- Finally! A Whole Term, Uninterrupted!
- Language and Literature Festival
- 2022 Subject Selection Night
- Year 7 Sculptures – Term 2 2022
- Year 9 Art
- Year 10 Viscom – Term 2 2022
- Unit 4 Activities – Community Service & Partnerships
- Aviation for Year 7s
- Field Gnats trip to Mount Rothwell – June 2022
- Almost, Maine – Filming to Stream & Music
- The Resilience Project – Resilience Update
- Golf Links Road Upgrade – Warrandyte Road Roundabout Closure
- Almost, Maine – Tickets on Sale
Finally! A Whole Term, Uninterrupted!
I write this week's Messenger article just days from completing my first uninterrupted term at Woodleigh. No lockdowns or COVID isolations to slow us down – and as such, we've packed as much as possible into the last nine weeks.
Images from Thursday's Winter Musicale. An amazing celebration of skill, talent and creativity.
As we are chilled by Melbourne's winter cold and watch as we move forward with a new government, we also move on from the vigilant mindset COVID imposed on us and raise our heads to look to the future and consider just where we want our School to be in 2030.
Looking to The Future
While COVID restricted many aspects of our operations, we used that time to consider what the future of education needs to look like and how Woodleigh can continue to lead the development of contemporary, progressive education in Australia. We have spent time with staff, students, parents, and community members, asking them about the future of Woodleigh and their aspirations for our school.
This appreciative inquiry has produced a clear direction for Woodleigh School. A path that encourages us to challenge the norms of education and be at the forefront of implementing goals that look to holistically develop each of our students – developing character and the capabilities they will need to be successful contributors to society.
These ideals are not new to Woodleigh and are reflected in the sentiments Michael Norman spoke of when he first had a vision for our School in the early 70s. The opportunity we are presented with is to be deliberate and purposeful with the many experiences we have at Woodleigh and to measure that which we value.
Images from Minimbah and Penbank students' recent trip to Senior Campus.
Learning to Thrive
Next term, we will launch our new strategic plan for Woodleigh's future. This document is called Learning to Thrive. It will outline how we can be deliberate in our pursuit of transformational learning for our students and the development of capabilities that will serve them well in an uncertain and unpredictable world. Underpinning our hopes for the future will be the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Inner Development Goals that our young people will need to make a difference in the world in which we live.
As a school, our mission is simple, direct and clear. The purposeful development of creative, compassionate, skilful, and resilient young people who can thrive in an ever-changing world.
What we do needs to reflect this mission; if not, we must question the value of these experiences. Our mission comes with commitments, and at Woodleigh, we continue to commit to:
- Knowing and celebrating the unique strengths, interests, and abilities of all learners
- Fostering a sense of awareness, empathy and identity that supports personal and collective wellbeing
- Encouraging curiosity, initiative, and responsibility in the lifelong pursuit of learning
- Engaging as active citizens of our local and global communities
- Contributing to local, national, and global conversations that promote intercultural understanding
- Acting as stewards for the sustainable use and protection of our natural environment
At Woodleigh, we educate students Heart, Head and Hands. We cultivate the learning of young people who can apply their knowledge to solve real-world challenges and make a difference in the lives of others. Our approach emphasises learning by doing, through immersive and applied experiences, and learning by caring, through social-emotional development, the promotion of positive relationships, and active engagement as responsible citizens.
Images from Penbank's last School Meeting for Term 2, and the Year 3-4 Learning Expo
Committing to The Mission
But mission statements need to be more than words and glossy brochures. They require us to live and breathe our commitments. They are the actions and projects that will help us deliver on these commitments. They are also the plan for the physical development of our campuses to ensure we continue to provide outstanding environments where our students can thrive.
These commitments and ideals also require a way of thinking and a way of being. For some time now, Woodleigh has been a part of the Compassionate Systems Network. This global network comprises members who have completed the Master Practitioners course at MIT. We are fortunate that two of our leaders, Richard Owens and Jodie Kirchner, have completed this course and that the Woodleigh Institute is now a centre of awareness-based systems leadership.
Through immersive professional learning opportunities for our staff we can and will continue to bring this way of being into our School.
The Woodleigh Institute provides a unique approach to professional and organisational learning through its Awareness-based System Leadership (ASL) offerings. ASL is an immersive method that challenges participants to explore how an integrated focus on self-development, team learning, generative dialogue and systems thinking can support school and system innovation, effectiveness and improvement.
Awareness-based System Leadership is an approach that draws upon Peter Senge's theories about organisational learning and Otto Scharmer's work on awareness-based change to address important questions about personal and collective capacity building, sustainable innovation, and effective change management. The approach provides a nurturing forum for educational leaders to revitalise a personal vision for their own development while deeply examining the relational and transformational elements of their leadership role.
Images from Minimbah's Space themed PFG Disco
Rest Up, Refresh, Restore
I hope each of our families will have an opportunity to stop, breathe and enjoy time with each other during the upcoming break. Whilst it has been an amazing and successful term, I think we all deserve a break to rest and regather ourselves for the second half of the year.
Take care, and we will see you in Semester 2.
DAVID BAKER
Principal
Language and Literature Festival
We celebrated our first Language and Literature Festival this semester, which aimed to expand on Woodleigh’s historically rich English Weeks and broaden our scope of celebration to be more inclusive.
Rani Jones’s winning entry for the Library Redesign Competition, which is ‘heavily inspired by students’ desire to sleep and features a sleeping room and a kitchen, as every library should’.
As the English Department has evolved into the Language and Literature Learning Area, so to has this week-long enjoyment of languages – plural – and film, poetry, reading, writing and signing.
Staff book club discussing Trent Dalton’s Love Stories over morning tea
Reading flash-mobs met food stalls. Homesteads came together to communicate with British -Jamaican Deaf poet Raymond Antrobus, live from London. Students redesigned the library using Minecraft.
Members of the Year 11 English team and Raymond Antrobus, live from London (2:00am local time!)
Our Language Acquisition Indonesian students skewered and barbequed hundreds of satay sticks to raise $1,000 for COVID-affected Indonesian communities. French classes made crepes. International movies were on show.
Indonesian Food Stall in the Agora, raising money for Indonesian communities and coinciding with a staff reading-flash-mob.
As Franz Kafka wrote, ‘A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us.’ In late autumn and after 2 years of lockdowns, the 2022 Lang and Lit Festival was a playful disco ball to illuminate the joy around us.
ZACHARY SHINKFIELD Learning Area Leader – English
2022 Subject Selection Night
Woodleigh was the place to be on our recent 'Journeys' Subject Selection Information Night, as students and parents took the opportunity to investigate their subject selection options for 2023.
\Subject teachers were all on hand to discuss options and pathways and guide our students on their journey towards VCE and beyond.
After two years of being limited to delivering this information via Zoom, the opportunity to engage in face-to-face discussions was relished by students, staff and parents alike. If you have any questions you missed out on asking on the night, please see the relevant subject teachers as soon as possible!
