e s e a r c h leading up to a p r e p a r e d topic debate; s o m e t i m e s the p r e s s u r e was more concentrated in the secret topic or a d v i s e d d e b a t e s , when girls had j u s t a few m i n u t e s to d r e a m up their inspirational, witty and compelling arguments. And yet so few girls ever saw this!

MLC Interschool Debates generally took place in front of a tiny a u d i e n c e , if t h e r e w a s any at all. On the one h a n d , this was d i s a p p o i n t i n g : MLC d e b a t e r s d e s e r v e d to have more s p e c t a t o r s to s u p p o r t t h e m a n d t o witness their tussles and t r i u m p h s . On the o t h e r h a n d , this s p e a k s volumes for the c o m m i t m e n t and the character of MLC debaters, particularly t h o s e in our Year 12 t e a m s w h o had been i n v o l v e d in I n t e r s c h o o l D e b a t i n g for 3 or 4 years, with very few p e o p l e to w i t n e s s their efforts over those years.

Debates, like any other team sport, are not w o n by individual 'stars' alone. Often the

impressive p e r f o r m a n c e of a n i n d i v i d u a l in a debate is a s much d u e to t h e collective w i s d o m of the team, or a terrific r e b u t t a l or two given to her by a team member. There is no place for s e l f i s h n e s s in debating.

H a v i n g said that, however, there were some excellent performances, repeatedly r e c o g n i s e d by the DAV a d j u d i c a t o r s in d e b a t e s t h r o u g h o u t the competition.

The following debaters were judged 'Best Speaker' on more than one occasion: Margaret Shaw (Year 12); N a t a l i e Fan (Year 11); J a n e Terry a n d C l a r e W e l l a r d (Year 10); and Laura Tarzia and Earlene Silvapulle (Year 9 ).

T h e s e girls d e s e r v e our c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s , as do the D1 a n d C2 t e a m s , who missed out on the finals by a mere point in one debate. Finally, our c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s go to our B2 team, w h o had a very successful undefeated season, progressing t h r o u g h to t h e 'octofinals' before finally losing to a strong team f r o m Trinity. We look forward to their leadership of MLC d e b a t i n g in 1998, and trust they will be as p o s i t i v e a n d c o m m i t t e d as this year's Year 12s were.

G r a h a m Parr SS D e b a t i n g and Public Speaking Coordinator

Physics

•HI

P h y s i c s CAT 1 After endless deliberation and c o n f e r e n c e s with a slightly exasperated Physics Teacher, we made a d e c i s i o n on the topic of our CAT. We were going to test the v i s c o s i t y of glycerine (ie: how quickly it f l o w e d or didn't flow).

At the risk of being m o n o t o n o u s , we filled out e n d l e s s e q u i p m e n t requisition forms (one), details of m e t h o d and set up (three) and p u r c h a s e d exercise books (two) from the B o o k r o o m , extending Taryn's Boarder's A c c o u n t a little further.

Actually, the above activities were possibly the easiest part of the entire p r o j e c t (full n a m e : E x t e n d e d P r a c t i c a l Investigation). Whilst the Einsteins of Year Twelve Physics s t r e s s e d about how their s u p e r - d u p e r d e l u x e m o d e l s of s o u n d d e t e c t i o n would perform without quality insulation and STP ( s t a n d a r d t e m p e r a t u r e and pressure) lab c o n d i t i o n s , we were up in t h e A u d i o V i s u a l department c o n t e m p l a t i n g the c o m p l e x i t i e s of o p e n i n g a video c a m e r a tripod. Several lessons later, we e m e r g e d from AV as c o m p e t e n t c a m e r a operators and o b t a i n e d the smelly, oily lubricative fluid (glycerine) from the o v e r w o r k e d lab assistant, Ms Tao. After which, we attempted to set up a falling s p h e r e v i s c o m e t e r b e f o r e f i g u r i n g out exactly what it was. At this point, and not really surprisingly, we ran into a bit of trouble. A l t h o u g h some people would find filming a ball falling t h r o u g h glycerine in a tall, c y l i n d r i c a l glass e x t r e m e l y s i m p l e , getting the lighting right and f o c u s s i n g the shot proved to be the real challenge.

