Vinnies Trivia Night

Well done to the Senior Catholic Action Program students and Mr Matthew William, VP- Mission Identity, Community, for organising a very successful and fun night for staff, students, and families, as well as raising funds for St Vinnies.

Uniform

Please be reminded that summer uniforms are permissible from 1 September, winter uniforms can also be worn but please do not mix and match items from both. Can I also please remind all students and families in regards to our uniform expectations, in particular, that blazers be worn to school (including homeroom) and from school, that piercings are limited to two per earlobe, and that nose piercings are NOT permitted. For some of our Year 9 boys the day is nearing where you will need to commence shaving, as facial hair is not permitted. Thank you all for your support.

Congratulations to our Aerobics Team

Our very talented aerobics teams traveled to Adelaide to compete in the TFT National Aerobics Championships. With challenging divisions and fierce competition, the event showcased some incredible routines.

While the Senior and Rosebud teams delivered outstanding performances in their respective sections, it was the Junior Year 7 Mornington team that brought home the Silver Medal! Congratulations to all the girls who competed; making it to the National Championships is a remarkable achievement and a well-deserved reward for their hard work.

Congratulations also go to all the dedicated coaches whose commitment and hard work cannot be overstated. Special mention to the Junior Mornington Team Coach, Paige McIvor (Year 12), as well as the Senior Team Coaches, Lucy Seletto and Lily Taylor (Year 12).

SIS Athletics

Congratulations to all students who represented the College in the SIS Athletics, and to their coaches Mr Terry Luppino, Mr Luke Morgan and Ms Holly Debnam.

Herald Sun Intermediate Girls Football winners

Congratulations to all the girls involved in the winning team comprised of players from each of the four campuses and to their coaches Mr Sean Eagan and Mr Jerelmny Leihy.

Year 9 STEAM

Student Reflections

This semester, our STEAM class delved into the dynamics of flight. We explored the various forces interacting with aircraft during flight, including drag, thrust, lift, and weight, and examined how these forces affect takeoff, cruising, and landing. We also studied the roles of different aircraft components, such as elevators for pitch control and the rudder for yaw control. Additionally, we learned about Bernoulli's Principle and its role in generating lift.

Armed with this theoretical knowledge, we applied it to design our own planes. Using a machine connected to an electrical tether, which was then attached to our planes, we could control the aircraft’s flight path with a remote, allowing it to fly in a circle. We measured speed and altitude, then made adjustments such as adding winglets, flaps, and an extra layer of wedges to improve performance.

To further explore the concept of flight, our STEAM teacher, Mr Barton, and IT team members Mr Luis and Mr Patterson, sourced and set up a plane simulator. Each student had the opportunity to use the joystick to maneuver the aircraft and visualise flight components. While my classmates enjoyed flying the F16, I preferred the Cessna. Overall, this topic was highly engaging, and the enjoyment I gained from it will always be memorable.

Gordon Xu
Year 9 Kolbe

I’ve been taking STEM as an elective this term, and it has been a fantastic experience. We began by learning about the principles of flight and the four main forces involved: thrust, drag, lift, and weight. It’s been really interesting to see how these forces interact to make flight possible and how crucial they are to the performance of any flying object.

One of the best parts of the course was creating wooden planes from scratch. We started with simple thin pieces of wood and built our planes using hot glue, tools and soldering. After constructing them, we had the chance to fly our planes, which was both exciting and educational. Watching our planes soar through the air in circles and then analyzing their flight was a new experience.

We didn’t just fly the planes; we also modified them and measured their performance. By recording data on factors like time, height, distance, and speed, we were able to see how different design changes affected the flight. This hands-on approach helped us understand the practical application of the theories we had learned and made the learning process much more engaging.

Mr Barton, our teacher, has been a huge part of why this term has been so enjoyable. His passion for STEM and his supportive attitude have made a big difference. He explains concepts clearly and is always available to help us with our projects, making the learning experience both fun and informative.