All students from Years 8-11 will have received their subject selection email from Woodleigh Correspondence on Friday afternoon. The email contains links to all the handbooks and information you will need to make your selection.
If you haven’t received your email, please contact woodleighcorrespondence@woodleigh.vic.edu.au
Year 7 Sculptures – Term 2 2022
Year 7 Art students completed their wire stocking sculpture over the course of this term. They first bent their wire coat hanger into an abstract shape and then fitted a stocking over the top to mold their sculptures form. The Year 7s then got to get creative with decorating their piece with paint and posca markers finalising a collection of vibrant stocking sculptures!
Year 9 Art
This term the Year 9 Art class completed final artworks through an open-ended and interpretive task. Students used a variety of different materials to complete their final pieces including acrylic paint, chalk pastels and water colour paint. This resulted in an impressive collection of creative appropriations of well-known artists, novels and public figures.
Aurelia Puleio
Gandhi resists
57 x 38cm
2022
The artwork I appropriated is called ‘Gandhi Returns’ by the artist Textaqueen created in 2013. It depicts Gandhi in an ethereal, yet war-like background spotlighting him wounded and injured. Textaqueen is an Indian-Australian artist whose work mainly revolves around identity, sexuality, and self-expression. Like their name, Textaqueen works with the medium of fibre tip pens to created colourful, in-depth pieces. I chose to appropriate this artwork out of curiosity because of the complex character Gandhi has been found to be. Amongst his heroic spiritual and political movements, lie disturbing stories of paedophilia and attempts to “resist temptation” by forcing young relatives to sleep naked in his bed. I recontextualised this artwork by expressing the power imbalance and status Gandhi used to take advantage of vulnerable young women. Using puppet strings carrying children’s toys, I’d like to convey the innocence and childhood he stole to further his own cause and wore as a badge of honour.
Harry Holder
Untitled
28 x 38cm
2022
I changed the fallen angel from ‘Lucifer’ to a character from a book series, ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’, Dio. I felt that the character had similarities to Lucifer. I wanted to change the background by adding dark clouds and lightning to make it seem more ominous. I also added a full moon just because it felt right. I added birds to show that the lightning is loud and scared them away. The original piece had thorns on the rock, but I decided to make them twirl around his leg and eventually turn into a snake showing that pretty things can be poisonous, just like Lucifer. I also added a character behind Dio which in the book series is a character that was manifested by Dio’s soul. The two together make each other seem menacing. I chose that pose because Dio hides this character to surprise his opponents.
Joel Scherwinski
The Dream Man
Prismacolor pencils, 340gsm European watercolour paper beige
23 x 30cm
2022
This is the The Dream Man based off the artwork by artist, El Greco. I appropriated the artwork by changing the shape of his face as well as making the artwork just the man’s head floating on the page. I made it very colourful with a swirl around is face and head, like a lion with its mane. I used my own style to make the man more modern and colourful. I like using colour because it makes it less boring. I used my three favorited colours; blue, pink and light purple. For the colour of the man’s skin, I used a range of beige tones to blend the right colour. I also used a beige paper for the background to give it extra contrast and make the drawing pop out more, but also go well with the background. I would like to make a few different versions with different people and with the same colours and same head floating on the page. I might find some similar drawings from the same time frame this one was made and base the new ones on them. I was happy with the texture of the face.
Moscow Roller
Untitled
Medium-Progresso and 2b pencil on paper
48.5 x 39cm
2022
My artwork is a take on Matthias Grünewald artwork, ‘Isenheim Altarpiece Detail: The Resurrection’. It was made from 1512 to 1516. I enjoyed looking at it and thinking about the meaning of it. The artwork is of an altarpiece in a church and is deeply religious. I chose this artwork to appropriate because I think it is very beautiful and is a blank canvas to appropriate. I think the ideas about rebirth and renewing discussed in this painting are interesting. Ideas about life not existing without death will be the foundation for my work. I will recontextualize this by changing the Jesus figure into a different figure. it will be inspired by Peter Booth using inspiration from one of his darker figures and one of the knights into something else whether that be a bird or something else. I would like to paint the sun using gouache paints, which drew me to the painting. I will be using Progresso and pencil to add lines and shading to recreate Grunewald’s painting.
Poppy Mollett
Somebody’s Baby Now
41 x 31cm
2022
Somebody’s Baby Now is an appropriation of Del Kathryn Barton’s 2008 artwork ‘Nobody’s Baby Now’ inspired by Nick Cave’s 1994 tragic ballad to forsaken love. The piece features a letter starring several lines of Cave’s song ‘Nobody’s Baby Now’ which was later remastered in 2011. My mum always had a keen interest in Nick Cave and loved to read his books and listen to some of his music, so I decided to address the letter to her instead and write a letter to her. This piece is devoted to my mum who has such a strong impact on me and the way I percept the world, so I wanted to give back to her through this. One of my favourite music artists is Taylor Swift so I used the lyrics to her song “The Best Day” in the letter. The piece is appropriated using multiple mediums; water colour, gouache, fine liner, gel pens, ink, and acrylic paint and is displayed on a piece of water colour paper.
Saskia McKellar
The Slaughterman’s Shop
Gouache on Canvas
55cm x 40cm
2022
This artwork was based on a work by Annibale Carracci titled ‘The Butcher’s Shop’. The artwork was made during the years of 1582 to 1583. His style can be seen as boring and stiff, but during his time it was seen as innovative. It was a pathway into a new type of realism in Baroque art. As I was flicking through an old art book I stumbled across this art piece, I had seen many and none of them spoke to me as much as this one. My head was flooded with ideas as soon as I saw it. I first tried to understand the artwork and list meanings of it. I interpreted the art as old, boring and controlled by men. I decided to make it into a disturbing version where women were working in the shop, but instead of working with meat they were working with parts of human males. It amuses me quite a lot when I think about it because of how shocking it is for some people.
Jasper Alves-Geisler
Untitled
Oil on canvas
37 x 26cm
2022
The artwork I appropriated was The Blue Boy. The Blue Boy was painted by Thomas Gainsborough in 1770 using oil on canvas. The Blue Boy is considered one of the greatest artworks of the 18th century and is still famous to this day. I chose to appropriate this artwork because I really liked the colours. I appropriated this artwork by making The Blue Boy a skeleton soldier on a beach surrounded by blood. I did this because he is very innocent in the original and I wanted to show that soldiers aren’t always strong and brave like we see in the movies. They’re often just scared young people who won’t make it home.
Miller Virtanen
Late Sunday Morning
Gouache and pastel on canvas
28cm x 51cm
2022
My artwork is an abstract take on a classic old painting with a grander and different feeling created by the abstract gravity defying space-like piece. My artwork is an abstract appropriation of the piece ‘Early Sunday Morning’ by Edward Hopper in 1930. The original is made of light browns, greens, oranges and reds. It contains shadows that all lay almost flat and in a soft light. The artwork I have appropriated was painted in America with oil paint on canvas. It was created to represent the simplicity of a Sunday. The painting is 6ft by 3ft. All three of the buildings are two stories, with the bottom stories being storefronts. I chose to appropriate this piece because of the simplicity, and the way that is appears serene and can capture emotion and the life of someone in that time. I recontextualised the art piece by splitting the original painting, having a background change from sky to space and making one piece of the building higher than the other, with an elevator between them.
