What's new at our Melbourne campus
Monash University Experience
From 16th June, Taylors College MUFY students attended the four day Monash University Experience. This consisted of a series of lectures and workshops at the various Monash University Campuses throughout Melbourne.
The goals of the experience were to give students:
- exposure to three of the Monash University Campuses
- an introduction to teaching and learning in an university environment
- familiarity with the public transport system and Monash shuttle bus to get to campuses
- the opportunity to meet and listen to MUFY Chief Examiners
- more information about Monash University courses and career outcomes.
The following topics were introduced during the program:
Maths: Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Biology: Introduction to Genetic Engineering
Accounting: Introduction to Cash Budgeting
Economics: Introduction to Macroeconomics in Australia
Graphic Arts: My digital imagination – a workshop
Computer Science: Problem Solving in ICT
Geography: Human Geography
Physics: Three workshops in the Physics laboratories – Light and polarisation of light
English: Viewing the film Text : “A Floating Life” in the Alexander Theatre.
Chemistry: Medicinal chemistry and introduction.
In addition there were careers lectures in Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering, Science, Art and Design, IT, Arts, Pharmacy and Business and Economics.
Mrs Margaret Dawson (MUFY Dean) had the following impressions of the program:
“Very early in the first day I realised there was a lot the students did not know about university. “Wow, this place is huge!” was heard many times during the week. During the first lecture – Mathematics – I realised a lesson in lecture etiquette was required. I witnessed students arriving late and knocking on the lecture door before entering, or leaving the lecture to go to the bathroom. Students learnt quickly that they must arrive to lectures on time, not talk during the lecture and stay until the end! At lunchtime the chatter and the conversations about the university and the lectures were fascinating. Students spoke highly of the Maths lecturers and the wonderful examples they chose to introduce Probability and Statistics. The high quality of lectures continued through the week, and all of the students said this experience of Monash and university life was very worthwhile.”
The program was a great success, and students and staff from Taylors College and Monash University are already planning the next Monash University Experience!
MUFY students visiting Monash University
MUFY students attending a workhop at Monash University
MUFY students at Monash University
MUFY students attending a lecture at Monash University
Taylors College Melbourne - 2nd in University Pathways Cup
On Saturday 7th June, the second annual outdoor soccer tournament for foundation students – the University Pathways Cup – was sponsored by and held at Monash University, Clayton. In a wonderful event that brought together Melbourne’s international students, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship, eight teams participated. Those teams were represented by Taylors College, Monash College, Carrick Institute of Education, RMIT Foundation, La Trobe International College, Swinburne Foundation and Meridian International School.
Competing in a series of short round-robin games in Group A, the “group of death”, Taylors College managed to finish second – behind firm favourite La Trobe but ahead of 2007 finalist Monash College - to advance to the knockout stage. In our semi-final, we met Group B winner RMIT Foundation, who were hoping to win back-to-back trophies. Unfortunately for them, a tight match ended in a heart-stopping penalty shootout, with Taylors prevailing 4-3! Goalkeeper and MUFY student Wandi Budianto pulled out two magnificent saves.
The final match was played more than six hours after our first group match and, while battling manfully against older and stronger opposition, we went down to La Trobe International College for the second time. While all Taylors College players received silver medals for their efforts, MUFY student Majid Al-Qatari and Year 12 Deaw Liocharoensap were our best on the day.
The Taylors College soccer team
The Taylors College soccer team in action
The University Pathways Trophy
MUFY Geography students experience Monash University
Monash University Foundation Year students attended a Geography lecture at Clayton campus given by Dr Stephen Legg as part of their Monash Week Experience. The students were thrilled to be invited by Monash to participate in Academic, Course Advice and Careers lectures and workshops at Clayton and Caulfield campus during their mid course break in June.
Dr Legg was Stephen Latham's mentor in his Teaching Fellowship year with the School of Geography and Environmental Science. Stephen was delighted to renew acquaintences with his former Geography colleagues. The wide ranging lecture on Human Geography followed an informative talk by International Relations Coordinator Liz Nolen on Arts Faculty course advice and also entertaining Orientation and University life information from a current Monash student.
Pictured left to right - Stephen Latham (Taylors College Geography and Careers Coordinator and former Monash Teaching Fellow), Helen Spark (MUFY Assistant Dean) and Dr Stephen Legg (Associate Dean, Education and Senior Lecturer in Geography and Environmental Science, Faculty of Arts).
