STEM Archives - Ģ��Ƶ

Lejla Makas – Class of 2006

Bronte Stead — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 01:47:25 +0000

I started at Ģ��Ƶ in Year 7 in 2001 and graduated in Year 12 in 2006 and have such fond memories of my time there. I was fortunate to be part of a year level full of kind and supportive girls. While we all had our own friendship groups, there was a lovely sense of unity across the year — everyone got along and looked out for one another.

I genuinely enjoyed school and learning. Two teachers who really stood out to me were Ms Tolan, who taught Chemistry, and Mrs Curran, who taught Maths Methods. Their passion for their subjects was inspiring, and their influence, definitely helped shape the path I chose after school.

When I finished Year 12, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. I’d been working part-time at an accounting firm during school and thought Commerce might be the right direction. After a year at university, I realised it wasn’t for me. I thought back to the subjects I’d loved at Ģ��Ƶ — Chemistry and Maths — and decided to change universities and enrol in a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, which I completed in 2011.

Going from an all-girls school into a male-dominated engineering degree was a big change, but it helped me grow in confidence and taught me how to challenge stereotypes early in my career.

I started out as a Graduate Process Engineer in consultancy, designing and improving water treatment plants, refineries, and other industrial operations. Later, I moved into site-based work with a petrochemical company and became one of the first female operators in that role. That experience was incredibly empowering and reminded me that you can achieve anything with the right mindset.

Since then, I’ve held a range of roles — from running fuel terminal operations to working in the Safety space. I now lead a national team focused on Personal Safety, Process Safety, Environment, Learning & Development, and Emergency Management within the downstream petroleum sector — the space between the refinery and the service stations we all visit to fuel our cars.

Among everything I’ve done, my proudest achievement is being a wife and a mum to two amazing children, now aged 7 and 4, who continue to inspire me every day.

If I could give my younger self — or any young woman reading this — one piece of advice, it would be: back yourself and give things a go. The worst that can happen is you discover something’s not quite right for you, and you pivot. That’s okay! Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you, and who’ll lift you up when you need it. And don’t be afraid of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Maths). These careers offer incredible opportunities and give you skills that can take you just about anywhere.

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Student Achievements

Bronte Stead — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:00:26 +0000

Jorja B, Lilly F and Matilda W of Year 8 dedicated their time and efforts to creating a video game to compete in the Australian STEM Video Game Challenge. They needed to embed��the theme “Journey” and design all the sprites, tiles and backgrounds as well as the music. Team was essential, taking responsibility, meeting deadlines,��and communication were key to finishing. The group made it through to the second round and received excellent��feedback to support their growth and development. Coding the game was shared by all,��and they unlocked some very cool ways to achieve the effects they wanted.

Here is a link to their game !

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“It has been a great experience, and from it, we have all gotten closer to each other, even though there were hard moments. This game taught us so many skills on how to code and how to solve the issues. I am so grateful that we were given this opportunity.” – Lilly

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“This experience was amazing but also stressful. I had a great time working��with Lilly and Matilda to create this wonderful game. I learnt how to go into depths of coding and detailing everything that happened. We had lots of issues but were able to solve them.”��– Jorja

Rachael Congues
Teacher

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Science Week 2025 Highlights

Bronte Stead — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 01:41:29 +0000

On August 11��to 15,��Ģ��Ƶ celebrated National Science Week with a range of different activities. Some highlights included a visit from the Grade 3 and 4 students from Holy Spirit who participated in some science week activities.

Year 10 students had a GEMs in STEM presentation where they heard from a range of guest speakers working as Engineers in the region. Key messages such as “love what you do”, “have fun”, “the water industry is a vocation”, and “the climate crisis needs your help”��resonated deeply with the students, leaving them inspired and informed.

The winner of the photo competition was Meredyth W with her photo Mushrooms.

Mushroom:

Mushrooms are important for ecosystems as they are key decomposers. They break down organic matter like dead plants and dead animals and then recycle nutrients back into the soil. Without mushrooms, many ecosystems would collapse due to waste overflow and lack of nutrients.

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Where Can Science Take You?

