Senior School Colour Run
As part of the Year 10 Inspire Program, Year 10 students at the Maddingley Campus have been given the opportunity to develop their Service Leadership skills. We are excited to announce that Bacchus Marsh Grammar will host its first ever Senior School Colour Run on the last day of term – Friday 19 September! This fun and vibrant event will bring our school community together to celebrate the end of term, whilst also raising funds for the Starlight Foundation.
The cost to participate is $10 per student, with all money raised donated to the Starlight Foundation.
The Starlight Foundation has been bringing joy, laughter and happiness to seriously ill children for over 35 years. By working alongside health professionals, they create positive experiences to help children cope with the challenges of illness, ensuring that “sick kids are still kids.”
Students wanting to be involved will need to register their interest via the Edsmart correspondence sent out previously.
We look forward to seeing our students come together in a day full of colour, energy and school spirit, knowing that every step they take will help make a difference.
Natalie Desira – Assistant Principal: Head of Senior School and Tenielle Brown – Deputy Head of Senior School
Woodlea
Pre-VCE Physics Excursion
On 1 September, Year 10 Pre-VCE Physics students visited the Melbourne Museum for the Road to Zero road safety education experience. As a group, we explored interactive activities using VR technology and touch tables to investigate how speed and friction influence stopping distances. These lessons gave us valuable insight into the physics of everyday road situations and their direct impact on road safety. Personally, I found the experience eye-opening as it showed how scientific concepts we often overlook can have life-saving applications. Overall, it was an engaging and meaningful excursion for both learning and awareness.
Student reflection by Semira K 10WE
The University of Melbourne Girl Power in Engineering and IT Program – Student Reflection
The Girl Power in Engineering and IT program is a four-year initiative facilitated by the University of Melbourne for female high-school students, aimed at contributing towards gender parity in engineering and IT disciplines. The program begins in Year 9 with a four-day residential camp, followed by a Faculty of Science work-experience placement in Year 10, and includes mentoring opportunities in Years 11 and 12. After submitting my application and taking part in a group interview, I was absolutely delighted to be one of 40 students across Australia selected to participate in this program!
Over the recent school holidays, from 13–16 July, I was thrilled to immerse myself in a four-day, three-night residential camp at the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus. This program is free of charge and includes all meals, workshops and accommodation at University College. During the camp, I learnt about different career pathways in engineering and IT, participated in hands-on workshops, heard from female industry and academic leaders, and formed networks with like-minded girls who share my passion for STEM.
I participated in a range of workshops during camp, including a Design Thinking Workshop where we explored sustainable housing and used the design thinking process to come up with housing ideas, a Robogals Workshop, where we learnt to code with Python, and a bridge-building competition. We also did a SIRE (Students In Renewable Energy) Workshop, where we built small floating wind turbines, and a Drones Workshop, where we were able to code and fly drones in Melbourne University’s Science Gallery. We also had lunch with the MUR Motor Racing Team, who design and build sports cars for racing events like Formula One.
One of the highlights was visiting The Creator Space at Melbourne Connect, where we designed and built model planes using laser cutters. Another standout moment was the Careers and Networking Panel Discussion evening where we were inspired by the experiences of four remarkable women in STEM and gained valuable insights into each of their careers. I learnt that it’s perfectly okay to take time to find your path and explore different fields within engineering and IT. We even dressed up for the event, which made the night feel extra special.
Between workshops, we were divided into groups of four for a team challenge and worked on a project addressing one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). My team, InnovateHer, chose SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. We researched and brainstormed ideas around this topic and developed a solution: a three-in-one water collection and filtration system that we called the Terrasip Kit. On the final day, we presented our solution and were thrilled to be announced the winners out of all ten groups!
Overall, I’m incredibly grateful to have participated in the prestigious Girl Power in Engineering and IT camp. I gained valuable insights and knowledge through the various workshops, projects and networking opportunities. Beyond the workshops, the camp gave me a taste of university life, staying in dorms, trying campus meals at the cafeteria, enjoying games and movie nights with my new found friends! I am thankful to all the wonderful mentors and staff at the University of Melbourne who made this incredible camp possible. I would like to especially thank Mrs Ogston and Mrs Hunter for providing me with a letter of recommendation as part of my application for this program.
To any girls interested in pursuing a career in engineering or IT, or simply curious about STEM, I highly recommend applying for the University of Melbourne’s Girl Power in Engineering and IT program! For more information about this amazing program, please visit the Girl Power in Engineering and IT page on the University of Melbourne’s website.
Maddie D (9WD)