Week 8 - Yarra Valley Grammar

Valley Voice
Website: www.yvg.vic.edu.au
Telephone: +61 3 9262 7700
Term 1 Week 8
Email: reception@yvg.vic.edu.au
17 March 2016
Year 6 Amazing Race contestants
FROM THE PRINCIPAL ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
CHAPLAIN’S REFLECTION ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
SENIOR SCHOOL ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
CAREERS NEWS .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
MIDDLE SCHOOL ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
DRAMA ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
MUSIC ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
YARRA SPIRIT ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
SPORT ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
JUNIOR SCHOOL ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
JUNIOR MUSIC NOTES ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE ....................................................................................................................................................................... 22
FLYERS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dr Mark Merry
Welcome to the last Valley Voice for Term 1, 2016.
GIRLS’ SENIOR VOLLEYBALL AGSV/APS PREMIERS
They have done it again! Congratulations to the Girls’ Senior Volleyball team for their THIRD consecutive
premiership in the AGSV/APS competition. The team sealed their premiership season with a stunning victory
over Ivanhoe Grammar on
Wednesday. I was particularly
impressed with how drilled the
team was in anticipating each
other’s moves to both cover the
court in defence and setup for
some ruthless winning points.
Great work team!
Photo: Sian Rutherford
Volleyball Team- Yasmin Tan (Captain), Abbey Rutherford, Isabelle Burns, Ally Bates, Keli Romas, Olivia Phillips, Samantha O’Neill,
Amy Leslie, Maddy Rennie, Ashleigh Newham, Zahra Taylor and Coach Steve Holder
GIRLS’ SENIOR SOFTBALL TEAM AGSV/APS RUNNERS UP
The softball team has come second in the
APS/AGSV competition (top AGSV team)
coming second to Wesley College. This team
performed exceptionally well during the course
of the season with strong performances in all
elements of the game: batting, fielding,
pitching and keeping. They finished with a
strong win against Ivanhoe Grammar. The
team again won all their matches bar one
which unfortunately relegated them to Runners
Up.
The team is very keen to secure the top spot in
the 2017 season!
Photo: Bryan Harper
Softball Team- Gemma Hamilton (Captain), Kanisha Farrell, Alaina Kett, Nicolette Rippon, Alexandra Roberts, Ashleigh Cormack,
Emma Jury, Ishra Ranatunge, Taylor Dykstra, Caitlin Olley, Felicity Xu, Angelina Xu and Coaches John and Nick Hollingsworth,
Manager Dianne McKenzie
VALE
The Yarra Valley Grammar community was saddened to learn of the passing of Kelvin Emmett last week. A
member of our foundation staff in 1966, Kel was appointed as the first Head of Junior School in 1968 and
remained in that position until his retirement in 1992. It was a role that he filled with energy and flair and he is
remembered with great affection. We offer heartfelt condolences to his wife Elizabeth, and two sons, Peter
(Year of 1978) and Geoffrey (Year of 1979).
EASTER HOLIDAYS
As we approach the Holy Days of Easter, we celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The story of
Easter is one of profound hope where Christ came both to teach and show us the way in which we may enjoy
the fullness of a life in relationship with the creator. Jesus taught us not to ‘look to the sky’ for the Kingdom of
God, but rather to work with those around us to create the Kingdom here and now. In a time of international
crisis, violence and destruction, it would be easy to believe that God’s Kingdom is anywhere but here. It is
also easy to believe that we as individuals are powerless to influence such mighty and powerful events in the
world.
The creation of the Kingdom is as simple and as complex as the way we deal with those around us. In His
teaching, Jesus spoke of ordinary people and ordinary events; the traveller who helped a stranger, the
forgiving father, the leader as servant, the simplicity of prayer. His teaching emphasizes the power inherent in
each of us to influence the most important people in the world; our family, friends and all those whom we
meet. As we pause to remember the teachings and example of Jesus, we should also marvel at the power
which lies in each of us to challenge a fractured world and convince through our deeds and words that He is
still present in every moment. Compared to this, the power of violence is as limited and illusory now as it was
in Pilate’s day.
I wish all of you a safe, enjoyable and Holy Easter break and look forward to seeing the students back at
school on Monday, April 11th.
CHAPLAIN’S REFLECTION
Mr Paul Joy
Chaplain
A JOURNEY - A PURPOSE - AN IMPACT
Last weekend a team of 11 Yarra Valley Grammar staff travelled to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko. It was quite
a journey! We had hours in the minibus together; interacting, engaging, laughing and sharing stories as our
adventure unfolded. We arrived at Thredbo in the dark late Friday night so when we woke at first light on
Saturday and got our first glimpse of the mountain we were about to climb, the scale of what was ahead
became a little more real. At times it was grueling, at times it was fun, and at times it was euphoric.
The purpose of our journey was to support a relatively small organization called Rare Cancers Australia. We
were drawn to the challenge, nurtured by the camaraderie, and motivated by the opportunity to help others.
You can still contribute to our fundraising efforts at http://www.rarecancers.org.au/my-fundraising/211/yarravalley-grammar or look up the Rare Cancers Australia website and search for Yarra Valley Grammar to help
us make a bigger impact.