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After n u m e r o u s test runs, we d e c i d e d to go for the real thing and actually collect s o m e data. This involved d r o p p i n g a ball into the glycerine and filming its descent to the bottom of the c y l i n d e r . a n d then a t t e m p t i n g to retrieve it using a huge magnet. This required a great deal of skill for Taryn, while Pia suffered RSI (repetitive strain injury) from pressing the record button (possibly the hardest part of the entire project). At last we had found the rhythm of recording data and setting up the e q u i p m e n t for the next variable. E v e r y t h i n g s e e m e d to be running smoothly.and then disaster struck.

S o m e one (who will r e m a i n u n n a m e d ) accidently broke the glass cylinder we were using. Luckily, Ms Tao (lab assistant extraordinaire) c a m e to the rescue. With her quick t h i n k i n g a n d a s p e e d y t r i p across to the C h e m i s t r y D e p a r t m e n t , she m a n a g e d to "borrow" yet another glass cylinder. With that c a t a s t r o p h e behind us, we c o m p l e t e d the p r a c t i c a l w o r k , a n d r e t u r n i n g to AV, our h o m e away f r o m home, extracted d i s t a n c e - t i m e data from the video t a p e . o n c e again with the much needed assistance of Rob (Mr AV). Finally, we c o m p i l e d the data and wrote the report in true V B O S CAT style and now await with all f i n g e r s c r o s s e d for g o o d r e s u l t s , we hope.

Taryn Lay & Pia Hayat Year 12

hhi

Marshmead Poems End

Away...

The trees, the water, Looks like they never end.

A green mass goes on forever The blue ripples continue to descend.

from all the yelling.

Away from all the fights.

I run away to Utopia.

Where no one is in sight.

Away Away to hear the birds chirp.

Flying in the heavenly crimson sky.

Up to lush green pastures.

It's where I watch and sigh.

But everything always ends, No matter if you want it to or not.

You have to let go of the Moments, the memories in just one shot.

One painful and powerful shot, One that changes you forever, Just knowing that those days will never.

Never dwell on me again, Never the same feeling or Experience, just as they were then.

Then, was in the past, A past of fun and laughter A past of not happily ever after.

After, after it's over we all look back.

Sophie Ryan

As I sit at the Cross and ponder.

I see the cows down yonder.

Clumped up all together, In this breezy weather.

They all begin to moo As if they're asking "Who are you?"

Silently I wonder Until there's a crack of thunder.

It's all so very frightening When all I see is lightning.

Scurrying like a timid mouse Until I reach my house.

I want to go away again It's all I really yearn.

So when the weather's fine again.

Away I will return.

Alena Sharp

The Unnatural Act of Nature Carelessly, impervious to beauty, it arrives, Mighty in its full blown destruction of everything in its path.

The evil flame licks at the tree trunks, Demanding their lives; Swallowing their existence, Like a whirlpool.

The animals begin to run, but the fire grabs them, Pulling them into it's stronghold; It rips through the forest, Then dies.

Leaving behind a path of decaying skeletons, The unnatural act of nature.

Marguerite Tarzia

Marshmead Best k Worst... * "Watching the s u n r i s e " -Pippa Burford

* "Major Inspection mornings" -Naomi Raggat

* " C o v e r i n g Mr B e s t in m u d w a t e r on e x p e d i t i o n " -Evelyn Tadros

and

* "Making brandy in t h e m o r n i n g " -Anonymous

3am

snaps

* " S i t t i n g up in t h e t e n t t a l k i n g on e x p e d i t i o n " -Alice Baker

at

at

night

* "The f i r s t time I saw the f u l l m o o n r i s e up o v e r t h e mountains" -Liz Gill * "When I finished Time Trials" -Adele Kelly * " S l e e p i n g at t h e -Anonymous

the

Titanic

* "Doing self-evaluations" -Emma Officer * "Cressy duty" -Bee

singing

at

breakfast

Feller

* " T e a t o w e l d u t y in t h e wind" -Alice Baker * " H i t t i n g my f a c e o n towel holder" -Marita Lilley

freezing

the

paper

* " G e t t i n g s t r e s s e d over ing Emma's tape" - J e s s Mc D o n n e l

break-

* C a p s i z i n g my c a n o e " -Laura O'Neill

Cross"

