14 minute read
Year 12
Arts
Caroline Wareham - Domain Leader
Creative diversity is encouraged within the Arts Domain and can be seen across the different Mater Christi Arts classes. The striking range of visual work achieved this year encompasses 3D work, paintings, installation, technology, media, and photography. While standards demonstrated throughout the Performing Arts - dance, drama, and music - have been exceptional and visionary.
We have been proud to support the students who have received several accolades in competitions and results. In addition, the variety of options and broad opportunities available provide a sensational outlet for every student to benefit, grow and enjoy the Arts.
We aim to provide the time, space, encouragement, and guidance to enable students to make their mark on the creative life of the school and beyond. This year has been no exception in recognising that participation in the Arts has improved students’ mood, lifted their self-esteem, improved cognitive function, and alleviated stress and anxiety.
It has been a highlight to expand the curriculum and work with other Domains by linking topics and demonstrating how the Arts forge futures in the real world. Our students continually push the boundaries of their creative work, and we thoroughly enjoy witnessing what they achieve, both at school and beyond.
Visual Arts
Stephanie Williams
Daisy Pritchard Keely Rodgers
Felicity Morris Jessica Silva
Angeline Pavic Gosia Piosicka Madyson Merrett
Maddy Court Sylvia Zhou
Visual Arts
Jessie Thomas Charlotte Rickards Indiana Davis
Poppy Adams
Rakhsha Gurukhal Kasey Maloney Emily Hill Juanita Branson
Anastasia Armitage Matilda Kennedy
English
Nicole Biggelaar - Domain Leader
Highlights from the English Domain this year include the introduction of a new Year 10 subject, Essential English, which aims to develop student confidence in writing and comprehension.
Our Year 11 English classes also enjoyed a presentation by proud Gunai/Kurnai descendent Emily (Emmy) Webbers about the Raise the Age campaign, in response to the rates of Indigenous youth in juvenile detention. Emmy encouraged students to learn the facts, engage in critical thinking and acknowledge the multiple perspectives regarding this issue, in preparation for their presenting argument task.
Our newly established debating team offered opportunities for students to develop their presentation skills and our lunchtime Write Club continued to offer a nurturing space for creative writers.
Excerpt from ‘The Apple’
Clear icy froth from the ocean rolls over my feet as minuscule grains sink in between my toes. I feel the scorching hot sun, burning the top of my head, as the cool wind hits my damp legs. Taking a deep breath in, I feel the salty air flow smoothly through my lungs, and cough slightly as a splash from the ocean hits my face. Bending over slowly, I let my sandy fingertips touch the surface of the waves before diving in. The cold wraps tightly around me. The current pulls me out. My feet drag along the velvety sand, and I can hear an eerie but beautiful vibration coming from far out.
Ivy Tucker Year 8
Health and Physical Education
Lisa Costello - Domain Leader
This year has seen many new and exciting initiatives implemented across the Health and Physical Education (HPE) Domain.
HPE Week focused on the importance of nutrition and incorporating physical activity into our daily lives. Many took up the opportunity to be involved in activities including boxing, yoga, dance, obstacle courses, and creating a nutritious trail mix. The competitive student versus staff volleyball match was also a highlight.
Years 7 and 8 competed in basketball and netball tournaments, with their skills and match tactics put to the test, while Year 9s participated in a self-defence unit, undertook drug education, and learnt strategies to maintain their mental health.
Competitive sport students took on the challenging role of coach and mentor, as they conducted tournaments in a variety of sports.
Outdoor Education students explored Victorian landscapes in the Otways and Wilsons Promontory while becoming familiar with sustainability practices in specific outdoor environments and the impact of humans.
To complement the Year 12 Physical Education program, students viewed a VO2 max lab test and took part in an interactive Biomechanics lab, that illustrated principles to improve performance.
A massive thank you to the fabulous HPE team for all their energy and expertise throughout the year.
Humanities
Janine Callahan - Domain Leader
2021 offered many significant and historical events including Melbourne enduring more time in lockdown than any other city in the world. Our students were engaged in various branches of cultural learning that is, the Humanities.