AN EPIC JOURNEY - A HIGHER PURPOSE - A TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT
Retail stores and supermarkets have been telling us that Easter has been coming for weeks now. Jesus'
journey towards the events around that week, sometimes known as Passion Week, Holy Week or Easter,
started the day he was born (which we celebrate at Christmas). Jesus' death and resurrection was his life's
purpose. What Jesus achieved in conquering death has transformed my life and that of millions of people
around the globe who have put their trust in him. And it can transform your life too.
Let's focus on a small part of Jesus' journey just before Good Friday. Here at Yarra Valley Grammar, we put
down our tools, we cease our normal Thursday activity, and we close the school on Maundy Thursday. The
writers of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) each give us information about the events of these
days, including a recount of Jesus sharing the Passover Meal with his disciples, often known as the Last
Supper. Just prior to the meal, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in an act of service. This meal, where
Jesus broke bread and shared wine with his closest followers, is when Jesus gave his clearest message
about what was about to unfold. Jesus was predicting his own death as he compared the bread to his own
body which would be broken, and the wine represented his blood that would be poured out for many. We will
have our traditional Easter Eucharist Service, re-visiting the events of the Last Supper, next Tuesday in our
Year 7-12 Assembly.
The name 'Maundy' is derived from the Latin word “mandatum”, meaning a commandment. Jesus Christ, at
the Last Supper, said, 'And
now I give you a new
commandment: love one
another. As I have loved you,
so you must love one
another.' (John 13:34).
This Maundy Thursday I'm
going to reflect on the
Easter story, I'm going to
have a holiday, a Holy-day,
from my normal Thursday
activities at Yarra Valley
Grammar and I'm going to
be more intentional in the
way I serve. I probably won't
wash the feet of my friends as Jesus did, but I will reflect on the impact of Jesus' servant-leader example and
the "mandatum" he set for loving others. I'm going to re-read the Passion Narrative, the story of Easter, and
reflect on the epic journey of Jesus as he fulfilled his purpose in conquering death. In his death and
resurrection, Jesus transformed history and paved a way for us to choose to transform our future.
Not all organisations 'down tools' on Maundy Thursday, but I trust that somewhere in the Easter period,
whether it's on your traditional camping expedition, a family gathering, collecting for the Royal Children's
Hospital with hundreds of others on Good Friday, or you have to intentionally make time to be still over this
holiday period I trust you take a moment to ponder and wonder about how you're loving and serving others.
Recall the sacrifice that Jesus made demonstrating his love in service for you and for me.
SENIOR SCHOOL
Mr Andrew Hocking
Deputy Principal, Head of Senior School
As first term draws to a close, I commend Senior School students on their endeavours this term in both their
curricular and co-curricular areas of school. I hope that students have responded purposefully to their recent
progress reports and that they are well placed for sustained and improved efforts in Term 2. It is essential
that students return to school next term completely up to date and with notebooks and study books
complete.
Well done to all students who have or will this weekend complete their summer sport season and for the
positive way that they have represented the School. Best wishes to our swimming team who compete
tomorrow night in the Combined AGSV Swimming Sports at MSAC, to our Open Day student tour guides
who will be showing prospective families around the School on Saturday morning and finally to our musicians
who will be performing at the Food Wine and Music concert on Saturday night – a big weekend!!!
In the final week of term, our Easter service will be held on Tuesday, the Great Yarra Shave will take place on
Wednesday and then it seems that we will have a large turnout of students, staff and parents for the Royal
Children’s Hospital Good Friday appeal collection in support of the Pied Pipers.
My best wishes to all families for a Happy Easter and an enjoyable term break.
Term 2 commences on Monday 11 April at 8.30am, it will be Week B of the timetable.
YEAR 10 & 11 PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS TODAY
Today’s Parent Teacher Student interviews will be held in the Neville J Lyngcoln Senior Student Centre from
4.00pm to 9.30pm. It is no longer possible to make appointments for this round of interviews.
CONNECT 2016 ‘CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY’
At the Senior School assembly held on Tuesday, Community Links Prefects, Carter Smith and Danielle Wolff
launched the 2015 CONNECT program for Year 10, 11 and 12 students. The CONNECT program
encourages students to give some of their time, efforts and energy into supporting and assisting others their
community. Areas of involvement could include the Yarra Valley Grammar Community Links program, The
Pied Pipers collection for the Royal Children’s Hospital, Great Yarra Shave, the 40 hour famine, Supportive
Friends and the mentoring of new students.
Each Senior School student will receive their CONNECT booklet in tutorial tomorrow and is asked to
complete a log that will detail their activities and will be signed by the relevant person/teacher-in-charge.
Students who complete a minimum of six hours will receive a CONNECT certificate; bronze, silver and gold
certificates will be awarded to those who go above and beyond this requirement.
The upcoming Great Yarra Shave and the Good Friday Royal Children’s Hospital are both CONNECT
activities.
WINTER UNIFORM
Students may begin wearing their winter uniform from the commencement of next term. Monday 2 May is the
date that all students must wear winter uniform. Summer uniform may be worn again in late Term 3.
