The Times - Pascoe Vale Girls College

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The Times - Pascoe Vale Girls College
The Times   NOVEMBER 2020
UPCOMING IMPORTANT
   DATES & EVENTS

                       4 December Progress Reports
                                                          HOUSE POINTS TO DATE

                              Published Year 10 & 11
                     10 & 11 December Activity Days

                                                                                                   IN THIS MONTH’S EDITION
                           11 December Last Day 7-9                               15762 = Wake
                      11 December Progress Reports                                                                                 Ms Peddle’s Message
                                         Published 7-9                           14132 = Alberti                                   Senior School Report
                      28 January first day 2021 7 & 12                                                                            Middle School Report
                        29 January first day 2021 8-11                           13938 = Melba                                     Junior School Report

                                                                                 13719 = Cowan                                         The Arts Report
                                                                                                                                        Science Report
                                                                                                                                           LOTE Week
                                                                                                                                         Youth Climate
                                                                                                                             Museum of Staying at Home

                                                         MS PEDDLE’S MESSAGE                                                       House Competitions

                                                         It was wonderful to have all students and staff back at
                                                         school following the second period of remote learning. It has been a very
                                                         challenging year and the determination and commitment displayed by our students
                                                         during this time is to be commended. This has been evident in the range and
                                                         number of awards students have received for their academic achievement,
                                                         community involvement and co-curricular program participation in 2020. Student
                                                         achievements will be recognised in Award presentations which due to restrictions,
                                                         will be assembled by Sub Schools in a video format for students and families. Sub
                                                         Schools will publish the names of Award winners in the next newsletter.

                                                         Congratulations to our Year 12 students who celebrated the end of their formal
                                                         education at Pascoe Vale Girls College on 30 October. It is particularly
                                                         significant to acknowledge their resilience and achievement in 2020.VCE students
                                                         are now coming to the end of the exam period and we look forward to celebrating
                                                         their success with results being released on 30 December. Thank you to all of our
                                                         teachers for the dedication they have shown to student learning and the ongoing
                                                         support provided to students as they have progressed from Year 7 to Year 12 at the
                                                         school. Acknowledgement must also be given to Pamela Karmacharya of Year 12
                                                         who was awarded the 2020 Acquisitive Prize for “Liberation of our beauty” which
                                                         is described in the Arts section of The Times.

                                                         Progress reports for Year 10 and 11 students will be published on Compass on
                                                         Friday 4 December. Reports for students in Years 7 – 9 will be published on Friday
                                                         11 December. Please contact your child’s year level coordinator if you wish to
                                                         discuss progress or have any questions regarding college programs for 2020.

                                                         I am very pleased to inform our college community that construction of our new
                                                         Performing Arts Centre, Food Technology and Music facilities is completed. We now
                                                         await the delivery of furniture for teaching spaces. The new building will be opened
                                                         for the start of the 2021 school year. We look forward to welcoming you to college
                                                         events in the new space.
The Times - Pascoe Vale Girls College
SENIOR SCHOOL
This term has been very busy in the Senior School.
All students had to orientate themselves back to PVGC after remote learning and
finish off classwork and assessment. Can I congratulate every Senior School
student on their smooth return to Term 4, and their preparedness to complete all
set work.

In week 3,Year 12 students had a three day Practice Exams program, to help
prepare them for the end of year VCAA exams. This program was well received by
students. All students approached these Unit 3/4 exams with maturity and
demonstrated their commitment to their studies.

On Friday 30th October, due to the lifting of COVID rules, we were able to
celebrate the final day with our Year 12 students with a Graduation Ceremony.
During lunchtime Year 12 teachers and students participated in a Graduation
Ceremony at lunchtime. This was followed by a pizza & zooper dooper lunch and
the screening of the Year 12 video during the afternoon. Students received their
graduating certificate,Year 12 magazine (a BIG thankyou to Ms Noakes for
producing the Yr12 magazine) and a small gift from the school.
I hope by now, all Year 12 students and family members have had time to watch the
Year 12 Video. I would like to thank the video production company, Ms Hall and
Mr Leary for coordinating the filming for this video. It has produced some great
memories.

