Secondary School News

Year 9 Encounter, Wellington Dam, June 2022.

From the Dean of Teaching and Learning, Kathryn Paul

Term 2 has continued with a strong academic focus for our secondary students who have been actively engaged in a range of interesting events and activities focusing on problem-solving, creativity, collaboration and design-thinking.

Shark Tank

Our Year 7 students have been busy working in teams on a Shark Tank problem-based project which tests their entrepreneurial skills including creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. Our young entrepreneurs have been challenged with the task of identifying a need in the school community and presenting a group solution to the problem. The Year 7s have been busy engaging with members of the school community to present their ideas and pose solutions to the problems presented. The students’ ideas have been highly creative, thoughtful and imaginative including developing prototypes to support students’ mental health and also sustainability in the School. Teams will be assessed by the ‘sharks’ on their planning, pitch, collaboration, ability to persuade and engage, and also their individual presentation skills. We look forward to hearing more about the worthwhile and impressive solutions that the Year 7s present for our school community via this project.

ATAR 2022

The 2022 Year 12 ATAR course written and practical examination timetables can now be accessed via the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) website:

SCSA 2022 Examination Timetable

The 2022 Year 12 ATAR course written examinations are scheduled from Monday 31 October to Friday 18 November 2022. In addition, all Year 12 students enrolled in ATAR course examinations are required to complete the online Student Declaration and Permission details prior to Thursday 8 September 2022. Please check your SEQTA Direqt messages for further information regarding Year 12 ATAR Student Declaration and Permission details.

Year 11 VAP Guest Speaker Series

The Year 11 VAP Guest Speaker series continued this term with a presentation from The Apprenticeship Community. Recruitment and Careers Advisor, Kym Tierney recently spoke to our Year 11s on a range of topics including the different future career pathways available, apprenticeships and traineeships, and emerging occupations. Kym also provided invaluable information on employer expectations and job-hunting skills to support and guide our Year 11s through future recruitment and interview processes to prepare them for life beyond school.

Year 11 2023 Pathways and Course Selection

The Year 11 2023 Compulsory Parent Information Evening and Career Expo will be held on Wednesday 3 August in the Chapel and Technology Centre from 6:30pm. This is an important evening for Year 10 students and parents to obtain specific information regarding course selection, course counselling and Year 11 2023 pathways. The University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, Curtin University and a range of Registered Training Organisations and TAFEs will also be attending the evening to provide vital course and counselling information to parents and students to support their decision-making for life beyond school.

Semester 2 Years 7 – 12 Parent/Teacher Interview Evening

The Years 7 – 12 Parent/Teacher Evening for Semester 2 will be held on Tuesday 9 August from 3:30pm – 6:30pm. Please check your SEQTA Direqt messages to obtain further information regarding the Parent/Teacher Evening including how to make bookings in advance via your child’s teachers. It is important for Year 10 students and parents to discuss students’ Year 11 course selections and prerequisites with their teachers and Heads of Department on the night. We look forward to seeing you at the Parent/Teacher Evening during Week 3.

Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday break.

Kathryn Paul

Dean of Teaching and Learning

From the Dean of Pastoral Care, Kylie Virgo

Year 7 Student Councillors

After a competitive nomination process we were able to announce and present our Year 7 Student Councillors with their badges and certificates. We look forward to them joining and contributing to the Student Councils during Semester 2.

Name	Council
James Biddulph	Charter
Mulder Le Valliant	Charter
Emnet Reda	Hale
Alexis Patterson	Hale
Halleigh Imhof	Ramsden
Mithali Naik	Ramsden
Suyay Donoso	Scott
Damian Combes	Scott
Eliza Tabone	Service
Cailin Smith	Student Wellbeing
Pranya Periyasamy	Student Wellbeing
Juan Lebon	Chapel
Makabongwe Mpofu	Chapel
Daisy Simmonds	Arts
Mutsa Murazvu	Arts
Caitlyn Forsythe	Sport
Sophie Fitzgerald	Sport
Oviya John	Academic
Alexis Hennett	Academic
Rueben Wheeler	Academic

Inter-House Competitions

Congratulations to Ramsden House for winning this year’s Inter-House Chess competition while Hale House took out the Uno competition. The winning teams will be presented at our assembly next term.

Year 9 Encounter – Student Memories

Written by Olivia Riley

Whilst riding on the bus I thought it would be cold and wet when we were on camp and I was right! I loved spending time with my friends and going on the flying fox. When I went for a walk in the bush it was a bit hard but I tried my best. I loved the Encounter and would do it all over again.

Written by Owen Cumine

I enjoyed spending time with friends as we learnt more about each other. The activities were also very fun.

Written by Georgia Smithson

I really enjoyed our Encounter because it allowed me to try new things. There were loads of fun activities, such as problem solving games, rafting, abseiling and hiking/navigation. These all allowed us to connect with one another as we could all ask for help and get support from someone. I know that I overcame some challenges during this Encounter, and I'm sure plenty of other people did, which makes the experience even more special. I'm extremely grateful to all the teachers and instructors who gave up their time to make sure we all had the best camp. It was so nice to be out in nature with our classmates, and I can't wait until next year to do it all over again.

Written by Abby Roser

I am proud of myself that I was able to last three nights and have go at the abseiling. I also really enjoyed the ziplining. I was comfortable on our Encounter because I felt a bit more in control of what doing and felt supported. I do think this camp has helped me get over some fears that I have struggled with. I am grateful for everyone that pushed me to go on the Encounter as the experience helped me a lot.

Written by Charlize Slater

Before the Encounter I was really looking forward to the experience. I learnt a couple of things including, using a map and compass when we were hiking and how to steer a kayak with oars. I really enjoyed all of the activities. During team building we had to disarm a 'bomb'. I think that Ramsden students worked really well together. The activities that we did helped everyone use teamwork skills. Our Encounter was a great experience and I would definitely recommend it for others.

Written by Seb Cole

Honeymoon Pool was a perfect spot to go camping. I really enjoyed the times I had with my friends, especially kayaking.

Written by Sienna Macri

The Year 9 Encounter was a great chance for us to step outside of our comfort zones and attempt new things. Activities included team starter activities, kayaking, abseiling, flying fox and hiking, but my favourite was playing hide-and-seek chasey at night and chopping firewood. The flying fox and abseiling, in my opinion, were the most thrilling activities. During team-building activities, each House had to defuse two bombs which was challenging. Despite the fact that there were only 13 students in Hale, I believe we performed admirably as a team for cooking and activities. Overall, I thought the Encounter was a great experience.

Wishing everybody a restful break.

Kylie Virgo

Dean of Pastoral Care

Senior Production Night

The Year 11/12 Drama class presents Girl Asleep by Matthew Whittet. It’s the late 1970s and Greta Driscoll is chronically shy, and much to her dismay her parents have invited her entire year to her 15th birthday party. When her beloved music box is stolen from her she goes on a through-the-looking glass style adventure, meeting a cast of curious – and vaguely familiar – characters, as she attempts to retrieve her childhood from the grips of a silent crone. Featuring awkward dance scenes, goblins, aging queens, and live music this production proves that you’re never too old to dream and enjoy some happy mayhem.

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