Social Science

Term 3 is in full swing with Year 12 finishing their trial examinations and Year 11 preparing for their final preliminary exams. Our senior classes are completing many exercises to help improve exam strategies and skills. Year 8 and 9 Geography students have been busy this term learning new geographical skills and completing fieldwork. On any given day this term the boys can be seen in the school grounds, testing soil, completing field sketches, measuring wind speed and studying the flora and fauna around the school. 

Earlier in the year, we went on an excursion to Gibberagong where we walked through rugged terrain and dusty land with a guide telling us the history and pointing out the distinct fauna and flora that inhabit the area. This time we have investigated geography at our school, our home turf, if you will. We got to get our hands dirty and recorded the measurements ourselves, we developed our understanding of the geographical tools, such as the wind speed tester, thermometer, compass and the soil PH kit, giving us valuable insights into how Geographers test, measure and record the different aspects of the land and our atmosphere. Overall, the Year 8 geography course has been very captivating because of the content that we have learned in the course.Jake E and Matthew G, Year 8

Last term we had 182 students across all year groups take part in the Australian Geography Competition. This year we had an outstanding result from Pranav K in Year 8. Pranav achieved the top mark in Year 8 in the 2025 Australian Geography Competition. This remarkable national accomplishment reflects not only Pranav’s strong academic ability but also his commitment to learning beyond the classroom. Pranav has extended himself through demonstrating curiosity, discipline, and a passion for Geography. His success is a testament to the value of independent learning and academic enrichment.

Frederick C from Year 10 received a score in the top 1% of the competition. A huge congratulations to Fredrick on an outstanding achievement.

We also acknowledge the following students for their excellent result in the Australian Geography Competition:

High Distinction:

• Year 7: Aarav G, Zhoulin L, Zach T and Frank W
• Year 8: William C, Jeremy F and Hakeem T
• Year 9: Jing Wei A and Arunachalam M
• Year 10: Jayden T
• Year 11: Gavin Y
• Year 12: Jasper Y

Distinction: 

• Year 7: Alfred C, Austin H, Bryan H, James L, Devyansh P, Charles Q, Vinay S, Aidan Z and Jeremy Z
• Year 8: Jonathan C, Leyi D, Zimo G, Lucas H, Genji M, Max P, Eliot T and Eason W
• Year 9: Luke W
• Year 10: Ritvik O and Jamie Y
• Year 11: Daniel G, Kaishin M and Ray R
•  

Thank you to Ms Doshi for her organisation of the competition.

Year 9 and 10 Psychology Incursion 

On Friday 15 August the year 10 and Year 9 Psychology classes met in the hall to begin their testing. Year 10 had an assignment - to propose, design, and run an experiment. The experiments ranged from testing logic and memory, to perception and physical activities. The year 9 psychology class would be the test subjects.  

The day began with a logic test. At face value - it would have been perceived as difficult, but achievable. However, it held a deeper meaning. At the end of the day, they would take another test. Almost alike, but with 6 impossible questions. Designed by Justin P to test for learned helplessness. Other tests were run afterwards such as: Influence of mobile phones on one's ability to complete tests (Lachlan C), Anchoring bias - introducing false facts to alter an answer - (Will S), Bouba-Kiki effect (Edward C), the effect of music on cognitive capacity (Thanakrit. B), and other intriguing tests.

In summary, year 10 thoroughly enjoyed the experiments, and the results will be put to good use in the completion of their projects. There will be a formal presentation of the report at the end of the year for the final part of their experiment.  

Chris R, Year 10 Psychology student

On Friday of Week 4, Year 9 and 10 Psychology students went to the hall for an incursion where year 10 students carried out their personal interest projects. There were many activities to do such as memory tests, surveys, Crossy Road, and estimation. Additionally, Year 10 students observed how we behaved and reacted in different situations. Overall, the experience was very interesting as it allowed us to see what it is like to be part of a psychological experiment, and it gave us an insight into what kind of personal interest projects we may choose to complete next year.

Being the test subject in our psychology incursion was both challenging and eye-opening. The Year 10 psychology students gave us lots of small surveys and tests, each designed to observe something different about how we think or respond. Due to the nature of some tasks, the use of mobile phones was approved for the day. Some of the tasks felt really difficult, and at first it was frustrating, but we later learned that a few were actually designed to be impossible, which helped us understand how people react under pressure. Overall, it was an interesting experience that showed us how psychological experiments can reveal more about human

Riian Z and Matthew T, Year 9 Psychology students

Aida Ghorayeb

Relieving Head Teacher Social Science

Aidan Bondfield 

Relieving Head Teacher Social Science