CONGRATULATIONS TO…
Nicole Reynolds (Year 11) who last week competed in the Australian Junior Track and Field championships in
Perth. She competed in the U18 women 100m hurdles and went on to win the gold medal in the final in a
time of 13.52 secs (tail wind 3.3m/sec). A great achievement!!
KEY DATES
Term 1, 2016
Thursday 17 March
Friday 18 March
Saturday 19 March
Wednesday 23 March
Friday 25 March
Year 10 & 11 Parent Teacher Interviews (4.00pm – 9.30pm)
AGSV Swimming Sports at MSAC
School Open Morning
Food Wine and Music evening
Term 1 concludes (3.25pm)
Good Friday Collection with the Pied Pipers
Term 2
Monday 11 April
Term 2 commences for students and staff (Week B)
Friday 22 April
Year 11 Social at Ballara Receptions in Eltham, 7pm – 10.45pm
Monday 25 April
ANZAC Day Holiday
Saturday 2 May
Saturday sport fixtures commence for Firsts teams
Monday 2 May
Winter Uniform to be worn by all students
Friday 6 May
Unit 3 Progress Reports distributed
Saturday 2 May
Saturday sport fixtures commence for all teams
Tuesday 24 May
Year 10 & 11 Study Day ahead of the examination period
Friday 27 May –
Friday 3 June
Year 10 and 11 Exams
Thursday 2 June
Year 12 Formal at Fenix, 7pm
Monday 6 June
Staff Day – students do not attend school on this day
Tuesday 7 June
Year 10 Testing and GAT for Year 11 and 12 students
Wednesday 8 June
Examination feedback day
Thursday 9 June
Semester 2 commences for Senior School students
Monday 13 June
Queen’s Birthday Holiday
Monday 20 June –
Friday 24 June
Year 10 Work Experience
Friday 24 June
Last day of Term 2
THE RESILIENCE PROJECT
One of the initiatives adopted by Yarra this year is
to improve the wellbeing of all of the students.
Whereas there are various ways in which this can
be attempted, the Resilience Project program has
proved to be particularly effective in addressing
this serious, and extremely common, issue. It is a
program that was founded by Hugh van
Cuylenberg with its essential goal being to teach
people, both children and adults, positive mental
health strategies.
The powerful impact the Resilience Project has
had on students demonstrates that this program is
extremely successful. And, I think, what makes it
so effective not only its message, but also the
manner in which it is delivered. In summary, Hugh
and his colleagues believe that resilience can be achieved if we master three feelings. They are GRATITUDE,
EMPATHY and MINDFULNESS. Their presentations related to young people by talking about the problems
that we all may be facing in our day to day lives. The presenters were very engaging because they used their
own past experiences to help us understand things from their own insightful perspective. And they claimed
that living the above three feelings successfully would result in their lives being as happy as they can be.
Through real world experiences our presenters were able to observe how gratitude can change the wellbeing
of people who are a lot less fortunate than us. When travelling to India, one of the presenters, Hugh, met a
young boy who was homeless and only had one change of clothes. Even though the boy was very poor,
Hugh still claimed that the boy was the happiest person that he had ever met because he excelled at
modelling gratitude. Even though this young boy did not have much, he was happy and grateful for the things
that he did have, not the things he wanted or things that other people had.
Hugh came back to Australia and was alarmed to witness a huge contrast between the children of India and
here, because a lot of the children here live in a mindset where they believe “If I get what I want, then I will be
happy.” And he correlated this way of thinking with the fact that 1 in 4 young people in Australia suffer from a
mental illness in their lives, such as depression or anxiety.
Another topic one of the presenters talked about was mindfulness or being in the moment. He explained how
his technique of being more mindful has helped numerous professional athletes perform better on game day
because they are not worried about the implications of their actions.
Many students have been taking it upon themselves to do something in their day that practises the strengths
of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. Even some tutorial teachers have been doing activities in their classes
that attempt at improving these skills.
As a result of this program, we all now have a better understanding of the state of our own wellbeing and
have the opportunity and knowledge to try and improve it.
Tom Brotchie
Year 11
OUTDOOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
The Unit 1 Outdoor and Environmental Studies class recently
ventured out to one of the world’s greatest rock climbing sites, in
Mount Arapiles. At this venue they explored the various motivations
for outdoor activities and personal responses to outdoor
environments. Students were given chances to be in awe of the
views, contemplate
historical uses, be in
fear of the height and
be excited by
adrenaline which
helped with their
understandings of how
environmental
interactions can
impact us. After
battling through some
heat, the highlight for
most students was our
final morning where they were given the unique opportunity to
multi-pitch climb the organ pipe section of Mount Arapiles. This
pushed every student (and me) out of their comfort zone, but every individual returned home saying this was
by far their highlight of the journey.
Again, I would like thank all the students involved who made this such a positive learning experience.
Mr Brendan Hodges
VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies
CAREERS NEWS
Mrs Susannah Ciardulli
Careers Advisor
In this newsletter, the last for Term 1, there are some interesting information sessions that you can attend
over the school holidays. You could attend the Experience La Trobe Day, or the Forensic Medicine Career
Session, Monash University’s Year 11 & International Inspiration Day or the ‘Job Search & Work’ Workshop.