Year 10 Viscom – Term 2 2022
Creating an eye-catching product packaging was the focus for Year 10 Visual Communications students this term. Whether they be food, cosmetics, fashion accessories or sporting goods. Students created their 3D packaging through folded paper construction with the task centred around applying graphic design technical skills, including typography and effective imagery.
Unit 4 Activities – Community Service & Partnerships
This term's Unit 4 Activities took on a Community Partner and Service focus. This was the first time we have dedicated a whole unit with this focus and offered a broad range of Activities.
Most of the Activities on offer fostered partnerships within our community or with our established partners and encouraged our students to undertake their Activity through a partnership & service lens and give something back. It was great to see our students lead, learn and grow, encouraging them to think beyond their own needs and show empathy and care for others. Enjoy reading the student reflections and browsing through the pictures. Thank you and well done to all.
The Activities Team
Activity: Sew Eco-Friendly Boomerang Bag
The aim of these sessions was to learn and make a Boomerang Bag for our Community. We learned the importance of perseverance and time management. This Activity has grown our comprehension in the world of sewing. We hope to make a more sustainable eco-future and get more people to make a conscious choice around the things they use and carry.
James Stuart Y10
Activity: Make and Bake for a Cause
The aim of Make and Bake for a Cause is making desserts and treats to sell them at our stall and donate the money to a charity of our choice. This year the charities are Doctors Without Borders, Cancer Council and Cat Rescue. We sold our food at Friday lunchtime and raised money. Thank you!
Rose Maher & Claudia Aylward Y7
Activity: Walk/Run for Charity
The Activity I am doing is Walk/Run for Charity. The aim of these sessions is to pick and enter a fun-run. We get to train on Mondays and then on Fridays we go to a reserve or park like Baxter Park or Ballam Park and we just run. I like it because it gets you fit and when the time for the fun-run comes around, we will do fundraisers and get sponsors so we can raise money for people, animals, and businesses in need.
Will Muir-Simpson Y7
Activity: Learning and Teaching Initiatives & Games
In the Learning and Teaching Initiatives Activity, we get into groups and create a game of our choice and then share it with the other groups. We learnt how to play a lot of games and teach them.
Remy Morris Y7
AWARE – Help Local Wildlife Carers and Shelters
When I entered the AgHort room on my first session of my new Activity, I had no idea what to expect. I had been assigned 'AWARE – Help Local Wildlife Carers and Shelters' led by Ms Janky for my Unit 4 Activity. I was hoping for an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and give back to the local community, but the experience was even more rewarding than I could ever have predicted!
From the very first session, meeting the carers and volunteers from AWARE, I was thrilled by what an exhilarating experience working with such passionate people was! AWARE stands for Australian Wildlife Assistance, Rescue and Education. Throughout the sessions, we learned more about the native species that call the Mornington Peninsula home and what it takes to rescue, rehabilitate, and release these remarkable creatures.
We fixed rehab toys for birds, made homes for possums, painted bat boxes, helped around the Woodleigh Farm, and overall had an awesome time! We also got the opportunity to visit the AWARE Warehouse in Carrum Downs, which was heaps of fun! As well as visiting the warehouse, we visited their dedicated plantations at Overport Park in Frankston South. There we helped by weeding the plants and putting down mulch. AWARE has been an incredible experience, one of my favourite activities yet! I wonder what Activity I'll be assigned next time?!
Charlie Russo Y7
Activity: Sports Leadership
During the sessions we learnt to build our coaching skills and extended our knowledge on how to coach a community. These skills helped us run PE lessons for Minimbah and Penbank. Unfortunately, Minimbah was called off due to flooding, but these community leadership skills helped us make fun and engaging sessions for Penbank. We talked about what role we would like to try in other community sports, eg. refereeing, coaching playing and discussed what leadership means to us as well.
Thomas Oswell Y10
Activity: Make Laser Cut Items for Woodleigh
During the sessions of Make Laser Cut Items for Woodleigh, we spent time creating our own items to sell for the market and the results were amazing! I'm sure everyone felt a sense of achievement when they saw their final product. From designing to selling, we experienced using online tools and manual tools like the laser cutter.
Charlotte Calvert Y7 & Cate Faulkner Y10
Activity: Soap Making for Pinch-a-Poo
In Soap Making for Pinch-a-Poo, we have been trying to understand and help homeless people by making soap. We learnt how to make different types of soap as well as problem solve. At the end of the Activity, we deliver the soap to a warehouse, and they then get distributed to the homeless.
Bec Oswell and Grace Broadfoot-Liddle Y7
A thing I enjoyed was doing the Activity with Rhiannon and making the soap with her; we had a good process. We had time at the start of the Activity. We learned about what homelessness is, how we can help and what Pinch-a-Poo is. If we did something different like have more soap-making lessons, have more time for things and learn more about what Pinch-a-Poo is and what homelessness is, I would like to do this Activity again. Something that I learned on the way was that 1.6 billion people in the world are homeless from domestic violence, abuse, and loss of money
Isabella Stewart Y7
I enjoyed being a part of this Activity because it is a positive step toward raising awareness about homelessness. I enjoyed learning about the history and purpose of Pinch-a-Poo, as well as making soap to donate. The process of making the soaps was not as simple as it appears, as we researched the best textures for skin and devised a plan to make our soaps. I would participate in this Activity again as I found it very rewarding to create something for someone else. It surprised me that over 116,000 people are estimated to be homeless in Australia each night. I believe that having more moulds in the future would be beneficial because we could produce more soap to donate, such as 12 instead of 8 soaps per lesson.
Emma Hamson Y10
I enjoyed this Activity because we got to do an interactive fun activity whilst knowing we were doing something for others. My favourite part was decorating the finished soaps and getting to write little messages for the people receiving them. The process of making the soaps was first learning about the Pinch-a-Poo organisation and researching homelessness. We then looked at some design ideas for our soaps. We then started the process of making the soaps. We used the kits provided for us, and over the lessons, each pair made an average of 12 soaps each. What we could do differently next time is make a larger amount of soaps to make that little bit more of a difference.
Marlo Jones Y10
I enjoyed the teamwork and independence we had in making our soaps. It was fun to take out the equipment and independently work on creating our own soaps.
We got in groups and unpacked the boxes of our soap kits. We then started by melting the wax and adding pigments while the soap was melting over a bowl with water in a pot. We then poured the hot melted soap into moulds and sprayed it with alcohol to stop the resistance of bubbles.
I think helping the homeless is something I am passionate about, so doing this Activity could be something I would do again.
