Campus News - Mentone Grammar

Campus News
Frogmore — Mr Cameron Lancaster Head of Frogmore
Year 12 Transition
No 25 2015
Term 3
4 September 2015
Our Year 12s have been meeting each Thursday morning during Roll Call to
receive information on transition into life beyond Mentone Grammar.
For many students this will mean tertiary education and we have received
information from Mr Marrow about entry procedures and requirements as
well as University Open Days and scholarships that are on offer. A panel of
past Mentonians addressed the students on life at university and learning beyond Mentone Grammar.
For some students, next year may be a GAP year involving a combination of work and
travel and for others it may be a transition into the workforce. Whatever the pathway, it
will involve change and as always we will best adapt through thorough preparation.
We were delighted to have Mr Greg Wilkinson and a large panel of Mentonians inform us
of all of the ways that we can keep in touch with the School as past students. For so many
this connection has been a positive part of their lives that they want to maintain through
involvement with the various clubs and associations that The Mentonian Association
offer.
As the term comes to a close we will start to focus on Valedictory and the full roster of
events that are being organised to celebrate the end of our Year 12s time at School. It’s a
really exciting and important time in a young person’s life and we aim to recognise that
appropriately.
Frogmore Study Afternoons
With the completion of our House Sport Program and the AGSV competition yet to begin,
we have dedicated three Wednesday afternoons this term to academic study initiatives.
This is a welcome focus in the lead up to holidays and, of course, timely for any student
completing studies in Units 3/4 with external examinations in October!
Our Year 10s have been involved in extra sessions of Maths, Science practical experiments in the laboratories and the English Faculty organised five guest authors to address
students on essay writing techniques and creativity.
Next week students will receive some information on the VCE as they embark, next year,
on this two-year program and many attempt a Units 3/4 subject. A panel of Year 12 students has been assembled to share their experiences and advice and answer questions
that the Year 10s may have.
The Year 11s listened to a leadership consultant on the first Wednesday of the program.
Mark Dobson has worked with Olympic athletes including swimmer Grant Hackett!
Mark inspired the students to be the best people they can be by “being good” not just
“looking good”. He spoke of teams he had worked with that claimed they wanted to be
the best but did not hold each other accountable to best practice! He asked them to develop a set of core behaviours that could become the “Mentone Grammar way”.
This week they received extra English lectures on essay writing from our Head of English
Mr James Walton and Mr Ben Bruin. They will receive a detailed VCE Information session
next week outlining VCE administrative information and tips for success from Year 12
students.
www.mentonegrammar.net
Frogmore Key Dates
Saturday 5 September
Athletics Trials
Wednesday 9 September
Frogmore Study Program
AGSV Athletics Championships
Thursday 10 September
Winter Sport Awards Night
Sunday 13 September
Battlefields Tour departs
Monday 14 September
Drinan Service/Dinner
Tuesday 15 September
Jones Service/Dinner
Wednesday 16 September
Spring Concert
Japan Study Tour departs
Thursday 17 September
Deighton Service/Dinner
Seussical!
“Oh the thinks you can think when you think about Seuss!”
Seussical was staged at the Drum theatre in Dandenong to large audiences over three nights. It
was a showcase of talent, energy, skill and true commitment. Our students outdid themselves
this year by putting on a highly polished show, which had a sophisticated and complex score.
Many engaging and stylised performances stood out: Patrick Anderson as the heartfelt Horton,
James Pearman as the over-thinking JoJo, Adam Pratt as the subversive Cat in the Hat, Tessa
Petrie as the unlucky-in-love Gertrude, Lucy Mangion as the irresponsible Mayzie, Aleisha Bermanoff as the stunning Sour Kangaroo, Max Stammers and Becca Mendel as the well intentioned Mr & Mrs Mayor, Issy Hore as the kooky Grandma Mayor, Jackson Palmer as the tunnel
visioned Genghis Khan Schmitz, and Tim Rossi as the highly comedic and cheeky ‘The Grinch” –
who could forget his antics at interval?
However, the supporting cast and ensemble were outstanding with each and every actor and
dancer executing their role superbly. Congratulations to Anthony Bingham and Lidia Mancini on
their expert musical direction, Vanessa Moore and Holly Loughran for their specialist choreography, Kirsty Pestchel for make-up, Rondel Ferret for her incredible costumes and Alicia Jenkins
for her production management.
A big thank you also goes to the backstage crew
and staff involved in making the show look visually
exciting and for having it run so smoothly and to
the Orchestra for bringing the magical score to
life! Our performing arts students are amazing and
I thank them all for their fine efforts!
Louise Daly
Director - Seussical
More images may be viewed in our Web Gallery
Purchase details overleaf
“If you’re happy and you know it... clap your hands...”
And so it began ... and before we knew it Frogmore students and staff were making the moves and
feeling the love along with Lamont and the dance team— the Nubian Gents. This is the second year
the Nubian Gents, who hail from New York, have visited us but the first time participating at an Assembly.
In 1994, educator Lamont O’Neil became acutely aware of a crisis confronting teenage males in the
Junior High School where he worked. He saw an evident lack of self-esteem, identity and perception
of personal capability. Concerned as he was, he decided to introduce these young men to a male
fraternity-style step group designed to give them positive and productive affiliation. More than 100
young men in Springfield Gardens, Queens enlisted and the Nubian Gents were born.
Mr O’s message was simple but powerful. Every moment in life is a life changing moment. And in
school every experience we give should stimulate the mind, stir the heart and motivate the will. This
was illustrated for us by the youngest and newest member of the group who shared his story of how
while bullying in school dragged him away from his study, the step team brought him back in and
improved his work.
By the end of that assembly we were all feeling positive, happy, involved, belonging and motivated.