* " S u r f i n g t h e d u n e s on -Bridget Bashem

* " E m m a a s k i n g me t h i s q u e s tion" -Isabelle Waters-Lynch

expo"

* "The third expedition" -Liz Gill

* " G e t t i n g my d u c k l i n g " -Bee Feller *" C r e e k b a s h i n g " -Katherine Brown

of

four

day

* " S t a n d i n g at t h e b o t t o m of t h e k n o l l s on f o u r d a y e x p e d i t i o n " -Bobbi Snider

* " A n n o y i n g e v e r y o n e by at b r e a k y d u t y " - C r e s s y Mc D o n a l d

singing

* " B e a c h on t w o d a y -Bobbi Snider

expedition"

*" S e e i n g my p a r e n t s Visiting Weekend" -Laura O'Neill

on

*" W a l k i n g t h r o u g h t o p the last t i m e ( J o k e ! ) " -Jae Stirling

day

* " B r i d g e t h u r t i n g her back and n o t b e i n g a b l e t o c o m e on E x p o w i t h me - t h e s i l l y g i r l ! " - C r e s s y Mc D o n a l d

Parents'

* " B e i n g s e p a r a t e d on expedition" -Bridget Basham

gate

* " W h e n our c h i c k e n s died" -Margurite Tarzia

for

four

day

* " B i l l c h a s i n g me in t h e c h o o k pen, while I was walking through" - J a s m i n e Mc G r e g o r

Boarding House Home Away From Home S o m e t h i n g which helps to make MLC such a u n i q u e a n d d i v e r s e s c h o o l is its Boarding house, which is h o m e to approximately 100 girls and 10 staff f r o m all over Victoria, Australia and overseas.

Being a boarder at MLC is like b e l o n g i n g to a small c o m m u n i t y within such a large school. It's very different to being a day girl, and we make the most of it. After all, we can sleep in late and shower d u r i n g spares, b e c a u s e we live only 100 metres from our c l a s s r o o m s !

T h e b o a r d i n g h o u s e also g i v e s us a c h a n c e to be involved in t h i n g s like the Boarders A n n u a l Play and 'Boarderline', the boarding house's magazine. We also organise a Year 11 & 12 semi formal and get to go to Boarders' Socials held by schools within the area. We also get to a t t e n d B o a r d e r s ' D a n c i n g C l a s s e s and s p o r t s c o m p e t i t i o n s , such as netball and b a s k e t b a l l . Each B o a r d i n g H o u s e staff m e m b e r also heads a team of girls in what are called TAG ( T i d d e m a n Activity Group) Teams. TAG Teams give boarders f r o m different year levels the c h a n c e to interact

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as a group and go on e x c u r s i o n s to places like the Hard Rock Cafe.

Every week we attend a half hour chapel s e r v i c e with Rev S t e r n e r - L i n d where we sing songs and contribute to d i s c u s s i o n s and activities. Once a year, e a c h TAG team o r g a n i s e s its own chapel service, where the b o a r d e r s of that TAG t e a m are basically responsible for running the entire chapel service.

Boarding life also has a down side, such as waiting in line for phones and showers, not being able to receive phone calls after 9 . 3 0 p m , getting gated, having to sign out to b r e a k f a s t , d o i n g k i t c h e n d u t y a n d h a v i n g l i g h t s out (for y e a r s 7 - 11).

However, t h e s e things teach us how to be patient and tolerant.

The B o a r d i n g House is definitely a very special part of MLC, and all the people who live in the boarding house make it a lively and fun place to be!