Overall, this STEM elective has been an incredible opportunity to explore the science of flight and develop practical skills. I’ve really enjoyed the challenges and discoveries this course has offered and look forward to the rest of the semester with great excitement.

Claudia Cox, Year 9 Chisholm

National Science Week

Padua College celebrated Science Week 10-18 August with a thrilling science incursion called the ‘Extraordinary Elements Show’ presented by ‘Mad About Science.’

The one hour show featured amazing chemistry demonstrations, including Elephant’s Toothpaste, butane bubbles, whoosh bottle effects and more.

The incursion aimed to help students understand the key scientific concepts such as element reactivity, states of matter, the fire triangle, exothermic reactions, electricity, atomic structure and the effects of heating and cooling.

Aspire9 eXel Day

Student Reflections

On Wednesday the 4th of September, all Mornington year 9s participated in an eXcel day as part of our Aspire 9 program. The day was full of many helpful presentations and fun activities. These included a presentation about anxiety from Dr Jodi Richardson, African Drummers who learnt their craft in Ghana and presentations from Project Rockit, ManBox, Flourish Journey and Consent Labs.

I know that many of us found Dr Jodi Richardson’s presentation about anxiety to be helpful, especially as we are about to begin our journey into the senior school. ManBox and Flourish Journey presented to us about the specific issues that young men and women our age face and what we can do to not fall into stereotypical traps. Project Rockit talked about how you don’t have to change the world to be a leader, in fact, you don’t even need a badge! Consent Labs taught us about the responsibilities young people have when it comes to protecting ourselves and others with the introduction of drugs and alcohol into our future lives. Perhaps the highlight of the day for some was the African drummers. It was amazing to see how far these performers have come from being part of a poor family in Ghana to presenting to hundreds of young people across the country. The energy from the students was through the roof and the ability of the performers to get everyone drumming in seemingly no time was outstanding!

Overall, the eXcel day provided us with many valuable lessons and lots of fun along the way! A huge thank you to all of the presenters on the day, it wouldn’t have been possible without your knowledge and enthusiasm!

Cooper Hall, Year 9 Mannix

On Wednesday 4 September, our Aspire9 cohort had the opportunity to participate in Padua’s annual Year 9 eXcel Day. This program was an enriching experience designed to deepen our understanding of the common challenges faced by teenagers today. Throughout the day, we engaged in a variety of expert-led sessions from renowned organisations, including Jodi Richardson, ManBox, Flourish Journey, Project Rocket, and Consent Labs. To top it all off, we also participated in an invigorating drumming session that brought energy and enthusiasm to the day.

We kicked off the day with Dr Jodi Richardson, who shared practical strategies for managing anxiety—an issue that resonates with many teens. Following this informative session, we split into boy and girl groups. The boys focused on dismantling harmful gender stereotypes through impactful discussions facilitated by the Men’s Project, while the girls focused on building confidence and navigating identity challenges with the support of the Flourish Journey.

After regrouping in the Whyte Centre, we participated in an enlightening session led by Consent Labs, covering vital topics such as consent, alcohol, and drug safety. This session empowered us to make informed, responsible choices. Following this, Project Rocket inspired us to embody upstander behaviour, emphasising the importance of leading by example to foster positivity and support within our community.

To conclude the day, we immersed ourselves in an exhilarating drumming session, which not only showcased our musical talents but also filled the atmosphere with joy and camaraderie. Overall, our Year 9 Excel Day offered us a wealth of diverse experiences and valuable insights, leaving us feeling enriched, inspired, and deeply grateful for this opportunity. It was truly a memorable and uplifting experience for our cohort, one that we will carry forward as we navigate our teenage years.

Logan Shelley, Year 9 Sebastian

Student Photo Permissions

At times, photographs or videos of our students will be published in newsletters, on the school intranet or website, or in our social media. Copies of our Standard Collection Notice and Privacy Policy are available on the College website in the Enrolments section of our Policies page. Please note that consent to use these images in this way, if provided at enrolment, may be withdrawn at any time by contacting our marketing team via email: marketing@padua.vic.edu.au .