Also this weekend is Melbourne University’s Werribee Campus Open Day – focusing on veterinary,
agricultural and food sciences. If these are not for you have a look at the article on Chartered Accountants,
Civil Engineering and Quick Facts about Swinburne University.
For more information, registration and important Diary Dates please go to the newsletter.
Please click here for Career News
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mrs Julie Hall
Deputy Principal, Head of Middle School
To learn, read, to understand participate
Debasish Mridha
‘YEAR 7 INDUCTION & CONSOLIDATION PROGRAM
We very much look forward to our Year 7 students, parents and grandparents attending our Year 7 activities
morning this Saturday, March 19 from 9.30am – 12.15pm.
On this morning parents and grandparents will attend class and engage in two lessons and will also be taken
on a guided tour of the School by their child. So you can be ‘prepared’ for the lessons you will attend please
see the timetable below for each class.
TUTORIAL
9.45 –
10.00am
Lesson 1
10.00 –
10.45am
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
Mr Frame
Miss
Peoples
Miss
Armstrong
Miss Walsh
Mr Senn
Mrs Nicoll
Mr Hughes
Dramatic
Development
Music
Science
Humanities
Science
Humanities
Humanities
Mr
Templeton
Mr Turner
Ms Heath
Mrs Sue
Laity
Mrs
DeCastella
Mr Savage
Miss Walsh
Mr Senn
Mrs
Pannach
Mr Hughes
Rm S 02
Rm 7.4
Rm S 04
Mr Frame
Rm D01
Rm 7.7
Rm 7.6
Music
School
Lesson 2
10.45 –
11.30am
School Tour
&
Morning Tea
School
Tour
&
Morning
Tea
English
Music
Humanities
Miss
Armstrong
Mr
Templeton
Mr Turner
Ms Heath
Mrs Sue
Laity
Mrs
DeCastella
Mr
Lawrence
Rm 7.3
Morning
Tea
&
School
Tour
Morning
Tea
&
School
Tour
Science
Science
Mrs Nicoll
Mrs
Catania
Rm 7.5
Music
School
Lesson 3
11.30 –
12.15pm
Music
English
Mr Templeton
Mr Turner
Ms Heath
Mrs
Miss
Peoples
Rm 7.2
Morning
Tea
&
School
Tour
Morning
Tea
&
School
Tour
Morning
Tea
&
School
Tour
S 02
S 04
DeCastella
Mrs Sue Laity
Music School
TUTORIAL
12.15 –
12.30pm
Mrs Pannach
Miss
Peoples
Miss
Armstrong
Miss Walsh
Mr Senn
Mrs Nicoll
Mr Hughes
YEAR 8 PARENT – TEACHER INTERVIEWS
Year 8 Parent Teacher Student Interviews are scheduled for tonight, Thursday 17th March and will be held in
the Neville J Lyngcoln Senior Student Centre between 4.00 and 9.30pm.
The expectation is that each student and at least one parent/carer will attend these interviews with each
subject teacher. Students are to wear School uniform.
STUDENT PROGRESS COMMITTEE- YEAR 8 & YEAR 9
Mr Frazer, Mr Marden and I have read all the Year 8 & 9 Semester 1 Progress reports and we will be making
recommendations to the Student Progress Committee. Discussions with some students regarding practical
strategies to improve level of achievement, effort, class involvement, completion and quality of homework will
take place early next term.
YEAR 7 PROGRESS REPORTS
Year 7 Semester 1 Progress reports will be available online via the Community Portal next Wednesday
afternoon, 23 March after 2pm. Parent Teacher Student interviews were conducted on Tuesday 3 March and
this is reflected by ‘Completed’ in the Interview column
YEAR 7 IMMUNISATIONS
In accordance with the Public Health & Wellbeing Act 2008, Maroondah City Council’s Immunisation Team
will again be visiting our school in 2016 to provide immunisations to Year 7 students.
Year 7 students who have returned their Consent Forms will be receiving:
·
·
·
Three doses of Human Papillomavirus vaccine (HPV)
A single dose of Chickenpox vaccine
A single dose of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis vaccine (Boostrix)
The Council’s Immunisation Team will visit the School on three separate occasions during 2016 as follows.
Date
23/03/2016
17/05/2016
7/09/2016
Immunisations
HPV & Chicken Pox
HPV & Boostrix
HPV
KEY DATES
Saturday, 19 March
Wednesday, 23 March
Monday, 11 April
Open Morning & Year 7 Classes
Food Wine & Music Concert
Y7 Immunisations (first session)
Last day Term 1
Term 2 commences
CONGRATULATIONS
This week our heartfelt congratulations to the following students for their excellent efforts in the Victorian
Junior Life Saving Championships at Warrnambool:
Mia Holah (Yr 9) - Bronze Surf Race 14/U
Reidel Smith – (Yr 8) Bronze Surf Race 13/U
Kimberley Gilling – (Yr 8) Silver Surf Race,
Silver Iron & Bronze Board Race 13/U
We also wish all members of our swim team
every success at the AGSV meet to be held at
MSAC this Friday night.
Best wishes to everyone for a Happy Easter and a safe and wonderful term one break.