Kasey Brunt Year 11

:

k

Boarding House B o a r d e r s ' B i r t h d a y Night In a h o u s e w h e r e over 100 girls a n d mistresses live and work together, celebrating everybody's birthday on over 100 separate days can work out to be quite a d e m a n d i n g f e a t ! A l t h o u g h e a c h girl receives a birthday cake on their birthday, t h e B o a r d i n g H o u s e h o l d s an a n n u a l Boarder's Birthday Night, w h e r e fun and festivities reach an all time high, a n d everyone's birthday is c e l e b r a t e d at the same time.

E v e r y year, the m i s t r e s s e s put on a m y s t e r y s h o w for the b o a r d e r s . T h i s mysterious 'act' leaves all the b o a r d e r s g u e s s i n g and in the past t h e m e s have included "The Brady Bunch," "Snow White" and "70s Music Festival." Boarders also receive a birthday present on the night and it is s o m e t h i n g different every year. This y e a r T i d d e m a n House gave each boarder a w a t e r b o t t l e , w h i c h t h e b o a r d e r s have s p o r t e d all over the house and at day school.

T h e night b e g i n s w i t h the m i s t r e s s e s performing their play, and food, p r e p a r e d especially by the B o a r d i n g House Kitchen Staff, f o l l o w s a n d c o n s i s t s of e n t r e e s , mains and d e s s e r t s . The huge birthday

cake p r e p a r e d is cut after dessert, and s e r v e s as a f t e r n o o n tea for the next few days. The tradition with the cutting of the cake and blowing out of the c a n d l e s is that the y o u n g e s t boarder in the house blows out the c a n d l e s and the girl w h o has been in the B o a r d i n g House the longest cuts the cake.

After this, boarders then have a chance to s h o w off their talent in the B o a r d e r s " Talent Show. Dancing, singing and acting are c o m m o n in this s e g m e n t of the night, a n d d u r i n g this the d i n i n g room fills with laughs (at the funny acts) and appreciation for everyone w h o contributes.

At t h e e n d of the n i g h t , exhausted b o a r d e r s move up to their rooms and often fall into deep sleeps, with a good n i g h t h a v i n g b e e n had by all. T h e B o a r d e r ' s B i r t h d a y Night is a t r a d i t i o n w h i c h I'm sure will c o n t i n u e for a long time into the future and will continue to be a s u c c e s s f u l and enjoyable evening for all b o a r d e r s celebrating their special day.

Melissa Wei Year 12

•WB>

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A Tribute to Mrs Brnailwav Tiddeman House D i r e c t o r 1992 1997 Mrs Lynn Broadway arrived at Methodist Ladies College in 1992, taking up the position as Director of Tiddeman House. A smiling face amongst many nervous, new boarders, it was almost impossible to tell that she herself was new. She took to the somewhat challenging role with ease; open to new ideas and a range of opinions.

Mrs Broadway has led the Boarding House through times of change, with the improvement in facilities over the six years being immense.

We have seen renovations in kitchen facilities; living areas; and much new furniture. Her strong, yet approachable leadership style, has meant that may good ideas have become reality. It has also meant that when faced with either a challenge or dilemma, Mrs Broadway has dealt with it in a calm fashion, reaching reasonable, balanced solutions.

f ,. i

The sense of community has been strong with Mrs Broadway as leader. Her ability to interact with girls of varying ages has helped establish a warm, happy environment. One which embodies ma ny of the same qualities as home, yet distinct in its differences. She has managed to become an integral part

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of the community, invoking the House spirit through her pride in all Boarding House activities, and wearing the boarding house colour, red, proudly.

Amid the excitement of Boarding House life, M rs Broadway has managed to raise a family, two boys, Tristan and Jayson. It has been comforting having a family figure as leader of this community. And her family have also helped shape this environment, adding character and diversity.

It goes without saying that Mrs. Broadway will be greatly missed when she leaves at the end of the year to take on a new challenge. While the Boarding House will obviously not be the same once she has left, we can only hope that her many achievements are both remembered and reflected. We hope she takes with her many warm memories, as most do when they leave the Boarding House. The dedication and determination she has shown while at MLC highlight that she has the capacity to be successful at all future pursuits. We wish her luck, with best wishes for her future and family.

