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Our students and staff saw out Term 3 with a whole school assembly on Thursday where our Executive Principal, Barbara O’Brien reflected on our school value of aspiration.

Mrs O’Brien spoke about the effort she sees every day from students and staff to aspire to excellence in all that we do. She reminded everyone to dream big, because nothing is ever out of reach and reflected on the story of Indigenous icon, Eddie Betts who despite all odds, went on to play AFL football and is now one of the most celebrated and respected players of the game. School assembly saw some fantastic performances from our music students, as well as a senior dance group and a showcase of works from the GSSC arts department. Assembly was also an opportunity to present a number of awards, including the winners of this term’s PAC Cup, a friendly competition between our house groups that has a dedicated focus each term. This term the focus was on organisational skills, specifically bringing your planner to every lesson. Students receive ‘positive chronicles’ from their classroom teachers, with the tally going towards their assigned house. It was a tight contest this term with results below:

5th        1255 chronicles         Lachlan house
4th        1417 chronicles          Murray house
3rd        1646 chronicles          Kiewa house
2nd       2046  chronicles         Warrego house
1st        2057 chronicles          Loddon house

Term 3 was a busy one for school sports. Over the last three months, we have seen many young aspiring athletes representing GSSC with pride, while taking to the netball and badminton courts, soccer, football and touch rugby fields, and the athletics track. Congratulations to our sports students for your outstanding efforts. For a list of outstanding sporting achievements and awards presented see attached:  pdf Term 3 sports awards (39 KB)

Thank you to our environmental team who have also led the charge this term on a proactive rubbish clean-up initiative, helping to keep us all accountable for our environmental footprint and taking pride in our wonderful school grounds and facilities.

We would also like to acknowledge our Student Effort and Attitude Achievers award winners and congratulate them on their outstanding scores in their engagement and dedication to their learning this term.... pdf Term 3 Student Effort and Attitude Achievers awards (79 KB)

Finally, thank you to our Student Representative Council for their wonderful work this term and for updating our students and staff at yesterday’s assembly. This term the SRC has been discussing its role in assisting to stamp out bullying. The students have been working with our wellbeing staff and teachers to brainstorm ideas and initiatives. In addition to this the SRC has been involved in a number of incursions and excursions. In late July some of the members attended the Nelson Mandela Youth leadership summit at the Victorian Parliament where they heard from many inspirational leaders, as well as aspirational students striving to have their voices heard and to influence positive change in the world.

We wish all of our students, families and staff a happy and safe term break and we look forward to seeing you in Term 4 commencing Monday 3rd October.

Details

Navigating culture, without being stereotyped or pressured by society was the theme of an African Kings and Queens workshop held at Greater Shepparton Secondary College during the week. Facilitated by Mariam Koslay, in partnership with Networking African-Australians, the sessions were delivered in two parts for around forty male and female students from an African background. The workshops explored and discussed what it means to be an African man or woman in Australia today, including the narrative driven by the media and society in general, and how we can sometimes feel stuck between who we are versus who we are expected to be.

The African Kings and Queens workshops are a continuation of an independent mini-series developed by Mariam, which explores the lives of eight different black men as they discuss culture and identity alongside their loved ones. All men featured in the mini-series are based in Melbourne. Mariam said the idea came about during COVID-19 lockdowns, when she felt African Australian people were being adversely affected by the pandemic or misrepresented in media. “The documentary was about changing the narrative, through positive storytelling we wanted to give an authentic insight into what it means to be an African man or boy living in Australia and to share these real life experiences exploring all things from culture and identity to masculinity, relationships, fatherhood, business and failure,” she said.

Through speaking with many African men and boys living in Australia, Mariam said she quickly came to the realisation that what we often see or associate with African men is controlled by a US or UK-based narrative that can pigeon-hole black men into the categories of being a criminal, an entertainer or model or a rapper or musician. “It really is sub-conscious conditioning and it is not a complete, fair or unfiltered reflection of how African Australian mean are positively shaping their society,” she said. Mariam said through workshops such as African Queens, she was hoping to develop a similar documentary, and during the session held yesterday with GSSC female students, Mariam asked: “what does it mean to be an African woman living in Australia?”

The students spent some time discussing this as a group and reflected on both positive and negative experiences. Many of the students felt proud of their culture and identity and linked this to food, fashion, hair, skin colour and not being afraid to showcase their true selves. Some of the students also discussed some challenges faced living in a country that is not your own and trying to feel part of the community. The girls also reflected on the stereotype for African women of being “a housewife.”

Greater Shepparton Secondary College thanks Mariam for her time working with our students and to the Networking African-Australians group who continue to work closely with our College through a formal partnership that has provided many opportunities and positive outcomes for our students. Exploring and celebrating culture and diversity at GSSC is such an important part of our College life.

For more information about African Kings and Queens visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWNTzkDo07k
For more information about Networking African-Australians visit: https://networkingafricanaustralians.com.au/