The Bark Term 1 2024 Issue 54

Prep News:

The Preps have had a fantastic start to their first year of school. This term, they have been exploring different local playgrounds on a Friday afternoon. They use their experience of these playgrounds to create maps and compare the different places.

1/2 Titanic

This term all of the Grade 1/ 2 classes have been swept away in the grandeur, drama and tragedy of the history of the Titanic. Following on from a chance comment by one of the students (thanks, Archie N!), we became aware of the exhibition at the Melbourne Museum and steered the course of Humanities to sail full steam ahead towards this topic.

Learning about Morse code, how ships float, foods served on the doomed ship and some focus stories about survivors really engaged the students.

A highlight was heading into the city to go to the exhibition. Students were all given a boarding pass with the name of a Titanic passenger and, as they headed through the exhibition, they eventually found out the fate of their passenger. There was an iceberg that captivated the kids - feeling how freezing the ice was and imagining how cold the water would have been brought many a shiver to the students.

We also went to the IMAX cinema to watch a film about icebergs and the Arctic, NOT Titanic the movie as some optimistic kids thought. In there the teachers had the delightful view of watching kids with their 3D glasses try to reach out to touch the fluffy baby seals, and 'ooh' and 'aah' at the wolves and Arctic foxes.

Back in the classroom we are currently building a diorama about the Titanic, and the curiosity of the students is still piqued. I remember as a child going to school in London we had Eva Hart, a Titanic survivor, come and speak to me when I was seven, and I was similarly fascinated. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable exploration to begin the year for 1 /2 Humanities.

Katy Penman

5/6W Fast Fashion

On Thursday 28th, 5/6W headed into Melbourne to deep dive into sustainable fashion and see what a responsible company looks like in an age of fast fashion and 5 minute trends!

We started our journey in the CBD Patagonia, a global outdoor gear company. Andy from Patagonia gave us an incredible presentation looking at Patagonia’s activist heart, their dedication to the planet through responsibly sourced materials, and their business model which states that, as of now, “Patagonia’s only stakeholder is Planet Earth”. The students had a chance to watch a few incredible videos, pass around products that were made sustainably and learn about the light and the dark side of fast fashion in the outdoor gear world. The presentation really made a huge impact on the students and, as we drove out of the city, we heard more than one student declare their wish to work at Patagonia one day!

Next stop was Northcote where we visited Captain Robbo, a small boutique store where Katy, the owner, makes all clothes in store, using a printer out back as well as all her own dyes. She makes small batches and uses off cuts to make other bits and pieces. She was a great example of a small, local shop, with a responsible business model.

Next, we zoomed off to HoMie in Fitzroy, a super cool retail store selling hoodies, shirts and posters, all in vibrant colours with bold block designs. HoMie is an organisation that seeks to break the cycle of homelessness by giving those experiencing challenging circumstances the opportunity to enroll in a pathway program that pays them to study business and get retail experience. HoMie’s program aims to empower individuals and support them to make positive changes in their lives. The HoMie crew were super inspiring, so much so that the students are planning on presenting HoMie to the rest of the school as a possible place that some of our fete money could go to in the future.

But back to the students, who were riding high on the good vibes of sustainability! With bellies full of rolls and apples, it was time to hit the op shop on Smith St, choosing one item of clothing for our upcoming fashion show. Our budget was between $1-10 per student, and the brief was to find just one single item to complete an outfit. We had a ball looking for sequined dresses, cool sneakers and hip second hand t-shirts. We found some bargains, made some hard calls (no Nath, you can’t have the handbag as well!) and left feeling like we all had a clearer vision of our upcoming catwalk outfit!

As a final treat, we went for dinner at Afghan Gallery where Homeria, the manager, put on a delicious feast of chicken, lamb, spinach, okra and spicy potatoes for us. Almost everything was devoured, except a few plates of okra, which perhaps proved too texturally challenging for some! But all in all we feasted joyfully and then meandered back down Brunswick st to Fitzroy Community School where we spent the night. With trams roaring past, cars tooting, motorbikes shattering the silence and old pipes rattling away in the old terrace house, we found it difficult to sleep. I don’t think I was the only one who realised how quiet and tranquil the Macedon Ranges are!

On Friday morning we woke up bright and early and headed to Edinburgh Gardens for a game of basketball and soccer against the Fitzroy biggies. The nerves were rippling through the Candlebark kids but once they started playing, the adrenaline kicked in and they played HARD and played BRILLIANTLY. The soccer team were relentless in their pursuit for victory and ended up with a 4-3 win! Hooray! The basketballers took a while to find their feet but when they did, they started scoring like there was no tomorrow. The competition was tough and just as the tide started turning and CB started catching up on the scoreboard, the timer went and the Fitzroy kids took the win by 3 goals. But a few Candlebark kids who’d never played were heard saying they might just join a basketball team in the near future!

