Beaconhills College

Star ice hockey player Emma Steele has shot a goal for Australia as her team took gold in the IIHF World Championships in Spain.

Emma, who is in Year 12 at Beaconhills’ Pakenham Campus, was thrilled to make selection for the Under 18 Australian team late last year. This is now the icing on the cake.

The team beat Spain 3-1, Mexico 5-0 and Romania in the final 10-0.

Get ready for some fabulous food and a fresh new look for the Beaconhills College canteens in 2017.

The canteens will now be run by in-house staff and have modern new décor, with fresh, seasonal menus.

Just some of the tasty dishes will include sweet potato, chickpea, tofu and spinach curry, ‘Pad Thai Pak’ with rice noodles, tofu, beanshoots, seasonal vegies and secret Asian sauce, healthy wraps, salads and pastas. Daily lunch specials come under names like ‘Baking Tuesday’, ‘Woking Wednesday’ and ‘Roasting Thursday’.

Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan and Halal certified options are available and canteens will be completely nut free.

The new-look canteens are part of an overhaul of the College’s Food Services, under the guidance of new Food Services Manager Marcus Pelham (pictured), who hails from the food and hospitality industry.

Mr Pelham and his team are working to deliver healthy, nutritious and sustainable food to the College’s canteens, boardrooms, events and outdoor education across both campuses.

Mr Pelham said Beaconhills Food Services would also use local food suppliers, sustainable-harvest seafood, along with seasonal produce from the College’s vegetable gardens.
Coffee lovers will enjoy the new Expobar Ruggero Espresso machines serving up local roasted Zest Specialty Coffee, along with mocha, chai and tea.

Year 10 Beaconhills College student Phoebe Hird is heading to Space Camp in February at the US Space and Rocket Center in Alabama, USA.

The excited Berwick Campus student was one of a select group of children of Honeywell employees selected to attend the global program.

The week-long ‘Advanced Space Academy’ gives participants an ‘immersive experience in science, technology, engineering and maths’. Phoebe will get to participate in simulated astronaut training, including a realistic shuttle mission and the chance to experience what it’s like to walk on the moon and tumble in a space capsule.

A delighted Phoebe said she had to submit an application for the program, including her school records and leadership positions (she was 2016 Year 9 Captain). While she isn’t planning a space career, she hopes to eventually study science, possibly marine biology.

Former Beaconhills College student Amy Hatherall has embarked on her 4000km charity bike ride from Melbourne to Cairns to raise money for cancer research.

The Steer North 45-day event is believed to be the longest charity bike ride in the southern hemisphere. Ms Hatherall is the organisation’s Community Engagement Chairperson and one of 40 riders taking part.

Ms Hatherall (Class of 2012) told us early in 2016 that she was taking part in the event because her family had been deeply affected by cancer.

“I’ve lost many relatives as well as Scott McConchie (former Beaconhills teacher),” she said. “I am longing for a cure and by doing this ride it gives me hope – and hope to my family.”

Ms Hatherall is currently studying Applied Public Health at Australian Catholic University and hopes to work in cancer clinics.

She had initially aimed to raise $5000 but is already well on her way to reaching her new goal of $8000.  More details at Steer North

Amy Hatherall. Photo courtesy ACU

A poem called The Looking Glass by Year 10 student Georgia Fillingham made it to the finals of the Fresh Words Writers’ Competition held in late November at the Cranbourne Community Theatre.

Class of 2016 College Dux Rachel (Wen Lei) Chen also impressed the judges in the ‘English as a second language’ category with her written piece titled Cookie’s Fault. Zachary Vogrig, Berwick Campus’ Captain this year, did a fine job as MC on the evening.