Monash University Experience
From 16th June, Taylors College MUFY students attended the four day Monash University Experience. This consisted of a series of lectures and workshops at the various Monash University Campuses throughout Melbourne.
The goals of the experience were to give students:
- exposure to three of the Monash University Campuses
- an introduction to teaching and learning in an university environment
- familiarity with the public transport system and Monash shuttle bus to get to campuses
- the opportunity to meet and listen to MUFY Chief Examiners
- more information about Monash University courses and career outcomes.
The following topics were introduced during the program:
Maths: Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Biology: Introduction to Genetic Engineering
Accounting: Introduction to Cash Budgeting
Economics: Introduction to Macroeconomics in Australia
Graphic Arts: My digital imagination – a workshop
Computer Science: Problem Solving in ICT
Geography: Human Geography
Physics: Three workshops in the Physics laboratories – Light and polarisation of light
English: Viewing the film Text : “A Floating Life” in the Alexander Theatre.
Chemistry: Medicinal chemistry and introduction.
In addition there were careers lectures in Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering, Science, Art and Design, IT, Arts, Pharmacy and Business and Economics.
Mrs Margaret Dawson (MUFY Dean) had the following impressions of the program:
“Very early in the first day I realised there was a lot the students did not know about university. “Wow, this place is huge!” was heard many times during the week. During the first lecture – Mathematics – I realised a lesson in lecture etiquette was required. I witnessed students arriving late and knocking on the lecture door before entering, or leaving the lecture to go to the bathroom. Students learnt quickly that they must arrive to lectures on time, not talk during the lecture and stay until the end! At lunchtime the chatter and the conversations about the university and the lectures were fascinating. Students spoke highly of the Maths lecturers and the wonderful examples they chose to introduce Probability and Statistics. The high quality of lectures continued through the week, and all of the students said this experience of Monash and university life was very worthwhile.”
The program was a great success, and students and staff from Taylors College and Monash University are already planning the next Monash University Experience!
MUFY students visiting Monash University
MUFY students attending a workhop at Monash University
MUFY students at Monash University
MUFY students attending a lecture at Monash University
Taylors College Melbourne - 2nd in University Pathways Cup
On Saturday 7th June, the second annual outdoor soccer tournament for foundation students – the University Pathways Cup – was sponsored by and held at Monash University, Clayton. In a wonderful event that brought together Melbourne’s international students, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship, eight teams participated. Those teams were represented by Taylors College, Monash College, Carrick Institute of Education, RMIT Foundation, La Trobe International College, Swinburne Foundation and Meridian International School.
Competing in a series of short round-robin games in Group A, the “group of death”, Taylors College managed to finish second – behind firm favourite La Trobe but ahead of 2007 finalist Monash College - to advance to the knockout stage. In our semi-final, we met Group B winner RMIT Foundation, who were hoping to win back-to-back trophies. Unfortunately for them, a tight match ended in a heart-stopping penalty shootout, with Taylors prevailing 4-3! Goalkeeper and MUFY student Wandi Budianto pulled out two magnificent saves.
The final match was played more than six hours after our first group match and, while battling manfully against older and stronger opposition, we went down to La Trobe International College for the second time. While all Taylors College players received silver medals for their efforts, MUFY student Majid Al-Qatari and Year 12 Deaw Liocharoensap were our best on the day.
The Taylors College soccer team
The Taylors College soccer team in action
The University Pathways Trophy
MUFY Geography students experience Monash University
Monash University Foundation Year students attended a Geography lecture at Clayton campus given by Dr Stephen Legg as part of their Monash Week Experience. The students were thrilled to be invited by Monash to participate in Academic, Course Advice and Careers lectures and workshops at Clayton and Caulfield campus during their mid course break in June.
Dr Legg was Stephen Latham's mentor in his Teaching Fellowship year with the School of Geography and Environmental Science. Stephen was delighted to renew acquaintences with his former Geography colleagues. The wide ranging lecture on Human Geography followed an informative talk by International Relations Coordinator Liz Nolen on Arts Faculty course advice and also entertaining Orientation and University life information from a current Monash student.
Pictured left to right - Stephen Latham (Taylors College Geography and Careers Coordinator and former Monash Teaching Fellow), Helen Spark (MUFY Assistant Dean) and Dr Stephen Legg (Associate Dean, Education and Senior Lecturer in Geography and Environmental Science, Faculty of Arts).
