Secondary News

DateEvent
27/2Secondary Athletics Carnival
29/2New Parents Dinner 
5/3Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
6/3Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
6/3Student-Free Day
7/3Secondary Swimming Carnival
12/3Whole School Assembly
13/3Year 8 Medieval Day
13/3Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN
14/3Years 7 and 10 Immunisations
14/3Community Market
14/3Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN
15/3Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN
18/3Year 10 Camp Central Australia
20/3Year 7 Camp Rumbug
25/3Year 8 Camp The Island
25/3Year 9 Camp Anglesea
25/3Year 11 Camp The Summit
25/3Year 12 Camp Allambee
28/3Last Day of Term 1

Hit the Ground Running

Last Tuesday we had our first Whole School Assembly for 2024. This time was spent dedicating the year ahead, commissioning our new staff and school Captain team in a time of prayer, and providing students with encouragement on how to maximise their approach to learning. It was also wonderful to see students embrace our new worship component as we praised the Lord together in song. 

SIS Term 1 inter-school sport commenced last Thursday and Friday for our Junior, Intermediate, and Senior students, with some teams getting off to a winning start. It was pleasing to see so many students try out for this competition. All the best for the remaining matches.

 

As you are aware, Monday was the Secondary school photo day. I would like to congratulate all 7-12 students for their correct presentation and behaviour. The photographer had nothing but praise on how our students listened and conducted themselves and were very impressed with the manners displayed. A huge thank you to parents for ensuring that your child(ren) left the house wearing the right uniform. Your support was greatly appreciated. 

 

Mr James Kumnick, Head of Secondary

Secondary Camps

The Secondary camps program is running at the end of Term 1. Camp leaders will be in contact with parents very soon (some have already) to request specific information and permission for your child(ren) to attend camp. Please direct any questions you may have to the following Secondary staff:

 

Year 7: Camp Rumbug. Wednesday 20th to Friday 22nd March. Leaders: Mrs Fiona Ryan and Miss Katie McCann

Year 8: The Island. Monday 25th to Thursday 28th March. Leaders: Mrs Ulli Austermann and Mr Peter Zwiersen

Year 9: Burnside Anglesea. Monday 25th to Thursday 28th March. Leaders: Mr Jay Johnstone and Mrs Jo Piening 

Year 10: Central Australia. Monday 18th to Wednesday 27th March. Leaders: Mr Ken Berry and Miss Laura Scouller

Year 11: The Summit. Monday 25th to Thursday 28th March. Leaders: Mr Chris Alley and Mr James Siede

Year 12: Camp Allambee. Monday 25th to Thursday 28th March. Leaders: Mrs Rachelle Cooper and Mrs Sonja Campbell.

Congratulations Leah!

Year 9 student Leah Courtis entered an acting competition at the end of last year with AACTA (Australian Academy of cinema and television arts) called the National Youth Casting Call. AACTA Young Stars aims to identify exceptional, diverse, bright, young screen talent across Australia and provide tangible opportunities to help them realise their dream. 

 

There were thousands of entra from all around Australia and Leah finished in the top 50.  Leah was invited to the Gold Coast last year to compete in the finals. The winner is yet to be announced. Congratulations Leah!

Careers in Sport Expo

On Friday of Week 3 Year 12 PE students spent the day going to the Careers In Sport Expo. This event was hosted by Carlton College of Sport, a branch of the Carlton Football club. Other professional and educational organisations such as La Trobe University, North Knights and Netball Victorian run stalls or information sessions at the expo.A primary focus of the day was to highlight the breadth of different professional pathways related to the sporting industry, beyond being an athlete. 

 

Two key points for the day were raised in the talk by one of Calrton’s strength and conditioning coaches, Liam Heilberg. The first was the importance of networking/maintaining strong professional relationships and the second was always making sure you do your best at whatever job you are currently doing, rather than viewing it as just a stepping stone. People will notice a job well done.Students also got to see the sights around the club, such as some of their premiership cups (pictured).

 

When we got to the gym early (unsupervised) before one of the sessions, we noticed someone had left 80kg loaded on the bench press. We thought it’d be rude not to utilise this, so did a few sets to get a quick workout in while we waited. - Mr Josh Goschnick, Secondary Teacher

VCE Physical Education

As part of their Unit 1, Area of Study 1 content Year 11 PE students investigated a number of methods utilised to prevent and treat a range of sporting injuries. During their week 3 lesson, students were shown the correct rigid sports taping technique for taping an injured wrist and ankle. Students were then given the opportunity to apply their new taping skills on their classmates, much to their enjoyment.

