Volume 9, Issue 3 October 2014 Global Connec ons ELTHAM College Music and Performance Centre Opens The new Music and Performance Centre at ELTHAM College was officially opened on Friday 29 August by the Honourable Senator Sco Ryan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Educa on. The culmina on of years of planning and research, the building contains state of the art recording facili es, including acous cally treated rooms which enable the spaces to be used for mul ple purposes. With the design concepts being completed by ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects and the project built by the Lloyd Group, this new complex will provide the staff and students of ELTHAM College, as well as the wider Eltham community, with a facility that is progressive, inspiring and conducive to crea vity. Senator the Honourable Sco Ryan and Mr Simon Le Plastrier Director of Music, Brian Wallwork and Senator the Honourable Sco Ryan The new Music and Performance Centre Putting the finishing Judy touches Rothacker on the Director bridge of Interna onal Students E: jrothacker@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au
Global Connec ons September 2014 Page 2 of 5 ELTHAM College Interna onal Graduate wins Melbourne University Strategy Presenta on Challenge Class of 2010 graduate Jason Kan (Kan Zeyuan) recently par cipated in The Strategy Presenta on Challenge, organised by Melbourne Business School Student Associa on and Global Consul ng Group University of Melbourne. 21 teams worked on a case and provided their solu ons through presenta ons. Five teams were selected for the final round and three were awarded prizes. Jason s team Invictus presented a case detailing a Chinese coal company X s acquisi on of the Australian coal company Z through its Australia based subsidiary Y. Invictus received first place for their presenta on. Since gradua ng from ELTHAM Jason has completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology from the University of Melbourne. He is now undertaking a Master of Management (Accoun ng) degree at Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne. In the future, Jason plans to work in Australia a er gradua on and his dream is to start his own business one day. Congratula ons Jason and team Invictus! Vincent Li (far le ) with Jason Kan and Shannon Tang (far right) a er receiving their award.
Global Connec ons September 2014 Page 3 of 5 Interna onal Student Reunion 2014 On Friday 22 August, over 30 of our past interna onal students a ended a reunion at ELTHAM College City Campus. It was a wonderful evening and an opportunity for students to reconnect and share their post secondary school experiences. With a ending students spanning over 10 years of educa on at ELTHAM, it was great to see so many young people who are pursuing a variety of different passions and careers. Current and former Captains Quang Chu and Candice Chang The evening was also an opportunity for some of our current interna onal students to start to form a rela onship with our alumni base so that it con nues to grow as students leave ELTHAM. To enable the college to provide further opportuni es and support for our graduates, we are encouraging all interna onal students to keep in touch with us a er gradua on either via email to execs@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au or by liking our Facebook page at facebook.com/#!/execs. Current Interna onal Student Captain Quang Chu shared his experiences at ELTHAM during a speech: Judy Rothacker and Emma Zhang My first year at ELTHAM College was in 2009 in Year 7 When I first arrived in Australia, I was terrified of the new life that I was going to face and I guess you guys would all share the same experience. But in facing this new life, it has helped me to change into a completely new person. When I first arrived, I was very shy and had difficulty with the language. A er years spending me around Aussie kids my English has improved drama cally and my personality has also changed. Studying in Australia has helped me to grow from a young Vietnamese kid into a grown up Vietnamese Aussie teenager and studying in Australia has also helped me to open up a brighter future. Be y Zhou, Keith Ren and Rachel Seo We look forward to holding another reunion in 2015. Bob Zhou and Kinson Li
Global Connec ons September 2014 Page 4 of 5 Interna onal Student Reaches Finals for Carson Trophy In 2014, we had another interna onal student reach the finals of the Carson Trophy. The Carson Trophy is an ELTHAM College public speaking compe on which is held annually and emphasises the importance of clear speaking skills. Venus Yeung (Yeung Chingyi) gave an informed and impassioned speech using all the persuasive techniques she has mastered during her English as an Addi onal Language (EAL) classes. Her inclusion as a finalist showcased the ability of our interna onal students to be recognised for their strong language skills. Year 12 Life Skills Program Leaving school and having the skills to lead an independent life can be a struggle. However, it is an essen al part of moving from secondary school to ter ary life. At ELTHAM we have created a Life Skills program covering various topics which aim to give students the basic skills required to live safely and independently without the guidance of homestay parents. Jason Lu and Adam Wang Fire Safety to Students presenta on. In 2014 we have covered Nutri on, Safety in the Kitchen, Fire Awareness in the Home and Housing and Accommoda on Post Secondary years. Students receive a cer ficate as part of their gradua on package detailing the modules which have been completed.
Global Connec ons September 2014 Page 5 of 5 Yan an Short Term Tour This term ELTHAM College was pleased to host a visit from Shanghai, China s Yan an Middle School. A large group of Year 7 students and five teachers spent two weeks in Victoria sightseeing and ge ng to know fellow students at ELTHAM. At the comple on of the tour the Yan an students gave a memorable concert where they performed tradi onal and modern cultural ac vi es. The friendship and ongoing es created between Year 7 buddies will hopefully be remembered for many years. Here is an excerpt from Yan an student Tom s speech on his reflec ons of his me at ELTHAM: Firstly, thank you very much for le ng me come to this amazing school. Today I want to tell you what I learned during my stay here. At first, we learnt about the Australian culture, such as footy, Aboriginal culture etc. it is very interes ng. Then we learnt about how Australia changed when the white men came. All of that is some cool stuff! Other than these things we also had a lot of other awesome classes like Computers, Home Economics and Physical Educa on. All of that has given me a memory that I will never forget. But now I have to say farewell, farewell my friends! Even though we are leaving, the memory will never leave. Madison Borgeest and Yan an Buddy Judy Rothacker and gradua ng student A Truly Australian Experience Katalin Zheng and Claire Wang On Saturday 14 June, 18 interna onal students and four interna onal staff members a ended the MCG to watch Richmond take on Fremantle. It was a bright but cool day and for many of the students, their first experience of Australian Rules Football and the MCG. The ou ng was sponsored by the generosity of the AFL and their Community Ticke ng Program. With a crowd of just over 22,000, the ground was awash with purple and yellow enthusiasts coming to support their team. As a group we decided to support our local team, Richmond and the students were amazed at the passion of the supporters and their vocal comments. Many of the students joined in the cheering as they learned more about the game thanks to the explana ons from the interna onal staff members. Students enjoyed the atmosphere and some footy fare of meat pies and sausages in rolls as the two teams took part in a physical ba le with Fremantle the eventual winners. It was a posi ve and truly Australian cultural experience for all involved.