Woodleigh Messenger
A MIND EXPANDING WEEK
Immersed, and loving it!
It's been Activities Camp Week at Senior Campus this week, and it's been huge, for staff and students alike. Our camps and co-curricular programs are a time for the regular timetable to be suspended, where small groups of students can take part in all sorts of mind-expanding opportunities right across the state.
The courage to try something new and be challenged, are some of the benefits of our extensive co-curricular program. Students can be far from the comforts of home, and well beyond their comfort zone. Dynamic learning, new connections, and new experiences abound – it is one of those weeks that truly sets Woodleigh apart.
Activities Week aligns with our School values of Respect for Self, Respect for Others, and Respect for the Environment. One of the most significant things we can take from the week is the ability to interact with others positively. In a family, a culture of positive relationships can have impact, but experience in a group situation for an extended time is a different way to learn and practice interpersonal skills.
We've had some wild weather this week, and some periods of discomfort - I'm sure those who went surfing bore the brunt! Even those not mad enough to get in the water would have felt wet, cold, unsure, or uncomfortable... but they survive, many thrive, and all develop their relationships, and an ability to adapt to different circumstances, build their independence and a greater ability to operate on their own or with different people, than if they didn't have such experiences.
The deep connections and breadth of skills students build in an immersive experience with other students and staff cannot be replicated at home or in the four walls of a classroom. Students have developed new friendships and happy long-lasting memories from last week. I’m sure you will agree that Woodleigh continues to provide our students the chance to get involved in a wide range of learning in a variety of contexts. As I have said in the past, I wish my personal experience of secondary school had been more aligned to Woodleigh's and I had been given the opportunity for such dynamic experiences in the everyday.
Production Time!
After a week of rehearsing during Activities Week, The Senior School Production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, moves into dress rehearsals next week, and straight onto opening night, August 24. I could not be prouder of the young people and staff who give their time, dedication and energy to such outstanding performances in this school. It is an enormous undertaking, as parents, teachers and students all know, and clear to see how much time and love is poured in.
Student-Parent-Teacher Interviews
Our Semester 2 Student-Parent-Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 5 September and Wednesday 6 September. Parents and students can meet with staff to discuss any questions or progress within specific learning areas. Teaching staff have a range of strategies to differentiate learning and enable high-quality student outcomes. During these interviews, staff discuss the Learning Behaviours exhibited by your child and the importance of developing these attributes to establish an independent, confident learner. I encourage both parents and students to continue to ask staff for feedback and strategies on how they can improve in all subject areas. I would also recommend that an ongoing conversation at home around the strategies discussed is important for continued student progress.
Spring is on the way...
Spring is near but it hasn't quite sprung - we can't get complacent, there are still viruses lurking. There is a trend across schools during Term 3 for an increase in student and staff absences so if your child presents with any symptoms of ill-health, try to keep them at home until they are symptom-free.
I wish you the best for the last few weeks of Term 3 – stay safe and take care.
Nat McLennan
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - HEAD OF SENIOR CAMPUS
Indigenous Flavours for the Teen Chefs
SIS cooking, Teen Chef
The theme for the 2023 SIS Teen Chef, was ‘Indigenous Sustainable.’ It took some time between researching and discussing, for all of us to decide what we could cook, and that would fit the theme. In two pairs, we developed our own unique recipes with Sebastian MacPhie and Alex Charlton on mains, and Lily Lawson and I were in charge of dessert. Once we knew our recipes, we were able to experiment during two practice sessions in the Food Studies kitchen.
We got an idea of what we needed to change beforehand through trial and error. We were lucky enough to have Tracy provide several of the Indigenous ingredients such as finger lime, pepper berry, Davidson Plum, Warragul greens, and lemon myrtle. These sessions were super helpful and fun for us to try each other’s dishes as well as get feedback about the flavours and presentation from teachers. On the day, we first served the judges pan-fried barramundi with Davidson plum beetroot puree, Warragul greens, roasted lemon and parmesan broccolini, and roasted potatoes, then to finish, an indigenous spiced myrtle cake with lemon curd, honey cream, and dehydrated finger lime. Before this experience, cooking with indigenous ingredients was something mostly new to us, so it was great for us to try new flavours and learn how to incorporate indigenous ingredients into cooking.
Lily Reynolds - Year 10
The experience of being part of SIS Teen Chef was amazing. We got to meet judges from the Australian Culinary Federation and all 11 schools got to sit down and introduced themselves to each other. They showed us to the kitchens and told us where everything was. When we entered the kitchen, it was overwhelming seeing the amount of food on the trolleys. The timer was about to start and we had 30 minutes to get our ingredients and measure them out. After the 30 minutes, we had 90 minutes to cook 4 main plates. Leaving the barramundi until the last 10 minutes was stressful but it turned out perfect. We then had to hand our favourite plate to the judges and the second best to the table where we got to see all the other school’s amazing dishes. We got great feedback and were very happy with the results. At the end of the judging, I went up to one of the judges for more feedback and he told us that next year he would be happy to come to Woodleigh to help us plan the recipe which is incredible.
