Student Achievements

Premier’s Award – Tom Altis, Class of 2023

Recently, Chris M and Linda M had the honour of attending the Premier’s Awards for 2023 to support one of our class of 2023 – Tom Altis. Tom achieved the highest score in the state in Media in 2023 – a study score of 50. It’s an incredible achievement and testament to Tom’s hard work and effort throughout 2023 in Media studies. Tom is one of only 5 students across the state to achieve this score.

A big shout out to both Tom’s media teachers at Wurun in 2022 and 2023 – Alicia E, Rob R and Senior Learning Area leader for Art and Technology – Travis McK, who supported Tom and all Media students with such expertise and skill. If you would like to read more about these awards, visit – https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-vce-awards-recipients. Tom’s agreed to visit Wurun and share more of his story in the next month. Congratulations Tom from the entire Wurun Senior Campus community, including Collingwood College and Fitzroy High School students, staff and families.

Certificate of Meritorious Conduct – Clancy J

On Wednesday the 25th of July  at a special ceremony at the 2nd Clifton Hill Scout group Clancy J was presented the certificate of meritorious conduct awarded by the Chief Commissioner of Scouting Victoria Mr Rod Byrnes. Clancy achieved this award because he conducted himself in a mature and appropriate manner in alerting leaders regarding serious incidents with a fellow Scout who had blacked out and lost consciousness whilst on hike in the middle of the Tallarook State Forrest. His care for the welfare of his fellow scout and his level headed conduct were acknowledged in what led to a positive outcome for all involved.

Clancy upholds the values of the  Fitzroy High School Trust, Engage, Respect and and incorporated these values into his leadership role as a Patrol Leader and the Senior Scout where he also achieved his peak Australian Scouting Award.

The following is on the award:

This is to certify that I have awarded the CERTIFICATE FOR MERITORIOUS CONDUCT to CLANCY J Scout, 2nd Clifton Hill, Yarra, Victoria Branch From 13 – 15 May 2022, Scouthike was held in Tallarook State Forest. By the Saturday the patrol had already completed six activity points and were on schedule to obtain Gold. Leaving checkpoint 65 Clancy noticed that one of the Scouts had fallen some distance behind. On further investigation it became clear that the Scout had lost consciousness and blacked out leading to him falling. Clancy stopped the patrol, ensured that the Scout was made comfortable and waited for first aid support to arrive. Due to the 4×4 getting bogged it took significant time to evacuate. After the Scout was evacuated Clancy pulled his patrol of three together to get to their nominated sleep point. After the tents were set-up and dinner prepared – there was another incident where the Scout lost consciousness due to a head knock. The Scout regained consciousness and he was walked up to the First Aid tent with Clancy by his side the whole time. Clancy worked with the medical team to provide relevant information as he was a known epileptic and any knock to the head had to be treated as serious. It was decided to transfer the Scout to hospital. Clancy stayed with the Scout ensuring he had warm clothing until the ambulance arrived and that he had his medication with him. After the ambulance left Clancy worked with his patrol to reorganise tents and make sure his patrol were still able to proceed with the hike. He met with leaders on the Sunday to ensure the Scout was in good condition before leaving. Clancy put the needs of the Scout over and above competing in the Scouthike and ensure the safety of his team member. Clancy provided wonderful Leadership to his patrol as well as great support to the injured Scout and brought his patrol together to complete the Scouthike.

Debating Update

FHS continues to have success in debating! Our Year 10 team are undefeated going into the final round before finals which is happening this evening (at time of writing).

Whereas Round 3 was an advised topic – meaning we knew that the debate would be linked to recreation and entertainment, Round 4 was a secret topic debate which meant the team had no idea what the topic would be at all. We received the topic an hour before the debate and had to prepare without relying on research as we are not allowed to use electronic devices during the preparation time. The secret topic was ‘that the Australian Government should make homework optional in schools” with Uni High being affirmative and FHS being negative.

Our first speaker Poppy (10Y) was calm and controlled as she clinically took apart the affirmative team’s case and then clearly outlined a clear model that would progressively support students to achieve their learning potential.

Lily (10Z) took on the role of second speaker and she once again put on an accomplished display in manner, using variation, emphasis, gesture and eye contact to engage the audience. Lily presented her part of our team’s case with confidence, putting forward how homework helps students ‘unlock their future’.

Finally, Anya (9Z) took the affirmative team to task about their lack of response to the model our team put forward and spoke confidently about the strengths of the FHS model against the affirmative team’s model.

The adjudicator for the debate noted that it was one of the best debates she had seen and would not have been out of place amongst the Year 12 division and awarded the debate to FHS by one point. Ultimately, Poppy, Lily and Anya won due to the coherence of their arguments, as well as the manner of all the speakers.

Well done team and good luck for Round 5!

Addition:

After a close battle, Poppy, Anna and Lily were victorious in Round 5 against Melbourne Grammar School which ensures them a place in the finals. The adjudicator was particularly impressed by the depth of the team’s research. Well done, team!

Dante Alighieri State-wide Poetry Competition

In semester one the year 9 and 10 Italian students participated in the state-run Dante Alighieri poetry competition. A competition that has been a part of the tradition of learning Italian in Victoria for many years.

Students travelled to Melbourne University to recite their poem to an independent judge. Students worked hard to memorise their poems and overcome their nerves to participate in the competition. The task took many weeks to prepare and organise. Students celebrated in Lygon Street with a pizza at lunch time and a tour of the Italian migrant museum.

We congratulate all of the students that participated and acknowledge the teachers, family and friends for listening and supporting our Italian language learners, congratulazioni ragazzi!!!

Year 9 and 10 Italian Poetry Reciters

Year 10 Leila R Secondo Premio

Year 10 Clancy J Partecipazione

Year 9 Anya H Distinzione

Year 9 Chester L Distinzione

Year 9 Michael N Distinzione

Year 9 Luke S Distinzione

Year 9 Luke S Distinzione

Year 9 Otis W Distinzione

Year 9 Kaya E-A Merito

Year 9 Peregrine FW Merito

Year 9 Jack G Merito

Year 9 Maicy L Partecipazione

Year 9 Bryn D Partecipazione

Year 9 Liam C Partecipazione

Year 9 Leif M Partecipazione

Year 9 Audrey R Partecipazione

A special mention goes to Leila R of year 10, Leila was called back to participate in the grand final and came second in her category reciting the words of Dante Alighieri. An amazing effort Leila, bravissima!