School of Entrepreneurs
News from the School of Entrepreneurs
From the SOE Head of School
Greetings to the School of Entrepreneur Community,
SOE Uniform - Compulsory from 2025
I want to take a moment to compliment Years 9-12 on how fantastic they all look in their new School of Entrepreneurs (SOE) uniform. It’s wonderful to see students embracing the change with such enthusiasm, setting a great example for the rest of the school. As we move towards 2025, I’d like to remind parents and carers that the new SOE uniform will be compulsory starting next year (2025). More information on purchasing information and details will be communicated very shortly. Your commitment to upholding our school’s standards is truly appreciated.
Exam Jitters - School TV
With the HSC examinations approaching quickly and the Preliminary examinations commencing in Weeks 8 and 9 this term, students can be overwhelmed by the pressure that exams bring and the turnaround between one exam and the next. Every year, more and more emphasis is placed on achieving good results in exams causing many students to feel extraordinary pressure and having unrealistic expectations. This month on SchoolTV, parents will find advice on how to help students cope with the pressure and how students can work smarter to achieve the results they desire.
Exams are like a game. Once you know how to play the game, your chances of achieving great results rapidly increase. Parents can learn how to assist their kids to maintain perspective and keep their sanity intact during exam time.
Diet, exercise and sleep all play an important part in helping a student balance a busy schedule and study smarter. Keeping stress levels to a minimum and reducing anxiety can be easily achieved through careful planning and having a supportive environment.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to the Exam Jitters edition of SchoolTV for your perusal.https://stlukesmarsdenpark.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/exam-jitters
R U OK Day
In the coming weeks there will be lots of awareness raised for mental health. The rise of mental health concerns among young people, including anxiety, depression, and self-harm, is a pressing issue amplified by factors such as academic stress, social media, family dynamics and societal expectations. It is therefore crucial to prioritise early intervention, de-stigmatise mental health discussions, and provide accessible and effective support to address these concerns and promote the wellbeing of young people.
This year R U OK?Day falls on Thursday 12 September, an annual National Day of Action and a reminder that every day is the day to check in with your friends, family and colleagues.
R U OK? contributes to suicide prevention year round by urging people to invest time in personal relationships and empowering informal support networks to identify signs of distress. Families are encouraged to engage in this initiative, emphasising the importance of authentic human connections and reminding everyone to ask the essential question, "Are you OK?"
Parents, caregivers and schools all play a vital role in shaping young lives. Participating in R U OK?Day goes beyond classrooms, showcasing a commitment to holistic student development. By initiating conversations about mental health, schools create safe spaces, where children feel valued, understood, and supported. Parents can help by fostering an open dialogue, normalising emotions, identifying support systems, teaching active listening and addressing any stigmas relating to mental health. Participating in R U OK?Day nurtures compassion and demonstrates our dedication to the wellbeing of the whole school community, reaffirming that together, we can make a difference!
For more information on R U OK?Day and access to FREE resources, here are some links you may find useful.
Wishing everyone in our community all the best as we embark on the second half of Term 3.
Ms Jacqui Genovese - Head of School, School of Entrepreneurs
AROUND THE SOE GROUNDS
Extra Curricular
SOE Soccer Tournament:
On Friday the 9th of August we hosted the SOE Soccer Grand Final between Mo's Salad Finished, the 2024 favourite, against The Mid Table Bottlers, the underdogs, who fought fiercely all game in front of capacity crowds of onlookers and supportive spectators. With a 0-0 score at fulltime the game progressed into penalties, a challenging undertaking from a distance to small goals, without a goalkeeper. The play of the day and the winning shot scored by Gurmehak S. (Year 9), a definite crowd favourite, winning the final for The Mid Table Bottlers.
Congratulations to all our students who participated in the competition and a special thanks to our referees, Mr Bettiol, Sahil (Year 11) and Charan (Year 11).
Winners - The Mid Table Bottlers:
James J., TeAriki K., Ayaan A., Blake S., Gurmehak S., Vihaan V., Christian T. (Year 9).
Runner’s Up Team - Mo Salad's Finished:
Jordan J., Mikhail K., Kiratpal S., Udhay B., Bir Ranindir S., Kevin B. (Year 10).
Mrs Josephine Camilleri
SOL Assistant Principal
Science
Science Week: A Spectacular Journey into the World of Discovery
Science Week was a resounding success, filled with thrilling activities and fascinating experiences for students of all ages. This year’s event, held across various venues, provided an engaging mix of educational and interactive exhibits designed to spark curiosity and ignite a passion for science.
The HUB was transformed into a vibrant science display area, showcasing an array of scientific models and phenomena. Students marvelled at the engaging displays that included everything from interactive models to informative posters about various scientific concepts. The highlight of this venue, however, was undoubtedly the reptile talk conducted by Ms. Ranger Wong. Her special guest, Genghis the bearded dragon, stole the show. Ms. Wong’s captivating presentation allowed Stage 2 students to get up close and personal with Genghis, fostering a deeper appreciation for reptilian biology and behaviour.