Tia Starey Year 12

:

Community Involvement Middle School C o n t r i b u t i o n to Community S e r v i c e At the end of First Term, I was confronted with two empty weeks of holidays and not a lot planned. Using my family contacts, I sent off a letter of application to my sister's Primary School enquiring if I could work as a volunteer in their School Holiday Program. Two weeks later I had received a letter in reply and a phone call, accepting me as a volunteer.

I made my Contribution to the Community by volunteering at a child care centre/ kindergarten in Balaclava. I really enjoyed this work. I got to know the children very well and had a great time reading to them, playing with them in the playground and experiencing many other activities.

As much as the children enjoyed my company, I equally enjoyed my visits to the centre.

Although I found this work very demanding at the end of the day I always felt satisfied.

I was able to involve myself in the children's activities such as outdoor games, reading, cooking, and craft activities. I helped the staff with the care and safety of the children and was able to respond to their needs.

This first hand experience allowed me to contribute my own knowledge and skills to the community, and it was fantastic to sit back and reflect on how I actually helped, organised, and supervised the children.

I also made a Contribution to the Community by volunteering to work at the Salvation Army Opportunity Shop. Here I assisted by sorting bric-a-brac, and colour coding clothing for sale. The staff at the Opportunity Shop were very appreciative of my help and it was very rewarding to know that my contribution was going to help further the fantastic work that the Salvation Army does for needy people in the community.

CTC was a fantastic experience and opened up to me the world of being assertive, aware and responsible. I learnt to be patient, understanding, and to work cooperatively with both the children and staff. I developed good coping strategies in difficult situations. I gained a great deal of self satisfaction from all this, and knowing that I took the noose and did my bit for the community gave me the biggest buzz!

Voluntary work is a unique opportunity available to all young people. In giving to others, you always receive something back in return. I contributed my time to the community and in return I gained knowledge, skills, responsibility, self awareness and satisfaction.

All these factors become so much more important to you, once you have taken the first step and gone out into the community to help others and make a real contribution.

Caitlin Tierney Year 9

Sarah Beer Year 9

Community Involvement F r i e n d s for older p e o p l e As Year 12 s t u d e n t s it is s o m e t i m e s difficult to see the bigger picture. To see beyond the terrifying TER and catastrophic CATs is often hard. To e n d u r e this year, it helps if you can recognise that t h e r e is a life beyond the perfect 99.95 score. We have been able to do this t h r o u g h our involvement in the Friends for Older People Program.

Friends for Older People is a v o l u n t e e r program that promotes and supports friendships between nursing home r e s i d e n t s a n d m e m b e r s of t h e l o c a l community.

I n i t i a t e d by t h e F e d e r a l G o v e r n m e n t , it a i m s to a l l e v i a t e t h e boredom and loneliness of isolated people living in nursing homes. What m o t i v a t e d us to join this p r o g r a m is that we w a n t e d to help people in the community. We were aware that people living in nursing h o m e s do not always have regular contact with friends or relatives, and we felt we could make a difference to their lives. We have been visiting an older lady on a weekly basis

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for s o m e time now. She lives in a nursing home within walking distance from school, which is great as this allows us to visit her in our l u n c h t i m e s or spare periods. We have b e e n able to develop a w o n d e r f u l f r i e n d s h i p with her.

Our involvement in this p r o g r a m is certainly fun-filled and extremely rewarding.

It is so interesting hearing about the lives of older people in our c o m m u n i t y - we can learn so much from them. The lady we visit has given us a unique perspective on life and friendships.

She has taught us to appreciate these more.

As V C E students it is i m p o r t a n t that we d o n ' t b e c o m e too i n t r o s p e c t i v e .

It is i m p o r t a n t that we take time out from our h e c t i c s c h e d u l e s a n d m a k e t i m e for others. It is a m a z i n g what you learn when you least expect it.

In giving to others there is always s o m e t h i n g that you receive in return.

Victoria Kane & Becky G i l b e r t s o n Year 12

Community Involvement S e n i o r School Ozanam House V o l u n t e e r Program I can honestly say that I didn't want to go to Ozanam House at first.

