Thursday morning ...

I was at Melbourne Airport early Thursday morning to pick up my son returning from Europe, and who did I see heading for a New Zealand holiday?    The skipper ... Jess Ding! Small world.

Congratulations to Jessica and Nham My for their superb speeches on behalf of the group. Last night was a wonderful tribute to the Class of 2014.  The attendance was excellent and you all looked sharp.  To sit in the same place for such a long time can be difficult, but you did it (well done Monica!).  I watched the last part of the evening from the back of the Hall and it was an impressive sight.  The atmosphere in the Hall was full of positive energy and I hope you all felt special ... because you are.  The leaders had to get up early on Thursday to attend a leader transition day at school for 2015 leaders (except Jess) ... that would have been tough for a few ... such as Kim and Bri who did a superb job not only last night but in all those rehearsals leading up to the event. And congratulations to everyone who played in the Orchestra/Band ... so many of you add musicanship to your long list of skills!  Bri looked worried on that stand when she conducted the last song as the stand was moving! But she completed her duties like a professional.  In the next few days, there will be more posts from Speech Night ... watch this space.  

There is only one more school function for you in 2014 ... Final Assembly ... on Tuesday 16th December (more details to follow before then). Enjoy this time.  Relax. Sleep. Regenerate. We were so privileged to be associated with you all last night!  Regards, DP and ER.

Wednesday morning ...

Some material from Speech Night rehearshal.  More to come soon.

1000 paper cranes ...

Some fine year 12 Japanese students were producing "1000 paper cranes" today which will be sent to Japan.  You will need to ask them why!

16 seconds of your singing ...

A better turn-up today!  Hope to see you all at 8.45 am at the Town Hall on Wednesday morning.  16 seconds of singing ...

The Kim Lane Award

The gift of Tony and Sue Lane in memory of their daughter and former student, Kim Lane. Awarded for all round achievement and personal qualities.  Winner: Estelle Morrissey.

I think that is Estelle on the left!

Speech Night

On Wednesday evening there is a special event at the Melbourne Town Hall and the main attraction is the Class of 2014 from The MacRobertson Girls' High School. They will be on the stage so that everyone in this magnificent Art Deco Hall can see and celebrate this group.  Official proceedings will start at 7.30 with the year 12 group meeting no later than 7pm dressed in their winter uniform.  The whole function starts with the procession of these 251 students from the back of the Hall to the stage to the sound of the Melbourne Town Hall organ ... one of the most impressive in the Southern Hemisphere.  There will be speeches, awards, music, singing and some commentators predict tears!  We will see.  A full rehearsal is set down for Wednesday in the same venue starting at 8.45 am.  

The official program which arrived today.

Good news for Kim!

Kim told me today that she has been successful in her application for an Accounting Cadetship with BDO.  This is a most competitive process and says alot about this quality member of the 2014 group.  Well done Kim.

Add your face to this wall ...

In say, 20 years time, I want to see some of your faces along this corridor! Do something special.

Monday Singing etc ...

... how many of the 251 turned up for the morning session?  See below and count!

Reflection from Ling Wei and Sharon ...

Can you believe Ling Wei and Sharon have only been at MacRob for two years?  They have made a valuable contribution to the school over this time ... and here is their longish reflection.  Good luck Ling Wei and Sharon!

New students 2015

Photos from the session to welcome the new students in 2015.

Other images:

https://drive.google.com/a/macrob.vic.edu.au/?usp=gmail#folders/0B3lBZTLHkqJsS1llVnBpeTM1eE0

Listen to this!

Monday morning ... introduction to MacRob for the new 2015 students.

This is very special. This choir sang as the new students for 2015 entered the Theatre!
Do yourself a favour and listen to this.

Singing on Monday

You have Speech Night Singing Practice on Monday.  Starts about 11.00 am.  
Put that alarm back on!

12J Valedictory Speech ...

Thank you to Victoria and Sylvia, joint form captains of 12J, for this Valedictory Speech.

Our form is known as 12JPod.
Our form is the most humongous form with thirty four constantly hungry stomachs.
Our form is chaotic, loud, dysfunctional sometimes and has too much energy all the time.
Our form also aspire to one day listen to the bulletin in complete silence.
Our form has broken all LRC rules known to the man.
Our form exchange vinyl records as a symbol of saying “it is not the end and we will meet again”.
Sylvia: Our form has adopted 3 fresh meats this year, and I've had the absolute pleasure of getting to know them and calling them my best friends. Thanks Mr Wilkins who made this form the best form ever, you've made our bonds stronger than covalent bonds
Victoria: Since coming to this school, we have come to realise, and to love, where we belong at MacRob, and that is in the most envied form in the school (because we have bean bags), 12J.

Clean Common Room

Thank you to Jessica and Stephanie for cleaning up the Common Room on Friday!  Getting it ready for the Class of 2015 ... that does not sound right!

Empty locker?

The locker on the left is how yours should look very,very soon!

