Around the Grounds

Happy Friday to everyone.
It's Spring, and we're so so happy about it. This week had a touch of everything: a disco, mountains of egg and bacon Father's Day rolls, a major Chicago comedown, footy and athletics, Aladdin Jr. and Rockwiz preparations and a good old hitting of the books. It's been a week, but when the sun's out, spirits are up and off we go.  

To Know: It's Father's Day on Sunday. Don't forget.
To Read: Some of our Year 6 students have written beautiful Wugularr reflections, below.
To See: Aladdin Jnr - it's next week! If you haven't already, GET YOUR TICKETS. Minimbah production, Senior Campus venue, three sessions, don't miss out. 

Masquerade Ball

This year's Minimbah disco theme was Masquerade Ball! In the traditional days of such shenanigans, anonymity was a drawcard, as a suspension of social hierarchies was somewhat liberating. Social wha? None of that around here. There was a touch of tradition, there was a Homer Simpson mask and more sequined head apparel than you knew existed. From the dramatic to comedic, from the homemade to (definitely) not. It was all there - and DJ'd by Woodleigh alumn Andre Nash, to boot. It was a great time.

Year 8 entrepreneur panels

Each year, our favourite Mr Tom Ryan (of medieval fame) wears one of his many other fabulous hats and assembles a panel of Woodleigh alumni. The panellists spoke to our Year 8 cohort as part of their Business and Enterprise studies in Humanities. This year, we had Sam Turner alumnus (Class of 2008) and a current parent who has held leadership positions in organisations throughout Australian agriculture. Sam spoke about sustainable agriculture and the opportunities it presents for future generations. 
Simon Mildren, current parent, spoke about his agritech company, HiveKeepers, transforming honey harvesting through closed-system design. 
Ellen Keillar, alumna (Class of 2009), is Curatorial Project Officer - Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture at the NGV, who also happens to be co-founder of an independent Melbourne-based golf apparel brand that (finally) reimagines the good old golf fashions we know and tolerate - Found Golf. Definitely worth a look.

This unit is part of students' lead-up to formal career exploration, which occurs in Year 9. It is part of empowering students to make informed, confident choices about their futures - choices that reflect their values, strengths, and personal definitions of success.

Aladdin Jr is happening!

Book your tickets RIGHT HERE. Here! Over here.

Product Design

Designing, creating, making with your hands. There is immense satisfaction for these Year 12 Product Design students, but in a digital world, the direct hand-brain connection strengthens neural pathways. Bonus. And they are highly skilled by the time they reach Year 12; the product outcomes are worth seeing. 

MYP Mini Art Market

The MYP Community Project comes after City Bound. Over two terms, Year 9 students undertake their student-led service-learning initiative, requiring them to identify a community need, plan and execute a project to address it and reflect on their experience. Lenny (Year 9) orchestrated a Mini Arty Market and invited staff and students to be involved. In Lenny's own words, "Why be part of this? You will be contributing to making a difference."

Lenny's chosen community is Irrultja. His plan to host the mini market was executed, inviting others to collaborate with him on his mission. 10% of all sales have been donated to the Irrultja fund (below). Thankyou Lenny, for such big thinking.

You can donate too - click here

Fathers Day

Jerry Seinfeld told us all many years ago that having children was like using a blender without a lid. We were warned, but thankfully we didn't listen - the lids are off. Happy Father's Day to all the dads and special men in our lives. 
This week we celebrated at Senior and Minimbah Campuses with breakfast and music, in crisp morning sun.

Next week, Penbank!

The Week in Sport

Footy, Boys and Girls Juniors, and SIS Athletics, here's a round-up of the week in pics, but results will come in next week...

Mouths of Babes. 

Wugularr

When we walked into the school, and just being in the community, I noticed a lot of differences from my home down south. At Wugularr, all the dirt was red, a whole heap of dogs were roaming around, and kids were playing happily everywhere. As I walked onto the school field, all of the little kids came up to me and introduced themselves. One kid called Rodriguez came up to me, and he was so excited to see me for some reason. It felt very heartwarming and I felt very happy! He instantly said, "Hi, what’s your name? I’m Rodriguez. Can you play with me?” This was pretty impressive by the way, because he was only 6 years old. #cute.
- Thomas

There were so many wonderful experiences, but the one I'd like to reflect on is Top Yard. As we arrived at Top Yard, we had to wait at the top of a dirt road because only the 4WDs could make it through the bush. When we had all arrived, we had a talk with Tango. Tango is one of the important elders in the community and he knows so much about Jawoyn country. He welcomed us to this special place that only those who are invited and travel with an elder may enter. Tango told us about the boundaries, where it’s safe for us to go, swim and walk. It was incredible.
- Hudson

I saw the ‘Welcome to Wugularr’ sign and our whole car exploded with happiness. We all raced to get out of the white (now red) cars as fast as we could. I felt excited to spend the week with all the kids. I wasn’t expecting to see so many little ones and they were very thrilled to see us. There was a lot of squealing and laughter in the air.
- Allegra

Until we go Around the Grounds again next week...