I resisted temptation and went to school. I met with my classmates and my tutor group teacher. We were all dressed appropriately in jeans, jumper and doc look - not particularly flattering, although comfortable and acceptable.

For those of you who don't know, Ozanam House is run by St. Vincent De Paul and is a hostel that caters largely for homeless males, providing them with the necessary things to get through life. These necessities include food, shelter, beds and access to social workers, etc. To run smoothly Ozanam House relies heavily on volunteers.

Volunteers must be 16 years and over, and therefore only students in Year 11 and above can participate in this programme at MLC. Throughout the year Tutor Groups are called upon to help out up at at their evening meal program. The 16th July was I I L's night and I was one of the girls happy to give up their time.

When we arrived at Ozanam we were all presented with a pure white apron, we prepared the tables, and then were asked to serve each person up a meal, cafeteria style.

We were encouraged to move around the tables and chat to the clients.

Although this was a daunting thought at first, once we had a dish cloth in our hands and felt as though we had a role, it wasn't that bad.

Each one of us has probably had our share of troubles and Ozanam House for these people is a place where they can be relaxed and happy. Perhaps like home for us!

A range of characters came in that night for a meal. One man explained to me that he needed a little more mashed potato because of his lack of teeth which he proceeded to show me, while another guy told me about all the movies he was going to see with his gold card this week! Each person made me realise how lucky I am for what I have, and how we as a country label others all too quickly. The people who I met at Ozanam were nice, loving people who were just going through a rough time.

Overall, I can say that despite the negative connections which I incorrectly made with Ozanam House, I loved the experience I had there and would gladly go again. The atmosphere is positive and every worker is always going out of his or her way to make somebody, whether it be a volunteer or a client, happy.

Kate Horner Year 11

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Community Involvement MILE T u t o r i n g P r o g r a m A tiny hand darts timidly towards my palm. W a r m and t e n a c i o u s , d e l i c a t e fingers entwine themselves a r o u n d mine, and suddenly the chill ebbs from the dank, s h a d o w y hall. The North Richmond Tenants Council Hall adopts a cosier, almost welcoming appearance but perhaps it is just my perspective that has been t r a n s f o r m e d .

On my first visit as a volunteer tutor p a r t i c i p a t i n g in MLC's MYLE program, f r a g m e n t s of a r e c e n t article I had read about the highrise flats swam cruelly in my mind and a n n o t a t e d ugly d e s p a i r with each vision my eyes set upon.

Balconies blocked off b e c a u s e too many people had leaped to suicide from t h e m . A park w h i c h s h e l t e r e d a c o r p s e so often that the children who played there had grown achingly casual when reporting the disc o v e r y of yet a n o t h e r "stiff in the park" to their families.

I'd read about b a t h r o o m s b r i m m i n g with syringes, knife-fights and hoods, violence and murders.

But the article had neglected to m e n t i o n the gentle shuffle as loving parents shyly nudged their children t o w a r d s us.

The miniature six year-old hands with perfect, baby fingernails that stubbornly traced Reader lines, anxious to decipher the mysterious code of English. And

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so I, in my posh private school uniform, green pleats and cashmere scarf, stumbled upon this reality so far removed from my own with something like fear grown from stupid ignorance, and a vague, self-righteous sensation of doing something "good".

Twice weekly, a small group of Year 11 & 12 girls from MLC visit the North Richmond Public Housing Estate. We set ourselves up in the Tenants Council Hall located at the bottom of highrise building Number 106. We provide a drop-in service for Primary School children living on the estate, who are of Non-English Speaking Background, who are having difficulty with their school work because of their cultural and language differences. We give these children assistance with their reading, spelling, writing and other school related tasks. They give us an hour of escape from VCE, beautiful smiles and cheeky giggles, and insight into a my riad of foreign cultures.

Our offering s e e m s so v e r y p a l t r y in comparison.

Of course there are the odd challenges, such as Anna, who is super-intelligent, and delights in writing complex stories about her cat and illustrating every page, whilst five students wait impatiently behind her for our help.