Exam fever has hit the Senior School. The VCAA End of Year exams started on
Tuesday 10th of November and continue through to the 4th December. I would like
to congratulate every Unit 3/4 student on their approach to these exams. Although
you have been nervous and stressed, you have managed these exams with ease.
Punctuality and preparedness has been paramount to your success. Well done!
Some Year 12 students finished their exams and now will be facing boredom with
not knowing how to fill in their free time, with no study commitments.
Our Year 11 students have completed Year 11 exams, as well as 80+ students
participating in completing their first VCAA Unit 3/4 exam. Well done, you have
done yourself proud as well.

2021 VCE Unit 1/3/ VCAL Introductory Program began on Monday 23rd
November. 2021 Unit 3 VCE / Year 12 VCAL began on Monday 23rd November
and ran through to Friday 27th November and 2021 Unit 1/ Year11 VCAL began on
Monday 30th November and runs through to Friday 4th December.
This program aims to start students in their 2021 VCE/VCAL program, so that they
can prepare themselves fully over the break, and get a head start to their 2021
school year. Essential teaching and learning will take place to ensure our students
are well aware of the expectations and workload of 2021. It is essential that all
work is completed and understood to enhance student learning.

VCAL - YEAR 11 PERSONAL DEVELOPMNT SKILLS
The Year 11 Personal Development Skills classes participated in two major events
in the last weeks of formal classes. The first event on Monday 9th November was
the Anti-Racism Awareness day. This was the culmination of our work on raising
awareness about a community issue. On this day multicultural dress items were
encouraged. There were some spectacular outfits showing the diversity of back-
grounds of our students with their rich cultural history and traditions. Gold coins
were donated. In addition to this the lunchtime activity included a Bake Sale,
multicultural recipe book (made by students) sales and ‘Stand Together Against
Racism’ badge sales. All money raised has been donated to the Asylum Seeker
Resource Centre. Thank you to all of the staff and students who contributed to
the Anti-Racism Awareness day to raise funds for the ASRC. Through their hard
work students raised a total of $487.60.
The Times - Pascoe Vale Girls College
The second major event was a visit from the Coffee Bus. In the morning of
Thursday 19th November Year 11 VCAL students were involved in learning
about the history of coffee and also about safety in a café style environment
when using a coffee machine. Once this was completed students were then
put in front of a coffee machine and shown how to make 7 different coffees
and also hot chocolate. Students paired up to share a machine and practice
their coffee making and also coffee art. There proved to be some very good
coffee makers who achieved excellent ‘crema’ and also some talented
coffee artists who created beautiful coffee art on their beverages. Towards
the end of the training students were able to make coffee using their
new-found skills as baristas for staff members. There were some very happy
teachers who were looking forward to their daily caffeine hit so close to
work! The barista training was an activity that had originally been organ-
ised for the beginning of the year. I am glad that it was finally able to take
place to finish off the year for our very patient and hard working Year 11
VCAL students. The certificate of participation can be used to show future
employers of the training that has been undertaken. Thank you to Debbie,
Natarsha and Cameron who provided the training on the day and well done
to the VCAL students who showed great enthusiasm and resilience on what
was a very hot day to be making hot coffee in a crowded bus!

Congratulations 11VCAL PDS, well done on your achievements this year.
Ms Hall

MIDDLE SCHOOL
It has been a challenging a year but we have survived!
It has been great to see Year 9 and Year 10 students back on site this term.
With remote learning being pushed aside students have settled into COVID
19 normality by social distancing, wearing masks and keeping healthy hand
hygiene. Despite these added elements to their school routine which they
have taken in their stride students have been focusing on their studies and
getting back to school life including catching up with peers who they have
not seen for weeks.
This term has also seen Year 10 students preparing themselves for their ex-
ams and the exciting start to the Year 11 2021 orientation program whereas
our Year 9’s have been solidly working through course work and assessment.
As the end of the school year approaches we encourage all students to
make the most of the time left by completing all tasks to the best of their
ability in time for the release of the final progress reports of the year.
Ms Elisabeth Santomartino
Head of Middle School

