News Items

>  South View Primary School, Singapore - Visit to Acacia College
>  Guest MasterChef Contestant Wows Years 7&8
>  College “Spirit” on Display at Discovery Day
>  Debating Team - Building Confidence and Tasting Success
>  Indonesian Independence Day Celebration Excursion - Elysha, Year 7A

>  Book Week Production in Junior School
>  House Cross Country - Fun in the Sun!

South View Primary School, Singapore - Visit to Acacia College

Acacia College was delighted to host our first International School visit.  Students and staff from South View Primary School, Singapore visited us on Friday 2 September.

The connection with South View Primary School was established after staff visited Acacia College as part of a delegation organised by Apple Australasia to visit innovative schools implementing the iPads across the curriculum.  South View was so taken by what they saw they were very keen to return with some of their students and staff.  Hosting International Schools at Acacia College adds tremendous value to ensuring our students maintain a global perspective.

We were delighted to share our talents at the Opening Assembly, as well as being thoroughly entertained by the students of South View Primary School.  By the end of the day, it was wonderful to see the students from both schools embracing as if they had been friends for a long time.  We look forward to continuing our association with South View Primary School as we consider how to approach collaborative curriculum tasks.

Guest MasterChef Contestant Wows Years 7&8

On Tuesday 23 August, Year 7&8 students all enjoyed a presentation by a real MasterChef contestant, Philip Vakos!

While Philip began his post school career as an accountant, he always enjoyed cooking and after much needed persuading he applied successfully for MasterChef in 2010.  He made it to the Top 50 and then to the Top 24.  This required him to move from his native state of Tasmania to Melbourne where he now resides full time and creates dishes at his restaurant Philhellene Provincial Greek Restaurant in Moonee Ponds.  Philip also speaks professionally as well as works to support charities such as the Make A Wish Foundation, A Fighting Chance and the National Breast Cancer Foundation where he has been successful in raising over $35,000.

Philip enjoys cooking a wide range of cuisines but is largely influenced by his Greek heritage.  His favourite ingredient is Rose Water which he tries to add to as many dishes as possible.  Due to his experience, he finds that he no longer relies on recipes and uses a lot of trial and error to develop his masterpieces.  Professional chefs that he enjoys following include: Jamie Oliver (because of his promotion of healthy living and healthy schools), George Calombaris, as well as Anthony Bourdain.

Philip says working in the hospitality industry is not all fun and openly admits that he hates cutting garlic and onions!  While he recognises that it is essential, he also finds little joy in cleaning up!

Philip expressed the importance of finishing school up until University or TAFE level and keeping options open.  He believes that a degree or trade certificate may not be what you want to do forever, however it does give you something to fall back on e.g. his Accountancy Degree which he uses constantly in his business.

Being a MasterChef contestant has opened up many new opportunities for Philip and allowed him to continue his passion for food.  He is planning on opening a new restaurant in Melbourne by the end of the year, has a pilot TV show to be released to the main networks this month, and would like to offer cooking classes for students as part of a weekend or holiday program.

College “Spirit” on Display at Discovery Day

The recent Discovery Day once again proved a resounding success as the College threw open its doors to the general public to sample the “Spirit of Acacia”

The Middle School students were fabulous as Ambassadors, taking every opportunity to escort visitors around the school and proudly discuss their perceptions of the College to interested onlookers.

Equally impressive were the students supporting the ensemble groups and myriad activities taking place in the classrooms.

Such a wonderful presentation of the College!

The PFA were also pivotal in sharing with new families the good news about Acacia College, not to mention the fabulous contribution to the Food Court and other activities.

We are certainly very pleased to have developed such a compelling spirit in such a short time.

Debating Team - Building Confidence and Tasting Success

‘Acacia College has four teams entered with the local DAV (Debating Association of Victoria) competition.  Recently the team won three of the debates (one by forfeit) and came a close second in the fourth debate, losing by only one point.  The best thing about the evening was the maturity shown by the Acacia College students both in the way they debated and the way they discussed their efforts with each other and their opposition afterwards.  They also watched a demonstration debate by the DAV adjudicators and responded very well in the discussion that followed.  Overall, the evening was a fabulous learning experience for our students and they responded so well.

The students who debated were: Briannah M, Breanna H, Micaela, Jack, Spencer and Tara of Year 7 and Andrew, Thomas, Lachie, Alex T, Alex S and Wyatt of Year 8.  

Ashton (Year 8) helped the Year 7 teams prepare their speeches and came along to support them.  Henry and Kyle (Year 7) also came along to learn from watching the others.

Well done to our inaugural Debating team!

Indonesian Independence Day Celebration Excursion - Elysha, Year 7A

On 17 August, 13 specially chosen students from Middle School participated in the celebrations of Indonesian Independence Day at the Indonesian Consulate. Republic Indonesia gained its independence in 1945 and it turned 66 this year.

First was the flag raising ceremony accompanied by the Indonesian National Anthem. Then we went inside and watched a performance of Indonesian Gamelan music (traditional music instruments made of bronze) and an Indonesian dance performed by six girls while we ate Indonesian cakes.

I thought the day was very interesting and fun.

Book Week Production in Junior School

On Thursday 25 August, Junior School students were entertained by a visiting production.  The two person show lived up to its name and was “Totally Amazing!”.  Students and teachers were involved in clapping along and waving their arms around and found it hard to resist the contagious beat of the songs.  Some of our students volunteered to be part of the family featured in one of the stories, and we took a “family photo” of them.  We think Liam was happy to shed the moustache when his time was up!  The only complaint that were heard about the show was that not everyone got to be involved!

House Cross Country - Fun In The Sun