Sebastian MacPhie – Year 10
AusCycling Schools MTB Series - Round 2 Lysterfield & Round 3 You Yangs
Our Woodleigh XC MTB team has been busy over recent weekends with rounds 2 & 3 of the AusCycling Schools MTB Series. Lysterfield and the You Yangs were our racing destinations.
The Lysterfield course took in sections of the State MTB Course (formerly the 2006 Commonwealth Games track), featuring winding tracks through the bush and technical rock gardens. We had several top 10 finishers throughout the day, with Archie Butt taking 4th in U13 Boys Novice, Josh Strouts placed 6th and Nate Woollard 9th in U15 Boys Novice, and a 10th place for Charlie Hosking in U15 Boys Racing.
We received our new Woodleigh Cycling Team jerseys just in time for Round 3 at the You Yangs. Rocking the Woodleigh orange, you couldn’t miss the team as they negotiated the fast and flowing You Yangs circuit. Our riders had another strong day, with Lewis Wakeling 5th and Blake Gordon 8th in U15 Boys Novice, Charlie Hosking 5th in U15 Boys Racing, Dash Penna 7th, and Rupert Tiedemann 8th in U17 Boys Novice.
Well done to Riley Kirk and Moscow Roller, who also put in strong rides at Lysterfield and the You Yangs.
AusCycling has just advised that the fourth round of the series will take place on Sunday, 17 September, in Bendigo. We look forward to rounding out the series in Bendigo. It is not too late to get involved, with our Wednesday night training rides in Red Hill becoming ever more popular. We have some school bikes and helmets for anyone who wants to get out on the trails!
TOM ANGELICO
Assistant to the Director of Sport
Woodleigh School's Senior Campus presents 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee'
Join us on August 24, 25 and 26 as an eclectic group of students rock up to the competition with their unique motivations. You'll meet Olive, a sweet and shy kid who brings her best friend (a dictionary) along. Then there's William Barfee, a bold speller who's allergic to just about everything, but his "magic foot" takes him to greatness. Chip, a former champ, is battling the challenges of growing up. Leaf, easily distracted, doubts his smarts to be a contender. Marcy, the overachiever, is a bit let down by her consistent success. And Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, politically aware, just wants to impress her two mums. Through side-splitting, heartwarming, and catchy songs, these spellers will spill their hopes, struggles, and passions.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will make you fall head over heels for the show and its clever, funny, and lively spellers, and the rollicking score by William Finn will be played live by our talented Woodleigh music staff, sure to impress!
So prepare for a great show, as Woodleigh School Senior Campus proudly presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!
Get your tickets for Matilda The Musical Jr!
Join us in the Senior Campus Hall to see this heartwarming story of courage and self-discovery.
Matilda is a little girl with extraordinary powers. The daughter of recalcitrant parents, Matilda finds refuge in library books, which she ploughs through in a hurry, and in imagining and creating her own stories. When she finally gets to school, things there are tough as well. At Crunchem Hall, Matilda must face a tyrannical and cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who believes in the school motto: “Bambinatum est Magitum,” or “Children are Maggots.”
At school, Matilda finds companionship in her shy and quiet teacher, Miss Honey. A brave little soul, Matilda knows she has to stand up against the adults in her world, and in doing so, discovers her own remarkable powers. Matilda’s bravery teaches Miss Honey and her classmates an important lesson – that even though life can be hard, “No one but me is gonna change my story” so, “Sometimes you have to be a bit naughty.”
Matilda JR will be performed on the following dates:
- Thursday 31 August at 12.00pm
- Thursday 31 August at 7pm
- Friday 1 September at 7pm
SIS cooking, Teen Chef
The theme for the 2023 SIS Teen Chef, was ‘Indigenous Sustainable.’ It took some time between researching and discussing, for all of us to decide what we could cook, and that would fit the theme. In two pairs, we developed our own unique recipes with Sebastian MacPhie and Alex Charlton on mains, and Lily Lawson and I were in charge of dessert. Once we knew our recipes, we were able to experiment during two practice sessions in the Food Studies kitchen.