YEAR 10 AWARDS
On Friday 20th November over forty of our Year 10 students were
involved in a celebration assembly to acknowledge their achievements over
the course of the year. Students were nominated by their teachers across
all subject areas and were awarded for their efforts. It was fantastic to hear
the applause and encouragement displayed by out Year 10 students for
their peers. The award winners will appear in the Middle School End of Year
Awards Presentation along with our Year 9 recipients.
Congratulations to these students and stay tuned!

Ms Elisabeth Santomartino
Head of Middle School

YEAR 9 OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Covid-19 has thrown a curve ball at the Outdoor Education classes this year.
Taking away many opportunities to complete activities such as surfing, rock
climbing and orienteering. However, with the eased restrictions the Year 9
OED class set cycling for the city to evaluate new and creative interventions
that promote their own and others’ connection to community and natural
and built environments.

JUNIOR SCHOOL
It has been a real pleasure to return to school and recommence on site,
face to face teaching and learning once again. It is great to see the students’
smiling faces – albeit, hidden behind a mask.

The return to school from remote learning has been a fairly smooth one.
Teaching and learning from home was a trying and difficult experience both
for students and for staff. Many students demonstrated some excellent skills
and resilience during this time and others found it to be very difficult to
remain connected to school life.

What is important is that, now that we are back at school, we reconnect
with the school and continue our lives in as normal a way as is possible.
Wearing a mask in class is a trying but necessary strategy and, whilst it is
undoubtedly uncomfortable, it is important to remember that we are
The Times - Pascoe Vale Girls College
doing this for the comfort and peace of mind of others and that it is a small
price to pay for everybody’s well-being. To date, Junior School students have
shown a great deal of respect for the regulations and for other school
community members in this regard.

The end of the year is drawing near but it needs to be reinforced that it is
not here yet. Many subjects have CATs still to finish and the final Progress
Report of the year is yet to be written.
All members of the Junior School Team urge all Junior School students to
put their heads down for a strong finish to the year before we have two
days of Activities and finally a well-earned break over the summer to end a
year which I am sure we would all rather forget.

Mr Howells
Head of Junior School

THE ARTS - SURVIVING COVID IN THE ARTS
This Semester students have been working hard in various Arts based
subjects both remotely and since being back at school.
Our Drama students across multiple year levels are happy to be back in the
classroom rehearsing and are almost ready to perform their Ensemble and
Solo Performances. Drama students are eager to have a tour of our new
Performing Arts and Technology Centre that will open in 2022 and have the
opportunity to perform next year on the big stage!

In music, our Junior and Middle years students have been learning about
Indigenous music and its significance in our culture. Students have celebrated
NAIDOC week by becoming aware of various artists and their stories.
Year 10 VCD students have been following the Design Process producing
their own ‘Mask’ Design Logos and Package Design while our Year 9 & 10
Creations students have been finalising their final artworks, varying from
mixed media collages to air drying clay.

Year 11 Studio Art Students are setting up their own Exhibition at PVGC
to showcase their final artworks, featuring painting, drawing, mixed media,
digital photography and sculpture.

Without stating the obvious difficulties faced this Semester, our VCE Music
class continued admirably working on performance in preparation for their
final assessment which took place on October 22. The group performed a
rather eclectic repertoire including songs from the 1960s right through to
contemporary dance. In addition, they honed their instrumental technical
skills during class time as well as general musicianship and of course, mu-
sic theory. We wish them luck for their final written examination later this
month!

Year 12 VCD students have wrapped up their final SAT folio with some
excellent results. The students have designed from the three design fields
communication, industrial and environmental. They have designed logos, tiny
homes, luxury hotel rooms and packaging for makeup. Congratulations to all
students on completing their folios and final design and to Alanah Santos for
entering her folio and final design in Top Designs for the 2021 exhibition.