I discovered the statistics over Australia of how many people cannot maintain proper hygiene because they don't live in a home.
Holly McConnell Y10
I enjoyed this Activity because I learnt a lot about the problem of homelessness and how much of a positive impact Pinch-a-Poo has on this problem. The process of this Activity was to get into groups and make as many soaps as possible with the given time and materials. I would do this Activity again and suggest it to others because while supporting people you can also have fun and create soaps. I found it surprising how many homeless people there are worldwide and think that next time in this Activity we could make more soaps by having individual kits.
Sascha Shashyan Y10
Aviation for Year 7s
Since I started at Woodleigh I have always balloted for Aviation as my first choice for Activities.
Usually, Year 7s don’t get picked to do Aviation, so I didn’t get my hopes up. But finally, in the middle of Term 2, I got picked! I was so excited, I would get to do three flights in total, and I would be the co-pilot!
On the first flight, I remember feeling the jolt as we left the ground, the thrill of pulling on the yoke and the plane tilting to it. It was so much better than any flight simulator said it would be. I am so glad Woodleigh has given me this opportunity, and I hope I can continue to fly well into the future.
Persephone Kaufmann Y7
Field Gnats trip to Mount Rothwell – June 2022
Last weekend the Woodleigh Field Gnats embarked on another volunteer weekend to the Mount Rothwell Conservation Reserve in Little River. Mount Rothwell is a 400-hectare property surrounded by an electrified fence. It serves as an ark for endangered species and is vital to their recovery – species such as the Southern Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Eastern Quoll and Bush-stone Curlew.
We had seven students attend, along with Dr Simpson and Mr Hennessy and ex-field gnats Alex Simpson, Lucy Doran and Liam Thomas assisting. We left Woodleigh early Saturday morning, arriving at the Mount Rothwell gates at 10am, ready to begin completing a list of tasks set out for us by the wonderful staff who look after this special place.
While driving through the You Yangs on the way to the entrance, many of us were delighted to see the new electric fence up and running. Our last weekend at Mount Rothwell involved us helping pin down 1.3km of the upgraded fence, so it was wonderful to see it fully completed.
This weekend our tasks involved restoring disused aviaries to be used for the reserve's newest residents, a group of Spot-tailed Quolls. Spot-tailed Quolls are mainland Australia's largest surviving carnivorous marsupial. Throughout Saturday, individual groups helped clean, patch up and sweep aviaries and prepare enclosure furnishings to provide much-needed enrichment for the quolls. Of course, we can't forget feeding the Bush-Stone Curlews, Eastern Quolls and the two Dingoes. For dinner, Dr Simpson treated us to Tacos and his famous guacamole. Afterwards, we played a round of Wildlife Bingo, where students searched around the BBQ area for different animals crossing them off as they went. The first person to cross off three animals won the prize; it was highly competitive!
Undoubtedly no trip to this amazing place is complete without a night walk through the woodland and granite rises. As we followed the tracks, students excitedly pointed out bandicoots and rock wallabies. When we reached the summit, we took in the view of Port Phillip, Geelong and Melbourne. When we returned to where we'd be staying the night, it was time for some board games till everyone felt tired and turned in for the night. On Sunday, we completed the refurbishment of the old aviaries and, after lunch, packed the bus ready for our return to Woodleigh. Everyone had a lot of fun, and we all felt very proud of the amount of work we completed counting down the days till our next visit.
The thing I loved most about Mount Rothwell was the feeding. We got to chop up frozen rabbits and feed curlews and quolls. Another fun thing we did was the Night walk. We saw bandicoots, bettongs and Rock wallabies and finished it off with a phenomenal view.
Bas P. Y7
Rothwell was really fun. We prepared food for the curlews, dingos, and quolls by chopping up and skinning rabbits which I really enjoyed. We went on a night walk and saw many endangered Australia animals in the wild as well as stopping to see the stars and the view of the city lights.
Bec Jeffries Y9
THOMAS HENNESSY
Land and Animal Management Assistant
Almost, Maine – Filming to Stream & Music
Filming to Stream
On Monday and Wednesday of the last week of term, the 'Almost, Maine' cast started filming scenes from the play. The purpose of filming is to stream the production in case the show cannot be performed due to the pandemic.
Filming involved working with a studio set up in the media room. Students were in full costume, with set and props used to capture the theatricality of the performance. A green screen was set up to allow animations and video footage to be added later.
The process of capturing theatre on film is difficult. Theatre is live and is based on an exchange with an audience. This meant scenes had to be reworked for the camera. The cast had to be versatile in order to adapt their theatrical stage work into a small, intimate film studio.
As for ticket sales: night 1 of the show (Wed 24 August) is quickly selling out, so make sure you book a seat as soon as possible!
There are still plenty of tickets left for night 2 (Thursday 25 August) but book ahead, so you don't miss out!
PHOEBE A. Y10
Publicity
Love You So – Original Song
I wrote the lyrics and melody of 'Love You So' for Woodleigh's Senior production of 'Almost Maine'. I have always had an interest in creating songs and have written quite a few before. Mostly, the lyrics and melodies come into my head before anything else. A lot of the time they come completely out of the blue! I have always liked writing: making words into poems and songs, writing descriptive recollections of a moment in life, or creating dark, fictional tales. But I love how adding music to these words and telling a story, can suddenly profoundly touch a person's heart. It can make a person happy, angry, cry, laugh, dance, sing along, or just sit in silence, encapsulated by the sound of a voice, the sound of an instrument, the sound of a story.
'Love You So' just came about. At first, it was just words and a melody, written in my note app, and recorded in my voice memos, but it wasn't until I was introduced to the play 'Almost, Maine' and the people I would be working with, that the song became something that conveyed meaning, and emotion, that linked back to the themes in the play. Over the term, I wrote extra verses that echoed storylines and experimented with the structure of the song. Throughout rehearsals, a small group of student musicians were led by a student Musical Director. Together, we developed the chords for the song, crafted an instrumental bridge section, explored different instrumentation, and added vocal harmonies.
It came together as a full sound, with lots of people involved and lots of instruments as well. Tayla in Year 12 played guitar and cello, Milly in Year 11 was on violin, Rani in Year 9 played the vibes, and Tabi in Year 10 was the pianist. We also all sang vocals for the track. I enjoyed hearing the song's vocal patterns and harmonies come to life, and the way the instruments brought bass, rhythm and harmony into what had initially begun with a simple melody. Despite being in different year levels, we worked well collaboratively, and all got to know each other through the intimate, creative processes of writing a song.
At the end of this devising and refining process, we finally got to record. This was slightly daunting and difficult to do at times, but it was a really good experience. I got to record my double bass and my vocals, and I learned techniques that I will definitely use in the future!! I'm thrilled that my song is going to be used multiple times in the show. Please book your tickets so you can enjoy our work.
Milla L. Y9 Composer
Photo montage by Lou Lou B. Y12
The Resilience Project – Resilience Update
In the final part of The Resilience Project's digital series, Hugh shares an important message about allowing our children to experience adversity.