UNIFORM SHOP
The new Uniform shop is located in the School House, access via Gate D. The new hours for Term 1 are as
follows:
Mondays
8.00am – 12noon
Wednesdays 12noon – 4.30pm
Thursdays
12noon – 4.30pm
Saturdays
First of each month
OPEN MORNING
We will be holding our annual Open Morning for the whole school; ELC, Junior, Middle and Senior on
Saturday 19 March. Tours depart from 9.00am from the PAC (Junior to Senior) and from the ELC.
It is a compulsory morning for all Year 7s and student leaders and selected students will be asked to
volunteer their time to assist with the tours.
For enquiries, please call the Admissions office on 9262 7700 or refer to our website: www.yvg.vic.edu.au
DRAMA
Ms Jane Marshall
Head of Drama
The Drama Department has been busy with excursions, incursions and workshops in the past few weeks.
YEAR 7 & 8 – BRAT CAMP
On Wednesday the 9th of March, Zeal Theatre revealed their fantastic play Brat Camp in the George Wood
Performing Arts Centre. They had exemplary use of character transformation. Tom and Stefo played
numerous and varied characters; in order to do this they used movement and their voices specifically to show
who their characters were. They used props to help them but they used gesture to their fullest potential. They
showed how teenagers could really be brats! They used bunks as so many different things it was hard to
keep count! They used imagination in so many ways, the beds were showers, a cliff face, a podium, canoes,
an obstacle course and even a mountain. Every now and again they had to improvise when the bell went
which just added more comedy style to it. It had the perfect balance of comedy and tension; they really did
draw you in! It started with a boy named Angus joining the 'BBT Camp' (Building Better Teenagers Camp)
and meeting his fellow camp mates, Josh, Habibi and Tysen.
The two men also played four other characters of both genders. The BBT Camp is a camp that well, builds
better teenagers, than those they were before. Parents would send their teens to this camp hoping they
would come out better people, according to them Kylie Minogue even went there! The play started and
ended with a guitar piece. A truly incredible way to show how teenagers can be brats and bullies and not
even realise it. Truly great!
Catriona Stark,
Yr 8
YEAR 10 – 12 KING HIT
It is engrained into our minds from a very young age that violence is never the solution to any problem. This
proposition was indulgently explored through the confronting yet enthralling two-man performance of King
Hit presented by Zeal Theatre. The intensely physical, high-energy performance provoked the issues that
surround violence and delved into the life that is lead after abuse is committed. Not only did the performance
elucidate the importance of learning the effects of violence and how to prevent it, but it also allowed the year
10’s, 11’s and 12’s to engage in a presentation full of countless character transformations aiding in our solos
at the end of the year.
The year 11 and 12 drama classes were privileged enough to attend an intense workshop with the two
performers after the viewing of King Hit. We worked intently on skills that allow us to fluently transform
characters and how the same individual may be portrayed in many different ways. The skills that we learned
over the hour-long workshop are vital in not only the development of our year 11 and 12 ensembles and
solos, but in any performance that we may do throughout our lives. We would like to thank Zeal for their
exchange of knowledge throughout the amazing workshop and also for their incredibly memorable
performance.
Eloise McCreedy,
Drama Captain
GUEST SPEAKER
On Tuesday the 15th of March, Jessie-Lou Yates a professional
actor and musical theatre performer came to Yarra Valley
Grammar at lunch time to present a talk about her life and how
she has come to achieve such a successful career at such a
young age. Jessie enlightened the Senior Drama Development
group about her acting career and where she went straight
after school. She was fortunate to be cast in major roles in
Wicked the Musical at Universal Studios in Japan and toured
the West End in London with the production of Dirty
Dancing. Jessie explained audition processes and described
her life completing her BA (Acting) at the prestigious LAMDA
in London. She talked us through her difficult process in
achieving her dreams as an actress and answered any
questions that we might have about the world of Musical
Theatre, Drama and relevant training courses. Later in the
afternoon, Jessie ran a workshop with the Year 12 drama
class, in which she showed us some techniques that she
personally uses to help you find and get into character when
performing. The techniques she taught us will prove most
useful to help us with VCE performances.
She also made us reflect upon our characters in the senior school play this year “I Never Saw Another
Butterfly” and how we can portray them at a more sophisticated level. Jessie was an excellent guest speaker
and we hope to have her back later in the year for another workshop.
Kieren Bambery,
Drama Captain
SENIOR SCHOOL PRODUCTION
Tickets for this year’s Senior School production will be available next term. Stay tuned for more details
MUSIC
Mr Scott Templeton
Director of Music
FOOD WINE AND MUSIC 2016 – THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!
This Saturday evening, March 19th, sees the annual Food, Wine and Music Concert take place. This is the
biggest concert the school produces each year and
features nearly every performing group in the school.
Parents should be aware of a few details in the lead
up:
• The event kicks off at 6:30pm. Students report
to the PAC, and the food and wine tasting for
parents is in the Foundation Hall precinct
• Students in senior ensembles (Symphony
Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Senior Voices,
Blue harmony,) are to wear ALL BLACK i.e.
black pants or skirt, a black shirt and a school
performance tie (supplied on the night)
• Big Band students to wear their standard
concert dress, all black for females, with males in black jacket and pants, white shirt and black bow
tie.
