SIGs were planned last year to bring together students and teachers with similar interests to talk about college life and learning, provide support when needed - and have fun in things they are passionate about. Over 200 students enrolled in SIGs such as Outdoor Adventures, Cafe Culture, Games & Gaming and EMAPP.
Hannah Papworth, a student in the Outdoor Adventures SIG describes one of their first outings:
On the 15th of March 2007 a small yet enthusiastic group from the outdoors special interest group set off on their first activity for the year. A surf and overnight camp at Vin's property on Clifton beach. The group left at 2.45 pronto on Thursday afternoon, reaching Clifton at about twenty past three. Vin showed everyone around his 'beautiful' bush property.
Tents were then set up and a nice hot fire in a tin drum stoked. It started to rain lightly and Vin exclaimed "raincoats or wetsuits” the answer was unanimous “WETSUITS”. We hit the water at around five o'clock and. Conditions were on shore and messy. However the surf was big and powerful and proved to be heaps of fun. There was even a pro Cult surfer among the crowd who had taken to the bank.
It was a nice spontaneous way to break up the school week and when we arrived back at school on Friday morning everyone was pumped and ready for the day ahead. We hope to have more along on our next adventure! The main aim of the outdoors special interest group is to expand horizons, spend time with fellow students and make 2007 as memorable a year as possible and work out where we are heading in the future.
Teacher Donna Brown has been challenging her Environment Group (and their parents!) with passionate objects and energy audits of their homes. Donna is sharing news with the parents of her group through a newsletter - and has received very positive feedback.
“I wanted to pursue the notion of passion. I asked the students to bring an object in that represented something that they were passionate about and to share it with the group. By holding it in our hands and expressing our feelings, we build the connection of heart and hand.”
Donna describes how they drew pictures of their passion. “Silly pictures really, but very meaningful.” She then invited parents at Parent/Teacher Evening to share what they were doing in their lives that they felt passionate about - and what passions they believed their sons and daughters had... a great conversation!
The Games & Gaming SIG play and talk about games over raison toast every fortnight. They have had a visit from a Melbourne games programmer who gave insights into the games industry in Australia and around the world. You can read about all this on their online journal.
The EMMAP SIG have also been very busy - sailing, exercising... and talking about the Great Pyramid - organised by teachers Dawn, Heather, Janet and Richard. Why the Great Pyramid? To challenge each person's assumptions about what they think they know. As students gain knowledge through their years of life and education it is also important for them to question their often taken-for-granted worldviews. A presentation on the Great Pyramid aimed to do just that.
These are just a few examples of what is happening in SIGs - more later 