Debating Success 2015
After reaching the last 16 teams in the State, our Year 10 Debating Team consisting of Thomas Siedle, Harry Austin, Austin Hollingsworth and Ryan Buckler have finally bowed out of this year’s Debating competition. In a hard
fought Debate against Sacre Coeur on Wednesday evening at Kilvington, our team lost by just 2 points. Much has been learned
during Senior Debating in 2015 and our teams are poised to pounce next year at all senior levels. We look forward to what is ahead
in Debating in 2016 and beyond.
Mr Mark Smith
Lord Somers Camp and Power House ‘Empowerme’
Not knowing too much about the Program and what it would involve, we arrived in the morning unaware of what we would gain
from the experience. However, despite our prior thoughts and after participating in some introductory activities, we began to realise the valuable opportunity that Empowerme had the potential to provide us. The very first thing that surprised us before we even
commenced the introductory activities was the amount of Year 10s who had turned up to the venue to participate. This provided a
true reflection of the remarkable reputation that Lord Somers Camp and Power House have.
Throughout the day, we were presented with a variety of guest speakers who were all motivational in their own way, and taught
us a wide variety of life lessons such as goal setting and overcoming the odds. Some of these speakers included Kate Rizzo, a psychologist who spoke to us about the kindness effect; Fi Canny, a charity worker who made us think about our true inner values;
Tommy Quick, a severe stroke survivor who had trekked Kokoda and Yas McKenzie; a manager of Lord Somers Camp and Power
House, who showed us how to achieve our long and short term goals.
What was unique about this day was that we all gained different things from the experience. We met new people and discovered
the importance of possessing values such as hard work and respect that can take you far in life. Overall, Empowerme inspired us
and was a worthwhile experience.
Lucas Waters and Zac Scherger
Wes Flavell off to Canberra (Year 11 Jones House)
Two Year 11 students applied for the National Youth Science Forum to be held in January 2016. Andrew Persic and Wes Flavell
were both interviewed in a most competitive field. Wes, sponsored by Beaumaris Rotary club, gained selection and will attend the
NYSF to be held Canberra in January 2016. This residential program is exciting and challenging. He may even be offered a place in
the International Science Forum later in the year. Wes follows in the footsteps of several other Mentonians (Andreas Baruhas, Patrick Grant and Richard Xin) who have attended this prestigious forum in the past. For those budding scientists and engineers in
Year 10, applications open in March / April 2016.
Congratulations to both Wes and Andrew and good luck to Wes on his upcoming adventure.
From Wikipedia:
The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is an Australian program dedicated to exposing year eleven students who are heading into year twelve
and are thinking about a career in science, engineering and related disciplines to major scientific institutions and researchers, so that they may
make more informed choices for their future endeavours. They are also given training in time management, interview skills and public speaking.
The Forum is fully residential and takes place during January in Canberra. All activities are fully supervised by student staff and resident Rotary
counsellors. The program is extremely intensive with little time for outside activities except for meeting those people already in the program.
The most important aspect coming from the NYSF is a network of friends, colleagues and support groups throughout Australia which will be of
value to participants for the whole of their lives.
House Competition
Over the year, the eight Houses took part in 20 events that would test all the teams and individuals
on a broad spectrum of skills. House events ranging from Chess to Tug of War, from Drama to Athletics and from academic performance to, the sport of the school, Swimming, helped us reflect on
our true values. The characteristics of Mentone Grammar’s identity including the integrity to be fair
and respectful of other competitors, being caring of fellow teammates, to not give up, and the endeavour to service the House. An abundance of planning by the House Coordinators behind the
scenes and assistance from students in their field of expertise meant that 2015 was one of the most
dynamic years in the history of the House Competition.
Principal Mal Cater's most cherished event, Cross Country, was the last activity which illustrated our
persistent nature when the House competition could have been won by either Jones or Deighton.
To our credit, Jones came first to secure the coveted House Plate by seven points. I would like to
thank all Jones members for a sensational year of consistent efforts. My job was made that much
easier knowing we had enthusiastic, friendly individuals who chose to opt in rather than opt out.
When called upon, students performed their best whether they had outstanding expertise in the
area or not, and if lacking in talent, certainly made up for in courage.
However, winning the House competitions is only a small portion of what it is to be in a House. The
tight community and relationships developed between year levels over the course of the year is
highly evident in the various aspects of school life we partake in. Whether it's selecting teams together, competing side by side, cheering on one another, rapturous applause for significant efforts
or singing the House chant, helps bring us together and develop a sense of camaraderie in the
group. It may even be the simple fact of the downtime on the bus rides home, but whatever it may
be, you won't find that overwhelming support the House offers, anywhere else.
Brayden Morrow
Jones House Captain
AGSV Athletics Captains
The Athletics Squad has been training now since the Term 2 holidays and all involved
have been enjoying the training involved across all age groups. We have had in excess
of 120 different athletes train and the feeling in the squad is fantastic. We have our
final Trials meet this weekend at Dolamore Athletics track in order to finalise preparations for the following week. The Captains of Athletics were announced last week so
congratulations to Amitty Edgeworth and Holly Clayton for being co-captains of the
Girls’ team and to Jesse Reed and Liam Hiscock for being co-captains of the Boys’ team.
All four students will lead their respective teams well.
The Finals will be held next Wednesday 9 September at Albert Park Athletics Stadium. The AGSV Athletics Finals is always a fantastic event and all of the Mentone Grammar community are invited to attend and support the students as they compete. We are
very excited about this event and hope that students see this as a great opportunity to get involved.
How to Purchase Seussical Images
If families wish to purchase prints, please visit: www.digiproofs.com/mareedinger/
(Password—Seuss).
We thank photographer Maree Dinger for providing this service. Proceeds to go to Mentone Grammar Community Service charities.
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