Half Way Point Reached

As the final hours of Term 2 approached, the light at the end of the VCE tunnel was breaking through. The ultimate goal of this long journey was to walk through, a free man. However, the exit is still at a distance… it is a long way away.

Just like last week, this week was a week of free spirits. Our goal of doing a minimal amount of work was achieved. Some have criticised as it was supposedly “detrimental” to our VCE, but no consideration was attributed to them. Instead, many talked, slept, daydreamed during class-time and utilised the library periods with the intellectually stimulating ‘Age Super Quizzes’.

Monday morning was celebrated with a double period of specialist. Usually it is a jam packed lesson where we learn about differentials of integrals which had been double differentiated, along with some algebra with twenty variables and the sorts. However, this time we had been graced with a self-study double lesson. We rejoiced. That was until we realised there was a weapon of mass depression ahead of us – the Specialist SAC. An immediate “ceebs” spread into the surrounding atmosphere – but life went on.

Owing to the school’s gracious placement of the SAC, our first three days of this week cantered around it. It seemed every single period was a specialist class – with one exception – English. Everywhere, you could see a Specialist book. People were scrambling to the computers to print off as much material as humanely possible. As the days drew closer, panic set in.

Our initial fear had turned to despair on the day of the SAC. All throughout last week and early this week, we were desperately working on time machines to evade this SAC. Now that doomsday was upon us, we had no choice but face the two hour agony. After the SAC, I had received a formal complaint from an eager student by the name of Muqi, who found that my vigorous erasing of the entire paper (since I had made so many frequent mistakes) had disturbed him immensely. It seems that the table – unable to withstand the pressure, shook violently – causing ideas to be shaken out of his head – thus he was unable to complete the SAC to his satisfaction. I send my apologies to those affected.

Chemistry was another subject which brought about some debate. This time it was about a shopping centre. Wondering what a shopping centre is doing in chemistry? Well, we were treated to an educational video from the early 90s (now deemed prehistoric). In that video – the word “equilibrium” was the star – with a whopping 40+ mentions throughout the 25 minute clip. Adding to the drama was the filming location for one of the scenes. Some suggested it was at Box Hill Shopping Centre, while others were adamant that it was Victoria Gardens. Subsequently, when the credits rolled past, all eyes were glued to the screen to see which group would be victorious. It was indeed Victoria Gardens. Immediate scorn flew from one corner to the other – and insults soon followed.

In the midst of all this, two good friends turned bitter (not really) over a simple drawing. While Muqi was entertaining himself in a gruelling game of poker, Luka took it to be the perfect opportunity to draw a profane image on the cover of Muqi’s diary in permanent marker. A violent reaction took place. A punch flew from across the room. And the war began. For over two and a half periods, Muqi was seeking the best time for his revenge. His plan was to secretly snatch Luka’s diary and then replace the covers – leaving his own diary daisy fresh again. All attempts failed. In the end, he abandoned his flawed plan and stood down – admitting defeat.

That ends the treacherous Term 2 which had provided us with highs and lows – high with work and low with marks.

Quotes of the Week

Ms Carroll: I am giving you more value for your buck

Ms Carroll: Thien, get over the fact that it is a black and white film

Ms Carroll: It seems that your first SAC next term is going to be the creating and presenting. What does your calendar say?
Muqi: August 25^th is our Reading and Responding SAC
Ms Carroll: Ah, the teachers’ calendar is different
Tej: Mr. Marotus *sarcastic, dismissive manner*
Ms Carroll: I’ll find out for you and tell you soon
Muqi: But, we need to know now
Ms Carroll: Muqi, I need to know! We both need to know!

Ms Carroll: Who’s away? Luka? I bet he is
Class: Yup, he has swine flu. He can have swine flu whenever he wants
Class: Muqtasid is away too
Ms Carroll: Ah, Muqtasid.
*pause*
Ms Carroll: What a baby!

Muqi: I heard, that, you said something about me yesterday
Ms Carroll: Absolute lies
Fanshou: It’s not good to lie miss.

Ms Carroll: What was the second thing I was going to say
Muqi: Luka, what a baby.  *since Luka was not in class*

Ms Carroll: I know you have a lot of homework from other subjects
Krishna/Tej: Nah, just English, just English
Ms Carroll: *smiles* If I could let you do more math, then I would, but there is just too much to get through