Bronte Stead — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 04:07:19 +0000

Where Science Can Take You – Ģ��Ƶ Alumni in Focus

This National Science Week, we’re celebrating four incredible Ģ��Ƶ alumni who are making their mark in the world of science.

From Ģ��Ƶ to Global Conservation – Meet Emma Day

Inspiring change from local roots to international waters!

As part of National Science Week, we’re proud to celebrate Emma Day (Class of 2009), whose career has taken her from the classrooms of Ģ��Ƶ to global climate and conservation leadership.

After studying biology at ANU and completing a Masters at Oxford, Emma’s journey led her through international NGOs and government, from marine plastic pollution to whale conservation.

Today, as Assistant Director at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Emma represents Australia in the International Whaling Commission, championing the global protection of marine species.

Her passion for science was sparked right here, especially through Ģ��Ƶ’s Sustainability Committee, where she first saw the power of local action.

Emma says “Don’t underestimate yourself and reach for opportunities outside your comfort zone,”

Let’s celebrate Emma and all the changemakers using science to build a better world.

Seeing Science Differently – Meet Madeline Baker

From Ģ��Ƶ classrooms to cutting-edge vision science, Madeline Baker (Class of 2015) is using her passion for health and biology to create real-world impact.

Madeline is currently undertaking a PhD exploring the link between eating disorders and ocular health, while also working in policy, advocacy, and teaching at Deakin University. She’s previously worked as a Research Fellow, Lecturer, and Optometrist in the public health sector.

Her scientific journey was sparked at Ģ��Ƶ, where Psychology, Biology, and Health inspired her future studies, and Further Maths laid the groundwork for her love of statistics.

A natural leader from her school days as Liturgy Leader and World Youth Day delegate, Madeline continues to lead in both the lab and the classroom.

And when she’s not researching or teaching, you’ll find her out exploring nature with her dog Maple!

Madeline shows us that science can take many forms and with curiosity, compassion, and courage, it can change lives.

Fighting Cancer with Science – Meet Maria Deronjic

From chemistry class at Ģ��Ƶ to the frontlines of breast cancer research, Maria Deronjic (Class of 2018) is using science to make a difference.

Maria is currently completing a Master’s degree focused on how manipulating metabolism could slow the progression of breast cancer. She’s deep in thesis writing (40,000 words!) and already turning heads, her recent research presentation was awarded the highest score out of 100 entries, competing against seasoned doctors and professors.

Her journey began with a spark for science in Chemistry and Biology classes at Ģ��Ƶ, inspired by teachers like Miss Tolan and Ms. Driessen.

Maria says: “I was captivated by science from a young age, it was clear my future would be in this field.”

Maria plans to continue her research, explore the world, and one day pursue a PhD. Her story is a powerful reminder that young scientists from all walks of life can lead the way in solving the world’s challenges.

Let’s cheer her on this National Science Week!

Powering Progress – Meet Lejla Makas

From Ģ��Ƶ to leading safety and environmental operations in Australia’s fuel industry, Lejla Makas (Class of 2006) proves that STEM can take you anywhere.

After starting a Commerce degree, Lejla realised her true passion lay in Chemistry and Maths -inspired by Ģ��Ƶ teachers like Ms Tolan and Mrs Curran. She pivoted into a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and never looked back.

Lejla’s trailblazing journey includes being one of the first female site operators in a petrochemical company and now leading a national team in Safety, Environment, Learning, and Emergency Management in the petroleum sector.

Lejla says: “Back yourself and give things a go. Don’t be afraid of STEM. These careers offer incredible opportunities and skills that can take you anywhere.”

This Science Week, we’re proud to highlight alumni like Lejla, whose determination and curiosity are fuelling change.

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Maria Deronjic – Class of 2018

Bronte Stead — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 01:05:11 +0000

I graduated from Ģ��Ƶ in 2018, and looking back, some of my fondest memories are the lifelong friendships I formed, many of which remain strong to this day. Of course, our year group’s banter with teachers also stands out. My favourite classes were always Chemistry and Biology. From a young age, I was captivated by science, and it was clear to me that my future would be in this field.

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A special shout-out to Miss Tolan, who was hands-down the best Chemistry teacher I could have asked for. The science methods I learned from her continue to guide me in my studies. Ms. Driessen also left an incredible impression with her knowledge of Biology. I am incredibly grateful for teachers like Doc Nolan, Mrs Cromer, Mr Madden, Mrs Rush and Mr. Brownen,��who continually challenged me to push the boundaries of my knowledge.