• Students in Middle School ensembles (Swing Choir, Concert Band, String All Stars, Zoned In) are to
wear black pants or skirt and a white long sleeve shirt. This shirt may be a school shirt. A
performance tie will be supplied on the night.
• Students in both Middle and senior ensembles should wear all black as per the senior ensembles.
• Information for Junior students can be found in Mrs Schmidli’ s column found elsewhere in this issue
• The concert will conclude by 10:15pm, and students will be ready for departure by 10:30pm
• Enquiries to the Music School on 9262 7718
Tickets for this fabulous event remain on sale via Trybooking up until the end of the day Friday, and we
encourage you to secure your tickets before then. Click on this link:
http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=123278
GENERATIONS IN JAZZ 2016
A reminder to parents of students involved with the Big Band, Zoned In and Ballad, that an email regarding
your child’s participation in Generations in Jazz went out last week, and responses and signed forms were
due back to the Music Office earlier this week. If you have not yet responded, please do so as soon as
possible.
UPCOMING DATES – TERMS ONE & TWO
Saturday March 19 – Food, Wine and Music Evening - George Wood Performing Arts Centre, 6pm
Saturday April 16 – Eighth Annual Concerto Competition – Foundation Hall, 2pm
Friday May 6 to Sunday May 8 – Generations in Jazz 2016, Mount Gambier, South Australia
YARRA SPIRIT
Miss Kimberley Wolsley
Development Office
FOOD WINE AND MUSIC CONCERT WINE ORDERS
There will be a great selection of wines available for tasting on the night and we would love everyone to put in
their orders for home! Wine orders will be available until Friday 22 April.
Please see the Flyers section for the order form. Please hand in or email to Anita in the Music Department
anita.holman@yvg.vic.edu.au .
YEAR 7 YEAR LEVEL REPRESENTATIVES
Georgie Hentschel (Ed’s mum) is doing a fantastic job getting started as the Year 7 Year Level Parent Rep.
Many hands make light work so if anybody would like to assist Georgie in this role please contact
development@yvg.vic.edu.au for any further information.
SURVEY RESULTS
Thanks to all community who participated in the Yarra Spirit Community Engagement
Survey at the end of last year. Please see the findings and recommendations on the YVG
website: http://www.yvg.vic.edu.au/community/yarra-spirit/
We look forward to implementing your suggestions over the coming months.
YARRA’S 50TH COMMUNITY FESTIVAL - VOLUNTEERS
We are very excited for Yarra’s 50th Community Festival on Saturday 15 October! We are currently looking
for a food stall coordinator, preferably with food handling knowledge, to assist in the planning of Yarra’s 50th
Community Festival.
We already have a team in place working on this exciting event and would just like an extra set of hands for
this area. If you have any questions or would like to put your hand up please contact Kimberley Wolsley on
development@yvg.vic.edu.au . If anybody would like to assist on helping out on one of the stalls for part of the
day please email Kimberley Wolsley on development@yvg.vic.edu.au . If you’d like, register your interest with
a friend to work on some stalls together!
ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
Yarra Parents & Friends are beginning presales for the 2016
Entertainment books! Details shall be emailed to all parents
look for the flier at the end of this edition of the Valley Voice
details.
or please
for further
YARRA FOUNDATION SILENT AUCTION
The Yarra Foundation will be running a silent auction at both the Chairman’s Ball in May and Yarra’s 50th
Community Festival in October. Anyone interested in supporting this initiative with a prize (for the Chairman’s
Ball, we’re looking for ‘money can’t buy’ experiences!) please contact development on
development@yvg.vic.edu.au .
CHAIRMAN’S BALL
We are currently confirming all payments from the original ‘Save a Table’ list for the Chairman’s Ball in May.
Should any more seats become available we shall begin contacting those on the Waiting List. To add your
name to this Waiting List please email us at development@yvg.vic.edu.au.
SPORT
Mr Bryan Harper
Director of Sport
AGSV SWIMMING
The AGSV Carnival will be conducted this Friday March 18 at the Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre. The
program is available on the Yarra Valley Grammar website / sport. We wish Steve Treadwell, all the coaches
and the swimmers the best on the night.
SUMMER SPORT WRAPS UP WITH A VOLLEYBALL PREMIERSHIP
This summer sports season will officially conclude this Saturday with the final girls Firsts team matches.
Last evening, our Girls Volleyballers took out the Premiership for the third
consecutive year after defeating Ivanhoe Grammar in three sets.
Congratulations to Steve Holder the coach, Yasmin Tan the Captain and
all the girls who have now maintained their undefeated record through the
last three seasons. The Girls Volleyball team has won an incredible 12
Premierships from 14 AGSV/APS seasons since the sport was introduced
in 2003.
The Softball team also had a very successful season and finished with a
strong win against Ivanhoe Grammar. The team again won all their
matches bar one which unfortunately relegated them to Runners Up.
The team has been pushing
towards the ultimate prize
for a number of years under
John Hollingsworth; we wish
them well as they strive for
the big prize next season.