The key to building resilience in our children is allowing them to experience failure, hardship, disappointment etc. As parents, we can be too quick to resolve our children's challenges which can deprive our children of enormous growth opportunities. These typically happen when we experience failure and uncertainty. As parents we should be there for our children when they fail, but not fight their battles for them.
View Part 5 of the series here - Summary
Thank you for participating in this Parent and Carer Digital Presentation series. You can re-watch the videos and access activities and resources anytime via the Parent & Carer Hub.
You can also stay up to date with The Resilience Project news and events by signing up to their Newsletter.
ROD DAVIES
Deputy Principal – Head of Minimbah Campus
Golf Links Road Upgrade – Warrandyte Road Roundabout Closure
The six-way roundabout at Baxter-Tooradin, Golf Links, Warrandyte, Grant and Lower Somerville roads will be closed: from late June to late July
The upgrade of the six-way roundabout, addition of safety barriers and resurfacing of Golf Links Road continues.
What is happening:
From late June to late July, roadworks and safety improvements to upgrade the six-way roundabout are happening.
To ensure these works are completed safely and get the job done quickly, construction crews are closing the roundabout and will work Monday to Sunday from 6am to 6pm. These works are weather dependent.
In late July we’ll open Baxter-Tooradin and Lower Somerville roads while we continue working on the Golf Links and Warrandyte road approaches to the roundabout until late August.
What do the works involve?
- Removing the existing road surface
- Installing new drainage
- Building a new teardrop roundabout island
- Asphalting and line marking
- Adding guard rails and lighting for safety
- Planting new vegetation.
How will these works affect you?
Please follow detours to access homes, schools and businesses which will remain open during the works.
Buses
During the school holidays, from 25 June to 10 July, no school or public buses will be operating. From 11 July, school buses will be diverted around detours and shuttle buses will operate 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday for public routes at bus stops along Baxter-Tooradin Road between the six-way roundabout and Pearcedale shops.
For enquiries, call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@roadprojects.vic.gov.au
For more information about the Golf Links Road Upgrade please visit roadprojects.vic.gov.au/projects/golf-links-road-upgrade
Almost, Maine – Tickets on Sale
Almost, Maine (PG)-is a series of loosely connected stories about the residents of a fictional remote town in Maine called “Almost.” Each scene happens at exactly 9:00PM in the middle of winter, as the northern lights hover in the sky.
Relationships end, begin, or change beyond recognition, as strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers turn into strangers.
“Well, I can’t help it. It just came over me…I’ve fallen in love with you…”
At times realistic and at times absurd, Almost, Maine is mostly very funny with an element of sentimental “magic.”
Experience the life-altering power of the human heart and have your heart touched and warmed in the process.
Note: Almost, Maine will be streamed to ticket holders in the event that a live performance is unable to go ahead due to Covid.
BOOK NOWWe celebrated our first Language and Literature Festival this semester, which aimed to expand on Woodleigh’s historically rich English Weeks and broaden our scope of celebration to be more inclusive.
Rani Jones’s winning entry for the Library Redesign Competition, which is ‘heavily inspired by students’ desire to sleep and features a sleeping room and a kitchen, as every library should’.
As the English Department has evolved into the Language and Literature Learning Area, so to has this week-long enjoyment of languages – plural – and film, poetry, reading, writing and signing.
Staff book club discussing Trent Dalton’s Love Stories over morning tea
Reading flash-mobs met food stalls. Homesteads came together to communicate with British -Jamaican Deaf poet Raymond Antrobus, live from London. Students redesigned the library using Minecraft.
Members of the Year 11 English team and Raymond Antrobus, live from London (2:00am local time!)
Our Language Acquisition Indonesian students skewered and barbequed hundreds of satay sticks to raise $1,000 for COVID-affected Indonesian communities. French classes made crepes. International movies were on show.
Indonesian Food Stall in the Agora, raising money for Indonesian communities and coinciding with a staff reading-flash-mob.
As Franz Kafka wrote, ‘A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us.’ In late autumn and after 2 years of lockdowns, the 2022 Lang and Lit Festival was a playful disco ball to illuminate the joy around us.
ZACHARY SHINKFIELD Learning Area Leader – English
Woodleigh was the place to be on our recent 'Journeys' Subject Selection Information Night, as students and parents took the opportunity to investigate their subject selection options for 2023.
\Subject teachers were all on hand to discuss options and pathways and guide our students on their journey towards VCE and beyond.
After two years of being limited to delivering this information via Zoom, the opportunity to engage in face-to-face discussions was relished by students, staff and parents alike. If you have any questions you missed out on asking on the night, please see the relevant subject teachers as soon as possible!
All students from Years 8-11 will have received their subject selection email from Woodleigh Correspondence on Friday afternoon. The email contains links to all the handbooks and information you will need to make your selection.
If you haven’t received your email, please contact woodleighcorrespondence@woodleigh.vic.edu.au
Year 7 Art students completed their wire stocking sculpture over the course of this term. They first bent their wire coat hanger into an abstract shape and then fitted a stocking over the top to mold their sculptures form. The Year 7s then got to get creative with decorating their piece with paint and posca markers finalising a collection of vibrant stocking sculptures!
This term the Year 9 Art class completed final artworks through an open-ended and interpretive task. Students used a variety of different materials to complete their final pieces including acrylic paint, chalk pastels and water colour paint. This resulted in an impressive collection of creative appropriations of well-known artists, novels and public figures.
Aurelia Puleio
Gandhi resists
57 x 38cm
2022
The artwork I appropriated is called ‘Gandhi Returns’ by the artist Textaqueen created in 2013. It depicts Gandhi in an ethereal, yet war-like background spotlighting him wounded and injured. Textaqueen is an Indian-Australian artist whose work mainly revolves around identity, sexuality, and self-expression. Like their name, Textaqueen works with the medium of fibre tip pens to created colourful, in-depth pieces. I chose to appropriate this artwork out of curiosity because of the complex character Gandhi has been found to be. Amongst his heroic spiritual and political movements, lie disturbing stories of paedophilia and attempts to “resist temptation” by forcing young relatives to sleep naked in his bed. I recontextualised this artwork by expressing the power imbalance and status Gandhi used to take advantage of vulnerable young women. Using puppet strings carrying children’s toys, I’d like to convey the innocence and childhood he stole to further his own cause and wore as a badge of honour.
Harry Holder
Untitled
28 x 38cm
2022
I changed the fallen angel from ‘Lucifer’ to a character from a book series, ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’, Dio. I felt that the character had similarities to Lucifer. I wanted to change the background by adding dark clouds and lightning to make it seem more ominous. I also added a full moon just because it felt right. I added birds to show that the lightning is loud and scared them away. The original piece had thorns on the rock, but I decided to make them twirl around his leg and eventually turn into a snake showing that pretty things can be poisonous, just like Lucifer. I also added a character behind Dio which in the book series is a character that was manifested by Dio’s soul. The two together make each other seem menacing. I chose that pose because Dio hides this character to surprise his opponents.