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After graduating from Ģ��Ƶ, I pursued a Bachelor of Science with a major in Human Biology. Following that, I took some time to travel and work before returning to academia for my master’s, which I’m currently working on. My research focuses on breast cancer, specifically investigating how manipulating metabolism could slow the progression of the disease. I’m in the process of writing my thesis, which will be approximately 40,000 words!

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In the future, I hope to secure a position in a lab, take a well-deserved break, and do some more traveling. Eventually, I plan to return to my studies and complete my PhD. Recently, I was honoured to receive an award at a research showcase, where my presentation earned the highest score among 100 submissions, even competing against doctors and professors with over 10 years of experience in the field.

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From the Principal

Bronte Stead — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 23:47:20 +0000

We are almost in the middle of this short Term 3 and all the staff and students are busy in not only their academics, but in the many and varied ways in which schools operate.�� So, let me take you through some of them.

In my last newsletter entry, I spoke of the Ģ��Ƶ Showcase that was on July 30 and what promise it held.�� Well, it was a wonderful night.�� There was a very strong support from a warm audience of around 150 people who were delighted with performances that ranged from ‘The Mean Girls’ to ‘Les Miserables’.�� Congratulations to all the girls who performed and took the opportunity to shine.�� I would also like to note the efforts of the Student Leaders, Ella P assisted by Lily M, ��who not only spearheaded the evening but instigated it.�� Again, I acknowledge the selfless efforts of our Performing Arts staff: Natalie Ferrarese and Marcia Howard for their support of the students. Hopefully, it won’t be the last time. Read more about this here.

This week is Science Week.�� The Science teaching team have put together a program of terrific activities to highlight the profound importance of Science in our world and our lives.�� I think we have all come to understand the way in which science is seeking to protect us and our world and keeping a highlight on the value of science and scientific thought, is wise for all of us.

Dr Judi Newman has been working with us as a school for two years in developing the staff understanding of how the brain works – especially the teenage brain.�� Some of our staff have undergone further work with Dr Newman and this has led to our designation as a ‘Brainwise School’.�� Congratulations to everyone involved.�� Did you know that there is no such thing as multi-tasking?�� In reality, the belief that we can do two things as once is a myth.�� The human brain simply is not wired for this. What we are actually doing is switching between tasks rapidly – and this leads to reduced efficiency and accuracy.�� So, if your young person is reading they can’t be listening.�� If your young person is writing, they can’t be watching Netflix.�� To do well, they need to focus their brain on one task at a time.

All subject selections for 2026 have finished.�� Later this week I will be sending you the list of subjects that are running in 2026.�� For some students, this will mean that their reserve preferences have been brought into their programs.�� It is important to note that we are running a broad range of subjects on sometimes very small numbers but there are times when there are simply not enough students to make a subject viable.�� It is also true that some students might find they have a subject clash when the timetable is being developed.�� In that instance, the reserve is also brought into play. Where a subject does not run because the numbers are critically low, students can consider Virtual School Victoria as an alternative.�� More information will follow.�� In addition, I would like to thank Sarah Clark (Applied Learning Leader) and Maggie Smith (VET Leader) for their incredible work in interviewing all the students wanting to enter PreVOC in 2026.�� This vibrant and inclusive course suits students for whom mainstream and academic subjects are not meeting their learning needs and dispositions.�� They have brought to the process their energy, their expertise and their belief in this program for some of our young people.��

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the staff members who got together for the latest Community Cook up, lead ably by Eileen McKenzie and Indy Mintram-Porter.�� The staff and students filled the freezer with nutritious and delicious food to support our local families and staff who are experiencing difficulty.�� Thank you for your efforts in this area.�� We are grateful that these young people give their time and effort for members of their community, exhibiting kindness and citizenship. You can read more about this here.

This will be my last newsletter as Acting Principal.�� It has been a privilege to lead this community for the last eight weeks.�� Thank you to the staff who have carried on being fabulous despite a different leader in the chair.�� I would like to acknowledge Peter Houlahan who continues to be a great support.��

Take care.

