Author: Tess.Barnard

Senior School News

Opening School Mass & Assembly
At the recent opening school mass and assembly School Captains, Nathan Whinray and Mary Paino acquitted themselves very well in their role as MCs. The SRC members were formally acknowledged and will shortly receive their badges. The awards for excellence in 2011 were also presented .

DECA Camp
Year 11 students have been gaining extensive experience with their driving while participating in the DECA program. The level of co-operation and enthusiasm for this program has been strongly evident.

Citizenship Camp
The following information has been advertised on the bulletin at school. Year 11 students are encouraged to consider this opportunity. Rotary Adventure in Citizenship is a project focused on the following:
*Exploring Canberra & Federal Parliament
*Learning about the Constitution
*Your role in citizenship
*Observing question time
*Meeting Senators, Members & Parliamentary Officers
Students attend from May 5th-12th.
If interested, please see
 Mr. Evans or Mr. Grogan.

Mick Grogan, Senior School Director

Junior Science Quizes

Quiz 1) In which country was scientist Dr Karl born?
Dr Karl Sven Woytek Sas Konkovitch Matthew Kruszelnicki was born in Helsingborg, Sweden. He grew up speaking 12 languages and considered himself as very shy. Dr Karl has many degrees and is best known for his radio program on Triple J and his 30 published science books.
Congratulations to Quiz 1 winner, Zachary Sullivan of 8.5! Excellent work 7.4, you had the most people enter, keep up the great work!
 Quiz 2) When was the Tree Octopus discovered?
The Tree Octopus has never been discovered, as it does NOT exist! What does this question teach us?
You cannot believe everything you read on the internet. There are many websites which are created and altered with false information, for example, Wikipedia.
School & town libraries are valuable resources.
Start to research and think for yourselves, do not rely on the internet alone.
Congratulations to Ian Christy, 8.4 for winning Quiz 2! 7.4 again had the most entrants. Keep it up!

National Year of Reading

Favorite Book Cover
From students in Miss Clarke and Mr Hill’s class
Daina Sgarioto – The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Daniel Scott –  The Muchamore Series by Robert Muchamore
Lauren Robins –  Once by Morris Gleitzman
Rohan Watson –  Australian BowHunter magazine
Taylor Mathewson – Gray The Dons by Archie Fusillio
Frankie Lucani – The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur G Slade

Author: Robert Hillman
Robert Hillman, coauthor of The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif came to speak to the VCE students on Thursday 1st March. Unfortunately, his presentation was interrupted by the flury of activity surrounding our day of flooding in and around Wangaratta.
 He witnessed first hand the massive operation in sending all bus travellers home within half an hour of  their arrival to school. Robert talked briefly about Afghanistan and the relevance of the rugmaker’s story to people who encounter conflict in their lives.
The workshops booked for the two days were unfortunately cancelled and Robert made his return to Melbourne.

Author: Paul Collins http://www.paulcollins.com.au/navigation.html
Paul Collins (right, helping with our new furniture!), author of the Quentaris Series of fantasy novels worked with the Year 7s last Thursday and Friday. He spoke about the strategies used in writing fantasy and set up a scenario that was later used in workshops. Students communicated in small groups, discussing their plans and plots. Paul shared the12 point strategy used in most fantasy novels.
Look at Paul’s Publishing Site. Great new books coming soon!
http://www.fordstreetpublishing.com/

New Furniture in the Junior Library!
Excitement reigned on Friday when a huge truck reversed along the back entrance of Galen College. The new furniture had arrived. The Junior Library looks bright and spacious with a colorful array of leisure furniture. Blues, greens and random patterns in couches, ottomans and comfy chairs. The reading corner has moved into 2012. The students love it!

Have a look at this magazine: Oz Kids in Print.
Write a story,win some money. Read stories by other students http://www.ozkids.com.au/

Netsavvii

16th March 2012 Thank you to everyone who participated in the Parent media & technology surveys whilst attending a laptop roll out &/or information session. There was an over whelming response from participants requesting more education in how to set up privacy settings on social networking sites.