Year 7 students explored Chinese inventions and the significance and history of lanterns during their Ancient China Day.
Year 8 students participated in an InterDisciplinary Unit with Science, investigating the statement that ‘Natural systems and events impact environments and have consequences on communities.’
Year 9 Commerce and the Law students were introduced to the world of Commerce, exploring their current skills and those required by future employers.
Year 10 students were given the tools to imagine the future as they explored, were confronted, questioned, and planted the seeds of change in their lifelong journey to understand and actively participate in the world around them.
Through VCE studies in Accounting, Business Management, History, and Legal Studies, Year 11 and 12 students developed the skills for future leadership; to be creative, problem-solve, think critically, negotiate, work in teams, apply judgment and make decisions. Thank you to our adaptive Humanities teachers who planned and replanned lessons; helping students to develop a better understanding of the world around them, to question what is happening and wonder what if? We are in good hands.
LOTE
Nicole Biggelaar - Domain Leader
2021 started off with a bang as we celebrated the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Ox. Year 11 VET Chinese students learnt to make dumplings; since their shape is similar to ancient gold ingots, they symbolize wealth. Comparison of traditional and modern culture has been a focus, and students have delighted in viewing TikTok and WeChat clips.
In an amazing stroke of ‘bonne chance’ senior French students attended the Alliance Française French Film Festival. ‘Un vrai bonhomme’ (Man up), was a poignant story of a sensitive young man, Tom, on a journey of self-discovery. The students thoroughly enjoyed the film and the excursion into the city.
Later in the year, senior French students dressed up and celebrated Bastille Day by researching a traditional dish to cook and share. French songs were played, and Principal Maria Haggett got involved too, by preparing delicious crepes.
Another highlight was the Interdisciplinary Unit between LOTE and Technology, where Year 10 French students worked in pairs to devise and record a cooking demonstration on how to prepare an omelette or recipe of their choice.
We have been delighted to see our students grow in confidence and enthusiasm for language learning throughout the year.
Mathematics
George Chilianis - Domain Leader
In 2021, we once again experienced a heightened need for adaptability, maintaining connections, and providing a sense of belonging. Whether face-to-face or online, the interaction between students and staff is essential in the Mathematics learning journey.
Student learning is always at the centre of what we do. With the aid of online platforms such as Canvas, Cambridge Go, Kahoot, Desmos, Mathspace, and Office 365, we have been able to maintain that emphasis. The variety and blend of activities, together with the feedback cycle through formative and summative tasks, have contributed to the growth of all our students.
This year, the Mathematics Domain embarked on a new project based on differentiated rich tasks. This initiative is designed to create a balance between understanding, fluency, problem-solving, and reasoning. The goal of this project is to give students the ability to transition into a rapidly changing world.
We have also been able to provide opportunities for students away from the classroom. The most important of these are our Maths Support programs, which allow students to work one-on-one or in small groups, to clarify understanding and misconceptions. Other opportunities included participation in The Melbourne University and Australian Mathematics Competitions. Whether face-to-face or online, the interaction between students and staff is essential in the Mathematics learning journey.
Religious Education
Lisa McLean - Domain Leader Matthew van der Velden - Faith Development Leader
In their Interdisciplinary Unit with Art this year, our Year 8s developed visual representations of our Benedictine values. These values are an integral part of everything we do at Mater Christi. Some ways in which these values were expressed in 2021 include:
Hospitality Through their Reflection Day, facilitated by Year 10 Youth Ministry students, Year 7s discovered the history of the College and how the Parable of the Good Samaritan calls us to offer hospitality to all.
Justice and Peace Year 12 students investigated the growing concern about fair and ethical fashion.
Prayer To celebrate Easter, Youth Ministry students developed an interactive pilgrimage, based on the Stations of the Cross, for all in the College community to participate in. Love of Christ and Neighbour In their Right Relationships unit, Year 9s noted that ‘if a person believes in reconciliation, then everyone can move forward if they are willing to participate in it.’
Stewardship Year 10s explored the role of Catholic Social Teaching principles in protecting our environment.
Humility In the Year 10 Good, Evil and Suffering unit, students used the Parable of the Tax Collector to explore the Benedictine Value of Humility.
