What's new at our Melbourne campus
High School students win top awards
PHAN Anh Thu wins Caltex All Rounder Award
The High School Program continues with students achieving academic Excellence at the completion of their 2009 studies.
In its 23rd year the Caltex Best All Rounder Award is one of the most prestigious Australian Schools Awards, each year the award is conferred on final year students around the country, acknowledging their all round contributions to their schools and communities.
The Award recognises students whose achievements span a number of areas including academic achievement, conduct, leadership and community contributions. This Year the award goes to a Year 11 High School student who academically has achieved excellent results in every subject studied. We would like to congratulate PHAN Anh Thu (Katie) who is a perfect example of a brilliant all rounder and a truly fitting recipient of the Caltex Best All rounder Award
Two of our current Year 11 students, Connie Weng Weng Ko and Meichen Zhang have also been accepted into the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program, an academic enrichment program for high achieving students, run by The University of Melbourne. Taylors College Melbourne have had students accepted into the program at each year from the program's inception.
Congratulations to our high achieving students in The High School Program in 2009.
Celina Baude-Rymaszewska (Dean of High School) with Connie Weng Weng Ko and Meichen Zhang who have been accepted into the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program (University of Melbourne)
Taylors College Principals visit China
A team from Taylors travelled through China recently, visiting agents, parents and potential students.
The first week of this trip was largely dedicated to visiting agents with a view of highlighting customer service and added value provided by Taylors at all campuses. The emphasis was on High School and also on promoting Auckland and Perth.
The second phase was the intensive parent interviews for all representatives from the Taylors campuses.
This annual event was expertly hosted by our Deputy Director of Student Recruitment (China) for Taylors, Pam Shih, ably supported by staff at each of our Regional Offices from Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing and Shenyang.
In total eleven cities were visited by members of the team and there were visits to over twenty key agents across China.
Approximately 350 parent interviews were held and at least 40 potential students were counselled.
Dinner Dance
On Friday 8th August was the eagerly anticipated MUFY/Year 12 Taylors Formal 'The Black and White Ball' at San Remo Ballroom in North Carlton. The week before, all staff had come to work dressed in black and white to inspire the students and make them even more keen for the big night to arrive.
The big day finally came, and there was an air of excitement while drinks and yummy canapés were served on arrival. Students and staff in beautiful and elegant dresses and handsome suits were very happy to see each other in a completely new light.
This year there were two professional caricature artists working hard for four hours drawing black and white portraits of individuals and couples. They were so popular! The student entertainment this year consisted of Tiffany and Lauren, each singing and playing guitar, and Changke and Sehsen singing a beautiful love song duet. They were all so wonderful and the audience cheered them enthusiastically.
After main course and dessert, dancing was on for young and old. The DJ Bianca was amazing. She knew exactly what music people wanted. Carene Lim and Tran Hoang Trung were overwhelmingly voted the best dancing couple. They danced like magic together at the Michael Jackson Dance Off. The staff picked Aureo and Yanie, the King and Queen of the Ball. They looked lovely in their crowns when receiving their awards.
After such a fun evening, everyone received an engraved champagne flute with handmade chocolates and a black and white die inside, home to dream about the amazing evening and looking forward to next year already.
Year 10 Camp at Lyrebird Park
Year 10 students at Taylors College Melbourne campus have just completed a very successful camp at Lyrebird Park in the south east of Victoria.
The activities began almost as soon as the students unloaded their luggage, with a game of tug of war. The students were having fun but little did they know they were also learning about strategy and working together. The ongoing theme for the camp was to teach them to persevere, to be their best as well as learn leadership and teamwork skills. The skills taught will be useful in many challenges that the students will face throughout their lives
Many students found themselves tested physically and mentally by the tasks put before them such as the trust fall and the low ropes course. With the support of the camp instructors who emphasised building on strengths and trust amongst the group the students eagerly accepted the challenges to overcome their doubts.
As a result they became a more focused group who readily took on more difficult tasks as the days went on, even the indoor rock climbing wall and jumping off a 10 foot pole to ring a bell. Then of course the call went out to the teachers to see if they would do the climbing wall and jump off the pole. With the dare set who could refuse! As one the teachers I completed the climbing wall to a resounding applause from the students.