- Mr Josh Goschnick, Secondary Teacher

Weights Shed

The weight shed program has been off to a strong start in 2024. So great was the demand for use of the facility that Mr Goschnick had to open it at an additional lunch time and split the access into Year 7-9’s on Monday and Year 10-12’s on Tuesday (Note: Wednesday after school is still open to everyone). Even with this new roster the weight shed is at close to capacity, as shown in the picture from Monday of Week 4. It’s exciting to see the culture continue to grow and develop and I am eager to see it continue. - Mr Josh Goschnick, Secondary Teacher

VCE Chemistry

Chemistry is most exciting when practicals are involved. The year 11s are learning lots about the different types of bonding, molecules, and compounds we encounter; i.e. all the basics but at a complex level. We started implementing some of our understanding by seeing what temperatures that different waxes melt at and seeing what that tells us about the bonding in play.

The year 12s have been learning lots about fuels and energy. This is the next step up from our chip burning experiment. 

To take this another step further, due to the flawed conditions in out fuels experiment, we have been learning how to control these conditions, using a technique called calorimetry. This is where we get the idea of a ‘calorie’ of energy and how it connects to how much heat water can hold.

Lachlan even took his creative skills even further and saw the potential for greatness in the materials he was supplied: a flux capacitor.

We have a lot of fun in chemistry when it gets practical. - Miss Amy Partridge, Secondary Teacher

Year 12 Milestone

The year 12’s received their year 12 bomber jackets. The warmth of them was welcomed, especially since this summer has not been overly warm. This momentous occasion was commemorated with a photo of the whole year level, rocking their new threads.

 

12B had a photo of the names of their jackets, which are all personalised, making them all the more meaningful to each individual.

 

It was also a momentous occasion where the year 12s had their last formal school photos. Enjoy some of the behind the scenes moments.

This year marks the first of the Inter Home Group competitions. We band together with a colour of our choice for the glory of winning the Inter Home Group Trophy. With 12B having won the last round, their fluoro green has been on display on the trophy for the past 2 weeks. Moreover, 12A were keen to have a win under their belt this week. It was a fierce competition of strategy and strength.

 

The winner for the next two weeks is 12A. Check out their trophy and the winners ribbon (hot pink is 12A fluoro green is 12B) in the North campus reception. - Miss Amy Partridge, Secondary Teacher

Year 11 Active Volunteering working session at the Moonlit Sanctuary

Our Year 11 Active Volunteering students did an awesome job working with Geoff and Chris from Moonlit to clean up branches and debris after the severe storm last week. They were able to clean out half of the Wallaby Walk area and the Year 12 class will do the rest in their visit to Moonlit. Thanks so much to the wonderful team at Moonlit for giving our students such practical workplace experience. - Mr Ken Berry, VM Coordinator

Year 11 Sustainability Work

The Year 11 class completed some running repairs on the tyre reef and wetland nesting bird boxes installed last year. They raised the height of the logs, used extra tyres for habitat and straightened the nesting boxes, which was quite difficult to do in the water. The students did a fabulous job completing these tasks. - Mr Ken Berry, VM Coordinator

STEM: Young Women in Aerospace & Defence

Students in Years 7 – 12 are invited to apply for the Young Women in Aerospace & Defence (FREE 5-Day STEM program), offered during the school holidays in Terms 1, 2, and 3.

The program is an RMIT University co-sponsored initiative addressing the persistent gender gap across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

 

Application Process

 Students are asked to submit a written statement (max 500 words) or a video (max 2 mins) explaining why the student should be chosen for the program.

 Applications close: Tuesday, 12 March 2024

Applicants notified of success: Tuesday, 19 March 2024

 

Event Details

When: SCHOOL HOLIDAY PERIOD

Term 1: 8-12 April 2024

Term 2: 8-12 July 2024

Term 3: 23-27 September 2024

 

Students can choose the STEM program they'd like to attend. With high demand expected, preferences will be accommodated based on availability.

 

Where: RMIT University, City Campus

 

Students will:

  • Engage in a range of activities including constructing drones, designing apps, building gliders, programming bots, and conclude with races featuring their creations.
  • Participate in lectures and explore RMIT University's cutting-edge engineering facilities.
  • Take part in Q&A sessions with female STEM professionals and explore tours of aerospace and defence industry-leading companies.

 


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