Some helpful websites…
‘Easy Guide to Socialising Online’ created by the Australian Government provides information on how internet users can protect themselves and their information when using social networking sites, search engines and online games. http://www.dbcde.gov.au/easyguide

Social Networking sites (examples):

Search Engines:

Online Games(examples):

Reviews and Advice:
http://www.ikeepsafe.org/parents/parents-guide-to-facebook/
Designed to teach parents how to help their teens strengthen their privacy and safety on Facebook, the guide features important topics such as:
–How to parent Facebook users    –Managing reputation in the digital age?–Actual risks in social media           –Managing your privacy on Facebook?–Reporting problems                       –And more!
Social Networking and Virtual Worlds http://www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/social-networking-and-virtual-worlds

Parents Guide to Online Safety http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Parents/Guide%20to%20online%20safety/Guide%20to%20online%20safety.aspx

We encourage all within our school community to share any cyber knowledge, tips & suggestions with us.
Email us at cybersafety@galen.vic.edu.au. You could make a positive difference in another family’s life.

Host Families Wanted!

Again Galen is looking for generous families willing to host a student from overseas. In the past Galen families have hosted students from European countries such as Italy, France, Germany and Holland. Last year we hosted the first student from Indonesia. These exchanges will usually occur during term three and will last for 6 to 8 weeks.
If you are interested in being a host family or simply want to participate in an exchange program overseas please contact Mr Franco Cudini at Galen:
franco.cudini@galen.vic.edu.au

Introducing the Bug Club!

On Wednesday 14th March, a small group of students joined together to form the Galen Catholic College Bug Club. The club is made up of like minded enthusiastic students from Years 7 and 8, with a passion for all things that crawl. The club is a great chance for students to make new friends, to participate in some fun educational activities and to handle some of our classroom critters (including, Spiny Leaf Stick Insects, Rhinoceros Beetles, Katydid and Praying Mantis). The club will meet once a month in the second half of lunch. Students should check their emails regularly for updates. From all the Bug Clubbers, a special thank you to Mrs Leanne Carr, for her invaluable assistance with the first meeting.

Exchange Trip to Italy

Students at Galen who study a language have the chance to take part in an exchange trip overseas usually at the end of year eleven for two months. Last year the majority of our Italian class decided to take this opportunity. We all enjoyed ourselves immensely and our host families were very friendly and hospitable.
Last year my family hosted an Italian boy the same age as me for three months and I got along well with him. When he left I decided that I would go and stay with his family in Padova, Italy for two months. I had a wonderful time there and I met a lot of new friends, embraced the culture and improved my Italian.
I would suggest to anyone who wishes to do an exchange trip to not be scared and take the wonderful opportunity. Padova was a beautiful city and is about thirty minutes from Venice in the north east of Italy. While I was there I went to school every day from Monday to Saturday! School in Italy is a lot different compared to school in Australia. For the Christmas break I went skiing in the Dolomites for two weeks and spent Christmas in my family’s apartment in the mountains.
Overall, it was a beautiful experience and I still miss my host family a lot. It gave me a wider perspective on life and I got to travel the world and meet new people.

Tom Frawley, VCE 3

Words From Wellbeing

Interested in Music and Events?

Wangaratta Friends of Lacluta invites students to assist in the planning of a musical event this year.

The main  purpose of the event is to raise funds to assist young people in Lacluta – East Timor. As young people in Lacluta face significant barriers to completing school and tertiary education, the Wangaratta FOL group has provided 2 students ( a young man and young woman) with scholarships to study at university. Further funds raised during 2012 would enable more Lacluta students to receive educational scholarships to continue their studies over the next few years.  A musical event is a great way of raising awareness about East Timor amongst people of all ages – especially young people and we are keen to involve Wangaratta students in community based work that supports other young people in our neighbouring countries.