Community In celebration of 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia, students joined other schools from across Victoria at St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Science
Laura Overdyk - Domain Leader
There has certainly been a spotlight on the work of scientists in 2021, highlighting the vast diversity of careers in STEM, particularly as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of the various vaccines available to build herd immunity in our community, against coronavirus, has linked well to the Senior Biology curriculum.
Earlier in the year we celebrated, alongside NASA, the launch and landing of the Perseverance Rover on Mars. This fuelled great discussions amongst Zenith students, whose theme for the year was Mission on Mars.
The Careers theme continued as a group of interested students took part in The Royal Women’s Hospital - Meet a Scientist webinar.
The Yarra Ranges Tech School offered a series of Women in STEAM workshops which incorporated informative guest speakers and Q & A sessions, as well as hands-on activities to complement the sessions.
In Year 7, students were fortunate to be visited by past student, Monique Bast - aka The Lizard Wizard, and her furry and not-so furry friends, during one of their online Science lessons. This wildlife encounter provided our students the opportunity to consolidate their learning of habitats and ecosystems.
STEM
Laura Overdyk - STEM Coordinator
Star Wars was the theme for this year’s STEM Cup. Students across all year levels enthusiastically participated in the many different events on offer, to represent their House. The school was a hive of activity with scavenger hunts, domino toppling competitions, flying drones, racing spheros, elastic powered cars, famous scientist performances, Star Wars inspired murals, paper plane competitions, Kahoots, and puzzles. It was great to see so many students engaged and working in a team to gain points for their House. Gibbons were announced the winners, for the second year in a row.
Another big event organised by our STEM Captains was National Science Week. Students were offered many different activities to get involved with virtually, over zoom and our STEM Hub, including daily quizzes, a Science inspired Kahoot, DIY experiments, and the annual Education Perfect Global Science Competition.
2021 STEM Captains
We hope you found Science Week an interesting way to break up the cycle of zoom classes! It was incredible to see the turn out and enthusiasm of all who participated in the STEM Cup, and the love for STEM in our community!
We hope many girls will be inspired to work in STEM in the future.
Bronya Robinson Cassidy Germano Matilda Hore Jess Ashton-Smith
Sport
Francois Armansin - Sports Coordinator
This year, Mater Christi students across all year levels have produced some exciting and impressive performances in a number of sporting competitions. Students have demonstrated outstanding character, enthusiasm, and determination despite an unpredictable sporting calendar.
At the beginning of the year, students displayed their house spirit at our annual Middle School Swimming Carnival, House Athletics competition, and Middle School Cross Country. The atmosphere at these events was remarkable, with unprecedented participation and close finishes. Mater Christi students truly demonstrated excellence and support for each other.
The ‘can-do’ energy of our students continued through our inter-school sports competitions. This year we witnessed extraordinary team and individual performances. A key element to this success was the students’ commitment to training sessions, both on-site and remotely. With support and guidance from the coaching staff, students were able to demonstrate their skills and talents on the field and exemplify excellent sportsmanship.
At Mater Christi College, both teaching and coaching staff are dedicated to the success of every student. We are incredibly proud, and we congratulate all students for their participation and achievements in this year’s sporting season.
Sport Technology
Doug Wright - Domain Leader
Technological systems draw on knowledge of how to do things. They involve taking something, changing it, and producing a result.
At Mater Christi, students are provided the opportunity to follow and understand a design process, which allows them to identify a need, design a solution and produce either a prototype or final product.
Our technology-based units often allow students to work in teams and always have a ‘client’ as the central point of the educational process being undertaken.
As part of the curriculum offerings, students experienced a large variety of options. These included, Year 7 Digital Technologies students designing technological solutions to problems ranging from interactive recycling bins to Apps designed to support new students transitioning to the College. In Year 8 Food Technology students created a pizza using the design cycle and the Australian guide to healthy eating. In Year 9 all students were introduced to the benefits of wearable technologies.
Year 10 and VCE Technology units took a similar approach which included a focus on service and hospitality to others, whilst developing products for clients.
Social Media Entrepreneur - Matt Mullenweg