MUFY September Graduation ceremony
On Friday 2 May 2008 the final September Monash University Graduation Ceremony was held at the Alexander Theatre on the Monash University Clayton campus.
Staff, friends and family gathered to watch 300 students celebrate the end of their course. The ceremony was opened by the Campus Director, Mr Tony Cranshaw, who praised the students for their achievements and acknowledged the hard work put in by staff in during this course and in the past
The Guest Speaker was Professor Stephen Langdon, the Professor of Organic Chemistry at Monash university who spoke about the challenges and excitement of studying at a tertiary level.
Following the ceremony students and staff enjoyed socialising at the Dine and Dance till the late hours of the evening.
Congratulations to the SMUFY Co-ordinator, Rosemary Tipping and her wonderful team for overseeing this special occasion.
Prize Winners
| KWONG, Wing Sum (Stephanie) |
Accounting |
| HE, Yi Chao (Michael) | Biology |
| NGUYEN, Hoang Thuy (Truc) | Chemistry |
| LAM, Cho Kwong (Charlie) | Computer Science |
SAWANT, Sonia |
Economics |
| TANG, Ching Man (Crystal) | English |
| LAM, Cho Kwong (Charlie) | Geography |
|
LAM, Cho Kwong (Charlie) and |
Mathematics A |
| XIN, Yao (Tracy) | Mathematics B |
| NGUYEN, Hoang Thuy (Truc) | Physics |
| XIN, Yao (Tracy) | DUX |
2008 Student Representative Council
On Tuesday 4th March, a celebratory lunch was held at Taylors College Melbourne campus to welcome the new Student Representative Council for 2008.
Members represent all year levels and programs, and the SRC is the voice of the entire student body. The Council is also responsible for organising a variety of activities during the course of the year. These include the Alumni Reunion, Multicultural Festival, the World Vision 40 hour Famine and supporting other charities, Aussie Bush Dance and the Year 12/ MUFY Formal.
Congratulations to all members:
| President |
Hayley Loftus |
| Vice Presidents | Ch’ng Ying Zhao Luke Perich |
| Secretary | Elif Girgin |
| Treasurer | Pasindu Karunaratne |
Committee Members |
Richie Soebekti Chung Jiun Mei Khadija Al-Tenaiji Hassan Al-Sinan Natasha Ouna Satomi Sugawara Fan Kai Hin (Kelvin) |
Taylors College Bush Dance 2008
“Put your right foot in,
Put your right foot out,
Put your right foot in and shake it all about…”
It was a great time and a great crowd. The Aussie bush dance was the highlight of the College social calendar this year.
At first students were shy but the band members of the 'Three Corner Jack' bush band soon had them clapping, stomping, whirling and laughing. It was a real delight to see so many happy faces and hear so much laughter.
Students enjoyed the Aussie food, such as quiche, cocktail frankfurts, sandwiches, lamingtons, liquorice, chocolate koalas and muffins and also took great delight in dancing.
The main highlight was the $50 coin-throwing competition, where students had to throw the gold coin at the beer bottle. There were laughter and excitement when each coin got closer!
Congratulations to Dang Khoa Phan who was the happy winner!
Phillip Island Excursion
On Tuesday 4th March, around 104 students and 8 teachers from Taylors College Melbourne set off to see the famous Penguin Parade at Summerland Surf Beach on Phillip Island which is approximately 2 hours South East of Melbourne.
The Phillip Island Penguin Parade takes place every evening after sunset, as the little fairy penguins, the smallest penguins at about 30 cm high surf in on a wave and make their way back from fishing, ready to feed their hungry offspring or mates who are egg-sitting, depending on the season.
The first few to reach the shore wait for others to arrive, and together, waddle up the beach in groups to their burrows on the cliffs. Waddle is the operative word, as some are so full of fish that they are almost spherical!
After seeing some groups of Penguin come in, students spent some time on the boardwalks watching the chicks, which had come out of their burrows to wait for dinner. As students were watching this, a small mob of wallabies hopped through which was the highlight of the day!
The weather was beautiful all day and ended up with a lovely starry night.
Chinese New Year celebration
On February 8th, Taylors College Melbourne welcomed the Year of the Rat. Both students and staff were excited to see two red lions blasting their way together with drums and cymbals. It is believed that the loud beats of the drums and deafening sounds of the cymbals can bring good luck and prosperity and keep bad luck away for another year!
