I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. William Henley This week I have commenced the enjoyable task of interviewing our Year 12 students. This has provided an opportunity to meet each of them and to learn more about their experience at Firbank, their hopes and plans for the future and gain feedback on their suggestions for the future of our School. I have been warmly heartened by their genuine, candid and thoughtful comments. Without exception, they expressed their gratitude for the opportunities afforded to them throughout their Firbank journey. They have learned the value of hard work, the importance of friendships and have been sustained by the trust between staff and students as they face the final year of their formal schooling. Many of them shared the importance of experiences such as the camps in Junior School, the Year 9 Thailand trip, the Community Service initiatives in every year and the nurturing by expert teachers. Students who were closely involved in the Performing Arts reflected on their roles in the many musical productions, and this week we have seen a feast of talent as we enjoyed Beauty and the Beast, and Seussical the Musical. Thank you to our talented students who willingly committed time to provide two distinctively unique experiences. In particular, I thank Ross Vernon from Brighton Grammar School for his work with our students in Beauty and the Beast, and Michelle McNamara for her skillful direction of Seussical the Musical. NEWSLETTER From the Principal 30 May 2014 We are also grateful to the following students and staff for their contribution: SEUSSICAL CAST: Hattie Hook, Meggyann Davie-Smythe, Claudia Tomas, Saskia Mulder, Emma Dicker, Madeline Jordan, Riley Annear, Sarah Bowers, Sophie Lever, Lillian Cook, Imogen Smillie, Hanna Tsiakos, Ally Lynch, Olivia Hosie, Kat Taplin, Phoebe Hennig, Eri Yoshida, Sabrina Agnew, Elspeth Lawson, Cleo Taliadoros, Piper Workman, Summer Workman, Tahlia McDonald, Brooke Bailey, Maddy Cain, Olivia Arrigo, Georgia Thomson, Tori Ferres, Sophie Bolton, Maddie Whitehead, Amy Hopwood, Ruby Gardner, Charlotte Richards, Kate Damyon, Katja Hesse, Caitlin Gilligan, Amelia Stewart, Isabella Sangster, Bryony Stringer, Milly Jasper PRODUCTION TEAM: Michele McNamara, Simon Marsden, Greg Di Natale MUSICIANS: Philippa Jones, Christine Smillie, Michael Ooi BACKSTAGE: Taylor Lyons, Emmie Frederico, Sophie Dilena, Mackenzie Miller, Zabrina Leung, Isabella Scollo, Alani Sharp MAKE-UP: Debbie Waite, Julie Trethowan, Anna Parry, Annette Davie-Smythe Eliza Fricke, Meg Pithie, Christina Qian, Isabel Armstrong, Jessie Chen, Sophie Adam, Yasmeen O’Brien, Georgia Summerhill, Cassy Robertson, Kate Walker FRONT OF HOUSE: Sarah Saunders, Monica Delaney, Annette Wagner-Hesse, Jamie Mawkes, Lara Maratos, Jade Siang, Rachel Zhou, Aisha Dalal BEAUTY AND THE BEAST CAST: Susannah Huse, Stephanie Gotze, Gabrielle Morelli, Emily Yates, Laura Cuerden, Johanna Joyce, Rachael Joyce, Shajeda Kalitzki-Abedin, Millie Anderson, Jenny Cai, Kate Duggan, Sophie Gibb, Fleur Goodman, Alexa Harrington, Annabel Johnston, Jess Lee, Shirley Liu, Charlene Ong, Caitlin Pullen, Samantha Stuart Firbank. Aspire. Achieve. PRODUCTION CREW: Lauren Carroll, Kelsey Mahoney, Lauren McElroy, Chelsea Start, Isabelle Nightingale, Zoe Gousmett, Samantha Stuart, Chloe Moisidis, Sophie Daddo-Langlois In another facet of learning at Firbank, students in the Turner House String Orchestra and the Sandringham House Sinfonia combined to perform at the Victorian Schools Music Festival at The Atrium at Federation Square on Thursday 29 May. Students competed against other, much older orchestras who were secondary school based. We were so proud of our students who won the Gold Shield. Thanks to Mr Kim Morley and his team for their dedication. Education has a unique role in our community as we explore each student’s talents and provide possibilities for success. Together, with parents, we are our children’s greatest audience as we gently encourage them to extend into unchartered waters. Only then will they learn that they can be captains of their own journey and that the goal of independence into adulthood is achievable, providing courage to persevere through life’s elation and sadness. In the poem Invictus William Henley speaks of an unconquerable soul, reiterating the refrain; I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. It was this poem that inspired Nelson Mandela while he was incarcerated on Robben Island and continues to be cherished through generations of many leaders across the world. At Firbank, we plan for our students to enjoy a range of adventures and experiences to give them the strength to find their