Next Week @TC

27/05/2022

• Global Citizenship Week

• Canteen Menu for Global Citizenship Week

• 2023 VET Expressions of Interest Now Open

• Ration Challenge

• Student Attitudes to School Survey Taking Place Soon

• Staff Professional Practice Day - Friday 10th June

• Vaping Webinar for Parents

• End of Term 2/Beginning of Term 3 Arrangements

• TCNEWS - Student businesses at TC

Global Citizenship Week

Last week our TC journalist Bonnie-Mai Smith wrote on all the activities happening next week for Global Citizenship Week. Read her article here.

canteen menu for global citizenship week

2023 VET Expression of Interest

The Expressions of Interest to study a VET course in 2023 will open on Monday 30th May.

Please follow this link VET External to find out about all things VET. Here you will find a 2023 VET presentation video, the EOI form and the 2022 VET Handbooks. Please use the 2022 VET Handbooks as an initial guide for course selection.

The 2023 VET Handbooks are expected to be released in June and will be updated on the web page as they become available. Some 2022 courses may not be available in 2023 but we anticipate that most courses will be available.

The EOI form is due by Friday 15th July (end of week 1, term 2). Applications after this date will be considered on a case by case basis.

Unsure? Submit an EOI anyway!

As places in VET courses are limited, submitting an EOI early means that you are less likely to miss out. You can withdraw from VET courses before the end of Term 4 2022, as long as you let us know.

It is best to keep your options open if you are still figuring things out.

If you have any questions, please email vet-support@tc.vic.edu.au or come and see Tammy in the HUB.

The Ration Challenge

Support our staff and students participating in this years Ration Challenge! The Ration Challenge is a 3-day challenge eating the rations a refugee receives. The goal is to raise money that will be used to buy food and medicine. Take a look at our sponsorship page here - 2022 - Ration Challenge Schools 2022.

Student Attitudes to School Survey Taking Place Soon

In a few weeks time we will be carrying out the annual Student Attitudes to School Survey. This is carried out every year and is the same one that students have completed every year throughout their Primary and Secondary education. The data collected is used by the school to plan the priorities ahead for both the rest of the year, and also for 2023. Students data is collected anonymously throughout the process and we will be completing this during Connect time.

Staff Professional Practice Day – Friday 10th June

A reminder that we have our Department of Education mandated Professional Practice Day taking place on Friday 10th June. As per our announcement earlier this term, there will be no classes running onsite on this day. Whilst all staff will be onsite, school is only open for those students who need to be supervised. The school Bus will run as normal on this day but the canteen will not be opened.

Vaping Webinar for parents

In response to a growing concern amongst school communities, a webinar has been coordinated on Vaping from Paul Dillon - Founder and Director of DARTA.

This is a partnership between Knox and Maroondah but all are welcome to attend.

Vaping (the use of electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes or ‘vapes’) has become a growing issue for many parents across the country.
This session will provide up-to-date and accurate information on the use of e-cigarettes and vaping, including the potential harms associated with the use of these devices, particularly young people.
Practical advice will also be provided on how to talk to young people about vaping, as well as some possible responses that parents can use should their child attempt to challenge them in this complex area.

What: Vaping and e cigarettes webinar with Paul Dillon, Director and founder of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia  (DARTA)
When: Thursday 9th June, 7.30pm
Where: Online with Zoom (Link sent after registered and prior to webinar)
Cost: Free, but you must book a ticket
How: Click here to book: https://www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/Explore/Whats-on-in-Maroondah/Events-calendar/Vaping-%E2%80%93-What-do-parents-need-to-know

Any questions please email childrens.services.events@maroondah.vic.gov.au

End of Term 2/ Beginning of Term 3 Arrangements

• Last Day of Term 2 – Friday 24th June. Classes will finish at the normal time on this day.

• First Day of Term 3 – Monday 11th July

• Last Day of Term 3 – Friday 16th September

Student businesses at TC!

At TC, students are able to incorporate their passions with their subjects! With student-led electives like entrepreneurship, animal industry skills, cafe culture and more, students can earn money while gaining real work experience. Many of these subjects have inspired students to create their businesses outside of school. On connect this week, the segment "Student Businesses at TC" highlighted some of the incredible businesses run by TC students.

