Parent Bulletin 7
30 May 2025
Principals Message
Outstanding Achievements in Plain English Speaking Awards!
We are thrilled to announce the exceptional results of our students in the Plain English Speaking Awards held this week. Our representatives, Bonnie Green (Year 12) and Joseph Thorsen (Year 11), demonstrated remarkable eloquence and critical thinking, securing 1st and 2nd place respectively! This outstanding achievement is a testament to their dedication and hard work, and we extend our sincere congratulations to both Bonnie and Joseph. We would also like to express our immense gratitude to their teacher, Mr. Chris Bassios, for his invaluable guidance and support in preparing our students for this prestigious competition. Their success truly reflects the high standard of public speaking education at Strathmore.
Upcoming Public Holiday
Please be reminded that Monday, 9th June will be a public holiday. The college will be closed on this day, and classes will resume as normal on Tuesday, 10th June.
GAT Exam for Senior Students & Student-Free Day
A reminder for our senior students undertaking VCE that the General Achievement Test (GAT) will be held on Tuesday, 17th June. This is a compulsory examination for all students enrolled in a VCE Unit 3 and 4 sequence.
Please note that Tuesday, 17th June will be a student-free day for all other students to facilitate the smooth running of the GAT examination.
Acknowledging Reconciliation Week
This week, Strathmore Secondary College acknowledges Reconciliation Week (27th May - 3rd June). This is a significant time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. As a college, we are committed to fostering understanding, respect, and strong relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. We encourage families to engage with the themes of Reconciliation Week and reflect on its importance within our community.
Thank you for your continued support of Strathmore Secondary College. Vanessa Pratt & Michael Pakakis Acting Principals
Thank you for your continued support of Strathmore Secondary College. Vanessa Pratt & Michael Pakakis Acting Principals
Year 7 Art
In Year 7 Art the students have been focusing their attention on their colour mixing and painting skills.
They have been practising mixing secondary and tertiary colours successfully, displaying patience and persevering in the endeavour of painting neatly, achieving excellent results and improved painting skills which are required for their final assessment.
Miss Kulyk
They have been practising mixing secondary and tertiary colours successfully, displaying patience and persevering in the endeavour of painting neatly, achieving excellent results and improved painting skills which are required for their final assessment.
Miss Kulyk
Product Design and Technology
A Snapshot from our Product Design and Technologies Classrooms
As we charge towards the end of the semester, our Product Design and Technology classrooms are buzzing with creativity, innovation, and hands-on making. Here’s a quick whip-around update on what some year levels have been up to — accompanied by plenty of photos that showcase the amazing work in progress.
Year 9 – Personalised Timber Storage Boxes
Our Year 9 students have just begun construction of their final projects: small timber boxes designed for personalised storage. This journey began with students exploring a design brief and identifying a real-world problem. From there, they developed technical drawings and gained hands-on experience with traditional timber joinery techniques, such as box and pin joints. As they move into the final stages of the project, students will explore modern methods like laser cutting to create custom-designed lids, blending craftsmanship with digital innovation.
Year 10 – Tables and Inspired Illumination
Year 10 students working with timber have just completed their beautiful small tables, demonstrating strong design thinking and technical skills. They are now moving on to their next exciting challenge — Inspired Illumination — where they’ll design and construct innovative lighting solutions. This project encourages students to think creatively about both function and form, and we can’t wait to see the glowing results.
Year 11 – Real-World Collaboration with Local Councils
Our Year 11s are currently working in small design teams to complete their final outcome for Unit 1: prototype seating solutions. These are being developed in response to a real brief set by Merri-bek and Moonee Valley Councils, in collaboration with the Chain of Ponds project. It’s been inspiring to see students respond to community needs, and we look forward to seeing their prototypes showcased to council representatives at the end of term.
Year 12 – Ethical Design and Speculative Thinking
It’s a particularly exciting time in our Year 12 classrooms. Students are deeply engaged in prototyping ethical design solutions, using speculative thinking and working closely with end-user groups to refine their ideas. Through feedback, iteration, and meaningful reflection, they’re shaping their preferred design solutions — which will move into production later this term as they complete their major projects.
We are incredibly proud of the creativity, technical skills, and design thinking our students are demonstrating across all levels. Keep an eye out for project photos and final showcases in future parent bulletins!
Year 9 – Personalised Timber Storage Boxes
Our Year 9 students have just begun construction of their final projects: small timber boxes designed for personalised storage. This journey began with students exploring a design brief and identifying a real-world problem. From there, they developed technical drawings and gained hands-on experience with traditional timber joinery techniques, such as box and pin joints. As they move into the final stages of the project, students will explore modern methods like laser cutting to create custom-designed lids, blending craftsmanship with digital innovation.
Year 10 – Tables and Inspired Illumination
Year 10 students working with timber have just completed their beautiful small tables, demonstrating strong design thinking and technical skills. They are now moving on to their next exciting challenge — Inspired Illumination — where they’ll design and construct innovative lighting solutions. This project encourages students to think creatively about both function and form, and we can’t wait to see the glowing results.
Year 11 – Real-World Collaboration with Local Councils
Our Year 11s are currently working in small design teams to complete their final outcome for Unit 1: prototype seating solutions. These are being developed in response to a real brief set by Merri-bek and Moonee Valley Councils, in collaboration with the Chain of Ponds project. It’s been inspiring to see students respond to community needs, and we look forward to seeing their prototypes showcased to council representatives at the end of term.
