​Continuing our Year 12 Life Skills program, we were delighted to welcome ex Principal, and previous Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) employee, Rosalie Moorfield, into the Year 12 classroom. After a lap of the class establishing school and parental connections, Rosalie explained that her role today was to present apolitical information about Voting in Australia to our young adults as future voters. Apolitical means that she cannot express an opinion in political affairs and is neutral but she believes that most people who offer themselves as political candidates strongly believe that they are there with the best intentions. She stressed the importance of voting to have your say so that you can influence decision making and that Australia is the envy of many countries with 98% of the population registered to vote.  Rosalie reiterated that in Victoria, if you are enrolled to vote, you must vote in all Federal, State and council elections and if you do not vote, you may get a fine. Students saw examples of the separate ballot boxes for House of Representatives and Senate ballot papers and Rosalie illustrated how to fill them in and avoid donkey votes. She described swinging voters and that previously 70% of people used to vote consistently the same way but now, only 36% of people do in terms of varying interests and opinions. The class talked about hung parliaments and the disadvantages or benefits regarding discussion and compromise that this can bring. Rosalie also introduced another civic responsibility, jury duty, and described the procedures involved in this role. Thanks for your insights Rosalie, a great opportunity for our young adults to understand how their vote matters.

​Continuing our series of life skills sessions for our Year 12 students, we invited Adam Bellman from Bellman Legal into our classroom to outline the legal responsibilities of young adults, including contracts, leases, getting 'into trouble', pathways into practising law and the sorts of things he wished he’d known at their age. Adam worked as a Clerk of Courts for the Magistrates Court then studied a Bachelor or Management / Bachelor of Law at Deakin University, and worked for various firms before launching his own practice in 2023 in Warrnambool. He introduced wills and discussed the legal implications of not reading contacts including phone, internet, employment, bank cards, rental agreements etc with the class and how they impacted credit ratings, future travel, job or tenancy opportunities. Adam stressed the importance of reading the fine print, understanding the product or service that you signed up for regarding interest rates, fees, credit obligations or fees penalties, seeking advice if unsure, keeping a copy of signed contracts and understanding your rights and responsibilities as an employee or a tenant. He cautioned students against ‘getting into trouble’ by understanding the legal consequences of their actions but suggested that if it did happen, that they seek legal advice and in pre interview sessions with police that they state ‘no comment’ until advised about any pending legal issues. Our Year 11 Legal studies students were a part of this session and Adam generously spoke to our Year 12 Legal students over the lunch break about summary vs indictable offences, the key principles of the criminal justice system, the rights of the accused vs the rights of victims and the principles of justice during a criminal case and sentencing. How fortunate are we to have access to this expertise for our students, thanks Adam!

​During a recent field trip, our Year 8 Science students explored our amazing and dynamic, ever evolving coastal environment at Murnane’s Bay / Childers Cove lead by retired Deakin lecturer and environmental scientist, Dr John Sherwood and Parks Victoria Ranger, Emma Drake. Emma described her role as a Parks Victoria Ranger with the Shipwreck Coast and Hinterland managing the coastal reserve, monitoring wildlife and the environment, protecting and repairing the park’s assets and educating visitors about our fragile coastline. She encouraged students, as locals, to respect the park and lead by example so that everyone can enjoy our region safely and help protect this volatile ecosystem. On the beach, John challenged the students to become geologists and to use their senses to study the differences in rocks and sediment to investigate the fossil rich layers of the Port Campbell limestone that was an old sea floor, originally stretching inland as far as Hamilton. Students leant that we were walking on a Miocene seabed that was formed 5-15 million years ago and that the browner layers of cliff were old sand dunes that had solidified. He explained that the beach sand was biogenic, meaning that had a living origin and used hydrochloric acid to produce carbon dioxide gas to determine that the parts of the cliff were made of limestone, a rock made of calcium carbonate. The focus then shifted to Moyjil, Point Ritchie, where John explained that indigenous people had camped at the mouth of the Hopkins River on old sand dunes as evidenced by middens and emphasized that it was one of Australia’s most precious sites due to an incredible dynamic of culture and natural history with it’s sequences of environmental, climatic, sea level and seismic changes, shifting coastline, volcano activity and cultural connection to country. To capture the seismic changes, erosion and layers of sand and soil, John challenged the students to draw the cliff face as a record of the story of Moyjil. At the Hopkins River mouth, Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (GHCMA) Waterways Officer, Jarred Obst, described his role in protecting estuaries, where the river meets the sea, by managing the health and ecology of regional waterways for fish and vegetation. He explained that the estuary was over 6,000 years old and this meeting place of river and sea was constantly changing with various species evolving to thrive in this mobile environment. Students used Jarred’s equipment to record the turbidity, pH, water quality, salinity and temperature as a way of recording the health of this vital waterway. What a wonderful way to learn, thanks John, Emma and Jarred.