De Fazio Knives:

Since he was tweleve, student Aidan De Fazio has been hand making custom knives. The knifemaker was first inspired by watching youtube videos of blacksmiths from all over the globe. On this weeks connect episode Aidan decribes the challenges of running a small business. "Starting at twelve, I didn't have any tools... that was definitly a challange but, once I got going, I started reinvesting my money from the knives back into the tools". Aidan is also apart of the Australian Knife Makers Guild. Through the AKG, Aidan has participated in the Melbourne Knife Show and selling his own knives to the public. 

Little Nick Nacks:

Year 10 student Georgia has an adorable hand-drawn sticker business! The face of the brand Wilma was based on her very own childhood teddy bear. Starting in August 2021, Little Nick Nacks has gone on to sell stickers all over Australia. As a young business owner, she's found using TikTok to promote her business has been very helpful and generated some of her sales! To make one of the charming stickers, Georgia first designs her characters on her iPad and photoshop, after this she prints, cuts, packages and then ships them off! Due to her growing business, Georgia was contacted by a Monash Uni event manager and ended up sponsoring a Monash Arts open day show bag! In the future, Georgia is hoping to start shipping her stickers worldwide and continue to grow Little Nick Nacks

Emmett Therapy:

Emmett Therapy is used to ease pain and discomfort, increase movement and improve quality of life for both humans and animals! As of January this year TC's Junior Animals Technician Megan Hanel has become a qualified Emmett Therapist! SInce she was younger Megan has alway had a passion for animals and Emmett Therapy has helped her understand animals in a whole new way!

Nouche Jewellery: 

Last year after falling in love with the art of jewellery making (TC elective) Alyssa Teichtahl began selling handmade resin jewellery. For students staring a business Alyssa suggests "working with what you love doing... and if you put your heart and soul into it, thats all you really need"

Other student businesses mentioned during the episode:

• Busking (Leon, Nikita and Dan)

• Fish Breeding (Caelan Harris)

Check out the Student Businesses:

De Fazio Knives:
https://linktr.ee/defazio_knives

Little Nick Nacks:
https://linktr.ee/Littlenicknacks

Emmett Therapy: Megan Hanel
Emmett.meganhanel@gmail.com
0411707744

Nouche Jewellery: 
https://www.instagram.com/nouche_jewellery/
https://www.nouchejewellery.com/

By Bonnie-Mai Smith
TC Journalist

Annoucements from Last Week

• Semester 2 Subject Review and Confirmation

• TC Dance Concert

• TC Drama Performance

• Changes to COVID Testing Guidelines

• Other COVID News - Air Purifiers

• Funding for Toilet Renovation

Semester 2 Subject Review and Confirmation

Opening on Monday students will have the opportunity to review and confirm the semester length subjects they wish to study in semester 2. This will be completed through the ILP platform. Connect mentors will be able to guide students through this process if they need assistance, or students can complete it at their own pace during the week. All parents/carers will receive a confirmation email when students submit their preferences.

Semester 2 subject review and confirmation closes next Friday the 26th of May. Semester 2 begins on Week 1, Term 3.

TC Dance Presents - Streaming Netflix - Friday 17 June - doors open 5.45pm

Come along and stream your favourite Netflix movies and tv shows! Our dancers have learnt and created dance pieces to make you feel like you are streaming at home.
Friday 17 June - Doors open at 5.45pm for a 6.00pm Show
Tickets to be pre-booked via Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/BZQER

Changes to COVID Testing Guidelines

The Department of Education have passed onto schools new guidelines for the use of Rapid Antigen Tests. It is now recommended that students and staff only need to test when they show syptoms of COVID or they are a Household contact. It is no longer the strong recommendation for staff and students to test twice per week.

Should your child need RATs, these can still be collected from the General Office.

Other COVID News - Air Purifiers

In other COVID news we have just received our allocation of 106 additional Air Purifiers. These have been placed in classrooms, staffrooms and other areas to compliment the 50 that we had already been provided with. These will be used as the classroom windows begin to be closed due to the weather conditions.