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3D Design visit to Geelong Tech

Bronte Stead — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 04:26:13 +0000

Last Thursday, two classes of Year 9 students attended a small session at the Geelong Tech School to try out 3D design using their “CAD it” session. Students used an industry CAD program called “OnShape” to design their own container and lid of a shape and size of their choosing.

Some reviews for students and staff are:

I made the lid of my cupcake and I printed it out, I also got a yummy Coke and mini M&Ms. Avah L

So, this is the school where the magic happens. I’m just helping girls to create sketches and to refine them, so that they can create a finished product. Iteration is really the key to success here, improving things as they go so that they get better and better. Mr Vanderstoep

It’s been fantastic today to see the girl’s sketches come to life as 3D printouts. Mrs Rixon

I did a few prototypes and worked on the way I wanted my container and lid to look. Georgia A

I feel so smart doing this. Georgia F

This is so great, and fun. I’m learning so much. Alyssa P

It’s totally so fun. Steph W

It was a fun day. Sadie C

A huge thankyou to Lachie and Jen from Geelong Tech School for teaching our students valuable creative skills and to the wider tech school staff for helping facilitate a wonderful excursion.

Billy Binedell
Laboratory Technician Science and Technology

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Assistive Tech Team Challenge

Bronte Stead — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 23:47:13 +0000

Assistive Tech Team Challenge 15-16 October

What would you invent to make life better for a person living with disability?

Ģ��Ƶ entered a Year 9 the first ever Assistive Tech Team Challenge run by Geelong Tech School in partnership with Barwon Health. The team members were: Sophie N, Alistair F, Phoebe N, Charlie G & Hannah G. Eight other teams entered from a number of Geelong schools.

The 40 students who gathered for the two-day workshop were challenged to design Assistive Tech devices or equipment to help people with disability in everyday life. They worked within a Design Thinking process to develop and realise their ideas: Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test.

Diana, an occupational therapist who works with Motor Neurone Disease patients helped students to understand the needs of people with disability. She brought in examples of good and bad tech for helping users with tasks such as dressing, showering, eating, mobility and getting in and out of a car.

Students then defined the task and ideated with a “100 ideas” protocol before developing concept sketches. The bulk of the time was spent in making prototypes to communicate ideas.�� Team Ģ��Ƶ designed flotation devices to help disabled people to swim.�� One prototype strapped around the legs, for users with lower body paralysis. The other one supported the head for users with arm problems.

Other inventions from students included a Swiss Army style tool for doing up buttons and zips, an exoskeleton to assist arm movement, low-cost customised cutlery and a GPS wheelchair.�� Prototypes were then tested through discussions with GTS staff and finally presented to staff and industry experts for feedback.

“I really liked the creative aspect of it. Being able to make our ideas a reality was an awesome experience.” Alistair

“Brainstorming ideas was good; I liked to hear what everyone was thinking.” Hannah

“I enjoyed sharing ideas and then putting them into action.” Charlie

“I like how it gave us a chance to explore different lives and create stuff. We got to think and not get told what the solutions are.” Phoebe

“I enjoyed making our prototype and going to Maccas after.” Sophie

“It was learning and building at the same time. Kids were very proactive and engaging. Go Ģ��Ƶ Tech Team!” Helia

“The students made a great team to create some innovative designs.” Billy

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Year 8 DigiSTEM Excursion

Bronte Stead — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 02:34:31 +0000

Year 8 DigiSTEM classes 8R, 8W and 8Y recently visited the Geelong Tech School for a day of creating with technology.

Students could choose from four Tech Taster electives:

Game Design –��be introduced to Unreal Engine and create an obstacle course themed playable prototype level from provided assets.
Real Life Animated – create and animate a 3D character, plugging in your own motion data.
Laser Make – design and prototype a small name tag and cardboard scene using Adobe Illustrator and a laser cutter.
Street Art X –��take a short walk to visit some Geelong street art then design a projectable artwork of your own.

Everyone got involved and had a great time in their chosen space. You can find below a video of a game design created by Paige B.

Great work girls!

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The Oak Centre Update

Bronte Stead — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 23:29:04 +0000

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STEM Archives - Ģ����Ƶ