In Studio Arts we congratulate Pamela Karmacharya of 12E for being award-
ed the Acquisitive Art Award for her artwork “Liberation of our beauty”-
Watercolour, colored pencil and white gel pen on paper. Pamela states that
“My work represents the uncontrollable nature of the state of beauty. My
ideas and perception of naturalness and freedom were solely presented
through the embodiment of the ‘hair’ and facial expression.”
If you have not already viewed the Year 12 Studio Arts Exhibition “Virtual
Worlds” please click on the link below.
https://www.artsteps.com/view/5f71b155497b3338488c3430

Pamela Karmacharya and artwork Liberation of Our Beauty
The Times - Pascoe Vale Girls College
Congratulations to all of our Art students for battling through an incredibly
difficult year with limited resources and hands on help from their teachers.
We have certainly witnessed during this time how the Arts contributes to
our wellbeing and has helped many get through being in confinement.

SCIENCE
Year 10 Science in Action Physics Projects
It is great to see that Science classes getting actively involved back in class.
Ms Petrocchi’s 10 Science in action class have completed the
‘CONSTRUCTION SITE ROLLER COASTER’ project as part of their
Physics course of the subject.
- Design and build their own small-scale model roller coaster
- Explain why it is important for engineers to understand how roller
coasters work.
- Explain in physics terms how their model roller coasters work.
- Discuss the effects of gravity and friction in the context of their roller
coaster designs.
- Use the principle of conservation of energy to explain the design and
layout of roller coasters.
- Identify points in a roller coaster track at which a car has maximum kinetic
and potential energy.
- Identify points in a roller coaster track where a car experiences more or
less than 1 g-force.
- Identify points in a roller coaster track where a car accelerates and
decelerates.

The students have successfully presented their projects to all staff during a
whole staff meeting. Staff were so amazed by their enthusiasm, creativity and
the level of innovation presented in their roller coaster models. All students
have awards from the science faculty for their great efforts and dedication.

See the link below to view the students’ amazing projects.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1aAhjiGRu62rzhW7zok-
KKKoBK-m2qZGirYS5EtvRsWBA/edit#slide=id.p3

Ms Al-Madhoun
Head of Science Faculty
The Times - Pascoe Vale Girls College
Science Talent Search
Congratulations to Cailey Finlayso of 8A for winning an award for her
‘Devocean: Developments for our Ocean!’ project which she completed as
part of the state wide competition ‘Science Talent Search’. Cailey has worked
hard on her project during remote learning and has completed an
outstanding piece of work. She was awarded a medal and a prize by STAV
(The Science Teachers Association of Victoria). Well done Cailey for your
excellent achievements and hard work.

LOTE WEEK
Languages are all around us
Did you know that at least more than half of the world’s population speak
more than one language?
Well, our college is not an exception and we decided to highlight it during
this year’s LOTE week. The focus was to celebrate all languages in our
community: from the ones we offer at our college (Italian and Japanese) to
the ones we hear in the community.
During week 6, term 4 (9/11 – 13/11) we ran many activities and the
students’ engagement highlighted their passion and knowledge about
languages and cultures around us.
Students participated in a video competition in which they had to speak in a
language other than English, a survey about the languages they can speak and
several quizzes about fun facts about languages.

Here are some of the advantages students found about learning a second
language:

“Along with the challenges of learning different languages, there are numerous benefits to it. In my
opinion, one of the greatest benefit is being able to learn about another unique culture and back-
ground and enhance connections with people.”
Minaal Shahid (9A)

“Communicate with more people and understand different ideologies”
Yesim Yuksel (11H)

“There are more job opportunities, your memory increases, you have better listening skills as well
as better problem solving skills.”
Fatima Syed (8F)

“It’s just straight up cool to be bilingual”
Nusrath Ahamed Nasar (12A)