Funding for Toilet Renovation

We are pleased to be able to share that we have had a grant application approved for $355,000 to be used to renovate the C Wing toilets and replace them with Gender neutral toilets. This was a grant application written alongside members of our Queer club and will give these facilities a much needed boost. We are not sure yet when the project will begin, but are looking forward to it doing so!

Announcements from Previous Weeks

• Parents/Carers Facebook Group Launch

• Careers and Wellbeing Expo

• Music Concert - Lines in the Sand

• BYOD Internet Filtering

• Staff Professional Development Day - No learning taking place on site

• TC Formal Season

• Recycled Art Work Competition

• Winter Weather

• TC Beanies for sale

• Term 1 Newsletter Release

• Canteen Menu Term 2

• Traffic around the School

Parents/Carers Facebook Group Launch

We have launched a Templestowe College Parents/Carers Facebook Group.

Promoting a safe space for parents and carers of students at Templestowe College to share information online, the group will celebrate school achievements, keep up to date with school events, and more. This page will be run by a parent group with the approval of TC.

To join please follow this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/templestowecollegeparentcarersgroup/ all members will be confirmed by a school staff member, please ensure you answer the requested questions to join.

Careers and Wellbeing Expo

This year Templestowe College is hosting its very own Careers and Wellbeing Expo! The event will be held at school, Monday the 6th of June, between 3:30 and 6:30 pm. The expo aims to create pathway opportunities for TC students. At the event, students will be able to connect with some of the most respected Tertiary, TAFE, Apprenticeship and Employment providers in and around Victoria. TC will also be hosting some awesome well-being and community outreach programs.

Some of the reps that will be at the expo are:
Deakin University
Swinburne University
Melbourne Polytechnic
Richmond Institute of sport
Carlton College
RMIT
COLLARTS
Latrobe University
Headspace
and more.

Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!

If you have any questions about the Careers and Wellbeing Expo please contact Olivia Bontempelli on teams or via email: OBON@tc.vic.edu.au

Music Concert - Lines in the sand

As part of TC’s Global Citizenship week, TC Music is presenting two special concerts featuring international guest artists and all the TC bands and ensembles. “Lines in the Sand – Songs about what makes us Human” will celebrate the ties that binds us as humans, the musical threads of shared humanity that speak to the timeless quality of music and its ability to bridge cultural and language barriers.
Our guest artists will be working with the TC Musos during classes to explore the sounds and stories in music from various social and cultural movements, and create pieces that will premiere for the shows. This is a special opportunity for our students to connect and create music alongside international masters whilst contributing to the creation of new work.
In addition to these new works, all our TC bands and ensembles will perform pieces linked to the theme creating a musical narrative that gives voice to the stories, emotions, and hopes of our TC Musos as they explore their place in the world.

Featuring:

• Mady Keita (Mali)
  Master percussionist, SuperMande Percussion director

• Nilusha Dassenaike (Aus, Sri-Lanka, NYC)
  Resistance Revival Chorus director (NYC), Tina Arena, Dancing with the Stars

• Mal Webb & Kylie Morrigan (Aus)
  Musical polyglot and beat-boxer with violinist and renowned folk-musician Kylie Morrigan

• All of the TC bands, ensembles, soloists and staff!

Two nights only!
TUES MAY 31 & WED JUN 1

6:45pm doors for a 7pm start.

2 sets with intermission
Unfortunately due to COVID we are unable to provide tea/coffee facilities at intermission so please bring your own water bottles/snacks.

$20 per ticket (no ticket limit)

Tickets on sale until sold out
https://www.trybooking.com/BZFVL

BYOD Internet Filtering

Over the past 9 months, TC has introduced a new filtering system on Students BYOD computers. As a result we have an improved filtering system that gives the school greater flexibility in this area.

We can now offer different levels of filtering on students computers. Currently students have access to social media and games at all times. This is in line with our ICT use policy that can be found on our website. Should a family wish to investigate disabling the ability for students to access social media (including messaging apps) and games either during the school day, or at all times, they should make contact with their Community executive teams to discuss this. The Community Executive Teams should then be able to discuss the logistics of how this works. Please note that this process has to go through the Community Executive Teams, and not through direct conversation with our IT Support staff.