SUMMER SPORT PRESENTATION EVENING
This Summer Sports Presentation Evening will be held very early Term on the first Tuesday evening. April 12
in the Performing Arts Centre commencing from 6.00pm. All students who participated in
• Firsts Cricket, Tennis, Volleyball, Badminton and Basketball for boys
• Firsts Softball, Volleyball and Tennis for girls
• AGSV Swimming team 2016
• AGSV Athletics team 2015
WINTER SPORTS
Winter sport practices are now fully underway. Please note the following uniform requirements.
AFL
Soccer
AFL or club or YVG football jumper, football shorts and boots. Mouth guard is compulsory
YVG sports uniform or full soccer uniform from club or supporting club, shin guards
compulsory
Hockey
YVG sports uniform, shin guards are compulsory, mouth guard is compulsory
Netball
YVG sports uniform
Basketball
YVG sports uniform
Cross Country YVG sports or PE uniform
US BASEBALL STAR AT YVG
We welcomed Evan Brisentine from California to the School yesterday
who worked with a number of our students in the Physical Education and
Sport programs. Even, who is staying with the Pahos family; Adam and
Ryan, both State representatives. He spent four years at Santa Clare in
their Division One College Baseball program while completing a History
major. He is out in Australia building his experience and is currently
playing for the Melbourne Baseball Club. The students enjoyed working
with Evan as he took them through the finer points of the game with
particular reference to his left arm pitching skills. We thank Evan for
giving up his time and for providing our students with a real insight into
the game of baseball. See photo attached of Evan working with a year 8 group.
AGSV SELECTION
We congratulate the following students on having outstanding summers at AGSV level in their chosen sport
and on being rewarded with AGSV selection to play matches against the combined APS on Tuesday March
22 at St. Kevin’s College. The outline of the day is available on the AGSV website.
Badminton
Elton Zhang, Rayne Wang
Basketball
Jack Roberts (game played in August)
Cricket
Darcy Harris
Softball
Gemma Hamilton (VC), Nicolette Rippon, Alaina Kett
Tennis
Ellie Rogers, Jessica Burbridge, Owen Tozer
Volleyball
Yasmin Tan ©, Amy Leslie, Olivia Phillips, Keli Romas, Sam Brewer, Eamon Burke
Thank you to all of the families who came along to the 2016 Snowsports Launch event last night.
It was great to see so many new faces and keen skiers and snowboarders.
For anyone who couldn’t make it to the event and are interested in joining the team please
contact the Snowsports Coordinator on the email below.
Registrations are due on March 23.
Mr Nathan O’Malley
Snowsports Coordinator
snowsports@yvg.vic.edu.au
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Mr Chris Lawson
Deputy Principal – Head of Junior School
Following the long weekend, we had a mass exodus from school on Tuesday morning with Year 5 students
departing for Camp, Year 4 students for their visit to the Enterprize and CERES and our Year 3 students who
visited CERES environmental centre. On the same day, our Junior Primary students participated in their Junior
Primary Aths fun day. Definitely a day of hands on experiences!
On Wednesday I enjoyed spending time with our Year 5 students at Camp Jungai near Rubicon. The
students enjoyed a variety of activities including canoeing, ropes courses, water ecology lessons and
indigenous culture sessions with Sean, our expert educator.
Seeing all the children so engaged and working so well to
support each other is a fantastic thing to see and always
reinforces to me why camp is such an important part of
school education. Obviously, camp gives children the
experience of living away from home and their parents,
working with a large group of children around the same age,
learning to solve real world problems, learning about
differences and trying some new and challenging activities.
In particular, as we have so many new students, it also
finalises the settling in period to a new school.
I was very impressed to see how our students engaged with Sean, an Indigenous educator. Following an
introductory session on the first night, children asked relevant questions about the number of and differences
between indigenous countries in Australia (numbering up to 220 different countries). They then moved on to
discuss traditional customs and dispel some of the common rumours they had heard about our Indigenous
people. This work with Sean follows on from studies done in our classes prior to camp which looks at not
only Australian Indigenous people, but also those from other countries in the world.
Our Year 5 students return from camp on Friday afternoon.
Students finish Term 1 after our final assembly on Wednesday, 23 March. The assembly will commence at
2:30 and will include the drawing of the Easter Raffle, a reflection about Easter and a presentation from our
Year 5 students about camp. Term 2 commences on Monday 11 April.
UPCOMING DATES
March
21
Week 9
(A)
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
25
Thursday
Friday
AGSV Swimming Carnival (Years 3 - 6) (10.45am – 2.30pm, MSAC)
Junior Primary Assembly (2.45pm, Year 1 Classroom)
Year 5 Indigenous Communities Showcase (2.30pm – 3.15pm, Year 5 Classrooms)
ELC Family Picnic (5.30pm, ELC)
Prep – Year 2 Easter Celebration (8.45am)
Junior School Final Assembly (2.40pm)
End of Term 1
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
ELC & Junior School Easter Raffle
Tickets are now on sale in the ELC & Junior School Office
$0.50 cents each or 3 for $1
The raffle will be drawn at final assembly on the last day of term, Wednesday 23 March.
All proceeds go to the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
Thank you to Yarra Parents & Friends for donating the hampers for this worthy cause.