passion. Our students have learned to seek opportunities to be challenged and to serve others. In my interviews with Year 12, I am learning that we have many captains of destiny who will always remember their school days with gratitude and joy. Heather Norton Congratulations to: The Year 11 & 12 Australian Football Team. With one match to play, the team is undefeated. Hannah Dawes, Georgie Garner, Sienna Parrott, Isabella Blanche and Stephanie Wallace (Year 10) who have been chosen for the South Metro Junior Football League Under 16 Team to represent the SMJFL in the Victorian Metro Junior Championships. A WORD FROM LANGUAGES FRENCH On Wednesday this week, every girl studying French in Years 7 to 10 recited a poem in front of an assessor coming from L’Alliance Française de Melbourne. This took place after much practice and memorisation both in class and at home. The girls are to be commended for their commitment in their preparation. This year marked the 125th anniversary of this competition! A letter about the 2015 Study Tour to France will be sent out in the next few weeks. This is open to all girls studying French in Years 10 and 11 next year. More details to follow soon. GERMAN There has been much activity in the German Department lately. Firbank students will be hosting NEWSLETTER Senior School 30 May 2014 a number of visitors from Germany next term. We have been corresponding and communicating in a variety of ways with students and teachers from our partner school in Germany. Three Year 10 students Ellecia Baker, Karly Mittermayr and Ashleigh Baker will be hosting Verena Berndt, Merit Krakat and Svenja Steinborn from Würzburg. Those girls will be arriving in early August and will be with us till the end of Term 3. In addition Milly Ward is hosting Tabea Schmitt through the SAGSE organisation. Tabea is arriving in June and will be here from the last week of Term 2 till the end of August. Darcie Clarke will be hosting Felicia Dohm in Term 3.We have all enjoyed getting to know Luisa Wiegand, our current young assistant, and have appreciated her contributions to our lessons since the beginning of Term 2. Luisa comes from Saarbrücken near the French border in central Germany. She is being hosted by the Derera and Bennett families. We are so grateful for the generosity of so many host families whose kindness is providing enrichment for all German students. I would like to congratulate all the German language students who have made use of their enrolment in the Language Perfect Worldwide Olympiade. It concludes this week and we will award certificates for significant achievements at an Assembly in Term 4. Finally, we congratulate Frau Frances Mittermayr who has been awarded a Goethe Institut scholarship and will be spending two weeks in Göttingen during the coming semester break. Her daughter Karly’s exchange student, as well as our colleague at the Dag-HammarskjöldGymnasium in Würzburg, will be hosting her for a week prior to the scholarship. It will be great to foster our relationship with the school and for Frances to spend some time observing lessons there. Congratulations on this enterprising undertaking! JAPANESE Our highly anticipated Japanese Study Trip is less than one month away and all of the Firbank. Aspire. Achieve. participants are becoming very excited. By attending weekly meetings, the students are very enthusiastic but also anxious about the school visit to Komazawa Gakuen High School and homestay experience in Tokyo. The Parent Information Evening is organised to provide students and parents with more detailed information of the tour and to give opportunities to ask questions. It will be held on Tuesday 3 June from 7pm. Please note that the venue has changed from Room 47 to Room 48. CAREER NEWS Firbank Career’s night was a huge success with over 45 industries and Universities, private providers and TAFE’s represented and very positive feedback from parents and students. The students and staff are most thankful for the time and effort each representative gave so generously. In particular I would like to acknowledge the contributions of Firbank parents and Firbank Old Grammarians who provide a wealth of experience and knowledge which made the event so worthwhile. Annette Davie Smythe Firbank Careers News for the week ending 23 May • Annual Cultural Care ‘Au Pair Week’ • Lattitude Global Volunteering Information Night • Defence Force Upcoming Information Sessions • Career as a Paramedic • News from RMIT University Studying Industrial Design at RMIT Studying Engineering at RMIT • Career as a Civil Engineer • News from the University of Melbourne • Oral Health Course MyMelbourne Newsletter News from Deakin University