Specialists
Secondary 7/8 Term 1
Digital Tech
Secondary 7/8A, E, G & H have had a great start to their semester of Digital Technology, beginning the unit called ‘Technology and Me’ which is focused on using technology safely and with purpose. First, they created a short moving animation using the Animation Kit. They then showed fantastic teamwork skills while playing in Minecraft, following group expectations when building a Minecraft village in each class. Each week we discuss a safety tip to help us learn how to use technology safely including treating equipment with respect such as when we use the Apple Pencils and our laptops. Next term we will create a stop motion movie and document our learning in PowerPoint.
Music
The students of Secondary 7/8A, 7/8E, 7/8G and 7/8H have been learning a range of iconic riffs as part of instrumental workshops this term. All instruments have been used, including keyboards, guitar, bass and drums. Ensemble work, and playing together has been a big focus.
PE
This term, students in 7/8 have enjoyed taking part in fitness testing as part of the P.E. program. Students enjoyed trying their best to complete different movement challenges and reflected on ways they could improve their results. They frequently worked in pairs to gather data and practise their movement and ball skills. Students participated in cooperative games where they learnt to problem solve and work together to help achieve success.
Social Competencies
The Secondary 7/8 student cohort has engaged in discovering what learning environment they require to be most successful at school. They revised Concord School Student Expectations of: Be a Learner, Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful and over several weeks of discussion and exploration they grew a deeper understanding of what they needed from their learning environment and from themselves as learners. They implemented some useful strategies, such as yoga or guided meditation, to support being ready to learn at the beginning of each social competency class and to finish each class with a discussion about what they each thought went well with the session.
Year 7/8 students have started their Drug Education unit, which focuses on identifying dangerous household substances, understanding that medicines are dangerous substances if not used correctly and that they should always seek a trusted adult to support them when using medicines. They investigated the difference between drugs and medicine and between over the counter and prescription medicine. In Term 2, the unit will continue with a deeper focus on medicine safety, exploring how to read and interpret important information on medicine labels. Identifying who has been prescribed the medication, what it is used for, how to store it and the dosage instructions.
Visual Arts
Our art program focused on exploring identity through various artistic expressions. Students engaged in self-reflective tasks and completed mini projects such as self-portraits and name-based artworks. Additionally, they created directional pieces that shared personal stories. Students engaged in ‘gallery walks’ and gave feedback on the art work of their peers.
Creative Media
The students in Secondary 7/8A, B, G and 7/8H have been enjoying using the iPads to develop their photography skills this term. They have learnt about lighting and costumes and had a great time using the T.V. studio and radio room in the Discovery Centre. Students have created old style wanted posters using costumes and filters and have enjoyed experimenting with puppets.
Food Tech
Students in Secondary 7/8 have enjoyed learning about kitchen health and safety. They are demonstrating how to use and carry a knife safely and keep their hands and cooking areas clean. Due to the single session for each class group, we alternate weeks with theory and practice. Students have embraced the learning around what is a fruit? and what is a vegetable? Culminating in making fruit and vegetable platters with a homemade dip. The highlight of the term was making pancakes for Shrove Tuesday.
Science
Students in Secondary 7/8A, 7/8E, 7/8G and 7/8H have participated in weekly demonstration and experiment sessions. They have practiced selecting and wearing correct Personal Protective Equipment for each experiment and demonstration. So far we have explored the concepts of density and endothermic reactions (experiments that create heat). Experiments have included Orange Sink and Float, Sugar Stacking and Elephant Toothpaste. Students are looking forward to Lava Lamps at the end of the term.