LOST PROPERTY
Any items in Lost Property will be displayed outside the Carter Resource Centre on the last day of
term – Wednesday 23 March. Please come and claim your lost items!
THE JUNIOR SCHOOL VEGETABLE GARDEN IS HERE!
The Junior School team has been busy getting the vegetable garden
ready for planting. Last week we planted our first crops for 2016 and
they are going to be ready for harvesting during Term 2. A broad
range of vegetables has been planted and these include cabbage,
beetroot and Pak Choy, to name just a few.
We are looking forward to the Year 2 students harvesting later next
term for the 2016 Masterchef experience.
Stay tuned for regular updates!
JUNIOR SCHOOL PARTICIPATES IN G.A.T.E.WAYS – TERM ONE
Recently a group of Junior School students attended the Term One G.A.T.E.WAYS program. Our Year 2/3
team explored some gross and interesting Science concepts –
Who can deny the awesome attraction of slime? The look, the feel …the taste?
Slime is everywhere around us, and also inside us. We'd die without it, as would many other animals all over
the planet. But what is it actually?
What lurks in the cracks and crevices of your house?
Who is living in your pillow and mattress? Sometimes harmless, sometimes dangerous and sometimes doing
us good, these tiny disgusting creatures share our world and are simply
impossible to get rid of.
Here are some of our Junior Primary students to tell us all about their experience –
‘The first gross session was all about bacteria, fungi and dust mites. We learnt about dead skin cells and
how they fall off the top layer of skin each day. We got to feel a cockroach and fake spider and wrote about
the differences between them and a dust mite... We made our own mucus and phlegm with Borax and
experimented with how far it could spread with balloon blowers. It was really fun!
Ari Pertile Year 2
‘Our first program was Slime Time. We talked about all of the animals that made their slime and it was
disgusting... It was a gross day, but really cool!’
Alannah Year 3
The Senior Primary team also focused their attention on the curious world of Science and this led them to
explore –
You may have always thought that the bubbles on top of the fish tank were little air bubbles from the fish
breathing.
But, maybe they are actually tiny little bubbles of gas?
We all know that some illnesses and ailments can have some unsavoury aspects, but sometimes the
prospective cures can seem even more disgusting!
Here is what on of our Senior Primary students had to tell us all about their experience –
Gifted and Talented Education (G.A.T.E.WAYS) was great fun and very 'interesting'. The topic this term was
Grossology which was, as the name suggests was, GROSS! We learnt the disgusting ways some people
tried to heal people with things as weird as a criminal's head. In that same session, called 'Revolting
Remedies' we also learnt about the very weird diseases we humans can receive, such as Nappy Rash, and
how we can avoid, treat and receive these diseases. The next session we did was called ' Do Fish Fart?'
which, I think is safe to say, was the grossest topic. We learnt what a fart is and why we do fart. We also
learnt about other animals farting and the purpose of it, such as a fish 'fart' to communicate, as if they are
playing Marco Polo using facts instead. The last session we had was 'Scats, carcasses and other clues'. The
Hunt for Australia's Big Cat' which was another gross subject where we learnt whatever a professional
tracker would need to know. We learnt things, like how to tell which type of poo belongs to which animal,
how animals would leave their eaten prey and the tracks they would leave. Finally, the moment we were all
waiting for was going on a virtual hunt to find if a sighting of a big cat in Australia was real or fake! We found
this out by using clues seen around the site and the knowledge we learnt about big cats and their scats. Not
only was everything educational, it was also great fun, especially during recess and lunch break. It doesn't
stop there - while we were learning we were also having fun in the process. G.A.T.E.WAYS in general was
FANTASTIC and an absolute blast.
Ryan Year 5
Mrs Nicole Rogers
Junior School Curriculum Coordinator
JUNIOR MUSIC NOTES
Mrs Rachel Schmidli
Junior School Music
FOOD WINE AND MUSIC CONCERT SATURDAY 19 MARCH
The Junior School Choir and the Year 3 Choir will perform at this wonderful whole
School concert. It is a fabulous opportunity to see our major ensembles from each
section of the School perform in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. The parents will spend the first half of
evening sampling food and wine from the region, mixing with other parents and attending a silent auction.
Then they will join the performers in the PAC for the concert.
This is a major fundraising event for YARRA Music and tickets are available through the Trybooking link
http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=123278
#Please remember to book a performer ticket for all Junior school performers as once they have
performed in the first item they will be seated with you.
The Year 3 Choir and Junior School Choir arrive at the Junior Music room between 6.30pm and 7.00pm.
Year 3 Choir will need to wear dark jeans/ leggings, hair neatly tied back with a red ribbon and clean
sneakers. We will supply a red choir t- shirt. They will get changed when they arrive on Saturday night and
can wear the T- shirt home. Please wash and return to school the following week.
The Junior School Choir will arrive in their ‘Oliver’ street urchin clothing and remain in this for the evening.
(School trousers or leggings, school shoes, a shirt with rolled sleeves, a scarf around the neck and vest, a
peaked cap or messed up hair are just some easy suggestions on what to wear).
Both choirs will need to bring a substantial healthy snack (not chips, chocolate and sweets!) and water
bottle. We are looking forward to a sensational concert!
OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE
FLYERS