Joel Scherwinski
The Dream Man
Prismacolor pencils, 340gsm European watercolour paper beige
23 x 30cm
2022
This is the The Dream Man based off the artwork by artist, El Greco. I appropriated the artwork by changing the shape of his face as well as making the artwork just the man’s head floating on the page. I made it very colourful with a swirl around is face and head, like a lion with its mane. I used my own style to make the man more modern and colourful. I like using colour because it makes it less boring. I used my three favorited colours; blue, pink and light purple. For the colour of the man’s skin, I used a range of beige tones to blend the right colour. I also used a beige paper for the background to give it extra contrast and make the drawing pop out more, but also go well with the background. I would like to make a few different versions with different people and with the same colours and same head floating on the page. I might find some similar drawings from the same time frame this one was made and base the new ones on them. I was happy with the texture of the face.
Moscow Roller
Untitled
Medium-Progresso and 2b pencil on paper
48.5 x 39cm
2022
My artwork is a take on Matthias Grünewald artwork, ‘Isenheim Altarpiece Detail: The Resurrection’. It was made from 1512 to 1516. I enjoyed looking at it and thinking about the meaning of it. The artwork is of an altarpiece in a church and is deeply religious. I chose this artwork to appropriate because I think it is very beautiful and is a blank canvas to appropriate. I think the ideas about rebirth and renewing discussed in this painting are interesting. Ideas about life not existing without death will be the foundation for my work. I will recontextualize this by changing the Jesus figure into a different figure. it will be inspired by Peter Booth using inspiration from one of his darker figures and one of the knights into something else whether that be a bird or something else. I would like to paint the sun using gouache paints, which drew me to the painting. I will be using Progresso and pencil to add lines and shading to recreate Grunewald’s painting.
Poppy Mollett
Somebody’s Baby Now
41 x 31cm
2022
Somebody’s Baby Now is an appropriation of Del Kathryn Barton’s 2008 artwork ‘Nobody’s Baby Now’ inspired by Nick Cave’s 1994 tragic ballad to forsaken love. The piece features a letter starring several lines of Cave’s song ‘Nobody’s Baby Now’ which was later remastered in 2011. My mum always had a keen interest in Nick Cave and loved to read his books and listen to some of his music, so I decided to address the letter to her instead and write a letter to her. This piece is devoted to my mum who has such a strong impact on me and the way I percept the world, so I wanted to give back to her through this. One of my favourite music artists is Taylor Swift so I used the lyrics to her song “The Best Day” in the letter. The piece is appropriated using multiple mediums; water colour, gouache, fine liner, gel pens, ink, and acrylic paint and is displayed on a piece of water colour paper.
Saskia McKellar
The Slaughterman’s Shop
Gouache on Canvas
55cm x 40cm
2022
This artwork was based on a work by Annibale Carracci titled ‘The Butcher’s Shop’. The artwork was made during the years of 1582 to 1583. His style can be seen as boring and stiff, but during his time it was seen as innovative. It was a pathway into a new type of realism in Baroque art. As I was flicking through an old art book I stumbled across this art piece, I had seen many and none of them spoke to me as much as this one. My head was flooded with ideas as soon as I saw it. I first tried to understand the artwork and list meanings of it. I interpreted the art as old, boring and controlled by men. I decided to make it into a disturbing version where women were working in the shop, but instead of working with meat they were working with parts of human males. It amuses me quite a lot when I think about it because of how shocking it is for some people.
Jasper Alves-Geisler
Untitled
Oil on canvas
37 x 26cm
2022
The artwork I appropriated was The Blue Boy. The Blue Boy was painted by Thomas Gainsborough in 1770 using oil on canvas. The Blue Boy is considered one of the greatest artworks of the 18th century and is still famous to this day. I chose to appropriate this artwork because I really liked the colours. I appropriated this artwork by making The Blue Boy a skeleton soldier on a beach surrounded by blood. I did this because he is very innocent in the original and I wanted to show that soldiers aren’t always strong and brave like we see in the movies. They’re often just scared young people who won’t make it home.
Miller Virtanen
Late Sunday Morning
Gouache and pastel on canvas
28cm x 51cm
2022
My artwork is an abstract take on a classic old painting with a grander and different feeling created by the abstract gravity defying space-like piece. My artwork is an abstract appropriation of the piece ‘Early Sunday Morning’ by Edward Hopper in 1930. The original is made of light browns, greens, oranges and reds. It contains shadows that all lay almost flat and in a soft light. The artwork I have appropriated was painted in America with oil paint on canvas. It was created to represent the simplicity of a Sunday. The painting is 6ft by 3ft. All three of the buildings are two stories, with the bottom stories being storefronts. I chose to appropriate this piece because of the simplicity, and the way that is appears serene and can capture emotion and the life of someone in that time. I recontextualised the art piece by splitting the original painting, having a background change from sky to space and making one piece of the building higher than the other, with an elevator between them.
Creating an eye-catching product packaging was the focus for Year 10 Visual Communications students this term. Whether they be food, cosmetics, fashion accessories or sporting goods. Students created their 3D packaging through folded paper construction with the task centred around applying graphic design technical skills, including typography and effective imagery.
This term's Unit 4 Activities took on a Community Partner and Service focus. This was the first time we have dedicated a whole unit with this focus and offered a broad range of Activities.
Most of the Activities on offer fostered partnerships within our community or with our established partners and encouraged our students to undertake their Activity through a partnership & service lens and give something back. It was great to see our students lead, learn and grow, encouraging them to think beyond their own needs and show empathy and care for others. Enjoy reading the student reflections and browsing through the pictures. Thank you and well done to all.
The Activities Team
Activity: Sew Eco-Friendly Boomerang Bag
The aim of these sessions was to learn and make a Boomerang Bag for our Community. We learned the importance of perseverance and time management. This Activity has grown our comprehension in the world of sewing. We hope to make a more sustainable eco-future and get more people to make a conscious choice around the things they use and carry.
James Stuart Y10
Activity: Make and Bake for a Cause
The aim of Make and Bake for a Cause is making desserts and treats to sell them at our stall and donate the money to a charity of our choice. This year the charities are Doctors Without Borders, Cancer Council and Cat Rescue. We sold our food at Friday lunchtime and raised money. Thank you!
Rose Maher & Claudia Aylward Y7
Activity: Walk/Run for Charity
The Activity I am doing is Walk/Run for Charity. The aim of these sessions is to pick and enter a fun-run. We get to train on Mondays and then on Fridays we go to a reserve or park like Baxter Park or Ballam Park and we just run. I like it because it gets you fit and when the time for the fun-run comes around, we will do fundraisers and get sponsors so we can raise money for people, animals, and businesses in need.
Will Muir-Simpson Y7
Activity: Learning and Teaching Initiatives & Games
In the Learning and Teaching Initiatives Activity, we get into groups and create a game of our choice and then share it with the other groups. We learnt how to play a lot of games and teach them.
