Journalism Extend Articles

Fitzroy High School 

Fitzroy is not like every other school. As a new student, having only been here for two weeks, Fitzroy has been very welcoming. The school has a lot of opportunities for students (VCE-wise), and all the teachers are very supportive during your transitions to a different grade, getting everyone prepared and making sure they’re ready for a hard year. Especially year 10.

Fitzroy High School is a lot different from my old school because of how diverse it is. Everyone is given a chance to speak and contribute. And with there being no uniform, everyone can express themselves in their own way, and no one is being judged because everyone’s style is different.

The design of the school seems very unique to me; Fitzroy feels more like a school. Rather than other schools, which are quite professional and make everything serious all the time. Fitzroy is a very homey and safe environment. They always make sure the students are happy. Their wellbeing team is amazing and always there for students.

Overall, moving to Fitzroy was a very good decision. They always prioritise the students and help them reach their full potential.

Anonymous

Semester one exams 2025

On the 14th of June, year 10 semester one exams happened. It was really interesting because it was the first exam for year 10 students. The exams were for one week from Monday to Friday some days we had just one subject exams and some days we had two subject exams, and the time that was given for the exam for every subject was different like time for maths was 90 for English was 90 minutes for Humanities was 60 minutes and for Health it was 45 for science was 90 minutes and Extend subjects did not have any exams.

There were different classes for students who had some learning challenges or had language problems.

There were four categories of marks or points for every subject the highest score was above expected which was from 100% to 80% the next score was at expected level which was from 80% to 50% and the next score was towards expected level which was from 50% to 40% and next score was below expected which was from 40% to 1%.

For people who could not attend the exam, there was a catch-up day on Friday, so they could catch up on the exam on Friday.

Shafi P

The Extend Program

The Extend program is a new experience for numerous year 9s, including myself, and I have had many different experiences with it so far. In the first semester, I had sport and media, and in the few weeks we’ve had this semester, I am in journalism and sport again. Here is a deeper dive into what we did in those subjects:

Media: We started by looking at reality TV shows and how the producers manipulate the footage to add more drama and create heroes and villains. Next, we looked at sitcoms and how the structure of a sitcom usually goes. In our final task of the semester, we had to make a 2-minute-long opening scene of a TV show/documentary, and write a script for it too.

Sport (Athlete Academy): Our first task of the semester was to do a research task on an athlete who we think is the greatest of all time in their respective sport. For the rest of the semester, we focused on stats and nutrition. We did a deep dive into the nutrition that athletes need to perform at their highest level, and the amount of nutrients we need in our daily lives to stay fit. For stats, we watched an entire half of an NBA game and had to keep track of every single statistic that occurred.

Journalism: In the very short time we’ve had journalism, we’ve researched what it means to be a journalist and what a good journalist looks like.

Sports Performance: So far, we’ve looked at the muscles and bones in the human body and how they operate.

Tom R

FHS Cabaret

After a five-year hiatus, we would like to introduce and update you on the Fitzroy High School CABARET! August 13th and 14th at the elegant Brunswick Ballroom!

A fun night with a variety of entertainment, including music, food, drama, comedy, poetry, dance and more, featuring the students of Fitzroy High School!

I spoke with Isla, the stage manager and understudy of Cabaret, to learn more about the behind-the-scenes process.

To find out more, I asked her about the organising and workshopping process. Isla spoke of it as being ‘chaotic at times and very, very smooth at other times’, and that it has been a ‘fun, exciting experience and we’re excited to present it in a few weeks.’ The ongoing storyline that flows through the variety acts is a medieval/Ye Olde England-themed comedy and dramatic act surrounding the trials and tribulations of a king, queen, and a mischievous witch. Isla explained the reasoning behind this theme, ‘a medieval theme just kind of fit really perfectly with the venue, as well as a lot of the one-liners we were coming up with in the planning process.’

Last year, Isla featured as a main role in the FHS Production of This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing, playing Carmen. I asked Isla about the differences between then and her current roles in the Cabaret, ‘The Cabaret process has been a lot more chilled out’, ‘Whereas last year, being on stage for most of the show, I was constantly, I need to fix this…. I’ve had a lot less to worry about this year,’ she recounted. ‘I’ve learned that the process of putting together a show doesn’t always have to be chaotic and hectic, and it can actually be really easy at times, ’ Isla observed.