The lions danced and pranced their way throughout the entire Taylors College building, blessing almost every classroom and creating “mayhem” with students.
The Student Common Room was decked out in full Lunar New Year decorations with red tablecloths, oranges, sweets, snacks, firecrackers, garlands, flowers and Chinese couplets.
While waiting for the lions to arrive in the Student Common Room, staff and students enjoyed delicious Chinese New Year snacks and the background music of the Lunar New Year. As soon as the lions arrived, the room was full of students and staffs taking pictures of the event.
The young performer amused the audience with the artistic acrobats and dance. It was truly a memorable and wonderful occasion at the Melbourne campus.
Congratulations to Year 12 students
Taylors College Melbourne wishes to congratulate all of the Year 12 (VCE) students in 2007 for their achievement.
Out of 217 students, 21% gained an ENTER of 90 and above, placing them in the top 10% of the state. 36% of students achieved an ENTER of 80 and above, placing them in the top 20% of the state.
The VCE Dux was NGOR, Kai Hong (Tim) from Australia who gained an ENTER of 99.60. This remarkable score places Tim in the top 0.4% of Australian students.
Year 12 and MUFY final assembly
Teachers and students celebrate a successful year
On Friday 26 October the January and April MUFY students gathered in the Student Common Room for a party to celebrate the end of their studies at Taylors College, the friendships they had made and the year that they had spent together.
The balloons, streamers, excitement and colour of a beautifully decorated room welcomed hundreds of students who made the most of the opportunity to be happy and reflective about their year of learning and growing together.
The MUFY teachers had organised a wonderful spread of food and the distribution of the school magazines allowed for the exchange of addresses and fond notes, inside many a back cover, to be forever preserved. Did the students' reluctance to leave indicate a longing for what had passed or a realisation of impending study and looming examinations?
Taylors College wishes the students all the very best for their exam results and in their exciting new university life in 2008.
Melbourne MUFY students top the class!
Taylors College Melbourne is pleased to announce many outstanding individual performances by the class of 2007 January MUFY.
20 students were awarded the highest subject grade across all MUFY providers globally.
Subjects include: Accounting, Biology (2 students), Chemistry, English, Geography (2 students), Graphic Arts, Maths A (7 students equal), Maths B (4 students equal) and Music.
All students are now hoping to be awarded academic scholarships by Monash University.
Congratulations to the students for these outstanding results.
Taylors College Melbourne Formal Dinner Dance 2007
Every year the Taylors College Formal is the most eagerly awaited event of the school calendar, and this year was no different. The classrooms and corridors were abuzz with excitement all day and the evening could not begin early enough!
Eventually the time arrived and students and staff arrived at the San Remo Ballroom looking more glamorous than anyone could have imagined. This year, the theme was 'Angels and Demons'. A few students were brave enough to arrive in their angel or demon gear, while others stoles the horns, wings and halos from staff as the night went on.
The evening began with pre-dinner drinks served with canapés. After a short speech by Mr Cranshaw, the door prizes were awarded and then it was time to enjoy the delicious meal. Jun Park Gill sang and played the guitar with great skill and feeling while dinner was being served. The lovely Rah-Yoon sang a beautiful solo and our roaming magician, Sky was amazing! Our dance teacher and former Taylors student Tania gave an awesome dance performance. There were two student bands. First we had MIRA AND FRIENDS with Thomas, Pheny, Augustine, Arjan, Winson, Lim Shu Jie and the beautiful Amira, and then we had the DYSFUNCTIONALS with Tom, Jovi, Jason and Amira again, looking and sounding very cool.
This year, the crowd was in a real party mood from the very start, they could not be kept off the dance floor! The ballroom was transformed into a pulsing night club, and everyone danced with unlimited energy. The staff was no exception, they had a wonderful time grooving on the floor, even the principal, Mr Cranshaw. He's not a bad dancer at all!
The winners of the competitions were announced to much cheering and clapping towards the end of the evening. Ou Cheng Jacob and Xue Xiao Yan Shelly looked the perfect pair as KING AND QUEEN OF THE FORMAL; Yang Xun Charity and Vy Nguyen were the BEST DANCERS, wow what moves; Ling Pei Pei Vivian as the BEST ANGEL was pretty as a picture and Mrs Brown as the BEST DEMON was the demon with a difference.
The whole evening was a great success, and a big thank you to the Student Representative Committee, in particular to Esther and Francis who hosted the evening in a very professional and amusing manner. We can’t wait until next year!