Remy Morris Y7
AWARE – Help Local Wildlife Carers and Shelters
When I entered the AgHort room on my first session of my new Activity, I had no idea what to expect. I had been assigned 'AWARE – Help Local Wildlife Carers and Shelters' led by Ms Janky for my Unit 4 Activity. I was hoping for an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and give back to the local community, but the experience was even more rewarding than I could ever have predicted!
From the very first session, meeting the carers and volunteers from AWARE, I was thrilled by what an exhilarating experience working with such passionate people was! AWARE stands for Australian Wildlife Assistance, Rescue and Education. Throughout the sessions, we learned more about the native species that call the Mornington Peninsula home and what it takes to rescue, rehabilitate, and release these remarkable creatures.
We fixed rehab toys for birds, made homes for possums, painted bat boxes, helped around the Woodleigh Farm, and overall had an awesome time! We also got the opportunity to visit the AWARE Warehouse in Carrum Downs, which was heaps of fun! As well as visiting the warehouse, we visited their dedicated plantations at Overport Park in Frankston South. There we helped by weeding the plants and putting down mulch. AWARE has been an incredible experience, one of my favourite activities yet! I wonder what Activity I'll be assigned next time?!
Charlie Russo Y7
Activity: Sports Leadership
During the sessions we learnt to build our coaching skills and extended our knowledge on how to coach a community. These skills helped us run PE lessons for Minimbah and Penbank. Unfortunately, Minimbah was called off due to flooding, but these community leadership skills helped us make fun and engaging sessions for Penbank. We talked about what role we would like to try in other community sports, eg. refereeing, coaching playing and discussed what leadership means to us as well.
Thomas Oswell Y10
Activity: Make Laser Cut Items for Woodleigh
During the sessions of Make Laser Cut Items for Woodleigh, we spent time creating our own items to sell for the market and the results were amazing! I'm sure everyone felt a sense of achievement when they saw their final product. From designing to selling, we experienced using online tools and manual tools like the laser cutter.
Charlotte Calvert Y7 & Cate Faulkner Y10
Activity: Soap Making for Pinch-a-Poo
In Soap Making for Pinch-a-Poo, we have been trying to understand and help homeless people by making soap. We learnt how to make different types of soap as well as problem solve. At the end of the Activity, we deliver the soap to a warehouse, and they then get distributed to the homeless.
Bec Oswell and Grace Broadfoot-Liddle Y7
A thing I enjoyed was doing the Activity with Rhiannon and making the soap with her; we had a good process. We had time at the start of the Activity. We learned about what homelessness is, how we can help and what Pinch-a-Poo is. If we did something different like have more soap-making lessons, have more time for things and learn more about what Pinch-a-Poo is and what homelessness is, I would like to do this Activity again. Something that I learned on the way was that 1.6 billion people in the world are homeless from domestic violence, abuse, and loss of money
Isabella Stewart Y7
I enjoyed being a part of this Activity because it is a positive step toward raising awareness about homelessness. I enjoyed learning about the history and purpose of Pinch-a-Poo, as well as making soap to donate. The process of making the soaps was not as simple as it appears, as we researched the best textures for skin and devised a plan to make our soaps. I would participate in this Activity again as I found it very rewarding to create something for someone else. It surprised me that over 116,000 people are estimated to be homeless in Australia each night. I believe that having more moulds in the future would be beneficial because we could produce more soap to donate, such as 12 instead of 8 soaps per lesson.
Emma Hamson Y10
I enjoyed this Activity because we got to do an interactive fun activity whilst knowing we were doing something for others. My favourite part was decorating the finished soaps and getting to write little messages for the people receiving them. The process of making the soaps was first learning about the Pinch-a-Poo organisation and researching homelessness. We then looked at some design ideas for our soaps. We then started the process of making the soaps. We used the kits provided for us, and over the lessons, each pair made an average of 12 soaps each. What we could do differently next time is make a larger amount of soaps to make that little bit more of a difference.
Marlo Jones Y10
I enjoyed the teamwork and independence we had in making our soaps. It was fun to take out the equipment and independently work on creating our own soaps.
We got in groups and unpacked the boxes of our soap kits. We then started by melting the wax and adding pigments while the soap was melting over a bowl with water in a pot. We then poured the hot melted soap into moulds and sprayed it with alcohol to stop the resistance of bubbles.
I think helping the homeless is something I am passionate about, so doing this Activity could be something I would do again.
I discovered the statistics over Australia of how many people cannot maintain proper hygiene because they don't live in a home.
Holly McConnell Y10
I enjoyed this Activity because I learnt a lot about the problem of homelessness and how much of a positive impact Pinch-a-Poo has on this problem. The process of this Activity was to get into groups and make as many soaps as possible with the given time and materials. I would do this Activity again and suggest it to others because while supporting people you can also have fun and create soaps. I found it surprising how many homeless people there are worldwide and think that next time in this Activity we could make more soaps by having individual kits.
Sascha Shashyan Y10
Since I started at Woodleigh I have always balloted for Aviation as my first choice for Activities.
Usually, Year 7s don’t get picked to do Aviation, so I didn’t get my hopes up. But finally, in the middle of Term 2, I got picked! I was so excited, I would get to do three flights in total, and I would be the co-pilot!
On the first flight, I remember feeling the jolt as we left the ground, the thrill of pulling on the yoke and the plane tilting to it. It was so much better than any flight simulator said it would be. I am so glad Woodleigh has given me this opportunity, and I hope I can continue to fly well into the future.
Persephone Kaufmann Y7
Last weekend the Woodleigh Field Gnats embarked on another volunteer weekend to the Mount Rothwell Conservation Reserve in Little River. Mount Rothwell is a 400-hectare property surrounded by an electrified fence. It serves as an ark for endangered species and is vital to their recovery – species such as the Southern Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Eastern Quoll and Bush-stone Curlew.
We had seven students attend, along with Dr Simpson and Mr Hennessy and ex-field gnats Alex Simpson, Lucy Doran and Liam Thomas assisting. We left Woodleigh early Saturday morning, arriving at the Mount Rothwell gates at 10am, ready to begin completing a list of tasks set out for us by the wonderful staff who look after this special place.
While driving through the You Yangs on the way to the entrance, many of us were delighted to see the new electric fence up and running. Our last weekend at Mount Rothwell involved us helping pin down 1.3km of the upgraded fence, so it was wonderful to see it fully completed.
This weekend our tasks involved restoring disused aviaries to be used for the reserve's newest residents, a group of Spot-tailed Quolls. Spot-tailed Quolls are mainland Australia's largest surviving carnivorous marsupial. Throughout Saturday, individual groups helped clean, patch up and sweep aviaries and prepare enclosure furnishings to provide much-needed enrichment for the quolls. Of course, we can't forget feeding the Bush-Stone Curlews, Eastern Quolls and the two Dingoes. For dinner, Dr Simpson treated us to Tacos and his famous guacamole. Afterwards, we played a round of Wildlife Bingo, where students searched around the BBQ area for different animals crossing them off as they went. The first person to cross off three animals won the prize; it was highly competitive!