Bernadette Fraser  would happily meet with you to discuss further.
Email therese.rodway@galen.vic.edu.au for more information

Therese Rodway

Careers News

YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE
Term 2: Tues June 12 – Thurs June 14
(only 3 days)
Well done to all those students who have organized their work experience! If you haven’t done so yet, you definitely need to get organized NOW. Work experience is COMPULSORY for all Year 10s.
Helpful tips:
Research previous work experience placements. Have a look at the list of over 500 employers on the year 10 notice board outside room 10.6.
Use the Yellow Pages. This will be useful to gain a number of potential employers.
Talk to your parents, other students, teachers, friends, family.
The arrangement form needs to be signed by the student, parent, employer and Mr Neal. If the employer is out of town include a fax number or email address (email preferred) and Mr Walker will send it to the employer to be signed.
You need to complete your safe@work general and industry test modules. Once completed, print them off and put them in Mr Walker office.
If you organise a work placement away from your residents you also need to organise your accommodation.
If a student is thinking about doing work experience with a plumber, builder, electrician, bricklayer, concreters or painter for example, they will be required to obtain a Construction Industry Card (CI card).  CI cards are required on all industry sites. For Galen students this training day is in term 2 on Tues April 24 at TEC/TAFE, Cusack street, Wangaratta. Give your name to Mr Walker and he will confirm the date and next term.   

VOCATIONAL & HIGHER EDUCATION NEWS
Confused about Youth Allowance and other Government Assistance? The Australian Government has a new website for students and their families. The new Study Assist website provides a one-stop-shop for questions about Australian Government assistance available to help finance tertiary study:
www.studyassist.gov.au/sites/StudyAssist
Interested in Music? The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music are offering workshops to secondary school students in areas such as guitar, voice and VCE aural & analysis. To make a booking, contact Anastasia Russell-Head, Music Engagement Coordinator at 03 8344 3673, rua@unimelb.edu.au or go to  www.conservatorium.unimelb.edu.au/programs/youth
Surveying at RMIT: For over 30 years, second and third year Surveying students have travelled to the Rubicon Valley in regional Victoria to gain intensive practical experience. The field camps allow students to carry out a range projects in cadastral, topographic, geodetic and engineering surveys. Learn about the camp through watching this video- www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6GVn3ODfyQ To find out more about studying surveying and geospatial science visit:
www.rmit.edu.au/geospatial     
Are you interested in science?
Big Science, Small Science (BSSS) is RMIT’s new way to deliver science straight to young minds through Facebook. The BSSS page is regularly updated with scientific articles, quizzes, facts and polls. It’s also a great way to keep up with RMIT events, such as the experience days, as well as see photos from previous events. Members are all invited to contribute, and potentially win one of our regular giveaways!
www.facebook.com/rmitscience
Passionate about the environment? You should consider attending the Corporations, People and the Planet conference from 26 to 28 April in Melbourne. Global superstars Professor David Suzuki, Sigourney Weaver and Sir Bob Geldof will be in Melbourne for the Corporations, People and the Planet conference from 26 to 28 April. The big question the conference will address is “how can we work together across civil society, business and government to make a difference?” To find out more and buy tickets to the event (one day or all three days) at www.cpp2012.com
2012 Engineering Career Expo: If you are interested in Engineering, you should attend the expo on Thursday 29 March at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. More than 80 companies, from a range of industry sectors will exhibit at the expo to provide engineering industry insight in areas including employment, education and career opportunities, career path resources, engineering capability and engineering leadership. Enjoy free seminars, talk to engineers, network with prospective employers, access professional career advice and hear about our exhibitor’s latest and most innovative projects. Go to:
www.engineeringexpo.org.au   

