A Taste of Japan in the City

On Thursday 20 August, the Year 9/10 Japanese Specialism class and members of the Japanese Club didn’t quite make it all the way to Japan—but they still managed to experience a taste of Japanese culture right here in Melbourne!

As part of their city excursion, students visited a range of Japanese businesses, exploring Japanese food, culture and products along the way. From trying new foods and drinks to discovering unique Japanese stores, there was plenty to see, taste and enjoy.

Here’s what some of our students had to say about the experience—with a little translation help for our non-Japanese speakers:

“The excursion was a fun experience. It was great to see the different stores and discover how many Japanese businesses there are so close together.”

“The excursion was sugoi (awesome)! We had lots of oishii (delicious) food and went to many cool stores. Dattebayo!”

“I finally got to try a Ramune with a glass marble in it. The cheesecake was straight five!”

“It was very fun because I went to lots of shops and had a good time in the city with my friends and teacher. It was my first Japanese excursion at this school, and it was the best.”

It may not have been Japan, but for our students, it was certainly a fun and memorable way to experience Japanese culture outside the classroom!

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Excursion: Days 3

As part of Day 3 of their industry immersion program, our Year 10 students spent the day at the Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) production site, getting a firsthand look at how one of the world’s most recognisable brands operates on a day-to-day basis.

Students were taken on a guided tour of the production facility, watching the bottling and packaging process in action and learning about the scale, precision and teamwork required to run a major manufacturing operation. From logistics and quality control to sustainability initiatives, students came away with a much deeper appreciation of what goes on behind the label.

The highlight for many students was the opportunity to take part in speed interviews with CCEP employees. In small groups, students rotated through short, sharp conversations with staff from a range of departments and career backgrounds — asking questions about career pathways, day-to-day responsibilities, and the skills and qualifications that helped get them where they are today. It was a fantastic, low-pressure way for students to practise their interview and communication skills while gaining real insight into the many different careers on offer within a large national company — well beyond just those on the factory floor.

A big thank you to the team at CCEP for hosting our students and giving up their time to share their experience and expertise.

Cracking the Chemical Code: Year 12 Chemistry Masterclass

Our Year 12 Chemistry students recently participated in a Masterclass in Analytical Spectroscopy at KIOSC. Students were able to apply their classroom knowledge of multiple spectroscopy techniques including infrared spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy in a practical investigation. Through careful analysis of the data obtained from each instrument, students were able to identify an unknown white powder to be caffeine. This practical exercise enhanced our student’s understanding and highlighted how this equipment can be used within chemical analysis.

H2GP Success in Gippsland

Congratulations are also in order for our two H2GP (Hydrogen Grand Prix) teams, who travelled to Gippsland to compete against schools from across the region.

H2GP challenges students to design, build and race their own hydrogen fuel cell-powered model cars, testing not only the speed and performance of their vehicle but also the engineering, teamwork and problem-solving that goes into building it. Both of our teams should be very proud of the hard work and preparation that went into getting their cars race-ready.

We’re especially proud to announce that our senior team finished in 3rd place overall — a fantastic result against strong competition from across Gippsland! Well done to all students involved for representing our school with such dedication and enthusiasm.

Year 11 Food Studies Go Behind the Scenes at Chin Chin

Last Tuesday, our Year 11 Food Studies students ventured into the city for an exciting behind-the-scenes experience at Chin Chin restaurant.

Beginning in the GoGo Bar, students met members of the leadership team and heard about their experiences at Chin Chin, including how the restaurant and its operations have evolved over the past 15 years. Students then headed upstairs to explore the busy back-of-house kitchen and function spaces, gaining valuable insight into the day-to-day workings of one of Melbourne’s best-known restaurants.

Head Chef Benjamin Cooper later joined the group for lunch, generously answering students’ questions as they enjoyed an incredible meal. Students had the opportunity to try new foods, learn directly from industry professionals and see many of the concepts studied in Food Studies brought to life in a real hospitality setting.

It was a fantastic excursion and a memorable learning experience for everyone involved.