The Fitzroy High School Cabaret! Come enjoy a night full of talented musicians, dancers and performers, comedy and a special cameo from the Horrible Histories rat himself. Tickets are selling fast, so book now! All FHS families get first dibs before we open sales to the wider community:

Olive R

Mario Kart

Fitzroy High School is a welcoming place where we can express ourselves freely, and have a strong sense of community.

At the end of Term 2, the whole school gathered to have a fun house competition playing Mario Kart. Willing contestants would get into groups of 4 and would all versus each other. Points were ordered; the first would receive 4 points, the second would receive 3, and so on. These points would go to the houses, and the house with the most points would win.

The purpose of playing was to create friendly competitions between students as well as have fun while getting to know more people and winning points for your houses, of course, which would be all added up together.

My friend Isabell and 2 peers got into a group of 4. Watching everyone play was intense, everyone fighting to win but also having the time of their lives. Slowly, after each match finished, it was finally our turn. All of us stressed and fought for first place, but sadly, only one person could win. Isabell was winning each round, my fellow peers falling behind by a landslide. I slowly but surely caught up to Isabell, making sure to stay in 2nd place until the final round. As Isabel turned the final corner, I was preparing to throw my shell, but then a blue shell appeared, speeding past me, hitting Isabel, knocking her down! I zoomed past her, taking first place and winning the game.

Overall, the experience was wonderful, not just because I won, but also because I got to enjoy connecting with my fellow classmates and having fun spectating as others played. Everyone got along, which I believe was a successful and brilliant idea by teachers who tried to bring everyone together to enjoy some Mario Kart before term 2 ended. On behalf of everyone who played Mario Kart, we appreciate the teachers who trusted their switches with students to place Mario Karts. Without them, this day would have never happened.

By Jade T

Short Stories by Extend Journalism Students

The old man and the dog 

I was walking to school, and I had my headphones on, so I couldn’t hear much. All of a sudden, I heard a faint “Good morning”. I didn’t think much of it as I thought it was for someone else, but I turned around and saw a sweet old man walking his dog. He had a big smile on his face as he looked at me. I smiled, waved and continued walking.

The next day, again at the same time, the old man and his dog were walking along the street. While I passed him, I said “Good morning,” and saw his face immediately light up.

Every morning, I see the old man and the dog always spreading cheer while they walk.

He never forgot to say good morning.

Anonymous

Words of Affirmation

Walking on my way to exams, stressing and overthinking, attempting to retain terminology and formulas. Feeling pessimistic and looking for a sign of hope, a bus drives by. I laugh, feeling a sense of candid joy I haven’t felt for weeks, and additional confusion from this strange but uplifting moment, nothing can burst my bubble. Instead of a bus route or ‘not in service’ message being lit up in bright white lights, a message of affirmation was in its place, “You are loved.” This brightened my day, lending me the optimism to make it through the next few hours.

Olive R

It was early December, the nice warm weather, the sun shining bright as I walked to school from Rushall station, as I crossed the road to the school, I began walking into school on the rainbow pathway, but I noticed a small animal. Curled up in a ball, looking injured. I stopped and bent down, noticing blood. I quickly pick up the animal, noticing it is a small baby possum. I carried him sitting down in front of the school, and I inspected him, making sure he was alright. The blood thankfully, was old and had dried up. I looked at his left ear and noticed it was covered in blood, and the top of it had gotten ripped off, hanging by a thread, already decomposing. I then informed the office about what I had discovered, and they called a vet to come and get the possum. For now, I stayed sitting outside the school holding the possum, making sure he was safe. Parents and fellow students came up to me, and we talked a bit about the baby possum, and I told them how I found him. Everyone wished him the best in getting better and told me I was a nice person for what I’m doing. After a while, one of the office staff members came and gave me a box to put the baby possum in. I said my goodbyes as I put the possum in the box, knowing this was what was best for him. I was happy knowing he was going to be taken care of as I watched him be taken away.

Jade T