Ling Pei Pi Vivian as "Best Angel" and Mrs Brown as "Best Demon"
'Mira and Friends Band' rocked the night away
Alice Pung, author of 'Unpolished Gem'
Famous author visits MUFY students
In 2007, MUFY students are studying the theme of “conflict” as part of their English curriculum. One of the novels they are analysing is 'Unpolished Gem', by Alice Pung.
Recently, MUFY students were delighted to meet the author when she visited Taylors College to speak with them about the novel. Ms Pung talked to students for three hours, discussing the themes and ideas played out in “Unpolished Gem”. Students had many questions for the author which she answered enthusiastically, also generating further discussion amongst the students.
Ms Pung was then gracious enough to pose for endless photos and sign copies of her books for students. Her lovely demeanour won over all the students! Many thanks to Ms Pung for honouring us with her visit.
VCE students experience The University of Melbourne
On Thursday 14 June, all the Year 12 Taylors College students were invited to visit the University of Melbourne. This visit was possible because of the special relationship Taylors College enjoys with the University of Melbourne.
All the students received bags of information about the University of Melbourne. They met university academics and staff, and heard about applying to university, accepting their offers and renewing their visas.
A highlight of the visit was hearing an ex-Taylors College student speak about her time studying at the University. Aileen Shen completed VCE at Taylors College and is currently completing a Commerce/Info Systems double degree at the University of Melbourne.
It was wonderful for students to have the opportunity to talk to a real Taylors College student who continued to a successful degree at the University of Melbourne. Students then broke into groups to hear presentations by faculty staff and the day concluded with a Course Expo.
The students found the day extremely beneficial and the University staff were impressed by their interest and the perceptiveness of their questions.
Past Taylors' student Aileen Shen speaks about studying at University
Year 10 Excursion to the 'Career Your Lifestyle' EXPO
On Tuesday, 5 June, 2007 all the Year 10 students traveled by bus to the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
They had prepared for this event by investigating occupations related to their interests or the school subjects they enjoy. They had also prepared individual timetables of activities and had planned a series of questions.
At the Expo the students moved between the Exhibitor’s Hall where they could get answers to their questions, the Careers at Work Hall where they could participate in demonstrations and activities and the seminars, where they could learn about different career pathways.
Grab your partner for the Aussie Barn Dance
G’Day! The Aussie bush dance was the highlight of the College social calendar so far this year.
The students enjoyed dancing so much that they did not want to go home. It was a real delight to see so many happy faces and hear so much laughter as the dancers jigged, clapped and twirled. There was even more laughter when people made mistakes.
The bush band, 'Three Corner Jack', was fantastic, teaching us the steps. They were also very talented musicians!! Many people dressed the part with their bushman's hats and boots. The coin-throwing and arm-wrestling competitions were great hits with the students.
The food was all Australian, pies, sausage rolls, quiches, frankfurts, lamingtons, scones, chocolate cake, tarts and tea. The art teacher Ms Mc Donald's barn and flickering fireside (DVD with data projector) and Ms Ryan's gum trees were such a success, it really felt like we were out in the bush (not in a corporate building in the city)!
We can hardly wait to “take our partners by the hand” for more toe-tapping and do-si-do’ing next year.
Melbourne student goes for GOLD!
Siew Jin, SU proudly displays the gold medals she won at the Arapura Games
Hi, I’m Siew Jin from Malaysia. I’m studying Year 10 at Taylors College in Melbourne. I’m not sure what I want to study at university, but my favourite subject is Maths, so probably something to do with Business.
Swimming is my true love. I started when I was eight years old, now I represent Malaysia at national swimming competitions.
Recently in Singapore I won 4 gold medals, and last month in Darwin at the Arapura Games I won 2 gold medals for the 50m and 100m butterfly. There are my treasures in the photo.
I train at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre every day for a couple of hours, except Sundays. I still spend lots of time studying, and I’m getting good results – for Term 1 I achieved four A's and one B.
I live in Melbourne with my two brothers Philip and Teck. I love it here!
Multicultural Festival - a festival of colours
Muhammad Adeel, winner of the Best Costume competition and Esther Liew Wai Wai, SRC Vice President
On Wednesday 9th May, the annual Taylors College Multicultural Festival began after weeks of excitement and anticipation.