Then there's Roberto, who's too cool for school by a million miles, reads his Paul Jennings story with perfect fluency,

but then can't recall a single word that he's read. One of my favourites is a little girl called Guilahmena who brings me grade four readers, but can't speak or understand English. It took me forty-five minutes of pleading and cajoling to realise that she couldn't comprehend a single word that I'd uttered. Last time I visited, Guilahmena could name her nose, eyes, mouth and ears, and I was ecstatic.

I've certainly shed my initial fear.

Often I go home smiling, but just a little depressed, because these people deserve so much more than they have, and there is nothing really that I can do about it. But perhaps the MYLE program does more than I realise. Sometimes I dare to hope that we are achieving what so many struggle to attain - an understanding, empathy, friendship and tolerance that extends beyond racial barriers.

On our 'fridge at home there is a picture that Anna drew for me. There is a tall girl smiling with yellow hair, and blue eyes. The tall girl is holding hands with a little girl who has black hair and brown eyes, Both are smiling with big, pink lips.

Above the tall girl, there is a name: Claire, and the little girl is also named: Anna.

Below us is a single word "FRENDS".

Claire Finkelstein Year 12

Formats The Year 12 Formal The Formal snuck up on many V C E crazed Year 12 s t u d e n t s this year. Gone were the three months of hysteria leading up to the great event - instead, many of us threw away any r e s e m b l a n c e of a social life and c o n c e n t r a t e d on CATs. The f r e n z i e d hunt for the perfect Formal ensemble b e c a m e a m e m o r y of Year 11, as most of us c h o s e to beg borrow or steal anything even remotely resembling a dress. The c o n v e r s a t i o n within c l a s s r o o m s dulled from "I saw the most fantastic dress in M e m p h i s - it was expensive but w o r t h it I" to the more sedate, "I might just borrow my cousin's dress." Many girls had learnt their lesson f r o m last year - no matter how much you intend to wear your 400 dollar designer c r e a t i o n after the event, within a year it is sure not to fit! More t h a n one o p t e d for the b u d g e t solution to balance out their s p e n d i n g over the two years.

A t t e m p t i n g to be graceful was a major trial for those w h o opted for glamour. C h o o s i n g fashion over function, many hobbled into the ballroom with shoes that didn't quite fit or dresses that just didn't sit right. Last year's funeral tones of Black, Black and Black were banished, with bright colours dotted all over the room.

T h e meal whirled by quickly, with most people eager to swarm onto the dance floor. As the lights faded with the end of d e s s e r t , the tables were a b a n d o n e d . All regard for a p p e a r a n c e s faded, with many girls pulling out the hairstyles that had been meticulously a r r a n g e d by frazzled hairdressers earlier that day.

Any u n c o m f o r t a b l e shoes were torn off, becoming a h a n d - h e l d accessory.

The end of the night drew near, but still lacked an essential e l e m e n t . It was only after p l e a d e d requests to the DJ that the Spice Girls were played, c a p p i n g off the "Formal Experience".

A b a n d o n e d corsages and c r u s h e d leaves were all that r e m a i n e d as most d e p a r t e d the Carlton Crest to keep c e l e b r a t i n g into the early hours of the m o r n i n g .

Emily B a r n e s Year 12

T h e rainbow of c o l o u r was an indication t h a t the night w a s taken much less seriously than the previous formal, with more people displaying their individuality of s t y l e . T h e most noticed fashion a c c e s s o r y r e m a i n e d the partner - likely to be c o m m e n t e d on even before the dress was glanced at.

The c a v e r n o u s B a l l r o o m s t r e t c h e d out, littered with round white discs. Finding the right table b e c a m e a struggle - waiters s e e m e d d e t e r m i n e d to get in the way as m u c h as p o s s i b l e . O n c e s e a t e d , t h e s m a r t i e s s c a t t e r e d across the tables were m u n c h e d on h u n g r i l y . T e a c h e r s m a d e beelines for tables they knew, smiling broadly as they r e m a r k e d on, "How grownup everyone looks!"