Finally, we took our sweaty selves to the playground, munched on some snacks and boarded the bus, back to school.

We were tired, expired and inspired. What a camp! What a future we might have when these kids take the steering wheel and steer us towards a more sustainable fashion industry.

Nat Banks

Year 7 City Camp

The last day of February was hopefully the last total fire ban day of the year. Undaunted, the year sevens went on a condensed city camp. What would usually take two or three nights, we completed in one.

We travelled light. So light, one student didn’t even bring a bag! Trains were swapped for coaches and two Sudoku’s later, we arrived in a very warm Melbourne.

First stop was the Melbourne Triennial art exhibition at the NGV. Some very large, strange, tactile and multi-medic exhibits were juxtaposed amongst the traditional works. A tour guide pointed out what wasn’t clear and obvious, but made a terrible faux pas by declaring air to be an element!?

Already hungry, we headed to Gopal’s Hare Krishna restaurant in Swanston St. Epic portions were left undefeated but satiated students solemnly filed into Mindgames next door. Never had so many board games been sighted in one spot. Minatour Books had their own impressive collection of popular crossover culture and one student purchased (with the financial assistance from other students), a Risk ‘Lord of the Rings’ board game. We couldn’t visit Melbourne without investigating one of its hidden (underground) treasures, City Basement Books. Many purchases were made, including two books on Shakespeare. More on that later.

Weary legs necessitated a tram ride to our accommodation, the Space Hotel, which is a hostel really, with very hot rooms. The air conditioners were not working and it took an hour of shenanigans to rectify. So no one minded venturing out into the heat and off for an early dinner at the Queen Victoria night markets - effectively one very large BBQ. Students were given money and had a quest to obtain themselves a healthy dinner. Most did, and some even managed dessert.

Back across town at the Botanic Gardens, performers were busy putting on makeup and costumes and setting up the stage for a performance of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. We were going to join them, so back on the tram we go.

A more idyllic setting could not be imagined. It was warm with dramatic sunset clouds, fruit bats and soft grass. The performance was stunning. Large portions of the dialogue was set to music and sang in the style of 1990s pop songs. Imagine ten actors on stage, singing, dancing and playing electric guitars. Perfect is an overused term, but the show was hard to fault. Speaking with some of the actors afterwards, it turns out they only rehearsed for three weeks! Whilst also performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream! Extraordinary.

We had a pretty early start the next day after breakfasting on crumpets and honey. The Melbourne Museum is just round the corner and we had a 9.30 booking to see the Titanic exhibition. This was another terrific show. We spent a long time in there and many of us consumed the plethora of written information. The stories were all very personal and sad, with actual artefacts and recreated staircases and hallways. The musicians got a very raw deal.

With time to spare, and bottomless stomachs to fill, we headed over to South Melbourne. The market was unfortunately closed on a Thursday but Melbourne’s best op shop wasn’t. Hebrew card games, Doc Martin boots, Whimpy Kid books and Fly-eye sunglasses later, we gathered our lunch from the supermarket and ate stale sushi behind the market.

Before we knew it, time was against us and a quick tram ride back to the city was required. There was a wait for our coach which included meeting an ex Candlebark student on his way home from uni. A stern speech from the coach driver to the kids about expected behaviour on his new coach (it was his first day and a brand new bus) was unrequired as they were a lovely, respectful and generous bunch.

Thanks everyone for a great trip.

Shaun Dennis

Lancefield Pool

Our first day of the school year started off at the Lancefield Pool. Despite the cool breeze, nearly every child went for a swim. As always, the pool day ended with greatly anticipated ice-cream!

Sarah Lewis

Cricket and T-Ball

At the end of February, Candlebark sent two cracking teams to the local primary schools sports event at the Romsey sportsground.

It was an epic day with both teams having four matches. The T-Ballers finished equal second after three wins but equal second with two other teams. On countback they were awarded 3rd, which was still a great effort on their part.

The cricketers also had a great day, winning all four of their games. But only just. They were behind in the final game up until the last two overs when our last batting pair managing to pip St Ambrose by 10 runs.

Both teams were very supportive with many of our students playing a tournament for the first time. They played with terrific spirit and fairness and we’re very proud of them.

Next round? Watch this space…

Shaun Dennis

Water Tank

Late 2023, the Preps and Year 7s led a wonderful morning meeting on a beautiful warm day to unveil their spectacular co-produced paintings of birds on the water tank. The Preps sketched various local birds which the Year 7's enlarged, copied and painted onto the water tank to create a spectacular mural.

Geri Coughlin - Librarian

Library News

Early 2024, on a hot day, the Preps heard the story of Alexander’s outing. A little duck, not listening to his mother, falls down a hole. A little boy eventually finds a way for Alexander to be brought back to his family.

Year 7 Feathertop Hike Photos