The festival was opened with short speeches from the Principal, Mr Tony Cranshaw, and Managing Director Ms Kathleen Newcombe, then the President and Vice President of the Student Representative Council, Noku Nolovu and Esther Liew Wai Wai took over as MCs.
What a smorgasbord of colours and sounds – the costumes were fantastic and what talent! Solo and group guitarists, singers, pianists, organists and dancers. Pizzas, sushi, fun games, great prizes and a very happy crowd.
In one game, the finalists had to sing their national anthem. What an amazing experience to hear Mert Altun sing the Turkish national anthem with such honour while everyone stood in reverent silence! Jun Gil Park won the '3 Minutes to Fame' competition with his mesmerising guitar and song. Jake Bayley came a close second with his awesome piano-playing, for which he is famous.
So many brilliant costumes! The winners of the costume competition were Yu Hai Ling (Raye) for the female section, who wore a costume from a Chinese province near the Thai border and Muhammad Adeel for the male section, who came as a Caribbean pirate, would you believe! Thank you to all who participated and all who helped in the organisation of a very successful festival.
Student Representative Committee elected
A celebratory lunch was held at Taylors College Melbourne campus to welcome the new Student Representative Committee for 2007.
Members represent all year levels and programs, and the SRC is the voice of the entire student body. The Committee is also responsible for organising a variety of activities during the course of the year. These include the Multicultural Festival, the World Vision 40 Hour Famine and supporting other charities, a bush dance and the Year 12/MUFY Formal.
The Principal, Mr Tony Cranshaw, congratulated SRC members on their election to office and thanked them for their commitment and enthusiasm. Staff and students then enjoyed an informal lunch together and discussed the year ahead. The SRC already has several projects underway, including assisting with the Alumni Reunion in April, a clothing appeal, Taylors College T-shirts and the Multicultural Festival.
Congratulations to all members:
President: Nokuthula Ndlovu (MUFY)
Vice President: Liew Wai Wai Esther (MUFY)
Secretary: Kim Rah-Yoon (MUFY)
Treasurer: Chan Chi Ho Tim (MUFY)
Committee Members:
Arjan Singh (Yr 12)
Florence Lim Ee Xin (Yr 12)
Lim Ee Wei (Yr 12)
Aaron Cheong Beng Loon (Yr 12)
Sharifah Nazirah (MUFY)
Mert Altun (MUFY)
Jennie Min-Ji Park (MUFY)
Teoh Cheng Lee (MUFY)
Justin Chin (Yr 11)
Elif Girgin (Yr 10)
Taylors College Alumni Reunion
Maggie Brown and ex-student Offain Gunasekara
On Friday April 27th, more than 100 former Taylors College students and 40 staff gathered at the College to reunite with old friends and teachers.
Guests were greeted by current members of the Student Representative Council and Mrs Williams. They walked up the old familiar stairs to the Student Common Room which was transformed with beautiful flowers, red and blue balloons and a fine array of drinks and nibbles.
Mrs Earle, her wonderful music students and a grand piano graced the foyer, and entertained guests all evening with a wonderful recital including flute, violin, voice and piano. There were squeals of delight in the Common Room as former classmates arrived to great each other, and hugs all around.
After the pizzas arrived, the Principal Mr Cranshaw formally welcomed Alumni back to Taylors College and wished them well for the future, making a firm commitment to keep in touch regularly.
A former student from MUFY and Vice President of the Student Representative Council 2005, Ms Offain Gunasekara, gave a wonderful speech, mentioning how much Taylors College had helped prepare her for life in the real world and helped shape her character. She sincerely thanked her teachers and friends.
Many students commented that they were very happy that Taylors College was still interested in them after they left, and they loved having the opportunity to see all their old friends and catch up on the gossip, and also thank their teachers personally for their help. Teachers were delighted to catch up with their former students and very proud of their achievements.
We look forward to the next Alumni Reunion in 2008.
Welcome International Students Day
On Thursday 22 March 2007 the Campus Director of Taylors College Melbourne, Tony Cranshaw & Embassy Director of Studies Margot Tucker accompanied ten students to the official annual Welcome to International Students event.
Students were chosen from across the range of programs at the Melbourne Campus, joining more than 400 students from all types and levels of educational institutions in Victoria.
The event this year was held in the hallowed halls of the Members Dining Room at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), an experience most Australians can only dream about! Ms Jacinta Allen Minister for Skills, Education Services and Employment officiated with the assistance of Gary Singer, Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne. The official part of the reception was interspersed with entertainment and snacks, and enjoyed by all.