UPCOMING EVENTS
Interested in becoming a Nurse? The Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the Uni of Technology Sydney (UTS) will be running a series of workshops on Nursing called ‘Discover the Nurse in U@UTS’. You will be able to hear from three Nurses from different backgrounds and your parents are welcome to attend. You will also have a tour of the state of the arts facilities. The first workshop will be held Thursday 12 April at the City Campus. For more information, go to www.nmh.uts.edu.au/discover/nursing.html
Passionate about Arts and Design? If you are
planning to visit the Top Arts and Top Designs VCE Exhibitions in Melbourne, you should also consider taking a tour of the RMIT School of Design on the same day. You can do the following:
View the visual merchandising galleries and building design architectural labs and
Explore the interior decoration and design studios,
Tour the furniture and product design workshops and
See modern designs come to life.
You can make a time to tour the school by contacting Scott Knight at RMIT at scott.knight@rmit.edu.au Top Arts will run between April – May
Interested in studying Law in the future?
If you don’t want to study Law straight after school, you can undertake a degree in an area you are interested in first and then study the Juris Doctor (JD) after that as a ‘graduate qualification’. There is an information session on Thursday 15 March about the Melbourne Law School JD. For more information, go to
www.law.unimelb.edu.au/event/5718
Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary are offering Keeper For A Day in the April holidays. Keeper for a Day is a hands-on school holiday program for students interested in a career working with animals. Participants will help out our animal keepers and learn about one of the most rewarding jobs. You have the opportunity to speak with animal keepers about their jobs and experience. Be prepared for the smell, sweat and of course, the fun of it all!
Werribee Open Range Zoo: 3rd, 10th and 12th April, 9.30am – 4.00pm. Werribee Open Range Zoo, K Road, Werribee.
Healesville Sanctuary: Years 7 & 8-  3rd, 5th and 10th April.  Years 9 & 10- 4th  and 11th April. 9.30 am – 3.30 pm. Healesville Sanctuary, Badger Creek Rd, Healesville.
Cost: $102.00 Includes morning tea (BYO lunch). Age: Secondary students (13-18 years). Bookings: (03) 9285 9406 – Pre-payment essential at time of booking.
Please click on the following link http://www.zoo.org.au/Learning/Camps-Holidays for further details on our school holiday programs.

OPPORTUNITIES
Junior Position available at The Beechworth Sweet Co. We are looking for an outgoing, friendly, self motivated junior to become part of our team. Duties would include retail sales, packing of product and some cleaning tasks.
No previous experience required as we will completely train the successful applicant.
Must be able to work at weekends, after school and busy holiday periods. If you are aged 15 – 16 and think you will would enjoy working with us, please contact Yelena Nelder on 03 5728 2060.
Australian Air Force Cadets
Activities: Powered flying, gliding, fieldcraft training camps (bivouacs), shooting (firearms training), drill and ceremonial, promotion courses, general service training and much more… 420 Squadron, Benalla, Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC), is NOW RECRUITING Males and Females aged 13-18 years.
Benalla Drill Hall Community Activity Centre, corner Bridge Street West & Arundel Street, Benalla.  Parading Friday nights: 1830 – 2130 (6:30 PM – 9:30 PM)
Flight Lieutenant (AAFC) John Currie Commanding Officer: Telephone (Friday evenings only) 0447 676 095.

Rob Walker,
Work & Further Education Coordinator

Hume Swimming Success!

Twenty-two of Galen’s fastest swimmers attended the Hume Region swim meet in Albury on Tuesday 13th March.  Winners at this meet automatically qualify to race at State level in Melbourne at the end of March, so the standard of competition was high.
 We had 4 individual swimmers win races on the day.  Congratulations to Elli Warren (200m freestlye and 50m freestlye), Emma Brown (50m backstroke), Kate Brown (50m butterfly and 200m individual medley) and Jacob Grogan (50m freestyle and breastroke) who all won their races and have qualified for the State Titles.  
Our 14 year old female 4x50m freestyle relay team consisting of Shaniel Dyer, Kate Saunders, Elli Warren and Madison Pease, won their race and will also be heading to Melbourne.  They also broke the Hume Region record for this event, so they will be a strong chance of another medal in Melbourne!
 It was pleasing to see a large number of our other swimmers placing 2nd and 3rd in both individual and relay events.  Thanks to all swimmers for their co-operation, exemplary behavior and willingness to participate.  
Thanks to Fiona Harmer and Robyn Brown for their help managing the team on the day.
Good luck to all swimmers competing at the School State Titles on March 29th!