Winter Weather

We wanted to make sure parents were aware that whilst we await the delivery of our additional air purifiers from the Department of Education, that there will still be classroom windows open throughout the school to promote airflow. We are telling you this as you may want to remind students to bring enough clothes in case it is cold in the classrooms.

TC Beanies for Sale

As the weather gets colder don’t forget you can purchase a TC Beanie from the general office at any time, beanies are $15.

Term 1 Newsletter

Canteen Menu Term 2

Our Canteen refreshes the menu every term to bring the tastiest food to our community. Explore the new menu here, and don’t forget you can follow the canteen on Instagram for daily updates - Templestowe College Canteen (@templestowe_college_canteen) • Instagram photos and videos.

Traffic Around the School

A gentle reminder that not only should people driving through the school do so at a minimal speed, but also to please take care when driving the roads around TC. In particular, please be careful when turning from Lynwood Parade into Cypress Avenue as we have students from both TC and the neighbouring Primary School crossing here.

Pervious TCNEWS

Get ready! The second Community Integrated Learning Week is coming up. The theme for this year is Global Citizenship. During the week, the TC community will explore cultural awareness, identifying issues and challenges that affect humanity and decision making and problem-solving that involves listening and resolving differences in a respectful and culturally sensitive way. Throughout week six, there will be a plethora of events, performances, classroom-based activities and community projects occurring across the whole campus. 

Some of these include: 

Native Indigenous Revegetation Project 🌱

Ran by Ryley Norris, the project will "revegetate numerous plants native to the Kulin Nation'. The project will cover the entirety of the C wing border and some of the Art hub. Lots of plants will be placed during the week including, a native Black Kurrajong. The VCAL classes aim to support the integration of native plants back into modern Australia and the rejuvenation of our food systems!

Lines in the Sand 🎶

Featuring international guest artists and our amazing TC Musicians, this is a must-see event. The musicians are premiering a whole suite of original songs and special arrangements of songs from around the world. The evening concerts will be held on Tuesday, May 31st and Wednesday, June 1st. Book your tickets now!

Photography in Activism 📸

This project will occur in David Payne's photography elective class. "Photographic images are one of the most popular tools used to advocate for social and environmental awareness". Students will be exploring how the power of photography has impacted recent movements. Prints will be displayed at TC and shared through all social channels. 

Hashtag Project #

The Hashtag Project aims to understand and be a part of a globalised online community. The project highlights the importance of global citizenship and the power hashtags have on society. As global citizens, we have seen social movements gain momentum through the use of hashtags - #BLM #metoo. They are also used to connect with people with similar interests. Mia Cooper's Media class will be brainstorming hashtags and then sharing them with us through Community Teams!

International MAP Collaboration 🌍

Through Global Citizenship week, the TC Montessori Adolescent Program will be building global connections! MAP students will be partnered in small groups with other students from across the globe. The international students are from Japan, South Africa, Germany, Morroco and the Philippines. Online collaboration between students will result in projects and learning about each other's countries and cultures. 

VCD- Activism Posters 📜

To promote the idea of being a 'global citizen', Demi Nicolaidises VCD elective students will be creating a poster using key skills with Photoshop. The posters will explore Climate change, identity, people's rights, recycling and humanitarianism. The posters will be displayed in C-Wing and around the school.

The Sharing Culture Project 🔁

During Global Citizenship week, EAL students will teach the Entry students some expressions from their native language and tell them about their home countries. In return, the Entry students will prepare some questions to ask the EAL students, to find out about their countries and the differences between Australia and the other countries. The purpose of this lesson is, to build connections between EAL and local students.

