Year 10 WWI Living History Incursion – Week 7 Reflection

In Week 7, our Year 10 History students participated in a highly engaging Living History incursion focused on World War I and the Western Front - an experience that directly supported their current studies and assessment work.

This incursion aligned closely with the Year 10 curriculum focus on the “Australians at War” core study and was timed perfectly ahead of their Viva Voce Assessment Task, which centres on analysing the impact of World War I on Australia, particularly through the lens of a specific battle on the Western Front.

The day was led by Shane Blackman, a passionate historian and former teacher who now runs a mobile museum that travels to schools across the country. Shane’s immersive approach brought the realities of trench warfare and life on the Western Front vividly to life. His presentation, focused on the years 1916–1918 in France, featured compelling stories and rare artefacts that helped students gain a deeper understanding of the period.

Students had the opportunity to explore original wartime items, including weapons, tools, uniforms, communication equipment, and food supplies. They also viewed large-scale images of Australian diggers in the trenches and engaged with the material through hands-on, story-driven activities.

What made this incursion particularly powerful was the way students were encouraged to take ownership of their learning—selecting and discussing artefacts, and hearing the real stories of soldiers through first-hand accounts. This mix of tactile learning and historical storytelling helped foster empathy and bring the human experience of war into the classroom in a meaningful and memorable way.

The insights and understanding gained from this experience have since been applied by students in their assessment tasks, with many drawing on the artefacts and stories from the day in their Viva Voce presentations.

We commend our Year 10 students for their mature and enthusiastic participation in this valuable learning opportunity. We hope to welcome Shane and the Living History incursion back to St Joseph’s in the future.

Celebrating Excellence in the Australian E-Sports League Minecraft Competition

Our school proudly participated in the Australian E-Sports League (AEL) Minecraft Competition, a national event that saw students from across Australia showcase their ability to combine creative, technical and academic skill. This year, five of our talented teams competed in the competition, facing off against hundreds of submissions from schools nationwide. The challenge for Year 8 was to design and build Global Marvels within the Minecraft Education Edition platform and Year 10 were to represent the “Workforce of Tomorrow”. They demonstrated not only technical prowess but intelligence and teamwork.

🌟 Special Recognition: Year 8 (The Block Builders Union) and Year 10 (The Keyboard Warriors)

We are thrilled to announce that one of our Year 8 teams, The Block Builders Union, has received an Honourable Mention. This recognition places them among the top entries nationally - a remarkable achievement considering the competition.

The team members -Justus M, Jake B, JB A, and Nicholas J - collaborated to recreate the International Space Station, impressing judges with their attention to detail and innovative approach. Being named as one of the Honourable Mentions is a testament to their hard work and dedication standing out amongst hundreds of submissions to the theme Global Marvels – Wonders of the World.

We were also thrilled to be informed that our Year 10 Team, The Keyboard Warriors, has received an Honourable Mention. The ‘Winners’ list recognises only the first three placings so an Honourable Mention for our Year 8 and Year 10 Team in only five Honourable Mentions state-wide is an excellent achievement. The Year 10 team's theme was the “Workforce of Tomorrow” in which they chose to represent the Defence Force and just some of the opportunities that the Defence Force offers. The team members - Lachlan C, Alyssa E, Kaori S, and Tyler M - are to be commended for yet another incredible result.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to The Block Builders Union and The Keyboard Warriors for their outstanding achievement. Their success not only highlights their individual talents but also reflects the collaborative spirit and innovative mindset fostered within our school community. A very special thank you to Mrs Rolfe for her support of our students joining this competition!

Thankyou to all 25 students that participated in the competition this year as we build our identity as true contenders in the E-Sports Forum Nationwide.

Mrs Danielle Rensburg

HSIE Teacher

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