Over in the Marketplace, optical illusions dazzled onlookers with their mind-bending effects, providing a hands-on experience with visual perception. The interactive displays in this area allowed students to engage directly with scientific principles, making learning both fun and memorable.
The Practical Lab Spaces hosted mini science lessons that proved to be a hit with all attendees. These sessions were packed with activities such as making bath bombs, preparing microscope slides, and observing exciting Bunsen burner demonstrations. Each activity offered students a chance to dive into the practical aspects of science and see the principles they had learned in action.
Stage 3 students enjoyed a unique experience with Mrs Kohnertz, who guided them through an intriguing exploration of the contents of ‘Whale Snot.’ This hands-on activity allowed students to analyse and understand the scientific significance of this unusual substance, further enriching their Science Week experience.
In addition to these exciting activities, teachers embraced the spirit of the week by dressing up as scientists, adding an extra layer of fun and immersion to the event. Their enthusiasm was contagious, inspiring students to explore and question with renewed vigour.
The species hunt proved to be a great success and congratulations went to Riley Vella of 9Navy for finding the most species in the shortest amount of time. Well done Riley!
Overall, Science Week was a jam-packed celebration of science, full of engaging activities and learning opportunities. The blend of interactive displays, practical experiments, and memorable talks ensured that students had a fantastic time while deepening their understanding of the scientific world. It was a week where curiosity was celebrated, and learning was truly brought to life.
Ms Natacha Warnant
Science Teacher
Year 12 Physics Excursion to ANSTO
Our Year 12 Physics students recently enjoyed an exciting excursion to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). The day was filled with exploration and hands-on learning as students toured the facility and discovered the fascinating uses of radioisotopes in medicine, industry, and research. A highlight of the visit was viewing the particle accelerators, which captivated the enthusiastic group. This unique experience provided invaluable insights into the world of nuclear science, leaving our students inspired and eager to learn more!
HSIE
Year 10 students are currently studying a unit called ‘My Working Life’ in Work Studies. This unit is designed to help students in their journey to work and make them aware of all of the possibilities for the future. Students have been doing a wonderful job thinking about the goals and their dreams and how they can get them there. This work is going to culminate in a Digital Portfolio which will allow students to show their future pathway and even create a resume as their future selves in 2034 which will show the path that they travelled to get to their desired destination. This Digital Portfolio is the culmination of the work done in Work Studies this year and is the final Preliminary Assessment. We look forward to seeing what students are able to produce when it is due on the 11th September.
CAPA
It’s a busy time for our students in the Creative and Performing Arts. Our Year 12 art students have been hard at work, putting the finishing touches on their Body of Works in preparation for their HSC submissions. They have explored a wide range of expressive forms, including drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and photomedia. We’re excited to see their final creations and wish them all the best as they complete their work ahead of the submission date on the 2nd of September.
Similarly, our Year 12 drama students are busy refining their group performances as they gear up for their upcoming HSC Exams. With HSC markers scheduled to be on site on the 4th of September, our students have been rehearsing tirelessly. We wish them every success in their upcoming performances.
In Year 11, our art students have been delving into the intricate craft of ceramics, creating unique vessels that demonstrate their growing skills and artistic vision. Meanwhile, our Year 11 music students are making impressive strides in honing their performance skills, preparing to share their musical talents on stage. We are incredibly proud of the dedication and creativity our students are showing across the board. Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to witness their amazing work!
TAS
Year 10 Design and Technology (Preliminary HSC)
Students are well underway with their final project where they are exploring ways to utilise their skills in order to address a sustainability need whilst also pursuing their passions. Below we can see our new woodworking machinery in full use. Students have the option of producing a solution from any material that is appropriate to the problem they are working on, it is great to see students utilising the vast facilities that are available at the College.
Life Design
Year 9
Term 3 sees students engaging with Financial Fitness - an opportunity to talk money, savings, investments and income streams. They have started with basic budgeting skills, case studies of bank accounts and spending habits of themselves. All students were asked to investigate how much they might cost their household each week, some gentle exposure to costs such as water, electricity, rates, groceries and more, with the intention that students appreciate the value of money a little more.
All Year 9 students have an incursion with a St George community representative who will outline some basic aspects of everyday finance and answer specific questions from students on the day.
Date: Friday 30th August, 2024
When: Session 2
Who: All Year 9
Year 10 - Positive Psychology & Psychological Capital
Using some reflection of their own behaviour, experiences and values, students have been exploring the concept of positive psychology and its impacts on an individual. Using the CBT (thoughts, feelings and behaviours) triangles to represent the difference between positive and negative thoughts and the impacts each element has on the others with future experiences in mind.