Other activities include:

• FLE Maths - Backyard Pool project

•  Practical Maths - Scopa! Italian card game

•  Entry and Pre-VCE English - Vietnamese Experience Project

•  Prep English – “On Your Soapbox” speaking about global issues project

•  Applied English – Create a Travel Agency to an Unpopular Destination

•  English - TC Street Podcast “Global Connections” episode

•  Humanities/English - Model UN Forum

•  MAP - International Montessori Collaboration (Japan/Morocco/South Africa/Germany/Philippines/Australia)

•  Entry Science – “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (Global Edition)

•  Science and Food – Roving Insect tasting menu at lunch and recess

•  International - TC International Alumni videos and messages

•  Art - Recycled materials sculpture

•  Entry PE and Dance - Indian Classical Dance and Hip-Hop

•  Canteen - Special International Menu

•  Zoology and Ecology - Environmental Messaging through Art, Role of Zoos in Global Conservation

•  Food - International Dishes, War on Waste

•  Connect - World Café, Global Map project

•  Whole school – Tonga Penpal project

Recess and Lunch Activities:

Monday:

•  Social Justice Club D07

•  Global DJs S Wing

Tuesday:

•  Lunchtime insect tasting menu (learning about food sustainability)

•  History Club – Global Edition

•  Evening Concert “Lines in the Sand” ALL TC COMMUNITY WELCOME (tickets via https://www.trybooking.com/BZFVL)

Wednesday:

•  Evening Concert “Lines in the Sand” ALL TC COMMUNITY WELCOME (tickets via https://www.trybooking.com/BZFVL)

 Thursday:

•  International Dress Day (Dress in a national costume)

•  Lunchtime insect tasting menu (learning about food sustainability)

•  ALPA (Filipino band) lunchtime performance

•  Chess Club – Chinese Chess

Friday:

• Lunchtime insect tasting menu (learning about food sustainability)

A huge shout out to all the students and staff involved!

To check out the full list of activities, see Ryan Griffith's recent email or your Community page and be sure to follow TC on Facebook and Community pages on Teams for photos, stories and updates from the week.

By Bonnie-Mai Smith 
TC Journalist

Student Successes in Top Arts, Screen and Design

This year some visual art students at TC have been selected for the VCE Season of Excellence! The annual five-month festival showcases the exceptional work created by senior secondary students across Victoria. Currently, four former TC graduate students have their work shown in major cultural venues. With hundreds of entries to be a part of the Season of Excellence, artworks were selected based on key criteria such as "conceptual development, technical excellence, aesthetic considerations, awareness of past and contemporary art practices, individuality, and innovation".  

In late October, applications for the Season of Excellence (Top Designs, Top Screen, Top Arts) open. Students with a highly resolved media product and folio are encouraged to apply with the help of their art teacher. They are also asked to submit a written reflection that addresses how the artwork expresses their idea and how the aesthetic qualities were achieved. This then goes to a selection panel for first-round selections. If the work is shortlisted, the panel (VCAA and the curators and educators of the NGV) will then, ask the students to bring in their folio to be assessed. If selected, the media product is screened at Top Screen (ACMI) or exhibited at Top Design (Melbourne Museum) and Top Arts (NGV).

Here are the TC Artists and Artwork that are currently exhibited:

Top Arts:      

Identity by Holly O'Brien

Both artworks (Identity and OUTSIDERS) explore the same themes surrounding identity and personal experiences. I wanted to create works that contain symbolic imagery and bright colours as a form of self-expression. Through both works, I have represented my personal life experiences and how these experiences shape who I am as an individual.

Bricks, bins & backstreets by Miki Flett

My first artwork Bricks, bins & backstreets portrays a desperate attachment to people, places & memories through a literal depiction of large, crippled hands grasping onto an ordinary backstreet building. The concept reflects how something as mundane as a brick building hidden by narrow streets, can be held onto, sentimentally.

Top Screen:

The Flower in Me by Erin Kim

ANIMATION, 3 MIN

Insecure about the flower buds on her antlers not having bloomed like her other peers, Bom struggles with self-acceptance. Her self-doubt transforms into the physical form of a shadow creature that consumes Bom, until her friend Pangie rescues her.

Top Designs:

The Purrfect Pair Cat Carrier by Amelie Thompson

I designed the cat carrier for an end-user group that wanted a product that would provide a comforting environment for cats while travelling. My research found that travelling with a new cat is difficult, as cats are often anxious in new settings. I designed and created a carrier product that the cat would interact with on a daily basis, so it would feel safe and familiar when travelling. 