Farewell 12H

I thought there were about 50 photos in the 12H folder, but it seems there are many 100s!
Thank you to all 12H students who have contributed.  Farewell.

https://drive.google.com/a/macrob.vic.edu.au/?tab=mo#folders/0B8qG93_BumQrQzNyaHFrRTFqaG8

3 Japanese teachers ...

Thank you to Melissa, Amy and Mei Mei for teaching the year 9s Japanese on Friday morning.

Victoria's 12I speech at Valedictory ...

Thank you to Victoria for sending me this copy of her speech at Valedictory. Other captains ... if you can find your speech, please send it in.

12I the only indonesian class in the cohort and the class where i made my most memorable experiences of high school with! We've had so much fun together from going on Indonesian trips to battling for first place in every envrio week that macrob ever held. We even had so much fun looking after our baby cactus that we won in year 9......but sadly it passed away. it was sooooo sad saying goodbye to it but now its even harder to say goodbye to my classmates. I wish every one of my beautiful friends the very best in the upcoming future and hope to see you guys soon somewhere and someday. ALSO terimah kasih bu lisa and mr stephenson for enduring us for the years that you had us! i know we were a bit hectic but we know you still love us! ahahhaah Thankyou!!!

Happy birthday to ... ?

Thanks to Pauline for this video.  How do you rotate it?

https://drive.google.com/a/macrob.vic.edu.au/?tab=mo&urp=https://drive.google.com/a/macrob.vic.edu.au/?tab%3D#folders/0B3lBZTLHkqJsSDg4NmlqVUw1d2c

Brianna conducts the singing ...

Brianna conducted the whole school today, excluding year 12.

The handover ...

Tarli and Vivian talk to current year 11s about the role of Year 12 SRC Execs today.

Black market?

At most schools, there is a teacher to organise "2nd hand book sales".  Not at MacRob. The students organise themselves so buyers and sellers get together to transact.  Commerce in action.  Enterprise is alive and well at MacRob.  These photos were taken on Thursday recess time and I saw lots of money changing hands.

From the 2015 School Captains ...

Thank you to Michelle and Mary, school captains for 2015, for this message to the Class of 2014.

https://drive.google.com/a/macrob.vic.edu.au/file/d/0B3PAvK9ANsbLVmo1dmRneDV6Vm8/view

Remember Valedictory?

Janice provided me with a video of 12E at Valedictory.  Not great quality but worth watching, especially if you missed Valedictory.  Thanks Janice.  If you have any media of Valedictory or other relevant year 12 event, share them with the group.

https://drive.google.com/a/macrob.vic.edu.au/?tab=mo#folders/0B3lBZTLHkqJsSW1kNng1UktaNlU

Thursday's exams?

No, that's it!  The assessment program for the Class of 2014 is now complete!  The countdown is now on for that text later in December.

Singing on Wednesday ...

As requested, here is some more singing.  It is a very short video.

The Ruth Willis Debating/Public Speaking Award

The gift of May and Elizabeth Sheargold.  Winner: Janice  Mui

Janice and Sofia.

The Endeavour Award

The gift of Susanne Leonard.  Awarded to a student at any level who shows outstanding endeavour, perseverance or courage.  Winner:  Amy Shen

Amy with her friends who will be with her at Godstowe, England, in 2015.

Farewell 12I

It is time to farewell 12I.
Thank you to those who contributed over 340 photos to the 12I folder!

Link:  https://drive.google.com/a/macrob.vic.edu.au/?tab=mo#folders/0B8qG93_BumQrQkotUWlzcEQxNnc

Wednesday's Exams ...

This is not official. Consult VCAA or Ms Chandler.
(I put the following as Tuesday's exams ... stupid me!)

After Wednesday, that is it as far as exams for Year 12 MacRobians go!

Italian:

Zelda Perri

Indonesian:

The Eddy Cup

Endowed by School Council.  Awarded for scholarship, sporting ability and personal qualities. Winner:  Pauline Lai.

Ironically, Pauline is a sort of super hero.

The Daphne Barrett Memorial Scholarship

Endowed by School Council.  Awarded for outstanding contribution to school music.
Winner:  Brianna Kwong.

Bri and Kim

The Gwen Bowles Award

Endowed by School Council. to honour the contribution of Gwen Bowles, former Principal. Awarded for outstanding contribution in speech and drama, choral or related areas.  The winner is Georgie Renwick.

Transgender children - Being Me

This is a documentary on transgender children that was shown on the ABC on Monday Night.  It tells the story of boys and girls, born in the wrong body and their struggle to be who they are.

http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/four-corners/NC1404H043S00

Carpe Diem

Today I spent 2 hours in the Hall supervising the Unit 2 Accounting exam.  During that boredom, I checked out the Honour Board (see below) and thought of Dead Poets Society and Carpe Diem.  I asked Ms Howe in the examination room if students study this book/film and she said "yes, in year 9".  

"Make your lives extraordinary"

Have you noticed the dates on that Honour Board?  They start at 1905 and end at 1942. There are about 275 names listed.  If those students were alive today, assuming they were 18 at the time of their award, they would be between 90 and 127 years of age!  Alas, it would be lucky if a handful were still with us ... so Carpe Diem.

And just to remind us ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veYR3ZC9wMQ