Introducing the New Communications Degree Study Abroad Opportunities • University of New South Wales Co-Op Program • Real Estate as a Career Week ending 30 May • Women & Career Firefighting – Career Information Session • News from Box Hill Institute • Bachelor of International Business at the University of Canberra • Discover Deakin School Holiday Program • Bachelor of Creative Arts (Dance) at Flinders University • Career as a Forensic Scientist • Career in Journalism See the link in eNews for information Annette Davie Smythe Careers Counsellor [email protected] FIRBANK ASSOCIATION The next Firbank Association meeting for 2014 will be held on Tuesday, 12 August at 7.00pm in the Turner House SMAART Meeting Room. The remaining dates in 2014 for the Firbank Association meetings are: 18 November AGM followed by Ordinary Meeting All meetings will commence at 7.00pm and will be held in the Turner House Meeting Room FIRBANK GRAMMAR SCHOOL & BRIGHTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL FRIDAY 30 MAY AT 7.30PM IN THE CCA Year 7 & 8 students present Seussical A strange and fantastic red-and-white striped top hat appears on an empty stage, full of possibilities. A girl enters and is drawn toward the magical hat. The Cat in the Hat suddenly materializes! “You’ve got quite a mind for your age,” quips the Cat as he begins singing about the power of imagination. The girl and the Cat use their imaginations to transport everyone to the Jungle of Nool as the adventures begin. We meet Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz--the bird with the one feather tail, the Whos of Whoville--including the Mayor and his Wife, Mayzie La Bird, the Sour Kangaroo and the bird girls and the Citizens of the Jungle of Nool, Yertle the Turtle, Vlad Vladikoff and the Elephant Bird. The rascally Wickershams, a cool group of bad-boy monkeys, also join in the fun. There are wonderful songs and our dancers help bring the Circus McGurkus and McElligot’s pool alive with their wonderful moves. The Year 7 & 8 students from Firbank Grammar and Brighton Grammar Schools have been rehearsing since February and are very excited to bring you Seussical on Thursday May 29 and Friday May 30. It will be performed in the Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) at Firbank commencing at 7.30pm. Ticket prices $20.00/adults and $10.00/child and concession Tickets available at the door for tonight’s performance. Come along and support the students. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR 11 Year 11 Social Events 2014 Wednesday 11 June Morning Tea – 8.30am onwards at Florentines, Church Street, Brighton Saturday 14 June SSPA Function Monday 11 August Afternoon Tea – 2pm, School House, Church Street, Brighton Friday 29 August Year 11 Party – BYO plate and Alcohol , Venue TBA Friday 10 October Afternoon Tea - Olie and Ari’s, Were Street, Brighton TERM DATES FOR 2014 TERM 2 – Wednesday 23 April – Friday 20 June TERM 3 – Wednesday 16 July – Friday 19 September TERM 4 – Tuesday 7 October – Wednesday 10 December ABSENTEES FOR THE SENIOR SCHOOL - REMINDER A reminder about our absentee line 9591 5198 which is available 24 hrs, or if you prefer you can email [email protected] WEP Student Exchange – Memores and Skills for Life! Choose from over 20 countries around the world to attend school, live with a welcoming host family and have the time of your life. Whether you wish to learn another language or choose English-speaking destinations like the USA, Canada or Ireland, students return with memories and skills for life. “Up until now it really hasn’t been real to any of us but now it’s all official. Victoria is so excited and can’t wait to leave. She has already begun emailing with her host mother and sister in Italy and will call on Skype on the weekend as the time difference makes it very hard during the week. She is being hosted by a family who have a daughter her age, so she is now saying that she will have another sister. To make it even better still, they live in northern Italy so she will get to experience her first “white” Christmas. Thank you so much for your assistance in making Victoria’s Italy exchange a reality.” ~ Michelle - Mother of Victoria, semester program to Italy Early Bird Special – Save $500 WEP is offering students in years 9 to 12* a $500 discount off the 2014/15 program fee towards a semester or year program to any of the following countries departing in January - March 2015: Brazil, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Norway, Thailand or the USA. Early Bird applications close 30 May ’14. *Offer not available to year 12 students in Victoria or in conjunction with any other offer or scholarship. Find