OUTSIDERS by Holly O'Brien

The idea for my print production came from a personal interest in graphic novels, comic books and art styles from animated films and TV shows. My intention was to create a short graphic novel that focuses on the friendship between humans and automations. I wanted to depict my narrative through the use of the steampunk genre, due to my fascination with illustrating robotic machinery. My narrative also presents themes of social anxiety, which the audience may be able to relate to through the work.

Here I interviewed former grad, Erin Kim, about her animation The Flower in Me and Art teachers Mia and Demi on their Top Arts 2022 experience.

What was the inspiration behind your artwork?

Erin:  I was inspired by my journey of self-acceptance and celebration of oneself. I intended to create a character that was having their own self-discovery in an abstract form.

How is it like having your/ your student's media products exhibited in a museum or shown on the big screen?

Mia: It is very rewarding to see a student's hard work and determination be recognised at such a high level. The students work so hard all year on their media production (SAT) from researching ideas, developing their ideas and then producing and refining a final media product. I am so proud of the students whose works were selected for this year's screening and exhibition. 

Erin: It's truly an honour to have my animation exhibited to so many people. Being a perfectionist, it's hard to acknowledge my achievements so I feel justified to be proud of what I've created.

Did you go to the openings? If so how was it?

Mia: Yes, I went to the Top Screen opening night, which was really fun! It's like going to a proper movie premiere or awards night! You get to meet all the filmmakers and hear about their process and journey. Also, you get choc-tops!! 

Erin: Yes I did! At the opening, I received the Top Screens Jury prize which I didn't expect at all (I didn't even know they had prizes). I was just really happy to know that people enjoyed my animation.

Demi: Yes, I go every year! When a student is selected for Top Arts the VCE teacher is invited to this VIP event. It is very exciting and an honour to be there with the students who worked so hard throughout the year. It is awesome to have their work on display in a world recognised gallery such as the NGV and to have parents, families and educators celebrate with them.

What advice would you give to future Top Screen and Top Design applicants?

Mia: My advice would be to work on your folio consistently and seek feedback regularly. You need to have a strong work ethic and be willing to invest 110% into it. Involve family and friends as it is truly a piece of schoolwork you will always remember and be proud of!

Erin: I recommend establishing your strengths and weaknesses before starting a project. This allows you to plan better on what you can and not do. E.g. I knew I wasn't confident in background design so I went with a minimalistic animation style.

Holly O'Brien (Identity) and Miki Flett's (Bricks, bins & backstreets) can be viewed at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square until the 24th of July 2022.

Erin Kim (The Flower in Me), Holly Obrien (OUTSIDERS) and Amelie Thompsons (The Purrfect Pair Cat Carrier) can be viewed at the Melbourne Museum until the 10th of July 2022 or you can take a virtual tour on their website.

Congratulations to Erin Kim on The Top Screen Jury Prize and the students that were selected this year for the Season of Excellence!

For more info on the Top Designs at Melbourne Museum and Virtual Tour: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/learning/top-designs-2022/
For more info on the Top Arts at the NGV: https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/top-arts-2022/
Erins Art Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tearhope.jpg/
Erins Film The Flower In Me: https://youtu.be/_OuxxQEMByY
To view some amazing student art work, you can follow TC Visual Arts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tcvisualart/

By Bonnie-Mai Smith
TC Journalist

Psychology 3/4's visit to Animals

This week, the Psychology 3/4 classes visited the TC animal farm! For their second area of study, the Psychology students are learning about the "neural basis of memory and learning and examining factors that influence the learning of new behaviours". Teacher Duncan and student head keeper Megan Hael explained to the classes the process of how the TC animals department teaches and trains their adorable llamas, goats and pigs . In turn, the students, shared some new ways the animals team could teach their animals new behaviours.