As well as learning to appreciate their strengths and the support each other they also were able to see their teachers in a whole new light. All too soon the four days came to an end with many students saying they wish they could go again.
Music department presents “Faraway Dreams”
The Taylors Music Department presented its Semester 1 program to an enthusiastic audience on Monday night. The concert opened with 4 songs from around the globe. “Electricity” (Billy Elliot) UK was a highlight. “I Dreamed a Dream” (Les Miserables) France from the recent attempts of Susan Boyle. Damien CUNNINGHAM and WANG Linda were sweet in their rendering of “I Have Dreamed” (The King and I) as Thai lovers, and the bracket concluded with a mythical Dr Seuss paradise of “Solla Sollew”. Aaron McCULLOUGH on drums accompanied the Director of Music Gregory SMITH on Piano while Carmela De LOSINNO conducted.
Students then presented Piano Duets and Clarinet works. ZHANG Ronnie gave a playful reading of the first movement of the Poulenc Clarinet Sonata and HE Zomart finished playing a beautiful Chopin Nocturne by memory. The other highlight was the singing students who entertained with an appropriate English Madrigal “Now is the Month of Maying” and a stylistically swinging barbershop “Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite”.
The evening concluded with a minimalist John Tavener work “Song for Athene” combining Orthodox Liturgy and Shakespeare. A Hebrew prayer now commonly sung by Jewish students visiting Auschwitz Concentration camp “Eli, Eli” was emotionally sung accompanied by 2 clarinets and violin, as well as a rousing “Va, Pensiero” from Nabucco. Thankyou to all those who were able to support the Music Department.
MUFY presentation ceremony
On the evening of Thursday, 14 May, the MUFY students from the July, March Extended and September Intensive intakes were celebrated in a Presentation Ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in East Melbourne.
The guest speaker was Professor Rob Norris, from Monash University. As chairman of the MUFY Board of Studies, Professor Norris had a special interest in the graduating students and made an appeal for the best and brightest to enrol in his science faculty at Monash.
Professor Norris talked of the challenges ahead at university, but reassured the students by informing them of the successes of many of the MUFY students who had preceded them. He presented prizes to the top students in each subject whose pleasure and pride was obvious to all.
Every student was presented to the guest speaker in home room groups, proudly introduced by a nominated member of the group, and received a certificate to formalise the time spent as a MUFY student at Taylors College.
Top students in each subject areas
Accounting HO Weng In Advanced Mathematics LUONG, Ngoc Anh Biology CHIA, Si Hui (Dorcia) Chemistry CHAN Shui Wan Computer Science AU, Hei Man (Abbie) Economics TRAN Thi Thuy Linh English SU Sundee Myint
CHENG Shi ValerieGeography CHENG, TSZ HA (Phoebe) Mathematics CUI, Wencan
TRAN, Thi Thuy LinhPhysics DAO Quang Huy
Melbourne Zoo Biology Excursion
On Wednesday, April 29, Year 12 Biology students enjoyed an excursion to the Melbourne Zoo. Students were able to benefit from the fantastic program offered by the education service at the Zoo. Their topic of study was body temperature regulation in animals.
The Melbourne Zoo is a favourite destination for Biology students at Taylors College. The Biology teachers conduct at least three excursions there every year. As you can see, the program includes the opportunity for students to become "up close and personal" with some of the animals in a way that the general public do not have the opportunity to enjoy.
Monash University presentation to Foundation students
On Wednesday 18th March, Ms Chelsea Morley from Monash University presented an interesting and informative lecture to aspiring Business, Commerce and Economics MUFY students. She covered course requirements and structures, majors and the many career outcomes. The students were fascinated to hear about the opportunities offered by the breadth of the courses taught in this Faculty. She highlighed the opportunities for Cadetships, Work Placements and, through "Monash Abroad", the option to study in Europe or the US as part of their Monash degree course.
All of the students left the lecture highly motivated to improve their results and achieve entry to these prestigious courses at this Group of Eight Research University. Ms Morley stayed after the lecture to answer individual questions. She also regularly visits the college campus to provide individual counselling. On May 1st, all Faculties of Monash University will be on the Taylors Campus to talk to our students.