We got an idea of what we needed to change beforehand through trial and error. We were lucky enough to have Tracy provide several of the Indigenous ingredients such as finger lime, pepper berry, Davidson Plum, Warragul greens, and lemon myrtle. These sessions were super helpful and fun for us to try each other’s dishes as well as get feedback about the flavours and presentation from teachers. On the day, we first served the judges pan-fried barramundi with Davidson plum beetroot puree, Warragul greens, roasted lemon and parmesan broccolini, and roasted potatoes, then to finish, an indigenous spiced myrtle cake with lemon curd, honey cream, and dehydrated finger lime. Before this experience, cooking with indigenous ingredients was something mostly new to us, so it was great for us to try new flavours and learn how to incorporate indigenous ingredients into cooking.
Lily Reynolds - Year 10
The experience of being part of SIS Teen Chef was amazing. We got to meet judges from the Australian Culinary Federation and all 11 schools got to sit down and introduced themselves to each other. They showed us to the kitchens and told us where everything was. When we entered the kitchen, it was overwhelming seeing the amount of food on the trolleys. The timer was about to start and we had 30 minutes to get our ingredients and measure them out. After the 30 minutes, we had 90 minutes to cook 4 main plates. Leaving the barramundi until the last 10 minutes was stressful but it turned out perfect. We then had to hand our favourite plate to the judges and the second best to the table where we got to see all the other school’s amazing dishes. We got great feedback and were very happy with the results. At the end of the judging, I went up to one of the judges for more feedback and he told us that next year he would be happy to come to Woodleigh to help us plan the recipe which is incredible.
Sebastian MacPhie – Year 10
Our Woodleigh XC MTB team has been busy over recent weekends with rounds 2 & 3 of the AusCycling Schools MTB Series. Lysterfield and the You Yangs were our racing destinations.
The Lysterfield course took in sections of the State MTB Course (formerly the 2006 Commonwealth Games track), featuring winding tracks through the bush and technical rock gardens. We had several top 10 finishers throughout the day, with Archie Butt taking 4th in U13 Boys Novice, Josh Strouts placed 6th and Nate Woollard 9th in U15 Boys Novice, and a 10th place for Charlie Hosking in U15 Boys Racing.
We received our new Woodleigh Cycling Team jerseys just in time for Round 3 at the You Yangs. Rocking the Woodleigh orange, you couldn’t miss the team as they negotiated the fast and flowing You Yangs circuit. Our riders had another strong day, with Lewis Wakeling 5th and Blake Gordon 8th in U15 Boys Novice, Charlie Hosking 5th in U15 Boys Racing, Dash Penna 7th, and Rupert Tiedemann 8th in U17 Boys Novice.
Well done to Riley Kirk and Moscow Roller, who also put in strong rides at Lysterfield and the You Yangs.
AusCycling has just advised that the fourth round of the series will take place on Sunday, 17 September, in Bendigo. We look forward to rounding out the series in Bendigo. It is not too late to get involved, with our Wednesday night training rides in Red Hill becoming ever more popular. We have some school bikes and helmets for anyone who wants to get out on the trails!
TOM ANGELICO
Assistant to the Director of Sport
Join us on August 24, 25 and 26 as an eclectic group of students rock up to the competition with their unique motivations. You'll meet Olive, a sweet and shy kid who brings her best friend (a dictionary) along. Then there's William Barfee, a bold speller who's allergic to just about everything, but his "magic foot" takes him to greatness. Chip, a former champ, is battling the challenges of growing up. Leaf, easily distracted, doubts his smarts to be a contender. Marcy, the overachiever, is a bit let down by her consistent success. And Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, politically aware, just wants to impress her two mums. Through side-splitting, heartwarming, and catchy songs, these spellers will spill their hopes, struggles, and passions.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will make you fall head over heels for the show and its clever, funny, and lively spellers, and the rollicking score by William Finn will be played live by our talented Woodleigh music staff, sure to impress!
So prepare for a great show, as Woodleigh School Senior Campus proudly presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!
Join us in the Senior Campus Hall to see this heartwarming story of courage and self-discovery.
Matilda is a little girl with extraordinary powers. The daughter of recalcitrant parents, Matilda finds refuge in library books, which she ploughs through in a hurry, and in imagining and creating her own stories. When she finally gets to school, things there are tough as well. At Crunchem Hall, Matilda must face a tyrannical and cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who believes in the school motto: “Bambinatum est Magitum,” or “Children are Maggots.”
At school, Matilda finds companionship in her shy and quiet teacher, Miss Honey. A brave little soul, Matilda knows she has to stand up against the adults in her world, and in doing so, discovers her own remarkable powers. Matilda’s bravery teaches Miss Honey and her classmates an important lesson – that even though life can be hard, “No one but me is gonna change my story” so, “Sometimes you have to be a bit naughty.”
Matilda JR will be performed on the following dates:
- Thursday 31 August at 12.00pm
- Thursday 31 August at 7pm
- Friday 1 September at 7pm