QUEST

General News

What a busy few weeks for the QUEST faculty. Not only have students in all year groups completed formative and summative assessment tasks in class to check their academic level of achievement but we have also been busy engaging them in activities that test their collaboration, critical and creative thinking and communication skills.

Year 8 Hubs

Students in Year 8 were lucky enough to reengage with Sione Finefeuiaki as they gifted him with a very full ute load of community donations. Sione was moved by the generosity and looks forward to changing the lives of people in Tonga as his foundation continues its valuable work. This was in conclusion to students learning about the importance of global belonging and how liveability can be enhanced in communities by acting for one another. For many students, Sione’s life in Tonga contrasts so greatly to their own, making his talk a valuable experience. 

Year 8 also participated in a Hook Day for their upcoming colonisation unit. Students enjoyed: Aboriginal language with the amazing JAECG, Aboriginal games with the unstoppable Mrs Gavenlock and Mr Ollie, Aboriginal art with the talented Ms Crooks and Ms Purcell and Aboriginal culture with the knowledgeable Ms Blake. 

Year 10 

Year 10 had a wonderful Hook Day as they were faced with dystopian scenarios where they needed to collaborate with their peers to collect resources, complete quizzes, use technology and their geographical prowess to make judgements about their environment. This culminated in team points with 10.2 collecting bragging rights and ‘survival packs’ to continue their journey through the dystopian world. 

Year 11 and 12 Advanced English 

These students headed to Sydney to the Riverside Theatre to witness a performance of Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest.’ The performance was a unique experience for all involved, with many laughs and a greater insight of the text gained. Seeing the live performance will contribute to the HSC students’ understanding of the play and will prepare the incoming cohort for their analysis of the text. 

Year 12 English Studies 

have also had an eventful couple of weeks as they have had the pleasure of meeting some of our local heroes. The group planned and executed a successful fundraiser for the Mark Hughes Foundation, raising over $600 dollars to contribute to the fight against brain cancer. It was very humbling having Mark Hughes attend their lesson and talk about his own experience battling the disease.  Stephanie Earl, Secretary of the local AECG who has been making a difference in the lives of young Aboriginal people in our local community also came to talk to us about her significant contribution to the community and give us further insight into what makes a true hero. Cessnock local Jesse Roberts and fellow SES member Mick joined the group, outlining the responsibilities of volunteers within the SES and the physical and mental toll which is, according to the men, overshadowed by the absolute reward of knowing that you are helping a fellow community member. The class was also honoured to have current serving member of the Royal Australian Army, Mr Leslie Ruthenberg regale us with some of his deeds over the last 20 plus years he has been serving. There was no doubt in our minds that these people are heroes of our community. 

This class will also be leading the way in recognising the students and staff in the school who are currently doing the work of local heroes in our school community through a fortnightly award on assembly. Students have chosen to recognise kindness, positivity, bravery, exceeding expectations and offering a helping hand. 

Literature Circle

 The newly established Literature Circle group was joined by some students from 8 Blue to attend Shake and Stir Theatre Company’s production of George Orwell’s classic novel ‘Animal Farm’ at the Civic Theatre. The performance was an amazing, thought provoking adaptation of the novel, and an absolute credit to the Shake and Stir Theatre Company who had us all glued to our seats. It was an experience students and staff alike will not soon forget. This will also form the stimulus for the 7-9 Literature Circle’s own adaptations of poetry as they engage with the transformative process of staging the written word. A special thanks to Mrs Edwards and the P&C for helping to fund the outing for the participating students.