Pictured from Left to Right: Mr Brendan O'Donoghue (Head of Economics), Mark Zhang (Shandong, China),Ms Chelsea Morley (Monash University), Mr Stephen Latham (Career Adviser), Ms Rita Fontanella (Associate Dean), Vincy Wen (Changsha City, China), Weng In Ho (Macau), Yui Ki Lam (Hong Kong)
Victorian Government’s official welcome to international students
On Tuesday 4 March, six Taylors College students – two each from the MUFY, VCE and TELP programs – accompanied by two teachers, attended the Victorian Government’s official welcome to international students, held as part of International Education Week, at the home of the Governor of Victoria, Professor David De Kretser.
Students were entertained by a magician until the arrival of the official party, which included the governor, the Minister for Education, Bronwyn Pike, members of the consular corps and other invited guests. The ornate reception hall was filled with the colours of the different school uniforms and hundreds of excited young international students representing both government and private schools.
The governor, Dr David De Kretser, welcomed the students and told his own story of arriving as a migrant at the age of nine and of how he too had had to learn to adjust to very different circumstances as he began his life in a new country. He challenged the students to enjoy the experience of studying overseas in its entirety – to study hard, but also to involve themselves in sport, travel and the wider community – so that their overseas adventure could be a life-changing and wonderful experience.
Following the governor’s address, the students had perhaps their first taste of indigenous Australia when they were given a ‘welcome to country’ and heard the haunting tones of the didgeridoo. This was followed by interviews with two students, one local and one from Korea studying Dentistry, who spoke glowingly– from their different perspectives - of the overseas student experience.
To complete a memorable morning, the students were entertained by jugglers and acrobats in the gardens of Government House as refreshments were served.
Lunar New Year Party
2009 Year of the Ox
At the start of Term 1, entering Taylors College, students were greeted with fantastic red and gold decorations, blessings and flowers in the foyer. What a great welcome!
It was only the second day of term on Friday Jan 30, when 2 black and white lions and 21 performers of the Chinese Culture Centre of Vic (CCCV) arrived. The lions, the funny man and such loud drumming blessed the classrooms on all different levels in the building. Students were happily distracted from their studies with gifts of chocolates and hugs. It was a very hot day but fortunately, it was really cool in the new, trendy Student Common Room where the party was held.
The lions loved exploring it, jumping on the walls and grabbing students. It was such a fun time to see so many happy, excited and delighted student and staff faces.
Thanks to the many helpful staff, we had plenty of decorations, drinks, fruit and snacks for everyone and lots of music and photos.
Happy New Year everyone!
Multicultural festival at Taylors College (Melbourne)
This year, we were honoured with the presence of the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, John So officially opening our festival. In his speech,he recognised the great contribution that the international student population makes to the vibrancy of Melbourne.
Many nations were represented by students and their traditional costumes at the festival. Khadija Al-Tenaiji in her outfit from United Arab Emirates and cleverly wearing the national flag won the ‘Best Female Costume’ while Richie Soebekti ‘parading’ in Indonesian gear won the ‘Best Male Costume’. During the meal of pizza, hot chips, sushi, watermelon, chocolates and soft drink, student stalls offered great delicacies and trinkets such as Arabian and Omani coffee, dates and halwa, Vietnamese scarves and handicrafts, the Sri Lankan stall owners wore their cricket team colours and even candy floss was seen wound around sticks held high!
The talented performances were very entertaining. From the delicate traditional Chinese Gu-zheng and Piba instruments to a Vietnamese rap song-and-dance group, to a Saudi Arabian group dancing with great gusto and loud whoops to an amazing gymnast almost defying gravity. ‘Aaron and his friends’ 3 man band won the ‘3 Minutes to Fame’ competition with a piece of beautiful guitar. The students sang their own national anthems with great pride.
Many great prizes were given out and everyone had a great time. The event ended in the students of Saudi Arabia teaching the rest of us how to dance to their wonderful music. Thank you to all staff and students who helped make this event such an enormous success.
Lord Mayor of Melbourne, John So and Taylors College Campus Principal, Tony Cranshaw
Chinese students and their traditional costumes at the multicultural festival
Saudi Arabian students performig their cultural dance