Year 12 – Ethical Design and Speculative Thinking
It’s a particularly exciting time in our Year 12 classrooms. Students are deeply engaged in prototyping ethical design solutions, using speculative thinking and working closely with end-user groups to refine their ideas. Through feedback, iteration, and meaningful reflection, they’re shaping their preferred design solutions — which will move into production later this term as they complete their major projects.
We are incredibly proud of the creativity, technical skills, and design thinking our students are demonstrating across all levels. Keep an eye out for project photos and final showcases in future parent bulletins!
Mid Year Concert
Once again, music students from Strathmore will gather at the ClockTower Centre to present a celebration of their musical talents. This year, there will be two separate concerts featuring various ensembles from the college.
Concert One – Junior Ensembles – 5pm
Concert one brings together all of our junior classroom based ensemble performers, where students in yr7 and yr8 combine to perform as large powerful groups. There will still be a scattering of senior groups performing in order to highlight the growth and excellence of our senior musicians.
Concert Two – Co-Curricular Ensembles – 7.30pm
Concert two allows our extension students, auditioned groups and core music ensembles to showcase their extraordinary talents. Experience the full breadth of the college’s music program, from classical orchestras to contemporary bands.
Tickets - https://clocktowercentre.com.au/strathmore-secondary-college-mid-year-concert-2025/
Concert One – Junior Ensembles – 5pm
Concert one brings together all of our junior classroom based ensemble performers, where students in yr7 and yr8 combine to perform as large powerful groups. There will still be a scattering of senior groups performing in order to highlight the growth and excellence of our senior musicians.
Concert Two – Co-Curricular Ensembles – 7.30pm
Concert two allows our extension students, auditioned groups and core music ensembles to showcase their extraordinary talents. Experience the full breadth of the college’s music program, from classical orchestras to contemporary bands.
Tickets - https://clocktowercentre.com.au/strathmore-secondary-college-mid-year-concert-2025/
Food Studies
Last week, our Year 12 Food Studies students put their practical skills to the test by making fresh pasta from scratch, paired with a traditional carbonara sauce.
This hands-on activity allowed students to practice techniques like dough kneading, pasta shaping, sauce preparation, and safe food handling. Recently, students have been learning about the social and emotional role food plays in our lives.
This task was a great way for students to work together and form connections with others in the class to create a delicious meal.
This hands-on activity allowed students to practice techniques like dough kneading, pasta shaping, sauce preparation, and safe food handling. Recently, students have been learning about the social and emotional role food plays in our lives.
This task was a great way for students to work together and form connections with others in the class to create a delicious meal.
Year 7 Netball
On Monday the 26th of May, the Year 7 girls’ netball teams took part in a competitive and exciting fixture for SSV.
Both the A and B teams played brilliantly, demonstrating impressive skill, determination, and excellent teamwork throughout their matches. A special congratulations to the A team, who won all their games and have successfully made it through to the next round. They will be representing the school again later this term.
Well done to all the girls involved!
Both the A and B teams played brilliantly, demonstrating impressive skill, determination, and excellent teamwork throughout their matches. A special congratulations to the A team, who won all their games and have successfully made it through to the next round. They will be representing the school again later this term.
Well done to all the girls involved!
Ceramics and Sculpture
The Year 10 Ceramics and Sculpture students have shown incredible dedication as they develop their ceramic bag sculptures, which are still in progress. Alongside their practical work, they have thoughtfully explored how artists communicate ideas and meaning in their artworks. Their ability to explain their thinking through written discussions, annotated images, and detailed documentation of their own visual arts practice is truly impressive.
Mrs Odak
Daniela ‘A Trip to the Beach’ (2025) Earthenware
‘In my piece, I incorporated a variety of lines to bring both detail and structure to the design. The delicate, flowy lines used in the imprint on the front of the bag, along with the overall shape, contribute to a more realistic and visually intricate representation. These thin, dainty lines evoke a feminine and natural feel, contrasting sharply with the bold, thick lines of the buckles, which introduce a more masculine element. This interplay between line styles creates a dynamic balance between soft and strong visual elements.
Texture also plays a key role in the piece: I used the back of a watercolor brush to carve divots into the handle and pressed a pattern onto the front with a rolling pin, creating tactile surfaces. The bow in the top left corner, curves and flutters like fabric in the wind, enhancing the feminine quality. To create a realistic sense of form, I constructed the bag from four slabs, forming a three-dimensional, rectangular duffle bag that maintains a bold structure while showcasing a delicate design.
Overall, this work emphasizes the contrast and harmony between feminine and masculine aesthetics, with a largely symmetrical composition, broken only by the asymmetrical placement of the bow.’
Mrs Odak
Daniela ‘A Trip to the Beach’ (2025) Earthenware
‘In my piece, I incorporated a variety of lines to bring both detail and structure to the design. The delicate, flowy lines used in the imprint on the front of the bag, along with the overall shape, contribute to a more realistic and visually intricate representation. These thin, dainty lines evoke a feminine and natural feel, contrasting sharply with the bold, thick lines of the buckles, which introduce a more masculine element. This interplay between line styles creates a dynamic balance between soft and strong visual elements.
Texture also plays a key role in the piece: I used the back of a watercolor brush to carve divots into the handle and pressed a pattern onto the front with a rolling pin, creating tactile surfaces. The bow in the top left corner, curves and flutters like fabric in the wind, enhancing the feminine quality. To create a realistic sense of form, I constructed the bag from four slabs, forming a three-dimensional, rectangular duffle bag that maintains a bold structure while showcasing a delicate design.
Overall, this work emphasizes the contrast and harmony between feminine and masculine aesthetics, with a largely symmetrical composition, broken only by the asymmetrical placement of the bow.’