Undoubtedly no trip to this amazing place is complete without a night walk through the woodland and granite rises. As we followed the tracks, students excitedly pointed out bandicoots and rock wallabies. When we reached the summit, we took in the view of Port Phillip, Geelong and Melbourne. When we returned to where we'd be staying the night, it was time for some board games till everyone felt tired and turned in for the night. On Sunday, we completed the refurbishment of the old aviaries and, after lunch, packed the bus ready for our return to Woodleigh. Everyone had a lot of fun, and we all felt very proud of the amount of work we completed counting down the days till our next visit.
The thing I loved most about Mount Rothwell was the feeding. We got to chop up frozen rabbits and feed curlews and quolls. Another fun thing we did was the Night walk. We saw bandicoots, bettongs and Rock wallabies and finished it off with a phenomenal view.
Bas P. Y7
Rothwell was really fun. We prepared food for the curlews, dingos, and quolls by chopping up and skinning rabbits which I really enjoyed. We went on a night walk and saw many endangered Australia animals in the wild as well as stopping to see the stars and the view of the city lights.
Bec Jeffries Y9
THOMAS HENNESSY
Land and Animal Management Assistant
Filming to Stream
On Monday and Wednesday of the last week of term, the 'Almost, Maine' cast started filming scenes from the play. The purpose of filming is to stream the production in case the show cannot be performed due to the pandemic.
Filming involved working with a studio set up in the media room. Students were in full costume, with set and props used to capture the theatricality of the performance. A green screen was set up to allow animations and video footage to be added later.
The process of capturing theatre on film is difficult. Theatre is live and is based on an exchange with an audience. This meant scenes had to be reworked for the camera. The cast had to be versatile in order to adapt their theatrical stage work into a small, intimate film studio.
As for ticket sales: night 1 of the show (Wed 24 August) is quickly selling out, so make sure you book a seat as soon as possible!
There are still plenty of tickets left for night 2 (Thursday 25 August) but book ahead, so you don't miss out!
PHOEBE A. Y10
Publicity
Love You So – Original Song
I wrote the lyrics and melody of 'Love You So' for Woodleigh's Senior production of 'Almost Maine'. I have always had an interest in creating songs and have written quite a few before. Mostly, the lyrics and melodies come into my head before anything else. A lot of the time they come completely out of the blue! I have always liked writing: making words into poems and songs, writing descriptive recollections of a moment in life, or creating dark, fictional tales. But I love how adding music to these words and telling a story, can suddenly profoundly touch a person's heart. It can make a person happy, angry, cry, laugh, dance, sing along, or just sit in silence, encapsulated by the sound of a voice, the sound of an instrument, the sound of a story.
'Love You So' just came about. At first, it was just words and a melody, written in my note app, and recorded in my voice memos, but it wasn't until I was introduced to the play 'Almost, Maine' and the people I would be working with, that the song became something that conveyed meaning, and emotion, that linked back to the themes in the play. Over the term, I wrote extra verses that echoed storylines and experimented with the structure of the song. Throughout rehearsals, a small group of student musicians were led by a student Musical Director. Together, we developed the chords for the song, crafted an instrumental bridge section, explored different instrumentation, and added vocal harmonies.
It came together as a full sound, with lots of people involved and lots of instruments as well. Tayla in Year 12 played guitar and cello, Milly in Year 11 was on violin, Rani in Year 9 played the vibes, and Tabi in Year 10 was the pianist. We also all sang vocals for the track. I enjoyed hearing the song's vocal patterns and harmonies come to life, and the way the instruments brought bass, rhythm and harmony into what had initially begun with a simple melody. Despite being in different year levels, we worked well collaboratively, and all got to know each other through the intimate, creative processes of writing a song.
At the end of this devising and refining process, we finally got to record. This was slightly daunting and difficult to do at times, but it was a really good experience. I got to record my double bass and my vocals, and I learned techniques that I will definitely use in the future!! I'm thrilled that my song is going to be used multiple times in the show. Please book your tickets so you can enjoy our work.
Milla L. Y9 Composer
Photo montage by Lou Lou B. Y12
In the final part of The Resilience Project's digital series, Hugh shares an important message about allowing our children to experience adversity.
The key to building resilience in our children is allowing them to experience failure, hardship, disappointment etc. As parents, we can be too quick to resolve our children's challenges which can deprive our children of enormous growth opportunities. These typically happen when we experience failure and uncertainty. As parents we should be there for our children when they fail, but not fight their battles for them.
View Part 5 of the series here - Summary
Thank you for participating in this Parent and Carer Digital Presentation series. You can re-watch the videos and access activities and resources anytime via the Parent & Carer Hub.
You can also stay up to date with The Resilience Project news and events by signing up to their Newsletter.
ROD DAVIES
Deputy Principal – Head of Minimbah Campus
The six-way roundabout at Baxter-Tooradin, Golf Links, Warrandyte, Grant and Lower Somerville roads will be closed: from late June to late July
The upgrade of the six-way roundabout, addition of safety barriers and resurfacing of Golf Links Road continues.
What is happening:
From late June to late July, roadworks and safety improvements to upgrade the six-way roundabout are happening.
To ensure these works are completed safely and get the job done quickly, construction crews are closing the roundabout and will work Monday to Sunday from 6am to 6pm. These works are weather dependent.
In late July we’ll open Baxter-Tooradin and Lower Somerville roads while we continue working on the Golf Links and Warrandyte road approaches to the roundabout until late August.
What do the works involve?
- Removing the existing road surface
- Installing new drainage
- Building a new teardrop roundabout island
- Asphalting and line marking
- Adding guard rails and lighting for safety
- Planting new vegetation.
How will these works affect you?
Please follow detours to access homes, schools and businesses which will remain open during the works.
Buses
During the school holidays, from 25 June to 10 July, no school or public buses will be operating. From 11 July, school buses will be diverted around detours and shuttle buses will operate 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday for public routes at bus stops along Baxter-Tooradin Road between the six-way roundabout and Pearcedale shops.
For enquiries, call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@roadprojects.vic.gov.au
For more information about the Golf Links Road Upgrade please visit roadprojects.vic.gov.au/projects/golf-links-road-upgrade
Almost, Maine (PG)-is a series of loosely connected stories about the residents of a fictional remote town in Maine called “Almost.” Each scene happens at exactly 9:00PM in the middle of winter, as the northern lights hover in the sky.
Relationships end, begin, or change beyond recognition, as strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers turn into strangers.
“Well, I can’t help it. It just came over me…I’ve fallen in love with you…”
At times realistic and at times absurd, Almost, Maine is mostly very funny with an element of sentimental “magic.”
Experience the life-altering power of the human heart and have your heart touched and warmed in the process.