Out More • Request a FREE information pack online: www.wep.org.au • Attend one of WEP’s information sessions or open days • Visit WEP: Mon – Fri between 9am – 5pm • Call 1300 884 733 / 03 9598 4733 SOUTHERN CROSS CULTURAL EXCHANGE Southern Cross Cultural Exchange is pleased to invite students from Years 9 – 12, and their parents, to our public information session in Melbourne on Tuesday 3 June at 7 pm at Conochie Hall, 2 Rochester Road, Canterbury. The international exchange program is an immensely worthwhile opportunity for students to experience the world while learning more about themselves and how to adapt to new environments and to different cultures, all the while in the care of a volunteer host family. For three decades, S.C.C.E. programs have provided a timely window of opportunity for students to gain a deeper understanding of a different culture, exposure to a foreign language and making global connections. Our staff will be on hand to answer all questions regarding application procedures and advice on program selection, duration, the best time to go, and living with a volunteer host family abroad. Exchange students who have recently returned from S.C.C.E. programs will also be on hand to share their experiences. Information: Free call 1800 500 501 or our website iswww.scce.com.au PARENT ACTIVITIES FREE PARENT SEMINAR – BULLYING - COPING SKILLS FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS! Too often we see or read in the media what the devastating consequences of bullying are. Bullying in the school playground no longer stops just there. With technology today, bullying continues on into the home, the consequences of which can be devastating. So how do parents identify who the bullies are? Why do bullies target particular children? How can you equip your children to be assertive and overcome the bullies? Find out more at our next FREE parent seminar, on Wednesday 4 June in the BGS Rosstrevor School Hall at 7.30pm (corner Allee and New St). Presented by the ever popular and widely regarded Melissa Anderson of Shine Academy for Girls and Longford and Fraser Academy for boys. Register NOW with Melissa Anderson on 9592 4948 or [email protected] HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES With over 3 weeks of school holidays coming up in June/July, why not consider one of the many opportunities we have for children to pick up a new skill, develop new or firmer friendships or to simply enjoy some focussed time on something that interests them. School holiday programs have the advantage of being a less stressful environment for learning and friendship development. So why not continue to build on your child’s learning in the holidays! Some of the programs we are highlighting for these holidays include: Football (1 – 3 July, 6-12 & 13-17 years) Something for the football enthusiast! In this 1, 2 or 3 day program, your child will learn all about Aussie Rules, using the outstanding Brighton Grammar School ovals for game practice. Cement new learnings with state of the art video analysis and feedback from professional coaches, including the likes of Dustin Fletcher, Scott Pendlebury, Lance Franklin or other superstars. For 3 day programs book online. To attend for only 1 or 2 days of the program call 1300 914 368 www.australiansportscamps.com.au G.A.T.E.Ways Gifted Program (25 & 26 June, 5-12 years) Gifted and talented children from Years 1 to 6 have the opportunity to attend a wide range of exciting and challenging workshops at Firbank Grammar School in June. With programs in fencing, science, astronomy, design, chemistry, language, thinking, computer design, maths, drama and problem solving, there is sure to be a class to extend and develop your children’s special abilities. See Firbank Festival of Workshop details at www.gateways.edu.au Performance/Acting/Musical Theatre Camp (30 June – 3 July, 7-13years) Jimmy the Gentleman If you love gangsters, flappers and showgirls you will love this fast-paced 1920’s adventure . After the demise of gangster, Fast Eddy, life settles down for Jimmy the Gentleman and Rosie in their respective nightclubs. However, rumour has it that the Chicago gang intend to move into town. What devious plan has Rosella, Queenie, Grisela and Bumpy Johnson hatched to take over New York city? Has the Police Chief finally taken a bribe? Can Jimmy weave his magic again and restore peace to the big Apple? Come along and find out! www.actingantics.com For further information about these or other programs, please see the flyer or the Sh@re website www.share.vic.edu.au or contact Sonia Wagner, Community Education Manager, [email protected]
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