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Formats What more can we say! It was a b l a s t !

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MLC Community Behind the s c e n e s Meet our g a r d e n e r s

From left: Narelle Alford Olivia Gardener Sarah Hilton Robyn Menhenit Absent: -* Chris White

and m a i n t e n a n c e s t a f f From left: Trevor Lomax Alan Parker Brian Dalton Louis Stavretis Peter Pantou Jonothan Wilcock Richard Chapman Henry Piotrowski Richard McGibbon Jack Adams (BUTTS)

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Lunchtime at MLC Say ( l l i e e s e !

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Lunch time at MLC Fun Times in J u n i o r School

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Farewell Emily's T h o u g h t s At one point or another every Year 12 must have expressed their w i s h e s to be f i n i s h e d school and to have left MLC for the final time.

No more c o m p u l s o r y uniforms. No m o r e c o m p a r i s o n s with t h e M E T ' s new c o l o u r scheme. No more rules, no more restrictions.

However, this freedom and newly gained i n d e p e n d e n c e will c o m e at a price at the end of the year.

No more smiling, familiar faces in t h e c o r r i d o r s . No more sense of superiority. No more contact with most of t h e t h r e e h u n d r e d girls we've grown up with in the last few years.

I know that I'll miss these things about MLC. I'll miss the c o n f i d e n c e I feel when I walk t h r o u g h C e n t e n a r y b u i l d i n g , t h e f e e l i n g of belonging. T h e network of staff, students and friends that are always willing to listen, sympathise or celebrate.

A third of our life- if not more- has been spent at MLC. W e ' v e l e a r n t that we can do a n y t h i n g we set our m i n d s to, the v a l u e of independence and we've learnt to have faith in ourselves.

Whether or not we choose to a c k n o w l e d g e it, our t i m e at M L C has c h a n g e d us for the better.

Emily Barnes

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Melissa's Thoughts

Laura's T h o u g h t s

W h e n I first a r r i v e d at MLC, only two years ago, I remember being overawed by the size of the s c h o o l - all the different buildings, the g a r d e n s and everything else that makes MLC the school it is.

I remember my first impressions of the B o a r d i n g House, w h e r e I have lived for the past two y e a r s , a n d all t h e g i r l s w i t h i n it, and t h e w i d e r school community; their similarities, their d i f f e r e n c e s a n d ... in k e e p i n g with the t h e m e of this year's 'Silver and Green' ... their 'multiness.'

Now, as I leave MLC and venture beyond the school gates and Glenferrie Road, I take with me the e x p e r i e n c e s that MLC has p r o v i d e d , a n d am s u r e t h a t t h e w i s d o m I have g a i n e d d u r i n g t h e s e two years has best p r e p a r e d me for the f u t u r e ... a prospect which both excites and f r i g h t e n s me a little.

As I leave this s c h o o l , having lived enough m e m o r i e s to last me a life time, I am left feeling a little empty, but thankful for all MLC has given me and happily anticipating all that lies ahead.

Melissa Wei

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Beginning year 7 at MLC would have been one of the most interesting years I have had. I remember the groups that girls had already divided up into before I had a c h a n c e to introduce myself to some one.

I must have been in a d r e a m state, as everything that I had to take in and process, was placed in the in tray and took a very long while to even b e g i n to a p p r o a c h t h e out tray.

Year 12, w e l l , w h a t a y e a r ! It has certainly been a relief to realise that CATs aren't all that bad. As I sit here on the t o p level of C e n t e n a r y building, the sky is blue and it even looks like the t e m p e r a t u r e will r e a c h past 15 °C! I am sitting up here typing this reflection as others buzz a r o u n d me, a d d i n g the f i n a l t o u c h e s to Silver and Green. The year 12 formal, Toady, P's, legal age and that multitude of car a l a r m s that went off during class and were a n n o u n c e d in assembly, s e e m s so far away but still remains so clear in one's mind. The biggest and most important year has b e e n the most memorable year and will prove to be the most h u m o r o u s w h e n reminiscing.

Laura Fitzgerald