News - Greater Shepparton Secondary College

Details: Published: 13 August 2024

Late last term, Crazy Ideas College hosted an Ideas2Life Lab with a number of Year 9 students. Following on from the Term 1 Shepparton Social Innovators program, the teams came together in an action-packed workshop with three community partners from the Shepparton community.

We were extremely lucky to have Katie Taylor from La Trobe University, Julia Hollands from the Greater Shepparton Foundation, and Leigh Johnson from Shepparton Police offer their expertise and support to the students for bringing an idea to life.

The teams participated in a high energy challenge, with the goal to ‘make the tallest marshmallow.' While this task was very different from the ideas the teams will be bringing to life, the process involved some very transferrable lessons.

By creating an annotated sketch of their idea, identifying the specific resources that could be used, and mapping how to acquire resources, the teams were equipped with valuable skills around project planning.

From here, the teams designed an eye-catching Instagram carousel to promote their model, practiced approaching community partners with their idea proposal, and negotiated deals that were beneficial for both parties.

The teams were unbelievably resourceful during a super speedy prototype build using classroom items, paper cups, string, paper straws, pipe-cleaners and masking tape as they put their time management and communication skills put to the test.

A quick debrief between the community partners and teams heard reflections around the most effective strategies to get partners excited about an idea, how to communicate professionally, and the importance in planning before jumping into action.

This provided an easy transition for the teams to focus on their smart start experiments, transferring the skills and knowledge from the marshmallow challenge to their idea for the Shepparton community. The community partners could provide valuable expertise to support the teams in their planning and resource preparation phases, and connections beyond the school gate to help support these ideas.

All teams left equipped with new skills and capabilities for bringing an idea to life, as well as connections to reach out to over the coming weeks as the young people of Shepparton work to improve the lives of their fellow citizens!

This program was proudly enabled by the Greater Shepparton City Council, The Greater Shepparton Foundation, La Trobe University, and Brophy Youth & Family Services.

Ideas Lab 1

Ideas Lab 3 Ideas Lab 4

Ideas Lab 5 Ideas Lab 6

Details: Published: 13 August 2024

On Tuesday 23 July, a group of 33 Year 12 students embarked on an informative and exciting excursion to two leading universities, Victoria University (Vic Uni) and Swinburne University, to explore their offerings and facilities.

Victoria University – Footscray Campus

Our day began at Victoria University in Footscray. Students were introduced to Vic Uni’s unique block model for studying, which allows for an immersive learning experience by focusing on one subject at a time. This approach is designed to enhance academic performance and student engagement.

Key highlights included:

Industry Partnerships: Students learned about Vic Uni’s robust connections with industry partners, which provide valuable placement opportunities for various courses.
Clubs and Societies: Information on the diverse range of clubs and societies was shared, highlighting the vibrant student life at Vic Uni.
Entry Requirements: Students were briefed on the entry criteria for different courses, helping them understand the application process.

A tour of the facilities followed, with notable stops including:

Sports Facilities: Students explored the impressive sports facilities, including the gym where the AFL team, the Western Bulldogs, trains. This showcased the high-quality amenities available to students.

Swinburne University – Hawthorn Campus

After a lunch break, the group continued to Swinburne University in Hawthorn. The campus was abuzz with orientation activities and multiple events, reflecting a lively and dynamic student environment.

Key highlights included:

Presentation: An engaging presentation in the Auditorium provided insights into the range of courses offered at Swinburne, emphasizing the integration of emerging technology into the curriculum.
Scholarships and Early Entry Programs: Information on various scholarships and the early entry program was shared, giving students a glimpse into financial support and admission opportunities.

Students were then divided into two groups for tours of:

Key Facilities: Students visited key facilities, including state-of-the-art laboratories and creative spaces, reflecting Swinburne’s focus on practical and innovative education.
Accommodation and Lifestyle: The tours also covered onsite accommodation options and lifestyle activities, showcasing the vibrant campus life and support services available.

Overall, the excursion provided students with a comprehensive view of what Vic Uni and Swinburne have to offer, helping them make informed decisions about their future educational paths. The feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement about the opportunities and facilities they experienced.

Uni visit 4 Uni visit 3