Happy Birthday Joan!
Joan Earle, Music Director, celebrates her 80th birthday
On Friday March 23 Taylors College Melbourne celebrated a milestone; the 80th birthday of one of our most cherished staff members, Joan Earle, Music Director.
Joan has been with Taylors for 16 years as Music Director, and Representative for the Associated Board of the Royals School of Music for 15 years. Joan holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Melbourne and gained her post Graduate experience under Marcel Ciampi at the Paris Conservatoire.
Upon her return to Australia she was pianist for the Victorian Chamber Players and recorded for the ABC. Joan was appointed Representative for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in 1990, resulting in the International qualifications for the ABRSM Music Grade and Diploma Examinations being available not only to the Melbourne Taylors College students, but to every State in Australia. She was awarded an ABRSM Fellowship to London in 1992 and gained first hand knowledge of the teaching strategies for the many varied International courses.
Joan has been rehearsal Conductor for the Astra Choir and was Conductor of the Victorian Children’s Choir for three years. She is an active member of the Australian College of Education. Joan is also a piano teacher, lecturer and examiner for the Bachelor of Music Degree at The School of Music, Monash University, which links the Taylors College music courses into the University requirements for the advantage of our students.
It is a testament to Joan’s popularity that so many Alumni, students and staff joined in the celebrations to wish her well. Joan is incredibly energetic, enthusiastic and passionate, and she is an inspiration to us all. The Principal, staff, students and alumni of Taylors College wish Joan many happy returns and many more years filled with music and laughter.
Lunar New Year Party
Students celebrate Chinese New Year
The best lion dance that I ever saw, was performed on Feb 20 in the Year of the Pig 2007.
Two lions, seventeen performers, a funny man and a big, loud drum from the Chinese Culture Center of Victoria arrived at Taylors College. Their performance started with great reverence and formality but soon turned into a lot of cheeky fun throughout the school.
The entourage visited every floor of the College and all the classrooms to bring good luck. The funny man hit students and staff on the head with his fan, especially boys and he would hug staff and students alike, especially the girls! The lions would jump onto desks and tables and get close and personal with their victims, kiss them and even swallow a few!
In the Student Common Room, where around 200 students and staff were waiting, the lions performed great feats like climbing up the walls, balancing on four feet of an upside-down bench, rolling over and swallowing more students. The black lion kissed me, which made the audience roar and while my head was inside its mouth, it gave me 2 oranges for good luck. How lucky can one get? Just when I thought the best was over, the finale came when the black lion jumped with its front paws on my shoulders! The audience cheered. He was so light too. I felt like dancing.
The room was so pretty with red table cloths, red packets, cherry blossoms and pussy willows, oranges, sweets of great variety, lanterns and garlands. It was a really memorable day of fantasy.
- written by Barbara Williams
Peter Collyer’s new textbook for MUFY Accounting
Launch of new Taylors College music CD and Accounting textbook
Music and Accounting were the focus of a celebratory function at Taylors College Melbourne on Tuesday, March 6th. Ms Kathleen Newcombe, Managing Director of Study Group Australia, formally congratulated Mrs Joan Earle (Director of Music) and Mr Peter Collyer (Head of Accounting) for the development and presentation of two excellent productions.
The CD produced by the Music Department of Taylors College - Music at Taylors College – features the top Music performers of 2006 in the Monash University Foundation Year and VCE programs. The CD was professionally recorded and captured the outstanding talent of the students.
Peter Collyer’s new text for MUFY Accounting has been warmly received by Monash University and Taylors’ students. The first of its kind, the textbook is a work of professional excellence and will give students the best possible understanding of the MUFY Accounting course.
Taylors College Melbourne is extremely fortunate in having published academic authors and State examiners for a wide range of subject areas on the staff.
Kathleen Newcombe, Managing Director formally congratulates Mrs Joan Earle (Director of Music)
USFP students try out the University’s indoor rock-climbing wall
Sydney campus news
The University of Sydney 3-Day experience
In February 2008, the September USFP students were given a valuable opportunity to experience life as a University of Sydney student, first-hand!
Student Yearbook reflects on a year full of fun and achievements
An enjoyable read, the Student Yearbook is compiled and produced by the students. Read about their real-life experiences on and off campus - and the answer to many of the questions that confront new students like 'What's it like to live in Melbourne?'