“I believe that the advantages of speaking more than one language include being able to connect
with people who speak the same language and being able to talk in another language without
others who don’t know the language understanding what you are saying. It’s also fun to show your
skills when you go to the country that speaks your language/the language that you are learning. I
enjoy teaching my friends words of my native language and hearing how they pronounce the same
word in their language.” Chamathna Gunawardena (10D)

“Being able to communicate with people who can’t speak English”
Khadeeja Butler-Komba (8A)

“There are a few advantages, which include:
- travel advantages and being able to understand different people from different backgrounds.
- Also just being able to understand different cultures and being informed about the language.
- This one is not quite an advantage, however if you do not know a word in a language then you can
use the other language you know.”
Fizza Irfan (8A)

“By speaking another language you can extend your understanding of English at the same time.”
Cailey Finlayson (8A)

“Boost your ATAR, Opens up new career opportunities, Easily able to translate between the two
languages”
Ameema Arshad (8A)

“I think it’s just great to be able to speak in more than one language in general. Quite a brag to say
you’re bilingual or even trilingual!! For me, learning Malayalam was a chance to get closer to the
home I was related to with my blood.”
Tessa Shelley (7A)

“Speaking multiple languages helped me learn more about different cultures and sometimes it also
helped me identify where words in the English language are derived from, which is really interesting
and fun! I also found that learning languages helps me concentrate and absorb more information in
my other subjects.”
Tasnia Alam (9A)

“It helps you develop good thinking skills and increases your vocabulary.”
Ann Maria Sarish (9A)

Thank you all for supporting the languages!
The LOTE faculty
The Times - Pascoe Vale Girls College
YOUTH CLIMATE SUMMIT
On Thursday 5th of November, Max Waddell (7G), Tasnia Alam (9A) and
Shazna Suhaib (9G) attended a virtual Youth Climate Summit hosted by
CERES and the City Futures Team at Moreland City Council.

We joined other schools from Moreland in learning about climate science
and gaining an understanding of solutions to climate change through
interactive and hands-on activities. Students played a Kahoot and drew the
kind of world they want to see in 2040. Students connected with leaders
in the community as well as council representatives and discussed ways to
advocate for change within society and our schools. Max, Tasnia and Shazna
then developed their own action plans, which they hope to enact in 2021.
The event was valuable and enjoyed by all. A Youth Climate Summit is
planned for 2021 and students who are passionate about the environment
are encouraged to attend when registrations open.

WELCOME TO THE MUSEUM OF STAYING AT HOME
August 23rd… The start to a new time capsule. 2020 has changed all of us,
with new ideas from the different angles and perspectives of humankind.
As the peak started to form, so did new ideas generate in the minds of the
youngest high schoolers of PVGC. From our couches, we formed a new
website called the ‘Museum of Staying Home’, which stores all of the unique
memories and events in the modern world time capsule, the internet. From
taking photos of the empty streets to interviews with family and friends, this
website portrays the “new normal”.
By Helena Kurian, 7A

https://sites.google.com/pvgc.vic.edu.au/7amuseumofstayingathome/home

HOUSE COMPETITIONS
This semester, we held fortnightly House Challenges to give students more
time to refine their entries before submission. The competitions ranged
from neighbourhood design to recreating Korean Pop music, nail art to
cooking foods and keeping fit to graphic design and languages! A special
thank you goes out to all of our Student Leaders for creating examples for
each of these challenges to post on Compass to inspire other students’
entries. The winners of each competition are listed below:

Brighten Up Your Neighbourhood
The challenge was to brighten up your neighbourhood in some way. Our
Student Leaders Nadia Zermani, Mah Noor Umar and Jaspreet Singh started
the ball rolling with their examples of a chalk obstacle course, light art with
foil and some chalk art. We had a variety of entries including painted bins,
early Christmas decorations and window art but congratulations go to the
following students for their winning entries as voted by the Student Leader-
ship team.