By Bonnie-Mai Smith
TC Journalist

CLUBS @TC

At TC, there is a club for everyone! The myriad of social clubs at Templestowe College allows students to explore their interests outside of classes and be a part of a smaller community that shares common interests. Since most clubs are student-driven, students can take on leadership roles, meet new people and be a part of fun events! Some of these clubs are:

Mondays: 

Geography Club:

Mark your calendars! Starting week three Geography Club will be held every odd week Monday Lunchtimes in C03. Starting with Uzbekistan, in every meeting there will be a focus on a different country. The meetings will start with a Worldle competition and some fun geography games. There will be a presentation on the chosen country that is being covered: Geography, History, Leadership and Culture. Hopefully, there will also be traditional tasty snacks that represent the country! The Club is open to everyone who is interested and wants to learn more about the world around them.

Social Justice Club:

The Social Justice Club runs every second Monday lunchtime (even weeks) in D07. Staff facilitate discussions but the club is primarily student-led. Currently, the members discuss current affairs, are organising a fundraiser and are preparing to run formal debates. Last term, the Social Justice Club merged with the knitting club to talk about the news while knitting! The students are also planning a sleepout to raise awareness about homelessness in Australia.

Tuesdays:

Art Committee:

The Art Committee meets every Tuesday lunchtime in the Art Hub and aims to promote Visual Arts at TC. In this committee, "Students are coming up with their own ideas around what the committee should be, this could include thinking up exhibitions, promoting the exhibitions, working on community projects." Earlier in the year, a student member suggested that they make ceramic dog bowls that can be placed around the school for all of the dogs of the day! The Committee are also currently organising an art competition for Global Citizenship week, planning exhibitions and working on design commissions. All students are welcome to join!

History Club:

History lovers meet every Tuesday lunchtime in C03 to discuss the history of different topics. My recent personal favourites have been the history of fashion presented by student Jasmine Fuga, amazing women from history and the history of salt! The meetings usually kick off with some fun history-related games, Who am I's? and on this day in history where we look back on famous historical events that happened on that day. The meetings are filled with lots of tea, biscuits and laughs! 

Animals Group:

The Animals Group meetings are held weekly in the Reptiles Room (E2) at lunchtime (1:30 pm), on Tuesdays. The Committee is comprised of animal-loving students, students enrolled in animal classes, class leaders, head keepers, animals staff etc. The meetings are where the group discusses any important updates about the program, such as animal health issues or maintenance and husbandry tasks they need to be aware of. Facilitator Kate Meehan describes the meetings as "an awesome way for students to see how to have a balanced discussion with people with opposing views. We have an agenda that students can add to, and we have a student that chairs the meeting. People put up their hands to contribute and add in their thoughts, and someone takes minutes to document the discussion and outcome." A huge achievement for the Animals Committee last year was the Pig Project! From start to finish the group worked tirelessly to plan and prepare for adding the adorable pigs "Peabody and Sherman" to the program. The Animals group try to plan for an event each term and is hoping their upcoming trivia night will there biggest event yet. Stay tuned!

Thursdays:

Chess Club:

Chess Club held every Thursday at lunchtime, in D02 is a great club for chess pros and even Queens Gambit fans who want to pick up a new skill! 

The club was started last year by Callum Mcdonald and some former students. Callum believes that "Chess club is important because chess teaches focus and pattern recognition, it’s also something you can do for the rest of your life!" New members don’t even need to have any experience in playing chess. Everyone is welcome to join and boards, timers and snacks are provided!

Queer Club:

Queer Club welcomes students across all year levels and groups, as well as staff members who identify as LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Gender diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual and Questioning) as well as allies, to connect, share stories and build relationships. The meetings are held every Thursday lunchtime in Wellbeing (the back of S Wing). The Club was started in 2018 by former students with the goal to build safe spaces at TC for young queer people, and allies, to be themselves and talk about their experiences! Sometimes the meetings can focus on particular discussion topics, other times they can just be more social or the members might be planning an event or sharing stories. The club also starts off with an acknowledgement of country and often has special guests! This year Australian writer Nevo Zisin paid a visit and Britt from Manningham Youth Services regularly hangs out with the club and facilitates discussions. For anyone nervous about joining Queer Club, it is a very safe and welcoming space. People can say as much or as little as they would like, and no one would ask any follow-up questions if you chose not to share. Feel free to reach out to Amy or Amanda if you have any questions.

By Bonnie-Mai Smith 
TC Journalist