​Our Year 11 students welcomed ex student, Libby Woolstencroft, who graduated from Timboon P-12 School in 2020, into the classroom to learn about her non-traditional career pathway. Originally considering a career as a pastry-chef after she experienced working in hospitality, she realised that it wasn’t quite what she had imagined. She undertook a two-week trial at Timboon Motors before her Year 12 Graduation and after working in the office, progressed to the spare parts department. Libby took on an apprenticeship as a mechanic at TAFE and was the only female in a male dominated industry. At first, it was difficult as the only girl in the workshop but Libby soon won their respect and is well supported by her peers and the Timboon Motors team. Libby recommended to the students that they also trial different jobs through work experience, to ensure that their chosen vocation was suitable for them. In the future, Libby is taking her own advice and considering working in the mines on the mechanical lines. Her grandfather races Super Rods and Libby has always been involved in the races at the Simpson Speedway, as well as watching her family build and modify the cars. Libby wanted an occupation which was true to herself and she found it - working on cars - including her own. Libby talked about the freedom and opportunities which are provided when owing a car, but cautioned students not to buy a bomb! She is very proud of Ivy, her green machine and love of Libby’s life with it’s V6 motor. hot dog mufflers and new rims, all completed by Libby herself. Libby’s best advice was for students to get out of their comfort zone, to try something different and realize that where you are now may not be your pathway for life.

Today we welcomed AgHort teachers, Jess and Nat, and students, Ethan and Brodie, from Derrinallum P-12 College to share  the TAP community engagement model. They met with TAP Coordinator, Andrea Vallance, who described the creation of the TAP and the partnerships with local industries and community as ‘our state library’. The group met with Gemma, Waksey and Mick who outlined the various engagement models and curriculum outcomes they were able to achieve through the TAP and then the group toured the school grounds. This is another example of the TAP learnings helping other schools and communities create partnerships and engagement opportunities where people are invested in their local school. Great to meet you Derri team, sounds like you're doing good things already; we look forward to hearing about your connections moving forward!

The Year 7 students will be away on camp during Wellness Week so we conducted some wellness and health activities today with students learning about the importance of physical health and nutrition on mental health and overall wellbeing. While half of the Year 7 cohort conducted a mindfulness breathing / walk around the school grounds, the other group discovered the benefits of Tai Chi with Tracey Heeps, an Allied Health Assistant, and the importance of a balanced meal with Dietician, Ama Marasa. We are grateful to the Timboon & District Healthcare Services (TDHS) team for allowing these two Allied Health professionals work with our students to convey these important messages in such a fun and engaging manner. 

This week we have been celebrating Harmony Week; a celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. Following the Welcome to Country and the Australian anthem, Kyla and Max welcomed Gagan Singh, a senior constable stationed at Timboon, to answer questions posed by Kyla about his home country, why he came to Australia, his life in in a new country, they way he and his family have been treated in Australia and his impressions of Timboon. Our new Deputy Principal, Sofia Aleem, also addressed the students about her background, the way she and her family had been welcomed and treated and her hopes for inclusive practices in our region. Gagan prepared a speech that we will share below.

"Today, we gather to celebrate Harmony Day, a day dedicated to recognising and celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures that make our nation, and indeed our world, so vibrant and unique. A day where we reflect on the importance of inclusiveness, respect, and belonging for everyone.
Look around you. We see faces from countless backgrounds, hear accents from every corner of the globe, and witness the beautiful diversity that enriches our lives. This diversity is not something to be tolerated, but something to be celebrated. It's the source of our strength, our creativity, and our resilience.
Harmony Day is more than just a date on the calendar. It's a call to action. It's a reminder that we all have a role to play in building a society where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their cultural background. It’s a moment to actively choose inclusion over division, understanding over prejudice, and empathy over indifference.
We understand that harmony is not about pretending we are all the same. It's about acknowledging and appreciating our differences. It's about recognizing that our diverse perspectives, experiences, and traditions make us stronger together.
Think about the stories we share, the foods we enjoy, the music we listen to, and the traditions we uphold. Each one of these elements contributes to the rich mosaic of our community. By embracing these differences, we create a more inclusive and harmonious environment for everyone.
Today, let us commit to:
 * Educating ourselves: Take the time to learn about different cultures and perspectives. Challenge your own biases and assumptions.
 * Building bridges: Engage in conversations with people from different backgrounds. Share your own experiences and listen to theirs.
 * Promoting respect: Treat everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their culture, religion, or background.
 * Celebrating diversity: Participate in cultural events and activities. Embrace the richness and vibrancy of our multicultural society.
Harmony Day is a reminder that we are all part of a global community. We are interconnected, and our actions have a ripple effect on the world around us. Let us choose to create a ripple of kindness, understanding, and respect.
Let us strive to build a future where everyone feels a sense of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and where harmony prevails. Let us make every day a Harmony Day. Thank you" -  Gagan Singh

​It's pretty cool when your Grandmother is invited into your classroom as an expert on bees and honey and you can proudly watch as she describes the family business and the way they looked after bees and harvested honey. This is what happened in the Year 3/4 classes this week when ex-beekeeper, and Grandmother, MaryAnn Pender from Timboon Honey visited our Science Specialist classroom as part of the living things / lifecycles unit. MaryAnn described the various roles of the different bees in the hives and students could answer MaryAnn’s questions about the tasks of bees that included making honey and wax, cleaning the wax cells, collecting nectar, pollinating flowers, feeding the larva, protecting the hive or mating with the queen. As well as a single queen bee in a hive, students and Ms Dickinson were amazed that there are 10,000 drone bees and 60,000 worker bees in each colony, each with their specific roles. The hard working queen bees lay between 1000-15000 eggs in a day in spring and the resulting larva are tended to by the worker bees and fed royal honey before the cells are sealed off. A pupa matures from each larva and it chews it’s way out of the cell and develops into a worker, drone or queen bee. The class was impressed by the processes and automation that Timboon Honey used to extract honey and wax from the hives and how the Penders worked with these incredible insects. Un-bee-lievable!​