1st place – Ellie Fisher from Alberti for her chalk drawings
2nd place – Ms. Doyle from Wake for her chalk drawings
3rd place – Ann Maria Sarish from Melba for her window art

KPOP
Due to the popularity of Korean Pop Music with PVGC students, this chal-
lenge was to recreate the dance moves from a KPOP band. For this chal-
lenge, Student Leaders Minaal Shahid and Chamantha Gunawardena provid-
ed some inspirational videos. Our winning entries were as follows:

1st place – Nidhi Matthew from Melba
2nd place – Ann Maria Sarish from Melba
3rd place – Mahnoor Malik from Cowan and Gabriella Mancuso from Wake

Nail Art
As the nail salons were closed during Term 3, we encouraged the students
to get creative with their own nail designs in a range of colours and styles.
Our Student Leaders really stepped up this week with examples being
demonstrated by Haania Mubeen, Zehra Altindal, Dashti Patel, Mia Gagliardi,
Elise Keles-Huseyin and Fatima Syed. All of the Student Leaders were award-
ed points for their efforts and leadership skills. The winners for this House
Challenge were:

1st place – Ms. Rose from Wake
2nd place – Amani Bakr from Cowan
3rd place – Mahnoor Malik from Cowan

Food of Our Cultures
During this fortnight, students were challenged to cook or bake a food from
their culture or food from a particular type of cuisine that they really en-
joy. We had entries from every continent, with students sending in multiple
entries! Special thanks go to Student Leaders Mikayla Borg for her Italian
The Times - Pascoe Vale Girls College
spaghetti and Maltese baked rice dishes, Chloe Galinato for her Filipino Pork
Monggo with Rice, Mia Gagliardi for her homemade pizza, Jale Yalcin for her
Turkish sesame bagel, Hannah Villaneuva for her Filipino Pancit Bihon, Minaal
Shahid for her Afghani rice, Mrs. Edwards for her Dutch poffertjes,Vinduna
Llokugalappaththi for her Italian ricotta cookies and faux cronuts, Ann Maria
Sarish for her Onam Festival Feast, and Meharpreet Kaur for her Malaysian
satay, Punjabi kulche, Indian curry and chocolate truffles

1st place – Haania Mubeen from Alberti for her Indian Murg Makhani
2nd place – Max Waddell from Cowan for her New Zealand meringues
3rd place – Anisah Nor Ashraf from Alberti for her Malaysian Roti Kirai &
Roti Jala, Fatima Syed from Wake for her Pakistani Rasmalai dessert and
Grace Davies from Alberti for her Maltese Macaroni Bake

How Do You Keep Fit?
With lockdown keeping us inside our houses, the challenge was to get some
exercise so we asked students how do they stay fit? Student Leaders Hannah
Villaneuva and Mikayla Borg made an instructional skipping video and
workout routine. The Student Leaders once again voted on the winning
entries:

1st place – Geetanshika Sharma from Cowan for her inspirational video
2nd place – Minaal Shahid from Alberti for her yoga photos
3rd place – Amira Abou-Eid from Cowan for her walking photos

Design a House Mascot
The next House Challenge was to design mascots for each of the four
houses which will be used in 2021 to promote the houses to the new Year
7 students. Students could draw or design as many mascots as they wanted
for their own house or others if they wanted, and still earn points for their
house. The challenge was to include the house colour, an animal and have
your mascot demonstrate a desired quality of the house, such as ‘courage’
or ‘determination.’ The Student Leaders came up with one winning entry per
house.

The Alberti House mascot was designed by Ureba Memon (from Alberti).
The Cowan House mascot was designed by Onell Peiris (from Cowan).
The Melba House mascot was designed by Wajiha Tanveer (from Melba).
The Wake House mascot was designed by Serafina Kuka-Toleafoa (from
Wake).

House Tally
As of 18-11-2020 the tally board is:
1st place – Wake with 15,762
2nd place – Alberti with 14,132 points
3rd place – Melba with 13,938 points
4th place – Cowan with 13,719 points

Thank you to all students who have participated in house events this year or
who were awarded points for demonstrating positive behaviour and quali-
ties.
The Times - Pascoe Vale Girls College
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